Apologue Podcast

Michael Crusty is a content creater and freelance Video Editor. Michael is resposible for the Mikey and His Uke Series on YouTube for all of the video editing and project managment. Michael also plays in the anti-queens playing bass and production. a wonderful conversation and a classic epidoe of the Apologue Podcast! Mikey And his Uke: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeyAndHisUkeAntiQueens: https://antiqueens.com/Crusty Media: https://www.instagram.com/crustymedia/?hl=en This episode is brought to you byGo to BETTERHELP.com/apologue for confidential online counselling.use the code word Apologue for a 7 day free trial Pledge monthly with Patreon https://www.patreon.com/apologueShop Apologue products at http://apologue.ca/shop

Recorded in the dead of winter in a newly constructed studio at the former residence of controversial Edmonton photographer Con Boland, the month-long project was the result of what the sound might be if there was a collaboration between Elliott Smith and Massive Attack. Long gone are the bluesy-punk sounds of Sparrow’s first band the Murder City Sparrows. Sparrow tells the story. “Eight records in fifteen years… Some came easy, others were a struggle. ‘Hard Eight’ is a little of both. I fell in love and found the woman I am to marry since my last record came out in 2020. You can hear a little of what that sounds like in some of the songs. The act of writing music feels like sitting under an attic hatch far above your body, you close your eyes and the hatch opens, falling through the crack are particles of dusty creative moments, if I am positioned correctly with instrument in hand, they land on me, some I even reach out and catch. They aren’t mine, I don’t know where they come from but if I am ready and a

The Anti-Queens, Toronto's premiere punk rock 'n' rollers, have just announced their latest LP, "Disenchanted," with an advance single and video for the track "Doomed Again". The new album will appear worldwide on digital and vinyl formats via Stomp Records on May 17th, 2024. For over a decade, The Anti-Queens have been a prominent force in Toronto's music scene. The Anti-Queens are led by the fiercely talented and dynamic duo of Emily Bones and Valerie Knox, who bring a punk-rock energy that challenges the male-dominated music industry. Known for their electrifying live performances, they've gained a reputation for their unstoppable energy and powerful stage presence. Their latest album, "Disenchanted," continues their tradition of crafting infectious, hook-laden anthems that will surely delight fans of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Distillers, Hole, L7, Lunachicks, and The Warning. The advance single “Doomed Again” embodies the essence of blistering 1977 punk, infused with just the right touch of Bad Rel

Fog Lamp, the enigmatic synth-punk trio hailing from Oakland, has been making waves in the local music scene with their genre-defying sound since their emergence in 2022. Comprising Aaron on vocals, Leslie on synthesizers, and Adam on guitar and drum machines, Fog Lamp seamlessly blends elements of cyberpunk, goth, and cold wave to create a haunting and dystopian sonic experience. Looking ahead, Fog Lamp plans to embark on a Southern California mini-tour following the release of their new album. Bolstered by local label support that saw their debut album sell out, the band remains grounded despite their growing recognition. "Enjoy the pleasantly discordant, industrial, post-punk energy of... Fog Lamp," says White Crate Bay Area Music Blog. "Packed with timeless dark synth anthems one after another, the seasoned goth as well as newly-initiated heads will be pleased to hear the call of familiar motifs from olden days, a nostalgia that’s been successfully resurrected." Fog Lamp’s latest offering is a haunting sy

Strongly influenced by the expression of her subconscious mind, cinematic romance and alternative rock, Kate Von Heart is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter with a bewitching sensibility. And, on Feb.9th she'll be releasing That Isn’t You And Me (Part I)After completing her music education at Cégep Marie-Victorin and the Université du Québec à Montréal, she delved into various musical projects, showcasing her talents in performances across Canada at shows, competitions, and festivals. Additionally, she made appearances as a backup singer on television, notably on Radio-Canada's "En direct de l'univers."Her latest EP, styled as gloomy rock, intricately captures the poignant mourning of a romanticized yet ultimately disappointing relationship. This musical journey is characterized by catchy melodies, emotionally raw lyrics infused with a hint of sarcasm, and her warm, passionate vocals. The album's musical backdrop spans from comforting melancholy to cathartic intensity, creating a rich and engaging experience

Born & raised in Mississauga, ON, Canada, Woody cut his teeth on the Canadian music industry with his band in the mid 90’s. Drawn to the small town lifestyle of his roots in Cape Breton, NS, he now calls his home Rockwood, ON. After many years struggling to find a place in the corporate world, he has now found a renewed passion & love for music and will not let anything stand in his way. The music is much more than Top 40. The kind of melodies that linger in your head well after you’ve heard them. He gives life to your own struggles. Like listening to an old friend. Woody is an unassuming, humble guy that will surprise you with his powerful voice. A voice that combined with with the real & “come from the heart” lyrics will leave you more hopeful & inspired in your life.  Facbook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodyWoodburn12Website: https://woodywoodburn.ca/ This episode is brought to you byGo to BETTERHELP.com/apologue for confidential online counselling.use the code word Apologue for a 7 day free trial

Born in Lisbon and raised in Toronto Leyton was a founding member and songwriter in Canadian art-glam indie project The Conscience Pilate. He founded the Fading Ways record label and released three critically acclaimed solo albums, Down Secret Avenue with the Last Lovers, From the Brighter Side of Her Midnight Sun and The Betrayal of the Self. He has played guitar as well as bass for other musical projects live and in the studio, including Canadian rockers Crash Kelly (fellow Canadian musician Sean Kelly’s band) and Barry Walsh’s Canadian power pop outfit Galore. He participated in a side-project with Ky Anto, titled Pretty Volume, and recorded an EP with fellow Canadian guitarist Rich Jones and The Wildhearts’ frontman Ginger in the UK. The Hellacopters’s Nicke Andersson and Backyard Babies’s guitarist Dregen were guests on Leyton’s The Betrayal of the Self album and Leyton in turn participated in a side project with Andersson called The Point. Leyton also co-wrote and sang on Andersson’s debut solo album Im

The Stephen Stanley Band’s is happy to introduce their new album, Before The Collapse Of The Hive (Wolfe Island Records). It’s an album brimming with raw, unflinching urgency, steadfast observation and soul-searching storytelling that highlights Stephen’s immediate world: those he loves, and those he’s lost.  Recording the album on on Wolfe Island became an integrated life experience. Start and stop times were not regimented. “Often, we’d go and play a set at the Hotel Wolfe Island (co-owned by album producer and album contributor, Hugh Christopher Brown) and recording would just take place around the timing of the show.” Except for Kate Fenner, Michael Blake and Ron Hawkins, outside of his band, everyone who played on the new record lives on Wolfe Island. A wonderful stable of players and singers, deeply affected the sound of this new work, produced again, by Hugh Christopher Brown. The Stephen Stanley Band’s internationally acclaimed record, Jimmy & the Moon (2017), saw Stephen and his band going i

Sean Barrette is an author who has since written a book "Heartstrings - First Guitars" Heartstrings – First Guitars, is a collection of memories from a variety of musicians, famous, semi-famous, up and coming, anonymous, or otherwise, about the guitar they learned on, the first guitar they bought with their own money, the first “good” guitar they owned, or the beloved first-line guitar that accompanied them on first songs, first shows, first tours, or first recordings. These short, narrative pieces, tied together with first-time author Sean Barrette’s memories of a life and career spent immersed in music, tell a story that demonstrates that, no matter the guitar player, they all have this first guitar story and love to tell it. It's the thread that ties all guitar players together, but these stories also provide insight into the very beginnings of many of the musical artists we love. It may even provide insight into the guitar player who lives with you. Or encourage someone to pick up a guitar and get p

David McPherson is a Waterloo, Ontario-based author, freelance writer, and communications consultant. Ever since attending his first rock concert in 1989 (The Who) and buying his first LP (Freeze Frame by The J. Geils Band), music has become “the elixir of his life.” With more than 18,000 songs on my iPod, and an ever-growing vintage vinyl collection, it’s a joy to discover new music; he loves sharing these discoveries with his wife and two children. After watching his first show [The Old 97s] at the Horseshoe Tavern more than twenty years ago, he was in love with this iconic venue. David’s first book: The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History chronicled the history of this Toronto institution; it was published in 2017. Since, he has published two more books: Massey Hall (2021) and 101 Fascinating Canadian Music Facts (2023).  A regular contributor to Words + Music, GRAMMY.com and the Globe & Mail, over the years, his writing has appeared in countless publications including: Zoomer!, Sharp, No Dep

Following a trail of back-to-back hits and raw, defiant anthems, Lone Kodiak drops their latest single, "Werewolf Girl," serving as both a capstone to an already remarkable year and an omen of what’s to come. No better evidence of that can be found in the fact that the band enjoyed yet another premiere yesterday, this time with Vents Magazine. Known for their propulsive innovation and artful musings, the East LA quartet continues their ascent into the echelons of alternative rock.  Emerging from the depths of a transformative creative process that birthed hits like "Corner Booth" and "Let's Hear It For The Kid," Lone Kodiak taps into a new level of musical maturation. Leaning into their proven versatility—inspired by iconic bands such as The Cure, Hum, and The Smashing Pumpkins—the group yet again redefines the auditory experience.  If David Lynch ever wanted a soundtrack for the Twilight Zone of his dreams, "Werewolf Girl" would undoubtedly be his first choice. With a vibe that pays homage to b

Welcome to the sandstorm stirred by Detective Frog—Jacob Riddle, Bill Lizard, and Ricky Business—emanating from the sinful grounds of Las Vegas. Imagine Queens of the Stone Age jamming with Ween in a haunted theater, attended by The Cramps and Misfits as raucous spectators.   Jacob emanates enough machismo on chords to captivate the screaming hordes of the band’s fans, the self-anointed, ‘Froglodytes.’ Ricky's drumming radiates enough anarchic energy to earn a firm nod from Dave Lombardo. Bill is the backbone, picking with enough technical proficiency to warp his guitar into Dali paintings.  They've stormed smokey punk bars and witches' festivals, tearing through songs like “Pale Teeth” and “Mummy Dearest,” culminating in the masterpiece “Phantom of the Community,” set to headline their Halloween 2023 album, Vol. 1. Each single is a scene from a movie Tarantino wishes he directed—a punk rock Pulp Fiction.  You're standing at the crossroads: will you turn back to the mundane or step into t

Cold Weather Captains are a Toronto-based high-energy rock band known for their funky and eclectic sound. The group was originally founded in 2018 as a unique instrumental trio featuring Bradley Scott (lead guitar), Erik Meechem (rhythm guitar), and Kevin Penny (drums). Shortlyafter the release of their 2021 EP, City Limits, CWC quickly morphed from laid-back jam band to a fully rounded pack-a-punch machine with power-house additions to their lineup – magic man and lead vocalist, Justin Di Donato, and high-kicking bassist, Christina Dare."Cold Weather Captains' self-titled album stands as a testament to our collective growth and unity as a band. We hope that our listeners, inspired by the themes of embracing change, navigating transitions, and fearlessly venturing into the unknown, will join us as we cross the threshold into a new era of artistic expression and the limitless possibilities that hopefully await us". Website: https://www.coldweathercaptains.com This episode is brought to you byGo to BETTER

CLONE is a female-fronted collective of musicians from various eclectic backgrounds who bonded over their shared love of 70’s rock, specifically glam rock. Nods to T-Rex, Suzi Quatro, The Runaways, Sweet, New York Dolls, and Iggy and the Stooges inspire their catalog of rock anthems that fuse punk with glitter and power with pop. CLONE was created by guitarist Kelly Zombor and front woman Juniper Watters with the remainder of the band consisting of refreshingly experienced musicians: Lee Forrester (lead guitar), Gil Forrester (bass) and Jack Guppy (drums). They share a unique ability to connect with their inner alter egos who come out to play on stage. As David Bowie once said, “Freedom is born in the realms of eccentricity” and CLONE illuminates this beautifully. They have been a favorite pick on SiriusXM's Rodney Bingenheimer Show and on Internet radio including Dandy’s Stardust Dive. CLONE has been DIY since the beginning - producing their first EP in 2020 along with four music videos which they wrote, dir

Oakland California’s The Goods have just announced the release of their debut self-titled EP on Dandy Boy Records with an accompanying video for the song “David Jones Is Dead.” The Goods combine big guitars, huge hooks, and sweet British Invasion-style harmonies into a distinctive power pop tapestry on their debut. Self-produced in the band’s own studio in Oakland, CA, The Goods’ debut EP draws on decades of hooky punk and power pop from the 1960s through the 1990s. The three song 7" (with an exclusive fourth digital track) combines classic influences and timeless sounds with a fresh and playful energy. The lead single and video “David Jones Is Dead” calls to mind the band’s songwriting influences both new and old; Redd Kross, Young Guv, Tom Petty, Matthew Sweet, The Jam, Green Day and Cheap Trick. Reflecting on the process of writing “David Jones Is Dead” singer and guitarist Rob Good had to say, “I set out to write the shortest song I possibly could, all killer no filler, every bit of fat around the edges t

The Vanrays have just released their latest long-player “Put It Out” with an accompanying video for the album’s focus track “Hard Times.” The band carries on with their tradition of belting out undeniably catchy Motown and Soul tunes with big hooks, big melodies and an even bigger brass section. Taking notes from classics and contemporaries like Spencer Davis group, Detroit Cobras, Curtis Harding and the Daptone Records roster, The Vanrays have delivered an album of soulful classic R&B and garage music.  Their bio reads like a manifesto for their brand of music: It’s a Motown beat down in a sharkskin suit. It's wailing like it’s gospel while they're laying in the boots. It's a curb stomping rhythm on the corner of control. It's a nod in the direction, when all shoes had leather souls. And to when those shoes were twisting, to Otis and to James. And so now do, The Vanrays too, we are here to do the same.  The video for “Hard Times” was directed by Carleen Kyle and shot at the Wise Hall during the pandemi

Toronto Acoustic-Punk rockers, Public Messdeliver a 5-song EP that defines the genre.  “Too Many Ghosts”, the debut EP from Toronto’s newest group, Public Mess, features Cactus Vella on Acoustic Guitar and Vocals, Rob Fiasco on Acoustic Bass, and Andrew Heule on Drums.  Public Mess blends acoustic-punk with hints of alt-country. Their debut EP was recorded at Sandy Pockets Studio. A DIY recording studio located in the garage of Vella’s cottage. Mastered by Jon Drew, and released on Anxiety Attack Recordings, “Too Many Ghosts” clocks in at just under 18-minutes long and leaves you wanting more. The EP also features a cover of “Objector” by the legendary Blundermen. A Toronto-based punk band from the early 1990’s.  The songs on “Too Many Ghosts” deal with topics such as Life and death, as in the case with the opening track "They Bring Me Woes", as well as "Never Get Sober", a song Vella wrote about an old friend and former bandmate who passed away last year. On "The Tide", Cactus sings about living fas

Vancouver record label Nerve Wracking Collections has just released their latest EP Coulrophobia, a collaborative concept project that includes Vancouver synthpunk bands, Phuture Memoriez and Jibbernaut. The concept involved choosing a theme and releasing a 4 song split EP with another band. This was an opportunity for NWC to expand and have many artists join their collective. Coulrophobia is the first split EP release derived from this project which revolves around the fear of clowns. The guidelines were kept simple so that each band could make their songs their own. They involved creating two new songs that followed the lyrical theme and a desire to release the EP along with a co-headline live show. Phuture Memoriez is a dark synth-pop-punk band from Vancouver BC and is composed of Marc Blaquiere and Jessica Blaquiere, while Jibbernaut consists of local punks “Gears” and “Hammer”. The songs on the EP are short, fast, visceral blasts that are rooted in early punk and hardcore and have elements of Kraut rock

The Penske File do it for the love of the damn thing. Friendship, rock ’n’ roll, creativity, movement, catharsis. They pull the highs from the lows and scream into the expanse because it is what feels right. Their live shows are celebrations: celebrations of everything loud, spontaneous and beautiful about life. The Penske File spent the better part of the decade leading into the album’s release on tour, playing festival stages and D.I.Y spaces alike from Vancouver to Hamburg to Gainesville and everywhere in between. They have been hand selected to perform with many of punk rock’s greatest acts, and shared bills with the likes of Bad Religion, The Menzingers, Anti- Flag and The Hold Steady, to name a few. In many ways, since their last release, “Salvation,” the band has grown up; still, in many ways, they never will. One thing is for certain though, The Penske File are back with an impressive new album, new eyes, a thirst for celebration, and frankly, they have never sounded better.  D I S C O V E R Web

The Projectors have just released their debut self-titled LP on Sakamano Records with an accompanying video for the song “Golden Age”. The Projectors began with a new batch of songs  that prolific singer/songwriter Dylan Rysstad was writing in 2019.  According to Rysstad, “With the first couple songs, ‘When the Lights Came Up’ and ‘Golden Age', I really embraced certain influences and didn’t try to obscure or hide the  fact that it was starting to sound like someone else. The songs I’ve been writing for this  project are what I want to be playing and listening to, and somewhat ironically, I feel like  it’s the most ‘me’ if that makes sense.” That “someone else” Dylan is referring to is The Strokes — an apt point of reference for  both their live show and recorded output. The rest of the songs that make up the album,  recorded at Layten Kramer’s home studio, came in bursts of inspiration after putting a band together to play this new material. Unsurprisingly, the pandemic and ensuing  lockdowns/safety precauti