Fifteen Emerging Canadian Artists We’re Really Excited About

Jul 03, 2012

anada Day has passed, and while our American readers are probably scratching their heads at that statement, us Canadians are rubbing ours, trying to soothe the hangovers out. But nothing gets rid of the post-Canada Day blues like music from exciting new Canadian artists, and we’ve listed the ones that we think will run 2012 and beyond. Have a look and let us know who we missed.

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Mac Demarco (Montreal)

Mac DeMarco is like your goofy friend calling you up at 3 A.M. to come and check out a really cool hat he found on the street. But his jokey demeanor matches his roundabout of tongue-in-cheek rock ‘n’ roll tropes. With another record on the horizon and one of the better live shows around, Mac DeMarco is a hilarious weirdo well worth watching. –Jon Pappo

Listen: “Rock and Roll Nightclub”

Ryan Hemsworth (Halifax)

We noticed Ryan back in February thanks to his passionate Grimes remix. He’s only getting bigger and better – His 22-minute, 24-rapper-spanning “yacht rap” epic is the year’s longest track to breeze by so quickly. His swelling instrumentals overflow with emotion, occasionally threatening to steal the breath from the rapper spitting over it. –Jordan Darville

Listen: “Deros”

Braids (Montreal)

I was really happy that Braids’ debut, Native Speaker, found its way onto the Polaris Prize shortlist last year, but in my eyes that was only the beginning. Their groove-heavy psychedelic avant-pop sound is near perfect, but it’s best enjoyed during their incredible continuous live performances. Can’t wait for record #2. –Dan Busheikin

Listen: “Peach Wedding”

Each Other (Halifax/Montreal)

It’s kind of difficult to look up Each Other on the World Wide Web, but the search is well worth it. A dose of jangly psychedelic pop that’s as idiosyncratic as it is catchy, the Montreal trio’s angular rhythms and melodies evoke the same feeling of the much beloved and now defunct Calgarians, Women. It’s art-rock done right. –Jon Pappo

Listen: “Ash Mound”

Blood Diamonds (Vancouver)

At only 21, this video game design student has already distinguished himself as a noteworthy producer of strange, energetic electronic music. In addition to his sublime solo works, he’s produced for Das Racist and collaborated with Grimes. Edit: Mike Tucker was actually born in Kansas, and is technically American. But he’s still cool. –Jordan Darville

Listen: “Dreams”

Dusted (Toronto)

Following years of seemingly nonstop touring with Holy Fuck, Brian Borcherdt decided to try something different. The result was Total Dust, an impressively consistent ten-song affair that showcases Borcherdt’s diverse songwriting ability, realized with a scrappy lo-fi glow courtesy of producer pal Leon Taheny. –Dan Busheikin

Listen: “Property Lines”

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan (Montreal/Toronto)

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan perfectly encapsulates Canada’s melding and dissipation of cultures. With a dramatic and heavy prog-rock sound, YT//ST is a collective fusion of the contemporary and traditional with a sound as softly moving as it is crushingly loud. –Jon Pappo

Listen: “Reverse Crystal // Murder of a Spider”

CFCF (Montreal)

Michael Silver showcases an astounding level of versatility in electronic music production. Between Exercises, an excellent album of instrumental compositions inspired by architecture, and his increasingly impressive remixes, CFCF brings a degree of refinement to a genre where partying is an increasingly prevalent M.O. –Jordan Darville

Listen: “Cometrue”

Foxes in Fiction (Toronto)

It’s been two years since Foxes in Fiction – real name Warren Hildebrand – released a full album of his washed out bedroom pop, but that’s basically two decades in internet years. Hildebrand’s gift of melody and penchant for hazy ambiance (not to mention giving out all his music for free) has kept him on our radar, and we can’t wait for his return. –Dan Busheikin

Listen: “Fifteen Ativan”

Doldrums (Montreal)

Doldrums is the sort of weirdo art project that sounds like opening every page on the internet at once. The textured mashing of styles, genres, sounds and samples is as disorienting as it is danceable. Though his live show left me confused and drained, it also left me wondering what the hell else is he capable of. –Jon Pappo

Listen: “Egypt”

Parlovr (Montreal)

Indie rock has been done to death and then some, but Parlovr exhibits an increasingly rare originality. On their recently-released Kool Soul, they craft memorable guitar pop with personality, plus throat-lacerating vocals for good measure. –Dan Busheikin

Listen: “Holding On To Something”

Purity Ring (Montreal)

Perhaps the most laurelled hip-hop indebted Canadian group of the year, Purity Ring’s incredible ascent is matched only by the gorgeous, life-affirming sound that’s totally their own. Frontwoman Megan James’ literary coos explode over Corine Roddick’s billowing, trap-inspired instrumentals, that turn vocal sample slices into otherworldly choruses. –Jordan Darville

Listen: “Belispeak”

METZ (Toronto)

Recently signing to Sub-Pop, METZ will probably be on the collective radar sooner than later. The trio’s distorted dissonant melodies and gut-wrenching screams are brash and painful in the best way possible. Who needs eardrums, anyway? –Jon Pappo

Listen: “Soft Whiteout”

Mode Moderne (Vancouver)

The constant Vancouver rain must have instilled some darkness in this west coast outfit, who draw on gloomy post-punk and melodic new wave tropes of the early ’80s. Mode Moderne’s overcast sound may be referential, but their recently-released Strange Bruises reveals a unique voice that we look forward to hearing more of. –Dan Busheikin

Listen: “Nightly Youths”

Times Neue Roman (Toronto)

My introduction to Times Neue Roman came pretty recently, but this Toronto-based “post-rap” duo is already a distinctly new voice, and not just in Canadian rap, but worldwide. Effortlessly freaky, always interesting, and distinctly hip-hop. –Jordan Darville

Listen: “Curated Friends”