Songs of the Week: June 25 - 30, 2024

“Might As Well Know” by WAASH

This one snuck up on me. I knew WAASH — the latest project from Vancouver’s Andy Bishop — was releasing an album soon, but I did not realise the self-titled full length was dropping last Friday!

Along with the new album comes the new single, “Might As Well Know”, an incredibly catchy synth-pop tune which was co-written with Bishop's Twin River bandmate Courtney Ewan Hancock, and Louise Burns (like much of the album was).

Bishop says the new single “was energetic, fun to play and had lots of room left for the musicians to put their own spin on. One thing that still stands out to me is the interplay between Courtney, Louise, and my vocals in the second verse. I really love how they come together and meet in the middle. I feel so fortunate to have such talented players on this track and album.”

Check out a live performance below, recorded at 604 Records & featuring a litany of Vancouver’s finest musicians, and find the self-titled album out now!

• Kirk

---

“Blissfully Unaware” by Shred Kelly

Following up their tour for their new album Blurry Vision, Shred Kelly’s summer tour is in full swing, hitting up just about every music festival you can think of right across the country!

The band also released a new music video for the song “Blissfully Unaware” from said new album. Of the track, Sage McBride says: “Throughout the past few years, I’ve felt an anxiety that I haven’t experienced before in my life. I’ve felt like I’ve changed (not necessarily for the better), whereas some people appear unchanged over the past few years. But it seems like I’ve experienced a monumental shift for me.”

Check the video out below and catch the band this summer on the road.

• Christine

---

“Blowing Kisses” by Jennifer Castle

It’s been over three years(!) since we’ve heard new music from Jennifer Castle, but last week she released a brand new single, “Blowing Kisses”, a country-soul ballad that highlights her gorgeous voice, and features string arrangement by Owen Pallett.

Castle explains, “‘Blowing Kisses’ is a love letter sent from the very front of the occuring present moment. Language can be so futile; I always loathe explaining myself, and yet my love for you makes me want to try, my hands gesturing in endless loop. One day I will no longer be here to revere the buoyancy of the blue lake. I’m held by the loving energy of God. Every rose has its thorn, truly, but let’s focus on the rose for now.”

You can check out the video below, or you may just hear it if you’re watching season 3 of The Bear (fun story, Jennifer Castle has been friends with Matty Matheson since they worked together in a restaurant years ago!)

• Kirk

---

“Seasons Come, Seasons Go” by Cuff The Duke

Cuff The Duke is back!

This was an unexpected and very welcome email in my inbox, but there is new music from Cuff The Duke for the first time in 10 years!

Of the journey back:
“Breaking Dawn (out September 6th), is a deeply personal exploration of frontman Wayne Petti's journey with mental health. For the single, “Seasons Come, Seasons Go,” the band laments the passage of time and departures of old friends. The song took shape after their first manager, William "Skinny" Tenn, passed away of cancer and then a few months later, hearing the news that Dallas Good (The Sadies) passed away. Those two individuals had a big influence on Petti’s early days as a musician.”

The song is beautiful, and both dark and light at the same time, with a haunting violin that reminded me of the title theme from Deadwood. I cannot WAIT to hear more.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: March 25 - 31, 2024

“Highway Crawler” by The Porch Hounds

I was scrolling through Shred Kelly’s instagram ahead of their show in Vancouver last week, and notice the had posted that their bass player Nik Winnitowy was releasing a new song (and album) under the band name The Porch Hounds.

Well I made a mental note to look it up for today, and holy hell is it fun. The three releases so far are a combo of country, rock, and folk, and this single “Highway Crawler” just makes you want to move.
No news on the release date, but I’m going to be keeping an eye out for this one for sure.

• Christine

---

“How Long” [Ace cover] by Jane’s Party ft. Zeus

Last week, Jane’s Party released a three-song EP, Common Guys (Super Deluxe), which comes with not one, but TWO collabs with the dudes from Zeus!

The first is a live session version of “Common Guys”, and also a cover of the 70's classic “How Long” by Ace.

This isn't the first time the two bands have worked together; first to record Jane’s Party’s Hot Noise album, then later to produce 2022’s Live Again. Vocalist/keyboardist Jeffrey Giles said, “‘How Long’ was on our list of covers to do, and with Zeus’ affinity for that 1970s classic aesthetic, we were over the moon when Neil and Carlin came on board for the jam. It is a tune we all know and love, and was grooving right out of the gates!”

Get your groove on below, and be sure to check out Jane’s Party at the Fox here in Vancouver this Wednesday.

• Kirk

---

“Padam padam” by Jill Barber

Ten years ago, Jill Barber released her Francophone album Chansons, and now she’s back with an ENCORE!

ENCORE! features interpretations of songs by Charles Trenet, Blossom Dearie, Django Reinhardt, and Edith Piaf, with Jill sharing the classic “Padam padam” by the latter.

She explains, “It's always intimidating to interpret a song made famous by the spectacular Edith Piaf… but this is such a magnificent song, I couldn't resist attempting my own rendition. The trick is not to emulate her (impossible!), but to go for my own unique approach. I am so pleased with how this song, about a woman who goes quite mad, turned out.”

The full album is out on June 14th via Outside Music, and you can watch the video for “Padam padam” below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: January 15 - 21, 2024

“Mind Reader” by David Vertesi (ft. Jill Barber)

Last week David Vertesi announced his brand new album, and dropped his latest single, “Mind Reader”.

The new track features the lovely voice of Jill Barber, pairing excellently with Vertesi’s own smooth vocals, for a heartbreaking song. Vertesi explains, “Throughout the pandemic, many of my friend's longtime relationships began to crumble. Problems they had ignored for forever seemed to come to a head when they were stuck inside together for the lockdowns. This is loosely based on one of those stories.”

In fact the new album, Fictionalized, is essentially a concept album “on the collective spiraling of the pandemic years”, and aside from Jill Barber, features songs with Jordan Klassen, Haley Blais, and Sam Lynch.

Fictionalized is out February 27 on Tiny Kingdom!

• Kirk

---

“True Love Waits” by Adaline

It’s officially two months until the new EP Hymnal from Adaline is released, and we have a new track from it to celebrate.

Of “True Love Waits”, Adaline says “This song draws inspiration from the evangelical purity culture movement of the 1990s, specifically 'True Love Waits,' which advocated abstinence as a means to honour God. This song explores the underbelly and dysfunction of this kind of teaching.”

As someone that went through Catholic school in the 90s and 2000s, and saw some of the damage and consequences that abstinence-only teaching can do, this resonates with me.
And on top of this it’s a beautiful song with gorgeous vocals and strings to boot.

• Christine,

---

“Nobody Escapes” by Mother Mother

Last Friday, Mother Mother released their latest single, “Nobody Escapes”, but the even bigger news was the tour announcement which included a show here in Vancouver at Rogers Arena(!!)

The new song is the latest off their upcoming album Grief Chapter, and starts pretty chill before descending into a fever dream. Ryan Guldemond explains “we sing cheerily about the indiscriminate nature of death and how, regardless of status, good looks or physique, the reaper comes for us all. The animated video that accompanies our rollicking and blasphemous album opener follows suit, depicting a sinister factory where conveyor belts and machinery crudely sort through freshly fallen souls.”

Check out Grief Chapter when it’s released February 16th, and catch Mother Mother (with Cavetown) at Rogers Arena on June 15!

• Kirk

---

“Lost Without You” by Shred Kelly

I was VERY excited to hear that Shred Kelly was heading out on the road to celebrate the release of their album Blurry Vision.

In February, March and April, the band will be jaunting back and forth across the country, including a stop here in Vancouver on March 29th at the Biltmore Cabaret, with Vancouver’s Hyaenas in support.

And while we wait for that magical day to come, they’ve also released a beautiful and wonderfully fun video for their track “Lost Without You”, that they partnered with cinematographer and animator Kenta Kikuchi from Pender Island to create. Check it out!

• Christine

---

“So What” by JEEN

Want another February release? Then JEEN has good news for you! Her latest album, Gold Control, drops February 2nd, and last week she gave one last tease before its release.

“So What” is a hazy, dreamy tune that JEEN says is about “never-ending uphill battles, and wishing you could freeze time to stay with someone you can’t enough of.”

Check out the lyric video below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: October 16 - 22, 2023

“Lost Without You” by Shred Kelly

Fernie’s own Shred Kelly have released their new album Blurry Vision this week, and shared the single “Lost Without You” at the same time.

I was lucky enough to pop in during their recording process to take some photos of the band doing their thing, so I’m super stoked for this record.
We also go to catch them performing in Vancouver last week with Elliott BROOD, and it was a hell of a show.

The band is heading to Germany next - but you can listen to the new release by clicking here.

• Christine

---

“almost beautiful” by suffer fools

Vancouver Island’s suffer fools is “a conceptual project centered on d. debased: former child star, current trainwreck, future pop messiah”, and they just released the first single from their sophomore album.

“almost beautiful” is a dreamy, hypnotic song that’s juxtaposed with dark lyrics; the catchiest song you’ll hear in a while about being fine while “watching a dream die”.

the album will be out early next year, but have a listen to the new tune below!

• Kirk

---

“No Help Coming” by The Fugitives

Another new album came out this week, and this one was from Vancouver’s The Fugitives.
No Help Coming is full of songs inspired by the climate crisis, and the band went about it in an interesting way.
Songwriter Brendan McLeod, says: “Leading up to the recording, we asked environmental experts what was missing from the conversation, and they all said the same thing: no more sad songs. We know the world’s messed up. What’s missing are more invitations to get real about making changes. And to do that, we have to get less precious about the subject.” McLeod's creative partner Adrian Glynn adds, “It’s an album about resolve. It’s upbeat because there’s a lot of resolve to be found in joy. And while humans have a lot of bad things going for us, we can be pretty great at the joy part. So, let’s use it.”

It’s a super intriguing album, and hopefully you caught the band at their album release show last week, as they’re heading out on the road to support the new project.

• Christine

---

Songs of the Week: September 18 - 24, 2023

“Another Place” by Shred Kelly

As we creep closer to the release of Blurry Vision, the sixth album from Shred Kelly out on October 20th, the stoke-folk band is sharing another preview by wishing they were in “Another Place”.

Band member Tim Newton says the song is about never quite feeling like you’re in the right place, explaining: “When we’re on the road, we miss home, and when we’re home, we miss the experiences that travel brings. Our hearts are always in two places at once.”

One of those places will soon be here in Vancouver, as they are soon kicking off their tour with Elliott BROOD and stop at the Biltmore on October 6th!

• Kirk

---

“Pilgrims” by Tim Baker

With his new album, All Along The Mountain Road announced for October 20th, Tim Baker has released a new track called “Pilgrims”.

Of the song he says it is: “…sort of about being born in the wrong time - feeling more spiritual and religious than our modern, rational, digital reality encourages. It’s about feeling close to sweetness, ease, goodness, enlightenment even, but always being pulled away from it by reality - specifically the reality of the climate crisis and our inability to fix it, ignore it, or find some deeper meaning in it beyond senseless destruction. It also speaks to my life as a traveller, a searcher, someone who is always leaving, always reaching for something, but never quite seems to arrive and find it. But somehow still has hope and keeps going.” 

Tim has announced a fall tour that’s billed as “an evening of songs, stories, stripped back and solo performances” - and he is doing two nights at St James Community Square here on November 23rd and 24th.

• Christine

---

“Heading Home” by wiL&Co

For about two decades now, BC singer/songwriter William Mimnaugh has been going by the stage name WiL. But recently he wanted to highlight that there is more to WiL than just him, especially his legendary live shows which frequently feature drummer Keith Gallant and Matt Bromley on electric guitar. And so the name has evolved to: wiL&Co.

And along with the updated moniker, there is a brand new song, “Heading Home”.

A heartwrenching song about looking back, as Wil expands: “Not many songs are written from the perspective of someone who is ready to die. Our culture tends to shy away from the topic; perhaps since we are all heading there and we can't do a damn thing to change it we spend hours obsessing over its inevitability versus the alternative of being genuinely present; to acknowledge and appreciate what is right in front of us, good or bad rather than wile away the hours worrying about what hasn't happened. When you have lived 'a life' and arrived at a place where you know it's time; it can be peaceful; even liberating. This is what I realized after having had some remarkable conversations; knowing that once I leave the room, I may not see them ever again. In this case, a gent I got to know over the years who recently passed. He had accepted his imminent fate but also spoke some brutal truths with a glint and a grin. I was able to sit with him for one final scotch and a great chin wag”

Have a listen below, and keep an eye out for him hitting your town on his string of western Canadian dates.

• Kirk

---

“All Your Fails” by Kevin Drew

I’ve really been enjoying the vibes of the new music that Kevin Drew has been putting out lately, and am excited that the new album is finally out (physically - digitally that will be November 3).

The Aging LP has taken on a more sonic and melodic route, with songs reminding me of early Broken Social Scene.

“All Your Fails” fits that bill as well, and of it he says "Live by the mirror, die by the mirror. The loops of the constant reflective trauma continue within exploring vocal ranges beside Lake Ontario. I have always kept a journal next to my mouth for better or worse. I hope you enjoy this struggle anthem for the outdoor bedroom lovers of yesterday."

• Christine

Songs of the Week: July 03 - July 09, 2023

“My Old Mistakes” by Wide Mouth Mason

Last week, venerated Canadian blues rockers Wide Mouth Mason gave us another peek at their upcoming album. The newest single “My Old Mistakes” is classic Mason, with a few lyrics that may be familiar to longtime fans.

Of the new album, drummer Safwan Javed says "We're pushing our boundaries, exploring new musical landscapes, while staying true to our roots. The new material reflects our growth as artists, and we hope it resonates with our fans as much as it does with us."

Late Night Walking is out September 8th on We Are Busy Bodies, and they’re also reissuing a limited vinyl run of their debut self titled album, and the acclaimed Where I Started on the same day!

• Kirk

---

“Just The Once” by Metric

A little ironic that Metric is announcing the follow up to last year’s album Formentera with a song called “Just The Once”. Exactly one year after that album’s release, the Toronto band has dropped the news of the unexpected companion album, Formentera II.

The new single is described as “regret disco”, with Emily Haines clarifying“It's a song for when you need to dance yourself clean. Beneath the sparkling surface, there’s a lyrical exploration of a simple word with many meanings. Once is a word that plays a game of opposites. Once can mean once-upon-a-time and refer to a moment in the past, or it can mean someday, once something happens. And as for doing something only once versus doing something once in a while, well, I think we all know how vast the difference is between the two.”

Have a listen below, and mark October 13 on your calendar for the release of Formentera II!

• Kirk

---

“Nothing For A While” by Shred Kelly

Another new track from Fernie’s Shred Kelly, and an album announcement.
“Nothing For A While” is the latest tune from their 6th album, Blurry Vision, which is due out October 20th.

The song is about the world changing at a fast and overwhelming pace, and the video does a great job at showcasing it. In it, singer Tim Newton is running furiously around their hometown of Fernie, BC - almost as furiously as he plays his banjo during an epic solo mid-song.

The band is on the road doing their usual summer music festival route, but they’ll also be on tour late September/early October with Elliott BROOD, and will be making a stop in Vancouver on October 6th!

• Christine

---

“Normalize” by Mother Mother

Ever since blowing up online a few years back, Mother Mother has barely slowed down. And now they’re back with the new single “Normalize”.

The song has the chaotic alt-pop energy we love from the band, with singer Ryan Guldemond explaining it’s about “the metaphorical death which occurs when we’re not being ourselves; the deadening of the spirit when trying to appease some external framework of so-called normalcy. Ideally, it’s an anthem for the outcast. We’re very fortunate to look out at our audience to see such a wealth of uniqueness. This song is our way of telling our people to keep being themselves, whatever that means to them. What is normal? We don’t know, and I’m not sure we care.”

No word yet on a new album, but you can check out the video for “Normalize” below!

• Kirk

---

“Fake Happy” by Hannah Georgas

Another beautiful (and sad) new song from Hannah Georgas from the album I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care, due out August 25th

The song is about a drifting apart of a relationship, and of it Hanna says: “Over the years we grew apart and trying to maintain a connection had begun to feel uncomfortable. I think sometimes we cling onto what’s left of friendships even if our values no longer align and we’ve changed as people. I don't know if it's a getting older thing but I've come to realize how important it is to focus my energy on the people who support me and are positive sources in my life.” I think we’ve all be there throughout the years - I know I have.

She’s also announced some November Canadian tour dates, but no Vancouver show yet - but I’ll keep my eye out!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: May 22 - 28, 2023

“Cracks in the Finish” by Shred Kelly

I was super stoked to see this new release from Fernie, BC’s Shred Kelly in my inbox, not only because I love the band, but the fact that I was on-site taking photos of them recording this new album!
“Cracks in the Finish” is the first single from their forthcoming album (no date or title yet!), and it focuses on the imperfections in relationships and challenges that see them grow.

The band is heading out this summer to do a big run of festivals and shows, the closest to Vancouver they’re getting for now is Kelowna and Sun Peaks at opposite ends of the tour - check out the dates here.

• Christine

---

“Matchmaker” by Haley Blais

Not only was I excited to see new music from Haley Blais pop up, but also happy to see it came with the announcement that she had recently signed with Arts & Crafts!

“Matchmaker” features her smooth vocals over a dreamy groove, which she describes as “a love song about being so confident and safe in a relationship that you start to look for cracks out of fear.”

While no solid word on a new album yet, the new song comes with a tease of a full length project set to drop later this year. Until then, check out the video for “Matchmaker” below!

• Kirk

---

“Skylight” and “Freaking Out” by Sleepy Gonzales

Vancouver’s Sleepy Gonzales announced a brand new EP last week, with not one but two new song!

“Skylight” is soft and gentle, before erupting into a chaotic finish, and in contrast, the aptly titled “Freaking Out” is a frantic race. The band explains that “‘Skylight’ embodies light in a dark world and ‘Freaking Out’ is the evil inside us demanding validation. Maybe they balance each other out, or maybe one eventually destroys the other. That depends on you.”

The new EP Mercy Kill comes out June 23rd on Light Organ Records. Check out the video for "Skylight" below, and stream both new songs here.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: October 31 - November 06, 202

“Road to Hell” by The Matinée

It’s my birthday today and I’d like to think that The Matinee released new music just for me, but either way, I’m excited!
The band has been working on a new record that’s set to be released in 2023, and they posted a behind-the-scenes from the studio (click here) - side note, that 1-800 number at the end didn’t work.

”Road To Hell” will be on their new album, and below is a live version that Steve Bays filmed at his studio with the boys.

• Christine

---

“Right Here” by Begonia

I was very excited when a new track from Begonia hit my inbox last week. The Polaris Prize- and JUNO-nominated singer has announced a brand new album with her lead single, "Right Here", which highlights her catchy indie-pop and incredible voice.

Alexa Dirks describes new tune as “a love song for all my friends. The Matts (Schellenberg and Peters), Marcus Paquin, and I started writing it in December 2019 about how I was on tour all the time–always feeling like I was missing my friends’ milestones, parties, birthdays etc. I love what I do, but the sacrifice is that you're not really someone who can like...BE THERE physically for a lot of important (and unimportant) things back home. We never fully finished the song that December, but then we picked it up again during pandemic lockdowns and it started to take on a whole new meaning. At that time, it felt like everyone was missing everything / everyone because we had to stay apart. Another way this song could be interpreted (that I didn't originally intend) is that I’m haunting all my best friends when they go out without me. Maybe that's creepy but also...tender? It's meant to be tender, haha.”

The new album, entitled Powder Blue, is out February 24!

• Kirk

---

“See You” by Louise Burns

It's been a minute since we've heard from Vancouver's Louise Burns, but last week she released her first new single in a while, a haunting cover of Depeche Mode's "See You"

Burns says “Depeche Mode are iconic and beloved, so it felt like I was entering blasphemy-territory by choosing to cover them. I chose See You because despite being one of their earliest hits, it’s not as well-known as some of their later catalogue. It’s a perfect pop song, and exemplifies what Depeche Mode do best – incredible production and instrumentation that only enhances what was already a great song. We went with a more slowed down, elegant Bryan Ferry-esque treatment. I was (and always am) feeling that energy, and knew the song would hold up no matter what we did with it”

Hopefully the new single means more on the way soon!

• Kirk

---

“Disarm” by Shred Kelly

Speaking of fun cover songs... Shred Kelly just released a gorgeous cover of "Disarm", originally by The Smashing Pumpkins!

During the pandemic, singer/banjoist Tim Newton learned the song and recorded an acoustic version in his bedroom, which was shared by Billy Corgan himself. Since then, the alt-folk band has added the song to their live set, and now it’s out for everyone to hear.

The band is just about to launch a European tour, but fingers crossed they'll be playing "Disarm" live in Vancouver soon after that!

• Kirk

---

“Girls Night Out” by Said the Whale

I’m just going to copy what Said the Whale’s Tyler Bancroft said on their instagram post about this song, because I don’t think there’s anything I can add:

Hey STW fam, Tyler here. I lost my mom yesterday so as you might imagine I’m having a hard time pivoting right back into “promote a song” mode (especially a song as silly as this one) but here’s something worth sharing: when I turned 30 I asked both of my parents to write a story for me about their lives. My mom delivered a succinct, 12-page summary of her entire life from the day she was born up until March 3, 1985 (the day I was born). If you’d known her you might find that amusing because she really was a master of concise and clear communication. Anyways, in that story was the following excerpt, which I think is somewhat relevant to the song we released today: “I preferred to hang out with gay guys, a safe bet and a new experience for me. At the time there was a social stigma attached to the term ‘divorcée’ - that was one of the seeds of the women's movement. In those days it was assumed that a divorcée was ‘easy pickins’ for guys on the prowl. I was very careful to never allow a guy to buy me a drink or accept any gifts from anyone in case the meaning of the gesture gave the wrong impression.”
So maybe this song is actually the perfect send-off for my mom, who is currently on her own celestial (and eternal) girls night out🍸.
I love you mom.