In the News

In the news......

 

Taking a page from the East Coast Music Awards, The Juno Awards are releasing the details of the big show piece by agonizing piece. But far be it from us to prevent you from hearing about those pieces. There are four new additions to the list of performers you will see live from Winnipeg.

Said additions are Billy Talent, K-OS, Simple Plan and K.D. Lang. All four will join the previously announced performers Neil Young and The Tragically Hip. Both Billy Talent and Simple Plan are making return appearances at this year's Junos as both played last year's show in Edmonton as well.

Also announced today from the Juno head office is that Early Bird Juno ValuPaks will be on sale for one day only. These packs include a ticket to the Juno Cup, the celebrity hockey game, a ticket to the Songwriter's Circle concert, a JunoFest wristband to go to any of the pre-awards shows and a seat at the Awards themselves. On February 11, starting at 11 a.m. you will be able to pick up one of these packs from Ticketmasters across Canada for $119.95. There will be a limit of four packs per person.

For those who don't want to do go hog wild during Juno week but would still like to go to the show, tickets for the actual ceremony will be going on sale across the country on Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m. They will only be available at select Ticketmaster outlets, so you may want to check in advance. Tickets will range from $40 to $116 and there will be a limit of four tickets per person.

Finally for those who can't make it to Winnipeg for the show. You can watch it all live Sunday, April 3 at 8 p.m. on CTV.

-Stephanie Joudrey

Billy Talent Raises Over $3,000 For Kids Help Phone
Published: 2005-02-02
Many people across the continent are familiar with alt-rock band Billy Talent's haunting new single "Nothing To Lose". Relaying the lyrics of the song into visuals, the video depicts a youth who commits suicide due to the pressures teens can face on a daily basis. The Toronto quartet is well aware that North American youth just need someone to talk to, and as such have used the song as way to help support the Kids Help Phone.

Not only does their video list the number for the organization (that'd be 1-800-668-6868), but Billy Talent decided that for every spin "Nothing To Lose" receives, they will donate $1.00 to help keep the Kids Help Phone running. So far the band has raised $3,145 for the program, and seeing that "Nothing To Lose" is the most popular single of Talent's career to date, more is on its way.

"As a band we are so amazed how generous everyone has been with our cause and want to thank everyone at every radio station and television stations especially MuchMusic, MusiquePlus and MTV for playing the song," says lead singer Ben Kowalewicz. "Most importantly we want to thank all the fans that have supported us and requested the song."

Manned by professional counsellors, Kids Help Line and Parent Help Line helps literally hundreds of thousands of people each year. In 2003 they answered nearly 360,000 calls from Canadians, discussing issues like loneliness and suicide. Go to www.kidshelpphone.ca for more information.

Writer: Jaclyn Arndt

Holiday Gift Guide: Music Picks By Billy Talent's Ben Kowalewicz
Friday December 10, 2004 @ 02:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

Billy Talent
Billy Talent

Buying holiday gifts of music can be a tricky business. Sure, you know what discs you'd like to see in your stocking, but what do you buy your little sister, your dad or that cousin you only see twice a year? ChartAttack rounded up some of Canada's top musicians to give their recommendations on what cool records to buy for those picky people on your gift list.

Today's subject is Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent. 2004 has been a banner year for the Billy Talent fellas-they've been riding high on the success of their 2003 self-titled album and have toured just about every corner of this country over the past year. Amazingly, Kowalewicz has found time to actually listen to music by other bands-here's his picks for your holiday shopping list:

1. What record(s) would you buy your parents as a holiday gift this year?

I would buy my folks the new Rod Stewart album so I could watch them barf up their egg nog.

2. What record(s) would you buy an older brother who had a great collection when he was young, but hasn't bought anything since 1992?

Well... I would buy my brother or lend him the new Blood Brothers record. It's just amazing.

3. What record(s) would you buy a younger sister who's really into mainstream pop but is ready to branch out into something a little different?

I always wanted a little sister and if I had one I would like and support anything she was listening to, even pop. But I think I would give her the Feist record. I love that album-nice and easy but cool as fuck!

4. What record(s) would you buy your best friend, who loves music as much as you do?

I honestly would give my friend the new and remixed Ready To Die by Biggie Small! To remember the good ol' days.

Important Dates:



February 2005(BT heads to the studios)



March/April 2005 (expected release of second album)

Who would've thought?





Billy Talent will be releasing a video for "Nothing to Lose" on December 9th. The video premier will take place on Much On Set...If you do not watch this I will destroy you.

The results are in, Adam wins the top prize on Much Fandemonium