Carleton Stone is an award-winning artist, a songwriter with a growing list of credits, and a founding member of Port Cities. Having recently added the role of producer to his list of accomplishments after working with Willie Stratton on his track “The Way She Holds Me,” Stone  will spend the fall producing Willie’s new record, songs by Chudi Harris, and his very own solo release due out in June 2022.

The seed of new single, “Ice Age,” came from an article Stone read about a couple who had been discovered after being frozen in ice for almost a hundred years. Written in a castle in Colditz, Germany, “Ice Age” paints a fantasy world where whatever problems you are having in your relationship disappear – the romantic idea of being frozen in time with someone before things can get any worse. 

As a teen, Ben Sefton’s budding love of songwriting quickly developed into an obsession, fueling the creation of hundreds of unreleased songs. Driven by his deep love of earworm pop melodies and a passion for candid lyrical witticism and word play, he has effectively created a style all of his own. Backed by hours of focused guitar practice, Sefton matches his ceaseless song creation with considerable vocal and instrumental prowess.

New single, “Harrison,” is an indignant attempt at turning the private pain of a teenage misanthrope into an anthem. Sefton creates a tone of pure relatability that will bring listeners back to the days of heavy backpacks, rampant acne and unbearable anxiety. The video takes those ideas and plants them firmly through the lens of a John Hughes 80s film.

Self-proclaimed “dread-pop” artist—better known as heavy metal musician and sci-fi author Quinn McGraw—takes his first departure from the world of heavy music as Mylo Quinn. 

In the form of melancholy lyrics, emotional soundscapes, and undeniable honesty, his forthcoming debut EP, Light, bears the message that ultimately we each have the ability, responsibility, and choice to break the cycle and turn our lives around.

Joel Jovan aka Joel Quartuccio of Being As An Ocean is featured on the title track, the video for which explores Mylo’s consciousness.

Mylo recounts, “There was a period in 2020 when I was reflecting a lot on my own mortality… It made me wonder whether or not I’d die with a heart full of love and passion, when the journey can sometimes leave me feeling broken down and defeated… It’s as much about temptation as it is redemption, while knowing the whole time there is no clear path forward if we can’t tap into, and listen, to our hearts.”

Drawing from her twin passions for Americana and classic soul, Charissa weaves new, original stories that are at times gleefully hopeful, tearfully heartbreaking, and always a perfect blend of modern and timelessness.

“People Like You” was written in honor of Charissa’s late friend in hopes of shining a light on positivity and love. “Sometimes when we go through hard times, I think we can forget the impact we have on people’s lives, so it’s a reminder that we are all special in this world. Even when you feel small, I hope you know that you matter.”

Hailing from the Royal City of Guelph, ON, Royal Castles are the power trio of Katrin Sawatzky, Jordan Gabriel and AJ Johnson (Juno-nominated Cuff the Duke). The three-piece take influence from the bands of their formative years, delivering pounding drums, crunchy guitars and a healthy dose of wooly bass.

Last year, Royal Castles released a song called “Frickin Pretty” on their sophomore album, Just The Hits. Now, they’ve taken that same song and are sharing the German follow-up/re-release to this banger, where drummer Katrin Sawatzky has taken over lead vocals and translated them into her native tongue – introducing “Frickin Wünderschonon.” 

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Since their inception, Colour Tongues have taken hits and weathered storms, both literally and figuratively, and they’re still alive to tell the story. Coming from a variety of influences and life journeys, the band has survived mountain blizzards, floods and car crashes to bring you dreamy and high-energy nostalgic rock.

“Ashgrove” is named after a small suburb outside of Brisbane, Australia and represents a place where you learned to sink, or to swim, and came into your own as an adult. Their latest single conjures up memories of fleeting romances, lessons learned the hard way, and the exhilarating adventure that being a teenager brings.