By Alex Hudson

Canadian music fans hoping to hear some of their favourite artists in an intimate studio setting will soon get a treat with the launch of Pinball Sessions. This web series (and its accompanying website) will premiere on Friday (May 31) and feature a steady stream of artists performing live in the studio.

First up are the Magic, whose session will hit the web tomorrow at 6 p.m. EDT. Among the other artists who have already completed three-to-four-song sessions are John K. Samson, Julie Doiron, Daniel Romano, Shotgun Jimmie, By Divine Right, the Highest Order, Legato Vipers and Gangstagrass.

Watch a trailer for the sessions below, plus check out a streaming player with songs from upcoming sessions by the Magic, Baskery and Smokekiller.

A press release explains that the series aims to capture artists in a low-pressure environment where they have an opportunity to record songs and try new things. Pinball Sessions are so named because the studio houses a pinball club, and the artists can relax by playing a few rounds.

The project was founded by Daniel Cooper, Dan Beeson and Shawna Cooper, and it will host 104 sessions over the next year. Over the weekend, Pinball Sessions will host launch parties in Guelph, Winnipeg, Calgary, Halifax and Toronto. See the details down below.

Launch parties:

5/31 Guelph, ON - Van Gogh's Ear (Flash Lightnin', Gregory Pepper, Scott Haynes)
5/31 Winnipeg, MB - The Folk Exchange (JD Edwards Band, The F-Holes, TJ Blair)
6/1 Calgary, AB - Palomino (Smokekiller, Castle River, Jeff Stuart & the Hearts)
6/1 Halifax, NS - Gus' Pub (Bad Vibrations, Graboids, Tv Freaks, Sleight, Odd Socks)
6/1 Toronto, ON - 3030 (Zebrassieres, Ketamines, Start Something, DJ Sarah Ford)

Check out the video here exclaim.ca

Stern pinball has just released two new nuggets of information on the Metallica pinball with these flyers.

Click on the link to see the rest of the images.

Virtually everybody who’s seen a performance of The Who’s rock opera Tommy has walked out with the tune of “Pinball Wizard” in their head, their hands instinctively tapping their thighs, wanting nothing more than to slide a quarter into the slot and get a few whacks at the silver ball.

As the Stratford Festival ramps up preparations for this spring’s staging of the rock musical, we’ll finally be getting that chance.

On May 16 the festival is setting up one hundred pinball machines in the atrium of First Canadian Place. If it goes off as planned, Pinballapalooza will break the Guinness World Record for the most pinball games being played at the same time.

“We want to whet peoples’ appetites for Stratford, really give them a taste of what they will see in Stratford and encourage them to make the trip here to see the shows and immerse themselves in the whole experience,” said Executive Director Anita Gaffney.

Read more via thestar.com

Calling all pinball wizards! The Stratford Festival invites you to be a part of history. On Thursday, May 16, the Festival will be in Toronto to host Pinballapalooza, an exciting event to celebrate the opening of its much-anticipated rock musical, Tommy.

One hundred pinball machines will fill the main lobby of First Canadian Place in an officiAl GuinNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt to log the greatest number of pinball machines being played simultaneously at a single venue. An all-day occasion, the event will feature free game play, exclusive Tommy ticket deals through an on-site pop-up box office and spectacular live performances by Tommy cast members Robert Markus, Paul Nolan, Gabriel Antonacci and Matthew Armet.

"Tommy is the biggest musical we have ever mounted in Stratford," says Executive Director Anita Gaffney, "and what better way to celebrate it than by throwing a larger-than-life pinball tournament that would impress even Tommy, the pinball wizard himself.

Read more about Stratford Festival to Host PINBALLAPALOOZA to Celebrate TOMMY, May 16 by toronto.broadwayworld.com