For nearly two decades, Blair Colwell and Skyler Cafferata have been (mostly) living in Saskatchewan, Canada creating music together. Their latest project, Grimelda (fka The Faps), has spent the last 10 years dragging itself across the country, blasting chaotically joyful punk rock into the precious ears of any soul within arms reach.
With unhinged rock songs that blast art-punk to a unique level, Grimelda’s upcoming EP, It’s So Feeling When You Rock” (April 2023), is a collection of tracks that embellishes rock ‘n roll tropes as much as it tears them apart with its bare hands.
Their new single, “Freedom,” goes pedal to the metal with guest vocals from Casper James of the Welsh band TELGATE. “Angry, satirical, and celebratory of authentic people all at once,” Blair explains that “we’re so lucky to have support from such a wide array of communities everywhere we go, and that’s real Freedom…it’s about how crummy attitudes around gender hurts all of us, and our way of trying to show up for people who always show up for us.”
Denim-clad and donning a cap, Miles Evans-Branagh is a musician on the move, a modern-day troubadour. When he is not on the road lending his talents to groups like The Commoners, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, he is miles from nowhere. Toting a blend of indie soul and alt-pop into 2023 in ambling adventure, Slow Down, he draws on life’s lessons, losses, and loves. These eight tracks are deeply personal and uniting in their relatability, lyrically travelling from the garden, past the circus, to the museum, to play like Polaroids: glimpses of moments, fragments of a life’s story.
Honest and upfront, Slow Down offers a clear message: it’s not about where you’ve been, where you are, or where you’re going, what matters is who you’re with. The album opener, “A Little Bit,” carries the sentiment of going through life and losing people along the way, but feeling okay because of the people and love that you have here and now.
miles from nowhere. has honed his tune smithing abilities with long-time collaborator Jason Bhattacharya, gathering inspiration from folk to funk. The result is a sound that expresses melodic maturity, precise yet playful. While there is an element of experimentation, one can’t deny the intentionality behind every horn line, harmony, and Hammond pad. The combination makes for an unpredictable, and utterly enthralling listen.
Hamilton rockers Takes an Army are a band of brothers – literally. With Tyler on bass and vocals, Sheldon on drums and Brandon on guitar, the Geldermans are pleased to make their debut release with “Something’s Gotta Give.”
“Something’s Gotta Give” reflects on the death of a friend and echoes the sentiment of not being able to catch a break in a world full of frustration, sorrow and pain. Even when you go to bed at night, your thoughts don’t stop. You do everything you possibly can to survive and thrive and even get to the mountaintop but tomorrow you could die. Life is never guaranteed.
apollonio’s new EP, time in between, drops as the electro pop artist emerges from a mental-health struggle: much of his last decade was swallowed by obsessive-compulsive disorder. But things are looking up.
During the pandemic, apollonio — his mind regained, the worst of the OCD behind him — wrote the songs of time in between… reflections of what he went through and what he sees, looking forward.
This EP launches with a fresh, never-released track, Scars, a song about a pair of lovers, each carrying their own pain and wisdom from the lives they’ve led.
apollonio wanted to capture some of his experiences from the last decade. Although it was tough at times, things started to look way up by the end. This five track EP contains a bit of everything.
“I went through a rough patch for a number of years,” says apollonio. “When it was all over, it was time to pick myself up and move on, but, of course, I was bringing a whole new set of experiences to the table. I had a new set of scars, emotionally speaking. But that’s where wisdom comes from.”
Robert Ortiz aka DEAR-GOD’s blistering new single, “Weaponize This,” is the first taste of his upcoming debut album for Dine Alone Records, entitled The Punchine, which is set for release on May 5th.
A stream-of-consciousness reflection on the hardcore community, the Brampton, Ontario-based producer combines elements of punk, hardcore, and industrial music to address the real ones in the scene.
“I’ve found love and comfort within [the scene,]” explains Ortiz, “but I’ve also identified the bullshit drama and empty words of certain others within it.”
“People are constantly trying to escalate situations over nothing and [they] talk just to talk. It’s high school shit. If it pisses you off, then the shoe fits.”
Filipino rock band, TheItchyworms have been delivering feel good, fun music since 1996. Recently celebrating their 25th anniversary, this multi-awarded, four-member group is proving that time isn’t slowing them down as they return with a new single, “Panic In My Mind,”available on all music streaming platforms; ahead of embarking on their first-ever U.S. tour.
The track encapsulates the never-ending thoughts of a fairy tale ending with that special someone. Incorporating a retro pop rock melody into a groovy bass line completes its upbeat and classic sound, while the accompaniment perfectly layers in lyrics that talk about pining over someone in a world where they are the anomaly.
“Panic In My Mind” follows the release of their holiday themed EP, “Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin,” released December 2022. The EP is the latest installment to the “ever-growing” concept of the album, expanding with new holiday tracks every year and is a meta subtitle to “The Evergrowing Xmas Album of the Itchyworms.” The previous EP explored Christmas and holiday songs set to upbeat rhythms and soulful tunes, this new single sees the members dive head-first into a nostalgic rock sound from the 50’s and 60’s. The song opens with a catchy drum beat and guitar riff guaranteed to pull their listeners in. With a name like ‘The Itchyworms’ it’s no surprise that their hooks are certified earworms that would make you itch for more. The chorus greets us with “There’s panic in my mind” and the listener is instantly transported into a set out of a 60’s dance show. With its catchy rhythms and enjoyably repetitive hook, you can almost see the band performing as flamboyantly dressed dancers galavant around the room.
The Itchyworms are probably one of the busiest and most visible acts in the Philippine rock music scene today. Their success is no surprise, as their passion for music, and highly professional work ethic is evident in their craft. Their songs have consistently topped the local music charts and breached international markets due to its fresh yet familiar sounds. The band’s popularity has brought them to stages across the Philippines, as well as Dubai and Singapore, with an eagerness to showcase their brand of Filipino music in other countries. Kicking off their U.S. tour in New York, American fans will have the opportunity to catch the group live for the first time in select market cities in California, Texas, Illinois, and Nevada.
Modern Mystery 
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