“Whisky Things” by The Washboard Union

Last week I was out in the woods camping and had my country playlist on repeat, including “Maybe It’s The Moonshine” by The Washboard Union. And low and behold when I hit the road back to civilization, I saw they released a new track “Whisky Things”.

Band member Chris Duncombe says “Whisky Wings is a three-part harmony bar room rallying cry to step off the merry-go-round for a minute, raise a glass, and lift your spirits high”.

It’s officially been added to my camping playlist!

Christine

“Hard Time” by David Vertesi

David Vertesi is back with a new song about a tough subject. The Vancouver singer has just released his latest song “Hard Time” which is influenced by losing a friend to the algorithm.

In an instagram post, Vertesi explained, “Does this sound familiar? You log on to social media and see a multi paragraph diatribe from a close friend or maybe a family member. But wait, we just hung out yesterday and they didn’t mention any of this? They seemed completely normal, so which one is the real them? What do I say when I see them again?

Hard Time is inspired by the sadness, frustration, and dread I feel from the pressure to cut people out of my life over things they are posting on the internet. I mean, it’s hard to believe, but ending friendships wasn’t always so commonplace. In 2026 it’s become a depressing norm of everyday life thanks largely to unethical and predatory social media companies, designed for engagement via enragement.

The question becomes, am I really going to block someone who has meant so much to me (and who likely never even talks about this stuff in person)? Then again how can I stay friends with someone who has gone so far off the rails? Maybe even parroting hateful rhetoric. Where is the line? I don’t know the answer, all I know is it feels awful, it’s exhausting, and I’m tired of it. - so I wrote a song… and it’s kind of a bop? lol.”

Have a listen to “Hard Time” while lamenting anyone you may have ‘lost’ to this.

Kirk

“The Director” by KINLEY

Last week, KINLEY released a dancey pop jam with her new song, “The Director”.

The single comes ahead of her upcoming EP, and Kinley says “I met a stranger during a film festival and thought he was a director. Obviously, I was already in love and imagining my big break. The song lives in that little flash of possibility, when one encounter becomes an entire movie in your head.”

Take a dance break by listening to the song below, and mark August 21st for the release of the new EP, Reflecting Light.

Kirk

“The Ride” by The Darcys

Speaking of me being on the road, The Darcys released their new track “The Ride” last week.
I’m glad I read their story of their van being hit by a tractor-trailer after I got back home (it was a long time ago, and they’re alright).

The song has the line “You bought the ticket, so take the ride” and in an instagram post the band says they’ve used that saying over the years about making a choice and owning the journey.

They’re set to head out on their first headlining tour (“The Goodtime Tour”) in many years, including a stop in Vancouver at the Biltmore Cabaret on November 21st - get your tickets here!

Christine

“Kathleen” by Wayfinding

Wayfinding is the trio of Cassia Hardy (of Wares), Ryan Beattie (from Frog Eyes, Himalayan Bear), and Marek Tyler (of ASKO, nêhiyawak), and last week they announced their upcoming album along with a brand new single.

“Kathleen” builds to a soaring chorus, with Beattie explaining, “I wanted an anthemic chorus to contrast the bitterness left by these toxic scenes. Cassia came up with a beautiful kaleidoscopic bridge section. It’s a gauntly tune about the bad times - it’s about salad days gone to rot and the wondering, from time to time, who’s still living there.”
Tyler adds, “For me, Kathleen is a song, played loud in your car with the windows rolled down when you're leaving town.”

I couldn’t agree more, so hit the road and crank it while you wait for the new album, A Nest of Wrens, which is out October 9th!

Kirk