April 22nd, 2025

Mickey O’Brien & Lee Reed fight “Plutocracy”

“Plutocracy” is the first in a series of stand-alone singles that Mickey O’Brien will be dropping in 2025 as he builds towards a new album planned for 2026.

Sudbury-based rapper Mickey O’Brien returns with a searing new single that cuts through the noise with unflinching social commentary and raw energy. Fusing gritty boom-bap with razor-sharp verses, “Plutocracy” confronts economic injustice and corporate power with an urgency that speaks to the times. O’Brien and politically-charged lyricist Lee Reed trade bars like battle cries, while Uncle Fester’s surgical scratching and the cinematic production of Danny Miles, drummer for the Juno-winning rock band July Talk, elevate the track into a protest anthem built for the underground. 

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien and Lee Reed
Produced by Danny Miles
Cuts by Uncle Fester

April 20th, 2025

“Been a Minute” review by Word Is Bond

“The [t]rack has a mellow and reflective vibe comprising solemn textures and soft drum grooves underpinned by Chadio’s expressive flow and insightful lyrics.” – Word Is Bond 

A short review of Chadio & The Gumshoe Strut’s “Been a Minute”, the first single from their upcoming collab album, Root Sellers, as part of Word Is Bond’s Top Submissions EP3 for April 2025.

April 15th, 2025

The Dirty Sample – Feeling the Sun

“Feeling the Sun”, the hot third single from The Dirty Sample’s upcoming beat tape, Love Always Wins If You Let It, is out now!

It’s the first day of Spring. The end of the day. The warmth has tired your very bones and all you want is a place to feel the sun soaked into your skin. Glorious! Like this song. The perfect soundtrack to your sun bathing activities. The Dirty Sample achieves this aspiration with off-kilter drums, some keys, and a drenching of the vocal sample that gives this song its title. Ah, the beauty of “Feeling the Sun”.

Produced by The Dirty Sample

April 10th, 2025

A library called Calder listening party

On Monday, April 14 at 8:30 PM EDT, Epic & Deadly Stare will be opening the doors to A library called Calder to take you on a quaint little tour. Hear the album in its entirety almost a full two weeks early, and discover the inspiration behind the lyrics and beats. RSVP here! And we hope to see you there!

April 8th, 2025

New Single: Chadio & The Gumshoe Strut – Been A Minute

Chadio is back with a new single, this time in collaboration with The Gumshoe Strut on production. Their new album drops on June 27. But get ready with “Been A Minute”…

“Been A Minute” pairs veteran wordsmith Chadio with longtime collaborator and producer The Gumshoe Strut, delivering a track that’s equal parts introspection and head-nodder. Chadio’s bars cut with quiet confidence, tracing themes of distance, reconnection, and personal evolution, while The Gumshoe Strut lays down a dusty, soul-laced groove that feels lived-in and cinematic. It’s a smooth listen with bite—proof that underground doesn’t mean undercooked. If this is the tone-setter, the album’s about to hit deep.

Written and performed by Chadio
Produced by The Gumshoe Strut
Cuts by Chaps

April 6th, 2025

Bandcamp Pre-order: Epic & Deadly Stare – A library called Calder

The new album from Epic & Deadly Stare entitled A library called Calder is now available for pre-order on Bandcamp. Whether your preferred method of music consumption is digital, CD, or vinyl record, we’ve got you covered! We also have a limited edition run of two t-shirt designs to help improve your fit.

The pre-order page also has the first three singles for you to sample prior to the purchase of the album, and we’ve also leaked currently only available on the Bandcamp pre-order, a fun little song called “Hey Robot Vacuum”.

A special shout out to Shauna Doris for her great cover art and t-shirt designs!

March 30th, 2025

“Chickpeas” reviewed by Word Is Bond

“Over a moody soundscape, Epic takes audiences deep into his life…” – Word Is Bond

A new, short review from Word Is Bond of Epic & Deadly Stare’s “Chickpeas”, the third single from their upcoming album, A library called Calder.

March 27th, 2025

“Chickpeas” reviewed by Folded Waffle

“For fans of Aesop Rock’s labyrinthine lyricism or Clipping.’s industrial edge, this track is a haunting reminder that hip-hop can still dissect the mundane to reveal the profound.” – Folded Waffle

A most excellent review by Folded Waffle of “Chickpeas”, the third single from Epic & Deadly’s Stare’s upcoming new album, A library called Calder. Check it out…

March 25th, 2025

Epic & Deadly Stare serve up “Chickpeas”

The third single from A library called Calder is out now…

After living in the inner city for most of his life, Epic retired from his career and moved away from the centre of the city, a change that provided some unexpected time to take a look back at his life and the little details that define who we are. The inspiration was unexpected and Epic soon discovered that Northside life was in sharp contrast to life in the decaying Edmonton centre. Surprisingly, the shining Christmas lights on the many neighbourhood bungalows were most noticeable. With a beat from Deadly Stare (Triune Gods, Endemik Music) that underscore life’s rhythms and precious moments, “Chickpeas” invites us warmly into Epic’s world.  

Written and performed by Epic
Produced and Mixed by Deadly Stare
Mastered by W.C. Spicer

March 24th, 2025

“The Vision” review by Word Is Bond

“…a cinematic and scenic piece that hits the bullseye.” – Word Is Bond

Word Is Bond reviews The Dirty Sample’s new single, “The Vision:…