Author Archives: Bryce Taylor

TikTok… It was just a matter of time until Mother Mother’s popularity exploded

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Mother Mother became possibly the most popular BC band in the world. That’s not even hyperbole.

How it happened though isn’t your typical story. While the band was popular and had built a strong following since their 2007 debut album Touch Up, they exploded in 2020 when their sophomore effort O My Heart went viral on TikTok.

The lyrics for “Hayloft” were searched for more than any other song in the world at one point! The song became so popular they even made a “Hayloft II” in 2022. They jumped right up to #11 on Rolling Stone’s Top 25 Breakthrough Artists for an album that came out 12 years prior! Unreal.

The band came from humble beginnings in Quadra Island, BC. I’ll admit, I had to look up where that even is. If you’re wondering, it’s an Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island. The band members are Ryan Guldemond (guitar, vocals), Molly Guldemond (vocals, keyboard), Jasmin Parkin (vocals, keyboard), Ali Siadat (drums), and Mike Young (bass), who replaced Jeremy Page in 2016.

They’re a band that I’ve always liked, but never really delved into. Once I did though, I found that they’re an awesome band. Each album has its merits and its own feel. I’ve always been a huge fan of bands that make every album feel different in its own way.

That’s exactly what Mother Mother has done.

Touch Up is very experimental and maybe the most all over the place. They were still finding themselves. There’s almost too much going on in parts, but there are good songs on it. O My Heart is incredible, though. It’s not perfect by any means, but they really hit their stride here. It didn’t go viral for nothing, some of their best songs are on this one. If you want to check them out for the first time, this is the place to start.

Eureka (2011) leans a lot more into the pop category, but the change in tone isn’t for the worse. I really like this one. This one is the best album to dance to. It’s very catchy but still retains that classic angsty Mother Mother sound.

The Sticks (2012) is good and keeps a bit of the vibe that Eureka put out, but it’s not as consistent. The good is very good, but there are more skippable songs in my opinion. Very Good Bad Thing (2014) has a few good songs, especially Monkey Tree, but overall, it’s my least favorite effort.

I like No Culture (2017) a lot. I think they got back on track here. By this point, they had become fully pop, but it works for them. It’s good pop music. A much more consistent effort here. I’d recommend this one for sure.

Dance and Cry (2018) is a good effort. There are high points and low points, but the highs outweigh the lows. “Back to Life” and “It’s Alright” are a couple worth checking out. And their most recent album, Inside (2021) is something else. There’s a dark feel to it, and it makes it stand out from the pack. There’s a different kind of energy here. Almost like they were rejuvenated from their TikTok fame.

Overall, Mother Mother is a great band that deserves the recognition they’ve received in recent years. It’s nice to see when a local band blows up in any way. Here’s to the continued success of Mother Mother.

JP Maurice: Pressure makes diamonds

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JP Maurice is an incredibly talented musician. His style of indie pop in many ways redefines what pop music can be. It’s catchy, has depth, and most of all, hits hard lyrically. He’s been a staple of the Vancouver music scene for a long time now.

While he is a great performer, where he really shines is in production. His Mom bought him a Tascam 4track tape recorder when he was 14, and the rest, as they say, is history.

As he developed his abilities in the studio, he produced music for Hannah Georges, Gold + Youth, Said the Whale, Hey Ocean, Shad, Mother Mother, and even Pink!

He’s made five albums as a performer, starting with Noverdubs in 2011. It’s mellow and soothing. He followed that up with The Arborist in 2013, which is more up-tempo than his debut release. It still has that mellow vibe to it, but it feels more layered and energetic.

Years went by until he released his third album in 2018, called Boys. In typical JP Maurice fashion, this so-called pop album redefines the genre. It’s so much more than pop. I’m a big fan of “Shapeshifter” and “Yo Yo.” He released A Blue Light Christmas in 2019. Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of Christmas music, so this album isn’t for me. But if Christmas music is up your alley, you’ll enjoy this one.

Pressure Makes Diamonds (2021) was his fifth album, and in my opinion, his best. The tone is much different from his previous albums, and I think this makes for a unique sound. I think the fact that it came out during the pandemic The lead single, “Unstoppable” is optimistic and sends a strong message. “Runaway” is one of his most energetic songs, and it’s one where I can’t help but tap my foot and bob my head. It’s a jam. I think my favorite song though is “Black as Black.” It gives me the feeling of riding a horse at sundown in the scorching heat. The line “I was lost, and I wasn’t sure what I was meant to be” speaks to me. It brings me back to where I was a couple of years ago before I went back to school and my life was running in circles.

His final release, an EP called Twins, was released on January 1st this year. It was made alongside Chris Gay and Kate Nash. It feels a lot more experimental but still has a lot going for it. Worth a listen for sure.

If you want to see JP Maurice live, you’ll get your chance in June. He plays at Guilt & Co in Vancouver on June 10th and follows that up with shows in Nanaimo, Victoria, Comox, and Salt Spring Island from June 14th – 17th.

If you can’t make it, don’t fret. You can hear JP Maurice consistently on Evolution 107.9. Tune in now!

We welcome Ruby Waters to Evolution with “Open Arms”

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Ruby Waters makes soothing music that makes you think. Her music is introspective about her relationships and life. This leads to a very raw sound that’s as real as it gets. She doesn’t make it difficult to see the real person inside. That very real emotion makes her relatable.

In a song like “Quantum Physics,” she sings about relationships today, and how hard they are. How when she’s in a relationship, she has one foot out the door. She loves him, but also, like f*** him. The toxicity of dating culture these days is tough, and she pours that emotion into her music. You can empathize with her because these issues are prevalent in today’s society.

Ruby began performing in bars in Shelbourne, Ontario when she was 13 years old. After struggling for years, her popularity grew when the music video for “Sweet Sublime” blew up. She followed that up with “Supernatural” and “Last Cigarette.” These songs were all on her first EP Almost Naked, released in 2019.

The pandemic put a damper on her touring plans, so she bunkered down and finished her second EP, If It Comes Down to It, which was released in late 2020. She received a Juno nomination for alternative album of the year at the 2022 Juno Awards but came up short. This EP features songs like the previously mentioned “Quantum Physics,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Difficult,” and “On the Rocks.”

Since the pandemic came to a halt, she’s gone back to touring. She played in Vancouver last fall, and she’ll be returning later this summer on August 25th at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby.

Don’t miss it! She’s one of the most talented up-and-coming Canadian musicians today, so hop on the bandwagon before she blows up. I think it’s only a matter of time. She’s too talented not to. She’s preparing to release her debut studio album soon, and when that happens, I think her popularity will skyrocket.

She’s released a few singles since then in preparation. Last fall, “Open Arms” was released to critical acclaim. It’s such a powerful song that sends a powerful message. “And it’s okay if today feels harder than yesterday. Oh yeah, just welcome it with open arms.” Just keep on pushing. Some days suck, but grey clouds will clear. Just keep on pushing and it will get better.

Don’t miss Ruby Waters live on August 25th in Burnaby at Deer Lake Park! It’ll be a show you won’t forget! And tune into Evolution 107.9 to hear the rising star.

Arctic Monkeys will be live in Vancouver this September!

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Arctic Monkeys are one of the most iconic indie bands of all time. They formed in Sheffield, England in 2002. They’re one of the first bands to use the internet to create a buzz. In a lot of ways, they broke the mold of how to market and promote a band. By the time their first album (Whatever People Say, That’s What I’m Not) was released in 2006, they were already hugely popular. It became the fastest-selling debut album in UK history and is considered one of the greatest debut albums of all time. It won Best British Album at the 2007 Brit Awards

Right now, the band features Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Jamie Cook (guitar, keyboards), Nick O’Malley (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Matt Helders (drums, backing vocals). Andy Nicholson left the band in 2006 shortly after their debut album was released. He was replaced by O’Malley in time for their second album, Favorite Worst Nightmare (2007). The accolades kept coming with this release, as they won Best British Album for the second year in a row.

They released Humbug in 2009 and Suck It and See in 2011. But they broke out internationally with their fifth album, AM (2013). The biggest hit, “Do I Wanna Know?” was certified platinum in the United States and topped four Billboard charts. The album also won them their third Best British Album at the 2014.

After taking a five-year break, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino came out in 2018, followed by The Car in 2022. Both were once again commercial and critical successes. It’s unreal the accolades and accomplishments Arctic Monkeys have racked up over the years. Everything they touch turns to gold. Or Platinum. It’s honestly too much to even get into, but every release has been nominated for multiple awards worldwide, and every album has won awards.

They’re considered one of the greatest bands of all time, especially in the UK. What separates them from the pack is while other bands have fallen off and put out subpar work, Arctic Monkeys have remained consistent and put out some of their best work in recent years. If you’ve never listened to them before, you might want to change that. They are true legends of the music industry.

They’ve influenced artists like Black Midi, Blossoms, Fontaines D.C., Wallows, The 1975, Halsey, Yungblud, Lewis Capaldi, Louis Tomlinson, Mahalia, Arlo Parks, Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, Bring Me the Horizon, Måneskin, Hozier, Slowthai, JID, and Earthgang.

If you’re an Arctic Monkeys fan, you’re in luck. They’ll be live at Pacific Coliseum on September 23 in Vancouver! Don’t miss out on one of the most influential bands of all time!

Laketown Shakedown returns to Lake Cowichan on Canada Day weekend

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Cowichan

Ashley/Flickr

One of the biggest annual music festivals in BC, Laketown Shakedown is returning this summer to Lake Cowichan, BC! The three-day festival, which runs from June 30th – July 2nd, has a stacked lineup that you’re not going to want to miss.

The Friday lineup (June 30th) will feature Third Eye Blind, Reignwolf, Bif Naked, SonReal, Vinyl Ritchie, Blonde Diamond, Wet Future, Nokturnal Funk, and DJ Primitive. I think I’d be most excited for Third Eye Blind, and Bif Naked on this day. I’ll admit though that this is the weakest day of the weekend in my opinion.

Saturday, which is also Canada Day, will see Portugal. The Man, Everlast, K’naan, Busty and the Bass, Reve, Nicky Genesis, The Gaff, Pastel Blank, DJ All Good, Jennay Badger, Blase Blase, Lost Octave, and Xavier Francis. Overall, this is the most top-heavy day for me. I’m a huge fan of Everlast and Portugal. The Man. Portugal’s 2013 album Best Friends is probably one of my favorite albums of the 2010s. I would highly recommend checking it out. I even made the effort of buying it on vinyl because I like it that much.

The last day is Sunday (July 2nd) and will be headlined by Shaggy. It will also see Aqua, Classified, The Boom Booms, DJ Shub, Missy D, Sivz, Father Funk, The New Groovement, Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness, GI Blunt, Bass Collective, and Shale. While I enjoy Everlast, and Portugal the most on the tour, I think this is the most consistent day. Shaggy, Classified, and Aqua are all huge acts that would be worth the price of admission alone. The Boom Booms are also a great band and can be heard here on Evolution 107.9.

Over the three days, there will be a load of incredible talent. It’s hard to say which day is the most stacked, that probably depends on your preference. I think they spread the talent out well over the festival to make it worth checking out all three days.

Last year’s show was headlined by Wu-Tang Clan, Sugar Ray, The Glorious Sons, Arkells, and LIGHTS, and supplemented by Vince Vaccaro, Murge, Dear Rouge, and the Halluci Nation.

If you missed out, it’s time to rectify that this year. Camping is available for the whole three-day span too so you can stay on-site. Why not spend an unforgettable weekend in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Canada Day weekend? It will be one for the books!

J.J. Wilde’s rise to stardom is truly wild!

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Jillian Dowding, better known to the world as J.J. Wilde, is a Canadian singer from Kitchener, Ontario. She got a big break in college at an open-mic night and the event coordinator Chuck Erman heard her and got her some performing gigs. She was taking musical theatre in college at the time, and her instructors were quite hard on her and told her things like “You don’t have a good singing voice, it’s too low, or it’s not for music theatre, or you have a lazy voice.”

Oh, how wrong they were.

She uses that raspy, low voice to her benefit. It helps her stand out above the pack.

She released her first EP, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands in 2019, and never looked back. It only has four songs, but man, are they ever good! “Wired” is one of my favorite songs she’s made, and “The Rush” is awesome too, and was also a big hit. She wrote the song one morning when she was late for work, hungover, and still wearing her clothes from last night. We’ve all been there before.

She released her debut album, Ruthless, in 2020. It featured the songs from her EP, plus other great songs like “Gave it All,” and another one of my favorites, “Cold Shoulder.” This album lead to her winning Rock Album of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards, the first woman to win the award since Alanis Morrissette won in 1996. That’s an incredible accomplishment that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

She didn’t stop there though. She followed her album up with the singles “Best Boy” and “Mercy.” They were both featured on her 2021 EP Wilde. Another great effort by an incredible performer. Other songs like “Bushweed,” “Off the Rails,” and “Someone Under You” will also rock your socks off. Perhaps my favorite song of this EP though is a cover with Brett Emmons from The Glorious Sons of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” Just a great piece of work.

She released a joint EP called Born To Die with Billy Raffoul later in 2021 featuring three songs. She hasn’t released anything since, though. I’m crossing my fingers we get something soon. I feel like we’re due for some new JJ Wilde in our lives.

If you fancy seeing her live, she’ll be performing on Friday, July 7 at the TILT Summer Series in Victoria. Don’t miss your chance to see a show you’ll never forget!

Dear Rouge are leaving their mark on the BC music scene

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Have you heard of Dear Rouge? They’re a married Vancouver alt-rock duo that formed in 2012. It features Drew McTaggart and his wife Danielle. They were both in separate bands when they met. Drew was in a Vancouver band called Maclean, while Danielle was in a duo called Gaetz Ave, named after the street she grew up on in Red Deer. Her trend of naming her bands after where she came from continued with Dear Rouge. Rouge means red in French, so if you translate the band, it’s Red Dear.

When they started dating, they decided to leave their previous bands behind and create Dear Rouge. They wasted no time in releasing their first EP, Heads Up! Watch Out! in April 2012, and followed that up with Kids Wanna Know in October. About a month after its release, the duo entered a Now radio competition here in Vancouver and won over $100 000!

Dear Rouge released a single called “I Heard I Had” in 2013 and charted in many top 100 lists in Canada, peaking at #3 in alternative rock on Mediabase. Subsequent singles would sporadically be released as they prepped for their debut album in 2016, called Black to Gold. The other singles for this album were “Best Look Lately,” “Tongues,” and “Black to Gold.” It’s a great album that I’d highly recommend.

The album lead to them winning Breakthrough Group of the Year at the 2016 Juno Awards, and deservedly so. They performed the theme song for the TV show Private Eyes, which was a Hall & Oates cover. You guessed it, called Private Eyes too.

They toured after the release of Black to Gold while also writing their second album, PHASES. In my opinion, they really found their sound with this one. It pops more and features a lot more range than their first effort. The singles for it are “Boys & Blondes,” “Live Through the Night,” and “CHAINS.” This album gave them two awards at the 2018 Western Canada Music Awards for Pop Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

Last year, their third album was released, called Spirit. Another excellent album for Dear Rouge. I don’t think it’s quite up to the level of their first two efforts, but still a good time.

Give them a listen, and if you want to see them live, now’s your chance. They have a few shows in BC this summer: June 3rd in Kamloops, July 7th in Whistler, and August 4th in Saint John. I’ll be in Kamloops this Summer, so I think I’ll be seeing them there.

Listen to Evolution 107.9 to hear Dear Rouge!

The Beaches at the Orpheum

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The Beaches are coming to Vancouver on Sunday, November 12, and tickets are on sale now! They went on sale today at 10 am. Get on it now for the first crack at them.

The Beaches are a Toronto-based all-woman indie rock band from Toronto that’s been taking the radio by storm in recent years. It features Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass), Kylie Miller (guitar, backing vocals), Leandra Earl (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums). Jordan and Kylie are sisters.

The band formed in 2011 in high school as Done with Dolls and performed the theme song for the Family Channel sitcom Really Me. They renamed themselves The Beaches in 2013, which is a tribute to the neighborhood they grew up in. They released two EPs: The Beaches (2013) and Heights (2014).

 They signed with Island Records in 1016 and blew up with their debut 2017 album, Late Show. Singles off this album, “Money” and “T-Shirt” were big hits and their popularity skyrocketed. “T-Shirt” reached #1 on the Canadian Billboard 100. They deservedly won Breakthrough Group of the Year at the 2018 Juno Awards. The band just straight-up rocks, and they aren’t afraid to be themselves. You can like them or love them, but what you see is what you get.

Since then, they released EPs The Professional, Future Lovers, and End of Summer. They toured with The Glorious Sons and Passion Pit in 2019 and were the opening act for The Rolling Stones Toronto concert from their 2019 tour.

Their second album, Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Album) was released last year. It was well received and won Rock Album of the Year at the 2022 Juno Awards. It’s amazing how much music they’ve released in the past 6 years. They must be so busy all the time. Plus, all of the tours too. They are putting in the work to get to the top of the Canadian music scene. One could argue that they’re already there. They’ve permeated Canadian pop culture and don’t appear to be going anywhere.

And they’ve released two singles in the past two weeks in preparation for their third studio album. These songs are “Blame Brett” and “Everything Is Boring.” Go check them out, they’re great songs and they represent The Beaches well. Check out the music video for “Blame Brett” on YouTube.

They’re one of the hottest Canadian bands today and for good reason. Now’s your chance to see them at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver for the Blame My Ex Tour on November 12th. Don’t miss out!

The Blue Stones just don’t miss

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The Blue Stones have come a long way in their short tenure. I remember hearing their first couple of singles on the radio, and I liked what I heard. Their singles “Black Holes (Solid Ground)” and “Be My Fire” from their debut album Black Holes (2018) caught my eye right off the bat. The band from Windsor, Ontario was nominated for Breakthrough Group of the Year at the 2020 Juno Awards, but they lost to Neon Dreams.

The band followed up their debut album with Hidden Gems (2021). This is my favorite Blue Stones album. “Shakin’ Off the Rust,” “One by One,” “Careless,” “Grim,” and “Let it Ride” are my top picks. I feel like this is the album where they found themselves and their sound.

They didn’t waste any time releasing their third album, Pretty Monster (2022). This one was a nice follow-up to their sophomore effort. Songs like “Don’t Miss,” “Good Ideas,” and “What’s it Take to Be Happy” are all great efforts that represent the band well.

They’ve carved out a nice little niche in Canada, and Vancouver is no different. They’ve played here a few times, including twice in the past year. They played at the Commodore Ballroom on May 22, 2022, for the Hidden Gems tour, and at the Vogue Theatre on November 25th, 2022, for the Pretty Monster tour.

They don’t have any dates scheduled for Vancouver right now, so here’s to hoping that they schedule something soon. I couldn’t attend either of their 2022 shows, but I’d like to see them next time.

Have you heard The Blue Stones before? If you haven’t, I’d highly recommend checking them out.

What’s especially impressive about them, is that they’re only a duo. Tarek Jafar handles the vocals, guitar, bass, and keys, while Justin Tessier is on percussion and backup vocals. I’ve got to hand it to Jafar, who performs the bulk of their instruments. That is one highly talented man.

You can hear The Blue Stones here on Evolution 107.9 so keep that station tuned, and keep your eyes peeled for future releases!

I look forward to seeing what they bring to the table in future releases, as they’ve knocked it out of the park so far. I see them only getting better and better as they release more in the coming years. They’re sure to be remembered as one of the great Canadian rock bands of this era.

It’s true, The Blue Stones just don’t miss.

Grandson at the Harbour Events Centre on August 2

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Have you listened to Grandson before? He’s a solo producer, singer/songwriter who makes a wide range of types of music. He’s considered to be alt-rock, rap, rock, alternative, hip-hop, trap, and EDM. Sometimes all at once, and sometimes he transitions between them. What results from this style of producing is a sound that is hard to pin down.

Grandson, whose real name is Jordan Benjamin, was born in Englewood, New Jersey, but moved to Toronto when he was only three years old and has dual citizenship. As a child, his favorite bands were Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin. These legendary groups inspire his music to this day.

His songs touch on controversial topics like financial inequality, governmental and environmental accountability, and social justice, plus personal issues like adolescence, relationships, and the insecurities and difficulties of growing up through your 20s. The music sends a powerful message.

I first heard the single “Blood // Water” in 2018, which was a big hit that skyrocketed his popularity and took him to the next level. Other songs like “Bury Me Face Down,” “Best Friends,” and “thoughts & prayers” helped raise his profile so that by the time his first EP came out in 2018, called A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1, he was already extremely popular, and that popularity has continued to climb. He followed that up with A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2, and A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3 in 2019.

Impressively, he then released his debut album, Death of an Optimist in 2020. That’s three EPs and an album in less than two years! How does he have any free time being this busy?

He took a bit of a break during the pandemic, but things ramped up last year as he prepared to release his second album, which featured three singles. That album, called I Love You, I’m Trying was released on May 5th, so go check it out. It’s a lot more mellow than his previous work, which tended to be very angry and angsty. My favorite song on this album is “Eulogy.” You know what a new album means: A tour.

And that tour will stop here in Vancouver on Wednesday, August 2 at the Harbour Events Centre!

Now’s your chance to get your tickets to see one of the fastest-rising indie artists in North America! You’d better hurry, as the show is selling fast and will likely sell out soon.