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Lydia Ainsworth (Photo by Zoe Koke)
“Cake,” the new single from singer, songwriter and producer Lydia Ainsworth’s forthcoming album Sparkles & Debris, is out today with an accompanying video directed by Takeshi Suga and shot in Tokyo before the start of the pandemic.
The album, which follows 2019’s acclaimed Phantom Forest and blends live drums, guitars and bass with Ainsworth’s signature vast electronic landscapes, is due May 21 via Zombie Cat Records.
Talk Show Host (Photo by Amanda Fotes)
What’s the internet for if not to watch cat videos? Well, Parklife has the best cat video for your eyes in a while!
You see, Toronto power-pop punk trio Talk Show Host release Mid-Century Modern, their debut full-length, on June via Wiretap Records & Disconnect Disconnect Records. And the lead single, “Blood In The Sand,” is streaming everywhere, along with a new music video, which features Mila the cat.
Born Ruffians (Photo by Vanessa Heins)
Born Ruffians — Luke Lalonde, Mitch DeRosier, and Steve Hamelin — will release PULP April 16 on Yep Roc Records. The digital-only album is the band’s final release in a trilogy that began with the release of JUICE and SQUEEZE in 2020.
From the new album, the trio share “Heat Wave.”
Chromeo (Art courtesy Sacks & Co.)
Chromeo debut their surreal video for “Clorox Wipe,” directed by Patrick Jean. The track is taken from their Quarantine Casanova EP, five tracks written and recorded under lockdown and released earlier this year.
100% of net proceeds from EP digital downloads, physical sales, and merch have been donated, with $20,000 to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund plus an additional $30,000 match donation from Clorox.
Luke Lalonde (left) and Born Ruffians (Photo courtesy Yep Roc Records)
Canadian post-punks Born Ruffians are known for their high-energy shows, full of bright guitars and biting lyrics. Frontman Luke Lalonde formed the band with his collaborators in 2004, and they have released seven full-length albums and at least another three EPs. In 2020, Born Ruffians released two albums — Juice and Squeeze via Yep Roc Records — after crafting a bunch of songs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Usually, Born Ruffians are often on the road, including regular stops in DC, where they appear at venues like Black Cat and Rock and Roll Hotel. Indeed, Parklife DC considered Born Ruffian’s 2015 show at the Rock and Roll Hotel to be one of our Top 10 Concerts of the Year. While the pandemic has sidelined touring bands, Luke has been passing the time at home, and he chatted with Parklife DC about the lifeline of touring, creative writing, and the two new Born Ruffians albums.
Andy Shauf (Photo by Colin Medley)
Andy Shauf released The Neon Skyline earlier this year via ANTI_, and he next performs in a livestream to benefit Encampment Support Network Toronto via Noon Chorus on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Weather Station (Photo by Daniel Doors)
The Weather Station — project of Tamara Lindeman — marks her bold return with a new single/video, “Robber,” and an accompanying self-directed video. It’s her first release on her new label, Fat Possum, and her first new music since her acclaimed 2017 self-titled album, “that sounds as fleshed-out and powerful as the world it contains” (Pitchfork).
Born Ruffians (Photo by Vanessa Heins)
Toronto-based indie rockers Born Ruffians — Luke Lalonde (guitar/vocals), Mitch DeRosier (bass), and Steve Hamelin (drums) — return with their second album of 2020. The digital-only SQUEEZE will be out on Oct. 2 via Yep Roc Records.
For your listening pleasure, we present the track “30th Century War” from the new album.
Kathleen Edwards performs at The Birchmere in 2013. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Required Reading is Parklife DC’s essay series on music appreciation.
“The next time Kathleen plays here, we’ll be opening for her.”
Eric Brace of Last Train Home uttered those prophetic words at Arlington, Virginia’s Iota Club back in summer 2003. One of those NPR drive-way moments had put Kathleen Edwards on my radar when I heard one of her first interviews.
Her first album, Failer (Zoë Records), had just been released and when I heard its first single, “Six O’Clock News,” I was hooked.
Tedy (Photo by Mathew Guido)
Singer-songwriter Tedy recently released a video for his latest track “War” stripped down version, via Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.
“War” is the second major label single from the Montreal-based artist. The video was filmed in the bare streets of downtown Toronto during quarantine.
