Just last month, the ladies dominated our recurring Snappy Singles feature with some outstanding new tunes – something probably not taken too lightly by the gentlemen. Keeping the battle of the sexes on an even keel – as we continue to enjoy the hottest season – here are four essential summer playlist anthems courtesy of some fellas that may not yet be on your listening radar. Check them out here.
Dusty Coyote, “Gunslinger”
Ah, just thinking about those great combos out there – ‘beer n wings,’ chips n salsa,’ nothing pairs better with ‘summer’ than ‘surf.’ We’ve always been eager to spread the love for all things surf-rock here at GDW – from the big hitters (The Sadies / C&C Surf Factory) to the niche independents (The Surfrajettes / The Currie Brothers) – this timeless music never goes out of style. For those craving some fresh surf tunes right now, check out Dusty Coyote – the new kids on the twang block – and formed by GDW pal Eric Lepp as ‘an instrumental band that blends the energetic vibe of surf rock with the atmospheric sounds of spaghetti westerns and fuzz guitar’ (official press release). “Gunslinger” is the lead single from a 4-track EP that the band happily define as ‘the soundtrack of your commute.’ And it works – cranking the EP during my own mundane office commute suddenly created an imaginary journey through the badlands, with thoughts of canyons, cactus, and Ennio Morricone’s cinematic soundscapes to keep me company. If you have a thang for twang, and love to dial up the reverb, Dusty Coyote are waiting to hear from you…
Hubert Cormier, “J’pousse ma luck”
Okay, I’ll offer a much-needed disclaimer here: this tune is not of the fresh variety, being released originally back in September 2022, but if you’re seeking out some essential summer jams, this ditty from Blue-Cove, NB Acadian country-folk artist Hubert Cormier earns every right to be on your playlists. We first discovered this tune around this time last year whilst tuned in to Racines Musicales on Sirius XM Radio and immediately fell in love with the good-time country vibes. Still hearing this tune on rotation when we hit our preset for the channel, this one gets under your skin quickly – one of those that leaves you unknowingly humming the chorus all day long (much to the chagrin of those around you at the office – ha!). “We’re going down, down, down, down, down / Into the valley roads / We’re going down, down, down, down, down, down / Taking the scenic roads / We’re going down, down, down, down, down, down / Riding the country roads / We’re going down / Comme on le faisait avant.” This one will have you dancing in no time (or tapping your feet, at least) once you experience those country-fueled guitars and blasts of pedal steel.
Jason Haywood & The Goldrush, “Things Have Changed”
Just like the endless stream of water crashing over Niagara Falls, the GDW email inbox is constantly overflowing with new music releases, and although I’ve expressed this in the past, it bears reiterating again: if you want to be picked from the tree, you must dangle some very tempting fruit. For Moncton, NB singer-songwriter Jason Haywood, offering up some incredibly ripe new music did indeed earn our attention, and this latest tune, “Things Have Changed,” really is – pardon the pun – a game changer. “Hotels and suitcases, postcard and planes / Once you loved me, but things have changed / If I could take a page from yesterday / Appreciate the time we had again.” Filling the airwaves with jangly guitar riffs reminiscent of The Byrds, and some Evan Dando style vocals, while the lyrical yin reflects loss, regret, and a yearning for the past, Haywood’s musical yang draws inspiration from the sounds of 60s Britpop. “The song was inspired by the Beatles, pure and simple,” Jason shares. “Their music shaped my musical trajectory since the age of nine … with their nostalgic yet melancholic look at the past.”
elijah woods, “2 thousand 10”
If Jason Haywood’s Britpop-inspired sound spun you down a nostalgic, Hollywood style epic road trip, then hopefully you will find that our final selection today is the ideal tune to accompany the rolling of the credits come that movie’s end. Mainstream pop music rarely hovers around our listening radar, but this latest release from acclaimed Ottawa, ON (now Toronto-based) pop musician/producer elijah woods proves to be another essential summer anthem. “Take me back to the end / Of summer 2010 / When I was just feeling high with my friends / Young, dumb and in love / Face up to the sun / At the top of our lungs screaming.” Blending pop soundscapes from ‘back in the day’ with early naughts rock undertones, “2 thousand 10” speaks of longing for those magical years of simply being a kid and captures the essence of youthful freedom both lyrically and sonically. “The song’s energetic undertone gives it pace and relatability to anyone who has ever wanted to relive their best childhood memories,” the 4xJUNO Award nominee shares. “We had so much fun writing this song and I think that feeling is reflected in the final version.”
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.
