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: December 02 - 08, 2024

“Stardust” by Scenic Route To Alaska

Edmonton natives Scenic Route To Alaska have just released their latest album - Lasts Forever, and this week we got a new single as well.

“Stardust” is definitely a song you should watch the video for as it “explores themes of love and existential musings” and is set “against a cosmic backdrop”. The black and white music video has big 80’s vibes and was modelled after the work of artists like The Police and Elvis Costello.

There are no tour dates for the new album yet, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out.

• Christine

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“You Got Something” by TAURO

TAURO is the collaboration between jazz pianist & singer-songwriter Cynthia Tauro and Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning (among many, many other bands), and last week they dropped their second single, “You Got Something”

The new song brings to mind a late 90s trip-hop influence, with the director of the video Bea Santos agreeing, saying: “I knew that I wanted to make something fun that matched the fresh and idiosyncratic talent of Cynthia and Brendan, and looked and felt like it could have been on the Wedge (IYKYK). Some of the sequences in the video are an ode to the work of video artist Chris Cunningham and videos from artists like Massive Attack and Portishead. Ultimately, I wanted to create a moody, DIY vibe that underscored the song's melancholy and introspective mood.”

You can check that video out below, and while there’s no word on an album from TAURO, they have teased more… so keep an ear out!

• Kirk

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“Little Bit” by Larkin Poe

Grammy Award-winning duo Larkin Poe are set to release their new album, Bloom, on January 24th, and have dropped another single for us.

“Little Bit” is a tender and slow tune (especially compared to their single “If God Is A Woman”) and is perfect as the theme of it is taking time to be present and in the moment.

One part of the sister duo Rebecca Lovell says: “As touring musicians, we have cultivated a pedal-to-the-metal, high-octane culture, but the shine has slowly worn off that penny. ‘Little Bit’ is all about slowing down and savoring the precious little details, as lyrics say: ‘more ain’t always more than a little bit.’”

Their tour has been announced for the new year, and it will come through Vancouver on April 19th at the Commodore Ballroom!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: November 25 - December 01, 2024

“Divorce” by Housewife

Housewife is having a busy year! “Divorce” is the fourth single released in 2024 from Toronto’s Brighid Fry, and is an anthemic alt-pop tune, with their ethereal voice getting vulnerable about a recent split.

Fry opened up about the song, saying: “’Divorce’ is a really personal one for me- I wrote it after experiencing really bad heartbreak that kind of blindsided me and completely uprooted me. It’s about not only mourning the person and the relationship you have with them, but also the life you were building together. It's about starting to rebuild and the struggle between needing to protect yourself, but also not wanting to be involved in something adversarial with someone who has hurt you. The process of making this song was completely different than any others of mine- it was written in about half an hour which is definitely the fastest I've ever managed. I then took my time to record it though, co-producing with my friend Hans Li over the course of about a month. We slowly recorded everything ourselves in his bedroom. It’s the first track I have co-produced in years which I’m really excited about.”

Check out the lyric video below!

• Kirk

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“Architect’s Studio” by Tariq

Last week, Tariq released his second single in as many months, and announced his latest EP, Scroll Before You Sleep.

The new single, “Architect’s Studio” is a driving song about a poet who’s down on their luck and sleeping in an architect’s studio. Tariq explains, “Every morning they vacate the premises, sneaking out before the staff arrives to work. Do they have a place to go, friends or anybody that cares about them? The track discusses the current epidemic of loneliness that pervades our current society.”

Scroll Before You Sleep features some of Vancouver’s finest musicians backing Tariq — Robert Chursinoff (Drums), Peter Carruthers (Bass/Keys), and Adam Nanji (Guitar) — and you can pick it up on January 24 next year, via Tiny Kingdom.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: November 18 - 24, 2024

“E-E-Y-O-R-E (That's Me!)” by Frog Eyes

Vancouver’s Frog Eyes are back with a brand new single called “E-E-Y-O-R-E (That's Me!)”

The song features the frantic pace and distinct vocals from Carey Mercer that we know & love, with the band explaining: “"E-E-Y-O-R-E" has that riff that happens in the middle and end of the song, and it’s rare, and I like it. When we play it live, our keyboard player Shyla will often look at my guitar with enthusiasm and encouragement. The song itself is a bit about loneliness, fear, isolation, the irony that we all are simultaneously bombarded with these isolating emotions, but unable to bust out of these individual spheres. Eeyore: our collective familiar, our beloved daemon.”

You can check out the fun video, directed by Derek Janzen, below!

• Kirk

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“Peace Of Mind (Morning)” by Leif Vollebekk

I needed a pretty, acoustic song this morning with the grey outside and Leif Vollebekk delivered it.
“Peace Of Mind” is a re-recording from his new album Revelation (no relation to us) and the man himself says of the song: “there’s something about a mountain that always makes you feel at ease. It can inspire the stillness you need to find yourself.”

Leif is on tour right now and will be swinging through Vancouver in February for two shows at The Pearl.

• Christine

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“Window” by The Weather Station

As we get closer to the release of Humanhood, the next album from The Weather Station, we’re treated with another tease in the way of the latest single, “Window”.

The anthemic new song from Toronto’s Tamara Lindeman is accompanied by a video directed by Philippe Léonard, and features Lindeman’s performance of the song projected out the window of a moving van onto trees, forest, and passing signs. Lindeman says the video was “filmed on the island of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs, Quebec late one night with battery powered projector, with many attempts to get that one perfect take. Philippe’s note to me was ‘you are the window.’”

As well as the single, she announced a huge tour for next year, starting in January in the UK, and winding back to Canada, including a show here in Vancouver on May 16th at the Hollywood Theatre!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: November 11 - 17, 2024

“My Angel” by Basia Bulat

Last week, Basia Bulat shared the lead track form her upcoming album Basia’s Palace, called “My Angel”.

The new single is a lush song that highlights her impeccable voice, with Basia explaining, “This is a song about love at first sight–a rush of overwhelming emotion that feels definite, unmistakeable, and mysterious all at the same time. I wanted my singing on this song to reflect the way that I wrote the music: sneaking in moments while my baby daughter was sleeping, rushing to the Wurlitzer in the basement when an idea struck in the middle of the night. The string arrangements on ‘My Angel’ and the entire album were all written and performed by Drew Jurecka and I love how he captured the mystery and romance of love at first sight, the violins transforming into something divine.”

Basia’s Palace is out February 21 on Secret City Records, and she’ll be hitting the road shortly after with a stop here in Vancouver on April 30 at the Hollywood Theatre!

• Kirk

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“Ring Pop” by CARYS and FEATURETTE

The bright colours in the “Ring Pop” video caught my eye first, and the infectious beat and spicy lyrics have had me listening on repeat.
Aviva Mongillo aka CARYS teamed up with bff Lexie Jay of FEATURETTE for this badass song about bad bitches, that gives me shade of another recent obsession of mine, “Guess” by Charlie XCX ft Billie Eilish.

The two bands are heading out on an Ontario tour together - and hopefully we’ll get to see them on this side of the country soon.

• Christine

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“Doing My Best” by Sam Lynch

On Friday, Vancouver’s Sam Lynch released her latest album Outline, as well as videos for each song! (well, aside from the two already out)

My early favourite off the album is “Doing My Best”, a simmering tune that builds to a swelling chorus.

You can check out the video below, see Sam’s YouTube page for all the videos, and catch her live at the Fox Theater on December 4th for her album release show!

• Kirk

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“Take a shot” by Sunsetter

Alongside the release of their new album, Heaven Hang Over Me, Ontario’s Sunnsetter (the music project of Andrew McLeod), also dropped a new video for the single “Take a shot”.

The track starts out with a slow-building fuzz and then crashes into a grungy introspective song about “recognizing your own flaws. Following through, and knowing what you believe in without hesitation.”

The Nirvana vibe I got was confirmed when I read that the album title was actually a misheard Nirvana lyrics - “When Cobain sings ‘have a hangover now” it accidentally translated to Andrew’s ears as “heaven hang over now.”

Give it a listen below.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: November 04 - 10, 2024

“Adelaide” by CJ Wiley

Earlier this year, I saw Skye Wallace at Green Auto, and even though I only caught the last few songs of opener CJ Wiley, I made a mental note to keep an ear out for them in the future. So I was happy to see their newest single, “Adelaide” pop up in my inbox!

The song is a slow-burning, heartfelt track about chosen family and growing together instead of apart, with Wiley explaining: “When I was writing songs for my album, Boy Golden introduced me to the writer Bell Hooks, who has many beautiful perspectives on love. The quote, ‘Love is as love does. Love is an act of will—namely, both an intention and an action,’ really resonates with me. It reminded me of the relationship I have with my best friend.
I wrote ‘Adelaide’ for my best friend during a tough time she was going through. I wanted it to serve as a reminder that no matter what happens, I’ll always be there for her. We met in high school in grade 10 drama class—she was the ‘good kid,’ and I was the stoner kid always getting into trouble. As adults, we lead very different lives; I’m constantly on the road while she has a 9-to-5 job that keeps her anchored in Toronto. Despite our separate paths, we talk almost every day and go on adventures whenever we get the chance.
We’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs and seen each other evolve through many stages of life. ‘Adelaide’ is a song about choosing to grow with someone rather than growing apart.”

You can watch the video below, and grab their debut LP, So Brand New, when it’s out on February 28 next year, via Tiny Kingdom!

• Kirk

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“Heartbreak Autobahn” by The Harpoonist

I got immediately side-tracked when I saw the video for the song “Heartbreak Autobahn” from the new solo effort by The Harpoonist. I recognized the main character as Jonas Shandel from the (former) band Headwater, and then realized that he’s been performing with the band.

The music video is a cute one, where you follow Jonas’ character through the streets of Victoria as he nabs wallets, pickpockets phones, and convinces some kids to help him rob lead signer Shawn Hall of his guitar, change, and yes, his harps.

The new album Did We Come Here To Dance just came out this past week - and you can listen to it by clicking here.

• Christine

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“Lucky Dragon” by Odd Marshall

Last week, Ontario’s Odd Marshall dropped an ode to a rundown Chinese restaurant in Pittsburgh that frequented.

“Lucky Dragon” is a raw and energetic song, about the woman who ran the restaurant, Cici, as he elaborates: “I remember paying for a meal with loose change. The stoic lady behind the counter, Cici, never befriended me as much as I tried to learn Chinese. She was busy, I was usually drunk.”

The song is off Odd Marshall’s debut album out later this year, Sand & Glue, which was produced by Don Kerr, featuring Mike O’Brien on lead guitar and Jason Haberman playing bass!

• Kirk

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“Backwater, NW” by Menno Versteeg

We got the final single from singer Menno Versteeg’s debut solo album recently - and Why We Run’s release is just around the corner on December 13th.

After some solo shows around the country, Menno headed out with Elliott BROOD, and then Tokyo Police Club, and will be ending his string of tours back here in Vancouver on December 1st and 2nd opening for TALK.

I’m looking forward to finally hearing all the new music in person, and in the meantime will be listening to this new one “Backwater, NW” - a song about feeling lost and alone - a few more times.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: October 28 - November 03, 2024

“The Act of Living” by Skye Wallace

Last Friday, Skye Wallace (finally!) released their latest album, The Act of Living, and celebrated with a horrific video for the title track.

Made in collaboration with Blind Luck Pictures, the video follows a blood-soaked Skye on a killing spree, surprising their bandmates while camping in the woods, perfectly fitting the manic energy of the song.

The murderous video also encapsulates the themes of life, death, and transformation on the new album, with Skye explaining, “I was always extremely afraid of death, couldn't look it in the eye. I’d be up at night when I was 5 or 6 years old worried sick that my mom and dad would die in a car accident, or that the return of the bubonic plague was more or less imminent. A few years ago, I was present for the death of my grandfather, with whom I was very close. But instead of the dreadful moment I was expecting, it was intimate, beautiful even.”

You can watch “The Act of Living” below, and should pick up the full album right now!

• Kirk

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“Awkward Connector” by Combine The Victorious

Fun new track from Vancouver’s Combine The Victorious (who just played a set at Red Gate in Vancouver this Saturday).

Of “Awkward Connector” they say:“Sometimes things don’t quite fit in life but we manage to find our way eventually .. it’s okay to be awkward and maybe we just need an adaptor.”

Really loving the harmonies on this one and hope to catch the band live again soon!

• Christine

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“Silver Bullet” by The Matinee

Speaking of new releases out this past Friday, Vancouver roots-rockers The Matinee dropped their latest EP, End of Scene, a collection of B-sides recorded with their previous album, Change of Scene.

The EP includes their latest single, “Silver Bullet”, a perfect song for cruising around, as singer Matt Layzell describes as an ode to that ol’ reliable car:“If you've owned a vehicle so long that the driver's seat is finely contoured to the curves of your body and warmly wraps around you like your grandparents' chesterfield, if you aren't bothered by that clunk you occasionally hear when the transmission shifts going uphill, and if you have your dad's Nitty Gritty Dirt Band cassette stuck in the tape player on the dash, you probably know the feeling of talking to your ride like it just needs a little encouragement to keep going that extra mile. And it always does, somehow. It might not be the prettiest one on the lot, but hot damn, does it get you where you're going in style.”

Find the EP out now, and have a listen to “Silver Bullet” below!

• Kirk

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“Don't Let It Bring You Down (Live from The Hangar)” by Talia Schlanger

I always love when an artist selects a cover and really (like, really) makes it their own, and Talia Schlanger did just that with this Neil Young cover.
The guitar, her unique vocals (not to mention the range) and the fact that it’s also live off the floor all give “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” a brand new flavour.

The track comes from a new EP release Latent Lounge live from The Hangar - and includes two songs from her release this year, Grace for the Going, as well as the and another cover - “Chelsea Hotel” by Leonard Cohen.

The whole EP release is worth a listen (click here to hear all four tracks) and makes me want to experience her music live even more.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: October 21 - 27, 2024

“The Local” by Jody Glenham

It’s always frustrating when an unreleased song gets stuck in your head, and that’s exactly what happened when I saw Jody Glenham tease an upcoming EP during her set for Car Free Day a few weeks back. But luckily, now I can spin “The Local” on repeat.

The new song is the first single off that EP, Still Here, and is a moody yet optimistic tune about strength and persistence. Have a listen, and keep an ear out for Rich Hope on backup vocals!

• Kirk

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“Serene Demon” by Art d’Ecco

Last week, Art d’Ecco not only released a sprawling epic, but also announced his upcoming album!

Clocking in at over seven minutes, “Serene Demon” is a four-part song with twists and turns, and while Art jokes the premise is straightforward (saying “it’s literally an existentialist and a true believer walk into a bar and debate”) it is musically anything but simple, as he admits “That song is the most challenging thing I’ve ever written.”

You can watch the equally intense video below, and mark February 14 of next year for the release of Serene Demon.

• Kirk

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“Ghostbusters” by Elliott BROOD

It’s only a few more days until Halloween, and I knew it was finally time to share this super fun cover of “Ghostbusters” by Ontario’s Elliott BROOD!

The band just did a string of shows promoting the release of their two latest albums Town, and Country - which hopefully means we’ll see them out west again soon!

• Christine