Yellowknife Indie Folk Project HUGHES Shares New Track DESPITE THE DISTANCE

1ST SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM
OUT ON JULY 11th

STREAM/SHARE LYRIC VIDEO HERE

Hughes, the indie folk project from Yellowknife musician Benji Straker, share their emotionally tender new single 'Despite The Distance' out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

The first single from Hughes' self-titled debut full-length (out on July 11th), 'Despite The Distance' was initially released last year but Straker felt the song deserved a place on the album, so he recorded a new version hoping to get more ears on the authentic and introspective track.  

"I wrote 'Despite The Distance' during a period of deep reflection on fatherhood—reminiscing about my two little girls, watching them grow, and feeling that bittersweet pull between the past and the future," says Benji Straker. "As parents, we all question if we're doing enough, but this song is my way of holding onto the moments that matter most. I originally released it as a single in early 2024, but as both the song and Hughes evolved, I felt it deserved another chance to shine—so I re-recorded it for the album to truly do it justice."

Through his indie folk project, Straker weaves introspective lyrics, ambient textures, and country-surf guitar into a sound both ethereal and grounded. Rooted in the wild beauty of the North, Hughes channels the serenity of lakes and the glow of the aurora into music that explores love, loss, and self-discovery. What began as a solo endeavour has grown into a full-band experience, blending folk storytelling with blues-rock grit and layered instrumentation. Whether intimate or expansive, Hughes offers an evocative journey that resonates with raw emotion and authenticity.

'Despite The Distance' (album version) is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit linktr.ee/hughesmusic.

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STREAM/POST 'Despite The Distance' (album version) lyric video HERE
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Celtic Folk Duo Jocelyn Pettit + Ellen Gira Share New Single MIDNIGHT

1ST RELEASE FROM NEW ALBUM OUT JUNE 3rd
STREAM/SHARE 'MIDNIGHT' HERE

Canadian Folk Music Award winners Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira share 'Midnight', the first release from their new album Here To Stay set for release on June 3rd. Listen here.

A dynamic Celtic folk fiddle and cello duo, Jocelyn & Ellen fuse traditional and contemporary music styles, creating a powerfully uplifting and soulful performance, weaving a rhythmically driving and textured sound. Complemented by lively stepdancing, they bring life and fire into original tunes, songs, and high-energy repertoire from Scotland, Ireland, North America, and Scandinavia.

With their new single 'Midnight', the duo offer a captivating instrumental journey that captures the quiet intensity and camaraderie of life on the road. As the first glimpse into their upcoming album Here To Stay, the track sets a warm, immersive tone that blends tradition with personal storytelling, without needing a single lyric.

"This track is made up of two tunes - 'The Final Stretch', written by Ellen as she wrapped up the final stretch of her PhD, and 'Midnight Ceilidh', a reel I wrote to celebrate the vibrant energy of life on the road," said Jocelyn Pettit (Fiddle). "We are so grateful for the amazing community and welcoming hosts we meet along our music journey, who help make new places feel like home, and the wonderful conversations and kitchen parties shared!"

The duo’s new upcoming full-length release Here To Stay celebrates home and travel, with 11 carefully crafted instrumental and vocal tracks inspired by Jocelyn & Ellen’s roots and where their passions have taken them. Since first meeting in Scotland, they have both returned to their North American homes, much like the journey of the Common Loon or Great Northern Diver, as depicted in the album art. The album weaves a rhythmic, textured sound with nuanced fiddle-cello interplay, captivating harmonies, French Canadian foot percussion, and lively dance tunes.

‘Midnight’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. Jocelyn & Ellen will be on the road to support their new album, starting with a 16-show UK Tour in May. For more information and full tour listings, please visit jocelynandellen.com.

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JOCELYN PETTIT & ELLEN GIRA | UPCOMING TOUR DATES
05-07 - Glasgow, UK - House Concert w/ ANEMARA
05-08 - Crieff, UK - Crieff Folk Club w/ ANEMARA
05-09 - Kilmelford, UK - Kilmelford Village Hall w/ ANEMARA
05-10 - Inverness, UK - Croy Village Hall w/ ANEMARA
05-11 - Strathpeffer, UK - Contin Church w/ ANEMARA
05-15 - Sheffield, UK - Bishops' House
05-16 - Saltaire, UK - The Live Room
05-17 - Hartlepool, UK - St. George's Venue
05-19 - Derby, UK - The Flowerpot
05-22 - Southport, UK - Bijou Cinema Sessions
05-24 - London, UK - Green Note
05-25 - Hemel Hempstead, UK - Fishery Wharf Cafe (Boxmoor Canal Weekend)
05-26 - Cambridge, UK - Cambridge Junction
05-28 - Pontyclun, UK - Llantrisant Folk Club
05-29 - Roch, UK - Cuffern Manor
05-31 - Weymouth, UK - Wessex Folk Festival
06-20 - Vancouver, BC - St. James Hall 
06-21 - Gibsons, BC - Summer Solstice Garden Concert 
06-25 - Olympia, WA - Traditions Fair Trade 
06-26 - Mount Vernon, WA - Littlefield Celtic Center 
06-27 - Brentwood Bay, BC - The Butchart Gardens 
06-28 - Tofino, BC - Tofino Jazz Festival 
07-05 - Squamish, BC - Squamish Academy of Music

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FOLLOW JOCELYN & ELLEN:
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MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST 'Midnight' HERE
CLICK HERE for bio, high-res press photos/single art + digital downloads (for radio play) 

Tapping Into Canadian Pride! Eric Sage Returns With New CANADIAN BEER Remix

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Eric Sage · Canadian Beer (Party Remix)

Country rock artist Eric Sage rides the wave of renewed Canadian pride with the release of a high-octane remix of his 2024 hit single, 'Canadian Beer' out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here. 

Fuelled by a wave of patriotic energy and a growing movement to support homegrown talent and products, the new remix cranks up the volume on a track that already captured hearts—and hockey arenas—across the country. 'Canadian Beer' quickly became a sing-along staple when it first dropped in 2024, and now, with fans calling for a fresh spin, Eric Sage is delivering a remix made for summer playlists, backyard parties, and stadium sound systems.

“I have always loved big, anthemic songs," says Eric Sage. "There’s nothing like when they’re played at a concert or sporting event and the crowd goes wild. 'Canadian Beer' had that feeling right away. With this important movement to 'Buy Canadian', I feel like the song is more powerful than ever! After I released the song last year, I received many requests for a 'Party Remix' and now seemed like the right time to do it. In these trying times, what’s better than cracking open a cold one? And not just any old beer, make it a down-home, mother trucker, patriotic Canadian Beer!"

Canadian-born Eric Sage has toured the world as a country-rock artist, sharing stages with legends like Slash, The Beach Boys, and Vince Neil. Before music, he was a world-ranked tennis pro, until a devastating car accident ended his athletic career. Against the odds, Sage reinvented himself as a dynamic performer with a three-octave range. Now, after international success, he's coming home to Canada, bringing his high-energy sound, inspiring story, and unstoppable spirit to the stage.

The 'Canadian Beer' (Party Remix) is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit ericsage.com.

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FOLLOW ERIC SAGE:
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MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST 'Canadian Beer' (Party Remix) HERE
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Vancouver Indie Folk-Pop Artist Micae Shares New Single BLACKBERRIES

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LYRIC VIDEO HERE

Vancouver indie folk-pop artist Micae shares her new single 'Blackberries' out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

A wistful and tender track, ‘Blackberries’ captures the haunting beauty of memory and love that lingers long after it’s gone. The song began as a writing exercise suggested by Claire Miller-Harder (co-lyricist), who encouraged Micae to create a song using images primarily to see where it led. Taking this prompt to heart, Micae went out walking, jotting down anything that reminded her of the relationship she was grieving. Those scattered observations became the foundation of ‘Blackberries’.

“I wanted 'Blackberries' to explore how love lingers even as time moves on," says Micae. "It’s a song about remembering someone who’s left an imprint on your heart and reconciling with the part of you that’s still connected to them. The person who inspired this song took me berry picking, and we froze the berries, one bag for each of us. But we broke up before I ever had the chance to share them with him. The berries stayed in his freezer.” 

Micae’s introspective songwriting and expressive vocals have earned her recognition both live and in the studio. Classically trained in voice from age four to twenty-three, she earned a Bachelor of Music Therapy in 2021 and now runs her private practice, InTandem Music Therapy, supporting neurodivergent youth through songwriting and musical expression. Currently pursuing an MA in Education, her research focuses on how autistic students use technology to access education equitably. She’s also working on her debut full-length album, It All Looks A Little Different Now, which weaves themes of feminism, justice, forgiveness, and love into a sound rooted in indie folk-rock with a touch of country longing.

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

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FOLLOW MICAE:
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MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST 'Blackberries' lyric video HERE
CLICK HERE for bio, high-res press photos + single art

Vancouver Musician Ché Aimee Dorval Shares New Single + Video JOYRIDE

WATCH/SHARE VIDEO HERE

Vancouver musician Chè Aimee Dorval shares her empowering new single and video 'Joyride' out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here. 

'Joyride' is the first new music we've heard from Chè since the release of her acclaimed album, The Crowned, in 2023. On this new single, Chè crafts an atmospheric blend of late-night trip-hop, dreamy art-pop, and laid-back electronica—reminiscent of Goldfrapp’s sleek production, Bonobo’s organic pulse, and Lana Del Rey’s moody allure. It's a new sound experiment for Chè, but her voice and experience remain at the forefront, coming through loud and clear.

'Joyride' was one of those songs I’d been writing on and off for years, and it took on all sorts of shapes and meanings over time," says Chè. "It wasn’t until recently when everything in the world felt like it was ramping up and the Canada/U.S. relationship started to look very toxic that I finally felt inspired to finish it. I’m someone who apologizes for pretty much everything. It's almost a knee-jerk reaction just for existing on this planet. Maybe it’s because I’m Canadian or maybe it’s because I’m a woman, but it’s something I’ve tried to curb over the years. For me, this song is about saying 'no' to a broken situation and not apologizing for setting boundaries or speaking up when it needs to be said."

For the 'Joyride' video, Chè enlisted dancer Joi Of Dance and videographer Kevin B. Smith to help deliver the empowering message of the song.

Says Che: "Joi’s dancing is pure power and soul—it embodies everything I’ve always tried to convey through my music. 'Joyride' is about reclaiming your power, embracing who you are, and honouring your needs without compromise. Collaborating with her on this felt like a perfect fit. Joi created this routine for a track from my last album, The Crowned, but because of constraints, we never got around to making the video. I’ve always felt a bit disappointed that such a powerful piece of art went unused. When it came time to plan the 'Joyride' video, it was clear that her performance was meant to bring the song’s story to life."

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

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CHÈ AIMEE DORVAL | UPCOMING TOUR DATES
April 4th - Vancouver, BC - The Fox Cabaret
April 29th - Guelph, ON - Sonic Hall
April 30th - Hamilton, ON - Mills Hardware
May 1st - Montreal, QB - L’Escogriffe
May 2nd - Toronto, ON - The Baby G
July 19th - Muskoka, ON - Tall Pines Festival

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MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/POST 'Joyride' video HERE (via YouTube)
CLICK HERE for biography, single art + high-res press photos