Song of the Day: July 27, 2017 - "Sleepwalker" by Hey Ocean

In the last few years, there have been a lot of rumours swirling around Hey Ocean! I personally have been to at least three shows that were allegedly their "last ever". 

But after taking some time off, and each member releasing a solo album in the last year or so, the Vancouver trio has returned with a brand new song, "Sleepwalker", which is exactly what you would hope for from the band. 

No details yet on the new album, but they have announced a series of "Evening with..." shows that will consist of old favourites, new teases, and their respective solo material, including the hometown show on October 20 at the Biltmore.

Song of the Day: July 26, 2017 - "Fool's Paradise" by Cold Specks

Following up her recent single ("Wild Card"), Cold Specks has released the title track from her upcoming album: "Fool's Paradise".

For the first time, the songstress is singing in Somali and in the song she is "calling out to a semi-mythical Somali queen of female empowerment named Araweelo, who was rumoured to castrate male prisoners."

The song floats along beautifully, and you can hear it below. Fool's Paradise is set to be released on September 22nd via Arts & Crafts, and she will perform here in Vancouver on November 20th at the Fox Cabaret.

Song of the Day: July 25, 2017 - "Planets" by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton

Good morning! Y'all ready to get bummed out and want to crawl back in bed!?!

Well that's what the brand new song "Planets" by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton definitely made me want to do today.

Her new album, Choir Of The Mind, will be the first solo (non-Metric) release in TEN years, and will be out on September 15th.

The video for the second single (directed by Justin Broadbent) is below... stare into your computers people, and then your souls. Oh, and on top of that, we've got a Vancouver concert date: December 7th at the Chan Centre.

Song of the Day: July 24, 2017 - "Valley Boy" by Wolf Parade

The lead single off of Wolf Parade's first album in SEVEN years, "Valley Boy" is out now. And with it come an announcement of the release date - October 6, 2017 - of Cry Cry Cry.

The band has put out a string of tour dates with a stop at the Ponderosa Festival in Rock Creek this summer, and a few dates opening for Arcade Fire! Have a listen to the new track below.

Song of the Day: July 21, 2017 - "Run Down" by Hillsburn

Ok, so this song isn't quite "new", having come out at the beginning of the year, but it was this past weekend at the Folk Fest (see blog post here) that I heard Hillsburn for the first time. It was also the first time in Vancouver for the Nova Scotian band who, since the single was released, won the Fan’s Choice Video of the Year at the 2017 East Coast Music Awards for this song “Run Down”. 

The song has a boisterous, stop-and-clap-along energy, and will be off their upcoming album, due out later this year. Check it out below! 
 

Song of the Day: July 19, 2017 - "Still Young" by Leisure Club

If you ever need a song for a montage of attractive people having fun on the beach, Leisure Club has you covered.

"Still Young" is the first single off their debut self titled full length album, which you can pick up in the early fall, and it's your new summertime-chill-out-vibes song. 

You can also check them out this Friday night at  the Coblat, here in Vancouver. 

Song of the Day: July 15, 2017 - "Spirit" by Belle Game

Have you ever seen a band play a brand new song live, and you both love the song and hate that you can't get it immediately and play it over and over? The moment the lyrics kicked in on the brand new Belle Game song "Spirit", I realised this was one of those songs. I have seen the Vancouver band play it a few times live, and it always left me in awe, so I'm a little glad it's finally out in the world. 

The song is the first single off their upcoming album Fear/Nothing, which is produced by former member of The Stills Dave Hamelin, and executive producer Kevin Drew, who also lends his voice. It's out September 8th on Arts & Crafts, but you'll be able to hear a preview this weekend at the Vancouver Folk Fest (with a showcase set Sunday evening, and workshops throughout the weekend) or while they're on tour supporting Broken Social Scene. 

Song of the Day: July 14, 2017 - "Bird Brains" by Holy Fuck

Hot off their Juno-nominated album Congrats, Holy Fuck is back with a brand new EP called Bird Brains. The EP was recorded live at various studios over the past few years, and "represents the ongoing creative process of a band whose members live in different cities (in both Canada and the US) yet insist their music should be a collaborative process." As one of the most unique live bands in Canada, hearing it's recorded live makes me very eager for July 21st.

You can check out the title track below, but if you're an ornithophobic (like some people around here) you may just want to open it in a background tab.