Punk band Cancer Bats has made its mark across the globe. In the last year, the Toronto based band performed over 100 shows across North America and Europe. Since the band originated in 2004, it has received key press across North America and the United Kingdom, as well as several awards, including a 2007 Indie Award for favourite Metal/Hardcore group of the year. The band released its first full-length album, Birthing the Giant, last year. Reporter Alina Olshenitsky had a chance to interview the band when it was in town for a performance at the Opera House in Toronto on June 7th.

Pop punk band Marianas Trench has already sold more than 10,000 copies of its debut disc, Fix Me, and its new video for "Shake Tramp" was added into heavy rotation at MuchMusic. Fans enjoyed a night of rock with the band last month when they performed at the Mod Club in Toronto. Reporter Meagan Bowden got a chance to interview lead singer Josh Ramsay about what drives the band in the industry, the members’ typical lifestyle, future career goals, and more.

Michael Bublé definitely has “the world on a string” when it comes to pop jazz music. His new album, Call Me Irresponsible, has topped the charts and become the number one selling album in the world.

We Are Together, a documentary directed and written by Paul Taylor, delivers a message of hope. The film was recently screened in Toronto as part of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. This film shows the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, but at the same light, shows what the disease can do to bring a community together. “Music and singing is something that is very much a part of the culture and fabric of South Africa,” said Pauline von Moltke-Pao, associate producer of the film.

What if you were playing a video game, but then found that instead of being in control of the characters, you were stuck inside the game? Look Both Ways is an attention-grabbing, fictional film that explores the hidden ramifications of online gaming with children. Reporter Tracey Holzhueter spoke with the film's director, Daniel Oron, about the message behind the film and his thoughts on the effects of digital mediums on the public.

With members at only 18 years of age, the Architects band has released its debut album entitled Nightmares. The dark silhouette of the warped face on the cover is only the beginning to this deep, dark album. The members of this underground band from Brighton, England show their musical talents through their original lyrics and hard core image.    

In the world of competitive sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and basketball, some sports get lost in the undertow. A new Disney Channel original movie is bringing one of those sports back into the spotlight. Jump in!, starring High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu as Isadore "Izzy" Daniels and Keke Palmer as Mary Thomas, brings to life the exhilarating sport of Double Dutch Jump Roping.

After a near three year wait fans can breathe easy and celebrate because multi-platinum band Good Charlotte is back with another album titled Good Morning Revival. A different formula seems present at first, but as the songs play on, the same feel good sound that’s present on previous albums rises to the occasion.

Finger eleven, the famed band from Burlington, Ont., is due to release their much anticipated album, Them vs. You vs. Me. This album from the Canadian rock band will hit stores Mar. 6th, followed by a spring tour in Canada. This album showcases various genres of music such as funk, country, and old s’60s songs, making this one of the most creative albums ever put out by the band.

She went from being a synchronized swimmer to inadvertently being introduced to a vocation of high fashion and higher salaries that other girls her age could only dream of. Her youthful face has graced the pages of such magazines as Italian Vogue Beauty and LouLou. Elite Model Management’s Meredith Mason, 17, sat down with One80 reporter Ivana Markotic to discuss her exciting career as a model.

A band straight out of the Australian underground is stepping into the spotlight after having remained as one of Australia’s best kept secrets. Youth Group is made up of four talented and seasoned musicians: Toby Martin (guitars/vocals); Danny Allen (drums/keyboard/vocals); Cameron Emerson-Elliot (Guitar/vocals), formerly part of The John Reed Club; and Patrick Matthews (Bass/Vocals), former member of The Vines.  

Wicked, the Broadway musical that made its mark in Toronto this past year, takes on a new and more mature spin on the popular story of The Wizard of Oz. The plot is flawless, where reality mingles with magic in a mind-blowing twist. Originally set to continue until Nov. 26 at the Canon Theatre, the production was extended until Dec. 31st due to popular demand.

The popular teen television series Degrassi: The Next Generation can now be followed in the written word through the Degrassi: Extra Credit series of graphic novels. Readers can follow some of the favourite characters from the show outside the classroom through some more relatable adventures. Reporter Meagan Bowden has the scoop on what you can expect from the first volume of this series.

Recent York University graduate Albert Shin has been involved in many film productions, most notably as the producer of the award-winning 16 minute short film, Day Of John, which was an official selection at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival, among several other festivals. His latest film, Pin Doctor, made as his final thesis film and marking his directorial debut, was screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival this year. Reporter Alina Seagal sat down with Shin to talk about his love for films and what it’s like being a young filmmaker in Canada while struggling to maintain a Canadian and ethnic identity.

Berthold Auerbach once said, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”. Music has the power to render us happy, sad, excited, calm, and more. In many cultures, music plays an important part in various customs, and music moves people across the world. Charna Matsushige, 17, a Grade 12 student at Unionville Secondary School for the Performing Arts, has made music her life. Her passion and determination have led her to play with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.

You know Eva Avila as the winner of the latest season of the popular show Canadian Idol. Now the admired teen is reaching out to her fans with her soulful new album, Somewhere Else. Reporter Diana Chu got the chance to sit down with Eva and discuss her rise to fame, her reflections on the show that made her dreams come true, and what drives this bubbly, spiritual 19-year-old.

Alternative rock band Goodbye Glory (GBG) is slowly making its way to the top with their powerful lyrics and intense melodies. Their music oozes passion, power, and emotion. The Toronto based indie band formed in December 2003 in a not so traditional way. “Adam came up to me with another guy,” recalled Berardi during a recent interview, “and asked me if I was a musician…and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m a musician, why?’ And apparently this guy bet Adam that he couldn’t pick a musician out of the crowd, but he did.

Television has come a long way since the days of black and white screens and ‘do it yourself’ antennas. Televisions and TV programs have evolved immensely over the years, and TV shows today, particularly those targeted toward youth, range in variety. Here’s a Top 10 list crafted by reporter Alynn Mayer of the most popular shows keeping youth everywhere hooked.

She’s sung with Elton John, Bono, The Scorpions, and even President Bill Clinton. At just 17 years old, international sensation Liel is conquering Europe with her stunning voice. Having started her singing career at age 12 after winning first prize in a European talent competition, Liel has already released two albums, her latest titled Unison. Now she’s ready to make her mark in North America. Liel will be performing her first Canadian concert Nov. 11th at the Toronto Centre for Performing Arts to benefit the Save A Child’s Heart foundation. Reporter Angelique Duncan spoke with Liel about breaking into the international market, her future goals, and what she does when she’s not busy captivating audiences.

They have scored two 2004 Juno nominations, have reached the Japanese Top 20 since the release of their first album Falling Uphill in 2003, and recently released their brand new album Inside The Hollow. Lillix, a rockin’ band of four women in their late teens to mid-20’s hailing from Cranbrook, B.C., is making its mark. Find out what inspires them, what their new album is all about, and how they plan to take over the airwaves in the future.

This debut release from two self-proclaimed ‘music nerds’ combines the vocal talent of Matt Skiba, best known as the lead singer of the punk rock group Alkaline Trio, and Josiah Steinbrick’s multi-layer instrumentals. Patent Pending is the first album from this duo who met in Chicago. What began as a few raw instrumental tracks on a cassette Steinbrick had recorded has evolved into the mellow, eerie layers of music with haunting lyrics.

From innocent to dirty and now to sexy jazz diva, Christina Aguilera has certainly had her share of reinventions. Her latest album, Back to Basics, personifies her newfound maturity, as well as her appreciation of jazz, soul and blues of the 1920’s ‘30’s and ’40’s. Her fresh take on these styles creates an inventive blend of sounds that is both emotionally raw and electrifying.