Public Appeal Struts "On The Scene" with New Single

Public Appeal by Pikoi

Montreal pop provocateur Public Appeal steps into her spotlight with new single “On The Scene,” out now via Arbutus Records.

Co-produced with bounce2, the track is a dizzying electro romp that cements Public Appeal as an avatar of indie sleaze’s next wave. Clocking in at just over two minutes, the avant-pop artist flips between slick rap flows and candy-sweet coos, channelling the swagger of Kreayshawn and early Ke$ha. For those tapped into Montreal’s underground, her ascent comes as no surprise — she’s previously enlisted the likes of Babynymph and Ayesha Erotica to sharpen her sound. But this release puts her star on full display.

Said Public Appeal of “On The Scene”:

“I wrote the song two years ago when I was freshly 19 – it's one of those songs that encapsulates feeling like a teenager but having the freedom of an adult with endless possibilities. Even though the song has a fun and playful manner, it also deals with emotions of confusion and insecurity, wanting to disappear and create a new life for myself through a new lens. ‘On The Scene’ is the typical 19-year-old city living.”

Filmed at infamous Montreal haunt Système, the single’s music video captures Public Appeal in full debutante form — decked out in a chunky belt and vintage white frames, strutting through the club in a late-aughts fever dream. The footage flits between chopped-up party scenes and self-assured bathroom confessionals; flash by flash, she’s announced her arrival. With mismatched fashion and irreverent confidence, Public Appeal rises beyond the revival.

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Public Appeal

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

Rebecca Judd is the Editorial & Operations Lead of Also Cool Mag. She is currently based in Ottawa.

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Maryze Pushes Daring Queer Pop Frontiers with "Versed"

Maryze and Syd Kilroy, shot by Morganne Yambrovich

The taste of LA-via-Montréal pop artist Maryze has long been dubbed “stormy-sweet,” but their triumphant release “Versed” turns up the heat. Six months since its release, the single remains a rallying cry of unapologetic queer passion, signalling an uninhibited new chapter for the ever-evolving performer. Maryze’s X-rated fantasies are delivered with a staccato cadence, riding a classic techno pulse supplied by Siren Mars. And for the visual learners, the Priscilla Mars–directed music video hits like a feverish tableau, showcasing Maryze’s legion of sapphic collaborators – the fishnets, the Pleasers, and the reckless freedom of diving headfirst into desire.

Scroll on to explore how Maryze has settled into their new digs on the West Coast, and what’s to come from their next steps. Bonus: exclusive BTS photos from the “Versed” video shoot, captured by LA photographer (and close collaborator) Morganne Yambrovich.

Maryze and Siren Mars, photo by Morganne Yambrovich

Rebecca Judd for Also Cool Mag: Listening to "Versed," your sound has undoubtedly transformed since the days of 8. Boasting an evocative electro sheen, this new single feels like it's on the verge of a hedonistic explosion. Can you walk us through the personal and creative journey between these two phases of your craft?

Maryze: That's an interesting question. I think that 8 contained a lot of songs I'd been working on for upwards of eight years, and reflected on experiences from earlier on in my life. It was kind of an "up until now" project, whereas what I'm making now is very of the moment. Everything that I'm experiencing, I'm putting back out into music with a pretty quick turnaround. It feels more urgent, and kind of like a teenage level of intensity — taking in so many new feelings and trying to make sense of them. 

Michael Milton, Skyler Cocco, and Reaz Jafri, photo by Morganne Yambrovich

Also Cool: While you’re clearly thriving in Los Angeles, I can say the Canadian music scene feels your absence. What parts of Montreal continue to resonate with you—in art and spirit—and how has LA’s vibrance shifted your approach to self-expression?

Maryze: That's very sweet. I miss Canada, and Montreal specifically. I will keep praising that city, its nightlife, and DIY scene forever — it's truly a mecca for arts and culture. In terms of how LA has shifted my approach to self-expression, it's allowed me to put myself out there more authentically. I know people say it's a fake city, but I've found that creators encourage each other to take risks and squash self-doubt. Montreal's indie music scene has a coolness [that] I never really felt like I fit into, haha. I make and love pop, and that's always who I'll be.

Sadie Scheufler, photo by Morganne Yambrovich

AC: Since relocating to Los Angeles, you’ve immersed yourself in a vibrant community of queer femme creatives, many of whom played a key role in bringing "Versed" to life (like Skyler Cocco, Morganne, and Priscilla Mars). What does it mean to you to forge these creative alliances, especially as a queer artist?

M: I have to thank TikTok on this one, because I met the three artists you named on there! I'm so grateful for the friendships and creative alliances I've been able to make online before even moving to Los Angeles. As a queer artist, it kind of took me until the past few years to form the like-minded community I never had growing up. Montreal helped kick-start that journey. I feel very, very lucky — my close friends/collaborators inspire and lift me up every day. 

Morganne Yambrovich

AC: You’ve spoken extensively about the impact of artists like Peaches, Lady Gaga, and the trailblazing Princess Superstar on this record. What was it like to share the stage with PS at The Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs – did it feel like a full-circle moment to collaborate with one of your musical touchstones?

M: That was wild. I met Princess Superstar at SXSW and was tripping over my words trying to tell her she inspired one of the tracks I was performing that night. To be invited to perform with her in Palm Springs was an honour! She has a super kind, mothering energy, but is also just incredibly badass. 

Maryze, photo by Morganne Yambrovich

AC: With this raunchy electroclash soundscape that anchors your sophomore album, you’re flirting with evolution – but given how 8 unfolded, we know there are always layers yet to be uncovered. Are there any unexpected genres or sonic experiments you’ve been drawn to, or sensations you’ve yet to explore on this record?

M: Without giving away too much, we're getting into some epic, cinematic drama and embodying new characters. Strings? Operatic high notes? Americana thriller music videos shot in the desert? Coming soon. 

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Maryze

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the Editorial & Operations Lead of Also Cool Mag. She is currently based in Ottawa.

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Sustaining Pique: Debaser’s Summer Success and the Road Ahead

Arriving at Pique, photo by Rebecca Judd

At Also Cool, we remain steadfast champions of Pique – Debaser’s quarterly music and arts festival, staged within the walls of Arts Court in downtown Ottawa. Since its inception, the festival has ballooned in both scale and stature, drawing thousands to experience rising talents and scene fixtures from across and beyond North America. Pique has transcended the realm of party to become a platform for artistic revolution and a lifeline for community-rooted creativity.

The summer 2025 edition of Pique welcomed 1,400 festivalgoers and offered a diversity of performances and exhibitions. Though outdoor programming moved indoors due to air quality concerns, the spirit of summer shimmered throughout the venue for all those who came to play. Standout moments included the Produced by Youth and Pass the Vibes open decks, alongside captivating performances by Silla, Orchidae, Bells Larsen, HiTech, and Also Cool co-founders Flleur and Lamb Fatale.

Aligned with the festival’s ethos of accessibility and inclusion, Debaser offers subsidized tickets to ensure a dynamic experience for all who wish to partake. Earlier this month, the organization shared that nearly one in three attendees accessed subsidized tickets for the summer 2025 edition. Of these, 42% were subsidized by attendees who opted to pay at the higher end of the suggested range, while Debaser covered the remaining 58%.

To uphold these values—and ensure fair compensation for the artists and cultural workers who bring the festival to life—Debaser has launched the Pique Sustainability Fund. It invites those in a position to give to extend the experience, nurturing a vibrant future for Ottawa’s arts and cultural landscape.

As fall looms (yes, already), Pique’s next edition is slated for September 27. While the lineup has yet to be announced, audiences can expect electrifying appearances from both local and international taste-makers. Tickets are now available, with a suggested price range of $45-$75, or at a subsidized rate by contacting Debaser directly.

In the meantime, scroll on for a glimpse at summer 2025 Pique’s highlights, including our co-founders’ delightfully chaotic interview with HiTech.

Silla, photo by Rebecca Judd

Orchidae, photo by Rebecca Judd

fanclubwallet, photo by Rebecca Judd

Bells Larsen, photo by Rebecca Judd

47Chops of HiTech’s birthday cake, photo by Rebecca Judd

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Pique

Website

Debaser

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Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag. She is currently based in Ottawa.

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PREMIERE: Pith Unveils a New Freak-Folk Chapter With "Live from the Shed 2"

Chrissy Love, Sarah Bartlett, Cole Emberley, and Emily McQuarrie of Pith. Photo by Jasmine Kelly

Months ago, in the placid snowy lands of Lanark County, Ottawa’s beloved Pith were toiling away at what would become the Live from the Shed 2 EP – out now.

Pith’s newest offering follows last year’s Live from the Shed, successfully continuing their thread of endearing folk ballads that meander through the depths of human emotion. On part deux, Pith demonstrates their sonic cohesion, navigating devotion and personal identity with sensorial lyricism and unfiltered fervour. By “Escalator,” Live from the Shed 2’s sentimental conclusion, the group has risen to a searing crescendo.

Pith by Curtis Perry

Pith has undergone a near-constant evolution since their debut LP Song of the Neverending Ugly Lizard, both in personnel and location. Most recently, lead singer-songwriter Chrissy Love, lead guitarist and backup vocalist Sarah Bartlett, and drummer Cole Emberley have welcomed bassist Emily McQuarrie (Napster Vertigo, DJ Smoke Weed Guy) to the ensemble. But Love notes the symbiosis of this roster, offering the impression that Live from the Shed 2 marks a fruitful beginning:

“So insanely blessed to have these bandmates; I am like a stray dog who has found its forever home. The luxury of 3 dear friends who are willing to be a part of a project, lend their time and talent to it, and accept payment largely in disgrace and crumpled twenties is literally the DIY dream.”

If the new EP wasn’t enough to satisfy, there’s plenty more on the horizon: “hot Pith summer” commences with a local show on May 31 (ask a punk), before other gigs strung throughout Ottawa, Hull, and St. John’s, Newfoundland. Pith’s fourth full-length LP, Guinevere, is also set to drop this season, including a handful of what you know and love from both Live from the Shed and its successor.

Experience the rowdy charm of Live from the Shed 2, captured on-site by Evelynn McKay, below!

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Pith

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Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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PREMIERE: Tachie Menson Confronts Heartache and the Bittersweet with “Another Day” (Music Video)

Tachie Menson by Sofía Andrade

Between harsh winds and endless snow storms, the Montreal winter is long and bitterly cold. Occasionally, however, the clouds give way and the sky opens up – “Another Day” is the sun emerging, that brief, exhilarating moment in which those warm rays kiss your skin. Hope is therefore the ethos that drives Nia Blankson—better known as Tachie Menson—as she professes love and loss over the dreamy melody of her first official release. 

Born in England and raised in Queens, Menson is a Montreal and New York City-based singer-songwriter, publisher, and multi-instrumentalist. Although “Another Day” is Menson’s first musical release under her new moniker, Menson has been making music for years – her rich, experimental, and genre-defying sound has been shaped by her education as a classical pianist at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, as well as her work as the frontman of her band, Pyjama Day. She has already established herself as a familiar face and force of nature within Montreal’s music scene. 

Still from “Another Day” music video, directed by Rachel Moghrabi

Released on February 1st, “Another Day” is Menson’s first solo R&B and indie-inspired project. Sonic and conceptual thinking for the track, however, began as early as September 2023. Under the guidance of her mentor, award-winning producer Zeboria Peters (RUSUR), the song took on its characteristic glittery and subtly melancholic shape. Planning for the music video then ensued, and filming took place in the fall and early winter of 2024. Director Rachel Moghrabi and cinematographer Sam Li were instrumental in sharpening the colourful vision that propels each careful frame.

As such, the video’s Valentine’s Day release is no coincidence. Shifting between classrooms at a local high school, “Another Day” follows Menson as she vies for her classmate’s attention. Menson’s longing is palpable – her eyes track her love interest throughout, yet the object of her affection puzzlingly brushes her off. This is the bittersweet note that “Another Day” opens with, of seemingly unrequited feelings, a near-universal experience within queer romances. As Menson leaves school for a house party, however, anticipation builds and builds and builds. Finally, the two reach for one another, ready to connect in the most meaningful way – “Another Day” leaves us with an open, yet optimistic, and largely tender ending. 

Peppered with over twenty vibrant extras, and helped along by countless friends and volunteers, Menson shares “the music video was a massive undertaking [... that] not only showcase[s her] work as a debuting solo artist, but also [...] what is possible through collaboration and finding community.” Menson, however, firmly remains the focal point of the video, her voice “flutter[ing]” as she gently strums her guitar. 

At its core, "Another Day" is a study in contradiction: it is a track that floats delicately, bookended by Menson’s airy acoustic guitar, yet the lyrics are grounded, cautious, and even expectant at times. Both sonically spacious and lyrically precise, the song is a testament to Menson’s acceptance of being untethered, in embracing artistic uncertainty and evolution.

There is indeed a beauty in waiting, in aching. The result is a simultaneously intimate and expansive track, made even more so by its introspective visual accompaniment. 

Watch the music video for “Another Day” below.

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Tachie Menson

Instagram | TikTok

Nawaal Bhuiyan is a Montreal-based Bangladeshi researcher, writer, and educator. She is the Head Literary Editor of Scatterbrain Magazine, and enjoys cooking, knitting, and watching reality TV in her spare time.

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PREMIERE: Ura Star Teams Up With Fireball Kid and mememe for "Hanging Out" (Music Video)

Fireball Kid and Ura Star. Photo by Ana-Maria Espino Trudel, logo designed by Cole Yearwood & Holly Craib

The sun is shining bright in Montreal, bringing grassy parks, cold drinks, and blossoming feelings along with it. Here to vibe through it all is Ura Star, who joined forces with Fireball Kid and mememe (Nap Eyes’ Seamus Dalton) for the easy-going earworm “Hanging Out.”

“Hanging Out” marks the first single from Ura Star’s forthcoming record Heartracer, which promises to deliver a stacked compilation of new wave-inspired jams. This album follows Ura Star and Fireball Kid’s two previous collaborations, Gas Station and Emotional Bros Hotline, and will carry their torch of synthy wholesomeness that makes the heart soar.

Produced by Zack Bruce, this latest release has Ura Star navigating the thrill of the “talking stage.” Ura Star, Fireball Kid, and mememe’s upbeat vocal harmonies sweep you away in a sugar rush, leaving you no choice but to keep the track on replay.

Even sweeter? The “Hanging Out” music video, which was directed by Ana-Maria Espino Trudel and Cody Lee. In the vid, the trio of artists exude a top-tier summer aura as they jump around on a vintage yellow sofa in the middle of a soccer field. Tapping their toes and sipping their brews, they conjure up the same innocent joy of a budding summer fling.

Watch the video for Ura Star’s “Hanging Out” below!

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Ura Star

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Step Into Nice Wave's Comforting Paradise with "Warm Glow"

Nice Wave by Priscilla Mars

Something new is brewing in SoCal – emerging indie duo Nice Wave have released the music video for their second single “Warm Glow.”

Comprised of Dakota Blue and Bella Schilter, Nice Wave fuses an appreciation for the musical heritage of California with nods that span across decades. Dakota and Bella formed Nice Wave as an escape from the mundanity of everyday life, a therapeutic outlet for experimentation. Nice Wave capitalizes on these intentions with the “Warm Glow” music video, unveiling a blissfully delicate break from reality.

The music video—directed by Blue and LA-based cinematographer Priscilla Mars—features Schilter waking up in a garden, swaddled by her pastel quilt while surrounded by lush greenery and vivid flowers. Rather than succumbing to confusion, Schilter meanders through the beauty of this landscape, peering through a looking glass and sipping tea (à la Alice in Wonderland).

This relaxing imagery is enhanced by Schilter’s hushed vocals and Blue’s swirling guitar, which are guided by the rhythmic compass of beats sampled from Jarond Gibbs. Said the band of this release: “"Warm Glow" is not merely a song but a captivating experience—an invitation to let go of reality and immerse oneself in a world where timeless allure and modern indie elegance converge.”

Free-falling yet conscientious, “Warm Glow” illustrates the depth of Nice Wave’s potential.

Watch the music video for “Warm Glow” below.

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Nice Wave

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Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Maryze and Skyler Cocco Release Sparkling New Cover of “COOL”

“COOL” by Maryze and Skyler Cocco

“COOL” by Gwen Stefani might just be one of my absolute favourite songs in the whole world, so it was nothing short of delightful to hear that Montreal talent Maryze released their own version on Wednesday. At the same time, it’s not an easy task to re-capture such magic. All too often with covers, the listener will yearn for a tasteful rendition only to be let down and left with a tarnished vision. 

But, luckily for you and me, this is not the case – Maryze and LA-based artist Skyler Cocco have teamed up to combine their vocal talents with bold stylistic choices. Their take on “COOL” is a delight for the ears, self-described as a “modernized sapphic version with an 80s nostalgic feel” while being so much more than that. It is easy to over-80s a song, which can make it feel corny, inauthentic, and hard to listen to, but this cover captures the essence of the decade and of Stefani’s yearning to maximize a vibe that is truly timeless.  

Of the single, Maryze states: 

“There’s something about “COOL” that always felt evocative to me. It wasn’t necessarily Gwen’s biggest hit, but the melancholy of a past relationship that didn’t go up in flames – where there’s still a lot of sweetness, even if things didn’t work out – always rang true to me. I was inspired to do a cover and Skyler was at the top of my list to collab with! We’d had a couple studio sessions so I knew our vocal tones blended well and that her production had a super polished 80s feel.”

The cover was created by a fully female team, performed by Skyler and Maryze while being produced, mixed and mastered by Skyler herself. The release follows Maryze’s French dance-pop success “Langue,” which went viral on Instagram and TikTok and gained her 25k new followers. The “COOL” visualizer, directed by Priscilla Mars, is out today and I’ve already had a special glimpse. The soft, warm colours allow you to be swept off to an 80s pop dreamscape. Watch and enjoy!

Regardless of whether this is your first introduction to “COOL,” or whether you’re curious for a new spin on a well-known song, let the harmonies of Maryze and Skyler Cocco take you on an emotional experience.

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Maryze

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | TikTok

Skyler Cocco

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Minou (she/her) is part of the core editorial team at Also Cool Mag. She is an artist and newly-passionate writer based in Montreal. You can check out her beaded art on Instagram and her website.

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PREMIERE: Night Lunch Trashes Post-Breakup Blues in "Junkyard of Love" (Music Video)

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Night Lunch by Aabid Youssef

Suitcases packed for their SXSW debut, Montreal misfit pop entourage Night Lunch unveils their new music video for “Junkyard of Love.” Coming off the band’s 2023 sophomore album Fire in the Rose Garden, “Junkyard of Love” is a gritty reimagining of the Brill Building ballad for today’s broken-hearted. 

On “Junkyard of Love,” Night Lunch frontman and music video star Lukie Lovechild shares “‘Junkyard of Love’ is a song about loneliness and isolation. Cannon fire says just how silly we can be, planting us firmly as the butt of the joke.” 

The prescription for coping with a dying flame is different from person to person. Some indulge at the bar of a local watering hole, take up ping pong, or find themselves in the depths of Reddit rabbit holes in the middle of the night. For Night Lunch, a cynical personification being “down in the dumps” in their oddball Phil Osborne (Osborne Oddities) cut depicts Lovechild as a lover scorned, wrestling with stinging bruises in a psychedelic scrap yard. 

Watch the premiere of Night Lunch’s “Junkyard of Love” below!

Director Phil Osoborne on “Junkyard of Love”:

“Lukie gave me some footage that he and Marlee shot in a junkyard. I edited what I thought were the best parts then did some rotoscoping of Lukie over the footage using a computer screen as my rotoscope machine. Going frame by frame with paper on the screen, tracing him playing guitar or dancing. These parts were inspired by Rick Raxlen's animations. Then I decided to improvise some more animation based on what is said in the lyrics, including some junkyard-type creatures such as a love tank shooting hearts out of its eyes. All drawings were done using sharpies on 8.5” by 11” paper. At least 600 drawings in total.”

Catch Night Lunch on tour across the USA & Canada this spring:

March 12th, 2024 - Austin, TX @ SXSW (Swan Dive)
April 19th, 2024 - Québec City, QC @ Le Pantoum
May 10th, 2024 - Sainte-Thérèse, QC @ Santa Teresa

Night Lunch

Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple | Youtube 

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, and a radio host & DJ.

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Maryze and Morganne Create a Raunchy Queer Paradise with "Langue"

Maryze and Morganne in the “Langue” music video

Montreal’s stormy-sweet popstar Maryze has embarked on a spicy new chapter, teaming up with LA’s Morganne to drop the irresistible queer banger that is "Langue".

The two viral artists first connected on TikTok in 2021, forging an online friendship before meeting in LA in the spring of 2023 for writing and recording sessions. Together with Montreal producer (and Maryze’s longtime collaborator) Solomon K-I, the trio concocted an indulgent dance pop single about exploring queer identity. Maryze and Morganne deliver their flirtations with an edge, transcending linguistic barriers by imploring their crush to get raw and risqué: “J’aime la façon que tu parles / Même si le sens est flou / Watching the sounds leave your mouth / Et je tombe à genoux.” “Langue” plummets the listener into a descriptive fantasy.

Maryze by Lindsay Blane

Morganne by Max Rubin

Thanks to its alluring bilingual edge and pulsating composition, “Langue” has already enjoyed an impressive organic reach, charming audiences across borders and oceans. Maryze and Morganne have solidified their collab’s potency with a strong social strategy, shooting content in Paris, Montreal, Chicago, and LA, and it has paid off immensely – garnering praise from legendary hitmaker Bonnie McKee and THE Duolingo owl himself.

To complement their vision for “Langue,” Maryze and Morganne teamed up with LA cinematographer Priscilla Mars to produce the single’s provocative music video. The two artists and their pals team up for a debaucherous romp, flexing their chemistry under hedonistic red lights, marking the cherry on top of an infectious creative collaboration.

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Maryze

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | TikTok

Morganne

Instagram | Spotify | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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D.Blavatsky’s New Single “FUK” Provides a Jaw-Clenching and Purifying Experience

D.Blavatsky by Feng Ish

Raw, tormenting, and cathartic – just some of the terms one might use when describing Montreal-based DJ, producer, and artist D.Blavatsky’s newest release “FUK.” This single emerges as part of their forthcoming album YOUR CHOICE, which will be released on November 11. Its inception stems from the symbiosis of D’s experience with the Calgary punk scene in their teen years, their active role in the Montreal electronic music scene, and the acute solitary reality of the pandemic years spent in their parents’ basement recording music.

From the fragmentary nature of the music video to the album’s themes of longing and desire, my conversation with D last week provides a glimpse of their complex artistic identity. 

From a Calgary goth-punk band vocalist-drum-machinist to an established Montreal DJ

D’s musical origins are rooted in the Calgary noise-punk scene, which they became part of during their teenage years. They explained that the “...big shifts [happened] when [they] started hosting a show at CJSW,” a local college radio station. From there, their musical interest intensified, and began shifting away from punk, noise, and instrumental productions to more electronic ones.

Another memorable moment stems from when they were 19 and formed a band, Torture Team, with three of their best friends. Torture Team was a goth-punk band, and D played the drum machine and served as the vocalist. They released one self-titled tape. As they spoke about it, D’s eyes were twinkling: “I really, really recommend that everyone is in a band at least once in their life,” they explained. “That was a really special time in my life. I look back on it with a lot of love and gratitude.”

A year later, they would arrive in Montreal with two of their bandmates, a move that would mark a turning point in their artistic and musical career.

D.Blavatsky by Feng Ish

“It was once I created the single “FUK” that I realized everything I had created previously was completely beside the point of what I was trying to do. And I scrapped that entire album.”

D began writing and creating the single “FUK” about three years ago. At that point, they had completed a draft of the whole album, composed of 15 pieces, which they discarded when they finalized the single that changed their vision of the album as a whole. The song, which was “mostly just a mistake,” as they explained, led to profound revelations.  “[I realized] that this is what I’m trying to communicate…I just felt very close to the language I [was] trying to create.”

“But this track really changed everything for me, because so much of this album was a learning curve of me just learning how to use digital production tools.”

This track was a turning point in D’s creative process in making the album. “I just felt inspired in a different way,” they explained. Throughout the album creation process, they began to move away from hardware production to digital, Ableton production. Their intentions also shifted: in the first version of the album, they said they felt that they were catering to some kind of audience or in a way they “had to,” so that it might appear more palatable.

But in creating “FUK,” they ruptured these mental standards. “[It] was a very pivotal moment, because it really showed me that it’s like, ‘okay, you can communicate.’” Going further, they explained that, as an artist, it is generally expected that you are “...reflecting on what perspective [you are] trying to communicate," or asking yourself why you are unique. Yet this kind of thinking doesn’t fit with their artistic process or experience. “This idea of creating a timeless work of art… I never cared about that. If my work doesn't necessarily age well within the broader cultural landscape, that's beside the point for me. I'm just trying to communicate something somehow.”

“Yeah, and “FUK” really just was like, holy shit. ‘I can do it.’ I think it was just really reaffirming…this track just embodies everything…I have something that I want to say and express.”

The creation is representative of a particular time – much of it was developed during the pandemic. The single–and, more broadly speaking, the album–seek to illustrate the complexity of desire, longing, and vulnerability within capitalist structures. On a more personal level, the works represented an exploration of a certain vulnerability they previously struggled to express.

Over a period of two years, D barely saw anyone – they said it was about eight months after they had burrowed themselves in their parents’ basement that they saw someone outside for the first time. And yet, this period of solitude was also a transformative moment for them: “The pandemic and this album was very much a metamorphosis for me, who I was when I made it.”

“[YOUR CHOICE is] about longing,  it's about desires in the most primal sense, like sexual desire, physical desire […] I'm getting my head nailed into the wall.”

D.Blavatsky by Feng Ish

Vocals, digital music, and a stream of consciousness

When listening to “FUK,” one element that grasps the listener are the vocals. Blending into the digital components of the song, one feels drawn into the destabilizing and intimately vulnerable mood that the vocals embellish. When I was preparing my interview questions, one of the things I was curious about was the intentions behind incorporating vocals, something which, unlike other genres, is not so common in experimental electronic music.

To begin, there is the process of creating the very content of the vocals. “FUK,” along with other songs on the album, often involves deciphering gibberish – quite literally. D explained to me that what they often do, including for this single, is “...create scratch vocals where [they] play around with cadence and syllables and tempo” of a digital production. “[I] just say random gibberish. And then I record that and then try to decipher the gibberish itself.”

When creating the song in their parents’ basement, they could never sing the vocals as loudly as would be featured in the final version. The final recording ended up happening in the studio of their good friend Keïta Saint, a producer and voice engineer, living in NDG. In a single, last-minute take before the curfew of noise complaints, the vocals were recorded: describing the moment of the recording, they explained that “...you could feel the static in the room.” D offered to do another take, but “...Keïta was just like ‘no, this is fucking it, you will never get a better take.’”

The music video accompanying “FUK” has its own story. D’s vision of the video was first situated in a cave: running through a cave, feeling claustrophobic, with a light constantly out of reach. Yet as they needed to adapt to the environment they were in, director Axel Zavala helped create a video that translated D’s vision with the single.

The creation itself went by fast. Axel, who had been working on other projects, connected with D right before they headed back to Montreal. In just two days, they went into the woods in the night, armed with a GoPro and camcorder. With ten hours of footage, they were able to create a visual embodiment of the disorienting and stimulating nature of the piece.

Montreal, the rave scene, and moving forward

Throughout our conversation, it was clear that the Montreal electronic music scene continues to significantly influence D’s art – both as a producer and DJ. Being a raver has been a consistent and essential part of who they are. “[Raving] has pretty much been my life for the last five years… it is the primary way that I develop social relationships with people, and that I maintain the social relationships I have… [it’s] a sense of connection and expression.”

Once D arrived in Montreal and became involved with the collective Cyberia, something of a community became evident to them. Whereas a mix of social anxiety and dysphoria had made their teen years unstable and difficult, the engagement they have found in Montreal’s rave scene has been a way to come to appreciate and validate themself. “I learned how to celebrate my body. And I learned all of the beautiful things that my body could do for me and how to express [myself] and be present. I think that was [about] being present in my body in a positive way, in a way of celebration.”

YOUR CHOICE by D.Blavatsky

Moving forward, they look forward to continuing as a DJ, producer, and organizer in the Montreal electronic music scene. After living through the metamorphosis of the pandemic as well as visiting some Europe’s techno hotspots, D explained that they came to understand that Montreal has something special that they hadn’t seen elsewhere. “I think one of the biggest faults of our creative realms here is just how much people take it for granted.”

This upcoming album release is far from being their only project in the works. In just one week, they are hosting RIP VAULT for Halloween weekend, which will feature a myriad of local DJs. After releasing YOUR CHOICE on November 11, they hope to get working on the next one right away, which would ideally be released by next summer. 

Although the Montreal electronic music scene was deeply rocked by the pandemic, it is coming out of it in new and unpredictable ways – and D.Blavatsky is sure to have a role in the way it will transform itself. Whether in terms of the music they release or the infamous raves they organize, their impact on the community is here to stay.

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D.BLAVATSKY

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | SoundCloud

Soline Van de Moortele is a tenant rights advocate, insatiable raver, and full-time griever.

A Grieving Girl Blog

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La Sécurité Ignites the Boulevard with Debut Album "Stay Safe!" (Mothland)

La Sécurité by Aabid Youssef

With their highly-anticipated debut album waiting in the wings, La Sécurité is ready to cause some commotion. The Montreal art-punk group shares Stay Safe! tomorrow via Mothland – a record consisting of ten electrifying tunes united in their skittish asymmetry.

The musicians that form La Sécurité are no strangers to the scene, having charmed countless audiences through other projects like Choses Sauvages and Silver Dapple, but operating within this collective keeps each member on their toes. From the arresting synths of debut track “Suspens” to the domineering bassline of “Serpent”, the band has set a standard of heightened sonic volatility, and the remainder of the record continues that thrill. Stay Safe! provokes the senses with its bilingual musings and jagged new-wave arrangements, traversing between subjects like flirtation and bodily autonomy with the same crafty cool. Expect to strut to zigzagging guitars, commanding rhythms, and a sprinkle of woodblocks.

A few weeks before the release of Stay Safe!, vocalist Éliane Viens-Synnott connected with Also Cool to reflect on the final touches and tease the summer adventures ahead.

La Sécurité by Aabid Youssef

Rebecca Judd for Also Cool Mag: This new single “Serpent” is peppy with a punch. I love the effortlessness of its undercut, how it captures the messiness of catty gossip with such breezy disco flair. This is a broader balance you strike within your forthcoming album as well: this determination to be both lyrically and instrumentally bold, scratching many different surfaces and thriving in the madness. How did the development of “Serpents” fit into Stay Safe!’s creative process?

Éliane Viens-Synnott of La Sécurité: It came about in a pretty organic way. [Drummer] Kenny [Smith] started doing that funky beat, just joking around during a practice, and [bassist and producer] Félix [Bélisle] kinda whipped out that super groovy bassline! We noodled around with the rest, keeping in mind the more dancey side of our art-punk influences (Maximum Joy and ESG, to name a few) without wanting to rip anyone off, of course. I thought it was fitting for some lyrics I had already written. I didn't want the song to be emo or dramatic or anything – just a friendly little jab!

Also Cool: The video for “Serpent” is frenzied and lighthearted, capturing everything from Sonic to South by Southwest. Your videos notoriously stay true to your sound, feeling lo-fi yet descriptive. Does the band have a particular approach to concocting music videos, or was this one just as simple as a glitch?

La Sécurité: Pretty simple, yeah! Since we kinda established that DIY/VHS approach with our first videos, we thought it was a nice direction to continue in. It's a way to keep a natural, sort-of intimate-feeling approach, highlighting good times that we have spent together as friends and bandmates.

AC: As the video shows, La Sécurité recently played SXSW, which feels like a significant milestone given your first show at DISTORSION was six months ago. Can you share more about your experience in Texas and what you took from it?

LS: Yeah, what a ride that was. Even having our first show at DISTORSION was kind of unreal! We were pretty curious to see if there would be any buzz at all outside of the comfort of our MTL scene, and I guess the short answer to that question is yes! We met many awesome people and our shows felt pretty electric. Playing six shows in a week definitely helped us weld our dynamic on- and off-stage together.

AC: Stay Safe! comes out on June 16, and you’ve teased that your debut will be “quite pleasing, even to unsuspecting eardrums”. Without giving too much away, what kinds of experimentation made the final cut?

LS: Well, there is one unexpected surprise I'm excited to share. I guess the one hint I'm willing to share is: 90s prom night vibes, haha. Once you hear it, you'll get it. Besides that, expect more songs along the same lines as what you've been hearing so far. They each have their unique touch, but somehow all belong together.

AC: Festival season is afoot… surely there are some plans up your sleeve. What does this summer look like for La Sécurité?

LS: Looking good! In June, we are hitting up FLOURISH Festival in New Brunswick, followed by a show in Québec City with our friends Jesuslesfilles (which [guitarist] Melissa [Di Menna] also plays in)! Then we head to Calgary for Sled Island, and in July we are doing La Noce in Saguenay as well as Le Festif in Baie-Saint-Paul. There are a few more dates that aren't announced yet, so it's a secret for now. Last but not least, we will be doing a record release show in Montreal at l'Esco! The date will be announced the day our record comes out.

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Stay Safe!

Out June 16, 2023 via Mothland

1. Le Kick

2. Dis-Moi

3. Anyway

4. Waiting For Kenny

5. Suspens

6. K9

7. Serpent

8. Try Again

9. Hot Topic

10. Sleepy Rebellion

All songs written & performed by La Sécurité

Produced, recorded, and mixed by Samuel Gemme & Félix Bélisle

Mastered by Francis Ledoux

Artwork & layout by Melissa Di Menna

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La Sécurité

Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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PREMIERE: Montreal's Love Language Melts the Winter Blues with "Little Gardens"

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“Little Gardens” artwork by Heather Lynn

When in eastern Canada, daring to embrace the cold is part of one’s seasonal lifestyle. Here to warm us up from the inside, Montreal’s indie rock outfit Love Language premieres a double-feature single and video for “Little Gardens.”

Following the release of their lush 2021 EP Trying To Reach You, “Little Gardens” boasts a heavier and edgier sound for the band—bringing to life a jam-packed tour and bouncing from stage to stage in less than a year from their first show under an overpass in their hometown. Clad with fuzzy tones and a casual, yet spunky, delivery, “Little Gardens” aligns with Love Language being described as “the band that’s playing in the bar—that all the high school kids are somehow allowed into—in your favourite 90s teen movie.”

Recorded this past spring with Rene Wilson of Faith Healer, “Little Gardens” is one of the first songs written by the band after the release of their debut album. A charming outlier for being “peppery, alive and [not] taking itself too seriously,” the live setlist favourite teases a to-be-released EP, set to arrive in early 2023.

Love Language by Connory Ballantyne

On “Little Gardens”, Love Language shares: “It's a song about two people navigating the world at different paces, desperately wanting a connection only to realize that the other person may as well be floating somewhere out in the solar system.”

Accompanying “Little Gardens” is a rosy music video, shot by the band on Super8, charting their voyage to Sled Island and New York City this past summer.

So, consider “Little Gardens” an ear-worm for your winter funk survival. Give it a spin (over and over) and watch the video below for an endless source of sunshine!

Pre-save “Little Gardens” before its official release on December 16th here!

Love Language
Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

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Maryze Drops Sinister New Music Video for "Emo" (Hot Tramp Records)

Still from “Emo” by Maryze

Spooky season has reached its peak, and Montreal’s alt-popstar Maryze is here to celebrate with a brand-new music video for “Emo”. The single first garnered nostalgic admiration upon the release of 8 — Maryze’s debut album, out earlier this year via Hot Tramp Records — for its torment and evocation, reminiscent of artists like Green Day and Avril Lavigne. With the release of this video, Maryze sculpts a queer love story turned horrifically upside-down.

Still from “Emo” by Maryze

The self-directed video begins with a tender honeymoon phase between Maryze and model/artist Brit Carpenter. The pair is depicted lounging on the bed and laughing through skateboarding lessons, entangled in the purity of infatuation. But their spark turns into a destructive flame, with angst and toxicity steering their relationship out of control and towards a bloody end.

Detailing the theories behind their grungy and dysfunctional nightmare, Maryze shared:

I always seek out queer representation in horror, so this music video is my little contribution. I also feel like queer narratives lack the nuance that straight relationships receive in film, so I wanted to portray all the sides of the story, from beautiful tender moments to scary unhealthy fights. The horror aspect is left pretty ambiguous and moves into a more experimental art direction. We set out to use horror devices to illustrate the toxicity of relationships without having any explicit on-screen violence. I wanted the viewer to be left asking: “who killed who?”

To fully realize her cinematic vision, Maryze created the video concept with horror screenwriter Joel H. Brewster. The visuals were shot by artist Janette King and edited by Solomon Krause-Imlach, who also produced the song.

With its gory and gruesome complexity, this depiction of “Emo” fits magically within Maryze’s universe of transcendence.

Watch the video for “Emo” below, and catch Maryze DJing at the M for Montreal after-party (co-presented by Hot Tramp and Also Cool)!

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Maryze

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

YouTube | Spotify | SoundCloud | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Janette King Sinks Into Self-Confidence with Euphoric New Video for "Ooh Yeah" (Hot Tramp Records)

Still from “Ooh Yeah” by Janette King

With less than a week until Valentine’s Day, songstress Janette King is paying intimate tribute to the ultimate lover – herself. The slinky and self-assured “Ooh Yeah”, off Janette’s debut EP What We Lost, is reborn with a liberated new music video.

“Ooh Yeah” sees Janette re-emerge with a deep admiration for all that she is worth, wrapping the listener in waves of inspiration to follow suit. Produced by GRAY, the song documents Janette’s journey into the realm of self-pleasure, offering a masterclass in putting yourself first and chasing your wildest dreams and greatest ambitions. “Ooh Yeah” elaborates on Janette’s unique concoction of R&B and woozy electronica, showcasing her vocal agility.

"'Ooh Yeah' is about breaking trauma patterns, "killing" your old self in order to be reborn into the greatest version of yourself,” Janette reflects on the track. “This idea of walking into a new sense of self came from the forced time alone due to the pandemic, where I was left to reflect and learn what my soul truly needs in order to feel whole.”

Still from “Ooh Yeah” by Janette King

In the new DIY-style video for “Ooh Yeah”, Janette and pals soak in the pleasures of indulgence, transcending through various states of euphoria. Between cupcakes, champagne and video games, the deeper meanings of solace are explored. The video is directed, shot, and edited by Alexandra B. and Elya M.

As Janette explains:

“These visuals are a celebration of joy. It’s a music video about what it means to feel good in one's own skin and not feeling shame when one enjoys that feeling. Liberating oneself from societal pressures and expressing one’s sexuality in whatever way it feels best. It’s about self-pleasure, love, community and independence.”

Watch the video for “Ooh Yeah” below!

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Janette King

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Twitter | Facebook

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez Looks at Longing Head-On with New Video for “40 Days”

Still of Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez in “40 Days,” directed by Sofia Geld

The opening bars of Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez’s “40 Days” invoke a familiar feeling of all-consuming loneliness. From its first moments of gentle piano and haunting vocals, you are pulled into the Brooklyn-based singer’s personal experience of deep solitude and recovery. 

Released in May 2021, “40 Days” is just one of several emotionally-resonating songs off the singer’s debut album If They’re Mine. On this track, Sokolov-Gonzalez explores themes of longing. Her lyrics “I dreamed of you for forty nights and forty days” lament not being ready, or able, to let go of a version of yourself that no longer serves you. 

Still of Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez in “40 Days,” directed by Sofia Geld

While the song alone packs a heavy emotional punch, the experience is heightened by the captivating visuals of the recently-released music video. Premiered in December and directed by Sofia Geld, the video paints a visceral picture of Sokolov-Gonzalez’s experience, as she embodies the feelings of longing that inspire this track.

As “40 Days” opens on a decidedly-desolate note, it establishes shots of an empty home that feels silent and heavy with dust, emphasizing the feeling of something missing. Shots of body parts, belonging to Sokolov-Gonzalez and her backup dancers, appear fragmented on-screen as an instrumental transition shifts upwards; this suggests that though something is over, it is now time to pick up the pieces. 

Still of Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez in “40 Days,” directed by Sofia Geld

Just as the viewer sinks into a comfortable feeling of melancholy, the arrival of layered drum, bass and keyboard, as well as the introduction of Sokolov-Gonzalez’s vocals, transform the love-sick ballad into a much needed pick-me-up. 

Sokolov-Gonzalez’s powerful voice, enriched by a layered harmony, creates a choral sound that is both invigorating and tender. That rich, soft sound is mirrored in the warm light that permeates so many moments in her video. Geld’s directional vision embodies the sound of “40 Days,” which can best be described as the euphoria of letting light into a dark room. 

Still of Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez in “40 Days,” directed by Sofia Geld

The focal point of this video is the body – namely, the physical manifestations of longing and solitude. Seemingly sequestered in a dark home that may be understood as symbolic of the singer's mind, we watch as she returns to her body and her feeling of self. It is in the repetitive movement of the hands and the erratic dancing of the backup singers that the audience is able to understand a powerful somatic experience that can’t be translated through lyrics alone. 

Everything about this project is deeply moving. The smooth R&B of “40 Days” makes for an anthem that will have you driving around the block a second time just to hear it again. Similarly, the world created in the accompanying music video will pull you into a dream-like state from which you will be reluctant to wake up. 

Watch the video for “40 Days” below!

Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez

Website | Instagram

Kate Addison

Website I Instagram

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PREMIERE: Nick Schofield Unveils Blissful Music Video for "Light and Space" (Forward Music Group)

Nick Schofield, shot by Christopher Honeywell

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of his sophomore LP Glass Gallery, Hull-based electroacoustic composer Nick Schofield aptly unveils the music video for his new track “Light and Space.” Composed entirely on a vintage Prophet-600 synthesizer, “Light and Space” is a meditative soundscape inspired by the dance between its namesake within the National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa.

On “Light and Space,” Schofield shares:

“This composition conveys a core sentiment that inspired the making of Glass Gallery - the sublime light that flows through the serene space of the National Gallery in Ottawa. I researched the Light and Space artistic movement and noticed that ideology of perceptual phenomena applied to the architecture of the gallery, especially how the glass structure frames the ever-changing natural light and environment. In a way, experiencing the light and space of the National Gallery showed me that the world can be framed as a work of art.”

Out today, the song’s accompanying music video captures Schofield’s notion of the everyday creative sanctuary. Shot on a ferry in British Columbia using a beloved point-and-shoot camera, the glimmering footage deconstructs Schofield’s surroundings, the ocean air, wind, waves and sparkling sunlight, into ethereal abstractions. On the video’s conceptualization, Schofield remarks: “In the song, crescendos of vintage synth chords and glistening arpeggios perfectly align with the fuzzy footage of water and waves, so it felt natural to pair them together.”

Watch the video for “Light and Space” below!

Nick Schofield
Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the co-founder and managing editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, radio host & DJ, and a musician.

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Scarlet Rae Shares Dreamy Music Video for "Seems Like Forever"

Scarlet by Jason Renaud

Waking up from a mid-day nap in the winter, getting lost on your way home from the metro, working too much and forgetting to make plans with your friends... The icy vulnerability of January requires a soundtrack that's just as emotionally heavy. Scarlet Rae's latest single, "Seems Like Forever," is the perfect addition to your hibernation playlists.

Scarlet is an independent artist originally from Los Angeles and now based in New York City. She was previously in a band called Rose Dorn (Bar/None Records) and has since launched her solo career with previous singles "Parachute" and "Going Through." Her tender approach to the singer-songwriter style will find fans among those of Cryogeyser, Momma, and waveform*.

Scarlet by Jason Renaud

"Seems Like Forever" is a preview of her upcoming album (set to be released later this year) and draws on inspiration from Elliot Smith, Bright Eyes, and Sparklehorse. 

The track is accompanied by a music video directed by @surfgang1 @harrrrisonnnn @isawdottie, and was mixed by @aron.kr and mastered by @timothystollenwerk.

Watch "Seems Like Forever" below

Scarlet Rae

Spotify I Instagram I YouTube

Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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Oxford Drama Tackle the Never-Ending Spiral of Being "Too Busy" in New Music Video

Too busy to see friends regularly, too busy for work-life balance, too busy for the gig tonight, too busy to buy groceries... it's all a little bit too much, all the time. If this sounds like you, you're not alone. It seems that we're all struggling to keep up with life now that the world has (sort of) opened up again. 

Although it may seem like everyone else has their lives together, they're probably just good at keeping a curated online presence. Our Polish pals Oxford Drama encapsulate this chaos energy perfectly in their music video for “Too Busy”, a single off their recent album What's The Deal With Time?

They offer the important reminder with their lyrics, "The world only stops when you tell it to" – something that all of us need to take to heart more often. Setting boundaries, being firm in self-care routines, and prioritizing physical and mental health are all things that can get pushed to the side with the easy excuse of being "too busy."

According to the band, “Too Busy” is an honest confession about an unhealthy start to the day when you compare to everyone and everything around you. It's also a fierce statement about getting your own life back after quitting an addictive spiral of who's got it better. And despite the appeal of all those apps, sometimes you're just too busy for more punches from the modern world. 

Watch “Too Busy” below & read our last interview with Oxford Drama here.

Oxford Drama

Bandcamp | Soundcloud | YouTube

Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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GG Love Release Montreal-Core Music Video for "Telephone"

GG Love has joined the pantheon of musicians with iconic telephone-themed tunes. Although far from the art-pop sound of Lady Gaga's popular communications-themed track, GG Love's Telephone is a softer, heartfelt melody. 

Despite the track's tenderness, the lyrics are firm in setting boundaries with a person from GG's past, who seems to have lost their number to the void and yet continues to try and reach out. It's one of many love-themed tunes from their latest album, "How Do You Define Love?" Check out our interview for their last release, It Could Still Be A Win here.

Telephone is accompanied by a very Montreal-core music video featuring the infamous train tracks, Jarry Park, and our unofficial workout group Pump Pump. Not only that, but there's also a whole choreographed dance routine featuring some very cool cowboy hats, a samurai, disco ball weights, and a banana phone. What more could you ask for?

Watch Telephone below

GG Love

Bandcamp I Spotify I Instagram

Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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