Good Dear Good
Indie Pop
Fans of Alvvays and Broken Social Scene can get behind Nova Scotia-based indie band Good Dear Good’s newest single, “Coffee and Sunshine,” which dropped April 19th. The band name derives from a common Cape Breton response to the question, “How are ya?”
GDG continues to emulate the kindness of their East Coast roots in every track they bring into the world. Musicians Tim Hatcher (vocals, guitar) and Brandon MacDonald (bass) dropped out of college, quickly joining forces with Izra Fitch (synth) and Connor Booth (drums) to bring forth magical melodies reminiscent of the Halifax skyline on a summer evening. Their self-produced EP, Arrival, drops next month in June, and themes of love and resilience in “Coffee and Sunshine” are just a small taste of the euphoric listening experience to come.
Odds
Alt-Pop Rock
Vancouver-based rock band Odds first hit the scene over thirty years ago in 1991 with their self-produced, major label debut Neapolitan. This resounding success was followed up with a string of critically acclaimed releases, as well as frequent detours into the world of film and television.
With Craig Northey on vocals and guitar, Doug Elliot on the bass, Pat Steward on the drums, and Murray Atkinson on the guitar, Odds is back after a ten year break with their single, “Crash the Time Machine,” which hit streaming services April 21st. This track is a vibrant tapestry of struggle, and the community that keeps us grounded throughout. There’s a dark irony to the anger and sadness that pours out of this track, but the rock n’ roll sweeps you up and away before you can start dwelling on the past. In the words of Aldous Huxley and Jesus Jones, the song may be summed up, simply, as, “be here now.” This title track teases the release of their long awaited album coming August 4th.
Julian Loida
Experimental, Classical
Percussionist, composer, and producer Julian Loida is fueled by curiosity. Music is a full body experience for Loida, largely due to his synesthesia. Each sound invokes an involuntary sensation of color, texture, or even taste, and he hands these interpretations back to us in the form of deeply emotional compositions. “You Will Be Missed” is the newest single off of Loida’s sophomore LP, Giverny, out May 19th.
The track embodies the synchronous sorrow and joy of missing someone. It creates space for the grief of lost love and the opportunity to heal from relationships that no longer serve us. Loida’s proficiency in a wide range of genres serve his main goal of breaking down artistic barriers. “You Will Be Missed” is a true testament to his artistry across all five senses.
