Vancouver-born and Toronto-based East Indian artist, Neela, is rising to become an original Voice in the Canadian music scene. Her unique soulful voice has been compared to the likes of Jhene Aiko, Fantasia, and Snoh Alegra. Her wide range, and smooth yet sultry vocal quality allows for versatility in styles ranging from R&B, Soul, Pop, Folk, and EDM.

“You’ll Never Know” is a song inspired by domestic violence and abused boundaries – whether that’s physically, sexually, or otherwise. Neela wanted to transform this pain and turn it into music. The abuser will never know the damage they’ve caused with their actions. 

Neela’s song is about empowerment and expressing anger and frustration with injustice. While the subject is sensitive and raw, she explores the other side of this pain; resentment, strength to move forward despite the hurt, and acceptance. 

Violence against women is prevalent and heart-wrenching, and unfortunately Neela has witnessed and felt this in her personal life and globally. 4.7 million women report sexual assault at least once in their lifetime. 1 in 3 women have reported physical violence by an intimate partner. In Canada and globally, we need to bring attention to the public of the horrific issue of murdered and missing Indigenous women and children. 

Mark Westin’s “Tales” is an album filled with character-driven narratives, akin to a collection of short stories. You have the option to follow the sequence from start to finish or pick and choose the ones that pique your interest at the moment, then come back for more later.

Recorded at The Building in Marlboro, New York, “Tales” was a product of Mark’s desire to make a classic album with a band after the solitary recording process of Covid. The Restless Age, consisting of talented musicians who have worked with several prominent artists, joined him on this project.

To ensure that the album sounded fresh and spontaneous, Mark gave the band only basic outlines of the songs, allowing them to rely on their first instincts. They played together live, and most songs were captured in no more than three takes.

The album was recorded in two days, with only a few overdubs, including a fiddle part by Sara Milonovich and a bodhran from Scott MX Turner, along with some backing vocals and guitar parts. The majority of what you hear on the album is the band’s initial or second performance of the song.

Tales is available on all major streaming services and as a vinyl album, CD, or high-quality digital download on Bandcamp.

Your daily dose of indie goodness! Dive into these epic tracks below!

Gary Dranow & the Manic Emotions, a classic rock band hailing from Park City, Utah, has produced a flagship blues tune called “Day I was Born,” which showcases some of Gary’s best work yet. Unlike most of their songs, this tongue-in-cheek blues tour de force is reminiscent of legendary musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Van Morrison, and Eric Clapton.

Listen here:

The song provides a retrospective look at the day Gary was born, which he can actually remember. The vocals are smooth and soulful and are accompanied by a beautifully arranged track featuring lush strings, keyboard, and stunning guitar work. The song exudes warmth and comfort while reflecting classic blues and rock traditions and the early stages of Gary’s life.

“We recorded this one live in the studio, and I had a bet with the band that I could play all my solos without repeating a lick. They all paid me $20 when we finished,” jokes Gary.

Gary Dranow turned to music as a coping mechanism for his bipolar disorder and the effects of a stroke after establishing successful business ventures in outdoor sports. The band’s genre-defying collection of songs provides comfort to those who are also struggling.

Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are a force to be reckoned with, and they will release all tracks as singles leading up to an early 2023 release of the full EP, Destiny Road. The album features the talents of Sherm Tate on bass and vocals, Marty Steinberg and Jethro DeFries on drums, the brilliant Jerry Manfredi on bass and musical direction, and Tommy Mars on keyboards.

Connect with Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions: Website // Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud

Coming off the hype of her recent release “Under Me,” Lexy Panterra is back with her alluring new single “Depend on You”- now available on all digital streaming platforms. Taking a full 180 from her previous track, “Depend on You” showcases Panterra’s versatile vocal abilities in a slow R&B tune. 

In “Depend On You,” Lexy sings about the intense connection she shares with her lover, but instead of relying on clichéd metaphors and generic lyrics, she uses vivid imagery and poetic language to convey the raw passion and emotion of the relationship. The lyrics are both sensual and vulnerable, exploring the complexities of love and intimacy in a refreshingly honest way.

Being released in two unique versions, Pt.1 and Pt.2, “Depend on You-  Pt.1” is a slow and sultry track, while Pt.2 is a high-energy electronic remix that will make you want to dance the night away. Adding another layer of interest to the song, Pt.2 will be released exclusively as an NFT through the innovative platform Sound XYZ, making it a one-of-a-kind collectible item for fans of Lexy and electronic music scene. As an intimate and provocative R&B track, Pt.1 demonstrates Panterra’s distinctive voice and lyrical word play, alongside Pt.2; a tune perfect for performing her impressive dance skills that have garnered her a  massive following on social media and made her a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

With this release, listeners are set to experience two versions of a tune that are as bold and innovative as Lexy is as a multifaceted performer, with so much more to come. The track that showcases Lexy’s talent as a singer, songwriter, and producer and with its two unique versions and an exclusive NFT release, it’s a must listen for fans of R&B and electronic music alike.

Toronto’s Velvet Beach have been on an upward trajectory since their debut single release last September. They were honoured to be a part of Exclaim!’s Class of 2023 show back in January and are excited to finally release their debut album The Dream. A culmination of nearly three years of work, The Dream showcases the eclectic mix of dream pop and shoe gaze that has come to define Velvet Beach’s live sound so far.

Of particular note is “Uncertainty,” a driving yet ethereal ballad that pushes the bounds of Velvet Beach’s songwriting so far. Inspired by Kate Bush and “Hounds of Love,” the band wanted to create an homage to her work but that was also distinctively Velvet Beach. The song combines nostalgia, melancholy and the feelings that accompany coping with insecurity. 

Stay tuned for future releases, including live recordings of the Class of 2023 show as well as live off the floor recordings of some of the album’s best songs.