Songs of the Week: November 03 - 09, 2025

“What Killed Elvis Presley” by Hollerado

Last week Hollerado announced that they were re-forming (Hollerado 2.0 you might say) and surprise released a 5-song Ep titled Start A Band, with the lead single “What Killed Elvis Presley”.

After performing at a Tokyo Police Club farewell show in Toronto, it kind of kickstarted the band to get back together after 6 years away working on their own projects.

I was lucky enough to catch Menno and Nixon when they performed the song (as well as the title track “Start A Band”) live at the Peak Lounge, and I couldn’t have been more excited about what is to come, including a full length album in 2026!

• Christine

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“Doom Pays” by The Dears

Last Friday, The Dears released their ninth studio album called Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!, and along with it dropped a video for the song “Doom Pays”

With some killer sax, a frantic beat, and Murray Lightburn’s urgent vocals, the song is as chaotic as the accompanying video. Murray says the song was “written very quickly, all at once; words, music, melody and arrangement. It is probably the closest thing to making any kind of political statement we will ever make. In the face of that, there is an internal noise and an external noise and they feel immovable. It’s a battle on two fronts.”

You can check out the video below — directed by Kevin Drew and Rachael McLean — and grab the new album anywhere you get new music (and I highly recommend it!)

• Kirk

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“I Got A Feeling” by Wintersleep

I honestly wondered if we’d ever hear from Wintersleep again, or if it’d be “Weighty Ghost” on the radio forever…but they’re back!

Six whole years after their last EP In The Land Of, the band returns with a new album (the band’s eighth) titled Wishing Moon, which will arrive on March 27th, 2026.

The first track, “I Got A Feeling”, starts slow with anticipatory guitar and drums, and then goes full blown rock by the time the chorus hits.
Despite being the first single, it was a last minute addition to the album: “It might have been the last song we demoed for the record. We were packing up at our rehearsal space in Great Village Nova Scotia and we by some miracle had time to fit in one more. It immediately came together. This song started to morph into something more in Pioneertown.
Our collaborator, Nicolas Vernhes, had the idea to hold off on the main riff until the second verse, which gives it this really suspenseful feeling building on this one note until the chorus. That feeling it created got us shaking up the chords in the chorus which really highlighted and pushed the tension and energy up another level. Lyrically it centres around that kind of excited anticipation. That moment when you know that someone special you care about, cares about you too.”
Can’t wait to get more music in the coming months and just today the band announced tour dates, including Saturday June 6, 2026 in Vancouver at the Hollywood Theatre!

• Christine

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“Bloom” (feat. Kendel Carson) by Debra-Jean Creelman

Gearing up to release her latest album Little Town, Debra-Jean Creelman has released a new song “Bloom”, featuring Kendel Carson.

The album has a fun backstory full of some heavy hitter musicians, so I’ll just relay the story from the press release:

Born out of a writing exercise with one of her students, “Bloom” evolved from a simple lyrical prompt into a stirring collaboration with longtime creative partner Sean Cronin. The track was recorded live to tape in a barn in Catskill, NY, with Cronin assembling an all-star ensemble of collaborators, including Noah B. Harley (Spirit Family Reunion), Andy Weaver, Adam Brisbin (Big Thief), and Alex P. Wernquest (recording engineer and owner of Basement Floods Record.)
Creelman later overdubbed her vocals in Vancouver with Dave Genn (54-40, Matthew Good Band) & Kendel Carson (Alan Thomas Doyle; Shania Twain), whose fiddle and harmonies add depth and shimmer to the track.

Creelman added: “The goal was to make something soulful that properly reflected my biggest musical influences and had my vocals front and centre. I wanted it to be something that would translate well live – more of an emotional experience for the listener rather than a cerebral one.”

You can grab Little Town when it’s out on December 5th, and catch the album launch show here in Vancouver on November 28th at Green Auto!

• Kirk

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“Don’t Talk” by Jets Overhead

Last week, Victoria’s Jets Overhead released their first new album since 2012’s Boredom and Joy, though it’s not quite new music.

As you might expect from the album’s title, Ordinary Dreamers - Rarities and Demos, Vol. 1 is a collections of previously unheard music from the band, recorded during the Boredom and Joy session.

Lead singer Adam Kittredge explains, “We've been inspired by the number of messages we get from people around the world saying our music is still part of their lives. We built this band before streaming existed, so watching new listeners discover our songs all these years later feels like a second life for the music. This archive release is our way of saying thank you.”

No word yet if this is a full-on comeback for the band, but to celebrate the album, they also released a new single “Don’t Talk”, which is classic Jets Overhead, with swirling shoegaze vibes and ethereal vocals. Check it out below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: October 06 - 12, 2025

“Tomorrow And Tomorrow” by The Dears

It’s a little over a month until The Dears release their ninth studio album, and we’re getting another tease with the latest single “Tomorrow And Tomorrow”. The new track has a bit of a doo-wop vibe, with Murray Lightburn’s rich voice crooning out as the song soars.

Check out the video, directed by Kevin Drew and Rachael McLean, and make sure to pick up the new album titled Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! when it’s out on November 7th!

• Kirk

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“Give Me Everything Your Own” by Total Fucking Darkness

The “landslide winners of ‘BAND OF THE VOID 2025’” Total Fucking Darkness is back with a brand new dreamy, twitchy dance number.

“Give Me Everything Your Own” is the latest from the collaboration of Torquil Campbell, Stephen Ramsay, and Tom McFall, with the band saying: “We live in a late-period capitalist wasteland where art is devalued and podcasters are the new creative upper class. What a fucking bore. “Give Me Everything Your Own” is a reminder of the intrinsic, anarchic power of our music. We made it to feel like a nice cold wet fish slapping you upside the head to remind you not to fall asleep in your own life, that connection matters, that a dancefloor can be the site of rebellion and dissent. Don’t forget that cunts are still running the world...”

Crank it up and have a listen below!

• Kirk

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“Reckless Kids” by Danny Miles

Seems like the members of July Talk are always on a side quest…

This time it’s drummer Danny Miles, who has been releasing solo music including this latest song “Reckless Kids”.
Of the song Danny shares that it is about “living life to the fullest. It’s about trying to enjoy everyday. I’ve had some huge life-changing events happen in the past couple of years and I think it made me care a little less about what people think about me, and people pleasing in general but in a positive way. It’s been freeing to lose some of that.”

And notably, Danny did all the vocals, and played all the instruments for this funky and sporadic track, as well as mixed the song himself!

• Christine

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“For You To Come Around” by Great Lake Swimmers

The new album Caught Light from Great Lake Swimmers is now out and the band embarks on their tour with Elliott Brood starting tomorrow.

Before they headed out on the road, they released a live version of the album’s track “For You To Come Around”. Lead singer Tony Dekker say it’s about “the baggage we carry and the emotional lifting it requires for us to endure, and ultimately, it is about loneliness and longing, and the inability to truly know someone.”

I can’t wait to hear the new music live - the band comes to Vancouver on October 23rd at the Biltmore Cabaret.

• Christine

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Songs of the Week: September 08 - 14, 2025

“K.I.S.S.” ft Jon Kabongo & “Islands” by Shad

I hate sitting on embargoed songs (it feels like keeping a secret for a person) when really I just want to share here!
And that’s how I felt about waiting to post these two new song from Shad that came out early last week. They followed up his single “Bars & BBQs” and they will all appear on his new album Start Anew on October 31st.

“K.I.S.S.” aka the acronym for Keep It Simple Stupid features Jon Kabongo (which I thought was a spelling error, but it’s just a coincidence!) and Shad says it’s “inspired by the idea that we should take our work seriously but not take ourselves too seriously”.

In his newsletter Shad says that “Islands” is inspired by the book/concept “Islands Of Sanity” that his friend once mentioned to him: “The term "Islands Of Sanity" refers to communities that not only help people survive challenging times but also provide models for a better future. They aren't necessarily big or well-known groups but they are uncommonly cohesive, caring, and creative. The idea felt like exactly the kind of thing I wanted to explore on this album.” 

The album is full of collaborations, both on production and performances, and I can’t wait to get more from it. There’s also been a show/tour announcement, so circle your calendars for January 17th as Shad will be coming to the Hollywood Theatre!

• Christine

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“Tears Of A Nation” by The Dears

A couple months ago, we heard the first new music from The Dears in a while, and now they’ve announced a brand new album! The Montreal band’s ninth studio album is called Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!

The news is heralded by the brand new single called “Tears Of A Nation”, a soaring, powerful song with Murray Lightburn’s vocals bursting through.

Of the album, Murray says: “I remember when it clicked in my brain what I was writing about. It was soon after we played a series of shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of No Cities Left. I was on stage surrounded by wonderful musicians, playing songs I wrote in my 20s. My kids and my mom were sitting up on the balcony of the theatre. Natalia was just to my right. I told the audience that sometimes it gets tough but that life is beautiful. I asked the audience to say it with me, three times: A mantra; a wish; an affirmation.
Life is tough. We experience challenges all the time. In our darkest hours we might think it’s never going to be better. But if we can just make it through, we find out what we thought was impossible; that we could smile again, maybe even laugh. We feel our loved ones. We find out how strong we can be. The songs in this record are for everyone and anyone. They are meant to be supportive.”

Pick up the new album when it’s out on November 7th via Next Door Records, and check out the video — directed by Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew — below!

• Kirk

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“Moral Panic” by Vivek Shraya

The new release from Vivek Shraya gave me major “Starálfur” by Sigur Rós vibes!
“Moral Panic” starts off with looping vocals, but then quiet instrumentals are layered and then the vocals come in, building and building until the end.

With poignant timing, Shraya speaks of the song: “Fear has long been a political tool to divide, distract and control and it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about what we are consuming and believing. At the same time, there is legitimately a lot to be afraid of right now and also looking ahead.”

The new album New Models will be out on October 8th and there are only a few tour dates announced - for now!

• Christine

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“Hotter Than The Sun” by Begonia

We’re just over a month away from the new album from Begonia, and getting a new tease with the song “Hotter Than The Sun”.

The latest track off Fantasy Life is a quirky, upbeat tune, which sees Begonia pondering, “Do butterflies appreciate their own beauty? Does a moth know that the closer they get to the light could also mean potentially dying at the light's hand? Don’t ask me. I just know that sometimes I dream of just being an insect and flicking my wings around at will. I can honestly say with this record that I’m accepting myself now fully for the first time. I feel like I've said that before but this time I actually mean it. I’m not saying it’s easy but it’s far less exhausting then trying to fit in anyone else’s version of who I should be. I’ve always struggled with a very loud inner hater and I feel like making this song is attempting some kind of scruffy diy exorcism. I’ll let you know how I feel the more I sing it.”

Check out the video, and make sure you have October 24th in your calendar, when Fantasy Life drops, on Birthday Cake Records.

• Kirk

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“On Ice” by Clothesline From Hell

You better believe I’m going to check out a band named after a pro wrestling move.

Clothesline From Hell is the musical project of Toronto’s Adam LaFramboise, and last week he released his latest single, “On Ice”.

With an intense, driving beat (perhaps not what you would expect from a project named after a cowboy-turned-businessman) Adam says, “The song is as loud and dumb as I’ll ever allow myself to get. It should be frustrating, but it ends up being cathartic. I just wanted to make a really catchy pop song that also felt dangerous. This is the kind of pain you feel in your funny bone; it's weird and potent and I can’t help but laugh.”

No word on a full album from Clothesline From Hell, but have a listen to “On Ice” below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: June 16 - 22, 2025

“Babe, We'll Find a Way” by The Dears

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from The Dears, but what better way to celebrate 30 years as a band than a new single!

“Babe, We'll Find a Way” is a classic, soaring Dears tune, with singer / guitarist Murray Lightburn explaining, “The music came down all at once, strings, guitar – melodies. It was so strong and vivid. It pines for the breakthrough, we know it’s there! It’s so tangible. When that happens, inner strength takes over. There’s a motivation, a reason to get out of bed. You can feel the sun on your face and maybe a little later a smile will take over.”

The band also announced they signed with Next Door Records as well as a spat of tour dates out east, so hopefully we’ll be hearing more from them real soon!

• Kirk

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“Magic Mountain” by Twin Rains

Toronto’s Twin Rains is back their third single of the year “Magic Mountain”. The name comes from a novel by Thomas Mann that the band’s Christine Stoesser read during the pandemic.
She says: “The Magic Mountain, in my understanding of it, is this intangible place where all the ideas and themes of your life culminate, like the proverbial hill you’d die on. The song’s lyrics were inspired by a charismatic figure in my life who led followers up one mountain—only to turn around and do a complete 180 and lead a following up an opposite path. The song became a meditation on the way our ideas shape not only our own lives but the lives of those around us and ultimately the earth itself.”

Accompanying the song is a black and white video that shot in Sedona of a cloaked figure walking through the rock formations (which I’ve learned from the press release are said to be “energy vortexes” -hmm!). Check it out below!

• Christine

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“Moose Jaw” by haftu

If you weren’t aware, I’m a chatty person and will talk to strangers and bartenders wherever I go - I always choose the seat at the bar….
Well, I’m in Ontario right now, and I stopped by Halo Brewing with my laptop to do some work, and ended up talking it up with the server and his friend. The server was wearing a band shirt, so naturally I made a mental note to look them up later.

Cut to the next day and I’m set up in the sun on my brother’s patio with my work and throw them on. The mellow sounds of Toronto’s haftu were the perfect soundtrack for my morning cup of tea in the sunshine. I listened through their debut EP CONFETTI (released in December 2024), and their two other singles and wanted more.

The track “Moose Jaw” jumped out to me with the funky opening that melted into a mellow slow jam with dreamy vocals - perfect for the hazy Toronto day around me.
If they ever head to Vancouver, I’ll be there in a hurry.

• Christine

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“Traded In Your Name” by The Deep Dark Woods

Last week The Deep Dark Woods not only dropped their latest single, but also announced their next full length album!

“Traded In Your Name” is a mesmerising track that frontman Ryan Boldt says was “originally written during the Changing Faces sessions, but it never quite came together the way I wanted. I remembered it during a day of recording for the new album—we ran through it once or twice, and that was it. Evan Cheadle added a beautiful harmony on the chorus—probably my favourite harmony ever recorded on one of my songs.”

You can check out the visualizer below, and mark October 3rd for when The Circle Remains releases on Victory Pool Records!

• Kirk

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“Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy)” by Elisapie

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day (which was June 21), Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie released a brand new cover & performance of “Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy)”, filmed at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Much like the covers off her album Inuktitut, the Sheryl Crow classic was translated to Inuktitut for a gorgeous rendition, which you can watch her perform among works by Inuit artists featured in ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ uummaqutik: essence of life, a display of selected pieces from the MMFA’s collection of Inuit art.

Watch the video below, and keep an eye out for Elisapie as she hits the festival circuit this summer, including a stop at the Vancouver Folk Fest.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 12 - 18, 2024

“Cliché Town” by Sunset Rubdown

As we creep closer to the release of the new album from Sunset Rubdown, called Always Happy To Explode (their first new album in 15 years!), we’re getting another tease with the latest single, “Cliché Town”.

Subscribers to Spencer Krug’s patreon may recognise it, as the original demo was released in 2020 as part of his song-a-month project, but now the tune has been reworked & re-recorded with the full band.

“Cliché Town” explores “feelings of frustration and hopelessness that can come with being stuck in a small town, specifically the sensation of being trapped next to, or rather below, unhinged neighbors” and at six minutes long, really gives strong ‘descent into madness’ vibes.

Have a listen below, and mark September 20 on your calendars for the release of Always Happy To Explode, as well as October 10, when Sunset Rubdown kicks off their tour with a show here in Vancouver at the Rickshaw!

• Kirk

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“Why We Run”, “Videostore”, and “Don’t Look Away”
by Menno Versteeg

I love a good multi-single drop, and that’s exactly what we got from Menno Versteeg this week.

Three new singles from his upcoming solo album (due out December 13th), including the title track “Why We Run”.
Of the song Menno says: "I was working on a soundtrack for a kids movie with my long time friend and Hollerado collaborator Nixon Boyd and we needed a song for a scene where some bullies were chasing a kid down the hall of a school. The lyrics evolved into being about way scarier stuff like the adults who are bullies professionally. Of course the movie people didn’t wanna use it. I mean WE ARE leaving the kids a pretty gnarly set of circumstances, but hey, maybe it’s funnier if we try to make it a surprise?"

He also announced on Instagram (along with a hilariously gross story) that he’ll be doing a string of solo shows including a stop in Vancouver at The Heatley on October 3rd (and I’m just hoping I can run between that and the Rich Aucoin show that night!)

• Christine

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“New Low” by Meko Brain

A few months back, we got our first taste of Meko Brain, the solo project from Mike O’Brien — who you may know from Zeus, or playing with Bahamas, Jason Collett, and Dan Mangan, among many others. Now, we’re not only getting a new song, but news of his debut album, Wonderment!

The latest single is called “New Low”, and comes with smooth vocals and grungy guitars, which Mike explains; “many of my other songs have a more acoustic folk sound so I wanted to bridge the more acoustic, organic folky sounds with this slinky pop song. I love how it turned out. I ended up layering the vocal several times to get a wide yet intimate sound. It all culminates with a satisfying fuzzed-out guitar riff to bring it home! As for the lyrical idea, I started to form this idea of a guy who knows his partner is being unfaithful but doesn't want it rubbed in his face. If it's not stated out loud then he can continue to carry on the charade that he doesn't know what's going on. So in a sense, it became a dance song about self-pity. I wanted to make a video that matched this idea but in a not-too-literal way, so we enlisted Jack Harrison who created an amazingly simple yet effective video that matches the song's mood perfectly!”

You can watch the trippy video now, and snag Wonderment when it’s out on October 9!

• Kirk

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“Future is Bright” and “Beautiful Sights” by Arielle Soucy

Coming off her ‘024 Polaris Long Listed debut album, Il n'y rien que je ne suis pas, Montreal’s Arielle Soucy just dropped a Double A-Side, Two Hopeful Songs featuring, well, exactly that.

“Future is Bright” and “Beautiful Sights” are a pair of gorgeous songs that feature warm acoustic guitars and soaring synth, mixed in with her incredible vocals.

Two Hopeful Songs is out now, and you can have a listen to both below!

• Kirk

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“Lost in the Plot (acoustic)” by The Dears

Nothing reminds you of the inexorable march of time like album anniversaries, but it’s worth it when they come with a beautiful new release.

This year, The Dears celebrate their seminal album No Cities Left with a Definitive 20th Anniversary Edition. Along with one of my favourite albums of all time on white vinyl, you’ll also get a a whole host of bonus acoustic tracks, like this version of “Lost in the Plot”.

You better believe I’ve already pre-ordered mine, and until it’s out on September 13, you can listen to Murray Lightburn’s fragile voice serenade you below.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: September 05 - 11, 2022

“I Know What You're Thinking And It's Awful (Acoustic)” by The Dears

This week, The Dears Return to Lover’s Rock with a brand new acoustic album. To celebrate (finally) being able to play shows, the band is releasing an expanded version of their 2020 album Lover’s Rock, with five new acoustic versions of songs from the album.

Natalia Yanchak says “We originally released Lovers Rock in 2020. It was an album we were, and are still, very proud of. Murray and I recorded an acoustic session just before we released the album. Again, back in 2020 we spent the day at Hotel2Tango studio in Montreal -- we put out the videos of some of these sessions, but now can finally share the audio on this deluxe upgraded version of the album, Return to Lovers Rock. It's kind of like Return to the Planet of the Apes: we can't not go back there. There's unfinished business down on Lovers Rock, so it's time for a spin off!”

The full album is out now, and you can hear the gorgeous “I Know What You’re Thinking and it’s Awful” below.

And as a side note! Check out Riley & Rochelle — a detective game about two musicians in the 90s who fall in love — co-created by Natalia, alongside Tim Sheinman.

• Kirk

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“I’M GOOD” by Snotty Nose Rez Kids

I don’t know if I’ve ever heard Kenny vs Spenny referenced in a rap before but I absolutely love that Snotty Nose Rez Kids did it in their newest release “I’M GOOD”. (“This ain't David vs Goliath, it's Kenny versus Spenny".)

In their first new music since their Polaris Prize Short Listed album Life After, SNRK gave us a song that is “a call for anyone to focus on themselves rather than others”.

We’ll have to wait another week to find out if the duo claim this year’s Polaris Prize, but in the meantime, check out the new song below.

• Christine

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“Division 5” and “Leave Me As You Found Me” by Whitehorse

During their set at the Constellation Festival this summer, Whitehorse teased a couple new projects coming down the line, including a full-on country album. Now we’re getting our first look at I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying with not one, but TWO new songs.

“Division 5” features Luke Doucet singing a tale of a sad sack trying to enlist the help of Mounties to reclaim his lost love, and “Leave Me As You Found Me” features Melissa McClelland’s gorgeous voice joined by some pedal-steel.

I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying isn’t out until next year — January 13 — but you might just be able to catch some of the new songs live as the duo is on tour right now, including a show here in Vancouver at the Hollywood Theatre on October 8th.

• Kirk

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“It’s Not Up To Me” by Hyaenas

Vancouver’s Hyaenas released their latest single last week, the 80s-inspired, synth-rock infused “It’s Not Up To Me”.

Produced by Jesse Gander, the band says the song “alludes to the fight, flight, or freeze stress response and that serving up anger can be warranted (especially when it’s towards a toxic manipulator who is the subject of this track). The choruses support the cathartic healing that anger brings, and the bridge encourages the release of letting it go.”

Check it out below, and catch an acoustic duo set from the band at Westminster Pier Park this Friday as part of the TD Play the Parks Music Series.

• Kirk

Song of the Day: March 16, 2020 - "The Worst In Us" by The Dears

If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, or know me at all, you may know that one of my favourite bands is The Dears. So when I saw a brand new song pop up last Friday, I was just a little excited.

The perhaps timely named “The Worst In Us” is the first single off their upcoming album Lovers Rock due out May 15. It starts off with a grandiose swell, but takes a turn part-way through, hinting at a callback to the darker No Cities Left.

In fact, singer Murray Lightburn says “There’s a direct line between the sort of doominess of No Cities Left and this album. You could go straight from Lovers Rock to No Cities Left and it’s like they're interlocked. But it's a different kind of doom.  Around 2001, it felt like, ‘We have no control. We don't know what's going to happen next.’ Now it’s a doom that's within our grasp. It’s in the air. It’s between us. But we do nothing about it.”

Take a look/listen below!

Song of the Day: May 31, 2019 - "22: The Death of All the Romance" by The Dears

Ten years ago today. May 31, 2009. That was the day of the very first post from 3am Revelations appeared on the internet. First there was a introductory blurb, and then a show recap from The Dears at Richard's on Richards from the night before. 

Even if you haven't been following for seven years, you may know that The Dears are one of my all time top 4 favourite bands, so I was very happy to be leading off the new blog with their amazing live show (plus, the opening acts were Jets Overhead and Black Diamond Bay; that;s one hell of a lineup!) 

So what better way to celebrate those tenyears than with a classic from that very band. From the album that got me into the band, No Cities Left, one of my favourite songs (and videos): "22: The Death of All The Romance". 

(PS: the above was the first logo for 3amR. The llama never made it into the final version. Don't ask.)