All posts by Alex Cook

The Backstays are Probably Hiding History Somewhere on ‘Aquarius’

The Backstays continue to tease out their upcoming album, Tributaries, with bits of their bread and butter: moody slow burns and the history of their hometown, Saint John, New Brunswick. Their latest single, “Aquarius,” belongs squarely in the former category but is it possible that the band has broken tradition on the latter, and it might simply be a coincidence that the song shares a name with the former longstanding pub on the city’s west side? Continue reading The Backstays are Probably Hiding History Somewhere on ‘Aquarius’

Alicia Toner Provides an Anthem for Those Finding Their Voices with ‘Have It All’

Alicia Toner’s latest single is a soaring tune, with an emphasis on her vocal prowess. Appropriately, the song provides an anthem for those trying to find their own voice. “Have It All” is Toner speaking up for the sake of her gender — now more than ever, since she’s got even more at stake. Continue reading Alicia Toner Provides an Anthem for Those Finding Their Voices with ‘Have It All’

Skeleton Club Get Brilliantly Weird on ‘ONLY HUMANS’

With the release of their new EP, ONLY HUMANS, Skeleton Club present themselves as a band teetering on the edge—the fine line between creativity and sanity—as they navigate a strenuous new world of self-isolation. Let’s be honest though, this has always been what we’ve loved about Skeleton Club. Their debut 2019 release, Death, Love, & Money, was already brilliantly indulging heavily in weird vibes. It’s just convenient that everyone has been forced onto their wavelength. Continue reading Skeleton Club Get Brilliantly Weird on ‘ONLY HUMANS’

Cal Johnson Named First Recipient of Music·Musique NB’s Indigenous Artist Development Program

Cal Johnson, of Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, has been named as the first recipient of Music·Musique NB’s Indigenous Artist Development Program; an initiative created to provide an Indigenous artist with the tools, support and guidance to achieve a new musical project. Continue reading Cal Johnson Named First Recipient of Music·Musique NB’s Indigenous Artist Development Program

Virginia Fudge Balances the Frustration and Joy of Relationships on Genre-Bending Album, ‘All These Little Games’

As the current trend of eschewing skinny jeans and side parts in favour of mom jeans and a coifed symmetry that would be the envy of Alfalfa Switzer both demonstrate, everything is cyclical. This is just as true of music as it is of fashion; everything that was old is new again.

This is abundantly apparent on All These Little Games, the new release from Newfoundland’s Virginia Fudge. Take your ears off the ball at any point during the 6-song, 23 minute EP and you might find yourself in another decade. Continue reading Virginia Fudge Balances the Frustration and Joy of Relationships on Genre-Bending Album, ‘All These Little Games’