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

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Elizabete Balčus by Zane Zelmene

Once again, we’re packing up and heading to Rouyn-Noranda over the Labour Day long weekend to hit FME in Abitibi-Témiscamingue! The jam-packed four-day festival never disappoints, and this year’s lineup in celebration of its 20th anniversary is stacked with familiar favourites and new must-see acts for us here at Also Cool (and maybe you, too!) Get a taste for the artists we’ll be catching this weekend in the first edition of our FME 20th Anniversary Top Picks below!

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Mitch Davis by Richmond Lam

Mitch Davis 

Montreal producer and multi-instrumentalist Mitch Davis boasts a smooth take on indie rock that we’re excited to hear in a live context for the first time! We became acquainted with Davis’ sunny breakup songs over the pandemic, and have been hooked on his Easter egg-laden jams ever since. In our recent interview with Davis, we entertained touring his debut LP The Haunt with a full band, so it feels full circle to have this long-anticipated set on our list.

Mitch Davis plays Café L’Abstracto on Sunday, September 4th at 5PM. 

Mitch Davis

Instagram | Bandcamp

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Alicia Clara by Tess Roby

Alicia Clara 

Dream-pop songstress Alicia Clara brings a delicate whimsy to her songwriting, refined on her brand new single “Only Fools Wish For Love”. The track invites anticipation for her next offering, her EP Velveteen, which arrives on October 28th via Hot Tramp. When guesting on our podcast Also Cool Sounds Like, Clara spoke to the isolation she was experiencing in contrast to the momentum of moving to Montreal from Switzerland. With a taste of what’s to come from Clara, we’re eager to hear new work from her at the festival. 

Alicia Clara plays Guinguette Chez Edmund - Scène Fonderie Horne on Sunday, September 4th at 2PM. 

Alicia Clara

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

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Elizabete Balčus by Zane Zelmene

Elizabete Balčus 

All the way from Rïga, Latvia, neo-psychedelic avant-gardist Elizabete Balčus weaves spectral vocals, flute and electronics into otherworldly sonic collages. We were introduced to Balčus’ Nina Hagen-meets-Björk compositions through our friends at Mothland and instantly fell in love with her surreal performance theatrics. Balčus plays FME hot on the heels of her upcoming album Hotel Universe, set to arrive September 16th via Mothland. We implore you to fall down the rabbit hole into Balčus’ fantastical daydream where she rules with innovative fascination. 

Elizabete Balčus plays the Videotron Stage - 200 Murdoch Avenue on Saturday, September 3rd at 8PM. 

Elizabete Balčus

Instagram | Bandcamp

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Kee Avil by Lawrence Fafard

Kee Avil 

The brainchild of Montreal-based composer Vicky Mettler, Kee Avil combines guitar, voice and electronic production “to create songs that teeter on the edge of collapse while oozing forward, like sticky wax picking up and shedding disparate elements along the way.” Mettler’s intimate songcraft entrances listeners with whisper-like vocals and post-punk structures, transforming a space of any size into an immersive musical experience. Mettler’s striking stage presence struck a chord with us at the most recent edition of Ottawa-Hull’s PIQUE festival, making their debut LP Crease now a constant rotation. 

Kee Avil plays the Hub Desjardins - 218 Murdoch Avenue on Friday, September 2nd at 5PM. 

Kee Avil

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

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Sheenah Ko via Bandcamp

Sheenah Ko

Also a core member of Besnard Lakes, Montreal-based synth-pop artist Sheenah Ko’s work is “avant garde electronic pop for those who want to get into a trance, get into a vibe, get deep and get real”. We virtually co-presented Sheenah at Taverne Tour x Also Cool Present: Into the Matrix with Andy Jon and Sheenah Ko in early February of this year, and cannot wait to hear songs from her latest album Future is Now, released this past May.

Sheenah Ko plays Guinguette Chez Edmund - Scène Fonderie Horne on Friday, September 2nd at 9PM.

Sheenah Ko

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

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Grim Streaker via Mothland

Grim Streaker

Brooklyn’s Grim Streaker sport weirdo sing-talk rock that you cannot help but bop to. Their latest album MIND is described as “a surreal, subversive world of four songs that reflects on the current state of mental health, laughable social constructs and the inescapable working grind”. Grim Streaker, now signed to Mothland, have been making their way around the United States opening for acts like Idles and METZ.

Work for a dime/Get back in line/Zip up your mouth - MIND

Grim Streaker plays Cabaret de la Dernière Chance on Thursday, September 1st at 11:59PM.

Grim Streaker
Instagram | Bandcamp

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Tamar Aphek by Rotem Lebel

Tamar Aphek

Israeli concert-pianist-turned-distortion-guitarist Tamar Aphek takes the stage at FME opening for Chad Vangaalen. She’s been a part of Israel’s underground scene for over a decade, known for asking her collaborators to “play as crazy as [they] can.”

Aphek thinks of her performances as plays or cinematic experiences and considers the characters and roles she and her bandmates play. In her song “All I Know”, she peels back so many layers of who they are and what the characters want that “eventually nobody knows who is who in the song.”

Tamar Aphek plays Scène Hydro Québec - 112 7e Rue on Friday, September 2nd at 9PM.

Tamar Aphek

Instagram | Bandcamp

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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Charting Piss for Pumpkin's Ascent in the Montreal Punk Scene

Piss for Pumpkin. Photo courtesy of @charlie.yoko

In the span of less than a year, Piss for Pumpkin’s experimental punk sound has made the band of three a staple in the Montreal music scene. Their sound —which the band describes as loud and anxious — is tailor-made to whip a crowd into an almost violent frenzy. As pandemic restrictions have eased over the past year, Piss for Pumpkin and their shows have emerged as a much-needed outlet for the moshers stuck inside for far too long.

Indeed, as the one-year anniversary of their first show approaches, the lightning-fast popularity of Piss for Pumpkin’s sonic experience is reflected in the huge variety of venues the band has played. From the Van Horne skate park to Turbo Haüs to backyard venues in British Columbia, Piss for Pumpkin has become widely loved for their ear-shattering vocals, heavy bass, and homemade approach to punk. Lead singer Annie MacLeod and bass player Isaac Seglins sat down with Also Cool to discuss their journey as musicians and the release of their first single “Citronella” on July 12th. 

Kate Addison for Also Cool: Thanks so much for meeting with me. I've loved going to your shows over the past year, both in Montreal and BC. You guys have been an official band for a while now — how did you first start playing together? 

Isaac Seglins for Piss for Pumpkin: All three of us came together in university. Matt [Sagar] — the band’s drum player — and I knew each other and jammed in high school, and together we wanted something different [from the music we had played before]. We met [when we were still in school] but we weren’t a band for a long time because we had nowhere to practice. 

Annie MacLeod for Piss for Pumpkin: After some searching, Matt found a practice space we could use last August. [It’s] an old industrial building that is always soaking wet and disgusting, but at least we can be as loud as we like.

Also Cool: Annie, I know you were in first year at Concordia three years ago. Did you guys play together then or only start jamming a year ago?  

Annie: We became friends during our first year of university [in 2019] and we jammed together once at a Concordia studio. 

Isaac: It was too clean, nothing really happened. It was a weird, sterile room. 

Annie: [The experience] was kind of awkward, and I was really nervous. Nothing happened after that, I guess, until we were in third year. That's when things [with the band] started happening.

Isaac: Yeah, things really started happening as soon as we got that [industrial] space [in 2021]: we wrote half of our songs the first week, and then we had a show two weeks later [on August 27 2021 under the Van Horne overpass].

AC: That's crazy quick! How did you book that first show?

A:  Matt is really good at being social. He had been going to a bunch of shows, just talking to people and other bands. He met Jack from Last Waltzon who mentioned that they needed an opener. [And so] they gave us a shot.

Piss for Pumpkin in concert. Photo courtesy of @bailyaphotography

AC: Let’s talk about your band’s name, Piss for Pumpkin. Where does that come from? 

A: Okay, I love this question! As a kid, I had a guinea pig named Pumpkin, but I didn't know how to spell pumpkin. [I spelled it] “pum-kin” instead. [@Pissforpumkin] was my Instagram name for a long time, because I was thinking that ‘P is for pumpkin’ [and that the name] honoured my dead guinea pig who I cherished as a child. I thought it would be kind of funny to put another “s” and make it a little vulgar. [After] we wrote a bunch of songs and decided, “Okay, we're a band, we need a name,” Matt suggested my Instagram name. [The band] put the extra ‘P’ in there [to make Piss for Pumpkin]. 

Pumkin the guinea pig. Photo provided by Annie MacLeod

AC: Who would you say are your musical inspirations?
A: Well, all three of us definitely have so many influences that are all very different to our sound. [The music we make] is definitely an entanglement of all of those different elements. It's hard to pinpoint specific artists. All three of us definitely have so many influences that are all very different, but our sound is primarily influenced by living in Montreal and the environment where we are [making] music.

Piss for Pumpkin’s rehearsal space. Photo provided by Annie MacLeod

AC: How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard it before?

I: I would say energetic. Scared, but not scary.

A: A lot of the lyrics are about being really anxious and living in the city.

I: Another influence for Matt and I was our time spent being in bands that we kind of hated with multiple guitarists who were very loud. [Piss for Pumpkin] was an opportunity for Matt and I to be the loud ones. As a bass player, you [normally] don't get to be upfront too much, so, for me a big inspiration for the sound is how loud can the amps go now that I'm not competing with any guitar.  

AC: You’ve played several live shows in Montreal overy the past year, with a few in BC too. How has that impacted your music?
I: While we have recorded stuff coming up, I still consider the live shows to be the primary Pumpkin experience. It's interesting: you write a song in the dungeon, right? Then you practice it, and you think it's gonna be a certain way, and then you perform on stage and you realize “never mind, the song should be like this.” We find that when we’re performing the song, we’re kind of still writing it. Matt and I will shoot a look at each other and confirm with our eyes, and then the song will be rewritten in the moment.

Piss for Pumpkin in concert. Photo provided by Kate Addison

AC: With all the performances you’ve been doing, is there anything special that has stood out for you? 

A: The Vancouver show [with Dastard on July 25th] is definitely fresh in my mind. We were performing [in a backyard] near this strip of restaurants, and this really drunk lady showed up. She was just so enthusiastic. She was dancing and loving it, and she brought us pizzas and put them in the pit. Everyone was grabbing pizza and dancing, too. Outdoor shows [can be] really nerve-wracking because [neighbours] complain. For example, there was another lady at the Vancouver show who was standing outside the fence and giving the organizers a hard time. That was kind of scary, but we gave her some cake and she left.

AC: Maybe the cake lady was just feeling left out. 

This has been a really great discussion, thanks so much for your time. So, finally, before we end for today — what is the plan for Piss for Pumpkin going forward? 

A: We're releasing our first single [on] July 12th, which we're really excited about, [and] a music video as well.

Piss for Pumpkin. Courtesy of Ali Seglins

I: Last month we went to Annie’s grandparents’ [rural] property. We set up lights, and shot so much footage and so many photos of the band. We did a big visual art project.

A: We don't have a set date for the album [yet] because it's still being mixed. But hopefully [it will be out] this summer.

AC: How are you producing it? Are you doing it yourselves or are you outsourcing it? 

A: A few people are kind of working … poking away at it.

I: [The album] is very close. Friends [are making it]. It's a low-budget operation but we have some very knowledgeable friends. 

Listen to their first recorded single “CITRONELLA” here, and their newest release “CONDITIONER” below!

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Piss for Pumpkin

Instagram | Bandcamp | Youtube | Facebook

Kate Addison

Website I Instagram

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Joey Valence & Brae, Fox Academy, Alex G, U.S. Girls & More - Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

Joey Valence & Brae by Connorpnw

The seemingly endless stream of summer releases continues and we’ve got another round of tracks hitting our Playlist Refresh mix. This week’s additions highlight the latest from Joey Vaence & Brae, Fox Academy, Alex G and more to keep your listening selections varied and up-to-speed with what we think is Also Cool.

Follow our accompanying playlist on Spotify - refreshed every other week!

via Joey Valence and Brae Lugue

It's been a while since we've heard anyone emulate The Beastie Boys successfully, but 22-year-old Joey Valence and Braedan Lugue give the genre a new life with a punk-inspired twist.

Gaining popularity through their single, "Punk Tactics," which blew up on TikTok earlier this year, they have continued to grow, even securing their own world tour.

Their latest track, "Watch Yo Step," continues to draw from their old-school hip-hop and video game influences. Accompanied by a 90s-inspired music video, the track draws on drum & bass, punk, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater soundtrack for sonic inspiration. Keep an eye our for these two punks coming to a city near you.

Our favourite Seattle-based synthy duo Chinese American Bear have returned with their self-titled debut album (out via Modern Sky in China). The album features some Also Cool favs like "Hao Ma," and some newfound treasures like "Boba Tea."

Chinese American Bear's quirky mandopop is lighthearted, endearing, and the perfect soundtrack for a summer day. Listen to the album below and check out our last interview with them in 2021.

via Fox Academy

Our favourite lo-fi indie group Fox Academy has released yet another sadboy banger, "laughing screaming." With simple yet cryptic lyrics layered over a simple beat, Fox Academy once again achieves a perfect balance of simple yet pleasantly confusing. "Foam on your mouth; Angel number check-in; Look to the left; Hundred dollars on the nightstand."

Based in Portland, Oregon, Fox Academy has quietly become a cult classic in many corners of the Internet. Fans of Alex G, Fog Lake, and the Orchid Tapes group will find comfort in Fox Academy's wonderfully disjointed and melancholic discography. Other projects of note from the group include the 2015 EP Elsie and side project, Richie Woods.

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Last week, we covered Eliza Niemi’s brand new LP Staying Mellow Blows. In conversation with Also Cool, Niemi shared how her songs were passed through the hands of 19 collaborators to realize her poignant, contemplative album. Out now on Vain Mina and Tin Angel Records, Staying Mellow Blows gracefully tills heavy emotions with a playful tinge. Niemi’s songs extend company on a long August night—inviting a moment of stillness when the need to ground ourselves is too loud to ignore.

This album is adored top-to-bottom by us here at Also Cool HQ, but the essence of Niemi’s fusion of candour and quirk is ever-present on the track “Trust Me”.

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In the year 2022, we are excited to report that a new Alex G record is on the rise. The Philadelphia-based indie singer-songwriter and producer announced that his ninth studio album, God Save the Animals, will be out September 23rd, 2022 via Domino. Whenever G gets crafting, it brings us back to our early days of DIY warehouse shows and endlessly replaying tracks from our favourite artists to and from after school jobs. While G remains faithful to his imaginative, alternative soundscapes, teaser singles like “Blessing” have us eager to hear an edgier attack from the beloved lo-fi artist.

Watch the aesthetic-bending video for “Blessing” below!

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Meg Remy of U.S. Girls by Emma McIntyre

Rounding off July, U.S. Girls shared their new single “So Typically Now”. Out on 4D, the punchy dance track oozes a cross of the pop electricity found on Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster with the rhythmic hypnosis of Ladytron’s Light & Magic—making for a signature sound-system buster. “So Typically Now” features backup vocals from Kyle Kidd, and marks a promising venture for the group since their 2020 Polaris Prize-nominated LP Heavy Light.

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

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Between Frankness and Cheekiness is Eliza Niemi's "Staying Mellow Blows" (Vain Mina / Tin Angel Records)

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Eliza Niemi by Ben Mike

Alt-folk raconteur Eliza Niemi’s knack for sincerity and surrealism make her masterfully endearing. The Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist and singer first found her footing in so-called Canadian indie circles with her former band Mauno and since disbandment, has established a solo-venture defined by striking idiosyncrasy and collaborations. Now, Niemi finds herself with two EPs under her belt and operates an independent record label, Vain Mina, on the side.

Niemi’s deft and illustrious approach is refined on her to-be-released LP Staying Mellow Blows, out August 5th, 2022 on Vain Mina and Tin Angel Records. Between cello musings, folk experimentations and modular synth flirtations is Niemi’s most bountiful collaboration to date—a testament to her talent and creative kinship. Staying Mellow Blows features contributions from 19 confidantes within Niemi’s web and charts a back-and-forth intrinsic to community ties; transcending its pandemic-bound gestation period.

In our conversation with Niemi, we had the chance to discuss how Staying Mellow Blows evolved in passing through many hands, the way she is sustained by innovative relationships, and the experience of getting a tramp stamp of her album name.

Read the full interview below!

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Eliza Niemi by Ben Mike

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter for Also Cool: You are a prolific world-builder when it comes to your collaborations. How has your creative process transformed from the solitary practice captured on your first EP, Vinegar, to that being realized on your to-be-released Staying Mellow Blows?

Eliza Niemi: With Staying Mellow Blows, I wanted to preserve the solitude and intimacy of my older EPs in the core of the songs, but make the arrangements a joint effort with the other players on the album. I basically wrote a bunch of songs on cello, guitar and keys, and then sent them around to my friends all over North America to build on. Some were a bit more collaborative in earlier stages, like how "Walking Feels Slow" was co-written from the start with Will Statler, or "Sushi California" and "Trust Me" were co-produced by Mike Fong.

This record was my first time fully recording and producing my own vocals, cello, keys, and guitar. That part of the process was quite solitary. It created a cool dichotomy with the deeply collaborative process of all my friends writing and layering their own parts overtop. It was like I leaned even further into the intimacy and introspection of my previous releases—which were recorded by Louie Short in a small studio here in Toronto—and then turned that on its head by completely opening it up to other musicians' perspectives. I think in this way, my creative process has expanded both inwards and outwards. Making this record has been an exercise in understanding myself and in letting go—trusting the people around me.

Also Cool: Branching off of that: Did working with your friends bring about anything of the album that you hadn't initially expected? 

Eliza Niemi: Sending these vulnerable, raw songs to my far-away friends and having them interact with them so honestly was a beautiful way to feel close to them. It was an emotional process receiving everyone's stems over the pandemic. I put a lot of careful thought into whom I asked to play on which songs, but didn't give anyone specific direction. Each friend blew me away with their sensitive and brilliant playing and singing. The odd time when I would send two players the beds of a song simultaneously, they would send back parts that serendipitously worked perfectly with one another. It was pretty magical. Each player expanded their song(s) in ways that I never would have been able to. The album is almost like a web of emotional and musical conversations. 

AC: You and your hive are close-knit in more ways than one. Can you tell me about how these relationships contribute to your label Vain Mina? 

EN: I started Vain Mina as an imprint for my first solo release, mostly to seem more legit to press and industry people, while still being able to own all the rights to my music. "Vain Mina" is adapted from the Finnish vain minä which means "only me,” with a sort of childish inflection. I called it that somewhat ironically because I was setting out to do everything myself, but it ended up being birthed from the efforts of many members of my community.

Mark Grundy (Heaven For Real, Quaker Parents) had been involved in DIY labels back in Halifax, and had been self-releasing music for a decade. He helped me a ton at the beginning. I'd say we basically started the label together. Our second release was Quaker Parents' Our Drawing Club in 2019. Louie Short has been our resident engineer from the beginning and has worked on all of mine and others’ releases to-date.

We all play on each other's recordings as well. I guess we're a collective… Bolstering each other and aiding one another in self-releasing under the label name. We're trying to organically build something with like-minded people and facilitate transparency, artists owning the rights to their music and knowing exactly what's going on at all times. The evolution of the label has felt natural in this sense... We’ve continued to link up with people who share this vision and have gone from there. 

AC: Going back to Staying Mellow Blows: Your leading singles are accompanied by music videos with an uncanny undertone in commonality. What informs your visual and online identity? 

EN: In line with the collaborative nature of this album, I brought songs to friends who make visuals and gave them free reign to interpret them. I've had certain people I like to work with since Vinegar, and they made videos for this album too, like Ryan Al-Hage and Ali Vanderkruyk, as well as some new collaborators like Gart Darley and an exciting to-be-announced artist. 

In terms of my visual and online identity, I gravitate towards things that I find interesting and inspiring. I have an affinity for miniatures, puppets, figurines and outsider-art, which has been present in a lot of the visuals throughout my solo career. I think these things represent how I feel about my music and expressing myself in general. I find making art to always be a sort of clunky, funny, sad, and overall odd representation of the self. Weird little puppets, stained glass, and sculptures convey that well for me.

AC: Speaking of your music videos; can we talk about the extremely rock n’ roll moment of getting your album title tattooed on camera? What inspired this adventure? 

EN: Back in the winter, my friend June was driving me around NYC. At golden hour in Manhattan, we passed a sprinter van with a fun little decal on it. I said, "It looks like a tramp stamp," and we laughed. I then said, "I should get it," and he said "staying mellow blows”—in reference to the title of my unreleased album, which he'd heard every version of for the past two years. We laughed and then I got serious again and said, "That's a great idea!” Over the course of that trip, I conceptualized the music video. I wasn't sure if I was serious about it until it was actually happening. Honestly, I mostly did it to make June laugh and think I was cool, I think it worked. I don't regret anything. It also perfectly encapsulates the sentiment of “staying mellow” being dumb.

AC: In closing, what would you tell your younger self from this moment looking back on your musical career so far? 

EN: What a nice question. I would say: "Don't get the tattoo!" Just kidding! 

It's a hard question because I don't wish anything had gone differently… It’s all led me to where I am now, which is a good place, I think. But yeah, I guess I would tell my younger self to trust your gut, to not be afraid to change gears, and that everything is gonna work out, kinda.

Don’t miss Eliza Niemi on tour!

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Staying Mellow Blows

Out August 5, 2022 via Vain Mina / Tin Angel Records

1. MPF (Movies)

2. Sushi California

3. Tea On A Plate

4. Murphy’s

5. Trust Me

6. Walking Feels Slow

7. Don’t Think

8. Not Killing Bad Energy

9. Leave Me

10. Death I

11. Death II

12. Rolling

13. Staying Mellow Blows

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Eliza Niemi

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, and a radio host & DJ.

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Medicine Singers, distraction4ever, Dawn to Dawn, PACKS & More - Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

Summertime is in full swing, and we’ve got music for almost every occasion. This edition includes friends like Paul Jacobs, distraction4ever, and new finds like Medicine Singers and Dawn to Dawn.

Whether you’re lounging at the park with a picnic and wine, camping in a nearby forest, or headed out to the club, our Playlist Refresh has something for you.

Listen to our accompanying playlist below

Paul Jacobs returns with his latest EP 185 On The Corner via Bonsound, delivering a mellowed out iteration of neo-psych sound he’s known for. A visual artist through and through, Paul’s lyrics illustrate his world, painting vivid imagery that captures his feelings during a period of instability, reflecting on his emotional growth.

In line with his DIY ethos, Paul wrote, recorded and produced the four songs by himself. Two of the tracks, After Dark and The Tree Outside My House, were previously released as singles earlier this year. You can watch the music video for “Hold On” below.

Whether you’ve been to one of their rowdy loft parties, or have seen them running Shift Radio, you’ve probably come across the Mile End’s latest post-punk duo distraction4ever. After releasing three singles this year, Beau Geste and Splitshift have joined forces once again to create their upcoming album Please Don’t Think About Tomorrow.

Inspired by Russian new-wave vocals (think Molchat Doma), analog synths, fast drums, and distorted vocals, distraction4ever feels like you’re running around the city on a Montreal summer night. The album will explore themes of addiction, escaping reality, anxious downward spirals, nihilism and pessimism while maintaining a connection to an overall 'joie de vivre.’

distraction4ever will celebrate the release of their debut album with a show at the Brasserie Beaubien on August 5th, 2022 at 9:00pm. Event on RA here.

One of our favourite artists at Also Cool, PACKS (Madeline Link), returns with her latest EP WOAH (Firetalk). Although her latest album was dubbed "reluctantly anthemic slacker rock" by The FADER, PACKS retreats to a more stripped down sound with this EP, through thoughtful lyrics that process grief, joy, and confusion.

"These songs began when I got back in November from our small US tour with Wombo," Link says of the EP. "I had lost my voice completely and it had a nice scratchiness to it as it was coming back. Someone suggested I record a whole album of songs while my voice was like that. father’s truck was first. It came from a fever dream I had in a dander-steeped basement in Boston. Sure enough, my voice recovered and I spent the rest of the winter recording. All of the songs were recorded in Ottawa and Montreal as I dealt with the repetitive, gory horrors of desire and simultaneously dreamt some beautiful dreams."

Watch the album film for WOAH below.

Mothland welcome another excellent band to their roster with the self-titled debut album of Medicine Singers (Stones Tapes, Joyful Noise Recording).

Medicine Singers bridge multiple dimensions of sound, while expanding on years of collaboration following a spontaneous 2017 performance by Eastern Algonquin powwow group Eastern Medicine Singers and Monotonix guitarist Yonatan Gat. Rounded out by contributions from Ryan Olson of Gayngs, rising jazz trumpet star Jaimie Branch, Thor Harris and Christopher Pravdica of Swans, no wave icon Ikue Mori of DNA, and ambient music pioneer Laraaji. Medicine Singers’ debut album creates a genre-smashing kaleidoscope of sound firmly rooted in the intense physical power of the powwow drum.

Through their connection to their ancestral music, Medicine Singers created a daring and ambitious record that celebrates tradition, while boldly breaking away from its restrictions, or in the words of Medicine Singers’ leader Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson: “These two cultures can work together, and blend together. We created something that needs to be out there in the world, to show people how we can work together and make something beautiful.”

Dawn to Dawn emerges with a new release, and debut album announcement. Their music sits halfway between spectral dream-pop and abstract dance-oriented soundscapes. Consisting of Tess Roby, Adam Ohr & Patrick Lee, the Montreal trio formed in 2018, and made their debut with singles “Meridian” “A Colour Named By You” and “Care.”

Dawn to Dawn says of “Stereo”: “This song captures the sound of summer: sweltering nights, afterparties and playful romance. It was written deep in the 2020 winter lockdown, as we imagined the parties of summer's past. A breaky, forward moving 909 beat carries airy synths that glide beneath Tess’ airy vocals. Weightless and captivating, Stereo is an anthem for years to come.”

Stay tuned for their debut album Postcards From The Sun To The Moon, out on October 6th on Tess Roby’s recently launched SSURROUNDSS label. 

View fullsize

Das Beat via Bandcamp

Berlin duo Das Beat pair sweet and salty on their latest offering “Intensity.” Out on Arbutus Records, the single is an anticipated follow-up to their 2021 EP Identïat and familiarly romances with their signature melancholy pulse.

The glassy embellishments and motored rhythms hoist singer Eddie Rabenberger’s seducing vocals, making for an arresting performance from Das Beat. You can see it for yourself in Montreal on August 20th when they take the stage at Système on their first North American tour. 

Toronto garage rock outfit Bitch Stick are stirring up excitement with the release of their second single “I Want More.” With classic danciness and a laid-back delivery, Bitch Stick bring forward refreshing sincerity and are a group to watch out for.

Encapsulating sweaty dive gig energy, “I Want More” sums up the excitement of live music’s resurgence this summer. Whether or not you missed their set at Ottawa’s Side By Side Weekend, you too will be wanting more. 

Up and coming Montreal electro-pop pair Mayfly tease their first full-length with their new single “Passenger Seat.” Comprised of singer-songwriters Charlie and Emma, the self-produced world of Mayfly fully embodies their independent artistic direction.

As two young women in the music industry, Mayfly aim to inspire others like them to “own their place.” Such is evident with “Passenger Seat,” which boasts glittery escapism and the promise of looking out for one another. 

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

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OSHEAGA 2022 - IDLES, Pinkpantheress, TURNSTILE Wet Leg and more!

via Osheaga

It's that time of year again; get your best festival outfits ready; Osheaga 2022 is back with an all-star lineup for its 15th anniversary edition. We have our selection of (what we think) are the coolest shows to go to.

Whether you're into hyper pop, hardcore, or feminist post-punk, this year's lineup has diverse acts that will keep you dancing all day long. Listen along to our playlist to get a taste of what to expect!

Ceréna via Osheaga

First up, we have Canadian sweethearts Luna Li, Sophia Bel, and Ceréna. 

Luna Li is a multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto, where we've been catching her shows since early 2016. She creates a hyper-lush universe with dreamy tunes that integrate a blend of pristine pop with psychedelic indie rock. 

Sophia Bel via Osheaga

Sophia Bel is Montreal's pop punk princess, inspired by divas of the 90s emo-rock. We caught her show earlier this summer at Foufounes Électriques, which you can check out here.

Ceréna (she/they) is an experimental dance-pop artist from Toronto, Canada. Their debut album launched off the platform and community she co-founded via Club Quarantine (read our Club Q interview here). 

Wet Leg via Osheaga

Next, we have Wet Leg and PinkPantheress, who took the internet by storm via the TikTok pandemic algorithms.

Wet Leg, whose debut album we covered here, is a post-punk band from Isla of Wight. Amidst a night of hazy scenes in their hometown, Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers found themselves at the summit of a Ferris wheel. They decided to start a band. The band is called Wet Leg. Arming themselves with guitars, a penchant for French disco, effervescent imaginations and a shared love of The Ronettes and Jane Birkin, through to Ty Segall and Bjork, they set about making some recordings of their own.

Pinkpantheress via Osheaga

Pinkpantheress is the 20-year-old London-based artist responsible for introducing Gen-Z to classic drum and bass beats. After using TikTok as a focus group for her songs and learning how to work the algorithm, she skyrocketed to internet fame with each new release. Although she's joked about her set only being 15 minutes long due to the short nature of her songs, her set is not one to miss.

Khruangbin will also be gracing the Osheaga stage with their wonderfully sparkly tunes. If there's ever a time to pretend you're at a concert in the 60s, living your best psychedelic life, it will be during this set. Khruangbin has always been multilingual, weaving far-flung musical languages like East Asian surf-rock, Persian funk, and Jamaican dub into mellifluous harmony. 

Khruangbin via Osheaga

Wrapping up with the loudest bands of the bunch, we have IDLES and TURNSTILE.

IDLES, the Bristol-based hardcore post-punk band, will play Sunday evening, closing the festival with a bang. Our personal favourites from their discography include Joy as an Act of Resistance, the band's second deeply passionate album that asks the listener to face themselves with brutal honesty.

IDLES via Osheaga

TURNSTILE, possibly one of our favourite bands, takes on the hardcore genre with a multitude of fresh influences and, most importantly, an incredible amount of kindness.

From the moment they hit the ground a decade ago, TURNSTILE have never stopped moving forward -- and they're sure as hell not about to look back. The Baltimore band, comprised of singer Brendan Yates, guitarists Brady Ebert and Pat McCrory, bassist Franz Lyons, and drummer Daniel Fang, immediately distinguished themselves from the pack with their infectious, aggressive punk fusion; their welcoming, satisfying live shows; and most importantly, their willingness to experiment. The only constant in the TURNSTILE universe, aside from love, is progression.

TURNSTILE via Osheafa

Osheaga runs from July 29th to 31st at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal.

Get your tickets here.

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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Side By Side Weekend Returns to Club SAW July 29th-31st

View fullsize

Side By Side Weekend logo by Anna Rickenbacher

Side By Side Weekend is putting the notion that Ottawa is a sleepy city to bed! Returning in-person this weekend at Club SAW from July 29th-31st, Side By Side Weekend is the 613’s hottest independent music festival. Championing a DIY ethos while granting artists of all experience levels and styles centre-stage, the three-day festival features co-presentations from fellow all-star local programmers: Cinqhole, Debaser, First Crush, Sitting On The Outside, and Ottawa Showbox.

The stacked, genre diverse lineup features shoegaze, alternative folk, hardcore, bedroom pop and post-gig dance parties! Whether you’re gearing up to watch your friend’s band or eager to find your new favourite artist, Side By Side Weekend always has something for everyone. We’re excited for the weekend all-around and some of our top picks include Boyhood, Jasmine Trails, fanclubwallet and Bitch Stick!

We’ll see you in between sets on both Club SAW’s indoor and outdoor stages all weekend long!

Side By Side Weekend

Website | Tickets | Instagram

View fullsize

Side By Side festival poster by Anna Rickenbacher

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Arbutus Founder Seb Cowan Opens Système - Montreal’s Newest Nightlife Venue

Système by Sarah O’Driscoll

As we welcome Système into the neighbourhood, it only feels right to reminisce on the venues of previous years that helped shape Montreal's scene into what it is today. From Torn Curtain to Poisson Noir, La Plante, Silver Door, Cyberia, and of course the iconic Durocher lofts where Arbutus first had their HQ, venues and shared spaces have always acted as incubators for the scene, allowing creatives to find each other.

We spoke with founder Seb Cowan (Arbutus Records, N10.as) about the space, his experience in Montreal from the late 2000s to now, and his inspiration for this new venue.

Système by Sarah O’Driscoll

Malaika for Also Cool: Tell us about the space and why you wanted to open a club.

Seb for Système: It's a 1700sqft space located at the confluence of Little Italy, Villeray and Petite-Patrie. It has the feel of a wine bar in the front with a dedicated dance floor in the back. I wanted to open an establishment like this for a few reasons.

The inspiration first came when I moved here in 2007. Montreal can be a transient city, and many people move away. It can act as a springboard for creative talent, and especially if one sees success, they often move to larger cities like New York and LA.

I noticed that those who did stick around put back into the community in tangible ways by starting venues, labels, festivals, etc., the foundation of which in turn helps the next generation of artists. I was conscious of that and made a point to do the same with projects like n10.as radio and now with Système.

I also, like many others, moved to Villeray a few years ago and felt a sincere lack of a bar with a musical offering. There's Le Ritz, of course, but you tend to only go there when you're interested in a particular show, so it doesn't function as a social hangout like Casa del Popolo or Datcha does. There are plenty of fun bars in the neighbourhood, but most don't really have late-night music as a core part of their mission.

Also Cool: What can we expect IRL? What kind of shows are you interested in book, and what's on the menu?

Seb: I'm trying to decentralize the booking, or, to be more specific, I'm looking to find people who will then make the bookings. This way, rather than the bookings reflecting the sole taste of the person doing them, they can incorporate the diversity of all the different people who, in turn, are putting together the evenings. Also Cool presenting a night is exactly that! There will also be a full food menu, but we've only started piloting and testing a few items. The idea is it'll be a snack bar :)

Système by Sarah O’Driscoll

AC: How have other spaces in Montreal (or elsewhere) influenced your decision-making with Système?

Seb: My decade-plus of throwing loft parties at Lab Synthèse, La Brique, the Arbutus loft on Durocher, etc have all given me the education I needed to pull off a good party. I have to say it's been incredible to have the cops come, and then leave, without the party getting shut down or me getting a fine. It's a first for me!

Places like Nowadays (New York) and Brilliant Corners (London) are incredible, and I'm sure contributed to the concept either directly or indirectly. I'm also a big fan of architecture, design and urban planning, and the chance to plan and design a space from the ground up was a real privilege. I love seeing how people interact and use it in ways I never thought of. It's going to continue to evolve and remain flexible. I think it's important to learn, adapt and change when new ideas present themselves.

AC: During a time when many of our beloved spaces have closed down, what's something you hope that Système brings to the community?

Seb: I want to develop a space that performers will use to try out new things and experiment. Not to worry about making the perfect set, but rather just focusing on playing great songs and having fun trying something new. I hope the space is a little extra-ordinary (certainly the sound setup is!) to help catalyze this.

I'd like the patrons to have fun, make memories, and find new friends from which new collaborations and projects will emerge. I want it to be the kind of place that you'd go to, even if you have no idea who's performing that night. In the future, I'd like to also incorporate more live music than we currently do, but our sound setup isn't versatile enough to do more complicated live acts at the moment.

Système by Sarah O’Driscoll

AC: How can someone get involved with booking a night at Système or in any other way?

Seb: Get in touch! We'd love to hear new show or event proposals, but please be patient as we're a very small team and have a lot on our plates right now trying to just get this thing off the ground. We're even trying to set up a Google form where the bill could be selected by the crowd for one night a month. We'd have to control for those who are already booked and any spammy submissions, but I think it could be a great way to get people more involved with the space and have artists play that maybe wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do so.

Come dance at Système this Saturday, July 23rd, from 10pm-3am. Free before 11, $10 afterwards. It'll be a disco-themed night curated by DJ Flleur B2B Revlux, Sperdakos (Cyberia, Disco Troopers), and Transpacific Express (NGL Flounce & Frantz Lin), VJed by Amelia Scott.

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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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

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp | Soundcloud

Facebook | Spotify | Twitter

Kate Addison

Website I Instagram

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ALSO COOL x Système Present DJ Yuki, Sperdakos, Transpacific Express

When was the last time you got invited to a disco party? More often than not, we see people asking the Internet void, "Where's the party?"

Well, this is your official invitation to ALSO COOL x SYSTÈME this Saturday from 10 pm-3 am. What’s better is that it’s free before 11, and $10 afterwards.

Système is a new venue founded by Sebastian Cowan (Arbutus Records, N10.as) with weekend dance nights and events. The space operates as a bar and restaurant located at 7119 St-Hubert (in Plaza St-Hubert), in the same HQ as Arbutus and N10.as.

We're taking over Système with a range of disco pros, including DJ Yuki, Sperdakos, and Transpacific Express, who will be DJing alongside VJ Amelia Scott. 

DJ Yuki, known under the banners of the bands Jesuslesfilles or IDALG (Il Danse Avec Les Genoux), has animated Montreal evenings for a long time in various well-known taverns (Rockette, Escogriffe, etc.).

As the co-founder of Montreal-based events Cyberia & Disco Troopers, Sperdakos organizes & DJs underground events with a focus on providing an opportunity to both new and established artists alike, and an emphasis on keeping the dancefloor energy high.

Transpacific Express is a Montréal-based promotional and curatorial collective dedicated to bringing the best of global Asian city pop, hip-hop, neo-k-pop, R&B, and house music to dance floors across Canada. The collective is headed by NGL Flounce and Frantz Lin.

Usually a high BPM rave DJ repping their African origins, NGL Flounce nurtures their soft spot for Asian music through their event collective, Transpacific Express. Enamoured of all things dancy, they know where to find the aggressive and sultry Korean hip hop as well as the bounciest city pop tracks.

Frantz Lin reps city pop, hip-hop, and R&B to the bone. One half of the Transpacific Express crew, Frantz grew up with the 90s education of cruising and dreaming on the overpasses of Asian supercities. His tunez of choice always chase that feeling of crying beautifully in the club.

Come dance at Système this Saturday, July 23rd, from 10pm-3am at 7119 St-Hubert, Montreal. Free before 11, $10 afterwards.

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BAD Fest Merges Music and Fashion with Cruise Feat. Lunice, Honeydrip, Juju le Moko and More

Don't you love it when all your favourite creatives come together? Montreal-based luxury fashion brand Bad Wrld launched BAD Fest yesterday, combining their latest creations with incredible performances to create a hybrid experience. All of which took place on a boat that sailed off the Old Port and around the island of Montreal, captured by the Transmission team.

The BAD Fest lineup included Lunice, Honeydrip, King Shadrock, Shash'u, Rymz, Bootyspork (AKA Martyn Bootyspoon), Boogieman, Samito, Hua Li, Juju le Moko, Oren.wav, Mona on the Radio, Deidra, and DaPapa. The entire lineup was decked out in custom BAD Wrld clothing, with BAD Wrld tee, shorts, robes, and more available for purchase on the lower deck.

The pre-festival activities began with a flash BAD Match Day at Studio Amormio, where you could get decked out in BAD Wrld flash by NYC-based tattoo artist James Tyler Reed. The Sunday fashion and music cruise was equipped with a full-service bar by Martini Fiero, bottomless mimosas, and a delicious seafood raw bar set up by Bar Pamplemousse.

The performances were perfectly short and sweet, ranging from funky DJ sets to pure pop covers & mixes. Highlights of the day included Mona on the Radio's cover of A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton, Lunice's high-energy set, Hua Li's melodic tunes, and Honeydrip x King Shadrock's live performance of their 2021 EP ANTI-EGO.

If you couldn't make the festival, there is lots more Bad Wrld to come. Bad Wrld is a luxury fashion brand specializing in one-off, custom and limited edition robes and accessories for after swim, bath, spa, club or lounging. The robes range from more classic belted pieces to cute fits of towel shorts and jacket tops. The brand is designed by Danica Olders as ethically and slow as possible, utilizing recycled towels and 100% cotton terry cloth.

You can keep up to date with everything Bad Wrld on their socials and website. Read our previous feature on Bad Wrld here.

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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DISTORSION Takes Over Entrepôt 77 with Holy Fuck, Hot Garbage, Petra Glynt & More

Our favourite psychedelic moths are back at it again with DISTORSION > Entrepôt 77. It'll be loud, a ton of fun, and includes Also Cool favourites like Holy Fuck, Hot Garbage, and Petra Glynt. 

The festival runs from July 22th to 24th at Entrepôt 77 (77 rue Bernard), a mythical Montreal landmark located in Plateau Mont-Royal, at the junction of Mile-End and La Petite Patrie.

Ever since the festival's very humble beginnings, the moths organizing DISTORSION have made a point to settle in unique locations to present their psychedelic masses. This year is no different, but there is a slight twist: the event will take place mostly in daylight! Rest assured, though, the moth team has you covered with some of the very best noisy and experimental outfits out there.

Amongst the headliners, attendees can catch transcendent electronic artist Holy Fuck (Toronto, ON), multi-faceted psychedelic collective Golden Dawn Arkestra (Austin, TX), krautrock ensemble Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp (Geneva, CH), plus a selection of up-and-coming post-everything outfits from Montreal and abroad!

Check out the full schedule below:

FRIDAY

9 pm - HOLY FUCK

8 pm - GRIM STREAKER

7 pm -CRASHER

6 pm - PETRA GLYNT

5 pm - DJ SET

SATURDAY

9 pm - GOLDEN DAWN ARKESTRA

8 pm - PANTAYO

7 pm - HOT GARBAGE

6 pm - ZOON

5 pm - KARMA GLIDER

4 pm - EFY HECKS

2 pm - DJ SET

SUNDAY

8pm - ORCHESTRE TOUT PUISSANT MARCEL DUCHAMP *

7 pm - LA SÉCURITÉ

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4 pm - LARYNX

2 pm - DJ SET

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Isabella Lovestory, Dry Cleaning, Dune Rats and Pony Girl - Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

Pony Girl via Bandcamp

The first official weekend of summer is here, and Also Cool HQ’s Playlist Refresh will help you celebrate. Soak up our latest selection of the finest tunes on the block.

In need of some fiery new tunes to pump you up for a night out? Montreal sweetheart and pop star Isabella Lovestory has released her latest track “Cherry Bomb.” It’s a song for city girlies to hype each other up with, and perfect to get nasty to on the dance floor. Produced by Chicken, the swanky reggaeton single flaunts Lovestory’s prowess with a sugar-coated rush. Lovestory’s glossy self-directed music video complements the new single – watch it below.

Shallowhalo, NYC’s resident sparkly synth royalty, recently released their no-skip album No Fun — and “Yesterday’s Toy” has been on repeat since the drop. For fans of Strawberry Switchblade, Kate Bush, and Cleaners from Venus, the track is a shimmering cascade of sound perfect for your summer playlist.

With their second LP Stumpwork slated for October via 4AD, UK post-punkers Dry Cleaning give us a taste of the wonderful malaise to come with their latest release “Don’t Press Me.” Against the apathetic strut of vocalist Florence Shaw, the minimal and disjointed melody illustrates the pleasure of gaming and the enjoyment of intense and short-lived guilt-free experiences.

Shaw elaborates, “The words in the chorus came about because I was trying to write a song to sing to my own brain: ‘You are always fighting me / You are always stressing me out.'”

Watch the accompanying music video, animated by Peter Millard, below.

Hailing from Australia’s indie scene, the garage-punk vibrations of Dune Rats will pluck your heartstrings well into the weekend. Their latest single “Melted Into Two” sets a sunny scene for upcoming album Real Rare Whale, out next month via Ratbag Records / BMG. “Melted Into Two” was penned by Dune Rats along with DZ Deathrays’ Shane Parsons, and showcases some new thematic waters within a healthy dose of infectious melody. When asked about “Melted Into Two”, the rockers shared: 

"This song is the closest thing to a love song we've written. It grew from meeting a young couple at a bar who talked about a time when they were on acid and believed if they tried hard enough, they could melt into each other, creating one person. We reckon you can meet people throughout life, whether it be romantic or not, that you become so close too and in tune with, that you become one.”

To make you swoon a little harder, the music video beautifully interpolates the romance of Kelly Jansch—sister to bassist Brett Jansch—and her partner Ellie. Fall in love with “Melted Into Two” below!

NYC’s cumgirl8 have whipped up a fresh batch of angular electroclash, and it fits perfectly with that Saturday night stomp you’re bound to take. Enlisted as part of Suicide Squeeze Records’ Pinks and Purples series, the dance-punk group have responded with “dumb bitch.”

Emerging from a sinister bass underbelly, the track launches into an anthemic rebellion that pulsates with purpose. Bassist Lida Fox explains that “dumb bitch” was written to “...[explore] the space between romance, masochism, pleasure, narcissism, and the balance of how much we give and take in our relationships”. Its biting commentary skates across the gothic beat with ease, hooking listeners until the last drop. Stream the single below.

On National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Toronto-based experimental shoegaze act Zoon (Daniel Monkman) shared their new EP Big Pharma. The album marks Monkman’s first release since their 2020 debut as Zoon, and features a star-studded list of collaborators that includes the likes of Leanne Betasamosake-Simpson, Cadence Weapon, and up-and-coming Ottawa-based artist Jasmine Trails. Leaning heavily into Zoon’s masterful musical world-building, Big Pharma also makes room for vulnerability from the artist between atmospherics. 

On Big Pharma, Zoon shares: 

“‘Big Pharma’ is about me trying to bring awareness about the pharmaceutical industry and their lies,” Monkman explains. “I talk about how they destroyed my community of Selkirk, Manitoba and many more small towns and cities. A whole generation completely changed in just a matter of five years, Families torn apart and loved ones lost to addiction and overdoses. Our treaty card ensures that our medical insurance is covered but a lot of the time the only medication that’s available for free is the stuff that’s most addictive. I found this alarming and made me connect the dots linked to an underlying form on genocide happening right under our noses.”

Stream “OopeeUm (feat. Jasmine Trails)” below.

Hull-based pop outfit Pony Girl kicked off the month with their new single “Age of Anxious”,  teasing their to-be-released album Enny One Will Love You out on Paper Bag Records October 14th, 2022. “Age of Anxious” is a glossy trip-hop lament to the woes of young adult life, laden with catchy hooks and Easter eggs throughout (including a saxophone solo!). Watch the music video below.

Central Frontenac’s Caylie Runciman—AKA Boyhood— has recently shared “Stroke It”, the second single from her upcoming album My Dread. Complete with Runciman’s signature contemplative instrumentation and frank delivery, “Stroke It” indicates a deepened confidence in her artistic stride. Runciman will be playing on the Saturday lineup of Ottawa’s DIY music festival Side By Side Weekend on July 30th at Club SAW. My Dread releases November 2022 and is available for pre-order here. Watch the official music video below.

Our Playlist Refresh series is available in full on Spotify – click below to stream the catalogue!

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Aura Moreno Affirms Life's Complexities with "A Love Story" (Part II)

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

Today marks the Bandcamp release of A Love Story — the latest chapter in musician and creative Aura Moreno’s empire. The Providence-based artist is known for embracing her tastes and energies in all their forms, mixing them together with a charming and unapologetic confidence. With this latest mixtape, Aura leans into experimental textures, sensuous pop, and jolting effects to concoct an autobiographical roller-coaster ride.

After opening up to Also Cool about her formative experiences and creative stylings, Aura is ready to share more about what she believes and where she is headed. Continue on for the second-half of our heart-to-heart, where we explore the healing powers of expression and all the moves she is set to make.

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

Rebecca Judd for Also Cool: In that vein, something that excites me with your music is how escapist it is, while also being contemplative and heartening. You describe your music as “crafted with the intention to dance, heal, and reflect” — many of your tracks convey that beautifully. Have you always incorporated affirmations into your music? 

Aura Moreno: Well, my music has always been honest and true to my experience, so I’ve incorporated affirmations previously, but unconsciously. With my album Understanding, it all was made purposefully, with intention. I needed to hear those songs and conduct that light energy.

Prior to creating that album, It had been brought to my attention that, back in the day when music came to be, people chanted to manifest a better life. To have a powerful frequency like that moving throughout the world, I began to think “Well, now that I know that, why would I just say any old rhymey thing on my songs?”  I’m using this talent to my advantage, to heal myself and to aid the healing of those who are listening! 

Also Cool: Absolutely. Your music has many powerful reflections on how individuals can treat themselves, but also how they can treat each other. I was just listening to “What I Want” [from Aura’s album Understanding], thinking about how I have friends who are going through difficulties. “Give them their flowers while they’re still here”  — that got me in my feels.

AC: How has music helped you to build yourself back up?

Aura: When I was introduced to 90s hip-hop, I was confused about life, feelings, and relationships. As I studied the music of artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Common, Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, etc., they painted beautiful images of love and life. I really felt it, but more importantly I understood. That was life-changing.

Within my own work, I was going through it heavily when I started writing Understanding. There was so much shifting in my life: I had lost my apartment, I had no mentors or guidance, and quite a few of my close friendships were falling away, one of them of over 10 years strong. In the midst of all of this, I had lost my identity… I felt alone, hopeless and was deeply unable to validate myself. Creating the album (along with some prayer) was a big step in the process of getting back to my purpose and values.

I appreciate music so much, because every song I’ve made has been a footnote to circle back to. When I listen, I remember certain lessons I’ve learned, feelings or situations I’ve overcome. I’m able to reset, even if it might take some patience and reiteration.

AC: It can be something where people put their own experiences into [their interpretations of] your music, but you orient yourself through it as well. It gives you context for your own future.

Aura: Literally. Once anything goes public, everyone is able to attach their own meaning to it. As long as it’s inspiring and encouraging, I’m happy. Personally, this is my journal that I don’t have to have physically.

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

AC: I’ve loved watching your live performances! If you were to curate the Aura show of your dreams, what kind of atmosphere would you have, and which artists would share the stage? What would be your dream presentation of yourself?

Aura: Definitely green pastures. I love performing outdoors. If I could just perform in a beautiful field, where people are connecting with the Earth… shoes-off vibe, there’s weed, there’s ice cold fresh-squeezed lemonade, there’s bubbles, the sun is shining with a light breeze and it’s just a high vibration… I would want to connect with all the people who are there to have fun and share Love. and the sound system would be incredible of course! 

I would love to perform with some friends — Cassius Cruz, Project Gurl, Homeboyextra, Blue Mena. I’m also really into Babyxsosa right now, she’s incredible. I would love to have a show with her, Pete Rock, baby.com, Pierre Bourne, Hook, Princess Nokia, Rosalia, SZA. And Charli XCX as well!

AC: Absolutely! An Aura collaboration with some metal artists would be really special.

Aura: Yeah, I definitely want to make rock music and metal in the future. I don’t think that I’m a screamer yet, but it’s coming.

I wouldn’t doubt me doing any sort of music, you know? I love country as well, like Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen is also an influence. And Neil Young…

AC: Looking into the future, you’ve got a lot on the go. What are your next projects, and your intentions for the rest of the year?

Aura: I’m trying to take the business side of music more seriously. In all these years, I’ve prioritized the creation versus the earning, but I do need to take care of myself. My music is incredible, my heart is pure… I deserve so much. I have a whole résumé of music that I could have tried to monetize in different ways had I learned the game sooner, so I guess I’m trying to be a girl-boss with the music shit? *laughs* I’m also in my baddie era, so I’ve got a mixtape [“A Love Story”] coming soon with all those vibes!

I’m working to become more positive within myself and know that I am limitless — we all are! But I want to feel it and know it deep in my bones. I don’t want to doubt myself or worry anymore. I’m trying to pay attention to where I feel worried about life and rework those thoughts. I’m also trying to move to LA, and get my connections up and get my name out there. I’d like to create, release, and perform a lot more. It’s time to level up, period!

I moved back home June of 2021. After not being around for a while, I wanted to come home and re-centre. I’ve been going out more, talking to different people, and re-introducing myself  — despite growing up here, I don’t think I was ever really “in the community”. I had my friends and stuck to my friends. But I’ve been trying to find what’s happening around town, checking out different scenes. It’s been beautiful to see [Providence] flourishing in such a creative way. There’s so much potential here, I’m just trying to enjoy it while I'm around.

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A Love Story

Out June 6th, 2022 via all streaming services (Soundcloud version out June 1st, Bandcamp version out June 3rd)

1. OUF! (snippet)

2. A Love Story

3. flip phone freestyle

4. guesss nottt

5. Culo de Oro

6. Canvas

7. fuck off (demo)

8. Su Música Suena (demo)

Produced by Jay Almeida, Kris Fame, Black Surfer, eqobKING, Cassius Cruz, Nestro, MasterJo, playshado, Tompsy, and Aura

Mixed by CR3AMER

Additional lines on track 5 by Debra Brito

All music written by Aura, with additional writing by eqobKING (track 4) and Kufa Castro (track 6)

Cover image by Ana Maria Hernandez

NYC Also Coolers can check out Aura’s mixtape release party this Sunday, June 5th at Pianos NYC from 8 to 11 PM! Take a peep at the flyer below (made by Aura!) for more info.

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Aura

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

YouTube | Apple Music | Twitter | Soundcloud | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Aura Moreno and the Makings of Her Love Story (Part I)

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

From Providence to beyond, the artistic multiverse of Aura Moreno promises to rock your world. Boasting a catalogue that stretches visual and musical disciplines, the restless creative—better known simply as Aura—has cultivated an image that is both limitless in its references and grounded in its truths. Aura’s self-proclaimed “DIY empire” hosts stylistic impulses with a consistent respect; taking notes from Y2K, trip-hop, rap and metalcore, her multimedia creations aim to heal and provide a place for complexity.

Fresh off the release of her music video for “C U There”, Aura has doubled the pace and drops her latest independent mixtape A Love Story later this week. The tape is now available on Soundcloud, with its Bandcamp release tomorrow and full release on streaming services next week. She describes this newest venture as a “life-affirming musical collage”, a reflective and confident celebration that showcases sounds of pop and reggaetón.

In this first-half of our conversation with Aura, we peruse what led her up to this moment: the impacts of suburbia, the tools in her arsenal, and what it means to step into who you really are.

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

Rebecca L. Judd for Also Cool Mag: Your creative portfolio is expansive, with an exemplary spread ranging from singing and songwriting to digital art and fashion design. How have you established this “DIY empire”, and what are its foundational pillars?

Aura Moreno: I think it all came together organically. I’ve been songwriting since I was a kid, but I never really established that I was songwriting — I was just “writing”, you know. I would also do things like tear up my dad’s old pants and sew them into bags. I’ve always been creative in that way, but how it’s all tied together now goes back to when I started making music. 

As a teenager, I produced for a few years before writing to and hopping on my beats. And then, I mean… I was broke, so I quickly realized “I have to take my own photos and videos and learn how to edit them.” I did that with my first music video. I directed it with an old friend, Ryan Cardoso, and we raised $400 to shoot it. With that budget, I hired an editor—Rasheed LaPointe—who taught me how to edit step-by-step on Adobe Premiere Pro. At the time, I thought you could only make a music video with money; it made things easier, of course, but that wasn’t actually true. I’m grateful we were able to raise that, but I learned afterwards that I could’ve been more nifty. 

Coming up in the scene, I held shows all the time, and the fliers weren’t up to par so I started designing them myself. Back then I was using BeFunky, which I found by googling “free online graphic editor” *laughs*. From there, I began designing my own merch using Microsoft Paint and free online tools.

I was even making nameplates and keychains, after my friend Lara taught me how to use a laser cutter. I was all over the place — and little by little, all of these things folded in together because I’m an independent artist. Luckily, we have this resource here in Providence called AS220, and they help emerging DIY artists. I went lots when I was younger, learning all of these different skills like screen-printing, vinyl and laser-cutting, etc.

Aura’s latest visual, the official music video for “C U There”.

Also Cool: So this lifestyle as an independent artist, for you, came down to self-sufficiency and necessity. From there, you’ve become your own creative director, and you now have both hands on your brand. Do you see that formative time of having to craft your own vision with such hard work as being definitive? 

Aura: Yeah! And you know, my music was already crazy unique, so having and wanting to be hands-on with everything else created this fresh new world. That’s what my “DIY empire” is — it’s this thing that grew because I had to make art for my music. Everything is super distinctive, because that’s who I am and have always been. The vibes will continue to develop, but what’s been really cool about the groundwork I’ve already laid is that my collaborators build off of it. For example, the Pushback 5 Remix video was my aesthetic as seen by the director Eugene Puglia.

AC: Of course. And the more you get comfortable with those mediums, the more you keep in your back pocket. It’s special to know that you didn’t have to compromise to get where you are — you can do it without having to conform or sacrifice.

Aura: For sure. And the plan is to keep that originality and authenticity as I grow. I’ve always despised conformity! And all these mediums have leaked into one another. I truly breathe every facet of design — I would make myself jewelry all the time when I was younger, and I just released an earring line made of upcycled sterling silver. I’ve also just released my first 1 of 1 constructed top.

Getting back to what you said, as great as it was that I did all my own things that way, when I started collaborating with people, it was a little difficult. I was so used to just having myself. I’m still learning how to be a great collaborator now; so much of it is communication, but at first I’d always be thinking “I don’t know if you get me, I don’t know if you’re going to do it right…”

AC: Have there ever been any examples where it felt comfortable to surrender? Can you recall where you saw something unexpected come out of trusting the process?

Aura: Yes, but it wasn’t an experience I had right away. As I was getting into collaborations, I had to remind myself: “We’re here because I love their work, and I trust we can create something beautiful together… so let’s just see what happens.” I had to really loosen up.

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

Also Cool: You grew up in Providence, RI, and previously identified this as your “basic bitch” phase. How did this coming-of-age impact your artistry? What is it that you still carry from this time in your life?

Aura: Growing up in Providence is interesting, because it’s such a small town. I feel like I’ve experienced a lot of different “eras” of this city — it’s much more creative than when I was younger, which is why I felt like I was a basic bitch. Those days, I only spent time partying and shopping because I didn’t want to stick out as an artist. There wasn’t a single day in school or by cousins, where I wasn’t told I was weird; having that trauma already, I didn’t want to further it. Now, I’m just comfortable and confident in my strangeness. What I still carry with me from those days is… I’m still very much a party girl! I don’t know if that’ll ever change. *laughs*

AC: I feel like that’s a universal experience for many creatives — it’s unfortunate to bear that trauma from our early years, because weirdness ultimately does become one’s strength. Going with who you are, it becomes powerful.

AC: You are super versatile in your influences. Growing up, what were you listening to? Which scenes did you explore?

Aura: I wish I could remember my first connection with music. There are so many timelines! Being Dominican, at every family party we’d have bachata, merengue, and reggaeton blasting. My parents both loved this local station, Lite Rock 105.1, which only played the greatest hits of the 80s and 90s — artists like Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Sade, Tracy Chapman... 

My mom moved around a lot too, so for a while before Providence, I lived in a suburb called Johnston. There, we would listen to Myspace-esque tracks like “Fersure” and “Babycakes”, and I remember having 50 Cent’s “Ayo Technology” on repeat. I’d visit my family in Fort Lauderdale often, where I was introduced to house and EDM. After school, I’d throw on the Music Choice EDM channel and discover music for hours. I really liked rock and metal during high school too — bands like Asking Alexandria, A Skylit Drive, Kings of Leon… and of course, I got ready for school every morning to whatever was on MTV Jams and MTV Trés! I knew all the words to each Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Max B and Nicki Minaj song there was. And after my first time playing GTA San Andreas, whew… I studied early hip-hop for years! Slick Rick really taught me how to tell stories. I would just blast all this music in my headphones each day, from AM to PM, in and out of school. My friend reminded me recently that when we first started going to parties in high school, I would put my headphones on and not be at the party. 

AC: That’s hilarious — being in your own little world and thinking “I’m here for the vibe”.

Aura: Exactly. I brought it back this year, just for myself. When I’m out, I don’t always want to interact — sometimes I like being at the club, throwing my headphones on, and enjoying the energy of the environment while being in my own zone simultaneously.

AC: As you were forming your sound and your vision, you were also experimenting with presentation. Before leaning into your identity as Aura Moreno, you released music as Iris Creamer. I’m interested in exploring your shift from a stylized character to becoming authentically you — what does it mean for you to present yourself to the world?

Aura: Honestly, within my healing, it was very necessary. Iris Creamer was a very sexual era for me, and I feel like that’s because I couldn’t access any depth within myself apart from that. I began to notice that I was put in a box because of that, and thought to myself, “If I really adore making music, and this is what I want to do with my life, I have to move forward as myself.” I’m evolving as a human being, so if the music is going to do the same thing, then we need to be together in that way.

Check back in to read part 2 of our conversation with Aura Moreno!

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A Love Story

Out June 6th, 2022 via all streaming services (Soundcloud version out June 1st, Bandcamp version out June 3rd)

1. OUF! (snippet)

2. A Love Story

3. flip phone freestyle

4. guesss nottt

5. Culo de Oro

6. Canvas

7. fuck off (demo)

8. Su Música Suena (demo)

Produced by Jay Almeida, Kris Fame, Black Surfer, eqobKING, Cassius Cruz, Nestro, MasterJo, playshado, Tompsy, and Aura

Mixed by CR3AMER

Additional lines on track 5 by Debra Brito

All music written by Aura, with additional writing by eqobKING (track 4) and Kufa Castro (track 6)

Cover image by Ana Maria Hernandez

NYC Also Coolers can check out Aura’s mixtape release party this Sunday, June 5th at Pianos NYC from 8 to 11 PM! Take a peep at the flyer below (made by Aura!) for more info.

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Aura

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

YouTube | Apple Music | Twitter | Soundcloud | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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MISZCZYK, Heaven For Real, LVL1 and Chinese American Bear - Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

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Chinese American Bear via Bandcamp

The sun’s out and Also Cool is here to set the pace. We’re coming at you with our bi-weekly Playlist Refresh, and we invite you to take a breather and add these new releases to your listening shuffle.

Starting off strong is the teaser track “In The Dark”, from Ontario composer MISZCZYK’s yet-to-be-released album Thyrsis of Etna. Out on July 15th via We Are Time, Thyrsis of Etna brings together a treasure trove of talent, such as Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier, Pylon’s Vanessa Briscoe Hay, The Space Lady, Marker Starling, Chad VanGaalen, Motorists’ Craig Fahner, and many more. The warm and dubby song, featuring the rosy vocals of Latitia Sadier, evokes the timelessness of endless summer days and leaves us writhing with anticipation for MISZCZYK’s solo debut. 

Along with the song and album announcement on May 16th, We Are Time released a playful stop-motion video for “In The Dark” by animator Jesse Yules. Watch below! 

Okay, cheating a little bit on this next one… but March wasn’t that long ago. Halifax-born, Toronto-based slack rockers Heaven For Real have recently come out with a new music video for their track “Green Winter”, taken from their most recent EP Sweet Rose Green Winter Desk Top Tell This Side Autumn Of The Fighter Hot In a Cool Way (Mint Records). Directed by HFR’s own Mark Grundy, the music video for “Green Winter” follows bandmate Scott Grundy on a freaky adventure with a hybrid storyline of Rocky Horror Picture Show meets Little Shop of Horrors. The video also stars fellow musician Dorothea Paas, who sang guest vocals on the band’s song “Autumn Of The Fighter”.

Switching tempos, our next recommendation comes doused with a syrupy sheen that fits perfectly with summer’s haze. Ottawa-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter JAD hits a heartbreaking high with “Don’t Let The Sun Set On Me”, a wistful track dedicated to the highs and lows of temporary entanglements. Across eight minutes of brooding folk, JAD captures what it means to bask in a bittersweet afterglow. Soon to return from a month-long residency at Chateau Orquevaux, we cannot wait to indulge in his latest sonic directions.

Next is 星星 (“Stars”) from NYC sweethearts Chinese American Bear. Complete with the pair’s signature pop dreamscape and feel-good aura, 星星 (“Stars”) is the fourth of a handful of treats from the band’s self-titled LP out on July 8th. From our mix to yours, here is a guaranteed pick-me-up single to keep you company. Let us know when you can name a better duo (FYI, the answer is never).

Although we covered them last week, we had to give another shout out to Cola’s track “Fulton Park.” The track is upbeat and slightly disjointed in the best ways, making it an easy addition to any “my life is an indie movie” playlist.

Watch the video below & read our review with Cola here.

Last but not least, we have a high-energy release from LVL1 that’s perfect for your pre-game before the queer afterhours. Perfectly bitchy and in rapid-fire Spanglish, LVL1 returns with another banger after last year’s TikTok viral hit “FVN!”

That’s it for this week’s roundup! Check out our Spotify mix for all of our previous picks + some extra Also Cool favs to help refresh your playlists.

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Take a Sip of Cola's Post-Punk Debut "Deep In View" (Fire Talk)

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Cola’s Tim Darcy (left), Evan Cartwright (middle) and Ben Stidworthy (right) by Colin Medley

Amidst our post-truth media landscape ablaze with sensationalism, bound by the tirelessness of superficial consumer culture, arrives Deep In View, the debut LP from Canadian three-piece Cola, out this Friday via New York label Fire Talk Records.

Composed of long-time collaborators Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy —formally of beloved Montreal band Ought— and Evan Cartwright of U.S. Girls/The Weather Station, the locally-star studded post-punk outfit is void of artificiality, despite its name.

Rather, Deep In View relishes in poetic revelations in a era of lukewarm takes. With an observational tone akin to David Byrne’s commanding Talking Heads personas, coupled with direct, yet animated, guitar-bass-drum arrangements reminiscent of early works by The Strokes, Cola strikes political conversation on modern life with refreshing sincerity.

Chatting with Cola, lead singer and guitarist Tim Darcy attributes the band’s “triumphant honesty” as an outcome of working as a three piece.

“The writing process for this record was pretty nimble and we could workshop things readily,” explains Darcy. “Ben and I have been writing together for a long time, and though there were elements that we wanted to bring into this new project, there were major structural differences; like working with Evan who has such a singular touch, and writing songs separately during periods of on and off isolation,” he adds. “We wanted to keep the band a three piece and see what we could do melodically with sparse instrumentation.”

Since 2019, the trio draws inspiration from each other, whether through in-person sessions or building upon demos sent back and forth during the creation of Deep In View. Drummer Evan Cartwright says the nature of Cola’s experimentation is a welcomed change.

“There is a level of trust in this project that I don’t have in most creative situations. We all give each other so much agency to be able to redirect and change what we’re working on, which doesn’t happen in every band,” he shares.

“I don’t feel an impulse to control. I actually want [Tim and Evan] to change what I’ve written!” adds Stidworthy.

“Mechanically, it’s part of the definition of a band; a chemical reaction that happens when people bring their own idiosyncrasies to the table. What makes Cola Cola is everyone’s individual contributions resulting in this record,” elaborates Darcy.

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Cola by Colin Medley

Sonically, Cola’s collaborative patterns aim to compose “worlds or moods that are difficult to pin down emotionally,” explains Stidworthy. Part of guiding audiences through an intentionally off-kilter listening experience is largely driven by Cola’s lyrics, which are often introspective, unfettered and sometimes irritable – yet always graceful.

“I did lean into a personal lens much more on this record than with Ought,” says Darcy. “I tapped into lyrical mindsets and characters as vehicles for my perspective as a writer.”  

Darcy’s arresting performance on Deep In View comes from adopting a more traditional “front-man” personality - quintessential to the band’s post-punk roots.

 “[The vocals] do have a more singer-songwriter, post-punk clunky-ness to them, (laughs). While the sound isn’t totally shocking, to us or people familiar with our past projects, listening to our songs feels different… Much more personal,” notes Darcy.

Rounding off our interview, Cola speaks of keenly of returning to touring and bringing their meditations to life.

“I’m excited to just get up and play our asses off!” beams Cartwright.

“We’re a guitar band and I think, we’ve made a good album of guitar songs. Hopefully people will experience joy and our songs will make someone feel something and experience a pivotal moment,” muses Stidworthy.

“Even when we played our first returning shows, they were amazing. It’s a lot to ask an audience to sit through a whole set of songs they’ve never heard before, but everyone who came out was great! So far we’ve been getting back into the flow and it’s like no time has passed. I hope that everyone gets to experience that very soon if they haven’t already,” adds Darcy.

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Deep In View

Out May 20, 2022 via Fire Talk Records

Pre-order here

1. Blank Curtain

2. So Excited

3. At Pace

4. Met Resistance

5. Degree

6. Water Table

7. Gossamer

8. Mint

9. Fulton Park

10. Landers

Written by Tim Darcy & Ben Stidworthy

Supercollider, Guitar (“Blank Curtain”) & Drums by Evan Cartwright

Guitar, Vocals and Lyrics by Tim Darcy

Bass, Guitar & Keys by Ben Stidworthy

Recorded by Valentin Ignat

Mixed by Gabe Wax

Mastered By Harris Newman

Artwork by Katrijn Oelbrandt

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Cola

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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