Songs of the Week: April 08 - 14, 2024

April 15, 2024 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“The Banks of the Lough Erne” feat. Erin Rae by The Deep Dark Woods

We have another new track from Broadside Ballads Vol. III, the upcoming album from The Deep Dark Woods.

The song “The Banks of the Lough Erne” is their take on an Irish emigration song - which goes by many names: “Rambling Irishman”, “Lough Erne”, “New York Bay”, and “An Irishman From Monaghan”, just to cite a few.

Of the song, frontman Ryan Boldt say he “first heard it by the beautiful Irish singer Dolores Keane and her group De Danann. I thought Erin Rae, one of my favourite current singers going, would do a wonderful job singing the song, making it sound less Irish and more American. Our voices work very well together and I hope we can make more music together in the future.”

Christine

“Exhale” by iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ

This past Friday, iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ released her much-anticipated album nīna, and with it dropped a new video for the breathtaking album-closer, “Exhale”.

The whole album is deeply personal & autobiographical, with iskwē sharing about "the song: “I needed to remind myself that I am vibrant, that I hold life in me. I am an artist, a creative, confident and soft. I needed to remind myself that I hold love in my being. It was time I remembered these pieces in me which had been dormant for some time. So now I start again, to rebloom. To be reborn. To look at myself in the mirror and exhale. It’s time for me to breathe out…”

You can check out the video for “Exhale” below — directed by iskwē herself — and pick up the new album nīna in all the usual places!

Kirk

“Pull Yourself Together” by Basement Revolver

Also released this past Friday (it was a busy day for albums!) was the new, deluxe version of Basement Revolver’s sophomore LP, Embody.

Embody (Expanded) features a pair of new songs to go with the original 2022 release, including “Pull Yourself Together”, a dreamy song about songwriter Chrisy Hurn’s experience with really bad panic attacks at parties.

They say, “It makes me sad for baby Chrisy who was afraid that everyone was judging them or thinking negative thoughts towards them or their body. It has taken a lot of work to get to a place where I don’t panic in party-like settings anymore.”

Kirk

Songs of the Week: February 26 - March 03, 2024

March 04, 2024 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“A Little Piece” by iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ

One of my most anticipated albums of the year so far is the fourth solo album from iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ, and last week we got the final single ahead of its release, “A Little Piece”.

The latest song from the album nīna is a a haunting song with twinkling piano and driving synth, with iskwē sharing:

“Feeling overwhelmed, I was faced with myself alone and the choices I had made over the past several years. With conflicted feelings of longing, remorse, and loneliness, I felt caged by a sentiment I could neither explain nor understand. I was alone. My mind had fooled me,” . “My tears felt endless and yet somehow this new solitude wrapped itself around my sadness like a giant cozy blanket I could not imagine emerging from ever again. A little piece of me had died, yet I found a little peace inside.”

The new album nīna is out on April 12, and is produced by 10x Grammy-nominated collaborator Damian Taylor.

Kirk

“Age Of Celebrity” by David Vertesi

Vancouver’s David Vertesi has released his new album, Fictionalized, this week, and it’s packed full of guest stars both in singing and producing roles.

Of the latest track (and video below), Vertesi says it’s “about returning to music post-pandemic and post Hey Ocean!”.
He continued: “Things have changed a lot since I was starting out in this industry, and I often feel like my experience doesn't do much other than make me jaded. The thing I really miss is the pure enjoyment and self-confidence I had when I was just setting out. I'm doing my best to find it again.”

We also got a Vancouver concert announcement, with David performing at the Wise Hall on April 12th!

“Red Light” by Basement Revolver

The latest single from Hamilton’s Basement Revolver is one part dream pop jam, one part PSA.

“Red Light” was written after guitarist/vocalist Chrisy Hurn shared their recent red light ticket, for a fee that was more than their recent paycheck.

The result is perhaps the catchiest song about traffic violations, with bassist/keyboardist Nim Agalawatte adding: “Hopefully we’ve all learned to be a little more careful while driving! Especially in cities like Hamilton where we live that have many red light cameras now.”

Kirk

“Tidal Wave” by Alana Yorke

Last week, Alana Yorke dropped a 'dance-tasy' video for her newest single “Tidal Wave”, and see if you can guess which four words (well, eights words and a colon) caught my attention when she was talking about the origins of the song.

Alana explained, “Something that may come as a surprise, is that Tidal Wave was written as a bit of a joke song after watching Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp which featured the Pat Benatar-style song, Heart - Attack Love by Craig Wedren. The energy of that music was so contagious, I tried writing something in that vein as a bit of an experiment for a laugh. There’s definitely a relationship story couched in this song which was inspired by a real-life feeling, but my songs often start as a kernel of real, intense emotion, then the stories take on their own lives. Tidal Wave is about unrequited love; a crush; attraction… something that you know will lead to heartbreak before it even starts, and a power struggle in that play.”

As someone that loves all things Wet Hot America Summer — especially the music — I think she nailed the vibe. But don’t take my word for it, have a listen below!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: January 08 - 14, 2024

January 15, 2024 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“My Status is the Baddest” ft. Bahamas by Old Man Luedecke

Old Man Ledecke…without a banjo?!

Yep! That’s the direction that Chris Luedecke is taking with his new album, at the suggestion of Bahamas (Afie Jurvanen)! His first new song in years “My Status is the Baddest” definitely has a Bahamas-esque tone to it, but with Luedecke’s signature songwriting, with this one reflecting on parenthood.

Good thing we didn’t fully lose Luedecke to the scallop boat (not joking) that he has been working on since the pandemic!

Christine

“Waiting For The Laughter” by iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ

Over the last few months we’ve been getting steady releases from iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ, but now we finally have news of a full album! nīna is due out on April 12th, and is said to be “profoundly autobiographical”.

The latest single, “Waiting For The Laughter”, was co-written with akaMatisse of Keys N Krates, and is dense & sweeping, yet melancholic, with iskwē explaining: “Each time the mirror faces, I find brand new lines and deeper creases. The art of aging never changes; we all get older every day. Somehow women are told we age out faster, life spinning out so quickly, it can be hard to live up to all the beauty standards that keep changing along the way. I find it dizzying to think of the times I’ve loathed my body, how I pluck, colour, and cover the natural body I was born with. Will I stop? Probably not. Do I try to push myself as far as I can in order to love the body and being I was born with? Every day. I’m constantly searching for the laughter in it all. Laughter is medicine after all. Waiting for the laughter to drive the hurt away.”

If what we’ve heard so far is any indication, nīna is one of my most anticipated albums of the year so far, and I can’t wait to hear it!

Kirk

“Alone In America” by Hotel Mira

Ahead of their “I Am Not Myself Canadian Tour”, Hotel Mira has dropped a brand new video for “Alone In America”.

The earworm of a song is from their recently-released album, I Am Not Myself, and the new video follows the band’s exploits in Las Vegas, playing into “the glitz and sleaze of the distilled over-the-top grotesque idea of America.”

Their tour kicks off later this week, and includes a stop at the legendary Commodore Ballroom here in Vancouver, joined by Fake Shark!

Kirk

“Holster” by The Strumbellas

It’s just under a month until the new album, Part Time Believer, from The Strumbellas drops (Feb 9) and we have another new single from the record.

The band says the new album will be about either being depressed or optimistic, and the latest single “Holster” fits that bill.
Dave Ritter says that the track bounces between “feeling like a failure and feeling like a hero. I hear the cry of someone who always almost overcomes their demons–who stumbles at the crucial moment every time–but comes roaring back, still believing that maybe this time they’ll come out on top.”

The band is heading out on a Canadian tour in February starting in Vancouver on the release day for the record, at the Commodore with Michael Bernard Fitzgerald opening.

Christine

Songs of the Week: October 30 - November 05, 2023

November 06, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“So Small” by Talia Schlanger

Super exciting news this week that Toronto musician Talia Schlanger has announced her debut album, Grace For The Going, will be released on February 2, 2024.

Her latest single “So Small” is a beautiful little track, with a soothing arrangement behind her smooth vocals. And I’ll let her speak about the song itself:

“Right now, like so many of us, my thoughts are consumed by the horrors of war,” says Talia. “My heart is consumed by collective grief.”
“So Small” was written and recorded as the pandemic years engulfed the globe in a different sort of trauma. The urgency of the song, offers a philosophical view on humanity and a perspective on our space on this planet that is deeply relevant to world events today.

“'So Small' is about finding a way to hold many truths at the same time,” explains Talia. “The idea that each of us is at once as big as the universe itself and smaller than the smallest speck of dust. This is a concept that appears in a number of traditions/faiths/systems of belief. My first window into this way of thinking was through the Jewish teachings I grew up learning as a kid. And it’s an idea I continue to cherish and explore as an adult through the western interpretations of Buddhist texts by teachers like Pema Chödrön, Joseph Goldstein and Tara Brach. For me, this sense of perspective has been life-saving.
'So Small’ addresses 'the war outside me and inside me.' I share it along with my prayers for peace, outer and inner, for all.”

Christine

“Part Two” by iskwē

iskwē is not slowing down; last week she released the fourth new single from her upcoming album.

“Part Two” was written along with producer Damian Taylor and Ali “Willa” Milner, and iskwē shares: “This is a song about my broken heart after a rocky relationship finally came crashing down, We should have known, and we probably did, that things would end as passionately as they began. We ran the other to the ground while simultaneously pulling each other back to our feet, but the landing got slipperier and slipperier with each recovery, until enough was enough.”

Still no word on when the new album will be out, and sadly, iskwē had to postpone the Vancouver show that was supposed to be later this week. But have a listen to “Part Two” below!

Kirk

“Hold My Head Up Higher” by JEEN (feat. Ian Blurton)

We’re still a couple months out from her next album, but JEEN has released the third tease by way of “Hold My Head Up Higher”, which was co-written with the prolific Ian Blurton.

The new song is a slow-burn that is the second track JEEN has colaborated on with Blutron — who has also produced her last few albums — and she elaborates, “When we were in pre-production for Gold Control, Ian and I bounced an idea he had back and forth for a couple weeks long-distance before really solidifying the song in studio rehearsals. It’s always fun collaborating with Ian, so I'm really happy we got the chance to do it again on this album.”

Gold Control is out on February 2nd, next year.

Kirk

“Who The Hell Am I” by NOBRO

I needed a banger to wake me up this Monday morning and “Who The Hell Am I” by NOBRO did the trick.
The band’s new album Set Your Pussy Free (or SYPF as you’ll probably see it printed, lol), was released on the 27th, and it’s non-stop rock and roll throughout.

No Vancouver tour date listed as of yet, but hopefully there’s one on the horizon, because I want to hear these live!

Christine

“The Matrix” by Mother Mother

Mother Mother is back! The alt-pop group has announced a brand new album, and celebrated with the release of the new single “The Matrix”.

The new tune starts in the most Mother Mother way possible with the lyrics “Baby love, baby child, you’re gonna die”, before going on to a chorus that defiantly proclaims “Fuck no!” to living in The Matrix.

Grief Chapter will be the band’s ninth album, and is out on February 16th, but you can check out the trippy video for “The Matrix” now!

Kirk

“Renegade” & “Can I Get Your Name” by Bend Sinister

Not only are we getting another two songs from Vancouver’s Bend Sinister, but we’re also getting a little more info on their upcoming album!

“Renegade” & “Can I Get Your Name” are two more tracks off their upcoming yet-to-be-named release, which will be out spring of next year, and follow the same boisterous, 70’s influenced groove as their last few singles.

With “Renegade”, the band says “Dog is man's best friend. We played with that metaphor in this song, starting with that relationship in mind and how perhaps it can relate to more than just our K9 pals.”

While “Can I Get Your Name” is “about that fairytale romance that stems from two strangers meeting in the crowd and finding love. With dating apps and the online world is it even possible to find love the old-fashioned way?”

We’re now heard a half dozen new songs from the album, and I can not wait to hear the rest of it!

Kirk

Path Of The Heel EP by The Halluci Nation

Okay, this is damn cool.
The Halluci Nation have released the first part of their new project: “The Road to Halluci Mania.” What’s that you ask? Well…

"The Halluci Nation's Bear Witness and 2oolman have always had a deep interest in Professional Wrestling ever since they were kids – loving the complex story lines that play out week after week, and seeing the underdog overcome adversity and have their chance to shine.

…Themed around one of the main character archetypes in professional wrestling – "The Heel" (a.k.a. the bad guy) – Path of the Heel follows a faction of this group, called the ALie Nation. The creator of the ALie Nation has gone from being curious about The Halluci Nation – the champion "Baby Face" tag team wrestlers – to becoming obsessed with taking them down at Halluci Mania, aiming to do so by recruiting two wrestlers into the ALie Nation.

The story unfolds through the album openers, Tree of Woe and ALie Nation (Interlude), both of which feature powerful vocals written and performed by Damian Abraham [of Fucked Up]. The theme then expands with Eater of Worlds and Atomic Drop, featuring long-time collaborators, Northern Cree, and fulled by fast paced beats with complex basslines, all brining the Halluci Nation’s classic sound into the present and beyond.

Just, wow. These songs are so good, and I can’t wait to hear this whole project start to finish!

Christine

Songs of the Week: September 11 - 17, 2023

September 18, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Tough Kid” by Skye Wallace

Skye Wallace wants to know if you are a “Tough Kid”.

The new single is their first collaboration with the legendary Hawksley Workman co-producer, and the result is a gritty, slow-burn of a tune.

Skye says “Before this song came to its full fruition and was still a pile of words and ideas, I had an image of this kid in my head that I was pumping up. That kid represented anyone who needed to hear it, any kid who has been told they aren't allowed to be who they truly are, that they aren't good enough – I wanted this song to be a reminder to them that they've got a power in them that they might not believe in yet. It was only when we were designing the single artwork, which involved using an old photo of me at 10 years old, that I realized I had also been talking to my weird kid self. There's a power in looking back with pride and care for the kid you were.”

So if your inner child needs pumping up, check out the video below!

Kirk

“Marigold” by Begonia

Tomorrow the Polaris Prize will be handed out for 2023, and Begonia’s album Powder Blue is one of the 10 nominees!

Last week she released her Marigold EP, which features the song from Powder Blue, an extended cut and three remixes. (It’s one of my favourites from the album, so I was VERY excited for this.)
Of the track she says: "Marigold is basically a short story about my teenage life. A passing reflection that has confirmed for me that all the questions and uncertainties I had as a kid, have value.”
All the best of luck to her tomorrow!

Christine

“End Of It All” by iskwē

“End of It All” is a breakup song, but maybe not in the way you’re thinking. The latest single from iskwē is about the end of her relationship with her ex-wife, but the evolution of that relationship into best friends.

iskwē explains, “I met my love, my future wife, on a fall afternoon in front of a park halfway between our two homes. I was late. I am always late. She is never late. As I walked towards her, I started to skip like I was five years old with the biggest smile on my face. My stomach knew I would love her like nobody before and now, in hindsight, like nobody after. For me, marriage is a commitment to try harder than you would with anyone else because that person is so special. And that’s what we did! ‘We tried, and we tried, and we tried, but the end of it all came anyway.’”

“End of It All” is iskwē’s third new single since the spring, and fingers crossed for a new album announcement soon, but in the meantime you can see iskwē live this fall, including a show here in Vancouver at The Pearl on November 10th!

Kirk

“Promise Of Spring” by Great Lake Swimmers

I’m going to be listening to this one all winter - I’m still in denial that it’s getting cold again.

Great Lake Swimmers have just started out on their four-month-long tour, which will stop in Vancouver on October 19th, and have announced a deluxe version of their latest album Uncertain Country.

With it came another single from the album “Promise Of Spring”, which was recorded live off the floor back in December 2020!

Christine

Songs of the Week: July 24 - 30, 2023

July 31, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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: April 17 - 23, 2023

April 24, 2023 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“I Get High” by iskwē feat. Nina Hagen

Last week iskwē dropped her latest single, “I Get High” (appropriately enough, on April 20th). The new tune features German punk icon Nina Hagen, and has a driving beat & distorted guitars, with a hook that will get stuck in your head for the rest of the week.

iskwē elaborats “I grew up smoking weed, listening to Nina Hagen, and singing loudly when I knew no one was listening; always self-conscious, always self-aware. This piece was written in response to a painful experience of mine, where I wanted to remind people of the power of love and the importance of supporting each other in this lifetime, rather than trying to cancel each other out. I realised it was finally time to let go of worrying about what people thought of me and my art. As the legendary Peter Tosh sings, ‘I am who I am who I am.’ This is a call-out for us to hold each other up as we attain our many successes in life, knowing there is room for us all to win. And while we’re at it, let’s exhale and get high!”

No word yet on a new album, but I can’t wait to hear more!

Kirk

“Alco” by Half Moon Run

We have a released date and album title for the new music coming out from Half Moon Run.
Salt will come out on June 2nd, a month ahead of the start of a massive string of tours for the band, stretching all the way into December.
(Including two nights at the Commodore Ballroom in November.)

Accompanying the announcement is a release of the second song from the band this year “Alco”. A super catchy tune you wan to sway to, “Alco” starts off with a ukulele riff rediscovered from 2012, and the band says it’s a “journey through the dark places of the mind towards, hopefully, the light”.

Christine

“Crash The Time Machine” by Odds

It’s been ten years(!) since their last full length album, but Odds are back to Crash the Time Machine.

Last week they dropped the title track to their upcoming album, a deceptively upbeat song, in true Odds fashion.

The new album is out August 4th, and was co-producer by long-time friend of the band and frequent collaborator, Steven Page.

Kirk

“Taimangalimaaq (Time After Time)” by Elisapie

Last month, Elisapie released her first new single in some time, a cover/translation of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”. Now, she’s back with not only a new song, but announcing a brand new album!

“Taimangalimaaq (Time After Time)” is a beautiful Inuktitut adaptation of the Cyndi Lauper banger, which you’ll be able to hear on the upcoming Inuktitut.

Aside from the aforementioned songs, Elisapie's fourth solo album will feature similar covers of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Queen, and more. All songs & artists that have a strong emotional connection for Elisapie, as she heard them on the community radio throughout Nunavik, Northern Quebec. The album features 10 songs translated into the thousand-year-old Inuit language, and will be out September 15th.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: June 06 - 12, 2022

June 13, 2022 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“What Feels Like Eternity” by Metric

The third and latest single from Metric was released this week, as we creep closer and closer to their July 8th release of Formentera, and August tour.
The live performance video for “What Feels Like Eternity” was directed by Justin Broadbent and have a very 90’s-esque vibe and a throwback to the MTV days.

The album name and theme came from a travel book sitting on the desk of their recording studio - with nowhere to go and being unable to travel, I suppose for what felt like an eternity.

The band will be in Vancouver on August 13th at the Orpheum Theatre, with Dear Rouge opening.

Christine

“Stir The Ashes” by iskwē x Tom Wilson

We’re a little over a month away from the release of Mother Love, the debut album from the pairing of iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (Cree Métis) and Tom Wilson | Tehoh’ahake (Mohawk), and we’re getting yet another tease of the album with the latest single, “Stir The Ashes”.

Written & produced by Serena Ryder, the new song is a perfect contrast of iskwē’s smooth vocals and Wilson’s gruffness, with a beautiful tune to go along with it.

Have a listen, and mark down July 20 for the release of Mother Love!

Kirk

“White Flag” by Darkometro

We’ve already heard a couple singles from Darkometro — the duo of Maïa Davies (of Ladies of the Canyon) and Patrick Krief (formerly of The Dears) — and on Friday they not only released a video for the latest single, “White Flag”, but also dropped their whole debut album!

Krief says the new song "embodies a sort of ‘psychedelic cocaine disco’ experience, honoring my love of late 70’s music. Once we had the lyrics I made the music to mirror the bittersweet uplifting vibe with an eerie, energized and dancey arrangement. In a lot of ways, it’s an answer to some more misanthropic songs of mine.” Davies reflects, “It was a real time experience for me, writing as I was living it, after so long of living in a love that only offered the bare minimum to me. It’s about that moment where I knew I had to choose myself, and the feeling on that precipice. It’s about how bravery is also lonely.”

Check it out below, and grab their whole self-titled album everywhere!

Kirk