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| Photo - Magda Benda |
Montreal-born singer-songwriter and producer mokina reveals her gorgeous, new EP ‘mirage’. The five track display of gentle, dreamy, indie-folk arrives with three previously unheard tracks; title track mirage, ‘heartbreaker’ and ‘dont wait por mim’. See below for
The record sees mokina dive into the complexities, illusions and delusions that often surround romantic connections. It sees them pull from her experiences of wxmanhood, pushing back against the constant critique and scrutiny wxman have come to accept as the norm. Sharing more about the EP, mokina explained: As wxmen, we’re taught to carry shame for things that are simply human—desire, detachment, choosing ourselves. These songs are about normalizing those experiences and letting go of that inner guilt. They hold space for that emotional complexity, and say, ‘It’s okay—you’re allowed to feel this.'
The new EP acts as a flawless introduction to mokina’s heartfelt lyricism and evocative melodies. She co-produced the record with Jeremy Lachance, on the scenic Portuguese coast, near her home in Ferrel, with moments of English, French and Portuguese peppered throughout the record, paying homage to worldly experiences. The album’s raw and intimate sound is brought to life through the expert mixing of fellow Montrealer Niall Mutter.
Two of mirage’s singles; ‘true’ and ‘sinner’ have already garnered critical acclaim, earning praise for their haunting beauty and captivating narratives. The visuals accompanying the project were filmed on location by Polish videographer Magda Benda, whose cinematic direction perfectly complements the music’s themes of love, lust and loss.
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| Photo - Guy Brooksbank |
Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers, aka the dynamic duo Chambers DeLauriers, are excited to announce the forthcoming release of their new album, Our Time To Ride, on August 22nd via Forty Below Records. They are also pleased to share their new single, "People Gonna Talk."
Our Time to Ride, was recorded at Studio MixArt in Montreal by producer Eric Corne (John Mayall, Sugaray Rayford, Joe Louis Walker), with further recording at Eric's Forty Below Studios in L.A. and Sound Arts in Houston, TX. It blends deep blues roots, soulful R&B melodies, and riff-driven rock with heartfelt storytelling, raw emotion, and dynamic musicianship. Rounding out their sound is their touring rhythm section, Gary Davenport on bass and Sly Coulombe on drums. Keyboard duties were handled by Sasha Smith and Jesse O'Brien, horns by Mark Pender and David Ralicke, and background vocals by Corne and Nicoya Polar.
The basic tracks were tracked live off the floor in Montreal, capturing the raw energy and chemistry of a Chambers DesLauriers performance. "Eric made sure we were all super comfortable, and things flowed," says Paul. "We had the luxury of feeling like we were just playing live." Once the foundation was laid, lead guitar, vocals, keyboards, horns, and background vocals were layered in. Annika recalls Paul recording most of the solos for the album in one night. "He was in the zone. They were asking him if he needed to take a break, and I said, 'No, just let him keep going, he's on a roll!'"
The new single, "People Gonna Talk," is an upbeat, groove-heavy mix of country, blues, and rock 'n Roll; this track is all about staying true to yourself. With a feel-good vibe that calls for line dancing, it reflects today's judgmental world and encourages listeners to let go of the noise. Imagine Mavis Staples meets The Rolling Stones - a blend of soulful grit and rock swagger that creates an anthem for living authentically.
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Miko Marks has released “Let The Music Get Down In Your Soul” via Redtone Records. The song, originally released in 1979 by gospel great Rance Allen of The Rance Allen Group, is one of Marks’ favorites. “When I was around 16 years old in Detroit, Michigan, I was lucky enough to perform with him in a gospel play called 'Mama Don’t,'” she recalls. “This was one of my rare stage performances at that time, and to be able to sing with one of the greats in gospel music is a priceless memory. It reminds me of how music has, and always will be, a healer. As we navigate uncertainty and these tumultuous times in our country, I hope this song can be a sweet respite for the listener to retreat and find a little joy."
“Let The Music Get Down In Your Soul” follows Marks’ January 20th release of “Peace of Mind (Live at Feldman’s),” another hope-filled, uplifting track. “‘Peace of Mind’ reminds me to pause for my peace as I navigate my life from day to day,” she explained. “Feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, and stress can really take me to dark places where I feel overwhelmed, and sometimes I'm unable to see my way out.
This song reminds me to take time to step away, to get a larger perspective. As the world hurries and worries itself along, we're part of something bigger and more constant than our struggles, our careers, our politics,” she continued. “Right now, we feel so divided and angry as a nation. Regardless of where we fall politically, we all need to find peace of mind in place of rage, blame, and despair. When I sing this song, I am always able to find the serenity and calm that I need, and I hope the listeners are able to tap into the same. Of all the songs in my live set, this is the one most likely to draw out some of my tears, and you can hear it in this live version,” she added. “They're tears of release and hope and of gratitude for the present and for days to come.”
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