One of the joys of doing this site is that I basically get to do whatever I want. One of the other joys is that I get a constant stream of new music from Canadian artists of all stripes and styles. I decided to put the two things together into this recurring feature spotlighting new singles and videos from around the country. Let’s get started:
Park-Like Setting | Stupid Juice
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “It took indie rap veterans Park-Like Setting over 20 years to make their first music video. So be nice.
Stupid Juice is off PLS’s album This, That, And The Third, released Oct. 6 on Peanuts & Corn Records.”
Radar Peak | Sniper’s Muse
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Radar Peak, comprised of Nestor Chumak and Zack Mykula (Pup) and Matt Aldred (Modern Superstitions), are sharing the final single and video before the release of their self-titled debut album. “What can we say about the video for Sniper’s Muse?” asks Mykula. “Well, for one: If you don’t like this video — a video full of footage of our cute dogs — and therefore by extension you don’t like the song itself, you’re heartless. Suffice it to say, we’re grateful we have the cinematic eye of our own Nestor Chumak, a modern Francis Ford Coppola, to thank for putting this together. His Apocalypse Now. Oh, and in spite of the title, no animals were harmed during the making of this movie.”
Sean Burns | Before She Made Me Crawl
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “They say you must learn to walk before you can run / You must feel some hurt before you taste the pleasures of love / But be careful boy, be sure you know the price you’ve got to pay / You see I’m paying for it dearly every day / She took the little pride I had left in me / And changed me into something that I don’t want to be / Yeah she’s pulls the string and I jump to her beckon call / Wish I’d learn to run before she made me crawl.”
Donovan Woods | I’m Around
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Donovan Woods was in on the joke when he named his previous release. Riffing on a lyric from a Martin Simpson song (Never Any Good), Big Hurt Boy is a six-song exploration of how our failures — and our fixations on them — not only shape but enlighten us. “I write about them again and again, just hoping people will still be interested,” the singer-songwriter says. “So the title is poking fun of myself, that I’m theoretically this big sad guy who keeps getting dumped and writing songs about it.” Serving a preview of new music to come, Woods’ latest single I’m Around continues with the luminous production touches that has defined his recent work. The song is deeply personal, and universally relatable. At its surface, it is about a breakup, but with Woods’ layered songwriting, there’s so much more to it. “It’s about how we sometimes don’t stop loving even when we’re not in love anymore,” he explains. “I wanted it to be practical and unsentimental, without subtext. (I am useful, if you need me. I don’t want to but I will.)”
Ynana Rose | Strawberry Moon
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ynana Rose captivates audiences with her unique blend of the traditions of roots music, penning songs threaded with folk, country, blues and jazz influences while reaching for new horizons in her writing. Ynana sings of the joy and heartbreak of living in a rich, soulful voice. The Strawberry Moon“\ is visible in June. For Ynana, a summer moon is haunting, sensual and nostalgic, so it felt fitting to tell the yearning story of forbidden same sex love between women in early American history. She harnesses the classic country sound with a modern message that inspires gratitude to be born in the here and now, where one can choose how to be and who to love. On Nov. 3, Ynana will release Under A Cathedral Sky, an album about facing fear and creating beauty from it. These are songs written at the crossroads of midlife, assessment, crisis, unraveling… as well as dancing, whiskey and dating.”
Autogramm | Plastic Punx
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Autogramm, the synth-driven power-poppers from Vancouver, have just announced their latest LP Music That Humans Can Play with an advance single and video for Plastic Punx. Their first album in over two years will continue the band’s tradition of crafting new-wave gems with a power-pop twist. Drawing on influences like The Cars, Go-Go’s, Gary Numan, 20/20 and Devo, Autogramm deliver an album a decisively cohesive album that will fit in easily to the ’80s section of your record collection, with songs so well-crafted they probably deserve to be on the soundtrack of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Music That Humans Can Play explores a myriad of lyrical themes ranging from hilarious to tragic.”
Kodiak Arcade | Another Summer
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Over the past 15 years, Graeme Cornies has been lucky enough to work on more than 40 TV shows and has contributed to more than 1,000 episodes of television with his writing partners at Voodoo Highway Music and Post. The last five years have brought multiple awards recognizing his musical reach domestically and internationally. Recently, Graeme has been releasing electronic-pop music under the moniker Kodiak Arcade. His new song Another Summer, asks a familiar question: Once the infatuation of a new relationship fades and the novelty has worn off, can the relationship bloom again and again over time? Even after you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, that question remains — can we keep falling for each new version of one another as we grow?”
BadBadNotGood and Charlotte Day Wilson | Sleeper
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Recorded at the legendary Los Angeles studio Valentine Recording on analog tape, Sleeper sees the lush vocals of Charlotte Day Wilson drift in and around a refreshing instrumental by BadBadNotGood. Sleeper is the latest collaboration between the Toronto natives, a musical relationship that ignited in 2016 with the highly praised In Your Eyes from BBNG’s fourth studio album IV. Wilson says: “Sleeper wrote itself… We were in the studio just messing around and the guys came up with the colorful instrumental while I freestyled the lyrics. The song portrays someone who chooses the path of least resistance and finds themselves in a lifeless, loveless relationship.”
Abigail Lapell | Oyfn Pripitchek
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Abigail Lapell shares a haunting solo rendition of the iconic yiddish folk song Oyfn Pripitchek (On The Hearth). The track was recorded live-off-the-floor on vocals and finger style guitar, and comes from her upcoming album Lullabies, a mesmerizing collection of traditional songs from around the world, arranged and performed on classical guitar with vocals. The song depicts a rabbi by the fireside, teaching little children the Hebrew alphabet. The mournful-sounding tune offers a cautiously hopeful message about the power of tradition, education and perseverance in the face of hardship. Recorded by Cowboy Junkies’ Michael Timmins at his Toronto studio, the project includes songs in English, French, Hebrew, Spanish, Yiddish, German, Japanese, and Welsh and features original guitar and vocal arrangements and, in some cases, new English lyrical adaptations. Lullabies also includes one original song in English, based on a fragment of a half-remembered bedtime song from her mother.”
Ghostly Kisses | Golden Eyes
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ghostly Kisses (Margaux Sauvé), the international sensation known for her 2022 debut album Heaven, Wait, emerges with a bold and resonant musical evolution, dubbed Golden Eyes. Blending spirited melodies with a touch of wistful nostalgia, and weaving in the rhythmic tapestry of U.K. garage, this fresh single unfurls a narrative of romantic awakening within the intricate dynamics of friendship. It’s a track that stands tall, buoyed by Ghostly Kisses’ self-awareness, defining strength, and songwriting prowess, which serves as her vessel for profound expression. With spellbinding vocals, coupled with ingenious wordplay, Golden Eyes boasts an infectious hook that lingers. As Ghostly Kisses explains, “Golden Eyes is about being in love with your best friend and how gauche it feels to finally admit it. The lyrics were inspired by a revelation from a fan we met on tour, about how hard and vertiginous it can be to express our true feelings to someone that we really love. The verses are intimate, almost like revealing the secret, and then the music opens in the choruses, uplifting the song with light and catchy melodies.”
Carleton Stone | Fences
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Nova Scotia songwriter Carleton Stone is an award-winning artist with a growing list of credits, and a founding member of the hugely successful Port Cities. An outstanding writer, Stone has written songs for, and with, diverse artists as Ria Mae, Matt Andersen, The East Pointers, Donovan Woods, Classified, Bobby Bazini and Neon Dreams. His latest single Fences is an anthem for the down-but-not-out romantics; an epic modern love story that unfolds in soaring fashion on the wings of poignant piano and glowing synth. Driven by a relentless beat, Stone guides us through the timeline of a fractured relationship. When the final notes of the song’s climax ring out, there’s still no resolution, but most great love stories never end — they just transform. Fences provides a balm for the broken-hearted who aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.”
Wayfarer | Eviction Spree
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Wayfarer are a band that reward curiosity. The more that you dig into their music, the more that you find reasons to keep listening. Wayfarer’s vulnerability and introspectiveness give them a distinct voice in their storytelling. First formed in Kitchener in 2009, they’ve successfully toed the line between the emo of early 2000’s Saddle Creek Records and the better parts of contemporary punk music since then. Their song Eviction Spree is a snapshot of a moment in time where songwriter Kyle Krische’s family experienced what sadly so many have the last few years: Losing your stable, affordable housing to unrelenting greed. It’s so easy to break and to let your fury poison every aspect of your life. The stress and fear are all consuming when you’re scrambling to figure out how to continue to provide a home for the ones you love.”
https://youtu.be/7igEyFQxG00?feature=shared
Adrian Sutherland | Precious + Diamonds
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “First Nations roots-rocker-with-heart Adrian Sutherland has released two new singles from his upcoming album. Why? Simple: Put their names together and they form the title of his sophomore solo set Precious Diamonds — due March 15. Adrian travelled to Nashville in May of 2023 — his first trip to the United States — to record 10 tracks for Precious Diamonds with Grammy-winning producer and legendary musician Colin Linden. It’s the second time the two of them have worked together, and Colin was happy to help bring Precious Diamonds to life: “I am honoured to have worked with Adrian on this album,” he says. “Adrian is so free… free of pretense, free of constraints, and free of limitations on where his music could go. His life experience and genuine musicality shine through in every note. He is really one of the best and most honest artists anyone could work with.” Both Precious and Diamonds were co-written with brothers Chris and Matt Gormley, who have become frequent writing partners on Adrian’s solo music.”
Sluice | Madeleine
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Acadian power-pop quartet Sluice offer up a second single from their sophomore album Archiviste, set for release Nov. 3. Madeleine is an earworm steeped in history that demonstrates the full extent of the archival research project undertaken by Trevor Murphy, leader of the group, to create the new record. Madeleine tells the incredibly true story of Madeleine d’Entremont, who escaped multiple Acadian expulsion attempts in the 1750s, living alone for many years in the woods of Pubnico, N.S., before marrying in France, where she lived until her death in her 80s. The piece, written by Murphy and AA Wallace, was recorded by Thomas D’Arcy (Sheepdogs, July Talk, NOBRO) and mixed by Jay Dufour (Avril Lavigne, Tokyo Police Club, Monowhales).”
Nia Nadurata | CarSick (ft. Seago)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rising 22-year-old Toronto artist Nia Nadurata returns with new single CarSick, featuring indie-pop artist Seago. CarSick is an ode to the over-thinker, exploring the feeling of spiraling out of control within the confined space of your own mind. Reflecting on the track, Nis writes, “When put in a situation where all you can do is twiddle your thumbs and analyze every moment and mistake, you’re left with a sense of emotional motion sickness and simply want to be let out.” Featured artist Seago adds, “CarSick is a take on how you can drive yourself crazy, both literally and figuratively. In a confined space with no choice but to think, you can go everywhere and nowhere at the same time.”
Harley Olivia | Haunted
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Coming of age in Toronto’s chaotic dive-bar scene, Harley Olivia has seen and done it all. From fronting metal bands to circus-punk and everything in between, Harley has always felt most alive on the stage. Her energetic performances are characterized by punchy synths, infectious melodies and a signature swagger. But at the heart of it all, her show is an empowering, rock ‘n’ roll dance party where anyone is free to come join in and shake off the shame. Harley worked as a flight attendant for 10 years, which meant that she spent a lot of time in hotel rooms in foreign countries, feeling lonely and burnt out, missing her family. In the beginning it was an exciting job, but over time aviation pulled her away from creating music. She dealt with depression and anxiety and ultimately realized that she was unhappy because she wasn’t pursuing her dreams. It was finally time for her to bet on herself, and make a big change. “Every time I found myself alone in a hotel room, I couldn’t turn off my thoughts,” she says. “A combination of jet lag, anxiety and loneliness caused me to constantly overthink, which felt like being haunted by my own thoughts.”
LTtheMonk | Reminder
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Originally from London, LTtheMonk had an eclectic musical upbringing that set him off on a journey to becoming a musician himself. Dance is also an intrinsic part of LT’s toolkit, with bantamweight Gene Kelly-meets-James Brown footwork and immaculate sport socks are indelible signatures of his persona as an entertainer. Melding all of his influences, LT aims to fuse dance music with hip-hop and pop to create his own unique sound. The focus track Reminder from his new album Uptown Intern #333 is inspired by childhood love, a first crush that no matter where you go in life, you can’t leave behind. Physically, LT describes seeing beautiful Canadian and American women that remind him of his first love back in South London, but metaphorically, the concept is all about that first love being the key to one’s childhood. Remembering that love is meant to be a reminder of one’s true self, of keeping that childhood spirit and purity alive, no matter where you go.”
Julian Taylor | Long Time Ago
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto singer-songwriter Julian Taylor just released Anthology Vol. 1, a career spanning collection of songs which reflect on his decades fronting Staggered Crossing and the Julian Taylor Band, as well as his celebrated solo career. In addition to the 15 vintage tracks on Anthology Vol. 1, Taylor has added a trio of all-new songs that serve to bridge the gap between those historical roots of yore and the forward-leaning songwriting template he forged during the making of his two most recent solo LPs, 2020’s highly acclaimed The Ridge (which earned him Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards) and 2022’s similarly lauded Beyond the Reservoir.”
Syncopation Rebels | Sound And Vision
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Syncopation Rebels are a supergroup whose membership includes Martha Johnson and Mark Gane of Martha And The Muffins, John Orpheus, Sam Casey and Alex Exists. They have come together to cover Sound And Vision by David Bowie. After the song was chosen, the first person brought into The Syncopation Rebels project was producer Mike Schlosser. He had already worked with Orpheus, Casey and Alex. The next people invited were Johnson and Gane, who have been great resources to the younger artists. The objective was to involve experienced and emerging artists from the roster.”
FKB | Color Blind
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “FKB are a high-energy indie-pop band in Edmonton, influenced by the mystique, glamour, and excess of the 1960s-1980s entertainment business. The band is fronted by Juno-nominated songwriter Drew Shalka (lead vocals/bass), and features Travis Topylki (lead guitar), Derek Chalut (drums), and Alex Fedorouk (rhythm guitar). The band won the 2023 Jim Beam National Talent Search, which culminated in a performance at the Indie Awards in Toronto. Since 2017, they have performed over 300 shows across North America. The infectious, disco-inflected single Color Blind is produced by Shalka, who says: “Color Blind is us finding a way to connect our influences from the past, like The Beatles, Elvis Presley and The Beach Boys, with the modern sounds of Foster The People, Portugal. The Man and The Weeknd. We wanted to draw from the excitement of our live shows and give people something they can dance to.”
Lowgo | Soap Opera Pretty
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “David Lotey-Goodman, better known as Lowgo, is a fast-rising 23-year-old electronic music producer whose background as a jazz pianist sets him apart from the crowd. His passion for music began at two years old, when his parents gave him a small toy keyboard. This set him on a lifelong path of musical exploration. His experimentation with music software has led him to develop a unique style, using both traditional and innovative techniques. His notable collaborations include Lou Phelps, Veggi, Speng Squire, Mosey (Pierre Sarkozy), Kris the $pirit, Benita, Jayde, Tibe, Jonathan Emile and more. Soap Opera Pretty (with Zach Zoya) comes off his sophomore self-produced EP From Here. As Lowgo explains: I’ve rarely delved into themes of heartbreak and darker subject matter. This EP represents an effort to change that.”
Allison Russell | Take Me To Church + Stay Right Here
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Grammy-nominated, Juno-winning singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell has released an incredible new rendition of Stay Right Here from her new album, The Returner, along with a beautiful cover of Hozier’s Take Me To Church featuring the Resistance Revival Chorus, both recorded at the Power Station in N.Y.C. this summer. ”
