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Rush frontman-bassist Geddy Lee, Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr and Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley appear in a new documentary about the origins and high points of pioneering Toronto radio station Cfny.

Veteran film producer Matt Schichter makes his directorial debut with Cfny: The Spirit of Radio, which has just wrapped post production. Other artists appearing in the doc include Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Peter Hook (New Order/Joy Division), Lol Tolhurst (The Cure), Emily Haines (Metric), Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent) and Andy McCluskey (Omd).

During the 1970s and 1980s, major record companies and large independent labels relied on records being played on local radio in major markets to promote commercial releases. Toronto’s Cfny, which launched in a small city suburb in 1960, eventually became hugely influential in breaking punk and new wave acts after evolving into an alternative radio station on the FM dial.

In 1979, Rush drummer Neil Peart wrote a song,...

Omd — aka Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark — are back, and this time, they’re getting political. On Wednesday, the beloved synth-pop pioneers announced their 14th studio album, Bauhaus Staircase, due out October 27th via White Noise. As a preview, they also shared the album’s title track as its first single.

A follow-up to their well-received 2017 album, The Punishment of Luxury, Bauhaus Staircase was forged during the Covid-19 pandemic, and wears the influence of the time period on its sleeve loud and proud. Isolating themselves, Omd’s members dove into their back catalog of unfinished ideas, using them as launching pads to thematically explore the unfolding turmoil of the world.

The lead single, “Bauhaus Staircase,” captures this dynamic, placing lyrics about artistic freedom, 20th century art movements, and “kicking down” fascism in a crescendoing soundscape of drums, synths, and electronic textures. The single also arrived with an animated music video,...

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (Omd) has always embraced the future. Formed in 1978 by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, the duo hobnobbed with post-punk innovators, opening for Joy Division and Gary Numan in its early days, while distinguishing itself through its use of then-cutting-edge technology. As the ’80s…

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It doesn’t seem possible that it was around 30 years ago that A Flock of Seagulls ran so far away or Modern English melted with us, but it was. The story behind those acts, their biggest hits, and dozens of other New Wave acts are captured in all their ‘80s bad hairdo-ed, brightly colored-glory in “Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists And Songs That Defined The 1980s.” Written by Lori Majewski and Jonathan Bernstein, with a forward by Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and an afterward by Moby, the book examines the New Wave era through the filter of 36 songs associated with the time, such as Gary Numan’s “Cars,” Duran Duran’s “Girls On Film” and The Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now.” Each chapter deals with one act and, while not limited to the group’s biggest hit, explores the story behind that tune and the...

Now in its sixth year, Record Store Day continues to celebrate independent record stores by offering up a wide assortment of incredible releases for one day only. The latest, set for April 20th, is jam-packed with goodies: artists from Mumford & Sons to David Bowie and Mgmt are offering up limited-edition treats. Check out some of our favorites below.

Astralwerks, Music in 20/20 box set

Since first releasing Amorphous Androgynous' Tales of Ephidrina in 1993, New York indie label Astralwerks has championed some of the electronic scene's most influential albums. To celebrate 20 years in the game,...

Happy Stephenie Saturday! Were back again this week with another edition of Stephenies Playlist and weve got an awesome song for you straight from Stephenie Meyers Twilight playlist. For this weeks playlist highlight Ta Staffer Rebecca brings us a video for the song Dreaming by Omd. In addition to the video Rebecca gives us a little background information on the band their music and how exactly they fit into the Twilight universe. As always with Stephenie Saturday weve added some questions for consideration for you to think about and respond to.Dreaming OMDQuestions Where do you think this song fits into Twilight? Are you a fan of Omd? If so were you a fan before Stephenie included them on her playlist for Twilight or did you become one after? Why do you think Stephenie included Dreaming on her playlist? Whats your favourite Omd song? What did you think of this video?...