Yellowknife Musician Carmen Braden Shares New Single + Video REALLY PRETTY

3rd SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM
 A HARD LIGHT OUT ON DEC 5th

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Award-winning singer-songwriter and contemporary composer Carmen Braden shares her new single and video ‘Really Pretty’ out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

The third single from Carmen's forthcoming album A Hard Light (out on December 5th), 'Really Pretty' is a songwriting masterclass in sparse beauty. The Yellowknife-based musician, known for her emotive storytelling and evocative soundscapes, taps into the raw, stark energy of big spaces and ephemeral connections. This new track is delicate yet powerful, a testament to her ability to capture the entanglements of life.

“Life is memories – you live in the moment once, and then it all coalesces into what you know and feel and believe happened," says Carmen. "Your life is built on memories upon memories upon memories, and they can be beautiful and mournful all at once. The song shares simple and gentle glimpses, almost like silhouettes, of how the world feels special and beautiful when you’re with someone you love…but also of the changes that come as those connections deepen, grow, and part.”

A multi-talented artist recognized as an “acoustic ambassador of the Canadian Subarctic” (Musicworks Magazine), Carmen has played intimate theatres and main stage folk festivals, smoothly transitioning between genres of songwriting and composing. Her contemporary classical compositions are nationally recognized, with commissions and performances by world-class ensembles and performers, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, James Ehnes, and the Canadian Chamber Choir.

She has released three studio albums: Seed Songs (2021), Songs of the Invisible Summer Stars (2019), and Ravens (2017). Carmen has earned national recognition by winning the Western Canadian Music Award for Classical Composer of the Year in both 2020 and 2019. Additional nominations include Classical Album of the Year (2020) at the East Coast Music Awards, Classical Artist of the Year (2019 WCMAs), and Classical Composition of the Year (2017 WCMAs). Carmen's fourth studio album, A Hard Light, produced by her long-time collaborator Mark Adam (Music In the Woods, Nova Scotia), will be released on December 5th.

'Really Pretty' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit carmenbraden.com.

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Ché Aimee Dorval Premieres Evil Art Session, Covering 'I Want You To Die'

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Che's Upcoming Releases:
'Loveless' - Evil Art Sessions 015 - November 21st
'Sleeping, Stoned' - Evil Art Sessions 015 - December 12th

Vancouver musician Ché Aimee Dorval shares the first part of her Evil Art Sessions, covering 'I Want You to Die' by French labelmate Bonnie Li. The Swedish indie label, Icons Creating Evil Art, released the single and video. Listen here.

Evil Art Sessions is a series of live sessions produced by Icons Creating Evil Art and released via YouTube as live videos, but also as digital singles for streaming. The artist featured is always performing their own original songs in a stripped down live version, along with making a cover of a song by an ICEA signed artist. Ché will follow this first cover release with live versions of her songs 'Loveless' (on Nov 21st) and 'Sleeping, Stoned' (on Dec 12th). After a hiatus and change of production team, the Evil Art Sessions are now produced by Johan Lundsten (a director closely linked to the ICEA label, producing many of their music videos). 

Ché comments on her choice of song to cover:

"I’ve always been drawn to dark, macabre songs, and Bonnie Li’s 'I Want You to Die' resonated with me right away. I love how it voices those raw, unspoken thoughts—the kind we usually bury, feeling guilty for even having. Singing it allowed me to release those fleeting shadows in a cathartic way. Sometimes, you just have to give those feelings a voice, even if you don’t really mean them.”

[ Check out the amazing original version of 'I Want You to Die' from Bonnie Li on YouTube ]

To celebrate the launch of her Evil Art Sessions, Ché also just announced a hometown show at The Fox Cabaret on April 4th, 2025. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Ché Aimee Dorval's 'I Want You To Die' - Evil Art Sessions 015 is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide via Icons Creating Evil Art. For more information, please visit cheaimeedorval.com.

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Ottawa Musician Heliara Shares New Single CLOAK OF FEAR

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Ottawa-based indie pop-rock musician Heliara shares her new single ‘Cloak of Fear’ out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

'Cloak of Fear' is a powerful pop-rock anthem about anxiety and loss of self esteem, carrying with it a message of hope and empowerment. On this track, the piano and guitar co-exist in a game between dark and light. The juxtaposition of the song’s darker themes with its uplifting melody creates an inspiring contrast, making it not just a reflection on struggle, but a celebration of resilience. 

"'Cloak of Fear' is the most honest song that I’ve ever written," says Heliara. "It is equal parts power, vulnerability and kindness, and I am honoured and humbled to share it with the world.”

Heliara is a passionate singer-songwriter and storyteller and has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. She released her debut album Starry Skies in 2022, which features piano, voice, cello and bass and touches on themes of love, friendship, exploration, motherhood and working for your fairy tale. In 2023, she released an indie folk track entitled ‘Under The Pines’ about intergenerational love and dedicated to her late grandfather. And earlier this year, she released another single ‘He’s (No) James Bond’, a dark indie pop track that takes a twist on a classic story, blending cellos, pianos, and her smooth vocals.

'Cloak of Fear' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. 

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Vancouver Musician Dana Schindel Shares New Single YOU'LL BE ALRIGHT

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LYRIC VIDEO HERE

Vancouver country pop musician Dana Schindel shares her new single ‘You'll Be Alright’ out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

'You'll Be Alright' is Dana's 2nd single, following the release of her debut single 'Keep Moving Forward' in early 2023. Striking a perfect balance between country roots and pop sensibilities, 'You'll Be Alright' showcases Dana's signature storytelling as she draws listeners in to a narrative that feels both personal and universally relatable. The track feels like an upbeat cheerleader, encouraging you to get out of your head and into real life.

“This song is for anyone thinking about taking a chance on the big brave thing their heart wants," says Dana. "If you need a little encouragement, this song is for you. Go for it! Get it out of your head and do it! It might go all right or all wrong—no matter what, you’ll be alright.”

Based in Vancouver, BC, Dana Schindel launched her career as a songwriter and country solo artist last year. Already a working actor in theatre and television, Dana is now sharing her original music with the world. Her influences range from the first triple threats she saw writing and performing their own work—Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, and Cher—and she has continued adding to this group of powerful female artists carving their own paths with artists like Shania Twain, Kelsea Ballerini, and Alanis Morissette.

'You'll Be Alright' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit danaschindel.com.

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Toronto Dream Pop Duo Soft Set Release New Single + Video GONE

1st SINGLE FROM NEW EP
OUT ON NOVEMBER 15th

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Toronto dream pop duo Soft Set is back with a brand new single and video 'Gone', out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here. 

'Gone' is the lead single and title track from Soft Set's new EP (out on November 15th) and it marks a refreshing evolution in their sound. Known for their introspective lyrics and moody instrumentals, Soft Set has often navigated darker themes in their past work. However, with their new Gone EP, they venture into more uplifting territory that showcases their growth as artists.

“The one thing that really surprised us while making the Gone EP was how much lighter and more hopeful it ended up being," says Soft Set's Nathan Athay. "It started off really dark during the demo phase, but once we began layering in harmonies, it took on a more uplifting vibe, which we weren’t expecting. It was a nice surprise for us, and it made the entire process more interesting, for sure!”

Shot in Toronto, the video for 'Gone' almost didn't happen because of a last minute no show on the day of the shoot. But thanks to some quick thinking from the band and a little help from a stranger, they were able to pull everything off in the end.

Says Nathan: "When we first planned the video for 'Gone', we had invited a friend to be in it, but they didn’t show up on the day of the shoot. I ended up walking into The Local pub on Roncesvalles, where I met Alandra McKirdy and explained the situation. Alandra graciously accepted our last-minute invitation to step in, and we are incredibly thankful for her involvement. Without her, the video might not have come together the way it did."

The origin story for Soft Set begins with James Gray and Nathan Athay meeting for the first time in high school in Barrie, Ontario. It didn’t take long in their friendship for them to realize that they had a lot in common, especially when it came to their taste in music. Drawing on influences from iconic artists that have inspired them on their musical path—The Stone Roses, The Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, RIDE, Slowdive, Happy Mondays, The Boo Radleys, Mercury Rev—Soft Set’s music runs the gamut from shoegaze to dream pop to 90s Brit pop all behind a hazy, layered wall of sublime sound. 

Soft Set released their debut EP Love and Dancing in 2020. RIDE’s Mark Gardener mixed the EP at his studio in Oxfordshire, UK (OX4 Sound). Their critically acclaimed debut full-length Still Life, which is mixed by Shae Brossard (Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor) and mastered by Slowdive’s Simon Scott, was released in 2022. 

'Gone' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide.

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