Experimentation is the soul of Sunshine Express, one of the most prolific bands to emerge from Niagara’s fast-growing alternative scene. MattUU (vocals & guitar), JassChau (sampler) and AidanR (bass) embody an unorthodox pioneering spirit with colourful songs, striking visuals and a dazzling, electronic approach to rock ‘n’ roll.

On “UNSHINE,” Sunshine Express’ audacious new single, the band further embraces their affinity for live recording, enlisting drummer Justin Dobbelsteyn to push spontaneity and experimentation to the max. Singer MattUU delivers dry-humour nihilism—first slow, then fast, then faster—with anthemic zeal. An icy, warped piano cuts through a turbulent rock instrumental—first frenetic, then dizzying, then kaleidoscopic.

In the age of laptop mixes, algorithmic niches and lonely doom scrollers, S.EX is spearheading—and invites you to join—an alternative charge; venturing outside the box, fusing genres and championing the chaotic, communal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Pop-oriented R&B singer and songwriter Shalli exudes an authentic storytelling talent that conveys both vulnerability and strength. Born in Canada from Dominican and Jamaican parents, she began composing music at 14. Her unique and powerful voice has captivated the hearts and minds of countless souls worldwide. A survivor of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Shalli took that experience and channeled it into her songwriting. Since then, she has had a successful presence online, releasing 14 singles that have garnered millions of organic streams.

The fusion is deep in “Freezing,” Shalli’s new single that encompasses modern Afrobeat from West Africa, R&B from America and dancehall in the lyrical approach. Explosive, danceable and contagious – it’s a perfect display of the undeniable vibe that only Shalli brings.

Whether it’s through her timeless music, unfiltered conversations or advocacy for cultural awareness, Shalli creates art that is inspired by the world around her.

The band name Jackie and her brother aptly describes the new Toronto-based duo. Jackie and Mark Andrade make emotional, reflective music from their home studio with a DIY sound and aesthetic. 8 years apart in age, in a relationship impacted by years of familiarity and family dynamics, it was later in life that the siblings decided to work on several songs that had sat unfinished and forgotten. 

With a shared love for catchy, pop-inspired sounds that they listened to across different decades, their debut single “You’ve Changed” uses ‘80s inspired emotionally charged production to explore the fears and inevitability of growing up. Written together, this coming of age track features Jackie on vocals and synth with Mark on guitar, drums, and bass. 

Bad Buddy is the musical collaboration between Emily Bachynski (vocals, guitar), Andrea Vissia (guitar, vocals) and Geoffrey Hamdon-O’Brien (drums). The band is a genre-defying musical spectacle, casually time traveling from wartime boogie-woogie bops, to glitterball heartbreak slow dances, to eye-gushing punk bloodbaths. 

The Edmonton band which launched their career in 2016 has been described as putting on “… a totally raucous and amazing show all around: psychedelic surf, punk, pop, you name it – though above all it [feels] like something NEW” (Edmonton Journal), and the proof is in the performance. The electric energy of the live show is amplified by the exceptional songwriting ability possessed by the band. Self-identifying as “Motown-surf-punk,” the band commands attention, painting powerful, sonic pictures drawn from real-life inspirations. 

 “Cheerleader? Nah, I’m the QB,” Andi Vissia sings in “Q.B.” The quarterback is the star of the football show – the main event, baby! “Q.B.” marks the first co-write between Andi and Bad Buddy’s main songwriter, Emily Bachynski. 

Andi wrote this song during a significant period of change when she was feeling insecure about her abilities as a musician and felt judged by people who she thought were going to be supportive. 

Despite several setbacks with the music video shoot, Bad Buddy are extremely pleased with the result. The music video for “Q.B.”, conceptualized by Andi and directed by Emily, features the band members growing increasingly exasperated by other people telling them what to do. 

“I feel like I had an idea for this music video years ago – way before the song had presented itself to me,” says Andi. “One of my experiences as a woman in this industry is having people think I’m there because of a man (my partner or others), or just having people underestimate my experience and credibility.” 

The strange states we find ourselves in while growing are where Nicky MacKenzie’s soulful upcoming EP MORALS was born. Leaving behind the safe familiarity of adolescence, MORALS is an exploration of the emotional landscape the 23-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter has traversed in the years since her debut album, 2018’s Honeydew. In that time, MacKenzie has left her hometown, navigated shifting relationships, graced the stages of huge festivals, and played intimate shows. In the background, she’s worked on new collaborations and participated in prestigious songwriting workshops, constantly pushing the boundaries of her artistry. The tracks on MORALS are a record of this growth.

The EP’s title track, “Morals,” is about being a people pleaser your whole life until you decide to start saying no and walk away from situations that don’t serve or even entertain you anymore. Your moral values change when you begin to prioritize yourself. You can blame your vices on others, or you can own up to them and decide to not care. 

I wanted to create something catchy that also has a deeper cathartic meaning to it. I think it’s a feeling everyone has eventually, needing to just let go of doubt and give in to your wants. I just wanted to give it a bit of a sassy tone.

Owen Marchildon is a songwriter and guitarist who has been part of the Toronto music scene since 2002. Owen’s creative output has been prolific, producing volumes of his own music independently since 2005. Ten full length albums, one E.P and several singles under four different monikers: Purple Hill, Rough Skeletons, Marchildon! and High Wasted. 

2024 will see Owen Marchildon pulling back the veil of all his previous monikers and releasing new music under his own name. The first single, “Heavy Dreams,” is a jangle pop love letter, a musical marriage of hook driven guitars, and the silvery sentiments of Big Star. Longtime bandmates and collaborators, Jordan Bruce and Brent Hough, spread out the sound, complimenting the style, imagination and fabric of Owen’s songwriting. 

Owen explains the intimate story behind his first single under his own name: “There was a time in my life when nothing was more beautiful to me than a Big Star song. You could say I was very much alone with music. Maybe not the healthiest choice. That all changed when I met Kaitlin. I had finally found my sounding board, my purveyor of all things positive. This is a love song for my best friend. Written after our wedding day, all the moments leading up to it, and knowing that I was no longer alone.”