Songs of the Week: May 27 - June 02, 2024

June 03, 2024 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Kate Moon” by Said The Whale

Last week, Said the Whale released their 163rd song, “Kate Moon” — though members of their recently relaunched patreon may have heard it a bit sooner.

Joined by their long-time friend David Vertesi, who produced as well as played bass, the band described the new tune as “a warm hug on a cold and damp west coast day” which has been needed after the last few days here in Vancouver!

Sink into the embrace by listening below!

Kirk

“Say Goodnight” by Debra-Jean Creelman

Okay, this new single from Vancouver’s Debra-Jean Creelman is STACKED with talent.

First off, obviously the woman herself, but on trumpet on “Say Goodnight” you’ve got JP Carter (of Destroyer), multi-instrumentalist Sean Cronin, and Jo Passed’s Jo Hirabiyashi! And on top of that, in the live version below, Jasmin Parkin of Mother Mother on vocals, as well as a whole horn section.

The song itself “questions whether it’s possible to maintain one’s artistic edge while being in love”, and comes from DJ’s upcoming album Ego Death, which is out on July 12th (and I cannot wait!).

Christine

“Keep Me Free” by Peter Dreams

You probably know Peter Dreams better as July Talk’s Peter Dreimanis, but last week he unveiled a brand new solo project with the first single, “Keep Me Free”.

A bit lighter than July Talk’s grittiness, the new song is a breezy summer jam that was made in collaboration with the fine folks of MOONRIIVR.

No word yet on a full album from Peter Dreams, but he will be at the Hillside Festival in Guelph this summer, so here’s hoping we hear more soon!

Kirk

“Anyone Else's Eyes” by Meko Brain

Speaking of solo acts using a pseudonym that’s close to their real name: Mike O’Brien has debuted his latest project, Meko Brain.

Best known as part of Zeus, O’Brien has also worked with the likes of Dan Mangan, Bahamas, and Jason Collett (among many others) but now dropped his solo song, “Anyone Else's Eyes”.

The new single is a chill tune perfect for a warm evening, and Mike explains “I think we can all benefit from the old adage of walking a mile in someone else's shoes. It has to be possible to step back and zoom out and try to see someone else's point of view. The easiest way to adopt this mentality for me is to apply it to my immediate personal relationships. In a sort of montage way, I think I wanted to express this idea/feeling in the song.”

Have a listen below!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: March 25 - 31, 2024

April 01, 2024 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Highway Crawler” by The Porch Hounds

I was scrolling through Shred Kelly’s instagram ahead of their show in Vancouver last week, and notice the had posted that their bass player Nik Winnitowy was releasing a new song (and album) under the band name The Porch Hounds.

Well I made a mental note to look it up for today, and holy hell is it fun. The three releases so far are a combo of country, rock, and folk, and this single “Highway Crawler” just makes you want to move.
No news on the release date, but I’m going to be keeping an eye out for this one for sure.

Christine

“How Long” [Ace cover] by Jane’s Party ft. Zeus

Last week, Jane’s Party released a three-song EP, Common Guys (Super Deluxe), which comes with not one, but TWO collabs with the dudes from Zeus!

The first is a live session version of “Common Guys”, and also a cover of the 70's classic “How Long” by Ace.

This isn't the first time the two bands have worked together; first to record Jane’s Party’s Hot Noise album, then later to produce 2022’s Live Again. Vocalist/keyboardist Jeffrey Giles said, “‘How Long’ was on our list of covers to do, and with Zeus’ affinity for that 1970s classic aesthetic, we were over the moon when Neil and Carlin came on board for the jam. It is a tune we all know and love, and was grooving right out of the gates!”

Get your groove on below, and be sure to check out Jane’s Party at the Fox here in Vancouver this Wednesday.

Kirk

“Padam padam” by Jill Barber

Ten years ago, Jill Barber released her Francophone album Chansons, and now she’s back with an ENCORE!

ENCORE! features interpretations of songs by Charles Trenet, Blossom Dearie, Django Reinhardt, and Edith Piaf, with Jill sharing the classic “Padam padam” by the latter.

She explains, “It's always intimidating to interpret a song made famous by the spectacular Edith Piaf… but this is such a magnificent song, I couldn't resist attempting my own rendition. The trick is not to emulate her (impossible!), but to go for my own unique approach. I am so pleased with how this song, about a woman who goes quite mad, turned out.”

The full album is out on June 14th via Outside Music, and you can watch the video for “Padam padam” below!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: June 26 - July 02, 2023

July 03, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Air I Walk” by Zeus

Oh my gods, Zeus are back! It’s been nearly a decade since we last heard from the Toronto quartet, but they have returned with a brand new album, CREDO.

Along with the album announcement comes their first single, “Air I Walk”. Picking up exactly where they left off, the incredibly catchy song features the band’s unparalleled harmonies and throwback rock sound.

CREDO is out September 8th on Arts & Crafts, and immediately became one of my most anticipated albums of the year.

Kirk

“Just Another Day” by Royal Wood

Royal Wood is back with a 5-song EP Just Another Day (set to come out September 22), and has released the title track.
He not only (for the first time) solely wrote, arranged, performed and produced the song himself, but also engineered and recorded it as well.

He’s heading out on the road to support living legend Bonnie Raitt - although the closest stop to Vancouver is Penticton, that might be worth the drive for that show!

Christine

“Skin” by Arkells

Arkells have to be one of the hardest working bands going right now. They recently announced a new album, which will be their third new album in as many years (four if you count the acoustic album Campfire Chords).

The latest single is “Skin”, and feels destined to be a big singalong at Arkells’ legendary live shows. Singer Max Kerman explains the song “is about choosing to love more purposefully, about finding meaning in the hard stuff. It’s about coming to the understanding that the best and deepest relationships are far beyond what we experience on the surface.”

Sticking with their two-word title scheme, the new album is called Laundry Pile and drops September 21st!

Kirk

“Baby Teeth” by Haley Blais

This week Haley Blais announced that her sophomore full-length album, Wisecrack, will be due out on September 15th (via Arts & Crafts)!
We’ve had three singles released from said album over the last few months, and with the release announcement came another one, titled “Baby Teeth”.

The track comes with a super trippy video that I could see being on the Prism Prize list next year (speaking of, this year’s winner is announced on Thursday).
Of the song Haley says: “It’s a bunch of snippets of my life, of seemingly insignificant moments that made me who I am today, I think.”

Christine

“Walk Among the Stars” by Odds

Last week Odds released the third single from their upcoming album, Crash The Time Machine!

“Walk Among the Stars” is described as “a musical map pointing to fond memories of camaraderie and creativity. It's set in the town of Bath, Ontario and it's a tribute to friendship. Kindred spirits raise a toast on the frozen lakeshore. It's a rock 'n roll landscape painting.”

Check it out below, and keep an ear out for Crash the Time Machine, out August 4th!

Kirk