Jesse and Dylan tackle Ottawa Pop Punk band Quinnzelle and their self-titled debut EP. It’s hard, heavy, and a little raunchy; it hit all of Dylan’s Blink 182 nostalgia buttons. Jesse contemplates the nature of authenticity and appreciates the rhythm section. There’s also some talk about Star Wars, and we get news of the podcast being contacted from other worlds (well, the United States at least). Have a seat and get ready to go back to the late 90s as you enjoy Quinnzelle!
Episode 67: Tea & Table Talk w/ Ai Rei
After her debut release with Ink Sticks and Stones, Jesse sat down with Ai Rei to dig into her making her first record, All That Gets Left Behind. Ai Rei gets into her unique sound and influences, and the balance between careers both behind the scenes and front and center as a performer. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all from AFL!
Episode 66: Carmen Toth
There’s more than a few flavours in this pack of bubblegum. A mature take on finding strength and yourself after love, Safety Net is a take on 80’s pop, full of shimmering synths and catchy hooks but grounded in brutally honest lyrics. Ethereal, fun and edgier than her first release, Carmen draws on Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper, and Stevie Nicks in this incredible, personal follow-up record. Find her at carmentoth.com and get in the loop!
Episode 65: Ink Sticks & Stones
Today we tackle the delightfully difficult to categorize Ink Sticks and Stone’s release All That Gets Left Behind. It’s a storyteller’s epic that weaves in classical piano, Chinese mythology, French waltz, and folk noir to create an utterly unique sound so get in the loop!
Re-release Episode 31: SirenPhase
In memory of Corey Woodrich. Rock in peace.
Windsor-based metal prog rock with an intense apocalyptic maybe-not-so-distant future narrative. The most densely concise concept album we’ve done on AFL, its Siren Phase’s Origins EP. Dylan muses on the influences of H.R. Gieger in sci-fi, and Jess recounts her experience with The Purge franchise. Check them out at sirenphase.bandcamp.com for this and more releases from them!
Episode 64: Felix’s Belt
A return to funky form, we’ve got a new release from Felix’s Belt (previously known as Thunderfunk) and things get groovy. Building on their previous work, the band takes funk, soul, gospel, jazz and 70’s bachelor pad organ sounds to new heights, tightly executed on a 5-track no filler record. Get in the loop!
Episode 63: Alvvays
Shiny 80s brit pop meets indie rock shoe gaze with Toronto’s Alvvays. Blending new wave synths with hints of distorted guitar tones, their second release Antisocialites has range in every sense. Sonically massive, it’s a spacious and colourful record that is both washy and crisp. Masterful production, honest and dynamic emotional moments, and an ode to Jim Reid (Jesus and Mary Chain) make this sophomore record a perfect introduction to their sound.
Episode 62: Strictly Purple
Strictly Purple‘s Forgotten Songs EP is a mixed bag of folksy-stripped down shoegaze with two contrasting vocalists and great ambient synths. At their best when sharing a tune, Adam and Amina bring together strength and vulnerability, creating both smoothly, haunting surrealism and rougher emotionally raw takes. Forgotten Songs these will not be.
EXCLUSIVE RELEASE: Yanis’ The Land of Ooo
Inner circle lovers rejoice. You can hear Yanis’ newest release through us ONLY! Shout out to wakinglifestudios.com where this track was produced. First time clients receive their first track free, so check them out RIGHT NOW because we ain’t gettin any younger.
Episode 61: T&T w/ Jamie Reaume + EXCLUSIVE release of Yanis’ In The Land of Ooo
Jesse sits down with Jamie Reaume to talk music biz etiquette, collaboration and the team we don’t always see, the philosophy of creation, and how Windsor and Toronto’s music scene’s vary greatly. BONUS exclusive FIRST listen of Yanis’ newest track, only available through AFL, In The Land of Ooo. Get in the loop!