Bracebridge, Ontario’s survivor-led collaborative project, Chorus of Courage, is lifting the veil on the ten tracks which make up Always By Your Side, the debut album which reflects and transmutes survivors’ lived experiences into rich and deeply honest songwriting.

Through gathering survivors and songwriters during a summer retreat, the project’s organizers, including qualifying registered psychotherapist and singer-songwriter Cindy Doire, created a home to explore some of the most difficult experiences that one could imagine.

Love, music, silence, acceptance, guidance, connection, and movement are key to Always By Your Side and its songs’ origins, which range from soulful empowerment (Alysha Brilla’s “Shine”), delicate reassurance (the Julian Taylor-penned “Sweet Little Hummingbird”), and the incendiary folk rock of Doire’s songwriting contribution to the record, “Burn It Down.”

The stories shared and held at retreat were given a voice and expression through Chorus of Courage’s songwriters. These songs were captured, recorded, and then sent to the project’s allies, who responded with another song written in solidarity, creating a powerful musical conversation.

By sharing these songs of resilience and hope, the members of Chorus of Courage seek to inspire empathy, ignite conversations, and catalyze positive change. 

With Always By Your Side, the project aims to create a ripple effect that elevates awareness, breaks down barriers, and fosters a culture of respect and support. Together, they stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of all voices and advocate for a world where voices are heard, honoured, and empowered.

Dan Pallotta is sharing his first new single since the release of his 2023 sophomore record, Winnebago Dreams. The folk singer-songwriter from Massachusetts has chosen to explore deeply personal and cathartic themes on “House on the Reservoir,” which he describes as being about his own “triangulation between [his] dad and his father.”

The acoustic guitar led track features plaintive harmonica and piano, the production’s bedrock to centre Pallotta’s emotive vocals and moving lyrics which depict a tense and repressed relationship between his father and grandfather. 

“It split me into pieces, and I sold my soul for parts, inside of that house on the reservoir.”

Pallotta explains that “House is on the Reservoir” is about “seeing that you have taken responsibility for pain, transgression, betrayal, regret and anger that never belonged to you and that were never yours to take responsibility for in the first place.”

The core truth of lived experience in the song reveals Pallotta’s ability to “still […] have empathy for the people for whom you shouldered it out of a recognition that it’s something ancient, and probably didn’t belong to them either.”

The Neighbourhood Watch’s story-driven blend of folk and indie rock pulls on a personal experience with chronic illness and expresses that story in a way that resonates with people who are struggling with all kinds of illnesses – mental or physical. The Toronto band’s upcoming fourth album is a meditation on family, illness, and loving what life gives you nonetheless.

New single, “Bones,” was inspired by the fun, garage-rock inspired indie rock anthems that have become popular across Spotify in the last few years: the Backseat Lovers, Briston Maroney, and some earlier Cage the Elephant tracks served as major musical inspirations. “Bones” is a song about relapse and how your body can feel it coming on. The intuition that your body is about to give out again, after a prolonged period of health and stability.

Touching on this idea of bodily intuition, “Bones” taps into that feeling and lets it be a guide. 

The Vaniers [van-ee-ays] are a Toronto-based rock trio formed in 2016 by Diego Paz (Bass Guitar/Vocals), Alex Iacobellis (Guitar), and Nick Donato (Drums). Known for delivering scorching live performances and dazzling crowds, The Vaniers have become a staple in the Toronto music scene, celebrated for their high-octane shows and catchy tunes.

The three band members each like a wide variety of music: in-your-face rock tunes, catchy songs, and songs that tell stories. Their new single, “Charlie,” is kind of a mix of that. This is music that they want to hear. It’s not out there, so they decided to make it themselves. 

It’s universal. Everyone knows a Charlie, some have lived as a Charlie – and surely a lot of people want to be a Charlie. In this case, the focus of the song is about a man named Charlie who wants to chase after his dreams despite everyone around him being pessimistic about his star power. This is The Vaniers’ way of saying, “At the end of the day, you just gotta do it.”

“Believe it or not, ‘Charlie,’ and most of the songs on this record, were stolen from us,” says Paz. “Our hard drives, all of our work up to that point, disappeared overnight. To keep it short, we had to start the entire process again. Of course, we were gutted when it happened, but looking back on it, the songs went through more deliberation as a result. The second time around, we really doubled down on some of the risks we took, and through that we feel we made some of our most sincere music that is truest to ourselves as artists, and as people.”

Ontario JUNO Award-winning rock trio The Dirty Nil are sharing “Am I The Menace?,” a new cut taken from Free Rein to Passions Deluxe, set for digital release on April 4th, 2024 via Dine Alone Records. 

When we cut this one and our producer, John Goodmanson, heard my lyrics, he laughed and called me a brat. A semi-sincere self examination, compiled from observing others. 

– frontman Luke Bentham

On Free Rein to Passions (2023), The Dirty Nil followed their instincts down to the note to produce their most authentic work to date. They jammed away in their practice space for weeks, not overthinking anything or taking any external input. They didn’t sweat the small details or fret over transitions and arrangements. Less second guessing, more reckless abandon. It’s the same approach to rock they’ve taken since they were kids.

Sonic Unyon just announced Billy Talent, Tokyo Police Club, PUP as the headliners for this summer’s 3-day Because Beer Craft Beer Festival in Hamilton, ON. They’ll be supported by Cancer Bats, Dizzy, NOBRO, Chastity, Cuff the Duke, Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Born in The Eighties, Status/Non-Status. 

Nestled in the scenic west harbour waterfront of Pier 4 Park, just a short stroll from the West Harbour GO Station, Because Beer will take place on July 12, 13, 14, offering a unique opportunity to sample hundreds of craft beers and ciders from dozens of top craft beer and cider makers, chat with brewers, and enjoy hours of fun. Festival-goers can take in a great music stage as well as delicious fare served up by specialty food vendors. 

Tickets info is available here and more details are in the press release here.