Well, here we are at the end of another long, silly Bandcamp Friday. Thankfully, it’s the last one of the year — and hopefully the last time in 2024 that I will have to sift through more than 1,000 emails from musicians reminding me what day it is while hoping I’m stupid enough to buy their used test pressings and leftover merch. I’d much rather spend some time with these great new singles and videos from deserving Canadian artists. Take ’em for a spin:
Hot Mud | Long Live The Weird
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This is a song for all the kids who do no wrong, but somehow feel they don’t belong,” proclaims Hot Mud, aka Ottawa indie-rock singer-songwriter Muddy Watters. “Normal is boring. Beautiful is cheating. Popularity’s exhausting. Happiness is fleeting. Long live the wild. Long live the weird. They’re the only ones who know how to have any fun around here.”
Tauro | You Got Something
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tauro, the collaboration between jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Cynthia Tauro and Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), are sharing the new video for You Got Something, which pays serious homage to a late ’90s aesthetic. Director Bea Santos had a particular vision upon hearing the song: “From my first listen, You Got Something instantly evoked the gritty, iconic feel of late ’90s trip-hop music videos. I knew that I wanted to make something fun that matched the fresh and idiosyncratic talent of Cynthia and Brendan, and looked and felt like it could have been on The Wedge (IYKYK). Some of the sequences in the video are an ode to the work of video artist Chris Cunningham and videos from artists like Massive Attack and Portishead. Ultimately, I wanted to create a moody, DIY vibe that underscored the song’s melancholy and introspective mood.”
Scenic Route To Alaska | Stardust
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Scenic Route To Alaska present the official video for their latest single Stardust, from the album Lasts Forever, an indie-rock gem that explores themes of love and existential musings against a cosmic backdrop. Drawing inspiration from the iconic black-and-white music videos of the 1980s, the visuals pay homage to the timeless aesthetics of artists like The Police and Elvis Costello. The video captures a stripped-back, evocative energy that complements the emotional depth of the track. With its nostalgic style and modern edge, Stardust is a bold statement from a band that continue to push boundaries. Born and raised in Edmonton, this trio of childhood best friends have been a consistent force in Canada since 2011. With six albums under their belt, Trevor Mann, Shea Connor and Murray Wood are gearing up for their seventh release, Lasts Forever. It promises a mature yet lighthearted sound, weaving catchy melodies with Trevor’s vocals as they navigate themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.”
Dream Eaters | Spank Bank
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Dream Eaters deliver a playful yet deeply introspective musical journey with their latest EP Deathbed Visions, produced and recorded themselves. Since 2015, Elizabeth LeBaron and Jake Zavracky have blended indie-pop, dream-pop and new wave into a unique musical identity, and their latest release captures their evolution toward raw honesty. Inspired by fever dreams Jake experienced during a bout with Covid, Deathbed Visions weaves together themes of longing, escape and personal reckoning. Spank Bank is a cheeky, upbeat ode to sexual fantasy, highlighting the pair’s knack for humour. With hundreds of thousands of social media views, it resonated with fans long before its release. “We wanted to write a positive song about sexual fantasies,” they say. “It’s all just fun; we’re all human, and we all have urges. It’s playful and lighthearted.”
Fraser Teeple | Spark
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Fraser Teeple’s latest single Spark is a blue-collar love song that captures the gap between dreams and reality. Written while balancing his work as a tree climber and musician, Teeple reflects on the desperate struggles of keeping dreams alive. His poignant storytelling resonates with anyone who has ever longed for something greater, blending soulful vulnerability with hope. Rooted in acoustic folk traditions and lifted by shimmering vintage synths, Spark bridges the gritty and ethereal. Recorded at Slow Magic with producer Matthew Johnston, the song features soulful backing vocals by Fiker Kirubel and contributions from folk group The Pairs, creating a soundscape that evokes both city lights and northern campfires. “I think everyone who is in love or has dreams for something bigger can relate to that gap between what we want out of life and our reality,” Teeple says. “Sometimes it’s a gap of money and sometimes it’s a gap of soul or beauty, but it’s always there.”
Geoffroy | No Calls Before Noon
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Geoffroy closes out another stellar year by releasing a new version of No Calls Before Noon, featuring U.K. rap/production duo Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn. The song originally appeared on the deluxe version of his 2024 LP Good Boy, and caught the attention of the Brighton pair, who add a powerful new dimension to this take. Stew’s introspective lyrics perfectly accentuate the song’s emotional tone, but also highlight the underlying theme of gratitude that permeates the track. “Look at what I’ve achieved, nearly makes me weep,” he says, as if rapping into the handset of a rain-soaked phone booth. “Makes me wanna just be less deep… be more free, I’ve got so much to be happy for, d’you know what I mean?”
Meggi Faye | Moon & Back
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Meggi Faye’s latest single Moon & Back is a moving ode to unconditional love. Inspired by her bond with her daughter, Faye crafts an emotional journey through the stages of a life from infancy to adulthood. With her signature alt-folk sound, Faye’s heartfelt lyrics and acoustic melodies deliver a universal message of devotion and vulnerability. Known for her captivating voice and raw storytelling, Faye blends nostalgic and contemporary tones reminiscent of influences like Kathleen Edwards and Jenn Grant. Her ability to write from a place of honesty shines, creating a deeply resonant listening experience. “This song didn’t stand out to me at first, but after sharing it with my friend Justin Latam, his encouragement convinced me to refine and perform it,” she says. “I started including it in my shows, and the response was overwhelming. Seeing how much it resonates with others has been truly rewarding.”
Yves Jarvis | Gold Filigree
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Yves Jarvis — the moniker of Canadian musician Jean-Sébastien Yves Audet — releases Gold Filigree, the second single from his next album, due in early 2025. Gold Filigree is a warm mid-tempo track that feels like taking sips from a cup, or drags from a cigarette — vivid and self-contained in under four minutes. Yves describes the track as “romance and sensuality unmasking vulnerabilities necessary to love and be loved” and recommends it if you like “fornication, love-making, procreation, steak frites, Prince, Al Green and Charlotte Day Wilson.” Whereas Yves previously approached music as something sculptural — as compositions that emerge spontaneously from raw sonic material — “this time… I had actual parts. Instead of making a world, I thought: ‘I’m a band.” The goal became to articulate songs as purely and as simply as possible. “It’s not about trying to tell my story, fit in, or achieve any goal… it’s about trying to express something I’ve learned: some information I’ve received.”
Hildegard | No Other Mind
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hildegard — Montreal artists and multi-instrumentalists Ouri and Helena Deland — share the new single No Other Mind. The song follows their new album Jour 1596, which uses playful improvisation as its starting point, resulting in music that is ornate and raw, intimate, and deeply connected. The new single opens with a delicate harp melody and soft overlapping vocals weaving in and out. Composed during yearly week-long retreats in the snowy seclusion of rural Québec, the new album is a significant departure from the spontaneous creation of their debut. With contributions from Zach Frampton (piano), Christopher Edmondson (saxophone), Phil Melanson (drums) and Benja (guitar), Jour 1596 is a testament to Hildegard’s expanding soundscape, where the resilience of friendship, the joy of collaboration, and the inspiration drawn from musical legends and personal experiences resonate in each track, guiding listeners from a contemplative, reflective mood into a lighter one.”
Ian North | The Beautiful City
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ian North, a Canadian folk-rock artist, is back with a timely and soulful single The Beautiful City. Originally inspired by his experiences living in Toronto, the song reflects his observations on urban challenges and asks what a truly liveable, united city might look like. Drawing influence from gospel and folk traditions, Ian crafts an uplifting yet introspective track with a sound that melds alt-country with an ambient, gospel feel — just in time for the holidays. “When I first wrote The Beautiful City, I was inspired by a line from the gospel song Twelve Gates, a vision of an ideal place — though I’m not religious,” he says. “Living in Toronto, I saw both the challenges and beauty of city life. But the song has taken on new meaning after my near-death experience. It was originally a vision for a better world, but now it also represents my gratitude for life and for the people who make up a great city.”
Carmen Braden | The Dance
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Award-winning singer-songwriter and contemporary composer Carmen Braden shares her new album A Hard Light, featuring her latst single The Dance. With this track, the Yellowknife musician gives us a soul-soothing roots-blues track that feels like a fresh breath of air from a bygone era. With its laid-back acoustic strumming and emotive yet abrasive delivery, the song evokes a nostalgic, almost cinematic vibe that would fit right in with the folk-rock gems of the ’90s. The song was birthed during the isolating days of the pandemic, when Carmen, like many of us, found herself navigating moments of personal frustration. “I wrote the core idea for The Dance during the Covid lockdown,” says Carmen. “One day I had a shift in attitude about something that was frustrating me, it might have been something with my really young kids, a relationship, the state of the world — I can’t even remember now exactly what! I decided instead of being frustrated and upset with it — ok, mostly with myself — I would treat it like a chance to play, to invite this frustrating thing closer and see what happens.”
Robert Thomas & The Sessionmen | Little Things
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Robert Thomas & The Sessionmen invite listeners to embrace the simple joys of the season with their new single Little Things. Drawing on folk, Americana roots, and the timeless warmth of Christmas music, the song is a heartfelt reflection on the small, meaningful moments that make the holidays truly special. Whether it’s the crunch of fresh snow underfoot, the joy of watching children by the Christmas tree, or the gratitude for a loved one, Little Things captures the magic of the season with a nostalgic and intimate touch. Known for his storytelling prowess and evocative songwriting, Thomas’s voice shines as he delivers this uplifting track. Joined by his talented acoustic duo — Ray Legere and Jon Arsenault — the song melds East Coast traditional folk with the warmth of Appalachian-inspired arrangements. “With Little Things, I wanted to express the simple joy of Christmas,” Thomas says. “The song is about capturing the feeling of being joyful and carefree because of the small things we often overlook — and it’s also a way to express my gratitude to my partner for bringing me so much of that joy, especially at Christmas.”
Ellder | Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ellder, the collaborative project of singer-songwriters Carmen Elle and Ben Kunder, debut with their powerful single Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down. A raw and evocative exploration of healing, growth, and transformation, the song is a poignant reflection of the duo’s unique ability to translate personal experiences into universal emotions. Born from a period of deep introspection, Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down captures the process of letting go and finding hope. The song began with Ben’s quiet moments at the piano, coping with the trauma of nearly losing a loved one and revisiting the weight of past relationships. “That first verse was my way of coping for months,” says Kunder. “It wasn’t until my first songwriting session with Carmen that the song truly came to life. They immediately connected with the sentiment, and together we finished it in minutes. This song reflects our shared journey of healing and our deep connection as collaborators.”
Zyhier | Fevr Drm
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Scarborough’s rising talent Zyhier steps into the spotlight with his sultry new single Fevr Drm. The track, an intoxicating blend of R&B, hip hop, and pop, showcases Zyhier’s knack for weaving personal experiences into genre-bending melodies. Born from the spontaneity of a perfect studio session, Fevr Drm channels an unforgettable dream that inspired Zyhier to freestyle the entire song. With sexy, romantic, and chill vibes, the single highlights his ability to craft emotionally resonant music while pushing the boundaries of contemporary R&B. “The vibe was perfect — everything that could’ve gone right, did,” he says. “I ended up freestyling the entire song, and it blew everyone’s mind.” Zyhier draws on personal stories and observations from those around him to create music that balances love, vulnerability, and self-reflection.”
