Songs of the Week: April 12-18, 2021

April 19, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Eulogy Of Regret” by Rich Aucoin

This coming Friday, Rich Aucoin is releasing the Deluxe Edition of last year’s United States. The new version includes remixes from the likes of Double A, Steve Bays, and Shmu, as well as a bonus disc featuring instrumental versions of all the album tracks (for all your karaoke needs?)
To celebrate, Rich released a video for “Eulogy of Regret” which he says was “the last track written for United States and was the only one not conceived somewhere while on the bicycle. I wrote it for director/musician/multi-disciplinary artist Dustin Harvey. Dustin hired me to write a 7 minute version of the song for a short film/theatre piece he was working on called How Quickly Things Change. I liked the song and ended up cutting a track for United States so “Eulogy Of Regret” could take its place. Now, full circle, Dustin and his team have made a shorter piece which also doubles an appropriate music video for the song. Some excellent animation by Aiden Searle and acting by Stephanie Yee."

Kirk

“Out Of Touch (Feat. Phoenix Pagliacci)” by Shad

Gonna be honest - I was a little upset that this wasn’t a Hall & Oates cover - but I’ll take new music by Shad any day!
This single “Out Of Touch” is the first new music we’ve had from him since his album A Short Story About A War, so I hope this means more is on the horizon.
It’s a perfect song to listen to out in the new spring sunshine and warmth. Enjoy!

Christine

“Oh Stanley Cup” by Elliott BROOD

When this landed in my inbox, I got VERY excited. Not only did Elliott BROOD remake the country song “Red Solo Cup” to be about the Stanley Cup (I’m a huge hockey fan), but they want to make a video with people in their hockey gear singing along:

”We’d love to get as many people as possible to send us a recording of themselves or in groups singing along to the chorus parts: “Oh Stanley Cup…. I lift you up…..let’s have a party!… “Oh Stanley Cup…. I fill you up…..proceed to party!…

Just record yourself or groups on your phone signing along in your team gear (if you have it) or in your hockey den or wherever you want. (horizontally preferably) and send it to the email address below.

We’d love to see whole families, groups of friends, pets in team gear…. you get the idea.

If you’re more the shy type, you could alternatively send in your hockey photos or memories including but not limited to: Pictures of you or family with the Stanley Cup - Footage of rec league or peewee games - Still shots of you in your team gear.”

And you can email it to: ohstanleycup@gmail.com

You better believe I’m sending them the photo of me below!

Christine

Songs of the Week: April 05 - 11, 2021

April 12, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“The Melting of the Sun” by St. Vincent

With a new album out May 14, St. Vincent has released a video for her second single, “The Melting of the Sun”. The sultry ballad (anyone else getting Jenny Lewis vibes?) features a video co-directed by St. Vincent and Bill Benz, paying animated tribute to the song's lyrical icons, rendered in Schoolhouse Rock! style by Chris McD.
Watch the video here, and mark May 14th in your calendar for Daddy’s Home.

Kirk

“When a Love’s Not Around” by Layten Kramer

We’re just a few days away from Victoria’s Layten Kramer releasing their brand new full length called Dear Apathy. The “psychedelic-western” album is out April 16th on Oscar St. Records (the label started by Kathryn Calder).

Kramer says “We are living in a strange, mundane world full of apathy which has taken over parts of my life. Choosing to recognize this and act on it is what I intended to highlight with this record.” And you can hear exactly that on the first single, “When a Love’s Not Around” below!

Kirk

“Misty Morning” by Kandle

Shocked that Kirk didn’t spot this new release from Kandle for this week’s songs! “Misty Morning” is the third single from her soon to be released album Set The Fire and the video has her teaming up with “Honey Trap” director, Brandon William Fletcher, for a 40s noir-inspired music video. It’s a beautiful and soft song, that’s perfect for a…you guessed it…misty morning.

Christine

“Dreams” by Shred Kelly

Probably the toughest part about covering songs is finding that balance of honouring the original, but also putting your own spin on it (who wants to hear an exact beat-for-beat cover?). Especially for a song so iconic, which is why it took me a few days to actually hit the link for Shred Kelly’s cover of “Dreams” and listen to it.
Last week they not only released their version of the Fleetwood Mac classic, but also a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” with their pals Moontricks. Did they manage to do them justice? I say yes, but make your own mind up below!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: March 29 - April 04, 2021

April 05, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Fading Graffiti” by Spencer Krug

Last week, Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug released the title track for a band new album, Fading Graffiti. The album is, perhaps surprisingly, the first time Krug has released an album under his own name, as opposed to his previous solo projects like Moonface and Sunset Rubdown.
All ten songs on the new album were born out of piano ballads on Krug’s Patreon page, and were reformed with the help of a full band. Fading Graffiti is out April 16 on Spencer’s own label Pronounced Kroog (which answers that question) but in the meantime you can check out check out the lyrics video for the title track (which gives me vibes of The Lido) below!

Kirk

“Get High” by Hillsburn

Hillsburn took the name of their new song "Get High" quite literally for the new video, which follows Rosanna Burrill and Clare Macdonald from the Halifax band get suited up, loaded into an airplane, and skydive from 10,000 feet.
The song itself is a ridiculously catchy indie pop tune, and comes out ahead of their new album, Slipping Away, due on May 28.

Kirk

“Destructo” by Bad Pop

Hot off the deluxe re-release of their self-titled album (originally released under their previous moniker Hot Panda), Bad Pop isn’t slowing down at all.
This coming June they’ll be releasing a brand new EP, Dark Metal, and have given us a taste with the first single “Destructo”. The The crunchy new track lives up to both its name, and the title of the album, so crank it up.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: March 22 - 28, 2021

March 29, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“You Can Get It (ft. K.Flay)” by Arkells

New Arkells banger? Check.
Awesome verse from K.Flay? Check.
Super fun video? Check.
What more do you need from me? Get it into your ears (and eyes) right now!

Kirk

“Slayer Moon” by Braids

Last week on a livestream, Braids debuted not one, but TWO new songs. Recorded while making their latest album Shadow Offering, both songs have the same restrained chaoticness, and introspective (sometimes even anxious) lyrics of the album.
Watch “Slayer Moon” — which was “inspired by a Sailor Moon phone case bought in Tokyo, at 3 am while on tour in Japan” — below, and head to this link (or the above livestream) for “2020”

Kirk

“Case of You” by I M U R

Vancouver’s I M U R released the steamy new song (and video) last week, the first single to their upcoming album My Molecules. “Case Of You” is reminiscent of “the first moments of falling in love. A snapshot of flirtation, infatuation, and living in the moment.”
You can watch the very fitting video, directed by Sebastian Hill-Esbrand, below!

Kirk

Said The Whale photo credit to, Sterling Larose

Songs of the Week: March 15 - 21, 2021

March 22, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Honey Lungs” by Said the Whale

Despite certain… worldwide events… 2020 was a very busy year for Said the Whale. Along with frequent livestreams, the band was hard at work on a new batch of songs, with the first self-released single dropping last week.
“Honey Lungs” reminds me of the grittiness of some of the bands early songs, but with modern day production — even if I didn’t know they were working with Steve Bays (of Hot Hot Heat, Mounties, and like eleventeen other bands) I feel like I would have been able to tell just from listening — and will absolutely be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
Risk the earworm below, or check out the band’s Patreon for sneak peaks of more to come!

Kirk

“How Come By Body” by Half Moon Run

Beautiful new single from the newly JUNO-nominated (for Group Of The Year and Adult Alternative Album of The Year) Half Moon Run. “How Come My Body” is dreamy and simplistic, and comes with a video that made me miss live shows and people even more. We don’t have a set date for the new album, just a “later this year” - but in the meantime, more of this please!

Christine

“I Wanna Make Promises (That I Can’t Keep)” by Whitehorse

Surprise! Not only did Whitehorse release a new song last week, but announced a brand new album was to come mere days later! Modern Love released Friday, and lead single “I Wanna Make Promises (That I Can’t Keep)” is a laid back, sultry number, with an early contender for lyrics of the year:

Let’s argue in Ikea
Make a scene, go home and fuck
On unassembled furniture
Fresh off the moving truck

Kirk

“Parade” by Lydia Ainsworth

Ahead of her brand new album Sparkles & Debris (due out May 21), Lydia Ainsworth has released a gorgeous new song called “Paradise”. Her ethereal voice is backed by her usual electronic soundscapes, but in a departure from her previous albums, Ainsworth is also joined by live drums, guitars, and bass for this album. If the first single is any indication to how the rest of the album will be, I can’t wait to hear it.

Kirk

“Starlight” by Chad VanGaalen

Two weeks ago Chad VanGaalen released another song from his now-released album World's Most Stressed Out Gardener, and I lamented the fact that it didn’t come with a music video.
Well, cut to this week, the full album is released and another single, “Starlight”, gets the signature VanGaalen music video treatment. This is slowly becoming one of my favourite records of the year.

Christine

Songs of the Week: March 08 - 14, 2021

March 15, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Crab Walking Home In The Rain” by Jason Collett

Not only are we getting a brand new song from Jason Collett — the first in nearly 5 years — but we’re getting a brand new song from Jason Collett that was arranged and produced by Andy Shauf.
The awesomely titled ”Crab Walking Homer In The Rain” sounds exactly as good as you would expect from the pair, and is the first single off Collett’s upcoming Best Of album. The album is out at the end of this week, March 19, and along with the new single, features a dozen songs spanning the singer’s two-decade career.

Kirk

“Another Dimension (feat. Cadence Weapon)” by The Zolas

Over the last year or so, The Zolas have been releasing a slow drip of new songs, with the latest being described as a post-pandemic anthem (as opposed to their usual post-apocalyptic anthems).
“Another Dimension” features a chest-thumping bassline that can’t wait to get out of the house, along with a verse by none other than Cadence Weapon. Have a listen for yourself below.

Kirk

“Machine” by Mani Khaira

Vancouver musician Mani Khaira released a new video this week for his song “Machine”. The track comes from his latest EP Face First, and if features actor and dancer Brennan Clost from Netflix’s 'Tiny Pretty Things'. Beautifully choreographed, the dancing and mood match the powerful song perfectly. Have a look below!

Christine

“Don't Wait” by JEEN

“Don’t Wait” is a fitting title for the latest single from JEEN. Released only few months after her self-titled album from last October, the song is a tease to her newest album, scheduled for this coming October.
Featuring vocals from bandmate and co-producer Ian Blurton, “Don’t Wait” is a raw anthem that needs to be cranked loud.

Kirk

“Just What I Needed” by k-os

k-os covering “Just What I Needed” by The Cars is literally JUST WHAT I NEEDED this week.
I think that’s enough said.

Christine

“Hold On” by Justin Bieber

Okay, Kirk may shoot me for this, but Bieber made a love letter video to my favourite hockey team with his new song “Hold On” and it put a HUGE SMILE on my face this week. I miss live hockey and watching in the bar with other fans so this hit me in the feels.

Christine

Songs of the Week: March 01 - 07, 2021

March 08, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Honey Trap” by Kandle

If the first two singles are anything to go by, Kandle is going for a “Neo Noir James Bond” vibe for her new album, and I am all for it. “Honey Trap” is the latest single for the upcoming Set The Fire, and features some familiar voices like Louise Burns, Debra-Jean Creelman, and Kendel Carsen. A fierce song about “breaking free from a sticky power struggle”, it may not be a coincidence that the song comes out after Kandle leaving her label and releasing her first independent EP last year.
But hear for yourself, and check out the video — directed by Brandon William Fletcher — below!

Kirk

“I Got Love” and “Stay Behind” by Mother Mother

Not content with one new song from Vancouver’s Mother Mother? How about TWO? Their first new releases since blowing up on Tik Tok (I know, right?), both songs encapsulate everything you love about the band; “I Got Love” being brash and infectious and “Stay Behind” more chill and melodic, with playful vocals and clever lyrics on both.
Have a listen to “I Got Love” below, or how about “Stay Behind” right here.

Kirk

“Nightwaves” by Chad VanGaalen

I’m kinda sad this is just the song and not another gem of a music video from Chad VanGaalen but it’s still a great new track. “Nightwaves” is dreamy and odd - pretty much exactly what you’d expect from VanGaalen. Also completely on brand is the title of the new album that comes out on March 19th - World's Most Stressed Out Gardener. You gotta love it.

Christine

“4521.0kHz 6730.0kHz 4109.09kHz” by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Okay, this one is less a “Song” of the Week and more an “Album Tease” of the Week.
A few days ago it was announced that the brand new Godspeed You! Black Emperor would be coming out April 2nd, but the band was very clear that “there will be no advance “singles” on SpotifApple or other streaming platforms. The record is not available for preorder on Amazon” so all we’re getting until then is the 60 second clip below. UNLESS you hit your local record store, which may be receiving an advance 10” and will be encouraged to share clips or play in-store. Find out more about that, or preorder the album G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END! for yourself, right here.

Kirk

“Pissed at the Disco” by Adnama

I know CBC Radio 3 isn’t anywhere near what it once was, but every once in a while I’ll be listening and still find a new gem. Case in point, a few years ago I Vancouver’s Adnama, whose EP Ghost Like Me made its way into my regular rotation.
Flash forward to the present, where Adnama has released a brand new song, “Pissed in the Disco”., a synthy pop tune that very much sounds like you would expect from the title. Hopefully it’s a hint of more to come.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: February 22 - 28, 2021

March 01, 2021 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Forever Fool” by The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer

It’s been almost four years since we got the album Apocalipstick from Vancouver’s The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer. So what comes next? Obviously, it’s the Post-Apocalipstick.
The new album is “a collection of songs which takes disparate elements from our 2017 record, puts them in a blender, and spits out completely new interpretations.” and the first taste we’re getting it a dark and moody, electronic spin on the song “Forever Fool”.
Have a listen below, and compare it to the original “Forever Fool” right here.

Kirk

“No Rules” by Autogramm

You know your band has a heck of a pedigree when you have three members whose credits include Destroyer, Black Mountain, Lightning Dust, Black Halos, Spitfires, and Blood Meridian (among others!).
Autogramm returned last week with the title track to their upcoming sophomore album, No Rules, due out April 16. With incredible energy and a sing-a-long chorus, the song also features a video that is a shot-for-shot remake of Billy Joel’s “Sometimes A Fantasy.”

Kirk

“Home” by Russell Louder

Two years in the making, PEI’s Russel Louder released their brand new album, Humor, last week. The lead track — and latest single — “Home” features Russell’s incredible voice soaring over the synthy beats of a song that they describe as “…the introduction. It is the wandering protagonist who sets the tone for the entire album. The idea of finding “home” is now a question, not an answer. Elements of preparation, the romanticizing of arrival, deep, deep uncertainty, pain, lack of belonging – yet bursting with hope.”

Kirk

“Sugar Pill” by METZ

Sometimes Monday’s call for something loud.

Today “Sugar Pill” by Metz is doing it for me. Last month they released this video for the song, which appears on their 2020 album Atlas Vending, which I’ve been listening to a lot lately. Crank up your speakers and hit play.

Christine

“Young Libertine” by Left Field Messiah

It’s going to be a while still until the full debut album by Left Field Messiah is released (July 23rd), but the singles and music videos keep coming. If you missed the announcement, this latest super group contains Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat), Jeremy Ruzumna (Fitz & The Tantrums), and Erik Janson (formerly Wildling).
The “Young Libertine” video, like the ones for “Fuzz Machine” and “A.M. Moonlight” were done by Johnny Jansen and are fun, psychedelic romps.

Christine