Mellohoney is a post-punk/garage-rock duo hailing from some noisy garage east of Toronto. No stone is left unturned when the two of them step foot on stage to create a wall of sound much larger than their member count.

In 2023, Mellohoney began recording their debut EP Genuine People with producer Dave Schiffman (PUP, NOBRO, The OBGMs) at Dreamhouse Studios in Toronto. The result was the most energetic, and impactful musical experience both live and recorded for the band. 2024 will see the album release of Genuine People, through which the band never shies away from turning down, as much as they like to crank it up.

The pair’s music centers around post-punk, but often will veer into oncoming traffic, colliding with rock, ska, hip-hop, folk, and reggae, creating a mix that will have your head turning toward the sound of screeching tires to catch a glimpse of the maniacs behind the wheel.

Latest single, “Coward,” was written with “a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the political system, particularly with politicians and the government. A desire for change and accountability.”

“Coward” is our most aggressive and dynamic release to date. It kicks off a new era of Mellohoney that shows off our ability to write memorable hooks amongst the sonic chaos.”

A Filipinx-Canadian multi-instrumentalist and loop artist, Alex Maher’s solo performances combine genre-bending mashups with passionate originals to showcase his musical instincts. Fusing classic soul influences, funk, electro-pop and jazz chops, his songwriting explores human connection in the modern age.  

The song “Red Planet” is a metaphor, using the image of the barren and desolate planet Mars as a parallel of what becomes of us when we allow depression and frustration to linger unaddressed instead of letting the light of love in. 

“Every night as I commuted back to my temporary home in Calgary, I was aware of a constant companion just above the horizon: the planet Mars. Out of that came a metaphor, for when we give in to helplessness and self-isolate” says Alex. “This song is about getting out of that orbit, being accountable, and proactive. I hope this song encourages self-reflection.”

Canadian singer/songwriter Tara MacLean has been an internationally renowned and award-winning recording and touring artist for over 25 years. She’s written and recorded six solo albums and two with her JUNO-nominated band Shaye. In 2008, Tara took a hiatus to focus on being a full-time mother, but she never stopped writing music. Her memoir, Song of the Sparrow, and accompanying soundtrack, the Sparrow LP, was released earlier in 2023. 

The new song “Kiss In December” is a rare collaboration between Tara and her fellow singer-songwriter, Catherine MacLellan, who co-wrote and produced it. It’s about a winter love, a real life kiss in December that changed Tara’s life many winters ago. The song originated as a poem. It paints a picture of warmth and of cold at once, but in the end it’s a bit of a sad song.

Hailing from Toronto, The Effens deliver a dark, razor-sharp grunge-glam sound, channeling the raw energy of ’90s grunge and the defiant spirit of early-aughts indie-rock. Infusing their music with honeyed pop melodics and contemporary post-punk creativity, they craft a gripping and wild musical experience. In one of the coolest collaborations, The Effens teamed up with Denz Mcfarlen from the Canadian punk band, The OBGMs for “Someone’s Gonna Get You.” Not only did Denz complete the song with his vocals, but he also shared lyrical input when they were coming up with the concept of the song. It’s about the fear and paranoia that people are contending with right now, living online. 

Sim, the bandleader of Action Forever, grew up in Brantford, Ontario. His obsession with music began at age five and, for the next two decades, his natural talents were fostered by a musical family upbringing and constant exposure to a unique and eclectic mix of influences ranging from 80’s pop, to progressive rock, to jazz and indie.

He’d been working for years on a body of original fringe-pop music for a 4-piece band, now to be released under the name Action Forever. The music, while lively, electric, melodic, and danceable, explores darker themes such as loneliness in a digital age, abusive relationships, loss of identity, and mental health. “Loveless Love,” the latest single from the group, was written by Sim from the POV of a man suffering from online sex addiction and parasocial relations.  “Loosely, the song tells the story of a man who is entranced by the world of live online sex, so much so that he gives up who he is: his morals, his dreams, his money, etc. for virtual transactional relationships with performers which he ultimately falls in “love” with”  I want the listener to feel the tension of the main character’s struggle – the struggle of addiction.”

In the haunting melodies of Julie Haven’s latest creation, “Between the Lies,” a raw and poignant narrative unfolds. This soul-stirring composition delves into the harrowing depths of domestic abuse and gaslighting, revealing a personal journey of resilience and self-discovery. As the artist herself, Julie lays bare the inspiration behind the song, stemming from a tumultuous relationship that left her mentally battered and questioning her own worth. With unflinching honesty, she shares the transformation from a strong, independent woman to one ensnared in the insidious web of manipulation and self-doubt. Julie’s revelation is not merely confined to her personal struggle but transcends into a universal anthem for those who have faced similar tribulations.

Through the emotional chords of “Between the Lies,” she invites listeners to join her in deciphering the truth hidden behind the facade of falsehoods. With each note, Julie unearths the gradual erosion of confidence and strength, ultimately finding solace in the song’s empowering message to “read between the lies.”

We caught up with Julie Haven below:

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

I wrote this song while living through an emotionally and mentally abusive relationship with an alcoholic narcissist. I was confused as to how someone as independent as me could allow someone to break me down to a level where I didn’t even recognize myself. It was the first time I understood why women stay in abusive relationships. It’s something that happens slowly and you don’t realize what is happening until you’re already deep in it. So when I sat down to write this song I really had to ask myself if I was smart enough and strong enough. One of the things I would hear a lot is that I was stupid. I was actually with a man who was very well educated and came from a lot of money, where I just had a high school diploma and my family didn’t have a lot of money, so he would love to tell me how much smarter and of a higher class he was than me. Eventually I believed I was in fact stupid and trash. However, there must have been a part of me who realized these were lies or the song would not have written itself in such a way. I like to think of it as my higher self stepping in to help me come to this realization. 

So with the video, I wanted to share my story. The text messages in the video were almost word for word what I would receive on a regular basis, edited of course, because the language was actually much more offensive than what was shown in the video. I wanted the video to portray my life experience in the most raw way I could think of. 

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

The inspiration was as I said, my life experience. I sat down with a friend to help write a storyboard for the song and gave Lance, the videographer, creative freedom to suggest other ideas along with the amazing actors. 

The basic story is watching an independent woman be broken down into a shell of herself by anger and abuse. The whole time, I (playing an “angelic” character) am watching her go through this alone. She can’t see me until it gets so bad (physically abusive) when she realizes she needs to leave. That’s when she can finally see me and I reach for her and lead her out the door to a new path where she can find herself again. 

I loved the idea of that story because even though there was no literal angel I could see leading me away when I went through this myself, the song was my higher self leading me through the darkness. 

What was the process of making this video?

Making the video was a beautiful and therapeutic experience. I wanted so badly to play myself in the video, but I was encouraged to hire actors instead. I am so glad I listened to the advice because I think they did a much better job than I could have. I put out a casting call and got video responses and when I saw Manny and Vickey’s videos I knew they were the ones. They exceeded my expectations by far. It was a great day because they came to the house the morning of the shoot and we all met for the first time. By the end of the day I had made new friends. I still keep in touch with them as well. Manny especially blew me away because he played such a monster and was so believable that I actually started crying at some point. The funny thing is he is one of the gentlest and kindest people I have ever met and he’s also a very talented singer and pianist. Vickey is this bright and bubbly person yet she had such a way of portraying the part so flawlessly. Lance, the videographer, who also directed and edited the video did such a brilliant job at piecing this altogether. I was so grateful to have been connected with him. 

I think we were all affected emotionally by the filming of this video. 

As the music fades into the echoes of Julie Haven’s heartfelt lyrics, the artist reflects on the collaborative effort that brought “Between the Lies” to life. In a poignant visual portrayal, actors Manny and Vickey breathe life into the painful narrative, their performances resonating with authenticity and emotional intensity. Julie’s decision to step back from playing herself in the video, instead assuming the role of a guiding presence, adds a unique layer to the storytelling, emphasizing the transformative nature of the artist’s journey.

Through this evocative creation, Julie Haven extends a compassionate hand to those who may find solace and strength in her music. With a hope that her song becomes a source of wisdom for those grappling with the torment of abusive relationships, Julie envisions “Between the Lies” as a beacon of resilience. In sharing her story, she seeks to remind others that they are not alone and that the path to healing begins with the courage to confront the lies and emerge into the light of self-discovery.