When it comes to pride, there are few more empowered and emboldened by their homeland than Shades Lawrence, and these badges of humility and coat of pride are worn boisterously in the Quebec-based artist’s new single, “No Return” – check it out on YouTube here:

Shades Lawrence is a queer, Montreal-born hip-hop artist of mixed British, Jamaican, Irish, and Scottish descent. As she’s progressed through the journey of finding her sound, Shades Lawrence has performed over 40+ shows as a spoken word poet and hip-hop artist and shared the stage with a variety of artists — including Princess Nokia, Big Freedia, Cakes da Killa, and more.

In the age of social media, we are theoretically more connected than we’ve ever been, but that connection can prove tenuous when there’s bullying, anger, or unkind words, and Canadian jazz songstress Katie Ditschun captures the sadness around having one’s voice drowned out in her new single, “One Voice” – check it out YouTube here:

“I feel disillusioned and dismayed about the ways people communicate these days — especially by what gets attention and engagement on social media,” Ditschun shares. “My own efforts at reaching an audience online focus on encouraging people to be kind and seeing the good in life; on finding moments of joy and beauty… “But positive messaging has trouble competing with all the indignation, accusation, and animosity that people apparently prefer to spread.”

When you’re going it alone, sometimes all you need for that extra pep in your step is an encouraging anthem about independence. Thankfully, Canadian country songstress Bree Taylor delivers just such an antidote with the release of her brand-new single, “On My Own” – check it out on YouTube here:

Bursting with a catchy, head-bopping chorus, “On My Own” is validating to anyone who might doubt their ability to do it alone. “I’m ok on my own/ I can do this alone/ I’ll find the road that will lead me home/ Because I’m ok on my own,” Taylor sings as an affirmation.

“I originally wrote this song about being fed up with disappointing dating experiences and wanting to just get to a place of being okay on my own and not needing someone to ‘complete’ me,” she shares. “The song was written almost four years ago now, so its meaning has taken a turn for me in the time since I originally wrote it…

Sometimes having a passion can be both a blessing and a curse. Canadian rockers Blaze Project capture this very conundrum with their blues-infused single, “Sweet Little Misery,” from their brand new album, Enjoy This Moment – check it out on YouTube here:

“Sweet Little Misery” is a thumping, bluesy, head-bopping rock ‘n’ roll song with a wailing guitar solo that brings to mind the energy of an arena. Its message is somewhat meta: “It’s about an artist and his great passion for music, as well as his vision of a performance on stage,” the Baie-Comeau, Québec-based band shares. “A musician who was born with this talent and passion, and despite all the paths taken, he will always end up finding the stage and music on his way.”

Wanderlust consumes rising Canadian country star Shawn Oates as he releases his new single, “Outta This Town”.

Check out “Outta This Town” on YouTube here:

Straight from the stompin’ prairies, the Edmonton, Alberta-based artist borrows a chapter from the glory of the country greats with a ditty about trading common streets for newer heights — singing to his love about leaving it all behind for a different view.

“Life doesn’t always lead us in the correct direction, but it’s our ability to get back onto the right path that demonstrates our personal strength,” Oates says, sharing his personal journey of overcoming addiction to pursue his passion of music and get to where he is now — and beyond.

The ’80s are it right now, and Nathalie Miranda knows. In a powerful throwback soul/pop combo, her newest single “Is This Love” drums up nostalgia fumes rife with neon vibes and fluorescent lights all the way.

Check it out on YouTube here:

“Is This Love” is a powerful mixture of 80’s synth-pop and love-at-first sight. Impassioned and lyrical storytelling is coupled with swells of synth-fueled serotonin spikes as Nathalie Miranda’s infectiously soulful timbre spirits listeners.

“Is This Love’ was actually the perfect follow-up to ‘Battle Scars,’ which had a 70s rock/pop sound,” Nathalie Miranda shares. “‘Is This Love’ was always meant to be a nod to 80s pop music — which is my favorite music decade — so I thought ‘why not follow up a 70s sound with an 80s sound?’”

Hip Hop soul-R&B artist MODLEE ushers audiences on a sound journey like none other with the release of her new album, SOUL URGE — available now via Disques 7ième Ciel.

Marking her arrival as the first female artist to sign with the label, the release is the fruit of a visionary, one-of-a-kind co-production alongside producer, DJ, and long-time collaborator, Vlooper.

A hymn to beauty, growth, and surrendering to your inner desires — the desires of the heart and soul — the LP shares stories tinged with inner healing and bearing a message to the other.

At #-tracks tall, the album pulses on the foundations of its hip-hop and electro influences before soaring into the expansion of soul fusion styles; SOUL URGE immerses you in a parallel universe of Rhythm and Blues and lulls you with MODLEE’s velvety vocalizations and imagination.

Check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/artist/1vJ2skBECCSXeUdgbQadBW?si=EtPKhrQHRTOa-9lLBJukIQ&nd=1

Lori Hardman began her musical career at an early age and continued with a formal choir education throughout her school days. Influenced by a strong musical family that supported her passion for music, Lori has grown quickly in popularity, and with a very supportive local music family.

In September 2014, Lori formed Lori Hardman Band and since that time they have performed at many venues, festivals, and benefits throughout the region, honing their skills and developing a fan base.  With love for the music of Blues, Country, R & B and Rock & Roll, Lori Hardman demonstrates a strong vocal ability and delivers a powerful performance, combining all these genres to create a sound that is all her own.

Recently Lori Hardman partnered with Robert Hammerstrom, co-writing and releasing the inaugural self-titled album, with the release of a single “I Found an Angel”, which garnered attention  on the charts in the UK, Italy, Germany, Belgium, United States, Holland, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand amongst other global audiences.  “I Found an Angel” was also chosen as an April Top 20 Pick Hit on Cashbox Radio.

Check it out on YouTube here:

There are times when alone time isn’t just necessary, but absolutely crucial to our wellbeing. Canadian contemporary Christian pop artist Danah-Lee sings of such with radical honesty and deep vulnerability in her new single, “Love Letter To A Friend” – check it out on YouTube here:

Melancholy but soaring, “Love Letter To A Friend” beseeches a friend to be understanding about the fact that the narrator has fallen out of contact. Featuring piano, a groovy-lite bassline, and elegant strings with some whimsical pizzicatos at the end, the song arrives from Danah-Lee’s newly released 2022 album, Made in the Image.

Terry Gomes completed an Honours degree at the University of Ottawa, studying classical guitar and composition. He taught guitar for many years, played in several rock bands, and performed in a flute/classical guitar duo. Later on, he released three self-penned albums in singer-songwriter/pop/folk-rock genres. In 2013, his album SHH marked a major shift into guitar-based instrumental, smooth jazz.

However, his last three releases, THE SAND IN MY SHOES and BLUE. GREEN. AQUAMARINE., and THE TROPICAL DREAM, found him moving much closer to home.

Canadian rock band Truce showcases their high-precision musicianship and stadium-filling sound in a sonic testament to the metal gods with their latest rip-roaring single,“Holyroller” – check it out on YouTube here:

The blazing new single from the Moncton, New Brunswick-based band’s meticulously crafted new album, Unentitled, the release is a labour of love accounting for various rock styles — including blues, punk, and doom.

As the band maintains, “we don't discriminate when it comes to riffs…

“If it rips, it rips.”

Truce’s seamless musical chemistry puts forth the best qualities of all band members, with a tight playing style that is often associated with the highest performing acts in the world.

The new single from singer/songwriter Mack MacKenzie's band Three O'Clock Train is “It's Not Worth It,” was recently produced by Bob Rock at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC.

Born in the North-Eastern U.S., in Maine, and raised in Montreal, MacKenzie has crossed borders both internationally and musically, through The Beatles, Bowie, Jimmy Page, Big Thief and Ghostland Observatory.

Early on in life, MacKenzie was turned on by Americana folk legend John Prine, noticed his name in parentheses on the John Denver single “Paradise,” and when he realized that he was the writer, decided that's what he wanted to be: “The guy in parentheses.”

As a Mi'kmaq Native, he takes a certain pride in watching the spotlight finally shine on the pioneering and pivotal role played by Native musicians in the history of rock and roll. “It's Not Worth It” features Mack MacKenzie, Chip Kinman, Zippy Pinhead (William Chobotar), Mary Celeste (The Modernettes) and Punk Rawk Choir including Tony Bardach (The Pointed Sticks), Chris Crud and Ron Reyes (Black Flag), among others.

Kristy Joy Smith is a mellow singer/songwriter who grew up singing and playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads on guitar.

Likening herself to the sounds and style of Adele, or maybe Cheryl Crow, this talented new artist might be new on the charts but has had a unique career to date. Involved in Christian TV Shows, toured a teen as a musical featured soloist on a 66 major city tour (from the US to the Bahamas) with audiences of over 10,000 people.  As a former Ms. Tennessee United America in 2014, Kristy was also a model, airline stewardess and add Former Winner of Matt Duffy Showcase, of Hollywood Records (Disney Music) to the long growing list.

The best music creators are one part mathematician, one part mad scientist. They need to know how to get the right sounds out of their instrument, but also delight in mixing all of it up into an exciting, sometimes boundary-pushing concoction. The unbridled joy of skilled experimentation is evident in this, The AltoRays’ groove-driven new release “Lift” – check it out on YouTube here:

“It took a pandemic!” Austin, Texas guitarist, composer, and producer Mitch Watkins says, giving silver-lining credit to the two-year, global health crisis for allowing him and Montréal-born-and-raised, now Austin-based vocalist Dianne Donovan enough time in their schedules to finally create their long-planned duo album, Back to the Light, released late last year.

Niagara Falls, Ontario has been harbouring some sensationally psychedelic soul in the form of Canadian band Road Waves and their funkalicious new single, “Hometown” – check it out on YouTube here:

“Hometown” is a groovy composition that meticulously meshes aspects of psychedelic rock, jazz, and soul to create a song you can dance to with mesmerizing instrumental depth. The song was written on a hot summer day in 2020 and is a message to fans about the anticipation of connecting again soon through the magic of live music and audience interaction.

Listeners are treated to a delightfully rich sound that evokes an emotional musical response that transports the senses with a robust horn presence and an enviable rhythmic relationship between drums and bass that flourishes effortlessly.

Canadian folk-rock group Village Manor tells a musical tale of being lucky enough to find that unique someone in our lives with their catchy new single, “Special One” – Check it on YouTube here:

The latest Village Manor song is a heartfelt story that naturally fits the uplifting instrumental arrangement and speaks to the rhythmic chemistry of the band. Bright guitars and splashy drum fills are seamlessly interwoven with warm vocals to create a sound that is recognizable yet distinctly different.

In tandem with the smooth vocal work, the lyrics convey the trials and tribulations that come with keeping the “Special One” in our lives happy.

With handclaps, rock and roll, electric riffs, and a sonic breeze sending you into an audio oasis, Canadian / U.S. rockers Stereobabe are rolling through town like a “Tumbleweed” with the release of their new single and video – check it out on YouTube here:

The song is the call and answer for good vibes, classic music, and, as the video shows, quite literally the soundtrack for having the windows rolled down and the radio cranked up.

“While in pandemic lockdown, we started jamming a riff together,” says Stereobabe — aka the magic duo that is Leann Banks (The Von Bondies) and Ted Lamont (Blasternaut). “We ultimately thought the word ‘Tumbleweed’ fit really well, and gave us a lyrical direction to take the song.

“It also gave us a direction to drive!” they continue. “So, we finished writing the song and started planning a road trip to the American southwest to film the video.

Delivering powerful riffage and remarkable vocal performances, there is no strain too much to push through for Saint John, N.B. alt-metal rockers Sonic Detour. And nowhere is this made more abundantly clear than in their new single and video, “Dolls” – check it out YouTube here:

A power-metal ballad filled with introspective lyrics masked by the gritty chugs and vocal performance accommodating them, there’s an intentional attempt to redirect the listener’s interpretations of the lyrics, creating an air of mystery, while also encouraging a replay.

“I don't like to say what any of the songs are specifically about,” lead singer Goose shares. “I want the work to stand on its own. I want to leave it open to both interpretation and misinterpretation.

“I'm just trying to make the listener feel something.

If you’re Son of Dave, that’s not just a hope, that’s a promise. The international blues mover and shaker, also known as Benjamin Darvill, is heralding his return home to Canada with the get-in-yer-bones new single “Someday Soon” — available now alongside his much-anticipated 10th album, Call Me King.

Check out “Someday Soon” on YouTube here:

After 24 years of living and making music in London and relentless global touring, this one-man harmonica and beatbox party is back home again in his native Winnipeg and ready to blast out his unique brand of less-is-much-more, funky and inventive rhythmic blues. That blues thump bump and wiggle are back in his stride on his 10th album of classic Son Of Dave harmonica beatbox bluesman vibes. The ten, self-written tracks on Call Me King are a tasty, groove-laden buffet of meaty rhythms punctuated by Son of Dave’s stellar harp riffs and melodies. 

Skid Row and earMUSIC join forces to announce the release of the anticipated new studio album, The Gang’s All Here on October 14^th, 2022. This announcement coincides with the launch of the iconic hard rock band’s Las Vegas Residency (as the Scorpions’ special guests) on March 26th, as well as the debut of their brand-new single, the title track “The Gang’s All Here.”

Check out “The Gang’s All Here” on YouTube:

“The Gang’s All Here” is an oath of triumph, exploding with powerful energy that makes us hunger for more. It is the logical next-generation leap of the band’s trademark sound that stomps out new ground — with singer Erik Grönwall (formerly of H.E.A.T, one of the best frontmen of this or any hard rock era) joining the family.