When your favourite band covers a song by another artist, in most cases, you fall in love with the track. A cover song, although not an original thought, has the chance to be completely reformed and mastered in a plethora of variations, sounds, and genres. Nothing is elusive for a cover song, and that's what real music making is all about - true creativity! Below is one of the latest cover songs that livemusicTO deems worthy of your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Atlanta-native Tyler Carter has pumped out yet another cover song, and what better song to pick than everyone's favorite track "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake. Carter said over twitter that the track "is more of a re-imagined cover." Though the lyrics are the song and the music is similar, Tyler Carter managed to re-master an incredible song in a completely unique way.

This might just be the coolest and most unexpected thing a rockstar from Toronto has ever done.

Shaun Frank, most known as for his role as lead singer in Toronto-born rock band, The Envy, has teamed up with Spanish DJ Marien Baker to create the smash hit dance track called "Unbreakable" which is currently climbing the European dance music charts... and soon the world no doubt.

Check out the video below!

Frank also appears to be a part of a new electronic outfit called PUPPETMAST3RS (see teaser below), its not clear whether he is just being featured on a track again or if he's actually involved with this project full time. No official announcement has been made as to whether or not these projects will effect The Envy... but after listening to these two stadium-worthy tracks, one can't help but imagine the bright(er?) future he might be headed towards in the electronic music world. 

A fusion of talent from different genres is not only refreshing, but also very exciting -- for both the artists and fans. We look forward to watching the full story behind these endeavours unfold in the near future.

Experience what it means to Live Mas Fina at one of the largest paint parties in Canada. Enter the designated paint zone in all white and get ready for the most colourful mess of your life. Use your whole body as a paintbrush and turn yourself and everyone around you into abstract works of art.

If you’re not quite brave enough to join the mayhem, there are other ways you can make your mark. Add to our giant blank canvas and chalk-drawing mural. Or get a Live Mas Fina tattoo from one of our airbrush artists. 

The Corona Beer Garden will open at 6PM. Enjoy ice-cold Corona, free food and stellar live performances from an impressive lineup of Canadian acts. 

4PM Registration starts 
5PM Paint Party begins
6PM Beer Garden opens with free food & cash bar.

Hosted by T-RexXx: https://twitter.com/Trexxx1LOVETO
Music by DJ Hennie V: http://www.djhenniev.com/flash

Live Artist Lineup
6PM Paul Disalle & The Terminators
7PM The Elwins: http://www.theelwins.ca/
8PM Pup: http://www.puptheband.tumblr.com/

*Must be legal drinking age to participate. No purchase necessary. All participants will be required to sign a release and waiver. Entry on a first come basis, limited to venue capacity.

A new Daft Punk song "Giorgio by Moroder" has been leaked on the inter-webs, and we are shrieking with glee. Naturally, we can't help but share the goodness - enjoy! :)

The track is the second release off of their upcoming fourth studio album Random Access Memories, due out May 21st via Daft Live and Columbia Records. The title is no doubt named after the man himself, Giorgio Moroder, who is featured on the track. Other album collabrators include; Panda Bear, Julian Casablancas, Todd Edwards, DJ Falcon, Chilly Gonzales, Nile Rodgers, Paul Williams and Pharrell Williams.

Lambesis was arrested without incident on Tuesday in Oceanside, California, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. He was charged with two counts — Solicitation of Another to Commit Murder and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime — and was booked in the Vista Detention Facility, where he is currently being held without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow, May 9, at 1:30 pm PDT at the North Division Court.

Tim Lambesis’ bandmates in As I Lay Dying — drummer Jordan Mancino, guitarist Nick Hipa, guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist/clean vocalist Josh Gilbert –  have released the following statement regarding Lambesis’ arrest yesterday:

To fans and those interested - the important part is to remember that he's only been accused, and not found guilty. All we can do is be supportive and hope that this is all a misunderstanding! 

Updates will be posted as news becomes available -

Click here to view our live photos from As I Lay Dying's show in Toronto March 23rd from Canadian Music Fest.

via Billboard Biz

In an uncommon move to tinker with the formula used to certify Gold and Platinum awards, the Recording Industry Association of America on Thursday announced it has started to incorporate on-demand streams towards its calculations for certifying the prestigious awards.

The change, only the fifth major alteration in the methodology since the inception of the program in 1958, is meant to recognize how important digital distribution has become and how technology has permanently altered the way people access music. 

The last time the RIAA altered its methodology was in 2006, when it added master ringtones. Two years before that, the organization began counting digital downloads. And prior to that, CDs and cassette tapes were added to the mix. Otherwise, the formula for Gold and Platinum certifications remained largely untouched -- 500,000 unit sales for Gold, 1 million for Platinum and 10 million for Diamond.

Among the on-demand streaming services the RIAA will accept are MOG, Muve Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify, Xbox Music and others. In addition, video streams from MTV.com, VEVO, Yahoo! Music and YouTube will also count. Under the new formula, the RIAA will distribute awards to 56 new titles, including 30 Seconds To Mars’s “This Is War,” Emeli Sandé's "Next To Me," and Cher Lloyd's "Oath," Thursday night at the National Association of Recording Merchandisers' annual Musiz Biz conference in Los Angeles.

For the RIAA, deciding that on-demand streams should be recognized was the easy part. The hard part was in figuring out how many streams should be equivalent of a single sale. The group agonized for more than a year over that question, said RIAA Chairman and Chief Executive Cary Sherman.

If it looked at, for any single song, how many on-demand streams would generate as much revenue for rightsholders as a download sale, the answer would be somewhere in the hundreds of thousands. The RIAA rejected that path because it would be "impossible" to arrive at a number, given that on-demand streaming contracts are confidential and can vary considerably, Sherman said. In addition, such contracts expire and change continually, rendering any formula based on current contracts obsolete in a short period of time.

"We also felt that pure economics should not be the basis for acknowledging artistic achivement," Sherman said.

Instead, the group opted to rely on average consumption patterns -- for every download of any particular song sold, how often is it also being streamed on demand? The answer: 100.

Eleven new songs, including 30 Seconds To Mars’ “This Is War,” Aerosmith's "I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” and Lana Del Rey's "Video Games," earned awards because streams tipped them over the marks.

What do you think of the change - sensible due to our strong digital presence or a clear oversight to accepting music piracy? Let us know in the comments!

The Lonely Island's new LP The Wack Album will be out on June 11th, and to stir up buzz, Andy Samberg's comedy crew has started Wack Wednesdays, a YouTube series that will feature new music and videos leading up to the release of the record.

Zach Galifianakis leads the first episode, hosting his offbeat fictional talk show Between Two Ferns with James Franco as his guest. Galifianakis chats up Franco, botching the title to Oz the Great and Powerful, making wild assumptions about 127 Hours and discussing the Spring Breakers star's "sausage." The show also has a special musical guest; none other than the Lonely Island, and the group takes inspiration from Spring Breakers for the expectantly outrageous and boneheaded "Spring Break Anthem."

The Wack Album sports an impressible list of collaborators, including Lady Gaga, Pharrell, Billie Joe Armstrong, Adam Levine, Kendrick Lamar, T-Pain, Solange and Justin Timberlake. The Lonely Island have also booked their very first live show for July 15th at the Aragon Entertainment Center in Chicago. YAY!!!!!! 

Watch, LAUGH, and enjoy. :)

* WARNING: livemusicTO is not responsible or should not be held accountable for any involuntary release of bodily fluid such as urine, after the viewing of this video. 

The FOB singer launched a long-winded Twitter attack on an individual named Shane Morris who has been heckling Fall Out Boy and their fans in truly cruel ways for months. Clearly their are a million 'Shane Morris' out there who will continue to be ignorant and hateful, however its far and few between you get cool, level-headed people like Stump saying it how it is. So A + to you sir, for being the rose among the thorns. 

You can see Morris’ Twitter profile here and check out the series of tweets from Stump below;

With driving beats, catchy melodies and anthemic chorus' primed to get a crowd dancing - Vegas is a Canadian artist bringing a fresh perspective to Canadian pop music.

Vegas (aka David Arkwright) grew up in the small town of Wasaga Beach, Ontario and began playing the drums at the age of six, which ignited his passion for performance. "I used to play along to my dad's Beatles records," says Vegas. "They were a huge influence on my decision to pursue music as my actual career." Over the years he would find inspiration from a number of diverse performers and songwriters including Coldplay, U2, Bon Iver, Tiesto, Dianne Warren and Max Martin. His exceptional talent as a percussionist afforded him the opportunity as a teenager to perform across North America and even to other countries, including Japan. He eventually settled into a permanent role as both a songwriter and drummer with pop rock group Trainlight. The band toured with artists such as Stars, Karl Wolf, Family Force 5, The Midway State and The Envy, cultivating a loyal fan base along the way.

In 2010, he decided to explore other opportunities, which lead to writing and recording new material, as well as, producing and collaborating with various industry hit-makers including The Messengers (Chris Brown - Crawl, Next 2 You; Justin Bieber - Pray, Never Say Never, Mistletoe). From this new chapter, the professional name of 'Vegas' was officially born. "Exploring multiple musical outlets is a dream come true," comments Vegas. "It pushes me to not hold anything back. Even if a song isn't the right fit for me to perform, it can still get its day in the sun living through someone else's voice."

That being said, Vegas is more than ready to take centre stage. His first single ”Let This Break” is already at HOT AC radio stations across the country and can be requested at any local station. "I've really tapped into the sound that I've been striving for," says Vegas. "I'm ready to share it with the world!"

Since her critically acclaimed 2010 debut album Catching a Tiger, Lissie has forged a reputation as one of the most talented and enigmatic female rock artists of recent times. Today she releases a new single, Shameless, available now on iTunes.  Her much-anticipated sophomore album is set for release this September through Columbia Records. 

Bristling with distorted guitars and fiery attitude, Shameless is a smoldering commentary on the culture of modern celebrity, introspectively examining what it takes to achieve fame and success in current times. Building towards its rousing climax, Lissie's raw vocals and gritty, heartfelt delivery make for a compelling and blistering return.

“We live in a society where terrible behaviour is rewarded with coverage and attention, where celebrity is seen as a talent in itself. I understand the allure of image and of a good story but I sometimes feel like it trumps the content. When I wrote Shameless I'd just been feeling so over how much bullshit style over substance there is to ‘making’ it in this business” said Lissie. 

In March Lissie headed to Austin, TX to perform a set of shows at SXSW Festival, and it has recently been announced that Lissie will perform at Bestival on Isle Of Wight in September.