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"? 

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Erika Kulnys is back with a powerful new double A-side single, "Montreal" / "Streets of Montreal," an evocative exploration of longing, loss, and the memories that tether us to places and people. With deep lyrical storytelling and lush instrumentation spanning three countries—Canada, Cuba, and the U.S.—this release cements Kulnys’ place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary folk.

From Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Havana, Cuba, Kulnys has spent her career blending the personal with the political, the intimate with the universal. Compared to Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, and Joni Mitchell, her music has resonated on a global scale, with past accolades including a Top Ten placement on the Canada/US Folk Charts, a Canadian Voice of Women for Peace Award, and multiple songwriting honours.

If there’s one thing Gerry Jack Macks refuses to do, it’s follow the rules. The blues-roots-swing-folk-country-rocker has long defied genre conventions, and his latest release, Beautiful Noise, is no exception. 

A fresh and vibrant reimagining of the Neil Diamond classic, the track breathes new life into the song with a roots/Americana feel and a Latin beat, featuring the powerhouse drumming of Sara Varro.

Macks, who also runs the Beautiful Noise – a Canadian Music Showcase radio show, took inspiration from the original Robbie Robertson-produced hit but made it his own. Unable to find a Canadian cover version that met his standards, he decided to craft one himself—a version that both pays homage to the song’s timeless energy and injects it with his signature, multi-genre stylings.

A Classic Soul Ballad with a Slow Burn and Deep Reflection on Life

Few names carry the weight of Danny Marks in the Canadian blues and roots scene. From his early days as a founding member of Edward Bear, opening for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie, to his decades as a torchbearer of the blues with BLUZ FM and beyond, Marks has remained a perennial force—a man whose time comes, again and again. Now, with the release of his latest single "I'm Ready," Marks steps forward with a classic soul ballad—one that simmers with slow-burning intensity and speaks to the restless waiting, the longing, and ultimately, the readiness to seize the moment.

"It’s been a long time, and I want you to know that I’m ready..."

Songs having dual meanings are rare. But when put in the right hands of a talented singer-songwriter, those songs can sound effortless and incredibly easy on the ears. For Richard Moody, recording under the moniker Tobacco & Rose, he's crafted a stellar single, "Tara." It's a gentle, alluring tune which could be thought of as a traditional love song. Yet for Tobacco & Rose, the song -- the first single from the forthcoming album Tobacco & Rose -- has a deeper, spiritually tinged resonance.

There are songs that come and go, and then there are songs that stay with you, lingering like the echoes of a classic rock radio station fading into the night. “Prophets Said”, the latest single from Louis Emory and The Reckless Few, is exactly that—a modern rock anthem with the heart and soul of a ‘70s classic, taken straight from the vault of the greats.

Emory, a Troy, NY-based singer-songwriter with a knack for storytelling that rivals his heroes Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison, channels an electrifying mix of grit, melody, and raw emotion into “Prophets Said.” The track, recorded with longtime collaborators Tim Lynch and Bob Boyer at The Recording Company and mixed by Shelly Yakus (John Lennon, The Band, Tom Petty), showcases the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that doesn’t just demand to be heard—it demands to be felt.

Lyrically, “Prophets Said” is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful look at love that has run its course. With lines like “We were just ships passing in the night / Flames dancing in eternal vibes”, Emory captures the bittersweet realization that some relationships are fated to end—but that doesn’t make them any less meaningful.

Canadian multi-instrumentalist Mickey Moone has released his latest single from the project Ride Alone titled “Take is Easy”. Over two decades into the music game, Moone consistently reveals his influences, whether classic rock, first-wave punk…and this track: a hooky 50s vibe. Produced and mixed by the artist himself in his home studio, Mickey Moone provides all instrumentation and is the primary lyricist offering sentiments as You are the light in my day, you illuminate everything declaring his passion, hunger for love, and pleading for a match to loyalty with You’re a locomotive I’m the tracks you’re rolling on, I’ll bring you anywhere for free.

Put three quality artists together, put any possible ego clashes aside, add a willingness to collaborate, and what you can be left with is magic. It's that magic saturating "Touch Me," a smooth, sensual reggae-tinged, radio-friendly single by the trio of singer CEGIE (born and raised in Winnipeg), musician G Loc (born in Jamaica and now based in Toronto), and musician TrizO (born in Jamaica but now based in Calgary). The song's attraction is a case of the sum being far greater than its parts.

From the heart of the snow-covered landscapes of Northern Ontario comes a song that captures the exhilarating freedom of winter adventure. Singer-songwriter gRaHaM mUrRaY sEaRs is back with his latest single, “Snow Machine”, a high-energy folk-rock anthem celebrating the thrill of snowmobiling, the beauty of the North, and the simple joys of embracing the season. The track is the first taste of his highly anticipated upcoming album SHARE, set for release on June 27, 2025.

Life as an artist can be desolate and dire, but it can also come with ample moments of joy and happiness in simple things and making connections. Those thoughts about the highs and lows and rolling with the punches are perfectly captured in Winnipeg indie rock group Empaths In Retrograde's debut album The Great. It's an honest collection of genre-defying material speaking to vices and virtues using infectious, intriguing melodies and hooks, and incredibly accurate but gritty lyrical vignettes highlighted by the single "She Comes to the City."

"'She Comes to the City" is about the sacrifices one must make for the things we love," the band says of the single which brings to mind some eclectic collage of The Strokes and critically acclaimed Canadian group Constantines. "Written about a tumultuous long-distance relationship from January 2024, it was saved by guitarist Ryan Whiskey’s (Ryan Purdy's) insistence on its survival. His buzzy guitars compliment the catchy singalong hook of the chorus to create our best attempt at a song of the summer (as no one likes driving in a Winnipeg winter)."

The world can be divided into two groups of people: those who inherently believe in what messages or proverbs are found within fortune cookies and those who don't. For Southern Oregon-based folk roots musician Aliza Hava, she falls into the former. "I have a whole box full of them at home that I've collected over the past two decades," Hava says. However, a moment of serendipity arrived while working on her phenomenal new studio album Into the Light with producer Mikal Blue and, more specifically, the fantastic title track, which is also the album's lead single.

There often comes a time in a relationship when you realize that what used to sustain you no longer works for you, and that you need to move on. But what if the relationship is with yourself?

 On his new single, “Letting You Go,” Coquitlam B.C. alt-rocker Tim Steinruck confronts the man he used to be, and hands him a breakup letter that’s as eloquent in its execution as its message is heartfelt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSQI8cR_19E&feature=youtu.be

The Sun Harmonic are an Ontario based straight-ahead three-piece rock n' roll band; guitar, bass and drums. Recording is always live-off-the-floor in the studio. 

Their 7th full-length album is set to be released in 2025, ushered in by the first sing-along single "Homesick"  coming out Friday February 28th. 

Indie veteran and frontman Kaleb Hikele (guitar), with rhythm section Dave Skrtich (drums) and Ian McLennan (bass), are The Sun Harmonic. 

Elephants and Stars (proudly Canadian) are thrilled to announce the release of their new album, "Under The Earth And Above Heaven", produced by the legendary rocker Ian Blurton. With a sound that fuses high-energy rock, heartfelt lyricism, and anthemic melodies, this record marks an exciting evolution for the band. Fans have already embraced the first two singles, "The Ceiling" and "Strangers on a Train," both of which have been gaining traction with their big hooks and guitar driven energy. Blurton’s production has brought out the band’s full dynamic range, making this their most powerful release to date.

Mississauga-based jazz pop vocalist Heather Christine revisits her solo travels in France with a fresh, Latin-infused take on the Cole Porter standard, accompanied by the renowned Bill King Trio.

When Mississauga, Ontario-based jazz pop vocalist Heather Christine graduated from college, she set out for a solitary backpacking trek to France. That adventurous trip and feeling of empowerment at the time has now come full circle with her latest single, a fabulous rendition of the Cole Porter standard "C'est Magnifique." Accompanied by the Bill King Trio, and found on the forthcoming EP entitled Heather Christine with the Bill King Trio, the single is a trip down memory lane for Christine while musically having some lovely Latin edge and moxie.

"'C'est Magnifique' was the first cover song that I have ever recorded," Christine says. "It's a song that sweeps me away to my happy place. Traveling solo gave me the chance to push through my fear and revel in the delight of a dream come true. We captured the essence of this experience for me personally with 'C'est Magnifique.'"

When words fail, symbolism takes over. And West Vancouver indie poppers Focus Your Audio know a thing or two about symbolism, having just filmed a video that proves its emotional power in a stunning 360 degrees.

Their clip for “The Long Goodbye” is an extended visual metaphor for the ravages of dementia, as represented by a living room that’s progressively being stripped of its contents. Band members Sarah Stewart and Bobby McAloney perform the song’s poignant lamentation while the camera spins slowly around them; each time it completes another cycle; more knick-knacks and pieces of furniture are missing. All the while, the lighting grows dimmer, like a mind slowly losing track of its inventory. Amid that unfolding portrait of involuntary surrender, Stewart’s repeated refrain acts like a plea against the inevitable: “Stay with me tonight.”

The Long Goodbye

Powerhouse, JUNO-nominated Canadian vocalist DENIELLE BASSELS proudly presents her third original studio album, It Goes Like This. A testament to her singing and songwriting prowess, It Goes Like Thisis like a lush, cinematic journey, or an epic vintage novel. Under dim lights, with a bottomless glass of cognac, it invites listeners into a space where every note and lyric tell a tale. With vintage style, yet contemporary sound, it offers unique music that pushes the boundaries of jazz, and jazz songwriting. Performing with an eight-piece band, Bassels celebrates the album launch on February 13^th at Toronto’s Drom Taberna, 458 Queen St West. Doors open at 7 pm, an opener at 8 pm and Bassels goes on at 9 pm. Tickets are $22.63 at Eventbrite.

Think February is too early to start thinking about summer weddings? Ask a caterer. Better yet, ask 98º, who are looking ahead to the season of love with a freshly re-recorded and digitally remastered version of their classic “I Do (Cherish You).”

 Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/0XzaVuKFTZyDL4LsY9yEkX

Seeing release in plenty of time to be incorporated into a planet’s worth of nuptial plans, the new recording offers a contemporary take on the timeless classic that was a worldwide smash in 1999. Group members Nick Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffre are in better voice than ever as they revisit their swoony slow-jam pledge to love us from the depths of their soul, in a way that’s beyond their control.

“I’ve waited so long to say this to you,” they declare, in a statement that has even more romantic heft than it did 26 years ago. “If you’re asking, do I love you this much? I do.”

August 2 and 3: St. John's, NFLD August 8 and 9: Twillingate, NFLD

Not everyone can say they documented a personal epiphany on a barf bag. Yet that’s exactly what happened to Newfoundland-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Tonia Evans Cianciulli, who got the inspiration for her moving ballad “Bravery” while on a fateful flight to Vancouver.

At over 30,000 feet in the air, stuck in her seat for five hours between her two young children, Cianciulli found herself bedeviled by thoughts of worry—for her own safety and security, and for theirs.

“I’ve been no stranger to the feelings of being lost and alone in life, despite being surrounded by family and friends who loved me,” she says. “That day, my mind was particularly turbulent. I could also see my daughter, a tween at the time, struggling with her own heavy emotions. It was then that the realization hit: I had to be brave—not only for myself, but for my children too.”