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“Radio” – A Collaborative Single by N2O, Alan Parsons and Robert Frances Supporting the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

Eric Alper
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“Radio” – A Collaborative Single by N2O, Alan Parsons and Robert Frances Supporting the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

First introduced live last spring at Place des Arts during The Alan Parsons Live Project concert, Music is Medicine—the movement founded by Robert Frances, CEO of PEAK Financial Group and member of the band N2O—continues to grow with the release of Radio, a song by N2O produced and mixed by the legendary Alan Parsons.

Net proceeds from the project will be donated to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada to advance research, education and patient support programs.

Produced and mixed by Alan Parsons, Radio is an emotional song inspired by connection, memory and hope. It captures the spirit of Music is Medicine, transforming music into a force for unity and courage.

“Losing a friend and bandmate to brain cancer had a profound impact on me,” said Robert Frances. “I wanted to turn that experience into something meaningful. Working with Alan on Radio brought that vision to life.”

The release of Radio follows the sold-out benefit concert by The Alan Parsons Live Project held on May 14 at Place des Arts, which raised more than $600,000 for brain cancer research and marked the official launch of Music is Medicine.

“It was a privilege to collaborate with N2O,” said Alan Parsons. “Knowing the story behind David’s lyrics makes Radio even more powerful. It is an honest and timeless song that proves music connects generations.”

Written by David Tondino (lyrics) and composed by N2O (music), Radio was inspired by the Beatles whose songs David listened to growing up. He later revisited the piece as a dialogue with the music that shaped him, reflecting on time, creativity and the comfort that music brings.

The recording features the musicians of The Alan Parsons Live Project under Parsons’ direction, who also produced and mixed the track.

Distributed by LANDR, Radio is available now on all major streaming platforms. Net proceeds will be directed to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada to support research, awareness and assistance for patients and their families.

54-40 Announce New Album ‘PORTO’ And Drop Latest Single “Virgil” Ahead Of January Release

Eric Alper
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54-40 Announce New Album ‘PORTO’ And Drop Latest Single “Virgil” Ahead Of January Release

Legendary Canadian rock band 54-40 return with their highly anticipated new album ‘PORTO’, set for release on January 23, 2026. The announcement follows the debut of four powerful new singles, “Running for the Fence,” “Die To Heaven,” “Time Will Tell,” and “Virgil,” released today, marking the beginning of a bold new chapter for one of Canada’s most celebrated bands.

Frontman Neil Osborne describes the project as “an album about renewal and resilience — it’s about the work it takes to keep creating, to stay connected, and to keep loving what you do.” Bassist Brad Merritt adds, “We’ve always tried to write songs that feel honest and grounded in real life. These new tracks capture that — they sound like where we’ve been, but also where we’re going.”

Formed in 1981 in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, 54-40 quickly became a cornerstone of Canada’s alternative rock movement. The band’s name — drawn from the 54°40′ northern boundary line once disputed between the United States and British North America — reflects both their West Coast origins and their independent spirit. Founders Neil Osborne and Brad Merritt, joined by guitarist Dave Genn and drummer Matt Johnson, forged a sound defined by melodic songwriting, poetic lyrics, and a steadfast work ethic.

Across five decades, 54-40 have produced a deep catalogue of era-defining hits, from “I Go Blind,” “Ocean Pearl,” “Since When,” and “One Day in Your Life” to “She-La,” “Nice to Luv You,” and “Love You All.” With multiple Platinum-certified albums, sold-out tours, and an enduring presence on Canadian radio, their music continues to resonate with generations of fans.

“ ‘PORTO was recorded with longtime producer Warne Livesey in Portugal and reaffirmed the band’s creative vitality. Osborne recalls, “It felt like the songs were writing themselves — we just had to get out of the way and let them happen.” That spirit of immediacy carries into ‘It Takes A Lot’, a record that explores endurance, artistry, and the balance between reflection and momentum.

Few bands have left as deep an imprint on Canadian music as 54-40. Emerging from the post-punk wave of the early ’80s, they helped define a distinctly Canadian alt-rock sound — one rooted in grit, melody, and introspection. Alongside peers like The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo, 54-40 helped shape a national identity in rock music, blending thoughtful lyricism with accessible, anthemic hooks.

Their influence extends across generations. Dozens of artists — from Our Lady Peace to Arkells — cite 54-40 as a foundational inspiration. Their timeless songwriting and commitment to authenticity have earned them numerous Juno Award nominations, as well as induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Starwalk of Fame and a permanent place in the country’s cultural fabric.

As the band approaches its 45th year, 54-40 continue to command stages with the same energy and purpose that defined their beginnings. Their live performances remain electric — a mix of grit, musicianship, and camaraderie honed over thousands of shows. Osborne says, “When we play live, it’s not nostalgia. It’s about connection — with the crowd, with the songs, and with each other.”

With ‘PORTO’, 54-40 reaffirm their place as one of Canada’s most important rock institutions. The band will announce North American tour dates later this fall in support of the new record, bringing both their classics and latest material to fans across the country. As Osborne sums it up, “After all these years, we still feel lucky — we still love doing this. And that’s what it takes a lot of.”

PORTO Track Listing:
Die to Heaven
Running For the Fence  
It’s a Rough Life  
Time Will Tell  
Virgil  
Thank You Mother  
Beautiful All Of It  
It Takes a Lot  
Go Get’Em  
Wail (Numinous)  
Work Not Worry  

Blaine Sharp’s “The First Snowfall” Goes Viral With 100,000 Streams

Eric Alper
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Blaine Sharp’s “The First Snowfall” Goes Viral With 100,000 Streams

As the first snowflakes of the season begin to fall across North America, independent artist Blaine Sharp’s beloved holiday song “The First Snowfall” is experiencing a viral surge, amassing over 100,000 streams on Spotify. The swingin’ vocal version, which captures the magical transformation that happens when winter’s first snow blankets the world, has achieved a remarkable 66% listener engagement rate (Saves + Adds) on Spotify, proving that audiences are hungry for new holiday music infused with timeless sophistication and genuine emotion.

A vocalist, songwriter, and composer from Burlington, Ontario now based in Los Angeles, Sharp creates music that stops time, blending vintage charm with modern elegance. “The First Snowfall” lives at the crossroads of jazz, Broadway, and traditional popular song, evoking the warmth and sophistication of the great hit parade artists of the 1950s and 60s including Sinatra, Crosby, and Nat King Cole. Arranged by Teryn Ré, one of the rare female bandleaders in jazz today, and co-written with pianist Carey Frank, who currently tours with Kate Hudson, the track features big band instrumentation with a timeless swingin’ feel that brings freshness to vintage sound.

“I wrote The First Snowfall while feeling homesick in Los Angeles during the pandemic, when the border was closed and I couldn’t get home to Canada or see my family for over two years,” Sharp reveals. “The most Canadian thing I could think of while stuck in LA for the holidays was snow. In my heart, I kept returning to the imagery of snow and that childhood feeling when the first snow of the season would fall. This was the song I had to write.”

Sharp crafted the song as a quiet tribute to Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” keeping the language simple, honest, and relatable while letting the melody do the emotional heavy lifting. “One of the most vivid memories I wanted to capture in the song is that transformation that happens in November, when everything feels grey and lifeless until that first snowflake falls, and suddenly the world feels new again, full of sparkle and the promise of the holidays,” he explains. The track was engineered by Grammy winner Harriet Tam and mastered by Grammy/Emmy winner Clark Germain.

The song carries profound personal meaning for Sharp. “My mother passed away from ALS the September before the song was released, and I made sure she was able to hear the finished version. It’s deeply emotional for me because the song’s journey into the world coincided with the end of hers. She loved family and the holidays, and her love lives on in this song and the sentiment that no obstacle, no amount of snow, will stop you from getting home to your loved ones for Christmas. When listeners share with me how this song is meaningful to them, in their own way and for their own personal reasons, it touches me deeply.”

The viral success of “The First Snowfall” has opened doors for Sharp’s entire catalog, with listeners discovering other songs including “Le Vent d’été (Summer Wind)” and “Violette.” “As an independent artist, I’m blown away by how audiences are connecting,” Sharp says. “Every time it snows now, my inbox fills with video clips and messages from people playing the song and filming the falling snow. I love that so many tag the song and share their videos on YouTube too. It’s amazing to see them experience, in real time, the very emotions that inspired the song.”

A new instrumental version of “The First Snowfall” is out now, offering fans another way to experience the beauty of the melody. “Knowing that my song is now part of so many lives for Christmas does my heart good, people decorating their tree, carving their turkey, living important moments as my song plays. Finding this connection in people’s lives is what it’s all about as an artist,” Sharp reflects. “The fact that The First Snowfall keeps resurfacing and growing bigger every year tells me it has an enduring message. I like to think of it as a snowball, gathering momentum as it rolls forward.”

Critics have embraced Sharp’s artistry with enthusiasm. “Blaine Sharp is a charismatic singer who knows what it takes to charm the audience and get them to experience something heartfelt and real, track after track,” wrote Jim Olin of All About Jazz. Jazz Corner News praised his work, noting “Wanderlust is among the year’s prettiest albums… Blaine Sharp has a voice that is both timeless and classic, it shines like the brightest suns.”

Following the remarkable viral success of “The First Snowfall” this season, Sharp is planning a tour and a new album for 2026, continuing his mission to create music that connects deeply with listeners who appreciate new songs infused with the timeless spirit of the greats.

Honeybear, The Band Releases “Unbroken” And Announces Winter Tour

Eric Alper
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Honeybear, The Band Releases “Unbroken” And Announces Winter Tour

Honeybear, the Band, the Vancouver-based vintage soul, blues, and roots quartet that music blog B-Side Guys describes as sounding “as if The Teskey Brothers decided to collaborate with the ghost of Muddy Waters,” releases their new single “Unbroken” out now. The track serves as a quiet anthem to resilience, blending soul, blues, and pop sensibilities into a message that has resonated far beyond its original intention.

“Originally the tune was written as a quiet anthem to resilience, targeted at a friend of ours who was going through a really rough patch and needed some help to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” the band explains. “However, this song has ended up being much bigger than us, our friends, and our own situations. Many that we play the song for can think of their own particular situation or relationship where some of this song’s energy could have helped, and we are glad to hear their stories and bring it forward.”

Comprising Ian Beaty on vocals and bass, Colin Brumelle on guitar, Mike Kenney on keyboards, and Tim Watson on drums, Honeybear takes listeners on an old school road trip through the dusty back roads of American music. While the band formed in 2023, the four members are old friends who have been playing together in other formations for over a decade, crossing paths on tours across Canada, down the West Coast, and beyond. As individual performers, they have appeared at most major folk and jazz/blues festivals in Canada.

The band’s origin story captures the spirit of musical perseverance that defines their sound. When the pandemic struck and live music came to a standstill, the four friends found themselves jamming outdoors in parks, with amps and PA systems hooked up to jerry rigged motorcycle batteries, just to bask in the joy that is playing live music with like minded souls. That creative determination has paid dividends.

Their debut FACTOR funded album, self released in June 2025 on their own Playmor label, has received well over 4 million streams on Spotify with approximately 110,000 monthly listeners. The album has been featured on official Spotify Editorial playlists including Nu Blue, New Music Friday, Blues Bar, and Best Blues of 2024. The band is also receiving airplay on CBC, NPR, CKUA, and other indie and co-op radio stations across the globe.

Honeybear is fast becoming a festival favorite with appearances at Rifflandia, Barnside Harvest Fest, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Harmony Arts, Wapiti, Starbelly, and many more. Recent packed club shows at some of the country’s favorite dive bars including The Horseshoe in Toronto, the Rainbow in Ottawa, and the Ironwood in Calgary have seen the band routinely selling out shows in brand new markets.

Tour Dates:


Dec 5  Vancouver, BC – Wise Hall
Dec 13 Vancouver, BC – Keithmas @ The Rickshaw
Dec 26 Vancouver, BC – Guilt & Co.

Feb 13 Penticton, BC – The Hub
Feb 14 Salmon Arm, BC – Song Sparrow Hall
Feb 15 Kelowna, BC – Red Bird Brewing
Feb 17 London, ON – The Richmond
Feb 18 Toronto, ON – The Horseshoe *
Feb 19 Montreal, QC – L’Escogriffe *
Feb 20 Ottawa, ON – The Rainbow *
Feb 21 Kingston, ON – The Broom Factory *

March 5 Calgary, AB – The King Eddy
March 6 Edmonton, AB – The Aviary +
March 7 Camrose, AB – The Bailey + * w/ Mr. Pinstripes
+ w/ Kyle Mosiuk and his Band

Folk Pop Artist Melanie Peterson Releases New EP ‘Read It on the Radio – Vol 2’

Eric Alper
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Folk Pop Artist Melanie Peterson Releases New EP ‘Read It on the Radio – Vol 2’

Acclaimed Toronto-based folk-pop artist Melanie Peterson will release her eighth EP, ‘Read It On The Radio – Vol 2’, out now, following her month-long residency at the legendary Cameron House in Toronto last month.

Peterson, known for her luminous vocals and emotionally resonant songwriting, reunites with longtime producer Mitch Girio for this second installment of her ‘Read It On The Radio’ series. The project captures the warmth and intimacy of her live performances while showcasing her interpretive depth across a handpicked collection of covers.

The EP opens with a heartfelt rendition of John Fogerty’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, where Peterson’s acoustic phrasing and understated delivery reflect a sense of quiet joy. “I started feeling more and more happy inside while performing the song live,” Peterson said. “It didn’t matter if I was upset or frustrated or whatever. I kept getting happier every time I sang it.”

Another highlight, Melanie Safka’s “Brand New Key”, connects Peterson back to her musical roots. “My parents were folkies and named me after Melanie,” she recalls. “It’s remained a favourite to perform live,” featuring her trio partners Paul Therrien, Jennifer Wakefield, and Peter Collins on backing vocals.

Peterson also takes on The English Beat’s “Save It for Later”, a power-pop anthem that transforms under her melodic folk sensibility. With Peter Collins on harmonies and Mitch Girio’s textured guitars, the arrangement adds emotional clarity to the original’s restless energy.

Her interpretation of “Elliot’s Song” from HBO’s Euphoria offers a quiet, introspective moment. “We had a great time giving it a gentle lift in this version,” Peterson shares. Written by Labrinth, Muzhda Zemar-McKenzie, and Zendaya, the song fits seamlessly into the EP’s reflective tone.

Closing with Nick Lowe’s timeless “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”, Peterson channels optimism through jangly guitars and bright harmonies. “There’s never a time when this message feels out of place,” she notes. “Singing it now feels more relevant than ever.”

The EP marks another creative chapter in Peterson’s evolving artistry. From her early breakout at Canadian Music Week to multiple FACTOR grants and national airplay, she continues to define her own path through song. BBC Radio once described her as “Mary Poppins with a broken heart,” and that blend of tenderness and precision remains evident in every note.

Peterson’s upcoming residency at The Cameron House will celebrate both her original catalogue and the new EP. Each Monday evening, she and her band performed two sets—one of her signature originals and one featuring the new covers—creating a unique listening experience that blends storytelling and musical craft.

Joining her on stage are Peter Collins (bass, backing vocals), Jonathan Billings (guitar, backing vocals), and “Lucky” Pete Lambert (drums, backing vocals). The performances promise the same warmth and connection that have made Peterson a beloved presence on Toronto’s live music circuit.

With ‘Read It On The Radio – Vol 2’, Melanie Peterson invites listeners into an intimate dialogue between artist and song—a collection that bridges eras, influences, and emotions with unfiltered grace and charm.

The Blues Foundation Salutes 2026 Keeping The Blues Alive Honorees

Eric Alper
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The Blues Foundation Salutes 2026 Keeping The Blues Alive Honorees

The Blues Foundation enters its 45th year with immense excitement, saluting the 2026 Keeping The Blues Alive (KBA) honorees during International Blues Challenge week, set for Tuesday, January 13 through Saturday, January 17, 2026. This year’s esteemed KBA recipients, including Cognac Blues Passion, John Anderson, Jeff Davis, Michael Gray, Jazz Alley, Nola Blue, Jim Hartzell, Robert Terrell, and Mark Jacobson, are recognized for their crucial roles in advancing the art and commerce of the blues, chosen annually by a select panel of blues professionals. These achievements will be celebrated at the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards brunch on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Hyatt Centric in Memphis. The KBA ceremony is a key part of the Blues Foundation’s 40th Annual International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest and most renowned blues music competition, which will see over a thousand musicians from across the globe arrive in Memphis to compete for prizes, bookings, and the honor of winning the challenge, with events, showcases, and master classes happening all along historic Beale Street.

Zkeletonz Launch Debut Album ‘OUT’ With Feisty New Dancefloor Bangers

Eric Alper
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Zkeletonz Launch Debut Album ‘OUT’ With Feisty New Dancefloor Bangers

Zkeletonz, the fiercely independent band born from London’s DIY scene, is celebrating the launch of their debut album ‘OUT!’ with the release of two feisty new singles, “Shut Up (Don’t Talk About It)” out now and “Marmalade” due on December 12th. Having grown from self-promoted warehouse parties to commanding major stages, the band perfectly showcases their electronic but guitar-based fusion sound, which has already earned them BBC 6 Music and Radio 2 backing. The album features heavyweight contributions from Alex Gopher and Sam Wheat, and channels the spirits of Breakbot, Phoenix, Daft Punk’s ‘Homework’, and classic Ed Banger French Touch, creating a sonic love letter to London club culture.

“Shut Up (Don’t Talk About It)” is an exceptional slice of Zkeletonz music that absolutely oozes new-rave attitude, driven by non-stop rhythms and bubbling bass, escalating into a perfectly crafted electro-pop banger. “Marmalade” turns the heat up even further, featuring sticky warped electronics that dissolve around frontman Gav Venture’s intense falsetto emotions. Their debut album ‘OUT!’ commences a trilogy of releases and focuses on invoking the adventurous and hedonistic spirit of a by-gone but never forgotten time in musical history, pulling influence from big hitters like The Strokes and MGMT, mixed up with obscure electroclash legends.

The band, working completely independently without a manager or label, has appeared across BBC radio networks and shared stages with legends like The Specials and Nile Rodgers, even gaining mentorship from DJ Yoda. Zkeletonz will officially launch their album ‘OUT!’ at The Camden Club on Thursday, December 12, in a special event presented by SleazeBox. The vinyl production has been funded by their dedicated fan community, who raised over £1,000, confirming shipping dates for late January 2026, though very limited hand-made copies will be sold in true DIY style at the launch gig merch stand.

Carpenter Brut Unleashes “Leather Temple” First Look At Final Leather Trilogy Album

Eric Alper
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Carpenter Brut Unleashes “Leather Temple” First Look At Final Leather Trilogy Album

French synthwave icon Carpenter Brut has released the title track and brand new single, “Leather Temple,” which serves as the first taste of his abrasive, dark-textured third and final album in his ongoing ‘Leather’ trilogy, due out in 2026. This cinematic, heavy single is accompanied by an immersive video directed by Dehn Sora, introducing Midwichpolis, the post-apocalyptic heart of the forthcoming album, a brutal empire ruled by Iron Tusk. The song dives into a raw, rhythmic, and restless energy that perfectly captures the anger and uprising in the Midwich Slums, contrasting the heavy metal riffs with the pulsating neon synths beaming from the City of Light, distilling a saturated, unflinching ‘90s electro atmosphere.

Carpenter Brut has established himself as a leading figure on the international synthwave scene by blending electronic music, metal, and 1980s pop culture into a uniquely dark and energetic universe since 2012. Drawing inspiration from horror titans like John Carpenter and Dario Argento as much as from metal giants like Slayer and electronic innovators like Justice, the artist has built a highly stylized world at the crossroads of retro thrillers, futuristic dystopia, and glam metal. This new album follows the hugely acclaimed 2018 debut ‘Leather Teeth’, a celebratory take on ’80s glam rock, and the 2022 follow-up ‘Leather Terror’, a more malevolent slasher-horror affair telling the story of serial killer anti-hero Brett Halford.

The aural and visual spectacle will continue into Carpenter Brut’s live shows, with dates announced across Europe and the USA in March 2026, including a special standalone UK headline appearance at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on March 22nd. The narrative of the new album plunges into the dark dichotomy of Midwichpolis, where the Temple, Iron Tusk’s black tower, looks down on the obscene luxury of the City of Light, hiding corruption from the poverty and fear plaguing the slums below. “Leather Temple” captures this unrelenting tension with distorted layers and sharp beats, forming the soundtrack to the latest, eagerly awaited chapter of this filmic concept.

BEYOND THE BLACK Shares Deeply Emotional Unity Anthem ‘Ravens’ From New Album

Eric Alper
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BEYOND THE BLACK Shares Deeply Emotional Unity Anthem ‘Ravens’ From New Album

Symphonic metal sensation BEYOND THE BLACK has happily shared the fifth single, “Ravens,” from their eagerly awaited upcoming studio album, ‘Break The Silence’, due for release on January 9, 2026, via Nuclear Blast Records. The deeply emotional song focuses entirely on themes of resilience, loyalty, and unity, symbolizing rising through darkness together, bound by shared spirit and freedom. Singer Jennifer Haben commented that the track is about “finding light in others when everything feels disconnected,” and the message was made real because both the song and the accompanying video feature guest contributions and appearances from the band’s dedicated fans, affectionately called RAVENS.

BEYOND THE BLACK’s sixth full-length album, ‘Break The Silence’, is a concept album rooted in melodic metal with fascinating ethno influences, and it explores crucial themes of communication, inner strength, and the urgent need to reconnect in a divided world. Tracks like “Let There Be Rain,” “(La Vie Est Un) Cinéma,” “Ravens,” and “The Flood” all examine the profound way words, and their complete absence, shape our reality. The result is an emotional, multi-layered experience that powerfully mirrors today’s complex world and openly invites fans to be a meaningful part of this stunning new chapter in the band’s career.

The band views the recording of “Ravens” as a powerful exercise in belonging, with Jennifer Haben specifically thanking their dedicated fanbase, stating, “A very special thank you to you, our RAVENS, for being part of recording this song and bringing it to life with us.” The single underscores one of the album’s core themes: overcoming interpersonal communication barriers to connect people, and the fan inclusion in both the single and the video perfectly embodies the message. This exciting new single ensures that ‘Break The Silence’ will be one of the most compelling and relevant symphonic metal releases of the new year.

‘Break The Silence’ Track List

  • Rising High
  • Break The Silence
  • The Art Of Being Alone (feat. Lord Of The Lost)
  • Let There Be Rain (feat. The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices)
  • Ravens
  • The Flood
  • Can You Hear Me (feat. Asami from Lovebites)
  • (La vie est un) Cinéma
  • Hologram
  • Weltschmerz

Xiu Xiu Collects Years Of Unique Covers Into Delightful New Album ‘Xiu Mutha F***in’ Xiu: Vol 1′

Eric Alper
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Xiu Xiu Collects Years Of Unique Covers Into Delightful New Album ‘Xiu Mutha F***in’ Xiu: Vol 1′

Prolific music provocateurs Xiu Xiu have announced the release of a delightfully wide-ranging collection of covers, previously available only through subscription, titled ‘Xiu Mutha F***in’ Xiu: Vol 1′, due out January 16, 2026, on Polyvinyl. The announcement is accompanied by Xiu Xiu’s cover of “Cherry Bomb” originally by The Runaways, with the B-side being “Some Things Last a Long Time” originally by Daniel Johnston. This collection compiles a heady selection of monthly covers the band began releasing in 2020 via Bandcamp, expanding their bewildering universe by communing with artists spanning decades and genres, from ’50s rock and new wave to Robyn and Throbbing Gristle. Since their 2002 inception, Xiu Xiu has consistently paid homage to artists they revere, previously releasing tribute albums like ‘Nina’ and ‘Xiu Xiu Plays the Music of Twin Peaks’, cementing their reputation for truly considered reimaginings.

The band views these cover songs not as opportunities for improvement but as “a small honorific offering to the muse that created them,” asking instead, “What can we learn from these?” Across twelve tracks, the album captures the unnerving thrill of familiar fragments colliding and reassembling into something strange, reshaping echoes of pop history into sonic rituals and lucid dreams. Their version of The Runaways’ “Cherry Bomb” is a ticking time bomb of acidic distortion and rebellion, while Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” is reborn with howling ’60s organs and flute spirals, feeling older than the original track. Frontman Jamie Stewart shares that he cried while recording Daniel Johnston’s “Some Things Last a Long Time,” recognizing the sincerity and wound within that voice.

Xiu Xiu uses this process to explore the music that has moved them, breathing new life into the past through their sustainable practice. Unexpected obstacles and poignant moments defined the recordings; Coil’s “Triple Sun” allowed them to deeply study a band to whom listeners often link them, and contemporary hits like Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” and GloRilla’s “Lick Or Sum” gain unearth new, darker understandings. This latest collection, spanning twelve tracks, further defines Xiu Xiu’s unique approach to interpretation, providing an intimate, strange, and exhilarating look at the songs that have shaped them while inviting listeners to experience these classics anew.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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