Canadian rock artist Grant Boyer’s debut single to radio, “Alarm Bells,” hit #37 on Canada’s Active Rock radio chart upon release last August. Now, he’s sharing his first solo EP of the same name. Produced by Braeden Kozy, each song on Alarm Bells brings its own story to the table.

“As We Wait,” the EP’s latest single, comes from a memory Grant has with his daughter when she was a toddler in her high chair. Singing nonsense and dancing around to make her laugh, he began to hum what is now the chorus melody of “As We Wait.” 

This EP taught me that patience is important. Some of these songs have been ready to go for a while. I was excited to release them as they reached completion, but I’ve learned it’s important to get all your ducks in a row before putting out new material. A metaphor about a young bull at the top of a hill with an old bull comes to mind… but I’m not gonna go there.

Ryan Hicks is an alt-pop, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Regina, Saskatchewan. Throughout his career he has released three full length albums, and now, he releases his fourth record, Experience.

The LP was recorded over a five day span with producer/engineer Jonathan Anderson at Protection Island in Vancouver, BC. Experience is a deeply personal and cinematic record that reflects the ups and downs of three years throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The titular focus track, “Experience,” is a love letter to live music and experiencing it with others, inspired by his own experience at a Father John Misty, Jason Isabel and Jade Bird concert in Minneapolis. After that show, he made a promise to himself that if he was able to play live music and go to shows again he would never take them for granted. 

“The last few years have been challenging,” says Hicks. “In that time, I had time to look at myself and what I want for a future. I want to be a part of a world where we care for each other and where all are welcome. I also realized how important live music is to me. This song is looking forward to new experiences and not taking them or anyone for granted.”

Towering at 6’9”, Brayden King is larger than life and makes music that is the perfect mix of rock n roll and country. Hailing from Weyburn, Saskatchewan, King has spent most of his time relentlessly touring across the Canadian Prairies since bursting onto the scene as a solo artist in 2021. 

His new single, “Livin’ The Dream,” was inspired by a hangover. After waking up one morning, after a series of weekends going out to clubs, King realized he was having no fun. Every night was a repeat of the last – the same kinds of people, being rejected by girls, drinking too much, losing things, and spending way too much money. The song’s title is ironic as it’s the only positive thing about the number.

Starpainter is a folk rock band from Lethbridge, Alberta, consisting of band members Joel Stretch, Colby Stolson, Mickey Hayward, and Joel Gray. They wear their influences on their sleeves, showcasing strong songwriting and an affinity for gently psychedelic alt-country tones. 

Their song, “Low-Hanging Fruit,” is a love letter to small-timer musicians, writers, and artists of all kinds. Our lives are touched week in and week out by beautiful books, songs, paintings, poems, movies, photos – most of it created by folks who work other jobs to make ends meet. “Low-Hanging Fruit” is a tribute to those people honing their craft and digging deep to do their very best work. 

“Low-Hanging Fruit” comes from their forthcoming album, Rattlesnake Dream (out June 2nd), which exists in a small-town universe that has become a defining feature of Starpainter’s body of work. Themes of family, aging, and personal loss are explored across the album’s 10 tracks. The record is their strongest yet, exploring new sonic territory and further developing a signature sound built on old-school songwriting craftsmanship and imaginative, guitar-heavy arrangements. 

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.