Toronto's 5 Neat Guys Ring In The Holidays With New Album PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!

Stream/Share "Silent Night" HERE

Toronto-based blues/rock band 5 Neat Guys are turning up the festive spirit with the release of their brand-new holiday album PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! available now on all digital streaming platforms. The band is also celebrating the launch with a feature single, a riotous, vintage-flavoured rendition of the holiday standard "Silent Night".

"Don’t be fooled by the name: there’s nothing silent about this version of the Christmas classic," says rhythm guitarist Doug Hibovski. "We gave it a vintage rock-n-roll feel, but you can still sing along to it. Sheer fun, tailor-made for a rockin’ Christmas party."

PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! marks the band’s fifth studio album and their second Christmas release, rounding out nearly a year of recording that began with drum sessions in November 2024 and wrapped on a warm August evening with the final backing vocals. To give the album its unmistakable holiday atmosphere, the band even hauled a full set of tubular bells into the studio – one of many touches that infuse the record with charm and festive nostalgia.

"We really wanted to give something for everyone in this album," says lead vocalist Ed Lounsbury. “Some blues, some pop/rock, some sentimental heartstring-tuggers, and then some traditional Christmas chestnuts that we put a fresh new spin on. This album is good clean fun, and we pictured families decorating the Christmas tree, dancing around and playing this in the background.”

The idea for the album was sparked a few years ago, when the band performed a pre-Christmas gig with only a handful of seasonal songs in their set. They filled the gaps with their usual rock and blues repertoire, until an event organizer slipped them a note that read, with unmistakable urgency: “PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!” The phrase became an instant inside joke, then a rallying cry, and finally the perfect title for their second holiday record. And as always with 5 Neat Guys, humour finds its way into the music itself: on "Unwrap You At Christmas," an improvised mouth-trumpet solo – intended as a simple placeholder – made the final cut because it sounded so hilariously perfect. 

Formed in 2016 by guitarist Doug Hibovski, 5 Neat Guys began as a temporary project bringing together four adult students from Hibovski’s Toronto music school. Something clicked, and what started as a one-off experiment evolved into a beloved bar band known for their classic vintage blues and rock ’n’ roll sound, high-energy performances, and good-humoured approach to music-making. Over the years, they’ve become fixtures at local festivals, community street parties, and pubs, earning a loyal following and radio support on both local and online stations. With every release, the group has sharpened its style and production – and with PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!, they deliver their most spirited, family-friendly collection yet.

PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit 5neatguys.com.

5 Neat Guys | Upcoming Shows
Nov 9 - Etobicoke, ON - The Rockpile
Nov 22 - Toronto, ON - Santa In The Village Community Fest

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Tracklisting
5 NEAT GUYS
PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!
(Independent)
01. Please Come Home For Christmas
02. Lonesome Christmas
03. Silent Night
04. Reindeer Blues
05. Feliz Navidad
06. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
07. Unwrap You At Christmas
08. Christmas Blues

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5 NEAT GUYS IS:
Ed Lounsbury – Lead Vocals
Shawn Tanti – Lead Guitar
Andrewes Sissons – Bass Guitar
Doug Hibovski – Rhythm Guitar
Stephen Edwards – Drums

FOLLOW 5 NEAT GUYS:
 WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK 

MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST "Silent Night" HERE
CLICK HERE for media kit with bio, press photos/cover art + digital downloads (for radio play)

Victoria Raskin Brings A Bold, Multi-Sensory Pop Experience To Granville Island November 20th

Vancouver artist presents Victoria Raskin Live, a dazzling self-produced show fusing music, dance, and storytelling

Vancouver singer, songwriter, and performer Victoria Raskin will bring her ambitious new production Victoria Raskin Live to Performance Works on Granville Island on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Doors open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7 PM. Tickets are available for purchase here. 

An evening of music, dance, theatre, and immersive storytelling, Victoria Raskin Live is set to be a one-of-a-kind experience in Vancouver’s independent music scene – a spectacle that pushes the boundary between concert and performance art. A true labour of love, the show was made possible through generous support from the Armenian Cultural Association of BC and a network of friends and family who rallied behind Raskin’s vision. In that same spirit of community, partial proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR).

“I’ve been dreaming about, planning, and fundraising for this show for the past two years,” says Raskin. “It’s a huge professional milestone to take the jump independently to create the kind of show that I want to see, give my art a platform to shine, and bring together the dance, theatre, and music worlds all in one night. Little me would be so proud.”

Far from a traditional concert,Victoria Raskin Livepromises a dynamic, genre-blending experience. Expect hidden dancers in the audience, choreographed sequences, Swarovski-covered costumes, cabaret chairs, and see-through umbrellas glowing with fairy lights – all wrapped in a narrative designed to pull audiences into Raskin’s world. The show will also feature six dancers choreographed byMalia McMullen(known for her work in film and television, includingWorld of Dance), and a live band featuring Tim Charman (bass), Chris Sallis-Lyon (drums), Nathan Barrett (trumpet / sousaphone) and Cole Tinney (keyboard).

“Most indie artists don’t attempt a show of this scale early in their careers,” Raskin adds. “A multi-media, multidisciplinary production is expensive, time-consuming, and logistically intense, especially when you’re self-producing. I’ve had to wear every hat imaginable in planning it, but at the end of the day, that’s what makes stepping on stage so rewarding. Knowing every detail was built from the ground up.”

Raskin cites two major inspirations for the show: her mother – an opera singer who first gave her the chance to test early versions of the performance concept onstage – and a transformative trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she attended Sophie’s Surprise 29th, a daring circus-theatre piece that left her awestruck.

“It was bold, funny, and intimate – you could feel the heat of the fire from your seat,” Raskin recalls. “That experience inspired me to create something equally alive and personal here in Vancouver. I wanted to stage a night that feels close, surprising, and unforgettable.”

The show will coincide with the release of Raskin’s new single "New Girl", out November 19, the night before the performance, and will make its live debut at the show. The new track follows her recent single “Rise", which showcased her cinematic pop sound and expressive storytelling.

For more information, please visit victoriaraskin.com.

EVENT DETAILS
Victoria Raskin Live
Thursday, November 20, 2025
@ Performance Works at Granville Island
1218 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
Doors 6:30 PM | Show starts at 7:00 PM 
Event information here
Tickets available for purchase here
Partial proceeds go to the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR)

  
ABOUT VICTORIA RASKIN
Victoria Raskin is a Vancouver-based singer, songwriter, and performer whose background in rhythmic gymnastics, classical piano, and acting informs her distinctive stage presence. Her music blends character-driven storytelling with playful pop sensibility, as heard on releases like "Takin’ Your Heart (Speed It Up)," "Throw A Party (Rum Pa Ra Pa Pum)," "Mr. Law Abiding Citizen," and"Barcelona." Onstage, Raskin combines live vocals, dance, piano, and costume changes to craft shows that feel alive, unpredictable, and intentionally over the top. Since her debut, she has performed at theKhatsahlano Street Partyand earned over 94K streams across platforms. WithVictoria Raskin Liveand new music on the horizon, she continues to carve her own path in pop – confident, expressive, and a little bit wild.
 

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FOLLOW VICTORIA RASKIN
 WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE |  TIKTOK 

MEDIA TOOLS:
CLICK HERE for media kit with biography, high-res press photos, show graphics + digital downloads (for radio play) 

Toronto's 5 Neat Guys Share Holiday Single UNWRAP YOU AT CHRISTMAS

First Single From Forthcoming Album PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! Out November 7th Stream/Share HERE

Toronto-based blues and rock outfit 5 Neat Guys are getting into the festive spirit with the release of their cheeky new single “Unwrap You At Christmas”, out now on all digital streaming platforms.

The upbeat, vintage-inspired track offers a playful spin on the holiday genre, serving as the first taste of their upcoming album PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!, set for release on November 7th, 2025.

“Okay, so… maybe this song has a coy little double entendre aspect to it," says lead vocalist Ed Lounsbury. "On the other hand, maybe it’s just about a kid unwrapping a puppy on Christmas morning, right? We’ll let you decide."

The inspiration for PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! came a few years ago when the band was booked to perform just before Christmas. With only a handful of seasonal songs in their set, they filled the gaps with their usual rock and blues repertoire – until the event organizer passed them a note that read, in no uncertain terms: “Play Christmas Music!!” The phrase stuck, eventually becoming the name of their fifth studio album and second holiday collection.

One of the album’s standout moments is the mid-song solo on “Unwrap You At Christmas.” Originally intended as a placeholder, the band’s ad-libbed mouth-trumpet part was so perfectly goofy that it made the final cut.

“It just sounded so nutbar – it fit perfectly with the song,” Ed laughs.

Formed in 2016 by Doug Hibovski, 5 Neat Guys began as a one-off project bringing together four adult music students from Hibovski’s music school. But something clicked, and what started as a temporary band evolved into a beloved fixture at Toronto’s local festivals, street parties, and pubs. Known for their classic vintage blues and rock ‘n roll sound, the group has released four studio albums, each one refining their style and production.

With airplay on local and internet radio, and a growing reputation for their high-energy performances, 5 Neat Guys are ready to make your holidays a little merrier (and a lot more rockin’) with PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!.

"Unwrap You At Christmas" is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit 5neatguys.com.

5 Neat Guys | Upcoming Shows
Oct 25 - Toronto, ON - Halloweenfest @ Bloor West Village
Nov 9 - Etobicoke, ON - The Rockpile
Nov 22 - Toronto, ON - Santa In The Village Community Fest

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5 NEAT GUYS IS:
Ed Lounsbury – Lead Vocals
Shawn Tanti – Lead Guitar
Andrewes Sissons – Bass Guitar
Doug Hibovski – Rhythm Guitar
Stephen Edwards – Drums

FOLLOW 5 NEAT GUYS:
 WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK 

MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST "Unwrap You At Christmas" HERE
CLICK HERE for bio, high-res press photos/ single art + digital downloads (for radio play) 

Rosina B. Solomon Shares Laid-Back Reggae-R&B Groove “Girl Code”

Stream/Share HERE

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Rosina B. Solomon returns with “Girl Code,” a chill, reggae and R&B-tinged track featuring Jamaican artist Spliffon. Blending smooth grooves, subtle reggaeton influences, and Solomon’s signature soulful vocals, “Girl Code” is an effortlessly cool reflection on friendship, love, and the choices that come with growing up.

“I was in uni seeing a lot of toxic situations and things I knew I didn’t want to go through, but I wanted the end result of having fun and having someone,” says Solomon. “The song is about how people put romantic love before their friends and priorities—and how I promised myself I wouldn’t be like that, but when I finally got into their position, I kind of understood. Romantic love is a strong feeling, and you can’t really substitute it with anything else.”

Written during the pandemic, “Girl Code” evolved from a jam session that fused reggae and reggaeton vibes – “melding a few different cultures together,” Solomon explains. The result is a laid-back yet emotionally rich groove that captures her genre-blending artistry and global sensibility.

An emerging voice in Toronto’s R&B and neo-soul scene, Rosina B. Solomon has earned recognition from CBC Radio’s Marvin’s Room and In the Key of C for her debut project Intro, which showcased her warm tones and Ethiopian-influenced sound. With “Girl Code,” Solomon continues to expand her sonic palette while giving fans a taste of what’s to come on her forthcoming second EP.

"Girl Code" (feat. Spliffon) is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit her website here.

Rosina B. Solomon | Upcoming Shows
Nov 22 - Toronto, ON - El Mocambo

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FOLLOW ROSINA B. SOLOMON
 WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK  | YOUTUBE

MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST "Girl Code" (feat. Spliffon) HERE
CLICK HERE for bio, high-res press photos/ single art + digital downloads (for radio play) 

Chest Fever Brings The Last Waltz Tour 2025 To Canada

Celebrating The Band’s Iconic Concert with All-Star Guests in Vancouver, Toronto & St. Catharines

Watch/Share Chest Fever Live
Performance Video of "Caravan" Here

Acclaimed revivalists Chest Fever, the official torchbearers of The Band’s legendary legacy, are bringing their celebrated live re-creation of The Last Waltz to audiences across North America this fall – with three very special Canadian shows in Vancouver, Toronto, and St. Catharines.

This marks Chest Fever’s first Last Waltz run since their sold-out 2023 performance at Massey Hall, and their first time bringing the show to Vancouver and St. Catharines. Each concert will feature 10+ special guest performers, with over 60 artists joining the band across six shows in total.

“This is our first Last Waltz show since 2023, and each year we’ve managed to take the body of work to the next level,” says guitarist Dan Cervantes. “When we first started performing The Band’s music, we sought only to do the original justice. Now, we look at how we can turn it upside down, take it over the top, and still—do it justice. Every city is its own beast and journey. We never know how it will all turn out, but we know it’s going to be magic.

The average run time is three hours and thirty minutes—and that’s if we don’t take a break! We encourage our friends and fellow fans to make plans to be out all night. Get a hotel nearby, rent an Airbnb with friends, grab a good meal, and get ready for a show.”

Fans can expect faithful yet electrifying renditions of the songs immortalized by The Band’s 1976 concert, soundtrack, and Martin Scorsese’s legendary film – including new additions to the setlist that Chest Fever have never before performed on tour. As always, surprise guests may join the band on stage, making each night a one-of-a-kind celebration of community and musical heritage.

For more information, please visit chestfeverofficial.com.

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CHEST FEVER |  THE LAST WALTZ TOUR 2025
November 15 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
November 18 - San Diego, CA - Belly Up Tavern
December 4 - Toronto, ON - Horseshow Tavern
December 5 - St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse Concert Hall
December 6 - Cleveland, OH - Winchester Music Tavern
December 7 - Cincinnati, OH - The Red Moor

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FOLLOW CHEST FEVER:
 Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/POST Chest Fever "Caravan" live performance video HERE
CLICK HERE for biography, high-res press photos + tour graphics