Song(s) of the Day: March 13, 2020 - "Trouble Is" & "Ain't No One Like You" by The Matinée

It’s been a hot minute since we last heard from Vancouver roots rockers The Matinée, but this past week they released not one, but TWO new songs.

“Trouble Is” and “Ain’t No One Like You” are both natural extensions of the bands sound, with some familiar voices helping out — both Dawn Pemberton and Colleen Rennison (No Sinner) lending their incredible pipes, as well as Matt Kelly (of City & Colour as of late) on slide guitar.

Lead singer Matt Layzell says “Inspiration for ‘Trouble Is’ came after seeing the premiere of ‘Selfless’, a poignant documentary which looks at the effects of social media and screen time on today’s youth by the wonderful people at Fresh Independence. The concept arose from conversations sparked after digesting the film’s message, which got us riled up that no one seems to want to do or say anything about it. The song allows us to preach wearily from our humble soap box and tell you what we feel the ‘Trouble Is’.”

While there’s nothing official announced, I have it on good authority that a new album is very much on the horizon, so while you wait pop these into your ears on repeat.

Song of the Day: March 9, 2020 - "That Emotion" by Hannah Georgas

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard new music from Hannah Georgas, but this past Friday she released her brand new song, “That Emotion”.

With her gorgeous voice driving the honest and contemplative lyrics, Georgas says:
“The song is a portrait of one particular way that emotions can build up inside. You’re going through the motions, suppressing how you really feel, and pretending things are ok — but your body knows…that deep down life and worry can weigh you down in ways your head might not acknowledge. This song was inspired by the feeling of hiding emotions you would like to express but feeling alone.”

The song is the first tease of a new album out later this year, Hannah’s first on the Arts & Crafts label(!) and produced by Aaron Dessner (of The National), who Hannah had spend a good deal of last year touring with (fittingly enough).

Song of the Day: March 8, 2020 - "Dead Leaves" by Shred Kelly

Just last week, Shred Kelly not only released a brand new song, “Dead Leaves”, but also announced their fifth album!

“Dead Leaves” is a dark and sombre reflection of our lives on the internet, with the band says the song is about "the online battles we have around political issues. We are all friends until someone has an opposing view online. Then we tear each other apart from behind our screens.”

The song is the lead single to their new album, Like A Rising Sun, which is due out on May 15th!

Song of the Day: March 7, 2020 - "Years In The Making" by Arkells

They’re back, baby! Arkells have returned with a bang, dropping their new single “Years In The Making”

With a grandiose swell of horns, and Arkells’ usual high energy exuberance, singer Max Kerman says “You never know when the universe will deliver a tune from the song gods, but ‘Years In The Making’ arrived just when we needed it. It leans on a question we keep coming back to: How do we conceive of everything we’ve been through, and shape it to offer some love and hope? ‘Years In The Making’ is meant to encourage us to find ways to embrace the bumps in the road, because all of our challenges are ultimately there to help us work towards the dream – whatever that may be. Most importantly, the song is meant to viscerally offer our bodies all the moves to play it live. Thank you to all of our inspirations that drive us forward. The reward is this A+ banger.”

And I gotta say, he’s 100% correct.

Song of the Day: March 6, 2020 - "Day As An Arrow" by Small Town Artillery

Vancouver’s own Small Town Artillery is back with a brand new single, “Day As An Arrow”.

The song is the first off their brand new EP, Bright Side Bandits, which is out today. Singer Tom van Deursen says the song “was born on the banks of the Xingu River in the heart of the Amazon 7 years ago after seeing the heartbreaking displacement of Indigenous peoples as a direct result of industry. In its final form, the song pulls taught the question of where you’d fly if you could move much faster than the frustrating snail’s pace of politics and reconciliation. It is dedicated to the Wet’suwet’en people of northern BC, who are relentlessly fighting as you read this for their voices to be heard.”

You can also catch them TONIGHT at the Rickshaw, as they kick off their cross Canada tour!

Song of the Day: February 13, 2020 - "Behave" by Nature Of

Edmonton’s Nature Of just released the third single to their upcoming album, The Mean.

“Behave” is a chill, jangly tune, and singer Steven Schneider says “‘Behave’ is about letting go of the past and learning to forgive yourself. The older I get, the more I collect, good and bad. I know some of the things I carry need to be sent on their way in order to be the person I want to be.”

Have a listen below, OR check out the live in-studio video above, and check out their album The Mean when it comes out February 21.

Song of the Day: January 23, 2020 - "Low Light (In This Space)" by Odario ft. Dawn Pemberton

It’s only 2 and a bit weeks before Odario makes his return to Vancouver while on tour with Bedouin Soundclash (February 8th at the Imperial), and I am pretty damn excited for it.

So when a new single landed in my inbox this morning, I put it on immediately, and ladies and gentlemen, we have a banger. It’s titled “Low Light (In This Space)”, and I would be remiss not to mention that local vocal powerhouse Dawn Pemberton is on the track too?

If Dawn doesn’t make a guest appearance at the show, I’ll be bummed, but the show is going to be great regardless. I’ll see you there!

(PS Dawn has a show in February on the 21st at Performance Works with Lydia Hol and it’s FREE - no excuses to miss that!)

Song of the Day: January 17, 2020 - "Summers On Fire" by Brandon Wolfe Scott

To celebrate the release of his brand new solo EP, Yukon Blonde’s Brandon Wolfe Scott released a video for the latest single, “Summers on Fire”.

The song, as you may guess from the title, is about climate change, with Scott saying “Having spent a few years living in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, rising temperatures and wildfires have become an annual summer tragedy along with the coast of California, and of course the absolute catastrophe currently taking place in Australia. The narrative is not me preaching, but more about stepping outside my own echo chamber of ignorance. Looking to the future generation I think it's important to inspire change and hope in the face of sadness and ecological grief."

The EP is available today/right now(!) and you can also check out the album release show tonight at China Cloud! OR, an afternoon show at We Are The City’s RIP Store on Jan 26, which promises a special guest as well.