As longtime members of Blue Sky Miners, the musical duo of Eric “The Duke” Duquette and Jena “Goldie” Gogo had released two albums, toured North America, and enjoyed national radio play. Still there seemed to be uncharted musical waters on the horizon. 

The rag tag pirate-like community of (aptly named) Protection Island turned out to be the perfect coastal environment for the pair’s musical evolution to take place. Fire lit jams, a newfound connection to nature and deep reflection on their roles as settlers in this land gave spark to a collection of new songs that the now Vancouver-based twosome are proud to present as Duke & Goldie on May 12th, 2023.

Following on the heels of their debut single, “Courage,” Duke & Goldie are now unveiling “Rocky Mountain Feeling.” While mostly a straight-ahead rocker kind of song, the descending chord changes at the end of each chorus alter the song’s key in a chromatic descent. It adds a bit of complexity to the overall tone and hints at the deeper, more nuanced nature of the lyrics.

Powered by three classically trained vocalists and a former punk rock drummer, The Pairs offer a unique blend of music that will hug your eardrums and inspire you to dance. Following their inception in 2016, The Pairs were warmly welcomed by their home community in London, ON. The group was named Folk Music Ontario’s Songwriter of the Year in 2020 and took home the 2021 Forest City London Music Award in the Folk/Roots category.

New single, “Easier to Leave,” was inspired by all the challenges that are inevitably faced within long term relationships. Written in response to the many fears and anxieties that trickle into day-to-day interactions causing inevitable arguments that seem to have no rational foundation, it’s a song about those moments when all of our kind, compassionate communication skills fly out the window and we adopt a more self protective, argumentative stance.

Vancouver-based Glass Forest is an indie-pop group composed of Nick Owen (vocals/keys), Stephen Clarke (bass/beats) and Abby Wale (vocals). They have gained a reputation for euphoric live shows that blend electronic dance elements with atmospheric soundscapes. 

“Can’t Just Walk Away” was written about the emotional hardships following the fallout of a previous relationship; specifically, between band members Nick and Abby. It was a uniquely honest process writing and recording the single as they directly confronted the traumas. Oddly healing, it gave space to address and work through past issues, broaching subjects rarely discussed by ex romantic partners.

Glass Forest’s debut EP is anticipated in May 2023.

Inspired by legends like Paul Westerberg, Wilco and Constantines, as well as relative newcomers like Phoebe Bridgers and Ruston Kelly, the Hamilton, Ontario band Mister Rabbit has formed a sonic palette that is both familiar and refreshing. Their raw and honest songs are delivered by musicians who know what it feels like to be a version of themselves and want nothing to do with it anymore.

Their debut album, End of History Illusion, features the focus track “Subtle Tribute” which is a song about wanting to be wanted, and how important that simple fact can be to people’s self-worth. Frontman Jeff van Helvoort spent a lot of time throughout his teens and twenties trying to deal with unrequited love and he wrote this song while he was in search of that.

The title comes from one of the song lyrics which references “Hold My Life” by The Replacements, hence the “Subtle Tribute” to those much-admired songwriters. 

Take a sneak peek at the 10 track LP End of History Illusion with focus track “Subtle Tribute.” 

These songs were inspired by the band’s desire to create, and try to compassionately tell others’ stories, while keeping a connection to themselves. They worked with legendary Toronto producer Jeff McMurrich (Constantines, Alvvays, Jennifer Castle), recording engineer Matt Snell (Dua Lipa, Banners), and mixer Peter Van Helvoort (bassist of The Glorious Sons and Jeff’s brother.) 

The Manic Boys And Girls Club is a Toronto indie pop/rock duo consisting of siblings Bela and Fernando Ferreira. Raised strict catholics, children of immigrant parents, sent away to live in rural Portugal with their grandmother (who had previously been a nun); The Manic Boys and Girls Club is more than a band. It is an escape from the submissive existence that was their reality and open to any misfit looking to join the club.

We all live with the mistakes we’ve made. Maybe the tattoo you regret, the relationship you should have never been in, the words you should have said, what you should have not said, or maybe the time we’ve wasted. Their new single “We’ll Be Fine” is about letting go of all of those things. “…even when nothing around us makes sense, and as much of a mess as life may seem at times, for whatever reason, we are exactly where we are meant to be. There is a plan for us all,” they affirm.

Hamiltonian country singer-songwriter, Roslyn Witter, has a sunny new single to share which captures the feel-good energy of a day at the beach. The earnest and catchy song is a country-pop cruiser, full of gentle strumming and pedal steel harmonies.

Writing “Good Vibes,” in collaboration with her father, singer-songwriter Jim Witter, was an “almost therapeutic” process, says Witter. “The winters are LONG in Ontario, so entering a ‘summer’ mindset was a fun distraction.”

Witter worked with director Connor Scheffler to film the song’s 1970s-themed music video, using an indoor beach volleyball court to replicate a carefree vacation.