MOONRIIVR is a brand new band from Toronto by familiar musicians Gavin Gardiner (front person of JUNO-nominated indie-folk band The Wooden Sky) and “Champagne” James Robertson (guitarist for Lindi Ortega and Dwayne Gretzky).

Listening to their upcoming debut album, aptly titled Vol. 1, is like entering an unfamiliar room down a long hallway, closing the door quietly behind you, and finding oneself lost in a different world, one where you’re not sure whether you’re looking forward, backward, or perhaps even into a mirror.

Their first single, “Blonde Hair Now,” is a celebration of the small moments in our days that make up our lives – a beautiful homage to the gravity of the simple everyday decisions that shape our world. It invites listeners to imagine a world where you’re dancing in the RCA studios with the ghost of a young Elvis Presley or fast asleep between Richie Valens and Buddy Holly in the backseat of that ill-fated flight.

Vancouver’s Aline Deanna aims to capture the present moment with poeticism and humor all wrapped up in a bow of timeless country melodies. Half French-Canadian half doukhobor, and born in the small mountain town of Nelson, British Columbia. Inspired by the likes of Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch the spirit of old time country/western music rings loud in her singing and songwriting and is uplifted with a modern dose of Americana. Her music is a tapestry of a nomadic upbringing that crossed paths with all walks of life.

On the single “Over The Edge” Aline has this to say “It’s a matter of perspective; either we can let the fact that we’re all just a small blip in the blink of an eye stress us out or we can be freed by this notion.” The song while dealing with heavy existential lingering questions is delivered in a comforting arrangement with Aline’s beautiful country croon. “I’m just a wrinkle in time, two feet and a worried mind”

Lyfe Indoors has been an emerging indie artist scene favorite since the birth of the bedroom project in 2014.   Poetic lyricism,  esoteric and alluring imagery and a sound that melts pop, shoegaze and synth into a transportive listen. His latest single as part of a collection of a new and diverse set of songs, is a dream-like single mixing spoken word, duet vocals and a divergent arrangement.   Rose Droll speaks on the track and how emotions can repeat themselves in life and love.

“It’s centered around the idea that old habits die hard and history repeats itself.”

Toronto duo TANDM’s songs seem to transcend time, place, and even stylistic categorization.  The core duo of vocalist/guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin firstmet in their mid-teens and quickly united over a unique creative chemistry. Their influences are as subtle as they are diverse, weaving tinges of genre-bending modern innovators from Alvvays to Regina Spector to even Vampire Weekend into their work.

The track “The Man In The Sea” was originally written by Maxine as a poem for an assignment in high school.  The poem was inspired by a story told to her as a child by her Grandmother; the tale was whimsical about how a giant man in the sea would stir a giant spoon and make the waves.  “My inspiration was to convey the sensation of a childhood belief/fantasy, that then shattered from discovering the realities of the world.”

The video made by continuing collaborators with TANDM, Akash Jones & Bronte Brazier made the dreamlike stop motion visuals to accompany the haunting tune. The single is a highlight off the group’s dynamic upcoming EP Sirens.

Apryll Aileen is a classically trained pianist with a touch of science and spirituality; an alt-pop soulful vocalist, guitarist and songwriter from Atlantic Canada. Sultry vocals and an alluring stage presence make Apryll a fan favourite at music festivals worldwide. She transcends genres, creating her own undefinable sound with influences coming from pop, rock, electronic, folk and R&B. She doesn’t imitate – she creates.

Her new song “Wicked Ways” is a reflection about human nature and our propensity to act out and get angry at others. It’s an introspective examination about why she gets angry and says hurtful things sometimes, as well as how we judge and perceive the actions of others. Through this, we may be creating our own narratives (which are often untrue) and it’s only through walking in someone else’s shoes that we truly understand what caused their actions and words.

Following up on the heels of the infectious and hypnotic Afropop of “Cocoa Butter,” Montreal-via-Toronto artist Aiza’s first single of 2023, the polymath is returning with “Majimbo,” a tribute to fellow East African queen, the Kenyan internet superstar, Elsa Majimbo.

Aiza’s braggadocious flow and a feel-good thumpy pop bassline from producer C the Reason combine to embrace an inner confidence which relates to the immense source of pride, inspiration, and joy witnessing Majimbo’s ascension has brought Aiza.

K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana) lends his powerful and electric vocals to the song to elevate the infectious energy.

She adds: “This track will turn every sidewalk into a fashion runway and will make you feel like the main character of your life, as you should. Without a doubt, Majimbo is the feel-good afropop track of the century!”