Songs of the Week: February 09 - 15, 2026

February 17, 2026 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“I Don’t” by Brandi Caroline

You may know Brandi Caroline from the acclaimed country band Nice Horse (or, maybe even the indie-pop band Sidney York?) but now she’s released her debut single, “I Don’t”.

The catchy anthem features a litany of things Brandi doesn’t need when it comes to dating & relationships, though one can only hope she didn’t have first hand experience with all that toxic behaviour!

Have a listen for yourself below!

Kirk

“Pure Sticker Shock” by The New Pornographers

The New Pornographers have given us another tease of their upcoming album with the lates single off The Former Site Of, called “Pure Sticker Shock”

The new track is a synth-pop jam that looks at self-worth, with singer A.C. Newman sharing, “This song is not about a specific event, but it has felt very 'applicable' to me and this year of my life. It basically asks the question 'What has worth? Who is deciding?' Your market value is not always your value.”

The Former Site Of is the band’s tenth(!) studio album, and promises “ten short stories of people at personal and societal extremes are collected as meticulously crafted pop songs”. Pick it up when it’s out on March 27th!

Kirk

“Generation” (Fucked Up Cover) by Gord Downie, The Sadies, And The Conquering Sun

When Gord Downie & The Sadies teamed up fin 2014 for an album and a tour, I was lucky enough to see theme three times in three days including at The Media Club. Obviously since then we’ve lost both Gord, and Dallas Good, but I was overjoyed to hear the release of a live album from the tour.

Live At 6 O’Clock was recorded at four different music festival sets (based on the album art, I think there are some from the Pemberton set!) and features covers of Roky Erickson, The Who, Neil Young, The Gun Club,The Stooges and in this week’s release, Toronto’s Fucked Up.
I’m so glad there is also video for the track (see below) as I loved those shows, and any reminder about how good a front man Gord Downie was, is a good one.
Looking forward to the release on February 27 via Arts & Crafts.

Christine

“Too Old (For This Shit)” by Ellie Heath

Last week, Edmonton singer-songwriter Ellie Heath dropped the charmingly infectious new single, “Too Old (For This Shit)”

Co-written & produced with Hawksley Workman and Tristan Konkle (Tapes In Motion), the song is about exactly as the title says, with Heath explaining, “At its core, the song is about aging with humour. Feeling like a kid wearing adult clothes, navigating expectations, responsibilities, and the slow realization that nobody ever really tells you when you’ve ‘arrived.’” Though she adds it’s not about morning youth, adding “Aging isn’t a death sentence. It deepens the fun moments and makes them richer. It’s more of a choice as you get older to keep your childlike wonder and enthusiasm for things.”

Take a look at the video below, but beware: you will be whistling it for the rest of the day.

Kirk

“Cinders” by Larkk

We’ve been slowly releasing tracks from Danielle Taggart of Dear Rouge’s new side project Larkk and now the album is officially out.

The title track for Cinders is out now as well, and while many of the other songs on the album are instrumental, this one is sweeping and cinematic with gorgeous (Feist-esque) vocals.
Now that I know it’s the lead track on the album I’m excited to do a front-to-back listen, as it’s a hell of a way to start!

Danielle has some tour dates released including a show this Sunday opening for Boy & Bear at the Commodore Ballroom.

Christine

Songs of the Week: January 05 - 11, 2026

January 12, 2026 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Rain” by Shad

Super exciting week in Shad-land! There’s a new music video for the song “Rain” off his latest album Start Anew and he’s about to embark on a tour supporting the record and celebrating 20 years of music.

First up, the video for “Rain” (which features my favourite line from the album “Don’t need to reign like a royal, we just need rain on the soil”) was filmed by Sam Tudor while they were both up in the Yukon for the Dawson City Music Festival.

Of the song Shad says: ““Rain” feels pretty light on its feet but it’s actually a deep one for me because the inspiration goes back to a couple years before I even made my first album: I saw a vision of a man with an ocean within himself that needed to rain down and nourish the land, or else it threatened to drown him from the inside out. I interpreted the vision as a simple metaphor for the importance of releasing our creative self-expression. And also a reminder that the purpose is always service!”

This Saturday, Shad kicks off his tour here in Vancouver at the Hollywood Theatre and I can’t wait to hear all the new music live!

Christine

“Horizontal Rain” by Total Fucking Darkness

Total Fucking Darkness has been giving us a steady drip of new music over the last year, and they’re kicking off the new year with some “Horizontal Rain”.

The new track is as gritty as it is hypnotic, with the band saying it’s “a throwback to the grimy bare-bulbed basement illegal raves that your mum and dad told you about when you were little. This is party music for troubled times, little ones. Have you looked around recently? Let yourself go.”

TFD is the “long incubated and (arguably) the mildly problematic musical brainchild” of Torquil Campbell (from Stars), Stephen Ramsay (of Young Galaxy) and Tom McFall ( who’s worked with U2, REM, and Bloc Party), and here’s hoping they continue dropping tracks all year long.

Kirk

“At All” by Status/Non-Status

Anishinaabe musician and artist Adam Sturgeon has been involved in so many projects over the years, from the collective WHOOP-Szo (which became Status/Non-Status) to joining forces with Daniel Monkman of Zoon to create the Polaris shortlisted record by OMBIIGIZI.

Now Status/Non-Status is back with a new album titled Big Changes, which features new players and tons of guests, including on the first single “At All” which has contributions from Zoon, as well as Kevin Drew.

Sturgeon says the track is a: “self explanatory examination. I was starting to feel really disillusioned at the time of writing this song. Confused about the state of music and the complex world we are living in; the grind to make each day work. I decided to disappear, bunker down at home, stay in, write songs about it and invite my friends over to visit and play along. I wrote over 40 songs and this was one of the first to come out of me."
From this description and the one of the album itself, it seems extremely fitting for the times we’re living in, and I can’t wait to hear more of what this album has in store.

Christine

“Cuckoo” by Larkk

A month ahead of her debut album, we got the latest single from Larkk, the solo project of Dear Rouge’s Danielle McTaggart.

“Cuckoo” is a sweeping song that starts dark and moody before swelling to a grand, orchestral swell, and definitely my favourite of the singles released so far.

I’m looking forward to hearing more when Cinders drops on February 13!

Kirk

“Weather Girl” by Fleur Electra

The Toronto (via Saskatchewan) dream pop singer Fleur Electra has announced a brand new EP, along side the new single, “Weather Girl”.

The track is a sweet and uplifting song about friendship, with Anna Klein saying it “is one, if not the, truest of love songs I’ve ever written. It’s about my platonic love for my best friend, and the story of us. It’s a charming, pure-hearted tune heavily inspired by yacht rock and my inner child. This song has an essence of youth, and nostalgic demeanor. It’s imaginative in its visual imagery, and so accurately represents the way I feel about the one-of-a-kind relationship that we share. Additionally, it was important to me to create an atmosphere where people might feel free to let their own inner child wander into a moment of blissful sentiment.”

Have a listen below, and check out the new EP, Strike the Match, when it’s out on February 27.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: November 17 - 23, 2025

November 24, 2025 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“You Get Me By” by MOONRIIVR

New MOONRIIVR alert!

I can’t believe it’s already been almost two years since their debut album, Volume 1, and I’m so excited to get new material.
“You Get Me By”, according to lead singer Gavin Gardner is “an attempt to hold up a mirror and offer the same empathy to myself that I would offer a friend navigating the challenges of self and identity. My mind creates boundaries for who I think others expect me to be, when hopefully they just want me to be free.”

There’s no other word on any upcoming album, but the band is about to do some touring in Europe with the Rural Alberta Advantage (THAT would be a fun show), so hopefully upon their return we’ll get some more info!

Christine

“Devastation’s Bliss” by Larkk

Last week, Larkk not only released their latest single, but also announced a debut album!

“Devastation’s Bliss” is a haunting piano-driven number from the solo project of Dear Rouge’s Danielle McTaggart, and is the latest in a string of singles that we now know will culminate in the release of Cinders on February 13, 2026.

Have a listen below!

Kirk

“Margaret” by Elliot C Way

Following up his previous single from this year “Fool’s Gold” Vancouver’s Elliot C Way has released a new track titled “Margaret”, a song about his grandparents, Margaret and Nelson Beattie:
“It tells the true story of their decades-long love, and their shared life in rural Ontario that was filled with hard-won moments of resilience and devotion. At its heart, the song is a tribute to his grandmother and her quiet battle with MS, a disease that slowly changed the shape of their lives but never broke their bond. It’s also a testament to his Grampap, as told from his perspective, and his unwavering love as he stood by her side through the difficult years.

Whenever Elliot visited them on their Uxbridge, Ontario hay farm, he got to witness the kind of rural, hardworking life that made a profound impact on him at a young age—hot, muggy summers with fireflies and iced tea, and unforgettable Christmas gatherings that included hockey games on frozen ponds and snowmobile rides in the deep cold. As Elliot describes, “My grandpa was the patriarch of the family and a man larger than life. He was a humble farmer, a handyman, and the kind of father and husband any man would hope to be. I saw first-hand the power of his love for my grandmother in the care he gave her until the very end.””

It’s a beautiful and sweet ballad that you can hear live in Vancouver on the 26th of November at the WISE Hall, or the 19th of December at Green Auto!

Christine

“Amour Amour” by Common Holly

Montreal’s Common Holly (aka Brigitte Naggar) just released a cover of the 1970’s Anne Germain song “Amour Amour”

A beautiful and vulnerable version of the song, Brigitte explains: “This song has been in my head since I first encountered it during a film screening in a high school French class. We had the opportunity to watch Peau D'ane, a 1970's fantasy musical belonging to the infamous 'Demy-world' of director Jacques Demy. Between the chromatically whacky music, outrageous themes and whimsical visuals, I haven't been able to get it out of my mind, so a little while ago I adapted the song to guitar. This is my first time singing in French too, which is technically a language I speak, but has never found its way into musical releases until now, so this is also a nod to my home in Quebec and to my French heritage.”

Along with the new cover, she’s also teasing more music for next year, so be sure to keep an ear out!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: October 13 - 19, 2025

October 20, 2025 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Falling Apart” by The Rural Alberta Advantage

Last week, The Rural Alberta Advantage released their first new music of the year with “Falling Apart”.

The single is a classic RAA slowburn, and comes with a video of them performing it live, as well as the announcement of a run of tour dates in the States early next year.

No word on a new album (or Canadian dates) so fingers crossed we hear more from them soon!

Kirk

“First Kiss” by Larkk

A month back Danielle McTaggart of Dear Rouge announced a solo project titled Larkk and released a dreamy instrumental piano track, and now we have the first song with lyrics!

“First Kiss”, which was co-written with American spoken word artist Derek C. Brown, is also dreamy and piano-focused but with added depth from strings and Danielle’s delicate vocals.

Danielle says “First Kiss is about that meeting point between memory and imagination—where a moment can be both the start of something and the echo of everything that came before. It’s a type of confession and a beginning. It’s gentle and raw, hushed and insistent—a small light in a dark room. There are threads of poems woven inside, fragments that helped me open the door, but the song is ultimately me telling myself: I’m ready to feel again. I’m ready to risk softness. I’m ready to name the thing that once only lived as a shape in the dark. First Kiss, is the first step, to singing out the world inside.”

Christine

“Sounds Like a Deal” by Alex Little

Alex Little is back (and this time without her Suspicious Minds) with a brand new single from her upcoming EP, Spider in the Sink.

“Sounds Like a Deal” is a catchy garage rocker that was inspired by a recent documentary on The Jerry Springer Show, of all things, with Alex explaining: “The poor treatment and exploitation of the people on the show was truly awful and I needed to sing about it.”

It also features some familiar faces; Tony Dallas on drums and Hayz Fisher on bass, with James Younger producing! You can have a listen below, and make sure to grab Spider in the Sink, on November 19th.

Kirk

“Whoever You Are…” by Clothesline From Hell

I’m not gonna lie, part of why I listened to Clothesline From Hell in the first place was that Adam LaFramboise named his project after a pro wrestling move. But I kept listening because of songs like the new single, “Whoever You Are…” a twitchy earworm with deeply introspective lyrics.

Adam says, “Most days this is my favourite song on the album. It’s become an endorsement for baptism by fire. The hardest lessons being the only life-affirming ones, available to anyone who resists warping the past into something tragic. Placing blame on someone else, only to pity yourself, never had longevity in mind. It’s a sped up healing process, but eventually it comes back to fuck you over and steer you clear of any sort of enlightenment.”

The new song comes with the announcement of his debut full length album, called Slather On The Honey, which is available early next year, on January 16th.

Kirk

“End Of The Road” by Royal Wood

Royal Wood’s ninth album Dear John is out now and with it came the latest single “End Of The Road”.

Of it Royal says: “the song came to me almost in a dream. The moment my fingers touched the keys the melody and words played themselves out. I remember sitting back and listening to the demo recording that I had fortunately captured and it was all there. Everything I needed to say that day. I think this song healed my heart, and set the tone for this album. When the words revealed themselves, I knew what they meant. I was going to fall in love with life, music and my career again.”
The record is a love letter to his younger self and he says he wrote it to create an album that the kid in him would love.

Christine

Songs of the Week: September 15 - 21, 2025

September 22, 2025 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Caverns” by Larkk

You know Danielle McTaggart as the voice of Dear Rouge, but now she’s venturing out on her own with a brand new solo project, Larkk.

Her first single is “Caverns”, a stunning piano-driven instrumental, with Danielle explaining the song is “about the deep and sacred journey I took when I suddenly and unexpectedly experienced deep grief like I had never known. The memories of my life, the unexplored ideas and questions I had long ignored, began to awaken — as I went down into the caverns of my heart. I heard a voice in my innermost spirit, ‘When you can’t go around, you must go down.’ And I knew I could not go around. So down I went. I walked slow, afraid and shaking, through the tunnels of my heart. Down, into the places I’d forgotten or wished I could forget. And yet, to my utter surprise, there was such treasure there. Rare and precious jewels being formed in the heat of my heart's pain. And I knew, somehow I was not alone.”

Danielle promises Larkk will embrace intimacy and introspection, and you can see that in the incredible live performance below.

Kirk

“Naturally” by The Barr Brothers ft. La Force

The new album from The Barr Brothers is out in a couple weeks, and we’re getting one more tease with the new song “Naturally” featuring Ariel Engle (aka La Force)

I’ve been a fan of Ariel Engle back to AroarA (her project with partner Andrew Whiteman) so I was very happy to see her as one of the many guests on Let It Hiss, which also includes contributions from Klô Pelgag, Elizabeth Powell (of Land Of Talk), Patrick Watson, and Jim James (from My Morning Jacket)

She adds her ethereal vocals to the heartfelt ode to personal growth and self-acceptance, as Brad Barr notes: “This was one of the more demanding songs that I wrote for the album. It required a degree of honesty and humility that, once finished, set the mark a lot higher for what I hope to offer as a songwriter. It helped me open up to some hard truths.”

Listen to “Naturally” below, and pick up Let It Hiss when it’s out on October 17th.

Kirk

“An Effort To Forget” by Headstones ft. Emily Haines

Legendary Canadian rockers Headstones are back with a brand new album, and along with it, a new single featuring Emily Haines!

The Metric singer joined the band for the banger “An Effort To Forget”, their latest single off their eleventh(!!) studio album, BURN ALL THE SHIPS.

Singer Hugh Dillon says, “If there is such a thing as a perfect storm creatively AND collaboratively for this band, ‘An Effort To Forget’ IS that song. Emily Haines is an incendiary talent, adding a powerfully subtle, emotionally elegant perfection to this intensely haunting piece of pure rock & roll.”
And Emily adds she “Was thrilled to make it happen. Instant Headstones classic. I love how the song turned out!”

BURN ALL THE SHIPS is out now, and also features a collaboration with City & Colour’s Dallas Green!

Kirk

“It Come Alive” by Rich Hope

I’m still kicking myself over missing out on Rich Hope recording an album live off the floor at the Anza Club in April, but the beauty is…it’s recorded!

The first song, “It Come Alive”, was released this week as well as the date for the Live At The ANZA Club (November 21st).
Of the reasoning behind recording a live album, Rich says:
“I have always been at my best live, and we wanted to capture what this version of the band is doing. Since we didn’t have the luxury of extended touring and recording every show, we decided on finding the best venue and taking two nights to capture lightning in a bottle. The ANZA is a venue where I played some of my first shows in a neighbourhood where I lived for many years, so I feel a personal connection to the club.”

Well, Kirk and I do too, as it’s been our home for hosting Simpsons Trivia for 4+ years now and I can’t wait to see it highlighted in more videos and songs!

Christine

“Deeper Than Blue” by MALINOWSKI

Yes, that MALINOWSKI!

Jay Malinowski of Canadian staple Bedouin Soundclash, is releasing his first new solo music in more than a decade.

His first offering “Deeper Than Blue”, is a ballad for his son Finn and of writing the song, Jay says: “when I went to write a love song for my son Finn, I was in unknown territory. I had written love songs before but this was a love I had never felt. I went through all the cliches; Valentine’s Day and roses etc. I went through all the colours; reds, pinks and violets. None of that was right. Then I thought about blue.
I went to art school for painting and loved reading about the history of pigments. Blue is very rare in nature and highly prized. I once read an art historian talk about blue in even more poetic terms; that if you try to reach the blue of the sky or the blue of the sea it moves to the horizon or depths just beyond you. You can never reach blue. That was my love for Finn, I thought, except my love is just a bit deeper.”

No official word on a full project, but the rumour mill is churning!

Christine

“Halloween Mask” by sundayclub

It’s the autumnal equinox, so what better way to celebrate than with a song called “Halloween Mask”?

The new track is from Manitoba’s sundayclub, and is an (appropriately) haunting and dreamy indie-pop jam from the duo of Courtney Carmichael and Nikki St. Pierre.

Have a listen below, and check out their upcoming EP Bannatyne when it’s released (appropriately) on October 31st on Paper Bag Records!

Kirk

“Freaks” by Mermaid Island

So fun news… the one and only George Stroumboulopoulos started a music label called No Dad Records, and the first band to sign on released some music!

Mermaid Island, a punk-rock band based out of Los Angeles (though multi hyphenate frontwoman Allie MacDonald is a Canadian!) has released their first track, “Freaks” off of their upcoming album.

It’s a fast-driving track both in pounding drums and furious vocals (that gives me PUP vibes) and speed, with the song clocking in at just over 2.5 minutes.

I’m so excited to see what else is to come from Strombo’s label and from the band.

Christine