This Toronto based shoegaze band Greenhouse has just dropped a brand new single. “Acetate” has a peaceful beginning with Sunday afternoon vibes during the 90’s indie rock inspired verse. The band fires up the instrumentation for the chorus but keep the droning vocals that adds a nice contrast to the music. If the Smashing Pumpkins went full shoegaze it might sound like Greenhouse. They play live in Toronto at Hard Luck Bar on January 13^th along with Tijuana Taxi and the Spiracles. – Kris Gies

This Toronto band has a very unique set up. Hot Lips is a 3 piece rock n roll outfit with bass, drums and synth. Similar to popular 2 piece bass and drum bands like DFA or Royal Blood except they add some wild synth and female vocals over top to give a most interesting sound. Often compared to a crossover between Nine Inch Nails and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. The Deli is pleased to premiere their brand new video for “Limelight”. It’s a rippin’ tune guaranteed to make ya sweat just like the members of the band in the video. They will be celebrating the release of this video on Saturday December 9^th at Junction City Music Hall alongside Menage, Micopanik and Honey Beard. Advance tickets available here. – Kris Gies

Indie retro-rockers from Hamilton, The Retroaction are back with a brand new music video. “These Things For You” is a tune about loving a stranger and imagining life with that stranger. It’s a groovy tune that combines rock n’ roll classics of the 60’s and 70’s with indie rock of the 2000’s. They could play on Ed Sullivan or Carson Daly…take your pick. This lyric video is a fun exploration of the band’s record collection. Very cool sounds from these guys. Make sure you see them live on December 21st at the Gladstone Hotel. – Kris Gies

Toronto’s rock n’ roll enigma Jean Daddy have released a brand new record. They are one of the more unique bands in the area right now with their most recent release prior to this record being a comic book. They are known for their charisma on stage and these fellas can really bring it. As Jean Daddy says they “put the rock in raucous.” Very accurate statement with their dirty garage guitars, driving rhythms and frantic vocals. Their release party goes down Friday November 24 at the Baby G along with Vypers and BBQ Pope. Let’s Ride Boys! – Kris Gies

Toronto based band The DropUps have quite an eclectic mix of influences. Their sound has been described as “Joe Strummer, Tom Waits and Manu Chao walk into a bar and request the Specials on the jukebox as Eugene Hutz from Gogol Bordello dances up a storm.” They have recorded a 3 song EP at Trouble Town Records Studio which is due for release on November 17^th. Their release party is the same day at Junction City Music Hall. Listen to “Pingai” and get a feel for what’s in store for November 17^th from the Drop Ups. – Kris Gies

 Flat 5 are a "funkified collective" hailing from Hamilton. This 5 piece jam band features a tight rhythm section, excellent guitar and keyboard playing and some horns over the top to add a nice funky taste to this jam soup. They blend a variety of influences in to their tunes including blues, funk, jazz and hip hop. They have been jamming all over the province this year and are now ready to release their debut album. Friday November 17th is the release party at This Ain’t Hollywood in Hamilton along with the Altobeelays. Listen to "Toothpaste"; a sneak preview from their upcoming album. – Kris Gies

This power trio hails from the Kingston area. Sweet Talk Jackie blends alt-rock, blues, soul and good ol’ classic rock together for a nice n’ bad ass sound. “Squeeze” is the first single from their latest album “Planes, Trains and Time Machines”. It’s a well put together tune that’s very radio friendly. Also they make a robot in the music video which may have seemed like a good idea at the time but as you’ll find it out that plan goes straight to hell by the end of it. Now I’m just waiting for the sequal. Catch Sweet Talk Jackie at the Merchant Tap House in Kingston on November 17^th. – Kris Gies

Hamilton jangly-pop rockers Jaunt are back with a brand new tune “Machined”. This tune has a softer feel with more electronic influences than I have heard from them before. Less Demarco and more Homeshake this time around. According to the band this song is about “recalling a memory you’d like to forget, over-analyzing to the point of uncertainty.” Which is something I think we can all relate to. This is a very interesting track with different influences flowing in and out as the song progresses. Jaunt plays Call the Office in London on November 16^th for Mauno’s Release Party. – Kris Gies

Old school power pop from this Toronto based 4 piece. “Cry Baby” is the title track from Thrifty Kids’ latest EP. It’s a quick fun tune complete with vintage punk rock rhythm section, surfy guitar licks and great female vocals that’ll have you dreaming of beaches and bubble gum. “Your Heart Has an Echo” makes me wish I was cruisin’ USA with palm trees to my left and right and not a care in the world. It’s nice when music can take you to a new place that you might be vibin’ with a little more than what currently surrounds you. Even if it’s just for a minute or 2. Take a trip with Thrifty Kids and their latest EP “Cry Baby” available on their bandcamp page. – Kris Gies

Brand new single from Waterdown native Terra Lightfoot, “Norma Gale” is on her latest album “New Mistakes”. Lightfoot has been around for years but really came into her own on her last album “Every Time My Mind Runs Wild.” She’s an excellent singer/songwriter but also a very underrated guitar player. This tune is about a Canadian woman named Norma Gale who had moderate success in the 1970s Nashville Country scene and while she may not be a household name, Gale was clearly an inspiration for Terra Lightfoot. Her new record is available now through Sonic Unyon Records.  – Kris Gies

Originating in the Ancaster area as To Our Divide, King Park opted for a name change and to move away from their pop-punk roots. However I wouldn’t say that the pop-punk influences have completely gone away. “Stay” still has some pop or even emo qualities but is more melodic and intense. You can tell there is serious passion put forward into this song. The vocals strain as the guitars flow from hectic to almost atmospheric. The new album “The Lights I Can’t See” is available this week and the release party goes down at the Casbah in Hamilton on November 2^nd. – Kris Gies

A member of the Fried Records Roster, Fade Awaays are an indie garage band based in Toronto. They have some straight up hard rock influences too. Almost like the skate rock scene from California. “Who Knows” is the opening track from their self titled EP. It rips with fast guitars, thumpin drums and gang vocals on the chorus. You could absolutely do some kick flips to these tunes. Watch these guys tear up the Garrison on November 11^th. – Kris Gies