Songs of the Week: June 13 - 19, 2022

"And (Samantha Sarty Version)” by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (aka MBF) announced this week that his 2020 LP, Love Valley, will be released in an entirely new format - featuring all female vocalists, - titled Love Valley Rearranged (Deluxe).

The original album contained a female voice for one line on each track, the rest being Michael's, but the “Rearranged (Deluxe) songs are all newly fronted with female voiced interpretations and Michael is the singular line sung per track”.

The first release is Winnipeg artist Samantha Sarty (“who plays in Living Hour and Veneer, and collaborated with US/CA group Central Heat Exchange. She also explores soundscape composition in her experimental solo project, purepulp”).

Other ladies on the record of note include Ashleigh Ball (of Hey Ocean!), Hannah Epperson, and Jaycelyn Brown (of Said The Whale) and more. Can’t wait to hear them all.

• Christine

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“love and anarchy” by Little Destroyer

Vancouver’s Little Destroyer is back with their second single of the year so far, the infectious “love and anarchy”.

A song about navigating love & relationships, frontperson Allie Sheldan says “I think love as a liberator is a radical idea because so much of our learned behaviour around love is to be possessive, scared, insecure. There’s a big difference between conditional and unconditional. As somebody who’s always had a really complicated relationship with relationships, it took crashing head first into a rock bottom before I did the work to learn how to love unconditionally. This song is a thank you to, and celebration of, the people (and person) who helped me get there, and still be here.”

No word yet on a new album from the trio, but hopefully we hear word soon!

• Kirk

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“Eiffel Tower” by KINLEY

Just a warning off the top: after you listen to the latest single from KINLEY, you will have it stuck in your head for the rest of the day. “Eiffel Tower” is the lead single to the PEI singer’s upcoming album Daylight, and is an incredibly catchy indie-pop breakup tune.

KINLEY says “I wrote this song after reflecting on a breakup. I got in a fight with my boyfriend in Paris. We were surrounded by couples in love at THE most romantic landmark in the world, the Eiffel Tower. I should have known it would never work out!”

Have a listen to “Eiffel Tower” below and mark November 4th for the release of Daylight.

• Kirk

Song of the Day: March 17, 2020 - "Vultures" by Ashleigh Ball

I’m sure you know Ashleigh Ball as part of the Vancouver trio Hey Ocean!, but just last week she returned with a brand new solo release, “Vultures”.

She says the song is about "the intimate connection of lifelong friendships and the importance of women strengthening each other. It’s about the ways we can be truly vulnerable in these friendships and cut out the people who are threatened by that openness."

No official word on the new album, but Ashleigh has been recording with Matt Peters and Matt Schellenberg from Royal Canoe, and if you follow them or even other artists they’ve worked with, you know it’s gonna be a good one.

Song of the Day: March 20, 2018 - "We Find Love" by Daniel Caesar - #SingItFwd Cover

You may or may not have heard yet, but #SingItFwd is returning to Vancouver with a special JUNOS edition tomorrow!

Hey Ocean! is putting the event on and bringing friends like Mother Mother, The Zolas, Said The Whale, Dawn Pemberton, Louise Burns, Khari McClelland, and more - click here to see the lineup.

The event supports the St James Music Academy, raising awareness and money for this non-profit music school. You can see the band with some of the kids from the SJMA in this shot above!

Yesterday a cover of Daniel Caesar's "We Find Love" was released ft. members of Hey Ocean!, Mother Mother, Dawn Pemberton, Khari McClelland and, of course, the kids of the St James Music Academy. Check it out below!

GET YOUR TICKETS TO #SINGITFWD by CLICKING HERE.

Song of the Day: January 21, 2018 - "The Hurt of Happiness" by Hey Ocean!

Hey Ocean! is back!

I never really thought they'd be gone forever (I mean, they HAD been playing shows after the hiatus), and we've been getting singles for the last 5 months, but they've announced a new album called The Hurt of Happiness (out April 6th) and just released the title track.

The band had a tour last fall, performing songs old and new, and has 3 Canadian performance dates listed for April currently, so keep an eye out for more.

Song of the Day: September 28, 2017 - "Lover" by Ashleigh Ball

Just ahead of her show at Fortune tomorrow night, Ashleigh Ball is releasing a brand new video for the song "Lover" off her EP Gold In You. 

The beautiful video for the haunting song was shot live at St. James Hall, with Ball backed by piano & strings. Check it out below, and make sure you're at Fortune early tomorrow! 

Song of the Day: July 27, 2017 - "Sleepwalker" by Hey Ocean

In the last few years, there have been a lot of rumours swirling around Hey Ocean! I personally have been to at least three shows that were allegedly their "last ever". 

But after taking some time off, and each member releasing a solo album in the last year or so, the Vancouver trio has returned with a brand new song, "Sleepwalker", which is exactly what you would hope for from the band. 

No details yet on the new album, but they have announced a series of "Evening with..." shows that will consist of old favourites, new teases, and their respective solo material, including the hometown show on October 20 at the Biltmore.

Song of the Day: May 2, 2017 - "Crazy" by Ashleigh Ball

We've had solo records from 2/3 of Hey Ocean so far (both Daves), and now we're going to be blessed with the angelic voice of Ashleigh Ball on her new EP!

Gold In You is set to be released on June 2nd, and the first single (and video) titled "Crazy" is out now!

Have a listen below and keep an eye out for more music leading up to the release. Can't wait for this one!

Song of the Day: May 19, 2016 - "Soldier" by David Beckingham

David Beckingham (one third of Hey Ocean!) is gearing up for the release of his first solo album, and he's giving us another taste of that it will sound like. 

In a new video for "Soldier", Beckingham & his backing band perform live-off-the-floor in the Alsco Linen building, as his voice trembles over the swell of strings. 

"Just When The Light" is out May 27th, and he'll be playing around Vancouver in July -- at Khatsahlano and Hiatus festivals, and in Victoria in August.