National Music Centre (@nmc_canada)

🎤The NMC Amplifier podcast went on the road for its latest episode. 🚍 We caught up with Canadian Music Hall of Famer Andy Kim in his hometown of Montreal to chat about his dedication to philanthropy, the inception of the Andy Kim Christmas, and his lasting connection to the city where it all…

Grammy-winning producer Shawn Everett, originally from Bragg Creek, Alberta, talks about the Canadian producer who inspires him most. For Everett, the music of Daniel Lanois carries an emotional, almost spiritual quality that feels connected to Canada and the land. #NationalMusicCentre #StudioBell…

A day in the life of a sound engineer starts long before anyone hits record. Setting up the gear and dialing in the levels is the quiet work behind every great recording session. The National Music Centre’s recording studio environments are unlike anywhere in the world, with historic analog…

Every young person deserves a place to belong. 💛 At NMC Jam Club, teens can be themselves, try something new, make mistakes, and grow alongside a supportive community of budding musicians and mentors. Last year, you helped us raise $60,000 for the program. This year, we’re aiming to raise $80,000…

Anishinaabe roots-rock singer-songwriter Graeme Jonez’s new single, “Hey Coyote!” was inspired by the coyotes that wandered into his Toronto neighbourhood after being displaced from their natural habitat. The song serves as both a warning to the animals and a reflection on the impact of urban…

Spooky season needs a soundtrack. 🎃 We asked folks to name their favourite Halloween songs. Which one makes your playlist every October? Tell us in the comments. #NationalMusicCentre #StudioBell #Halloween #HalloweenSongs

Pine Creek First Nation melodic rap artist @chills wrote “Lost Spirit Night” about the shock of losing his cousin. Years later it became a catharsis and a reflection on finding light after one of the darkest periods of his life. Captured during the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator at the National…

“The majority of the music I write is just my own therapy. It’s my live journal.” For Tłı̨chǫ (Dene) singer-songwriter Stacie Arden-Smith (@dahliadevine), songwriting starts with what she knows. In her song “60th Line,” the Yellowknife artist captures the freedom of setting off on an adventure and…

What a ride it’s been since PlayLab opened to the public! 🥁 From hands-on activities and workshops to plenty of musical experimentation, we’ve packed a lot of play into this free, interactive space. Families, kids, and curious music lovers of all ages have been discovering how sound works the…

Cumberland House Cree Nation artist and motivational speaker @Ger Carriere’s song “Can I Be Her” is a love letter to her younger self, who dreamed that she could one day be like the woman she saw on her TV screen. It’s also an inspiring message to other women to dream big, believe in themselves…

"Everybody has a light inside of them." ✨ For Pasqua First Nation rapper Big Tones, stepping into the studio while navigating grief brought a new wave of inspiration. The result is "Shine," a song about the light that lives in all of us and the importance of giving it room to glow. Captured…

Still thinking about what an incredible few days we had at last week’s Alberta Music Cities Convention 2026. 🎶\ It was so nice to connect with people from around the world who share our passion for music and its power to bring communities together. Thanks again to the partners and sponsors who…

It's World Architecture Day! 🏛️ In honour of the occasion and Studio Bell’s 10-year anniversary, we spoke with the lead architect behind the building. On the latest episode of the NMC Amplifier podcast, Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture talks about the leap of faith that came with…

Music leaders from around the world have been in Calgary for the Alberta Music Cities Convention. So, we asked them: What can Calgary learn from your city? Whether it’s making music part of the city’s identity and tourism strategy or sustaining and creating spaces for developing talent to…

What makes a great music city? We asked some of the people making them happen. 🎶 Over the past few days, more than 300 policymakers, industry leaders, and creatives have been gathered in Calgary for the Alberta Music Cities Convention 2026 at #StudioBell, home of the National Music Centre. Hear…

"You have a big voice. Use it." 🎤 That’s the advice Teagan Littlechief’s mom gave her after years of struggling with imposter syndrome. Now, the powerhouse country artist from White Bear First Nation is passing that message on through her new single, “Rez Girl Proud” – out everywhere on Oct. 2…

JUNO Award-winning artist @fawn.wood shares the story behind her custom-made ribbon skirt, which is currently on display in NMC’s award-winning Speak Up exhibit. Visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, on Sept. 30 to explore the Speak Up! exhibit supported by TD, and discover more…

Today marks what would have been Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson's birthday. 🎂 An inductee of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (@ccmaofficial), and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (@cshfmusic), celebrate the country-folk cowboy’s legacy by looking…

Acclaimed Indigenous hip-hop artist @drezusmusic shares the story and significance behind the jacket he wore while accepting an MTV Music Video Award in 2017, now on display in NMC’s award-winning Speak Up! exhibit. Visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, on Sept. 30 to explore the…

This month, 35 years ago, Tom Cochrane released “Life is a Highway,” one of Canada’s biggest, most enduring hit songs. As Cochrane told NMC during a 2016 interview, the song emerged from a heavy place – a pep talk to himself and others after witnessing poverty, famine, and violence during a relief…

How can music build stronger cities and communities? Find out at the Music Cities Convention Alberta 2026, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. Hear from over 30 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, and creatives from around the world. Explore…

Fifty years after recording “Smoke on the Water,” Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan revisited the studio on wheels that helped capture one of the most recognizable rock songs ever written. Hear him recount the story and read more about the song on NMC Amplify. You too can step inside rock history…

Calgary-based hip-hip and R&B artist K-Riz, who also happens to be one of our educators, recorded his upcoming album, HVN, in the National Music Centre’s studios. 🎙️ HVN brings together an incredible lineup of collaborators, including Polaris Music Prize-nominated producer Junia-T…

Low ticket alert! 🚨 Live from the King Eddy with The Free Label has a handful of tickets left for Sept. 26, and tickets are selling fast for night two on Sept. 27. The disco, funk, and soul collective will be recording a live album over two nights using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, which is…

POV: You walk into Studio Bell thinking you know Canadian music, and you walk out realizing you had no idea. 🇨🇦 Come discover just how many of your favourite artists call Canada home. #NationalMusicCentre #StudioBell #CanadianMusic #YYCEvents

Kevin McAuley of Goulais River Guitars created several guitars to honour the King Eddy. They were crafted from materials salvaged during the building’s demolition, including ceiling joists that once hung above the original stage. We're talking wood that spent decades absorbing the music and…

If you haven’t visited Studio Bell in a while (or need a place to bring your out-of-town family and friends), there are plenty of reasons to come by this summer. 🎉 Explore Hall of Fame exhibits honouring icons like Nelly Furtado and Oscar Peterson, step inside the legendary Rolling Stones Mobile…

Kevin McAuley, builder and president of Goulais River Guitars, has a knack for building instruments out of odd materials, and the King Eddy gave him some interesting materials to work with. He crafted three guitars in the venue's honour, including a four-string model made from a recovered exit…

Wherever the wind takes you, we hope it's here. 🌬️🎵 From live performances to hands-on exhibits, there's always something new to discover at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. 🔗 Visit studiobell.ca to plan your visit. #NationalMusicCentre #StudioBell

It's summer jam season! We've been asking folks what's soundtracking their sunny days. What's on your summer playlist? Let us know in the comments. ☀️🎧 #NationalMusicCentre #StudioBell #SummerJams