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Brantford Folk Artist KC Armstrong Delivers Festive Fun with “I Hate That Sweater”

Eric Alper
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Brantford Folk Artist KC Armstrong Delivers Festive Fun with “I Hate That Sweater”

Traditionally, Christmas shopping has seen one half of a couple get all of their presents purchased, assorted, and gift-wrapped weeks if not months before the big day. The other half? Well, they leave things until the last minute, plead with the store clerks not to close on time, and take whatever item remains on the shelves, at the cash register, or in the backroom. Now Brantford, Ontario-based Americana artist KC Armstrong has crafted the perfect, toe-tapping, upbeat narrative with his latest single, “I Hate That Sweater.”

“I Hate That Sweater” originated from a song Armstrong, who grew up in Lakefield, Ontario, penned entitled “Don’t Keep Me Waiting,” the first song he wrote that made it to a studio setting. It later appeared on a charity album compiled by Peterborough AM radio station CKPT with local bands doing original tunes. “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” was then countrified for his Ranchsongs album, leaving Armstrong a bit happier with that version. He rewrote the song originally as a “male anthem (tongue-in-cheek) about the trials and tribulations of waiting while your better-half prepares herself for a night on the town.” That version appeared on his Finally Crafted album.

In October 2024, Armstrong heard about a Christmas song contest from Cashbox Radio. Thinking of crafting an entirely new song, he remembered Randy Bachman’s “Taking Care Of Christmas” song, slightly reimagined from the signature “Taking Care Of Business.” “The idea started developing when I pictured the descending motif riff from ‘Don’t Keep Me Waiting’ being played on bells,” he says. “Humming the chorus tag ‘Don’t Keep Me Waiting’ a few times to myself, I heard my inner voice shouting, ‘I Hate That Sweater.'”

After finishing the lyrics an hour later, Armstrong added a glockenspiel, tubular bells, and sleigh bells which open the song with a snippet of the melody to “Silent Night.” The end result is a uptempo, toe-tapping beauty that speaks of Armstrong receiving a “green rhinestone, red pleather” sweater from his other half who got it at a good price at the absolute last minute. Toss in some great horns and amusing dialogue between the lyrics, and you have a nifty and newfangled Noel nugget.

“I Hate That Sweater” features Armstrong on vocals and bass, MaryEllen Allen on vocals, guitarists Barry Haggarty and Scott Utting, saxophonist Sean O’Connor, keyboardist Steve O’Connor, and drummer Jake Adams. Marty Hepburn, who worked on the original “Don’t Keep Me Waiting” song with Armstrong, fleshes the song out on harmonica. And Armstrong’s wife Debbie adds her dialogue part as “Little Debbie” in “I Hate That Sweater” for the narration snippets.

A video for “I Hate That Sweater” was also made but the single has already taken off quicker than Santa’s sleigh and Rudolph, making it to rotation on Cashbox Radio while being heard internationally in Italy, England, Bermuda, Australia and the United States. It also recently entered the Canadian Indie Country Countdown for Christmas songs.

“I Hate That Sweater” is the latest offering from the accomplished musician who has seen his material heard all over. Armstrong’s witty, whimsical style brings to mind musicians like Randy Newman, Nick Lowe, and the late Ronnie Hawkins. In fact, Armstrong’s band subbed as the Hawks for the iconic rocker back in 2003. Armstrong’s then band Cadillac Ranch were slated to back Hawkins at the legendary SARS-Stock concert at Toronto’s Downsview Park before hundreds of thousands featuring the Rolling Stones and AC/DC. Sadly, Hawkins’ health resulted in the appearance never being realized. Armstrong has also worked with and shared the stage with countless others, including the late Jeff Healey, while playing festivals across Canada and throughout North America.

Tillsonburg Roots Meets Toronto Pop Rock: Justine Chantale and Broadtree Team Up for Empowering Anthem “Bye Felicia”

Eric Alper
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Tillsonburg Roots Meets Toronto Pop Rock: Justine Chantale and Broadtree Team Up for Empowering Anthem “Bye Felicia”

With the political climate and divisiveness rampant across many areas in North America and beyond, gathering family and friends around the table for a big feast might come with discussions or fervent arguments. But for Tillsonburg, Ontario singer Justine Chantale, she wanted to remove any baggage that could cause emotional or mental strain. With help from Toronto pop tandem Broadtree (Nicole McCafferty and Armand Antony), Chantale has created the roots-y, revealing pop rock single “Bye Felicia.”

Chantale, who co-wrote the song with McCafferty and Antony, says “Bye Felicia” (produced by Angel Gomez) isn’t about turning the other cheek so much as standing up for yourself when required. “In writing ‘Bye Felicia’ with Armand and Nicole, the song was taken in the direction to give yourself permission to rid yourself of the toxicity in your life – in this case, a person,” she says. “At the time, I was going through a really tough period in my life, dealing heavily with grief, and I didn’t know how to set boundaries. I was surrounded by hurtful situations and toxic people who I thought I had to be around, which was making me miserable. Writing this song was the anthem I needed to be brave enough to set boundaries and put myself first.

“I’ve met a lot of people in my life who willingly put themselves in situations or be around people that hurt them because they think they need to or that they need to ‘save face.’ It never amounts to anything good. I hope that in hearing this song, more people put themselves first, say ‘f-ck that’ and ‘Bye Felicia’ to whatever or whoever is keeping them from living their best life.”

“Bye Felicia” is a roots-based pop rock single that brings to mind artists such as Meredith Brooks, Kathleen Edwards, Sheryl Crow, and The Chicks circa “Goodbye Earl.” Starting off with a series of “na na na na nas,” the track has a strong message and strong melody that takes off in the chorus thanks to the combined harmonies of Chantale, McCafferty and Antony while bassist Tim Hance fleshes out the track. Not letting people “rain on my parade” nor getting the best of you is what comes through the infectious, sing-along chorus. And while offering an olive branch of sorts if the person or people change their ways, there’s no looking back or regretting what you did to distance yourself from the poisonous swamp of hurtful barbs or internet trolls.

“I think that it’s so important to recognize that some behavior is just unacceptable,” McCafferty says regarding the message in “Bye Felicia.” “Right now, the world is teaching us that you can treat others however you want without consequence. And that shouldn’t be true because it enables the loudest, most thoughtless people to be the ones who persevere.

“As women in particular, we’re taught to smooth things over and keep the peace when people have bad behavior. But if we don’t learn to stand up for ourselves, speak up, and set those boundaries, it can actually put us in very dangerous situations. The song is an anthem to stick it to people trying to control your life, but it’s also an anthem to the joy of how freeing it can be to just refuse to engage.”

“Bye Felicia” is the latest single from Chantale who has had a string of singles in recent years to go alongside her 2015 debut EP Stepping Stones and 2021 EP Starting Today. Previous singles include “Highway 59,” “What’s The Point,” “Wondering,” and “If I Know You.” She also lent her voice to Operation Smile in 2023, a group helping children internationally who have cleft lip or cleft palate and require surgery to address the issue.

As for Broadtree, the 2023 Arts Acclaim Award-winning duo includes Cape Breton native McCafferty and Antony who started performing on the theatre stage before music took hold. They’ve had three number one singles in Canada on the Indie Country Countdown and, to date, over two million streams. Broadtree have performed at Canadian Music Week, Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition and Stomp N Stampede among many other festivals. And they are advocates for mental health issues, racial equality, First Nations rights and issues affecting LGBTQ+.

Now with “Bye Felicia,” look for Justine Chantale and Broadtree to make new fans and grow their audience with this empowering anthem. “One of our favorite writes turned into this killer bop!” Chantale wrote on her Instagram page regarding the track. It’s so good it might even persuade a few Felicias to change their proverbial tune.

Alex Blum Channels Chapel Hill and Charlotte in Blues Rock Single “Hometown”

Eric Alper
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Alex Blum Channels Chapel Hill and Charlotte in Blues Rock Single “Hometown”

There’s an adage that says home is where you hang your hat. But for North Carolina blues rock musician Alex Blum, the adage stating you have to leave in order to come back might be more apt. The musician’s travels resulted in his latest single “Hometown,” a groove-riddled homage off his Good Weather album regarding where he grew up and the good-natured attitude of its inhabitants.

“‘Hometown’ is a song I wrote while far from home, and it had truly been too long since I had been in my hometown,” Blum, raised growing up in Chapel Hill but now based in Charlotte, says. “I had taken a trip full of idealism, hitch-hiking between off-grid communes and eco-villages and other various alternative living communities across the country and working very hard trying to contribute to what I thought was a positive mission. But the communities were beset by bickering, gossip, and slander, which I would have thought was part of ordinary life, but people would really kick each other out of a living situation over the most petty grievances.”

Blum felt betrayed by people who were “completely dishonest and openly manipulative” yet who professed to “trying to make the world a better place.” After ending up in California, he pined for the days of being in his hometown, a place “where people truly knew each other” and held each other to a higher standard. Left with either dealing with the proverbial backstabbing or speaking out in the hopes that clearing the air would result in progress, Blum picked the latter.

“The point here is not to settle old disputes, but to reflect on life and glean lessons that we all can learn,” he says of “Hometown,” which was also inspired by a Biblical reference (Luke 4:24: “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.”) “It’s a song about venturing out into the world and discovering people are way less trustworthy than you had thought or hopes, and finding out about yourself in the process — all the while missing your hometown.”

“Hometown” is a groove-based track bringing to mind the likes of Everlast and Beck, melding a slight hip-hop back beat against a delivery resembling Lou Reed in some respects. A mid-tempo arrangement allows Blum’s narrative to come to the fore, leaving an infectious, intelligent, and intriguing track that works wonderfully for well over five minutes.

“Hometown” is the latest single from Blum’s latest album Good Weather, released in October. The artist is no stranger to being as prolific as he is eclectic, with a myriad of albums and EPs dating back to 2016’s Sunday Morning EP. In 2022, Blum released Speak Dreams To Me, a record he describes as his “fullest rock album” that featured the musician playing every instrument (including drums) while also diving deeply into songwriting for the first time. In 2018, he released Tourmaline (Guitar Instrumentals Vol. 1) and Amethyst (Guitar Instrumentals Vol. 2) five years later. Blum also released Acetone-Electro Tape in 2020 and 2023’s Blues Master Does Another Electro Tape. Other albums include 2020’s Rap Beats Vol. 1, while 2022 saw three more album releases: Alex Blum Does Rap Music and Noise Music. Earlier in 2024, Blum released Abstract Sample-Based Music.

Blum also spent time busking on the streets of Nashville and Asheville and has performed throughout North Carolina as well as in New York City. Now with his new single “Hometown,” Alex Blum’s career is sure to impress people far beyond his own hometown.

Tom Jackson’s The Huron Carole: Angels Without Wings Encore Airs on CTV2, APTN, APTN Lumi, Eastlink Community Channel

Eric Alper
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Tom Jackson’s The Huron Carole: Angels Without Wings Encore Airs on CTV2, APTN, APTN Lumi, Eastlink Community Channel

Immerse yourself in the magic of The Huron Carole, a musical journey curated on the ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq people. Following its premiere on APTN, APTN Lumi and Eastlink in 2023, these same broadcasters, along with CTV2, proudly present encore presentations beginning December 20, 2024. This iconic variety concert, recorded at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, promises unique interpretations of seasonal classics from country to operatic, to innovative blends of traditional with contemporary.

Founder Tom Jackson, C.C., LL.D., takes the stage with an extraordinary 6 piece-band, featuring guest performances from Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Shannon Gaye, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Beverley Mahood, Loreena McKennitt, Andrea Menard, and PIQSIQ. Sing along with this exuberant audience vocally led by the Halifax Camerata Singers.

CTV/CW Network stars from Sullivan’s Crossing – Morgan Kohan, Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson – bring greetings and direct viewers on how to donate to the Canadian Red Cross.

“Producing The Huron Carole – Angels Without Wings – live at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium with broadcasters alongside, comes full circle from our first 1997 CBC-TV production at the same location. Along with the posterity, the show demonstrates our love for community, music, and action raising money for the Canadian Red Cross and their emergency management fund. The perfect storm of love!” says Jackson.

The ‘Angels Without Wings’ are bringing an evening of joy—and now, audiences and viewers can help make a life-saving difference. By supporting Emergency Management at the Canadian Red Cross, Canadians can play a critical role in protecting the country’s most vulnerable during times of crisis.

  • Between April 2023 and March 2024, the Canadian Red Cross supported over 81,000 people across Canada in the aftermath of emergencies.
  • During the same period, 50,500 essential relief items—including cots, blankets, teddy bears, hygiene kits, and more—were distributed to those in need post-disaster.
  • The Government of Canada estimates that every dollar invested in pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction saves up to $15 in post-disaster response and recovery costs.

By contributing to the Red Cross, audiences enable proactive measures before the next disaster occurs, increasing the organization’s ability to respond effectively. Donations help train emergency management volunteers and pre-position vital supplies—such as clean-up kits, comfort kits, baby supplies, blankets, clothing, food, and water—across the country, ensuring faster and more efficient responses.

When disaster strikes, specially trained Red Cross Disaster Teams are on the ground immediately, providing critical relief and ongoing support to those affected. This includes not only meeting immediate needs but also assisting with long-term recovery from emotional and financial stress caused by evacuation and loss.

CRC is recognized, trusted, and for decades, has been at the forefront of Canada’s largest and most important emergency operations – from the evacuation of entire communities due to floods and wildfires, to major industrial disasters.

Most Canadians never expect a disaster to happen to them.

DONATE NOW
Secure Link to Red Cross web site:
https://www.redcross.ca/disasterscanada/HuronCarole
Text ANGELS to number 30333 to donate $10

Watch The Huron Carole on CTV

  • On CTV2
    Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7:00pm EST
  • On CTV Ottawa
    Saturday, Dec. 28 at 9:30am EST
    Sunday, Dec. 29 at 9:00am EST
  • On CTV2 Ottawa
    Saturday, Dec. 28 at 10:00am EST
  • On CTV Northern Ontario
    Sunday, Dec. 29 at 9:00am EST
  • On CTV Toronto
    Sunday, Dec. 29 at 9:00am EST
  • On CTV2 Toronto
    Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 8:30am EST

Watch The Huron Carole on ATPN

  • Friday, Dec. 20 at 11:00am EST/8:00am PST
  • Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3:00am EST/12:00am PST
  • Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7:00pm EST/4:00pm PST
  • Monday, Dec. 23 at 11:30am EST/8:30am PST
  • Monday, Dec. 23 at 3:00am EST/12:00am PST
  • Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 9:30pm EST/6:30pm PST
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 2:00pm EST/11:00am PST
  • Thursday, Dec. 26 at 1:00amEST/10:00pm PST* (Dec. 25)

Watch on Eastlink Community TV, Channel 10/610

  • Monday, Dec. 23 at 8:00pm AST
  • Tuesday, Dec. 24 at TBA AST (NS region only)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 at TBA AST (NS region only)

On APTN Lumi

  • Stream on your own time. Go to watchaptnlumi.ca and start your free trial today! Unlimited access to all programming is $4.99/month.

2024 marks 37 years of Tom’s storied steps into humanitarian efforts that have resulted in coordinating more than $250 million in funds and in-kind services to an abundance of charities and relief organizations including food banks, women’s shelters, mental health programs and other initiatives in the communities he visits coast to coast.

Pop Singer Joèe Releases Soulful New Christmas Single With “Anytime Of Year”

Eric Alper
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Pop Singer Joèe Releases Soulful New Christmas Single With “Anytime Of Year”

It’s hard to put your stamp on the holidays as a singer. Christmas albums are the norm for nearly every artist, and trying to get airplay for new Christmas songs can be challenging. Then you have a trove of standards that rarely are removed from rotation. But if you have a song as tender and soulful as “Anytime Of Year” released by Toronto-born pop singer Joèe you shouldn’t have that issue. The single, which creates mental pictures of ’50s era doo-wop bands singing around an open flame in the dead of winter, is a pristine and polished song that hits all the right notes while tugging at all the right heartstrings.

Joèe (born Joseph DeSimone) is marking a new chapter in his career with “Anytime Of Year” being his first single after a hiatus from music. The song is a hopeful, romantic track inspired by the universal challenges people faced, endured, and coped with during the global pandemic. “‘Anytime Of Year’ was written during a time when I needed to find strength and joy amidst difficulties,” Joèe, who produced the song, says. “I hope it resonates with listeners and becomes a part of their Christmas playlists for years to come.”

“Anytime Of Year” begins with the sound of sleigh bells before a classic, slow-dance, doo-wop-tinged nugget begins. Joèe sings about wanting a love to stay around beyond the Christmas holidays and dreading the fact that special person might not be sticking around after Dec. 25. With a tasteful arrangement that isn’t busy but accents the singer’s passionate delivery, “Anytime Of Year” brings to mind a deliberate but down-tempo “Last Christmas” by Wham! or soulful groups like Boyz II Men performing gorgeous tracks from their 1993 Christmas Interpretations album. It’s a tremendously earnest and stellar track!

The single (which also saw Joèe assisted by Luca Caracciolo) is the latest from Joèe who has had a lengthy and colorful career. Born in Toronto in 1972, the performer got his start with local bands before appearing on the American talent show Star Search. From there, he took top prize in a songwriting competition sponsored by Toronto radio station CHIN. In 1995, a cover of Cutting Crew’s classic “I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight” topped the Canadian radio station charts while cracking Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Charts. He also toured through North America and became the first Canadian dance artist to enter the American charts. In 2001, he received a SOCAN Award for Best Dance Music.

Joèe’s discography includes 1995’s Just A Taste (under the name Intonation featuring Joèe), 1999’s Truth, 2002’s self-titled album and a 2004 compilation entitled A Decade Of Dance. The artist, who has garnered Juno Award and MuchMusic Video Award nominations, had hit singles on the Canadian charts including “If I Could,” “Do You Right,” and “Angel” among others. Meanwhile, “Feel It In The Air” (from Just A Taste) became a hit in Europe.

Now with a fresh, festive-leaning single “Anytime Of Year,” Joèe is once again set to return to the charts with a song that is perfect for the Christmas season. And, well, any time of year.

Dutchman Unveils Highly Anticipated Double Single “I Need You Now” and “In Your Heart”

Eric Alper
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Dutchman Unveils Highly Anticipated Double Single “I Need You Now” and “In Your Heart”

Delaware-based music collective ‘Dutchman’ is excited to announce the release of their highly anticipated double single, featuring the captivating tracks “I Need You Now” and “In Your Heart,” both out now.

With a fresh yet evocative sound, the band continues to solidify their place in the music scene, building on their previous successes, including being featured in The Washington Post and having acquired thousands of international streams.

Dutchman is fronted by singer/songwriter Connor Johnson, who has been present since the band’s inception in 2017, and has benefitted from the dedicated efforts of Guitarist, Garrett Gravatt, who initially joined in 2020 and has notably served as a pivotal role in helping Johnson to engineer and produce their sound.

Dutchman embodies a vintage-revivalist spirit, while of course forging their own unique identity. Their latest creations emerged from a transformative trek that the duo, Johnson & Gravatt, started from Delaware, leading up to the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in Cleveland, Ohio, then onto Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, before finally returning home to Delaware. This journey immersed them in the musical heritage that has influenced their artistic stride.

“Ever since our trip, we’ve been inspired to explore a more laid-back sound that feels like home,” says Gravatt. “These songs reflect the music we grew up listening to, stuff as old as our parents, and we hope to carry forward the spirit of history’s most cherished songs.”

“It’s hard to believe it’s been as long as it has, starting this band as 18-year-old kids to now being fully established adults almost in our 30s. Our growth is evident in the music. ‘I Need You Now’ and ‘In Your Heart’ are a testament to our newfound age and our journey here. It’s truly been a long, strange trip,” shares Connor Johnson.

The A-side single, “I Need You Now,” is an acoustic-driven ballad that Connor wrote for his wife. The song features choir and string arrangements, with Franco Solarzano recording a beautifully crafted piano solo for all to appreciate. “I Need You Now,” for me, required the most creative effort of the two songs because I had to create a heartfelt piano solo with a memorable orchestral accompaniment. It took a significant amount of time. In fact, I remember being half asleep when the final take of “I Need You Now” was captured, but in the end, I take much pride in how the song turned out. Moreover, It was genuinely a privilege to be a co-songwriter with Connor Johnson. His lyrics and musical structure, combined with my instrumental arrangements, are something I can’t wait to share with the world. I believe these songs will capture hearts and resonate with many.”

Gravatt, who engineered the final product, states, “From my shoes, it wasn’t that hard to do given the musicians’ performances caught on record. I give much respect to my bandmates for how well we can craft something from nothing.”

The B-side single, “In Your Heart,” showcases Johnson on a 1962 Gretsch electric guitar, with Gravatt playing the foundational acoustic. The band brought in studio musician Connor O’Malley for slide guitar, reminiscent to the sounds of Joe Walsh, and The Allman Brothers Band. O’Malley goes on to state “Connor (Johnson) and I go way back to Middle School, we even had a band together back in the day and I gotta say, working together again, it was like we never skipped a beat. It was truly inspirational coming in to lay down my recordings given that there were so many tools at our disposal. Also having the concepts of a song and developing it as we went along enabled for a creative flow I hadn’t really felt before.”

Additionally, they hired lap steel guitarist Hayden Chance to overlay a lap steel part, with Johnson directing Chance to refer to the works done on Graham Nash’s solo records.

Chance expressed his excitement, saying, “Being a songwriter/producer from Delaware, When I was asked by Connor and the guys in Dutchman to play some steel guitar on a track, I was excited and honored. Dutchman does a great job highlighting the sounds of 60s/70s rock as well as adding their own unique approach to the genre. I’m all about it. Connor sent over the track, and I went straight to work in my home studio in Wilmington, DE. I really wanted to add that classic country steel ‘crying’ sound as well as some swells to add to the emotions of the piece. I’m looking forward to hearing the final number.”

To which Solarzano added, “As for “In Your Heart,” I would say this song underwent the most revisions of the two. I remember recording the piano part at ‘Electric Fossil Studio’ and going through several different arrangements for the song over the course of about a year before landing on the final version. It was a long process, but I think the extra effort really paid off in capturing the emotion we wanted.”

“In Your Heart” is said to be aimed at the traditional country music audience, which remains vibrant and engaged. However, it also addresses the listeners who feel as if they have been searching for elements in the genre that have been lacking in recent years.

These two singles serve as a prelude to Dutchman’s upcoming full-length LP, set to be released in 2025, further establishing their commitment to crafting timeless music that resonates with their audience for years to come.

Izzo Blues Coalition Brings Bluesy Energy to the Holidays with “Merry Christmas Baby”

Eric Alper
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Izzo Blues Coalition Brings Bluesy Energy to the Holidays with “Merry Christmas Baby”

There are calm, soothing versions of Christmas carols and standards that are amplified throughout shopping malls and big box stores. But Montreal blues rock group Izzo Blues Coalition have injected a fresh sense of verve and energy with their blistering cover of “Merry Christmas Baby.” It’s a performance that would make Santa question whether he wants to put himself on the nice or naughty list.

According to the group — consisting of singer and keyboardist Annie Major-Matte, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Tino Izzo, bassist and backing vocalist Domenic Romanelli, and drummer Bob Telaro — “Merry Christmas Baby” was a spur of the moment source of inspiration. “A last-minute thought, Tino Izzo suddenly decided to take the song into the studio and start working on a seed of an idea for the arrangement,” the band says. “Annie came in to record her vocal take even before the song fully took form. They had to wait a week for Bob to get back from vacation, unrehearsed to rush into the studio with Domenic to record the drum and bass tracks. This spontaneous process gave the song a raw, authentic energy…”

Originally written by Johnny Dudley Moore and Lou Baxter and first performed by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers back in 1947, “Merry Christmas Baby” has had a rich history in the nearly 77 years since then. Recorded by the likes of Otis Redding, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley and Melissa Etheridge among countless others, “Merry Christmas Baby” is a scorching blues rock single from Izzo Blues Coalition. Major-Matte’s delivery in the vein of Sass Jordan, Beth Hart, or Bonnie Raitt is playful and sassy, while Izzo delivers a rollicking solo that can be heard and appreciated by the busy elves in the North Pole. The rhythm section of Romanelli and Telaro are solid throughout, laying the foundation for the bluesy but slightly funky groove that keeps your mistletoes, er, toes tapping and head bobbing.

“Merry Christmas Baby” is the latest release from Izzo Blues Coalition who have a new studio album entitled Rise Again slated for release on Feb. 7. Izzo Blues Coalition released its debut album Complicated Man in 2019, while their sophomore effort Take It Or Leave It came out in the fall of 2021. Izzo, influenced and inspired by guitar greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, has worked with, written for, or produced an array of powerhouse artists over his career, including Celine Dion, Roch Voisine, Petula Clark, and Bobby Bazini, among others. Izzo also earned a Billboard Choice Award for instrumental guitar albums he released in the ’90s.

Izzo Blues Coalition, who will tour in support of their forthcoming Rise Again album, have played at Festival International du Blues de Tremblant among others while covering classics by Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Winter and Albert King alongside original material. In short, they are a great live band who deliver a “genuine live music experience.” Not bad for a group who reportedly formed when Izzo and Telaro (a longtime musical partner of Izzo) met for a jam session while drinking some scotch!

Now with a new album on the horizon and “Merry Christmas Baby” ready for the festive season, Izzo Blues Coalition will ensure that every creature is stirring with this incredible, bluesy rendition. Even the mice!

Toronto Hip-Hop Icon Saukrates Revisits the Past with Album Bad Addiction

Eric Alper
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Toronto Hip-Hop Icon Saukrates Revisits the Past with Album Bad Addiction

For well over two decades, Toronto music legend Saukrates has built a dynamic and critically acclaimed career while continuing to grow his fan base. Now, the artist has re-released “Comin’ Up,” a single originally issued over two decades ago and featured on his forthcoming studio album Bad Addiction.

Originally released in the U.S. as a 12-inch vinyl single alongside “Sumthin 4 Da Streetz” in 2003 and found on the Canadian version of the 2 Fast 2 Furious Soundtrack, “Comin Up” is a brilliant ode to surviving in hip hop and fighting the good fight while proudly representing Toronto. And although Vince Carter is now an NBA Hall of Famer and doesn’t play at the Skydome but instead has his Raptors jersey hanging up in the Scotiabank Arena rafters, the reference of the basketball legend in “Comin Up” by the hip hop legend remains both timeless and contemporary. As does his musical modus operandi.

I hit you with the wisdom, you ain’t with it then kiss em
The nuts! If you dissin watch me from a distance
I’ma hit you with the words that’ll make ya soul vibrate
The things that we contemplate when we comin up…

Bad Addiction is loaded with great singles, and, stealing a song title, it’s “awesome!” (to quote Roam n Mr Attic). From the lead off single released earlier in the year “My Pager Burnin Up (Easide of Thangs),” with its funky groove which cites Saukrates being appraised by the PBS series Antiques Roadshow to “Soxtacy,” Bad Addiction gets in your sonic bloodstream and you simply can’t get enough. “The One” – single #3 – has a soulful, mid-tempo ’70s vibe oozing throughout as the artist proves to stand for something, pays attention, and falls for nothing. The song also seems to epitomize Bad Addiction, an album brimming with big beats, big ideas, and deep truths about the bigger picture overall. Elsewhere “Oh So Cold” has an infectious afro-country-tinged foundation as Saukrates appeals for more humanity in a world that becomes more callous each day. If that wasn’t enough, “My Piece” has a swampy, Prince-ish hue and an excellent bass line that perfectly melds with the musician’s stark, poignant story. The full LP is a “time capsule” of sorts as the 12-track effort features previously unreleased material culled from his ever-growing “vault.” And would you believe it if we said this album is a pirate radio show? This would mean let it play, beginning to end.

This latest installment is the proverbial exclamation point on what has been a tremendously busy and productive year for Saukrates. In August, he released a special 25th anniversary edition of The Underground Tapes featuring over 40 tracks with each song accompanied by a narration from himself regarding the specific track’s significance and attributes. And in 2024, his collaboration with the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals entitled “Caps 11” received an Emmy Award nomination. The song highlighted the 11 black players who have played for the Capitals in franchise history, beginning with Mike Marson in 1974 through to Devante Smith-Pelley in 2019. The song also noted the rich Black culture in the Washington, D.C. area.

The rumors are true with another impressive release in a career that has come a long way since creating rhymes as a teenager and issuing incredible material including the singles “Still Caught Up,” “Father Time,” “Hate Runs Deep,” “Play Dis” featuring Chicago’s own Common, and The Brick House EP. As a founding member of hip-hop collective The Circle — Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Jully Black — and lead vocalist of his own super group Big Black Lincoln (whose album Heaven’s Caught On Fire remains an excellent piece of work and is cited by many as the “quintessential album”), Saukrates has garnered the respect of those who enjoy and collect quality music.

He’s also worked with the likes of Nelly Furtado and a who’s who of the rap game, whether it’s Red n Mef, Nas to Drake (as he helped influence the young and talented rapper/singer after he left Degrassi). Full-length solo album releases include The Underground Tapes, 2012’s Season One, 2014’s Juno Award nominated The Amani EP, and 2017’s Season 2.

Bigg Soxx, who’s own MySeat app (available soon on IOS and Google Play) offers exclusive content to fans internationally (look out for exclusive Bad Addiction LP content featuring production by Mr attic), recently signed with Frostbyte Media Ltd., a Canadian boutique label falling under the SRG-ILS family. Because SRG-ILS is distributed by Universal Music Group’s Virgin Music division, more fans and more listeners will be able to hear what Canada and the United States have known for decades: Saukrates continues comin’ up with ridiculously relevant poetry and soul both allies and rivals could only dream of.

Nashville Rockers Goldy lockS Band Deliver a Crushing Groove and Heartbreak in “I Didn’t Know”

Eric Alper
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Nashville Rockers Goldy lockS Band Deliver a Crushing Groove and Heartbreak in “I Didn’t Know”

They say that knowing is half the battle; what they don’t tell you is that it’s only the first half, and maybe not even the hardest half either. On their new single, “I Didn’t Know,” Nashville crossover rockers the Goldy lockS Band capture that moment when you realize you’ve been hoodwinked—and must acknowledge not only the time you’ve wasted on a lie but the shadow of uncertainty it’s cast across your future.

The song is a portrait of betrayal that’s rendered in stark, snapshot-like images: a rainy bus stop, a dead cell phone, a “missing ring” that turned into a “nasty thing.” Somebody’s done somebody wrong, all right, and the tune’s chorus couldn’t do a better job of laying out just how much of a cause for despair that is: “I didn’t know/ How quick that this would fold/ I didn’t know/ And our love could grow so cold.” Which begs the nagging question: Now what?

The thought is left deliberately hanging, but there’s nothing indecisive about the music itself. “I Didn’t Know” makes a typically exhilarating addition to the band’s catalog of full-bodied, eminently commercial bangers, with a pointedly askew, “Smooth Criminal”-type crush groove that’ll bring you to your feet—and keep you on your toes, just like its disillusioned protagonist.

Giving its tears of heartbreak a little extra sting, the track features contributions from hardcore country artist (and pro wrestler) Mickie James Aldis, plus Clay “Uncle Snap” Sharpe and Brian Andrew “Rooster” King of country rappers The LACS. It was almost fated that Aldis and GLB frontwoman Goldy Locks would team up for a song someday, since the latter has been a part of TNA Impact Wrestling as a commentator, a manager and a wrestler in her own right (not to mention having a podcast, Goldy’s Closet, that’s a sub-cast of ex-WWE writer Vince Russo’s The Brand).

“I can’t believe it’s taken so long for Goldy Locks and I to rock out together!” Aldis says. “She’s a force to be reckoned with and brings so much passion to everything she does. This was such a rockin’ blend of two worlds colliding, and I think it turned out pretty magical!”

The artistic alchemy the Goldy lockS Band engages in, though, goes beyond simply mixing harder-hitting sounds with elements like country. Their entire process is a study in creative improvisation, with guitarist Johnny Oro laying down riffs on the tour bus and at sound checks, just so Locks can later put words and melodies to them during workouts at the gym. That work in progress gets sent to drummer Rod Saylor so he can bash out parts in his home studio, and then all the way to Brazil, home base of the bassist Wandley Bala the group retains for recordings only. A circuitous way to operate, to be sure, but so far, it’s paid off handsomely: The outfit’s deep repertoire has made them a top concert draw as both a headliner and an opener for heavyweights like Nickelback, Stevie Nicks and Maroon 5, and on record, they’ve sold thousands of albums over the years of performing.

They’ll be adding to that tally with a new, as-yet-untitled album in the months ahead. Before then, the group has two big shows coming up to round out the year in style. December the GLB will be packed with private parties. The Goldy lockS Band will ring in 2025 with a New Year’s Eve bash at Kahuna OS in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Forget what we said earlier about the burden of knowing: When the music is this good, here’s to 12 more months of fooling around and finding out.

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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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