We're bringing you a Friday New Music Spotlight to start the weekend off right. It includes music from Canadian artists Justin Fancy, Victoria Anthony, The Western Swing Authority, FAIRGALE, and we've thrown in a taste of Aussie singer-songwriter, Shayne Cook.
You can expect some country, some pop, a little bit of western swing, some singer-songwriter, and last but never, least some rock.
Let's do this!
Artist: Justin Fancy
Hometown: Conception Bay South, NL
Genre: Country
Related: Brooks and Dunn, Luke Combs, Alan Jackson
Song: Sure Beats A Good Time
Notes: Sure Beats A Good Thing is the title track and first single and video from Justin Fancy's debut album, which was released on September 25. On the track, Fancy's rich voice and understated guitar licks play perfectly. He sings about navigating the change in life priorities that go hand-in-hand with the transition from carefree youth to adult. Big Brother Canada (Season 7/2019) contestant and fellow Newfoundlander Samantha Picco, reprises her role as Fancy's love interest in the new video. She also appeared in his previous video for Think About You.
Artist: Victoria Anthony
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Genre: Pop
Related: Tate McRae, P!NK, Dua Lipa
Song: Real Life
Notes: "The meaning behind that song and Real Life, in general, is about living in the moment and going for what you want," she declared. "The lyrics 'I don't wanna sleep' and 'There's a spark in my system been burning for days' both stem from just being so engaged and in love with what you're doing, and with life in general, that you do not want to stop, even for something as vital as sleep. I see the song as an accurate metaphor for life."
Just two and a half years after she became a viral sensation singing to her idol P!NK at Rogers Arena in her hometown of Vancouver, Victoria Anthony has released her debut album Real Life along with a video for the title track.
So inspired by P!NK's words to her to "never give up" she started writing her own songs and was able to record with some of Canada's biggest producers. Victoria's been attentive to every detail leading up to the release of Real Life, including having played an active roll in her branding, on the artistic and visual aesthetics related to everything from the album artwork and singles covers, to conceptualizing and even co-directing her own videos. We featured her first single release in a 5 Quick Questions segment in August.
Artist: The Western Swing Authority
Hometown: Kitchener, ON
Genre: Western Swing
Related: The Time Jumpers, Carolyn Martin, Hot Texas Swing Band
Song: This Old Bar
Notes: The video for This Old Bar serves to highlight both the love and comfort of your favourite bar while reminding us of the cold, dissonant reality of those places during the worldwide pandemic.
"The song was originally written about the Commercial Tavern in Maryhill, Ontario, where we first played together as a band, but the song could really be about any bar that is near and dear to the listener," says Western Swing Authority Frontman Shane Guse. "Then COVID-19 happened and the Commercial Tavern, which first opened its doors in 1854, closed as part of the shutdown. Our good friend and country singer, Paul Weber, who owns the Commercial Tavern, and who is one of the guest performers on this song, was left with a very uncertain future. It was very obvious that musicians and the venues we play were all facing a very similar plight. No shows, no crowds, no way to make a living. So, we started thinking about how we could address this within a video."
WSA contacted many venues across North America, and as the images rolled in, they highlighted how big this situation truly is. You can help by donating to NIVA Emergency Relief Fund. Donate now to #SaveOurStages. Visit this link, choose your favourite artist, and donate.
Artist: Shayne Cook
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
Related: Allan Rayman, The Revivalists, Jack Garratt
Song: Stawell Gift
Notes: The press release for Shayne Cook opens with "The first-time hearing Shayne Cook's debut record Epiphonetics is akin to finding a contemplative, understated needle in a haystack of noise. The album finds the Australian native standing confidently in the shadows of Jeff Buckley, The National and Nick Cave, among others, delivering a record layered with twists and turns of subtle musical complexity."
That's a bold statement. Luckily he backs it up with a unique voice, both vocally and lyrically.
"I've always been a fan of albums you can put on and listen the whole way through," Cook says. "And that's what I really hoped this album would be: To present something to the listener that made sense in the bigger context of the record being a work of art. I wanted to make something that was both wide-ranging but maintained a sense of cohesion throughout."
I entirely agree with Shayne. To find out more about Shayne Cook, watch the video for Stawell Gift, and then click through his links.
Artist: FAIRGALE
Hometown: St. John's, NL
Genre: Rock
Related: Poor Young Things, The Honest Heart Collective, The Trews
Song: What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger
Notes: "There is an irony in Newfoundland rock band FAIRGALE releasing its new single What Doesn't Kill Us (Makes Us Stronger) in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. In fact, aside from the eerily prophetic title, the anthemic, arena-ready track was born while Fairgale guitarist and vocalist Andrew Rodgers was "stuck" home for a 14-day isolation period following a winter trip to warmer climes." - VIA PR
If you're looking for guitar-driven heartland rock you've found it. The song's uplifting chorus betrays seriousness of the subject matter. We listen as the song's protagonist makes his best effort holds onto someone slowly slipping out of his life.
"The song is all about someone trying to keep a grasp on a person, and their relationship, both of which are slipping away due to substance abuse," the singer offers. "Of all the songs written during those 14 days, it came together the easiest. The way in which everything fell into place, it was almost effortless." - Andrew Rodgers
FAIRGALE is made up of Andrew Rodgers, Brad Tuck, Stephen Green, and Gary Powers. They're indie and I hope you like what you hear.