I spent most of last week listening to music from Americans (with a few Belgians and Australians) down in Memphis. So now it’s time to get up to speed on what my fellow countrymen (and women) have been up to. After all, there’s no place like home:
Jimbo | Ship I Can Sink
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jimbo were founded in 2017 after guitarist Joe Narducci and drummer Jacob Tessier met in a stairwell on their way to an audition for a university music club. Shortly after, they joined up with bassist and vocalist Alex Van Der Heyden and quickly made a name for themselves in the Kingston scene. In 2022, they added guitarist and vocalist Claudia Northey. Their new song Ship I Can Sink is a cheeky take on a breakup song, and a literal pun on a relationship. Lyrically, the song tries to capture this realization and acceptance while shrouded in a generous dose of self-pity. This song is based on a breakup that Van Der Heyden experienced last summer. During that time, he felt as though he had lost himself at sea — and it was time that he went down with the ship.”
Sean Burns | Souvenir
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sean Burns shares the video for Souvenir, the latest single from his upcoming album Lost Country, out Oct. 27. Originally recorded by Hamilton’s Scotty Campbell for his 1999 album Damned If I Recall, Souvenir is one of 10 songs Burns chose to update in tribute to Canada’s forgotten country music heroes. Lost Country is part of Burns’ ongoing work to preserve and promote Canada’s country music legacy, something he did for over five years as host of Boots & Saddle on Winnipeg’s CKUW and his podcast The Northern Report, launched in 2021. However, much of Burns’ time is now occupied by his new role as bassist in Corb Lund’s Hurtin’ Albertans, a gig that’s given him additional motivation to expand his own musical pursuits.”
Stardrop | Crown On
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From Thunder Bay, Stardrop is here to ignite your senses through the power of music and video. Together, with her team of musical geniuses, she creates catchy, soulful pop songs that aim to make softies like you feel like a badass. Recently, she recorded her first album with Toronto producers Tennyson King and Dan Hosh. It’s a collection of self-love anthems that grant us all permission to be unapologetically ourselves. In collaboration with Scott MacKay, she’s also created story-based, character-driven videos that capture the essence of her music and message. Her latest single Crown On was inspired by the old narrative of a princess locked away in a tower waiting and waiting. “Waiting for my big break as a performer, waiting for a man to come along and make me feel loved and valued,” she says. “Crown On was inspired by the moment I broke free from this trap and climbed outta that dang tower!
Aiza | Sovereignty
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal-raised, Toronto-based afro-bop queen Aiza is claiming her own Sovereignty on her full-length debut. With 11 tracks that showcase her unique blend of soulful afro-pop and R&B, Sovereignty is, in the words of Aiza, “an ode to the many lessons I’ve learned to become the empowered and unapologetic woman I am today.” The music video for the title track and lead single off the album was shot in Ghana in January. Featuring a slew of Ghanaian talent and amazing natural views, the video was directed by Majimbo director Will Niava (Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Joey Bada$$) and produced by Aiza’s new production company Chraiza Productions Inc.”
Kroy | Defender
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Kroy is the stage name of singer, songwriter and composer Camille Poliquin. Her deeply personal approach to music and her bold pop explorations have seen her accumulate millions of streams. Kroy has been described as a visionary artist and Montreal’s queen of electropop, and is known for her soaring voice, synth-pop melodies and brooding lyrics. Her new single Defender arrives with a video from director Adrian Villagomez. “I knew I wanted to write about the Defender,” says Poliquin. “It being my favourite car definitely has a lot to do with it, but the imagery around the name of the car is also very inspiring to me. The idea of being at the wheel of such a powerful beast, both being protected by it, but also controlling its movements brings me feelings of power and independence. Feeling vulnerable and fragile most of the time, I feel like I need to have someone who will take charge and figuratively protect me from the outside world. But, I do love when the balance shifts and I am back in the driver seat, taking the role of the protector.”
Jeremy Dutcher | Pomawsuwinuwok Wanakiyawolotuwok
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jeremy Dutcher — the classically trained two-spirit song carrier, composer, activist, and member of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) in Eastern Canada — shares the final single before his sophomore album is released into the world on Friday. Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok translates to ‘people are rising’ and is a “resistance song for all voices.” Jeremy shares the inspiration behind the piece: “Inspired by a traditional Wolastoq melody that is expanded on, this song was supposed to be on my first record, but I could never find a way to make the chorus right. I wanted to write a song that flowed between Wolastoqey language and English, in hopes of calling as many to the table as possible to witness the rising.” The video, directed by tranquilo and Dutcher, was filmed during the Tobique Neqotkuk annual powwow. It is “in support, collaboration, and celebration with the Wabanaki Communities,” says tranquilo. “Gathered on 16mm film and in bright bloom; the promise of collective futures, the Wolastoqey language, the two-spirit space.”
Justine Giles | Lovers In A Dangerous Time (ft. Sarah Houston)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Justine Giles releases the second of four live music videos today as part of a new series. This one is a live acoustic version of Bruce Cockburn’s Lovers In a Dangerous Time, featuring piano composer Sarah Houston.”
Waash | There’s Never Enough Voices
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Andrew Bishop, a versatile musician hailing from Vancouver, has established himself as a prominent figure in the city’s pop music scene over the past decade. He’s contributed his talents as a guitarist to bands like Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds and Twin River, while crafting country-infused solo tracks under the name White Ash Falls. Now, he’s embarked on a new musical journey with Waash, merging his prolific songwriting skills with a passion for expansive shoegaze soundscapes, marking both a culmination of his musical career and a fresh start. Although Waash initially began as a solo project, it has evolved into a full-fledged live band. Their self-titled EP, due Nov. 20, consists of five meticulously crafted tracks that showcase Andrew’s departure from his conventional songwriting process. Instead of relying on the guitar, he explored beats and basslines as starting points for his compositions. This approach allowed him to delve into minute details, crafting lyrics and melodies that intricately fit each song, including There’s Never Enough Voices. Despair and confusion swirl in the new single, which is about trying to come to an understanding about the intentions within your actions and the realization of your past mistakes.”
Sunshine Express | I Luv Sex
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “At the centre of Niagara’s new alternative scene, Sunshine Express (aka S.EX) are a shining force of urgent, electric energy: Rock ’n’ roll with an expressive, experimental edge. I Luv Sex sees the group graduating from experimental recording project to living, breathing band. Their goal was to convey their dynamic performance style as much as possible, to capture (rather than manufacture) the chaotic, communal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. They recorded live as a group, without a click, in the same room. The track mixes rock instrumentation with experimental sounds like pad synths and Mario 64 sound font samples. It includes the band’s signature elements: AKAI sampling, hard-tuned vocals, and an ambient aura.”
Busty And The Bass | Give Me A Smile
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Next month, Busty And The Bass will release their new album Forever Never Cares, a record which sounds, at once, of a bygone era and completely modern, featuring dynamic live performances, expansive arrangements, and a wide array of vocal approaches including the heartfelt expressiveness of founding member Alistair Blu, the otherworldly falsetto of Jordan Brown, the smokey soul of Katie Tupper, the power of Son Little, and the playfulness of Magi Merlin. The moment you think you know which direction the album is going, it takes another unexpected turn, but you are always delighted by the eventual destination. Today, they share the single Give Me A Smile, a slow burn R&B ballad about the search for love and understanding during difficult moments in a romantic relationship. “It speaks to the dance of longing for moments of connection while trying not to be consumed by the tension of the present moment,” explains bassist Milo Johnson, who wrote the hook. Inspired by 6/8 gospel-soul tracks of the ’60s and ’70s, specifically the lesser-known B-side ballads of Funkadelic, the track breathes psychedelia and soul, while still retaining its more intimate lyrical themes.”
The Lazys | Rattle Them Bones
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Lazys have been doing the hard yards, carving their name into the stables of modern rock since 2007. With a reputation for electrifying live performances and a sound that delivers the true essence of rock, it’s no surprise that the band’s reputation over the last decade has spread from their home shores of Australia to North America, Europe and beyond. Their explosive new track Rattle Them Bones embodies their trials, tribulations and resurrection throughout the pandemic and its aftermath. Inspired by the frustration of not knowing when or how things would ever get back to normal, it also offers the positive thought that we will all eventually break out of this curse.”
Roki | Hands Up
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Alt-pop artist Roki started writing and producing music at a young age as a creative outlet, and later headed up multiple bands. After taking a brief hiatus from music to pursue filmmaking, she returned, producing new tracks with Ben Kaplan (Mother Mother) and Winston Hauschild (Wanting Qu). During the process of recording her debut solo album Mother, she experienced the greatest changes and challenges of her life: Becoming a mother while losing her own. The latter spun her into a darker state, and unsure how to process her grief she poured herself into her music. 2024 will herald a new era of sound for Roki with her Lovable EP — dreamier, brighter, “loved up” and hopeful for new possibilities. With the message of trying to make love work, she was inspired to write Hand’s Up following a tiff with her partner. “There’s always going to be ups and downs,” she reflects. “(It’s about) figuring out how to navigate the ebbs and flows with more grace and understanding… sometimes you just have to put your hands up in the air, and say enough to keep the peace.”
Family Man | Father John
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Relentless and brutal are the two words that define Family Man’s evolving sound. With punk roots and power-pop sensibilities, the alternative-punk band address issues such as sexuality, religion, deeply rooted trauma, and death. Iconoclast, their forthcoming album, explores the darker sides of their life experiences and condenses it all into a gut-wrenching and poignantly intentional piece of work. Born out of pure rage and disdain for his experience in the private catholic school system, lead singer/guitarist Conner Root recounts his time at high school in Father John. Described as “a cesspool of toxic masculinity, archaic Catholic mindsets, blatant racism, and willfully ignorant rich kids,” the institution drove Root to the brink of suicide. Conner experienced “otherness” due to his ethnically Jewish identity, and his questioning of Catholic dogma, which ultimately led to him suppressing many aspects of his identity, sexuality, and sense of self for years to come.”
Blue Dirt Girl | No Street Signs No Straight Lines
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Blue Dirt Girl are an indie band based in East Vancouver. Blue Dirt Girl play modern soul. Their latest release No Street Signs No Straight Lines is a 15-song album. Kathryn Sutherland’s fascination with her wah pedal, desire to dance and her eclectic music collection informed both her vocal style, songwriting and composition. Albert Klassen delved into his accumulated musical and songwriting prowess for his bass interpretations saying, “Every bassline is a melody.” An essential ingredient for their new modern soul sound was the creative connection between Sutherland and recording engineer Dan Ponich. Kathryn and Albert perform as a duo. Blue Dirt Girl also perform as a trio or quartet with either Tony Lee on drums, Dan Ponich on synthesizer, keys, electric guitar or Baylie Adams on saxophone.”
