New music releases are not slowing down! We are overwhelmed by the volume of submissions arriving daily here at GDW – not to mention the random finds that drop into our social media feeds, or the latest new tunes blasting from our favorite radio stations. In case you had not noticed, there is a new generation of young female artists making waves right now – allow us to introduce you to five rising stars from across the provinces of The Great North.
Abby McCartney, “Tired”
When your social media feeds fill up quickly with ringing endorsements from artists such as Colin Fowlie and Cat Clyde – both offering support for this emerging Fredericton, NB-based indie-pop artist – you would be foolish to not pay attention. The ambient crowd sounds sprinkled into this recording give “Tired” a live-off-the-floor feel, while Abby’s slow-paced vocals and vulnerability draw instant comparisons to the sound of Ada Lea, Hope Sandoval, and Julie Doiron.
May Davis, “Back Pocket”
Revelstoke, BC blues-Americana artist May Davis is no stranger to us here at GDW, appearing on our pages early last year following the release of her stunning video for “Devil Who Walk.” If you’re not familiar with this west coast firecracker, allows us to reacquaint you with her smoky, sultry vocals, and ear for a good tune. “[This single] has been marinating in homemade huckleberry wine,” May shares. “[It’s] a groovy tune about a small-town love story that I have been keeping in my back pocket.”
Brittany Kennell, “House And A Dog”
It’s been fun watching the meteoric rise of this bilingual Québecois country artist, who first came to our attention performing the national anthem at Les Habs home games (and still does on occasion), and followed with a fabulous debut album in 2021. For Brittany, this latest single “is about defying the social norms we might experience in our thirties by allowing ourselves to make our dreams come true before settling down… if you want to settle down at all, whatever works for you.”
Denielle Bassels, “Little Bit a’ Love”
Check out this fresh find – a carefree, whimsical, and peppy swing-jazz number from Torontonian Denielle Bassels – and you’ll quickly understand why this one has become the latest victim of the ‘repeat button’ on our streaming platform. For Denielle, the origins of this single can be traced to a chance conversation with a suicidal homeless man in a coffee shop, adding that it “is meant to be about paying it forward with kindness, and patience. It’s about inclusion and community.”
L’Isle, “Nirvana”
Another fresh name for us – and another find from the Montreal indie-pop scene, this recent single from L’Isle (moniker of Ariane Brunet) contains all the recognizable hallmarks of synth and guitar driven Québecois pop music. The added emphasis on electronic beats and overdubs finds L’Isle following in the footsteps of the trailblazers before her – from the electronica offerings of Ariane Moffatt to the dancefloor sounds of Laurence Nerbonne.
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.
