Sam Sussman (drums/vox), Angel Parra Vela (guitar/vox) and Cyril Harvin Musgni (bass) formed NO WAVES in Montreal when they were in their early teens. Together they create a massively energetic, raw and authentic sound that is all their own. This ‘weirdo’ punk trio has become known for their all-ages events and guerrilla shows across the city. Described as “Nu-Punk,” they draw from a wide variety of influences and explore all types of genres and sounds, ranging from hardcore to pop, without ever being afraid to leave their comfort zone. Their versatility and drive has allowed them to play with artists like NOFX, Death From Above 1979, Gulfer, and Ptit Belliveau among others.
Now, they drop their pensive and angsty EP Postcard, made up of songs written years ago with the intent of recording them before the pandemic. Since then, they have reworked them to resemble the way we play now and to sound like the energy of their shows.
“Missing All” came about in their senior years of high school as they faced uncertainty about the future. The featured track is about closing chapters as well as accepting change, leaving your comfort zone and being whoever you want.
Slightest Clue is a Vancouver-based four-piece that probably shouldn’t work. Each member brings distinct influences and experiences: a stage actor whose playlists go from Talking Heads to Sonic Youth to Björk, a hook-obsessed recovering choir girl, an electrical engineer whose personal idol is John Bonham, and a guitarist who played for (and left) ten other bands before deciding this was the one for him. It wasn’t supposed to work, but it does, and they don’t have the slightest clue how or why.
“When You Wake Up”comes off their latest forthcoming EP and “came out of left field” for the group as a rare time of writing love songs. As this is the first one written for the EP, it is the building block for a collection of songs around the feelings of falling in and out of love.
Naghmeh is an Iranian-Canadian singer/songwriter, poet, and community organizer. She began performing as a solo artist in 2016 while living in San Francisco, and decided to abandon the corporate grind to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Naghmeh jumped head first into the world of rock n’ roll and set off on the road over the following year with performances across Europe and South America.
After a year on the road and a few international collaborations, Naghmeh moved back to Montreal to focus on the next step of her career. She assembled a band, performed in every corner of the city, and recorded, co-produced and released her debut album, Naghmeh and the Southern Shores, in 2019. Shortly after the album release, her longtime bandmates moved to different cities which Naghmeh poetically interpreted as a sign to close that chapter. The songs had always been her personal stories, and thus came the decision to release future music as a solo artist under the name Naghmeh.
Naghmah speaks on her latest single “Burn” –
“In 2019, I left an abusive relationship and in the rush to move out and distance myself from the person, I left a lot of things behind. Those objects became a thread connecting me to that ex and became his excuse to remain in touch, only to make me relive those traumatic experiences. One day, I realized I had started a whole new life and didn’t need any of the things that connected me to that home and that relationship, and I felt ready to let it all go and burn it.”
With a background in Psychology and her migration journey, she uses songwriting as a tool to heal from her own personal trauma, and to connect with others who struggle to bring a feeling to the surface. Naghmeh raises awareness for the experience of the Middle Eastern diaspora, and is doing so through the art of music.
The DT’s have released a new single, “All in my Head” which is out now.
This is a recently discovered gem, written by the exceptionally talented artist known as “the dt’s”. This rock composition not only captivates with its musical prowess, but also provides an intriguing exploration of the indie rock genre.
The dynamic duo, David Cacciatore and Tom Losito, were born out of an undeniable desire for a fresh start, leading them to collaborate, write, and record their own music within the confines of their home studios.
They each play a variety of different instruments from guitar, bass, drums and piano. After meeting at a local bar’s open mic, they performed together over the years while touring the US and then established themselves in early 2020.
Witness any of their live performances, and you will be treated to a seamless transition across genres – from rock to blues, power pop, and beyond. Their contemporary pop approach, coupled with a diverse range of vintage influences, serves as the cornerstone of both their collective and individual songwriting talent. Fearlessly experimental, they infuse their songs with a love for harmonies.
The dt’s debut EP, “You With Me”, garnered local and regional acclaim upon its release in early 2022, followed by their latest single, “Refresh”, which made waves in late 2022.
“All In My Head” stands out as the duo’s newest single, where heartfelt lyrics delve into the challenges of forging genuine connections in today’s society. The self-reflective lyrics are cleverly cloaked by a driving rhythmic section and layers of vocal harmonies, which are reminiscent of British modern pop influences.
Brooklyn’s very own Amanda Daviner has unleashed her latest EP, “Catharsis.” Brace yourselves for a deep dive into her riveting musings on love, life, and relationships – because nothing says catharsis like an EP, right?
Starting off with “Fight the Fray,” we get to bask in Amanda’s oh-so-talented vocals, accompanied by electric guitar harmonies that lead us straight into a chorus bursting with strings, piano, and percussion. It’s like a musical rollercoaster, folks.
Then there’s “Doll,” oozing mystery and drawing inspiration from the Wild West with its twangy guitars and sultry vocal tones. Because nothing says mysterious like a good old guitar twang, right?
“Scorpio,” the love and lust anthem, warns us that physical attraction might be a blast, but it doesn’t guarantee a lifetime of bliss. Amanda, the one-woman show, wrote and produced this gem herself, showcasing her unique vocal stylings and poetic prowess.
Describing Amanda as multifaceted is an understatement. Picture Tom Petty’s hit-making vibes colliding with Fiona Apple’s lyrical genius – that’s the Daviner experience. Bowie and Harry Nilsson vibes? Oh, absolutely.
Since setting foot in Brooklyn in 2015, Amanda’s been hustling on the music scene, gracing stages at the Brooklyn Music Festival and even being the pioneer performer at Vimeo’s swanky corporate office. Casual.
And hold your horses! Her latest single, “Déjà vu,” produced by Ted Mason, is making waves on the DRT Top 150 Independent Global Chart. Clearly, Amanda’s not just sipping lattes in Brooklyn cafes.
“Catharsis” is out now, and surprise, surprise, Amanda wrote, produced, and even got Steve Lyon (yeah, the Depeche Mode and Paul McCartney guy) to mix it. Impressive, or should I say, expected?
Keep tabs on Amanda’s adventures on her website and the obligatory Facebook and Instagram. And for the full eargasm experience, hit up YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. You won’t regret it.
The recently released album, “Crash Course Volumes – Volume 1: Blue Light Special,” marks the latest offering from the band Animals in Denial.
Created by the multi-talented punk rock writer, musician, and performer Christian Imes, Animals in Denial is the result of his musical journey that began when he acquired his first guitar at the age of 14. Imes, a self-taught guitarist, has been a part of local bands and eventually forged his own path in the music scene, demonstrating dedication and focus.
Imes’ remarkable journey, coupled with his experience with Asperger’s syndrome, adds an extra layer of inspiration to his artistic endeavors.
The album features a captivating fusion of metal, rock, and punk rock, carving out its unique niche. Imes, who has written and produced all the tracks, showcases his diverse musical influences. The EP includes new tracks like “Catch Me,” a dynamic song infused with the resonance of a guitar, a zoom A1 processor, and a Baritone Antiqua Squier. The track, inspired by the pop songs of the 1950s in the style of Buddy Holly, reflects Imes’ personal connection, particularly with his wife.
Imes’ composition “Hope” is a rhythmic blend of percussion, jazz improvisation, and hip-hop groove. The track exhibits a swing, featuring Abelton computer elements, chorus riffs, and Fender guitar. Imes describes the inspiration behind the song, envisioning a fusion of Hendrix’s blues with a jazzy feel, resulting in a natural and groovy composition.
“Crash Course Volume 1” signifies Imes’ artistic growth, showcasing enhanced skill and a more comprehensive sound compared to previous releases.
The song “Reminder” exudes fun and draws inspiration from a touch of country swing in its chorus. Crafted as a love note to Imes’ wife, the track expresses affection and appreciation, influenced by Cheap Trick with a pop-oriented element and a catchy chorus.
As a one-man show, Imes has significantly developed this album, reflecting the evolution of his musical abilities and creative journey over the years.
Noteworthy is the fact that the initial releases in this series were rough demo tracks, now remixed and remastered using a combination of studio upgrades and AI tools. The album’s cover art, generated with AI using prompts from Imes, exemplifies the embrace of technology in the creative process.
Imes expresses excitement about the future of AI in the creative realm, emphasizing the need for artists to embrace new tools collaboratively.
“Crash Course Volumes, Volume 1” kicks off a series of EPs revisiting songs written by Imes, now brought to life with the production capabilities he lacked in their initial creation. This album represents a long-awaited platform for these songs to receive the attention they deserve.
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