Sticklers. Nitpickers. Fussbudgets. You know who you are. And I know you’re out there. I suspect some of you might feel that the first entry on today’s roundup does not truly quality as Canadian, since it’s a cover of a ’70s instrumental rock classic by the awesome Dutch band Focus. Well, to that I wholeheartedly reply: Balderdash. Piffle. Pshaw. And hogwash! Yes, hogwash! I apologize for my salty tone, but I lost my head in the face of such madness. True, the song itself may not be Canadian. But the band performing it most certainly are. That’s good enough for me. And lest you be confused, I make the rules around here. True, I may be a benevolent dictator, but make no mistake: An iron fist resides within my velvet glove, ready and waiting to be unleashed upon those who would question my godlike omnipotence and unimpeachable judgment. Do not make me angry. You won’t like me when I’m angry. But you will like all these wonderful songs and videos. So quit yer gripin’ and push play already, willya? Sheesh; it’s just freakin’ music.
Ginger Beef | Hocus Pocus
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Calgary instrumental pop duo Ginger Beef transmit fun chaotic energy with their new single and video Hocus Pocus. The lead single from their self-titled debut album due Oct. 27, Hocus Pocus is their take on 1971 track from Dutch prog-rock band Focus. “We chose Hocus Pocus as a first single because it’s such a fun introduction to Ginger Beef,” says MSG (aka Warren Tse). “The song is catchy and slightly unhinged. Everyone gets to shine on this track, and Jiajia shreds on both western and Chinese flutes. It’s a taster and if you like it, you’ll probably wanna eat the rest of the meal!”
Kristi Lane Sinclair | End Of The Rope
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Kristi Lane Sinclair releases End Of The Rope, the latest single from her acclaimed album Super Blood Wolf Moon. Kristi is an artist completely unafraid to plumb the depths of darkness in search of a glimmer of light. That’s precisely what she does on Super Blood Wolf Moon, a 12-song collection that reflects the harrowing experiences women suffer at the hands of domestic abusers. With grinding guitars and soaring strings accentuating the album’s roller coaster ride of emotions, Sinclair brings together all the elements that have distinguished her work to this point. But with its overall concept fuelling the explosive performances, Super Blood Wolf Moon stands on its own as Sinclair’s formal introduction to the wider world of alternative rock. “I think, to boil it down, anger and love are the two main forces at the heart of this album,” she says. “I wanted it to be a true account of how it feels to live with domestic violence and PTSD. And it’s not only about what I’ve been through, but also what I’ve learned from women I’ve encountered in many areas of my life.”
Sasha Cay | Do I
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sasha Cay’s new album Spin is a record that “took form in two stilted and warped years, heavy with this profound seasickness of being both empty and full,” she recounts. “Among other things, it is about outliving. Translating this into songs and sounds alongside my best friends in a basement is something I’ll be forever grateful for and don’t think I can accurately put into words, which is maybe why I write songs in the first place. I hope it finds folks who might need something to lean on, similar to how I clung to a handful of records as I moved through (or laid very still) this time; dizzy, scared, and glad.” She’s sharing the video for album track Do I.”
Bile Sister | Have You Seen Your Eyes Lately?
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Bile Sister share the video for Have You Seen Your Eyes Lately? from her new album Living on the Edge. This is the synth-punk project of Toronto multimedia artist and producer Julie Reich, best known as one-half of microtonal rock duo Body Breaks and also as a member of legendary ’80s N.Y.C. post-punk band Chandra. Have You Seen Your Eyes Lately? is a wobbly electronic hymnal featuring kulitang gong performances by Kat and Katrina Estacio (Pantayo) and Neil Rankin (Goosebump) on sax. Buzzing synths and haunted organs punctuate the track and are highlighted by a tinfoil draped set of an ’80s cable access channel. Bile Sister says: “The song title, Have You Seen Your Eyes Lately? is a question I ask myself when I need to be strong: I recall a time I decided I’d never let a partner mistreat me again. I looked in the mirror and told myself to never forget what I looked like, never forget the tears. It takes great strength to get out of an abusive relationship, and it took a long time to recover and learn. It was an empowering song for me to write, because the lyrics put women in the position of power.”
Jiants | Moon Lit
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jiants are a three piece indie-pop band from Toronto led by the songwriting of ex-professional skateboarder Jesse Landen. Jiants perform nostalgic lo-fi songs with great hooks and soaring leads. They have just finished their fourth album Tall Tales, and it’s their best effort yet. The record was engineered and produced by Gavin Gardiner (The Wooden Sky) at All-Day Coconut Studios and is set to be released November 10th, 2023. Their latest single Moon Lit is a dreamy yet driving track. Jesse explains: “Moon Lit is about walking up to the fact that you might just be chasing the nostalgia of imaginary summer love. It’s about catching yourself dreaming of lustful, humid, summer nights that keep you in a perpetual loop of hypothetical excitement for the unknowns just around the bend. But this time something feels different. There’s a slow unraveling reality that these kinds of nights are now filling you with emptiness and maybe don’t serve you as well as they used to.”
Terra Lightfoot | Kept You In My Pocket
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “On the heels of singles Cross Border Lovers and Someone Else’s Feelings, Terra Lightfoot is sharing another track from her upcoming album Healing Power, produced by Gus van Go. Terra says the vibe on Kept You In My Pocket is “a little sassy. I love the guitar solo — it’s right in your face — and the whole song makes me feel like dancing! The lovely thing about my relationship with Gus is that I feel safe to try things vocally that I wouldn’t normally do. So I was able to try this wild and outlandish vocal in the chorus because of that. I quite like the sort of dark groove on this one, too. It’s not the usual sound for me in some ways.”
Alyssa Reid | Sleep Without You
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “With over 115 million global streams, Alyssa Reid is one of Canada’s most successful songwriters. Having written for some of this country’s biggest pop acts (Alessia Cara, bülow, Shawn Desman), she pushes boundaries with her signature style and sound. Her devastating new single Sleep Without You was written about those very difficult first few months out of a relationship. The ones where it hurts to breathe. Where it’s hard to leave the house, but staying in it feels just as bad. It’s a very isolating feeling. How can they be moving on when you’re so not okay? How can he sleep with her, when you can’t sleep without him?”
Kevin Drew | All Your Fails
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Broken Social Scene co-founder and frontman Kevin Drew has just releasing the physical version of his most vulnerable, minimal solo album to date: Aging. A digital version of the album arrives Nov. 3. Aging’s sonic profile sits in a similar place as beloved Broken Social Scene songs like Lover’s Spit and The Sweetest Kill — beautifully dark, richly melodic, and tinted with shades of melancholy and longing. The celebrated songwriter is also sharing another track from the album, All Your Fails. ‘The common ways we love and die,’ sings Drew on the propulsive new single. Amid a classic indie pop ballad driven by churning guitars and swirling synth lines, Drew’s breathless vocal performance perfectly conveys the sense of angst and urgency at the core of the song about possession. “Live by the mirror, die by the mirror. The loops of the constant reflective trauma continue within exploring vocal ranges beside Lake Ontario. I have always kept a journal next to my mouth for better or worse. I hope you enjoy this struggle anthem for the outdoor bedroom lovers of yesterday.”
Alle The Dreamer | Run Home To You
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Alle The Dreamer, aka Alessia Iorio, is a songstress from Toronto known for her dynamic songwriting and unique dream-pop sound. This can be heard in her debut EP Starting Over, which will be released Oct. 6. Alle established herself in the local music scene early on, writing and recording with collaborators in Toronto, L.A. and London. On Run Home To You, her pop prowess shines in an honest, dynamic and anthemic single, inspired by the whirlwind of emotions a heartfelt relationship brings. “I am just reflecting on how confusing relationships can be, the dynamics, dating in your 20s, the highs and lows, and all the feelings you go through and experience for the first time.”
Ryan Wayne | Maybe I’m To Blame
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ryan Wayne is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He first came to recognition as a founding member and songwriter in the critically acclaimed, award-winning band, The Warped 45s. His new album Crow Amongst the Sparrows marks a return to recording after a very difficult time in his life. Last Spring, Wayne suffered two strokes and during recovery, he was left seriously contemplating his priorities. Outside of family and health, music was at the top of his list. During recovery, from the comfort of his bed and home studio, Wayne recorded and produced a series of songs, and collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Malcolm Burn (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Patti Smith) for help with some final production and mixing.”
Los Duendes | Coleslaw
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Vancouver psych Latin fusion group Los Duendes released Coleslaw, the lead single from their debut album Me Recuerdas, set for release on Nov. 24. It’s a vibrant, upbeat track that showcases the band’s masterful musicianship and is the perfect example of the way they combine different influences to create original and captivating music. “This song was originally born out of a rhythm based on 16th notes grouped in 19,” says guitarist Seb Chamney. “Once the rhythm was mastered by the band, the other sections of the song were composed based on melodies characteristic of classic 1960s Chilean Cumbia.” Vocalist Sangito Bigelow adds: “Seb showed up one day with this odd meter rhythm played by the bass and guitar as a unison melody travelling in opposite directions. This compositional device was cleverly designed to build tension, bringing the song to its inevitable boiling point. And then Seb, live in studio and in one single clinical take, delivers a spectacular guitar solo to the bewilderment of everyone in the room. This vocal hook had come to me while driving home one day, and over the instrumental it’s almost sinister sounding, calling out to grab your hat and come work in the fields as Toto Berriel sings folkloric improvised pregónes. The song as a whole is frankly just nasty, like chopped cabbage slathered in mayonnaise.”
Arturo Marc | Nuestro Universo (ft. Hector Molina)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Calgary musician Arturo Marc gets romantic with Nuestro Universo. The first single from his debut EP Luz, set for release on Oct. 20, Nuestro Universo was produced by Juno nominee Luis “El Pana” Tovar and features Venezuelan musician and Latin Grammy winner Hector Molina. “Nuestro Universo is a song about the power and beauty of simplicity,” says Arturo. “I wrote for my life partner María at the beginning of the pandemic, when the world seemed to be crumbling, to remind us to appreciate the small things. I believe when we start being grateful for the smallest details in life, we start to love ourself and others easier and we find ourselves in harmony with the universe. I was inspired by our resiliency as a couple during tough times.”
