4x JUNO nominated singer-songwriter Julian Taylor and his band are sharing a brand new live LP recorded at Toronto’s historic Massey Hall in the TD Music Hall, with all tracks mastered in Dolby Atmos.

This is the first ever album to be recorded and released from TD Music Hall, which opened in February 2022. 

Live at TD Music Hall was released on December 6, 2024, exactly one year to the day it was recorded in 2023!

Any time you get a chance to record a live show, you gotta take it, so when Massey Hall offered to record it via their new Deane Cameron state-of-the-art studio equipped with the best gear that the world has to offer, it was a no brainer, explains Taylor.  

Doug McKendrick recorded, mixed it and mastered it in Dolby Atmos. It’s the first album to receive that treatment and I am excited for the world to hear it.

This career spanning set sees the Julian Taylor Band playing with a newfound sense of camaraderie stronger than that on any record in Taylor’s back catalogue. 

The album’s focus track is a lively rendition of the warm and nostalgic yet a touch unsettling production which characterizes “The Ridge,” the Americana title track from Taylor’s breakout 2020 record which chronicles his childhood summers spent with his sister, aunt, and grandparents at the latter’s farm in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

When I think of my happy place, it takes me there back to the driveway that was enveloped by huge trees and greenery right up to the red front door of their house, and I can see it all. I can visualize my childhood. My grandparents and my aunt have since passed away, but they all live in my heart and through the stories we shared and memories we created. – Julian Taylor

ELLDER, the collaborative project of singer-songwriters Carmen Elle and Ben Kunder, debuts with their powerful single “Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down.” A raw and evocative exploration of healing, growth, and transformation, the song is a poignant reflection of the duo’s unique ability to translate personal experiences into universal emotions.

Born from a period of deep introspection, “Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down” captures the process of letting go and finding hope. The song began with Ben’s quiet moments at the piano, coping with the trauma of nearly losing a loved one and revisiting the weight of past relationships.

That first verse was my way of coping for months. It wasn’t until my first songwriting session with Carmen that the song truly came to life. They immediately connected with the sentiment, and together we finished it in minutes. This song reflects our shared journey of healing and our deep connection as collaborators. – Ben Kunder

The duo’s choice to sing in unison throughout the track amplifies the themes of unity and shared experience. Their voices weave seamlessly, creating an intimate atmosphere that holds space for reflection and emotional release.

This debut marks an exciting new chapter for ELLDER, whose collaboration began serendipitously and quickly solidified into a partnership centered on therapeutic storytelling. After its initial version was featured in the Peabody Award-winning series Sort Of on CBC Gem and HBO Max – earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination and winning a CASMA Award for Best Original Song – the duo decided to reimagine the track in their own production style.

Stripped down and intentionally minimal, this version of “Don’t Carry Things That Weigh You Down” keeps the focus on Carmen and Ben’s voices and the song’s lyrical depth. The result is an evocative journey through hope, bloom, and evolution.

ELLDER is just getting started. With plans to release more music, Carmen and Ben are excited to share their unique blend of vulnerability and artistry with the world. Their work is an invitation to embrace growth, let go of the past, and step into a place of healing and resolution.

Singer-songwriter Odd Marshall officially arrives with his debut album Sand & Glue, a compelling exploration of life’s crossroads, inspired by a harrowing moment that sparked a return to his craft. Featuring 11 songs shaped by stories of near-misses, chance encounters, and timeless memories, Sand & Glue captures the raw, rollicking energy of Marshall’s unique journey. Produced by Canadian music mainstay Don Kerr (Ron Sexsmith, Dan Mangan, Bahamas) and recorded with renowned session musicians Mike O’Brien (Zeus, Dan Mangan) on guitar and Jason Haberman (Dan Mangan, Jason Collett, Tim Baker) on bass, the album channels the gritty, authentic storytelling and heart-thumping beats that make Odd Marshall a standout.

Marshall’s life took an unexpected turn when a car accident after a snowstorm jolted him into songwriting once again. From that moment, he rediscovered his passion and slowly rebuilt his voice, resulting in Sand & Glue – an album of travels, trials, and triumphant returns.

“London,” the album’s lead single, celebrates Marshall’s musical roots in London, England, where he moved for a brief stay after film school and stayed for six years. The track is a love song to the city that shaped him. Listeners will hear the rhythm of a bustling city in its pulse, paying homage to formative years when Marshall crafted his first EP with friends he met on the Tube.

I stopped writing songs for 10 years until I flipped my truck in a snowstorm. I was fine. But I crawled out the passenger window and, while sitting in the back of a cop car, a song came on the radio and it reminded me… I used to do that. For how much I enjoy playing music now, I can’t understand how I gave it up for so long. – Odd Marshall

The music video for Pacifico’s latest single, “Stagnant,” delivers a visually striking narrative that perfectly encapsulates the song’s central themes of inertia and emotional stasis. Shot in black-and-white, the video opens with Matthew Schwartz seated on a chair on a bustling urban sidewalk, surrounded by the ceaseless movement of city life. Cars pass by, and pedestrians weave through the frame, creating a powerful contrast between the external world’s relentless motion and the internal stillness Schwartz embodies. This opening sets the tone for a song deeply rooted in the frustration of feeling stuck despite genuine connections.

As the video unfolds, the setting shifts from the chaos of the city to quieter, more contemplative environments, like a serene park. These transitions highlight the duality between external noise and internal stagnation, reinforcing the song’s exploration of love and life’s complexities. The stark simplicity of the video’s concept places the focus squarely on Schwartz’s heartfelt performance, allowing his raw emotion to resonate deeply with viewers. It’s an artful visual companion to the candid lyrics and infectious indie rock-pop melody that define “Stagnant.”

The track, from Pacifico’s latest EP, Moving On or Standing Still, dives into the tension of a relationship caught in limbo. Schwartz’s earnest vocals and introspective songwriting tap into the universal experience of yearning for progress while feeling trapped. The video’s everyday settings, from busy streets to tranquil parks, serve as poignant metaphors for this emotional push-and-pull, inviting listeners to reflect on their own struggles with love, frustration, and personal growth.

Pacifico, originally a full band formed in 1999, has evolved under Schwartz’s leadership into a dynamic solo project, embracing collaborations and exploring new creative directions. With a history of placements in films, TV shows, and video games, Pacifico has cultivated a loyal following that eagerly anticipates each new release. “Stagnant” marks a compelling chapter in this journey, offering both a deeply personal narrative and a universally relatable message.

As the video for “Stagnant” hits platforms, it serves as a powerful introduction to Pacifico’s new EP. Keep an eye out for more from Schwartz and co. as they continue to explore themes of change, progress, and the emotional weight of standing still.

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

Out of all the songs on our upcoming Moving On Or Standing Still EP this song felt the most commercial and universal with its theme of inertia. It was written in 2008, when I was dating someone and the relationship wouldn’t move forward. I went to the piano and “Stagnant” came out. But rather than it see the light of day, the song had to wait sixteen years until it it was time for it to “Move On” rather than “Stand Still”

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

For this video the director, Michael Friedman, suggested the concept with the chair and the world passing quickly around me to symbolize how sometimes, no matter how fast the world is moving around us, we are stuck. The only creative note I added is for the music video to be black and white to match all the rest of the EP’s artwork and photography. I am very happy with how it turned out.

What was the process of making this video?

We shot it all in one day between filming in downtown College Park, on the Push Push Arts campus, and at the Westside Reservoir park in Atlanta, GA. We filmed the song at half speed and then sped it up in post to match the recording. The only part of the video in true time would be the bridge, in which I donned a guitar and they projected fast stock footage over me. The video was then edited, and color corrected and is what you see today

Vikki Minor, an award-nominated neo-90s alt-rock artist, unveils her latest single, “The Labyrinth.” Inspired by gothic fairytales and the grunge music she grew up loving, Minor delivers a cinematic, emotionally charged track exploring themes of depression and resilience. With its intense melodies and raw vocal performance, “The Labyrinth” marks a powerful evolution in her discography, blending the energy of her live shows with a sound reminiscent of 90s alternative icons like Alice in Chains and Garbage.

Minor collaborated with producer Zachary Zanardo (ZZ) to bring this track to life. The writing process for “The Labyrinth” was deeply personal, using the metaphor of a dark, gothic maze as a way to process her own struggles with depression. The result is a dynamic grunge anthem with dramatic shifts and an emotional journey packed into just over three minutes.

“The Labyrinth” was my way of conveying a dark time in my life through the lens of a mythical place. The metaphorical lyricism and intense melodies I get to belt out in the song is really cathartic. It’s a way to process emotions while creating something that’s deeply personal yet universal. – Vikki Minor

Rose Ranger’s new single “Dear Dad” is a poignant, tender reflection on loss, love, and the enduring connection between a daughter and her father. Written as a letter to her late dad, who passed away unexpectedly on his birthday in October 2022, the song offers a raw glimpse into her personal grief and healing. Recorded in Nashville with a lineup of seasoned musicians including multi-JUNO Award winner Steve Dawson on pedal steel, the song showcases a classic Country-Americana sound with a heartfelt narrative at its core.

Inspired by the memories and sentiments she holds for her father, “Dear Dad” is a testament to the complex emotions of losing a loved one, yet holding onto the hope that their spirit continues to evolve in a new journey beyond. The song’s warm, nostalgic tones are steeped in the timeless sounds of Americana and Country music, with gentle folk influences that echo the love and lessons passed down between generations.

My dad was a fan of country music from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s eras. So this song (and the new collection of songs) I wrote for my dad all have a Country-Americana-Folk sound as a nod and ode to my dad. The lyrics capture a part of my journey and the deep curiosity I still feel about what happens after we leave this earth. It’s about remembering that we are all made of stars, continuing our evolution beyond this stage. This song is also a reminder of how much I miss my dad. It’s an exploration of that relationship, but it’s also about the hope that the ‘show’ doesn’t end when the curtain falls. – Rose Ranger