XOCÔ Unleashes 'Maculelê' Performance From Toronto’s Lula Lounge Concert

Thu Feb 01, 2024

XOCÔ jumps onto the stage like a superhero with dance moves that will make your head spin, performing “Maculelê” live at the legendary Lula Lounge, taken from the recently released self-titled album (Lulaworld Records)

This song is named after the traditional percussion rhythm and warrior dance which is also the great grandmother of Brazilian Funk. The scene of fiery fusion is effortlessly captured by visionary videographer Elton Luz and his team who secure the explosive live XOCÔ energy at every turn as he liberates the audience to be themselves and let loose!

These movements of protection and revolution are customarily performed with machetes or sticks- tools from the sugarcane plantation fields and are especially sacred to and revered by Traditional Capoeira practitioners.

XOCÔ infuses his “Maculelê” version with lyrics celebrating imagery of the natural world and saluting Juerma and Orixá Oxóssi of Candomblé, the indigenous and Afro diasporic spiritual traditions respectively.

Myk Gordon Unveils Soulful Americana Vibes With Latest Single 'Brand New Love' From New Born To Be Album

Thu Feb 01, 2024

Vancouver singer-songwriter Myk Gordon has released his latest single “Brand New Love” in anticipation of his forthcoming album Born To Be. Check it out on YouTube here:

The guitar and drums-driven track features an air of steady feel-good rhythms with complimenting harmonies. In true Americana style, Gordon’s earthy voice drifts in and out of solid guitar features, leaving listeners with a medley of genres, including the styles of blues, roots, and punk. “Brand New Love” talks of the trials of love and of brighter horizons. Gordon explores the idea of moving forward, dreaming of love, and the kind of love one can offer.

“I can give you healing love
The kindest touch

The beauty of…”

Renowned Canadian Trumpeter Mike Herriott Releases 'Mercutio,' A Musical Exploration of Shakespeare's Beloved Character

Thu Feb 01, 2024

Embarking on a captivating sonic journey, renowned Canadian trumpeter Mike Herriott delves into the intricacies of Shakespeare's mesmerizing character, Mercutio, through his latest composition aptly titled "Mercutio," found on his most recent album, Tales of Tricksters and Vagabonds. Check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/1RQz8Wl45acR5hg1XcRVtx

 Drawing inspiration from the bard's insight into Mercutio's vibrant yet tragic existence in "Romeo & Juliet," Herriott crafts a musical narrative that mirrors the multifaceted nature of this beloved character.

It has been said that Shakespeare found his character of Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet to be so interesting that he had to kill him off, so attention wasn’t taken away from the story. Mercutio is Romeo’s close friend and becomes known for his humour and fun-loving demeanour. 

Rock Veteran LUNA COLLINS Unleashes Her Signature Sound in Latest Single 'Man In The Mac'

Thu Feb 01, 2024

Luna Collins, the seasoned pop-rock musician and former frontwoman for the all-female band, The Relay, has released her latest single, “Man In The Mac” – Check it out on YouTube here;

The San Francisco native was heavily influenced by the music of Motown and the Everly Brothers, but when she saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time, she knew she wanted to be like that. Moving to the UK at 17, she experienced the emergence of the punk scene with bands like The Sex Pistols, The Jam and The Clash. She intertwined the catchy, high-energy vibe of the punk movement with her Beatles-inspired melodies when she returned to the United States, touring with her group The Relay.

Rocker KYTLY Critiques The Artifice of Modern Dating with Arty “Modern Life”

Thu Feb 01, 2024

In KYTLY’s “Modern Life,” relationships are plastic, feelings are synthetic, and fun is like doing whippets – euphoric, but fast fleeting. The rock-meets-lo fi artist’s new single – available now – is a scathing yet also somehow gentle critique of, well, modern life. Check it out on YouTube here:

There’s an early-2000s ‘height of indie’ vibe to the song, conjuring bands like Chicks On Speed and the bedroom-made sensibilities of Le Tigre. But it’s also wholly current.

“Modern Life is a song of the times,” KYTLY points out. “Disposable relationships. Replaceable feelings. Sensationally driven. Dopamine-rushing lifestyles. It’s a self-effacing anthem for modern dating and the disingenuous process of becoming ‘fast friends.’”

James Leclaire Strikes a Chord with Newest Anthem 'Are You Ready?' – Part of His Ambitious Monthly Release Project

Thu Feb 01, 2024

Singer-songwriter James Leclaire gets everyone singing along with his latest single, “Are You Ready?”

Manotick, Ontario-based folk artist James Leclaire released his sixth single “Are You Ready?” from his ambitious and unique project where he is releasing a new song each month for the next three years. Check it out on YouTube here:

 After the shocking end to his 23-year marriage in 2020, Leclaire recorded an astounding 37 songs that encapsulate his heartbreak and journey as he navigated through many new life experiences.

“My sorrowful songs were always written from a fictional place or as a witness to others pain. Now it was my sorrow, my pain, my wound, and it caused my pen to bleed ink and my guitar to cry chords,” says Leclaire.

Award-Winning Jazz Singer-Songwriter Halie Loren Announces New Album Dreams Lost And Found

Thu Feb 01, 2024

Today, the award-winning Oregon-based jazz singer-songwriter Halie Loren announces her new album Dreams Lost and Found and shares a vibrant rendition of the Mose Allison classic “Stop This World.” Loren’s take on the song feels bold and brash with a rollicking energy that separates itself from the original. Her signature smokey vocals reinvent the melody in a fresh new way.

Muscle Memory: Hamilton, ON Hard-Grooving DOCTOR TONGUE Drops A Jam You Won't "Forget"

Thu Feb 01, 2024

Anybody can have an existential crisis, but not everybody can make it fun to listen to. “Not everybody” means musical eccentrics Doctor Tongue, who’ve found the funkier side of emotional detachment on their infectious groove of a new track, “Forget About Love.” Check it out on YouTube here:

A deceptively boppy little outing in a quasi-Curtis Mayfield mode, the song is actually meant to convey the alienation of today’s culture – specifically the isolating effect of personal devices and other single-user technology. Yet from the universality of the lyrics and the irresistible pull of the music, you could easily assume you were merely listening to a great, format-busting hit about romance gone bad.

Canadian Country Artist Amanda Keeles Releases Biographical New Single From Upcoming Debut Album, "Can't Stop Me Now"

Thu Feb 01, 2024

London, Ontario-based finance professional turned Country artist, Amanda Keeles, recently celebrated her first full year in the music industry. Having waited until her children reached adulthood and breaking free from a long-standing relationship that hindered her creative pursuits, the soaring vocalist and emotive songwriter made her triumphant entrance into the Canadian music scene one full year ago in January 2023. Launching her first three singles ever last year, Keeles' has already been featured on SiriusXM's Top of The Country channel, garnered significant airplay on commercial radio throughout Canada, and caught the attention of various music blogs and publications.

54•40 Unveils Deluxe Remastered and Reimagined Vinyl Bundle of Their Iconic "Green Album"

Thu Feb 01, 2024

In a nostalgic nod to the past, Canadian rock band 54•40 proudly announces the impending release of the remastered "Green Album" - Deluxe Vinyl Bundle, available for pre-order now here. Originally released in 1986, the self-titled second album, affectionately known as the "Green Album," marked a pivotal moment in the band's history.

Carefully curated to immerse fans in the nostalgia of the 'Green' days, the Deluxe Vinyl Bundle is a treasure trove of 54•40 memorabilia. The bundle includes not only the re-mastered vinyl but also alternate versions and previously unreleased songs. Fans will also delight in discovering exclusive photos, posters, stickers, and other fun memorabilia from the band's early years.

The Deluxe Vinyl Bundle features:

Jet Puppy Unleashes Rock and Roll Frenzy with Debut Single 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'

Fri Jan 26, 2024

Jet Puppy, a dynamic and highly entertaining rock and roll band from Toronto, Ontario proudly announces the release of their debut single, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” – Check it out on YouTube here:

With its catchy and nostalgic up-tempo beat, "Shake, Rattle and Roll," is a vibrant ode to the heyday of rock and roll. The band's commitment to preserving the joy, exuberance, and timeless sound of North American popular music is evident in this track, flawlessly embodying the essence of both rock and roll and rhythm and blues. Alec “Ears” Pham engineered the band’s live sessions which proved to be a revelation, making the band’s positive and shared aspirations crystal clear.

Austin, TX’s Rising Pop Star Aline Garza’s “Day One” Is The Beginning Of A Beautiful Friendship

Thu Jan 25, 2024

It’s about time pop music had its own hymn to the enduring power of an old-fashioned platonic connection. Maybe we were just waiting for the right prophet. “Day One,” the breakout single from Austin, Texas’ Aline Garza, is more than the debut of a major new artist—it’s a ride-or-die pledge that’s headed straight for the first page of every listener’s inner keepsake journal. Check it out on YouTube here:

"Outside" Angle: Halifax, UK Late Bloomer Gideon Foster Sees The Big Picture On New Single

Sat Jan 20, 2024

Anyone who thinks the music business is by definition a young man’s pursuit needs to meet Gideon Foster. Having come to the singer-songwriter game in his mid-40s, the Halifax, UK-based artist is now 54 and sharing the sort of becalmed wisdom only age can provide on his latest single, “Outside Looking In.” Check it out on YouTube here:

Landing with an audibly self-assured grace, the song is a meditation in both content and sound. Symphonic key swells, jangly guitar arpeggios and a shuffling, neo-trap drum beat snake in and out under Foster’s whispery, reverberating vocals as he gently gets his point across. That point? That at the end of the day, “out of the loop” isn’t such a bad place to be if you’re at peace with yourself.

First “Blush” Of Spring: Neo-Goth Rockers Vazum Welcome The Coming Thaw

Fri Jan 19, 2024

A Detroit deathgaze duo are the last folks you’d expect to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but Vazum wants to make it clear winter can be a bummer for anybody. Their new single, “Blush,” is a hopeful and timely reminder that milder days lie ahead – a message to cling to, whether your personal tastes normally run toward daffodils or funeral lilies. Check out “Blush” on YouTube here:

Jazz Pianist Simon Denizart Reflects On His Personal Journey With 35 Years of Mistakes

Fri Jan 19, 2024

Today, Montreal-via-France jazz pianist and composer Simon Denizart unveils a reflective new song “35 Years of Mistakes,” out now on Nettwerk / Justin Time Records. The tender piano ballad is enveloped in a flourish of melancholic string arrangements as Denizart grapples with his up and down journey as an artist. Listen to “35 Years of Mistakes” on all digital retailers (here).

“35 Years of Mistakes tells the story of an existence made up of ups and downs, unfortunate choices and moments of grace. It's an emotional musical journey that invites listeners to reflect on the power of resilience, the beauty of imperfection and the strength of perseverance,” explains Denizart.

“35 Years of Mistakes” follows the frenetic “Music Box” and lively “9-4,” (All About Jazz Song of the Day) signaling more new music from the jazz piano virtuoso.

Canadian Country Star Shawn Oates Offers A Fresh Take on David Lee Murphy's 'Dust On the Bottle'

Fri Jan 19, 2024

Canadian country star Shawn Oates returns with an homage to the country greats with his rendition of David Lee Murphy's 90s hit, "Dust On the Bottle." Oates puts his distinctive touch on this timeless piece, offering audiences a brand-new and captivating listening experience. Check it out on YouTube here:

 Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Oates attributes his resilience and strength to the transformative power of music. His work consistently explores themes of love, life, and happiness; his mission is to spread positivity and inject his blend of soul and emotion into the heart of country music.

Rockers Redhead Mack Band Assures Us That Our Luck Is Going To Change on Feel-Good "Once Again"

Fri Jan 19, 2024

Sometimes when you’re in a cycle of bad luck, it can seem like nothing is ever going to change. Enter Calgary-based Redhead Mack Band with a little bit of reassurance: It’s all going to be okay. That’s the gist of their pulsing, feel-good new single “Once Again” from their new album You Know That You Want To. Check it out on YouTube:

With percussive electric guitar, a driving beat, and a soaring chorus, “Once Again” begins with the story of someone who feels like they’re locked in an inevitable cycle of broken relationships, all blurring together in the dysfunction of sameness. But then the chorus rushes in with some positivity and a fist pump to remind the narrator – and us – that it will eventually get better:

Americana Rocker Matthew Holtby's New EP is an Absolute Sonic Departure

Fri Jan 19, 2024

ON-based Matthew Holtby has been slowly adding to his collection of singles, one song at a time for the past two years. Working with Peterborough, ON Producer Michael Phillips, the pair have been digging out the sounds Holtby creates on his acoustic guitar with the help of his bandmates, best friends and even his Father. Last year saw the release of two independent singles which caught the ear of the CBC, and also helped to land him a few festival spots. He also had the pleasure of opening for legendary blues rocker David Wilcox to a sold-out crowd in his hometown of Oshawa. With the help of his last release, Holtby's Americana style sound has garnered a few notable online reviews. This time, that stripped back acoustic sound has vanished and transformed into something mystical and magical.

Check out Goodbye on YouTube here:

Pianist and Composer Huguette Lavigne Unveils Cosmic Symphony with Latest Single 'As It Goes'

Fri Jan 19, 2024

Pianist and composer Huguette Lavigne invites music fans on a thrilling journey with her latest single, “As It Goes,” accompanied by a visually stunning experience. This latest release gives a glimpse into a potential future where space travelers coexist with advanced artificial intelligence. Check it out on YouTube here:

The video for “As It Goes” is a series of captivating scenes that paint picture of a futuristic world where space exploration and artificial intelligence seamlessly merge. Lavigne does not aim to convey any deep meaning, but rather aims to create a fun and enjoyable experience. The video showcases beautiful and inspiring images that match the mood of the music.