PLAYLIST – November 2019

Memory Lakes – “Sixate” [Listen]
Very talented young, local musicians (Ciaran Galati, Cam Watson, Lucas Hibbs, and Dermott Shepherd) come together to make some experimental, shoegaze, garage rock as Memory Lakes. For a taste of what they’ve been up to, they released Demo 001 this summer. It was great to catch them live a few months back at The Casbah when I was DJing the same show, supporting Toronto band PONY. Hoping to hear more from this project!

Weaves – “Internet Tears” [Listen]
Sometimes the internet
Makes me cry at night
Over the moon to hear a new track from the wonderfully weird Weaves. It’s crazy to look back on my first interview with Jasmyn Burke in 2014! The band captivated me since I first saw them back then at The Baltimore House (RIP). In the Canadian indie landscape, it’s refreshing to see a band consistently bringing something different to the table, in both sound and visuals. Highly recommend taking a visit to planet Weaves if you haven’t yet had the pleasure.

Capitol – “In Ceremony” [Listen]
“Heart of Glass” 
And “Love Will Tear Us Apart” 
You’re dancing in the mirror in the morning light
Hamilton indie rockers Capitol build upon the momentum of their catchy single “Blondie” and follow up with their debut full length, Dream Noise. In keeping with the retro, new wave vibes, the band successfully masters a cohesive sound throughout. I love when a band shares what they’re listening to – and their playlist gives us a fun peek into what they’re digging. We’ll see the band live at The Casbah on January 3 as part of Exclaim!’s annual lineup, Class of 2020. They also play Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on December 10. Hear my chat with the band this Friday (Nov. 29) at 2pm on 93.3 CFMU.

Wayfarer – “Slipped” [Listen]
Still pirouetting through my mind 
I let it mess me up 
Matching strides I fall in line 
Won’t let it slip me up
Kitchener rockers Wayfarer have been plugging away steadily for a decade and delivered fans their third album, Reckless Spring, this fall. The album was recorded here in Hamilton at Tape Studios. For the diehards or for new fans looking to catch up – you can scoop up previous releases along with the new record in a fun bundle on their Bandcamp! Tun in this Friday (Nov. 29) at 2pm on 93.3 CFMU to hear my chat with the band.

Dave Monks – “On A Wave” [Listen]
May I remind you
To pay attention
It was such a pleasure to meet and interview Dave Monks back in 2015, and his first solo EP All Signs Point To Yes is still such a lovely listen. This fall Dave debuted his first full length, On A Wave, which kicks things up a few notches. Dave will be in Hamilton accompanying Said The Whale for a sold out show November 30 at The Casbah. If you missed out, we’ll see some more of Dave in the new year as he performs with Jeremie Albino on February 21 at Mills Hardware, and Tokyo Police Club plays in Hamilton on April 11.

Anyway Gang – “Big Night” [Listen]
Let your hair hang down
I love a good supergroup! It’s quite the lineup of Canadian indie royalty we have here with Anyway Gang – Menno Versteeg (Hollerado), Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club), Sam Roberts, and Chris Murphy (Sloan). You can tell the guys are having such a good hang and a jam with this band. Get this track on your pre-party playlist before you have yourself a, well, big night! Catch the band on January 17 in Toronto at Horseshoe Tavern.

Begonia – “Fear” [Listen]
Fear of everyone 
Fear of harnessing power 
Fear of screaming too loud 
Fear of wasting an hour 
Fear of never getting it together 
Fear of being lazy 
Fear of the mouse in my kitchen 
Fear of going crazy 
Begonia is one of my favourite artists I’ve discovered in quite a while. The Winnipeg-based singer just released one of the best albums of the year, Fear, and seeing the band play live is even more extraordinary. The album dropped in September and when I heard the title track, it stopped me in my tracks, and I still haven’t gotten over it. This is a show you need to experience! The band is back in Hamilton on March 9 at Mills Hardware.

Matthew Fleming – “Hold Your Own” [Listen]
There’s something there inside of you
That won’t leave you alone
Hamilton musician Matthew Fleming released one of the most beautiful local songs last year with his single “Dream To Me.” A really underrated gem! He follows up with another stunner. See Matthew perform next on December 13 at Boxcar Studio – a dreamy singer-songwriter bill also featuring Dan Edmonds and Luka. Stay tuned to hear our chat on December 6 at 2pm live on 93.3 CFMU.

Munroe – “Wreak Havoc” [Listen]
Why don’t you want me?
Hamilton-born singer-songwriter Munroe says this new song is “part surrender, part plea. It’s about finding power through submission.” Munroe has a stunning ability to emote through her music and move listeners with her voice. (Having her help me celebrate I Heart Hamilton’s anniversary in 2015 is still a huge highlight for me!) Munroe, who splits her time between L.A. and Toronto, has been working on new music with Benjamin Schwab, of the bands Drugdealer and Golden Daze, and I can’t wait to hear more from these sessions.

Katie Bulley – “Shadow Shadow Baby” [Listen]
I was gonna run away
To some place called New York City
Singer-songwriter Katie Bulley has been moving and shaking in Hamilton’s music scene for quite some time. It has been over a decade since I first saw her play in 2008 fronting The Barettas. She now shares her fourth solo album, Train Insane, and it has been awesome to watch her journey and enjoy the music along the way. This album is full of that unmistakable voice and foot-stomping jams. It blends both rockabilly/country swagger with punk rock vibes – two styles that Katie does so well. Check out the video for this single!

Juliana LaChance – “Glory to the Glory of the Sun” [Listen]
When the sun comes to play
A prolific creative both in visual art and in music, local artist Juliana LaChance released a new album this fall, Golden Spring Fever. Juliana plays an instrument you don’t see every day, traditional Ukrainian folk harp, the bandura. It’s a folk sound through and through while also pulling from some of Juliana’s inspirations in punk, grunge, and garage rock.