Songs of the Week: April 07 - 13, 2025

“Might” by Bells Larsen

Ahead of his upcoming album, Blurring Time, Bells Larsen has released his latest single, “Might”. The song, along with the rest of the album, aligns with the timeline of his transition. The press release goes into detail, elaborating “Larsen intentionally recorded his previous “high” voice and instrumentation in 2022, waited for his voice to drop after beginning testosterone, then asked frequent collaborator and longtime friend, Georgia Harmer to write vocal arrangements for his new “low” voice, helping him harmonize with his past self — an intentional, multilingual act of surrendering to change.”

You can pick up the album on April 25th via Royal Mountain Records, however Bells also shared some bad news last week. Just a couple days after releasing “Might”, he cancelled all scheduled US shows, explaining with the following:

Hi everyone - I hope you’re as well as can be.

I have to cancel all of the American shows on my spring tour (Boston, NYC, Beacon, LA, San Fran, Healdsburg, Arcata, and Merced). Refunds will be available at your point of purchase. I received an email on Tuesday from the American Federation of Musicians stating that I am no longer able to apply for a Visa because US Immigration now only recognizes identification that corresponds with one’s assigned sex at birth. To put it super plainly, because I’m trans (and have an M on my passport), I can’t tour in the States. I hesitate to include a “right now” or an “anymore” at the end of my previous sentence, because—in this sociopolitical climate—I truly don’t know which phrasing holds more truth. The irony of this announcement falling exactly two weeks before the release of my album, which is about my transition, is not lost on me.

You can read the full statement on Instagram here.

• Kirk

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“Cut The Brakes” by Dan Mangan

In March Dan Mangan announced his next album Natural Light which is filled with “love songs about a society on the brink of collapse” - sound more and more poignant every day…

His latest track “Cut The Brakes” is the second track off the new record and “attempts a brief history of human evolution,” says Mangan. “We came from plants in the water. We made up stories, built monuments, had a lot of sex, and nobody is driving the bus.”

Excited for more new music and I cannot wait for the Vancouver show (but I suppose I’ll have to!) on October 3rd at the Vogue Theatre - click here for tickets.

• Christine

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“Leave Tonight” by Two Hours Traffic

I can already see myself swaying along to this one at a venue with a beer in my hand - it’s just so Two Hours Traffic.

This quote from lead singer Liam Corcoran gives me a hint at why: “another one of our countless attempts at writing a classic pop song, similar to what we grew up hearing on the radio in the late 80s / early 90s.” The story is of a doomed romance, and it’s easy to see why it fits into that 80s/90s vibe.

The band only has a few Ontario dates right now for a tour, but you’ll see me first in line if they make it out to Vancouver anytime soon.

• Christine

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“Sharpshooter ” by The Halluci Nation

I knew the latest EP from The Halluci Nation was a wrestling themed concept album, so a new single named “Sharpshooter” was not entirely unsurprising.

But what was shocking was guest vocals from The Excellence of Execution himself, Bret “The Hitman” Hart!

Bear Witness explains, “We are so excited for everyone to hear this project. It's been a dream of ours to bring this concept to life since we finished our Suplex EP. Kicking off this EP with a track that features such an Icon like Bret "The Hitman" Hart still doesn't feel real!”

With Tim “2oolman” Hill adding, “Bret is the greatest pro wrestler of all time and we have so many memories watching him over the years, so there is no one better to help us tell our Path of The Baby Face story. He is such a great guy and has been so supportive of this song from start to finish.”

Path of The Baby Face EP is out April 25, and you can check out the video, by ComboBravo, below, which features appearances by Damian Abraham, Mo “Kid Chocolate” Jabri, and Sebastian “The War Chief” Wolfe.

• Kirk

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Songs From The Gang - A Celebration Of Joel Plaskett by Various Artists

In honour of Joel Plaskett’s upcoming 50th birthday — and his 30+ years making music — a whole host of Canadian’s finest created a tribute album… in complete secrecy! Songs From The Gang - A Celebration Of Joel Plaskett is a double album that was released last week and features the likes of Arkells, Sloan, City and Colour, Frank Turner, Jenn Grant, Rose Cousins, Mo Kenney, The Sheepdogs, Alan Doyle, Matt & Jill Barber, Bahamas, and loads more, delivering unique cover of Plaskett classics. And better yet, you can watch his reaction to the surprise on instagram!

It was a tough pick, but on first listen my favourite of the bunch was “Nowhere With You” from Mi’kmaq musician Alan Syliboy & the Thundermakers, who blended Joel’s original lyrics with Mi’kmaq translations!

• Kirk

Christine chiming in here with HER favourite track from the album (which, give that whole thing a listen, because this was hard to pick!). I really love the Arkells cover of “Come On, Teacher” as it goes so well with Max’s voice and the “Drunk Teenagers” one is all kinds of fun…
But the Two Hours Traffic cover of “Deny, Deny, Deny” from Three (which I think is my fav album of Joel’s) was so great - it starting with a can being cracked and the “Let’s freaking do this” just made me laugh.

• Christine

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“Cavale” by Coeur de pirate

Coeur de pirate is back with a brand new single, “Cavale”! The new single is the title track to her upcoming seventh album, and is a soaring indie-pop anthem that will absolutely get stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

Cavale is out some time this fall, and explores “themes of longing, regret, and tangled love - hallmarks of Cœur de pirate’s lyrical world. Set against a driving, euphoric beat, the single channels the spirit of Springsteen, turning escape and return into an exhilarating sonic journey.”

She’s also got a handful of tour dates for later in the year (mostly out east, so fingers crossed for a Vancouver date!) and then a lengthy European tour next year.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: March 03 - 09, 2025

“Melody” by Dan Mangan

If you’re a fellow Comedy Bang! Bang! fan, you may recognise the new Dan Mangan song from one of his (hilarious) appearances on the show. Now the song is not only out in the world, but comes with an album announcement!

“Melody” sees Mangan embracing his ‘singer/songwriter’ roots for a gentle tune, as Dan explains: “Contentment is a slippery fish, and the harder we squeeze it, the quicker it’s gone. ‘Melody’ is about needing affirmation from something over which you have no control. It’s about the grief of having something special and then losing it – about getting the benefit of the doubt, and then no longer getting the benefit of the doubt. It’s about love, or society, or the music industry, or a brief moment above par on the existential rollercoaster.”

The tune is the first single off Dan’s upcoming album Natural Light, which will be out May 16 on Arts & Crafts!

• Kirk

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“Pursuit Remix (ft. Poiison)” by Haviah Mighty

Haviah Mighty has dropped her first single of the year “Pursuit Remix” and it’s a callback to the original “Pursuit Freestyle” from last November!

The new track features Queens, NY artist and songwriter, Poiison - and of the collab, she says “The song was already perfect, so when I listened, my goal was to figure out how I could bring myself into an already perfectly created song.”

Check it out below, and I’m sure we’ll hear more from Haviah soon!

• Christine

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“Put a Little Light on the Wretch That Is Me” by Frog Eyes

Last Friday, Frog Eyes released their latest album The Open Up, and celebrated with a new single, “Put a Little Light on the Wretch That Is Me”.

Featuring Carey Mercer’s signature distinct vocals, the singer said of the song: “This is some kind of generalized love song. I've long wanted to write a song that reminded me in anyway of a Before Hollywood era Go-Betweens composition. When this one popped out, I thought, 'Yes, there you are!' I saluted that taut, tight structure that ascends so cleanly and compellingly, and takes you to so many places in such a short amount of time. And in my mind’s eye I saw someone gentle and beloved tugging at my sleeve.”

The album is out now everywhere you get music, and you can catch them on their spring tour, which includes a show here in Vancouver at Green Auto on April 19!

• Kirk

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“Matilda” by Housewife

Speaking of new releases, the latest EP from Housewife also came out on Friday! Girl Of The Hour is a collection of all the songs the Toronto singer has released over the last couple years, including the latest track, “Matilda”.

Singer Brighid Fry explains that the (unsurprisingly) incredibly catchy song was “inspired by my bike getting stolen a couple years ago. I was an avid cyclist for years and really loved that bike (and had nicknamed it Matilda). I remember a while after it got stolen, I was out on a day that was perfect biking weather and just getting hit with how much I miss cycling. Obviously, the song isn’t just about a bike, but also an allegory for grief and loss, and missing something or someone you can’t have anymore. I think everyone, cyclists or not, can relate to that grief, and the struggle of moving on from things in their past, as I still haven’t replaced the bike to this day.”

The song comes with a video that features singer Fry as a hard boiled investigator, and you can catch Housewife here in Vancouver during JUNOfest, with a show at The Red Gate on March 28!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: December 09 - 15, 2024

“She Has No Time” (Keane cover) by Dan Mangan

I was a big fan of Keane and their 2004 breakthrough album Hopes & Fears, so I was surprised and delighted when I saw Dan Mangan drop a cover of their song “She Has No Time”

On his SubStack, Reality Shield, Dan said he was approached by representatives from the band to cover the song in celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary, adding “I remember listening to it when I was in university, which suggests that time is a flat circle and that we’re nothing but space dust floating in a sea of nothingness. My intention with any cover is to pull it away from the universe in which it came and place it under a different shade of light. I may have made this sad song even sadder, which I suppose is my gift.”

It’s a great version of the song, and their plan definitely worked; as soon as I listened I went to find if there was an anniversary vinyl of the album (there is) and immediately bought it.

• Kirk

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“Easy Love” (MSTRKRFT cover) by Alice Ivy

Guess it’s a week for covers of songs, and also feeling extremely old about them!

Last Gang Records turned 20 this year and they’ve been releasing covers of artists from the first years of their original artists. There have been ones of Death From Above 1979, and Metric, and now Aussie artist Alice Ivy has covered “Easy Love” by MSTRKRAFT.

About the cover she says: "I grew up listening to MSTRKRFT so being given the task to reinterpret one of their hits felt like a BIG responsibility to do it justice. I was super inspired by one of their interviews they did backstage at a festival back in the day and I simply had to sneak in a few samples from it. I wanted to keep the BPM and energy nice and high; it was an honour to create this cover as part of Last Gang (my first ever record label!)’s 20thAnniversary compilation. I hope they vibe it!"

In addition to this, Alice released her new album Do What Makes You Happy last month and you can listen to that by clicking here.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: August 26 - September 01, 2024

“GREY RUBBLE - GREEN SHOOTS” by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is back!! Last week the band quietly dropped the intense new track, “GREY RUBBLE - GREEN SHOOTS” and announced the new album, NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD, which is out October 4th.

The band did not elaborate on the title, but it is likely referencing a new report about the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza. They did, however, say the following when announcing the album:

THE PLAIN TRUTH==
we drifted through it, arguing.
every day a new war crime, every day a flower bloom.
we sat down together and wrote it in one room,
and then sat down in a different room, recording.
NO TITLE= what gestures make sense while tiny bodies fall? what context? what broken melody?
and then a tally and a date to mark a point on the line, the negative process, the growing pile.
the sun setting above beds of ash
while we sat together, arguing.
the old world order barely pretended to care.
this new century will be crueler still.
war is coming.
don’t give up.
pick a side.
hang on.
love.
GY!BE

• Kirk

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“Take Me For A Ride” by The Sheepdogs

Somehow I totally missed the announcement from The Sheepdogs of a new album (Paradise Alone - which is out now) and a new single “Take Me For A Ride”.
It’s a fun and catchy track, that sounds like a road trip song from the 70’s!

The band is currently out on a North American tour (you can hop over to Seattle and see them on the 20th), and then are heading to Europe in the fall.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to open the window and play some rock and roll!

• Christine

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“Four Chords” by Dan Mangan

Vancouver’s Dan Mangan has released his Being Elsewhere Mixed CD with all the b-sides and rarities from around the time he was creating the original album.

Today’s lyric video release is for the song “Four Chords”, which also originally played during the credits of the film FLOAT.
And speaking of movies, the video is set to all of the scenes between Wesley and Buttercup from the movie Princess Bride, which is just plain fun.

• Christine

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“a bit of coquitlam” by P:ano

I almost missed this, but a couple weeks ago, Vancouver’s P:ano announced their first new album in nineteen (19) years!!!

Now a quartet of Nicholas Krgovich, Larissa Loyva (of Kellarissa), Julia Chirka and Justin Kellam, the band released the chill single “a bit of coquitlam” as a tease of their upcoming album, ba ba ba.

You can take a listen below to the ode to the city where Krgovich and Loyva met, and mark September 17 on your calendar for the album’s release — as well as Sept 14 for their album release show here in Vancouver at the Cultch!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: July 29 - August 4, 2024

“Call Me Up High” by Dan Mangan

Dan Mangan is making a mixtape! Being Elsewhere Mix CD is a follow up to his acclaimed 2022 album Being Somewhere, that features reimagined versions of songs from the album, covers of Bob Dylan, Damien Jurado, & the Lumineers, and a few new tunes as well.

“Call Me Up High” is one of those new songs, and was recorded with deadmen (Matt Peters & Matt Schellenberg) in Los Angeles. Dan says, “I vividly remember feeling overlooked by girls in high school. I knew I had something special to offer, but most of my crushes were unrequited. ‘Nice guy’ tropes aside, I had this sinking feeling that if they were in a tough situation, I could help, and they’d see how awesome I was. I brought up this concept with the deadmen and there was a lightning storm of creativity. The entire song came together in about 4 hours. It was extremely exciting and eerily easy. Everything moved so quickly and ‘Call Me Up High’ sounds like nothing I’ve ever been a part of before. Most of my music is for the heart and the head, but I can’t listen to this song without moving my body.”

Further to that, the whole idea of the mixtape is a throwback to when Dan started dating his now-wife, and burned her some mix CDs for her Hyundai Accent!

You can watch the video for “Call Me Up High” below, and mark down August 30 for the release of Being Elsewhere Mix CD

• Kirk

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“Leave It All Behind” by Cuff The Duke

It’s getting closer to the release of the highly anticipated (especially by me!) new album from Cuff The Duke! Breaking Dawn will be out September 6th, and we have our second single from it now as well.

”Leave It All Behind” is a reflection on the hiatus the band took (this is the first new music in 10 years) and frontman Wayne Petti figuring out what was next after not playing music anymore.

Of this new life and the song, he says: “I felt like I failed because music would no longer be my sole focus. The line “I bought the lie that I told myself, now it's coming back to haunt me” reflects how young musicians can become overconfident, believing their success will never end. But every artist faces ups and downs, and when reality hits, it can be a nightmare. Saying, “I’m getting ahead of it by leaving it all behind,” was the headspace I needed to be in, to move forward as one chapter ended and another began.”

• Christine

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Songs of the Week: April 15 - 21, 2024

“Find New Ways” by Dan Mangan

I am taking this song before Kirk does! (You can tell them about your Haunting playlist if you want though!)

Even more new music from Vancouver’s Dan Mangan this week, with the new single titled “Find New Way's” which is all about Dan “haunting his wife should he happen to die first”.

It might sound morbid, but it’s very sweet. Of it Dan says:
“The idea that even death can’t help our relationship from evolving and unfolding in new and unexpected ways. Lustful love is part of the journey, but most of a life together is actually about friendship. It’s about having a person. And not just staying with that person because you said you would, but finding new ways to appreciate their contribution to your life."

Mangan has announced some summer festival shows already, but hopefully there are some local shows announced soon!

• Christine

[Kirk note: the Haunting playlist Christine alluded to was from a tweet where I wanted to start a playlist with this song and “I Died So I Could Haunt You” by Stars, and build it from there]

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“Nic At the Museum” by Unessential Oils

The first time I heard an Unessential Oils song, I had CBC Radio 3 on in the background, and immediately sopped what I was doing when I recognised the distinctive voice of Plants and Animals singer Warren Spicer.

“Nic at the Museum” is the latest single from his new project, which is inspired by P&A bandmate Nic Basque, and his habit of visiting local museums while on tour.

Spicer says: “I can remember working on this song and realizing that I was writing a song about him, and accepting that it was simply about him going to museums and looking at art. Strange idea. However, with the performance of the band and singers the song took on a transcendental quality. All of a sudden, I was no longer sure what the song was about, all I understood was the feeling that it was giving me.”

Watch the video below (which features the titular Nic) and catch the self-titled debut album, when it’s out May 31 on Secret City Records.

• Kirk

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“I'm So F*cking Happy” by Blonde Diamond

The title of the brand new Blonde Diamond song could also describe how I felt when I saw new music from the Vancouver band!

“I'm So F*cking Happy” is the latest single from the group, a punchy synth-pop tune that is definitely a contender for this year’s ‘song of the summer’.

Hopefully this means a new album is on its way sooner rather than later!

• Kirk

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“Crisis Management” by Imposer

Sometimes timing in life is just weird.

A couple weeks ago, I randomly found myself wondering what happened to Calgary band Jane Vain & the Dark Matter. Then a few days later, their Facebook page drops an announcement of a new project from frontperson Jamie Fooks: Imposer.

The new band pairs Fooks with Ryan Sadler, and the first single is “Crisis Management” an indie-pop earworm that belies slightly darker lyrics.

Have a listen below, and hopefully we’ll be hearing more soon!

• Kirk

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“Sweet” by Grizzly Coast

Toronto’s Grizzly Coast released a brand new song last week, the sentimental “Sweet”.

The dreamy song is, appropriately enough, inspired by a dream Alannah Kavanagh had. It was about someone she knew as a teenager, which “got her thinking about how you don't have to be in touch with someone to remember them fondly.”

Close your eyes and have a listen!

• Kirk

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“nikâwîs” by ASKO

You may know Marek Tyler from nêhiyawak or WAYFINDING (among other bands), but last week he announced the upcoming, self-titled album for his latest project ASKO.

The latest song is called “nikâwîs” and Tyler says, “nikâwîs (aunt) câpân Harper told a story about family responsibilities. This summer, we lost our late aunt on Mom's side. As our uncle explains, to help our mom's sister take the next step, we refer to her not by name but by kâkî-kahwîsiyan (our late aunt on mom's side). Mom noted that after someone's passing, we don't refer to individuals by their name at all because kinship terms are used regularly. But nowadays, people will, after one year, preface the person's name with 'late-…' Two years ago, kâkî-kahwîsiyan shared her story of dancing Fancy with me. She said, ‘When I danced, I tried to carve through the air like an eagle.’ This song is for the aunties and nieces and their courage to dance, to be seen, be okimâw (the boss).”

You can find “nikâwîs” on the self-titled album, when it’s out on September 9 via Dine Alone Records!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: February 05 - 11, 2024

“Sun Shadows” by Brandon Wolfe Scott

Hot off the heels of the latest Yukon Blonde album & tour, Brandon Wolfe Scott is back with another solo release, “Sun Shadow”

The new song has the chill, throwback vibes that Scott is known for, and he explains:“In this song, the lyric 'shadows from the sun...they follow me', is a metaphor referring to where there's light or hope, there is usually a darkness lingering. I see this as a generational issue, where we can see the light and the hope, but the shadows of the world's grief are often overpowering. I see people of my generation becoming consumed, burnt out, and hopeless. It feels like being in the shadow of the sun, and I wanted this song to stand out in this cynical world as a reminder to appreciate the small things in life that bring you joy. To take moments to breathe and find solace in everyday life as we must continue to bear witness to the evolving situations humanity is facing.”

Watch the video for “Sun Shadows” below, and catch Brandon opening for Sam Roberts Band in Vancouver on February 24th & 25th, and in Kelowna on the 27th!

• Kirk

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“Sleep On The Floor” (Lumineers) by Dan Mangan

While Dan Mangan is prepping for his European tour dates to support his JUNO nominated and Polaris shortlisted album Being Somewhere, he gave us a recording of his Lumineers cover.

“When I got word I’d be touring Europe supporting The Lumineers last year in June, I knew I wanted to cover one of their songs,” says Mangan. “They have so many hits but ‘Sleep On The Floor’ was always the one I’d crank when it came on the radio. Wes has a distinctive and strong vocal approach, and I thought it would be interesting to attempt the song with a whisper. Rather than wide open chord changes, a simple piano plodding along keeping pace. The song is about escape, and as somebody who has literally spent a fair amount of time sleeping on floors and couches around the globe, I wanted to explore the sonically comforting elements of my own nostalgia from a life on the road.”

It’s very unique take on the song - check it out below!

• Christine

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“Burial Ground” by The Decemberists

It’s been six years(!!) since we heard new music from The Decemberists, but last week they dropped “Burial Ground”, along with a string of North American tour dates.

The new song features The Shins’ James Mercer on vocals (what a pairing!) and Colin Meloy says "'Burial Ground' is in that time-honored popsong tradition, a paean to hanging out in graveyards. The melody hook came to me in a dream and I hummed it into my phone on waking. Most dream-songs are bad; this was the exception.”

Have a listen for yourself below, and be sure to check them out in Vancouver at the Queen E on July 29th!

• Kirk

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Songs of the Week: November 20 - 26, 2023

“All My People (Elsewhere Version)” by Dan Mangan

Dan Mangan may have released his latest album Being Somewhere a little over a year ago, but he’s not done with it yet.

Over the last few months, he’s been releasing reimagined songs from the album, and the latest is the “Elsewhere Version” of “All My People”. The new rendition turns the song into a dreamy, hypnotic, acoustic-guitar driven tune, which highlights the songs already melancholic feel.

Dan says of the song, “I didn’t start with any particular plan. I just started deconstructing the song and exploring where else it might like to be constructed. I wrote this song in the depths of lockdown, wandering around my home, annoying my kids,” he continues. “It took forever to get the chords right. The lyrics right. I wrote several different choruses and bridges. Before it was even a real thing, it had lived several lives. My 40th birthday was looming in the distance. I pictured a party. This same home, full of people laughing. I pictured a huge pileup of shoes by the front door. Coats laid on the bed. It was one weird dream away.”

Check out the lyric video below, and make sure you’re at the Vogue on December 9th to see Dan live!

• Kirk

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“I Give Up” by The Royal Foundry

This one skipped by me, but the title is appropriate for the week I’m having right now (waiting for BCAA to come jump start my car).

That said “I Give Up” by The Royal Foundry was inspired by the house fire that left the duo without a home! Of it Jared says it “is about giving into the harsh reality of life so that you can become the best version possible of yourself. To stop fighting the inevitable desires to be something/someone else and to give in to your natural draw to be yourself.”

Taking this inspiration with my the rest of my day.

• Christine

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