I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to let go. 

I’m not complaining though. I’m thankful for these 15 full episodes of Kevin Bacon and I have knuckle pains to show for it.

Every week since the series debuted on January 21, I’ve crossed my fingers tight and prayed to the gods at Warner television that the series not be chopped.

I mean, you just never know these days, the network axes are swinging hard.

Us followers can breathe easy though, the prime time thriller was in fact renewed for a second season last month.

Natalie Zea as Karen Darling in Dirty Sexy Money

I want to take a second to mention that the stunning Natalie Zea is doing a great job playing distressed damsel, Claire Matthews.

Remember her in Dirty Sexy Money? Natalie played the booze guzzling, rich bitch bimbo Karen Darling. I barely recognized her.

Oh, and speaking of the cast, Shawn Ashmore’s character, Mike Weston, is back in the saddle tonight after being forced to play fight club with some of Joe Carroll’s psycho puppets.

The Following’s season finale airs Monday, April 29 on CTV.

I scored an invite to the launch of this traveling shindig tonight in Montreal, so I’m heading out with my forever gal pal, Stacy.

What sold me on this party, apart from some more than decent sponsors including Barefoot Wine, is headliner Robert DeLong.

MTV and Billboard have labeled Robert a 2013 noisemaker and artist to watch for, so I’m stoked about meeting this electro wonder, one-man band one-on-one. 

Watch for my interview with the rising star coming soon, and I may or may not fire off a contest for all the fans Robert’s already charmed.

Ok, who am I kidding? I do have a contest coming, so keep an eye out.

Sorry Montreal, it’s too late to get in on the action, but Toronto and Vancouver, you can nab tickets to the event by clicking here, and visit ION Magazine for more party info here.

Check out “Global Concepts,” the lead single from Robert’s debut album, Just Movement, here.

The collection features 7 acoustic tracks including three studio recordings and “It’ll Do” from her upcoming EP Heavyweight.

Get Rachael’s mixtape for FREE right here!

Heavyweight is set to be released digitally on November 20th and physically on November 27th. Tour dates here.

This is another personal milestone for me. It’s right up there, ranking by my chats with Neil Young, Tori Amos and Lady Gaga.

I pretty much bumped around to The Bangles in diapers and still get pumped when I hear their hits.

“Manic Monday” will forever be my theme song to the most dreaded day of the week. The track usually pours right into my first caffeine fix.

I was half way through my second cup of coffee when Susanna’s publicist rang my iPhone to patch me through.

“Good morning, Marc, you’ve got 15 minutes with Susanna, and she’s ready. Here she is.”

What a rush. Those few minutes went out faster than the reign of Molly Ringwald (sorry Molly).

Earlier this a.m., I was struggling to shortlist my top 20 questions for the star. Well, I managed to pack our chat with some sweet small talk and 12 whole questions covering the past, present and future, and of course Susanna’s brand new solo album Someday. You can download a few tracks for FREE right here!

Susanna took the time to slide in feedback and compliments on my interview in between questions. I was flattered (so flattered that I have no words, can you imagine?), but I found myself biting my lip and thinking, “Tic, toc, lady, we’re not finished. I want to squeeze in one last question!”

Susanna was actually everything I expected, even more.

I try not to build celebrities up in my head, after all they’re no different than the rest of us, but this time, I couldn’t help it. Either way, Susanna didn’t let me down.

The woman is humble, charming and thankful for her lengthy career.

You’ll have the chance to get to know Susanna more through my full interview and her Celebrity Playlist feature coming soon.

Interviewing Augie Duke at her family’s lake house. ©marcandrew.ca

L.A. was missing a few stars this weekend and I found them shining at a secluded lake house just outside the quaint ski town of St. Sauveur.

Rising talent Augie Duke, of the upcoming comedy thriller Bad Kids Go to Hell, invited me to her celebrity family’s northern retreat tucked away in the sticks, a more than welcomed way to escape all the Osheaga weekend mayhem in Montreal.

Before I unravel anymore details about my lake break, I’d like to mention that Augie is fresh off a guest spot on The Mentalist (season 4, episode 20), and you better believe I got the lowdown on Simon Baker, but you’ll have to wait on our interview. We figured we’d turn a portion of our play-date into a little segment just for you.

So there I was with Augie, (just one small degree of separation from Simon Baker!), Fredrica Duke, Augie’s mom, actress and blogger (catch her blog here), Augie’s step dad and 20-time Primetime Emmy nominee, Michael Barrie, (he’s the writer responsible for the Late Show with David Letterman, Bad Boys, the ’95 blockbuster starring Will Smith, and vintage gems like The Dean Martin Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson), and emerging duo American Slang (that’s Augie’s brother Barnaby Duke aka BB the Jerk and Mariah Parks of the TV series The Wannabees).

The clan greeted me like a distant cousin that they were expecting for dinner, and I was brought up to speed on a few family traditions like the sentimental snack I stuffed my face with.

Augie’s gramma would prepare Fredrica a tuna sandwich, 1 part tuna, 3 parts mayo, practically every day of her childhood. Now here’s Augie slopping mayo around for me and talking about Hollywood men in the kitchen.

And what a stunning piece of real estate. The newly renovated, 2 floor cottage is on a private shoreline so placid and secretive it’s fit for a Friday the 13^th sequel.

After whispering “ki ki ki, ma ma ma” under my breath and getting all the Jason Vorhees references out of my system, Augie mentioned that she’s actually considering the gorgeous getaway for the location of a twisted film she’s sketching out in her head and hopes to fully develop sometime.

Out on the dock, over some pinot grigio and Alex Clare’s debut album The Lateness of the Hour, our convo shifted from movie projects to nudity, breakups, pineapples, Fiona Apple and Rodney Eastman (I Spit on Your Grave 2010, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 & 4) as the actor texted Augie from L.A.

There’s another one of those degrees of separation moments, and it resulted in an interview with Rodney. For a horror fanatic like me, that’s a big deal.

But even bigger than that is this Hollywood family’s hospitality. They opened, not just their home, but their safe, private little corner of the world.

Thank you.

Keep an eye out for my interviews with Augie Duke, American Slang and Rodney Eastman. Connect with Augie on facebook and twitter, and American Slang here.

The incredible Hulk was a smash at the conference. © marcandrew.ca

Alright all you geeks and freaks, the Montreal ComicCon announced its official lineup at a sizzling press conference at Terrasses Bonsecours on the waterfront of Old Montreal yesterday.

Being Human’s Kristen Hager, C-3PO, and the incredible Hulk were among the special guests on-site to help reveal the exciting news.

I joined in on all the fun in the sun to bring you these highlights.

Trekies, brace yourselves, this is crazy. Not one, but two captains of the starship Enterprise are headlining this year’s event. William Shatner and Sir Patrick Stewart are on board!

The two icons will be joined by Brent Spiner, who you know as Commander Data, John de Lancie who starred as Q across multiple Star Trek installments and video games, and Wil Wheaton aka Wesley Crusher of Star Trek: The Next Generation (also known for his recurring gig on The Big Bang Theory as himself).

For horror fanatics, Malcolm McDowell, infamous for his unforgettable performances in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and Rob Zombie’s Halloween reboot, will be there to creep you out, that is if Gunnar Hansen, the original Leatherface from 1974’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre, doesn’t get to you first.

A little easier on the eyes, the cast of Being Human will be in the house. Sam Huntington, Meaghan Rath and Kristen Hager will come knocking, but Saturday only.

© marcandrew.ca

Speaking of hit TV, you a fan of Smallville? Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) and Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort) are flying by.

Warehouse 13 represents. Eddie McClintock is going to catch up with Aaron at the event.

And if you’re a Buffy die hard like me, you’re probably psyched about Nicholas Brendon and James Marsters spending the weekend. Don’t miss Friday night of Comiccon weekend. James takes the stage for a special concert.

This is going to be amazing. Now everybody scream!

Oh, and I recommend you get your tickets online prior to the event, don’t wait for the door. Who wants to be turned away from a full house?

Comiccon takes over Montreal September 14, 15 and 16 at Palais des Congres. Lineup, schedules and so much info here.

Crystal Castles just unleashed “Plague” to the world wide web this morning.

Alice Glass and Ethan Kath, the electronic duo from Toronto, first uncovered this sick tune during their performance at the Parklife Festival in Manchester, England last month, and now it’s yours for free! Download it here.

No news on Crystal Castles’ forthcoming record that they worked on in Germany earlier this year, but this is exciting enough. Happy Wednesday!

To tide us over, the festival put together a free playlist of artists set to take the stage. You’ve got some City and Colour to M83. Gee, thanks Osheaga!

Pick yours up for FREE on iTunes now. Here’s your redeem code: F47X4XAN4LFF

This offer expires 31.08.2012. See the free Osheaga Playlist below.

CITY AND COLOUR

Hope for Now

.

DAN MANGAN

Post-War Blues

.

DOWN WITH WEBSTER

She’s Dope

.

GARY CLARK JR.

Bright Lights

.

M83

Reunion

.

MEMORYHOUSE

The Kids Were Wrong

.

PASSION PIT

Take a Walk

.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Lightshow

.

SBTRKT

Pharaohs (feat. Roses Gabor)

.

WINTERSLEEP

Resuscitate

The sophomore album bumped American Idol alum Carrie Underwood down to #3, making Adam the seventh reality show finalist to score the top position.

On Wednesday, May 30, Adam ends his East Coast promo tour in Montreal, dropping by MusiquePlus for a performance and interview.

You might still be able to snag tickets from the studio here. You can also attend the album release party that Cabaret Mado is hosting on Tuesday, May 29 at 10 p.m. for a chance to win a spot and a copy of the new album. Details here.

On Tuesday, May 22 this Montreal singer-songwriter is unleashing her anticipated solo album Up!

You may know the rocker from her days with Me, Mom & Morgentaler and her collabs with Bran Van 3000, David Usher and Nelly Furtado, but Up! is Kim like you’ve never seen or heard her before.

Raising the bar for this solo effort, Kim teamed up with Queens of the Stone Age ex-drummer Gene Trautmann, Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn, Jason Falkner (Jellyfish) and George Donoso and Martin Pelland formerly of The Dears.

Montreal’s Creature also makes a cameo and spawned a remix for this wild ride.

As if times weren’t exciting enough, to underline the launch of Up!, Kim and I checked-in to a chic Luxury King Suite at the Lowes Hotel Vogue.

Photographer Sean Bouguerra and makeup artist Keven Chi joined us as we transformed the 5-star digs into Rockstar Hotel, the location of one hell of a glamourous, intimate interview and photo shoot.

Kim’s full Rockstar Hotel Session is coming soon.

Kim is photographed by Sean Bouguerra in a Luxury Suite at the Loews Hotel Vogue Montreal. Clothing supplied by White Label, make-up by Keven Chi.

Join Kim at her album launch party Tuesday, May 22 at la Sala Rossa. More info here. You can track Kim down on twitter and facebook.

First things first, Holly’s got a new album, Run Body Run that she drops on Tuesday, May 15. I’m streaming a new track below, have a listen.

As for the contest, it’s a hot one.

The grand prize winner and their +1 will have their butts whisked off to Toronto for the acclaimed NXNE festival, the winning pair will be put up for two nights, granted two full delegate passes to NXNE, entry to Holly’s NxNE showcase at the Rivoli, a pre-show dinner at the Rivoli Restaurant, the very first autographed copy of the new album, 2 pairs of Mukluks from Manitobah Mukluks and a meet and greet with the rocker herself. (For Canadian residents only)

For all the exciting details and other prizes, CLICK HERE!

Click here to get Patrick’s song “Blackwind” free from iTunes this week.

The track comes from Patrick’s forth and latest album Adventures In Your Own Backyard. The Polaris Music Prize winner recorded this intimate record at home in his Plateau hood.

Patrick’s album release show tonight at the Corona Theatre is sold out, but you can find him on facebook and twitter.

Patrick is best known as guitarist extraordinaire of The Dears, but his latest solo effort, Hundred Thousand Pieces, has the potential to change that.

This dark and very personal offering is so stunning it hurts. Taking a little from the classic rock genre and from his obvious influences, Patrick’s crafted moody indie rock perfection.

The only thing I’d slam the guy for is the album’s length. Krief! 10 tracks are not enough! But the man can’t be strung up, he pretty much wrote, produced and performed the whole thing himself.

So you can let that slide. Besides, listen to the outcome, you can’t hold anything over his head.

Hundred Thousand Pieces will leave you wanting more, and I’m starting to think that was Patrick’s intention.  

Among the Beatlesque gems found on the album, “Tell Yourself,” latches on real tight. I’ve had it on repeat all afternoon.

Try another hot track, “Simple Lives,” right here.

Toronto gets Patrick live tonight at The Dakota Tavern. More Krief on his official site and you can find him on facebook.

The album triology they’re calling Uno!, Dos!, Tre!, is being recorded in their hometown of Oakland, California and will be released on September 25, November 13, and the final record on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

Here’s a statement the guys released this morning:

“We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we’ve ever written, and the songs just keep coming. Instead of making one album, we are making a three album trilogy. Every song has the power and energy that represents Green Day on all emotional levels.  We just can’t help ourselves… We are going epic as fuck!”

Green Day briefly talks about the forthcoming triology in this video:

Stay updated by visiting Green Day’s official site and follow the guys on twitter and facebook.

Kristina Maria peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Canadian Artists chart right on time for her album launch yesterday evening at MusiquePlus.

I dropped by the shindig to catch Kristina’s live performance and I’ve got to tell you, she’s a shocker.

This girl has pipes and didn’t hesitate to prove it. Kristina wowed her fans by belting out a ballad in between her infectious pop tunes including the hit single “Let’s Play.”

Now it adds up. Catch Kristina live and you’ll hear just why big man Vito Luprano took an interest in the singer (he’s the suit famous for signing Miss Celine back in the late 80s and overseeing the production her extensive repertoire).

After the live bit, I took over the MusiquePlus set for a sit-down interview with Kristina and I uncovered a brainy, playful and humble rising star.  

Also marking the event, famed francophone singer Corneille made a guest appearance and joined Kristina on stage for the pair’s first-ever live performance of the single “Co-Pilot.” You can pull up a live shot of Corneille here and one of Kristina right here.

Kristina’s career has taken off to towering heights and if this launch was a sign of what’s to come, it’s going to be a wild ride.

Check out “Let’s Play” below. Follow Kristina on twitter and drop her a line, she digs the feedback.

 Photo credit: Sean Bouguerra, special to marcandrew.ca

Special thanks to Kristina Maria, Nathalie Corbeil and to MusiquePlus for making me feel at home in their studios once again.

With the ridiculous amount of cover songs recorded in people’s bathrooms, it’s refreshing to come across some decent renditions that sound fresh and alive rather than tired and massacred.

Here they are for you. Click on each song title for your free download!

Hide and Seek

Wicked Game

Hyperballad

For more from The Last Domino, click here. Connect with John on facebook.

A much more developed lineup will be revealed on Tuesday, March 20.

Follow Osheaga on twitter and visit the official site to stay in the loop. Osheaga overtakes Montreal August 3 through 5.

This just in! The 2012 JUNO Award nominations were announced this morning. City and Colour, Drake, Feist, Nickelback and Dan Mangan scored big on the nods. This year’s award ceremony will be hosted by William Shatner and is set to broadcast live from the nation’s capital, Ottawa.

Here are the nominees in selected major categories. Some of them have me scratching my head, like the entire Album of the Year category. Oh, Canada. Really?

Artist of the Year: City and Colour, Deadmau5, Drake, Feist, Michael Bublé.

Album of the Year: Goodbye Lullabye: Avril Lavigne. Take Care: Drake. Under the Mistletoe: Justin Bieber. Christmas: Michael Bublé. Here and Now: Nickleback.

Single of the Year: Fragile Bird: City and Colour. Invincible, Hedley. Let’s Go Higher, Johnny Reid. When We Stand Together, Nickelback. I Don’t Know, The Sheepdogs.

Group of the Year:Arkells, Down With Webster, Hedley, Nickelback, Sam Roberts Band.

International album of the Year: 21: Adele. Mylo Zyloto: Coldplay. Born This Way: Lady Gaga. Sorry for Party Rocking: LMFAO. Loud: Rihanna.

New Artist of the Year: Alyssa Reid, Dan Mangan, Diamond Rings, JRDN, Lindi Ortega.

New Group of the Year: Braids, Hey Rosetta, Mother Mother, The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Sheepdogs

Juno Fan Choice: Arcade Fire, Avril Lavigne, City and Colour, Deadmau5, Drake, Ginette Reno, Hedley, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Nickelback.

For the complete list of nominees click here. The 2012 Juno Awards will be held in Canada’s capital at Ottawa’s Scotiabank Place on Sunday, April 1. See the live broadcast on CTV.

The tracklisting for Breaking Dawn Part 1 is finally revealed.

Grammy-award winning Bruno Mars leads the pack with the first single “It Will Rain.”

Joining the chart topper are Christina Perri, Aqualung, The Joy Formidable and The Belle Brigade among others.

Iron & Wine, who is featured on the first soundtrack of the successful series, returns with a revisited version of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth,” the tune that Bella and Edward slow danced to at their high school prom.

Bruno Mars’ “It Will Rain” is available with the soundtrack pre-order on iTunes now, while the full Breaking Dawn Part 1 album will be released on November 8.

View the complete tracklisting below:

1. Endtapes – The Joy Formidable

2. Love Will Take You - Angus & Julia Stone

3. It Will Rain - Bruno Mars

4. Turning Page - Sleeping At Last

5. From Now On - The Features

6. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

7. Neighbors - Theophilus London

8. I Didn’t Mean It - The Belle Brigade

9. Sister Rosetta (2011 Version) - Noisettes

10. Northern Lights - Cider Sky

11. Flightless Bird, American Mouth (Wedding Version) - Iron & Wine

12. Requiem On Water - Imperial Mammoth

13. Cold - Aqualung & Lucy Schwartz

14. Llovera - Mia Maestro

15. Love Death Birth - Carter Burwell

The Deluxe Version includes the bonus tracks: 

16. Like A Drug - Hard-Fi

17. Turning Page (Instrumental) - Sleeping At Last

18. Eclipse (All Yours) - Kevin Teasley

19. It Will Rain (Video) - Bruno Mars