Canadian pop duo YASSiN & Sean Terrio discuss their new album, Learn & Apply, and their upcoming Rock The Halls holiday benefit in Toronto.
Canadian pop duo YASSiN & Sean Terrio are continuing to make their mark on the music scene with the release of their new album, Learn & Apply, and the return of their annual holiday benefit concert, Rock The Halls.
Released on November 6, 2026, via Symphonic, Learn & Apply is a 10-track collection exploring personal growth, change, and the uncertainty of navigating different chapters of life. Co-produced by YASSiN, with additional production from award-winning producer Jacky Levare (Walk Off The Earth, Scott Helman, Tenille Townes), the album showcases the duo’s ability to balance infectious pop melodies with honest, introspective songwriting.
Featuring previously released singles “HONEY B,” “Right Here Right Now,” and “Time Alone,” the project also includes the focus track “KISS MY FRIENDS,” which reflects on the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the longing to reconnect with loved ones.
YASSiN & Sean Terrio Interview: Rock The Halls Returns to Toronto
Beyond their latest music, YASSiN & Sean Terrio are preparing to give back through their 2026 Rock The Halls: A Holiday Benefit Bash, taking place December 19 at Toronto’s TD Music Hall.
The annual event will donate 100% of its proceeds to MusiCounts, helping provide a school with brand-new musical instruments. Concertgoers are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank.
For the duo, the event represents an opportunity to bring people together through music while supporting the next generation of Canadian musicians.
YASSiN & Sean Terrio Continue Their Independent Music Journey
Since meeting at an open mic at Oakville’s Moonshine Café in 2019, YASSiN & Sean Terrio have built their career through a hands-on, independent approach.
Earlier this year, the duo shared their single “Don’t Do That,” offering another glimpse into their evolving sound. Canadian Beats previously covered the release in our YASSiN & Sean Terrio “Don’t Do That” feature.
With more than four million career streams, 95 million views across TikTok and Instagram, and over 200,000 followers, the duo have developed an impressive audience while staying true to their DIY roots.
Their accomplishments include placing second in Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Musician Program, being selected for the RBC x Music First Up Program, and performing at major Canadian events such as Boots & Hearts Music Festival, Sound of Music Festival, and SuperCrawl.
As they celebrate the release of Learn & Apply and prepare for another meaningful holiday concert, YASSiN & Sean Terrio continue to demonstrate how music can connect communities, inspire change, and make a difference.
YASSiN & Sean Terrio Interview – Seven Questions About Learn & Apply
First off, congratulations on your upcoming album, Learn & Apply! The title suggests a journey of growth and self-discovery. What inspired the name, and what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned and applied throughout your musical journey?
Yassin here! Thanks very much! The title came from a lyric in one of the first songs we wrote for this album called “Time Alone” As soon as we wrote that lyric, we felt deeply connected to it. We knew the phrase really defined this era of YST. Plus it sounded good next to our first album “Just Try” and “Learn & Apply” rolled off the tongue nicely. As far as things we learned, it’s ALOT. But the most important thing we learned while making this album, was to find joy in what we do again. The industry really sucked the fun out of our dreams for a while there. This album is that part of the journey, it’s messy. Happy to say we’re out of that funk and ready to FUNK.
Learn & Apply features 10 tracks that explore change, personal growth, and navigating different chapters of life. Was there a particular song that challenged you creatively or emotionally during the recording process?
Sean here! I think getting back into the writing room overall was a challenge. Coming off our debut album, Just Try, we were experiencing a creative hangover and didn’t know how we would follow it up. Much to our credit, we ended up using those exact feelings to fuel this 2nd album and it snowballed from there. We had some ideas kicking around from years ago, but a lot of this music is borne of this time in our lives and reflects a bit of a trough in our own, personal journeys.
Your focus track, “KISS MY FRIENDS,” explores the isolation of the pandemic and the longing for human connection. Now that we’re several years removed from that experience, what does the song mean to you today?
Yassin again! This is a good question! I haven’t really thought about what it means to me today. It really takes me back to a time and place when I listen to it. But I suppose if I think about it in today’s context I’m mostly thinking “don’t mess this piano riff up live” This song is a fun time to play live, and I guess that is the thing that most excites me with this tune.
On December 19, you’ll bring Rock The Halls: A Holiday Benefit Bash to Toronto’s TD Music Hall, with 100% of proceeds supporting MusiCounts. What inspired you to turn your annual holiday celebration into an opportunity to give back, and why is music education particularly important to you?
Sean: Rock The Halls, from its inception, was always meant to be a show for the community and for giving back. When YASSiN and I came up with the idea, the main pillar of RTH was going to be Charity.
In elementary school, my grade 8 class was the first in the school’s history to be able to have a school band. Up until then, the music education stopped at recorders and playing hot-crossed buns, which is great, but when we got all the brass and woodwind instruments, we felt like we had made it. Even more importantly, however, we had an awesome teacher, Mr. Miguel, who pushed us to learn music and made learning fun. Mr. Miguel and the instruments coming into our school had a massive impact on myself, as a musician and a person. To be able to help an organization like MusiCounts feels like a no brainer; I know how music education funding can enrich a person’s life and we’re both excited to play a small part in that experience for kids across Canada.
Since you’re hosting a holiday benefit bash, we have to ask: What’s one holiday song you absolutely love performing, and what’s one Christmas song you could happily go the rest of your lives without hearing again?
Yassin: The two Christmas tunes we love doing are Mariah’s of course and Christmas (baby please come home) Mostly because a crowd always goes crazy for them. But this year we are trying something new for the first time on stage…It’s a surprise though. As for a Christmas song I could live without hearing…let me think. I’m having a hard time answering this because we’re not fully in the season quite yet where all you hear is Christmas songs everywhere …Usually I get tired of all of them the day after Christmas hahaha. But I guess Holly Jolly Christmas could go bye bye out of my life.
Along with supporting MusiCounts, you’re encouraging concertgoers to bring non-perishable food donations for the Daily Bread Food Bank. What do you hope audiences take away from Rock The Halls, beyond a fantastic night of live music?
I think one of our favourite takeaways from Rock The Halls is that you don’t have to wait for the right season or event to give back; that can be an annual activity. The big shows and feelings of community around the holidays are amazing and something many of us have grown up with or seeing. But on any given day, you can wake up and choose to serve someone else, in big and small ways, because it all helps someone in need. It’s an opportunity to help people feel seen and connected, for us to walk a few steps in someone else’s shoes, and remind us that if we fall too, someone will be there to help us up.
With Learn & Apply arriving November 6 and Rock The Halls happening December 19, there’s plenty to celebrate. As you look toward 2027, what’s next for YASSiN & Sean Terrio, and what goals are you hoping to accomplish together?
Yassin: Conquering the world of course. But for real, we’re both so excited to get back to writing and recording. We already have a few for album 3 ready and we’re getting in a nice flow. Other than that we’re looking forward to more shows, visiting new places and we’re looking to get a Juno or two next year.
Connect with YaSSiN & Sean Terrio:
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