With 2023’s Healing Power (released October 13, 2023 on Sonic Unyon Records), Haliburton, Ontario-based JUNO and Polaris Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot showcased her considerable clout as a pop songsmith, delivering a dozen stunning tracks that together represent a career high. The album served as her third outing with producer Gus van Go, and the collaboration was yet another quantum leap in her artistic development.
“The Only One Of Your Kind” marks the record’s halfway point and is about a topic that Terra felt she had truly neglected for most of her career: her best friends.
I think people often take best friends for granted. Friends that are always there to support you, during the hardest times. Each of my friends is different and beautiful in their own way, and I tried to capture that in the song. There’s the friend who says they’ll treat you to fancy dinner but takes you to a gas station instead, the friend who got married to the wrong person and you helped her out of it when she was ready, and the friend who you could talk with in the car for hours. Each one is special and unique, and cannot be replicated.
Born and raised in Toronto, Victoria Staff was always an “anxious child.” The string that connected much of her young life was using music to communicate with family, friends, teachers, and even therapists. Over time, this coping mechanism developed into a passion for music that would lead to her career as an indie-pop artist. Staff continues to use the written word to communicate with her audience the complex themes of love, loss, and her struggle with mental health.
“From My Side of the Table” is her take on her relationship that was falling apart at the seams. It wasn’t until they were out for dinner for her birthday that she realized that the relationship was already done.
“It’s kind of like when you watch someone fall, and it’s almost in slow motion,” explains Staff. “I was watching this relationship – with this person I was head-over-heels for – fall apart in front of me. The song is mourning the relationship and also coming to terms with both the good and the bad that came with it.”
Julian Robia is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Growing up in a musical family, Julian picked up the guitar at an early age, and he fell in love. Playing, singing, and writing songs quickly became his number one passion in life. Between his country lifestyle of fishing and back-roading and his unconditional love for the genre, country music is what Julian gravitated towards when it came time to write his own originals.
New single, “Roll Them Pretty Eyes,” offers a refreshing take on the classic country love song. While many have written about the beauty of a lover’s smile, Julian wrote this cheeky tune about how rolling eyes and annoyed looks can be just as sexy. The take itself speaks to REAL relationships where partners get on each other’s nerves, but still love each other.
Written from a silly thought where Julian couldn’t believe how beautiful his then-girlfriend was when she was fed up with him, “Roll Them Pretty Eyes” is now available to stream.
From personal, emotionally-driven love songs to fictional, lyric-based stories, Chris Cadaret holds dear the craft of songwriting. Chris stays true to the goal of creating music that finds a home in the hearts of listeners just as his favourite songs and albums continue to do.
His song, “How I Miss You,” was inspired by the passing of a family member and observations on how people can grieve this type of loss.
“This song was originally written late at night while it was pitch black in my room,” says Chris. “I remember having a distinct feeling of sadness following the passing of my family member and it seemed as though my grief led the way in forming the ambiance of the song. I would play the song from time to time to my girlfriend and she would typically become teary eyed and emotional afterwards – which is how I knew it was a keeper!”
“How I Miss You” is part of his double release,Toonie, which is out now alongside the second song “Bridget Sits.” The artwork displays the image of a toonie which is meant to represent the idea of gain and loss as being two sides of the same coin.
Lower East Side, NYC-based indie singer/songwriter Kathy Zimmer is stepping into the limelight today with the much-anticipated release of her latest music video, “Top Shelf.” This visual masterpiece not only showcases Zimmer’s musical talent but also highlights her ability to create compelling narratives through the medium of film. Collaborating with renowned director Alex Thompson and a team of skilled cinematographers and designers, Zimmer has crafted a visual experience that resonates with viewers on a profound level.
Teaming up with her talented collaborators, including renowned director Alex Thompson and a team of skilled cinematographers and designers, Zimmer brings her vision to life in a visually stunning portrayal of her music. From the initial concept to the final edit, every aspect of “Top Shelf” has been meticulously crafted to convey Zimmer’s artistic expression. The music video seamlessly weaves together imagery, symbolism, and emotion, drawing viewers into Zimmer’s world and leaving a lasting impression.
Drawing on her eclectic influences and experiences, Zimmer’s music video captures the essence of her artistry, blending emotive visuals with her distinctive vocals and evocative storytelling. Each frame of “Top Shelf” is infused with meaning, offering a glimpse into Zimmer’s innermost thoughts and feelings. Through striking visuals and poignant lyrics, Zimmer invites viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, resonating with themes of love, loss, and longing.
From the bustling streets of New York City to intimate studio sessions, the “Top Shelf” music video offers viewers a glimpse into Zimmer’s creative process and the passion behind her music. Through behind-the-scenes footage and candid interviews, audiences are given unprecedented access to Zimmer’s world, gaining insight into her inspirations, motivations, and aspirations as an artist. By providing this intimate look into her life and work, Zimmer fosters a deeper connection with her audience, inviting them to become active participants in her creative journey.
Critics and fans alike have been eagerly awaiting the release of “Top Shelf,” with early reviews praising its cinematic quality and Zimmer’s compelling performance. From its stunning visuals to its emotionally resonant soundtrack, the music video has captivated audiences around the world, earning accolades and recognition within the industry. As “Top Shelf” continues to garner acclaim and attention, Zimmer’s star continues to rise, solidifying her status as one of indie music’s most promising talents.
As Zimmer continues to push boundaries in the indie music scene, “Top Shelf” serves as a testament to her artistic growth and dedication to her craft, cementing her status as a rising star in the industry. With its innovative visuals, captivating storytelling, and infectious energy, the music video is poised to leave a lasting impact on viewers and establish Zimmer as a force to be reckoned with in the world of music and film.
Don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in the world of Kathy Zimmer and experience the captivating visuals of “Top Shelf.” Stay tuned for updates on the music video release and upcoming projects from this exciting artist.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
The song “Top Shelf” is about journeying from one state of mind–a darker, weighted-down-by-past-experiences state of mind–into another, one which is a little more carefree, as those past experiences have been re-examined, dealt with, and laid to rest. So a “journey” was important to represent. In this video, I start inside a bland room, looking out at the world but not being a part of it. Then I venture outside and embark on quite an adventure, perhaps always with my “past” lurking behind me, and eventually I wind up at a new destination which feels like coming home.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
I had two collaborators who were very important to the making of this video. Annie Lim has been a friend and co-creator for quite awhile now, and Alex Levin is a friend and cinematographer who also shot the video for my song “Extremist”. Through mutual brainstorming, Annie brought to the table Twin Peaks as a visual reference point, I brought the artwork of Maxfield Parrish and a nod to Little Red Riding Hood, and Alex tried to interpret all of that and find a location and certain visual cues that would bring it all together.
3. What was the process of making this video?
Alex has two friends, Cat & Mike, who own a beautiful property in upstate New York (CS Coach House) with a homestead on it which dates back to the Revolutionary War–in fact, on the grounds is a historical marker about the war, and even a pretty ancient headstone marking the grave of a 9-year-old boy, RIP. Alex was completely right that we could film all of the video there, and though it was the dog days of summer, we got it mostly all shot in one day and had a lot of fun doing it. Shout out to Natalia Farrell-Ortiz, an awesome assistant who the mosquitos loved more than anyone else on the set. Kai Cullen edited the footage beautifully.
Dara Schindelka (she/her) is a Saskatchewan femme folk artist with a touch of the North and the pull of the prairies. Dara is a classically trained pianist, singer and educator that not only performs but teaches music at the University of Regina Conservatory. Her knowledge and love of music is evident in her compositions and arrangements of both instrumental and vocal works.
Her latest track, “Love is Free,”from her new LP She Imagined mixes folk songwriting with modern digital instrumentation. No matter how hard extremists try to control others, they will never control the human heart that beats within each of us. Love is, and will always be, free from such systems.
Dara was chosen as an artist to showcase at the Ontario Presents Showcase September 2022 in Orillia, ON and did shows across Canada along the way. She returns to the stage this winter to perform She Imagined at numerous festivals and venues across western Canada. Her grant with SaskArts allowed for research about traditional folk songs that tell the stories of women. From this research, She Imagined was born and is a showcase of the past and present issues that face marginalized voices everywhere with a positive message of power and freedom.
Dara supports music festivals and live streams that bring awareness and help to women’s issues and has worked with Stay Human Productions, Rock Against Racism, Piwapin Women’s Shelter, Prince Albert Multi-Cultural Council, and FemFolk UK and most recently with the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation. Her debut EP, Thou Art Loosed, was a celebration of female strength and gained her awards and followers throughout 2020-2021.
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