What if your most enduring relationship… was with suffering?

On his evocative new single “Bride of Suffering”, Victoria, BC-based artist Tobacco & Rose (aka Richard Moody) takes us on a poetic and emotionally immersive journey through the human condition—where sorrow is not only familiar but wedded. Following the meditative grace of “Tara,” this latest release is another stunning entry from the forthcoming debut Tobacco & Rose album, due April 25, 2025.

Some songs arrive like a whisper. Others hit like a runaway locomotive. On his blistering new single “Hellbound Train,” Indigenous singer-songwriter The Tennessee Cree (aka Kevin Schofield) delivers a wild, soul-scorching ride straight from the heart of Canadian roots music.

It’s a song that sounds like it could have been found on an unreleased Johnny Cash record—and that’s no accident. “Johnny Cash has been good to me,” Schofield says. “I love the man in black. George Jones is almost like the dad I never had. Hank Williams is the lost uncle I never knew.”

Love doesn’t fade. It lingers in familiar places, in quiet moments, in the space where paws once pressed against the floor. Indie rock trio The Alter Kakers have released “My Darling One”, a song that began as a private letter and became an anthem for anyone who has ever said goodbye to a beloved pet.

Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/4RcdDXSs1MIDrB8wJl29v6

Frontman Steve Bronstein wrote the song after the sudden passing of his rescue dog, Tori, in August 2023. Searching for ways to process his grief, he was encouraged to write a letter. Instead, the words found their way into a melody—a way to keep her memory alive.

"My darling one where have you gone?
Are you out walking at the dawn?
Are you smiling at everyone?
It’s so like you, my darling one.”

Vancouver-based alt-folk artist Kele Fleming has never shied away from truth. Her songs are protest anthems. They are hymns for the haunted. They are postcards from the edge, sent in the voice of someone who made it back. Her newest single, “The Nite The Stars Fell (For Kurt Cobain),” might be her most personal yet.

A forgotten poem, a legendary folk voice, and a story 120 years in the making

 Acclaimed Western Canadian balladeer John Gogo is bringing history to life with his new single “The Morning After”, a rollicking folk tune based on a virtually unknown Robert Service poem. Originally written in 1900, the poem was passed down through generations before landing in Gogo’s hands in 2020. Now, after setting it to music, enlisting Canadian folk legend Valdy, and recording with an all-star lineup, he is unveiling a song over a century in the making.

"Western Canada is filled with stories just waiting to be told," says Gogo. "When I was given this poem, I knew I had to bring it to life in the best way I could—through song."

There is a certain weight to a song that feels lived in, the kind that doesn’t just tell a story but carries the marks of time, regret, and redemption. John Dawson’s latest single, “Mend in My Ways,” is one of those songs—a quiet but powerful reflection on taking love for granted and the slow, often painful process of setting things right. Following the success of “Where You Belong,” “Things That I Meant to Say,” and “Life Just Came to Me,” Dawson continues to carve his space in the folk-roots tradition as a storyteller whose words feel as familiar as a well-worn book, yet as profound as a revelation.

Club Cadetta continues to build momentum with the recent release of their catchy single “Fences,” their first issue of 2025 on the heels of 2024’s “Terminal 3” and “It Starts Again.”

The Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario four-piece have only been writing since March 2022 and are already making their mark on the music world. The group are a tight, vibey, coordinated force with a sound that has clarity and is inviting to the ears. They are rapidly growing in popularity and notoriety even sharing the stage with the likes of Our Lady Peace.

With Touch Guitarist Markus Reuter And Drummer Zach Alford

After last year’s successful sessions with Stick Men produced Toomey’s bold prog EP Perseus Calling the songwriter was excited to continue the trend. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevented Bassist Tony Levin and drummer Pat Mastelotto from participating, so drummer extraordinaire Zach Alford (Bowie/NIN, B52’s, Psychedelic Furs & many more) stepped into the breach with Stick Men touch guitarist Markus Reuter and a plan was laid.

Due to the somewhat last-minute nature of the sessions the decision was taken to do virtually no prep work and write in the studio. Toomey says “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but also WAY outside my comfort zone. Professional music production costs being what they are, coming in cold is an even more risky venture than usual. Thankfully, Markus is a consummate improviser, and his encouragement gave me the confidence to go with it. I’m so very glad I did!”

If the world feels like it’s gone off the rails, it’s because it has—and The Riptides have the soundtrack for it. Fueled by a post-pandemic punk-rock panic attack and loaded with melodies that hit like a right hook, Burn After Listening is the Ottawa band's most audacious record to date. Their third single “Bad Habit” is out now—an infectious slice of pop-punk perfection that slams like Green Day but with the heart and hangups of a bruised romantic. Think The Clash at their catchiest, Screeching Weasel at their wittiest, and The Queers with just the right amount of existential dread.

Award winning Canadian Folk/Americana songwriter Robert Thomas will release his much-anticipated sophomore album “The Way We Roll” on May 1. Following on the heels of a career writing for the likes of Bonnie Raitt and the Dixie Chicks and the highly regarded 2022 release “Parallel Lines,” the first 3 pre-release singles from “The Way We Roll” have already garnered over 100K streams, 50K video views, an International Acoustic Music Award and an Official Video Selection at the Folkstone Film Festival (U.K.)

youtube.com/@robertthomas_sessionmen/videos

Produced and recorded by JUNO winners Catherine Maclellan and Mark Westberg, “The Way We Roll” features, Thomas’ legendary backing unit, the sessionmen – Ray Legere and Jon Arsenault - and guest appearances by some of Canada’s finest acoustic players – Ivan Rosenburg, Terra Spencer, Carlie Howell, and Rich Knox.

Just picture it: Wayne and Garth pile into their trusty AMC Pacer, headed for points unknown to get into some of their trademark hesher mischief. Wayne flicks on the radio, cranks up the volume, and outcome the familiar strains of … a flute?

It’s an entirely likely scenario, now that Regina jazz flutist and singer-songwriter Marie-Véronique Bourque has recorded her own version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Just like the original, her rendition has the power to get any weekend warrior’s head banging—as long as there’s an open mind in there beneath all the hair.

With a voice “as powerful as a freight train” and a soul that carries the weight of his lived experiences, Indigenous singer-songwriter Joe H Henry unveils his latest EP, Real Things—a raw and deeply personal exploration of life’s honest moments. Fresh off nominations for ECMA Blues Recording of the Year, Americana Recording of the Year (NSMAs), and Indigenous Artist of the Year, Henry is set to bring his signature blend of gritty folk, blues, and Americana to audiences across Eastern Canada on his Spring 2025 tour.

This June 28 and 29, 2025, Line Spike Frontenac 2025 will make history as one of the largest pre-Canada Day music events in the nation — a bold and brilliant "Power of Positivity Musical Harvest" set in the breathtaking hills of Frontenac County. Bringing together musical icons and rising stars, the two-day festival promises an unforgettable celebration of community, inspiration, and unapologetic Canadian pride with legendary artists Burton Cummings, Walk Off The Earth, Chantal Kreviazuk, Alan Frew, Kelsi Mayne, and Madison Galloway.

Created by Get2ThePoint Productions Inc. and producer/promoter Jeremy Campbell who was inspired by a moment of personal reflection on a remote lake in 2020 and the legacy of Expo ’67’s Peter Aykroyd. Line Spike Frontenac is a tribute to Canadian resilience and unity in uncertain times. After overcoming personal health battles and drawing wisdom from past experiences — including working under Michael Lang at Woodstock '99 — Campbell vowed to create an event that uplifts people and economies alike.

From harmonica to baritone guitar, from frontman to producer, Steve Marriner has spent over two decades shaping the sound of modern blues. With two JUNO Awards for his work with MonkeyJunk, a career spent touring with Colin James, and collaborations with Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Blue Rodeo, Marriner has become one of Canada’s most versatile and respected musicians. Now, he’s taking a Genesis song that’s lived “rent-free” in his head for years and giving it the treatment it deserves.

 Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/5j9Nweytw1hSffsRkufpVH

"I Can’t Dance," Marriner’s latest single, out now via Cordova Bay Records, kicking off a new chapter in his ever-evolving career. "I love a strong chorus, and this is one of the best—a classic bluesy melody with a catchy pop sensibility," he says. "While I appreciate the early ’90s production of the original, I always felt that the lyric demanded a lot of swagger and wondered what it would sound like with a bit more analog grease on it."

There’s something about a Drew Gibson song that lingers, much like a well-worn novel or an old Polaroid pulled from a shoebox. His latest single, "Low Country, High Wire," from his critically praised album Burning Horses, is no exception. A rich, atmospheric ballad featuring the haunting harmonies of Maddi Mae, the song captures the weight of waiting—whether for love, for redemption, or for time itself to make sense.

With a voice that carries echoes of Bruce Cockburn, the storytelling prowess of Jason Isbell, and a guitar style that could sit comfortably alongside Mark Knopfler, Gibson has crafted a song that speaks to the heart of every dreamer who has ever stared down the road and wondered what might come next.

Following the success of "Burn a Smudge," which reached the Top 20 on the Indigenous Music Countdown, Saulteaux from Cowessess First Nation in Treaty 4 singer-songwriter Uncle Trent (Agecoutay) returns with another heartfelt single from his upcoming album Legacy. “You’re the Reason,” featuring country artist Ashley Ghostkeeper, is a timeless celebration of love and devotion, written by Trent’s late father, Jim Agecoutay. Originally composed for a friend’s wedding, the song has found new life in this deeply personal rendition, weaving together two generations of musical storytelling.

Niagara Falls, ON’s Suicide Star doesn’t just play rock and roll—they live it, breathe it, and blast it through the speakers with a thunderous, unapologetic force. Their latest single, "Auntie Anxiety," is a hard-hitting anthem and a battle cry for a world that never stops spinning, for a generation drowning in chaos, and for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re “falling off the edge of the world.”

Photo Credits: Tracey Savein   

The Wolves were at the door...Los Lobos, that is and in they came, blowing the house down with hot sounds and big, bad stories to tell. Playing that sweet soul music, Mexican style, by way of East L.A. 

Their triumphant fourth return to Koerner Hall in Toronto, a place packed with dedicated fans nodding in acknowledgement to every first lick of a song, bopping and howling to faves and deep cuts alike. Wrapped in that colourful tapestry of Los Lobos's special blend of rock, tex-mex, country, zydeco, folk, rhythm & blues and blues and soul, LL was shakin' it up with some serious hot sauce.

"Revolving Door", the new single from the Jason Haywood & The Goldrush self-titled album will be released on Friday March 28, 2025.

The Moncton, New Brunswick based singer, once a member of the acclaimed east coast band The Divorcees, formed The Goldrush as a creative rebirth and released their self-titled debut album late last year. Influenced by timeless legends including John Lennon and The Byrds, at heart, Haywood’s voice is entirely his own.

Jason has this to say about the new single. - "I wrote this song about a woman settling for less than she deserves and she keeps telling herself that everything‘s OK. At some point, she will hopefully reach that breaking point and realize that she isn’t being appreciated or loved the way she wants to be and it’s time to move on".

Listen closely to “You Will Be Fine (And Other Lies),” the latest single from Kingston, ON quirk-rocker Five.X.Five. What sounds to the idle ear like a jaunty, upbeat anthem is actually something closer to what its sardonic title suggests: a wry, vaguely surreal, sometimes even horrific portrait of life under watchful eyes.

Like a guided missile flying not over but straight into the proverbial cuckoo’s nest, the irresistibly immediate track rockets us into the dark heart of an unspecified institution where there’s “No TV allowed in the breakfast room” and “You stare at the wall like a friend.” Amid the enforced quiet, the only noise comes from the nameless authorities who “shout the punishment/ For mounting your own defence.”