Sicayda is a fresh 4 piece shoegaze band here in Toronto. Building their sound with layered melodies along with “melancholic yet uplifting tones”. Their lead single “Go On” opens up their debut EP “Sown”. This track has many sonic layers heavily drenched in shoegaze tone but also bringing influences such as 90’s alternative and perhaps some old Coldplay styles. Sicayda brings their sound to The Festival Lingua Franca in Toronto on August 29^th. – Kris Gies

Hard rock trio Head have released their latest single “Shudder”. This classic rock track has a heavy blues influence in the opening riff. This track was produced by Ian Blurton at ProGold studios and has excellent sonic quality. The drums are crisp, the bass rumbles and the guitar shreds. It’s definitely a driving tune that would sound particularly good during these sweaty summer days. Head has been teasing a big announcement is on the horizon so follow their socials and don’t miss out on the next hot rock n’ roll show from Head. – Kris Gies

Kingston’s favorite jangly pop rock group The Meringues have released a new music video. “Cold Nights” is a catchy power pop song with lyrics that aren’t as happy as the vibes of the track itself. The dueling vocals of Amanda Pants and Ted Evans give the track excellent personality and perhaps both sides of the story being told. You can see them perform live at The Mansion in Kingston on September 13^th along with Jimbo and Toronto’s Pacer. – Kris Gies

Brand new music from Toronto’s alt-grunge band Sedge. “Translation in Lost” EP will be released Friday July 26. The opening track “Call of the Void” kicks off with a classic grunge crunchy guitar tone. It’s a quick and rowdy tune that possesses catchy melodies along with the dirty rock sound. Sedge is throwing a “Translation in Lost” release party at Junction City Music Hall on Friday July 26^th along with Baby Labour, TV Dinner and Cable Coated Nephew. – Kris Gies

One of the top bands in Toronto’s booming garage scene has been on a roll lately releasing a new album and touring all across Canada. Wine Lips are on fire and have just released a video for their latest single “Fly Swatter”. The video features the band rockin’ out at a wild basement party all while being very disappointed in their friends high jump skills. This track comes from their album “Stressor” which was released earlier this year. You can see Wine Lips perform a highly anticipated set this weekend at the Crystal Lake Festival and they’ll be back here in Toronto opening for Shonen Knife on September 25^th at Hard Luck Bar. – Kris Gies

Hawkeyes are a 6 piece instrumental space rock band. Their tunes are layered with many sonic elements. This psych rock sextet’s latest release is a split EP with The Radiation Flowers. Track 1 is Hawkeyes’ “Atom Heart Motherfuckers Never Learn” which has some atmospheric tones to it while being extremely doom metal influenced. The track will make your mind spin in a slow, droning fashion for the entire 12 minutes. Hawkeyes will be performing live at The Horseshoe Tavern on Saturday July 20^th alongside Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Espanola and Head. – Kris Gies

Modern Stoner Rock is an excellent way to describe London Stone (I didn’t make it up). “Just How High” is the band’s second release working with Producer/Head Chef, Alex Gamble (Arkells, Pup, Broken Social Scene) and Mastering Engineer, Brock McFarlane (Carly Rae Jepsen, Marianas Trench, k-os) and recorded at Union Sound in downtown Toronto. The opening track “I Just Might” has some major Queens of the Stone Age influences on it. Hits hard with great sonic qualities. “Just How High” is available now on all major platforms. – Kris Gies

Bass n’ drums two piece rock band The Holy Vowels have just dropped a brand new single “Body Pillow”. Both fellas share singing duties and include some nice harmonies in their garage, lo-fi jam. The verse section has some soul and the overdrive really kicks in for the chorus. Makes for a deadly combo. The Holy Vowels are hosting an evening of music at Paintbox Catering and Bistro on Friday July 26^th. Special Guests TBD. – Kris Gies

Fonfur is a four piece alt rock band from Toronto “playing anything and everything that can be found under the indie rock umbrella”. The members found common ground with influences such as Tokyo Police Club, Alt-J and We Are Scientists. In October of last year they released a 6 Song EP titled “New Rules for Classic Games” which include the catchy pop-rock opener “Denim Dogs”. Fonfur plays The Horseshoe Tavern on June 20^th. – Kris Gies

Tea time folks…if you don’t want to get dirty then go put on the tea kettle while we talk about Pussy Stench. They are a filthy four piece grunge band showin’ off some heavy riffs. This half male/half female group just released a new video for their track “Honey Wine”. This is a heavy track full of angst. Their grunge attack is abrasive for the bulk of the song but breaks down into a doom inspired, melodic bridge that gives the tune a great dynamic. Pussy Stench will be hittin’ up Duffy’s Tavern in Toronto on June 19^th with Specks and Los Senores. – Kris Gies

Catchy and unique indie rock from Toronto is what I’m pickin’ up from boy wonder. His latest single is an acoustic ditty called “Care” that I think Jack White would like when he’s in his acoustic mood. It has an old school feel to it. The vocals are unusual in a good way and the video appears to be shot in a previous generation. A comical and self-depracating ending is the cherry on top of this video. Boy Wonder has his EP release show at 187 Augusta on Friday June 14^th. – Kris Gies

Laurie is a new three piece band from Toronto formed in late 2018. This noise rock trio have dove headfirst into the Toronto scene with their self-proclaimed “sad, existential and often sarcastic music”. Their first single “Anxiety” was released in February and now they have a wild and bright music video to accompany it. Shot by Here Kitty Kitty Productions; this video is a bit bizarre which matches the song perfectly. It also might cause seizures. Be sure to follow them on Facebook so you can catch their next franticly energetic live show!  – Kris Gies