Songs of the Week: September 26 - October 02, 2022

“Instant Cash For Gold” by Jill Barber

Jill Barber is back and planning on trading her old songs in like “Instant Cash for Gold”.

The brand new song is a competitive folksy tune, which Jill says is “a reflection on the chasm that exists between the personal value that music holds for people, relative to its commercial value. Sadly, the persistent undervaluing of music forces so many of us musicians to trade it all in—often in a defeated way, much like those willing to trade in their most valued possession out of pure desperation to have cash in hand.”

“Instant Cash for Gold” is the first single off her upcoming album Homemaker, written about the disparity between Jill Barber the musician, and Jill Barber the wife & mother. She jokes, “One day I was headlining Massey Hall, and the next day I was sweeping a messy hall”

Mark down February 10th as the release date of Homemaker, on Outside Music

• Kirk

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“I Can’t Grow Up” by Tegan and Sara

Another week, another track from Tegan and Sara’s upcoming album Crybaby - due out October 21st.
”I Can’t Grow up is a fun little pop song about “not being able to grow out of bad habits in relationships”, which definitely seems to be a recurring theme with the new music.

On top of the album the twins new show High School, which is based on their NYT best-selling memoir, is also debuting this month on Amazon Prime on October 28th. I’ve seen a few clips and am definitely going to be tuning in!

• Christine

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“Ghost” by Tim Sheinman

What if Celine Dion and Elliott Smith fell in love, when they were both up for an Academy Awards in 1998?

That’s the question that the upcoming narrative puzzle game Riley & Rochelle wants to answer. A tale of love & pop in the 90s, the game features music co-written by developer Tim Sheinman and Natalia Yanchak from The Dears, who also co-write the game.

In the game, you put together a documentary about the titular pair, piecing together their rise and fall, in both music and love, with an original 16-song soundtrack that spans their careers. Natalia says "We get to a point in the story where Riley and Rochelle are writing music together, and we really see their worlds collide. While these two musicians are super happy recording whatever songs they want, their labels and fans are not. So we have our indie rocker and our pop diva collaborating on something that comes out like Portishead, Bjork, or Zero 7. Riley and Rochelle are making weird, unusual art without any consideration for marketability or capitalist intentions. The fallout is brutal and you'll have to play the game to find out how it ends!"

“Ghost” is the second song released from the game, and featured vocals from Colombes Ran. You can check out the full soundtrack, as well as the game, on October 18th. But if you can’t wait, you can check out a demo of the game on Steam right now!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: September 19 - 25, 2022

“Honey Bun” by Haviah Mighty

Haviah has been flying high the last few years, with accolades, awards, and touring extensively.
She’s back with a new single “Honey Bun”, which revolves around themes of “self-validation, personal integrity and the growth that comes from ending toxic patterns and co-dependent relationships”.

It’s definitely a banger of a song (I’d expect nothing less from her!) and the end of the press release said “Stay tuned for more from Haviah Mighty this fall” - which hopefully means, even more music from this runaway success story.

• Christine

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“Addicted To Strangers” by Evan Konrad

Evan Konrad’s long awaited album Denial is finally being released after the first two singles were released in 2019.
”Addicted To Strangers” is the latest single off of an album where each song, according to Konrad, “takes the listener through the shadows of modern human experience and brings them to light. It's a sonic journey made with the intention to encourage us through the healing and releasing of grief from personal and global consciousness."

• Christine

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“Everyday Sunflower” by Jason Collett

Last week we got our second song off the upcoming Jason Collett album, Head Full of Wonder, with a breezy song called “Everyday Sunflower”.

Much like the first single off the album was inspired by a famed Bertolt Brecht epigram, “Everyday Sunflower” was partially inspired by Allen Ginsberg’s poem ‘Sunflower Sutra’. Collet says the song is “a simple reflection on everyday beauty and perhaps the best example of trying to say more with less on the record. Short and sweet.”

• Kirk

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“Crazy Story” by Combine the Victorious

Vancouver duo Combine The Victorious is back with another single.
”Crazy Story” is a sultry duet between Isabelle’s vocals and Mark’s piano, with a funky bass line to boot.

The song reflects on love being stronger than the things life throws at you. Perfect messages for a mellow Monday morning.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: September 12 - 19, 2022

“Just Know It” by Dan Mangan

We’ve been getting singles and teases from Dan Mangan as of late, but we’ve finally got a new album announcement.
Dan’s 6th album Being Somewhere will be released on October 28th, and of it he says: “I wanted this album to feel like the inside crook of a familiar elbow on the nape of your neck, a comforting embrace”.

We also got another single off of the LP, “Just Know It”, a soft, piano-heavy track about “shooting yourself in the foot, told from the foot’s perspective”. It kind of reminds me of a track you would hear in a late 90’s early-2000’s drama like Dawson’s Creek - but in a very good way.

• Christine

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“Tooth and Nail” by Skye Wallace

Speaking of October 28… that’s also the day we’re getting the brand new album from Skye Wallace! The new album is Terribly Good and will be out on Six Shooter, and comes with another tease, the gritty “Tooth and Nail”.

Wallace says “This record is a banger of a journey through all the messy, sometimes ugly pieces of being alive and the beauty of growing while moving through it. I realized after it was completed that it was a love letter to myself, telling me to keep going.
“Tooth and Nail shouts defiance at all the expectations of failure I’ve met along the way, be it from outside sources or my own brain. The road here has been long, but creating music that makes me whole, and getting a chance to connect with people and feeling something altogether – That’s what it’s all about.”

Skye’s currently on tour in Europe, and will be returning home to Canada for a string of shows in November, including here in Vancouver at the Fox Cabaret on November 9th.

• Kirk

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“You’re Not the Worst” by Housewife

The string of October announcements continues with Housewife, and their new five song collection called You’ll Be Forgiven, out on the 14th.

If the songs we’ve heard so far are any indication, the album will be incredibly catchy, and the latest single is no different. The duo says the new song “You’re Not The Worst” is “about undervaluing yourself and allowing people who are overbearing and arrogant to affect you emotionally. Why am I spending time with someone who doesn't respect me or my time? Then finally working up the courage to cut them out of your life when you've had enough.”

The new song comes with a fun animated video, which you can check out below.

• Kirk

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“Echo Park” by Tim Baker

It is only one month until Tim Baker’s new solo album The Festival is released, and we’ve got a sweet little ode to the west coast in his new single “Echo Park”, a song about moving to LA and homesickness.

When the song started I immediately got a Wes Anderson vibe from it (maybe it’s just the slow motion vibe of and colouring of the lyric video) and could see it fitting into a teary-eyed montage.

Check it out below!

• Christine

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“sucker4u” by Little Destroyer

Vancouver alt-rock band Little Destroyer have officially announced their new album 1134, out October 18th, and the first singles off of it have been some of their best yet in my opinion.

And with this announcement came a new single and music video - and the second I saw the cover still for it, I knew it would be a fun one.
Fo “sucker4u” the band, dressed up as ““Ace of Spades” era Motorhead”, start out in a sunny field, but end up crashing a pool party, Jack Daniels in hand.
A song about love, and lead singer Allie Sheldan coming-to-terms with the reality that she was “now an absolute love-sick sucker”.

• Christine

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“Summer Slaughter” by Babe Corner

Last Friday, Vancouver’s Babe Corner released “Summer Slaughter”, the first single off their debut full length album, Crybaby.

The breezy tune is the perfect end-of-summer comedown, inspired by “the chicken factory down the street from [their] house and the stench it gives off when mixed with the summer heat.”

Check out the chilling video directed by Lester Lyons-Hookham 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

Songs of the Week: August 29 - September 04, 2022

“Teenage Tears” by Arkells (feat. Tegan and Sara)

A few weeks ahead of their latest album, Blink Twice (yes, it’s a follow up to last year’s Blink Once), Arkells have unveiled their latest collaborators: Tegan and Sara.

“Teenage Tears” is melancholic song, and frontman Max Kerman says: “There’s a particular kind of intense emotional pain that reminds me of high school. It’s not worn down, chronic kind of pain. It’s a sharp and confusing sad. This song is about how occasionally you can still feel that kind of sadness as an adult. We were trying to do something that might feel somewhere between Olivia Rodrigo and The National or Bon Iver.”

The new song comes with a video shot in Vancouver’s (in)famous Kingsgate Mall, check it out below!

• Kirk

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“Faded Like A Feeling” by Tegan and Sara

Speaking of Tegan and Sara (and Vancouver landmarks)….

They too put out a new single, which will appear on their soon to be released 10th studio album, Crybaby, (due October 21). “Faded Like A Feeling”’s video was shot on the swing set at Hastings Mill Park near Jericho Beach (their last video for “Yellow” was at Locarno Beach!) - and happens to be directed by Mark Myers, who did the video with the Arkells as well!

The tune is about the “mysterious ebbs and flows of love and relationships” and the hazy vibe of the beach adds perfectly to the mood of the song.

• Christine

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“Matilda” & “Robot Writes A Love Song” by PUP

I love a good live album - when it’s done well and you get the energy of the crowd in there, it can be the next best thing to seeing a band live.

Well one of my FAVOURITE bands to see live is PUP and they’re giving us just that with an album recorded in Toronto at multiple venues and titled PUP Unravels Live In Front Of Everyone They Know.
Appropriate since it’s their hometown.

The first two songs released (the album drops on October 12th) are “Matilda” & “Robot Writes A Love Song” which you can hear below.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: August 22 - 28, 2022

“The People” by GLDMTH

You probably know Ryan Guldemond from Mother Mother, but the songwriter recently unveiled his brand new solo project, GLDMTH. Pronounced “Goldmouth”, the new project will be a blend of Guldemond’s music, photography, videography, & poetry. The first glimpse of that we’re getting is the new single, a dark, piano-driven tune called “The People”

Ryan says "This is my favourite song on the album. The chords and the mood opened up a space where I felt like I could be really honest about who I am, which like everybody, I imagine, is a lot of different and contrasting people. 'A drugger, a drinker, a monk up on a hill in Nirvana.' I’ve been through all of those phases, and though I may not be living some of them out any longer, the voices of those characters are still very much alive and vocal in the darker spaces of my mind."

Check it out below, and mark down September 23 for the release of the selt-titled debut.

• Kirk

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“Orpheus” by The Beaches

Following up on their tune “Grow Up Tomorrow” and all its summer vibes, Toronto band The Beaches have released “Orpheus”.
In an ode to the Greek mythological figure, The Beaches reimagine their lover as the ill-fated musician of the same name.

The tale goes that Orpheus was so in love with his wife that he tries to bring her back to life - only to lose her again. The Beaches on the other hand, learn from his mistake of turning back and instead, they choose to push forward.

• Christine

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“Sweet Oblivion” by KINLEY

Coming up on the release of her new album, KINLEY released the second single from Daylight last week, “Sweet Oblivion”.

The new song is an indie-pop jam, and KINLEY says it’s “all about summer vibes and feeling free in nature. It’s about self-acceptance and being happy where you are and having no worries in the world when you’re in paradise (aka Prince Edward Island beaches).”

Along with the new album, KINLEY has recently released a music instruction book, ‘Violin with KINLEY’. Available on Amazon, the book is designed to support her website Violin With KINLEY where you can learn to play from the comfort of your own home!

Check out the book & website now, and the new album when it’s out on November 4th!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 15 - 21, 2022

“Dark Times” by Jason Collett

Not counting last year’s Best Of collection, it’s been six long years since we last got an album from Jason Collett, but that’s about to change.

“Dark Times” — the first single off his upcoming album Head Full Of Wonder — is Collett at his best; jangly, folky guitars punctuated by his thought provoking lyrics, inspired by a famed Bertolt Brecht epigram:
”In the dark times
will there also be singing?
Yes, there will be singing
about the dark times.”

The new album is out November 4, on Arts & Crafts, and you can check out the first single below!

• Kirk

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“Haystack Rock” by Limblifter

Limblifter is back! This is not a drill!
I was incredibly excited when I saw this land in my inbox the other day.

They’ve announced their fifth studio recording, Little Payne, will be released on October 31st and the first single is titled “Haystack Rock”.
In reading a little bit about the album, there was the promise of “mind-bending sax solos” - which if you know me, you know I’m stoked on this. Little Payne was built on a base of five years of jams made by songwriter, singer, guitarist Ryan Dahle, that he recorded while working on other artist’s albums.

Can’t wait to hear more!

• Christine

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“We Just Wanna Dance” by Blonde Diamond

We’ve already heard a couple previews off the upcoming debut full length album from Vancouver’s Blonde Diamond. Now we get yet another with a sultry, sweaty anthem, appropriately titled “We Just Wanna Dance”.

Magnetic Strangers is due out September 23, and the band promises a “menagerie of operatic, late-night indie rock, dive-bar R&B, charred disco, and wide-eyed electro-pop and plays host to a warring between choice, agency, reason, and compulsion.”

Have a listen for yourself below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 08 - 14, 2022

“Retriever” by Braids

Clear your next ten minutes, because you are going to want to just sit back and let the luscious new song from Braids wash over you.

“Retriever” is the group’s first new music since their 2020 album Shadow Offering, which the band describes as “a 9-minute journey track, simple in its sentiment of love and friendship, yet complex in its lush arrangement and textural experimentation. We returned to our roots with this one, exploring new corners of sound, collaboration and a ‘DGAF’ attitude with where we ended up. This song is a trip back to euphoric freedom and lightness during a time of intense isolation. We were happy to travel there, and for you to now dive into it.”

No word yet on a new album from the Montreal trio, but here’s hoping we find out something soon!

• Kirk

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“The TFD” by TOTAL FUCKING DARKNESS

Torquil Campbell has been busy as of late. Even with a new Stars album (and tour) and working on his personalized song commissions, he still had time to team with longtime friend and collaborator Stephen Ramsay (of Young Galaxy) for a brand new band.

Going under the name TOTAL FUCKING DARKNESS (or just TFD), the duo released their debut single “The TFD” last week. The synth-pop jam was written & recorded “in 20 minutes on the verandah of a rich woman's house.”

And how can you not love a song with the stark opening lines: “death to fascism, death to men, death to the politicians and the women who live with them”

• Kirk

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“Scattered Ashes” by UWUW

Speaking of new supergroups…
Vocals from Chris A. Cummings aka Marker Starling, and Drew Smith (Bunny, The Bicycles), and a band consisting of Jason Haberman of Dan Mangan and Yeahsun, Jay Anderson of Badge Epoque Ensemble, Biblical and Lammping, and Ian Blurton of Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Change of Heart, and C’mon have joined forces to form UWUW.

UWUW (which is pronounced “you-you”), will have a self-titled debut album out in October of this year, and the first single “Scattered Ashes” is out now. It’s got a jazzy, yet 70s fuzzy rock vibe to it and I’m always in for a good horn section! Check it out below.

• Christine