Song of the Day: March 31, 2018 - "I Really Like You" by Little Junior (Carly Rae Jepsen cover)

Not sure I knew that I needed a shot-for-shot remake of Carly Rae Jepsen's song "I Really Like" you, covered by Toronto power-pop band Little Junior, that stars Schitt's Creek's Annie Murphy in a (pretty freaky) Tom Hanks mask...but I guess I did.

From the band:
"Whatever money we get for covering this tune by the flawless Carly Rae Jepsen is going to Youth Line, a youth-led organization that provides peer support for LGBTQ2 youth in Toronto. It's a great cause and we feel we have a responsibility to use our privilege to give back to our community. To our LGBTQ2 family and friends: we see you, we're here for you." - Rane Elliott-Armstrong

Also, good luck getting it un-stuck from your brain after watching it!

P.S. The band will be on tour across Canada with Born Ruffians, including a stop in Vancouver on May 4th at Fortune Sound Club.

Song of the Day: March 30, 2018 - "Lead Blood" by Lief Hall

Ease into the long weekend with this dreamy song by Vancouver electronic artist Lief Hall.

The song, "Lead Blood" is from her upcoming album, Roses For Ruin, which wil be out via Aqua Aura Records on April 6th. On that same date, she'll be having her album release at VIVO with Mourning Coup, Michelle Mackenzie, as well as a sound installation by Gabi Dao.

After that it's a west coast tour starting in Tijuana, and heading through the western United States, ending in Vancouver again at Sunset Terrace with ERAS - full tour dates here.

Check out the single below, and the new album on April 6th!

Song of the Day: March 24, 2018 - "For Others" by For Esmé

I'm sooooo into the new music coming from Toronto band For Esmé!

If you missed when "Doubtmouth" was the SOTD a little while ago, make sure you check it out too, but today's tune is "For Others". 

The new album Righteous Woman comes out on May 25th, and like I said in the "Doubtmouth" SOTD post, I can't wait for more!

Song of the Day: March 23, 2018 - "Montreal" by David Beckingham

I'd suggest watching David Beckingham's new video for "Montreal" when you're in a positive mood about the city of Vancouver...(say, when it's full of musicians and events and JUNO fun).

The song is all about seeing negatives in things, specifically things like the rain, and people not looking each other in the eye in this city of ours. 

David's taking the show on the road with a tour across Canada, several stops being accompanied by Twin Bandit, including the tour closer here in Vancouver at the Fox on June 2nd.

Song of the Day: March 22, 2018 - "Moon" by Marty Zylstra

Vancouver's Marty Zylstra recently released a new record titled The Dragonfly and the Spider, and is celebrating with an intimate Blue Light Sessions show on March 31st.

Here's a little bit about the album from Marty's bandcamp page:
"As it usually happens, art can be heavily inspired tragedy and this EP is no different. Inspired by the death of his beloved sister mother and grandfather within the span of just 2 short years, many tears were shed while recording and writing these songs.
That being said there is a silver lining to the album. Happy sad songs as it were. After a full listen start to finish you would be left with enough of a feeling of hopefulness that and that you would also be intrigued enough to take a second listen. And maybe recover from the grief we all share in the loss of love and or loved ones."

Have a listen to the lead single "Moon" below and book the 31st down for the show (tickets will be available at the door).

Song of the Day: March 21, 2018 - "Congratulations" by Said the Whale

Last week Said the Whale announced a deluxe version of their most recent album, As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide, that includes 10(!) additional tracks, 5 B-sides, 4 acoustic versions, and 1 new cover song, teasing something from the Tragically Hip. You can check out one of those songs, a banger called "Congratulations", below. 

Not only that, but they're also starting a limited run, 5-episode podcast called Demoitis, to explore songs from the album, as well as chat with some of their pals in the music scene, like Max Kerman of Arkells, Graham Wright from Tokyo Police Club, Mother Mother's Ryan Guldemond, and more.

But wait! There's more! Said the Whale will also be a part of the returning SingItFwd tonight, a special Juno Awards edition, with Mother Mother, The Zolas, Louise Burns, and a bunch more, including (of course) Hey Ocean! The show benefits the St James Music Academy, so hopefully you'll make it down to the Vogue tonight! 

Song of the Day: March 20, 2018 - "We Find Love" by Daniel Caesar - #SingItFwd Cover

You may or may not have heard yet, but #SingItFwd is returning to Vancouver with a special JUNOS edition tomorrow!

Hey Ocean! is putting the event on and bringing friends like Mother Mother, The Zolas, Said The Whale, Dawn Pemberton, Louise Burns, Khari McClelland, and more - click here to see the lineup.

The event supports the St James Music Academy, raising awareness and money for this non-profit music school. You can see the band with some of the kids from the SJMA in this shot above!

Yesterday a cover of Daniel Caesar's "We Find Love" was released ft. members of Hey Ocean!, Mother Mother, Dawn Pemberton, Khari McClelland and, of course, the kids of the St James Music Academy. Check it out below!

GET YOUR TICKETS TO #SINGITFWD by CLICKING HERE.

Song of the Day: March 19, 2018 - "The Dream" by Rich Aucoin

There's so much new music right now it's hard to keep up with!

We have the final instalment of Rich Aucoin's new EP 'Hold', which is out now, with the final single titled "The Dream". Read his own words about the song:
“‘The Dream’ is a song about the contentment we can feel at an individual level when daydreaming or imagining a different world. It’s not about the achieving of making that world come to reality but looks at the various therapeutic benefits from such an endeavour. Whether it be imagining a time where you are not heartbroken, in an estrangement, or in conflict with the changes in your life, that power to picture yourself beyond the given moment is a useful tool for accepting the way things are and getting to that new spot, The Dream.”

Starting next week Rich will be biking across the US doing shows and raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association and Mental Health America - you can make Canadian donations by clicking here.