Hello, hello. Hope everyone is having a good start to the spring! I know some parts of the province are still under a bit of snow, but things seemed to have turned the corner here in Saskatoon. Starting to string together a few warmer/sunny days in a row.
I’ve been listening to a lot of the same things these days and have the new Rural Alberta Advantage album on most days (I am really digging that and you should too). That being said, the change in season always motivates me to start digging for some new music. I have a few here that I think people might be into. There is some bright, poppy stuff but also some slower quiet stuff for your peaceful spring mornings.
Throw on some headphones, get some sun on your face, and take these tunes for a spin!
DEANNA PETCOFF – TO HELL WITH YOU, I LOVE YOU
Starting off with something fun and easy. “Failing Upwards” is the perfect first song for you to check out today. It’s upbeat and full of life. She has a rich, mature voice that makes her sound older than she is. Although she comes across as a veteran, this is the debut album for the Toronto based artist. I think she’s off to a good start.
ERIN RAE – LIGHTEN UP
I stumbled across this mostly because I follow along with Kevin Morby and Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) on Instagram. Kevin Morby is featured in the song below which is the tie in here. I did a scroll of the bio on her website and it’s a good little read if you are interested. I love the ramblin’ feeling of “Can’t See Stars” and the old organ notes in “True Love’s Face”. I think everyone can find something interesting and fun in these songs.
ALDOUS HARDING – WARM CHRIS
New to me so I don’t know a damn thing about her. Well, I do know that she is from New Zealand and boy oh boy, New Zealand seems nice! Another easy listener to get you bopping along while you run for groceries.
ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER – ENDLESS ROOMS
Admittedly, a lot of their albums sound the same to me. That doesn’t mean I don’t like them though. Quite the contrary. You know I love that indie, surfer rock stuff, right? They always seem to be a band I enjoy throwing on for warmer weather. A couple of the songs off their new album are out and I like them just like the others. Horrible band name though.
MITSKI – LAUREL HELL
I can’t really put my finger on what it is that I like about this, but “Heat Lightning” was my top play for quite a while at the beginning of the year. It has fallen further down my list as of late, but I felt like I had to put it on here out of respect for my subconscious preference. I love the long build up in “Heat Lightning” but rather than exploding during the chorus it falls immediately back without boiling over. Something interesting there that I enjoy.
ALTAMEDA – BORN LOSERS
I had kind of forgot about Altameda until I came across their newest offering. This is all quality. From Edmonton, but now based in Toronto, these guys have a bit of a nostalgic sound to me. There is something familiar and warm about their sound. Troy Snaterse sings with somewhat of a walking vocal from time to time which I like as well. Written after the loss of Snaterse’s father to illness and step-brother to a tragic accident, the band states, “Born Losers is a meditation on change, loss, and growth, but more than that, it’s a reckoning with mortality, a call to live while we’re still alive.” No time like the present!
Rhett
SPRING 2022
- DEANNA PETCOFF – TO HELL WITH YOU, I LOVE YOU
- ERIN RAE – LIGHTEN UP
- ALDOUS HARDING – WARM CHRIS
- ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER – ENDLESS ROOMS
- MITSKI – LAUREL HELL
- ALTAMEDA – BORN LOSERS