Vancouver Artist Ché Aimee Dorval Shares New Single CARNAL NEEDS

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Vancouver artist Ché Aimee Dorval returns with her evocative new single, “Carnal Needs,” available now on all digital streaming platforms via Fools Game Records. Blurring the lines between late-night electronica, dream pop, and alt-rock, Dorval continues to carve out a cinematic and transportive sound world where synth pulses and airy melodies meet contemplative, old-soul lyricism.

Following the release of 2025’s “Joyride,” “Carnal Needs” dives deeper into the tension between living in your head and listening to your body, and ultimately choosing instinct and desire over restraint. Drawing from the moody vulnerability of BANKS, the expansive emotional weight of London Grammar, and the subtle rhythmic pulse of Maribou State, Dorval’s sound favours atmosphere and emotional depth over spectacle.

“‘Carnal Needs’ comes from the moments when I feel awake and present in my body instead of stuck in my head,” says Dorval. “It’s about letting yourself want what you want, and trusting what feels right in the moment. I’ve never been someone who lets other people’s expectations shape how I live. For me, following instinct, intuition, and desire is a big part of experiencing life in all its chaos, mess, and beauty. I don’t feel that kind of freedom all the time. I spend a lot of time in my own head, but when I do feel that spark and that pull, I try to honour it because I know how fleeting it can be.”

The track marks the second release, alongside “Joyride,” where Dorval wrote, produced, and performed every element herself. The song was mixed by Japanese producer, mixer, and engineer Shuta Shinoda (Daughter, Hot Chip), adding a subtle, immersive polish to its textured, emotionally charged core.

To celebrate the release, Dorval will premiere an intimate live performance video for “Carnal Needs” on YouTube on February 20 at 2:00pm PST. Directed by Laura Harvey and shot by Lindsay Blane at Big Baby Studios in Vancouver, the performance captures the song’s raw vulnerability and embodied energy in a stripped-back studio setting.

Ché Aimee Dorval has built a career defined by evolution and fearless exploration. From Toronto and Vancouver’s indie scenes to international touring as both a solo artist and as half of Casualties of Cool, she has cultivated a voice that is entirely her own. She has performed at festivals including NXNE, BreakOut West, and Rifflandia, shared bills with Run The Jewels, Bif Naked, and Anneke van Giersbergen, and collaborated with artists ranging from Canadian icon Gord Downie to EDM duo Young Bombs.

Her 2023 album, The Crowned, co-produced with Bob Rock, earned praise from Clash Magazine for its genre-blending sound, while Knotfest called standout track “Falling Under” a “timeless earworm.” With “Carnal Needs,” Dorval continues to develop a body of work rooted in mood, texture, and embodied emotion, with additional music scheduled to arrive later this year.

“Carnal Needs” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit cheaimeedorval.com.

CHÈ AIMEE DORVAL | UPCOMING TOUR DATES
March 14 - Vancouver, BC - Wise Hall (The Breakfast Club Charity Show)
May 30 - Kelowna, BC - Rotary Centre for the Arts

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Calgary Indie Folk-Pop Artist S.K. Wellington Shares New Single HONEY SLOW DOWN

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Calgary-based indie folk-pop artist S.K. Wellington steps confidently into a new sonic chapter with the release of her latest single, “Honey Slow Down.” The track marks the first in a series of singles slated for release throughout 2026 and introduces a bolder, more pop-driven side of Wellington’s songwriting.

A driving, emotionally charged indie-pop track, “Honey Slow Down,” captures the dizzying pull of falling for someone wildly unexpected. Anchored by a pulsing bass line and a glowing, retro-leaning synth hook, the song carries an unmistakable ‘80s-inspired energy (in the best way), pairing urgency and atmosphere with Wellington’s intimate, lyric-forward storytelling.

“The song tells the story of an unexpected connection – falling for someone you never saw coming, who defies your usual expectations but draws you in instantly,” says Wellington. “It reflects the rush and disorientation of early attraction, paired with the anticipation and uncertainty that follow, and ultimately nods to the vulnerability required to let yourself fall.”

Originally written as a slower, acoustic piece, “Honey Slow Down” spent several years waiting for the right arrangement to fully capture the intensity behind the lyrics.

“It took me a long time to get this one right,” Wellington explains. “The song sat on the sidelines for a couple of years because I knew the sound wasn’t there yet. I wanted the music to feel like the lyrics – driven, intense, a little disorienting. When I finally landed on that lead synth hook and pulsing bass, everything clicked. The track finally matched the moment.”

That creative breakthrough ultimately reshaped the song into its current form, transforming the original folk-leaning demo into a vibrant, forward-moving indie-pop release. A more intimate version of the track, closer to its original acoustic arrangement, will follow later in the release cycle.

Based in Calgary, AB, S.K. Wellington is a singer-songwriter whose music blends folk, indie, and pop, always in service of the song. A five-time YYC Music Awards nominee and three-time Regional Top Ten finalist in CBC Music’s Searchlight competition, her work has received attention across Canada, the U.S., and the UK. She has opened for Dan Mangan, Donovan Woods, and Sarah MacDougall, and performs as both a solo artist and with her dynamic five-piece band, known for rich harmonies and engaging live shows. A proud member of the queer community, Wellington is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in music.

“Honey Slow Down” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit skwellington.com.

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Door d’Or Explore Connection, Consciousness, and Modern Life on New Single FIBRE OPTICS

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Victoria-based alternative rock band Door d’Or share their powerful new single “Fibre Optics,” out now on all digital streaming platforms. It's the first taste of the band’s forthcoming debut album, The Exquisite Dream, arriving May 1, 2026.

Moody, guitar-driven, and steeped in the raw emotion of ’90s-era alternative rock, “Fibre Optics” captures Door d’Or at their most immediate and expansive. Built around brooding riffs and a slow-burning intensity, the track blends grunge-soaked guitars with subtle psychedelic textures, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. There’s an unmistakable Canadian thread running through the song’s expressive guitar work – grounding its atmospheric edge in something deeply familiar.

“I wrote this song in response to our evolving technological landscape,” says vocalist and guitarist Mat Geddes. “Fibre optics connect us at the speed of light, both unifying and redefining ‘the economics of my generation.’ The concept of travelling as light as conscious beings to manifest our own reality is a subtle theme throughout the album. Though we have a limited bandwidth of sensory perceptions, those frequencies that lie outside our direct senses still impact us. The ‘consciousness of another dimension’ points to a hopeful world beyond this, beyond our perceived reality – The Exquisite Dream.”

The single introduces the sonic and thematic world of The Exquisite Dream, Door d’Or’s debut full-length album, recorded in fall 2025 with Juno Award-winning producer Colin Stewart. Conceived with a focus on translating the band’s live energy into a dynamic in-studio experience, the record pairs vivid, immersive guitars with post-punk textures and melodic tension, offering an optimistic and emotionally resonant vision of the future.

Reuniting after years apart, Door d’Or create songs filled with hope and an awakening spirit. The group rediscovered their creative spark in a jam space marked by a golden door – a symbol of shelter, friendship, and renewal that continues to shape their identity. Rooted in improvisation and deep musical connection, the band’s sound invites listeners to move through shadow towards something luminous.

In a complex world that can often feel upside down,“Fibre Optics” stands as a striking introduction to Door d’Or’s new era – a song about connection, consciousness, and the optimism that lives beyond what we can see.

“Fibre Optics” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit doordor.ca.

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Rising Alt-Indie Rockers Dual Variant Share New Single AGAINST ALL ODDS

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Rising alternative/indie rock duo Dual Variant return with their new single “Against All Odds,” out now on all digital streaming platforms.

A powerful anthem of perseverance, "Against All Odds" captures the drive and determination that has defined the twin-led project since its beginnings. Built on distorted bass, explosive drums, and raw, melodic vocals, the track reflects the duo’s unwavering commitment to pushing forward – even when the road gets difficult.

“‘Against All Odds’ is a special track for Nicholas and me," says vocalist and bassist Anthony LaBarbera. "It’s about facing challenges and pushing through when things aren’t easy. This one gets us going.”

Formed by twin brothers Anthony and Nicholas LaBarbera in London, Ontario, Dual Variant has spent the past four years honing a stripped-down, high-impact sound built on nothing but bass and drums. Drawing influence from Royal Blood, Death From Above 1979, and Queens of the Stone Age, Dual Variant transforms minimal gear into maximum impact – blending heavy riffs with emotional grit and restless energy. Despite having only two members, their live show hits with the force of a full band, driven by an instinctive twin connection that locks every groove and chorus into place.

At its core, "Against All Odds" is both personal and universal. The song speaks to anyone navigating obstacles, self-doubt, or uncertainty, embodying a message of resilience, belief, and persistence. For Dual Variant, the release marks an important milestone in their evolving journey – one that reflects both their growth and their ambition.

The new single follows the duo’s 2025 releases “Lover Girl” and “A Better Tomorrow,” continuing a steady run of new music that highlights Dual Variant’s rising presence in modern rock.

"Against All Odds" is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide.

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Toronto Indie Folk Group The Couriers Share New Single SMOOTH SKIN

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Toronto indie folk group The Couriers share their tender new single “Smooth Skin,” out now on all digital streaming platforms. Lifted from the band’s self-titled debut album, the acoustic-leaning track introduces listeners to the heart of The Couriers’ sound – warm guitar lines, beautifully stacked harmonies, and an intimate, unguarded approach to songwriting.

Gentle and quietly romantic, “Smooth Skin” unfolds as a soft reflection on love lost and connections that never quite had the chance to become what they might have been. Driven by finger-picked acoustic guitar and hushed dynamics, the song’s emotional pull lies in its restraint, allowing the band’s harmonies to carry the weight of its longing and nostalgia.

“Interestingly enough, ‘Smooth Skin’ was inspired by a quote from a video game character that mistakenly thought he was a ghoul – 'Bald? You call this bald, smooth skin? I’m a monster! A monster!’” explains vocalist and guitarist Stephen Edwards. “Once the title was cemented, the song quickly evolved into a story about a love interest lost to time.”

The track also holds special meaning for the band. As Edwards shares, “This was the first ever song written to be played by The Couriers. Hence, it seemed fitting that it should appear as the first track on our debut album.”

Comprised of Stephen Edwards (guitar and vocals), Mateja Lasan (drums), and Bronson Aguiar (bass), The Couriers draw on a decade-long creative partnership to craft songs that feel both understated and deeply personal. With “Smooth Skin,” the trio offers a quietly captivating introduction to their self-titled debut – a song built on sincerity, subtlety, and the kind of harmonies that linger long after the final chord fades.

"Smooth Skin" is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit instagram.com/thecouriersband.

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