by Scott Roos live photos by Tracy Creighton ( Copperblue Photography and Design ) Our Grade: B+ Taya Lebel makes a confident first impression with her debut single, an upbeat and romantic track entitled "Life We're Livin'" (released this past September) that captures the rush of early love while keeping one eye firmly on the future. Inspired by shared memories with her boyfriend, the song leans into the glow of young summer romance - full of motion, optimism, and the promise

by Scott Roos live photo by Scott Roos Our Grade: A “Nobody Roads” (released this past September) feels like both a continuation and a quiet evolution for Josh Stumpf -almost a heartbreaking sequel to last year’s breakaway road trip stomper “Highway Money.”  Where that song reveled in momentum and grit, this one turns inward, tracing the emotional necessity of escape and solitude. It’s a deeply personal track rooted in Josh’s first-ever songwriting trip outside the country, w

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B Mercy Glover’s debut single “Ain’t Mine” captures that quiet, sinking moment when you realize the person beside you has their heart elsewhere . Written and performed by Glover, and produced by Jesse Weiman at Nolita Studios (with mastering by Trevor Case at Case Mastering), the track leans into a glossy, medium-tempo pop-country sound designed for easy connection and wide appeal. At its core, “Ain’t Mine” is undeniably catchy. The chorus lands with

photos and words by Scott Roos On Friday, January 23rd, Saskatoon’s The North Sound as part of the On Stage  concert series to Prince Albert’s EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, delivered an intimate, career-spanning performance that showcased both the duo’s evolution and their growing confidence as storytellers, songwriters, and performers. The North Sound - Forrest and Nevada Eaglespeaker - were joined by a formidable backing band affectionately billed by the Eaglespeakers a

by Scott Roos Our Grade - C+ Released on Oct. 17th, Regina's Sifu and the Hat's “Wakin’ Up” is a bold attempt at the traditional blues genre. While it doesn’t completely break new ground, it delivers enough grit and energy to make an impression. With a press release citing Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, R.L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough, listeners can expect something raw, angular, and lived-in. Instrumentally, to a degree, the track succeeds. The groove has a decent, unforc

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B+ Softlung, the Saskatoon-based project of S.J. Kardash, returns with “Midnight Mountains,”  a smooth, well-crafted single that leans heavily on strong production and clean melodic instincts. Released on November 4th, the track is silky without being slick, with clear attention paid to how each element sits in the mix. It flirts with adult contemporary territory with a light touch of alt-rock but keeps enough indie-pop character to avoid sounding ove

By Scott Roos band photo courtesy of Fake Paradise Free Fall Released March, 2025 Our Grade - A In March, Saskatoon’s Fake Paradise released their single Free Fall. Collectively, It's a head-bobbing reminder of just how heavy a local band can get. From the first note, guitarist Jace Irvine’s fuzz-laden riff grabs you by the ears and drags you straight into a Master of Reality –era Black Sabbath mood. There’s a boogie-like swing to it, heavy but moving, the kind of riff that m

by Scott Roos photo courtesy of Anna Haverstock Our Grade: B- Anna Haverstock’s latest single, entitled "Lungs", explores the emotional strain of miscommunication - the kind of recurring conversational breakdowns that leave people feeling unheard despite their best intentions. Written and performed by Haverstock, produced by Aspen Beveridge, and supported by background vocals from Jill Haverstock, the track is rooted in personal expression and an earnest desire to connect, ev

by Scott Roos band photo courtesy of The Shyning Our Grade: A With their debut single “Falling,” Prince Albert hard-rock outfit The Shyning come out of the gate with a track that’s confident, polished, and deeply rooted in the traditions of pre-digital rock. What immediately stands out is the production - this is a mix that feels big, warm, and undeniably professional. Everything sits exactly where it should, which gives the song an instant radio-ready sheen. Chris McDonald’s

Words by Scott Roos Photos by Scott Roos Prince Albert’s most eccentrically charismatic musical export, The Prince Albert Band, packed The Spice Trail to capacity for a free show on Friday, Nov. 14 delivering a performance equal parts chaotic, clever, and irresistibly fun. For a group that openly embraces its own weirdness, the five-piece continues to prove that their unlikely blend of jazz, prog rock, punk, and metal isn’t just a novelty - it’s morphing into a bona fide loc

by Scott Roos photos by Brooke And Media On Friday, November 7th, Regina’s Wolf Willow took the stage at the Rock Trout Café in Prince Albert, with local favourites Rez Boyz opening the night. The Rock Trout continues to be a cool, vibey little space for live music. The red brick walls add warmth and ambience, and acoustically, the room holds up surprisingly well, letting both subtle textures and louder passages come through clearly. It’s a slim room, so when packed, there’s

by Scott Roos photos by Scott Roos Sunday, Oct. 19th at the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts  in Prince Albert, audiences witnessed a rare meeting of two icons from the ’90s singer-songwriter boom: Paula Cole  and Sophie B. Hawkins . Their dual performance wasn’t nostalgia - it was renewal. Cole and Hawkins, who at that point were four dates into their Western Canadian tour, brought distinct energies to the stage. Hawkins burned bright, spontaneous and unrestrained. Cole fol

by Scott Roos Sophie B. Hawkins (L) and Paula Cole (R) will be hitting up western Canada in the next few weeks time! Two of the most...

by Scott Roos Our Grade: A+ The Kennedy McLeod Quintet’s latest release, Home Brew , is a masterclass in modern jazz with deep roots in...

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B+ Saskatoon’s GreenWing are back swinging with their latest single “All Hard Feelings” — a bitter breakup...

Photos and Words by Scott Roos Southern rock ain’t just a genre - it’s damn near a gospel. And on Friday night at Saskatoon's Sasktel...

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B+ Following the success of their 2024 single “Barren Walls” —which held steady on Billboard’s Canadian Rock...

photos and words   by Scott Roos Mercy Glover performing during a particularly intimate moment of her set. There’s something charmingly...

by Scott Roos live photos by Tracy Creighton ( Copperblue Photography and Design ) Our Grade: B+ Released: June 2025 (Physical),...

by Scott Roos Released May 1, 2025 | Independent | 11m 47s Our Grade: B+ With A Siren’s Tale , folk duo Gil & Wil - comprised of Aiden...