Uncategorized January 30, 2025

Welcome to Octopus Media Ink: Home of writer-for-hire Nick Krewen, his archives and professional services…

Hi there! My name is Nick Krewen (octopus@rogers.com.) I’m a Toronto-based writer, editor, content-and-solution provider and voice artist who has been working as a professional since God wore short pants. If you have a project you need some worry-free assistance with and that needs clear, concise messaging, I’m here to help. For a no-obligation conversation, you can reach me at the number below or at the e-mail listed just above…

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Grammy, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal January 29, 2026

A Swedish heavy metal sensation is headed to Scotiabank Arena — and boasts a surprising connection to Sam the Record Man

Tobias Forge, a.k.a. Papa V Perpetua, brings his band Ghost to town on Saturday as part of the Skeletour World Tour. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star “Do we need mysterious bands? Absolutely.” So sayeth Papa V Perpetua, a.k.a. Tobias Forge, leader and frontman of the Swedish metal band Ghost, who performs in demonic face paint and dressed in papal robes and mitre. In this modern age of music, where information about artists…

Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Business, Canada, Events, Hamilton, Music Industry (Trade), Professional Adjustment, Toronto, Tourism, Travel, United States December 12, 2025

Paul McCartney tickets for $5,000? Insiders reveal why going to a concert costs so much

Artists’ business managers say that after the pandemic touring became a lot more expensive.  For Paul McCartney’s recent performance at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum, it wasn’t unusual seeing tickets go for $5000. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star It’s no secret that concert ticket prices have reached unprecedented heights, bolstered in part by the secondary resale market, dynamic pricing and ticketing fees that rise accordingly with each transaction. In fact,…

Americana, Arranger, Artist Spotlight, California, Canada, Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, Composer, Country, Country Rock, Events, Farm Aid, Folk, Garage Rock, Grammy, Grunge, Guitar, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, JUNO, Kathleen Edwards, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Piano, Pop, Producer, Psychedelic, Rock, Rock 'N Roll, Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame, Songwriter, Toronto, United States, Voice, Willie Nelson November 9, 2025

Neil Young is about to turn 80 — and these Canadian musicians are throwing him a party at Massey Hall

“NY80: A Celebration of Neil Young and His Music,” hosted by CBC’s Tom Power, will take place Nov. 12.  Nov. 9, 2025 By Nick Krewen Special to the Star On the cusp of 80, few performers have remained as relevant as Toronto’s own Neil Young. He’s been steadily rockin’ in the free world since forming The Squires in Winnipeg in 1965 — and in a career that has seen him thrive…

Adult Contemporary, Award Winners, Composer, Fusion, Jazz, Piano, Pop, Producer, Songwriter, Synthesizer, Voice September 27, 2025

Despite ‘70s superstardom, this singer struggled with self-doubt. Then came a spiritual awakening. Now he’s joining the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Gino Vannelli will be inducted along with Andy Kim, Jane Siberry and others on Oct. 17. He recorded his latest album as a tribute to his late wife. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star He will be getting inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Oct. 17 at the Meridian Arts Centre in North York, but pop sensation Gino Vannelli would be the first to admit that…

Arranger, Bass, Beach Boys, Beatles, California, Composer, Education, Experimental, Grammy, In Memoriam, Piano, Pop, Producer, Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame, Ron Sexsmith, Songwriter, United States, Voice June 12, 2025

Brian Wilson’s genius remembered by Steven Page, Ron Sexsmith and other Canadian musicians: ‘It’s like living in the time of Mozart or Beethoven’

Moe Berg, of the Pursuit of Happiness, and Burton Cummings, of the Guess Who, also weigh in on the late musician. June 12, 2025 By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Back in 2000, singer and songwriter Steven Page couldn’t believe his eyes … or his ears. He was sitting around in an L.A. studio with the rest of his Barenaked Ladies bandmates as they worked on their album Maroon, when their producer Don…