Hailing from Maple, ON, emerging indie pop artist Julian Daniel now divides his time between Toronto and Los Angeles, working full-time on his music. His blend of meaningful lyrics with upbeat instrumentals offers a fresh fusion of indie pop and rock and draws inspiration from artists like Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, and Gus Dapperton. 

Since debuting in 2019, Julian has released over 20 songs, including the viral track “Lemontree,” which earned attention from The Chainsmokers. His music often explores coming-of-age themes, love, and dirty secrets, and his songwriting process focuses on creating vivid, cinematic visuals through sound.

New single, “do you feel me?,” is a breathless confession, wrapped in rhythm, meant to touch your soul or heart. Every note feels like fingertips tracing your skin – soft, slow, electric. Inspired in part through hearing about friends and family’s past relationships, Julian wanted to write a song that would feel timeless in which people would listen and instantly recall memories of their former loves. 

It was supposed to be a solo song but, during the writing process, we realized it needed both perspectives in the relationship. I asked my friend Sofia Mills to write the second verse which perfectly encapsulates the emotions and headspace “do you feel me?” needed. She wrote her verse in 15 minutes, recorded it in Glendale, and we absolutely fell in love with it.
– Julian Daniel

Leahy is a powerhouse Celtic music group and one of Canada’s most renowned musical families. To date, they have sold more than half a million albums worldwide, achieved Double Platinum status in their home country and won three JUNOs. Leahy’s story began with a family of 11 siblings whose musical abilities gained them attention from around the world. Their life became the subject of an Academy Award-winning documentary that foretold the success that would follow (The Leahys: Music Most of All). Playing everything from fiddle, piano, guitar, drums, bass, and accordion to singing, step dancing, and composing, the Leahy family were steeped in a world of music. 

Leahy’s newest recording, LEAHY Live In Concert, is the 9th addition to the platinum-selling band’s celebrated discography. The tracks on this record were captured during a live performance in Kingston, Ontario which was being filmed as part of a video series, LEAHY: From the Inside, where the group shares an inside look at the creative process that brings their music to life. 

Featured live recording, “Roots,” is a powerful track that puts the spotlight on the group’s propensity to blend their roots and traditional Celtic music with modern instruments and sounds.  In this case, the edgy vibe is immediately charged by Xavier’s electric guitar and the tight combination of drums and bass (think Thin Lizzy), setting the stage for stellar twin-fiddle performances by Erin and up and coming talent Savannah Leahy (Xavier’s sister). 

The recording experience was very natural with a heightened level of energy. But the music was in its natural state…being played and shared live. More of a raw and spontaneous vibe that is hard to capture inside a studio. – Maria Leahy (Acoustic Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin)

Shaped by two decades of work as a climbing arborist, London, ON’s Fraser Teeple approaches music like a tradesman: he respects the strong tradition he stands within, and works carefully and with dedication to master the skill of telling a story, creating an image, or crafting a melody.

His upcoming album, We Built a Fire, sees Fraser collaborate with producer Matthew Johnston at Slow Magic to create a record that is at once ethereal and rooted, dirty and clean. Something that feels built in the tradition of songwriters like Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Springsteen, but sounds completely like itself: northern, soulful, gritty, rural, well-traveled, honest, desperate, hurt, generous, hopeful, warm.

Listen to “Went Off” HERE.I wrote this song after watching people in my neighbourhood – the decaying east end of a middle class city – end up carrying the judgment of the people around them, through some brutal match of choice and bad luck. – Fraser Teeple

Following the release of collaborative LP, Always By Your Side, in March 2024, the survivor-led Bracebridge, Ontario-based project, Chorus of Courage, is sharing new music featuring Cait Alexander.

Alexander penned “Two People” following a horrific experience where her ex-boyfriend nearly murdered her. 

This song was written immediately after the shattering of my life. Following a violent act of abuse, writing music was the only thing that made sense to me. [“Two People”] captures the entire spectrum of emotion that is often part of the abuse cycle. There’s an intimacy at the start and ending of the track, and the journey within is unpredictable and layered with intention and intensity. – Cait Alexander

The stripped back piano and voice of this song relays lyrics that capture an intimacy, juxtaposed with raucous and distorted guitar which represent the extremity and chaos of an abusive pattern. 

Ontario’s Unknown Voidz was founded by Zan Khan who recruited Ryan “Gooby” Goonoo on the drums and Jon Couzelis on bass. Together, the band was previously signed to Spuds Records and has gone on to play across Ontario and in Montreal, QC. The band will open for Being Dead on an upcoming Ontario tour to promote their second EP, Deception By My Side.

Deception By My Side is Unknown Voidz’s first studio recorded EP. Produced by Toronto scene pillars Keegan Porter and Ty Begley at Metrolab Studios, it features noticeably more mature and honest songwriting compared to the trio’s debut. The EP was partially written during COVID lockdowns and speaks on mental health/life problems.

Lead single, “Lack of Everything,” is titled in regards to the person who inspired its creation. Zan wrote it in an angry state of mind while realizing that he was being taken advantage of and used by someone who did not reciprocate empathy or support.