Vancouver experimental pop singer-songwriter Debra-Jean Creelman is releasing Ego Death, her brand new LP which is a musical odyssey of soul and jazz that transcends both time and space. 

Penned and recorded amidst the final days of the COVID-19 lockdown period, this album emerged from a place of true collaborative spirit. 

After coming up with the concept of horns to provide the main harmonic foundation in lieu of typical band instrumentation, Creelman sent a few song ideas to renowned experimental trumpeter JP Carter (Destroyer, Dan Mangan). Together with producers Jo Hirabayashi (Jo Passed) and Sean Cronin (Very Good), they created the foundational demos.

Ego Death features the focus track, “Heavy Blow,” an optimistic and buoyant song which includes R&B infused vocal arrangements.

I was obsessed with the Al Green song “So Glad You’re Mine,” the drum groove in particular. So I sent it to Ian Browne (Matthew Good / The Pierce Kingans), and asked him to make a loop that emulated it, for me to write over. I came up with the melody for the verse and chorus. Jo Hirabayashi came up with the rest of the parts. The bridge melody and chorus were all him too. Before I had finished writing all of the lyrics I asked Jasmin Parkin to sing co-lead.  I had her in mind when I was finishing the lyrics, and I’m so happy she was able to bring her singular magic to this track. – Debra-Jean Creelman

Daryl Uhrin, originally from Windsor, Ontario, is making a remarkable comeback to the music scene with his latest work, Everybody’s Side Project. His musical journey began in the early 2000s, where he was the lead vocalist and keyboardist for Amid Morning Sky, and later became the lead singer, synth, and keyboard player for We Were Thane. His experiences in Windsor solidified his passion for music and performance. However, he took a 15-year hiatus from the music world to focus on his career in manufacturing.

Now residing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Daryl is releasing a three-song EP on July 11th titled Searching for a Ray of Hope which embodies the essence of Everybody’s Side Project.

“I Hate Where We Started,” taken from the EP, reflects on the tumultuous beginning to a relationship of Daryl’s with a girl who pursued him without revealing that she had a boyfriend. The intense and driving pop punk tune blends spoken word and sung sections, featuring vulnerable lyrics which capture the messiness of true emotions, like “the heart on your sleeve is dripping all over.” 

This was the easiest song I have ever written; the vibe and lyrics have been on the tip of my tongue for ages. It’s a true story that I have been waiting to tell all my friends. It serves as a long overdue release, helping me process past emotions and remind me of my growth. – Daryl Uhrin

Louis Armstrong was once asked what his favorite kind of music was, and his response was simple: “good music.” Petunia & the Vipers’ sound may not sit comfortably in one certain genre, but “good music” describes it well. “Traveling musicians and Bible Preachers may have a lot in common,” Petunia & The Vipers suggest. 

Their dancy new single, “Bible Preacher,” was inspired by death and the afterlife, love and humanity; overarching themes heard in much of their music.

“Hank Williams on acid, Tom Waits meets Elvis at Woody Guthrie’s Hobo junction, Avant-Country night club scene music. One of the best bands in the world today, of any kind; hillbilly-flavoured-swing inflected-ragtime-goodtime-thunderously-rolling-one-of-a-kind-you-don’t-want-to-miss-this-sort-of-a-show; A new music that springboards off of music of the past and jumps into the present day, left with only echoes of the past; Something in between 1920’s and steam punk. It’s good for your mind…” These are just a few of the words uttered by folks around the globe trying to pin down a description of all that is Petunia & The Vipers.

Brock Geiger is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer unveiling a vibrant new single, “Steps Taken.” Featuring a two-take drum performance by Matt Chamberlain, “Steps Taken” was co-produced by Geiger and GRAMMY Award winner Will Maclellan (Boy Genius, Phoebe Bridgers, The Killers).

“Steps Taken” was written as a reflection on the intricacies and fragility of relationships, ecosystems built on trust, losing oneself to someone or something, and finding regeneration and a way forward by looking inwards. I’m a big fan of juxtaposition and extremes in art and “Steps Taken” achieves this with its energetic-spazzy, K-Pop inspired foundation for heavier lyrical themes. —Brock Geiger

The concept explores the relationship artists have to their work, their identity attached to their art, and how these things that are intended to be beautiful can ultimately consume them.

Grizzly Coast (Alannah Kavanagh) has been sharpening her songwriting, growing her loyal following, and tightening her live show in Toronto’s vibrant live music scene, supporting acts like Fast Romantics and Begonia. Her music successfully blends dreamy guitar rock sensibilities with a trademark thoughtful lyricism.

New single, “Washed,” is a powerful rallying cry against indifference and stagnancy, urging listeners to take control of their lives and reject passivity. Born from a spontaneous and collaborative jam session between Alannah and her husband, Kyle, the track captures the essence of embracing action. The song’s message is a reminder to confront apathy and take control of your life.

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

The moment Washed was written, I knew there had to be a video for the track. I chose to make it because I felt the song was strong and I wanted to build a visual world to accompany it in the hopes that it would help the song reach more listeners.

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

First and foremost, we aimed to create a video that would be easy to shoot. To keep it engaging, we decided to use a variety of fun props. Inspired by a nautical color palette with primary colors and preppy outfits, we built the video’s visual narrative around this theme. We wanted to create a specific vibe using classic props like a yellow ladder, mirror, gymnastics ribbons, and balloons to enhance the performance.

3.What was the process of making this video?

We started with a moodboard. My director, Hailey Uens, and I were drawn to imagery from Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic—and we included a homage to the ladder found in the film. Hailey, a stylist, and I had a lot of fun deciding what outfits I should wear. We chose classic and familiar clothes to match the primary color palette of the video, ensuring the outfits aligned with the timeless vibe of the video. Ditto for props.

From there I reached out to the usual suspects to come on board and help us film the thing. We did a location scout and landed on filming at the R.C. Harris Water Treatment plant in the east end. It’s a sprawling piece of land with beach access that remains relatively quiet for the city. We shot the video in one day and had a lot of fun doing so! I made a behind the scenes video to share additional details about the shoot that you can watch here!

Grizzly Coast‘s upcoming LP, Staying Power, – due in the fall of 2024 – is an album that captures the essence of commitment, uncertainty, and the challenges of transition. Written between January 2020 and spring 2023, these songs reflect the pivotal period of Alannah‘s life from ages 25 to 28, a time filled with crucial decisions and transformative experiences. This collection of tracks delves into the journey of taking leaps of faith, developing self-trust, and embracing commitment, all while navigating the uncertainties that come with it.