In 1995, this level of female angst and razor sharp confessional songwriting was unheard of in mainstream music.

Today, Jagged Little Pill still remains one of the most successful and influential albums of all time, selling 33 million copies worldwide.

“When the record was personalized in the way that it was by people, I felt less alone in the world,” Alanis says.

“All these issues that I’m grappling with, these thoughts in my head are universal. That’s comforting and also horrifying because this pain that I’m feeling is something everybody is feeling.”

It’s no secret that Alanis is greatly inspired by life’s displeasures, particularly her disastrous relationships with men. Again, Jagged Little Pill sold 33 million copies around the world, so it is global knowledge.

What Alanis hasn’t made completely obvious is how her creativity is also fueled by fellow musicians.

“I’m a sucker for autobiographical storytelling. The singer-songwriter kind,” Alanis says.

“I’m a sucker for someone just laying their heart and soul bare in their own unique and inimitable way. I get really excited when I hear [their] songs.”

Jason Falkner

Joni  Mitchell

Alexi Murdoch

Sarah Slean

Rufus Wainwright

Alanis’ latest album Havoc and Bright Lights is available on iTunes. Join the superstar on facebook and visit her official site for all things Morissette.

The teen drama featured not one, but five of the band’s tunes, including the hit “Rich Girls,” in a single episode.

“I love watching how our music is used in a completely different context than we wrote it in. It’s interesting, fun and of course the exposure is very nice too,” says frontman Donald Cumming.

The Virgins have had plenty of exposure since, from the sets of the Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to the stages of festivals like SXSW.

The band is currently opening for The Killers across America, before kicking off their international headlining tour in support of their latest album, Strike Gently. 

As absorbed as they may be, The Virgins still find the time to immerse themselves in other people’s music.

“We go through these phases where we get completely obsessed with a particular artist and a stage in their career,” Donald says. “And then we listen to those songs nonstop, over and over again.”

Here’s a playlist the guys are rocking to.

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Rocks Off – The Rolling Stones

Factory Girl – The Rolling Stones

Street Fighting Man – The Rolling Stones

Rebel Rebel – David Bowie

Diamond Dogs – David Bowie

Station to Station – David Bowie

Across the Great Divide – The Band

Rag Mama Rag – The Band

King Harvest (Has Surely Come) – The Band

Stage Fright – The Band

The Virgins play the Montreal International Jazz Festival on Sunday, June 30. More tour dates here. 

Join the guys on facebook. Strike Gently is available on iTunes.

Thirty years ago today, Valley Girl, the romantic comedy starring Deborah Foreman and Nicholas Cage, opened in theatres across North America.

The 1983 blockbuster was Deborah’s first motion picture gig and it ultimately changed her life.

Three decades later, Deborah is still remembered for her role as Julie Richman, and forever labeled an 80s sweetheart and cult favorite.

While Valley Girl celebrates its 30th Anniversary, it’s been reported that a musical remake of the film is in the works.

Proud of the comedy classic and her role in the original, Deborah says she is looking forward to seeing the reboot come together. It also doesn’t hurt that she is a huge music junkie.

“Music is everything to me,” Deborah says as she puts together a playlist. “To hold me down and pick only five songs was hard. There are so many!”

So Debby brings you 6.

Fragile – Sting

“This song has always been a favorite of mine. I always included it in my playlist when I taught yoga at UCLA. We are all so fragile, so beautiful and valuable. We need to take care of one another. This song is about connection.”

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The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack

“I am such a romantic. I remember how someone made me feel when I look back on life through my rear view mirror. This song represents all my beautiful boyfriends, two, I have been so lucky to know and love. I cherish my experiences.”

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Sex Bomb – Tom Jones

“This song is for shits and giggles. I would play this song when I taught group reformer classes at a pilates studio. It is motivational and fun. Who doesn’t love Tom Jones? Hubba Hubba!”

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One Step Closer to You – Michael Franti & Spearhead

“This song is inspirational and filled with hope. Michael Franti is such a bright light in the musical world. His songs make you feel good to be alive.”

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I’ll Rise – Ben Harper 

“No matter what happens we all can take a deep breath in and keep moving forward. This song is about focus, gumption and tenacity.”

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In a Manner of Speaking – Nouvelle Vague

“I love the way this song makes me feel. Haven’t you experienced that moment when you had something to say and the words were just not there? Me too!”

Connect with Deborah on twitter. 

Of the many actors and stuntmen who’ve worn the ghastly mask of fictional serial killer Michael Myers, Brad Loree is special to the Halloween franchise for two massive reasons.

One, Brad is Canadian, and two, his version of the boogeyman is the one that finally caught up to Jamie Lee Curtis’ elusive heroine, Laurie Strode.

“I had to pinch myself,” Brad says about working with the Hollywood legend in the saga’s eighth installment, Halloween: Resurrection.

“I was nervous, but Jamie was so real, grounded and sweet. She’s fantastic.”

While Brad is now best known for his role in the horror flick, Halloween is definitely not the biggest production he’s been involved in.

“The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Cabin in the Woods, X-Men 2, X-Men 3 and 2012 to name a few,” Brad says, firing off a list of films he’s done stunts for.

The stuntman also landed acting roles in productions like Smallville, Stargate SG-1 and the 1994 sci fi blockbuster, Time Cop, opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Brad Loree unmasked

“I always wanted to be an actor, even early on as a kid,” he says. “I had confidence issues though.”

Well, those insecurities were nothing a black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate and extensive stunt work couldn’t fix, and he’s got the resume to prove it.

Brad’s latest role is in the “creature feature,” Hallow Pointe, alongside Ashley C. Williams (The Human Centipede) and horror icons Kane Hodder (the Friday the 13th saga, the Hatchet series) and Tony Todd (Candyman, Final Destination, Hatchet).

Fans in the Vancouver area can meet Brad at the upcoming Fan Expo, for everyone else, here’s his stab at a playlist.

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The Beatles

“This is the very first music I was conscious of as a three-year-old.”

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Pearl Jam

“I just love Pearl Jam.”

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Neil Young

“Classic. I listen to a lot of Neil Young. I saw him in concert last year for the very first time.”

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Toad the Wet Sprocket

“I’m not too sure what they’re doing now, but I’m a big, big fan of their 90s stuff.”

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Ravi Shankar

“I was in India a few years ago and hope to go back next year to study Buddhism in Northern India. I love their culture and music.”

Brad will be among the celebrity guests at Fan Expo Vancouver on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21. More info here.

First, the announcement of a headlining summer tour.

The Aussie teen heartthrob will be turning the 36 North American cities on his Paradise Tour into heaven on earth for a good chunk of the young female population.

“[It's] just a really fun, summer show,” Cody says. “I’m dancing a lot, playing a lot of guitar. I want to have a good time. My goal is to really show people what I do on stage.”

Cody is also going to show people aspects of his life, on stage and off, through his autobiography Welcome to Paradise: My Journey.

Cody’s book, set to be released in the fall, will feature exclusive details of his professional and personal life, and never-before-seen photos.

Rolling with these good times, Cody is about to release a new single, “Pretty Brown Eyes,” and is wrapping up his second album.

The singer hasn’t figured out the title of the followup to last year’s, Paradise, but what he does know is it will hit stores this summer, coinciding with his tour featuring guests Ryan Beatty and Before You Exit.

The last time Cody toured the continent, he paired up with Justin Bieber, of whom he says he’s both a friend and a fan.

“I look up to a lot of different artists,” Cody adds.

Put on the spot, the first inspiring artists that Cody can think of are Justin Timberlake and John Mayer. Here’s his playlist of the two influential, award-winning acts.

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Half of My Heart – John Mayer feat. Taylor Swift

Senorita – Justin Timberlake

What Goes Around… Comes Around – Justin Timberlake

Your Body Is A Wonderland – John Mayer

Heartbreak Warfare – John Mayer

Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake

Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake

Shadow Days – John Mayer

Cody’s new single, “Pretty Brown Eyes,” is available on Tuesday, April 23.

He kicks off his North American tour on May 30 and plays Montreal’s Metropolis on July 10. More tour dates here. Cody’s autobiography, Welcome to Paradise: My Journey, is available on October 24.

You can catch Cody on twitter and facebook.

Thirty years later, Dee is a Hollywood icon, starring in over 100 films, and with roles in productions like The Hills Have Eyes, Cujo, The Howling, Critters, The Stepford Wives, The Frighteners, The House of the Devil and Rob Zombie’s Halloween, the actress has stepped up as a queen of the horror genre.

Dee continues her rule as she stars in Rob Zombie’s latest horror flick, The Lords of Salem, alongside Sheri Moon Zombie, Bruce Davison and Jeff Daniel Phillips.

Straight from The Lords of Salem set, Dee fires off a playlist of some of her favorite tunes.

“They may be corny,” Dee admits. “But here they are.”

Moon River – Andy Williams

When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

I Love Myself the Way I Am – Jai Josefs

New Attitude – Patti LaBelle

The Lords of Salem hits theatres Thursday, April 18. Watch the trailer here. Follow Dee on twitter. 

“We just don’t know anything else,” says guitarist/vocalist Sherri DuPree-Bemis.

Sisters Chauntelle, Sherri and Stacy, their brother Weston, and cousin Garron, formed the band when the youngest of the bunch, Stacy, was but 8 years old.

Sixteen years later, Eisley is going strong. The secret to the band’s success lies in their family ties.

“Because we all grew up really close, we know how to communicate so well, I mean we’ve been around each other our whole lives. That’s big and it definitely helps longevity,” Sherri says.

Eisley just announced the completion of their a forth full-length album, Currents, self-recorded and produced in their home studio in Tyler, Texas. Fans can look for the recording later this spring.

Here are a few songs Sherri found on her iTunes Most Played list.

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In the Airplane Over the Sea – Neutral Milk Hotel

“One of my top favorite songs ever. This song is ridiculous.”

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I Will – The Beatles

“Oh, this song. It’s so short, but it’s so perfect.”

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Aurora – Bjork

“‘Aurora’ is just good.”

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Canons – Jeremy Enigk

“Jeremy is really great. I love his album, The Missing Link.”

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Shiksa (Girlfriend) – Say Anything

“I listen to their album, In Defense of The Genre, a lot. ‘Girlfriend’ is awesome.”

Eisley’s new album, Currents, is available Tuesday, May 28. Follow Eisley on facebook and twitter.

Lily Frost, famous for lending her whimsical tunes to hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Charmed and Being Erica, returns with a new album, Do What You Love, and her message is just that.

“Find yourself, stand up for yourself, follow your dreams and just do what you love,” Lily says. “These are lessons I’ve learned the hard way.”

And it’s through this album that Lily wants to share these lessons with her young children and a new generation.

“That is if they want to hear it,” Lily laughs.

A complete departure from her last project, the experimental and somber Viridian Torch, Do What You Love is packed with positive messages wrapped up in a big bright bow.

“Like anyone else, I’ve been fueled by sadness and melancholy, but I’m tired of giving my energy to that spirit, so I’ve turned things around,” Lily says.

“The impact that happy, upbeat messages have on an audience is more positive and leaves everyone feeling uplifted and inspired. If I can make a positive difference with what I do, that’s more productive.” 

Lily’s made a playlist of musicians who’ve inspired her with their messages..

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Joni Mitchell

“Joni moves around on the guitar until she finds the tone that resonates with her in the moment, the sound that represents the emotion she’s feeling inside, and that’s the seed. I think about this a lot when I’m writing a song.”

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Billie Holiday

“Billie Holiday is so special. Just listen to her phrasing, the way she lays back on phrasing. It’s just amazing.”

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Serge Gainsbourg

“I love his sensuality and playfulness.”

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Patrick Watson

“Patrick Watson’s voice is incredibly beautiful and his production is lovely. It all takes me somewhere.”

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Lhasa

“Lhasa. What else can I say? She was such a force.”

Lily celebrates the launch of her album, Do What You Love, in Montreal at Divan Orange, Friday, April 5 at 10 p.m. More tour dates here.

Do What You Love is available on iTunes now. Follow Lily on twitter and facebook.

The Halifax native considers confetti, silly-string, and parachutes tour essentials. These items practically take precedence over food and water.

If you’ve attended one of Rich’s hootenannies, then you’re quite aware of this.

If you haven’t, it’s not too late and you’re in luck too, Rich likes to tour, tour, tour and tour.

Right now, he’s performing across the nation with fellow Canadian, k-os, before taking off to France for the festival circuit.

Rich checks in from the road with five essential tunes everyone should have on their party playlist.

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Shout – The Isley Brothers

“The greatest dance song ever written. It’s the only dance song I’ve heard to use the whole spectrum of dynamics. Also it has the best crowd sing-a-long call and response section.”

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Bille Jean – Michael Jackson

“This song can be played anywhere at anytime and it’ll get people dancing. Since it came out, DJs have known this jam will reignite any dancefloor.”

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Twist & Shout – The Beatles

“This song will get people singing along and dancing even if the room is incredibly bright and the speakers are barely audible as I witnessed at UCONN.”

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Snookered – Dan Deacon

“This is the Lord of the Rings of songs you can dance to, taking you through an epic emotional journey in the process. Drop the guilt, think of the ones you love.”

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We Are Your Friends – Justice

“What’s better than singing with your friends to a sweet electro jam about how you’ll never be alone again because you have them in your life?”

Rich performs with k-os at Montreal’s Corona Theatre on Wednesday, April 3. Click here for more tour dates.

Follow Rich on twitter and facebook.

Cody is photographed by Sonny Tong (stongphotography.com)

Whatever you do, do not call this Texan stud a model.

“Modeling is by no means anything I have passion for,” Cody Callahan reveals in our interview.

The guy is signed to L.A. Models and has strut his stuff for Australia’s DNA Magazine, but he won’t let that define him.

“I consider myself an aspiring actor,” he says. “I can’t really call myself an actor yet, it’s not what’s paying the bills, but I feel like I’ve been an actor since I was a little kid.”

Cody’s landed a few acting gigs over the past few years, and made his true debut in the 2011 indie satirical horror Humans Versus Zombies starring Friday Night Lights’ Madison Burge and Christine Bently Quinn of Shark Night 3D. 

“I just prefer to express myself creatively and stick to what I’m passionate about,” Cody admits. And that’s acting.

But until major motion picture roles come flooding through the gates, a modeling stint can’t be that bad, can it? 

“I am absolutely grateful to be able to model and make money that I can put towards my acting goals,” Cody says. “But I have no ambition to gain any major recognition in the modeling world.”

Here’s a playlist Cody does feel fiery about.

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At Last – Etta James

“The ultimate love song. This song really embodies the meaning of true love to me. It represents soul and passion, two qualities I admire in a person. I will play it at my wedding.”

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 Take a Picture – Filter

“Such an inspiring, feel good song. The message ‘I don’t believe in your sanctity, or hypocrisy,’ represents to me a lot about society and corrupted values. I believe in truth and sincerity.”

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Closer – Nine Inch Nails

“This song represents my dark side. I love Trent Reznor, the man is such an admirable, talented artist, and this song symbolizes his artistry and my occasional love for the dark and obscene.”

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A Small Spark vs. a Great Forest – Norma Jean

“Hardly anyone will know this song, as the genre is anything but mainstream. This song is my ultimate pump up song and the most played song on my iPod. My love of music is not bounded by genres. If it has real emotion behind it and I can feel it, I will love it.”

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Your Man – Josh Turner

“This song brings me back home to my Texas roots. Country music for me represents fun, chivalry, passion and true love. ‘Your Man’ wraps all those into one. Makes me want to two step!”

Cody’s portfolio is available at lamodels.com and he is featured in DNA Magazine here.

But that didn’t stop the actor from joining his Big Bang Theory co-stars in a musical number at an Alzheimer Association charity event, A Night at Sardi’s.

The group banded together at the fundraiser last week to perform “Time Warp,” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, marking their fifth year supporting the cause.

Last year the geek squad performed “Let the Sunshine In” from the rock musical, Hair, and in 2011, they tried their hand at “Friendship” from Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.

Clearly Johnny and his pals are die hard musical fans, and aren’t afraid to show it, but there’s something Johnny actually loves more than musicals, Motown. 

“My mother was Gladys Knight’s assistant and so I grew up on all the free Motown albums that she would bring home,” he says. “I love that stuff.”

Here’s a playlist of signature albums you can find in Johnny’s collection.

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Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder

Neither One of Us – Gladys Knight & the Pips

Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye

Sky’s the Limit – The Temptations

Innervisions – Stevie Wonder

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays on CTV and CBS.

The Guinness World Records names Oakey the most successful DJ on the planet, and that lil’ ol’ book has a point.

The superstar DJ rose to fame the minute he got his hands on the trance genre and pulled it into the mainstream by way of BBC Radio 1 back in the early 90s.

That two hour set, dubbed the Goa Mix, still stands to be the most requested broadcast on BBC Radio.

“It means a lot to be embraced by the scene over the years,” Oakey says. “And I’m happy that I’ve been able to reach such a broad scope of people with my music.”

Next came the world tours, glorious residencies, millions of album sales, Grammy nominations and collaborations with music’s elite from U2 to Justin Timberlake.

The DJ’s also worked closely with the Queen of Pop. Not only has Oakey remixed a few of Madonna’s hits, he’s toured the globe with Madge and gave her a big hand in coming up with her dance anthem “Celebration.”

“Everyone involved with Madonna’s productions is at the top of their game and they maintain an extreme standard of excellence. You have to step up if you’re going to be part of it and the challenge is exciting for me,” he says looking back at his experience with the legend.

With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, and now a legend himself, the dance-music icon undoubtedly has invaluable insight.

I didn’t twist Oakey’s arm to disclose any huge trade secrets, just a golden rule when it comes to producing hit remixes. From the sounds of it, he’s all about the timeless notion: less is more.

“When you have a great piece of music to start with, you don’t need to alter it very much,” the DJ says. “I always try to take the most from the song and add elements that I feel will bring the track to its fullest potential in the clubs.”

Here’s a playlist of tracks that Oakey loves and couldn’t help but put his spin on.

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Everything in Its Right Place – Radiohead

Sorry – Madonna

Even Better Than the Real Thing – U2

Perfect – The Smashing Pumpkins

Close to Me – The Cure

Paul spins at Coachella on Sunday, April 21. Keep tabs on the DJ through facebook and twitter.

Montreal is going to be quiet this weekend with local rockers like Mad June gone to Toronto for Canadian Music Week.

The female 6-piece, that began rattling the city in 2010 after winning the Lilith Fair Local Talent Search, is playing the renowned music fest with oOoOO aka Chris Dexter, Lakes of Canada, Motel Raphael and Emma Louise in Indie Montreal’s CMW showcase.

Before packing it all up and hitting the road, four of the ladies scanned their iPods to make this staple tune playlist.

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Untouchable Face – Ani DiFranco

“Her album, Dilate, changed me as a songwriter. I already loved playing music, but Ani gave me the hunger to write lyrics. I was floored by the way she could create such contrast in her songs. As a whole the album is so raw, honest and poetic. The music is rough, dirty and punk, but also soft and beautifully melodic. Her special sense of rhythm and pacing can be felt in the way she structures and sings her songs. I love it.” -Vanessa McLean, vocals

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Gold Guns Girls – Metric

“I could have chosen any of their songs because they are pretty much all amazing, but I really like the rock soul of ‘Gold Guns Girls.’ It’s the most raw feeling song of Fantasies, and the iTunes Live Session version has an awesome guitar solo.” -Pascale St-Onge, bass & vocals

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Walk ­– Foo Fighters

“I love their album Wasting Light, particularly this song.” -Tania Desrochers, guitar & vocals

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Piste 01 – Galaxie

“I adore the musicians, they are outstanding. Their music is intoxicating and makes me want to dance!” -Lydia Champagne, drums

Mad June plays The Garrison in Toronto, on Saturday, March 23 at midnight. More tour dates here.

Follow Mad June on twitter and facebook and watch for their forthcoming album set for release this summer.

From the sound of Jacynthe’s new single, “Locked Down,” the Quebecoise starlet is stepping up her game.

No stranger to Canadian airwaves, Jacynthe has 5 albums behind her, including last year’s Devoile Qui Tu Es, but the nation hasn’t heard her like this before.

Maturity, sensuality and production levels are at an all-time high, and Jacynthe recruited a dream team to help out with her 2013 return.

Songwriting/producing duo RyanDan, who’ve made things happen for Canadian dance chart toppers Danny Fernandes, Shawn Desman and Mia Martina, worked their magic on this track.

And it didn’t hurt that “Locked Down” passed through the hands of Sterling Sound’s senior mastering engineer, Chris Gehringer, known for his work with Madonna, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Drake.

A new album is in the works, and if “Locked Down” is a sign of what’s down the road, then there’s something bright on the horizon, and Jacynthe has finally tapped into her full potential.

While Jacynthe plans her next move, here’s her playlist.

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Quiet – Rachael Yamagata

“This is an extremely sad song done in a very beautiful way. When I listen to this poetry, I feel like I’m hearing someone’s thoughts as she is being told that her love relationship is ending. It feels very intimate.”

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Childhood dreams – Nelly Furtado

“This Nelly Furtado song is just beautifully written, composed and interpreted. It has a very epic feel to it while still being extremely vulnerable. I feel that this is her best track all around.”

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A Song for You – Donny Hathaway

“What I love about this song is that it feels like Donny Hathway is telling us a very honest story about what’s been there waiting for him all along, the love between two people.”

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A Ma Fille – Charles Aznavour

“This song is extremely special to me. It is a song that tells a story of a father dreading the day that his daughter will leave him to get married and share her life with another man. I danced to this song with my father the day I got married. The lyrics are very powerful and very poignant for any girl who is close with her father.”

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Ave Maria – Sumi Jo

“I love this less common ‘Ave Maria.’ The emotions that come through and the dramatic impact of Sumi Jo’s interpretation give me chills every time. This song really transports me through time and makes me feel like I’m part of something much bigger than myself.”

Connect with Jacynthe on facebook and twitter. “Locked Down” is available on iTunes now. 

Now that’s hard to chew when the collosal TV series Smallville re-casted this so-called nice guy in three different villain roles.

“I don’t have any explanation for my appearances other than they asked me back,” Elias insists. “The Smallville people and I always had a really good relationship.”

That was believable until last year when Elias landed the role of antihero, Cornell Scipio, in season two of the Syfy series Alphas.

The truth is Mr. Toufexis has a case of the Dr. Jekyle and Mr. Hyde, and has Smallville to thank for awakening his dark side.

“Being on that show definitely got me to realize that playing the villain was something I could be successful with,” he admits. 

Playing the bad guy isn’t the only thing Elias is good at.

He’s gained global recognition and made fans out of gamers everywhere by lending his voice to video games like the Assassin’s Creed series, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Need For Speed: Carbon and Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands.

The actor’s voice-over talent hasn’t gone unrewarded. His portrayal of Adam Jensen in Deus Ex: Human Revolution was honored with Best New Character at the 2012 Canadian Videogame Awards, and Elias returns to the gala this year as host.

With award season still going strong, Alias has made a playlist of tunes all deserving a nod.

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Paint it Black – The Rolling Stones

“I’ve always loved this song even though its story is really depressing. A guy whose girl died and he doesn’t want anymore colors in the world, so fun!”

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Scenario – A Tribe Called Quest

“Doesn’t get much more hype than Busta Rhymes screaming, ‘Raar raar like a dungeon dragon!’ Also, I like Dungeons & Dragons.”

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The Theme to 1492: Conquest of Paradise – Vangelis

“I listen to film scores more than any other type of music. This is an over looked masterpiece.”

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Bring Back the Mad Face – Annakin Slayd feat. Onyx

“This is just an insanely exciting throwback to 90′s hip hop. With Onyx and Annakin Slayd growling angrily through the whole thing.”

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Ennio Morricone

“Another film score. Ennio Morricone is one of the greats. Any cue from The Ecstasy of Gold soundtrack is fantastic. Eli Wallach running through the graveyard to this cue is so great.”

Elias hosts the 4th annual Canadian Videogame Awards on Saturday, April 20 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and makes an appearance at Fan Expo Vancouver on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21. More info here.

Follow Elias on facebook and twitter.

“You know, I only realized that I could write songs as a job when I was 16,” the eccentric pianist explains.

“I realized it after a friend of mine made me a cassette tape that had Ani DiFranco and Joni Mitchell on it.”

Regina credits that very mix tape for giving her the courage to write music and pursue it fully.

“It’s an interesting phenomenon. Why does a female need to see another female do something in order to realize that she’s capable of doing it? It’s funny, before those two women I just didn’t think it was possible …and I’m not that stupid,” she laughs.

Since her epiphany, Regina’s released 6 albums, including her latest, What We Saw From the Cheap Seats, voted the #1 album of 2012 by ABC News, and 2005′s Begin to Hope.

Who can forget that gold record? Begin to Hope really put Regina on the map. Singles like “Fidelity,” “On the Radio” and “Better” found major TV placement in hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy, and helped Regina secure her place in the music industry.

“Oh the music industry,” Regina laughs. “Growing up, I was their biggest nightmare. I didn’t have money to buy music, so all I had were mix tapes and burnt CDs.”

Regina’s made a playlist of artists found on some of those legendary mix tapes she held so dear.

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Doctor Robert – The Beatles

California – Joni Mitchell

Both Hands – Ani DiFranco

Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday

Running Up that Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush

Join Regina on facebook and visit her official site.

“I found this old, dope pic of me,” Holden says. “I’d love for you to post it.”

Holden Nowell, Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” dreamy video co-star, is more than just a pretty face and washboard abs.

“I’d like to start being recognized for my music and not just as a model,” Holden says over his mobile. “Yeah man, I rap.”

Looking to push his modeling career behind him and move in a new direction, Holden’s taken on the stage name “H da 6′Trey” and he’s been spending long hours in the recording studio.

“Modeling isn’t really me,” Holden admits. “Music’s always been a part of who I am and I’m not gonna hide it. I just can’t wait to share it.”

Keep an eye out. Holden promises the release of a mixtape this spring and a full length debut by summer.

Before H da 6′Trey headed back into the studio, he wanted to set you up with this playlist. Check it.

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Juicy – Notorious B.I.G.

“One of my favorite songs. To me, this is about making something out of nothing.”

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Changes – 2Pac

“‘Changes’ has a message and a lot of meaning. 2Pac’s really trying to say something with this one.”

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If I Had – Eminem

“When you hear this song… oh man, he’s pouring his heart out. I’ve had quite a past and some trials and tribulations. I know what it’s like to be young, broke and chasing a dream. There’s something about this song that I can relate to, like eating with plastic cutlery all the way to not having my songs on the radio.”

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Old Man – Neil Young

“Classic Neil Young. This song brings tears to my eyes. ‘Old man look at my life, I’m a lot like you were.’ I don’t know my father too well, he ran out when I was a little kid. It’s crazy that sometimes I feel like I’m making the same dumb mistakes that my pop did, even though I don’t know the dude. This one takes me back.”

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No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley

“I’ve been listening to Bob Marley since I was a little kid. I love this track. I love Bob Marley. This playlist wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t any Bob.”

Follow Holden on twitter and check him out on reverbnation.

In other news, Carly Rae Jepsen is nominated for 5 Juno Awards including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. See all the nominees here. The Juno Awards air Sunday, April 21 on CTV.

Like fate, brothers Ross and Paul Godfrey were casually introduced to vocalist Skye Edwards at a party and the stars aligned.

They’ve since been making tunes like the hits “The Sea,” “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day,” and fan favorites “Fear and Love” and “Everybody Loves a Loser” for you to chill out and make out to.

This Valentine’s Day, the British trio pieces together a playlist of their favorite love songs.

“Not so typical, these are our favorites, in no particular order,” Ross says.

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Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones

Little Wing – Jimi Hendrix

God Only Knows – The Beach Boys

Hazy Jane – Nick Drake

Pardon My Heart – Neil Young and Crazy Horse

Connect with Morcheeba on facebook and twitter.

Before the outrageous fashion, the glamour, the attitude, the fame, Mother Monster found a muse, a mentor and basically a soul mate in performance artist and glam rock, heavy metal DJ, Lady Starlight.

Back in 2006, Lady Starlight, born Colleen Martin, showed an amateur Gaga the ropes.

Starlight’s experience moonlighting as a go-go dancer was key. The New Yorker became accustomed to making her own costumes on a tight budget and knew how to stretch a dollar and look like a million bucks.

“I brought that to the table when we started working together,” Starlight remembers.

“But the most important thing I helped Gaga with was encouraging her to go all the way with the look and the attitude. I remember when she tried on a bodysuit when we were going out, and asked my advice on what to put over it. I said, ‘Nothing.’ The rest is history.”

That said, Lady Starlight looked to the past to make this playlist of artists that, like herself and Gaga, give good persona.

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Mike Patton

“He subtly and casually antagonizes his audience. Genius.”

Peter Hammill

“I don’t know what it is about Peter Hammill that attracts such an obsessive fan base, but Iʼm a Hammill-phile. At the end of a Belgian TV performance of ʻA Plague of Lighthouse Keepersʼ he gets up from the piano with a glass of wine. I’m obsessed with that moment. Look it up on youtube.”

Guitar Wolf

“I saw them at CBGB and the guitarist’s intro was theatrically combing back his pompadour. Dramatic grooming, yes! And don’t even get me started on the film Wild Zero.”

Adrian Smith

“Remarkably under-appreciated for his style and stage performance. My fave in Iron Maiden.”

Bryan Ferry

“I’m a huge Roxy Music fan (especially the Eno years). Ferryʼs awkward and somewhat creepy performance style has always intrigued me. He is an artistic genius, I know its deliberate, but I’ve never been able to figure out exactly what he is channeling. All I know is it’s good… bad? Whatʼs the difference, really?”

Lady Starlight takes the stage with Lady Gaga at Montreal’s Bell Centre on Monday, February 11. More tour dates here. Follow Lady Starlight on twitter and facebook.

“Yeah, my music bangs and you may want to have fun with it, but I’m also trying to say something,” k-os explains.

“Canada is a new nation, so a lot of black people in this country are first generation Canadians whether they’re from Haiti, Trinidad or Barbados. We are now creating the history of black music in Canada and that’s exciting.”

After contributing four studio albums, two compilations, a live disc, a mixtape and a DVD to the history of Canadian music, the Toronto native is releasing the next chapter, his most ambitious work to date, the double album BLack on BLonde.

In the age of the iTunes single, it’s a gutsy move to release a two-disc record, but for whatever reason, k-os is feeling more ballsier than ever.

The man’s new found courage could be in part due to fellow Canadian heavyweights Sam Roberts, Metric’s Emily Haines, Corey Hart and Sebastien Grainger, all appearing on the BLack on BLonde.

With Canada’s elite in his corner, k-os obviously has big hopes and plans with this one.

“I want this record to be important 100 years from now,” he says. “I want to inspire people to do more things on a legacy level instead of just chasing the club hit.”

k-os made a playlist of acts making Canadian music history.

“These are artists that are constantly on my radar,” he adds.

Bridge to Nowhere – Sam Roberts Band

Stadium Love – Metric

Say What’s Real – Drake

Ahead by a Century – The Tragically Hip

Let Your Backbone Slide – Maestro (Fresh-Wes)

k-os’ BLack on BLonde is available on iTunes now. For everything k-os, follow him on twitter. He tends to leak new music and videos there!