“Adelaide” by CJ Wiley

Earlier this year, I saw Skye Wallace at Green Auto, and even though I only caught the last few songs of opener CJ Wiley, I made a mental note to keep an ear out for them in the future. So I was happy to see their newest single, “Adelaide” pop up in my inbox!

The song is a slow-burning, heartfelt track about chosen family and growing together instead of apart, with Wiley explaining: “When I was writing songs for my album, Boy Golden introduced me to the writer Bell Hooks, who has many beautiful perspectives on love. The quote, ‘Love is as love does. Love is an act of will—namely, both an intention and an action,’ really resonates with me. It reminded me of the relationship I have with my best friend.
I wrote ‘Adelaide’ for my best friend during a tough time she was going through. I wanted it to serve as a reminder that no matter what happens, I’ll always be there for her. We met in high school in grade 10 drama class—she was the ‘good kid,’ and I was the stoner kid always getting into trouble. As adults, we lead very different lives; I’m constantly on the road while she has a 9-to-5 job that keeps her anchored in Toronto. Despite our separate paths, we talk almost every day and go on adventures whenever we get the chance.
We’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs and seen each other evolve through many stages of life. ‘Adelaide’ is a song about choosing to grow with someone rather than growing apart.”

You can watch the video below, and grab their debut LP, So Brand New, when it’s out on February 28 next year, via Tiny Kingdom!

Kirk

“Heartbreak Autobahn” by The Harpoonist

I got immediately side-tracked when I saw the video for the song “Heartbreak Autobahn” from the new solo effort by The Harpoonist. I recognized the main character as Jonas Shandel from the (former) band Headwater, and then realized that he’s been performing with the band.

The music video is a cute one, where you follow Jonas’ character through the streets of Victoria as he nabs wallets, pickpockets phones, and convinces some kids to help him rob lead signer Shawn Hall of his guitar, change, and yes, his harps.

The new album Did We Come Here To Dance just came out this past week - and you can listen to it by clicking here.

Christine

“Lucky Dragon” by Odd Marshall

Last week, Ontario’s Odd Marshall dropped an ode to a rundown Chinese restaurant in Pittsburgh that frequented.

“Lucky Dragon” is a raw and energetic song, about the woman who ran the restaurant, Cici, as he elaborates: “I remember paying for a meal with loose change. The stoic lady behind the counter, Cici, never befriended me as much as I tried to learn Chinese. She was busy, I was usually drunk.”

The song is off Odd Marshall’s debut album out later this year, Sand & Glue, which was produced by Don Kerr, featuring Mike O’Brien on lead guitar and Jason Haberman playing bass!

Kirk

“Backwater, NW” by Menno Versteeg

We got the final single from singer Menno Versteeg’s debut solo album recently - and Why We Run’s release is just around the corner on December 13th.

After some solo shows around the country, Menno headed out with Elliott BROOD, and then Tokyo Police Club, and will be ending his string of tours back here in Vancouver on December 1st and 2nd opening for TALK.

I’m looking forward to finally hearing all the new music in person, and in the meantime will be listening to this new one “Backwater, NW” - a song about feeling lost and alone - a few more times.

Christine

“Good People” by The Harpoonist

You may know Shawn Hall as one half of the blues-rock duo The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, but now The Harpoonist is striking off on his own with the help of some “Good People”

Produced by the legendary Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, the new song is the first single off his debut solo record, Did We Come Here To Dance. Hall says ‘“Good People” hit me like a brick to the head at my dining room table about a year ago, sort of like a mantra of some kind. I had this dizzying nature whirling around in me - it’s a call to action, in its simplest form asking “did we come here to dance or come here to die?”’

The album drops at an as-yet-unspecified date this summer, but you can watch the video below!

Kirk

“Subtitles” by Limblifter

After a big health scare for lead singer Ryan Dahle, Limblifter is heading back out on the road to tour their latest LP Little Payne.

Ryan has fully recovered from having open-heart surgery, and says that "after not playing guitar for a solid year, I have a renewed sense of joy that the instrument brings me. I hear it differently, I understand it in a different way. I definitely have a new appreciation for the fact that I can kinda sing and kinda play this instrument, and that I’ve written all these songs and made these recordings. It seems so basic but when you sink that much of your life into something it tends to pay off even if it’s just personal and private.”

The band will perform at Green Auto this Sunday in Vancouver - tickets can be found here.

Christine

“Roadtrip” by Thunder Queens

Last week the London (Ontario) trio Thunder Queens released their debut full-length album, Strike One, and are going on a “Roadtrip” to celebrate.

The high energy song is aptly named, with grungy melodies that deserve a spot on any playlist for your summer drives. And the video builds on that fun, following the trio on their own adventure.

Check out the video below, and you can pick up the new album Strike One now!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: November 04 - 10, 2024