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

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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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Tune In and Drop Out with The Shivas' "Doom Revolver" (Suicide Squeeze)

The Shivas. Photo courtesy of Tyler Bertram

After 16 years of making music and touring, the sound of Portland’s The Shivas is nearly impossible to pin down. That being said, their latest release “Doom Revolver” comes close.

This single marks the band’s first release since their 2021 album Feels so Good//Feels so Bad. Released by Suicide Squeeze Records as part of their Pinks and Purples singles series, “Doom Revolver” embodies the act of letting go. From the opening riff of an electric guitar–which seems to bubble and cascade over itself–to the reverb-heavy harmonies, this EP implores you, after several particularly tumultuous years, to relax and not attempt to struggle against the flow.

Released on May 23rd, “Doom Revolver” is the sonic culmination of nearly two decades’ worth of sonic exploration. The Shivas have tapped into every sound across the spectrum, ranging from the folk-rock tendencies of the Mama and the Papas to punk riffs that are characteristic of the Strokes. Such a fluctuation between sounds may seem inevitable when considering the musical trends and changes that this band has witnessed over the course of its evolution. Formed in 2006 while most of the members were high school students, the growth of The Shivas’ sound has mirrored that of its young members, and arguably the alternative rock scene at large. 

Now in 2022, “Doom Revolver” realizes that nothing in life is expected, and that it's necessary to take things as they come and roll with the punches. Indeed, this single expands on the themes explored in Feels so Good//Feels so Bad—namely, that of enlightenment through acceptance. Born from the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Shivas’ most recent music has taken on the message of embracing what comes.

The Shivas. Photo courtesy of Kevin Olmedo

“Doom Revolver” opens with an almost-twangy electric guitar, competing with heavy drums and crashing cymbals for dominance of the overture. This cacophony illustrates the chaos that is antithetical to the message of the song, immediately imbuing one with the sense that it would be best enjoyed outdoors with a warm PBR in hand. 

The instrumental intro then breaks. Singer and drummer Kristin Leonard’s vocals harmonize beautifully with guitarist and singer Jared Molyneux to create a quasi-psychedelic experience wherein the listener feels engulfed. As the song enters its first verse, the abrasive guitar riffs fade away—allowing a more psychedelic and 60s-influenced sound to take center stage. Enveloped by these hypnotic vocals, one can not help but find peace in their message, “Don’t run, don't have no fear / There’s nothing you can do, the end is here.” 

If you’re looking for the summer anthem to help you ‘turn on, tune in, and drop out’ after a long hard start to 2022, “Doom Revolver” has you covered.

Stream “Doom Revolver” below!

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The Shivas

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Kate Addison

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