THE PINTOS – “Studio Rain”

THE PINTOS :: “Studio Rain” [Single]
Down By The Point Records :: Release date: May 8, 2026

The Pintos — formerly Matt Paxton & The Pintos — are a Hamilton, Ontario alt-country band that has been gaining international recognition over the past several years for heart-wrenching songwriting, augmented by a distinctive musical chemistry. The quartet comprised of singer/songwriter/guitarist Matt Paxton, bassist Carrie Clark, pedal steel guitarist Chris Altmann and drummer Robin Pirson is poised to release the follow-up to their acclaimed 2023 EP Tornado later this year, with the first preview coming in the form of “Studio Rain,” a hazy excursion into cosmic country territory that boldly displays The Pintos’ new direction. “Studio Rain” was recorded in Hamilton and co-produced by Steve Pitkin of Juno Award winners Elliott Brood.

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BOBBY DOVE – Fortune Teller

BOBBY DOVE :: Fortune Teller
New Motor Records :: Release date: April 24, 2026

Canadian singer-songwriter Bobby Dove, a trans/non-binary artist originally hailing from Montreal, has worked their magic once again on the new album Fortune Teller, available on New Motor Records/Warner ADA. Produced in Toronto by Aaron Goldstein (Cowboy Junkies, Kathleen Edwards), the 12-track collection (13 if fortune favours you) is a cohesive country album, weaving between honky tonk, blues and contemporary folk, as the soundtrack for Dove’s relatable lyrics.

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DANIEL ISAIAH – Western Medicine

DANIEL ISAIAH :: Western Medicine
Independent :: Release date: April 17, 2026

After previewing his new album Western Medicine with the brilliant singles “Too Far To Run” and “How The Tiger Got Her Stripes,” Montreal-based singer/songwriter Daniel Isaiah today releases the full 10-song collection — a tour de force of roots music song craft, conjuring images of Leonard Cohen fronting The Band, and Randy Newman recording in Neil Young’s barn.

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LIV WADE – “Carolina”

LIV WADE :: “Carolina” [Single]
Merilainen Music Inc. :: Release date: April 17, 2026

After releasing the internationally acclaimed EP Radios and Buffalos in 2024, multi-talented Indigenous recording artist Liv Wade is set to return with a new five-song collection entitled Fur Queen. Overall, it displays Liv’s wide-ranging musical approach, with the latest single “Carolina” being a dramatic ballad that blends traditional storytelling with soaring modern production.

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CARRIE CLARK – Resistor

CARRIE CLARK :: Resistor [EP]
Down By The Point Records :: Release date: March 20, 2026

Since the late 1990s, Carrie Clark has been a familiar presence within the Hamilton, Ontario music scene, contributing her bass and vocal talents to myriad albums and live performances by local artists. Most recently, Clark has become a full-fledged member of alt-country outfit Matt Paxton & The Pintos [now simply The Pintos], whose 2023 EP Tornado received international acclaim. However, since 2020 Clark has been creating her own music, and subsequently released her debut EP, Roll Me Up Integrity, two years later. She has now followed it up with Resistor, a six-track collection that highlights her expansive musical range.

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ODD MARSHALL – Seconds

Odd Marshall (seated left) / Photo: Heather Thorn

ODD MARSHALL :: Seconds
Independent :: Release date: March 6, 2026

On his aptly titled sophomore album Seconds, Odd Marshall expands his sonic palette, blending indie rock, folk-rock, and alt-country while leaning into a distinctly ’90s-influenced sound. The album features Blind Melon guitarists Rogers Stevens and Christopher Thorn — who also produced and mixed the record — along with contributions from Foo Fighters keyboardist Rami Jaffee, Mathias Schneeberger of The Afghan Whigs, drummer Denny Weston Jr. (KT Tunstall) and bassist Jon Ossman (Chris Botti).

When planning Seconds, the follow-up to his 2024 debut Sand & Glue, Odd Marshall was turned down by a prominent Canadian producer, prompting him to ask, “Who else did I like when I was 14?” The answer that immediately sprang to mind was the band Blind Melon so, with nothing to lose, he found a contact, sent a cold email with demos attached, and in no time he was chatting with Thorn who agreed to take the reins and bring in his six-string partner Stevens, marking the first time they have worked together outside of Blind Melon.

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DANIEL ISAIAH – “Too Far To Run” [Single]

Photo: Clark Ferguson

DANIEL ISAIAH :: “Too Far To Run” [Single]
Independent :: Release date: March 6, 2026

“Too Far To Run” is the first preview of Montreal-based singer/songwriter Daniel Isaiah’s sixth solo album, Western Medicine, out April 17. Anyone familiar with his past work will immediately notice his continuing musical evolution, with the new 10-song collection being his most compelling to date — a tour de force of roots music song craft, conjuring images of Leonard Cohen fronting The Band, and Randy Newman recording in Neil Young’s barn. The sound of Western Medicine is a reflection of the confidence Isaiah has built over the three years since making his previous album To Live A Wild Life, with spontaneity also a key ingredient in giving songs such as “Too Far To Run” an easy-flowing groove that complements a vibe Daniel compares to seeing the first bird of spring.

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CABIN FEVER – “No Back Page” [Single]

Photo: Will Ronholm Photography

CABIN FEVER :: “No Back Page” [Single]
Independent :: Release date: March 6, 2026

Following their first single of 2026 “Good Old Days” — featured as a Track of the Day at Americana UK and Quality Americana — Canadian bluegrass / alt-country group Cabin Fever are today releasing “No Back Page,” an emotional counterpoint in its depiction of fading small town life. The song is a showcase for the group’s harmony vocals, with its story inspired by guitarist Kyle Faulkner’s experiences living in northern Saskatchewan and traveling throughout the U.S. Midwest, where a sense of community often revolved around the town newspaper.

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JOHN SCHWIRTLICH – Apertures

JOHN SCHWIRTLICH :: Apertures
Independent :: Release date: March 6, 2026

John Schwirtlich has been a professional photographer for the past 25 years, based in Kamloops, British Columbia, shooting everything from his twin passions for skiing and live music to working on film sets and architectural projects. Now, John’s musical aspirations have come to fruition with his debut album, Apertures, a roots rock feast that sounds like someone who’s actually been in the songwriting game for a long time. Produced by Craig Smith of the band ONTARIANS, the 10 full-band songs on Apertures are a reflection of the title in terms of exposing various degrees of personal experience, with John’s rough-edged voice ideally suited to tell his story.

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CALEB TOMLINSON – Solstice [EP]

CALEB TOMLINSON :: Solstice [EP]
Independent :: Release date: March 6, 2026

Whether it’s the isolation or the natural environment, there’s something distinct about Yukon singer/songwriters. Caleb Tomlinson, based in Whitehorse, is a prime example. His music shines with an intimacy and simplicity that on the surface seems disconnected from the modern world, although its effect is an immediate connection to a listener’s soul.

Tomlinson’s latest six-song collection, Solstice, is a pure expression of his gifts, which draw inspiration from the timeless work of Leonard Cohen and Kris Kristofferson, as well as Jason Molina and John K Samson. Although the EP appeared on streaming services in 2024 with little fanfare, Tomlinson is giving Solstice a proper release today in response to his expanding touring schedule that included a January/February jaunt to the UK and Ireland. In any case, Solstice captures a moment that deserves to be shared, no matter when it occurred.

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