There’s some great news brewing out of the US federal courts where a jury has found that Ticketmaster and Live Nation have had a monopoly over big concert venues. This is still subject to review and a decision by a judge. But whatever good comes out of this court case, I hope it sets a precedent and spreads to Canada and other countries too.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five showcases a grab bag of hits from 1980. Please do check out the playlist for show #8 of The MAPL Tapes. I also have a flashback chart from this week in 2017, which is full of unsuspecting surprises which are too hard to believe that they are nine years old, so be sure to have a gander!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
HAYLA, “Heal”
About the artist: Hayla is an award winning UK electronic dance music artist whose solo career received a huge boost after being featured on some of the most popular EDM tracks of the decade so far by Kx5 (Deadmau5 and Kaskade) and John Summit. Four of her releases, both solo and collaborations, have reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30.
About the record: Hayla steps away from big and powerful deep house EDM with the ballad “Heal”, which is still destined to become a festival favourite because of its universal theme about taking the time to heal. Her vocal is as splendid as ever, and fans will appreciate the control and nuance in this recording. Hayla previewed this song on her socials to instantly positive reaction a few months ago, and the wait has been worth it. As much as “Shiver” and “Where You Are” touch you deep inside and make you want to dance, “Heal” aims for the head and heart and works in a completely different way.
Other comments: Hayla has select concert dates in Las Vegas (EDC) and Columbus, Ohio, as well as at Osheaga in Montreal.
KINGA, STONEBRIDGE, “Just Play the Music”
About the artists: Kinga is a Toronto electronic dance music performer and songwriter who has also been one half of HarlowBardot. After not recording since the 80’s, Kinga revived his underground release “Sexy Boy” to acclaim from dance music fans, which has led to other solo releases since. Stonebridge is the Grammy-nominated Swedish dance producer revered for his smash remix of Robin S’ “Show Me Love” as well as many others. Stonebridge also remixed HarlowBardot’s “Static in My Head” last year.
About the record: The anthemic and exhilarating “Just Play the Music” is just the kind of tonic dance music fans are looking for these days. It’s chock full of 90’s and contemporary flavours with some nice bass synth work and a compelling vocal from Kinga. The message is simple – just play the music and everyone will have a great time and before they know it, ask “where did the night go?”. Thematically and sometimes melodically, “Just Play the Music” reminds me a lot of Pet Shop Boys’ 2013 release “Vocal”. It’s the kind of song where you are guaranteed to leave any troubles behind during its three minutes.
Other comments: The partnership between Kinga and Stonebridge translates so well to song, and I hope we will hear more collaborations to come.
VASSY, MIND ELECTRIC, “On Me” (Disco Fries remix)
About the artists: Vassy is the L.A.-based, Australia-born dance music vocalist and songwriter best known for 2010’s US dance club chart-toppers “We Are Young” and “Nothing to Lose”, as well as numerous collaborations with superstar producers like David Guetta, Tiesto, Afrojack, and Dave Audé. In recent years, she has taken back artistic control as an independent performer. Mind Electric is veteran Australian producer Kristian Jackson, who had a #1 club chart hit in Australia with “Dirty Cash” and has worked with Kaskade, Laidback Luke, Chris Lake, Stonebridge, and Angger Dimas. He is likely best known outside of Australia for his remixes and live performances worldwide at festivals.
About the record: “On Me”, as remixed by recent EDMA remix winners The Disco Fries, is a bright and enjoyable 90’s flavoured bop. Vassy can be a chameleon with her vocals and on this track she sounds bubbly and fun. Despite his years as a producer, Mind Electric is a new name to me, but his production and synth work here are seamless. This is a fine remix that’s better than the original track, with summery vibes that could easily find favour at dance music radio.
Other comments: Vassy won the first ever Icon Award by a woman at the EDMA’s in 2023.
PARRALOX, “I’m in Love with a German Film Star”
About the artist: Parralox is the electronic dance project masterminded by talented Melbourne, Australia producer and sometime vocalist John von Ahlen, and I’ve written about his releases many times in these blog pages over the years.
About the record: “I’m in Love with a German Film Star” is a cover of the 1981 UK chart hit by The Passions, which has since become a favourite of new wave music fans. While the original brings Human League and Waitresses vibes, John has updated the song with late 90’s synths out of the pages of Alice Deejay and a killer bass synth drop. The delightful lead vocals are provided by Parralox regular Louise Love whose style helps give the song a new perspective. As much as it is a cover, Parralox really has reinvented “German Film Star” for the 2020’s and it’s simply splendid.
Other comments: John’s work always has me curious so I’m wondering what other surprises he has in store for us this year. Check out the imaginative video for the song at the following link: Film Star
CRYS MATTHEWS, “Forged in Fire”
About the artist: Crys Matthews was born in North Carolina but based in Nashville, and her style segues from pop to blues to country/folk to bluegrass. Her songs champion social justice with the view that love and hope win every time. Identifying as LGBTQ+, she was raised in a religious household where her mother was an African Methodist Episcopalean minister.
About the record: “Forged in Fire” is a rallying cry for united strength and faith in the chaotic times of today being driven by often confounding political agendas. It is indeed sung like a callback gospel song, with just about every verse repeated with emphasis by a choir, which only adds to the impact of Crys’ powerful writing. What’s also great about this song is that it’s not at all preachy. Its lyrics and aim truly make sense, and its basic message – we all have power within – and related imagery of our spines being “forged in fire” is uniquely and memorably stated.
Other comments: The burgeoning talent of Crys Matthews is apparent. At the International Folk Music Awards, she was named Artist of the Year in 2024, and won awards for Song of the Year in both 2022 and 2025.
EMPIRE CHILD, ” Negativity Be Gone”
About the artist: Empire Child is the artist name for former British music executive Ruth Rothwell, who did it all behind the scenes – promotion, A&R, artist management, making masterful connections for others. Ruth recently returned to her first love – songwriting – and I wrote about her mellow and thoughtful single “Trace the Race” recently at this link: Trace
About the record: It’s easier said “Negativity Be Gone” then for it actually to be done. But Empire Child has the right idea and strategies for you to consider through song. Obviously she has been through numerous stages in her life, and while no two people are alike, the basics about change are inherent. The music, like with “Trace the Race”, is rooted in R&B, blues, jazz and reggae, classy alternative soul music. Her voice has admirable control as she stays in her head voice throughout. But most of all, the empowering messages of self-realization, self-awareness, and that people ultimately have choices will give anyone food for thought by the time the song is finished.
Other comments: “Negativity Be Gone” was written on Empire Child’s travels between London and Spain, where she worked with jazz professor and producer Mariano Diaz.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s “Reluctantly in Love” by Toronto area rock band The James Clark Institute
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program, owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. and produceer of my show “The Big 20”.
Big Daddy’s record of the week will return
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline” as well as on The Musicman James Rogers’ “The 3D Variety Show”.
It’s “Life in a Northern Town” by British trio The Dream Academy (1985)
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my NewMusic Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.`
It’s Ella Langley with the follow up to her #1 hit “Choosin’ Texas” with “Be Her”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays). The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Pat Benatar – We Live For Love
Rocky Burnette – Tired Of Toein’ The Line
Gary Numan – Cars
Bette Midler – The Rose
Dr. Hook – Sexy Eyes
The featured performer in Show #8 is country-rock multi-talent Eric Sage.
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2017
It’s just too hard to believe that the one-time-only collaboration between The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”, was my #1 song nine years ago!! Let your mind wander when you review this list! Harry Styles’ first solo work debuts – a much better song than anything on his recent fourth album. And it’s also the first appearance by my fellow Canadians Loud Luxury. It’s disheartening to see so many indie performers of the day who are no longer releasing music, but it looks like even the early days of streaming took its toll. * = Canadian
01 01 SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
02 02 MAD ABOUT YOU Koni, Danelle
03 03 SAIL Levi, Victor Perry
04 04 FILL ME IN (SOMETHING TO SAY) Loud Luxury* & Ryan Shepherd*
10 05 WTFYWF Mahalo, Cat Lewis*
09 06 LETHAL Blajk*
08 07 WINDSWEPT Crywolf
11 08 MANIFEST Brandyn Burnette
13 09 STRANDED WRLD X SMLE, KIDDO AI
12 10 HALLUCINATING (Christofi remix) Elohim
15 11 STAY Zedd, Alessia Cara*
05 12 MEMORIES OF YOU Alyx Ander, Srey Davi
17 13 I WONDER The Him, LissA
06 14 PARIS The Chainsmokers
16 15 KNOW MYSELF OWKEY, Ashdown
23 16 FALLING Alesso
20 17 WORSHIP The Knocks, MNEK
21 18 SINNER Lulleaux, SVM
25 19 WASTED MY LOVE Axel Mansoor
07 20 BE MY LOVE Mahalo, Cat Lewis*
New 21 SIGN OF THE TIMES Harry Styles
28 22 CRUEL Eddy Faulkner
New 23 RUNAWAY Spirix, Xuitcasecity
14 24 SLEEPING IN (Sean Turk remix) Phil Good
18 25 NAKED DNCE
New 26 NEVER BEEN BETTER Steve Void
New 27 NIGHTCRAWLER ZHU
19 28 LIGHT San Holo
New 29 I NEED YOU NOW (THE MORE YOU LEAVE) Andy Suzuki & The Method
24 30 FOR YOU JPB, Luke Cusato
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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