Soft/yacht rock group, Golden Feather, are sharing their upbeat, dynamic, and highly melodic self-titled debut LP. The band see it as an introduction to their sound, featuring many songs that have been honed during their live shows.

Speaking of Golden Feather, the group explains that “in these songs, you’ll experience emotions of loss, hope, uncertainty and certainty misplaced, compassion, and ultimately, love. On this album, we truly become a band. It’s the sound of Golden Feather, and we’re excited to share it with you.”

Golden Feather features the jaunty, sax leaning “Goodbye,” written in light of band member Steve Kiely witnessing his younger brother undergo a major life transformation after facing continuous struggles throughout his upbringing.

A lot of times it seemed like he had given up, our relationship had dwindled to almost nothing, and it seemed like I was just waiting to hear that he had lost his battle, but he chose to keep fighting and overcame his demons to finally become the person that I, and everyone else knew he was. This song celebrates that. – Steve Kiely of Golden Feather

Melissa Furlotte is a singer, songwriter, composer and pianist based in Montreal. Raised in the copper mining town of Murdochville, Quebec, in the picturesque region of the Gaspésie, she grew up playing piano, singing and listening to a mix of popular, folk, country and jazz music. 

In 2021, Melissa released her debut album, Old Road. The collection of 10 original songs was inspired by the landscapes of her youth, adulthood in the big city and the stories in between. Her style has been dubbed fine folk. Releasing Old Road with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec was an experience of a lifetime. At the same time, it fostered a new desire to reach a larger audience.

Her latest track, “Virginia Creeper,” is the first in a new collection. The wistful single is played on by collaborator/guitarist Joe Grass. The instrumentation includes a warm toned antique converted player piano, recorded simultaneously to add to the song’s deeper meaning.

It’s compelling to tell a human story through the relationship of a brick wall and a “tenacious vine,” even better when the music sets the scene; piano and guitar, cushioning chords and enveloping melody. Every layer has the relationship of two entities. – Melissa Furlotte

In life, we find that the beauty of connection is often shadowed by the pain of loss, and the enduring nature of love is contrasted by the fleeting moments of existence. This duality – the interplay of light and darkness – is at the heart of Sexy Mathematics. Chris Daviduik (guitar, vocals, songwriting) and Matt Aggus (drums) have forged a unique musical bond over the years. Originally formed in 2009, the band began as a synth rock group known for their intense, emotive soundscapes. Over time, their music has evolved, mirroring the complexity of the world around them and their own growth as artists.

The band’s new self-titled album, Sexy Mathematics, is a testament to their evolution. It delves into themes of personal relationships, loneliness, despair, existential crises, and the anxiety about an uncertain future. This record represents a significant leap for the band, who decided to hire producer Stephen Krecklo and mixer Jordon Zadorozny to elevate their music to new heights. The result is a compelling blend of their rock foundations and modern digital synthesizers, creating a rich, atmospheric sound that is both intricate and powerful.

“Responsory” draws stylistic inspiration from The Cure’s “Lovesong,” while its lyrics reflect the resentment we often feel when forced to navigate societal pressures alongside those we disagree with—or even loathe—despite being unable to fully express ourselves, even to those we hold dearest. No matter how close or distant we are, an invisible barrier always seems to obstruct true understanding. Each generation grapples with these struggles, only to pass the burden to the next without any lasting resolution. Even in the face of existential crises like climate change, the cycle persists.

We spent our time working on and refining these songs to bring them all to a level that exceeds the work we’ve done previously, and I believe we’ve succeeded in that respect. The sound is more cohesive, the arrangements are tighter, the melodies are more interesting, and the performance is more polished. At the same time we’ve retained many of the core elements that make the music unique in the first place related to the style of the performance and lyrical content. – Chris Daviduik

Coraline James is an alt-folk musician from Kitchener, Ontario who self-describes as a forest gremlin who emerges from the woods to make music. James’ music reflects her deep connection to nature, her background as a Baroque musician, and growing up on her mom’s Elvis and Beatles albums. She is often compared to Damien Rice for his melodic sensibilities, Kate Bush for her quirky theatricality, and Adele for her powerful vocals. James describes her artistic practice as “a commitment to examining life’s inherent delight and agony with raw candor.”

New single, “Unholy Prayer,” takes the perspective of a woman in an abusive marriage who finds respite from the darkness of her reality in the arms of her lover. The haunting track features interweaving melodies and earthy instrumentation.

As I was writing, a character emerged. She was a woman whose affair is her only respite from an abusive marriage and the loss of her child. She’s praying for forgiveness, but ultimately she does not regret her actions. – Coraline James

Renowned Canadian Celtic music group, LEAHY, is pleased to announce the release of “Joie de vivre,” the first single from their upcoming new album LEAHY Live In Concert. 

The spirited accordion-led instrumental track is a medley of two original pieces composed by multi-instrumentalist Xavier Leahy, inspired by his exploration of jazz through his guitar. “I deliberately tried to write tunes outside the Irish or French boxes,” recounts the young musician, “basically trying to translate “jazz” into “Irish.”

Xavier’s aunt, Erin Leahy, influenced by pianists in the Montreal jazz scene, adds rich and intricate layers underneath Xavier’s accordion, igniting the feel with her Latin and jazz piano arrangement. In typical LEAHY form, the band’s approach takes the track in unexpected directions melodically and rhythmically, leaving the listener exhilarated and satisfied. 

“Joie de vivre” was recorded during a regular live performance, filmed for a video series on which the band was working. When they listened back to the music from the show, the vibe was so dynamic that the band decided to release several tracks on an album. “Joie de vivre” is the subject of the second episode in the video series, LEAHY: From the Inside.

“Joie de vivre” is one of nine tracks on LEAHY Live In Concert which will be released on October 25th, 2024.  In addition to the core band, several young Leahys are also featured on the live album, along with special guests, Canadian fiddle-player Louis Schryer, and French-Canadian accordionists, Timi Turmel and Marie-Jeanne Brousseau.