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Vancouver Dream-Pop Group Blonde Diamond Release New Single RED FLAGS

Download High-Res Photos | Photo Credit: Brandon Fletcher

STREAM/SHARE SINGLE HERE

Blonde Diamond · Red Flags

Vancouver alt-pop group Blonde Diamond shed light on abusive relationships with their new single ‘Red Flags’ out today on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here. 

The 2nd single from their debut full-length (out in 2022), 'Red Flags' reads like a cautionary tale, a retrospective of moments leading up to the realization that a seemingly fairytale romance has slowly evolved into a dark and twisted, manipulative stronghold.

Inside the first few bars of the track, the group grabs you with all the hallmarks of their signature sound: energetic drums, sparkly keys, dreamy guitars, slinky bass, and intimate vocals. Lead vocalist Alexis Young says she wrote ‘Red Flags' to help break the silence that so many people feel about speaking up about abusive relationships.

"Post the breakup of a very long relationship and at a particularly vulnerable moment in my life, through a chance encounter I found myself in a relationship that was—on its surface—everything that I was looking for," says Alexis. "The romance, the infatuation, the lust. It was the type of affair that you only read about in books and see in films. However, the red flags had presented themselves from the get-go and I initially ignored them. I wanted to see the good in this person, and believe that I could be a strong and positive force in their life. When it finally got to the point that I allowed myself to accept that it was abusive and emotionally manipulative, I felt stupid and ashamed that I could be so naïve and easily coerced into such a spiral of entrapment and darkness. I wanted to write this song not just as a form of healing for my own experience, but also as a message to others that you CAN walk away. That you're not alone. And that it's easy to get swept up and lose perspective when you're in the eye of the storm."  

Shaping a soundscape of dreamy synth-pop bliss with unapologetic and captivating lyricism, Blonde Diamond has been on a trajectory that is hard not to be dazzled by. The band has graced stages across Canada, Europe, Australia, the US, and India, sharing bills along the way with stalwarts such as Portugal. The Man, Broken Social Scene, Bishop Briggs, Chromeo, Mother Mother, and more. 

Blonde Diamond’s newest offerings hone in on their strongest assets—frontwoman Alexis Young’s vocal prowess, reinforced by the band’s ethereal instrumentals. Since their inception in 2016, Blonde Diamond has made waves in musical realms across the world. The group’s eagerly awaited full-length debut record is expected in 2022.

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


BLONDE DIAMOND IS: 
Alexis Young (lead vocals + keys/synth)
Malcolm Holt (drums)
Louis Hearn (guitar)
Bruce Ledingham (keys/synth)


FOLLOW BLONDE DIAMOND:
Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok




MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST Blonde Diamond - 'Red Flags' HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 

Friday 11.19.21
Posted by Jen Fritz
 

Sad China's Debut Album ilyimy Out Today!

Download High-Res Photos | Photo Credit: Jenn Xu

WATCH/SHARE VIDEO FOR
LATEST SINGLE hum人n
HERE

"With ilyimy, Chen has only started building new beginnings atop a solid foundation. Adversity's shadow will always fall on Chen — they are "hum人n," after all. But as ilyimy proves, light and love will always prevail." - Exclaim!

[Sad China/Sunny Chen pronouns: They/She]

Today's the day! Vancouver musician Sad China's (aka Sunny Chen) new bilingual hyperpop quarantine album ilyimy is out today on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

And to celebrate the release of their debut full-length album, Sad China is also releasing the video for 'hum人n', the 4th single from ilyimy. Watch video here.

"As a non-binary Asian Canadian, assigned female at birth, I’ve endured misogyny, abuse, fetishization, and other forms of violence simply by being gendered and racialized (which are social constructs upheld by people and organizations to maintain the white supremacist heteropatriachy), especially within Vancouver's music and art scene," says Sad China. "As a human, all I want is to love, belong, and create. When we feel alone during our darkest nights, or are unable to access community, our ancestors keep watch over us. We need allies to redistribute power and wealth to us, so we can escape, heal, and thrive. You will be safe and respected, and we’re stronger together."

Sad China’s sound is avant-garde yet accessible and draws influence from 2000s pop and R&B, their Chinese heritage, and the choral arrangements they performed with multiple school choirs. They released their self-titled dream pop debut EP in 2016 and have shared the stage with Tonye Aganaba and Adewolf, and played livestreams with KeAloha, Sleepy Gonzales, and Blonde Diamond, among others.

Sad China worked closely with experimental electronic artist Kerub (aka Vi Levitt) on their new album, crafting 7 of the 10 tracks with them. Created during the COVID pandemic, ilyimy is a quarantine album that Sad China wrote for all of us—their community, their ancestors, and their loved ones.

ilyimy is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit bysunnychen.com/music.


FOLLOW SAD CHINA:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube




MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/POST Sad China's ‘hum人n' video HERE
STREAM/POST Sad China - ‘hum人n' HERE
STREAM Sad China's new album ilyimy HERE 
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 


Friday 10.22.21
Posted by Jen Fritz
 

The Hillties Release New Single TELL YOUR FRIENDS

Download High-Res Photos | Photo Credit: Sarah Beauchamp

WATCH/SHARE VIDEO HERE

Tell your friends! BC indie alt-rock band The Hillties are back with a brand new single and video out today on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

An introspective and melodic laid-back track, 'Tell Your Friends' is about modern culture and how hard it is to connect, which comes through in the animated video featuring the band's hometown of Nelson, BC.

"'Tell Your Friends' is a commentary on modern life,” says lead vocalist Mark Barnard. "In a world where it’s easier than ever to stay distant, this song is about taking a stand for what we want in life and not putting up with subpar relationships. It’s about valuing ourselves and creating the life we truly want."

Over the past four years, The Hillties have had many notable performances. They received their first Kootenay Music Award in 2018 for “Best Reggae Song”, following it up with a 2nd award in 2019 for “Best Jam Band”. The BC Arts Council invited The Hillties to play Music in The Bay (Blind Bay, BC) in 2019 and the western Canadian summer music festival scene has welcomed the band to such festivals as KAMP Festival (Arrow Lakes, BC), Frog Fest (Rocky Mtn House, AB) and Sasquatch Gathering (Edmonton, AB).

'Tell Your Friends' is the 2nd single from The Hillties this year—'Diablo' was released in July—and they're currently working on the follow-up to their debut album Sunshine (2020) with plans to release in 2022.

'Tell Your Friends' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit thehillties.com.


THE HILLTIES ARE:
Phil Woodward (Chapman Stick and Vocal)
Sam Mathews (Lead guitar)
Mark Barnard (Lead Vocal)
Craig Beauchamp (Electric Ukulele/Guitar and Vocal)
Rahj Levinson (Piano)
Eric Sasaki (Drums)




FOLLOW THE HILLTIES:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 


MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/POST The Hillties' 'Tell Your Friends' video HERE
STREAM/POST
The Hillties - 'Tell Your Friends' HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos

Friday 10.22.21
Posted by Jen Fritz
 

Leeroy Stagger's New Album DYSTOPIAN WEEKENDS Out Now!

Download High-Res Photos | Photo Credit: Piper Ferguson

DYSTOPIAN WEEKENDS LIVESTREAM SHOWS ON NOVEMBER 6th + 7th
STREAM/SHARE ALBUM
HERE

Despite a delayed release date, cancelled tours and a few more COVID-induced bumps along the way, Leeroy Stagger's 12th full-length album Dystopian Weekends is available now on all digital streaming platforms.

To celebrate the release of the album, Leeroy will perform 2 Dystopian Weekends livestream shows on November 6th and 7th through Side Door Access. Get more information and tickets here.

"Touring is so up in the air right now," says Leeroy. "I had a burning desire to play these songs with a band, and my bandmates Tyson and Ryland happened to be in town for a few days so we got everyone together, including Nick on the drums and a few new friends to play the Dystopian Weekends material. I think the fans will enjoy it."

Recorded at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver at the beginning of the global pandemic, Dystopian Weekends is the serum of truth with a slice of light and darkness that we all need right now. Singles 'Ventura', 'Does Anybody Live Here?' and 'More Love Than Money' all received loads of critical acclaim and Leeroy's latest single seems to be headed in the same direction. 'How Do You Love With A Broken Heart' was just added to Spotify editorial playlist Renegade Folk.

Dystopian Weekends contains songs of environmental degradation, greedy land developers, Christmas songs about junkies and alcoholics, songs about race wars in America, modern day dust bowl songs of fleeing political ideology, break-up songs, and songs honouring dead friends. It all seems a bit much on paper, but Leeroy's skillful songwriting and musicianship have honoured it all in a very beautiful, relevant, and artistic way.

Dystopian Weekends is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit leeroystagger.com.


LEEROY STAGGER // UPCOMING TOUR DATES
November 6th - Livestream Album Release Show (7pm PST) - Get Tix
November 7th - Livestream Album Release Show (9am PST) - Get Tix
November 12th - Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BC*
November 13th - Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BC*
November 14h - Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BC*
November 27th - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC*

(*with Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Express)


LEEROY STAGGER - DYSTOPIAN WEEKENDS
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 15th, 2021
(Tonic Records)

01. More Love Than Money
02. Midnight at The Oasis
03. Greedy Guts
04. Christmas (In The Year of Austerity)
05. Fangs of New York
06. Christmas Carol
07. Black Teenagers
08. Does Anybody Live Here?
09. How Do You Love With A Broken Heart
10. Ventura (For Neal Casal)
11. The Places I Have Been


FOLLOW LEEROY STAGGER:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 

 

MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST Leeroy Stagger - 'How Do You Love With A Broken Heart' HERE
WATCH/POST Leeroy Stagger's 'More Love Than Money' video HERE
WATCH/POST Leeroy Stagger's 'Does Anybody Live Here?' video HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 


Wednesday 10.20.21
Posted by Jen Fritz
 

Vancouver Musician Sad China Releases New Single Featuring Khamisa + Adewolf

Download High-Res Photos | Photo Credit: Jenn Xu

Download High-Res Photos | Photo Credit: Jenn Xu

3rd SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM OUT OCT 22nd
STREAM/SHARE HERE

Sad China ♡ · Bless.bliss ft. Khamisa & Adewolf

Just 2 weeks ahead of the release of their debut full-length album, Vancouver musician Sad China (aka Sunny Chen) gives us another taste of what's to come with their new single 'Bless.Bliss' out today on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

‘Bless.bliss' is the 3rd single from Sad China’s new bilingual hyperpop quarantine album ilyimy, which is set for release on October 22nd. The R&B flavoured indie pop track features Vancouver musicians Khamisa and Adewolf—a collab that came together at the start of the pandemic.

"Everything comes together when the universe says it’s time," says Sad China. "I made this song with friends over Zoom, which showed us it’s the little things that make life worth living for, like listening to the sound of rain, daydreaming about what’s possible, making art with friends, holding space for each other...even if it’s virtually for now. It’s the little things that help us heal and grow. Trust the process."

Sad China worked closely with experimental electronic artist Kerub (aka Vi Levitt) on their new album, crafting 7 of the 10 tracks with them. Created during the COVID pandemic, ilyimy is a quarantine album that Sad China wrote for all of us—their community, their ancestors, and their loved ones.

"COVID took so much from us," says Sad China. "In China, my widowed 外公 maternal grandpa stopped eating because he was isolated from family and friends, and he left this earth earlier this year. Our world has experienced a tremendous loss, and we are collectively grieving. I wanted to give something back and desperately needed to connect with community, especially after a whirlwind quarantine romance and eventual breakup. From those pieces of me, ilyimy was born."

Sad China's new single ‘Bless.bliss’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit bysunnychen.com/music.


SAD CHINA - ILYIMY
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 22nd, 2021
(Independent)

01. hum人n
02. VirgoVenus<3
03. ilyimy
04. Bless.bliss ft. Khamisa & Adewolf
05. Seen ft. Kerub
06. Mt. unPleasant
07. nbl ft. Yukari*
08. Toxic (friends) ft. JERRYCHERRY
09. 永远在我的心里 forever in my heart
10. all good things (come to an end) ft. desire process
Download High-Res Album Art

FOLLOW SAD CHINA: 
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 




MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST Sad China - 'Bless.Bliss' HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 

Friday 10.08.21
Posted by Jen Fritz
 
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