“Bad Dog” by Menno Versteeg

Another new song from Menno Versteeg this week that you should watch below for the video alone. Starring alongside him are comedian Chris Locke and actor Mary Hollis Inboden (Kevin Can F**k Himself, The Righteous Gemstones)…and a whole bunch of dogs, including his own (named Roger).

The track is about “loving someone or something through their worst moment”, and will be on his debut solo album, Why We Run, out December 13th!

Menno is in town this Thursday (October 3rd), performing at The Heatley with a few other pals.

Christine

“Great Minds” by TAURO

TAURO is the new collaboration between jazz pianist & singer-songwriter Cynthia Tauro and Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning, and last week they shared their debut single, “Great Minds”

With a groovy R&B beat, and Cynthia’s voice intertwining with Canning, the new tune is about a long lasting love between two people, with the band elaborating: “They know they shouldn’t be together, but somehow the feeling of them still lingers”

“Great Minds” also comes with a cool video, from animator Jared Sales, which you can watch below!

Kirk

“Earthsong” by Jennifer Castle

As we creep closer to the release of Camelot, the upcoming album from acclaimed songwriter Jennifer Castle, we’re getting another tease with the latest single, “Earthsong”

The gorgeous & sparse new single is driven by her incredible vocals, with Castle saying “‘Earthsong’ was one of the last songs I wrote for what would become Camelot. Seeded from hope, imagination, destiny and resistance, the line that works on me like medicine is ‘I belong to the world.’ Feels good to say and mean that.”

You can pick up Camelot when it drops on November 1st, and check out the video below, which Jennifer made with her sister Sarah!

Kirk

“1986” by The Darcys

The Darcys first album in four years, Rendered Feelings, came out this week and it’s another great one from the duo.

Drummer Wes Marskell has this to say about the record:

“Rendering Feelings took a really long time to… render. As it does, life got in the way. Jason and I were both going through massive changes, and at different times confronting past traumas, breaking up, making up, and relapsing to old behaviors and flawed patterns. At one point, we both found ourselves in long-distance relationships which, in turn, made the two of us in a long distance relationship. Spoiler: LDRs are bad for productivity.
In part, that’s why the record is so conversational, we wrote it as if every lyric could be pulled from a phone conversation (or text) one of us had over the past four years. Technology became a theme, as did UFO’s for some weird reason.”

I did wonder about the UFO themed merch they had going on. Listen to the track “1986” below and the rest of the album full of bangers (that I can’t wait to hear live) by clicking here.

Christine

“Might As Well Know” by WAASH

This one snuck up on me. I knew WAASH — the latest project from Vancouver’s Andy Bishop — was releasing an album soon, but I did not realise the self-titled full length was dropping last Friday!

Along with the new album comes the new single, “Might As Well Know”, an incredibly catchy synth-pop tune which was co-written with Bishop's Twin River bandmate Courtney Ewan Hancock, and Louise Burns (like much of the album was).

Bishop says the new single “was energetic, fun to play and had lots of room left for the musicians to put their own spin on. One thing that still stands out to me is the interplay between Courtney, Louise, and my vocals in the second verse. I really love how they come together and meet in the middle. I feel so fortunate to have such talented players on this track and album.”

Check out a live performance below, recorded at 604 Records & featuring a litany of Vancouver’s finest musicians, and find the self-titled album out now!

Kirk

“Blissfully Unaware” by Shred Kelly

Following up their tour for their new album Blurry Vision, Shred Kelly’s summer tour is in full swing, hitting up just about every music festival you can think of right across the country!

The band also released a new music video for the song “Blissfully Unaware” from said new album. Of the track, Sage McBride says: “Throughout the past few years, I’ve felt an anxiety that I haven’t experienced before in my life. I’ve felt like I’ve changed (not necessarily for the better), whereas some people appear unchanged over the past few years. But it seems like I’ve experienced a monumental shift for me.”

Check the video out below and catch the band this summer on the road.

Christine

“Blowing Kisses” by Jennifer Castle

It’s been over three years(!) since we’ve heard new music from Jennifer Castle, but last week she released a brand new single, “Blowing Kisses”, a country-soul ballad that highlights her gorgeous voice, and features string arrangement by Owen Pallett.

Castle explains, “‘Blowing Kisses’ is a love letter sent from the very front of the occuring present moment. Language can be so futile; I always loathe explaining myself, and yet my love for you makes me want to try, my hands gesturing in endless loop. One day I will no longer be here to revere the buoyancy of the blue lake. I’m held by the loving energy of God. Every rose has its thorn, truly, but let’s focus on the rose for now.”

You can check out the video below, or you may just hear it if you’re watching season 3 of The Bear (fun story, Jennifer Castle has been friends with Matty Matheson since they worked together in a restaurant years ago!)

Kirk

“Seasons Come, Seasons Go” by Cuff The Duke

Cuff The Duke is back!

This was an unexpected and very welcome email in my inbox, but there is new music from Cuff The Duke for the first time in 10 years!

Of the journey back:
“Breaking Dawn (out September 6th), is a deeply personal exploration of frontman Wayne Petti's journey with mental health. For the single, “Seasons Come, Seasons Go,” the band laments the passage of time and departures of old friends. The song took shape after their first manager, William "Skinny" Tenn, passed away of cancer and then a few months later, hearing the news that Dallas Good (The Sadies) passed away. Those two individuals had a big influence on Petti’s early days as a musician.”

The song is beautiful, and both dark and light at the same time, with a haunting violin that reminded me of the title theme from Deadwood. I cannot WAIT to hear more.

Christine

Songs of the Week: September 23 - 29, 2024