Top Five Quebec-based bands that we’ve covered in 2022, as chosen by Canadian Beats Media Editor, Jenna Melanson
This week’s Top Five is about the Top 5 Quebec-based bands we’ve covered in 2022, so far.
This feature is strictly for bands (3 or more members), see our Top 5 Quebec-based artists here, and duos will come in the future.
Rebelle
Up-and-coming alt-rockers, Rebelle, of Wakefield, Québec, have unveiled their single “Head on Fire.” The track is a raw and angsty call to take a stand for yourself and reject a toxic relationship.
This energetic and cathartic rock track calls out an individual for their games, declaring, “I’m going to shed some light expose the lies you’ve submersed.”
Listen to “Head on Fire” here.
Connect with Rebelle:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Nora Kelly Band
Nora Kelly Band has released their single, “Change My Mind,” and their debut EP, Perfect Pig.
Discussing “Change My Mind,” Nora noted,
“The lyrics might sound like a familiar, pinning love song, however, when I wrote it, I was actually trying to write from the perspective of my very close friend who was in a toxic, long term relationship. I was single at the time and filled with horror whenever she would vent about her then boyfriend. It seemed like she wanted to leave, but even more than that, she didn’t want to be alone. She was always hoping he would do something to ‘change her mind’, to justify her staying.
I filmed the music video on a recent trip to Arizona for my cousin’s wedding. After the festivities, my parents and I rented a car and drove around New Mexico for a few days. I’ve always been in love with the desert, and I shot everything I could. Being from Canada, nothing feels more magical than the desert. Along the way I would get my dad to hold the camera while I lip-synched along, embarrassing us all many times. My mom also makes several cameos in the video with her iPad.”
Listen to Perfect Pig here.
Connect with Nora Kelly Band:
Facebook
Instagram
Bad Skin
The glorious 4-piece from Quebec, Bad Skin, has released a lot of music in 2022, including their singles “Clowns for President” and “Completely Insane,” plus their EP, Heartbreak Tour.
“Completely Insane” manages to perfectly replicate that all-women ’90s grunge-band sound, particularly in the chorus — and the corresponding music video uses a creative stop-motion technique of stills to show the band suspended briefly in time while performing. It’s particularly striking and effective as the band wears an array of colorful outfits against a white backdrop. At times, it is shown sitting sullenly on a bright yellow sofa, reflecting the somber mood.
Listen to Heartbreak Tour here.
Connect with Bad Skin:
Website
Facebook
The Wild Palominos
Montmagny, QC-based country collective, The Wild Palominos, shared their new single, “Milkshake For Two, “along with a video to accompany the release back in June.
“At first, Félix had the idea for the song title “Milkshake for Two” while we had a beer in the hot tub. Then we started talking about what it must have been like to go on a first date back when you had to put money in the jukebox. We had a very clear idea of what we wanted the music video to look like, which inspired many of the song’s lyrics.
When we say, « That old Coke sign as you try to hide that milky smile,» we have an image of a girl hiding her mouth with a menu while taking a sip of a milkshake. Jérémy and Félix co-wrote the lyrics. We start a lot of songs by singing melodies in the hot tub; it’s a lot of fun and great memories.”
Listen to “Milkshake For Two” here.
Connect with The Wild Palominos:
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
SOMBRA
Montreal’s SOMBRA unveiled their single, “Premeditated,” the not-so-subtle determination to become your own person and not become a victim of a sordid, pre-determined fate.
“This song is all about my everyday attempt to avoid falling into the same mistakes and traps as those before me. It’s about wanting to find and establish yourself, and in doing so, feeling like you have agency, rather than just accepting your destiny,” SOMBRA’s mastermind, Matthew Cataldo says.
Listen to “Premeditated” here.
Connect with SOMBRA:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok