Singer Songwriter and seasoned guitarist Dan Zalles’ new album, called Resting Place, transcends all genres of music and brings to life the pain and reality of the past year during a pandemic. His eclectic direction of five types of genres in one album is one that is both inspiring and courageous. The reflection of Zalles’ thoughts on this record are easily relatable and beautifully stated. This record is Dan Zalles’ “pandemic album” and will live on forever.

Dan Zalles produced all songs on this album aside from two, one being “Silver Moon in the Sky” which was produced by Marcus Barone. This song shines bright on the album with vocals lended by a wonderfully expressive ballad singer Bernadette Conant who takes the song to a whole new level. Her vocals along with Dan’s musical talent and Barone’s production elevates this song unlike any other on the album. 

The other side of the album is the song “In Between” which is influenced by a progressive rock and fusion band from the 70s such as John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck and King Crimson. 

All the songs contain plenty of guitar riffs and melodies (Dan Zalles’ specialty) but some tracks surprise the listener with added keys too. There is ample trumpet soloing, more than Dan has done on any of his prior solo albums. 

Resting Place shows no greater passion for his music as he plays almost all of the instruments on his album. He states he has never put his instrumental tracks on the same album as his vocal tracks until now, nor has he ever combined blues tracks with other types of tracks before. 

Listen to Resting Place now, you won’t want to miss this record.

Connect with Dan Zalles here.

Thomas Stajcer was trying to win someone over when he found the inspiration for “Midwestern States,” the title track from his upcoming album of the same name. 

The gentle Americana of this song captures those feelings of wondering, anticipating, hoping and longing that maybe that person does like you back, coupled with vivid imagery taken from classic American literature by Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.

This soaring track develops gradually, buoyed by a subtle yet powerful beat by drummer Matt Gallant, as well as organ and banjo accompaniment. Come along for the journey with Thomas Stacjer across “Midwestern States.”

Friends from Church is an evolving one-man sonic project and live show by Paul Rivard. 

His ambient music evokes the feeling of having profound realizations on your deathbed. Hear shimmering, textured tones layered onto warm bassline nods in eerie new single “Handmade Son”.

Egyptian Canadian concept artist TEROUZ found his sound by curating original songs with his taste for ‘90s nostalgia and ‘70s & ‘80s electro-pop/rock elements. TEROUZ’s tracks are carefully crafted, intimate capsules – pulsing, swanky basslines backed by gleaming guitar accents flow into infectiously muscle-bound rhythms.

New single, “Big Boy Games,” is a dark twist on the wordplay that expresses epic ego wars in toxic behaviour. A darkwave, cautionary vengeance tale that dwells with its ominous and hypnotic tones into a gallery of iconic betrayals, haunting standoffs and a grand finale in an authentic retro wave bang.The accompanying music video and art, directed, edited and illustrated by TEROUZ, represent a cautiously narrated slideshow of familiar mythological and biblical imagery of body-to-body fratricides or mano-a-mano foul play.

Phil Taylor (drums) and Neil Carson (bass) met Steph Mercier (guitar) and immediately hit it off with their love of music. Alternative rock band James Blonde have played Osheaga with The Black Keys, Arkells, and Weezer, and opened for the likes of Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, Shawn Mendes, Sam Roberts, and Serena Ryder in their hometown of Niagara Falls. Their 2017 single “Heartbreak” was picked up worldwide by Starbucks stores and featured on Spotify editorial playlists. 

Now, James Blonde is gearing up to release their new EP (produced by Gus Van Go) starting with slick track “Delirium”. The brooding cautionary tale follows the mindset of an addict in denial who is trying desperately to rationalize and justify their self-destructive actions.

Listen up here: https://soundcloud.com/jamesblondeband/james-blonde-delirium-mastered/s-npFQS

Energetic and hard-hitting, Royal Castles are making nostalgic but contemporary garage-rock. Hailing from the Royal City of Guelph, Ontario, power trio Katrin Sawatzky, Jordan Gabriel and AJ Johnson deliver pounding drums, crunchy guitars and a healthy dose of wooly bass.

Inspired by the fleeting jubilance of youth, “Frickin Pretty” is a late summer anthem serving delicious hooks, bass slides, a killer drum break and sing-along chorus.