Awesome Management

JoSH

In its broadest definition, “kismat” means destiny, and both Rup and Q have no doubt that they were destined to work together. Together, under the name JoSH, they have spent the past decade conquering the South Asian market with an innovative mix of pop, hip-hop and traditional Indian and Pakistani sounds. They met in their hometown, Montreal, in the mid-1990s after Rup had already formed JoSH and established the band within the city’s South Asian community. Q had played in more mainstream rock bands but found in JoSH’s approach the room to explore his growing interest in Asian underground fusion.

When JoSH performed at the Bollywood Music Awards in New York in 2000, an Indian A&R rep saw an interview they did with CNN after the show and immediately contacted them. Their sophomore album, 2004’s Kabhi, was a smash and earned them the distinction of being the first Canadian band to be named MTV India’s Artist of the Year. Even more impressive was that the following year JoSH was named MTV Pakistan’s Artist of the Year, an unprecedented achievement given the ongoing political turmoil between the two nations.

Eliminating all cultural boundaries is at the heart of JoSH’s music, and they proved it again prior to the release of their third album, 2006’s Mausam, by remixing Nelly Furtado’s hits “Powerless,” “Promiscuous” and “Maneater,” all of which became club sensations around the world.

Now with Beyond Kismat, JoSH is finally set to bring their massive success abroad back home. From the album’s pulsating opening track, “Pyar Ho Gaya,” there is a new sleekness present, something that only further accentuates the duo’s powerful vocals rooted in the traditional Sikh music Rup sang as a child, as well as their shared love of the legendary qawwali vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Perhaps more significantly, through concentrating all of their cross-cultural influences on Beyond Kismat, Rup and Q are also showing the world that social harmony can be achieved through music.

They have recently collaborated in the studio with acclaimed guitarist Jesse Cook, and Canadian filmgoers will get a sample of JoSH’s music this summer when it appears in Bon Cop, Bad Cop producer Kevin Tierney’s directorial debut, French Immersion.

Lisa Manis

Lisa Manis is determined to make an impact in the Canadian country music scene. Her music is best described as rootsy, earthy and fun. Lisa’s main influences are The Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flats, and Keith Urban, but this young lady has a voice to rival all. Imitating Reba McEntire at 4 years of age and writing her own songs since she was 11 (her first penned inspirationally by Grandma and horses), this Pickering-raised talent was first discovered at a Canada Day karaoke show. Her choice of song? “The Power of Love” by Celine Dion. She was only 6 years old.

Shania Twain’s vocal coach, Ian Garrett, was one of the first to help train this spectacular voice. This led to commercial work for such brands as KFC, Rice Krispies and Aleve. Lisa's love of country music led her to participate in country music competitions, and her continued love of performing launched her into Musical Theatre where Stratford talent scouts were blown away and she became one of the leads in The Sound of Music for the Feb. – Nov. 2001 season at only 11 years old.

After spending years on stage, Lisa took a break to be a regular kid and finish high school, but still felt the urge to be a performer. She continued her vocal training with top vocal coach Elaine Overholt who further trained this enchanting voice. She also attracted the interest of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Rock to sing the national anthem at some of their games. CBC’s “Celine: The Movie” highlighted Lisa's talent when she performed as the voice of the younger Celine which aired in October 2008. When Lisa was the runner up in country radio station KX96’s competition that fall, she decided what others knew all along – that singing was what she was meant for. The result of her training with Elaine and honing her songwriting skills landed her recording time with Juno Award winning producer Greg Kavanagh (Kavanagh Music) at the helm and on guitars, and other fine musicians Gary Craig (drums), Russ Boswell (bass), Burke Carroll (steel guitar), and Rob Gusevs (piano, organ). Lisa also performed at Hugh's Room in Toronto as one of four artists in the Discoveries showcase, and recently travelled to Nashville to work on her music with top songwriters.

Cara Matthew

Jazz/blues vocalist Cara Matthew released her debut album "Make You Feel My Love" on August 4th, 2009 through Awesome Music/EMI Music Canada. Nominated for a 2008 Ontario Independent Music Award and recently on Entertainment Tonight Canada, Cara's record features arrangements of tunes by Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, and other popular artists in a bluesy and jazzy fashion all her own. Juno-award-winning Greg Kavanagh produced the project and brilliant players from trumpeter Guido Basso to bassist George Koller share their talents. The results of this creation are original, pure melodies to be enjoyed by all musical enthusiasts.

"Cara Matthew has the potential to become Canada's next international jazz star." - Doug Gallant, Canadian Musician

"On her album Cara Matthew packs a powerful presence." - The Daily Courier

The title track of Cara's new CD was released in Australia on Foghorn Records in May 2008 and radio stations around the world are playing various tracks from her album including BRTO Radio in the Netherlands, vibes 90.6fm in the United Kingdom and Triple H FM as well as PBS FM 106-7 in Australia.

SoundBluntz

SoundBluntz are “DJ Swet” and DJ “Lil’ Pete.” They are the only act in Canada to win the Juno for “Best Dance Recording” back to back in 2002 and 2003. SoundBluntz broke out into the electronic music scene in 2002 with their debut single (a remake of Michael Jackson’s classic hit) “Billie Jean.”

The single was released by some of the most prestigious dance/electronic labels around the world including Ministry of Sound, Kontor, Digi Dance, & Warner Music in Australia (where the single was #1 for several weeks).

Their debut album “Blame The Bling” includes guest vocal performances by Larry Braggs (Tower of Power), Chubb Rock, Young MC, and Cheyne Coates formerly of Madison Avenue “Don’t Call Me Baby.”