HELENA DELAND SHARES NEWEST VOLUME OF EP SERIES

HELENA DELAND’S ALTOGETHER UNACCOMPANIED, VOL. V EP OUT TODAY VIA CHIVI CHIVI

BUY / STREAM ALTOGETHER UNACCOMPANIED, VOL. V EP HERE

WATCH / SHARE “SILVER AND RED” (VIDEO) HERE

MARCH 2025 UK SOLO TOUR DATES BEGIN MARCH 25

Photo Credit : Anaïs Ramos // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Today, the acclaimed Montreal-based songwriter and musician Helena Deland returns with Altogether Unaccompanied, Vol. V, the 2-track newest installment of her beloved series of EPs which she began releasing in 2018.

Helena Deland shares: “When I finished recording what I thought would be my first album, in 2017, I was faced with a miscellaneous bunch of songs. Instead of wiggling them into the expected format, I released them as a series of short EPs called Altogether Unaccompanied, volumes I-IV. Volume V is out today, and the series becomes an open-ended place for me to share songs which haven’t made it onto albums, or which seem to exist on their own, more or less unaccompanied.”

The release of Altogether Unaccompanied, Vol. V  comes with a video for the track “Silver and Red” shot by Nik Arthur, capturing a timelapse view of a quiet brook fighting through winter ice. 

BUY / STREAM ALTOGETHER UNACCOMPANIED, VOL. V EP HERE

WATCH / SHARE “SILVER AND RED” HERE

MORE ABOUT HELENA DELAND

Helena Deland is interested in how songs can hold what eludes everyday language. Her music draws inspiration from reading and walking around. 

Her debut album Someone New was released on Luminelle Recordings in 2020, introducing her new and resonant voice to a growing fanbase. Three years later, she published the acclaimed Goodnight Summerland, with label and longtime collaborators Chivi Chivi. In parallel, she explored new soundscapes with Hildegard, her collaborative project with fellow Montreal musician Ouri. Together, they released two albums, 2021’s Hildegard and 2024’s Jour 1596. She has also worked with other renowned artists, collaborating with Men I Trust, JPEGMAFIA, Jonah Yano and Claire Rousay amongst others. 

After opening for the likes of Weyes Blood, Andy Shauf, Connan Mockasin, Soccer Mommy and Iggy Pop, she toured Goodnight Summerland across North America and Europe. In 2025, she will be performing intimate solo concerts, blending existing material with new songs, foreshadowing new music to come out in the near future.

BUY / STREAM ALTOGETHER UNACCOMPANIED, VOL. V EP HERE

HELENA DELAND UK TOUR DATES
March 25, 2025 Bristol - The Cellars (Bristol Beacon) TICKETS
March 26, 2025 London - St Matthias Church TICKETS
March 27, 2025 Brighton - ALPHABET TICKETS
March 28, 2025 Manchester - Low Four TICKETS
March 29, 2025 Leeds - Belgrave Music Hall TICKET

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ALTOGETHER UNACCOMPANIED, VOL. V TRACKLIST
1. Silver and Red
2. Bigger Pieces

HELENA DELAND
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YOUNG FRIEND ANNOUNCES DEBUT LP, MOTORCYCLE SOUND EFFECTS, SHARES NEW SINGLE

YOUNG FRIEND ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM MOTORCYCLE SOUND EFFECTS DUE OUT APRIL 4, 2025 VIA NETTWERK

WATCH / SHARE “I LIKE GIRLS” HERE
BUY / STREAM “I LIKE GIRLS” HERE

Photo Credit: Zachary Vague // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Today, Vancouver indie rocker and JUNO Award-nominated artist-producer young friend (Drew Tarves) announces his debut album, motorcycle sound effects, due out on April 4, 2025 via Nettwerk. Recorded in September 2022 and co-produced alongside David Marinelli (FINNEAS, JAWNY, Wallice), young friend sings about the nuances of growing up, capturing the people and experiences along the way. New track, “i like girls”, is the fourth single from the forthcoming album. The sentimental retro-pop banger shows off a catchy chorus and witty lyrics that pit Tarves as an anti-romantic with lines like, ‘She's been, Sleepin' at my apartment, Askin' what the line about stars meant, Honey I don't fucking know.’

On his debut album, Tarves describes the sound as a “genre-bending fever dream album,” taking inspiration from a variety of sources from Wilco and Adrienne Lenker to The Strokes and Porches.

“motorcycle sound effects is really just about growing up. It’s about the people you encounter and the experiences that make you into the person that you are,” explains Tarves. “I really wanted to capture all the sides of the coin; the shitty sides, the side where I was wrong, the side where I did the right thing, and it still didn't work out, the side where something is new and exciting and it's all you can think about, all of it.”

WATCH / SHARE “I LIKE GIRLS” HERE
BUY / STREAM “I LIKE GIRLS” HERE

MORE ABOUT YOUNG FRIEND
Drew Tarves' music as young friend feels classic and immediate all at once, capturing the nostalgia of post-adolescence while diving deep into a pool of self-reflection. His next project is bursting with big feelings and perfect golden light. It feels messy and raw, like long summer nights piling into the back of a pickup truck with all your friends, sprinting to catch the last summer sunset, taking off your shoes and dancing in the grass, falling, getting back up. 

WATCH / SHARE “SOFT LIGHT” LYRIC VIDEO
BUY / STREAM “SOFT LIGHT” HERE

A trained dancer for most of his adolescence, the 24-year-old Vancouver native switched artistic disciplines after spending time jamming with his musician friends. "I found out very quickly that I loved it," he recalls. "It was my favorite thing to do." Armed with a guitar and a laptop, Tarves started hashing out early songwriting attempts on GarageBand as he found his own style that suited him: "It was all about experimenting while trying to find what worked for me."

WATCH / SHARE “GOLDEN RULE” HERE
BUY / STREAM “GOLDEN RULE” HERE

In 2022, Tarves released his indie-pop debut EP HOW DID WE GET HERE?, and quickly followed it up with a sophomore in 2023 titled scaredy cat. 2024 brought in his first Canadian and international touring, as well as a JUNO nomination. Now, young friend is prepping his debut full-length that’s produced by friend and frequent collaborator David Marinelli (FINNEAS, Ashe, Wallice, spill tab). The album pulls inspiration from a multitude of places and artists, landing in this comfy space of new and familiar while also making room for self-discovery. It will take you along for the ride of your life. “This album takes notes from a lot of different artists and bands that I really love, and as a result, it is this sort of genre-bending fever dream album.”

WATCH / SHARE “THE REAL DEAL” HERE
BUY / STREAM “THE REAL DEAL” HERE

YOUNG FRIEND IN THE PRESS

"...fuzzy, jangly and all kinds of refreshing, sauntering through glitzy indie-rock riffs and headstrong, energetic rhythms." – Paste Magazine

"...young friend has established himself as a rising act in heartfelt pop, building an expansive sonic world brimming warm nostalgia and self-reflection." –EARMILK

"young friend keeps it casual and cheeky, but can’t help but charm listeners as the chorus melts into an earnest admission."  – Ones to Watch

"...summer anthems that sound otherworldly..." –SHEESH MEDIA

"One remarkable aspect of songwriting is the ability to paint a picture. It’s a rare talent, being able to use words to create a visceral image within the mind of a listener. With his slow-burn acoustic pop hits, young friends has mastered this art." – V Magazine

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MOTORCYCLE SOUND EFFECTS TRACKLIST
1. golden rule
2. loose
3. american spirit
4. eye to eye
5. thank you for the ride
6. sweet tooth
7. stranger
8. the real deal
9. trouble
10. soft light
11. i like girls
12. boyfriend material

 YOUNG FRIEND ONLINE
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COLD SPECKS ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, LIGHT FOR THE MIDNIGHT

Photo Credit : Ted Belton // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Singer, songwriter and producer Cold Specks (aka Al Spx) will release her fourth studio album, Light for the Midnight, on limited edition vinyl, CD and digitally on April 9 via Secret City Records in Canada and Mute in the rest of the world.

Light for the Midnight is a 10-track collection of fervent ballads and atmospheric songs, with Spx’s soulful voice channelled into expansive sonic worlds. At its core, it is a raw and deeply emotional personal reflection on endurance, survival, and transformation. 

The new album launches today with “Lingering Ghosts”, which was co-written with British songwriter Ben Christophers (Françoise Hardy, Imogen Heap), and features Adrian Utley (Portishead) on guitar and production, Ali Chant (Perfume Genius / Katy J Pearson) on bass and production, Seb Rochford (Patti Smith / Adele) on drums and Dan Moore on piano.

LISTEN / SHARE “LINGERING GHOSTS” HERE
BUY / STREAM “LINGERING GHOSTS” HERE

MORE ABOUT LIGHT FOR THE MIDNIGHT
Light for the Midnight was conceived during a challenging period in Spx’s life, with work beginning amidst struggles with her mental health, experiences that are deeply embedded in the music. Spx emphasises its universality, despite its personal origins: "I definitely wanted to reflect on the last couple of years because it impacted me so much, but I also wanted the audience to walk away with this album. You know, the songs belong to them once I release them.”

The record was crafted in Toronto and Bristol, with Spx co-producing alongside Adrian Utley and Ali Chant. The album features string arrangements by Owen Pallett (Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Sampha) and additional contributions from Graham Walsh of Holy Fuck. Spx also worked with a stellar line up of collaborators, including Chantal Kreviazuk (Drake, Kendrick Lamar) who co-wrote “Wandering in the Wild” and “How it Feels” (the latter described by The Guardian as “… a bruised but unbowed piano ballad”), Malcolm Middleton of Arab Strap, Ben Christophers (who co-wrote “Lingering Ghosts”), Terry Edwards, Ed Harcourt, and Jonathan Quarmby.

LISTEN / SHARE “HOW IT FEELS” HERE
BUY / STREAM “HOW IT FEELS” HERE

Since she arrived on our screens with an unforgettable a capella performance on Later… with Jools Holland in 2011, Cold Specks has delivered crackling, pared-down guitar blues, gothic soul, gospel and warm electronics across three albums which won Polaris Music Prize and JUNO Award nominations: 2012’s I Predict A Graceful Expulsion, 2014’s Neuroplasticity and 2017’s Fool’s Paradise. Her musical stretch is vast, she has worked with Swans, Massive Attack, and Moby and performed at Joni Mitchell’s birthday concert. This first album in seven years showcases her vast talent as a vocalist, songwriter, lyricist and producer to startling effect. 

LISTEN / SHARE “WANDERING IN THE WILD” HERE
BUY / STREAM “WANDERING IN THE WILD” HERE

Light for the Midnight captures Cold Specks at her most vulnerable and powerful, weaving stories of struggle into stunning compositions that resonate deeply. It is an album of hope and transformation.

PRE-SAVE LIGHT FOR THE MIDNIGHT HERE
PRE-ORDER LIGHT FOR THE MIDNIGHT HERE

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LIGHT FOR THE MIDNIGHT TRACKLIST
01 How it Feels
02 Venus in Pisces
03 Wandering in the Wild
04 Cold Goodbye
05 Endlessly
06 Lingering Ghosts
07 Cheap Dreaming
08 Lovely Little Bones
09 Curse Away
10 Closer

PRAISE FOR COLD SPECKS

“’How It Feels’ is a matter-of-fact, raw and vulnerable reminder of how potent Cold Specks’s artistry is” – Dominionated

“Haunting and introspective” – Billboard (How It Feels)

“Compelling and timeless” - The Observee

“Haunting and healing in equal measures” - The Guardian

“… peerless” – Pitchfork

“Haunting doom-laden soul” - Vogue

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