It seems like just yesterday that we were sharing our last recurring Snappy Singles feature, and here we are once again – another month is upon us, and we have four fresh cuts that we have been spinning here at GDW HQ. Many of the singles we feature here often drop into our email inbox, but every now and then, some arrive through word of mouth or radio airplay (one of these four arrived via radio airplay from a previously unknown-to-us artist). Enjoy these three tunes from BC, and a pop gem out of QC for good measure.
Paris Pick, “Get My Baby Back”
Forget about those games of asking you, the reader, to guess which of our four tracks here is the one that did not come to us via email. Instead, let’s just jump straight to the elephant in the room and prioritize spreading the word about this absolute corker of a tune from Nelson, BC Yacht-Pop Princess Paris Pick. Hearing this one blasting from my car stereo less than two weeks ago, I quickly found myself drawing comparisons to the sounds of retro-country artist Nicolette & the Nobodies, and to the vocals of Brittany Howard. No old country to be found here, but the vintage soul cues are nothing short of magnificent: “I’m trying hard every day / To get my life on track / To get my baby back / In my loving arms / And I’ll keep trying / Until I find a way / To get my baby back / In my loving arms.” Collaborating with Yukon-based producer Jordy Walker at Stackwall Sound, “Get My Baby Back” finds Paris spinning a tale about a ‘crush gone wrong’ – delivered through some charming soulful pop vocals (hints of Amy Winehouse jazz, maybe), and accompanied by some crunchy-cute fuzz guitar solos and mid-70s inspired melodies that’ll make you swoon.
The Matinee, “Eddie Vedder”
Full disclaimer: bait and switch not intended! For anybody here who simply caught a glimpse of our header and detected the name Eddie Vedder, if you were hoping to find undiscovered music from the revered Pearl Jam frontman, we are sorry to disappoint. But hey, while you’re here, stick around, because Vancouver-based roots-rockers The Matinee are also huge fans of this popular grunge band, and pay homage to Vedder with this latest single release. “I wish that the world could slow down sometimes / I wish that we could all read minds / I wish that Eddie Vedder was a friend of mine.” Co-produced with artist/producer Steve Dawson, for vocalist Matt Layzell, the inspiration for this tune came from memories of the time his car broke down out near the Vedder river, that runs through BC into Washington State (does it have an Even Flow? – bad pun). “I don’t know why, but I just said it out loud, ‘I wish Eddie Vedder was a friend of mine’,” Matt recalls. “I perked up quite a bit. I started thinking about the things I’d ask Eddie if he was there, just chewing the fat with me. Eddie, if you hear this song, let’s grab a coffee sometime – it’s on me.”
Laura Kelsey, “Pieces”
You may recall just how much Nanaimo, BC singer-songwriter Laura Kelsey wowed us with the stunning music video for her “Beyond The Tide” single last year – and explains why we quickly circled Laura’s latest single for GDW consideration when “Pieces” landed on our radar. This former death metal and blues band vocalist-turned-indie-folk-rocker seemingly went ‘off the grid’ for a year, returning now eager to tackle themes of escaping unhealthy or toxic relationships with her first 2024 offering. “The song is like a goodbye letter, a statement to something who’s been holding you back,” Laura shares. “The lyrics represent a romantic relationship but could be applied to any situation when you want to move forward, and the other party is stuck in an unhealthy cycle.” Collaborating with producer and musician Paul Cimolini, while “Pieces” has obvious folk roots at its core, we can’t help but smile knowing that Laura has not fully unshackled herself from her original rock persona. “It’s not all negative,” Laura adds in closing. “You can only do so much to help another person. Good luck, but I’ve got to get on with life.”
Sunset Rubdown, “Candles”
Familiar with Montréal indie art-rock band Sunset Rubdown? No, neither were we – but upon learning that the band grew from a solo project from Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade), our curiosity was piqued. Following a lengthy hiatus from the music scene, Krug returns with original bandmates Camilla Wynne and Jordan Robson-Cramer – and new addition Nic Merz – and “Candles” is a retro-heavy, synth-lover’s delight: “I’m the greatest / When I’m basically / Just standing there / Lighting candles / In a room / Already filled with light.” Penned back in 2020, for Krug, this was a fun experiment in crafting a pop song – blending metaphors and abstraction to tackle the somber theme of aging and navigating a music industry that has become increasingly driven by streaming and social media metrics – something far removed from the earlier (simpler, perhaps) days of the music industry (an era that could convincingly have spawned “Candles,” in my humble opinion). Sunset Rubdown provide an upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics – such simplicity, but it’s sometimes all we need in our quest for musical fulfillment.
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
