Born and raised in South-Central Trinidad, John Orpheus is a multi-cultural musical artist and published author. For the past year and a half, he had been writing his memoir called SAGA BOY which was published by Penguin Random House Canada and Milkweed Editions in the US last year. With the book done, John decided to return to music and release a companion album entitled SAGA KING. The release of his album was the beginning of a new phase and introduced listeners to his deeply personal story. His new single being released on February 25th is his version of the Radiohead song, House of Cards.

Watch the official music video on YouTube now.

John explains the choice and direction of the song:

“I feel if you’re going to do a cover that slavishly copies the original, it’s the worst thing you could do. There’s no way you’re gonna out Radiohead Radiohead. The key is to make it your own. We wanted to do it in our style, but still hold true to the song’s inherent qualities. As with many of their songs, it is haunting with an ambivalent lyric and a subtle, yet powerful feeling, but we wanted it to be danceable, Caribbean and soulful – three things Radiohead is rarely accused of, but which perfectly speaks to what we do!”

Navigating life as a diasporic queer woman of colour, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Jenn Nucum‘s music deconstructs the complex fabric of identity with dreamy and ambient Alt Rock melodies, honest lyrics, and emotive vocals. 

Reflecting and empowering, “Monuments” takes inspiration from post-rock. Strings and melodic guitar guide Jenn’s voice before the track bursts into catharsis. 

“Blessed are the oppressed fighting a broken system,” Nucum sings, reworking and subverting The Beatitudes from the Bible, reflective of her Catholic upbringing and the Philippines’ colonization by religion.

Toronto’s Graham Ko is an accomplished guitarist with a soulful voice, who developed his craft as a private student of legendary Rik Emmett (Triumph). When Graham hits the stage, nobody sits still; audience members lose themselves in the colourful melodies and lyrical messages. 

Warm and uplifting, “One Step Forward” is the first song among many to come that will fall under the overarching theme of hope. “I was having a very difficult time, working a job I hated,” Graham explains. “My family was far away, and everything seemed to be in this constant downward spiral. Trying to shake off this terrible feeling I had, I said to myself, ‘things will get better as long as you’re taking steps in the right direction, all it takes is one step.’”

Tessa Balaz is multi-disciplinary artist from Sudbury, Ontario. Having played cello in the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, as well as performed in numerous musicals, Balaz has spent the better part of the last decade writing and producing original music and collaborating as a member of production teams for major artists including Daniel Caesar, Drake, The Weeknd, Migos, and Mariah Carey.

Her single, “Wisemen,” reflects on the metaphors she has found in the biblical story of the Three Wise Men as it relates to her upbringing in a religious household, which made it difficult to live as her authentic self.

There is a guttural feeling of loneliness in this haunting track, which centers around Tessa’s voice, with guitar and cello accompaniment. 

“I think it was difficult for me to be who I am at my core – black, queer, bold, sensuous – because of the utter shame I always felt from this upbringing,” explains Balaz. 

“I think we are always, in a way, searching for that authenticity in our lives. I’m grateful to have found it and now try to face anything that makes me fearful rather than bury it down.”

It’s hard not to do what you love.  

Kim Ho, born in Montreal, knows that all too well. In 2012, he was having a blast trotting the globe while fronting his alt-dance pop band, Creature. Nominated for a JUNO Award, the band recorded their second album in London with a big time American producer, only for the label to decide not to release it.

Kim spent the intervening years travelling, opened a business, taught kung-fu, and started a family, all the while continuing to play guitar in-studio and live, with artists such as Socalled and Radio Radio.

Returning to writing his own music, Kim is sharing “Halfway” under the name Apollo Lovely. Dedicated to new beginnings, Kim wrote this confident yet understated soul infused pop track on a life-changing four month long trip to Northern India that brought him back to music.