Ace of Wands is the music and songwriting of Lee Rose along with Anna Mierniks and Jody Brumell. Their debut LP is set for release on February 22^nd and features the single “Lioness”. This intense track features Rose’s powerful vocals as well as her multi-instrumental talents that have her playing guitar, bass and violin. Her classically trained violin skills are mixed with folk and rock n’ roll influences to give Ace of Wands a unique sound. In their words they expand their songwriting “to incorporate facets of cinematic soundscapes, pop melodies and interlocking guitars and vocals”. The “Lioness” Release Party goes down February 22^nd with Joan Smith & The Jane Does, Kate Boothman and When Particles Collide at the Horseshoe Tavern. – Kris Gies

There’s always one rowdy Peterborough band showing up on my feed. Beef Boys are a three piece garage punk band that’ll get ya flippin’ tables by the second song. They giver at a ferocious pace and still find the time to add some surfy influences. Fire up their latest album “Melted Like A Witch” on their bandcamp page. Your next chance to see them in Toronto is April 1^st at the Monarch Tavern along with Bad Sports from Texas and Toronto power pop sensations First Base. – Kris Gies

Lo-fi power pop band Dark Trip will be creepin’ into the Bovine later this month for a seemingly rare show. Their EP “Dark Trip Demos” was released long enough ago that it’s making me wonder if they aren’t the demos but the actual record! Jokes on us. 5 tracks of scary pop punk including a track titled Tony Danza so you know it’s good. Their upcoming gig at the Bovine Sex Club is on February 22^nd with Sick Things, Hot Kid and Teen Archer. 4AM last call too! – Kris Gies

Toronto based power trio Wine Lips are getting’ set to release their latest record “Stressor” on February 27^th and have just dropped their second single. “Electric Lady” is a rippin’ garage track with ear worm hooks making a deadly combo of rock n’ roll. The video features singer/guitarist Cam Hillborn gettin’ all wine lipped and stumblin’ around the city. It’s definitely a tune that’ll make you wanna drink… Wine Lips are heading out on tour of Canada and the States finishing off with their hometown Release Party at the Horseshoe Tavern on April 5^th with Pale Lips, Vypers and Fade Awaays. – Kris Gies

The Straight Teeth are a dynamic two piece hailing from Kingston. They released their debut record on January 25^th 2019. The album kicks off with a noisy punk track “So” which features a really dirty guitar alongside thumpin’ drums and vocals that remind me of 90’s punk rock. 1:43 of pure madness. There is obvious influences from some of the more famous two piece bands which I don’t have to mention by name but they have an originality to their tunes that go from hectic to catchy and everything in between. The true test of a two piece is to see them live; you’re next opportunity in the area would be February 22nd at The Foxx in Barrie along with the Meringues, All My Life and Copper Hearts. – Kris Gies

Too Young To Go Steady are a five piece dream pop band here in Toronto. They released their debut EP “Dropout” last summer. This album is full of shoegaze and reverby pop goodness. Very atmospheric. There is a peaceful calmness to their songs. A couple tracks from this EP are going to be featured in episodes of the upcoming season 3 of Kim’s Convenience on CBC. One of the featured tracks is “Genevieve”. The video is directed by band member Carlos Coronado and contains footage from Toronto, Vancouver Island and the Yukon. Too Young to Go Steady play live at Junction City Music Hall on February 9^th with Bredren, Runnymede and more. – Kris Gies

Lo-Fi Psych group Gloin are getting ready to release a new EP this spring. The first single has now debuted and it’s a very adventurous garage/psych tune. Thumpin’ drums set the tone off the top of "Cha Cha". Followed along by a mix of chuggin’ reverby guitar and 80’s pop sounding synth. The vocals sound like she’s singing on the other side of the hall but the angry tone makes up for that. The track switches to a laid back, surfy vibe for a minute before getting’ really heavy. This track will keep you guessing but it’s cool all the way through. Gloin plays Lee’s Palace on February 8^th with Kaleidoscope Horse, TEKE TEKE and World News. – Kris Gies

Genre-bending is one way to describe Andrew La Tona & the Nightshades but I would prefer to say genre-shattering. Listening to the track “Power & Prowess” from their latest record you can hear their pop/prog/rock influences but the drums have an electronic feel with just a dash of jazz as well. It’s a wild track that reminds me of some of the more experimental U2 songs out there. The Nightshades will be playing Nu Music Nite at the Horseshoe Tavern on January 22^nd. – Kris Gies

Sportsfan call themselves “jean jacket rock” which means I have to listen to ‘em immediately. Their latest release was a 3 song EP titled “Holy Hell”. These tracks are solid rock n roll tunes reminiscent of American heartland rock such as Tom Petty or Mellancamp but with a more current indie-pop attitude. A good mix of jangle and fuzz. They will be supporting Fade Awaays at their EP Release Party on January 12^th at the Horseshoe Tavern along with Maybelleen and Lovers Touch. – Kris Gies

Bryan Coffey has been workin’ the scene for a while now playing with bands Wine Lips and Jean Daddy among others. Lately he has been working on his own projects with his band “The Feel Good Band”. His most recent release is a cover of Elvis Costello’s Pump It Up. Coffey and his band simplify the track and slow it down just enough for the lyrics to be much clearer than the original. I prefer this pace and the chorus has a Green Jelly-like intensity to it. Very cool. Bryan Coffey & The Feel Good Band play Bovine Sex Club on January 10^th along with Serb Superb and Dark Trip. – Kris Gies

Phantom Atlantic is a 4 piece alternative rock band from Toronto. Their latest track “Beneath Your Moment” has a slower pace which leaves plenty of room for the “haunting guitars, swirling synths and hypnotic rhythms.” The song was produced by Juno Award Winner Dan Brodbeck and has excellent sonic quality. Their previous single “Lessons” had more of an upbeat, energetic feel to it so this track shows a unique versatility in both their writing and playing. Connect with Phantom Atlantic and be prepared for more music on the way in 2019. – Kris Gies

Blue Sky Miners are a six piece band from Toronto that I would drop into the Americana category. Despite their location they find influences in the Rocky Mountains and the desert to combine for a folk sound that is more bad ass than the standard. The band member’s origins stretch across the whole country which brings many different regions together for their uniquely Canadian sound. They are headlining an Exclaim Class of 2019 show at Lee’s Palace on January 18^th alongside Olivia & The Creepy Crawlies, Dan Edmonds and Katie Mcbride. – Kris Gies