Joe Richard was raised in a small town called Loudonville in Central Ohio. He spent the first 32 years of his career playing music in area clubs and bars. We caught up with Joe at his home in the US, “As it says in the Bible, sin is fun for a season, but the destruction that is done to your body and to your life in general last a lifetime. I spent those years of my life drinking, taking drugs, and many other things. I was trying to fill the void and the emptiness that I always felt inside.”

Meeting a friend’s other friends can sometimes be incredibly awkward, but when there’s a sex dungeon at the party, that takes it to a whole other level. Winnipeg-based Indigenous pop songstress Violet Vopni’s new single “Friendzone” addresses a sort of universal awkwardness between any two people where one might have feelings that the other doesn’t — and the story behind the song is rich in novel experience.

Check out “Friendzone” here on YouTube:

Featuring head-bopping beats, a bubbly groove, and a wailing guitar solo, “Friendzone” navigates the journey of walking into a party, detecting some strange and possibly flirty vibes, and setting some friendly but firm boundaries. “Your friends are hard to read/ Are they hitting on me?/ Let's skip the pleasantries/ Just tell me,” Vopni sings.

Alternative indie darling Fox Fagan invites you, saying “Let’s Get Lost” with the release of new single — available now! It’s a mystical joyride through disco and modern rock flavouring, sprinkled with a catchy hook and plenty of highs that’ll have you choosing to accept the invite time and again.

Check out “Let’s Get Lost” on YouTube here:

The multi-instrumentalist from Portsmouth U.K. turned Los Angeles-transplant hangs it out to dry on his latest offering — escapism that delights and serves in a variety of genres cleverly carved to break the mold while designing a new one. His new solo EP Daydream Mindtones is Fagan’s first completely self-produced collection of tracks with eclectic forays into psych-rock, chamber-pop, and alternative.

A harrowingly romantic combination of what feels like the Dirty Heads and Jessie Reyez, Lozen tells a tale of coming and going, and the fire that comes with reuniting in her newest single, “Something Bout Chu” – watch and listen on YouTube here:

 A light-hearted track that draws from American reggae influences like Sublime with Rome and Slightly Stoopid, “Something Bout Chu” infuses smooth acoustic guitar riffs with a trancelike 4-piece drum kit. Lyrically, Lozen alludes to her infatuation for rap as she references groups like Wu-Tang Clan and Busta Rhymes, dropping palpable innuendos and allusions to mystic love. 

“It was very surreal,” Lozen says of the writing process. “So fresh, but familiar at the same time. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I just knew, there was something about him.  Something kept pulling us together, despite all odds.”

Canadian alt-pop artist Zach Oliver’s newest single is a fresh glass of spiked lemonade under the hot summer sun. Featuring a sweet story of summer love, “Coat Check” is the perfect addition to your summer jam playlists – check it out on YouTube:

“Coat Check” is a tale of summer love fueled by the innocence and charm that inspires love at first sight. The picture-perfect storytelling in “Coat Check” is woven into the highs and lows of Zach Oliver’s mellow production style; smooth synth pads and teasing drum cadence lures the listener into the track. Within a moment’s notice, the music picks up and the intensity becomes clear, hyperbolic of the daze that sets over our young protagonist as his confidence slips away and he makes eye contact with “her.”

There are plenty of run-of-the-mill hip-hop artists chasing clout and checks nowadays, as if the passion of rhythm and poetry has been cast aside. It’s artists like Sonny Hendrixx and Daxflow that work effortlessly to keep the art behind rap alive by delivering hard-hitting cadences and prolific messaging, and nowhere is this more apparent than in their newest single, “Damn” – check it out on YouTube here:

Best summed up as an aggressive single that uses light footwork to deliver powerhouse stingers and reality checks within each listening experience, Sonny Hendrixx and Daxflow use throat-cutting delivery woven into powerfully potent five-finger cadences on “Damn,” start to stop; 808 saw synths lay the foundation for what eventually divulges into a lyrical homicide as straightforward trap drum rhythms stick around to carry out the finality of the assault.

Langley, BC country rock band Whiskey Blind spins a tale of love with a song about breathlessly waiting to be with your lover on the electric new single “She Means The Most To Me” – check it out on YouTube here:

Their first foray into crafting a love song, “She Means The Most To Me” is a song about that wandering feeling when you separate from your partner and can’t wait to be back in their arms. The band isn’t afraid to traverse their vulnerable side on the track with their edgy country sound and heartfelt message, and the new single is a testament to the fierce musicianship and storytelling prowess that’s made Whiskey Blind a sonic force to be reckoned with.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/7d1NZ7la7qEuWKKr9j2zVa?si=5477a8e32604495e&nd=1

Toronto-based power pop band The Scary Loud split the earth with their heart-pounding song about exposing the redundancies and weaknesses of the education system on their electrifying new single, “No Need School”:

An outright rejection of the established order, “No Need School” is a visceral interpretation by The Scary Loud of the failures of government-run learning institutions. They are the latest in a long line of artists who have criticized the established educational order, such as Alice Cooper and Pink Floyd — while lending a bend towards going your own way, frontman, vocalist and guitarist Scotty Komer (producer; Silverstein, Protest the Hero, Zach Oliver) reveals.

“I wrote the song to be a bit of a ‘follow your dreams’ and ‘don’t listen to what you’re told is the proper path to a future’ kind of message,” he shares. 

There’s nothing more exhilarating than being a daredevil in love, and Windsor, ON-based pop newcomer Tayler Lynn paints a soaring vocal landscape of all the beauty and breathlessness in her new single, “Play It Safe” – check it out on YouTube here:

Feeling the presence of a lost loved one and the inexpressible joy of reminiscing good times is the subject of award-winning Indigenous singer/songwriter Mike Bern’s latest heartwarming single, “Shrine of Shirl”:

Drawing on his own experience with loss, Mike Bern takes listeners on an emotional journey using his signature sonic palette of folk-rock harmonies with a sprinkle of southern gospel. “Shrine of Shirl” is a testament to Bern’s ability to fuse his distinct musical style while harnessing the influence of artists such as Ben Schneider and Frankie Miller.

While “Shrine of Shirl” is based on a personal experience and inspired by his late uncle’s ashes which hang in his truck by the rearview mirror, the song is about all the souls that are no longer here. “He always wanted to listen to music while he was here,” Bern shares. “Now, when his favourite song comes on, I know he’s with me.”

It’s a case of a kismet-style meeting 20 years ago, a like-minded connection and an inevitable reconnection 20 years later that produced musical magic over just one week in Nashville. That’s the distilled down story of how NYC folk-jazz artist Jae Ordon forged a creative partnership with legendary Broadway guitarist and composer Laurent Medelgi to record his new album Artificially Natural and its captivating lead single, “Life Whispers On” – check it out on YouTube here:

A multi-layered, genre-bending tune trip that journeys from time travel through a couple’s whirlwind romance and eventual dissolution, “Life Whispers On” explores the fleetingness of life and relationships with a chorus that anchors down a central idea of the power of love.

Foggy brain; pounding head; the flashbacks of what might or might not have happened – we can all relate to the morning-after regret from a night of heavy drinking. With grungy riffs and verses full of humor, Grant Boyer captures all the angst on his new single “Alarm Bells (Never Drinking Again)” – check it out on YouTube here:

Inspired by ’90s bands like Nirvana and Weezer (and infused with the fun, kitschy bratty-ness of Ugly Kid Joe), “Alarm Bells” is a wild romp through a night of partying, and panic the next day. 

My head is pounding and I woke up on the floor
Alarm bells are sounding and my landlord's at the door
Drank all the rent again,
Drunk dialed my girlfriend,
Now she's not my girlfriend anymore

Canadian multi-hyphenate Brooke Burgess is fully embracing his "DADBOD" with the release of a humour-laden anthem around self-acceptance and transformation  - watch and listen on YouTube here:

Serving as both the title track and grand-finale release from his recent album, DADBOD, the award-winning artist, writer, producer, and director strings together an upbeat, rock-infused, and family-friendly flex about the aging process.

“I got a kid, and I got a Dadbod!” he chants across the track and its newly-minted video — a visual autograph indicative of his return to directing since his acclaimed animated comic series Broken Saints (2003-2008) took top nods at Sundance, telefilm, and won him CNMA Producer of the Year.

A culmination of hope and togetherness is often the imagery we get when we think about the ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ and multi-award-winning artist Craymo delivers just that in his newly reimagined single, “One Love One World (We Are One) (Freedom Mix)” -

A reggaeton anthem promoting harmony, peace, love, and sacrifice, the song features uplifting lyrics and much-need messages of unity and peace to provide the saving grace many are looking for. 

Having first debuted 21 years ago as a message of love after the 9/11 attacks in New York, “One Love One World (We Are One)” recently received a makeover — just in time to deliver hot summer vibes. 

With Brandon Jarrett offering backup vocals throughout this production as well as assisting in additional songwriting, the remix features tight drum machine work that drives a smooth reggaeton groove. 

If music is what feelings sound like, then songwriters have a special all-access pass to emotional catharsis; Canadian Jazz-Folk singer-songwriter Catia Dignard has taken beautiful advantage of that to let go of long-held grief with her moving new single, “Safekeeping”  - watch it on YouTube here:

All at once ethereal, haunting, and intimately personal, “Safekeeping” explores and resolves the residual sorrow that Dignard has held close since the untimely loss of her father in the late ‘80s. Dignard was just 17 when she received the shocking and traumatic news that her father had suddenly died.

“‘Safekeeping’ is about saying goodbye when you were not able to at the time,” explains the Montréal-born, Toronto-based artist. “This time around, with the song, I didn’t want to miss my chance.”

Supersonic forces assemble like musical avengers to unify the grittiness of rock, the uptempo complexity of big band, and the sophistication of jazz, forming a whirling maelstrom of sound all in Brass Camel’s genre-defying debut single, “Easy” – check it out on YouTube here:

Answering the question of what Kamazi Washington would sound like if he played for Dream Theater, Vancouver, Canada’s Brass Camel is a tight musical collective determined to supply audiences with a new harmonic experience that transcends the traditional confines of music. Brass Camel is looking to change the game with their revelatory debut album due out later this year.

Set it, and let it ride on Autopilot! Their latest rock offering “In Between Days” shatters the speakers and lauds itself in a tale of love lost packed with an indie punch, written and made famous by the incomparable 80s new-wave gurus, The Cure.

Check it out on YouTube here:

Forced to see through the pandemic through the making of their album, the Canadian three-piece have set their sights on conquering 2022 — back on the road with fury and furor, taking their rock sound live to the fans. 

A group notably recognized for their debut release Afterglow (2018), Autopilot have acquired fans and critical success through their appearances at Canadian Music Week (CMW), Indie Week, AYE Fest, Fairfield Revival, and more. Additionally, the band earned the Best Rock/Pop Artist nod at the 2019 Saskatchewan Music Awards. 

Drawing on hard lessons and a life well-lived, Oshawa singer/songwriter Mark Wihlidal celebrates his golden years with a good ol’ fashioned rock tune about living without regret on his debut single, “Life Can Be A Mystery,” while proving you’re never too young, too old, too anything, to follow what you love to do.

Wihlidal hits the ground running with the supercharged song “Life Can Be A Mystery,” an eclectic rock n’ roll composition about never looking back and staying positive. “This song represents me giving myself some advice and perhaps offering advice to someone else.”

Check out “Life Can Be a Mystery” on YouTube:

The song came about on a cold December night when the car radio just happened to go down. Cool silence filled the air as silky smooth harmonies brought life to the vehicle. The genesis of “Life Can Be A Mystery” is found here.

A fearless rendezvous of precision and skill, cosmically-wired jazz-R&B artist Laranah Phipps Ray and La Funkalicious unveil the majestic and unbridled new single, “Jazz Crimes” – check it out on YouTube here:

Embodying the spirited mix of high-energy jazz, R&B, funk, and Afrofuturism start to finish, the multi-talented vocalist, songwriter, producer, and influencer continues to bend boundaries and break barriers with her deeply-rooted musicality and explosive scat execution — her new song arriving as no exception. 

Written by Joshua Redman, “Jazz Crimes” features Laranah on scat alongside trumpeter Arnetta Johnson. Produced by consummate hitmaker, guitarist, and co-founder of the legendary Gold Certified Group Instant Funk, Kym Miller, the track serves as a prime preview to Laranah Phipps Ray’s upcoming album, Game Changer — set for release January 2023. 

Canadian rock/blues band Taming Sari releases their rippin’ new song about being vulnerable in a hyper-exposed world where there are fewer places to hide with the supercharged new single, “No Shelter” – watch and listen on YouTube here:

A hard-hitting anthem of compassion and connectedness, “No Shelter” acts as a visceral reminder to cherish the people in your life — especially during an era filled with social trauma. “Things will never be the same, but we still need that crucial support to get through life and be happy.”