2023 in Review (Also Cool's Top Albums)

2023 in Review - Also Cool’s Top Albums

Listen along with the official Sounds Cool 2023 playlist!

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100 gecs - 10,000 gecs

100 gecs - 10,000 gecs (Dog Show, Atlantic Records)

Can an album be both cohesive and chaotic? 100 gecs defend their reign as hyperpop harbingers, bringing feral music into the mainstream. Starting off strong with a THX sample, “Dumbest Girl Alive” screams into the void with relatable–yet questionable–choices, like texting people back that you should probably leave on read. 

The throughline is glitchy, punky, technicoloured rage, sometimes with an in-your-face attitude, and sometimes more laissez-faire. “757” is a barrage of party-anthem lyrics, while “The Most Wanted Person in the United States” gives more of a “I guess I’m a serial killer or something” attitude.

Overall great listen if you’re okay with being overstimulated. Read our review of their show with Machine Girl here.

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Alice Longyu Gao - Let’s Hope Heteros Fail, Learn, and Retire

Alice Longyu Gao - Let’s Hope Heteros Fail, Learn, and Retire

Unphased, unapologetic and unfiltered, Alice Longyu Gao’s breakthrough album Let’s Hope Heteros Fail, Learn, and Retire opens with one of the greatest lyrics of all time, “Imagine a world with no heteros.” Hot off the heels of her first world tour, the NYC-based wildcard and self-proclaimed CEO of ALG enterprises is delightfully impossible to keep up with on Let’s Hope. A bombastic concoction of hyperpop (understatement), industrial metal, EDM and flirtations with pop punk and sometimes dinner theatre-esque polka, Longyu Gao’s Let’s Hope makes one thing clear: gender is just as real as genre (it’s not).

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Blonde Redhead - Sit Down for Dinner

Blonde Redhead - Sit Down for Dinner (Section1) 

NYC avant-rock trio Blonde Redhead gifted listeners Sit Down for Dinner this past September after a five-year marinade. Beguiling yet humble, tormented yet sexy, Sit Down for Dinner marks the band’s first release in nearly a decade, and perhaps their most genuine musings to-date. This balancing act is translated elegantly in the band’s live rendition of Sit Down for Dinner, with an evident chemistry that can be best described as the kind of mind-reading that comes from powerful creative kinship. 

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Club Casualties - Bridge Under Water 

Club Casualties - Bridge Under Water 

This was easily one of our most listened-to albums of the year. Club Casualties is the joint project of LUCY (Cooper B. Handy) and Nick Atkinson, with Bridge Underwater being their second full-length album. The project provides a more dance-centric take on the duo's independent musical identities, while still highlighting their vocal-focused approach. The album also includes collaborative tracks with God's Wisdom, Mal Devisa, Sen Morimoto, and thoughtfully-layered vocals from both Nick and Cooper. 

Bridge Under Water feels like biking home after a summer evening that may or may not have impacted the direction your life is taking. The album is best listened to start-through-finish via Apple headphones.

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Debby Friday - GOOD LUCK

Debby Friday - GOOD LUCK (Sub Pop) 

Not to brag, but we’ll note here that we have it on the record that Debby Friday’s GOOD LUCK was ranked one of our most-anticipated albums of 2023 before its release and Polaris Prize win: 

“On ‘So Hard To Tell’, Friday subdues her metallic, industrial-punk foundations to unveil raw, reflective and luminous R&B by allowing her unmodified singing voice to surface. [...] Upon first listen, the dynamism of ‘So Hard To Tell’ made Friday’s GOOD LUCK one of our most-anticipated albums of the year (yes, already!).”

(Also Cool Playlist Refresh, January 21st, 2023) 

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Jordan Gardner - Rhythm Acceleration

Jordan Gardner - Rhythm Acceleration (CRSL)

If you go out dancing in Montreal, you’ve probably seen Jordan Gardner on at least one DJ lineup – whether it be at Datcha, Système, or an underground rave. Rhythm Acceleration is his first EP, drawing on rhythmic inspiration from the UK, Detroit, Chicago, and his many years in the field (AKA in the club). The album also features Montreal party scene staple Martyn Bootyspoon, who provides fiery vocals to “Rhythm Acceleration.”

The album’s sound is across the board party-ready, but draws inspiration from the spiritual unification that occurs on the dance floor, the ubiquitous pulse of Maori Hakka, and the the legacy of the Maroons, a revolutionary group in Jamaica that rebelled against the British colonists who enslaved them. Also Cool’s standout track, “Celine Dior,” is inspired by Gardner’s love for fashion, Chicago house music, and dancehall.

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La Sécurité - Stay Safe!

La Sécurité - Stay Safe! (Mothland) 

Interview with La Sécurité by Rebecca L. Judd (June 15th, 2023):

“From the arresting synths of debut track ‘Suspens’ to the domineering bass line 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. “

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Lil Yachty - Let’s Start Here.

Lil Yachty - Let’s Start Here. (Motown Records, Quality Control Music)

Rap-rock has picked up in popularity lately, and is easy to get wrong. Lil Yachty, however, brings a beautiful, elevated take on the genre, enlisting the likes of Alex G, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jake Portrait, and Daniel Caesar, as writers on the project. There’s no misdirected angst, but rather careful consideration of the blending of genres and evolution of his sound.

We had the opportunity to see Lil Yachty perform live with his band earlier this year. The show’s production was excellent, with his live band all equally highlighted and clearly appreciated on stage. Lil Yachty performed flawlessly, providing an interlude featuring all his top hits, and then returning to the second half of the album to close out the show. Overall the album was unexpected, and one that’s easy to return to for deeper listening, or for a casual addition to your psych-indie-rap-rock playlist. 

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Nabihah Iqbal - DREAMER

Nabihah Iqbal - DREAMER (Ninja Tune) 

With her sophomore studio album DREAMER, English musician, producer, DJ, broadcaster and curator Nabihah Iqbal reimagines her approach to music to overcome creative burnout. Conceived in its earliest forms on harmonium and guitar after her studio—and DREAMER’s buddings—were burglarized, Iqbal’s anticipated return transverses spacey dream sequences with 80s synth pop sensibility. For fans of A.R. Kane and Broadcast, look no further.  

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No Waves - Postcard

No Waves - Postcard (Stomp Records)

Montreal’s punk scene sweethearts No Waves shared their first EP this year after signing with Stomp Records. The album is a compilation of songs written from when they were teenagers, and thematically is as emo as you can get. Postcard covers everything from the feeling you get when life starts to change a little too quickly to hometown angst. The obvious sonic comparisons are Surf Curse, Joy Again, and FIDLAR, but the band pulls inspiration from CRABE, LUCY (Cooper B Handy), ultra-pop hits, hyperpop and the Mexican punk scene.

Listen to our podcast episode with No Waves to learn more about the band, their inspiration, and Postcard.

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Sasha Cay - Spin

Sasha Cay - Spin (Lighter Than Air) 

Spin is the striking debut record of Montreal born-and-raised indie rock singer-songwriter Sasha Cay. Recorded amongst friends in her bandmate’s home studio, Spin is a stunning, silvery portrait of vulnerable vignettes shared from Cay’s heavy heart. Between twinkling tunings and Cay’s hushed vocals, the songstress’ gritty inclinations shine through in both songwriting and sentiment. 

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Turnstile & BADBADNOTGOOD - New Heart Designs

Turnstile & BADBADNOTGOOD - New Heart Designs (Dine Alone Records)

Hardcore-turned-jazz is an unexpected, but deeply appreciated, fusion of genres – especially when it comes from two of Also Cool’s favourite artists, Turnstile and BADBADNOTGOOD. 

Turnstile have always been arguably accessible as a hardcore band, drawing inspiration from classic hardcore song structures and indie rock sounds. It was a surprise to see them transform so elegantly with the help of BADBADNOTGOOD’s jazz fusion. However, for those of us who grew up going to BADBADNOTGOOD shows, you would know that although their music is pleasantly jazzy, there is almost always a moshpit IRL.

It’s the perfect album to get to know both bands, and stretches the boundaries of what a collaboration from two artists in very different genres can sound like.

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Also Cool Presents: NO WAVES, Whoredrobe, Beamskii, 1800pastamoney, Mayalabae and Corinita

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Poster by Vasco Cavalheiro

Though flooding dancefloors in spring attire may be hard to imagine in midst of this week’s major snow dump, we’re asking you to save the date—and potentially bear the cold—for our next show! We promise, it’ll be well worth your while.

On Thursday, March 30th, hit Bar le Ritz to experience both the gig and the rave in true Also Cool fashion. Open the pit with surf punk trio NO WAVES, taking the stage with fishnet-tearing hardcore ensemble Whoredrobe, followed by a deepcut dance party led by DJs Beamskii, 1800pastamoney, Mayalabae and Corinita,

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Also Cool presents: NO WAVES, Whoredrobe, Beamskii, 1800pastamoney, Mayalabae and Coronita at Bar le Ritz

Thursday, March 30th, 2023

Doors — 7:30PM | Show — 8:30PM | 18+

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In a recent interview, NO WAVES is described by Also Cool contributor Uma Nardone as:

Maybe a kaleidoscope of indie sleaze, where Blink-182 and Surf Curse intersect? Their sets radiate a joyousness and respect that's rare in the industry. They want to be there as much as the audience does, and it shows. 

Joining the bill is up-and-coming hardcore band Whoredrobe. “Never taking themselves too seriously,” Whoredrobe uses riot grrl, punk and metal influences combined with humour and irony to create music that is uniquely their own.

Get ready to mosh, dance and let loose at our punk show-turned-after at Bar le Ritz! Save the date and see you on March 30th.

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Also Cool Presents: Frankie Rose & Chiara Savasta at Taverne Tour on Feb 11th

It may be the coldest month of the year, but Taverne Tour is hitting the streets of Montreal this weekend to warm us up with too many good shows to count. 

We're excited to co-promote a Taverne Tour show of our own featuring Frankie Rose and Chiara Savasta at Casa del Popolo on February 11th. Almost all of the Also Cool core team will be in town, and we'd love to see you!

Get your tickets here. 

Taverne Tour will be taking over the many bars and music venues of Avenue du Mont-Royal, Boulevard St-Laurent and Rue St-Denis, and present the very best music from Montréal and abroad. Headliners include of Montreal, Lydia Lunch Retrovirus, BACKXWASH, The King Khan & BBQ Show, and Choses Sauvages.

The lineup also includes a ton of Also Cool forever favs, including Piss for Pumpkin, Laura Krieg, NO WAVES, Yoo Doo Right, La Sécurité, Boyhood, and SO many more. 

Good luck in the cold, we'll see you in the pit!

Taverne Tour

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Montreal Surf-Punk Trio NO WAVES Talks All Ages Shows, Artistic Influences and New Music

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NO WAVES by Daniel Takacs

The soundtrack for most teens' early years is moaning vocals and distant pop icons from another decade, but some of us are lucky enough to have NO WAVES. The smell of sweat and Twisted Tea fills each venue; pink hair and neatly pressed dress shirts swarm together as the crowd swells. At their shows, young Montrealers experience the special feeling that comes as you start to uncover the ecosystem of music around you. Whether it be your first mosh-pit-induced black-eye, or wringing out a t-shirt soaked with sweat, NO WAVES is the breeding ground of Montreal's next-gen in music.

The band has a look you can't define… Maybe a kaleidoscope of indie sleaze, where Blink-182 and Surf Curse intersect? They all sit in the limbo zone before adulthood, with boyish smiles and CEGEP classes packed between shows. Their sets radiate a joyousness and respect that's rare in the industry. They want to be there as much as the audience does, and it shows. 

In the aftermath of the pandemic, NO WAVES is the light at the end of the tunnel for many, with their underpass show of August 2021 acting as a green light for commotion. They lit a fire, and the scene couldn't resist dancing around it. 

As someone who began the pandemic starry-eyed and unknowing of the music world,  NO WAVES has been a gateway into Montreal's music scene. NO WAVES is for the people who go to shows every night, and those who've never entered a venue before. They are an instant family of sorts; one that pulls you in for a hug and never lets go. 

I had the chance to catch up with the surf punk three-piece about their early beginnings, where they’re headed now, and everything in-between.

Uma Nardone for Also Cool Mag: Let's start off easy! Tell me about your first gig?

Sam: Our first show was at one of the Climate Demos, a protest in the middle of winter. Cy wasn't even there, so it was early early days. It was during our March Break and held outside. It was crazy! It was the coldest I've ever been.

Angel: Later on, we did shows in a dance studio. We weren't supposed to be there, and everyone had to take their shoes off. It was very hot and small, with like 50 kids crammed into a room. 

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Also Cool: You've begun your second stint of recording. What has it been like working on the first EP versus your second?

Cy: Very, very different.

Sam: The songs are more fleshed out.

Angel: During our first EP, we had this frustration: We really wanted to just release our music, have it out there, and start playing shows as soon as possible. It was done with this mentality of recording as soon as possible. Now that we're recording again, we're in no rush. We're revisiting old songs and reworking them. 

AC: How has the music you're listening to impacted your new music? Have you discovered anything recently that has completely changed your creative process?

C: It's ever-changing, and I don't think it will ever stop, or at least I hope not. 

A: I've gotten into more hardcore punk, but everything feels new. Lots of Bad Brains, TURNSTILE, Dying Fetus, and very Midwest emo shit.

S: It's all over the place for all of us, everything from breakcore and punk to pop. 

AC: Do guys consider NO WAVES as falling within a specific genre? How do you typically describe your music to others?

S: I call it pop. It's all pop, just pop.

A: I've come to terms that with everything we do, it comes out trashy or punk. I used to struggle a lot, ‘cause I would try to write stuff that was soft, but no matter what, it would end up noisy and loud.

C: Noisy pop!

AC: That's perfect, though, because I consider you guys—and I mean this in the best way—the greatest gateway band in the city. After COVID-19 lockdowns, you started that revival of live music, especially for a younger crowd. 

A: That's kind of our goal, to be accessible to everyone. There are a lot of bands that feel hard to get into because of the crowd, and places sometimes feel snobby or unsafe, and that sucks.

S: Right, that's what I love about us. If you go to one of our shows, every kind of person is in the crowd. If you go to different venues, there's all these different cliques or groups, and at our shows, they're all there together.

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Angel from NO WAVES with audience members, photo by the author

AC: That's so true. At your summer bummer show, I met these girls from the Laurentians who had taken the train in. It was their first time moshing, seeing a gig in a small venue. You guys help people feel safe enough to experience these things for the first time.

C: That feeling is something we prioritize. We want an environment where people can hang out without worrying and have good vibes. 

S: It's not that deep either. Shows should be safe for everyone. That's how it should be.

A: There's this thing I learned when I was really young, that has stuck with me. I was told at 15 or 16 that music is sharing. Ever since, that's been how I see music. You're sharing with the crowd, the staff and the musicians. We all share this common love, you know?

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Crowd at a NO WAVES show, photo by the author

AC: That's evident in the crowd, as well. You've grown up with the people who come to your shows, and they keep showing up for a reason. It's like a big family that keeps growing. 

S: I think it’s so beautiful. 

A: It's super sick because I see people who were at our shows five years ago, who went to our launch party, pull up to our shows now. They are the OGs of NO WAVES. 

S: People we've known since they were 13 and playing at school, and now they're grown up and still coming. It's amazing. 

AC: I can attest to that. I was maybe 12 or 13 when I went to my first show, and now I'm here. I consider you guys integral to my childhood, and many others feel the same way. NO WAVES is the soundtrack to teenagedom here! My first black eyes were at your show, and my friends' first kiss happened at your show. You guys are part of all that. 

A: I think it's so cool. We've been able to play our music and grow up with them. After the outdoor show, this dude slid into our DMs and told us about his first experience with LSD. It was so crazy cause what band gets to experience that so closely. 

S: Right, I was like, man, you're a stronger person than I am. 

AC: Tell me more about the underpass show. How was that experience for you all? 

S: Oh man, I loved that show. It was my favorite show we've ever played because of how close we were to the crowd. There was no stage, so people surrounded us. At one point, this dude slapped me on the back and complimented me from behind the drum kit. He was a complete stranger; it was so cool. The formality of a show was gone, and we were immersed in the crowd.

C: We go against that formality. We play better when not on a real stage. 

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NO WAVES by Daniel Takacs

AC: Do you guys channel certain people in terms of stage presence? Like when I was kid, I wanted to embody Sid Vicious or maybe even Zappa. Who is it for you? 

A: I would say Blink-182 for all of us. To me, they are the standard of what a trio band is capable of. Whenever I'm on stage and feel stuck, I have a guitar, and I can't move or whatever; I look up to them. 

S: Same; I channel my inner Travis.

A: I think at most shows, we're just daydreaming that we're Blink. That's our secret.

AC: Would it be a dream to open for them? Is there anyone else that you want to play with in the future? 

A: Surf Curse, too; we just have to do that. We've been thinking about it for so long. 

S: I just want to go on tour and go as far as possible with this.

A: We want to expand our horizons and explore new places. I really want to go to Mexico. The whole scene that inspired me to do everything I'm doing now all comes from there. Those kids inspired me. 

C: I remember hearing my first songs from Angel in Spanish, Los Blenders and Senor Kino; they influenced me so much. They taught me how to put on a show. He showed us all this world we didn't know about. 

AC: What's the songwriting process look like for NO WAVES?

S: It's really all of us. Every song is a collaborative effort.

A: I'll come in with a guitar riff or a single verse - these very unrefined songs. Then we'll all write over it and work on it over time. We all just pile on ideas until something comes out of it. Some songs take thirty minutes, and others take years.

S: We have songs we've been working on for more than four years. 

AC: Has playing in NO WAVES changed your social life at all? 

S: We all have the same mentality when it comes to playing: We don't feel better than anyone because of it. So many people have helped us come to where we are today, and we're really grateful.

A: People made fun of us in high school. We didn't feel cool then.

S: I just hate the mentality that people have. No one is better because they are on stage. It doesn't change who you are.

C: It's also not what music is supposed to be. Music is not a hierarchy. No one is better than anyone else. Our shows are for people who love music the way we do, that's all. 

NO WAVES holds a place in my heart that I can’t quite explain, I feel oddly devoted to the music, to the crowds and the all encompassing joy it brings. They are the band that sings to a choir of misfits, welcoming old punks and scene kids alike. 

They keep growing and as more and more people come to love them as I do, the excitement of experiencing a small history being made is thrilling. NO WAVES is ever-moving and might change, as young bands do, but no one will forget them. Everyone who's been in a crowded room with damp floors and broken stereos singing along with NO WAVES knows their systems have been shocked and their brain chemistry never be quite the same. The NO WAVES phenomena, explicable in their talent, is band who will forever be ingrained in my brain, and hopefully yours as well!

Don’t miss NO WAVES’ free Taverne Tour pizza party at Le Ministère on February 11th at 11:59PM!

NO WAVES

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

Uma Nardone 

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NO WAVES, Sweet Flood, Büntsa, and Lucy's Delirium Play La Sotterenea for the Mile End Mission

What's better than an all-ages show? An all-ages show for the Mile End Mission! Join Also Cool for our last show of the year at La Sotterenea this Friday, December 16th, with NO WAVES, Sweet Flood, Büntsa, and Lucy's Delirium. Tickets are $10 at the door, or $5 with two or more food donations, with all sales and donations going to the Mission.

Now to tell you a bit more about the bands...

NO WAVES are our favourite surfy punk rock Gen Zs, who recently appeared on our N10.as radio show. They played the most chaotic combination of tracks, ranging from blink-182 to Ellie Goulding, in preparation for this week's set.

Sweet Flood began by organizing DIY shows and events in Montreal's punk scene. The name Sweet was inspired by combining two songs that heavily influenced the band's sound. The heavy sludge-sounding tones of "Sweet Leaf" by Black Sabbath and the melodically atmospheric composition of "Floods" by Pantera. You can find the band at Traxide, an underground punk venue, with an energetic crowd smiling and moshing at the same time.

Büntsa is a three-piece progressive alt-metal band from Montreal. In 2020 during the "red zone" of COVID, Chris and Matthew began meeting up in a backyard shed, composing a hybrid of progressive metal and noisy grooves with a punk rock sensibility. They soon recruited the "old guy," Eric (Chris's dad), to flesh out the sound with heavy beats and rhythmic flourishes. They then moved into Eric's recording studio, practicing their unique blend of fast, heavy grooves and tight, gritty riffs.

With high-energy riffs and their instrumental prowess, Büntsa will make you want to jump, mosh, and slip into a barnyard square-dance adrenaline-fueled ecstasy.

Lucy's Delirium is an alternative rock band from Montreal. Made up of members Addie, Franky, Lila and Hanako, the band is hitting the scene with bratty songs and an energetic attitude. They want to dance, jump, cry and yell with the audience while keeping the scene open and inclusive. They'll be releasing music in the next year, as well as playing more local shows, so keep an eye out!

All Ages Dec 16TH 8PM $10 at the door/$5 with a donation of 2 or more food items.

See you in the pit.

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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Tiny Fest Highlights Montreal's Music Scene at Sala Rossa (Presented by Worst Dad Ever, KickDrum, & Jade Armstrong)

Are you looking for a tiny & wonderful curation of all-ages shows to attend this weekend in Montreal? Look no further than Tiny Fest (presented by Worst Dad Ever, KickDrum Promotions, & Jade Armstrong), which runs at La Sala Rossa and La Sotterenea from Dec 2nd-3rd.

Tiny Fest is a DIY music festival that began in 2019, produced by Worst Dad Ever, taking place at La Sotterenea. The first rendition of Tiny Fest brought a number of bands from across Canada and the United States together.

Bringing together a mixture of unique and talented artists and reaching Montreal's community, Tiny Fest highlights scene favourites as well as up-and-coming bands. After its initial success, a second edition was put together for 2020, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed.

2022 sees the festival's revival and has grown out of the basement, expanding to La Sala Rossa, the entire venue will be an all-ages experience of the best music Montreal, and more has to offer.

Also Cool faves like NO WAVES, Eliza Niemi, and Fanclubwallet are just some of the many bands playing at the festival.

Buy tickets here!

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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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Also Cool's M For Montreal Top Picks: Round Two

Priors by Lynn Poulin

The 17th edition of M for Montreal begins tomorrow, November 16th, and the city’s music scene is positively buzzing with anticipation. With emerging and established artists from coast-to-coast (and then some!) expected to set the night on fire, it’s hard to resist a taste for what’s to come. Luckily, you don’t have to – Also Cool is here to help, with our second round of selections from this year’s M for Montreal lineup. Be sure to check out our first round, too, and then get busy with your own scheduling… accompanied by our festival playlist, of course.

Priors 

Montreal mainstay punk quintet Priors nose-dived into this past spring with their latest EP NEWNEWNEW. Complete with signature lassoed thrashing and low-fi grit, the band’s punchy ardour remains as they return to the stage from an all-too-familiar pandemic lull. We’ve been parched for a loud gig and are ready to be tossed around by Priors’ angular flirtations. Sandwiched on an absolutely stacked festival lineup—co-presented by Mothland—including Crasher, Absolutely Free, Gloin and Grim Streaker, Priors and their entourage of feather-rufflers are guaranteed to stir up an evening of danceable DIY fervor. 

Priors plays La Sala Rossa on Friday, November 18th at 10:00 PM. 

Tickets

Priors

Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Bandcamp

Emma Beko by Samuel Fournier

Emma Beko

If you’re not already familiar, the sinister stylings of Montreal-based rapper Emma Beko are bound to break your heart. Since rising in the scene as one-half of Heartstreets, Beko has refined her solo sound and tilted heads for her candid and grungy stream-of-consciousness flow. The release of Beko’s latest EP Superficial Stains fits comfortably into her catalogue, fresh off the heels of Digital Damage from earlier this year, so expect a show filled to the brim with lyrical gut-punches. Catch Emma Beko alongside SLM, Lary Kidd, and more for an unforgettably dynamic hip-hop showcase.

Emma Beko plays Club Soda on Friday, November 18th at 8:00 PM.

Tickets

Emma Beko

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp

NO WAVES by Malaika Astorga

NO WAVES

Our favourite Montreal Gen-Z punks will be playing the festival this year, so naturally we couldn’t help but add them to the group. From playing absolutely packed free outdoor shows where the crowd takes over the stage, to opening for NOFX and playing FME over the summer, NO WAVES continues to hold their own in the local rock scene. Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with the band by one of their peers, and in the meantime, catch them at M!

NO WAVES plays with Mobina Galore at Turbo Haüs on Saturday, November 19th at 10:00 PM.

Tickets

NO WAVES

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Grim Streaker by Kevin W Condon

GRIM STREAKER

Playing alongside many of our faves—like Gloin and Priors—in the Mothland showcase this week, Grim Streaker made an impactful first impression on Also Cool at this year’s FME Festival in northern Quebec. Singer Amelia Bushell’s stage presence is direct and haunting – a worthwhile experience to feel totally undone by her stare. The band’s song “Mind” captivated us for a month after the festival, and they’re here in Montreal for more to see! Grim Streaker specializes in the genre-bending punk tunes that seem to reach out and grab you by the collar – they would be a shame to miss.

Grim Streaker plays at La Sala Rossa on Friday, November 18th at 9:00 PM.

Tickets

Grim Streaker

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp

M For Montreal

Website | Instagram | Twitter

NO WAVES Talk FME, Gatekeeping Hats in Chinatown and Getting into Metal

NO WAVES with Malaika Astorga for Also Cool

At the tail-end of our FME weekend, we were able to catch up with surf garage rock band NO WAVES from Montreal. We covered their show at Bar L'Escogriffe, where they had played alongside Jess X, Piss for Pumpkin, and TVOD earlier this year, and were excited to catch up.

By far the youngest band at the festival, we chatted about their gratitude for the opportunity, who they were looking forward to seeing, as well as their personal style influences.

Malaika Astorga for Also Cool: How are you all feeling about playing your first festival in rural Quebec with Animal Collective?

Sam for NO WAVES: It's really crazy; it's crazy as fuck. I never realized that getting to something like this was actually possible. I feel kind of freaked out.

Also Cool: In a good way?

Sam: Yeah, definitely.

Angel: I don't think it's fully sunk in that we're here, that we're doing this. I feel very excited and grateful to be super far away from home just to play music; I think it's so sick. It felt super silly seeing our name with all these huge artists. It gives me a lot of hope.

Cy: I'm on par with everyone else. It's not freaking out, but it's like, we're really out here, 8 hours away (from Montreal). Especially shows like the one we’re going to play at MTELUS. That is crazy; I can't wrap my head around it. It's a shock.

Sam from NO WAVES

Also Cool: What goes into the outfits you wear, and what's the difference between dressing for a Montreal show and dressing for rural Quebec? What influences your personal sense of style?

Sam: I just really like these shorts, but I was scared of wearing them because of how cold it is here.

Angel: I base my personality around Mick Jones from the Clash. I saw him when I was 16, and I thought it was cool how he was tidy, so I usually try to go for a clean-ish look. 

Sam: Angel's business casual every day. Cy is the one who's the most consistent with his style, though.

Cy: Honestly, I love doing this; I love dressing well. It makes me happy. 

Sam: Cy used to have a school uniform, so on a Friday, when we had a show, we would go straight from school to our show, and he would stay in his uniform.

Cy: Yeah, it started that way, but I realized that I also really liked it. I'm a big fan of uniforms, I'm not great in terms of creative outfits, so this was the most uniform thing I could put on. I can't do t-shirts, but that's me 

Also Cool: The people who go to your shows really dress up.

Angel: Yeah, it's so cool!

Sam: I don't really wear t-shirts anymore because it gets too hot when I'm drumming.

Also Cool: What is the story of your hat? Where did you find it? You wear it all the time.

Cy: He's gatekeeping it, guys.

Sam: I can't remember the store's name, but they're sold out. I even asked the lady at the store to order more for me, but they haven't yet.

Sam gatekeeping his hat

AC: Who are you excited to see at the festival?

Sam: I want to see Hubert Lenoir because that's, like, the homie.

Angel: I would say Hubert, as well as Choses Sauvages and La Sécurité.

Cy: I'm also excited about Hubert, but I think all the metal bands here are really cool too. Metal is cool; I wanna explore it more. I would definitely see Dying Fetus.

Angel: I've been getting into heavier groups like that, and even their soundcheck was amazing.

AC: Anything else you want to touch on?

Angel: I just want to highlight that the scene in Montreal has been flourishing, especially since last summer. I've been interested in this group called YouTube to MP3, who are more hyerpop, and I'm just really excited for what's to come.

Catch NO WAVES this weekend at MTELUS and Entrepot 77 on Friday and Saturday, and stay tuned for another full-length interview with the band coming very soon.

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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Also Cool's FME 20th Anniversary Top Picks: Round Two

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OMBIIGIZI by Rima Sater

You thought we were done with FME top picks? Think again! The abundance of incredible artists playing the the festival this year made it impossible to fit all of our faves into one article. Honestly, two articles isn’t even enough but we’re doing our best to not overwhelm you.

To help you get into it (and maybe make that last-minute impulse festival pass purchase), we’ve also assembled an accompanying playlist to listen along as you discover our top picks.

OMBIIGIZI 

Together as OMBIIGIZI (om-BEE-ga-ZAY), Zoon (Daniel Monkman) and Status/Non-Status (Adam Sturgeon), steer Indigenous Futurism with their hard-hitting, yet vivid, unification of shoegaze, dream pop and post-rock. On their debut release Sewn Back Together, the pair establish a nurturing back-and-forth in sound and spirit, sharing stories of heritage, kinship and seeking truth through reviving and engaging Anishinaabe traditions in their creative process. Throughout Sewn Back Together, both melodic vocals and assertive spoken word lather in flanging drones and delicate, acoustic reveries. In Anishinaabemowin, ombiigiizi means “s/he is noisy,” and we couldn’t be more enthralled by the dynamism of distortion and murmurs these two have brought to the table thus far. 

OMBIIGIZI plays Diable Rond - 165 Avenue Carter on Sunday, September 4th at 6PM. 

OMBIIGIZI  

Instagram | Bandcamp 

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CDSM by Ben Rouse

CDSM 

Does anyone remember Pop Rocks candy? CDSM (Celebrity Death Slot Machine) embodies the same kind of fizzy spike: with convulsing, darkwave undertones flirting with disco indulgences. Based in Atlanta, the collective jolts with a circus-like frenzy that is irresistibly sinister. The group’s most-recent EP, Hell Stairs, spirals into a feverish affair between angry-robot instrumentals, sneering saxophone and bombastic rhythms. For fans of skull-crushing acts like Viagra Boys and Black Midi, queue-up and spin out with CDSM. 

CDSM plays the basement of Petit Théatre du Vieux Noranda - 112 7e Rue Saturday September 3rd at 11:59pm. 

CDSM

Instagram | Bandcamp 

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Pelada by Liza Kin

Pelada 

Montreal synth-punk fixture Pelada have gone viral in the nightlife canon after breaking out in their hometown’s warehouse afterhours scene in the 2010s. Composed of Chris Vargas and producer Tobias Rochman, the duo has garnered attention in diverse circles for their energetic and urgent arrangements dissecting power and injustice through pulsating, acidic agitation. Since their Soundcloud beginnings, Pelada have added notches to their raver belts since performing at the infamous Berghain, the iconic LGBTQiA2+ Zoom dance party Club Quarantine, and most recently, Primavera Sound. 

Pelada plays the basement of Petit Théatre du Vieux Noranda - 112 7e Rue Saturday September 3rd at 11:59pm. 

Pelada 

Bandcamp

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Magi Merlin by FENG

Magi Merlin

Is it any surprise that we’re excited to see Mag Merlin? We’ve been obsessed with her music and creative expansion as an artist since we first interviewed her in 2020. Her most recent album Gone Girl has brought her international stages, nonstop shows, and well-deserved recognition. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with this rising star and self-described “cheeky nihilist.” 

Magi Merlin plays Scène Fonderie Horne - Guinguette Chez Edmund, Chemin de la Grande Place Friday September 2nd at 8pm.

Magi Merlin

Instagram | Spotify

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NO WAVES

Barely old enough to get into the club, but punk enough to fill an entire skate park with moshing Montrealers, NO WAVES will play the closing party of FME. Known for their rowdy and respectful local shows, the group has been working hard to make a name for themselves these past few summers. With a sound that draws on 2014 surf rock and punk genres, NO WAVES is sure to shake Rouyn-Noranda to the core.

NO WAVES plays the basement of the Petit Théatre du Vieux Noranda - 112 7e Rue on Sunday September 4th at 11:59pm.

NO WAVES

Instagram | Spotify 

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Gloin by Nikki Dicunto

Gloin

Gloin is a four-piece noise rock group from Toronto, known for their cathartic live sets and eclectic songwriting. Their latest single “Shoot to Kill,” sets the tone for their upcoming debut album We Found This (to be released via Mothland on October 21st). It’s a discotheque-friendly post-punkish scorcher about breaking the monotonous working life cycle, drawing on influence from Sonic Youth, Pixies, and Battles. 

GLOIN plays at Cabaret de la Dernière Chance - 146 8e Rue on Friday September 2nd at 11:59pm.

GLOIN
Instagram | Spotify

FME

Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

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FME Celebrates its 20th Anniversary with Animal Collective, Hubert Lenoir, Magi Merlin and More!

Have you been waiting for your chance to go to an incredible festival in a beautiful town in rural Northern Quebec? Well, now's your chance! FME is back and better than ever, returning for its 20th anniversary that fulfills not only your late-2000s indie dreams but also supports Montreal's up-and-coming talent. 

On September 1-4, 2022, FME strikes again with an eclectic selection of artists offering alternative, novel and singular music while presenting a diverse array of genres. In all, no fewer than 100 performances are taking place in the premium concert venues and other unique locations of Rouyn-Noranda. This year's headliner is none other than Animal Collective, who will play alongside Hubert Lenoir, Magi Merlin, No Waves, and many more.

At every edition, the FME team sets up a place at the centre of their main site, the Hub Desjardins. This year, thanks to the support of Desjardins, festival-goers will be able to get their bearings and profit from the many points of interest, featuring exciting new initiatives, including two "5 à 7" shows.

The hub will host kiosks from local stores, FME promotional items, and a bar fully stocked with regional products. There will also be kombucha with red fruit and black spruce flavours, courtesy of local company Ékorce from Val-d'Or. The Brasserie du Bas-Canada, situated in Outaouais, has created a pale ale-style beer for the festival's anniversary – Ultime. It will be available in limited quantities exclusively from the Hub Desjardins bar during the event.

FME has also set up a safe space with social workers from the Point d’appui and La Coalition d’aide à la diversité sexuelle de l’Abitibi-Temiscamingue.

Also Cool will be doing various coverage for the festival, including top pics, video recaps, a playlist and more! Passes for the 20th edition of FME are available via the festival's website. Keep an eye on FME’s Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok for future announcements!

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NO WAVES Revive Garage Rock at Bar L'Escogriffe (Jess X, Piss for Pumpkin, TVOD - Blue Skies Turn Black)

As we thaw out from our wintery pandemic slump, we're trying to remember how to have social lives while also asking ourselves, "Who the hell are all these people at the show who I've never seen before??" 

Pre-pandemic, it was easy to find "the scene" if you tried hard enough (and went to events consistently). But that natural flow of new faces was completely interrupted, and now many are left wondering where the scene is, and how to get invited. 

My FYP on Tiktok often features 19-year-olds asking how to get invited to Montreal's underground raves and DIY rock shows, and last summer NO WAVES answered that call. They threw a wildly successful outdoor show, which was heavily documented and shared all over social media. After that show, I heard from a younger neighbourhood friend that they would be the next cool band in town. Promoters supported the claim that they brought a crazy energetic crowd, so I knew I had to see them the next time they played.

NO WAVES played at Bar L'Escogriffe on Thursday, April 14th with Blue Skies Turn Black, and the lineup could easily have fit into any 2015 surfer punk garage rock-inspired playlist. Jess X embodies a punk Cherry Glazerr energy (the Haxel Princess era specifically), while Piss for Pumpkin was described to me as 'Bikini Kill but more metal.'

TVOD (Television Overdose) brought a pure punk energy, hanging from the ceiling, spraying water all over the crowd, and getting them hyped for the headliners. Everyone at the show (who looked like they had just stepped out of my queer alt TikTok algorithm) loved it, encouraging each other to mosh, eagerly looking around for their friends to join them in the pit.

NO WAVES DIY show last summer - via their Facebook page by CB43MEDIA

I was pleasantly surprised that NO WAVES began their set with a zero-tolerance for harassment speech, telling creeps to gtfo and anyone who felt unsafe to tell the band or someone nearby what was happening so that they could help. Their sound is easily comparable to Surf Curse's "Buds," Vundabar's "Gawk" era, The Garden's "The Life and Times of a Paperclip," and of course (perhaps the band's namesake) FIDLAR's "No Waves." It felt like the 2015 Burger Records universe of music that I grew up with but without the reputation of SA and harassment that the label and their artists attained. 

NO WAVES had charming stage banter, introducing one song as "a real song that we wrote when we were 15," another as "a song I always say I won't show my friends and then I do," and their cover of Surf Curse's "Freaks" as "that song you've probably heard on TikTok," which made me feel old but also warmed my heart.

After the show, the drummer Sam shared with me that he was so happy that people were having a great time and emphasized that it's essential for the bands on stage to make sure their audience is as safe as possible. 

I also caught a sweet moment of a girl interviewing one of the band member's dads about the show and other attendees. She said she was making a documentary about the band, even though they didn't know how she was yet.

Uma, a long-time friend of the band and local Montrealer, had this to say about the night, "I feel like I've grown up with NO WAVES, so watching them go from playing in their parent's basements to a show like this is wild. They get better and better each time. Being able to grow up with access to this scene is life-changing. It's really beautiful out here, the crowd, the people, the music, all of it."

If anything, the show gave me hope for the up-and-coming Montreal DIY scene. It's inspiring to see people excited to be at a show, especially in what seems to be a more accepting and safe environment. 

You can catch NO WAVES' tour kick-off at Turbo Haüs in Montreal with Bummer Camp and Last Waltzon on April 22nd.

NO WAVES DIY show last summer - via their Facebook page by CB43MEDIA

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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