Releasing your first single is like standing on the sidewalk and holding your underwear drawer open for the world to see. It’s like tattooing a list of your deepest insecurities on your forehead. An artist’s debut is a monumental act of vulnerability. You spend countless hours obsessing over every detail, supported by close friends, but you have no idea how the world will react. Will anyone even listen? It takes immense courage to hit that “release” button, but the feeling is also incredibly exciting and fulfilling.
Enter Katie Schurman’s debut single, “The Next.”
Co-written with Gabriel Ibarra, this great introductory single is less about reinventing the wheel and more about making a powerful entrance. It opens at the end of a relationship – “I leave town tomorrow / You never came to say goodbye” -and closes with an openness to a new beginning: “It’s not this time / So let it be the next.” With a great melody reminiscent of Canadian icons like Alanis Morissette and Kathleen Edwards, Schurman proves she has the chops to follow her passion.
Originally from southern Ontario, Schurman has called Fredericton, NB home for the past four years and has quickly become a recognizable force in the local music scene. The track features strong instrumentation from Schurman, Ibarra, and Charley Benz, with mixing by El Tata (assisted by Nathan Collingwood) and mastering by John McLaggan at Parachute Mastering.
While “The Next” is a fantastic introduction, it leaves me eager to hear what comes next. With a strong, assertive voice, Schurman is poised to distinguish herself. It’s not that music is a competition – that mindset can be a trap – but a great debut should leave you wanting more. This first glimpse checks all the right boxes, signaling the arrival of a compelling new artist.
Photo Credit: Ollie LeBlanc / Artist Website
Ollie LeBlanc, based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, discovered his love for music in his parents' basement with a box of classic rock LPs. A lifelong fan, his fascination with music has only grown over the past three decades as a musician. Ollie has worn many hats, including bassist, producer, engineer, and photographer. As he matures, his journey has become more about contributing to the musical community and sharing its richness. What better way to give back to the medium that has given him so much!
