Song of the Day: July 31, 2016 - "Drake's Dad" by Arkells

If you're going to write a song called "Drake's Dad", you damn well better get Drake's dad for the music video.

Luckily, that is exactly what Arkells did for their southern gospel influenced jam off Morning Report, which is out next week. 

The song is inspired by a true story, which Max Kerman elaborates: 

"Last summer I was on a road trip with my best friends through the American south, and in the magic of the night, we happened to meet Drake’s dad - Dennis Graham - in a Memphis bar. He couldn’t have been more gracious, especially given that there were 16 of us, drunk on friendship and cheap American beer. This chance encounter inspired this song.
The narrative carries on to Nashville for some more shenanigans, and finishes with us all crawling back into bed back home in Hamilton, very tired and missing our girls."

Song of the Day: July 30, 2016 - "Raise A Little Hell" by Trooper

Yes, you read that right....but when else will I get the opportunity to put Trooper as the SOTD?! The band is headlining ShoreFest at the stage at English Bay for the last day of the Celebration Of Light tonight, with Lovecoast opening for them.

Over at the Sunset Stage during the day you can see The River & The Road, Good For Grapes, Reid Jamieson and more - check out the full schedule with set times HERE. 

I'd love to actually hear "Raise A Little Hell" set to fireworks, but alas it will still be light out, you'll just have to watch another epic sunset, while listening to a free concert over the ocean instead. Life is tough here in Vancouver isn't it?

Song of the Day: July 29, 2016 - "Raveshadow" by Brasstronaut

Has it seriously been FOUR years since we've got any new music from Brasstronaut?! The new track "Raveshadow" has the band performing a bit of a different sound, combining a few new style. but is still distinctly Brasstronaut.

The word on the street is there is a new album coming before the end of the year, but no date has been released yet. I'll leave you with the quote from lead singer Edo van Breemen about the new son, because like all things Brasstronaut, it's very complex:
"How does one cope with earthly responsibilities in a world where his boss is a master of rave. Diving in and out of dungeons with subwoofers, laden thick with clouds of cigarette smoke, watching the sunrise to an orchestra of seagulls at the bottom of Clark Street near the Port of Vancouver. And then working on sci-fi movies for elusive suited men somewhere in f this profession, but carrying on listlessly and loyally under the shroud of a rave shadow.”

Enjoy the new music and video below!

Song of the Day: July 28, 2016 - "Set My Heart on Fire" by Imaginary Cities

Good news: There's a new Imaginary Cities song, with an EP called Leftovers on the way! 

Bad news: It's b-sides from their last album session and the band is still "on hiatus for the foreseeable future".

Good news: Marti is working on a new music project called Lanikai!

Bad news: We won't be hearing anything from that until the fall.

Song of the Day, July 27, 2016 - "Hold Up" by Stars [Beyoncé cover]

Stars have unveiled the latest in their year long, monthly cover series, and it's "Hold Up" by none other than Beyoncé. 

“Why did we cover this Beyonce song? Because we love it. Because she's the queen of pop and we're not. Because it's, very oddly, right in Torq's singing range. We don't know. We don't know anything anymore … At least there's this: A song about love. It’s all we've ever had. It is all we will ever have. And we are fools to have counted on anything else. Happy last summer on earth everyone. Beyonce has got you."

Song of the Day: July 26, 2016 - "Yuh" by The Belle Game

If you, like me, have been eagerly anticipating new music from The Belle Game, then do I have good news for you! The band just dropped a brand new single called "Yuh", which was produced by Dave Hamelin (formerly of one of my favourite bands, The Stills) and executive produced by Kevin Drew (you know, one of the guys that founded Broken Social Scene). 

"Yuh" is a sexy tune dubbed "Crush Pop" by the band, and you can get it now from Arts & Crafts (oh, did I mention they're now on Arts & Crafts?!)

Song of the Day: July 25, 2016 - "R.E.D." by A Tribe Called Red

A Tribe Called Red is back with another single, "R.E.D." featuring Yasiin Bey, Narcy & Black Bear. The song has a driving beat that I cannot wait to hear live at their show at the PNE on August 31st.

Their new album We Are The Halluci Nation comes out on September 16, but in the meantime, check out the new song below!

Song of the Day: July 24, 2016 - "Living A Lie" by Royal Canoe

Hey look, it's another peek at the upcoming Royal Canoe album! "Living A Lie" is an R&B infused jam off their upcoming Something Got Lost Between Here And The Orbit, due out September 16 on Nevado Records.

And along with the new song, they've also announced some tour dates, including September 30 right here in Vancouver at the Imperial. And if you've never seen them live, trust me when I say you will want to.