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CBC LAUNCHES CANADA LISTENS, A NEW COMPANION TO CANADA READS, IN SEARCH OF THE ONE ALBUM CANADIANS NEED TO HEAR

Broadcasting as a radio special on CBC Music, Canada Listens will feature five panellists debating why their celebrated Canadian album deserves the top spot over a series of four days - April 12 to 15

CBC today announced CANADA LISTENS, a new debate series modelled after the popular, long-running CANADA READS format, with a music twist. Hosted by CBC Music’s Saroja Coelho, CANADA LISTENS features a panel of celebrity advocates who each champion a Canadian album that they have selected and believe will win the title of the “one album that all Canadians need to hear.” The hour-long radio debates will air daily on CBC Music Mornings starting Monday, April 12 at 8 a.m. (8:30 NL) repeating at 5 p.m. (5:30 NL) during CBC Music’s Drive show, with an album being eliminated each day until the winner is revealed on Thursday, April 15. CANADA LISTENS will also be available live and on demand on CBC Listen.

The CANADA LISTENS panellists and albums are:

  • Acclaimed author Alicia Elliott, defending The Con by Tegan & Sara
  • Actor/comedian Andrew Phung, defending Joyful Rebellion by k-os
  • Actor/comedian Carolyn Taylor, defending Illuminations by Buffy Sainte-Marie
  • Writer/podcaster Kathleen Newman-Bremang, defending Quest For Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 by Kardinal Offishall
  • Comedian/podcaster Miguel Rivas, defending Freudian by Daniel Caesar

“I have witnessed firsthand with Polaris Music Prize deliberations that music has the power to elicit strong opinions and ideas,” said Steve Jordan, Senior Director, CBC Music. “The artistic and stylistic range of albums that the inaugural CANADA LISTENS panellists have selected are sure to spark similarly passionate conversations, and we look forward to hosting them.”

Canadians can join the conversation by sharing their favourite Canadian album of all time with CBC Music using #CanadaListens. For more information, visit CBCMusic.ca or follow CBC Music on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Download social graphics and photos of the CANADA LISTENS panellists, host and albums here.

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About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

About CBC Music
CBC Music is the leading curator of emerging and diverse Canadian music talent across platforms, playing the most Canadian artists and genres on radio, CBC Listen and cbcmusic.ca. We prioritize Canadian artists in a wide variety of genres on over 200 playlists available on CBC Listen, and publish daily national music coverage. CBC Music Live features live music recordings from across the country. Our music partnerships and events include The JUNOS, the Polaris Music Prize, Searchlight, the CBC Music Festival, The Canadian Music Class Challenge and Canada Listens.
 

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Teaghan Hawke
CBC, publicist
teaghan.hawke@cbc.ca
416.205.6863

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