Episode 106
Aquakultre – Black Doll
Red Kross – Candy Coloured Catastrophe
Baby Nova – Broke Bitch Boogie
Broken Social Scene – Hey Amanda
Bibi Club – Amaro
Sky Wallace – Marrow
Charlotte Cornfield – Hurts Like Hell
Sister Ray – Chewing On The Rind
Propagandhi – At Peace: No Longer Young
For me this week, is all about Polaris for me!
Polaris Music Prize short list includes Charlotte Cornfield, Aquakultre and Angine de Poitrine
Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Cornfield, Halifax R&B and soul artist Aquakultre and Quebec microtonal rockers Angine de Poitrine are among the first-time finalists vying for this year’s Polaris Music Prize.
The annual award, which honours the best Canadian album based solely on artistic merit, announced its 10-album short list Thursday.
Aquakultre – Black Doll
Lance Simpson
Aquakultre is up for “1783,” which celebrates Black history in Nova Scotia.
Aquakultre is a Canadian soul and R&B[1] musical project from Halifax, Nova Scotia, whose core member is singer and rapper Lance Sampson.[2] Formed in 2015, they are most noted for their album Legacy, which was a longlisted nominee for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize.[3]
Sampson’s ancestors are from Africville, and he grew up in the Uniacke Square neighbourhood of Halifax.[4][5] He is the great-grandson of Daniel Perry Sampson, a Halifax resident who was executed for murder after a disputed conviction in 1935, with new evidence having emerged in the 2020s, in part through Lance’s own research, that Daniel likely did not write or sign the confession statement attributed to him.[6]
At 20, he was charged with robbing a taxi driver of his cell phone.[7] He was later found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, crack cocaine and the stolen property.[7] He received a five-year prison sentence, but was released after 19 months. He taught himself to play the guitar while incarcerated after being exposed to the music of Common and Erykah Badu.[8]
His latest album, 1783, draws on the history of Black Nova Scotians, and was released in February of 2026.[19] It explores both Black Nova Scotian history and Sampson’s own family heritage, including “Gallows”, a song written from the perspective of his great-grandfather in the final moments before his death.[20] The album was shortlisted for the 2026 Polaris Music Prize,[21] and the songs “Gallows” and “Holy” were longlisted for the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize.[22]
He will be performing his new album 1783 this summer in Nova Scotia
Aquakultre Presents: 1783 Live – coming to a theatre near you!
August 8, 2026 – Chester NS Chester Playhouse, PYWC suggested $30 (LOW TICKETS)
August 15 2026 – Annapolis Royal NS King’s Theatre , adults $51.30, Youth under 18 $11.40 , AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIANS GET IN FREE!
Sept 25 2026, Parrsboro NS Ship’s Company Theatre tickets $16-42$
March 20 2027, Halifax NS Dalhousie Arts Centre (Rebecca Cohn Auditorium) w. Symphony Nova Scotia
what does 1783 stand for?
A MASS MIGRATION
In 1783, the American War of Independence came to an end. Refugees, former soldiers, and British loyalists left everything behind to return to England, or make new homes elsewhere.
From April to November of that year, over 3000 people of African descent boarded 81 ships and sailed out of New York. These were the so-called Black Loyalists: some of them free people, many of them still enslaved, who fought for the British in exchange for the promise of land and freedom. Arriving in Nova Scotia, they were given the poorest housing, little food, few supplies. Yet they survived and went on to found Black settlements across the province.
The events of 1783 sparked the origin story of a unique people and culture, sometimes called African Nova Scotia or Black Nova Scotia. Or, if you’re from there, just Scotia.
Here is an earlier track – Scotia Boy
Aquakultre – Scotia Born ft. Gary Beals & Haliey Smith (Official Music Video)
and this is Gallows, a great song off 1783
Aquakultre – Gallows (Official Music Video)
Baby Nova – Broke Bitch Boogy
Baby Nova – Broke Bitch Boogie (Official Lyric Video)
not much on baby Nova, so thanks again Wikipedia
Baby Nova is the stage name of Kayleigh O’Connor, a Canadian indie pop singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1] Her full-length debut album Shhugar was released in 2026.[2]
She trained in circus performance in her youth,[3] and began writing music at age 12 before signing a licensing deal to write songs for other artists at age 16.[4] She independently released the single “Lost Angeles” in 2024.
She worked with songwriters Lowell and Gus van Go, and producers Austin Corona and Wyatt Bernard, on Shhugar, which was released in January 2026.[4] The album’s lead single, “Killed for Sport”, was released in early 2025.[4] Later in the year she released “Too Pretty for Buffalo”, which became her breakout single.[5] Through the year, she also performed at various events, including the All Things Go Music Festival[6] and Billboard Canada‘s Women in Music showcase.[7]
The album, which saw her compared to a blend of Lana del Rey, Dusty Springfield and Johnny Cash,[4] was longlisted for the 2026 Polaris Music Prize.[8] Lowell received a Juno Award nomination for Songwriter (Non-Performing) of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2026 for her work on “Too Pretty for Buffalo”, Ava Max‘s “World’s Smallest Violin” and Sofia Camara‘s “Girls Like You”.[9]
But Billboard Canada writes
With only six tracks in her discography, Baby Nova has already created the foundation for pop stardom. Born Kayleigh O’Connor, the Nova Scotia-born singer-songwriter has earned praise for her nostalgic sounds and dramatic vocals. Baby Nova’s hypnotic (and sometimes raunchy) tracks have garnered notable buzz, with her third single, “Too Pretty for Buffalo,” surpassing one million streams. With a shoutout on Elton John’s Rocket Hour and an opening stint for last year’s Woman of the Year Charlotte Cardin, Baby Nova is on her way up.
This is a great song
Baby Nova – Too Pretty For Buffalo
Bibi Club – Amaro
Bibi Club – Amaro (Vidéo officielle)
who are they?
Bibi Club, the two-piece of Adèle Trottier-Rivard on vocals and keyboard, and Nicolas Basque (Plants and Animals) on guitar, has finally released their follow-up to the fantastic synth rock album Feu de garde, from 2024. But they’ve come back darker with Amaro, a bit more moody and gritty, and the result is nothing shy of enchanting. While I’ve always appreciated the blissful and euphoric vibe of Bibi Club, I’ve always wanted a bit more, something. I guess dancey club gloom was the answer.
and there is a review from Exclaim!
BY Alex HudsonPublished Oct 22, 2025
Bibi Club‘s calling card has long been their sweetness — a married couple allowing listeners into their domestic bubble with tender indie pop songs. But “Amaro,” the title track from their upcoming album, is an entirely different beast: an ominous minor-key riff anchors a shadowy club groove, kind of like one of those futuristic raves from The Matrix 2 is about to break out.
and look where they are touring this summer
Bibi Club 2025–2026 Tour Dates:
04/07 Brighton, UK – Prince Albert
04/08 Bristol, UK – The Lanes
04/09 London, UK – Sebright Arms
04/10 Manchester, UK – The Castle Hotel
04/11 Edinburgh, UK – Sneaky Pete’s
04/12 Leeds, UK – Headrow House
04/14 Le Havre, France – Le Tetris
04/15 Tourcoing, France – Le Grand Mix
04/16 Paris, France – Point Éphémère
04/21 Berlin, Germany – Zukunft Am Ostkreuz
and just so you know – here is the short list
Following the 40-album short list, the cross-Canada journey has narrowed the nominees down to the following 10 albums:
Following the 40-album short list, the cross-Canada journey has narrowed the nominees down to the following 10 albums:
Angine de Poitrine – Vol. II
Aquakultre – 1783
Begonia – Fantasy Life
Bibi Club – Amaro
Charlotte Cornfield – Hurts Like Hell
Beverly Glenn-Copeland – Laughter in Summer
Rochelle Jordan – Through the Wall
Les Louanges – Alouette!
Peaches – No Lube So Rude
Tanya Tagaq – Saputjiji
The winner will be announced at a concert and award ceremony at Toronto’s Massey Hall on September 22. Polaris has already confirmed that many of the nominees will be performing at the event, including Aquakultre, Begonia, Bibi Club, Charlotte Cornfield, Beverly Glenn-Copeland (with Elizabeth Copeland), Les Louanges and Tanya Tagaq.
Their earlier albums are pretty different – a great turn I think.
Charlotte Cornfield – Hurts Like Hell
Charlotte Cornfield – Hurts Like Hell (Official Video)
she has been around a little longer than the others here (so far). And Baby Nova has played with her.
Charlotte Cornfield (born October 14, 1988)[1] is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She has released six albums: Two Horses (2011), Future Snowbird (2016), The Shape of Your Name (2019), Highs in the Minuses (2021), Could Have Done Anything (2023), and Hurts Like Hell (2026)
Charlotte Cornfield (born October 14, 1988)[1] is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She has released six albums: Two Horses (2011), Future Snowbird (2016), The Shape of Your Name (2019), Highs in the Minuses (2021), Could Have Done Anything (2023), and Hurts Like Hell (2026)
and this is all cited to the original articles, lots written about her
Her music has been compared to the work of The Band,[8] Courtney Barnett,[9][7][10][11] Big Thief,[12] Bob Dylan,[8][10][13] Jason Molina,[12] Randy Newman,[5] Angel Olsen,[7] Elliott Smith,[13] Sharon Van Etten,[7] Townes Van Zandt,[10] and Neil Young.[8] She has named David Bowie, Karen Dalton, Stephin Merritt, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed, Arthur Russell, Elliott Smith, Van Etten, Elyse Weinberg, Gillian Welch, Yo La Tengo and Young as influences.[3][5][14][15] In a 2023 interview, Cornfield named Lucinda Williams as the artist who had most inspired her work.[16]
It’s Like That Here (2008)
Cornfield’s debut EP, It’s Like That Here, was released in 2008
lots of touring this summer
Tour Dates
Aug 22 Sat
DandyFest 2026 @ 5:00 PM
Calgary, AB, Canada
Sep 5 Sat
FME 2026 @ 7:00 PM
Rouyn-noranda, Quebec, Canada
Sep 24 Thu
POP Montréal 2026 – Charlotte Cornfield + invité(e)s @ 8:15 PM
Montréal, QC, Canada
Sep 25 Fri
Highlands music Festival 2026 @ 5:00 PM
Palmer Rapids, ON, Canada
Oct 16 Fri
Rough Trade Denmark Street @ 7:15 PM
London, United Kingdom
Oct 23 Fri
National Arts Centre @ 7:00 PM
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Dec 3 Thu
Lee’s Palace @ 7:00 PM
Toronto, ON, Canada
Dec 4 Fri
The Rec Room @ 7:00 PM
Buffalo, NY, United States
Dec 5 Sat
Assembly @ 7:00 PM
Kingston, NY, United States
Dec 6 Sun
LPR @ 7:00 PM
New York, NY, United States
Dec 8 Tue
First Unitarian Church @ 7:00 PM
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Dec 9 Wed
The Black Cat @ 7:00 PM
Washington, DC, United States
Dec 10 Thu
Cat’s Cradle @ 7:00 PM
Carrboro, NC, United States
Dec 11 Fri
The Neighborhood Theater @ 7:00 PM
Charlotte, NC, United States
Dec 12 Sat
Purgatory at The Masquerade @ 7:00 PM
Atlanta, GA, United States
Dec 13 Sun
Revival @ 7:00 PM
Asheville, NC, United States
Dec 16 Wed
Cannery Hall (The Mil) @ 7:00 PM
Nashville, TN, United States
Dec 17 Thu
Off Broadway @ 7:00 PM
St. Louis, MO, United States
Dec 18 Fri
Space @ 7:00 PM
Evanston, IL, United States
Dec 19 Sat
The Blind Pig @ 7:00 PM
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Propagandhi – At Peace: No Longer Young
These folks, along with Baby Nova didn’t make the cut – too bad they are pretty interesting.
Propagandhi – “No Longer Young” (Official Lyric Video)
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk rock and Hardcore band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, in 1986 by guitarist Chris Hannah and drummer Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba,[1] and completed by bassist Todd Kowalski and guitarist Sulynn Hago.
| Current members Chris Hannah – lead and backing vocals, guitar (1986–present)Jord Samolesky – drums, backing vocals (1986–present)Todd Kowalski – bass, backing and lead vocals (1997–present)Sulynn Hago – guitar, backing vocals (2015–present) | Former members Scott Hopper – bass, backing vocals (1986–1989)Mike Braumeister – bass (1989–1991)John K. Samson – bass, backing and lead vocals (1991–1997)David Guillas – guitar (2006–2015) |
they have been putting out music since 1993
about their latest album At Peace
At peace, these days
On March 10, after eight years of silence, the band woke their fans up from their slumber with the surprise release of At Peace. The lead single of off the album with the same name out on Epitaph Records on May 2, At Peace didn’t just include their signature riffs and insightful and poignant lyrics. It also seemed to convey a sense of being in the right place at the right time as the news becomes increasingly more anxiety inducing day after day.
Surprisingly, however, on this song lead singer Chris Hannah proclaims, “I am at peace, though presently convulsed with grief, I am at peace”. Words seldom spoken by a band who had always been vocal on what mattered to them while championing to change things for the better.
The album cover from Propagandhi’s upcoming album, At Peace uses the Edgar S. Paxson painting titled ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ from 1899. (propagandhi.com)
great interview with CBC Manitoba
Winnipeg’s Propagandhi breaks silence with 1st new song in 8 years
Red Kross – “Candy Coloured Catastrophe” – Redd Kross
I became reacquainted with Redd Kross through this really cool documentary on TUBI.
Redd Kross is a band from Hawthorne, California, who has been around since the late 70’s. The band started when brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald were just 16 and 11! The band’s first gig was opening for Black Flag with of all people, David Bowie in the audience. In 1982, the band changed the spelling to Redd Kross due to threatened legal action by the International Red Cross. Over the last 5 decades. The band has since released eight albums and three Eps all mixing punk, glam and powerpop.
Their latest offering came out in 2024 with this beauty,
Sky Wallace – “Marrow” – The Act of Living
Skye Wallace is a singer-songwriter out of Toronto. Wallace has released five studio albums: This Is How We Go (2013), Living Parts (2014), Something Wicked (2016), Skye Wallace (2019), “Terribly Good” (2022) and the most recent, The Act of living (2024). Here is a track-by-track explanation of Act of Living.
For me, the song that sticks out is Marrow.
Sister Ray – “Chewing On The Rind” – single
Sister Ray is the stage name of Ella Coyes, a Métis singer-songwriter. They obviously took the name from the Velvet Underground song. Sister Ray has in recent years been nominated for Junos and longlisted for the Polaris Prize.
Broken Social Scene – “Hey Amanda” – Remember the Humans
Broken Social Scene is of course, a musical collective that sometimes includes up to nineteen members. The constant main guys are Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. The band came on the scene creating a stir almost 25 years ago. This is their first record in nearly nine years.
Whole-Hearted 