Snappy Snippets: E.P Lepp, Wolf Willow, The Garrys, Jane Mathew
bySo many new albums, so little space and time to include them all – just another month here at Team GDW HQ. Once again,…
Archive
Snappy Singles: Fabulous Fall Feasts From Four Of Our Faves
byWe kick off our sixth year of Canadian music coverage with our popular Snappy Singles feature, and are excited to share four hand-picked fall…
Review: Caroline Marie Brooks, “Everything At The Same Time”
byEvery night, when I was a little kid, my dad would stand in the doorway of my room, his silhouette framed by the far…
“It Started In The Garden” – New Single & Video From Elise Boulanger
by“It started in the garden / It started in the trees / You took me to the garden / And you took me to…
Review: Tania Joy, “I Will Stand”
byEvery now and then, a musical artist appears on my radar, as if from nowhere. The joy of discovery is the reward for digging…
Single Releases: Clever Hopes, “Made You Mad” & “Artefact”
byThe combination of fate and good fortune can lead to wonderful things. Hypothetically, for example, imagine how amazing it could be if an emerging…
Snappy Singles: September Sizzlers
byBack in May, our monthly Snappy Singles feature concentrated on new releases from some of our favorite female Canadian artists, and I of course…
Review: Carly Thomas, “Behind The Ficus”
byIt does not matter who you are, or where you are in your musical career, you only have once chance to make a favorable…
Review: Shawna Caspi, “Hurricane Coming”
by“I feel like the worst kind of person most of the time / A big city bully when I’m stuck in line / With…
Commonwealth Connections: New Singles From Mel Parsons & Greg Johnson
byIt has been quite a while since we last featured music from beyond the North American continent. As for the timing, this really is…
Single Release: Wolf Willow, “All I Can Say”
byNew music releases continue to arrive in droves from all over Canada into the Team GDW email inbox, but when I see references made…
Review: Del Barber, “Stray Dogs (Collected B Sides Vol. 1)”
byIt seems like only yesterday when my friend called excitedly on the phone and said she’d just seen Del Barber in concert, and wanted…
Review: Suzie Ungerleider, “My Name Is Suzie Ungerleider”
byHave you ever had an experience something akin to being flat-out broke, only to find a neatly folded tenner in the top pocket of an old faded jean jacket that you…
Snappy Singles: Summer Songs From Some Of Our Faves
byI must confess that it gets harder each time to select just four singles to share in our monthly Snappy Singles feature, especially now…
Single Premiere: Jane Mathew, “What Fire”
byHot on the heels of her debut single “No One” released just a little under a month ago, Toronto, ON emerging artist Jane Mathew…
Single Release: Celeigh Cardinal, “There Ain’t No Way (Better Days Version)”
byJust last Friday, GDW’s Richard Clark shared with us his musings about “Thrive,” the latest EP from Toronto’s Claire Davis, and I very quickly…
Single Release: Caroline Marie Brooks, “Vitamin”
by“Put the sunlight underneath my skin / I’m in need of the best vitamin / I will give you something in return / Something…
Snappy Singles: Summer Treats To Beat The Heat
byIt seems that no sooner have I wrapped up our monthly Snappy Singles article for posting, I am already faced with working on the…
Single Release: Raine Hamilton, “Love Has Come For Me”
byAs we celebrated Pride Month over these past few weeks, I’m reminded of this quote from Dan Levy, creator of the lovingly accepting CBC…
2021 Half Year-End Album Round Up
byIt is already the end of June! Summer is officially here! Can you believe that we are at the midway point of 2021 already? …
“DUST” – New Single & Video Release From Andrea Ramolo
by“Don’t ever forget me, don’t ever change / And if I hurt your feelings, I’m sorry love is strange / Your eyes they spoke…
Blue Rodeo Live From The Danforth (Virtual Concert)
byOne commonly asked question we receive from new visitors to our blog is about our name. Great Dark Wonder – what is that? Where…
Single Release: Zach Kleisinger, “Nothing Special”
by“There is a throbbing / In the middle of his chest / As he stares out into the distance / Into the deepness of…
Snappy Singles: More June-O’s, Anybody?
byThe 2021 JUNO Awards winners have finally been announced, but fear not, if you are still craving more great Canadian music, then we’ve got…
Review: Reid Zoé, “Shed My Skin”
byOntario based singer-songwriter Reid Zoé, who may be better known as a member of the folk-roots trio, Sleeping Bees, releases her debut solo EP,…
Single Release: The Fretless (ft. Dan Mangan), “Troubled Mind”
byWhen I learned that JUNO Award winning folk music quartet, The Fretless, were sharing their latest single just last week, I recalled very fond…
Single Release: Tennyson King, “Sheng Ming De Jin Du”
byIt is hard to believe that six months have passed since we first discovered music from Chinese-Canadian folk artist Tennyson King, whose single, “Garden…
Review: Parler bien, “histoires du comté d’essex”
byEvery once in a long while, you stumble upon a piece of music that immediately moves. In a matter of moments, it reaches from…
Single Release: The Redhill Valleys, “Finish Line”
by“The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car, it’s the one who refuses to lose” (Dale Earnhardt) Friday has finally arrived, and here…
Snappy Singles: Spring Tunes That Cannot Be Ignored
byWe are already close to the middle of May, but that does not mean we’re skipping our monthly Snappy Singles. Oh no, there have…
Review: Good Lovelies, “B-Sides”
byI must confess, and simultaneously hint at my generation in the process, that upon hearing the very term “B-Sides,” I am automatically transported back…
Review: Great Lake Swimmers, “Live At The Redeemer 2007”
byTeam GDW are incredibly grateful to our good friend and central PA independent singer-songwriter/musician Matt Wheeler for this review of the latest album from…
Single Release: Amanda Walther, “Salt Water Cures”
byI don’t know about you, but the month of May came around pretty quickly for me this year, meaning that Mother’s Day is right…
Positives From The Pandemic – Spring 2021
byIt was around last summer, when it became pretty clear that the global pandemic was not going away anytime soon, that we posted what…
Single Release: Lawrence Maxwell, “Back To Cape Breton”
byI’m going to preempt my opening ramble by asking you to forgive me if you’ve heard me make these statements in the past, but…
Review: The Rough & Tumble, “We’re Only Family If You Say So”
byThe Rough & Tumble bandmates turned spouses, Mallory Graham (Pennsylvania) and Scott Tyler (California), have been hovering beneath most people’s radar for some time. …
Video Vault – Audio Visual Delights From Across Canada
byWe debuted our “Video Vault” feature this past Valentine’s Day, and shared with you four very recent releases from Canadian artists that cut across…
Single & Video Release: Celeigh Cardinal, “Ahead By A Century”
byWith two full length album releases already under her belt, and a future release currently in the works, I have very quickly taken a…
Snappy Singles: April Beats, Get-Ready-For-The-Weekend Treats
byFriday is finally here. We have made it to the end of our week devoted to many new and recent single releases from artists…
Snappy Singles: April Beats, Ontario Treats
byWe were not joking when we mentioned having plenty of new singles to share with you this week. Canadian artists are super-busy these days,…
Snappy Singles: April Beats, Alberta Treats
byThe GDW email inbox for music submissions still shows no sign of slowing down, and has been at the ‘critically overflowing’ stage for these…
Review: David Picco, “Live It Down”
byWhether you are seeking some musical companionship on a rainy gray afternoon or for a moody candle-lit reverie, the nine songs on “Live It…
Video Premiere: Amanda Walther, “Everything Can Wait”
byJust when I thought my ears could not be happier after hearing “Walk Me Home,” the latest single release from jazz duo Dizzy &…
Review: Beams, “Ego Death”
byHaving recently reviewed and shared “Staring Down the Night,” the latest eighties-sounding single from retro-rockers Oscar Tango, I must confess that the itch to…
Interview: Justin Rutledge, “Islands”
byJUNO Award winning singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge is gearing up to release “Islands,” next Friday, his ninth studio album, and first since his incredibly successful…
Snappy Singles: Spring Jams To Kick Off The New Season
byMarch is here, and with it the infamous anniversary of when life as we know it came crashing down for most of us just…
Single Release: Allison Russell, “Landslide”
byWhile our primary focus here at Team GDW is to promote and share exciting independent Canadian music, our loyal readers know that we sometimes…
Single & Video Release: Tania Joy, “The Drought”
byWhen your primary focus is independent Canadian folk-roots music, it is inevitable that the names of artists will be sent in our direction for…
Matt Mays Live: From Burnside With Love (Virtual Concert)
byMy interest was piqued late last year when Dartmouth, NS singer-songwriter Matt Mays announced plans to release a new live album in early 2021,…
Valentine’s Day Video Vault
byWe seldom post on a Sunday, but with the sudden surge of great new music video releases, why not spend a little time this…
Single Release: iskwē, “Night Danger (Lovers Mix)”
byAs we continue our week-long pre-Valentine’s Day focus on some stunning new singles, prepare to be dazzled by this brand-new track from JUNO-Award winning…
Single Release: Jerry Leger, “Jumped In The Humber”
byAn outtake from Leger’s 2019 album, “Time Out For Tomorrow,” which is being re-released as a deluxe edition on March 26th, 2021, the single…
Snappy Singles: Fantastic February Treats To Feast Upon
byWe’re only into the second month of the year and the GDW inbox is overflowing again with so much amazing new music. From Americana…
Review: Bet Smith, “Downer”
byFrom the clarion beauty of its opening track to the intimate vulnerability of its last, Bet Smith’s new album, “Downer,” is a luminant collection…
Single & Video Release: Northern Quarter, “Rocky Mountain Song”
byReleased today, “Rocky Mountain Song” is the latest single from Canmore, AB quartet Northern Quarter; their first since “Trainhopper” back in May 2020. Composed…
Single Release: Justin Rutledge, “Jellybean”
by“Don’t, you be so mean / My Jellybean / My Boston crème / Don’t, you be so mean / My beauty queen / My…
Video Premiere: Melanie Peterson, “Damaged Goods”
byNovember, 2020, was a pretty busy month for Toronto, ON singer-songwriter/actress Melanie Peterson. After sharing the single and accompanying music video for “Back to…
Single Release: Ariel Posen, “What Are We Doing Here”
byFollowing the popularity of his 2020 radio hit, “Coming Back,” Winnipeg’s Ariel Posen (The Bros. Landreth) returns with this smooth, soulful new single. A…
Review: Kandle & Kendel, “Birds”
byUnless you’ve lived under a rock for the last six months or so, it has been impossible to not hear some of the revelations…
Snappy Singles: New Month, New Year, New Tunes To Be Enjoyed
byIt’s January, it’s 2021 – we’re finally free from 2020 – and no matter how good or bad your weather may be outside right…
Single Release: The Strange Valentines, “Burning House Waltz”
byContemporary folk-roots duo, The Strange Valentines, kick off the new GDW year with this latest single, one that they purposely released on New Years’…
Martin’s Top Four Canadian Albums Of 2020
byFollowing up from my list last week that chronicled what I consider to be twenty of the best album releases from Canada through 2020,…
2020 Team GDW Miscellaneous Honors
byAs this crazy year comes to an end, should we banish forever the popular phrase, “Hindsight is 2020?” Should these words be outlawed? Struck…
Single Release: Rick Sparkes & The Enablers, “Cézanne”
byThe risk of using a place name or person for the title of a song is that a multitude of information is telegraphed indirectly…
2020 Top Twenty Album List
byUpon reflection, I would say that it was around the early part of summer 2020 when the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic hit home…
2020 Year-End Roundup: 20 Memorable Singles (Pt. 2)
byFollowing our look yesterday at the singles we deemed to be some of the finest releases from artists previously unknown to us, the spotlight…
2020 Year-End Roundup: 20 Memorable Singles (Pt. 1)
byI always enjoy revisiting our annual concert-going adventures, and typically use this feature to look back at the 10 most memorable concert moments we…
New Single & Video Release: Doris Folkens, “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming”
byWe’ve shared a great selection of new holiday tunes with you over these last few weeks, mixing things up a little with some smooth…
Review: Jelena Ćirić, “Shelters One”
byAs we continue to count down these last remaining days of what has been a challenging year, I glanced back to our postings from…
Snappy Singles: Festive Finds For The Holidays
byDecember is here, and 2020 shall soon be relegated to just a memory. No matter how crazy things still are out there in the…
Take A Chance On Me: Lhasa de Sela, “Live In Reykjavik”
byThe great thing about timeless music is it is never too late to hear. You can never “miss the boat” because records last forever…
Video Premiere: Villages, “Poetry In Motion”
byHalifax, NS indie-folk quartet, Villages, are excited to share a music video today for “Poetry In Motion,” another track taken from their current EP,…
Video Premiere: Jeffery Straker, “I’ll Be Missing You This Christmas”
byJeffery Straker’s originally penned tune, “I’ll Be Missing You This Christmas,” taken from his recently released 3-piece folk-roots collection, “This Christmas,” is a heartfelt…
Review: Melanie Peterson, “We Got This”
byWe recently debuted the music video for “Back To You,” the latest single from Toronto, ON singer-songwriter & actress Melanie Peterson, taken from her…
Single & Video Release: Tennyson King, “Garden Of Truth”
by“You’re gonna meet someday at the garden of truth / You’re gonna be somebody when the loving is through.” Just a couple of weeks…
Ian Foster Releases New Single & Music Video For “Voyager”
byIt is hard to believe that it was back in April when we last caught up with St. John’s, NL singer-songwriter Ian Foster (where…
Review: Terra Spencer, “Chasing Rabbits”
byEvery summer, when I was so much younger, my father would pack the kids into the back seat of an old Chevy, and head…
“Blue Moon Drive” – New Single & Lyric Video from iskwē and Tom Wilson Featuring Chuck Copenace
by“Every day I go to war. Against colonialism. With colour and blood memory” (Tom Wilson, 2020) Last Friday, Hamilton, ON JUNO Award winning roots-rocker…
Video Premiere: Melanie Peterson, “Back To You”
byToronto, ON singer-songwriter & actress Melanie Peterson shares two exciting pieces of news today, the first being the formal announcement of the upcoming release…
Snappy Singles: Necessary New Tunes For November
byWe’re bringing you our November edition of Snappy Singles a little sooner than planned, because we refuse to keep these four amazing tracks on…
Shawn William Clarke’s “Spectral Acoustics Vol 1” EP Goes Digital
byA cursory glance at the music catalog for Toronto, ON singer-songwriter Shawn William Clarke may leave you believing that he pretty much disappeared from…
Video Release: Jeremy Drury Ft. Ferraro, “Pour Another”
byJeremy Drury is no stranger to the international music scene, having enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame as part of popular Lindsay, ON indie-folk…
Commonwealth Connections: Jasmine Rodgers Releases New Single, “Flies”
byAnd just like that, November is here already. Having enjoyed some brisk and misty mornings, and watching the leaves starting to turn and tumble…
Snappy Singles: Sharing Our Kind Of Oktoberfest Mixer Pack
byFor music lovers, October is here. For beer drinkers/lovers, Oktober is here. Don’t mind me, but I’ll pass on the pumpkin flavored ales though…
“Lunenburg Moon” – New Single & Video From Terra Spencer (feat. The Bombadils)
byI’ve said these words many times over the years, but it really is a joy to discover new artists and foster new friendships with…
Single Release: Jeffery Straker, “Morning Light”
byWe’ve been incredibly fortunate over the last couple of months here at GDW, taking a trip down memory lane and reconnecting with some of…
Review: Elliott BROOD, “Keeper”
byMany of you already know just how passionate we are about all things Elliott BROOD here at Team GDW. Make no mistake, we are…
Snappy Singles: Four New Faves For The Arrival Of Fall
bySo long summer – hello fall, hello autumn, or as it seems to be these days, hello Everything Pumpkin Spiced season. As we start…
New Single: Jim Bryson (feat. Caroline Brooks), “Knights Of 1000 Sleeps”
byJim Bryson’s Fixed Hinge Studio, in Stittsville, ON has been recording and producing some magical music for 2020. This year has seen releases from…
Sneak Peek: New Single From Melanie Brulée, “The Mess”
byFollowing the success of her highly-acclaimed 2018 “Fires, Floods & Things We Leave Behind album,” Cornwall, ON singer-songwriter Melanie Brulée returns to the spotlight,…
Hot New Music From “The Hammer”
byHey, while we are quite possibly slap-bang in the middle of the most catastrophic pandemic in modern history, don’t be fooled into thinking that…
Single Release: Terry Uyarak, “Inuit Nunangat”
byHailing from Igloolik, NU, singer-songwriter Terry Uyarak is a self-taught musician born and raised in a small and vibrant Inuit hamlet located in the…
Review: Summersets, “Small Town Saturday“
byDuring last month’s installment of our recurring Snappy Singles feature, we introduced “Never Love Another,” the latest single at the time from the recently…
Video Release: Ayla Brook & The Sound Men, “Lift You Up”
byAyla Brook & The Sound Men are a band meant to be seen live, with folks crowded up to a bar, the room overflowing…
Snappy Singles: Summer Jams To Satisfy The Senses
byWe are midway through August, meaning that two-thirds of this Covid-crazy summer is already in the books. Whether self isolating in your downtown apartment,…
Review: Sherman Downey, “New Beautiful”
byWhat if you could change a rainy day into sunshine? With all the leaves shining bright, sparkling rain drops, clouds scudding across the sky? …
Commonwealth Connections: Callum Pitt Releases New Single, “Fault Lines”
byThe folk-roots music scene is alive and well here in North America right now, with an ever-increasing circle of artists and music fans alike…
Take A Chance On Me: Grand National Championship
byOur occasional “Take A Chance On Me” series is defined by the unintentional, random purchase of music from an artist (typically) unknown to us,…
New Single: Sarah Burton, “LOGAN”
byAs this crazy, pandemic-filled year continues, there has been no shortage of references to how live music that has always been taken for granted…
Stay Home County Music & Arts Festival 2020
byMid July is typically a time when we pack up the car and head north to London, ON for the Home County Music &…
Review: Brent Mason, “Fireflies”
byBrent Mason’s eleventh album, “Fireflies,” is full of twists and turns, delights and surprises. Plainspoken lyrics reminisce and ponder days long gone, loves long…