Drawing influences from the halcyon days of '70s prog bands like Weather Report and King Crimson and the modern jazz psychedelia stylings of BADBADNOTGOOD or Kamasi Washington, Squids takes their listeners on universal and jam-centric thrill rides.

The debut album, Possijams, mixes ethereal vocals, groove-tempered bass lines, nostalgia-vibed synth chords, flawless avant-garde guitar hooks, and drum beats that would give the greats a run for their money. Simply, Squids creates textural sonic paragons that leave the listener frantically jumping to the next track. 

The lead single "Yeax11," the most radio-friendly of the tracks, is as cinematic as it is experimental and it puts the listener in states of harmonious bliss, pairing nicely with clips of exploratory art-house films.

Possijams' opener "King of the Henday," takes the audience to the psychedelic world of Albertan highways—featuring samples of truckers talking about the perils of the road as a wave of whimsical instrumentation washes over the track.

Tracks also simultaneously bleed into each other, like with the freakout instrumental "Hot Pocket Picker" ending on the same opening note as "True Religion Gene Principe."

The hallucinatory vocals in "True Religion Gene Principe" are also sung in a multi-coloured lense and at times, the track sounds reminiscent of Pink Floyds's "One of These Days."

As they do best, Squids beautifully interweaves a cornucopia of instrumental madness that begs for a repeat in order to catch a sound or phrase that was missed.

"Popadynetz" is like a musical amphetamine that conveys the true musicianship of every member of Squids, containing instrumental breakdowns that leave the listener in a perpetual state of disbelief.

Yes,  Possijams is an album meant to be played loud and all the way through and though Squids is a band that is meant to be experienced live, this album is the perfect way to sate an old and new fan's hunger.

Following up their previously-released single, "My Darlin,'" Victoria, BC's new nostalgic Folk-Americana group, CALICO, are ready to release their debut LP, Under a Sudden Sun.

Named after that magical moment when the first light of the day peaks out from behind the hills, Under a Sudden Sun is a tranquil and meditative experience.

Guided by the soothing voice of lead singer-songwriter, Tony Cecchetti, Under a Sudden Sun seamlessly weaves its listeners in and out of consciousness.

The album begins with "A Little Light," a chill jam about the curiosity of life, featuring Bob Dylan-esque poetic verse, soft acoustic guitar, bright lead licks, and a thrilling, yet calming drum beat. It's a perfect opener to set the tone of Under a Sudden Sun.

Soon after comes "American Gold," a reflective track about the tumultuous situation in the United States during Donald Trump's presidency. Tony saw his home country moving away from the golden rule, the basic ideal many elders have always taught their children—do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

"This song is about how the colour of your skin determines how you are viewed and treated. It is about racial and social inequality," Tony says. "It is about a country so consumed by its own strength that it has lost sight of human dignity and decency."

Next comes "Autumn's Haze," a track that feels ancestral with its percussion and subtle slide guitar. Then the bass kicks in, putting the listener into a hazy trance. The song is inspired by a piece of art Tony was gifted, featuring a superimposed photo of a fallen tree in a lake on a piece of cedar. For Tony, it represented an "unfinished dream" and had a correlation with Heaven and Hell.

 As we leave one of the most turbulent years in recent history, the lead single "Hold Your Head Up" shines as the folk-rock tune we all desperately need. Tony was also able to collaborate with Dave Beckingham of Hey Ocean!—who composed the beautiful chord progression on the track.

"'Hold Your Head Up' is about perseverance, overcoming adversity, and facing hardships and challenges head-on," Tony says. "I hope it brings hope to those in need of a brighter day."

Under a Sudden Sun comes to a fulfilling close with "Oh My Mind,"  a calming track about searching for that special something or someone to fill the void.

"The song is about love and knowing that there is a soul out there that is also searching for companionship and longing for connection to journey through this chaotic life with, and the hope and knowing that those two souls will one day meet," Tony says.

CALICO is a band birthed by the pandemic. In early 2020, as his six-month-old daughter slept, Tony decided to record all of the songs he had written over the years in his living room. He soon looked to his friend Chris Couto to produce the songs and add percussion. Tony and Chris were used to playing the songs together as they had played them live to accompany yoga classes in Squamish, BC.

Soon after, Tony and Chris began CALICO and the two recruited their friends JeanSe Le Doujet (Bass) and Will Lloyd (Electric Guitar)—to add their own parts to each song. Recording Under a Sudden Sun was a completely organic experience, as no firm direction was given on any song, letting every member add their own musical flavour from miles away.

The result is a one-of-a-kind album that begs to be listened to front-to-back and on repeat.

Building off the "lonesome stranger" aura of their last single "Drifter," Boston's smokey Americana/ traditional folk-bluegrass trio, The Old North, is ready to release their Ghost EP.

The four-song EP picks up where "Drifter" left off, containing catchy tunes about love, heartbreak, and the metaphorical dance of life, using the backbone of historical fiction as a catalyst for inspiration.

"Southbound" follows the story of a death row inmate lamenting and reliving his days as an outlaw while the melodic gypsy jazz instrumentation has room to play. As as he plays the part of an old train robber, frontman Andrew O'Keeffe's voice is equal parts raspy ecstasy and passionate torment. The track romanticizes the Old West while light-heartedly shedding light on its many burdens.

Similar in feeling is "Wild Ways," an excitable blues-country ditty about leaving a life of lawlessness for a mysterious love. What's genius about the song is it could once again take place during the American Frontier, or a modern cityscape. The Old North leaves it vague enough for the listener to decide.

"Starling" is about making the most out of the unfamiliar situations life has a tendency to throw at you. It's a bouncing slow-burn with a relatable message—after a little self-reflection, any bleak situation is an opportunity to grow as a human being. The melodic piano here from guest musician, Aaron SaidiZand, is subtle but a standout moment on Ghost.

The final and title track "Ghost" is just as ethereal as its name suggests, utilizing the haunting atmosphere of the fiddle, played by Eddie Dickerson, to ground you in a forlorn folk melancholy. It's easily the most vulnerable track on the EP, about an abrupt end to a relationship.

The Ghost EP is another stepping stone for The Old North, conveying the collective maturity and confidence of a band carefully honing out their songwriting craft. The Old North also has plans to release two singles and another EP in 2022.

Song Credits

Written by: Andrew O'Keeffe (The Old North)

Recorded at: Quad Lakeside Studio, Raymond, ME / The Record Co., Boston, MA

Engineered/Mixed/Produced by: Max Liebman

Performed by: The Old North (Andrew O'Keeffe: Vocals/Acoustic Guitar, Hayes Cummings: Lead Guitar, Max Liebman: Bass/Backup Vocals)

Featured performers: Eddie Dickerson: Fiddle, Aaron SaidiZand: Piano

Mastered by: Scott T. Craggs