Progressive rock outfit The Far Cry returns with Once There Was, a sweeping, detail-rich collection that leans fully into the genre’s core traditions while exploring new sonic territory with a clear sense of purpose. The band, consisting of Jeff Brewer (vocals, bass), Robert Hutchinson (drums), Chris Dabbo (keyboards), and new guitarist Brendan Kinchla, delivers a sophomore release that builds on the momentum of their 2021 debut If Only, bringing with it an expanded musical and emotional reach. Once There Was is not an album that aims for accessibility or easy hooks. Instead, it offers an intricate and layered listening experience,…
Author: Nadia Elkharadly
San Diego’s Taz Taylor Band returns with “Lonely I Ride,” a new single that sets the stage for their upcoming eighth studio album The Other Side of Midnight, due out May 14. Known for their melodic hard rock sound rooted in the traditions of bands like Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Van Halen, and Journey, the group continues to blend classic rock influences with contemporary energy on this emotionally driven track. “Lonely I Ride” offers a meditative reflection on solitude and resilience, combining a steady, mid-tempo groove with expressive guitar work and a commanding vocal performance. The track introduces a notable…
With the release of their fourth single, “Morbid Love,” The Beatroot Road once again reaffirms their position as fearless explorers in the landscape of global music. This international alternative-world music duo, led by producer and percussionist Mark Russell and violin innovator Hazel Fairbairn, have built more than just songs — they’ve created a living, breathing cultural movement. “Morbid Love” is a frantic, fiery fusion of punk, rockabilly, Celtic soul, and raw rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a blistering anthem of heartbreak and self-destruction, carried with visceral emotion by guest vocalist Katie Burke from Nashville. In just a few breathless minutes, The…
On Floodplain Canticles, the latest release from Washington D.C.’s avant-garde post-punk collective Zabus, the listener is invited into a space that is as unsettling as it is meditative. Out now via Saccharine Underground, the album continues founder Jeremy Moore’s longstanding exploration of grief, spiritual evolution, and psychological introspection through a dense, genre-defiant sound. Zabus emerged in 2023 as a natural progression of Moore’s previous musical efforts, including projects like Thee Rise Ov Sadistic Youth, Zero Swann, and Gorazde. Formed as a collective rather than a fixed band, Zabus draws on a rotating lineup of collaborators, bringing together elements of dark…
When Lucy Ho realized the lack of representation for girls in Canada’s tech sector, she didn’t just take note—she took action. And so Hackergal was born. Hackergal, a not-for-profit organization that introduces girls across Canada to computer science through coding education and experiences, has a powerful mission; to change the face of computer science and pave the way for a technology industry that is diverse and inclusive of girls and young women in underrepresented groups across Canada. Lucy Ho has become a champion for equity in STEM. With a background in business, education, and community engagement, Lucy has fused her…
Hunter Benson isn’t just a singer-songwriter—he’s a living testament to resilience, emotional depth, and the transformative power of music. With a voice that rasps like a weathered hymn and lyrics that cut to the bone, Benson’s latest release, “Heaven’s Letter,” is a soul-baring ballad that doesn’t just tell a story—it lives in it. A deeply personal and haunting reflection on loss, “Heaven’s Letter” is Hunter’s raw meditation on grief, drawn from the unimaginable tragedy of being struck by lightning as a child alongside his father and brother. Surviving such an event at just three years old, and witnessing the loss…
Spring is here and summer is coming. We’re going to be out and about more and more, so who wants to waste time getting ready to leave when we can just head out the door. When it comes to maintenance, brows are right up there. They frame your eyes and can make or break a look. And since no one wants to be tweezing, drawing and painting on our brows on the daily, I’ve reached out to our resident brow boss, Brittni from B. Beautiful, for her tips on how to keep high end looking brows as low maintenance as…
In a world filled with superficiality and fleeting trends, Moez Masoud emerges as force—an artist whose every word and note carries the weight of conviction, purpose, and defiance. With his new single “Here to Stay”, Masoud hasn’t just written a song; he’s crafted a rallying cry for humanity. Dedicated to the children of Palestine and Lebanon during a time of unspeakable suffering, “Here to Stay” transcends borders and speaks to anyone who has ever stood—or wished to stand—against oppression, war, and the abuse of power. It’s an unapologetically bold message, a sonic statement from a man who refuses to look…
If you’re looking for a chance to dance the night away, with a touch of the sweltering heat of the Middle East, then look no further than Laylit. The multi-destination dance event will be touching down in Toronto on April 12th, 2025. Laylit is a platform and collective celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora. Over the last six years their dance parties have carved out an unmatched place in North American and European nightlife, becoming an anticipated social gathering and unique musical experience. With recent features in the New York Times and Pitchfork and three…
Our Music Festival, an unforgettable night of music in downtown Toronto by some of Canada’s most powerful female and gender-diverse musical artists, returns in 2025 with another stacked lineup and tickets are on sale NOW. The festival will be taking place on Friday, March 7th, at Toronto’s Great Hall and will feature an exciting lineup of talented artists, including Kinnie Starr, CJ Wiley, Irene Torres, Semiah, Lala Noel, R. Flex, Cris Derksen, and Sarah MacDougall. Hosted by artistic director and festival founder Andrea Ramolo, the event promises to be a memorable celebration of diverse musical talent. Tickets can be purchased…
Brooklyn-based post-punk and psych rock band Lord Sonny the Unifier is set to release their latest album, You Were Born to Save Your Life, in February 2025. Following their 2023 album, America’s Newest Hitmaker, the new release presents a conceptually driven work that explores modern society through the eyes of a time traveler. The band, led by Greg Jiritano, has continued to evolve sonically, blending elements of psych rock, psychobilly, and goth into their signature gritty sound. Jiritano, who has long focused on the fusion of raw rock energy with deep lyrical themes, describes his approach to songwriting as highly…
Oakland-based band Idiot Grins have given the world 5 albums, and the latest is Hounds of Mess Around. Known for their fusion of R&B, soul, and alt-country, the band has developed a reputation for blending genres and taking creative risks. Their latest effort continues this trend, offering an upbeat collection of songs with danceable rhythms and layered instrumentation. Idiot Grins have been active for over a decade, releasing their debut album Quarry in 2012, followed by Big Man in 2015, and State of Health in 2017. The latter album, featuring the Byrd Sisters, produced two successful digital radio hits: “Get…
For over two decades, Vasanti Cosmetics has been redefining beauty by prioritizing diversity, inclusivity, and high-performance, cruelty-free products. What began as a frustration shared among four women—three sisters and their childhood friend—evolved into a brand that empowers individuals to look and feel like themselves. The journey, however, was anything but easy. Vasanti, from the Sanskrit word for Spring, grew from seeds planted when Monal Patel, Pinki Gosal and their friends constantly found themselves asking, “Why doesn’t makeup look good on me?” The realization hit hard: the industry simply wasn’t catering to their skin tones. “I never wore makeup growing up…
Thanks to social media trends and celebrity culture, injectables like Botox and fillers have become both a beauty staple and a cultural phenomenon. From subtle tweaks to dramatic transformations, these treatments have sparked conversations about self-expression and self-esteem, for both the globally famous and regular folks like you and me. With celebrities like Ariana Grande opening up about dissolving her fillers, to Kylie Jenner, whose famously plumped lips sparked a global lip filler craze, and “perfect wife” trope portrayed in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where beauty and outward appearance often become symbolic of success and conformity, it’s a…