United States Treasury promotional video featuring Batman for selling Savings Bonds and Stamps during the Vietnam War.
Folk-Popster Clare Siobhan Looks on Betrayal with Healing Humor in New Single “I Built A House with an Arsonist”
Too many of us know what it’s like to feel like you’re building a relationship with someone, only for that person to burn it all down. Montreal-based folk-pop artist Clare Siobhan offers a clever, heartfelt take on the situation with her new single “I Built a House with an Arsonist” – available now – from her forthcoming EP Seek the Sun.
“I wrote the song as a playful exploration of bad habits, and my own rose-coloured-glasses, benefit-of-the-doubt tendencies in my personal life,” Clare explains. “The whole feeling of the song for me is that sometimes you’re so ready to jump into a new adventure that you don’t stop to consider you might burn a few houses down along the way.”
Oh, I built a house with an arsonist
And I let him pick out the rugs
They went up so fast, somehow I was aghast
When I met him, he seemed nice enough
Clare was conscious of creating a Sara Bareilles-type feel, with heartbeat-reminiscent drums among the pianos and vocals and harmonies. And though the song mostly looks on betrayal with humor, it also conveys deep empathy. In fact, when Clare posted a portion of the song to TikTok before it was finished, the reception was overwhelming.
“People really loved the song, and were relating it to really challenging situations in their lives: breakups, divorces, difficult relationships, and feelings of personal betrayal from loved ones,” Clare recalls. “What the audience was connecting to was completely different from my own inspiration for the song – I’d written it with a much lighter heart and hadn’t infused any of my own heaviness into the lyrics when I wrote them.”
The TikTok reception ultimately influenced the song in its final form, with Clare honouring the personal stories people had shared with her. “In the final version, I feel you can hear some of that: the driving drumbeat, the swelling harmonies, the emotion I tried to release in the vocals. I really appreciated the feedback from the audience in those early stages of writing, and it helped breathe new life into the song during the final arrangement.”
The song is the third release from Clare’s forthcoming EP Seek The Sun, following “Flare” and “3/2 (Loves Me),” a work that, as its title suggests, is about optimism and finding a way out of the darkness. It’s a compendium in which Clare reflects on her life so far, meditating on her twenties and that decade’s joys and challenges.
“Seek the Sun” is a kaleidoscopic folk-pop experience for the modern age, blending genres effortlessly through masterful production and musical collaboration. With the mainstream appeal of Lizzy McAlpine paired with notes of Feist, Joni Mitchell, and Lucy Dacus, Clare delivers her message in a voice all her own.
Clare Siobhan is a genre-blending East Coast artist with a voice beyond her years. With her distinctive, rich alto voice, she paints pictures of love and loss, hope and fear, stillness and change through her deeply personal and introspective lyrics. Accompanied by solo piano, a full band, or a choir of her own harmonies, Siobhan’s music is a folk-pop-soul exploration of movement, growth, and light.
Her single “I Built A House with an Arsonist” is available now.
Kyle Haze’s Reflective New Single ‘My Shadows’ Captures the Essence of the Pandemic Experience
“My mind’s a mess but my heart is wise,” a line from Kyle Haze’s newest single “My Shadows,” captures how most of the world felt during the COVID pandemic lockdown.
But it was during these slow days and long nights confined within the walls of his Toronto apartment that the emerging guitarist and songwriter was able to channel those emotions into the song available now.
The Canadian musician says the song is about introspection and explores themes of post heartbreak denial, solitude and melancholia.
“My Shadows is a glimpse into a personal journey, an exploration of emotions during a time of solitude and reflection; feelings that should resonate with anyone who’s experienced the complex facets of love and loss amidst the unique circumstances of a pandemic lockdown,” Haze says.
The Torontonian – influenced by music bigwigs Radiohead, Tame Impala, Iron Maiden and Porcupine Tree – has previously released songs within the progressive genre, but My Shadows takes on the essence of a more indie ballad.
Haze collaborates with Sunny U in his latest release, the Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose delicate vocals add a nostalgic touch to the introspective song.
The talented duo practiced the melody on a ledge near the Bloor and Yonge railway station and recorded at MH Studios with recording engineer Lukas Guyader. The bass was played and recorded by Montreal’s Hayden Farrar and the song mixed and mastered by Luke Fair.
Kyle Haze hails from Toronto’s vibrant music scene and is only just getting started.
He looks forward to sharing his music and connecting with listeners on both local and broader musical landscapes and will soon be able to release other collaborations featuring vocalists Tammy Whetham and Brendan Marr.
Harriet Chung Enchants Audiences With Her Celestial Single ‘As Each Day Goes By’
With her soothing and melodic voice, Harriet Chung is at the center of imagination and wonder, with songs that stir the soul. Her latest single, “As Each Day Goes By” is as smooth and beautiful as a full moon surrounded by stars, with an emotional vocal harmony draped like curtains across the sky at night.
International singer, actress, and award-winning performer Harriet Chung is ready to take you away, just like she has with audiences all over the world, with her captivating voice and musical sound. “As Each Day Goes By” is about love and all the warmth inside each of the shared moments, and that love can be felt and heard across the harmony, and the sweeping musical notes and the striking voice of Chung make “As Each Day Goes By” an essential track for fans of emotional, romantic, and theatrical music.
“As Each Day Goes By” is as much a ballad as it is a promise, placing it firmly next to the rest of Harriet Chung’s releases, as enduring classics, with melodies that simply cannot leave your mind.
Harriet Chung may be a part of Canada’s rich canvas of art and music, but she also belongs to the world, with everything she has brought to music, dancing, acting, and choreography in her career so far. “As Each Day Goes By” is a highlight of Chung’s graceful yet powerful voice, which can be heard on the Golden Lotus: Sounds from the Musical (Deluxe) album.
The voice and music of Harriet Chung is a testament to what’s possible when style and grace are spread evenly across melody and song. You can go anywhere your heart can see with the music of Harriet Chung. It’s in her voice and it’s in the air. “As Each Day Goes By” is the sound of unrelenting love and a melody that could carry heaven.
Nirvana Producer Butch Vig On The First Time He Heard The Band Play ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
The man behind the most influential album of the 1990s talks about meeting Dave Grohl, and bring blown away by the band.
Microsoft Windows 95 Video Guide with Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston
Whether you are a PC rookie or an experienced user looking to upgrade, this hilarious how-to readies you for Windows 95. Created with Microsoft, the Windows 95 Video Guide is your ticket to personal computing in the 21st century.
My Own Addiction’s Powerful New Single ‘Take You Out’ Leaves Even The Band Wondering Who Inspired Alexandra Augustine’s Lyrics
My Own Addiction’s new single “Take You Out” packs such a punch it made the band’s own drummer fear for whoever vocalist Alexandra Augustine had based the lyrics on.
https://youtu.be/EO0gm5M9rvw
“I laughed, the song itself sounds like a revenge song I suppose, but it’s really about taking your own power back,” she says.
And it helps do just that. The mainstream rock band based out of Oshawa in Canada burst onto the scene for their guitar-driven, high energy-sound and “Take You Out” is no different. It opens with a heavy guitar riff, followed by the drums before Alexandra rips into the lyrics with “Hey you!”.
The four-piece band formed in the late summer of 2022, and they wasted no time getting into the studio to record their full LP that same year. The band is composed of Andrew Losier on guitar, Todd Burrows on drums, Tim Reesor on bass, and fronted by Alexandra Augustine on vocals (she is also known as an actor). These four musicians are driven by their passion for music that combines high-energy classic rock with hard blues undertones and a sprinkle of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
“Take You Out” is especially personal for the vocalist who is hesitant to get into the nitty gritty about what the song is about, but says its message is that all actions have consequences.
“I don’t condone violence and though it may sound like it, the lyrics aren’t really about killing someone… it’s more about that feeling of needing to be patient as you watch and wait for bad people to fall on their own swords,” Alexandra says.
Energy levels stay high in an accompanying music video, which the vocalist says was “healing” to film. “This song and filming the video healed a lot in me, and that is the beauty of music,” Alexandra says.
Having opened for rock legends Buckcherry this past summer, and supporting Anvil in the fall, audiences can expect high energy driven rock ’n roll that empowers you and compels you to move, let loose and rock out.
Vancouver’s Myk Gordon Delivers Soul-Stirring Americana Roots-Rock with ‘Born To Be’ from Upcoming Album
Vancouver, BC-based singer-songwriter Myk Gordon is prepping hard for an exciting release as he gears up to drop his brand-new Americana roots-rock single, “Born To Be,” out now. It is the first single off his new album with the shared name. With a music career spanning over three decades, Gordon’s musical prowess and diverse talents have earned critical acclaim worldwide.
Gordon is different from your typical musical artist. Alongside his successful music career, he is a high-ranking teacher of Aikido and works as a psychotherapist in private practice. These vocations allow him to draw on all aspects of the physical, mental and spiritual world to channel his experiences into songwriting. His multifaceted approach to life and artistry has set him apart in the industry. Gordon’s musical journey has been marked by accolades and remarkable collaborations, including his solid partnership with multiple Grammy Award-winner Steve Berlin of Los Lobos (who’s production efforts helped Los Lobos a Grammy Best Americana Album in 2022).
Gordon and Berlin’s previous collaboration, “Set Free,” released in 2009, received unanimous praise from music critics across the board, with Gordon being hailed as “a poster child of the Americana genre” by Alternate Root magazine and described as “nothing short of a country-soul tour de force” by the Vancouver Sun.
“Born To Be” was recorded in the rich and vibrant music scene of Portland, Oregon. The project included a talented ensemble featuring members from acclaimed bands such as Neko Case, New Pornographers, NRBQ, and Mavis Staples. This new release showcases Gordon’s ability to blend various musical influences seamlessly, drawing inspiration from early Elvis Costello to Crowded House.
Gordon’s songwriting brilliance extends beyond the realm of music. He earned two graduate degrees: a master’s in psychology in 2008 and a PhD in 2019, alongside his thriving career as a psychotherapist. Gordon is also a 6th dan Aikido teacher with over 30 years of experience and is widely recognized as an author and scholar in his field.
Gordon has graced concert stages and festivals worldwide throughout his career, with notable residencies in London, Nashville, and Toronto. He hails from a musical lineage with family members who have significantly contributed to the music world. Gordon’s early years saw him share the stage with respected singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith in Toronto’s Queen Street scene, leading to extensive cross-Canada and international tours, a devoted fan base, glowing press reviews, and widespread airplay. In 2010, Gordon was granted the highest-level US touring visa, which took him on a musical journey across the United States for three years.
Key musicians featured on “Born To Be” include Portland bassist Damian Erskine, nephew of famed jazz drummer Pete Erskine, and the return of Vancouver-based guitar virtuoso Paul Rigby, known for his work with Neko Case and New Pornographers.
Lyrically, the single delves into the existential struggles of an imaginary protagonist who has overcome physical and spiritual obstacles in their quest for self-discovery, with the chorus posing a thought-provoking question:
‘Aren’t we, aren’t we ever free?
Aren’t we, Aren’t we born to be?’
To complement the release of “Born To Be,” Myk Gordon has prepared an accompanying music video that pays homage to one of the iconic moments in music history – Bob Dylan’s 1965 promotional film for “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” Directed by Kryshan Randel, the video features a diverse range of individuals holding cue cards with lyrics from the song, capturing the universal yearning for freedom in a world that often pressures us to conform.
Stay tuned for more music from Myk Gordon as he continues to captivate audiences with his timeless talent and unwavering passion for music.
Multi-Talented Vicki Lovelee Blends Pop and Drama Tackles Mental Health and Empowerment with ‘Hunter’
Chinese Canadian singer Vicki Lovelee is a multi-hyphenate singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist whose music combines pop with dark, dramatic sounds fused with orchestral instrumentations. Her eccentric persona influenced by Lady Gaga and her lush lyrics remind listeners of Lana Del Rey.
Lovelee’s music dives into topics like mental health, heartbreak, self-growth and healing. She calls herself a “huge advocate for mental health awareness.” With “Hunter,” she hopes to change the narrative on who’s the prey and who’s the hunter. “I refused to feel scared and weak,” she says. “And it’s time to take back control over what happens to us and choose to not run away anymore. My goal is to have my music be a safe space for people of all cultures and identities,” “Hunter” is inspired by lions who are hunters by nature and possess power and fearlessness.
Lovelee shared a favourite lyric in the new single: “This is what happens when you back me in a corner. This is what happens when the prey becomes the hunter.” She explains: “When push comes to shove, we can become the hunter and prey upon anyone who once took advantage of us.”
Lovelee graduated from York University’s Music Program, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She also completed Canada’s Music Incubator’s Artist Entrepreneur Program in 2021 and has performed at events like Breaking Sound Canada, Taste of Asia, and Durham Pride.
With 75,000 streams on music platforms, Lovelee is set to become the next big thing you don’t want to miss in Canada’s music scene.
Conan O’Brien Shared The Secret Behind His Marriage To Liza Powel O’Brien
Conan O’Brien, Sona Movsesian, and Matt Gourley give a fan advice on how to keep a marriage “spicy.”