Ruth B is one of the singer/songwriters performing at the 2018 JUNOS Songwriters’ Circle March 25 at the Orpheum.
With the 2018 JUNO Awards just a few weeks away, excitement is mounting for the Canadian music industry’s biggest night of the year. The March 25 event marks the first time since 2009 that Vancouver has hosted the annual awards show.
Along with the show, which will be broadcast live from Rogers Arena, a number of other JUNOS-related events are coming to the city. These include the JUNOS Cup (a hockey game with musicians facing off against former NHL players) and the 2018 JUNO Songwriters’ Circle.
Considered by many as “the jewel of JUNO Week,” the Songwriters’ Circle presents some of the country’s best-known songwriters performing some of their favourites in an acoustic setting. In addition, the songwriters share the stories behind the songs. For more info about hosts, performers, and tickets, keep reading.
2018 JUNOS Songwriters’ Circle
Hosts
Jann Arden is an eight-time JUNO Award winner. She co-hosts with Bob Rock. Among other things, Rock is one of the founding members of pioneering Vancouver punk band The Payola$ (biggest hit: 1982’s “Eyes of a Stranger“) and a producer who has worked on mega-successful albums by the likes of Metallica and The Cult. In addition, Rock is a Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee. Arden’s hit songs include “Could I Be Your Girl” and “Insensitive.” Her most recent album is These Are the Days. She is also the author of the 2017 memoir Feeding My Mother.
Jann Arden co-hosts the 2018 JUNOS Songwriters’ Circle with Bob Rock.
Performers
Iskwé (nominated: Indigenous Music Album of the Year Sponsored by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network)—Originally from Winnipeg, the Toronto-based Irish/Cree singer is nominated for her second album, The Fight Within. According to Now Magazine, “Iskwé’s (“woman” in Cree) style shifted from hard-hitting trip-hop to dark R&B and pop on her debut. On The Fight Within she stays within the electronic realm.”
Jim Cuddy (13x JUNO Award winner)—One of the founders of the Canadian roots-rock institution, Cuddy is also a solo artist. The singer/songwriter also takes part in this year’s JUNOS Cup charity hockey game.
Rose Cousins (Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN)—The Halifax-based singer/songwriter spent much of her early career as an in-demand back-up vocalist. She has released three solo albums, including her latest, 2017’s Natural Conclusino.
Ruth B (Album of the Year Sponsored by Music Canada, Artist of the Year Presented with Apple Music, Pop Album of the Year)—The Edmonton-based singer/songwriter released her full-length debut Safe Haven in 2017. Her career began when she started posting Vine videos featuring her singing cover songs. Rolling Stone Magazine gave the album 3.5 stars and declared the singer “One to Watch.”
Scott Helman (Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN, Pop Album of the Year)—The 21-year-old Toronto-based singer released his debut full-length Hotel de Ville in 2017.
Tickets
The 2018 JUNOS Songwriters’ Circle is presented by SOCAN in association with Canadian Music Publishers Association (CARAS). The concert takes place on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. PST at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe). Tickets start at $39.50 and are available at ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.
