Good evening Blenderers!

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything and that’s because I haven’t sat down and listened to a full new independent album in quite some time. I feel a little embarrassed. Having said that, there are some bands who have released some things that I feel need a little mention, and seeing as the JUNO Awards just finished, I have no problem saying all of these bands are definitely future JUNO nominees and winners.

Speaking of the JUNO Awards, a big shout out to July Talk for winning Alternative Album of the Year and to Bahamas who took home Songwriter of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year.

First up, fuzz rock Toronto duo Crow Town released an incredible new tune called “I’m So Cool”. The band recorded the tune at Royal Mountain Records (home of Hollerado, Stella Ella Ola, Pkew Pkew Pkew, PUP and Alvvays just to name a few). The song, according to the band, is about feeling like you’re on top of the world and that you have your life in order, and then all of a sudden that image is shattered and you look like a pompous fool. This is the first of a few singles the band will be releasing this year. They’re slated to play Canadian Music Week, but I’m sure you will be able to catch them before that.

Next up is a band from Keswick, Ontario called The Elwins. I saw these fine gentlemen play twice in 2014. The first time was in May at The Sound of Change‘s first music festival. I had heard the name but didn’t really know who they were. Then I started to see their guitar/keyboard player, Feurd, absolutely everywhere I went – on a side note, that man has one of the best mustaches in all of music. Just saying. The second time I saw them was in late October, they opened for Royal Canoe, a band who I knew a few songs by. I ended up leaving the show underwhelmed by the headliner and absolutely in love with the Elwins. Just last week they played a show at the Hoxton to release their sophomore album Play For Keeps, which came out February 24th on Hidden Pony, unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the show, but all I’ve heard about it is amazing things. The band will be playing SXSW in Austin over the next couple weeks, and then will be heading on a UK/EU tour (and even a stop at a music festival in China!). If you happen to be in a city in which they are playing. Go. If not, then wait for them to come back to Canada, and then go. I’ll leave you with a song from the new album, which is currently being played on Toronto’s 88.1-FM (Indie88) – go request it now – and a cover of a Beyonce song featuring Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians.

“So Down Low” is a jangly pop-rock song that picks you up. Stand up before you press play, because you will definitely want to dance.

This is a cover of Beyonce’s “Countdown” with Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians. In my humble opinion, it’s 1000 times better than the original.

Lastly, and slightly related to my comment about the Elwins is Mississauga’s Aukland. Aukland was one of the main bands I wanted to see at The Sound of Change’s music festival in May, and is where they released their debut EP. When I went to see Royal Canoe and the Elwins, I went with Aukland’s lead singer Sean. In between I was fortunate enough to join them in the studio for part of their recording of their debut full length titled Rookie which will hopefully be out later this year. Needless to say, we’re big fans of theirs. So much so, that our very first video session, produced by our very own Eric, is of Aukland performing the single from their upcoming album, called “Doing It Right.”

If you have music you think that I absolutely must hear, or a show I’d be dumb to miss, shoot me an email: marc [at] theindieblender [dot] com

With love, and until next time,

Marc