I have met a few Joe Six-Packs in my time. Hell, back in my younger days, I would occasionally see one looking back at me in the mirror. Of course, there’s no better way to get reacquainted with him than by cracking open a half-dozen new videos and singles, just in time for Friday Happy Hour. Here’s looking at (and listening) to you, kid. Bottoms up:
Sarah Swire | Tight!
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sarah Swire is a multi-disciplinary artist with work spanning across stage, screen and television. As an actor, Swire is known for The Boys, Anna and the Apocalypse, Murdoch Mysteries, the upcoming thriller The Last Frontier and the new drama Ripple (the latter two are set for release in 2025). Swire is also an art-rock songwriter and storyteller who often incorporates original monologues and word art into their live performance. Tight! is Swire’s newest single following Sister Swire. Full of Beefheartian lyricism and Burroughsesque word art, these songs mark a shift in their songwriting and build off the fiction-driven narratives heard on Sister Swire’s I Shot The President or She’s Screaming. Reminiscent of early Nick Cave records, they are inspired by strange fiction from authors like Joy Williams, Tom Robbins, Lewis Carroll and Ishmeal Reed.”
Annika Catharina | Love And Hate
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian country artist Annika Catharina just released a video for her newest single Love And Hate. Written by Annika along with Parker Graye and producers The Renaissance (Dan Botch and Garrett Ward), Love And Hate is the third single of 2024 for the rising country artist out of Abbotsford, B.C. The video was directed by Max Chadwick. Love And Hate kicks off with an energetic guitar riff that slides into the song’s trademark drum beat to accompany Annika’s fiery vocal exploration of an overheated, tumultuous and doomed relationship. Annika says, “Timing is everything. Sometimes two people are perfect on paper, but they’re together at the wrong time. Before long, they’re trapped in what feels like an endless cycle of passionate love, rising anger, and crushing anguish. After being in such a relationship, I know the highs and lows too well. All these years later, it felt like the right time to revisit and reflect on that experience and craft a song to capture all of those emotions.”
Payphones | Happy Here
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Following their warmly received 2023 debut album Rioting Heart, Edmonton alt-folk group Payphones are back with Happy Here, a slow-burning single that runs the gamut of musical moods. In the words of lead vocalist and primary songwriter Naomi Jichita, “Happy Here is a song about the joy and complex emotions of moving from existing in survival mode, into being able to live meaningfully and fully.” Beginning with a solo fingerpicked acoustic guitar melody, Happy Here builds to a soaring chorus, with lyrics that evoke a paradoxical feeling of being uncomfortable with experiencing moments of joy. The energy builds as Naomi sings, “I’ve been freezing for so long, I thought I’d never warm — and I don’t know how to feel.” The words mirror Naomi’s personal and artistic journey over the past two years, and set the stage for Payphones to present more new music in 2025.”
Oba | Could Have
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto indie band Oba first crossed paths in high school, but it wasn’t until after graduation that they began jamming together seriously. During their college years, they lived together, playing shows, writing songs, and hanging out. There was probably more hanging than anything else, but that’s what built their bond. It was also forged through playing to empty rooms at odd hours, writing songs that now make them cringe, and meeting some of the most interesting, unstable, and artistic people along the way. Today, under the name Oba, they are a family who create music that they genuinely enjoy. The band name is a nod to their beloved Obaajan (grandma in Japanese), who always made sushi and other snacks for long road trips to gigs across Canada. Their latest single Could Have is a layered and dreamy piece of swirling indie rock. A collaborative and organic track, the band formed together naturally to tackle the feeling of ‘What could have been?’ with poignant songwriting. It captures the feeling of reflecting on the past, knowing things could have unfolded differently, and feeling haunted by the lingering ghost of what might have been.”
Heilara | Cloak Of Fear
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ottawa indie pop-rock musician Heliara shares her new single Cloak Of Fear. It’s a powerful pop-rock anthem about anxiety and loss of self esteem, carrying with it a message of hope and empowerment. On this track, the piano and guitar co-exist in a game between dark and light. The juxtaposition of the song’s darker themes with its uplifting melody creates an inspiring contrast, making it not just a reflection on struggle, but a celebration of resilience. “Cloak Of Fear is the most honest song that I’ve ever written,” says Heliara. “It is equal parts power, vulnerability and kindness, and I am honoured and humbled to share it with the world.”
Boreal | Shepherd Of The Road
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ahead of the release of the forthcoming new album Winterbirds, Canadian folk trio Boreal share Shepherd Of The Road, a moving tribute to truckers who look out for other drivers during hazardous conditions. The song is based upon what happened to Boreal’s Angie Nussey the very night in 2019 when she joined the group, which also consists of singer-songwriters Tannis Slimmon and Katherine Wheatley. While driving home, Angie ran into a fierce blizzard, and made it safely thanks to a courteous truck driver who kept her car between the lines. It’s rather fitting that the song became her first contribution to Boreal, while also speaking to an experience many other Canadian motorists have had. “Collaborating with Tannis and Katherine feels like working with a dream team,” Angie says. “We admire each other’s strengths, which inspires us to continually elevate our efforts for one another. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. And to top it all off, we share a ton of laughter along the way.”
