Welcome to the long weekend. And not a moment too gawdamn soon, you ask me. So sit back, relax, and give thanks for these fine slices of Canadian talent. Then pass the gravy, would ya?
Justine Giles | Save Myself
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After sharing several singles over the past few years, Justine Giles has compiled those tracks into her new EP Another Chance, due Oct. 25. Another Chance encapsulates the past four years of Justine’s creative journey in five heartfelt and beautifully constructed songs, re-introducing her as a powerful Canadian voice within the global singer-songwriter scene. In late 2019, Justine packed up and moved from Toronto to Calgary, carrying big plans along with her guitar. Everything didn’t always go to plan, but it didn’t stop Justine from building a foundation of new musical ideas, along with new connections to bring them to life. Recorded at Calgary’s Evergreen Sound with producer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Troyer, Another Chance boasts arrangements that span cinematic lushness to poignant intimacy, all to complement Justine’s deeply affecting voice and lyrics. The song titles themselves almost say it all — A New Adventure, Before It’s Too Late, and Save Myself, presented here in a live acoustic rendition.”
Young Friend | The Real Deal
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Juno-nominated Vancouver artist Young Friend serves up a healthy dose of indie twang on his new song The Real Deal. Songwriter Drew Tarves is earnest in his quest to define true love, and what it means to believe in it. With the help of co-producer David Marinelli (Finneas), the song’s romantic harmonic and dreamy pedal-steel guitar lines only add to the charming Western aura. Drew explains: “The Real Deal, at its core, is a love song. It asks a lot of different questions like, Are we in this? Are we going for it? This song feels like the point in the rough patch where you either make the effort to make it work or you just give up.”
Old Man Luedecke | Drinking Down The Gold
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Juno winner Old Man Luedecke is sharing the new single Drinking Down The Gold to kick off his fall tour throughout Canada and Europe. The track is the first of a few upcoming Afie (Bahamas) Jurvanen-produced singles recorded during the session for his album She Told Me Where to Go in 2022. Drinking Down The Gold is a beautiful ode to the ancient fellowship of drinking with friends — drinking and talking and laughing in spite of it all. Drinking songs have long been an enthusiasm for Old Man Luedecke (Little Stream of Whisky, I Am Fine) and this may be his last, since like many a good fellow before him he has lately succumbed to an alcohol-free lifestyle. A beautiful tune with a lyric that name checks Valhalla, charts the progress of an evening and the morning after — and like a fine drop of whisky warms the heart’s best places.”
Ten Kills The Pack | Girl Of My Dreams
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sean Sroka — aka Ten Kills The Pack — has become known for his confessional-style lyricism that explores the rough edges of the human condition. Stemming from his DIY days penning poems and playing gigs in Toronto, Sroka pens his experiences in a way that blends an ethos of punk with the kindness of folk. Girl Of My Dreams leans into a very familiar yet still disorientating independent landscape. “It does feel like I’ve never left this part of my musical lifestyle,” he says. “And it’s beautiful to be able to create and release as you please. If the song feels like autumn, let’s have it out then.” Reminiscent of an alt-folk soundtrack to a ’90s movie, Girl Of My Dreams is a fine example of Ten Kills The Pack’s golden touch. The new self produced release casts a light on the personal exercise and growth of becoming less precious and following your momentary artistic intuitions. “I sent what is now the chorus of this song as a little self-deleting voice message jingle to my partner who was touring overseas at the time; trying to help count down the days we had away. From there it just kept turning in my head, so I turned off the TV and wrote it that night.”
The August Arrival | Fleeting And Forever
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Yukon indie-folk band The August Arrival just released their first album Hillsides. Fleeting And Forever is the third single from the album. Led by Yukon songwriter and vocalist Sara MacDonald, The August Arrival is a solo project supported by friends, incorporating live and recording contributions from an array of musicians who slide in and out of the lineup. Fleeting And Forever is a poignant exploration of the transient nature of love. “Fleeting And Forever is, in many ways, symbolic of the entire album,” says Sara. “It’s a song that explores themes of challenge, impermanence, and acceptance. Even though it was written during a difficult time, creating it was a healing process because it gave voice to the feelings that were shaping my life then — that life is fleeting, but it’s still meaningful. The song helped me find a more hopeful perspective, reminding me that there’s always some beauty somewhere, even when things aren’t great, and to embrace the constant change of this existence.”
Havelin | Dancing At My Funeral
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Havelin, aka Alex Zaichkowski, is a singer-songwriter (allegedly) whose passion for music began at a young age and will continue until his untimely demise (which will likely come at the hands of some great warrior or foul beast… or, more likely, slipping on a banana peel). The Edmonton-born, Toronto-based Zaichkowski’s music was once described as “a real pleasure” by Shania Twain (a thing which actually happened, there’s proof). His songs weave rich narratives into pleasant melodies, while his storytelling strives to unpack complex emotions in a way that is both uniquely personal and heart-wrenchingly universal. His upcoming record, Who Among Us… deals with themes of life, death, love, heartbreak, and identity. It’s a tribute to feeling intensely and embracing the strangeness and beauty this world has to offer. His latest single, the blithe Dancing At My Funeral, is all about recontextualizing death. It’s about taking that deep-seated fear that we all have and laughing in its face. We’re all gonna die someday — it’s the most human thing there is. “Every funeral I’ve ever been to has been a profoundly sad experience, and I don’t want it to be that way when I go,” Alex explains. “I want the people I love to remember the good times and to know how lucky I was to have them in my life. It’s about putting the celebration in ‘celebration of life.’ ”
