Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor has released Anthology Vol. 1, his first career spanning collection of songs which reflect on his decades as an artist, fronting Staggered Crossing and the Julian Taylor Band, as well as developing a celebrated solo career.

In addition to the 15 vintage tracks which feature on Anthology Vol. 1, Taylor has added a trio of all-new songs exclusive to the release, which serve to bridge the gap between those historical roots of yore and the forward-leaning songwriting template he forged during the making of his two most recent solo LPs, 2020’s highly acclaimed The Ridge (which garnered Taylor’s anointing as Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards) and 2022’s equally lauded Beyond the Reservoir. Each of these three new tracks — the reflective singalong drive of “Georgia Moon,” the transient travelogue that is “City Song,” and the plaintive acceptance of “Long Time Ago” — confirm Taylor’s ever-upward creative trajectory. The gentle folk rock of “Long Time Ago” was composed many years ago in collaboration with Taylor’s friend, artist Robert Priest. Taylor reflects on the song’s meaning: It conveys themes of lasting impact, continuity, and the influence of past actions. Whether those actions were positive or negative, they all have a lasting effect. Sometimes our choices can be deemed right or wrong, but their effects continue to affect the individual. “Long Time Ago” speaks to the idea that these effects remain, even if they might not always be immediately apparent.

FKB is a high-energy, four-piece, indie pop band based in Edmonton and Nashville, influenced by the mystique, glamour, and excess of the 1960s-1980s entertainment business.  The band is fronted by JUNO Award-nominated songwriter (2019) Drew Shalka (lead vocals/bass), and features Travis Topylki (lead guitar), Derek Chalut (drums), and Alex Fedorouk (rhythm guitar). 

The band won the Jim Beam National Talent Search (2023), which culminated in a performance at the Indies Awards at History (Toronto). Since 2017, they have performed over 300 shows across North America.

FKB’s infectious, disco-inflected single “Color Blind” is produced by Shalka who says:
“Color Blind” is us finding a way to connect our influences from the past, like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys, with the modern sounds of Foster The People, Portugal the Man and The Weeknd. We wanted to draw from the excitement of our live shows and give people something they can dance to.

Ynana Rose [pronounced Y’nah-nah] captivates audiences with her unique blend of the traditions of American roots music, penning songs threaded with folk, country, blues and jazz influences while reaching for new horizons in her writing. A versatile singer, Ynana sings of the joy and heartbreak of living in a rich, soulful voice. The “Strawberry Moon” is visible in June. For Ynana, a summer moon is haunting, sensual and nostalgic, so it felt fitting to tell the yearning story of forbidden same sex love between women in early American history. She harnesses the classic country sound with a modern message that inspires gratitude to be born in the here and now, where one can choose how to be and who to love. 

Ynana will release Under A Cathedral Sky on November 3, an album about facing fear and creating beauty from it. These are songs written at the crossroads of midlife, assessment, crisis, unraveling…as well as dancing, whiskey and dating. She wrote her first song at the age of 37, which opened up a world of creative passion. As a vocalist, she has enjoyed a wide background ranging from choral ensembles to folk, traditional Música folclórica, western swing, blues and bluegrass.  

Born out of the chaotic dive bar scene in Toronto, Harley Olivia has seen it all. From fronting metal bands to circus-punk and everything in between, Harley has always felt most alive on the stage. Her energetic performances are characterized by punchy synths, infectious melodies and Harley’s signature swagger. But at the heart of it all, a Harley Olivia show is an empowering, rock n’ roll dance party where anyone is free to come join in and shake off the shame. 

Harley worked as a flight attendant for 10 years which meant that she spent a lot of time in hotel rooms in foreign countries, feeling lonely and burnt out, missing her family. In the beginning it was an exciting job, but over time aviation pulled her away from creating music. She dealt with depression and anxiety and ultimately realized that she was unhappy because she wasn’t pursuing her dreams. It was finally time for her to bet on herself, and make a big change. 

“Every time I found myself alone in a hotel room, I couldn’t turn off my thoughts,” says Harley. “A combination of jet lag, anxiety and loneliness caused me to constantly overthink, which felt like being ‘haunted’ by my own thoughts.” 

Nova Scotia songwriter Carleton Stone is an award-winning artist with a growing list of credits, and a founding member of the hugely successful Port Cities. An outstanding writer, Stone has written songs for, and with, diverse artists as Ria Mae, Matt Andersen, The East Pointers, Donovan Woods, Classified, Bobby Bazini, and Neon Dreams.

His latest single, “Fences,” is an anthem for the down-but-not-out romantics; an epic modern love story that unfolds in soaring fashion on the wings of poignant piano and glowing synth. Driven by a relentless beat, Stone guides us through the timeline of a fractured relationship.

When the final notes of the song’s climax ring out, there’s still no resolution, but most great love stories never end—they just transform. “Fences” provides a balm for the broken-hearted who aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.

The new track, co-written by Kayleigh O’Connor, owes its ecstatic soundscape to a team of musicians and studio wizards with musical prowess including Todd Lumley (Alan Doyle, Hawksley Workman), Loel Campbell (Wintersleep, Billy Talent), Corey LeRue (Neon Dreams, Ria Mae), and Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions). 
Stone added producer to his list of accomplishments with both Willie Stratton’s award-winning Drugstore Dreamin’ and his own self-produced album, Papercut, which was nominated for the MNS 2023 Pop Recording of The Year and the ECMA 2023 Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year.

Originally from London, UK, LTtheMonk had an eclectic musical upbringing that set him off on a journey to becoming a musician himself. Dance is also an intrinsic part of LT’s toolkit, with bantamweight Gene Kelly-meets-James Brown footwork and immaculate sport socks both indelible signatures of his persona as an entertainer. Melding all of his influences, LT aims to fuse dance music with hip-hop and pop, to create his own unique sound. 

The focus track “Reminder” from new album Uptown Intern #333 is inspired by childhood love, a first crush that no matter where you go in life, you can’t leave behind. Physically, LT describes seeing beautiful Canadian and American women that remind him of his first love back in South London, England, but metaphorically, the concept is all about that first love being the key to one’s childhood, maybe a true self that one left behind when entering adulthood. Remembering that love is meant to be a reminder of one’s true self, of keeping that childhood spirit and purity alive, no matter where you go.Uptown Intern #333 is musically inspired by the Uptown Sound, a sound defined by the New Jack Swing style that blended hip-hop, R&B and pop music, and was invented and popularized by Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell at Uptown Records in the late 80s and early 90s. Lyrically, the album tells the story of “The Intern,” the child with a love of music so pure he’ll do anything to see that love realized. Uptown Intern #333 tells the story of The Intern as he embarks on his journey Uptown, traveling through the sounds and the eras, to find his own New Monk Swing.