Dilettante, meaning “amateur of the arts,” is the semi-deadly-serious moniker of a quintet that reflects like a seasoned collective, only to laugh like absolute beginners.
The five piece’s aptly-titled new single “Bonnie” was inspired by a fleeting romantic interest of bandleader Natalie Panacci, who unknowingly wrote the opening lines when revealing, “Bonnie, you’re a work of art. You’re a wild card. You’re a dreamboat into my heart.”
Their self-titled debut effort arrives May 2022, a modulated cabaret that tests how wryly powerful pop can be. Bittersweet throwback bops create technicolour characters that shake and glimmer like the last sequin clinging to an attic-bound jumpsuit; then, thumping ballads croon and cry like dancing slowly, alone in the spotlight with all of your closest friends. Expect fantastic double harmonies, pulsing bongos, rolling low-end, and show-thieving synth leads.
Junko Daydream is a heavy band from Canada, encompassing elements of post-hardcore, emo, shoegaze and nu-metal.
Their latest single, “A House That God Built,” recorded with Scott Middleton of Cancer Bats, is a distinctly honest exploration of the feelings of guilt and shame that can come with disability.
Melodic verses are juxtaposed by a heavy, cathartic chorus. A full-out wall of sound engulfs the listener to represent the overwhelm of the song’s lyrics through the electrified closing section.
Fingerstyle acoustic guitar, atmospheric textures and transparently honest storytelling is what you will experience from Milan André Boronell’s music. Living a nomadic lifestyle over the years between Toronto, London, Bratislava and Prague, Milan also produces artists in the UK, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
He unveils his latest LP five hundred days., brought to life in a home filled with incredible creative energy in which he spent that length of time writing the majority of the songs on the album. Cathartic and healing, this release marks the end of a relationship and the beginning of a new chapter. New track “space” was inspired by a friend’s poem about how naivety and isolation in an experience can lead to one feeling crazy and needing space.
Milan shares:
the story of five hundred days. begins with the end of love as they knew it. a new home awaited him, one so colorful with the sound of nature’s melodies. drained by technology with a yearning for connection and a desperation to be seen, his inward journey begins with stages of grief and reflection. the subtle dance between holding on and letting go. relentlessly dissecting his past while distorting his present. aimlessly he wanders, hopeful, longing for what lies ahead. endless questions with the same answer: patience. attaching to anything that flashes just a glimpse of what he wants and needs. but gently he continues to guide himself toward the light he’s always known within himself.
five hundred days. is the title of my new album, out now on all platforms. start with “space,” accompanied by a music video.
“space” taught me how to embrace change and encouraged trying something a little different. i was inspired by a friend’s poem about naivety and feeling isolated in one’s experience, which can drive you crazy and make you need space.
Even when you’re at your lowest point, sitting in the agony of regret, there is something humbling about it; you can still be grateful to know how deeply you are able to feel, and almost marvel at it all. I felt alive in my sorrow, and powerful knowing that I could experience such depths of agony. It was all magnified by the fact that I had no outside contact, and I tried to turn my pain into something beautiful.
A storyteller at his core, Ian Lake’s true gift is connecting people through the unifying bond of our shared human experience. Powerful, textured vocals and brutally honest lyrics, set to catchy pop melodies, give Lake’s songwriting immediate impact, and leave a lasting impression.
Lead single “The Bottom” is an entry point to a story about leaning into the pain of heartbreak. About being grateful, despite the agony, that you can feel something so deeply. Upcoming debut album, What It Is, finds him on a journey from fragile vulnerability to courage and resolve. Lake writes about loss and hope, yearning and regret, and ultimately, the strength that comes from acceptance.
Ian Lake Shares: Well, last year was a mess to say the least. Amidst all the isolation and uncertainty, as I was struggling to find my self esteem, I met someone special, who I thought was the person I’d been waiting for. But between my own demons and the mixed messages I was receiving, I convinced myself that she would hurt me, so I ended things, ultimately hurting myself all the more deeply in the process, and never giving myself a chance to find out what might have been. What ensued was a dark chapter of pain, regret, and ultimately acceptance, which got processed through my piano.. That was the starting point for the creation of my debut album What It Is, and “The Bottom” which I’m pleased to share with you.
The official music video is available to watch now on YouTube, exploring the idea that“The Bottom”exists after destruction and before renewal. We tell that story through Toronto’s evolving landscape, shooting the performance around demolition and construction sites to tell a poetic interpretation of rebuilding.
Over 15 years since his debut, Ricky Paquette is set to make a comeback with his new Sparks LP. Co-written and produced by Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, The Glorious Sons, The Trews, Reel Big Fish), the nine tracks mix Paquette’s classic rock influences with more contemporary country sounds. Although Sparks is not a 70s revival, it has that dreamy, larger than life vibe.
Taken from the record, “Feels So Real” came about when Paquette felt alone and stuck inside his head during the beginning of the pandemic. During a phone call with a friend who was not doing well at the time, he suddenly realised that sometimes we create a lonely world inside our brains that makes everything start to feel so real. However, it’s not everybody’s reality – someone is there for you, and there’s a way to find help. When you’ve got nothing left, you’ve got nothing to hide. It’s a song to inspire people to reach out when they are in need of help.
Paquette shares:
The nine tracks are co-written with Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, The Glorious Sons, The Trews, Reel Big Fish) who also produced it. You’ll hear my usual Southern rock vibes combined with classic rock influences and contemporary country sounds.
AlthoughSparks is not a 70s revival, I really wanted to capture the magic and scent that lives on old records which instantly take you to a dreamy, bigger-than-life world. I felt inspired by the feeling I used to get as a kid, listening to all of my heroes.
“Feels So Real” is a poetic song that talks about finding strength to carry on. There is always a way, and a person that can help you; in love, in friendships and in life in general. I felt alone for a while, and one day I found myself having a conversation on the phone with a friend who was not doing well. I suddenly realised that sometimes we create a lonely world inside our brains, and everything starts to feel so real… but it’s not everybody’s reality. When you’ve got nothing left, you’ve got nothing to hide.
Gordie really dug deep into my roots, to be sure to get the purest form of Ricky Paquette and he did a great job to bring out some stuff out of me that you never heard before!
Ceesar is the alias of Canadian born recording artist, Nelson Silva. Specializing in a moody, melodic fusion of pop and R&B, Nelson started making music in 2019.
Following the release of his debut 2020 EP, Hustle & Passion, Ceesar is preparing to share the Afrobeats remix of his track, “Speechless,” about that overwhelming feeling of being at a loss for words due to that special someone in your life.
“Taste of your lips got me plugged in, feel rich.” A dreamy feel-good R&B track with distinct percussion, this song captures the chemistry that can be felt from that first kiss.
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