Emerging from the bright, wide skies of Canada’s west coast, Sam Weber has spent the last decade variously honing his craft as a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Now based in Los Angeles, Sam is set to release a new collection of solo work with Clear and Plain, a group of simple and beautiful folk and jazz inflected songs which lean into sensory experiences and underscore Weber’s values.

Clear and Plain features the focus track, “Tamarindo Sunsets,” what Weber calls a “social media song.” “[It’s] about staring into the digital abyss and being confronted with greener and greener grass. Reckoning with what it means to find that beauty, peace, satisfaction in your heart,” he explains.

“Tamarindo Sunsets” couples Weber’s gentle vocals with warm upright bass, searching piano, and understated acoustic guitar playing. “If I stay at home, can I still get free? If there’s something new, can you text it to me? ‘Cause I’m going offline, I’m going offline, I’m going offline until the end of time,” he asserts.

Clear and Plain came together in 2021, 99% of the record recorded in just three days. Weber collaborated with bandmates Griffin Goldsmith, Mal Hauser and Garret Lang, co-producing the record with Hauser. It is by far the favourite record that Sam has made, with a naturalism and beauty to it that speaks to the work of a songwriter who has found a new degree of depth within the creative process. 

Havelin, also known as Alex Zaichkowski, is an acclaimed (unofficially) singer-songwriter (allegedly) whose passion for music began at a young age and will continue until his untimely demise (which will likely come at the hands of some great warrior or foul beast…or, more likely, slipping on a banana peel). The Alberta-born Zaichkowski has been described as “a real pleasure” to listen to by Shania Twain one time (a thing which actually happened, there’s proof). His songs weave rich narratives into pleasant melodies, while his storytelling strives to unpack complex emotions in a way that is both uniquely personal and heart-wrenchingly universal.

Five to six years of getting kicked around by life’s ups and downs culminated in Havelin almost hanging up his hat as a songwriter, until a fortuitous spark of creativity struck him while driving by a rodeo grounds in his home province of Alberta.

That moment birthed “Rodeo Clown,” a forlorn and melodic reflection on toxic relationships in all their forms: business, platonic, and romantic. Its plaintive organ, guitar, and piano provide the backdrop to an earnest song that speaks of Havelin‘s inner turmoil when feeling the need to perform a role within these unhealthy dynamics.

Piano-pop songwriter Mike Evin is sharing an earnest and hopeful new album by the name of Something Stirs When You Sing, featuring a collection of songs whose characters long to find joy and feel alive. “That’s always been my intention every time I sit down at the piano,” Mike details. “Singing and playing with just my piano for accompaniment is the most immediate way I feel a connection with the songs. This is the first time I’ve made an album with that approach as the foundation.”

Working with producer Chris Stringer (Rose Cousins, Abigail Lapell), Evin and Stringer prioritized emotion and vibe over precision and perfection, handpicking from a batch of about 120 songs, mostly written during the early pandemic years.

The album’s focus track, “Outside With A Guitar,” was inspired by the community of musicians that Evin was a part of led by Ken Whiteley who performed on Toronto’s Roxton Road during that time. Every night for almost two years, they made music outside. The jovial song took root one night after seeing the abandon with which one of the street’s couples sang a song. It alludes to difficult times but is ultimately about the catharsis of making music. 

Born and raised in Toronto, Victoria Staff was always an “anxious child.” The string that connected much of her young life was using music to communicate with family, friends, teachers, and even therapists. Over time, this coping mechanism developed into a passion for music that would lead to her career as an indie-pop artist.

Her debut EP, Records & Honesty, was released in 2023, under the guidance of Canadian music producer Dan Hosh. The heavy undertones of her music are offset by her light-hearted personality on stage, on social media, and amongst her peers. Staff continues to use the written word to communicate with her audience. Her new music continues to focus on story-telling and connecting with her fans.

Staff has always tried to be really honest about her struggle with mental health and the moody new single, “Better,” is one of those moments.

Melbourne based Singer/Songwriter Sunset Salore is back again with the release of her new single called ‘Mystery and Magic’, which was recently premiered via
The AU Review. 



She has also announced the upcoming release of her debut EP called 
‘Love Kills The Monsters’ (out October 4).



“Mystery and Magic was written to explore the euphoria of learning someone new, and uncovering the unique things that draw you to that person. Instead of an overly sentimental love song, I wanted to focus on the spark in that moment. Lyrically I was exploring the small things in a new situation which stand out as they are, or in metaphor. “



Sunset Salore recently released her single ‘Call It’, which was the first taste of her upcoming debut EP. ‘Call It’ was premiered exclusively via AAA Backstage and received airplay on radio stations across the globe.



New single ‘Mystery and Magic’ is available on all major online stores and streaming services.

“Call It is a powerful anthem of self-worth, capturing that pivotal moment when you decide you deserve better. Get ready to feel empowered by Sunset Salore’s bold and beautiful new sound. Keep an ear out for Love Kills the Monsters later this year – it’s a release you won’t want to miss.”
AAA Backstage