“Find New Ways” by Dan Mangan

I am taking this song before Kirk does! (You can tell them about your Haunting playlist if you want though!)

Even more new music from Vancouver’s Dan Mangan this week, with the new single titled “Find New Way's” which is all about Dan “haunting his wife should he happen to die first”.

It might sound morbid, but it’s very sweet. Of it Dan says:
“The idea that even death can’t help our relationship from evolving and unfolding in new and unexpected ways. Lustful love is part of the journey, but most of a life together is actually about friendship. It’s about having a person. And not just staying with that person because you said you would, but finding new ways to appreciate their contribution to your life."

Mangan has announced some summer festival shows already, but hopefully there are some local shows announced soon!

Christine

[Kirk note: the Haunting playlist Christine alluded to was from a tweet where I wanted to start a playlist with this song and “I Died So I Could Haunt You” by Stars, and build it from there]

“Nic At the Museum” by Unessential Oils

The first time I heard an Unessential Oils song, I had CBC Radio 3 on in the background, and immediately sopped what I was doing when I recognised the distinctive voice of Plants and Animals singer Warren Spicer.

“Nic at the Museum” is the latest single from his new project, which is inspired by P&A bandmate Nic Basque, and his habit of visiting local museums while on tour.

Spicer says: “I can remember working on this song and realizing that I was writing a song about him, and accepting that it was simply about him going to museums and looking at art. Strange idea. However, with the performance of the band and singers the song took on a transcendental quality. All of a sudden, I was no longer sure what the song was about, all I understood was the feeling that it was giving me.”

Watch the video below (which features the titular Nic) and catch the self-titled debut album, when it’s out May 31 on Secret City Records.

Kirk

“I'm So F*cking Happy” by Blonde Diamond

The title of the brand new Blonde Diamond song could also describe how I felt when I saw new music from the Vancouver band!

“I'm So F*cking Happy” is the latest single from the group, a punchy synth-pop tune that is definitely a contender for this year’s ‘song of the summer’.

Hopefully this means a new album is on its way sooner rather than later!

Kirk

“Crisis Management” by Imposer

Sometimes timing in life is just weird.

A couple weeks ago, I randomly found myself wondering what happened to Calgary band Jane Vain & the Dark Matter. Then a few days later, their Facebook page drops an announcement of a new project from frontperson Jamie Fooks: Imposer.

The new band pairs Fooks with Ryan Sadler, and the first single is “Crisis Management” an indie-pop earworm that belies slightly darker lyrics.

Have a listen below, and hopefully we’ll be hearing more soon!

Kirk

“Sweet” by Grizzly Coast

Toronto’s Grizzly Coast released a brand new song last week, the sentimental “Sweet”.

The dreamy song is, appropriately enough, inspired by a dream Alannah Kavanagh had. It was about someone she knew as a teenager, which “got her thinking about how you don't have to be in touch with someone to remember them fondly.”

Close your eyes and have a listen!

Kirk

“nikâwîs” by ASKO

You may know Marek Tyler from nêhiyawak or WAYFINDING (among other bands), but last week he announced the upcoming, self-titled album for his latest project ASKO.

The latest song is called “nikâwîs” and Tyler says, “nikâwîs (aunt) câpân Harper told a story about family responsibilities. This summer, we lost our late aunt on Mom's side. As our uncle explains, to help our mom's sister take the next step, we refer to her not by name but by kâkî-kahwîsiyan (our late aunt on mom's side). Mom noted that after someone's passing, we don't refer to individuals by their name at all because kinship terms are used regularly. But nowadays, people will, after one year, preface the person's name with 'late-…' Two years ago, kâkî-kahwîsiyan shared her story of dancing Fancy with me. She said, ‘When I danced, I tried to carve through the air like an eagle.’ This song is for the aunties and nieces and their courage to dance, to be seen, be okimâw (the boss).”

You can find “nikâwîs” on the self-titled album, when it’s out on September 9 via Dine Alone Records!

Kirk