Canadian-born, Nashville-based country artist Drew Taylor is continuing his steady rise with the release of the music video for his latest single “MAKERS,” unveiled via All Country News. The song leans into the slow burn of unexpected chemistry, drawing a vivid parallel between falling in love and savoring a good whiskey, where each moment lingers and deepens with time. SWOMP caught up with Taylor for an interview to discuss the track. “MAKERS” arrives at a pivotal moment for Taylor, who recently signed with independent label T&L Records Nashville and is building momentum off a growing catalog of streaming and chart success. The single is positioned as the start of a new chapter, with more music on the way and an audience that continues to expand on both sides of the border. Born in Waterloo, Ont., Taylor’s path to country music was anything but typical. Raised around music through his father, who played alongside country icons such as George Strait and Kenny Rogers, Taylor still found himself fronting a screamo band in Canada, sharing stages with acts like Underoath and Atreyu. For years, music competed with other responsibilities, including work as a firefighter and entrepreneur, before he committed fully to songwriting and performing. That commitment has translated into tangible results. In 2022, Taylor earned wildcard winner honours at the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase, performing on the festival’s Front Porch stage. The following year, his single “Wish I Didn’t” reached No. 1 on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country. In early 2025, “Nobody I Know” continued the upward trajectory, surpassing a quarter-million streams on Spotify and cementing his place among Canada’s most promising country exports. Songs such as “Music To My Beers” and “Get The Truck Outta Here” have further showcased Taylor’s blend of modern country production and sharp, relatable lyrics, with several tracks finding a home on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart. Along the way, he has shared the stage with artists including Tanya Tucker, Kane Brown, Paul Brandt and Cory Marks, gaining experience that has shaped his confident, road-tested sound. Despite the accolades and growing profile, Taylor remains grounded in his approach to songwriting. Connecting with listeners has always been the priority. “If a song touches somebody, then I’ve done my job,” he said, a philosophy that continues to guide his work. With “MAKERS,” Drew Taylor reinforces that his rise has been built patiently and deliberately, honoring the traditions of country music while pushing its edges forward. As new music looms, the proof, as the song suggests, is in the pour. Follow https://www.drewtaylorofficial.com/ for all the latest updates. Photo credit: Allen Clark

Canadian Roots and Soul vocal collective AV & the Inner City are turning inward on their new single, “Dinner With the Lord,” an acapella track that reflects on where people seek comfort during times of uncertainty. Released Nov. 21, the song is a stripped-down acapella interpretation of a composition by fellow Edmonton porch-concert musician Alin Rogoz. It marks the first recording by the group that was not written by founder Ann Vriend, known professionally as AV. SWOMP caught up with AV for an interview. Recorded live around a single microphone, “Dinner With the Lord” features no edits, isolation or studio enhancements. The approach places the focus squarely on vocal blend, trust and shared intuition, drawing on gospel, soul and roots influences without leaning into traditional religious framing. The song explores themes of faith, memory, community and connection, inviting listeners to consider what they reach for when familiar sources of support feel out of reach. Rather than offering resolution, the track creates space for reflection and shared experience. AV & the Inner City formed during the COVID-19 pandemic on a front porch in Edmonton’s McCauley neighbourhood, where weekly outdoor singalongs were held to maintain connection during lockdowns. Those gatherings evolved into an all-female vocal ensemble representing Indigenous, Black, Filipino, LGBTQ, immigrant and working-class voices. The group’s self-titled debut EP, released in October, has gained national attention and is currently ranked No. 7 on the CKUA Radio Top 30. The release has also received support from CBC, SiriusXM, Edify and Porter Airlines Magazine. “Dinner With the Lord” serves as the closing track on the EP, bringing the project full circle by echoing the communal porch-singing roots that first brought the ensemble together. In just three years, AV & the Inner City have completed a summer tour and appeared at major festivals including the Calgary Folk Festival, Vancouver Island Music Festival and Edmonton Folk Festival, where they received an Emerging Artist Award. Follow the group at https://www.avandtheinnercity.ca/. Photo credit: Lulubee Photography

Canadian folk-country band School House will release their new single, Live While I’m Alive, on Jan. 16 across all major streaming platforms, marking the next chapter for the fast-rising group as they prepare for a national tour and their second full-length album. Band member Joel Ryan says the song reflects the tension of modern adulthood, touching on financial stress, self-doubt and the uncertainty that often defines a quarter-life period. Rather than offering easy solutions, Live While I’m Alive leans into imperfection, encouraging listeners to let go of constant comparison and focus on living in the present. The single arrives ahead of School House’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Homeland, scheduled for release on Feb. 27, 2026. Formed in 2021 after three best friends moved into a century-old schoolhouse together, the band quickly gained attention for its harmony-driven sound and songwriting rooted in late-night, campfire-style sessions. Since then, School House has built steady national momentum, winning the 2025 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase and earning Group of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Music Awards. Their debut release was also named Album of the Year by Faces Magazine. The band is signed to the Paquin Agency for live representation and has toured with the Strumbellas, opened for Alan Doyle, and continued to expand its presence on stages across the country. To support the new single and upcoming album, School House will join Braden Lam on the “Freewheelin’ Field Trip” tour in March 2026, with stops throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario. Tour dates include: March 5 – Halifax, N.S. – Seahorse TavernMarch 6 – Truro, N.S. – Marigold Cultural CentreMarch 7 – Miramichi, N.B. – New Maritime BeerMarch 8 – Charlottetown, P.E.I. – The GuildMarch 10 – Moncton, N.B. – Xeroz Arcade BarMarch 11 – Fredericton, N.B. – The CapMarch 13 – Quebec City, Que. – L’AntiMarch 14 – Ottawa, Ont. – Overflow BrewingMarch 15 – Kingston, Ont. – Broom FactoryMarch 18 – St. Catharines, Ont. – WarehouseMarch 19 – Toronto, Ont. – RivoliMarch 20 – Windsor, Ont. – MeteorMarch 21 – London, Ont. – London Brewing CompanyMarch 22 – Kitchener, Ont. – Boathouse Follow the band at https://schoolhouseband.com/. Photo credit: Cam Forrester

Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and broadcaster Laila Biali has earned her first Grammy nomination, landing in one of the ceremony’s most closely watched categories. Biali is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album alongside Brandi Carlile, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Hudson and rising star Laufey, placing the Canadian artist in rarefied company and bringing new international attention to her latest work. SWOMP caught up with Biali for an interview.  The nomination recognizes Wintersongs, an album inspired by and written at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Biali has a long-standing relationship with the Banff Centre, and that connection is woven deeply into the record. Much of the album was written during a winter residency in the Rocky Mountains, where she worked from a quiet cabin surrounded by snow-covered peaks. The setting shaped both the mood and scope of the music, which moves with a cinematic sense of space, reflecting winter light, drifting snow and the stillness of Banff’s landscape. What makes the nomination particularly notable is how it came about. The album was initially submitted in the jazz category, but the Recording Academy moved it into Traditional Pop, a decision that immediately placed Biali alongside global icons and significantly effected the album’s visibility. The category itself has recently been highlighted by Billboard for its growing influence, adding further weight to the nomination. While Biali is a well-established and respected artist in Canada, her profile in the United States has been comparatively modest. For an independent Canadian artist to receive Grammy recognition for a project so closely tied to a Canadian winter landscape stands out, especially in a category often dominated by major international stars. The response suggests that the themes and atmosphere of Wintersongs have resonated beyond borders, connecting with American Grammy voters through its craft and emotional clarity. The recognition also arrives at a busy moment for Biali. She is set to return to Banff in mid-December to begin work on a new project, Dreamland: The Canadian Songbook Reimagined, which explores iconic Canadian material through a contemporary lens. She has also released a new holiday single, an extended version of “Joy to the World,” adding a timely seasonal chapter to an already landmark year. With her first Grammy nomination now secured, Biali’s Wintersongs stands as both a personal milestone and a broader moment for Canadian music, demonstrating how a project grounded in place and season can find an audience on the world’s biggest stage. Follow her at https://lailabiali.com/. Photo credit: Chris Nicholls

HEALTH have never been a band to sugarcoat the state of things, but their new album CONFLICT DLC—out today on Loma Vista Recordings—might be their most direct confrontation yet with the emotional fallout of living online, living overwhelmed, and living through a world that feels permanently tilted toward chaos. The Los Angeles industrial trio have spent nearly two decades expanding, exploding, and mutating the boundaries of heavy music. With CONFLICT DLC, they deliver 12 tracks that feel like the next evolutionary jump in their ongoing descent: hyper-charged industrial metal, dense digital noise, bleakly funny lyricism, and a maximalist aesthetic that hits like a steel-toothed synthwave cyclone. SWOMP caught up with bassist John Famiglietti for an interview to discuss the album. Where 2023’s RAT WARS leaned into corrosive hooks and “cum metal” absurdism, CONFLICT DLC sharpens everything, emotionally, sonically, and thematically. Produced again by STINT, with mixing from Drew Fulk (WZRD BLD) and Lars Stalfors, the album pushes the band’s cinematic heaviness into an even more concentrated blast radius. It’s an album built for a fanbase the band affectionately describes as “a coalition of subcultures”, memelords, heavy-music obsessives, digital weirdos, and everyone drawn to the catharsis of beautiful noise. Jake Duzsik’s lyrics roam familiar territory, depression, compulsion, anxiety, but now framed in the hyper-digital exhaustion of 2025’s doomscroll culture. “No, it’s not just your imagination. The future is shit and the phone you are reading this on is making it worse,” he deadpans in the album’s announcement, capturing the tone of CONFLICT DLC perfectly: devastating truths delivered with a smirk, wrapped inside earth-splitting industrial arrangements. Despite the emotional weight, this is one of the band’s most purely enjoyable albums—a slate of “sad bangers for the end times,” designed as much for release as it is for reflection. Before the album’s arrival, HEALTH dropped “ORDINARY LOSS,” their heaviest opener yet. With serrated riffs, suffocating textures, and Duzsik’s grim mantra - “The dead are blessed with no dreams”- the track announced CONFLICT DLC as a ferocious new chapter. It’s an intimidating start, but undeniably gripping. HEALTH are currently in South America on Pierce the Veil’s massive I Can’t Hear You World Tour, with dates across Bogota, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. In the spring, they’ll return to North America with a run of mixed U.S. and Canadian stops. Canadian dates include: April 4 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre April 14 - Toronto, ON - History April 15 - Montreal, QC - MTelus Full details and additional tour dates are available at youwillloveeachother.com. Photo credit: Mynxii White

Canadian rock legends Lighthouse are revisiting one of their most celebrated works with the release of One Fine Morning (Anniversary Edition), arriving Nov. 7 through Anthem Records. The release marks the first time the platinum-selling album has been fully remixed, remastered and expanded. It will be available on limited-edition three-colour-splatter vinyl, sun/moon vinyl, double CD and digital formats. SWOMP caught up with founding member Paul Hoffert for an interview to discuss the release. Originally released in 1971, One Fine Morning helped establish Lighthouse as one of Canada’s most innovative and influential bands, known for fusing rock, jazz and classical elements into a distinctive sound. The title track became a radio staple and remains one of the country’s most recognizable rock anthems. “When we chat with our new and younger audiences at concerts and on social media, they ask for records and streaming of Lighthouse’s classic hits along with ‘extras’ that provide personal and historical perspective,” said Hoffert. “This anniversary edition provides both. In 1970, producer Jimmy Ienner and lead singer Bob McBride helped focus our music, lyrics and orchestral rock into a more broadcast-friendly format that attracted a much wider fan base. We hope listeners enjoy hearing these songs and demos as much as we loved making them.” The anniversary edition includes a remixed and remastered version of the original album, as well as unreleased material such as “All God’s Children,” a previously unheard song from the 1970 sessions co-written by Larry Smith and Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore. Other highlights include demo versions of “One Fine Morning” and “Sing, Sing, Sing” with drummer Skip Prokop on lead vocals, a CBC live performance of “World’s Biggest Rock & Roll Band,” and several early takes of songs that would later define the Lighthouse sound. Each track captures the band’s creative momentum at a time when Lighthouse was redefining the scope of progressive rock. In recognition of their lasting impact on Canadian music, Skip Prokop, Paul Hoffert, Ralph Cole and Bob McBride were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022. The following year, Lighthouse was added to Canada’s Walk of Fame. More than 50 years after their breakthrough, the band continues to tour across the country, with upcoming shows scheduled in Guelph on Feb. 5, Pickering on Feb. 21 alongside the Five Man Electrical Band, and St. Catharines on April 1. Formed in 1969 by Prokop and Hoffert, Lighthouse became known as a “rock orchestra” for its fusion of genres and large ensemble performances. The multi-JUNO Award-winning group earned international acclaim with hits including “One Fine Morning,” “Sunny Days,” “Pretty Lady,” and “Hats Off (To the Stranger).” With One Fine Morning (Anniversary Edition), Lighthouse continues to celebrate its enduring legacy and the timeless energy that first brought its music to audiences more than five decades ago. Follow the band at https://www.lighthouserockson.com/.

Kula Shaker, the psychedelic rock band that once stood apart from Britpop’s swagger with its mystical flair and sitar-laced guitar work, is preparing to release its eighth studio album, Wormslayer, on Jan. 30, 2026. SWOMP caught up with vocalist and guitarist Crispian Mills to discuss the record. The band, still made up of its original lineup of Mills, Alonza Bevan, Paul Winterhart and Jay Darlington, recently marked the announcement with a new single, 'Good Money'. The track blends ’60s psychedelia, soul and funk, while its video takes a decidedly modern turn. “Our last video was all in camera, real stunts, real props and epic battle scenes which people assumed was all AI,” Mills said in a statement. “So we’ve taken a different approach with Good Money. The whole video is entirely AI generated by two monkeys, we gave them the song and the lyrics and this is what they came up with. It’s kind of mind blowing.” Mills said the song is built on a “classic Faustian pact” and forms part of a larger psychedelic opera unfolding across the record. He described the narrative as one about “a boy in a small community, who grows wings and how the local people come to treat him. Some think he's a freak, some think he's a cherub, others cynically see him as an opportunity to make money… Is it a metaphor for the music business? I’d say it’s a metaphor for life.” The upcoming album has already been previewed with 'Charge of the Light Brigade' and 'Broke as Folk', which showcase the band’s trademark harmonies and sweeping technicolour sound. Other tracks explore new territory, including pastoral folk on Dust, gothic crooning on Little Darling, and the cinematic, mantra-driven metal of the title track. “I hope people enjoy the twists and turns that this new record takes you on,” Mills said. “We always loved those psychedelic records that had great songs, great production, great storytelling, and took you on a journey… Kula Shaker has a life of its own. We’re just passengers, watching it happen in real time.” The band says Wormslayer captures its live energy more fully than past releases. Visit https://kulashaker.co.uk/ for more details.

Thunder Queens, one of Canada’s most exciting young rock bands, headline a hometown all-ages show as part of VENUExVENUE 2025, joined by a powerhouse lineup of rising acts. SWOMP caught up with Lola Hayman (drums, vocals), Violet Bruneel (guitar, vocals), and Clara Magnan (bass, vocals) for an interview to discuss the show and their career. Set for Saturday, Nov. 8 at Lazer Quest (149 Carling St.), the bill includes Altered by Mom, Feura and Avro Project, a mix of alt-rock, punk and grunge energy that showcases London’s next wave. "Thunder Queens represent where London’s scene is right now... loud, smart, and undeniable," said Darryl Hurs, founder of Indie Week and VENUExVENUE. "This bill is stacked with artists who are about to level up." The London trio have honed a songwriting style that blends cinematic storytelling with raw melodic power. Their latest single, Birds On A Wire, channels pop-punk urgency into an anthem about breaking free from expectations. "We wrote this song about feeling underestimated and boxed in and the rush that comes with breaking free,” the band said. Formed after meeting under the pinball machines at Call The Office, Thunder Queens have since shared stages with The Beaches, Billy Talent, Metz, Sloan, and OMBIIGIZI, with festival stops at Pop Montreal, Up Here Festival, and Bitchfest. Follow the band at https://www.thunderqueens.com/. Photo credit: Bravo Foto

Folk and Americana band The Unfaithful Servants released their long-awaited second album Fallen Angel on October 17, 2025. Hailed as “Canada’s most exciting Newgrass band” by Seaside Music Festival, the Vancouver Island group has built a reputation for captivating live performances, rich storytelling, and masterful musicianship. Their sound blends elements of bluegrass, traditional folk, and Americana into an energetic and infectious acoustic style that has earned them acclaim across British Columbia and beyond. The band features mandolinist Jesse Cobb, a Grammy-nominated founding member of The Infamous Stringdusters who has shared stages with Béla Fleck and Lee Ann Womack, and singer-songwriter Dylan Stone, a modern troubadour known for performances alongside Keith Urban and Lou Reed. They are joined by fiddle virtuoso Quin Etheridge-Pedden and bassist Mark Johnson. SWOMP caught up with Stone for an interview. The Servants’ 2019 debut, produced by Grammy winner Steve Smith, introduced their dynamic mix of bluegrass, folk, and rock, establishing them as innovators in Canada’s roots scene. With Fallen Angel, the group continues to expand their sound and explore new creative territory while maintaining the high-energy performances that have earned them spots at Vancouver Island MusicFest, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues, and a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination. More information about The Unfaithful Servants and their upcoming release can be found at unfaithfulservants.com.

New Jersey-based alternative/pop-punk band Good Damage released their third single, 'Just Alive,' on October 24 — a soaring, emotionally charged track that cements the band’s knack for blending catchy hooks with heartfelt urgency. SWOMP caught up with the group to talk about the new song and their steady climb in the East Coast alt scene. The members say 'Just Alive' captures the tension between surviving and truly living — a theme that resonates with anyone trying to hold it together in chaotic times. Formed in 2022, Good Damage have quickly built a reputation for their energetic live shows and dynamic sound that draws comparisons to Paramore, while still carving out their own lane through lush harmonies and anthemic choruses. Their previous single 'Better Off Alone' earned praise from indie reviewers and enjoyed rotation on several college and independent radio stations. So far in 2025, Good Damage have shared the stage with southern rock legend and Rock Hall of Fame member Artimus Pyle’s band Pyle Tribe and college radio favourites La Luz at the House of Independents. They’ve also appeared on podcasts including The Yo Show and Kids In The Pit, and performed a live interview on Maryland’s WKHS. The band’s earliest releases — 2023’s 'Forget November' and 2025’s 'Better Off Alone' — were recorded at Sonic Boom Studio in Raritan, N.J., with producer Anthony Krizan. The debut was hailed by The Yo Show host Jeff Porini as "the perfect song," while 'Better Off Alone' continued to build their reputation as one of the most promising young acts in the region. Good Damage have graced stages from The Stone Pony and The Williams Center in New Jersey to The Delancey in New York City, steadily growing a following that bridges nostalgia-driven pop-punk and modern alternative rock. 'Just Alive' is available now on Spotify and YouTube. Follow the band on Instagram, here.

Acclaimed indie folk band Great Lake Swimmers have released their much-anticipated ninth studio album, Caught Light, now available on all major platforms. Alongside the full record, the Toronto-based group shared live footage of “For You To Come Around,” filmed at Odd Fellows Hall in St. Catharines, Ontario. The band, fronted by Tony Dekker, will support the release with a lengthy tour beginning October 15, featuring stops across Canada and the United States. Supporting acts include Elliott Brood, Rita Visser, Justin Wells and Abe Partridge on select dates. Several shows are already sold out or nearing capacity. SWOMP caught up with Dekker for an interview to discuss the album. Dekker says “For You To Come Around” captures a sense of longing and emotional distance. “It’s about being stuck at the station, in a state between being and becoming,” he said. “It’s about the baggage we carry and the emotional lifting it requires for us to endure, and ultimately, it is about loneliness and longing, and the inability to truly know someone.” Recorded over just three days in the Ganaraska Forest between Peterborough and Port Hope, Caught Light was produced by Darcy Yates of Bahamas and engineered by Jimmy Bowskill of Blue Rodeo. The album draws inspiration from early ’70s folk, pop and rock influences such as Gordon Lightfoot and Dory Previn. Dekker described the process as a renewed embrace of simplicity, saying the experience gave him “a newly found zeal for not being precious and being more direct.” Reflecting on the album’s title, Dekker recalled growing up near a rural airstrip in Niagara Region where skydivers would sometimes land unexpectedly in nearby fields. “That was such a powerful image to me as a kid: What happens when you don’t land where you intended, when life blows you off course?” he said. “The phrase ‘caught light’ refers to an unexpected situation where you don't have as much as you thought you wanted or needed.” The album follows several recent singles, including “Youth Not Wasted,” a reflective acoustic track inspired by the Oscar Wilde quote, “youth is wasted on the young.” Americana UK described the song as “immediately nostalgic; it is reminiscence and memory in musical form.” Other highlights include “One More Dance Around The Sun,” currently the number one song on the CBC Music Top 20, and “Wrong Wrong Wrong,” which Dekker described as “about being on the edge, in deep despair.” Over more than two decades, Great Lake Swimmers have built a reputation for their warm, resonant sound and intimate live performances. The band has twice been nominated for Juno Awards, shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and hailed by the CBC as “a national treasure.” In early 2026, Great Lake Swimmers will perform an official showcase at Folk Alliance International in New Orleans, followed by additional Canadian tour dates through the spring. More information and tickets are available at greatlakeswimmers.com. Photo credit: Robert Georgeff

Canadian music icon Bif Naked will bring her life story and unmistakable voice to The Royal Theatre on November 12 for a one-night-only event featuring the premiere screening of BIF NAKED: A Documentary, an intimate acoustic performance and a live Q&A. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and promises a three-hour celebration of one of Canada’s most fearless and influential performers. SWOMP caught up with Bif to discuss the doc. Directed by Pollyanna Hardwicke-Brown, the feature-length documentary traces Bif Naked’s remarkable journey from her beginnings in India and upbringing in Canada to her rise through the underground punk scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Featuring rare archival footage, interviews and performance clips, the film explores her evolution as a poet, fighter and rock ’n’ roll trailblazer who has never shied away from telling her truth. Following the screening, Bif will take the stage for a stripped-down acoustic set that highlights the raw emotion and honesty at the heart of her music. The evening will close with a candid audience Q&A, offering fans a chance to connect directly with the artist known for her wit, authenticity and resilience. Appearing in the film are George Stroumboulopoulos, Doug Fury, Chiko Misomali and Peter Karroll, who each help paint a vivid portrait of Bif’s decades-long impact on Canadian music and culture. Tickets are on sale now, with VIP passes priced at $50 plus tax and fees, and standard and accessible tickets at $35. Seating is limited for what organizers describe as an intimate and emotional evening celebrating one of the country’s most enduring cultural figures. The event takes place at The Royal, 608 College Street, Toronto. Get you tickets, here.

After more than 25 years together, Finger Eleven are hitting a vibrant new peak. SWOMP spoke with lead singer Scott Anderson about the band’s long-awaited return and the making of their first studio album in a decade, Last Night On Earth, set for release November 7 through Better Noise Music. Energized by the momentum of their 2024 North American tour, the JUNO Award-winning, multi-platinum rockers are entering a new era—one that bridges generations of fans. Last year’s tour introduced Finger Eleven to a new audience while reigniting their connection with longtime followers, paving the way for a string of hits including “Adrenaline” and “Blue Sky Mystery” featuring Filter’s Richard Patrick. Both tracks climbed the charts, with “Blue Sky Mystery” reaching the Top 10 on Billboard Canada’s Mainstream Rock chart. The album’s title track, released recently with an accompanying video, nearly slipped through the cracks. During a final late-night studio session, drummer Steve Molella suggested recording an acoustic “campfire-style” version—and it clicked. “On that track, Scott wrote some of my favourite lyrics,” Molella said. “It was the most natural the song has ever sounded.” Anderson says “Last Night On Earth” reflects the emotional turbulence of relationships falling apart. “I think it could be placed squarely in a traditional relationship frame where you forget what you're even fighting about,” he said. “But you hate that feeling in the pit of your stomach when something’s not resolved and you don’t know what tomorrow’s gonna look like.” Following a busy summer of festival appearances, the Burlington-born band will hit the road again this fall, first touring the U.S. with Alien Ant Farm and Brkn Love, before launching their biggest-ever Canadian tour with Headstones and The Tea Party beginning November 25 in Penticton, B.C. Finger Eleven — Anderson, James Black, Rick Jackett, Sean Anderson, and Molella — remain one of Canada’s most successful rock exports. Their career includes platinum records, chart-topping singles, and international acclaim for hits such as “Paralyzer.” The band reignited their creative spark in 2023 with a Greatest Hits collection that featured the radio smash “Together Right,” which spent five weeks at No. 1. With Last Night On Earth, Finger Eleven are once again proving their staying power, blending raw emotion, melodic grit, and the seasoned chemistry that has defined them for more than two decades. For tour dates and updates, visit fingereleven.com. Photo credit: Myles Erfurth

Canadian country artists Antonio Larosa and Taylor-Rae have joined forces on a soaring new duet, Hearts Don’t Break, released on October 10, 2025. The emotional track, co-written with award-winning songwriter David Borys, captures the fragile moment between love fading and letting go — a theme both singers say hit close to home. In an interview with SWOMP, the pair discuss the new track. “I’ve always admired Taylor-Rae’s voice because it has the kind of power and emotion that makes a ballad soar,” Larosa said. “The song is about two people who both know the love is gone but they are still hanging on, stuck in something that is no longer real love. It captures that painful space between holding on and letting go. When we played it live on tour, the reaction was incredible, so we knew we had to record it.” Built around aching guitar lines and dynamic vocal interplay, Hearts Don’t Break unfolds like a cinematic slow burn. The production mirrors the emotional unraveling at its core — two voices circling each other in harmony and heartbreak. Taylor-Rae said the song came together naturally in the writing room with Larosa and Borys. “Hearts Don’t Break is a song that digs into wanting to make a relationship work and hanging onto it, to the point where you're just hurting each other,” she said. “Sometimes something isn't the right fit, even though you might wish it was. I was so excited to team up with Antonio on this track because of how incredible of a vocalist and storyteller he is. This song came together really organically and I feel super lucky to be a part of it.” The single bridges the grit of classic country and the polish of modern Nashville, blending Larosa’s soulful edge with Taylor-Rae’s powerhouse range. Together, they deliver a duet that feels both timeless and contemporary — the kind of heartbreak song that lingers long after the last note fades. Larosa, a Vancouver-born country rock artist, has built a reputation on the road with raw, blues-infused performances and introspective songwriting. Twice named Roots Artist of the Year by the BC Country Music Association, he’s become one of the most distinctive voices in Canada’s independent country scene. Taylor-Rae, originally from Alberta, has carved her own path with a string of streaming successes and editorial playlist features. Her breakout single Are You Still Up has surpassed 1.5 million streams, while her latest track I Can’t landed her the cover of Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country playlist. Follow Larosa at https://www.antoniolarosamusic.com/. Follow Taylor-Rae at https://taylorraeofficial.com/.

Multi-award-winning country group Hunter Brothers will bring their signature harmonies and high-energy performance to Chatham next month as part of the second leg of their 'Homegrown Nights 2025 Tour'. The band will take the stage at the Kiwanis Theatre on Nov. 7 with special guest Dayna Reid. SWOMP caught up with Ty Hunter to discuss the show, the overall tour and the career of the band. The tour expansion coincides with the release of the group’s new single 'All Kinds of Country', featuring Lathan Warlick, out now via Open Road Recordings. The track serves as the title song from their upcoming six-track EP, All Kinds of Country, arriving the same day as the Chatham show. Anchored in soaring harmonies and modern production, All Kinds of Country celebrates the wide range of people and sounds that make up the genre. “There seems to be a big debate these days about what defines country,” said Ty Hunter. “At the end of the day, it should be something that brings us together. It’s not just about the music—it’s about a way of life, everyone being welcome at the table.” The collaboration with genre-blending artist Lathan Warlick underscores that message, combining the brothers’ vocal chemistry with Warlick’s soulful, rhythmic delivery. The song is both a reflection of inclusivity and a showcase of the group’s evolving sound. The forthcoming EP, recorded during a recent creative trip to Nashville, balances the band’s roots with fresh directions, featuring collaborations with artists like Shantaia and weaving in their Scottish heritage on 'Keep on Truckin'. “These songs are meant to lift your spirits and keep your day moving forward,” Ty added. Known for their engaging stage presence and down-to-earth storytelling, the five brothers—J.J., Dusty, Luke, Brock, and Ty—have built a loyal fan base across Canada. Hailing from a farm in southern Saskatchewan, the Hunter Brothers have earned over 90 million streams and multiple chart-topping singles, combining music, family, and faith into every performance. Tickets for the Chatham show are available through www.cktickets.com. For more information on Hunter Brothers, their music, and full tour dates, visit www.hunterbrothers.com.

Canadian songwriter, producer and performer Eddie Schwartz — best known for penning Pat Benatar’s 1980 hit 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' — is stepping out from behind the scenes with his own full-length studio release Film School, arriving November 12, 2025. SWOMP caught up with Schwartz to discuss the project and his career. Schwartz, whose songs have been recorded by artists including Carly Simon, Joe Cocker, America, Donna Summer and Rascal Flatts, says the project marks both a creative renewal and a personal reckoning. “It’s a difficult time right now and I freely admit to struggling with how to cope with the daily insanity,” Schwartz said of the current climate that inspired his new material. “The moment of writing ‘We Win’ was profound for me because I found a way to a more hopeful place that helped with anger, sadness and bewilderment at how we got here.” After years of burnout from Nashville’s rigorous co-writing culture, Schwartz said writing We Win broke a long creative drought. “The blank page stayed blank for a long time,” he said. “My struggle to process the world at this moment in time and muster some resolve was what propelled me back in the writing mindset.” The track features slide guitar by Roger Moutenot and backing vocals by country music legend Robert Ellis Orrall. Critics have praised its optimism and emotional depth, with Cashbox calling it “one of those songs that makes me remember why I got into the music industry in the first place.” Film School features six songs that Schwartz describes as “short stories or films” connected by themes of perseverance and humanity. From the introspective Outbound Train to the reflective Special Girl and the waltzing You Don’t Belong, the album blends craftsmanship and storytelling in the tradition of his earlier work. “For me, the people in the songs face challenges and find ways to deal with those challenges and move forward with their lives,” he said. “I hadn’t written a song in quite a few years before Film School, so I had to relearn how to do it – I was back in school in a way.” A Member of the Order of Canada and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Schwartz has also been a tireless advocate for creators’ rights, serving as president of the International Council of Music Creators from 2017 to 2023. “For the vast majority of individual artists and songwriters, the business is much, much harder than it was in the day of vinyl, CDs and even downloads,” he said. “Millions and millions of streams do not support a career, and that’s tragic.” With Film School, Schwartz finds new footing as both storyteller and survivor — a veteran artist proving that, even decades after writing one of rock’s most enduring anthems, he still has plenty left to say. Film School will be released independently on CD November 12, 2025. Follow Eddie at https://www.eddieschwartzmusic.com/.

Canadian rock band Sloan have released their fourteenth studio album, Based on the Best Seller, available now via murderecords / Known Accomplice. The JUNO Award-winning quartet continues its tradition of creative equality and timeless power-pop craftsmanship with a collection that blends diverse songwriting voices into one unmistakably Sloan sound. SWOMP caught up with guitarist Patrick Pentland to discuss the album. “It's not a challenge to make a 14th album, but sometimes it's a challenge to think of a new overarching theme or a way to present a 14th album,” said Jay Ferguson. “Our band has the capability to perform different styles within the rock-pop sphere, but it's often hard to harness the group to adhere to one particular style or theme. That's okay though. With four songwriters, we tend to make music that perhaps doesn't always naturally hang together under one (opened) umbrella but that's our style, and that style is continued on Based on the Best Seller.” The record was previewed earlier this year with the melodic single “Live Forever,” co-produced by the band and long-time collaborator Ryan Haslett. The harmony-rich track explores the humorous and bittersweet sides of immortality through Sloan’s signature pop sensibility. The follow-up single “Dream Destroyer,” now at radio, features fuzzed-out guitars and infectious hooks. “Combining my/our love of glam, shoegaze, and power pop, the song is an ode to lost love, past mistakes, and the recklessness that has been the blueprint of my life, for better or worse,” Pentland said. “Worse in terms of relationships, better in terms of fodder for hit songs. A door slams shut, a window smashes open.” Last month’s release, “No Damn Fears,” brings a different energy. Sung by Andrew Scott, the track fuses garage grit with poetic surrealism and protest spirit. More than three decades into their career, Sloan remain one of Canada’s most influential and enduring bands. Known for their democratic approach—with each member contributing as singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist—the Halifax-born group continues to evolve while staying true to their roots. Sloan will support the album with their cross-country “Tour de Force” which began October 16 in Sudbury, with stops across Ontario, the Maritimes, Western Canada and Quebec through spring 2026. For more information, visit www.sloanmusic.com. Photo credit: Calm Elliott-Armstrong

St. John's, Newfoundland artist Rachel Cousins has released her third studio album, What Hasn’t Killed Me, out October 10, 2025. SWOMP caught up with Cousins on release day to discuss the record. Known for her soaring vocals and polished pop sound, the Newfoundland-born singer-songwriter takes a bold new turn with this project, stepping away from pop precision to embrace the more fluid and reflective territory of Adult Contemporary. The nine-track album explores the turbulence and grace of growing into adulthood, weaving together elements of folk intimacy, alternative grit, and pop sensibility. A six-time MusicNL winner with two East Coast Music Award nominations, Cousins has become one of Atlantic Canada’s most promising voices. Her songs have been streamed more than 600,000 times and featured in television series including Wynonna Earp, Hudson & Rex, and The Wedding Planners. She has also shared the stage with artists such as Alan Doyle, Serena Ryder, the Beaches, and GRAMMY winner K’NAAN. Beyond her musical success, Cousins has earned respect for her openness about mental health and recovery, speaking candidly about her experiences both in her music and in community settings. Created in partnership with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Greg Wells, whose credits include Taylor Swift and John Legend, What Hasn’t Killed Me marks a creative breakthrough. “Songs started pouring out of me. What used to take days came in under an hour. For the first time in years, I felt free. Greg saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Cousins said. The album’s focus track, “Little Help,” co-written with musician Darcy Scott, captures the courage it takes to ask for support when struggling. Built around guitar and raw vocals, the track explores the tension between appearing composed and feeling lost inside. Previous singles, including “Nora,” “To Fail,” “As A Girl,” and “Standing Still,” reveal the album’s emotional range — from the comfort of lasting friendship to the fear of failure and the strength found in womanhood and self-acceptance. Cousins will celebrate the release of What Hasn’t Killed Me with a hometown show at The Ship in St. John’s on October 17, following a performance during Music Day in Canada on September 27. She will also appear at the Come Together Showcase in Toronto on November 25 and 26. Follow Rachel at https://www.rachelcousinsmusic.com/. Photo Credit: Hilda Cousins

Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Suzie Ungerleider is taking her latest album, Among the Evergreens, on the road this fall with performances across Ontario and Quebec. Released June 6, 2025, via MVKA, the album has earned international praise for its lyrical depth and emotional honesty, marking a powerful chapter in Ungerleider’s evolution as an artist and storyteller. SWOMP caught up with Ungerleider for an interview.  With Among the Evergreens now resonating with listeners around the world, Ungerleider says she’s eager to reconnect through live performance. “There is nothing like experiencing the energy of the people in the room all listening and feeling together,” she said. “It is that musical communion that really makes songs complete.” The tour includes stops at London’s Aeolian Hall on October 22 with Abigail Lapell, and Toronto’s Hugh’s Room on October 26. Adding to her growing momentum, Ungerleider has been named an official showcase artist at the 2025 Folk Music Ontario Conference. She also plans to expand her tour into 2026, with shows slated for Alberta and Europe. Full tour details are available at www.suzieungerleider.com. Photo credit: Trevor Cornish

Nearly five decades after emerging from Mississauga’s rock scene, Triumph will be honoured at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Legends gala on Oct. 17 at Toronto’s Meridian Arts Centre. The hard rock trio — guitarist Rik Emmett, bassist Mike Levine and drummer Gil Moore — will be inducted by fellow Canadian rocker Tom Cochrane, recognizing a career that carried arena-sized ambition and melodic songwriting to international stages. SWOMP caught up with Emmett for an interview.  For Emmett, the honour reflects the band’s belief that powerful music could also be positive and purposeful. Triumph’s catalogue — from Lay It on the Line and Magic Power to Fight the Good Fight and Follow Your Heart — combined virtuosic musicianship with lyrics about perseverance and hope. Formed in 1975, Triumph rose from Toronto-area clubs to headlining arenas across North America. Their blend of precision playing and theatrical stagecraft helped define Canadian arena rock through the late 1970s and ’80s. At the height of their fame, the band performed before half a million fans at California’s 1983 US Festival, cementing their place among rock’s elite. The Hall of Fame recognition comes after a renewed wave of interest in Triumph’s legacy. The 2021 Banger Films documentary Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine introduced their story to a new generation, while a surprise reunion performance at the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals in Edmonton marked the group’s first public show in 17 years. Emmett will perform at the gala with guitarist Phil X, who joined the band in its later years, linking Triumph’s past with the musicians they continue to inspire. Triumph joins a select list of Canadian artists to be honoured for their songwriting contributions. The gala will also see k.d. lang induct Jane Siberry, Murray McLauchlan induct Ian Thomas, and Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene honour Andy Kim. More details can be found at https://www.cshf.ca/.