Luke MacDonald is chasing luma. A multi-hyphenate project defined by introspection, chasing luma explores some of life’s most challenging yet fulfilling themes via beat-driven alternative pop. Balancing the energy of modern electronic music with the wistful nostalgia of contemporary indie music, chasing luma evokes emotion in equal parts through both story-telling and sonic excellence. At once deeply personal and universal to boot, chasing luma makes sincere music that prompts us to seek our own truth.

Luke has always been really into the 2000’s era of pop – born in 1998, his earliest musical memories come from that time. As he was finishing up his new single, “nervous,” he realized how much of the song’s DNA felt like the music from that time, but brought into the modern era of sonics – “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus came to mind when thinking of references.

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?

I sat down to write this song in early April, and the initial idea came together super quickly. I chose to make a music video for this song because I had such a fun time doing the music video for my previous single “tidal wave” with my close friend Andrew Morgan who has shot both of these videos! He’s so talented and is someone I’ve known for more than half of my life and it feels so comfortable to work with him and to be able to brainstorm new ideas on the spot. My philosophy for making art is to just make the best possible thing you can with the resources you have available to you, because you can do a lot even with an iPhone camera and a good idea. Furthermore, one things I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is that people see photo/video on social media before they even hear the song, so I’ve been trying my best to put time and care into how things look!

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

Initially the idea for the video was a lot different actually, but I love how it came together. I originally had the idea to do a whole party scene happening around me, but it didn’t end up making sense and we scrapped that idea. But I wanted to try and display things that induce anxiety in this video due to the contents of the song. Things like clocks, footage that looks like it was taken by a surveillance camera, talking to myself in the mirror, tapping the steeling wheel of a car, etc. I tried to include as much of that imagery as I could find alongside just footage of myself performing the song – there’s not really a narrative thread, but more of just a visualizer that matches the energy of the song.

3. What was the process of making this video?

We started by going downtown in Halifax, Nova Scotia and scouting locations and just shooting a few takes in some locations I had in mind. My personal favourite shot, and the one that took the most time to edit and get right, was the shot with all of the TV’s above me that I manually mapped to I could overlay other video over top (they were playing a basketball game on the TV’s at the time!) I took home the footage from the first day of the shoot and started editing and getting those takes synced up with the song and that gave me a better idea of what we needed to finish the video, so we got together 2 weeks later and went to another few locations – then I edited it from there! I’m a pretty beginner editor in the grand scheme of things but I embrace the DIY energy and when I don’t know the answer to something, I ask friends who are more experienced or quickly enroll myself in “YouTube University” to solve a problem in the process.

Erik Lankin is a composer and producer of New Classical music. His work combines classical orchestration with contemporary sound design. Erik channels the full spectrum of emotion into instrumental soundscapes which are compellingly narrative and evocative.

From 2020 to 2023, he assembled a team of some of Canada’s most accomplished classical soloists and neoclassical producers to realize his vision for his highly anticipated debut release. Erik‘s dual ambitions on the levels of musical theory and emotional vulnerability were able to secure him multiple funding requests from the Canada Council for the Arts despite being an artist who seemingly came out of nowhere.

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?

This song is the latest single from my project The Icarus Album. It is a neoclassical reinterpretation of the myth of Daedalus, reimagined so that Daedalus falls to his death and his son Icarus must fly onward. Interpreted this way the myth becomes a metaphor for losing my own father to suicide. In the music leading up to this track Icarus has overcome his grief and learned new ways to fly on the broken wings his father left him. Now he pauses to reflect on the life of Daedalus, complete with all its faults, and with a grand orchestral swell, invites his father’s spirit to take its place among the honored ancestors.


2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

For this video I worked with creator Franklin López who edited and directed the project. I mostly gave Frank free reign as I trust his creative vision. He unknowingly chose footage of a young man who perfectly resembles a mashup of me and my father at that age. Similarly the video of the child flying a model rocket could have easily come from my own childhood. This context means I can only watch this particular video when I’m ready to feel very sad.

 
3. What was the process of making this video?

I sent Frank the music and he worked from scratch. We passed drafts back and forth a few times but most of the feedback I had was on the level of post-production nitpicking like which cut goes where and which color filter to use. I had anticipated the most difficult part would be dealing with the intense subject matter but I felt like all of Frank’s choices were both tasteful while still fitting with the difficult emotions.

Andie Loren is a Toronto based singer/songwriter whose music is a mix of dream pop and rock. Her lyrics focus on love, loss and the rollercoaster of emotions and questions we have in relationships while her songs are characterized by the desire to understand human nature, and how love can consume us in positive and negative ways.

Loren‘s rich, warm vocals are heartfelt and her approach to writing is honest, straightforward and open. Upcoming EP, Some Special Light, is a concept album that looks into our desperate need to matter to someone, and the highs and lows that come along with it.

Her passionate, Thomas Hammerton-produced guitar driven single, “Hearts Grow Wide,” is filled out with dreamy synth, melodic bass and energetic pop rock drumming. The inspiration for the track derives from modern dating culture and the longing to connect with someone romantically.

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 
I wanted to tell a story about love at first sight and the excitement and curiosity that’s felt when two people are attracted to one another. It’s about hope and the possibilities that lie ahead.

2.What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
I was looking to capture a night out at a bar or party. I wanted a vibrant and fun vibe with lots of colour and movement. For the storyline I thought about going dancing with friends and looking for love. I wanted to convey a youthful energy, with hints of insecurity and that playful flirtatiousness that we have when we’re out meeting new people.

3.What was the process of making this video?
When we were making the video I needed to stick to a budget so I had the idea of doing it from home. I turned part of my kitchen into a night club by finding a clear wall and using an Epson projector that I borrowed from the school I work at. We had lights and other images projected on the wall and my husband shot the entire video on his Fuji xt-2 camera. I danced around for a couple of hours with different outfits on and played with my shadow. It was quite the workout. My husband edited the video and really experimented with effects and layers. I was happy with the way it turned out but most importantly, it was a lot of fun to make.

Billie Zizi is continuing to share glimpses of her exquisite upcoming album, the contemplative and dreamy Levitate (out October 25th). The Edmonton-based singer-songwriter has embraced a folkier sound on her latest single, “Everything in Between.” This gentle song focuses on the poetry of its lyrics, embracing roots and Americana music with subtle pedal steel and fingerpicked acoustic guitar.

A bunch of friends had gone through breakups and I was thinking about the multifaceted nature of reality. How simultaneously the breakups were challenging but also beautiful and freeing. How they gave it their best shot, which ultimately is all you can ever do in life, and the loss of that relationship led them to a new and beautiful and unexpected delight. – Billie Zizi

Pip contributed to the ‘first wave’ of music activity on Toronto’s Queen Street West and has lived and played extensively in Europe and Asia. He currently lives in Hamilton, ON, writing, recording, performing and selling original art-pop with world and jazz elements. Pip’s own music is influenced by world rhythms and the lute and the brand new album, Every City, is his 30th LP release.  

On Every City, Pip wants the listener to feel uplifted. There is a long arc throughout the 16 songs; a few melodic tunes, a couple of ballads, a rock-steady tune, a couple of rockier numbers, then a novelty song leading to the final two contemplative songs that take out the album’s journey. The double bass and nylon stringed guitar of focus track, “Everybody’s Sayin,” is gentle and profound, asking the listener to step back from civil tensions. 

Observing all the conflicts around the world.  In practice, we can’t just go anywhere; but maybe one day there won’t be any fences, borders, prejudices.  Never mind what “everybody is saying” .  People may say you’re a victim but don’t listen to the shouting of the media.  Use your resourcefulness, and think for yourself. – Pip on “Everybody’s Sayin”

Toronto’s Alex Southey is sharing an exploratory new EP of singer-songwriter tracks in collaboration with producer Alex Gamble and saxophonist Ben Dwyer.

The EP features focus track, “Athletes,” a contemplative and brooding piece inspired by power dynamics and careerism. The lilting acoustic piece features eerie effects that are juxtaposed with the delicate melodies of Dwyer’s saxophone playing.

Although it begins as somewhat sparse, I consider this song to be really colourful, and by that I mean it inspires a lot of different emotions in me, depending on where I am in the song. I’m intrigued at the beginning, enjoying the ride by the second verse, confronted with the discomfiting bridge, and relieved we wind back to the initial progression. – Alex Southey