4x JUNO nominated singer-songwriter Julian Taylor and his band are sharing a brand new live LP recorded at Toronto’s historic Massey Hall in the TD Music Hall, with all tracks mastered in Dolby Atmos.
This is the first ever album to be recorded and released from TD Music Hall, which opened in February 2022.
Live at TD Music Hall was released on December 6, 2024, exactly one year to the day it was recorded in 2023!
Any time you get a chance to record a live show, you gotta take it, so when Massey Hall offered to record it via their new Deane Cameronstate-of-the-art studio equipped with the best gear that the world has to offer, it was a no brainer, explains Taylor.
Doug McKendrick recorded, mixed it and mastered it in Dolby Atmos. It’s the first album to receive that treatment and I am excited for the world to hear it.
This career spanning set sees the Julian Taylor Band playing with a newfound sense of camaraderie stronger than that on any record in Taylor’s back catalogue.
The album’s focus track is a lively rendition of the warm and nostalgic yet a touch unsettling production which characterizes “The Ridge,” the Americana title track from Taylor’s breakout 2020 record which chronicles his childhood summers spent with his sister, aunt, and grandparents at the latter’s farm in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
When I think of my happy place, it takes me there back to the driveway that was enveloped by huge trees and greenery right up to the red front door of their house, and I can see it all. I can visualize my childhood. My grandparents and my aunt have since passed away, but they all live in my heart and through the stories we shared and memories we created. – Julian Taylor
ELLDER, the collaborative project of singer-songwriters Carmen Elle and Ben Kunder, debuts with their powerful single “Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down.” A raw and evocative exploration of healing, growth, and transformation, the song is a poignant reflection of the duo’s unique ability to translate personal experiences into universal emotions.
Born from a period of deep introspection, “Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down” captures the process of letting go and finding hope. The song began with Ben’s quiet moments at the piano, coping with the trauma of nearly losing a loved one and revisiting the weight of past relationships.
That first verse was my way of coping for months. It wasn’t until my first songwriting session with Carmen that the song truly came to life. They immediately connected with the sentiment, and together we finished it in minutes. This song reflects our shared journey of healing and our deep connection as collaborators. – Ben Kunder
The duo’s choice to sing in unison throughout the track amplifies the themes of unity and shared experience. Their voices weave seamlessly, creating an intimate atmosphere that holds space for reflection and emotional release.
This debut marks an exciting new chapter for ELLDER, whose collaboration began serendipitously and quickly solidified into a partnership centered on therapeutic storytelling. After its initial version was featured in the Peabody Award-winning series Sort Of on CBC Gem and HBO Max – earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination and winning a CASMA Award for Best Original Song – the duo decided to reimagine the track in their own production style.
Stripped down and intentionally minimal, this version of “Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down” keeps the focus on Carmen and Ben’s voices and the song’s lyrical depth. The result is an evocative journey through hope, bloom, and evolution.
ELLDER is just getting started. With plans to release more music, Carmen and Ben are excited to share their unique blend of vulnerability and artistry with the world. Their work is an invitation to embrace growth, let go of the past, and step into a place of healing and resolution.
Singer-songwriter Odd Marshall officially arrives with his debut album Sand & Glue, a compelling exploration of life’s crossroads, inspired by a harrowing moment that sparked a return to his craft. Featuring 11 songs shaped by stories of near-misses, chance encounters, and timeless memories, Sand & Glue captures the raw, rollicking energy of Marshall’s unique journey. Produced by Canadian music mainstay Don Kerr (Ron Sexsmith, Dan Mangan, Bahamas) and recorded with renowned session musicians Mike O’Brien (Zeus, Dan Mangan) on guitar and Jason Haberman (Dan Mangan, Jason Collett, Tim Baker) on bass, the album channels the gritty, authentic storytelling and heart-thumping beats that make Odd Marshall a standout.
Marshall’s life took an unexpected turn when a car accident after a snowstorm jolted him into songwriting once again. From that moment, he rediscovered his passion and slowly rebuilt his voice, resulting in Sand & Glue – an album of travels, trials, and triumphant returns.
“London,” the album’s lead single, celebrates Marshall’s musical roots in London, England, where he moved for a brief stay after film school and stayed for six years. The track is a love song to the city that shaped him. Listeners will hear the rhythm of a bustling city in its pulse, paying homage to formative years when Marshall crafted his first EP with friends he met on the Tube.
I stopped writing songs for 10 years until I flipped my truck in a snowstorm. I was fine. But I crawled out the passenger window and, while sitting in the back of a cop car, a song came on the radio and it reminded me… I used to do that. For how much I enjoy playing music now, I can’t understand how I gave it up for so long. – Odd Marshall
The music video for Pacifico’s latest single, “Stagnant,” delivers a visually striking narrative that perfectly encapsulates the song’s central themes of inertia and emotional stasis. Shot in black-and-white, the video opens with Matthew Schwartz seated on a chair on a bustling urban sidewalk, surrounded by the ceaseless movement of city life. Cars pass by, and pedestrians weave through the frame, creating a powerful contrast between the external world’s relentless motion and the internal stillness Schwartz embodies. This opening sets the tone for a song deeply rooted in the frustration of feeling stuck despite genuine connections.
As the video unfolds, the setting shifts from the chaos of the city to quieter, more contemplative environments, like a serene park. These transitions highlight the duality between external noise and internal stagnation, reinforcing the song’s exploration of love and life’s complexities. The stark simplicity of the video’s concept places the focus squarely on Schwartz’s heartfelt performance, allowing his raw emotion to resonate deeply with viewers. It’s an artful visual companion to the candid lyrics and infectious indie rock-pop melody that define “Stagnant.”
The track, from Pacifico’s latest EP, Moving On or Standing Still, dives into the tension of a relationship caught in limbo. Schwartz’s earnest vocals and introspective songwriting tap into the universal experience of yearning for progress while feeling trapped. The video’s everyday settings, from busy streets to tranquil parks, serve as poignant metaphors for this emotional push-and-pull, inviting listeners to reflect on their own struggles with love, frustration, and personal growth.
Pacifico, originally a full band formed in 1999, has evolved under Schwartz’s leadership into a dynamic solo project, embracing collaborations and exploring new creative directions. With a history of placements in films, TV shows, and video games, Pacifico has cultivated a loyal following that eagerly anticipates each new release. “Stagnant” marks a compelling chapter in this journey, offering both a deeply personal narrative and a universally relatable message.
As the video for “Stagnant” hits platforms, it serves as a powerful introduction to Pacifico’s new EP. Keep an eye out for more from Schwartz and co. as they continue to explore themes of change, progress, and the emotional weight of standing still.
Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? Out of all the songs on our upcoming Moving On Or Standing Still EP this song felt the most commercial and universal with its theme of inertia. It was written in 2008, when I was dating someone and the relationship wouldn’t move forward. I went to the piano and “Stagnant” came out. But rather than it see the light of day, the song had to wait sixteen years until it it was time for it to “Move On” rather than “Stand Still”
What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? For this video the director, Michael Friedman, suggested the concept with the chair and the world passing quickly around me to symbolize how sometimes, no matter how fast the world is moving around us, we are stuck. The only creative note I added is for the music video to be black and white to match all the rest of the EP’s artwork and photography. I am very happy with how it turned out.
What was the process of making this video?
We shot it all in one day between filming in downtown College Park, on the Push Push Arts campus, and at the Westside Reservoir park in Atlanta, GA. We filmed the song at half speed and then sped it up in post to match the recording. The only part of the video in true time would be the bridge, in which I donned a guitar and they projected fast stock footage over me. The video was then edited, and color corrected and is what you see today
With their effervescent new single, “It’s a Sign,”The Flip Phones have created an indie-pop delight brimming with charm, quirk, and an unexpected dose of introspection.
Inspired by Los Angeles’ iconic Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign – a whimsical podiatry advertisement once used by locals to divine their daily fortunes – the track explores the thin line between taking charge of our lives and surrendering to fate and superstition.
Listen in here:
The duo, Lindsey and Ryan, blend instrumental talent with an unpretentious energy to create a sound that feels as timeless as it is refreshing.
Lindsey’s background as a classically trained pianist and flutist shines through in the lush textures of melodica and electric piano that weave throughout the song. Her lyrical storytelling brims with vibrant imagery and clever wit, while Ryan’s self-taught guitar stylings, steeped in influences like The Beatles and Blur, add a jangly, upbeat undercurrent that grounds the song’s playful tone.
This isn’t the first time Lindsey and Ryan have made musical magic together. Their earlier collaboration in North of Canada laid the foundation for the unique synergy that defines The Flip Phones.
Since forming their new project in 2013, they’ve honed their craft, releasing the well-received EP Better in the Dark in 2022 and building a reputation for vibrant live shows at festivals and celebrated mid-Atlantic venues like Jammin Java and Songbyrd.
Produced by Dave Mallen at Innovation Station Music, “It’s a Sign” radiates the energy of their live performances, while also showcasing a shift toward a more playful sound palette.
Influences from the B-52s and Gorillaz are clear, with the melodica lending a whimsical edge, yet the track retains the narrative depth and layered arrangements that have become their signature.
As the lead single for their upcoming EP Spinning Adrift (set to drop in spring 2025), “It’s a Sign” is both an irresistible and thought-provoking anthem for those caught between luck and intention. With its buoyant melodies and clever interplay between Lindsey and Ryan’s vocals, this is indie-pop at its finest.
Animals in Denial’s new single “Operator” is an exploration into heartbreak, wrapped up in a gritty industrial-electronic sound.
The story behind “Operator” is as compelling as the song itself. The beat has been living in the artist Christian Imes’s head since they were 14, back when they were cruising the streets of Canton, NC, and obsessing over The Matrix.
At the time, they didn’t even have a synth – just a guitar and a lot of ideas. Years later, using a lite copy of Ableton Live and some old-school drum samples, the track finally started to take shape. It came together fast at first with the initial demo finished in just 30 minutes, but the final version was elevated thanks to a collaboration with industrial icon Steven Seibold (Hate Dept, Pigface).
Seibold’s fingerprints are all over the production. From tweaking the vocal delivery on the third verse to suggesting subtle backing harmonies in the chorus, he brought a fresh perspective to the track.
Listen here:
The pair even recorded the vocals in Seibold’s home studio, which was a full-circle moment for the artist, who’s been a longtime fan of Seibold’s work. The result is sleek and dynamic, with just the right amount of edge.
Musically, “Operator” is a study in restraint. An earlier version included guitar parts, but the final mix strips them away to let the synths and beats carry the weight. That choice gives the track a sharp, metallic vibe that feels perfectly in line with its themes of emotional distance and digital disconnect. The song pulses with a hypnotic rhythm, pulling you in as layers of sound build and shift. It’s dark, atmospheric, and relentlessly captivating.
But the heart of “Operator” are the lyrics, which draw from a relationship that left its mark. The “operator” in the song is a nod to late-night phone calls and AIM chats with an ex who once felt like a lifeline, but who eventually became a source of pain. It’s brutally honest and deeply relatable especially for anyone who’s navigated the murky waters of young love.
Whether drawn to its cyberpunk aesthetic, its honest lyrics, or its sheer force, this is definitely a song that grabs your attention.
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