Songs of the Week: January 22 - 28, 2024

“FSHG” by The Rural Alberta Advantage

As they get ready for their upcoming Winter North American tour, The Rural Alberta Advantage have released new video for “FSHG”.

The song is off their most recent album, The Rise & The Fall, and is chill tune that was recorded live off the floor, during their final recording session for the album. Singer Nils Edenloff explains, “I wanted us to record ‘FSHG’ live off the floor and feel like a counterpoint to the rest of the album. We laboured over so many minute details on 'The Rise & The Fall', and I wanted to record ‘FSHG' while it still felt organic and raw. Lock it up before we had a chance to tinker with it too much. I also wanted people listening to the record to feel as though they’re peeking in on a brief and momentary event. So much of the album deals with events and snippets of time, and with ‘FSHG', as the song progresses it starts to evaporate, pulling away from the listener and fading into nothing. Sort of reminding us that not everything lasts forever.”

Check out the video below, which was recorded at that very session, and make sure you check them out on tour, which includes a stop here in Vancouver at the Commodore Ballroom on February 17th!

• Kirk

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“Stars At Midnight” by Harrison Brome

I needed some mellow music this Monday morning, and the new track, “Stars At Midnight” from Vancouver’s Harrison Brome hit the spot.

The song is the title track from his new EP that came out on the 26th of this month, which has five new songs in total.

Of the release Brome says: "It walks you through a story of heartbreak and an endless want for a connection that has faded away. I wanted to capture some moments we've all likely encountered in a relationship, emotional and physical separation, wishing you could turn back time, and holding onto something that might no longer be there. It tells a story of lost love and the want to find the light that used to shine brightly between two people."

You can stream the EP by clicking here.

• Christine

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“Marion” by Alana Yorke

Alana Yorke has such an incredible story that I have to start with it, before I delve into the new release, so here it is:

In November 2022, Alana Yorke woke up one morning and realized she was unable to move her left arm. A few days (and numerous hospital tests) later, she discovered she’d had a hemorrhagic stroke that affected the right hemisphere of her brain (associated with creative expression) in the parietal lobe (responsible for receiving and filtering sensory input). What could have been an unmitigated disaster changed Yorke’s life. The previous decade had been filled with profound challenges — during a sample-gathering scuba expedition as part of her academic work, she ran out of air and subsequently developed debilitating PTSD. The stroke, however, was a serendipitous force: the psychological heaviness suddenly lifted, and Yorke found herself freed from past emotional baggage and propelled by euphoric creativity. While the album that would became Destroyer had always been part of a process of plumbing the depths, Yorke was consumed by a desire to share what she had experienced on the other side of the veil. “The goal was to bring these images and stories back to our world,” she explains.

Just. Wow.

The gorgeous new track “Marion”, and the first single off the album that is to be released in May, is an exploration of generations and what ties them together. The strings at the beginning really grabbed me, as did her haunting voice, and the visuals in the accompanying video. Definitely give it a watch.

• Christine

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Songs of the Week: January 30 - February 05, 2023

“Room Service” by Haviah Mighty

A new sultry, and groovy, new song from Haviah Mighty leaning towards more of an R&B style (and I’m loving it).

I could give you a breakdown on the meaning behind the song, but Haviah lays it out perfectly:

“This song reflects on the many phases of denial that I experienced going through a recent breakup. My self-worth was shattered, I convinced myself that things weren’t as bad as they seemed, and that it wasn’t my fault. I was fully aware that this person had already let me go, by their mannerisms, the shifts in attitude, and the conversations we had. I knew their heart wasn't in it anymore.

But it wasn't official. Because of that, I had this glimmer of hope - as if the energy wasn't loud enough, and as if I didn't know what the outcome would be. For me, this song grew into an anthem of lust, wonderment, desire and delusion. The sultry lead melodies pull you in as I plead for my lover to wait for me. Just hold on. The bouncy synths playfully suck you into a vortex of heavy-hitting 808s and afro-style grooves that remind you that I’m not just a rapper - but also a singer, Jamaican, and Toronto-born.”

• Christine

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“Plague Dogs” by The Rural Alberta Advantage

It looks like The Rural Alberta Advantage has no plans on slowing down any time soon. After releasing a brand new EP and touring Canada last year, the trio has kicked off this year with a brand new song, ahead of an American tour.

“Plague Dogs” is a sonic kick to the chest, and is part of their goal to record & release new music in real time as the year progresses.

Check out the video below!

• Kirk

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“Let It Go” by Patrick Krief

Last week, Patrick Krief released the latest single off his upcoming album, due out later this year. “Let It Go” (not that one) features Krief’s buttery vocals as the song builds to an intense finish.

Patrick says “This story touches on the idea of being able to leave and finding a new safe space when everything gets difficult. Something I saw my parents do when leaving Morocco. Always left to reflexively want to escape hard times, this song is my confrontation with the habit of running from my problems. As the cliche goes, you cannot outrun your demons. In this song, I look for an alternative.”

Watch the video below, and keep an ear out for a full album, out some time this year.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: May 02 - 08, 2022

“My Mother’s Hand” by Jill Barber

This past weekend was Mother’s Day, and to commemorate the day, Jill Barber released a gorgeous, heartfelt song called “My Mother’s Hand”.

Though it was released ahead of Mother’s Day, the song was actually written for Jill’s mother’s birthday, after realising she had forgotten to send a card. Jill says "I wrote this song on my Mother’s birthday last year, and quickly recorded a rough demo and sent it to her as a voice note. We are very close, but live very far apart and hadn’t seen each other for over a year. I wanted to express my gratitude to her in the best way I know how, through my music. I am a mother myself now of two young kids and I sometimes worry that I’m not doing as good a job as she did with me… but I know she set the example I will always strive for, and I wanted to thank her with this song."

Have a listen below!

• Kirk

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“Gimmie Spirit” by Dear Rouge

New video and track from Vancouver’s Dear Rouge this week. “Gimmie Spirit” from their album Spirit that was released last month was directed by non other than Steve Bays, and follows the band around a party, and some beach fireworks.

If if you want to see them perform live, you’ve got a lot of chances coming up. They open for Vance Joy on May 27th, headline Friday at the Constellation Festival on July 22nd, and then are opening for Metric on August 13th!

• Christine

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“3 Sisters” by The Rural Alberta Advantage

Hot off the release of their recent EP The Rise, The Rural Alberta Advantage have released a brand new video for the song “3 Sisters”

The video — directed and animated by Jared Sales — follows the band’s tour van across the country, going from show to show. Sales stated, "We wanted to show the synergy a touring band has with each other, their audiences and the landscapes between them. Stylistically, we told the story from a bird's eye view and using 3D animation was the most effective way for me to bring it to life."

And you can catch the band with their van this summer on tour, including a date here in Vancouver opening for Broken Social Scene (or, if you find yourself in California next week, you can see them in LA with me!)

• Kirk

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“Part of Me” by Blunt Chunks

Even if you haven’t heardthe Toronto-based Blunt Chunks before, you may be familiar with some of the faces involved. Fronted by Caitlin Woelfle-O'Brien (of Jaunt), the band also features members of of The Weather Station, Luna Li, Hooded Fang and more! And not only that, but their latest single “Part of Me” features vocals and piano from Broken Social Scenester Brendan Canning.

Dubbed a “narcissistic anthem” by Woelfle-O’Brien, the song features her voice soaring to a crescendo, where it’s joined by a choir of others. Have a listen below, and check out the self-titled EP out now!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: February 07 - 13, 2022

“CANDU” by The Rural Alberta Advantage

It’s been nearly five years since we heard new music from The Rural Alberta Advantage, but last week the trio released not one, but TWO new tracks!

“CANDU” and “AB Bride” are the first in what the band is calling a “distinctly divergent course” for releasing their music. They will be putting out an ongoing series of new songs and EPs, as they're written and recorded by the band, with live shows to support them.

The new songs also see the return of original member Amy Cole, rejoining Nils Edenloff and Paul Banwatt, and if these two songs are any indication, it’s going to be a heck of a year of new music!

• Kirk

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“When You Turn on the Light” by Frog Eyes

Vancouver’s Frog Eyes announce their surprise return last week, releasing their first new single in four years(!)

"When You Turn On The Light," is the debut track off their upcoming album, The Bees, and features Carey Mercer’s distinctive vocals driving the melocic indir rock tune.

Mercer says: "I never made music when I was 21. I wanted to be a painter. I lived in an apartment with friends in Vancouver, and my room was full of cans of toxic enamel-marine paint. I would wake up at 3:30pm and paint on my bedroom wall, this crazed fresco, a hellish umber landscape that glittered street light reflections from the enamel paint. I had to sleep by my open window because the fumes were atrocious, and I started to deteriorate, but the fresco was really coming along.
Some of the roommates were amazing musicians, some of them passed away. I think the song ‘When You Turn on the Light’ describes walking into my bedroom in that apartment.
One time, I came home from a late afternoon walk and the building manager was standing in my bedroom looking at the painting with a look of wonder but also fear, and the fear turned to anger when I walked in. She kept her food in our fridge because her roommate kept stealing her cream cheese, and we used to dread the sound of her key turning in our lock. But it meant we could eat her cream cheese. When she confronted me about the fresco, I told her I was enriching the apartment and lied about my standing in the world, describing upcoming shows in Milan and Turin. And Toronto, for believability. She left and we were evicted a bit later but I think it had more to do with other things and not just the fresco."

Frog Eyes also be playing the Vancouver edition of the Paper Bag Records 20th Anniversary weekend, along with Frankiie and Gold & Youth at the Rickshaw on March 4th!

• Kirk

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“Psychic Jailbreak” by Cancer Bats

Need something to wake you up this Monday morning?!
”Psychic Jailbreak”, the new single by Cancer Bats will definitely fit that bill.

It’s the first, and title, track from their new album that will be coming out on April 15th through (their own label) Bat Skull Records. Lead singer Liam Cormier said that they “needed to kick things off with a total banger of a track that makes you want to pump your fist in the air, smash your head to the beat, all while screaming the call to action REJECT THE FALLACY OF TIME!".

Yep. That tracks!

• Christine

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“90 Days” by Common Deer

Toronto’s Common Deer shared the first single off their debut full-length album, MAXIMALIST last week. “90 Days” sees the band shifting from their indie rock roots to more of a synth-pop sound, but is no less catchy from their previous tunes.

Singer Sheila Hart says the new record tackles a range of raw and honest themes, from mental health, abuse, and addiction, to sexism and obsession, all with an undeniably raw vulnerability, adding "MAXIMALIST is a celebration of excess and a refusal to compromise, however misguided that might be.”

And with song titles like “Negative Thot”, “Fuckboi”, and “LonelyFans”, I am definitely intrigued to hear the full album when it drops April 1st!

• Kirk

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“Love Ballad” by Combine The Victorious

Happy Valentine’s Day to those that celebrate.
Here’s a little love ballad, conveniently called “Love Ballad”, by Vancouver’s Combine The Victorious.
<3

• Christine
  

Song of the Day: October 10, 2017 - "Toughen Up" by Rural Alberta Advantage

Here's the latest single from the Rural Alberta Advantage, whose new album comes out this Friday (the 13th!).

Oh, and if you were unaware, the band will be in Vancouver on November 24th with our city's own Yukon Blonde. It's going to be a hell of a show, so make sure you get tickets!

Song of the Day: August 29, 2017 - "Brother" by The Rural Alberta Advantage

I've been eagerly anticipating new music from The Rural Alberta Advantage for a while now, and now we get a taste with a fantastic animated video for the first single "Brother"

The song is off their upcoming album The Wild, which is due out October 13, and they'll be touring with Yukon Blonde (what a pairing!) including here in Vancouver at the Commodore on November 24! 

Song of the Day: January 14, 2017 - "Beacon Hill" by The Rural Alberta Advantage

The Rural Alberta Advantage have released another single, this one titled "Beacon Hill" and inspired by the wildfire in Fort McMurray.

Frontman Nils Edenloff is originally from Fort McMurray and had much to say about the town and inspiration for the song. Have a listen to the track, and check out the statement below as well.

"On May 1st 2016, a wildfire started just southwest of Fort McMurray, a city where I’d spent most of my teens growing up. While wildfires aren’t totally uncommon in the region, the dry and above average conditions at the time quickly made the situation unmanageable. By that evening, several neighborhoods were being evacuated and by May 3rd the entire city of more than 80,000 people was being evacuated.

I remember the evening of the evacuation, watching the images on the CBC’s news reports. Beacon Hill was one of the hardest hit areas and some of the footage that came out of there made it look just biblical- real fire and brimstone sort of stuff. The next day I actually heard rumours that the high school I attended burnt down (it didn’t) but because the city was empty, no one could really confirm anything. Everyone feared the worst.

Now, like a lot people who grew up in Fort McMurray, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the place. Growing up there, I knew it wasn’t the last stop for me but my life has become inexorably tied to the place and it’s shaped my life in more ways that I could have ever anticipated.

It’s been a number of years since I’ve been back to Fort McMurray and if I never go back then that will be my choice, but I knew the city would always be there. The idea that maybe there might not be anything to go back to one day wasn’t something that I’d ever prepared myself for.

Oddly enough, after the fire threat had passed and before the evacuation order had been lifted, there were two unrelated explosions one day apart which destroyed several houses and damaged a number of others in the area. Of the three places that I called home while living up there, I lived a stones throw from both of those explosions."