North Carolina born, Mexico City based vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Meraki Trice is sharing a new single entitled “Waste Your Breath,” written in the aftermath of a transactional relationship.

The hazy and ethereal song mixes analog, digital, and acoustic sounds to create a richly produced soundscape which Meraki likens to the feeling of walking in the clouds or floating in the air. “Waste Your Breath” blends elements of electronic music, R&B and pop to create a highly melodic plane of existence.

I allowed him to control my narrative for too long, while I was aware he was lying about his intentions. This song to me is a retort to him, refuting his claims and laying bare the reality of our superficial relationship. – Meraki Trice

“I sort of thought that getting sober was going to fix all my problems with relationships, and then

I would just be fine,” laughs Nova Scotian singer-songwriter Mo Kenney. “Drinking was causing all the issues I was having, but it was just the tip of the iceberg; quitting made all my problems more clear but didn’t resolve any of them.”

The artist’s just-released fifth studio album, From Nowhere, delves into the alt-folk singer-songwriter’s subsequent investigations into the root causes of their interpersonal dramas, occupying that liminal and trepidatious time when one is compelled to move but unsure where they might be headed.

The album’s nursery rhyme-like title track, “From Nowhere,” captures an unsettling yet dream-like feeling, as Kenney and their friend, keys player Siobhan Martin, depict Kenney’s childhood growing up in the “middle of nowhere” in Nova Scotia. “It happened to me, it happened to me like it happened to you,” Kenney gently calls during the song’s chorus over an eerie organ melody played by Martin.

Robert Thomas has crafted songs for legends like Kenny Rogers, Bonnie Raitt and the Dixie Chicks. After four decades in the background as a staff songwriter, Thomas stepped into the spotlight as a performer in a major way in 2022/23 performing to 74 consecutive standing ovations across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, and garnering an East Coast Music Association nomination for “Entertainer of the Year” along the way.

Robert’s new acoustic single, the richly metaphorical “A River Runs Through,” was produced by JUNO Award-winner Catherine MacLellan and inspired by the idyllic beauty of the river country beside his home in Waterford, New Brunswick and, like his mentor Johnny Cash before him, the lateness of the hour in his own career and lifetime more generally.  

This song is an expression of the profound gratitude I feel for the beauty and times I have experienced alone and with my two sons over a lifetime in the Waterford Valley. At the same time, it also gives voice to the daunting realization that my time will soon be at hand and that my river has almost reached the sea. I must say, there is a little trepidation about what comes next and, like  Johnny Cash before me, I hope Gabriel’s horn is out there to guide us all home. – Robert Thomas

The Bobby Tenderloin Universeis a band, a community, and a movement; but, most of all, it’s an excuse to don your western wear and give yourself over to the song and dance at the heart of every BTU show. Bobby enraptures his audiences with his deep, rich voice and thoughtful, tender lyrics, rustling up a fresh new take on the old country we all love. Some say he exhibits the sincerity of Johnny Cash, the wit of Roger Millar, and vocal stylings and production sensibilities of Lee Hazlewood. He and his band are lifelong friends and it shows in the way they bring the songs to life.

“Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch” is a brand new song about guilt, how love is the only thing that can conquer it, and ego death. Bobby wants his listeners to remember that these human experiences are universal and that you’re not alone. 

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

The song was written back when I was the Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch. I learned a lot of important lessons during this time, and I guess they came out as a song. The video is separated into three acts. The first act depicts Bobby on a journey. The second signifies him letting go of his guilt, and the third represents ego death. 

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

Making this video was an attempt for me to become one step closer to ego death in my life, as an artist and as a performer. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

Filmmaker Ryan Leedu called me up one day and asked if I had any songs coming out because he had some time in his schedule, so we decided to make this video. It happened that I had spent the last year collecting three of the same HI8 cameras and planned to make a music video on my own. The timing was impeccable. I knew what would be possible having Ryan involved so the concept came quite fast. The river where we shot the second two parts of the video has been a very special place for me over the years. The two-day video shoot felt magical, and we both were so inspired and focused. We originally planned on shooting all three parts at the river location, but after getting parts two and three done the first day and returning the second day, we found the water level had risen above our location! We needed a new location, so I remembered a day when I walked home from a Uhaul in the country. We just replicated what I did that day because it included a bunch of bad-boy type stuff. Ie. Running across a highway, walking on train tracks, etc. Ultimately, Ryan and I are both very proud of this video and are excited now that it’s in the world.

North Carolina born, Mexico City based vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Meraki Trice is sharing a new single entitled “Waste Your Breath,” written in the aftermath of a transactional relationship.

The hazy and ethereal song mixes analog, digital, and acoustic sounds to create a richly produced soundscape which Trice likens to the feeling of walking in the clouds or floating in the air. “Waste Your Breath” blends elements of electronic music, rnb, and pop to create a highly melodic plane of existence.

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

Waste Your Breath is a commentary about dating as a queer person, from my experience I have had many partners mislead me and themselves about their intentions. The title comes from a statement that my grandmother used to say when she knew me or another person was about to lie, she would say “Don’t waste your breath” as in I know you are about to lie. This song to me is a refusal to go along with half-truths or out right lies, but to be honest and clear about the intentions of others with me, and I with them. 

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

The video takes place after a crash landing on a foreign planet, Meraki as depicted in the video stumbles from the wreckage to hallucinations of his lover. He searches the landscape to find the love that feels just on the edge of being reciprocated. However their efforts are to no avail, the video looks to explore imagery of queer love, in its less marketable elements. To show the lack of commitment and unhealthy attachment styles that exist within the community and I have personally experienced in many of my relationships. Even queer love in 3023 has a bit of sour with the sweet. The inspirations for the video were many afrofuturistic and Scifi novels from the Parable of the Sower to Dune 

3. What was the process of making the video?

The production timeline for the video included 9 months of planning and execution. We created every costume and accessory in collaboration with designers from Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. The script was created before the music, or songwriting had begun. The main priority was to create this futuristic world filled with queer love and tell a story that could resonate with people in and outside of the community. From there the script was created, and permits were secured with the Mexican government since the video location was in one of Mexico’s more primer national parks. Meraki and 3 dancers learned choreography that was created in collaboration with a rising Venezuelan choreographer, the set was designed to be constructed on location inside of the mountains by our art department. Shooting spanned two days, thousands of miles above sea level, in rain and fog with 4 different shoot locations spread in and around Paso de Cortes, a mountain pass way that sits in between two active volcanos. From there we colored the video to evoke more of an otherworldly look and then shared it with the world. 

Stonehocker’s powerful vocals are the focal point of any show. Accompanied by acoustic guitar, minimalistic electronic beats and samples, the live shows capture the unique, alternative sounds of his music. As a personable and unique individual, Stonehocker puts on a well-crafted performance with songs from his multiple albums.

Stonehocker’s music is a dialogue of his learning about himself, how to love and forgive himself. The lyrics are an examination of the conflict in his own life. His latest track, “I Am Divided,” is a driving arrangement that speaks to feeling lost in life and conflicted by your own decisions.

I am broken, there is a war inside of me, but am I lost?
– Stonehocker