Great Thunder by Waxahatchee In the midst of an era where bigger and louder sell more records, Katie Crutchfield’s latest EP under her moniker Waxahatchee is a reminder that one doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles to provoke and awe. With Great Thunder, the acclaimed singer-songwriter delivers one of the year’s most intimate and emotional records of the […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 December 5th edition is a bold mix of multiple genres. This year may be almost over but 2019 has lots of great musical treats in store. Today’s playlist begins with a thunderous roar from an indie icon.   Bob Mould – “What Do You Want Me to Know?” (Berlin, Germany via USA) RIYL: Hüsker Dü, Sugar, […]

The Matinee ’18 November 30th is an “ooh and aah” edition, featuring songs that will get your rocking and dancing and some that will you leave you spellbound. A few tracks, too, will take you back in time – or for us back to our youth (which is a long time ago). Arlo Parks – “Cola” (London, England) RIYL: Neneh […]

Your weekend soundtrack offers nine new music gems to discover. The Matinee ’18 November 16th edition features brooding indie rock, ethereal electro-pop, and an ambient-pop tune to remember. Grab your headphones and dive into these tunes from artists in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, and the USA.   Karen O & Danger Mouse – “Lux Prima” (Brooklyn, USA) RIYL: Karen O, […]

The Matinee ’18 November 15th features some mystical and mysterious numbers as well as rockers and hip-shaking pop tunes. We kick things off with the surprise return of one of indie-pop’s most underrated duos. Army Navy – “Her Makeup” (Los Angeles, USA) RIYL: Peter Bjorn and John, Teenage Fanclub, Shout Out Louds At the height of the indie revival in […]

Melodic Tonic ’18 November 7th is a tight five tunes to help you get over hump day. Some are extremely chill while others will leave you dazzled. Andrew Bird – “Bloodless” (Chicago, USA) RIYL: Jim James, Kishi Bashi, The Tallest Man on Earth You may not think of Andrew Bird as a protest artist. After all, violins and whistles are rarely […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 October 3rd edition gets a boost from women: five of the six artists featured today are either solo females or bands with strong female talents. With so much focus in the news about women being heard and believed, it seems like a good time to remind everyone of the empowering strength of womens’ voices. Adia Victoria […]

From reggae to rock, the Melodic Tonic ’18 August 29th edition offers six refreshing musical cocktails. This playlist features songs from two Americans, two Canadians, and one Aussie and British artist alike. We get started with a subtly ferocious collaborative tune. POSTDATA – “Erase Your Heart” (Halifax, NS, Canada) Le’s Be Wilderness by POSTDATA RIYL: Wintersleep, Frightened Rabbit, Manchester Orchestra […]

Several “newcomers” and a handful of indie stars make up The Matinee ’18 August 16th edition. There are rockers, there are some cosmic dreams, and there is some upbeat pop fare. We’re positive you’ll find a new band to love in this mini-playlist. Beverly Kills – “Fourteen” (Gothenburg, Sweden) RIYL: The Joy Formidable, Eagulls, YONAKA There is no shortage of […]

Today marks a new month, so it’s time to celebrate on the Melodic Tonic ’18 August 1st edition. These six songs from all North American artists take you on an emotional journey: it starts with a mellow dream-folk warmup and segues into an electronic dance-off at the end. So let these tunes help you shake off the mid-week blahs. Let’s […]

Need a mid-week jolt? Get your fix from the Melodic Tonic ’18 July 25th edition! These four sizzling songs feature strong female voices who demand your full attention. And like a double espresso, this playlist is sure to revive and energize you. Black Belt Eagle Scout – “Soft Stud” (Portland, OR USA) RIYL: Sleater-Kinney, Arcade Fire, Sara Ramirez “Radical indigenous […]

The Matinee ’18 July 24th features new music that will stir every bone in your body. There are intimate and dreamy numbers, raucous punk, spaced-out psychedelia, and boom anthems. So if you need a pick-me-up or something to calm the nerves, you’ll find it in the mini-playlist. Basement Revolver – “Dancing” (Hamilton, Ontario)  RIYL: The Cardigans, The Raveonettes, Lush […]

Another wide-ranging set of nine songs is featured on The Matinee ’18 June 12th. The mini-playlist commences with the return of one of indie rock’s great bands of the past two decades who set the tone for what comes after. Interpol – “The Rover” (New York City, USA) RIYL: Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Wolf Parade It’s hard to believe […]

Big, bold anthems and bone-chilling ballads fill up The Matinee ’18 May 24th edition. There are a few familiar names (and favorites) plus the usual assortment of hidden gems. This mini-playlist feels like a weekend version, which for some the weekend starts today. CASTLEBEAT – “Town” (Brooklyn, USA) RIYL: Daywave, Fazerdaze, Kane Strang Summer is just around the corner with […]

The second part of our Good Friday twinbill – The Matinee ’18 March 30th – North American Edition – has seven songs, and several of them are from some of our all-time favorites. There are upbeat numbers and a few extremely moving and powerful numbers.   Bloodboy – “Is Now a Good Time to Ruin Your Life?” (Los Angeles, USA) […]

For nearly a decade, Titus Andronicus made a career of blasting their violent, unrelenting punk music in dive and underground bars across North America. They were limited to these venues not because of lack of interest but their music and frenetic live shows needed to be contained. The  were and still are a detonating stockpile of dynamite. Maybe over the […]

The six cocktails on the Melodic Tonic ’18 February 28th edition are all potent in their own way. From dreamy indie pop to jangly Americana and psychedelic folk-rock, these artists from England, Scotland, and the USA offer plenty of variety to cure the midweek blues. This week’s playlist begins and ends in the UK.   Tracyanne & Danny – “Home […]

Nine more songs occupy The Matinee ’18 February 22nd. A couple of indie giants return and plenty of smaller bands that you ought to know. Anyway, let’s get to the music. Speedy Ortiz – “Lucky 88” (Boston, USA) RIYL: Veruca Salt, Hop Along, Girlpool As a band enters the “veteran” phase of their careers, they tend to dial down the […]

Anyone who has either read the Marvel comic books or watched the 18 films in its canon – the latest being Black Panther – knows that each character’s story eventually converges with the other superheroes to create a single universe. Montreal imaginative indie-rockers Ought have adopted a similar approach, although within a more manageable size of projects. Their first two […]

The Matinee ’18 February 9th has a bit of a sunny disposition, featuring songs that will warm your soul and steal your breath away like a beautiful sunset. You’ll find some shoegaze and psych-rock, indie rock to cinematic indie pop, something whimsical yet witty, and a slice of disco. Sit back and let the music below be your guide to […]