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.”

Montreal’s Psychotropical Orchestra is set to unveil their latest album, La Travesía, on April 1, 2025, introducing a mesmerizing fusion of Latin rhythms, alternative rock, and intricate sound design. At the heart of this sonic journey are Mariano Franco (vocals & sound design), Fernando Pinzón (guitar & sound design) and Jose Dominguez (drums) —three musicians whose deep-rooted passion for cross-cultural experimentation has shaped the band’s distinctive sound. With influences ranging from Latin tropical music to psychedelic rock and electronic textures, La Travesía is an album that both moves and hypnotizes.

With their signature blend of outlaw country, rock, and grunge, Pistol Whip The Devil delivers a heartfelt tribute to small-town roots with their latest single, “City With One Red Light.” Built on sweeping guitars, anthemic drums, and raw, evocative vocals, the song captures the bittersweet feeling of returning home, where memories linger in the air like smoke from a fire that never quite burns out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5C9cBnmhjk

 Toronto indie rockers Lost Pitch continue their ascent with the release of Speaking Silences, a mesmerizing new single that captures the dark beauty of love, control, and obsession. Channeling the rich textures of ‘90s alternative rock, the Toronto-based band draws inspiration from the likes of Oasis, Radiohead, and The Verve, crafting a sound that is both nostalgic and fiercely original. With Speaking Silences, Lost Pitch isn’t just delivering a song—they’re building an immersive world.

“Speaking Silences” Official Performance Video on  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecgGFaXG6jM

What if a song could slip through time, bridging past and present, reality and imagination? With their latest single, “Can You See It?,” JukeBox County—the brainchild of musician and mental health advocate Rich Tyo—invites listeners on a mesmerizing sonic journey where mystery, healing, and the unknown collide.

Rooted in folk storytelling but stretching into the surreal, “Can You See It?” Is the first chapter in an unfolding immersive narrative. Inspired by a man who attempted to use JukeBox County’s previous track Wormhole as a guide to slip through time, this new single attempts to bring him back, weaving a tale of connection, resilience, and hope.

With the heart of classic Americana and the soul of a protest song, “America”, the latest single from Ottawa-based HemlockHotel following “Running Out Of Road,” is an unflinching look at history, inheritance, and the longing for something better. Originally released during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, “America” has only grown more relevant in today’s turbulent times. Re-released in 2025, this evocative track is both a lament and a rallying cry—a song for those who refuse to let hope slip through their fingers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68VvqeGDCvM&feature=youtu.be

There’s a moment in every great rock song where recklessness meets precision—a tension between control and abandon. Cold Fame’s latest single "Jawbreaker" captures that electrifying push and pull, threading alt-rock grit with cinematic intensity. The British Columbia-based duo, made up of Jodi Pederson and Damian Anthony, are crafting soundtracks for the beautifully unhinged moments in life.

Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6bi9EmGLHoYBxYMUWKUygi?si=4566a13238344dbe&nd=1&dlsi=98fd65e1453e4f53

Tour Dates:

• April 4 – The Drake Underground, Toronto  Tickets
• April 5 – L'Esco, Montreal  Tickets

The worlds of hip-hop, dub, and soul collide in mesmerizing fashion on Odario’s latest single, The Situation—a deep, hypnotic groove that brings together UK dub pioneer Mad Professor and Canadian soul singer Yolanda Sargeant. This genre-blurring track, recorded at Mad Professor’s legendary Ariwa Studios in South London, is a lush blend of analog warmth, beat poetry, and sonic innovation.

"We've always shot a music video to accompany every single we've released over the last several years. "Hit Hollywood" was to be no exception. Director Sean Ryan and myself were to fly to Los Angeles at the beginning of February to shoot the video in and around Hollywood. Two days after booking the flights and accommodation, the devastating LA wildfires began burning out of control. After postponing our plans for several weeks, we finally decided that it was best to cancel them altogether.  BUT all proceeds from sales of "Hit Hollywood" from thejamesclarkinstitute.bandcamp.com/ will go directly to wildfire relief via gofundme.com beginning on Friday March 7th". 

If there were still diners with cool three-for-a-quarter jukeboxes opposite your fries and gravy, The James Clark Institute would be the kind of band you would constantly be digging into your pocket for just one more quarter.

Jangly, three-minute pop songs, with lyrics and turns of phrases that make you pause and think "did they just say that"?