Empty Nesters, The Lemon Twigs and Tennis: Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

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Empty Nesters by Steph Dinsdale

The January air is rife with possibility, crystallizing all around us like porcupicicles from the roof, and some of our favourite musicians have started the new year by hitting their creative stride. Catch up on our recent listenings in this week’s Playlist Refresh, marking the first new music review of the year.

While the calendar flip is still fresh, we have an itch that 2023 will be defined by endless listening opportunities, from artists local to the Also Cool music scenes and beyond!

Explore the chapters of our Playlist Refresh series on Spotify.

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Empty Nesters by Steph Dinsdale

Empty Nesters, the project of Chinese-Canadian artist Eric Liao, is an Also Cool musical mainstay. Having planted seeds in the same Ottawa DIY music scene, and eventually making the move to Montreal alongside some of the magazine’s founding members, every Empty Nesters release is an emblem of peers growing alongside each other and self-actualizing in the once intangible layers of the Industry™.  

This maturation is evident in Liao’s newest single “Going Bye”, self-released on January 6th. Outfitted with a dissonant shoegaze flare and bound by signature indie know-how, “Going Bye” brings forward the inner workings of Liao’s thoughtful songwriting — once buried by the fuzz of his house-show beginnings. Now with five EPs under his belt and an ever-growing curriculum vitae of live performances, Liao’s creative prowess takes centre stage with “Going Bye” winking at an exciting new chapter.

Catch Empty Nesters at Casa Del Popolo on January 28th alongside Blooming Season, Bedridden and Plastic - presented by KickDrum! More info and tickets available here.

Empty Nesters

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

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The Lemon Twigs via Bandcamp

Long Island brother band The Lemon Twigs graced us with elegant love song “Corner Of My Eye” earlier this month. As the duo’s first offering since their acclaimed 2020 LP Songs for the General Public, “Corner Of My Eye” reminisces with the feel of 1960s soft rock pining. 

Written and produced entirely by The Lemon Twigs, the single’s uncluttered mingling of melodic guitar, muted percussion, dreamy vibraphone and winding upright bass cushions Brain D’Addario’s delicate vocals and the pair’s sparkling harmonies. 

“Corner of My Eye” is out on Brooklyn label Captured Tracks, and while no hints of a fourth album are on the way, we’re hopeful that The Lemon Twigs are brewing up big plans for 2023. 

The Lemon Twigs

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

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Tennis by Luca Venter

Inching closer to the release of their highly-anticipated sixth studio album, Tennis has released the crisp and evocative “Let’s Make a Mistake Tonight”. This track marks the second single from Pollen, out on February 10 via the duo’s own Mutually Detrimental. 

Overtop of a laidback disco sound, vocalist Alaina Moore paints pictures of impassioned escapism. Her Madonna-tinged lilt elevates the vintage decadence as her fantasies of runaway romanticism culminate in destruction.

Elaborating on the vision behind the single, Moore notes: 

"'Let’s Make a Mistake Tonight' is all hubris, attitude, and wish fulfillment. I’m turning water into wine," says Tennis. "I’m reshaping my reality through projection or denial. While tracking with Patrick [Riley] I kept envisioning the same scene: I’m in the passenger’s seat. Patrick drives with one hand on the wheel and one on my thigh. This song plays us out."

Those in and around Toronto will want to catch Tennis on April 5th at HISTORY, featuring folk musician Kate Bollinger.

Tennis

Instagram | Spotify

Our Playlist Refresh series is available in full on Spotify, refreshed on a rolling basis.

Stream it all below!

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2022 in Review (Also Cool's Top Albums)

Illustration by Malaika Astorga

Sounds Cool 2022 (Also Cool’s Top Albums)

Alvvays - Blue Rev (Polyvinyl / Transgressive / Celsius Girls)

“These are 14 zippy songs that echo in your brain long after they end, largely thanks to the group's ability to repeatedly knock reliable song machinery into a woozy disequilibrium.” — Jacob Ganz, NPR

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Born At Midnite - Alternity EP (Arbutus Records)

“Born At Midnite show the range of their DIY stylings with ‘Alternity’, incorporating an invigorating drum beat alongside bouncing neon synths and slick guitar licks to create a stylish, swaggering whole. It’s the perfect setting for this tale of a high-class party, where everyone’s wearing designer clothes and bopping around in this rarified social strata.” — Rob H., Beats Per Minute

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Boyhood - My Dread

“Stroke It” on Also Cool’s Playlist Refresh (June 24th, 2022)

“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.”

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Cola - Deep In View (Fire Talk)

Interview with Cola by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (May 17th, 2022)

“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.”

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DR. GABBA - Planet Piano

Review of DR. GABBA’S “MAGIC RIDER” by Malaika Astorga (May 5th, 2022)

We discovered DR. GABBA earlier this year when the Tiktok algorithm gods were feeling particularly generous. The anonymous space doctor pairs old-school video game graphics with bouncy, synth-heavy beats, which he used to roll out his 2022 album Planet Piano. "Plasma" and "Googoo Lagoon" were the standout tracks that took the algorithm by storm, but "Sunday 2pm" was our personal favourite. DR. GABBA has since gone on to play his first live show with non-other than Montreal electro-sweethearts Blue Hawaii in Los Angeles and will hopefully be blessing us with another synthy space journey sometime soon.

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Dry Cleaning - Stumpwork (4AD)

“It’s post-punk but also incandescent slow rock; it’s hardcore vandalized with Dadaist-diary meditations; it’s cold and moody but also lush and friendly, alternately borderline industrial noise or dream pop.” — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork

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Gloin - We Found This (Mothland)

Interview with Gloin by Holly Hilts (November 24th, 2022)

“While their 2019 album Soft Monster was loaded with head-bangers, there are some more soothing rhythms on We Found This, always with some level of distortion and dark underbelly (a Gloin signature).”

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Grim Streaker - MIND (Mothland)

Grim Streaker featured in Also Cool’s FME 20th Anniversary Top Picks (August 30th, 2022)

“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.’”

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Imogen Heap - Chordata Bytes I (Megaphonic Records)

“Heap helped define the popular soundtrack of the early 2000s. Her solo work and sole album as a part of the electronic duo Frou Frou have become touchstones for the millennials who grew up hearing Heap’s otherworldly, oft-modulated vocals on-screen. Now 44, the pop innovator continually resurfaces as a point of inspiration.” — Cat Zhang, Pitchfork

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Isabella Lovestory - Amor Hardcore

Isabella Lovestory is a perfect balance of sexy bitchiness and everything we love about reggaeton. Her 2022 album Amor Harcore took Montreal's perrero princess to new heights this year, with countless shows across the globe, including some memorable shows in her hometown. It's an album to pre before a night out with your besties or blast while you get over your ex.

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The Linda Lindas - Growing Up (Epitaph Records)

The Linda Lindas’ POP Montreal show review by Rebecca L. Judd (October 8th, 2022)

“The friendship between the four teens was palpable, and their appreciation for punk rock and its motifs of eccentricity lit the stage the whole night through. Between coordinated sways and jittering struts, the group carried themselves with carefree coolness that felt easy to absorb.”

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Magi Merlin - Gone Girl (Bonsound)

Magi Merlin comes into herself and her sound with her explosive 2022 album, created in collaboration with her longtime friend, Funkywhat. Using themes of rage, raving, and ultimate self-expression, Magi hit the ground running with this release, launching herself across international stages for much of the year.

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Maryze - 8

Review of “Experiments” by Malaika Astorga (March 7th, 2022)

“Inspired by her Celtic roots, years of studying jazz, and a healthy obsession with emo as a teenager, Maryze's music transcends genre while still providing one hook after the other.”

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MICHELLE - AFTER DINNER WE TALK DREAMS (Transgressive)

“Much like its predecessor, the record sees each member narrate not only their own vulnerability, but that of their bandmates, encouraging survival and self-improvement over group harmonies and striking pop choruses. Their liberation is individual and universal at once.” — Sophie Williams, NME

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Eliza Niemi - Staying Mellow Blows (Vain Mina / Tin Angel Records)

Interview with Eliza Niemi by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (August 4th, 2022)

“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.”

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OMBIIGIZI - Sewn Back Together (Arts & Crafts)

Interview with OMBIIGIZI by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (October 1st, 2022)

“Through its exploration of both individual and collective identity, Sewn Back Together reckons with the realities of generational trauma, guided by familial teachings and a connection between Monkman and Sturgeon that transcends their collaborative brilliance.”

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PACKS - WOAH (Fire Talk, Royal Mountain Records)

PACKS featured in Also Cool’s 2022 POP Montreal Top Picks

“Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, WOAH has Link returning to her solo, unbrushed songwriting roots with a refined lyrical palette and imaginative composition (and an ode to Ottawa commercial radio on the track ‘fm’).”

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Shallowhalo - No Fun

“Yesterday’s Toy” on Also Cool’s Playlist Refresh (June 24th, 2022)

“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.”

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SZA - SOS (Top Dawg / RCA)

“SZA has mastered the art of the inner monologue, transforming deeply personal observations into gilded songs that feel intimate, relatable, and untouchable, all at once.” — Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Pitchfork

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Wombo - Fairy Rust

Released in the summer of 2022, Wombo's Fairy Rust has stayed on our daily playlists ever since. "Regular Demon" was an instant favourite, combining spooky sounds, slightly cryptic lyrics, and an elevated postpunk sound. Other Also Cool favourites from the album include "Sour Sun," "Below the House," and "RVW."

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Listen to our year in review below!

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Blue Hawaii Doubles Down with "I Felt Love (Salzbauer Rave Edit)" (Arbutus Records)

Blue Hawaii by Peter Zietner

Two years after the release of their electric mixtape Under 1 House, Montreal’s beloved electronic duo Blue Hawaii have revived the magic with the release of “I Felt Love (Salzbauer Rave Edit)” — out December 6th via Arbutus Records.

What was first discovered on Bandcamp as a bootleg rework of their standout track eventually became canon. With this interpretation, Berlin producer Salzbauer sends the BPM soaring and delivers an intoxicating force that’s ready for the rave. 

“I Felt Love (Salzbauer Rave Edit)” breathes life into Blue Hawaii’s already-expansive catalogue, continuing their evolution towards a commanding dance-floor sound. The buoyant vocals of singer Raphaelle “Ra” Standell-Preston and transfixing production of Agor “DJ Kirby” intensify with a flailing techno torment, reaching a thrilling climax before mutely conceding to the waves of emotion. From Durocher to the moon, no one is ready.

Listen to “I Felt Love {Salzbauer Rave Edit)” below!

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Blue Hawaii

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Soundcloud | Apple Music

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Atta Boy Explores Living In Between Grief and Joy in New Album "Crab Park"

Atta Boy by Sarah Midkiff

Atta Boy’s album Crab Park is an October 2022 release with an autumnal feel. This album was created for two moods: the loving feeling of making dinner for your family when it’s 5 PM and already dark, or the ennui of walking on a secluded urban beach. With an overall alt-country feel—think Gillian Welch or Tonk—the songs are welcoming and homey, but lyrically they interweave themes of conflict and teen angst.

The opening title track “Crab Park” is one of longing, with many seemingly unresolved thoughts and wishes poured into this track. “Well, I never thought it over / And I think that you should drive on over / And I never ever thought it would be / Me and you at Crab Park / With the bittersweet and final spark of Firework Friday.” I don’t know who this song is about, but from the lyrics, I really do not think they deserve a song written about them and the relationship’s ending.  

“Spring Seventeen'' is a song about growth and courage. The staccato tune that is played throughout comes across charmingly –  a little childish, a little mocking. The track feels reminiscent of the space you give people from high school when you're over 25, or of the distance that a teen puts between their parents and themselves as a way to slowly establish the slow transformation of growing into adulthood.

“Alex” was definitely my favourite song on the album. It took a couple listens to really get past the evocative lyrics to engage with the sweet melodies accompanying them. Overall the song  feels like a victim impact statement or a letter addressing traumatic events that the band could only just remember. It’s an important song that addresses consent, memory and time-driven healing. 

Closing with “Twin Flame” was an interesting choice, especially after an upbeat track like “Boys” preceding it. The contrast between the two creates a feeling of emotional dissonance that can't be shaken, leaving the listener eerily on edge. Although a lovely song, “Twin Flame” does not feel like the conclusion that was needed to bring the album back full-circle, and a sentiment of resolve is what remains.

On the whole, Crab Park feels seasonally appropriate, and Atta Boy has concocted the early, sweet onset of seasonal affect disorder before it intensifies. Perhaps, like me, you live in Vancouver, or perhaps you know of a Crab Park in your area that you hung out in as a teen. Regardless, I encourage you to listen to the album, listen to Atta Boy’s sweet tunes and seek to understand a world of new details of decay and regeneration.

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Crab Park

Out October 21, 2022

1. Crab Park

2. Spring Seventeen

3. Blue Moon

4. Steller's Jay

5. We Ran From Midnight

6. Deep Sea Ladder

7. Alex

8. It Goes Away

9. Boys

10. Twin Flame

Written and performed by Atta Boy

Engineered and mixed by Jason Hiller

Additional engineering by Freddy Reish

Produced by Jason Hiller and Atta Boy

Mastered by Lurssen Mastering

Art by Lewis Pullman

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Atta Boy

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Soundcloud | Apple Music

Esmée Colbourne is a researcher and writer interested in the ties between community, memory and the arts.

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Late Nite Laundry Makes a Mesmerizing Return with Self-Titled EP (Acrophase Records)

Late Nite Laundry by Charlie Young

Faced with the unavoidable turmoil of cancelled gigs and changing circumstances, Late Nite Laundry had no choice but to find their footing and start anew. The Chicago psychedelic soul band—composed of guitarist Ari Lindo, bassist and designer Emily Burlew, keyboardist, engineer, and producer Brenden Cabrera, and drummer Alex Santilli—has re-entered the scene with a crisp and noteworthy EP, Late Nite Laundry, out via Acrophase Records.

Featuring Lindo and Burlew on vocals, the EP hits a breezy stride as it flirts with elements of Brazilian jazz, bedroom pop, and R&B. Encompassed with a dazed warmth, its four tracks stand apart and—at once—melt together. Let Late Nite Laundry wrap you like a cozy plush blanket and sink into the richness of its sound.

Rebecca Judd for Also Cool: Stylistically, your band takes influence from a wide variety of genres and eras, which culminates in a warm and comforting blend of psychedelic soul. Which sonic inspirations did you reflect in this EP?
Late Nite Laundry: In 2020, we recorded and released a project titled The Michigan Tapes that we believe initiated our new sound. It was our first experience self-recording and producing, which we did in March 2020 soon after the world entered lockdown. We took those same practices and applied them to a more refined recording process over the last year [when making this new EP]. Although we are heavily inspired by many genres and bands as individuals, we rarely reference specific artists between ourselves. Instead, we are inspired by individual elements within our favourite music and [find that] each member brings a different flavour to the table.

Also Cool: Your band underwent a fundamental transformation with the disruption of COVID-19 – you’ve previously mentioned that it was a time to “rediscover [your] sound and smoothen [your] process”. Can you elaborate on the ways in which this time redefined Late Nite Laundry as a band?

Late Nite Laundry: Without shows to play in 2020, [our] band regrouped with writing and recording sessions. Previously, we had only experienced recording in a traditional studio format. After the first EP, we wanted to stress experimentation and expand on the production process. Since then, all recording, production and mixing is handled within the group. This has given us the space to push our creative boundaries, while also developing our skills and relationships with each other.

Late Nite Laundry by Charlie Young

AC: Among the changes you experienced throughout the past couple of years was a change in lineup, with Late Nite Laundry’s original lead singer leaving the group. Nonetheless, you previously identified a sense of synchronism between the four remaining bandmates that led you all to push forward. Were there any defining moments where you felt this connection, or was it a gradual ease?
LNL: Naturally, we think it took time to rediscover ourselves. We spent a lot of our initial meet-ups at the practice space writing new material and reworking old songs. A clear moment in our memories was when our song, “Fantasy”, was first written. During a home recording session for the track, Ari [Lindo] began writing lyrics and sang upward of 100 recorded vocal takes. This was a defining moment for the band, because at the time we had contemplated auditioning for potential singers. Releasing that song was a symbol of what we had become and it clearly established Ari as the new lead vocalist.

AC: I’m particularly interested in the duality of “Floating”, which closes the EP. There’s a feeling of one’s resurgence and contentment that soars past memories of a fragmented relationship. I found myself swept up with its instrumental jazzy vibrance and hungry for more all too soon. Which emotions and decisions went into this track, and how are those contrasted or connected with the rest of the EP?

LNL: This was one of the first songs first ever created for Late Nite Laundry. Ari started writing it in 2016, before the band began. It talks about Ari’s first relationship with his high school sweetheart, and it’s intended to capture the euphoric highs and deep pains that he associates with this time. Ari also has a special musical ability to weave into different styles.

This song really shows our indie styles on the choruses with the layered lead synth sounds, but subdues you with witty chord writing on the verses. The outro of the song has always felt like a different planet from the rest. Everything from psychedelic harmonious textures to Alex [Santilli]’s tasty drum fills, the ending ties in the sound that Late Nite Laundry truly represents. We feel like there’s examples of this in all of our songs.

AC: With this new release, what are your plans for re-introducing Late Nite Laundry to the world? Which directions are you next hoping to explore as a band? 

LNL: Now that the EP is out, we are focusing our efforts on touring and promoting the project across North America. Outside of performing, we are a group that consistently writes and records. Naturally, there’s a lot of musical ideas flowing in our brains whether in demo form or just jammed out at the practice space. What we definitely look forward to the most is playing and making music. Sometimes, that means hanging in each other’s living room, jamming at the spot, or getting away to a cabin in the woods (like for The Michigan Tapes). We’re not sure what we will release or when, but our engines never seem to turn off.

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Late Nite Laundry

Out November 4, 2022 via Acrophase Records

1. Hold

2. Sizzle

3. Hi, Can You Hear Me?

4. Floating

Written and recorded by Late Nite Laundry

Engineered by Brenden Cabrera

Mastered by Kelly Hibbert

Photo by Charlie Young

Album design by Emily Burlew

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Late Nite Laundry

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp

Soundcloud | Apple Music | Website

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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

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Witch Prophet by Francesca Nocera

Bringing together emerging and established artists from across Quebec, the country and beyond, the M For Montreal music festival kicks-off next Wednesday, November 16th, and runs until Saturday, November 19th, 2022. Celebrating its 17th edition, the anticipated event offers a rich program featuring more than one hundred world-class acts. Discover Also Cool’s choice selections from this year’s M For Montreal lineup below as we gear up for the festival just one week away! Listen along with our accompanying playlist.

Witch Prophet

Witch Prophet is the moniker of Toronto-based operatic soul and alt-R&B singer-songwriter Ayo Leilani. Adorning a golden fusion of jazz, hip-hop, soul and prophetic dreaming, Witch Prophet “[creates] music as a portal for self-growth and discovery.” The queer, East-African songstress and rapper’s sophomore LP DNA Activation—a powerful ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots—was shortlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize amidst widespread praise. Driven by a dedication to uplifting community in all facets of her work, Witch Prophet is also the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records, an independent record label supporting LGBTQ+ women, non-binary, gender nonconforming BIPOC artists and allies creating hip-hop, R&B and soul music. Her next LP, Gateway Experience, is set to release in the spring of 2023; get a taste with her latest single “Back 2 You”. 

Witch Prophet plays Le Système on Thursday, November 17th, at 10:00PM.

Tickets available at the door.

Witch Prophet

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Spotify

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Fernie by André Rainville

Fernie

Montreal’s West Island phenom Fernie won us over during his FME performance earlier this fall. Taking influence from soloists like Frank Ocean and Daniel Caesar, the Brazilian-Canadian singer crafts silky R&B that transforms a packed auditorium into a luxuriant cabaret listening-experience. Since releasing his debut album Aurora in September, the 23-year-old has been profiled by Cult MTL and graced the stage at this year’s POP Montreal festival. Capturing what it means to “leave your past behind, [find] hope and really [highlight] the struggles of believing in one’s self,” Fernie’s Aurora presents an ambitious trajectory for the up-and-coming artist. 

Earlier this week Fernie dropped a collaboration with fellow Montreal sweetheart Magi Merlin. Listen to their smooth new track “Dolla Bill” below! 

Fernie plays Le Belmont on Wednesday, November 16th, at 8:00PM.

Tickets

Fernie

Instagram | Bandcamp | Twitter | Spotify

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L E M F R E C K

L E M F R E C K

Newport-raised, and now London-based, L E M F R E C K has been on the rise in 2022. Following the release of his album The Pursuit—which was nominated for the 2022 Welsh Music Prize—L E M F R E C K  blends hip-hop, ragga, gospel, and the stories of his community to create a bold sound that is uniquely his own. Confessional in nature, L E M F R E C K’s lyrics feel like a refined stream of consciousness, processing experiences into a smooth flow. Often compared to Sampha and Pa Lieur, L E M F R E C K combines his grime upbringing with trained musicianship, independently bringing Welsh rap to the international stage. 

Catch L E M F R E C K playing at Quai des Brumes on Saturday, November 19th, at 9:30PM. 

Tickets

L E M F R E C K

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

Flara K by Philippe Thibault

Flara K

Sam and Collin, of Flara K, both born and raised on Montreal’s South Shore, have been releasing funky, introspective pieces regularly since their 2020 debut album Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable. With a vibey, indie-electronic, R&B and pop mix, they explore anxiety, dealing with personal vices, and tackling self doubt and distrust with vulnerability.  The duo is deeply rooted in Montreal’s music scene, collaborating with the likes of Mike Clay (of Clay and Friends), What if Elephants and Milo Gore. With Sam’s stellar vocals and Collin’s groovy, prominent bass (find him also playing alongside Edwin Raphael), their chemistry, on and offstage, is palpable. The duo is set to release new music with Oliver Forest on November 17th and are 1/10th of the Montreal “anti-pop supergroup” Saint Zenon.

Flara K plays Sala Rossa Wednesday, November 16th, at 11:30PM (free show).
Flara K

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

M For Montreal

Website | Instagram | Twitter

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Homework, Cats, and Rock'n'Roll: An Unforgettable Evening with the Linda Lindas (POP Montreal)

The Linda Lindas by Zac Farro

Festival season in the city carries a potent charm, as it dusts its magic over sticky bar floors and croaking choruses. The venue-hopping antics of last weekend’s POP Montreal returned with a particular fervour, highlighting a stellar showcase of industry fixations both emerging and established. Among these acts were the Linda Lindas – the LA teen punks whose rise to the top has warmed hearts around the world.

As I stomped into Theatre Rialto for their headlining show, my first realization was the number of kids anxiously awaiting the group. This was not a surprise, necessarily, but more of an endearing reassurance; an element that would reinforce itself throughout the show was the Linda Lindas’ earnest awareness of their fanbase’s vast demographics. The show felt like a safe space for fans of all stripes – a place to indulge one’s wildest musical fantasies and learn what’s possible in the world of rock.

From that first note of “Linda Linda,” the band emanated rays of remarkably-infectious confidence. “I want you all to scream as loud as you can,” commanded guitarist-vocalist Bela Salazar, moments before vibrantly flailing during a strobey instrumental break. “I want us to get kicked out of the frickin’ venue.” The friendship between the four teens was palpable, and their appreciation for punk rock and its motifs of eccentricity lit the stage the whole night. Between coordinated sways and jittering struts, the group carried themselves with coolness that felt easy to absorb.

Eloise Wong, Bela Salazar, and Mila de la Garza of the Linda Lindas

Mila de la Garza and Bela Salazar of the Linda Lindas

What arguably felt coolest of all, however, was the Linda Lindas’ youthful sincerity. Guitarist-vocalist Lucia de la Garza rambled about homework with a shyness that felt all too familiar, and Salazar shared two goofy bangers about her beloved cats Nino and Monica. The Linda Lindas are nobody but themselves—Riot Grrrl apostles waiting on high school diplomas—and their authenticity made even the small talk about Montreal’s chilly weather feel charming.

The show came to a close with two numbers that shook the walls. “Racist, Sexist Boy” has garnered pandemic infamy with its rendition at the LA Public Library, but its disparaging grit hit Rialto with an authoritative new sheen. The audience kicked and screamed with bassist-vocalist Eloise Wong and drummer-vocalist Mila de la Garza as everyone slayed their own visions of racist, sexist boys. Closing out the show was a cover of Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl”, a mainstay of their shows that made it all the way to Amy Poehler’s film MOXIE!. Wong’s sheer joy in relaying the lyrics hit every heart in the venue. I found myself humming the song and reliving my own memories—juvenile cruises in my high school car, which I named after Kathleen Hanna—the whole way to the Diving Bell.

When the show wrapped, myself and many others lingered to reckon with the force of what we just heard. Gathered at the stage’s edge were many of those same kids, hoping for one last memory of their heroes before they jetted back Stateside. I smiled at one girl’s “Vive les Linda Lindas” sign, which made it onto the stage (with the band’s genuine appreciation) sometime in the evening. Another beret-capped girl was still glowing, swarmed by her friends to touch the guitar pick that Salazar handed her near the end of the night. As the four musicians waved their final goodbyes, Mila de la Garza asked Salazar which child made the “Vive les Linda Lindas” sign. Salazar pointed, and the duo smiled and waved. The pure hope and the punk rock fire in that preteen fan’s soul—two sensations that the Linda Lindas have proven can be compatible—surely never glowed quite as bright.

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The Linda Lindas

Website | Instagram | YouTube

Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Also Cool's POP Montreal Top Picks: Round Two

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Jane Inc. by Shelby Fenlon

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

Jane Inc. 

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

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

Jane Inc.

 Instagram | Bandcamp

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

FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA

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

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

FUJI​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​|​TA

Instagram | Bandcamp

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Tiger Balme by Felice Trinidad

Tiger Balme 

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

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

Tiger Balme

Website | Instagram

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The Linda Lindas by Zen Sekizawa

The Linda Lindas

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

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

The Linda Lindas

Instagram | Website | Bandcamp

POP Montreal

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Also Cool's POP Montreal Top Picks: Round One

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Isabella Lovestory via Bandcamp

September’s end is upon us, which means POP Montreal is just around the corner! Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year from September 28th to October 2nd, POP Montreal is an integral fixture in our hometown’s music circuit as a five-day festival; presenting more than 400 artists between panel discussions, film screenings, fashion shows and more! As per usual, this year’s lineup does not miss a beat with legendary headliners and movers & shakers from our local music scene and beyond. To get into the festival spirit, take a listen to our POP Montreal selections and jump venue to venue with us!

Isabella Lovestory

Isabella Lovestory is Montreal’s resident reggaeton-pop princess. The alter-ego of Honduras-born Isabella Rodriguez, the vocalist and producer meshes sugary hyper-pop tendencies with entrancing, bass-heavy club beats into a rousing, Y2K-reminiscent frenzy. Her breadth of influences chart her musical upbringing; drawing inspiration from reggaeton acts like Plan B, to Britney Spears and MIA, as well as alternative Brits like The Smiths and The Cure. Since her emergence on SoundCloud, Lovestory has released her debut album Mariposa (2020), a handful of ear-worm singles-turned-EPs, and appeared in Nylon and Dazed. A self-proclaimed “fashion freak,” Lovestory turns heads for her equally iconic sense of style, captured in her glamorous music videos and alluring online presence. Let her steal your heart this POP season. 

Isabella Lovestory plays Casa Bianca (terrace) on Saturday, October 1st at 6PM.

Isabella Lovestory  

 Instagram | Bandcamp

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PACKS via Bandcamp

PACKS

Slack-rock quartet PACKS has been on our artists-to-watch radar since their debut LP Take the Cake (2021). Led by Madeline Link, the project began as a creative back-and-forth between Ottawa and Toronto, with Link sending her bare-bone bedroom demos to her bandmates for exploration via Google Drive. The resulting album was a smash and saw the band tour their slow-burning, timeless sound extensively. Since, Link has made it clear that she isn’t resting on her laurels with the release of her latest EP WOAH this past summer. Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, WOAH has Link returning to her solo, unbrushed songwriting roots with a refined lyrical palette and imaginative composition (and an ode to Ottawa commercial radio on the track “fm”).

PACKS plays Casa del Popolo on Friday, September 30th at 8:15PM.

PACKS

Website | Instagram

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Boyhood by Monika Kraska

Boyhood

Boyhood is the moniker of alt-pop singer-songwriter Caylie Runciman. Since 2014, the Belleville-expat brews jangly, brooding mirages, sprinkled with atmospheric synth and candid vocal grit. Runciman now calls the woods of Central Frontenac home, where she has been writing, composing and producing her upcoming LP My Dread - out this coming November. Long-anticipated since her beloved 2019 debut Bad Mantras, teaser singles from My Dread “Don’t You Dare” and “Stroke It” find Runciman standing ground against darkness past, reconciled between tough basslines and twinkling oscillations. Though a limited vinyl-run of My Dread is now available for pre-order, we implore you to catch Boyhood live in her element before its release.

Boyhood plays La Sala Rossa on Thursday, September 29th at 8PM.

Boyhood 

Instagram | Bandcamp

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Strange Froots by McKim Jean-Pierre

Strange Froots

Supporters of Also Cool since day one, Strange Froots is Mags and Naïka Champaïgne: a duo of multifaceted singer-songwriters, beatmakers and musicians based in Montreal. Originally planning to attend a series of workshops for femmes in hip-hop, the alt-soul group met in 2014 at NoBad Sound Studio, and shortly after formed Strange Froots. Strange Froots describe themselves as “the coming together of different backgrounds of the same Black diaspora [...] to convey the message that everyone should embrace who they are, no matter where they’re from or what they’re going through.” Performing extensively with an emphasis on nurturing community, Strange Froots have taken the stage at Slut Island, Suoni Per Il Popolo, Fierté Montréal and will be returning to POP Montreal for the first time since 2017 this year!

Strange Froots plays Théâtre Fairmount on Friday, September 30th at 9PM. 

Strange Froots

Website | Instagram

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Cymande

Active in the 1970s, British group Cymande are revered for their blending of funk, soul, R&B, jazz, rock, African rhythms and West Indian folk. Though they disbanded in 1975 after releasing three albums, their legacy and sound were kept alive through a cult-following and samples from acts like Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul. In the 2010s, the band reunited with a new vision and rekindled excitement from the early years. After touring alongside artists like Al Green, Patti LaBelle, KC and The Sunshine Band and Kool and the Gang, Cymande will now be making a stop at POP Montreal for a show you won’t want to miss.

Cymande plays L’Entrepôt77 on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:30PM. 

Cymande

 Website | Instagram

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Kamikaze Nurse by Dennis Ha

Kamikaze Nurse

Vancouver rock outfit Kamikaze Nurse’s music has been described as “ethereal skronk,” “Deleuzian rock” and “best of the 90s.” Their melodic, confrontational sound is encapsulated on their sophomore album Stimuloso, which arrived earlier this spring via Mint Records. The album was conceived during the first wave of the pandemic, with each band member self-recording their parts over a six-month period. The result is a flowering wall of noise that combines the group’s interests in poetry, film and literature. Keep a pulse on Kamikaze Nurse’s psychedelic-rock-meets-shoegaze sound with their inaugural POP Montreal performance.

Kamikaze Nurse plays The Diving Bell Social Club Wednesday, September 28th at 8:30PM.

Kamikaze Nurse
Instagram | Bandcamp

POP Montreal

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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

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

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

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

Fake Palms

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

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

Sahara by Camille Jodoin

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

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

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

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

Ducks Ltd. & Jane Inc.

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

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

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

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

girlpuppy by Brandon McClain

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

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

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

Pilote by Faux Sommets X Maturin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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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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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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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. 

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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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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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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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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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Jane Inc., Rose Mercie and DR. GABBA – Also Cool's Playlist Refresh

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Jane Inc. by Shelby Fenlon

So it turns out, the sun does provide a lot of serotonin. All we needed to do was put on some headphones and take a lap around the neighborhood to some new tunes. This is the essence of our Playlist Refresh: a bi-weekly introduction to new music keeping us going.

Starting off with Jane Inc., who has just released her sophomore LP Faster Than I Can Take via Telephone Explosion Records. Entirely written and self-produced by the project’s brain Carlyn Bezic (Ice Cream, U.S. Girls), Faster Than I Can Take delights with experimental, multifaceted danceability. Embellished with “a Prince-like ability to shred harmonic guitar riffs over deep, danceable grooves, an eagerness to experiment with form, and lyricism that seamlessly links the personal and the political.” Faster Than I Can Take puts Bezic’s dynamism on full-display, with tracks like “Pummeled Into Sand” making room for a new tone of self-reflection from the artist. 

Ottawa/Hull: Don’t miss Jane Inc. with Akeem Oh and FIAMMA May 14th at Club SAW. 

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Jane Inc. via Telephone Explosion Records

Next is “Immaterial Girl” from Marci, the rogue pop project of Marta Cikojevic from Montreal’s beloved soft-rock outfit TOPS. “Immaterial Girl” boasts Marci’s signature syrupy sincerity, which we can’t wait to hear in full on her self-titled debut, out August 5th on Arbutus Records. 

“Immaterial Girl” arrives with an accompanying music video, directed by one of Marci’s star-studded personnel Chloé Soldevila (Anemone). Let loose in Marci’s 80s dream world and watch the video below! 

All the way from Paris is French-Mexican post-punk girl-band Rose Mercie with “Sweet Place”. The track is off their latest offering ¿ KIERES AGUA ?, co-released on Celluloid Lunch and French label Jelodanti Records. 

The creation of ¿ KIERES AGUA ? began in 2019 when the band drew tarot cards on a beach in southern France. Following the guidance of their reading, Rose Mercie took the plunge and traveled to Mexico, where they completed an immersive artist residency to compose their second album in La Casa Del Bosque. 

On ¿ KIERES AGUA ?, Rose Mercie shares:  

“As we composed the songs for our new album, the image of a young, contemporary, yet ageless woman was conjured; a woman who left, who disappeared, got lost and then found more than ever before. We imagine this record as the journey of this woman, whom we will sometimes try to find, to guess through the clues, who seems to have gone very far from home, who no longer knows where her place is, who is changing and who is evolving. We grow stronger with her, we run, we laugh and we dance and then we sit in the sun, we let our skin warm, we realize that we are totally in the present, and that around us there are only girls, sisters, our friends, and that no one can ever lock us up.”

In need of chonky electronic beats? DR. GABBA has got you covered. The mysterious space doctor has taken over TikTok with his funky piano tunes and recent single “MAGIC RIDER”, which follows his Planet Piano EP.

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DR. GABBA is an estranged doctor who invented groundbreaking devices in the new emerging school of MUSICAL MEDICINE. However, an argument about the future with fellow co-founder, HENRY J. KAIZER, led to the banishment of DR. GABBA from all future healthcare services in America.

In order to survive, DR. GABBA experimented on his own body and invented the ACID HEART, a musical medical device that keeps him alive using sonic frequencies. With this new invention and never-ending lifespan, DR. GABBA is now forced to spend the rest of his life creating music to fuel his ACID HEART and ultimately take on the whole KAIZER HEALTH CORPS.

After leaving Planet Piano, DR. GABBA and crew see a car floating around the moon known as the MAGIC RIDER. They decide to hop in and it takes them to the underground MOON CLUB for a night of dancing.  

Can’t get enough of this intergalactic music-maker? Check out his most recent track “GABBACOPTER”, released on Almost Good Dance Tapes Vol.2.

Almost Good Dance Tapes is a compilation album series created by a collection of producers and longtime friends with eclectic voices in the electronic music medium.  Ranging from techno, house, and breakcore to barely dance-able ambient and AGDT celebrates the homegrown nature of experimenting, creating, and sharing music with your friends and the world. Vol.2 is the second album in the series where the collective has really hit their stride. Expect basement-techno bangers, acid melters, light-hearted lo-fi, and much more!

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You can listen along to our playlist on Spotify, and stay tuned for the next round of new music!

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Convulse, Groove and Exercise Your Demons with Gus Englehorn’s "Dungeon Master" (Secret City Records)

Gus Englehorn. Photo courtesy of Ariane Moisan

What’s the secret to fashioning tunes that veer from traditional genres? Watch cult classics with your guitar in hand. Having reified reveries from the eclectic fusion of Britpop and film, Gus Englehorn’s Dungeon Master gives organized existence to Dadaism’s deliberate irrationality.  

The album is the second to come from post-art rocker Englehorn and Estée Preda—the project’s drummer and Englehorn’s life partner. Its first single, "The Gate", was released late last year, within which a first-person narration of Hitchcock’s Rebecca is brought to life. The tune’s mélange of gasps inaugurates an eye into the surrealist content that exists throughout the remainder of the album. 

Disguised in what could be a nursery rhyme, the duo’s latest single “Run Rabbit Run” brims with playful alliterations and arcane matters. After a cacophonous fury of first-person narratives, the track slows down, allowing Englehorn’s vibrato to take center stage. The track’s accompanying video parades an endearing compilation of the twosome’s home videos—have a watch and take a ride with them down to Texas!

Expect bright strumming patterns resemblant of Blur’s Britpop years, vocal theatricality, and manic, oblique lyrics in the album’s surplus of nine tracks. Disguised in the most avant-garde of metaphors, a constellation of themes are canvassed in Dungeon Master: the lunacy of songwriting, a fictitious night spent on the Sunset Strip, and parasitism. 

For fans of Oasis, Daniel Johnston, Beck, David Lynch, and a counter to traditional artistic values, Englehorn’s sophomore Dungeon Master is for your ears. Gyrate, shuffle your feet and get lost in an idiosyncratic farrago of eccentricities as freakish as a demon themself.

CJ Sommerfeld for Also Cool Mag: First off, thanks for your time today with Also Cool and congrats on the new album! I'm interested in this transition from a professional snowboarding career to that of music – had you been making music or songwriting during your snowboarding years? What forces were responsible for this change in careers?

Gus Englehorn: Thanks for having me! I had been writing songs for years and years, pretty much the whole time I was snowboarding. I really thought it out when I was very young. I imagined a day when I would be too old to snowboard professionally, and I thought to myself that that would be a very sad day. But I also thought that if I could learn how to write songs, I could do that thereafter until the day I died. So I took songwriting very seriously the whole time I was snowboarding, and I spent all my free time trying to master the craft.

Also Cool: A few of the tracks on Dungeon Master, notably “The Gate” and “Exercise your Demons”, were inspired by different cult classics. Is film the main space where you draw songwriting inspiration from?

Gus Englehorn: Film certainly is a huge inspiration to me. I often sit with a guitar and watch movies; I’ll pause to play some guitar, and watch a little more, and then pause, and then play a little more. I guess it’s the storytelling that intrigues me,  and the way that great movies can suck you into their universe and give you a new perspective to write from. 

AC: The strumming patterns, instrumental motifs and simple vocals heard throughout Dungeon Master reminisce those revered in the alt-rock subgenre, Britpop. Which artists and albums did you draw artistic merit from when putting together Dungeon Master? 

GE: I love Britpop, and people don’t usually see that influence in the songs. But I love Blur AND Oasis! Especially Oasis. Some other big influences for the album were Roy Orbison, The Germs, The Pixies, Daniel Johnston, Beck, The Meat Puppets, Nirvana, Ennio Morricone, The Butthole Surfers and the song structures on Sgt Pepper’s.

AC: “Ups and Downs” puts forth a narration of the human condition. Can you tell us more about how this one came about, specifically what ‘evidence’ signifies in the verse: “Evidence is on the ground / evidence is all around / evidence is on the dot / evidence--it’s all we got”?

GE: I wanted the music to recreate the experience of writing songs: the burnouts along with the productive periods of mania right before you burn out, and the intoxicating triumphs and soul-crushing defeats. You’ll think a song is done and then the next day you will throw it away and start all over again. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least. The evidence is just all the little objects that go along with songwriting that are usually strewn about the place when I find myself writing – picks, empty tea cups, crumpled-up T-shirts, journals, books, cables.  These exist as the evidence that you’ve been working, but if you aren't getting anything done, then that's all there is…jJust the evidence. That’s one thing that is the hardest about writing songs, is that you aren’t guaranteed to get anywhere even if you work everyday for a year straight. But when something comes together, there’s nothing quite like it! 

AC: I would love to hear more about “Sunset Strip”. Is this tune a portrayal of a tripping and falling event you experienced, or is this West Hollywood mention a metaphor?

GE: To be perfectly honest, most of the songs are just plucked out of my imagination and don’t have a whole lot to do with myself – or anything else from reality, for that matter. This is one of those songs that I just dreamed up out of nowhere, seemingly. It tells the story of somebody's terrible night spent on the Sunset Strip: being kicked out of parties, bloody noses, falling downstairs, social anxiety, and almost being hit by a bus. I had never even been to the Sunset Strip when I wrote it.

AC: A reverbed and roomy guitar breaks into heavy percussions in the track that wraps up Dungeon Master –  “The Flea”. The tune’s dramatic qualities provide a fitting outro to the album. I can’t help but interpret this one as a quarantine track, which makes me wonder if it is directed towards society; most notably in the line “I’ve been your flea for years”. Who is the ‘you’ in this tune’s direct address?

GE: While it was written during quarantine like the rest of the album, “The Flea” tells the tale of a parasitic romantic relationship. I wrote it about all the years Estée (my wife who plays drums in the band) supported me while I was transitioning from snowboarding into learning how to write songs, so I’m the flea. Stylistically, we were inspired by Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” and “In Heaven” from Eraserhead by Peter Ivers and David Lynch. There is something that keeps me mashing up early rock and roll riffs with subversive little stories time and time again! Lots of fun to be had doing that, for some reason. 

AC: Thanks for your words and time, Gus! Aside from your upcoming album drop, do you have any other creative endeavours coming our way?

GE: I remain entirely obsessed with songwriting for the moment, and I’m hoping I can finish a third album before too long.

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Dungeon Master

Releases April 29th, 2022 via Secret City Records

1. The Gate

2. Ups and Downs

3. Exercise Your Demons

4. Sunset Strip

5. Oh Well Unwell

6. Tarantula

7. Lips

8. Run Rabbit Run

9. Terrible Horse

10. The Flea

Produced by Gus Englehorn and Estée Preda

All songs written and composed by Gus Englehorn

Recorded and mixed by Alex Ouzilleau

Mastering by Marc Thériault at Le Lab Mastering

All tracks recorded at Le Magnétophone in Québec City, QC in 2020

Published by Secret City Publishing

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Gus Englehorn

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CJ Sommerfeld (she/her) is a Vancouver-based freelance writer with a particular interest in the convergence of language, art and society. When she is not writing, you can find her experimenting with harmonic minor progressions on her keyboard.

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