Montreal-based pop punk band Blurry Eyes are releasing their fast and upbeat new single, “Quicksand.” This song was inspired by a little bout of depression that was felt during lockdown – where you feel stuck in quicksand, nothing moves, nothing changes, and everything feels heavy.

With this song, Blurry Eyes hopes to reach out to others to let them know that no one is going through hard times alone, and that there are people out there who will support you. 

“The group singing at the end represents to me the fact that we’re not alone,” says primary songwriter Marc-Andre Beaudet. ”By the end we’re a whole group feeling the same way together.”

Calgary based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Bourne returns with another fun breakup song in the form of “End Of Story.” 

“A psych-pop hymn to love in the ‘late time’, I wrote most of ‘End Of Story’ on my front stoop at golden hour, soaking up the rays in the aftermath of a toxic entanglement. Doo-wop chords propel a whistful, paradoxical lyric (with perhaps an echo of Daniel Johnston via Beatles), and there’s this sense of contradiction, the non-linearity of memory, of time. I wanted the words to have a quality the rational mind can’t fix on; to be slightly caustic yet somehow at peace – with the music remaining defiantly happy – drifted in some sweet beyond. ‘End Of Story’ is a kind of peace spell, cast by a phantom remembering a life.” —Ryan Bourne

Dead Levee, the old-school Saskatchewan-based rock band, are sharing “Rise Up,” a pedal to the metal redemption rock song. 

Produced in collaboration with JUNO Award-winner, Garth Richardson (Rage Against the Machine, Nickelback, Rise Against), this high energy track was written to stoke listeners’ internal fire and is the title track from their new EP.

 We’ve all got our problems

Welcome to the lion’s den 

We’ve all gotta solve ‘em, baby 

And get back in the saddle again

“You can overcome the adversity you’re facing and come out on top with a stronger mentality, drive and appreciation for what you’re passionate about,” explains bassist Tayler “Izzy” Morgan of the song’s themes.

Zoplo is a blind hip-hop inspired vocalist and songwriter from Toronto building a reputation for honest and vulnerable songwriting. They started writing music while involuntarily committed throughout their adolescent and teenage years in lockdown psychiatric facilities across North America. Since their discharge, Zoplo has opened for Yung Lean, Tech N9ne, Odd Future, Riff Raff, Rittz, Madchild, and D12.

Zoplo tells the story of two people who feel equally wronged by the other person on their indulgent new track, “I feel sorry for u” ft. Ray Mourning. “Sometimes, it’s okay to look at yourself and know that you weren’t the problem in a relationship,” they share. Empowering in a tongue in cheek way, the duo was inspired by the line between vulnerability and discomfort.

The Johnnys are an Ontario-based rock’n’roll band founded by spouses Veronica Johnny (lead vocals/ manager/ producer/ writer) and Dave Johnny (drums/ producer/ writer). The duo’s early recordings were more punk-influenced, characterized by fun, up-tempo songs while later releases have a classic-rock feel.

The Johnnys are known to deliver rowdy, high-energy, humour-filled performances. They’ve played across Canada, been featured on TV and film and shared stages with such luminaries as Geordie Johnson, Bif Naked, Stevie Salas, Bruce Cockburn, Keith Secola & Crystal Shawanda.

New single Butterfly (Salas/Gutierrez Remix),” was inspired by The Butterfly teaching taught to Veronica by Indigenous Elder Joanne Dallaire.

“You cannot hide from what’s inside” is an excellent analogy for the butterfly transformation and the pandemic induced self-isolation. If you weren’t distracting yourself with streaming film/TV and you took the time to do some self-reflection, chances are you emerged a different being.

Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist and arranger, Les Cooper, is sharing “Best Of You,” the latest single taken from his debut solo album, Noise, out on May 20th.

Conceived in a parking lot ahead of a therapy session, “Best Of You” is a somber and searching piece of downtempo indie which weaves layers of keys, vocals, and guitars amid a desire to feel secure: “And the world pulls you ‘round, and the sky holds you down to the ground.”

“I think that getting advice from people that you are close with can be a tricky thing to navigate. It’s tempting to steer toward what feels safe or comfortable. An objective point of view from someone who isn’t emotionally invested is invaluable,” Cooper explains of the song’s inspiration.