Uplifting, reflective, and liberating: Across the span of Feel, a new five song EP, the Southern California-based rock band Happy to Be Here delivers potent perspectives on life, love, and the emancipation of casting off the chains of addiction. 

Showcasing the uplifting clarity of the band’s striking melodies, vocalist and songwriter Greyson Grimes and guitarist James Hamilton create an extraordinary alchemy underscored with a vital authenticity. Sensitivity and truth are keys to the artistry of Happy To Be Here, as the title track “Feel,” illustrates with these lines: “I could kill to feel what you feel/A piece of your serenity/A cure for my instability.”

The project was tracked at Revolver Recordings by multi-platinum producer Mikal Blue (OneRepublic, Five for Fighting,) and Dean Dinning, producer, composer, and bassist for Toad The Wet Sprocket. The arrangements highlight essential elements, framing Grimes’ poignant voice with evocative keyboards and layered guitars floating above the fire of a rock solid rhythm section.  

All of the instruments are stripped away on “Heroin,” with Grimes’ imploring narrative stark against deep piano chords as he recalls a romance destroyed by drugs. “It was crazy what the drugs did to you/Everything they say about heroin/I know it to be true.” Both Grimes and Hamilton exemplify a hard-won sobriety, and their songs pull no punches as they share. “Every song we’re recorded has deep elements of heartbreak, trauma, drums, alcohol, recovery, broken homes and abuse.”

As riveting live performers with a commanding onstage presence, Happy To Be Here is sharing their message in select live shows, highlighted by a recent headlining spot at the legendary Whisky a Go Go on the historic Sunset Strip.  The themes, the songs, and most of all the truth in their music are transcendent connecting points that now resonate with a post- pandemic audience. “The beauty of music is it boils down to emotion,” explains Greyson Grimes. “Even if you’re not an addict, you’ve had the lowest moments of your life. But if you kept going, you got through it. James and I found our sound, our rhythms, and our message.”

Hailing from Toronto, Augusta is a seven-piece alternative rock band formed in 2022. The group is led by Joe Dent (former band leader of A Fellow Ship), August Jones (Toronto session musician and touring member of The Reklaws, the Pick Brothers band and more), and Zach Stuckey (Toronto session musician and touring member of Anna Sofia, Dani Doucette, and more).

Debut single, “Little Birds,” was written in its entirety during Ontario’s last lockdown. August and Joe took their recording gear and went to the former’s cottage to write music for the week. After spending five days writing songs that will never be shared, the pair finally struck gold in the final 24 hours. Born from an idea that Joe was ready to throw away, they stayed up all night writing from start to finish the song that perfectly sums up Augusta’s musical identity.

Inspired by strong female acts like CHVRCHES and Billie Eilish, Lyzzie is a Toronto-based indie-pop artist with a dark twist. Her songwriting uncovers varying experiences with mental health, and her growth into the person she is today. Music is a powerful tool for healing and her goal is to help as many people as she can feel not as alone in their thoughts.

On her journey to self-discovery and self-love, Lyzzie confronts her pain in “IJWYD” (I Just Want You Dead). “A grown man fell in love with me when I was in high school,” she discloses. “I’ve felt a lot of conflicting emotions surrounding this relationship. I’ve felt disgust and anger but also heartbreak and betrayal. The song is about what I wanted to say to him, but never did at the time. He should know what he did was wrong.”

“IJWYD” is part of her upcoming debut EP. From being on the verge of a mental breakdown and not wanting to tell anyone, to selfish boyfriends, and being taken advantage of, each lyric is authentically her and her story.

Mary Clements is a singer-songwriter based out of Hamilton, ON, who uses her music to explore the world around her. Rooted in piano and voice, her songs can sometimes sound like indie-folk, pop, classical or even country. Her sincere vocals combined with the textures of her production create an experience that is simple and authentic. 

Clements wrote her soothing new song, “Bonne Nuit,” to encourage a gentle approach to sleep that’s free of judgment about the day. Featuring both French and English lyrics, “Avec mes peurs et défis, je fais des amis, come with me it’s okay, I’ll help you find your way,” translates to “With my fears and my challenges, I make friends” as an invitation to cultivate self-acceptance of the less comfortable aspects of ourselves and life. 

https://music.maryclements.ca/bonnenuit

The official music video for this song is filmed, edited and produced by Clements, featuring her singing over a green screen with different dreamy backgrounds, wishing the viewer a ‘bonne nuit’ alongside the range of images they might experience as they fall asleep. 

Watch + share here: 

Clements’ radiant and rich vocals are showcased in her first studio album through sincere and poetic lyrics. This combined with the textures of her arrangements equals a unique and fresh musical experience that is curious and innovative, but approachable. Come With Me is slated for release in November 2022.

Toronto rock band, Goodnight Sunrise, was founded by Vanessa Vakharia (keytar, vocals) and David Kochberg (guitar, vocals) through a shared love of pop hooks and the raw power of classic rock. Since 2011, the band have taken their explosive live show to over 300 audiences across Canada, the US, and Europe, opening up for Bon Jovi, Big Wreck, and The Sheepdogs along the way.

“Footsteps in the Dark” is their most musically ambitious song to date – it’s a mix of real drums and heavily processed samples bouncing from side to side to give a feeling of disorientation over a pulsing bass synth, while guitars appear with an almost heavy metal tone before opening into an anthemic uplifting chorus. 

Their dynamic third full-length album, Against All Odds, will be released on October 7, 2022. Produced by Brian Moncarz (Alice Cooper, Circa Survive), mastered by Brian Lucey (Green Day, Arctic Monkeys) and recorded with bassist Duncan Coutts and drummer Jason Pierce of Our Lady Peace. 

Goodnight Sunrise started recording this album in February 2020, and continued over the course of 2020-2021. Two and a half years later, the album is finally seeing the light of day, which makes the album title Against All Odds a poignant mantra for the band and listeners – hard times come and go, but persistence and resilience can pay off when you believe in something deeply, including yourself.

“It sounds dramatic and cliche, but we feel like this album is our ‘actualizing potential’ moment,” says David. “When we started this band, we had never really written music before, or actually played our instruments that much, so it took a good decade of experimenting and bumbling our way along trying to get our skill to catch up to our ambition. We’ve had the fortune of learning from all the musicians and producers we’ve worked with along the way, and on this new album Against All Odds we feel we’ve combined our strongest work in songwriting with the most solid production team yet, and can confidently say this is the best record we have ever made.”