If there were a Venn diagram of the modern stalwarts of Canadian rock and roll, there in the middle you’ll find Espanola’s Aaron Goldstein. As the go-to sideman for some of the country’s most recognized songwriters for the last 15 years, Goldstein has played pedal steel and electric guitar for the likes of Arkells, City & Colour, Kathleen Edwards, Lee Harvey Osmond, Daniel Romano and Cowboy Junkies, just to name a few. 

However, despite his many legendary nights and performing to hundreds of thousands of satisfied fans, to quote the man himself, “Nothing beats the feeling of plugging in an SG and fronting your own band.” On Espanola, Again, the group’s second full-length set for release on October 6th, 2023, Goldstein found a sonic soulmate in producer John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, Alvvays, Waxahatchee). Together, the duo went to work bringing Goldstein’s tight songwriting to life with rough and tumble arrangements that at times recall The James Gang and others the cerebral alt-country of Wilco or the power pop of Sloan. 

Espanola, Again and, indeed, the whole project is a manifestation of Goldstein’s own mantra about music: simple, direct, heartfelt and as fun to make as it is to listen to. Real honest rock ‘n roll from a guy who lives and breathes it every day.

JUNO and Polaris Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot is revealing the third single from her upcoming record, Healing Power (out October 13th), a sassy and sexy piece of dark, vintage groove pop by the name of “Kept You in My Pocket.”

Terra describes the song as a “dream in a dark dance club.” 

“It’s knowing that you have fond memories of someone, enough to carry you through a time where you can’t be with them, and choosing to remain in that half-reality/daydream state when you can’t be together.”

Working with trusted producer Gus van Go allowed Terra to experiment with a wild and outlandish chorus vocal, speaking further through the song’s in-your-face guitar solo.

“You’re a rose of many colours and you’re keeping me in bloom.”

Ryan Wayne is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He first came to recognition as a founding member and songwriter in the critically acclaimed, award-winning band, The Warped 45s (Pheromone Recordings).

His new album Crow Amongst the Sparrows marks a return to recording after a very difficult time in his life. Last Spring, Wayne suffered two strokes and during recovery, he was left seriously contemplating my priorities. Outside of family and health, music was at the top of his list. He had taken time away from touring and recording with his previous band to raise two young children and to complete a masters degree. 

Then, the pandemic hit. Suddenly several years had passed since Wayne had released music or performed live and it became astoundingly clear to him that he needed to get back into the business, both for creative and mental health reasons. During recovery, from the comfort of his bed and home studio, Wayne recorded and produced a series of songs, and collaborated with Grammy-winning producer, Malcolm Burn (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Patti Smith), for help with some final production and mixing.

The seeds of the song “Maybe I’m To Blame” were recorded many years ago during an impromptu, late night, writing session with one of Wayne’s old friends, Dave Celia. It sat dormant and lyricless for many years and was revived during Wayne’s stroke recovery. Kelley McCrae, who is featured on many tracks on the record, added a beautiful harmony later in the process to help complete the song. 

“During my initial recovery, I was only able to work in small blocks of time, but it’s amazing how those small blocks add up,” explains Ryan Wayne. “You can accomplish a lot in 15 or 20 minutes if you set the intention. I also learned, simply, that music heals.” 

Alle The Dreamer, aka Alessia Iorio, is a songstress from Toronto, Canada who is best known for her dynamic songwriting and unique dream-pop sound. Although Alle loosely describes her music as pop, her fluid blend of vintage and cutting-edge influences has created a sound that is distinctively Alle. This can all be heard in her debut EP, Starting Over, which will be released on October 6th.

Alle established herself in the local music scene early on, writing and recording with collaborators in Toronto, LA, and London. Among them; Samuel Gerongco (Alessia Cara), Bram Inscore (BTS, Andy Grammer), Jeff Shum (John Legend, Camila Cabello), Dayyon Alexander (Demi Lovato, Dua Lipa), and Negin Djafari (Drake). Alle has also accumulated numerous credits: as a featured artist on DVBBS’ single “Wicked Ways” and Morgan Page’s “Beautiful Disaster,” and as a co-writer for Little Mix’s “F.U” (from the 5x platinum album Glory Days), two singles for K-POP superstar Suho, and Baby Ariel’s 2019 track ‘I Heart You’.

On highlighted single “Run Home To You” Alle’s pop prowess shines in an honest, dynamic and anthemic single, inspired by the whirlwind of emotions a heartfelt relationship brings.

“I am just reflecting on how confusing relationships can be, the dynamics, dating in your 20’s, the highs and lows, and all the feelings you go through and experience for the first time.”

“‘Starting Over’ came to be in a very organic way. The more songs I wrote, the more clarity I had on what the underlying themes were from all the music I was writing. Writing this EP was a time of self-reflection, and self-isolation. It taught me the beauty in letting go and having faith. I struggled with these ideas my whole life as I’m a chronic overthinker. I let overthinking & overanalyzing mindset steal joy from special moments instead of being present.”

Pkew Pkew Pkew are one the most criminally underrated bands in North America. Hailing from Toronto, this pop-punk trio of party-loving delinquents have spent the better part of a decade relentlessly touring Canada, the US and Europe. Open Bar (2022) was written prior to 2020 and its release was intended to provide solace, a time capsule of the pre-lockdown days. Their brand new album, Siiick Days, is about getting back to work—only to call in sick and party instead.

The recently restructured band (Ryan James McKinley left on friendly terms, ushering in Kate MacLean) has crafted an incredibly thoughtful, cohesive, introspective and hilariously joyful LP. Most of the songs were written in solitary moments walking to the grocery store, riding the subway or hanging out in the bathroom at the local bar. 

Focus track “Farside Bathroom” is having some alone time at the band’s local watering hole, Farside. Even when you’re partying with your friends and having a genuinely good time, sometimes you just need to take a break somewhere, anywhere – to answer some emails, take a breath, and reset your mind. 

Jiants is a three piece Indie/pop band from Toronto lead by the songwriting of ex-professional skateboarder Jesse Landen. Jiants performs a unique blend of nostalgic sounding lo-fi indie pop songs complete with great hooks and soaring leads. Once hailed by Paste Magazine as “a band to watch,” they have just finished their fourth album, Tall Tales, and it’s their best effort yet. The record was engineered and produced by Gavin Gardiner (The Wooden Sky) at All-Day Coconut Studios and is set to be released November 10th, 2023.

Their latest single, “Moon Lit,” is a dreamy yet driving track. Jesse explains:
Moon Lit is about walking up to the fact that you might just be chasing the nostalgia of imaginary summer love. It’s about catching yourself dreaming of lustful, humid, summer nights that keep you in a perpetual loop of hypothetical excitement for the unknowns just around the bend. But this time something feels different. There’s a slow unraveling reality that these kinds of nights are now filling you with emptiness and maybe don’t serve you as well as they used to.