Category Archives: Mixtapes

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Flemish Eye

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Welcome to our latest column: The Record Labels, where every Monday, we tell you about a label we know and trust when it comes to new music. Last week we introduced you to Toronto’s Telephone Explosion Records, and now we’re back with another one of our faves, Flemish Eye Records.

If you’re not familiar with the indie label, you definitely should be; the Calgary-based company has been around since 2003. Over the years, they’ve released over 40 albums, and it all started with Infiniheart by Chad VanGaalen way back in 2004.

Since then, they’ve gone on to release records by Ghostkeeper, Women, Braids, Preoccupations (formerly Viet Cong) and many more. More recently, they’ve dropped some incredible new music from up-and-comers, Yves Jarvis and Blessed. If that’s not enough, we’re rather excited about the new Besnard Lakes album The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings.

Check out the playlist below and get familiar with some of our favourite label songs over the years. One can never have too much Flemish Eye in their ife.

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Songs

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Telephone Explosion

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It’s the beginning of a new week and we’re super stoked to be presenting a fresh column — The Record Labels. Starting today (and every Monday for the foreseeable future), we’re going to tell you a little about some of our favourite independent labels in the industry, and obviously, include a super dope playlist for your listening pleasure.

Today, we start with Toronto’s Telephone Explosion Records.

After relocating to the city in 2007, the label was started by Ottawa-natives Jon Schouten and Steve Sidoli, who also happen to be part of garage-punk outfit Teenanger. With Chris Swimmings already in the band, they enlisted the services of bassist Melissa Ball and dropped their first self-titled cassette on the masses. TER001, to be exact.

Over the years, the label has released over 70+ records from artists like Freak Heat Waves, Odonis Odinis, New Fries, LIDS, Andre Ethier (of Deadly Snakes fame) and of course, Teenanger. The roster shows no signs of slowing down either, with stellar new albums from Lee Paradise and Pantayo released last year.

Check out the playlist below and get familiar with some of our favourite tracks from these purveyors of fine music. You’ll be glad you did.

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Songs

📹 Sonic Unyon: “Now We Are 25”

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If you’re not familiar with Hamilton-based independent record label Sonic Unyon, you really should be. The label is responsible for releasing a ton of music over the years from Canadian indie music veterans like Thrush Hermit, Hayden, Tristan Psionic, Erics Trip, SIANspheric, Treble Charger, and more. Just recently, they released a documentary celebrating 25 years, and we want you to know all about it. It’s a trip down memory lane you won’t soon forget.

Check out the doc in the embed, and be sure to hit up the playlist below for all the Sonic Unyon you can handle. And, while you’re at it, grab a copy of the triple edition 25th-anniversary vinyl bundle right here. One thing is for certain, this bunch helped shape the Canadian music scene in a big way. Show them some love.

📀 Plays Of The Month: December

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It’s that time of year when playlists can be found everywhere it seems. Best Of Lists, including ours, are all over the internet. So … why not make one more to end the year?

Below, you’ll find our Plays Of The Month for December … our very last post of the year. Bring on 2021 and goodbye 2020 … you won’t be missed. Except for the music, of course!

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Covers … Best Of 2020 – Songs … Best Of 2020 – Albums (Part 1) and Best Of 2020 – Albums (Part 2).

📀 The iM: A Holiday Playlist

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The holidays are wonderful, aren’t they?. We can’t speak for everybody, but we’d venture to say most of us enjoy this time of year. We certainly do here at The iM.

That being said, we’ve compiled a list of holiday “indie” songs to get you through the season and into next year … 50 to be exact! Classics from the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, Molly Burch and Cat Power. New songs from The Aislers Set, Black Marble and more favourites from Canadian Acts like Hey! Rosetta, Elephant Stone and No Joy.

We’re going to take a few days off to spend some time with family … you should do the same. And, while you’re at it, listen to our playlist below. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

🎧 Best Of 2020 – Songs

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Compiling a list of our favourite songs of 2020 was no easy task. After all, The iM (as we affectionately call it) returned to the scene in April after a long hiatus to pursue other musical avenues. We never forgot about the music and the importance of showing our support.

That said, we always knew we’d be back. After spending the year listening to all the incredible new musicians that came out and the veteran bands and artists who returned to the scene because they clearly had time again, we’re happy to say … it’s good to be back. It was never about the number of plays when curating this list, but, rather, the way each and every one of these songs made us feel.

The list is a mixture of many different genres and sounds that inspired us every single day. Without these artists’ contribution to music this year, things just wouldn’t have been the same in our eyes.

Below you’ll find a list of our top 50 songs of 2020 … please make sure you click the band/song name to show your support, and to learn more about these incredible acts. And, of course, the playlist at the bottom tells the whole story. Happy listening.

1. Zoon – Brokenhead

2. Dad Sports – Name & Place

3. Wild Pink – You Can Have It Back

4. Kenny Hoopla – Plastic Door

5. Jaguar Sun – Keep You Warm

6. Waxahatchee – Fire

7. Helena Deland – Lylz

8. Future Islands – Thrill

9. Oceanator – I Would Find You

10. Pottery – Texas Drums Pt. I & II

11. Elvis Depressedly – Jane, Don’t You Know Me?

12. TOPS – I Feel Alive

13. Hovvdy – Runner

14. Jeen – Anything You Want

15. Hypoluxo – Shock

16. Prince Innocence – Sadie & Maud

17. Suburban Living – Indigo Kids

18. Fleece – Upside Down

19. Fellow Hollow – Counting Deer

20. Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto

21. Skyway Man – Did Ya Know Him?

22. Men I Trust – Lucky Sue

23. Arab Strap – The Turning Of Our Bones

24. Falcon Jane – Held High

25. Gulfer – Heat Wave

26. Porridge Radio – 7 Seconds

27. New River Beach – The Right Place

28. Bully – Hour And Hours

29. Blanks – A Tight Space

30. The Woolen Men – Outta Reach

31. Dog Day – Mind Reader

32. Freak Heat Waves – I’m Zapped

33. Sufjan Stevens – Video Game

34. Bullion – We Had A Good Time

35. HighSchool – Frosting

36. Yot Club – Go Away

37. The Beths – Out Of Sight

38. Eamon McGrath – Sparkle And Bleed

39. Gum Country – Tennis (I Feel Ok)

40. Radical Dads – Natural Space

41. SAULT – Wildfires

42. Marlon Chaplin – Empty Shells

43. Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters

44. Jade Hairpins – Dolly Dream

45. Riches – Lily

46. Damien Jurado – Birds Tricked Into Trees

47. New Fries – Ploce

48. Snarls – Walk In The Woods

49. The Crowleys – Making Friendly

50. Soccer Mommy – Bloodstream

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Covers and Best Of 2020 – EPs

🎧 Best Of 2020 – Cover Songs

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It’s been an amazing 2020 for cover songs, and the process of picking ‘the best’ wasn’t an easy one. But, we managed to come up with twenty of our favourite covers we came across this year, and now it’s time to share them with you!

Check out the list, and be sure to click on the band names below to listen to their original music as well. All of these very talented artists need your support more than ever right now … show them some love.

  1. Orville Peck – Smalltown Boy (Bronski Beat)
  2. Jenny Owen Youngs – Teenage Dream (Katy Perry)
  3. Dad Sports – This Must Be The Place (Talking Heads) 
  4. Torres – Wandering Star (Portishead)
  5. Soccer Mommy – Drive (The Cars)
  6. PUP – A.M. 180 (Grandaddy)
  7. Tiny Little Houses – Richard Cory (Paul Simon)
  8. Desire – Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order)
  9. Living Hour – Dreams (The Cranberries)
  10. Jaguar Sun – For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
  11. Arael x Madi Larson – Better Off Alone (Alice Deejay)
  12. Fruit Bats – Today (The Smashing Pumpkins)
  13. The Ophelias – Both Sides, Now (Joni Mitchell)
  14. Hatchie x TPOBPAH  – Sometimes Always (The Jesus & Mary Chain)
  15. Silversun Pickups – Toy Soldiers (Martika)
  16. Gladie – Plea From A Cat Named Virtue (The Weakerthans)
  17. Black Marble – Johnny And Mary (Robert Palmer)
  18. Superchunk – Alice (Sisters Of Mercy)
  19. Archers Of Loaf – Street Fighting Man (The Rolling Stones)
  20. The National – Never Tear Us Apart (INXS)

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Covers … Best Of 2020 – Songs … and Best Of 2020 – EPs

📀 Plays Of The Month: November

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It’s that time of the month again where we share our favourite finds with you. Once again, it’s been another incredible few weeks for music, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.

You can expect to hear new music from Oberhofer, Lee Paradise, Hollow Graves, The Antlers, Falcon Jane and many more. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

📀 Plays Of The Month: October

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It’s Friday, and we’ve got a great way to start your weekend … our Plays Of The Month for October are now up! This mix features Canadian indie-heavyweights Helena Deland, The Elwins, Eamon McGrath, Jeen, The Besnard Lakes, new music from Scottish indie-rock veterans Arab Strap and an intense cover from Melbourne’s Tiny Little Houses.

Check it out in the embed below and be sure to have a great weekend!