Artist: Michael Rault EP: Whirlpool Michael Rault had my attention from the first moment I heard MA-ME-O, which was released in 2010. However, I hadn’t had a chance to see him live until recently (and it was only an acoustic set), not long after Rault relocated to Toronto from Edmonton. While Rault is obviously young, […]

Band: Air Marshal Landing EP: Vitamins Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Uxbridge, Ontario’s Air Marshal Landing is comprised of Matt Simmonds (vocals, bass, keys), Cory Adrian (guitar, vocals), and Graham Drummond (drums, keys). The band found their way onto my radar after I caught their set during CMW and I’ve been looking forward to hearing some […]

Artist: David R. Elliott Album: Sam Hill Written by: Chiara DiAngelo I’ve never understood people who say “I don’t listen to/like country music.” It’s one thing to not be into “new country,” it’s another to completely disregard the entire genre because of the watered-down form of it that has gained mainstream popularity on the radio. […]

Band: Picture the Ocean Album: Picture the Ocean Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Formerly known as Jesse Dee & Jacquie B, the duo has since added a permanent drummer in Matt Blackie and unveiled their new band name as Picture the Ocean. Recorded at Sound Extractor Studios in Edmonton, AB, their new self-titled record is a […]

Band: Stella Ella Ola EP: Stella Ella Ola Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Sometimes four friends come together and create musical magic together. That’s exactly what happened for new Toronto band, Stella Ella Ola. In this case, it likely also didn’t hurt that the four friends in question are seasoned musicians Nick and Jake Boyd (Hollerado), […]

Band: Cousin Album: Cousin Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Giulio Rocco (guitar, vocals), Taylor Page (guitar, vocals), Sandro Rocco (bass), and Adam Slinn (drums) of Niagara Falls band Cousin have a “couple things to say to you”: Yes, they have been compared to the band Pavement. Yes, these comparisons are well warranted and deserved. But regardless […]

Artist: Lori Nuic Album: Flaws of Attraction Written by: Chiara DiAngelo In a day and age when most mainstream female pop singers are known more for how little clothing they wear or their wild escapades, along comes Toronto-based singer-songwriter Lori Nuic with her sophomore release Flaws of Attraction to renew your faith in the female […]

Band: HotKid EP: Courage to Fight Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Toronto duo HotKid is Shiloh Harrison (vocals, guitar) and Rob Butcher III (drums). If you are from the city, he has likely sold you countless records at Sonic Boom. No stranger to the local music scene, their latest EP Courage to Fight, produced by Juno […]

Band: The Dudes Album: Barbers, Thieves and Bartenders Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Danny Vacon (vocals, guitar), Bob Quaschnick (guitar), Brock Geiger (bass) and Scott Ross (drums) of The Dudes are back with their latest record, Barbers, Thieves and Bartenders. Released digitally April 15, this 6-song album is the first of three […]

Band: Cai.ro EP: Young Love Written by: Chiara DiAngelo From the title, you might at first assume that Toronto band Cai.ro’s August 2011 EP Young Love is a bubble-gum pop album, but in actuality it is a stark depiction of both the perilous highs and agonizing lows of that thing called “young love.” Playing their […]