Gutsy, melodic, dramatic, and dark, Toronto's the Cliks arrived on the scene in 2007 with two strong bullet points. First, they covered Justin Timberlake's hit "Cry Me a River" in a White Stripes meets the Pretenders style, and second, leader Lucas Silveira was a transgendered FTM (female-to-male) leading an all-female, androgynous band. Initial word of mouth started in 2006 and had little to do with Silveira's gender-bending. Instead, it was their blistering live shows around Toronto that earned attention and had the Canadian press comparing the band to Joan Jett, Jon Spencer, and Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie. Jake Gold -- one of Canada's most successful artist managers and a panelist on the talent search Canadian Idol -- began working with the band and after some changes, bassist Jordan B. Wright and drummer Morgan Doctor finalized the lineup. The trio was soon signed to Tommy Boy and recording of the band's debut was underway. In early 2007, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender press began to show their support with the Advocate magazine and the Logo television network both featuring the band. By the time their album Snakehouse arrived in April, the Cliks were touring across America and earning an audience well past the LGBT community. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi

HOT PEACH is new Electro/Power Pop project derived from Toronto based veteran folk singer/songwriter Sarah Burton and Junior Achiever/Ramona drummer/song writer and owner of Dunce Cap Management Inc. Jeremy Knowles and Bass player Luke Stackhouse (Fred Eaglesmith). HOT PEACH was born between the yellow lines of the American Midwest while returning from an 8 week US tour. Jeremy and Sarah discovered their uncanny songwriting chemistry that with the help of some funding from FACTOR and assistance from recording engineers Dave Fritz and Ed Krautner (Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, Tom Cochrane and Christina Aguilera) has blossomed a debut summer 7” vinyl release and a fall US tour. 

With musical inspirations that range as diversely as his music, Austin aptly credits Quincy Jones, A Tribe Called Quest, Prince and The Beatles as his idols.  A notable array of musical inspirations include Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, George Michael, his uncle Michael Jackson, Herbie Hancock, Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Sly and the Family Stone.  It is this eclectic repertoire of motivators and his overall passion for the art of music that has allowed Austin to steadily break through the boundaries of contemporary musicianship and artistry. This zeal is the driving force behind the Back Pack Kids movement that defines Austin’s musical direction and the fanbase that has helped create the artist that he is today. 

Sometimes you have to steal your life back. Break out of the prison of expectations, walk deep into the forest of doubt, light a match and burn it down. Our paths are littered with the doors of opportunity. The trick is to pick the locks and open the doors. For Most Thieves, that first door was a chance reunion of friends at a small coffee house in downtown Las Vegas. Eric Koch (singer/songwriter/guitarist) wasn't even supposed to be there when Rob Whited (drums) and Bobby Lee Parker (guitar) walked in. He had planned to meet a friend's band across the street to watch their sound check, but when they were delayed he found himself with time to kill. About an hour into the evening, Whited turned his attention away from the larger group of friends that had amassed around several tables and onto Koch. He asked if Koch had been playing music with anyone. "Not really. The usual suspects i guess. I kinda stopped. I've been working on a book." came Koch's reply. Music, and Whited, would not release their hooks just yet. "Who's your drummer?" pressed Whited. "I don't have one." "Yes you do. Who's our bass player?" And so it began. The lock was picked.