On their sophomore album, “Big Swimmer,” Liverpool’s indie rock duo King Hannah dives into the deep end with a confident stroke. Composed of Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle, the band builds on their debut with a collection of songs that balance the stark with the beautiful, the mundane with the extraordinary. If their first album, “I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me,” was about finding their footing, “Big Swimmer” is about diving headfirst into new experiences and letting those experiences shape their art. The album’s journey is as much physical as it is emotional. Touring the United States ..read more

Bells Larsen Fairmount Theatre was bustling with conversation as more and more people arrived. The moment the spotlight shone down on Montreal’s very own Bells Larsen, the venue grew completely silent. His gentle voice warmly made its way through the room, guiding everyone to attentively listen to his songs of grief and love. The silence felt heavy. Usually, during an opening act, you’d hear soft voices over the music, but not during Larsen’s set. There was an automatic respect that we all simultaneously felt for him. Larsen stood in the center of the stage, singing with a smile as he accepte ..read more

I have a confession to make. I had not really heard of John Garcia before covering last Saturday’s show at Club Soda, but I was curious. I was covering for another photographer who couldn’t make it, so I listened to a few of his songs beforehand to get an idea of his genre. I also did a quick search on him and his band Kyuss and saw that they were very famous in the stoner rock community Once I arrived at the venue, after having positioned myself in the front row waiting for the first act to come on stage, I was approached by a few curious concertgoers who spotted my camera and asked which pub ..read more

David Myles kicked off the evening with a captivating performance that highlighted his charisma and talent. Known for his soulful voice and friendly stage presence, Myles performed a set that included songs like “Need a Break” and “When It Comes My Turn” from his albums Turn Time Off and Things Have Changed. His 30-minute set left the audience smiling and set the tone for the main act.  Styx took the stage, delivering a high-energy performance that spanned their extensive catalog of hits. Tommy Shaw and James “JY” Young, the band’s leaders, showed why they are still a formidable live ac ..read more

On May 16th, Montreal was graced with one of the best West End shows, The Simon and Garfunkel Story. After almost two hours in traffic, I arrived at the entrance with 2 minutes to spare, so I wasn’t able to see what the audience felt and looked like. I found my way to the door that corresponded to my section, and as soon as I opened it, what welcomed me was a completely sold-out venue in a dim light and hundreds of silver heads greeting me. A couple of minutes after I sat down the lights went off and the centre screen turned on. The show began by setting the scene: dozens of images filled the ..read more

Nova Scotia native Taylor Jensen steps into the spotlight with her debut single, “End of the Road.” This track, a seamless blend of country and pop, marks Jensen’s formal entry into the digital music world. Released on May 24th, the song showcases her vocal prowess and ability to craft relatable narratives through music. “End of the Road” finds its roots in a period of personal turmoil for Jensen. The song recounts a time when she felt lost and trapped in a relationship that was more damaging than nurturing. “I was holding onto someone who was causing me a lot of pain,” Jensen explains. “Writ ..read more

First up was Pennsylvania’s If Not For Me. These metalcore kids brought big energy to the stage. The catchy yet heavy riffs, the growls, the catchy choruses, they clearly understood the assignment: get the crowd moving. Their stage presence for a new band was exceptional. They obviously draw influence from Bring Me The Horizon’s transitional material, when they were transitioning from pure metal and flirting with pop.  Veterans Bury Tomorrow were next and brought a more strictly metal approach to the proceedings. It was quite the sight to see a crowd in aerobics gear headbanging in uniso ..read more

Heartbreak never is universal. Young or old, we are either in the middle of a breakup, or we vividly remember a past relationship torn apart, a wound sometimes as fresh as the day it happened. While we might associate heartbreak with romantic relationships, friendships breaking up can be just as devastating, especially when they end abruptly. Geneviève Racette puts the feelings of a friendship disintegrating into words, and add a catchy melody, with a touch of Country/Americana into the mix. Listen to the latest single off her highly anticipated upcoming album Golden. Upcoming Tour May 27&nbs ..read more

There’s something about a debut album that can make even the most cynical listener feel like a kid at Christmas. With Freaking Out, Lowlives burst onto the scene like an over-caffeinated Santa, delivering a raw, raucous package of grungy goodness that’s equal parts nostalgic and exactly what rock music needs right now. It’s as if the ghosts of ’90s alt-rock past decided to throw a party in 2024, and everyone’s invited. Lowlives, composed of vocalist Lee Downer, drummer Luke Johnson, guitarist Jaxon Moore, and bassist Steve Lucarelli, are unabashed in their love for ’90s alternative and grunge ..read more

French-Canadian duo Ghostly Kisses, comprised of Margaux Sauvé and Louis-Étienne Santais, has exploded internationally, captivating a devoted overseas following. Riding high after their debut album, “Heaven, Wait,” and tours supporting acclaimed acts like Ry X, Men I Trust, Lord Huron, and Pomme, the band launched “Box of Secrets,” an initiative offering fans an anonymous platform to share their deepest thoughts. What emerged was a poignant portrait of a global post-pandemic, postmodern world – a profound and unsettling loneliness echoing across the globe. Sauvé and Santais channelled these an ..read more