Songs of the Week: August 28 - September 03, 2023

“Heaven's Gate” by Radar Peak

Take two parts PUP and one part Modern Superstitions, and you get Radar Peak. The “not-so-new” project from Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Matt Aldred just recently announced their debut album, even though the band ostensibly formed nearly 20 years ago.

The first single to show off the band is “Heaven's Gate”, which Mykula calls “the first song we worked on where it felt like we’d figured out what Radar Peak is. The three of us taking a thread of a song and spinning it into 3 minutes of melody and guitars and pounding drums and harmonies and a twin guitar solo for good measure. It felt good to be locked away together with our instruments, bridging the distance of thousands of miles, hundreds of gigs, a couple missed birthdays and life passing you by. This is us figuring it out together and coming out the other side in one piece.”

Have a listen below, and keep an ear out for more this year, when the self-titled album drops October 20th!

• Kirk

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“Not The Name You Say” by Hannah Georgas

Hannah Georgas’s new album I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care is finally out in the world!
The latest track “Not The Name You Say” was released recently as well just ahead of the record dropping.
It’s a beautiful album that she took the reigns on and produced herself using analogue equipment. (Listen to the whole album by clicking here.)
She’s heading out on tour through the states with Broken Social Scene, and then kicking off her own tour, ending with a show in Vancouver at the Hollywood Theatre on December 7th, and I cannot wait to hear the new music live!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: August 21 -27, 2023

“Mmm, Delicious” by Nora Kelly Band

Not going to lie, a small part of the reason I am including this song is because the promo image caught my eye and I needed to share it.

But the bigger part of sharing the newest single from the Montreal quintet Nora Kelly Band, is that “Mmm, Delicious” is an incredibly catchy tune, with a quirky country twang.

Nora explains that the song “is one of the especially playful and raucous moments on the album, but at its core it’s me trying to make a deal with myself to stop arguing for argument's sake; a reminder to think about when to take the high road, and when to not give up the fight.
What I really like is how well the song showcases the talents of everyone in the band. All 6 of the players get the opportunity to contribute their own unique flavour to the track, hence… ‘Mmm Delicious’. We the band would be overjoyed if Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Putter’s Pickles or Classico picked it up to advertise their incredible products.”

Check out “Mmm, Delicious” below, or pick up the recently released album Rodeo Clown, out now on Mint Records.

• Kirk

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“What’s Even Real Anymore” by Old Man Canyon

We’re getting supernatural this Monday morning with a new track from Vancouver’s Old Man Canyon.
Frontman Jett Pace says of “What’s Even Real Anymore”: “While I was writing this song, I had a bunch of UFO sightings…. There was a two-week period where I quite literally would go outside, in the middle of the day, look up and see these strange metallic lights hovering in the sky over my house. Sometimes there would be 3 or more, disappearing, reappearing, staying in one spot for hours, forming triangles, and shooting off super-fast. I still have no clue what they are, but there was something magic about those experiences that instilled a sense of curiosity that I hadn’t felt since I was a kid, it opened me up again. Coupled with the confusion of the world, every source of truth was being questioned in some way. I think a lot of people felt the same.”
Well that’s nuts!
The video for the track is a must-see and fits the whole vibe of the song with both film and computer generated material.
There’s also a release show announcement - October 1st at the Hollywood Theatre.

• Christine

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“What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid” by The Beaches

Honestly, every single song The Beaches have released from their upcoming album Blame My Ex has been a BANGER.
The new single “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid” is no exception, and I already know the new album will be one of my favourites of the year (it’s out September 15th).

Of the new song, the band says it’s “a song about feeling intense anxiety after a breakup. This had been my experience when my relationship had just ended. I wasn’t used to being on my own, so I found myself feeling really insecure in social situations - which was really surreal because I’m usually very confident and self-assured. However, the more people I’ve shown this song to, the more I’ve come to understand I'm not alone."
Also can’t wait for their show at the Orpheum on November 12th - and a LOT of the shows on their tour are selling out, so if you want to catch them, grab a ticket!

• Christine

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“In the Middle” by Darryl Kissick

You may know Darryl Kissick as a part of the group Foxwarren, but the Regina songwriter is gearing up to release his third full-length solo album, Goodbye Patterns.

The first single, “In the Middle,” is an entrancing song about “receiving a life-altering vision from another dimension and losing one’s sense of self, but for the better.”

Which is just a taste of the full album, which promises to deal “with the supernatural like aliens, werewolves, and time loops”

Check out the single below, and pick up the full album on October 6th!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 14 - 20, 2023

“Who Am I Now?” by David Vertesi

David Vertesi is back and going through an existential crisis. The latest solo release from the Hey Ocean! member — and integral part of Vancouver’s music & arts scene for over a decade — asks the question “Who Am I Now?”

Vertesi explains “This song was born out of the individual and collective renegotiation of self that I have witnessed since 2020 and the beginning of the pandemic. With my band of 15+ years [Hey Ocean!] on indefinite hiatus, I was attempting to do this for myself, however, I couldn't help but notice pretty much everyone around me was doing the same: leaving jobs, moving cities, ending relationships. But whether mourning or celebrating the loss of our old lives it seemed like we were all asking ourselves the same question.”

“Who Am I Now?” features Vertesi’s trademark smooth vocals over a moody beat, and marks his first release through Vancouver’s Tiny Kingdom Music. So check below to find out who the hell David Vertesi is now.

• Kirk

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“Out in the Fields” and “Party Oven” by Kevin Drew

We’ve got a new solo album announcement from Broken Social Scene front man Kevin Drew, and it looks like it’s quite a vulnerable one.
Aging will be released in the fall (physically first on September 22, and then digitally on November 3rd) and was heavily influenced on loss, love, and illness of those around him, and the reality of aging.

Of the album the press release says it is “an album best played at the end of the night; a collection for the stragglers left when the bar is about to close; a serenade for those who are coming down; songs that are quietly sad but ultimately ruminative and comforting.”
The first two tracks “Out In The Fields” and “Party Oven” have major BSS “Lover’s Spit” vibes and I’m here for it. Can’t wait for more.

• Christine

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“The Cabin” by Haley Blais

Speaking of David Vertesi’s contributions to the local music scene, someone he’s been producing lately has been Haley Blais, who is giving us another peek at her upcoming album, Wisecrack.

Her latest song is “The Cabin” which she describes as “A sweaty, dehydrated memory of my summers spent in the cabin on the lake. It wasn’t our cabin — my dad’s brother’s wife’s cousin’s friends owned it or something — but it was ours. I had my first sips of beer, first almost kisses. It’s a fluffy recollection until the guitars break through with their overbearing distortion like a roaring tidal wave and I’m thrown back into the discomfort of real time.”

The video for was directed by Zia Kalyan, and features some familiar faces in Blais’ chaotic orchestra.

Wisecrack comes out September 15, and she’ll be celebrating the release with a show in Vancouver at the Hollywood on October 20th!

• Kirk

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“Let’s Do Drugs” by NOBRO

And now for something completely different… NOBRO’s first single of 2023 “Let’s Do Drugs”!
A fun, loud, fast, punk song, “Let’s Do Drugs” is one I can see a whole venue shouting along to.
Of the idea behind it, vocalist/bassist Kathryn McCaughey says it’s “a ‘dumb’ rock song about getting older…about wanting to have one more wild night, while having no business doing so and failing miserably. Musically it’s a middle ground between maybe ‘(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)’ and ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ but only the dumbest bits of those songs, distilled into something even more dumb. It’s like shotgunning a beer then immediately puking on yourself.”
I don’t know if there’s anything left to say - I really hope they swing by Vancouver soon!

• Christine

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“Rise Up With Fists” by Elliott BROOD

Sometimes I’ll see a band release a track with the same name as another song, and be disappointed it’s not a cover.

Other times, Elliott BROOD will release an absolutely fantastic cover of the Jenny Lewis classic “Rise Up With Fists”.

The tune is the latest in their covers collection, and hopefully they’ll be playing this live on their upcoming tour with Shred Kelly, or at least when they hit Vancouver at the Biltmore Cabaret on October 6th.

• Kirk

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“Electric Dreams” by Adnama

Vancouver’s Adnama is back with her first new single in over a year, “Electric Dreams”.

The fittingly-titled song is an ethereal ear-worm, which “surfs on layers of synth waves while floating in a dreamlike state.”

Check it out below, and try not to get it stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 07 - 13, 2023

“Cry All Day” by Spencer Krug

Spencer Krug has been hard at work for the last couple years. Two solo albums, an instrumental album, and a Sunset Rubdown reunion tour, yet he’s still at it.

“Cry All Day” is the first single off his latest solo album, I Just Drew This Knife, which is actually a collaboration between Krug, Jordan Koop, and Eli Browning. Krug’s distinct vocals were added to Browning's instrumental pandemic recordings, with Koop on lead guitar.

The new album is due October 13 on Krug's own Pronounced Kroog label, and he’ll be touring with Koop and Browning, including a show here in Vancouver at the Fox Cabaret on October 18th!

• Kirk

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“You Always Get What You Want” by Yukon Blonde

Always a great week when you find out there is a new Yukon Blonde album on it’s way!

Shuggie will be the band’s 6th album, and is going to be released on October 12th via Dine Alone Records. We also got a new track, “You Always Get What You Want”, the 3rd single from the new record.

The new music fits smoothly into Yukon Blonde’s latest sound evolution, with hypnotic vibes and synth-laden tracks. I can’t wait for the full album in two months!

• Christine

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“Nothing is Perfect” by Metric

Metric is here to remind you that “Nothing is Perfect”. The new tease of their upcoming album, which is a ‘sequel’ to their 2022 album Formentera, is a gorgeous, stripped down track. Emily Haines explains:

“'Nothing Is Perfect' stands out on Formentera II as the lone track that is carried by only acoustic guitar and vocals. We explored many renditions of this song during the recording process, but in the end found that everything we tried adding seemed to detract from the essence of it. Lyrically, 'Nothing Is Perfect' takes the common expression away from its usual meaning, giving substance to “nothing” as a concrete thing that can be actively pursued and obtained: Nothing is perfect/ I've earned it/ All absence achieved/ No fences, no exits, no lies. For the official music video, we worked with Justin Broadbent to create an atmospheric and surreal visual accompaniment to enhance the otherworldly mood of the song, with stylistic nods to Terrence Malick and David Lynch. The song ends with a meditative and anthemic repetition of the word “nothing”, like I'm celebrating it and singing its praises. I love nothing!”

Formentera II is also out October 13th, and you can check out the video below!

• Kirk

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“Starting Again” by Royal Wood

Royal Wood is a name I haven’t heard for a hot minute, but I was super excited to see that he had new music out!
Not only do we have today’s single “Starting Again”, but I completely missed the other release “Just Another Day” which is the title track of the EP (due out September 22nd - also the first day of his latest tour).

Of “Starting Again” Royal Wood says: “This song was inspired by the timeless idea of love and loss. Since the beginning of stories and recorded art, the theme is as old as the sea. Two ships sailing together, go different routes, never to return to each other again. Fate had other plans and more adventures ahead. So you start again…”

Wood is heading out on the road with the legendary Bonnie Raitt, but you’ll have to head to Penticton to catch them, as that’s as far west as they look to be heading.

• Christine

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“Even if it Kills Me” by Charlie PS

Last week Vancouver’s Charlie PS released her latest single, “Even If It Kills Me”.

The blues-rock influenced song was written about change & perseverance, with Charlie elaborating: “I feel that a lot of people agonize over their flaws and insecurities or just care too much and want to change into a version of themselves they think will make them happier. But I hope that ‘Even If It Kills Me’ will help remind people that being the realest version of yourself and showing the world the good, the bad and the ugly is a much more freeing place to be in.”

The song is the title track for her upcoming EP, Even If It Kills Me, which should be out later this year.

• Kirk
  

Songs of the Week: July 31 - August 06, 2023

“Home” by Hannah Georgas

Swaying along to this dreamy new pop song from Hannah Georgas this morning!

“Home” is the latest of a handful of singles that have been released, as we creep closer to the launch date for Hannah’s new album I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care, due out August 25th.

Of the song she says: “"I feel like the word home is really emotionally loaded and can mean so many different things to different people. This song is about dealing with feelings of being lost and unsettled, and comparing that to others who seem to have it figured out. It’s about a feeling of estrangement and exclusion, only made even more polarizing when you’re confronted with the opposite experience amongst your peers or in the media.”

Hannah also announced dates for Western Canada, and she will be performing at the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver on December 7th.

• Christine

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“It Might Just Rain Like This For Days” by The Fugitives

Vancouver folk group The Fugitives are gearing up to release their sixth album in a couple months, with an eye to the current climate crisis.

The latest single, “It Might Just Rain Like This For Days” exemplifies the themes of the album, with singer Adrian Glynn explaining:
“We’ve decided to engage the immediacy of the climate crisis with music and lyrics that are personal, earnest, and unafraid of playfulness. Amidst our research, a side effect of our grief was a connectivity to others. As such, the album is not an overt call to political action, but an exploration of the joyful motivations behind standing up for the world, and a celebration of the wit, care, and resolve humans can display under even the most devastating circumstances. It acknowledges there's no help coming, it's only us, and that that just might be good — because one thing humans can excel at is forming and gaining strength from community.’”

The duo of Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod are joined by Chris Suen and Carly Frey for No Help Coming, which is out Oct. 20, on Fallen Tree Records.

• Kirk

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“Somebody Just Like Me” by Bahamas

Bahamas is looking very Ken-like in this new video for his latest release “Somebody Just Like Me” (I’m also obsessed with the Garth Brooks t-shirt he has as well!).

If you missed it, Bahamas has decided to release a country album, titled Bootcut, which is still very close to his signature sound, but with a little more twang.

He will be performing on the Sunday afternoon of the Ambleside Music Festival in Vancouver - not sure if it will be a full Bootcut style set, or a mix of everything (my hope).

• Christine

Songs of the Week: July 24 - 30, 2023

“Twenty Twenty” by Tim Baker

Just shy of a year out from his last album, The Festival, Tim Baker has announced a brand new companion EP, Along The Mountain Road.

The first single off the EP, “Twenty Twenty”, is a soaring song about Tim’s move from Toronto back to Newfoundland, and bracing himself for the uncertainty of the eponymous year.

Along The Mountain Road drops October 20th!

• Kirk

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“Sure To Come” by iskwē

It’s always a good day for new music from iskwē.

“Sure to Come” is an incredibly catchy song — thanks in part to a marimba played by Miguel Haller, recorded in Mexico City — but with a much deeper undercurrent, as iskwē describes: “With so many ways to become obsolete in this world, and all the things we’re afraid of, it brings me a sense of calm knowing the only piece that’s certain is some day I’ll be forgotten. We cancel each other at the push of a button, we crumble at the thought of being entirely alone. Whether it be our turn now or tomorrow, that day is sure to come.”

So check it out below for the most upbeat existential crisis you’ll have all week!

• Kirk

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“Change of Scene” by The Matinee

The Matinee have officially announced the release date for their fourth studio album, as well as the title track, “Change Of Scene”.
The album by the name name is set to be released on September 22nd and will be their first independent record.

With the announcement, we also got a video of the band out on lead singer Matt Layzell’s boat in English Bay. The song was a collective effort from the band after sharing a road trip down to Oregon and back - with no real itinerary or plan (or shows) - just a classic trip with the room to see everything and anything along the way.

The band will be performing at the Mosaic Arts Festival, and Harmony Arts Festival this week/month.

• Christine

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“Mama” by Hotel Mira

When the new track “Mama” from Hotel Mira kicks off, you might think you were going to get a pretty little ballad, but it quickly takes off into a fun, emo-tinged banger!

The band is set to release their new album I Am Not Myself, in just over a month on September 8th, after setting out on a huge tour this past spring.
But if you want to hear them in person this summer, you’ll be able to catch them if you’re in Kelowna for Rock The Lake on the Friday evening.

• Christine

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“3/2 (Loves Me)” by Clare Siobhan

I was hooked on the new song from Clare Siobhan, “3/2 (Loves Me)”, with the first line:
“We’re not a perfect match, we’re a perfect misfit”

The charming song was inspired by a prompt from a creative writing exercise, to craft a song with the word of “misfit,” though Claire explains, “I was thinking about it and didn’t really want to write a misfit-themed song in the original sense of the word, so I decided to start writing something I knew: I was falling in love at the time, and it was exciting and scary and all I could think about.”

“3/2 (Loves Me)” is the first single off her upcoming debut EP, which should be out later this year.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: July 16 - 23, 2023

“Say When” by Dan Mangan

A few weeks ago, Dan Mangan went a little viral with a video talking about writing a radio friendly hit that he ended up loving, and now… we get to hear the results of that.

“Say When” was written with Lowell, and Dan explains “We were talking about how no matter how grateful you are for wherever you’re at in your artist journey, you still want more. It always feels like a truly big break is just around the corner, but that the obstacles between you and that break are ambiguous and ephemeral. It’s like you’re trying so hard and you’re stuck waiting for luck to come and anoint you. The song is totally earnest, but it’s also self-aware…like, I understand how ridiculous and self-indulgent it is to want cheerleaders to carry you through your hometown.”

As advertised, the new single is incredibly catchy, and will dig into your head for the rest of the day (week?). Check it out below, and don’t forget to root for Dan in the Polaris Music Prize, where his latest album Being Somewhere was just shortlisted!

• Kirk

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“Me & Me” by The Beaches

I’m so excited for The Beaches to release their new album Blame My Ex on September 15th, because every single they’ve dropped so far has been a banger.

This includes their latest “Me & Me”, which is a fast-paced anthem for single-hood (a theme to this new album).
It’s a beachy, soft rock jam tune and another perfect summer single (with a cute lyric video below).

• Christine

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Songs of the Week: July 10 - 16, 2023

“Price You Pay” & “Hot City” by Bend Sinister

Crank the volume, because Bend Sinister is back! The band has been quiet for the last few years, but last week they released not one, but two brand new singles, “Price You Pay” and “Hot City”.

Both new songs are as soaring and high energy as you would expect from the Vancouver band, with “Price You Pay” about the highs and lows of touring, and “Hot City” feeling like a late-night-cruise summer jam.

No word yet on a new album, but if the pair of songs are any indication, I can’t wait to hear more.

• Kirk

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“Somebody Just Like Me”, “Second Time Around”
and “Working On My Guitar” by Bahamas

Not to upstage Bend Sinister above, but Bahamas released THREE songs this week, and not only that, but they’re from a country album!

“Somebody Just Like Me”, “Second Time Around” and “Working On My Guitar” all have Bahamas signature vocals with a little more twang, country style lyrics with some pedal steel behind them.

Bootcut will be out on September 15th and I cannot wait. Hopefully we hear a taste when he rolls through town next month for the Ambelside Music Festival.

• Christine

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“Just Shadows” by JEEN

There is just no stopping JEEN. The Toronto musician has put out three albums in as many years, and is already gearing up for her fourth, with the new single “Just Shadows”.

The fast-paced, grungy tune was written while JEEN was thinking “how the darker parts of everything can snuff out some of the best people's light. It’s about trying to get out from under it so we don’t just become casualties of our shittiest days. I lost all my demo projects for this upcoming album in a massive computer failure last year, so Ian suggested we just go in and jam the songs a bunch top to bottom and re-demo them before we started tracking for real. We had never done it that way for the previous albums; always just worked off my home demos as opposed to rehashing the songs prior with the full band. Anyway, it was super fun to go a little deeper on these songs at that early stage and I think the whole LP is better for it.”

The new album, Gold Control, is once again co-produced by her long-time collaborator, Canadian icon Ian Blurton, though no date yet for the upcoming album.

• Kirk

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