Kalila Badali is a unique and captivating songwriter/alt-folk artist emerging from Toronto. As a licensed Psychotherapist and personally neurodivergent person her music is both outwardly and inwardly cathartic. Kalila has started a unique and vibrant psychotherapy practice working with neurodivergent, LGBTQ2SIA+, and arts workers providing Music-Integrated Psychotherapy. This has led to offering workshops to emerging artists on musician’s mental health.  

“Helpless” is an ethereal, galloping single with a triumphantly manic pacing driven from its lyrical meaning. “Helpless is a guilt ridden, anxiety induced dance track lamenting the slow process of changing unhelpful behaviours.”  “Helpless” is the deliberate start track from her cohesive upcoming EP, Panaceas. “Realizing you don’t really know how to change is a great way to spur the search for Panaceas (A.K.A a cure all).” 

Decades spanning Toronto outfit Vicky von Vicky’s unique sound is a blend of punk, grunge, and classic rock – think Neil Young meets REM meets Modest Mouse, with occasional elements of funk thrown in. But their music is more than just melodies mixed with noise and chaos. They tackle themes like love, loss, and self-discovery with honesty & vulnerability. It’s this combination of raw emotion & raw power coupled with lyrical quirkiness that sets them apart.On “Jealousy” they deliver a body-moving jangly track that was written from the perspective that the end of a relationship is not the end of you.  “I hope that this song can serve as a source of empowerment for those who may be going through a tough breakup, and remind them that they are not alone and that brighter days are ahead.” – Michael Wynn (Vox/Guitar)

Originating from Red Deer, Alberta, Harehound is the rebrand of the alt rock trio previously performing under the name “Rebecca Raabis.” The band consists of members Rebecca Raabis (lead vocals, bass) Colin Langstraat (drums, backing vocals), and Craig Gomez (guitar) – who are no strangers to the music scene.

Their mix of alt pop and punk rock influences makes for a hard hitting, catchy sonic attack that is sure to make you proudly dance your night away. 

The term “Devil May Care” suggests the willingness to take risks and the lack of concern for what others may think or how things may turn out. The term also implies a sense of adventure and daring, as well as a willingness to embrace uncertainty and to live in the moment. That’s what frontwoman Rebecca Raabis wanted to convey with their song “Devil May Care” – she strives to reach her own goals and to do what makes her happy in spite of the scrutiny and opinions of others.

“The inspiration for this album comes from a deeply personal and introspective place. I was and still am going through a period of growth and self-discovery, where I am learning to set healthy boundaries and prioritize my well-being,” explains Raabis. “Overall, this EP is a powerful and transformative work of art that can hopefully inspire listeners to prioritize their own well-being and inner strength. It could be a testament to the importance of setting boundaries and cultivating self-love, and a reminder that we are all worthy of love and respect, both from ourselves and others.”

Toronto based singer-songwriter and real life mermaid Sia Shells rhymes about the everyday magic we find through relationships, self love, reflection and dreams. Her emotive contralto vocals juxtaposed against enchanting lyrics and upbeat dream pop sounds instantly transport you underwater.

Coinciding perfectly with Disney’s live action version of The Little Mermaid, Sia has created “Your Mermaid,” an anthem for her ocean loving beach babes. The tropical seashell sounds evoke the nostalgia of Ariel, Flounder and co. while the chorus resembles the ethereal calls of a siren, managing to keep it positive and uplifting instead of too moody and dark. 

Athena Park is an award winning actress who has starred in multiple film and television productions in Canada and the United States. Currently studying at the University of Toronto, she is continuously working on new music and film projects. Following up on her debut single, “Tuatara,” Athena‘s latest release is the bitterly honest “Heathen.”

Inspired by the feelings of falling in love with someone who doesn’t truly value you, “Heathen” encapsulates when someone gives themselves up completely for somebody who doesn’t even care to notice.

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

This song was based off of a real experience I had with a boy that didn’t treat me how I should’ve been treated. So most of the settings of the songs (aka. the skatepark) were based off of locations that me and him hung out around. Near the end of the music video where I am placed behind bars, is a metaphorical representation of how our relationship made me feel.

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

Because it was based off of real experiences, I thought this song deserved a visual for it. For the audience to understand what it was really like, where it happened, and what my perspective of the situation was.

3.What was the process of making this video?

The process was absolutely amazing! Thanks to OfTheSaint productions my creative input was very important to him, and we were able to use our locations to the best of our abilities, and together we produced a very innovative and creative music video.

Granny Smith is the brainchild of Toronto born musician Jason Bhattacharya whose main focus is production, songwriting and recording. Bhattacharya has been featured on umpteen records as a session musician and producer and has also worked in the music department for Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount Television Studios over the last three years.

“Egypt” is the latest and greatest release from the Granny Smith universe. Something a little different and a bit more unsettled. Layering a variety of instruments (acoustic guitar, rickenbacker bass, piano, wah guitar, bongos, tambourine, shakers), Bhattacharya played the acoustic guitar solo overtop before finally recording the drums.

The single’s accompanying visuals are by artist and creative technologist Dan Tapper. Created using a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques, the initial inspiration came from a series of film photographs and super8 stills shared by Bhattacharya. Tapper loved the texture and colour reproduction in these images and explored a combination of stop motion animation techniques fused with an AI image generator called StableDiffusion. This allowed him to create hybrid digital versions of these images departing from their initial form, taking us on a journey of continuous grainy, displaced zooms and rotoscoped flickering textures.

Thanks for listening! Click here to find out more about Granny Smith, grab photos + social links.

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

I wanted to do something a little different than my last releases which are more singer-songwriter based. I was more focused on creating a mood. I layered a variety of instruments (acoustic guitar, rickenbacker bass, piano, wah guitar, bongos, tambourine, shakers) then played the acoustic guitar solo over that. The final thing I recorded was the drums. The song was recorded to a Yamaha AW4416 recording console. I felt that this song told a story that was vivid enough to not include lyrics.  To me, it seemed to breathe & be more of a conversation between the acoustic guitar solo & the drums that doesn’t quite settle until the last 30 seconds. I thought it would be interesting to take it one step further & pair the sonic journey with a variety of photos & super 8 stills i’d taken. For the most part the pictures were of landscapes & buildings. 

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

My music is my life in sound. I thought it would be interesting to see if the images in the music could be furthered by adding a video that was as experimental as this piece was. I reached out to Daniel Tapper to create this video.

3.What was the process of making this video?

“The visuals for Egypt are created using a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques. The initial inspiration came from a series of film photographs and super8 stills shared by Jason. I loved the texture and color reproduction in these images and explored a combination of stop motion animation techniques combined with an AI image generator called StableDiffusion. This allowed me to create hybrid digital versions of these images departing from their initial form and taking us on a journey of continuous grainy, displaced zooms and rotoscoped flickering textures.” – Daniel Tapper