Also Cool's POP Montreal Top Picks: Round Two

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Jane Inc. by Shelby Fenlon

Our next round of POP Montreal 21st anniversary top picks has arrived! Listen along to our playlist below and discover some of our favourite artists from this year’s lineup taking over Montreal from September 28th to October 2nd!

Jane Inc. 

Toronto’s Jane Inc. (Carlyn Bezic) charms with parasocial pop. Between galactic rhythms, dreamy harmonies and Bezic’s meditations on the self, Jane Inc. dazzles with endearingly-alienating stage antics that you can dance to. Jane Inc. came on the scene first in 2021 with Number One (2021), a supercharged disco dissertation on capitalistic fragmentations of identity. Jane Inc.’s latest offering, Faster Than I Can Take, arrived earlier this year and shut down the possibility of Bezic resting on her laurels. Instead, Faster Than I Can Take boasted Bezic’s dexterity as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, with arrangements reminiscent of 1960s California pop with elements of 90s trance and Italo disco. 

Jane Inc. plays Ursa on Saturday, October 1st at 8:30PM. 

Jane Inc.

 Instagram | Bandcamp

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FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA via Bandcamp

FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA

To put it simply, Japanese sound and installation artist FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA (Yosuke Fujita) realizes the unexplored potential of ubiquitous sounds. Hailing from Yamanashi, Japan, the neo-classical drone musician and instrument builder mesmerizes audiences, performing unorthodox arrangements with peculiar tools. Notable examples include recorded water sounds from multiple aquariums and audio captured from black soldier fly maggots burrowing in soil. The former was brought forth on his 2020 LP iki, his first album in nine years. The work documents a ten-year-long exploration of a pipe organ that he built—and taught himself to play—without any prior knowledge of its inner workings. 

FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA plays St. James United Church on Sunday, October 2nd at 8:45 PM.

FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA

Instagram | Bandcamp

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Tiger Balme by Felice Trinidad

Tiger Balme 

Toronto indie outfit Tiger Balme plays POP Montreal in advance of their debut self-titled release, set to arrive later this fall. The four piece’s first offering “Saving Face” beams with lush undertones and whimsical embellishments like violin, vibraphone, harp and lulling harmonies. Without giving too much away, listen for a masterful musical shift and prepare to be wowed a second time. Trust us, this breakthrough track alone makes Tiger Balme an act to watch out for!

Tiger Balme plays Casa del Popolo on Thursday, September 29th at 9 PM. 

Tiger Balme

Website | Instagram

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The Linda Lindas by Zen Sekizawa

The Linda Lindas

Rounding out our next collection of top POP picks is none other than LA’s plucky punk outfit The Linda Lindas. Garnering praise from the likes of Kathleen Hanna and Carrie Brownstein, these teen sensations have customized Riot Grrrl stylings for a whole new generation. Their energetic album Growing Up channels a little bit of everything, highlighting the highs and lows of adolescence within the confines of a global pandemic. For a taste of what to expect, check out their viral performance of "Racist, Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library’s AAPI Heritage Month celebration in 2021.

The Linda Lindas play the Rialto Theatre on Thursday, September 29 at 7:30 PM.

The Linda Lindas

Instagram | Website | Bandcamp

POP Montreal

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Fake Palms, Faux Sommets X Maturin, Sahara, girlpuppy, and More: Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

We’ll admit it, fall is finally here… which means it’s time for another Playlist Refresh. We’ve been heavy into the shoegazey, post-punk tunes as always, but have also been feeling more emo than usual with our musical selections.

This Playlist Refresh includes a ton of Canadian content, including some Also Cool favourites as well as new discoveries of older releases. Whether you’re a fan of DIIV and Mazzy Star, or lo-fi beats to study to, we’ve got something you’ll be into.

As always, you can listen along via our Spotify playlist.

Fake Palms

Starting off with a staple to the Toronto garage rock scene, Fake Palms, have shared "Satellite," one of their recent singles off of their upcoming album Lemons. The project is helmed by Toronto-based artist Michael le Riche, with the new album set for release via Hand Drawn Dracula on September 16th. 

"Satellite" is sonically Magazine meets A Flock of Seagulls, surrounding a jagged guitar riff with an atypical rhythm section. The track is glitchy, post-punky tune, acting as a 'safe haven from doom scrolling.' Thematically, it tackles modern technologies, mob mentality and the spiral-inducing effect of social media.

Sahara by Camille Jodoin

Although not a new release, we’ve been listening to Sahara’s 2020 album Pure Glass pretty much on repeat since discovering their music through Tallies at FME. For fans of DIIV, Cleaners from Venus, and any shoegaze jangle-rock adjacent genres, you’ll be sure to find at least a track or two for your Fall playlist.

Released via Hand Drawn Dracula, the musical influences for the album began as 80’s New via The Chameleons and early Cure records, later becoming more influenced by 90s shoegaze bands like Ride and Chapterhouse.

“If there’s a common theme for this album it’s one of transformation. We moved from using a drum machine to having a live drummer and writing songs as a four-person group. Two of which were written during the year-long recording and mixing process. Our influences changed as well during this time.”

Standout tracks include “Chimes,” “Ash,” and “Warped Mirror.” Catch them opening for Keegan Powell with Fleur Electra at Monarch Tavern on September 16th.

Ducks Ltd. & Jane Inc.

One of our favourite bands of last year, Ducks Ltd., have collaborated with Jane Inc. for their latest release, "In Between Days" (a cover of The Cure's iconic track). It's the second instalment of their cover series entitled The Sincerest Form of Flattery. 

The track begins with a bass line and guitar riff that keeps with the Ducks Ltd. signature upbeat, bright guitar tones and punchy vocals from lead vocalist Tom McGreevy, with supporting vocals from Jane Inc. It displays the band's appreciation and mastery of 80s alt-rock, staying true to the era's nostalgic undertones and jangly instrumentation.

Speaking to the track, Tom McGreevy says, "Carlyn Bezic (aka Jane Inc.) has been a pal for maybe a decade and is one the best musicians in Toronto. I've seen her in so many bands, and it's been so cool to watch the Jane Inc project come together. PS: Someone told me once that Robert Smith only responds to emails one day per week, and it's always IN ALL CAPS. I have no idea if this is true, but I really want it to be. Also, please email me, Mr. Smith!"

Ducks Ltd. is touring with Disq in November and will be touring the UK in September.

girlpuppy by Brandon McClain

"Where did all my friends go? I want to be in there in two places, all at once." girlpuppy (aka Becca Harvey) goes straight for the emotional jugular with her latest track, "I Want To Be There." 

"I wrote 'I Want To Be There' about the pain I felt when my old landlord kicked me and three of my best friends out of our dream home, and all three of my roommates moved to New York," Harvey explains. "I was left all alone in Atlanta, and it was a really bad time for me. I was jobless, and I felt like I had no friends, which made me wonder what was wrong with me, which kind of made me spiral into self-hatred. I like to call this one the "self-hate anthem" of the album."

Her debut LP, When I'm Alone, was announced last month and was produced with Slow Pulp member Henry Stoehr and Alex G guitarist Sam Acchione. It will be out on October 28th on Royal Mountain Records (Wild Pink, Pillow Queens). 

Pilote by Faux Sommets X Maturin

Switching gears to a more mellow energy, we'd like to introduce Faux Sommets X Maturin. The project (which is a collaboration between Simon St-Louis and co-producer Maturin) combines experimental sounds with kosmische jazz sounds. Often instrumental, the music intentionally keeps the listener balanced between contemplation and stimulation, sensuality and vertigo.

Pilote, their debut EP, features eight songs that move between dreamlike, relaxing soundscapes and more upbeat dancey tunes. Standout tracks include "Maurice Dub" and "Perdure." If you're a fan of lo-fi beats to study to but want a bit more personality and creativity in your music, Pilote is a great listen start to finish. It's the kind of album that would make a great soundtrack for a summer evening or a cozy night at home.

You can catch Faux Sommets spinning at Bar le Système on September 28th from 10pm to 3am.

Rolls-Royce Choices via Hip Hope You Don’t Stop

Hip Hop You Don't Stop is back again this year with a wide range of excellent artists. One of our standout discoveries was the compilation mixtape Rolls-Royce Choices. 

Rolls-Royce Choices is "(...) that decision to order the perfect burger at the perfect time, or to cut your losses for the day and get outside. These are the right decisions that benefit us and those around us. In music, there are Rolls-Royce choices as well. Every song is created by making a series of musical decisions. 

This mixtape compiles twenty original songs written, performed and recorded by JJames Lyng High School students in their music classes during the 2021-2022 school year. This is the sixth release of student work released by Up Next Recordings, the school's in-house record label."

On Saturday September 17th, HHYDS joins forces with several community initiatives for a night of performances and video premieres called CRL: Community Request Live (after the 90s and 00s phenomenon Total Request Live), co-presented by CJLO 1690AM. One of the videos being premiered is the music video to "Rolls-Royce Choices", by Jahdella and Shayah.

Our Playlist Refresh series is available in full on Spotify, refreshed every other week.

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Sounds Cool 2021 (Also Cool’s Top Albums)

Illustration by Malaika Astorga

Once again, music has unsurprisingly gotten us through the year. Throughout the whirlwind of 2021, we here at Also Cool were lucky enough to discover a range of compelling releases across a spectrum of genres. What unites these projects is their radiance, their ability to captivate us through trials and triumphs and be a constant when seemingly nothing else was. In no particular order (except alphabetical), we’ve compiled a mix of stand-outs from our 2021 favourites. 

If you haven’t been introduced to these artists via our music section or radio shows on N10.AS and FSR, take a listen to our year in review. There’s something here for everyone, and maybe you’ll see one of your friends here, too – spread the love and send them this article to tell them that they are indeed also cool.  

We’d like to extend our gratitude to all the artists on this list for keeping us company through the last year. Our listening habits have been elevated and comforted by these selections, and we’re looking forward to what’s in store from here and beyond in 2022.

Whether experienced in-person during the brief resurgence of live music, or in solitude weathering out your headphones, here’s to music for filling the void in the best way possible. 

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Sounds Cool 2021 (Also Cool’s Top Albums)

Ada Lea - one hand on the steering wheel, the other sewing a garden (Next Door Records / Saddle Creek)

Interview with Ada Lea by Malaika Astorga (October 21st, 2021) 

“The introspective folk/pop songs walk with you through the process of finding your identity and losing it again to someone who's not worth it, daydreaming about life in other cities, and wondering when to go home again.”

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BACKXWASH - I LIE HERE BURIED WITH MY RINGS AND MY DRESSES (Ugly Hag Records)

Interview with Backxwash by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter and Rebecca L. Judd (June 20th, 2021)

“With I Lie Here, BACKXWASH claims her title as contemporary hip-hop’s greatest force to be reckoned with, and we are celebrating her reign.”

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Bnny - Everything (Fire Talk)

Interview with Bnny by Malaika Astorga (August 20th, 2021)

“Written in sessions that span several years by singer Jess Viscius as she processed the death of her partner, the album is a chronicle of love at its most complex and loss at its most persistent.”

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Clairo - Sling (FADER)

“On her second album, reluctant Gen Z ambassador Clairo turns back the clock, embracing classic touchstones of 1970s folk.” — Cat Zhang, Pitchfork

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Das Beat - Identität (Arbutus Records)

Interview with Das Beat by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (June 3rd, 2021) 

“In four flawless tracks outfitted with celestial atmospheres and pulsating undercurrents, Identität offers a dioramic perspective of the couple’s intimate creative dynamics, backdropped with the essence of Berlin’s esoteric nightlife.”

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Dish Pit - DIPSHIT (Self-Released)

“Following the sudden closure of their record label, Montreal-based DISHPIT's long-delayed debut album is finally seeing the light of day as the band begins working on the follow-up. DIPSHIT — recorded with veteran producer Steve Albini — unleashes a devastation of post-punk and lo-fi grunge upon the world.” — Matt Owczarz, Exclaim!

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Dorothea Paas - Anything Can’t Happen (Telephone Explosion)

Interview with Dorothea Pass by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (May 7th, 2021)

“On her new LP Anything Can’t Happen, Paas illuminates how she came to define success as encountering and reconciling self-discovery through her work, all while establishing growth on her own terms.”

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Ducks Ltd. - Modern Fiction (Royal Mountain)

Interview with Ducks Ltd. by Malaika Astorga (August 17th, 2021) 

“Toronto's Ducks Ltd.'s new single How Lonely Are You? is the perfect soundtrack for your mildly existential end-of-summer playlist.”

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Hildegard - Hildegard (Chivi Chivi / Section1)

Interview with Hildegard by Malaika Astorga (June 8th, 2021)

“Their debut record has been described as the result of merging their identities, coupled with a complete loss of ego. The result is a beautiful and experimental eight-track experience, documenting the creative bond they share.”

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Jane Inc. - Number One (Telephone Explosion)

Interview with Jane Inc. by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter 

“Building off samples, break-beats and Ableton tutorials, Jane Inc.’s debut Number One serves as a reminder that Bezic is no one-trick-pony.”

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Kekko - Dreaming Life (Spirit Goth Records) 
Interview with Kekko by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter

“If not already evident by the band’s namesake —which combines the last names of the husband and wife duo, Tim Kek and Cherie Ko— Kek’s lush atmospherics intertwined with Ko’s ethereal vocals manifest a radiance unique to a soulmate connection.”

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kolenżanka - Place Is (Bar/None)

Interview with kolenżanka by Malaika Astorga (June 16th, 2021)

“To leave an old life behind and begin a new one is an anxiety-inducing and transformative process that Phoenix-born and NYC-based singer kolenżanka has mastered.”

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L’Impératrice - Tako Tsubo (microqlima)

Interview with L’Impératrice by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (May 22nd, 2021)

“L’Impératrice’s latest venture is a shimmering think-piece on life’s ever-perplexing phenomenon of broken-heart syndrome, which derived from the name Tako Tsubo (meaning “octopus trap” in Japanese).”

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Magi Merlin - Drug Music (Self-Released)

Magi Merlin “Mock Meat” review by Malaika Astorga (February 23rd, 2021) 

“A little spooky, a little bit sultry, Magi Merlin's "Mock Meat" draws you in with textured sounds and silky vocals.”

Magi Merlin Drug Music premiere by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (March 5th, 2021) 

“Throughout Drug Music, Magi Merlin owns her truth between entrancing beats and smokey basslines, while getting hot and heavy with lush vocal harmonies and a playful raspiness.”

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May Rio - Easy Bammer (Dots Per Inch)

Interview with May Rio by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (June 22nd, 2021) 

“Much like its origin story, May Rio’s Easy Bammer documents and celebrates the romantic unexpectedness of everyday life.”

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Motorists - Surrounded (Bobo Integral / We Are Time / Debt Offensive)

Interview with Motorists by Malaika Astorga (September 16th, 2021) 

“Comparable to various eras of punk, jangle rock, and mid-2000s Canadian indie rock, Motorists express their struggles with isolation by pairing a post-punk vocal tone with optimistic and upbeat melodies.”

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New Chance - Real Time (We Are Time) 
Interview with New Chance by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (July 28th, 2021) 

“On her latest offering Real Time, Cheong brings her reflections on nature’s abstract cycles to the forefront, between spellbinding textures and an eclectic sampling of everything from Calypso percussion to a sunrise rooster crow.”

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Ouri - Frame of a Fauna (Born Twice / Lighter Than Air) 
Interview with Ouri by Rebecca L. Judd (October 30th, 2021) 

“Marking the latest notch in Ouri’s belt, Frame of a Fauna carefully wields experimental and classical curiosities to seek deeper truths between the bars.”

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Oxford Drama - What’s The Deal With Time? (Self-Released)

Interview with Oxford Drama by Rebecca L. Judd (July 7th, 2021)

“Inspired by the never-ending mazes of modern technology and society, the duo – consisting of Małgorzata Dryjanska and Marcin Mrówka – transforms crushing emotions and uncertainties into a musical experience that transcends the turmoil.”

Oxford Drama “Too Busy” video premiere by Malaika Astorga (December 9th, 2021)

“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?”

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PACKS - Take The Cake (Royal Mountain / Fire Talk) 

Interview with PACKS by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (May 17th, 2021) 

“Toronto’s PACKS are filling an indie-rock void with their sound that is equal parts laid-back and jangly, while also sophisticatedly pensive and bright.”

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PinkPantheress - to hell with it (Parlophone) 

“The 20-year-old UK producer broke out on TikTok with snippet-sized songs that ache with nostalgia for the recent past. Her intimate, lived-in music succeeds where cheaper imitations fail.” — Arielle Gordon, Pitchfork

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Yves Tumor - The Asymptotical World (Warp Records) 

“Even on a brief EP, Yves Tumor’s prismatic world seems to get bigger as it mutates into certain conventions of goth rock, dream pop, and shoegaze.” — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork

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Listen to our year in review below!

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In Conversation: Carlyn Bezic Talks Taking Up Space On and Offline with New Project Jane Inc

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Jane Inc by Andrew McGill

What role do you play in today’s social media rat-race? Are you an observer (always monitoring, never posting); a creator (sharing content related to you and your interests); a critic (engaging with and commenting on said content), or; a luddite, in the sense that you’re disenchanted altogether and logged off (and out) forever? Whatever your involvement in whichever form of feed Discourse™, one’s stance on social media translates as a fraction of the self — sometimes, in more ways than one — across online spaces. These curated extensions of the self are of particular interest to Toronto musician Carlyn Bezic, and are given centre-stage in her new solo project, Jane Inc. 

Known for her involvement in acts like Ice Cream, Darlene Shrugg and as a touring member of US Girls, Bezic realizes years worth of side-gigged musical experimentation as Jane Inc. Building off samples, break-beats and Ableton tutorials, Jane Inc’s debut Number One is out on Telephone Explosion Records March 19th, and serves as a reminder that Bezic is no one-trick-pony. 

What started as layering bass, guitar, synth, and vocals on top of drum breaks and samples has now transformed into the dance-machine that is Jane Inc, with Bezic as its ring-leader. With the help of recruited support from Toronto recording engineer and stalwart Steve Chahley (Badge Epoque Ensemble, US Girls, Ben Stevenson) to coproduce, the duo recorded live drums performed by Evan J. Cartwright (US Girls, Tasseomancy), saxophone by Nick Dourado (BUDi Band, Aquakultre, Fiver) and wurlitzer by Scott Harwood (Scott Hardware) to marry Bezic’s hypnotic, cyber reveries and glittering grooves.

Leading up to her release, I got the chance to chat with Bezic on taking the reins with her latest musical venture, and how she dissects the tensions between the self and the ills of today’s digital climate on her anticipated release Number One.

To open our conversation, Bezic tells me about the origin of Jane Inc, which she explains was inspired by stringing together a myriad of concepts. “The name was born out of a few things. My middle name is Jane, so it’s kind of about me in a way. But, I also liked Jane as in, Jane Doe… Someone who is a blank ‘woman’ figure. ‘Inc’ also plays on my approach to the writing and recording process, where I thought of [the project] as my own little company where I’m playing a bunch of different roles, you know?” 

Bezic elaborates on the shapeshifting quality of Jane Inc, asserting that it’s personified more as an artistic mindset, rather than a traditional alter-ego. “[Jane Inc] is like a mental trick. It was helpful for me to view, say, a baseline as something other than a direct reflection of me — Carlyn, as a human being — that supposedly expresses to you exactly who I am. This framework was informed by an explicit exploration of how what you do online creates a new being removed from reality — which can be both liberating and also terrifying.” 

From here, our conversation shifts onto the topic of how artists in particular struggle to exist, both in relation to survival and relevancy, without having some kind of online presence. Noticing Bezic comments on this in her songwriting, I ask her how she navigates the difficult position of wanting to be critical of this phenomenon, while also having to be complicit in it. 

Sighing in a way that feels relatable, despite the lag of our Zoom call, Bezic states: “I mean, I find it to be a real mind-fuck.” 

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Jane Inc by Andrew McGill

“The way I personally engage with the Internet isn’t very healthy, I think. I’m 100% addicted to the Internet, even though I know it’s really insidious. I’ve been experimenting with posting more and showing myself, which feels strange and disingenuous because our engagement habits are so intrinsic to our perceived empowerment. When this is tied to the thing you’re creating… it becomes even more complicated. [My music] isn’t then just an extension of who I am as a person, but also a product, and I become its advertisement — even though I’m just a human being. It’s inescapable because it is so essential for my job, and I’d rather have some control over how I am perceived by handling my social media presence myself.” Continuing on this notion of how she remains purposeful in navigating the maze of social media, Bezic comments: 

“Intentionally taking up online space represents a growth for me. I’m trying to be more comfortable sharing [my music] and being myself, and it feels similar to what it would be like in real life and during a performance. That being said, when I think about it deeply, this comes at the expense of commodifying myself and the art that I’m making. So, like I said, it really is a necessary beast.” 

Through listening to her teaser tracks from Number One, I noticed Bezic’s lyrics air her frustrations with the physical world in parallel with her commentary on social media. Her single “Steel” struck me as an observation on how identity is manufactured by our physical surroundings; through mundane, daily activities. I was curious to know if the sentiment I was picking up on was informed by Bezic’s experiences with the fast-paced rhythm of Toronto.

“Toronto is a city that hates creative people. We are also seeing in a really real and horrifying way how it also hates low-income people, unhoused people and racialized people. [‘Steel’] was born out of a very complicated relationship I have with Toronto, as I grew up here and have lived here the majority of my life. Though Toronto has a very strong [arts] community and is full of creative people, its bureaucratic, big city energy doesn’t allow for any sustainability. It hates itself. Even before the pandemic, I felt like I had no energy. The city was never giving me energy. Everyone is working to live, or living to work, the places [we] love are closing down and rents are skyrocketing. You know, the same old story as everywhere else. The opportunity keeps on getting smaller and smaller,” Bezic laments. 

Bezic’s outlook took an upward turn towards the end of our interview, where she told me about looking ahead and her plans for the future. 

“Though I complain that Toronto sucks, there are a lot of musicians here who really inspire me and push me forward. I am excited, and feel lucky to have collaborated with them [on this record]. I’m looking forward to eventually having a band at some point and figuring out a nice little setup for doing livestreams or something lowkey. Other than that, I’m already writing the next album, which I’m hoping to release in the next year.” 

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Jane Inc by Andrew McGill

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NUMBER ONE

Out via Telephone Explosion Records on March 19, 2021

1. Gem
2. Steel
3. Faceless, Bodiless
4. Dirt and The Earth
5. Bloom Becomes Me
6. My Oldest Friend
7. His, Mine
8. Obliterated

All songs written and performed by Carlyn Bezic

Drums and Vermona by Evan J. Cartwright
Saxophone on "Bloom Becomes Me" by Nick Dourado
Wurlitzer on "Faceless, Bodiless" by Scott Hardware
Mixed by Steve Chahley and Anthony Nemet
Produced by Steve Chahley and Carlyn Bezic
Toronto, 2020

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Jane Inc

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

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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