Vancouver-based pop artist Matías Roden shares his most unapologetically queer and club-ready track yet with “Please” – a synth-pop earworm rooted in heartbreak, self-discovery, and the euphoria of London’s gay nightlife. Featuring a propulsive horn hook, frenetic dancefloor energy, and intimate lyrical detail, “Please” is a bold new chapter from an artist whose sound is as global as it is personal.
Inspired by a month spent immersed in London’s vibrant queer club scene, Roden wrote “Please” after soaking in the sounds of 80s British pop icons like Pet Shop Boys, Bronski Beat, and Human League. That sonic palette of Hi-NRG, Jazz House, and vintage synth-pop courses through every second of the track, which balances emotional vulnerability with dancefloor-ready momentum.
Lyrically, “Please” wrestles with the lingering ache of heartbreak, while teasing out the complexity of pleasure and pain. It’s a milestone moment for Roden as his first release with explicitly queer lyrics.
I wanted the song to feel elegant, but still raw – like a real memory. It’s about falling fast for someone who’s not good for you and knowing they might even enjoy watching you suffer. And at the same time, it’s joyful. It’s nostalgic. It’s me fully stepping into who I am as an artist, as a gay man, and as someone who finds healing in movement. – Matías Roden
In a world increasingly defined by crisis – climate change, social division, political dysfunction, and a profound disconnection from nature and one another – art and music can serve as both mirror and medicine.
For Madame Z , music isn’t just an outlet. It is a lifeline. A writer at heart, and a musician by calling, she brings a deep emotional honesty to her work, balancing the stark realities of the present moment with a fierce and unwavering belief in our collective potential to heal and transform.
Her latest release “Save The World” is a heartfelt plea for unity in the face of collapse. It is a song born out of sorry and yet steeped in hope. A reminder that while we may feel powerless as individuals, together, we still hold the power to change course.
In this Exclusive Interview, Madame Z opens up about the inspiration behind the track, the challenges of being a one woman creative force, and why the video’s poignant visuals are just as essential as the lyrics themselves.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
It can be deeply disheartening to reflect on the state of the world – the pollution, the relentless destruction of our planet on so many levels, the poisoning of our oceans and waterways, the mass extinction of countless species (thanks, unsurprisingly, to human activity), the reality of climate change (whether some choose to acknowledge it or not), and the ever-present forces of bigotry, racism, war, genocide, political dysfunction, division, and hatred. The list feels endless – and it is catastrophic. The energy of the planet itself seems to echo this pain.
As Einstein once said, “Man invented the atomic bomb, but no mouse would ever construct a mousetrap.” In so many ways, we are engineering our own downfall – driven by capitalism, greed, and a profound disconnection from one another and from the Earth. This song, I believe, speaks volumes without needing much explanation. Yes, it’s painful to witness and experience all of this. It can feel overwhelming, even hopeless. But the message at the heart of it is powerful: we need to come together. It’s not too late. We still have the ability to make a difference – even if it’s just by being a light in the darkness and holding on to the possibility of change.
Similarly, the video itself highlights much despair and destruction but also intertwines moments of hope and potential. The current state of the world may feel bleak but there is potential for humanity to turn it around.
2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
As noted, it coincides with the lyrics themselves. Despair (which many of us have been feeling as of late) but looking to the future of possibility. As one person, I may not be able to change the entire world but TOGETHER we can make an impact.
3. What was the process of making the video?
I chose to use AI for this video because, simply put, I’m a one-woman operation.
I have three kids and a demanding executive-level corporate job that often spills into evenings and weekends. Music isn’t my primary or even secondary priority in terms of time – but it’s essential to who I am. It’s as vital to me as the air I breathe. At my core, I’m a writer. Music is one of the few ways I can fully express the emotions and thoughts I often struggle to put into words. But with the limited time I have, I have to rely on the tools available to me to help bring my ideas to life.
My publisher has been encouraging me to pair videos with my releases, but since it’s just me doing all of this, I lean on resources that make that possible. I’d love to shoot and produce videos from scratch – but right now, that’s just not a realistic option. So, I do what I can. I created short video snippets and pieced them together to help visualize the message I wanted to share through this song. It might not be perfect – but perfection is overrated anyway.
What matters most is the message, the emotion and the intention behind it.
Rooted in Southern soul and shaped by years of touring, collaborating and creating from the heart, Molly Thomas has carved a distinct path as a songwriter, musician and storyteller.
With a voice that carries both grit and grace, Molly’s music brings together an authentic honesty and depth – qualities that shine through in her latest single “Even The Strong” and self-made video.
Following a transformative season of healing and reflection, Thomas brings us a visual companion to a song that speaks to resilience, vulnerability and the quiet strength it takes to lean on others when life demands more than we can carry alone.
In this Exclusive Interview, we talk with Molly about the story behind the song, the creative process behind the video, and how a spontaneous trip to Spain – and a crash course in video editing – helped bring it all to life!
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
This song is about the idea that even in strength, we all need someone to lean on. Old habits can creep back in, but finding grace, truth and sometimes a shoulder to lean on can help one rise above. I decided to visualize the song in black and white because I wasn’t sure how to allude to the overall feeling any other way. I found a way to add color and added it at the pinnacle moment of the song to heighten the level of visuals to match the song.
2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The song was written in the summer of 2023, just before my car accident.
Ironically, the test of strength was thrown my way and the message of resilience and hope proved to be just what I needed to get through it. A little over a year after the car accident, my husband and I took a celebratory trip from time healing and we went to Spain.
We were both inspired and took lots of video footage in hope to create a video at some point. I wasn’t sure which song the footage would be for, but it presented itself when I started. This song is the first single, to be released May 16, 2025. The footage that we gathered seemed to tell the story I was looking for and so I just went for it.
3. What was the process of making the video?
The process was a bit tedious, considering I was/am fresh at learning Premiere Pro.
In fact, I just got it 3 days ago and have SO much to learn. I initially created the video in imovie. I sent it to my friend, who is a professional filmmaker, and she set me straight, in a loving manner. It took me 2 days to make it once I sat down and loaded all of the footage into my project. I guess because I have experience in imovie and also Pro-tools, the learning curve came a little bit easier.
Thanks to Youtube University (HA), all of my questions were answered as I went along. I’m sure I could have kept going with perfecting it, but decided to let it go, especially because there is a deadline. Also, the realization that I’m a musician just trying to get my song out to the world. I am not a professional videographer. It’s similar to producing and recording a song. At some point along the way, there comes a time when nothing more can be done with the tools at hand, and you have to let it fly.
Nick Faye is a songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, living on Treaty 4 Territory. His new single, “Right Way,” is a deeply personal reflection on the masculine influences of his youth and their impact on his relationships – both with his partners and himself. The track is a raw yet triumphant statement of self-awareness, personal growth, and commitment to healthy love.
Blending elements of pop, rock, and country, “Right Way” pairs heartfelt storytelling with a dreamy, slow-burning instrumental that evokes the feeling of a late-night dance in a roadside saloon. The song is the third single from Faye’s forthcoming album, (Good) Love, which arrives September 26th, 2025.
“Right Way” was inspired by personal reflections on growing up in a Catholic, patriarchal, and colonial society on the Canadian Prairies. Immersed in hockey culture, where “toughness,” ego, and repressing emotions were the masculine norms, Faye recalls moments in his past where he didn’t always treat his partners with the respect and empathy they deserved.
As a young man, there were times when I mirrored unhealthy masculine influences I was raised around, and I had to do the hard work of unlearning them. This song is about granting myself grace for my past while celebrating how far I’ve come. It’s a personal commitment to always strive to love and treat others with respect, empathy, and kindness. – Nick Faye
Singer-songwriter Eric Kane unveils his most vulnerable release to date with “Over and Over” – a stark and moving portrait of grief, memory, and the daily reckoning that comes with loss. Built on stripped-back production, soul-baring vocals, and raw lyricism, the song captures the haunting ache of life after unimaginable tragedy.
Written about the death of his brother, a devastating loss that left an indelible mark, “Over and Over” explores the long shadow grief casts over time. Where many songs reach for closure, this one bravely chooses to sit with the pain. With unflinching honesty, Kane leans into the silence and stillness of mourning, allowing the weight of absence to speak for itself.
The new single follows his debut release, “Leave It All Behind,” a track rooted in transformation and survival. Where that first offering gave voice to the strength it takes to keep moving, “Over and Over” lays bare the reason Kane keeps going – the memory and love of his brother, whose presence continues to shape every lyric and note.
Together, the two singles offer an intimate preview of Kane’s debut project: a deeply human exploration of grief and healing that charts the nonlinear journey of living with loss.
Montreal-born composer, vocalist, and meditation leader Mark Fenster unveils his latest single, “Gabriola Breeze”—a soulful instrumental odyssey inspired by his transformative move from bustling city life to the calm nature of Gabriola Island, British Columbia.
The piece blends multicultural instrumentation with lush, cinematic textures, offering a serene yet emotionally charged soundscape that explores what it means to follow one’s calling.
“This is essentially a musical rendition of my move to Gabriola—or more generally, of one’s leaping quest into their dream,” Fenster explains.
“It begins with a ‘calling’ of sorts—somewhat softly alluring, but also accompanied by a bit of tension and fear as it represents the unknown. Then ultimately, [the music] shows us the value and loving kindness that awaits if we prove our strength and faith are stronger than the fear.”
“Gabriola Breeze” stands out for its rich fusion of spiritual and electric elements, where instruments like the tambura and distorted Telecaster weave together seemingly contrasting emotions, just as life’s challenges often hide within them the seeds of peace. It is meditative, multicultural, and emotionally complex—mirroring the internal landscape of transformation.
Chris Potter, while creating the mix, adds: “Several times I got lost in the music and forgot I was working.”
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