Guitarist Dylan Forshner Debuts with 'What Am I Doing?' – Exploring Life's Uncertainties Through Raw Music

Fri Oct 06, 2023

Parsing through the uncertainty of life is core to the human experience. For Toronto-based guitarist and songwriter Dylan Forshner, it’s part of what brought him to music in the first place.

“What Am I Doing?” is Forshner’s debut as a songwriter, fit with the authentically raw trepidation of a musical caterpillar with the chops of a chrysalis ready to crack. Over a grungy riff with enough tempo to replicate the confusion of an occupied mind, Forshner repeatedly asks the most rhetorical of questions:

“What the f*** am I doing?
What the f*** am I doing?
Who told you I was okay
I’m ‘bout to drink until we parlay”

Watch and listen to“What Am I Doing?” on YouTube here:

Guelph’s Soulful Sensation Dan McLean Jr To Release Debut Album Rhyme as Reason

Fri Oct 06, 2023

Guelph, Ontario's own soulful crooner Dan McLean Jr is preparing to unveil his highly anticipated debut album, Rhyme as Reason, slated for release on October 11, 2023. Preceding the album, McLean will treat fans to a taste of his soul-infused artistry with the release of the single "Kiss Me Once" – check it out on YouTube here:

 For over four decades, Dan McLean Jr has captivated audiences with his expressive vocals and enchanting performances. However, Rhyme as Reason marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career, featuring his first-ever collection of original adult-contemporary compositions.

Alex Nunes' New Single 'Fear Of Being Erased' Invites Listeners on a Soulful Journey of Reflection and Self-Discovery

Fri Oct 06, 2023

Singer-songwriter Alex Nunes from Toronto, Ontario, renowned for his ability to craft gentle folk music that touches the soul, is proud to announce the release of his new single, "Fear Of Being Erased." This reflective and melancholic track delves into life's impermanence, inviting listeners on a journey of contemplation and self-discovery. Check it out on YouTube here:

Econoline Crush Unveils Powerful “Locked In Your Stone” Written Through Grief and Healing

Fri Oct 06, 2023

Grief is a complicated and emotional process. People handle it in different ways. For Econoline Crush frontman Trevor Hurst, music is his therapy.

In March 2022, the Canadian rock band’s guitarist David “Ziggy” Sigmund died. Hurst learned of his close friend’s passing over the phone 15 minutes before he was to leave to listen to the final mixes of Econoline Crush’s upcoming album, “When The Devil Drives,” which Sigmund had a hand in.

The news broke Hurst. In the months leading up to his death, Sigmund had withdrawn himself from those close to him to avoid physical and emotional pain associated with his struggles, Hurst explained. The musician said he and Sigmund were as close as brothers, and the loss consumed him with a range of emotions.

“Ziggy’s death caused me to reevaluate my own personal struggles,” Hurst said. “I was angry that he was gone. I felt abandoned and lost with no relief in sight.”

He turned to the coping tool he had learned that treats him best: music. From that pain, “Locked in Your Stone” was molded.

Logan Brown: A Decade in Entertainment, Combines Comedy and Music to Create New Album Black Man, White Privilege

Fri Sep 29, 2023

Logan Brown has been carving his path in the entertainment industry for over a decade, sharing stages with some of Canada's top comedians and establishing himself as a notable act. Now, the Ontario musician introduces a humorous blend of comedy and music into his acts.

Brown is exploring the musical comedy universe and will make space for it with his debut album, "Black Man, White Privilege.” The provocative name comes from Brown’s heritage history. “Despite being a split between Irish and Nigerian I look like an extra from the Sopranos or your least favorite uncle after a trip to Florida.”

Check out YouTube here:

Nova Scotia's Lawrence Curry Unveils His Debut LP 'I Sail To Thee,' An Ode To Celtic Roots, Enchanting Listeners With Soulful Storytelling

Fri Sep 29, 2023

Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Lawrence Curry has released his debut LP I Sail To Thee, out now. Curry’s full-body voice and well-seasoned guitar skills carry through his album, but the masterwork of it all is his storytelling ability–undoubtedly an ode to his Celtic roots.

Check out ‘Of Which Mortals Only Dream’ on YouTube here:


From track to track, the multi-instrumentalist pulls inspiration from real-life tales and his own experiences to weave individual, specific stories.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/7cvQ3UwqSK1CWNGrtmQrl4

Sing Along with Multi-Award-Winning Country Music Star Laurie LeBlanc on His Cozy “Campfire Song”

Fri Sep 29, 2023

Grab a blanket, a cold one, and your closest friends-- Laurie LeBlanc proves that summer never ends in his new single "Campfire Song," Watch and listen to “Campfire Song” on YouTube here:

 "I won’t deny that one of the most incredible feelings on earth is being on stage singing for hundreds/thousands of fans," says LeBlanc, "but there’s something magical when you’re sitting by a campfire with family and friends, and everybody sings along to some classic campfire songs."

Folk-Maestro Jack Browning Prepares to Mesmerize with Debut Album Red Eye Radio - A Modern Fusion of Folk, Blues, Rock 'n Roll, and Alt-Country

Fri Sep 29, 2023

Jack Browning, the 25-year-old folk-maestro from London, who wouldn't be out of place in Nashville, makes his gentle mark on the world's music scene with his debut album, Red Eye Radio, set to release this September. It’s an album promising to captivate listeners and get under their skin with its modern blend of traditional folk, dirty blues, rock n roll, and alt-country influences, showcasing Browning's heartfelt lyrical prowess and distinctive storytelling.

Check out Blue Eyed Son - Jack Browning (Acoustic) [LIVE] on YouTube here:

Punk Pioneer Eugene Ripper Drops New Single "Battle of the Punks and Pushers" Ahead of Fall Tour

Fri Sep 29, 2023

Eugene Ripper, the trailblazing fast folk rocker and Canadian punk pioneer, delivers us a raucous bang of dirty guitars and stomping boots as he releases his latest digital single, "Battle of the Punks and Pushers." This electrifying release coincides with his upcoming CA/EU/UK tour, which kicks off in Toronto in September 2023. Check it out on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/eugeneripper

Ripper, a seasoned veteran and undeniable talent of the Canadian punk scene, cut his rock and roll teeth as a founding guitarist in the first-wave Canadian surf punkabilly rockers Stark Naked & The Fleshtones. Ripper's musical journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After his time with the Fleshtones, he embarked on a solo career that has spanned decades, characterized by a unique synthesis of punk, folk, roots, and rock. This mixing bowl of tonal expressions allowed Ripper to forge his own path to dirty musical heaven.

Blues Virtuoso Brandon Isaak Unleashes Musical Magic: 'One Step Closer' Album Out Now

Fri Sep 29, 2023

With a lineup of songs that span the blues genre, Brandon Isaak is set to stun audiences once again with the release of his new album, One Step Closer, on September 22.

Check out YouTube here:

Throughout the album, Isaak explores classic iterations of the blues with the occasional modern twist. The record flirts with a vintage, New Orleans sound and incorporates an array of old-time instruments, from fiddle and banjo to washboard and lap steel. Through his collaborations with masterful veteran musicians like David Vest, Al Pease, Darryl Havers, and others, Isaak creates a rich, timeless culmination of sounds, styles, and themes with the power to transport the listener to the French Quarter and beyond.

First Day of Fall: Toronto Singer ALEX BIRD's Ballad to Canadian Thanksgiving

Fri Sep 29, 2023

While American Thanksgiving gets a ton of attention and fanfare, Canadian Thanksgiving is arguably the superior holiday.

Alex Bird, the Toronto-based singer, thinks Thanksgiving is so special, in 2022 he wrote Canada’s first official Thanksgiving tune called “The Sweetest Moments”.

Give it a listen here:

Would you be interested in an interview with Alex Bird? Bird can speak to the inspiration behind The Sweetest Moments and what makes Canadian Thanksgiving unique enough to deserve a song of its very own. 

Toronto's XL Syndicate Drops New Single 'Lights Go Down': A Fusion of Caribbean Vibes and Revamped House Music

Fri Sep 22, 2023

XL Syndicate out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a collective whose sound was influenced by multiple genres including Soca, Reggae, and R&B -- consistent with the group's Caribbean upbringing. "Caribbean vibes run deep in our veins," they write on their Instagram page, which is generating quite the following. Their latest track and music video, "Lights Go Down," is a fitting ode to the prime days of house music and warehouse parties that continued all night until the sun came up. The collective has retooled that classic sound for our current era. Check out YouTube here:

This is a song that could be played in the rocking clubs of Toronto, Miami, Vegas, and Ibiza. However, XL Syndicate says that the genesis of the song was much more intimate and revolves around the universal theme of seeking refuge in music and dance. 

Singer-Songwriter Gerry Jack Macks Takes Listeners on a Gritty Musical Journey with 'Too Many Times Down That Road'

Fri Sep 22, 2023

Singer-songwriter Gerry Jack Macks is back with a brand-new single that promises to take listeners on a bumpy journey down the rough road ahead. The release of his new single “Too Many Times Down That Road” showcases Macks’s unique musical style, which defies genre boundaries and features an impressive collaboration with two-time JUNO Award winner Al Lerman and talented young drummer Sara Varro. Check it out on YouTube here:

 Macks’s latest single was born out of a chance encounter over a cup of coffee with his friend Al Lomas. The longtime trucker had just navigated a treacherous backroad filled with potholes and ruts. Inspired by Lomas’ description of the rough journey, Macks penned the song's lyrics right there in the diner, capturing the essence of a challenging path with a catchy tune.

Indie Rock Band The Alter Kakers Celebrate Breakup Liberation in Latest Single 'When You're Gone'

Fri Sep 15, 2023

All things end. Some things must end.

Steve Bronstein of Toronto indie rock band The Alter Kakers wrote the group’s latest single, “When You’re Gone”, years ago near the close of a relationship. But unlike the more common musical theme in breakup songs, the singer isn’t sad about the conclusion - he relishes it.

 “Instead of having a remorseful feeling about it, it takes a self-aware approach,” Bronstein explained. “Looking forward to the freedoms ahead.”

Incorporating clever wordplay and poignant truths, Bronstein brays over an upbeat but dirty instrumental, which includes drums, guitar, and even violin.

“When You’re Gone” has been a long time in the making. Bronstein originally wrote its lyrics about 30 years ago, then stashed them away. A decade ago, the bed tracks were recorded at Metalworks with the band’s original singer, Matt Dratva. Fast-forward to modern day, and The Alter Kakers decided to revisit the song and turn it into something complete.

Grammy-Winning 'Slack Key' Guitarist Jim 'Kimo' West Drops Enchanting Album 'Of Wood and Spirit: American Guitar Stories’

Fri Sep 15, 2023

Grammy-winning Hawaiian "slack key" guitarist, producer, and composer Jim "Kimo" West unveiled his latest album, "Of Wood and Spirit: American Guitar Stores," on August 14, 2023. This release marks the beginning of a tour that will enchant audiences across the United States and Europe. It will also include a special benefit concert, "The Hana Sound Returns," dedicated to supporting the people of Maui, featuring Leokane Pryor and CJ Helekahi. Watch and Listen on YouTube here:

Chin Injeti Takes You on a Sentimental Journey with 'For Better Or For Worse' ft. Shad K

Fri Sep 15, 2023

Chin Injeti adds a nostalgic offering to his 2023 repertoire with this new song “For Better Or For Worse” featuring Shad K aka YBTB. They say sentimentality is a hell of a drug, and in this new release, it keeps getting better with every listen.

The Grammy and JUNO Award album-winning contributor assembled an anthem that bodes well for adults learning to live with growth. Injeti admits his motivation for the song is “Growing up and accepting the things that go with it,” and continues, “the fact that we changed, and we’re ok with it.”

“For Better Or Worse” harnesses acoustic components from start to finish that sound familiar to the ear. Together with the almost faint repetitive thudding hiding behind the acoustics. It all works and complements Injeti’s style of singing throughout the song. What came as a surprise was the electronic element of the song, as it didn't overpower the whole musical production.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/6hquJHRYQEozbip27gmACt

New Orleans Blues Guitarist Caroline Cotto Captures Aching For A Future Home on Bright, Colorful "Bayou Sun"

Fri Sep 15, 2023

Sometimes in life we carry an ache for a future home that rivals our aching for homes past. Blues artist Caroline Cotto captures this unique sort of pang in her raucous and triumphant single “Bayou Sun” – from her forthcoming album of the same name. Check it out on YouTube here:

The song starts out with galloping guitar, rock ‘n’ roll piano, and Cotto’s voice dripping with warm honey as she tells a lover all about making her way to New Orleans after practically holding her breath:

Drive Down to The Delta
Baby, won’t you come (won't you come)

I know that you’ve been blue and lonesome
Grab your keys, follow the moss trees, my love
Hold my face in your mind
Till you see the Bayou Sun 

Experience the Vibrant Fusion of Latin and Pop in Bryan Bravo's 'Cha Cha' – A Cultural Journey with Mariah McKnight

Fri Sep 15, 2023

“Cha Cha” by Bryan Bravo is a blending of Latin and Pop that is an ode to his culturally diverse upbringing. The latest single, from Toronto’s native featuring Pop singer Mariah McKnight is now available to stream. Check it out on YouTube here:

 Bryan Bravo’s quirky fusion of a slow altitude and Latin/Pop energy is more than just making an inevitable hit record; it’s about “creating a perfect balance for both chill vibes and getting your body moving,” the artist shares.

It’s the approach in each lyric that mirrors the song’s objective adeptly. Bryan uses untangled words that make the listener wish to hit the dance floor and let loose.

Bill Brennan Releases Two Captivating Singles, "Nostalgie" and "Istana" from Album "Kaleidoscope - Music for Mallet Instruments"

Fri Sep 15, 2023

Renowned pianist, percussionist, composer, and producer Bill Brennan is set to mesmerize music enthusiasts once again with the release of two compelling singles, "Nostalgie" and "Istana," from his upcoming album "Kaleidoscope - Music for Mallet Instruments." The album showcases Brennan's virtuosity as a performer and his artistic prowess as a composer, blending a diverse array of influences into a sonic tapestry that's both captivating and evocative. The Story of "Nostalgie":

Z Chambers Drops His Latest Pop and R&B Hit 'Tightrope' Delivering a Resonant Message for a New Generation

Fri Sep 08, 2023

Accomplished Los Angeles native and pop/R&B artist Z Chambers released his new song “Tightrope” this week. Featuring intriguingly melodic vocals paired with a mysteriously somber yet upbeat score, the artist delivers a poignant message sure to resonate with younger generations. Check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/5bPXeO3mKRjlX9R5I0KRTX?si=65e0a54707124ad0&nd=1

Z Chambers is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He discovered his love for art and music at an early age and began participating in talent shows. Inspired by artists such as Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Linkin Park, and Coldplay, Z started writing music and performing at local venues. After high school, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in music and attended Musicians Institute.