Steve Marriner Makes the Move to Solo Artist with “Hope Dies Last”

Fri May 14, 2021

Bluesman Steve Marriner is ushering a decidedly more roots-rock Americana sound to the forefront with the release of his new solo album, Hope Dies Last.

Check out the single How High here on YouTube:

Crafted through COVID — and inspired by years on the road, and back — the 10-track full-length is available this July 2 via Stony Plain Records. It explores not only an evolving sound for the ever-busy artist, but an ever-expanding skill set as well.

Pre-Order Hope Dies Last here: stonyplainrecords.com/lp/hopedieslast/

Alt-Pop, Punk-Rock Florida-based Morning Trips Release New Single “Assault”

Fri May 14, 2021

Like a pulsating punk-rock riot in audible form, Florida-based genre-bending alt-pop rockers Morning Trips have unleashed this, their newest single, “Assault”.

Brash, unapologetic, and as catchy as a Velcro™ shoe in a vat of glue, this very smart, very loud track centers around being a young person in America in 2021. In “Assault,” Morning Trips waste zero time expressing their feelings on subjects heavy on their heart since their formation in 2017.

Check out “Assault” here on YouTube:

Deftly demonstrating the band’s dynamic range, “Assault” follows the Morning Trips’ most recent offering, “My Parade” — a churning, dreamy, whirlwind of a pop song complete with operatic and shoegaze influences. They worked with producer and engineer Jeremey SH Griffith to conceptualize chilling visuals that serve as reminders for how quickly unjust policies discriminate against everyday people.

Folk Artist Kele Fleming Soothes & Sways with New Spin on Single, “Sea In Me”

Fri May 14, 2021

It’s not just a clever conjugation that Canadian indie folk pop songstress Kele Fleming’s new single “Sea In Me” feels like a rushing of the waves when it bursts out of your speakers. Yes, you are swaying. Yes, you are losing yourself in the oceanic prowess of her incredible, soothing vocals. Yes, the instrumentation lifts you up, and whisks you away with the tide. It’s calling for you, this song. It’s calling for all of us.

Check out “Sea In Me” here on YouTube:

A follow up to her previous, well-received effort, “The Latest Meme”, “Sea In Me” is an anthem that strings Fleming’s enchanting traditional roots with her perchance for rock and roll together — and features an acoustic remix from Jesse Waldman.

Folk Singer Kate Koenig Gives Voice to a Very Old Soul in “Young with Ancient Stories”

Fri May 14, 2021

It’s the song’s title but it could also be the artist’s bio in four words: “Young with Ancient Stories” is experimental folk singer/songwriter Kate Koenig’s new release.

Plaintive, introspective, and sung from the point of view of the mythological creature Bʌfdɔg (Buff Dog), who’s existed as every person and at every time, “Young with Ancient Stories” is Bʌfdɔg’s soul-baring confession of spiritual disconnection and isolation.

“Bʌfdɔg is singing both as a creature spiritually exhausted from experiencing a sun’s age of lifetimes and as a lost and lonely kid who feels cut off from the world,” explains Koenig.

“Young with Ancient Stories” is the second single and closing track from Koenig’s sophomore album, Etemenanki, released January 31. Every song on Etemenanki is sung either by Bʌfdɔg themselves or from the perspective of individuals whom Bʌfdɔg has embodied. However, this song holds a particularly personal connection for the unique and inventive singer/songwriter. “Out of all of the songs on the album, the narration of this one comes the closest to coming from my own voice,” remarks Koenig.

Hip Hop Artist Green Grizz Lets the Vibe Flow with New Single, “The Drip”

Fri May 14, 2021

When you create a musician inspired by Erykah Badu and Juice Wrld, give him the God-given ability to spit rhymes, you start producing flow like that from Green Grizz, the game-changing, hip hop wiz kid with a big message to send, including his new single, “The Drip”.

Check out “The Drip” here on YouTube:

“At a young age, I learned how to do advanced choreographed dancing,” Green Grizz recollects from his past adding, “as a crossover artist, and even for a big guy.”

His first mainstream single, “I'm working on a couple projects no one else has done in my age range for this generation,” Grizz remarks of “The Drip” and beyond — revealing that some of his lyrics will even speak to him in his dreams. “It’s a beautiful thing,” he says.

Douglas Von Irvin’s Carnival Sink their Teeth into Negativity with New Ballad, “Vampire Lovers”

Fri May 14, 2021

It’s a carnival horror-lovers just won’t be able to resist: Douglas Von Irvin’s Carnival, or DVIC — the Toronto- and Los Angeles-based garage-pop songwriting collective — has just released the third and latest single from their upcoming EP, Meet The Monsters, and it’s called “Vampire Lovers”.

Judging from the title and the “monster” nature of DVIC’s forthcoming release, it’s reasonable to expect a frightening, gruesome, and fictitious tale about vampires romantically sucking the lifeblood out of one another, right?

Well, that actually is the case…. But not quite to the tee.

The enigmatic lyrical mastermind and lead singer behind DVIC, Douglas Von Irvin, revealed the ambient, four-minute ballad came about after some personal reflections about how exhausted he had become after being consistently surrounded by people that “have to be the center of attention all of the time.”

Comparing their behaviours to the desperate cravings of vampires, Von Irvin said those people “actually take energy” and “leave nothing behind.

Check out “Vampire Lovers”  on YouTube here:

Folk Singer/Songwriter Brendan Scott Friel Releases New Album, Summer Moons & Video for “All In”

Fri May 14, 2021

From a spinning cauldron of music, melody, and magic, get spell-bound by Canadian troubadour, Brendan Scott Friel with his recent album, Summer Moons, and new video for single “All In”.

Check out “All In” on YouTube here:

Friel’s dedication to enchanting truths, breathless vocals, and stunning instrumentation makes up the wonderment of this latest project. A collection of experiences, memories, and wishes are detailed on the 10-track sophomore album Friel worked tirelessly to stitch together.

“I wrote this album in the afterglow of some major exciting life events,” Friel reveals. “I had married the woman I love; we had bought and fixed up a small home together; I was working with one of my favourite producers… So many things I had been chasing came together, rather suddenly, and after the initial excitement, there was this odd calm and almost sadness.

Prog-Rocker Bob Lord Unleashes Decades of Creative Invention with New Album -Playland Arcade

Fri May 14, 2021

Endlessly inventive, Bob Lord brings prog-rock firmly into the 21st century on Playland Arcade.

There are 19 tracks in Bob Lord's latest release, Playland Arcade, a cornucopia of musical offerings in a range of styles and moods. He grabs you by your ears and dancing shoes from the first track — “Fry Doe.” This is prog-rock for the 21st century, with a musical imagination that has vast parameters, blending a cool, funky groove and massive bass guitars with Latin-style percussion recorded in Havana, Cuba and rock syncopations.

The Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based musician and composer injects a sense of fun into a genre that's often been critiqued for taking itself too seriously. With tracks like “Hey” and “Yo Soy Miguel,” he'll put a smile on your face as you admire the musicianship.

It’s typical of the sense of joyous invention that permeates Playland Arcade. Check out “Lobster Roll” fom Playland Arcade here:

Charlottetown Rockers Arsenal Mills Refuse to “Cry No More” in Rockin’ New Single

Fri May 07, 2021

Multi-award nominated East Coast rockers Arsenal Mills have dropped a new straightforward installment from their forthcoming EP, Lovesick & Broke; “Cry No More”.

Vocalist and guitarist Brad Milligan says “Cry No More” first came together very spontaneously and naturally. “Griff brought this big, sing-along chorus to me that he’d been working on,” Milligan recalls of the band’s lead guitarist, Griffen Arsenault. “From there, and in only a short time, we had all the music and lyrics written out.”

The song has an infectious, driving beat reminiscent of classic 80s New Wave, and has already proven to inspire feet to move along to it. “I remember everyone in the studio at the time was dancing along to the song while we were recording,” Arsenault recalls. “We figured that was a good indication of how fun this song is!”

"As far as drums and percussion go, this was the first time we decided to mix live and sample drums in a song,” drummer Josh MacNeil explains. “I love how punchy and quick it is; it doesn’t mess around, and just gets straight to the point.

“I couldn’t be more excited about how it turned out.”

Award-Nominated Indigenous Country Artist Conrad Bigknife Releases New Single, “Nothing But Me”

Fri May 07, 2021

Award-nominated Indigenous country artist Conrad Bigknife is embracing the sweet side of living solo with this, his new single, “Nothing But Me”.

The latest to land following the Saskatchewan-based artist’s fourth newly minted album, the self-titled Conrad Bigknife, and heart-wrenching lead single, “I Miss You,” “Nothing But Me” isn’t another ode to a “high lonesome” kind of life…

Instead, audiences will find a celebration of the peace and contentment that can be found in solitude, even when your heart may yearn for another from time to time.

“Now, I understand it's me, all alone
Doesn't mean my rambling heart is set in stone
I feel it beat. I’m here and I am free
Living on my own I’m meant to be - nothing but me”

Watch and listen to “Nothing But Me” on YouTube here:

Elina Filice Teams Up with Neolithic for IGroovy New Single, ”Everything About You”

Fri May 07, 2021

Genre-defying singer/songwriter and spoken word artist Elina Filice has returned with her third release of the year — an infectiously groovy tune called “Everything About You.”

Available now, Filice this time enlists the help of friend and groove-master, Neolithic. The pair met while studying at BIMM Dublin, and have collaborated on projects and performances over the years.

“Everything About You” features a laid-back beat, jazzy guitar licks, and a stuck-in-your-head chorus. Sprinkled with hooks and layered vocals, the thoughtful lyrics are coupled with intricate production and a surprise acapella outro.

“This song is about when love gets hard,” Filice shares. “It’s realizing that love goes through seasons, and even the less shiny things about someone or a relationship are still your favourite parts.

“All of the imperfections make up a perfect whole.”

Fado Singer/Songwriter Teresinha Landeiro Looks to Tomorrow on New Single “Amanhã”

Fri May 07, 2021

When Vogue asked Teresinha Landeiro the question “past or future?” in a recent profile, the rising Fado artist’s answer was the opposite of ambiguous: “Future, always.”

And so goes the flow with this, the release of her latest single “Amanhã” — arriving ahead of the Portuguese singer/songwriter’s forthcoming album, Agora, this April 30th via Justin Time Records.

Check out “Amanhã” here on YouTube:

Featured as a “gem” that “shines brightly” by Consequence of Sound, Landeiro has quickly been confirmed as a foremost representative of the new Fado generation.

Ottawa-based Composer Huguette Lavigne Makes Her Piano Dance on the “Rails”

Fri May 07, 2021

Ottawa-based pianist and composer Huguette Lavigne returns with another sparkling addition to her collection of solo piano pieces, “Rails”.

Featuring a lovely, dancing upper melody supported by ascending arpeggios, “Rails” carries the listener along a sun-dappled stream just shy of three minutes long. Much like many of her over 40 piano works, this is another beautiful manifestation of Lavigne’s desire to let go and let the muse take her wherever it pleases. 

Check out “Rails” on YouTube here:

“There is something about breaking the rules that can be terribly satisfying,” she says. “My fingers sometimes go where they want to on the keyboard and at times I sort of have to take them back home or rein them in.”

Jonathan Chandler – Faded Blue Ink

Fri May 07, 2021

When it comes to talking Jonathan Chandler is a man of few words. When it comes to songwriting his vocabulary is endless.

So it makes it hard to write a story about an artist like this but this is the one where his music says it all.

Check out "Faded Blue Ink" here on YouTube:

The Ottawa area musician is known for his work in the award winning rock band Amos The Transparent, the acclaimed folk duo Silent Winters and the quirky The Andy Kaufmans.

‘Faded Blue Ink’ is his first solo album with Jonathan Chandler & The Bandwagoneers.

The James Clark Institute – Next Best Thing

Fri May 07, 2021

For his new ten song album “The Colour Of Happy” James once again called upon the talents of producer/musician Moe Berg (The Pursuit Of Happiness) a man who knows his way around a hook. As well as being a fan Moe also added his unique guitar sound and vocals to the new record. Moe Berg says “James takes the power pop traditions of The Beatles, Jellyfish and Split Enz and combines them  with the high IQ lyrics of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. The result makes him one of Canada's greatest unsung songwriters”. 

The single from the album is ‘Next Best Thing’ is a catchy, happy tune – certainly something we all need right now. Check it out here on YouTube:

While touring still won’t be happening for a little while, a live stream album launch performance is slated for some time in late June.. Meanwhile Clark is keeping busy writing new material and drawing his “Clartoons”.

Kayla DiVenere Spins Teen Fantasy in Nostalgic, Youthful Obsession with New Single, “Justin Bieber”

Fri May 07, 2021

The year is 1990 and your walls are adorned with cutouts from the latest teen magazine of your favourite heartthrobs... From the back of the bedroom door, to the ceiling above your bed, the closet and your locker, you are inundated with posters of your first real celebrity crush... Take a deep breath of that nostalgia, and press play on Montreal-born now L.A.-based Kayla DiVenere and her single, “Justin Bieber”.

Both an homage to a teen fantasy spun out like an audio book of every girl’s diary, and an instant pop classic, DiVenere pulls no punches and risks it all to candidly reveal her affinity for the Biebs himself.

Calling on him to be her “boyfriend,” while she mercilessly offers to be his “baby,” the track is laced with clever references to the pop sensation’s career including “you don’t have to be sorry”—  a clear nod to his singles.

“My song 'Justin Bieber' conveys a comedic side to infatuation where reality and Hollywood life blend together,” DiVenere explains. “Justin was every young girl's dream celebrity crush, leading me to write a song that is so relatable.

Watch the adorable video of “Justin Bieber” here on YouTube:

Powered Up West Coast Outfit The Garrett Band Issues “The Warning”

Fri May 07, 2021

Consider yourself on high alert in the most melodic way possible. Vancouver-based progressive rock quartet The Garrett Band have a hard rockin’ heads up for everyone with their new single “The Warning”, dropping April 24, 2021.

Arriving directly on the heels of their current top ten Cashbox Radio Top 20 Pick Hit, “Systematic”, “The Warning” is the sonic harbinger for the band’s upcoming fourth album due out on Canada Day. With commanding, staccato strings interwoven with powerful lead guitar and kick drum strikes supporting lead vocalist/songwriter Sean Garrett’s soaring voice, the song pulls no punches about some big pitfalls.

“The Warning is about addiction, self-destruction and a change that needs to be made before it is too late,” the band asserts. “You never had no faith, You always crossed the warning sign”

Check out the YouTube of “The Warning” here:

Country Outlaws The Divorcees Serve a Double Shot of Blue-Collar Frustration on “Must Be Nice”

Fri Apr 30, 2021

Reeling from a litany of hard knocks is a truth The Divorcees know all too well; and now the five New Brunswick-based country outlaws are letting it all hang out on this, their latest single, “Must Be Nice”.

Never shying away from what’s real, and how to pen it, this old-school country group have done it again: speaking tough, unabashed honesty from lives lived to an audience who are right there with them. “Must Be Nice” is a song with grit and groove, simmering in thinly-veiled anger towards big banker profits in the midst of working-class misery, and it's this genuineness that members Alex Madsen, Jason Haywood, Denis “Turtle” Arsenault, Shawn Thomas, and Kevin Macintyre have yet to shy from doing for nearly twenty years, and keeping fans with them every step of the way.

“’Must Be Nice’ is for every single hard-working person out there who gets out of a 12-hr shift from a job they've done for years,” the band shares. “It’s for people who work for multi-billion-dollar companies for minimum wage — with no health plans and needing food stamps to get by. It’s for the ones who flip on the news to hear their company got sold out from under them.

Calgary Pop Songbird K BESD Embraces “Our Love” with New Single

Fri Apr 30, 2021

If Canadian songbird K BESD’s previous single, “TUFF TIMES,” was the call, her latest in “Our Love” is the answer. Available now, BESD continues to solidify her status as an anthem enthusiast and purveyor of better days, and now she’s back — imploring audiences to stand up with this new,  emotionally-charged offering.

Packed with the Calgary-based powerhouse’s vocals, swooping melodies, and motivational lyrics, “Our Love” reminds the listener that regardless of what happens, love will be the lasting foundation you can count on, stand on, shout from, and cling to. Pop in fashion, and R&B in sultry pockets, “Our Love” carves its charming message in a welcomed ear-worm type of way; packed with plenty of layered vocals, the song also features the sounds of a gospel choir — which lends to the overall vibe of a song about overcoming and relying on love to save the day. The adorable, unexpected twist in the bridge, is the inclusion of the beautiful cameo of a children’s choir and clapping percussion.

Canadian RnB / Soul Artist Ty Richard is Hitting “Restart” in New Single, featuring Liv Marie

Fri Apr 30, 2021

Canadian soul-R&B artist Ty Richard is hitting “Restart” with this, his newly released single.

Slicing through with a superbly polished sound, gloriously minimalistic arrangement, sparse mix, and brilliant engineering, this superb duo — featuring Liv Marie — is a preview into the Toronto-area artist’s forthcoming 2021 LP, In Time & Grace, and follows previous tour and studio collaborations with Brooklyn dream-pop outfit Cigarettes After Sex and Australian soul duo Breathe.

With flowing melodies, the song’s seamless structure takes audiences through a gamut of scenes that support the silky, studied, and sculptured vocal textures and melodies that make up this brilliant work.

The lyrics, though introspective and sometimes fairly personal, immerse listeners deep within this duo’s universe — a tango of promises and regrets that amount to a compelling, rich and vast pop song that is sure to go around the airwaves.