Talk about Promises Kept… Downhome Halifax country maven Lisa Richard is back with some “News You Can Use” -

The East Coast crooner shares a deeply personal, uplifting, and uptempo track that shines a light on homegrown values, staying optimistic, and finding the good in the everyday.

The magic behind Lisa Richard’s heartfelt songwriting is the authenticity that oozes from every note; her vocal prowess delivers on the melody, unearthing what matters most to each of us. Matched with her ability to write a track that is equal parts catchy as it is sincere, “News You Can Use” is another capturing of the moments that matter the most. Richard is spellbinding, and captivating; coercing you to swim in nostalgia, and you appreciate the world at present.

Gender is a construct cobbled together by a multitude of influences over the millennia, but our concept of a deity, or deities, has certainly had a significant impact. Ottawa-based pop artist Lady Charles tackles religion’s influence on gender and the LGBTQ+ community in the lighthearted, dance-heavy banger “Godx” – check it out on YouTube here:

Synth-y and steeped in the ’80s in the best possible way, “Godx” boasts a bubbly groove and a fierce-but-whimsical bassline.  “I wanted to write a song about gender that touches on issues like how colonialism enforced the gender binary and how LGBTQ+ people have historically been excluded from religious life,” Lady Charles said. “I did not, however, want to create something too serious or overt, and instead wanted to create a silly pop song you could dance to that would still feature those themes beneath the surface.”

Award-winning, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor is set to release his next album, the powerful and engaging Beyond the Reservoir, on October 14, 2022, via his Howling Turtle, Inc. label, with distribution via Warner Music/ADA. For more information please visit any of the links below or Taylor’s website: juliantaylormusic.ca

Beyond the Reservoir’s name is grounded in a specific geographical touchstone Taylor recalls from the days of his teenage youth in Toronto. “I used to hang out at a place called the St. Clair Reservoir,” he says. “If my last album, The Ridge, was a childhood record in a lot of ways, Beyond the Reservoir is an adolescence record – a coming-of-age story – about moving into adulthood. It addresses identity, loss, sadness, hope, and redemption, and the themes of resilience, courage, and strength. It has this infinite sadness to it, but it also has this infinite hope to it as well."

From the lush geographic tapestries of Pangnirtung, Nunavut comes chart-topping, award-winning rock singer/songwriter Joey Nowyuk with his interpretation of a legendary Rankin Inlet artist with the riveting new single “Tappaani” – check it out on YouTube here:

Performed in his native language Inuktitut, heartthrob Joey Nowyuk’s spell-binding rendition appears on his kinetic new covers album, Inuugama. The album title translates to “I am Inuk” and is a sonic celebration of Nowyuk’s Inuit culture and language.

“Tappaani” is a meditative musical experience that continues to establish the rest of the album as a homage to popular Inuit music. The single is a stylish take on Ishmael Naulalik’s classic song with rhythmic sophistication, Inuktitut lyrics, and compelling guitar work that breathes new life into the original recording.

Through the day-to-day struggles of life, we often get lost in the monotony, something that resembles an inescapable cycle of ups and downs paired with a tall glass of anxiety – and maybe even some dread. It’s Big Lou’s anthem that reminds us that we are in control of this supposed destiny and our lives ahead of fate. It is “Tayrona” – and it is available now!

There is power in the comforts that those closest to us can provide – while it may not always be easy to ask for help, it is often the bravest outcome. This message becomes rapidly present in Big Lou’s newest single, “Tayrona.” The song opens, teasing its deeply rooted message of perseverance;
“A letter to depression / born from reflection / upon inspection he sees resurrection.”

From there we are delivered a heartfelt message of survival packaged with a hard-hitting production – an infectious Spanish guitar lick paired with deep bass kicks programmed to subconsciously open the listener to “blue pill” themes while covered by a façade of trap music.

Check out “Tayrona” on YouTube here:

It’s a sad symptom of the human condition. Sometimes we just don’t realize what we really have until it’s gone. This cornerstone component of the blues gives award winning singer-songwriter André Bisson the foundation for his funky, driving new single, “Missing You” – check it out on YouTube here:

The first taste of the Hamilton-based, internationally touring artist’s 9th album, “The Ballad of Lucy Stone”, due out September 30, “Missing You” emphatically checks all the boxes of a killer, scathing blues track with a funkified soul. Bisson’s guitar is meaty and rhythmic, and his voice is primed with emotion and gravelly heartache. The horn section jumps in with searing melodic fills and the super tight rhythm section solidly ushers the whole song along at a pace guaranteed to inspire maximum groove.

Slow and steady wins the race, and that is often the case when it comes to blooming romances. It is hard to know what the future holds, and we know all too well what we have been through, but that’s the beauty of love, isn’t it? This is what Vancouver, BC-based Zenia Marshall explores in her newest single, “Prove Me Wrong” – check it out on YouTube here:

Sault Ste. Marie, ON’s The Northwest have released their introspective, alt-rock single, “Shoreline” – Watch it on YouTube here:

The Northwest - made up of Wayne Watkins (Vocals/Guitar), Greg Callaghan (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Yak (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Smykacz (Bass) and Marc Santos (Drums) - have been a band for nearly a decade - writing and performing together while inspired by life, the world around them, and the human existence. “Shoreline” acts as the first single of their June 2022 EP release, All In.

“‘All In’ was a challenge for us to take things to the next level,” they say, adding: “In 2019, we received an Ontario Arts Council grant for a recording project, and we knew we had to step up to bat.”

New mindsets and new beginnings can be challenging to usher in, but Waterloo, ON-based folk-rock artist Sammy Duke aims to motivate and inspire in his new single “Speed Of Life” – available now – from his album of the same name. Check it out on YouTube here:

Sometimes it’s worth being the bigger person – although it can be very cathartic to get the last jab in at the end of an unhealthy relationship, not so much out of spite, more so for closure. Olenka captures the feeling of sweet revenge in her newest single, “Happy Birthday” – check it out on YouTube here:

Relationships can be great – when they go right. However, the problem with there being “so many fish in the sea” is that sometimes you catch one you must throw back. Often, we blame ourselves for making the poor choice, regardless of circumstances or what some would call destiny. There comes a point where, regardless of fate, we must take things into our own hands – and that’s what makes Olenka’s story of love gone wrong so powerful.

Toronto-based four-piece rock band, A Short Walk To Pluto, dissatisfies social norms with a high-energy track about the inability to be emotionally satisfied in a relationship on the electrifying new single “You Are Not The Only One” – check it out on YouTube here:

Kicking off with thunderous percussion and a catchy guitar riff, “You Are Not The Only One” is a shot of adrenaline to the ears while being a cerebral commentary on the importance of emotional fulfillment between partners.

“You Are Not The Only One” is told from a first-person perspective to capture the hardship and vulnerability of starting difficult but necessary conversations in a relationship that isn’t fulfilling for all parties. The storyteller in the song is begging their partner to show passion, determination, and commitment to the relationship.

The lights are low, the club is high on pulsating dance floor vibes and human electricity. From the speakers, a familiar synth beat strikes. You’re beckoned to the dance floor. Called.

Slade breathes a new techno-beat into the longing plea made famous by Debbie Harry and Blondie. “Call Me” is streaming now.

Watch and experience “Call Me” on YouTube here:

New Brunswick-based bilingual award-winning country artist Laurie LeBlanc rocks the house with an anthem about having more time to enjoy the good times on the upbeat new single “Long Weekend” – check it out on YouTube here:

Coming off the heels of his East Coast Music Awards (ECMA)-nominated album, “When It’s Right It’s Right,” LeBlanc has entertained audiences since his musical introduction to English-speaking crowds after over a decade of exclusively performing in French. “Everything began to fall into place,” he shares, “and I’m proud to now be able to show my versatility in both languages.” The new single appears as the title track on the 8th studio recording and is LeBlanc’s first bilingual EP for French and English-speaking music lovers.

From Calgary, the country capital of Canada, indie cowgirl Kim Thompson is charging forward with her latest single - “Hey Cowboy”! Check it out on YouTube here:

Her seventh single is a country anthem, sashaying like a request from the saloon jukebox. The song is uptempo and authentic, complete with Thompson’s swinging vocals wrapped like a lasso around the melody.

Rusty Creek is a four-piece band that lives and works in the Vancouver area but seem to hail from everywhere. They describe their music as “a mixture of bluegrass, country blues, western swing, Cajun, and anything else we can think of.” Using these elements, they carve out an eclectic original sound they refer to as roots remastered. They are currently celebrating their second album, The Road of Life, released in June of 2022.

Check out “Kitchen Party” on YouTube here:

Rusty Creek draws from a deep well of influences that, in their hands, sound completely original and yet warmly familiar. Their songs range from the fiddle-driven kitchen party stomp (the aptly named Kitchen Party) to reflective storytelling (Emma). They draw the listener in at every melodic and rhythmic turn.

There are few things in life better than comradery and cash, and they both play a vital role in breaking the cycle of an unfulfilling life. It’s this sentiment Banggz drops fire on in his newest single, “what a day” – check it out on YouTube here:

Banggz has gained an impressive amount of performance experience in Ottawa after playing a variety of shows and participating in the CRUIZE CNTRL tour. This experience and the natural affliction for storytelling create overwhelming confidence that “what a day” exudes.

“what a day” is a hard-hitting asseveration of freedom from the confines of an unfulfilling life. On a deeper level, it is an ode to the friendships that keep one grounded. It includes attention-grabbing bars that describe a day in the life of Bangzz while also paying respects to the people who support him the most – his friends and family.

It’s summertime and the livin’ is so much easier when you can uncork the perfect sunny day, good times, weekend songs and get that lakeside party started. Award winning Canadian country artist Deborah Lynn is totally up for that and pouring on a refreshing, deliciously fun new single with “Rosé All Day” – check it out on YouTube here:

The kind of day made for a sparkling song like “Rosé All Day” is exactly what inspired Deborah Lynn to write it, along with some much needed “me time”.

“Last summer I took some time to myself to recharge and decide what I wanted to do,” explains Deborah Lynn. “I had quit my job and wasn’t sure what was next. We took a solid 6 weeks as a family to relax and just enjoy a Canadian summer.”

Bright Falls has released the new single “Dusk”, the title track of its forthcoming debut LP which will be released on Oct. 28th, 2022.

Check it out on YouTube here:

Thurles, Ireland recording artist Eddie McCormack is the force behind Bright Falls, whose storytelling style features a blend of heartland and alternative rock, combined with early 2000s indie rock.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/artist/2huFeWpK1j86ZscgHShbbj

Musically, the sound elicits The Killers and The War On Drugs, while McCormack’s storytelling and songwriting inspiration comes from the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Prine, Neil Young, Jason Isbell, Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West.

Over the past couple of years, Brass Camel’s awe-inspiring live rock shows garnered a loyal following in their hometown of Vancouver, Canada. The group performed with bands such as Big Sugar, Songhoy Blues, and Hey Ocean! in the city’s most historic venues. However, in late-2021, the band decided to hunker down and work on an album of original material with the aim of sharing their signature sound with music fans across the world.

On “King for a Day,” the group brings a welcome dose of classic pop rock nostalgia. While Brass Camel’s debut single, “Easy,” channeled their singular combination of funk, blues, and ’70s prog rock, “King for a Day” is more reminiscent of the operatic Queen. The single transports one to a play where the lead character delivers a soliloquy, pondering what would happen if they were named king for a day. They reassure themselves by saying, “I’d listen and I’d take heed / Try to be what I think the people need,” but looking back at a historical “legacy of spite and subjugation,” they wonder if “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The song ends on a question mark, never providing the listener with an easy answer.

The electrifying sound of blues-folk duo Blue Moon Marquee out of Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, is sure to make audiences jump out of their seats and dance with the latest upbeat single, “Hound Dog on a Chain” – check it out on YouTube here:

A harmonic synthesis of blues, jazz, rock n’ roll, and swing, the latest single comes from Blue Moon Marquee’s highly anticipated fifth studio album “Scream, Holler & Howl.” The album is a sophisticated collection of music that instantly transports listeners to places of sonic wonder.