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Canada Day: Things We Love About Canadian Music

Jag Gundu, Getty

At the tail end of 2011, we declared it "The Year Canadian Music Broke," what with everyone from Feist, Deadmau5 and Arcade Fire to Drake, Michael Buble and Justin Bieber dominating their respective genres at home and abroad.

But with Canada Day coming up on July 1, we thought we'd dig a bit deeper and explain exactly what it is we love about our favourite Canadian musicians, and why.

So click through to read about those fine folks we name-dropped above plus everyone from Rufus Wainwright and Metric to Leonard Cohen and Stompin' Tom.


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custom1contract

Wtf you missed the best RUSH

June 30 2012 at 9:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
custom1contract

**** the best every and you guys don't mention them RUSH

June 30 2012 at 9:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chuckee Knowlton

leftcoastmikeb: It seems pretty clear to me that this article is mentioning bands that are CURRENTLY recording and good. Just about every band you listed are hasbeens from the 70's and hopefully will be smart enough to never enter a recording studio again.

June 30 2012 at 8:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
leftcoastmikeb

Who wrote this shlok. Obviously young Josh lives in Ontario. Us left coasters generaly abologize for Buble and Fertago. We have had some successful musicians though. I went to school with a guy, what was his name? Bryan,that is it, Bryan Adams. Maybe he isn't Canadian enough. Where is Trooper, Chilliwack, The Payolas, The Powder Blues, Barney Bentall and the legendary hearts, Doug and the Slugs? For that matter Where is Rush/ Kim Mitchel, Gowan, Platinum Blond? And above all the "CanCon" icons Gordon Lightfoot and Ann Murray?

LeftcoastMike

June 30 2012 at 2:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Justina Joureaux

Why I Dallas Green left out!? He may not be of iconic status (yet) but he is incredibly talented, fairly well-known, and has fronted more than one successful band now. He has more than proved his credibility, whether you like his genre of music or not.

June 29 2012 at 4:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ianna2112

Hey Josh,

Change your title to "Things I (not "we") Like About Canadian Music".

June 29 2012 at 2:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ianna2112

Why isn't the most succesful band in Canadian history mentioned in that list? I hope somebody will "RUSH" and add them and give them the respect they deserve.

June 29 2012 at 2:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john316krm

Where is Oscar Peterson? Probably one of the greatest pianist and jazz artist in history. Also, where is Diana Krall? Who is one of best jazz artists out here today. They should have been included on anybody's short list of Canadian musicians. Who made up this list?

June 29 2012 at 2:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dorothy Mack

The list is missing TEENAGE HEAD with original frontman Frank Kerr. Great music is always passed over from lists/Junos/Hall of Fame because there are not popular in the U.S. if we're going to make a list of Canadian talent then lets include real Canadian talent not just U.S. citizen wannabes. Happy Canada Day!

June 29 2012 at 12:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dorothy Mack

The list is missing Teenage Head with original frontman Frank Kerr. Great music is always passed over on lists/Junos/Hall of Fame because there aren,t known in the US.

June 29 2012 at 12:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply