Wood’s music continues to resonate worldwide, amassing over 30 million streams, numerous high-profile placements on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, and frequent playlist features across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. More recently, his single “A Good Enough Day” was featured in a national TV campaign, propelling the track over 4 million streams.

Since being named iTunes Songwriter of the Year, Wood has continued to evolve and refine his craft, building on a career that includes two Top 30 albums, multiple JUNO nominations, five Canadian Folk Music Award nods, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His previous album, What Tomorrow Brings, was up for consideration for Best Folk Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Royal Wood remains one of Canada’s most compelling and consistently innovative singer-songwriters.

Name:

Royal Wood

Genre:

Described as a blend of folk, indie, singer-songwriter, and pop-rock, characterized by its “adult alternative” sound with influences from traditional pop, soft rock, and classic songwriting.

Founded:

2002 (first EP release)

# of Albums:

8 studio albums (Dear John will be the 9th)

Latest Album:

Dear John

Latest Single:

“A Good Day”

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Like most people on this planet, The Beatles were the most important musicians of my youth.

Favourite musician now:

Michael Kiwanka

Guilty pleasure song:

Staying Alive by the Bee Gees!

Live show ritual:

I always take a walk after soundcheck and listen to music with my earbuds and check out the sights around town.

Favourite local musician:

I live in Saskatchewan now, so I would have to say Andy Shauf (from Regina).

EP or LP?

Long live the LP!

Early bird or night owl?

Sadly, I am both. Which doesn’t leave me well rested.

Road or studio?

I love performing live so very much, but the studio is my ultimate happy place for sure.

Any shows or albums coming up?

Tour Dates:

NOV 07 – Madison, WI – Overture Centre
NOV 14 – Toronto, ON – Koerner Hall – Make Music Matter Event x Matthew Perry House
NOV 28 – Calgary, AB – Dalhousie Community Centre
NOV 29 – Lethbridge, AB – Geomattic Attic
NOV 30 – Lethbridge, AB – Geomattic Attic
DEC 02 – Canmore, AB – ArtsPlace
FEB 04 – East Lansing, MI – Wharton Performing Arts
FEB 05 – Yellow Springs, OH – The Foundry Theatre
APR 09 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cultural Centre
APR 10 – East Margaretsville, NS – Evergreen Theatre
APR 11 – Liverpool, NS – The Astor Theatre

Where can we follow you?

Official Site | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music | SoundCloud

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

ODLA in Saskatoon.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Broadway Ave because it has great coffee shops and restaurants, and it also has a wonderful called The Broadway Theatre that I have performed at many times over the years.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Wiggin’s Park right behind our home. My two young boys love it there, and I also use it for my walking and running routines.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

The Broadway Theatre, because not only have I headlined it many, many times, it is also the venue that I met my wife at.

The post Five Minutes With: Musician Royal Wood appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The EP has since amassed over half a million Spotify streams, spent more than twelve weeks on Earshot’s Top 30 charts, and saw “Jiujitsu” named among CBC’s Top 100 Canadian Songs of 2024.

Building momentum, Gotti has toured extensively across North America, appearing at international showcase festivals such as SXSW, NXNE, and M for Montréal, as well as Canadian staples including Mariposa Folk Festival, Folk On The Rocks, and SaskJazz Fest. Along the way, he has shared stages with celebrated artists like Chantal Kreviazuk, Aysanabee, Great Lake Swimmers, and Big Sugar.

Blending contemporary folk, indie, and dream-pop, Gotti’s sound has been described as “dream-folk,” drawing comparisons to Cigarettes After Sex, City & Colour, and Alvvays.

Currently, he is on tour with upcoming performances at Sofar Sounds in the UK, Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, O+ Festival in New York, and Jade Music Festival in Vancouver. His debut full-length album came out on September 26.

Name:

Merv xx Gotti (Marvin Chan)

Genre:

Dream-folk singer-songwriter

Founded:

2023

# of Albums:

1

Latest Album:

Guitar Songs: A Thesis On Low Efficiency Emotional Excavation

Latest Single:

20 Years

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

My first memories of music were listening to my mom karaoke to Sally Yip (葉蒨文) while downloading mp3s of Prozzäk from Napster.

But I only started writing music for the first time after hearing Alexisonfire and Dallas Green (City & Colour).

Favourite musician now:

I sound a bit like if Keshi fronted for Cigarettes After Sex. I only really like to karaoke to Frankie Valli.

Guilty pleasure song:

Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More”

Live show ritual:

I listen to Majid Jordan’s first EP from front to back – I’ve done this as a pre-show ritual ever since my past hip-hop/R&B boyband project, Samurai Champs.

Favourite local musician:

There’s no one in Toronto more disciplined, dedicated, and devoted to the God of Art than Ashton Mills. I feel like Tylor Jay Santos is my kindred spirit.

EP or LP?

LPs, always. Bring attention spans back. EPs and singles are simply necessary.

Early bird or night owl?

Neither. I’m awake when I need to be. I sleep when I need to.

Road or studio?

Both, but oh God, please, not at the same time.

Any shows or albums coming up?

My debut album, Guitar Songs: A Thesis on Low Efficiency Emotional Excavation, came out on September 26.

Upcoming tour dates:

Nov 5–8 – Jade Music Festival, Vancouver, BC

Nov 14 – Blue Light Sessions, Vancouver, BC

Nov 29 – Little Cow Concerts, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok | Linktree

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

Favourite local restaurant?

Pepper’s & BB’s are like home.

Favourite street in your city and why?

Palmerston for a nighttime bike ride.

Favourite park in your city and why?

Dovercourt for tennis. Trinity for friends. High for reading. Sorauren for sitting.

Favourite music venue in your city?

The Garrison, Painted Lady, and Standard Time.

Favourite music store in your city?

High Notes in Roncy for a Sunday vinyl and a coffee.

The post Five Minutes With: Singer-Songwriter Merv xx Gotti appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

From up-and-coming acts to seasoned veterans, this collection features a standout song from each of the incredible artists we’ve highlighted this autumn. Hit play and experience the unique sounds that make Toronto’s music community shine.

Join us in celebrating the artists who are shaping the soundtrack of our city this fall:

• Kristian King –  (Read Article)
• Steve Marriner –  (Read Article)
• stef.in –  (Read Article)
• Joshua Joyce –  (Read Article)
• Andrea England –  (Read Article)
• David July –  (Read Article)
• 98 Degrees –  (Read Article)
• New Chance –  (Read Article)
• D.O. Gibson –  (Read Article)
• Heartrunner –  (Read Article)
• Thunderor –  (Read Article)
• Ramona Vee –  (Read Article)
• Beta Trip –  (Read Article)

Toronto Guardian Fall 2025 Spotify Playlist

The post Toronto Guardian Fall 2025 Spotify Playlist appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

A long-tenured member of Toronto’s Greektown neighbourhood, Joshua Joyce works in his own way and on his own time. And while he might one day get around to writing that damned novel, for the moment he’s set on turning souvenirs into songs while fighting his bad habit of saying things he can’t take back.

Name:

Joshua Joyce

Genre:

Folk, Americana

Founded:

2022

# of Albums:

1

Latest Album:

A Tender & Violent Nature

Latest Single:

High Tide

Favourite musician growing up:

Man, this is tough. I remember really loving Elvis as a kid—my aunt was always playing Elvis, but I also grew up with John Prine and Neil Young. That’s a pretty good set of early influences, I think.

Favourite musician now:

Ahh, there’s too many to choose. I’ve seen Maggie Rogers in concert a few times, and I think she’s really terrific, and I think guys like John Moreland and Jason Isbell are such titans of the Americana songwriting tradition.

Guilty pleasure song:

Pretty Please by Dua Lipa, but there’s nothing guilty about it. Great tune.

Live show ritual:

Exactly one bourbon old-fashioned, no more and no less.

Favourite local musician:

Doug Paisley. I feel like every time I listen to one of his songs, I wish I’d written it.

EP or LP?

LP. I know EPs are all the rage, but I miss artists releasing proper albums. I want a full and specific creative utterance to chew through.

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl. All of my best work happens after the sun goes down.

Road or studio?

Head says road, but the heart says studio. I like being close to home.

Any shows or albums coming up?

Listen to A Tender & Violent Nature anywhere you would normally stream music. It’s a record that means a whole lot to me, and I love you for listening.

Where can we follow you? 

Instagram | TikTok | Bandcamp

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

The Wren. Everything I’ve ever eaten there has been nothing short of delicious. Great tap list, too.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

The stretch of the Danforth between Broadview and Greenwood has been my home for the better part of seven years now. I’m very fond of the East End of the city.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Some of my best days in the city have been lazy Sundays with friends in Withrow Park, so I’ll go with that one.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Massey Hall is as close as I get to going to church, but I’m also a sucker for the Danforth Music Hall.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

For gear, Twelfth Fret. I bought my 1971 Guild acoustic from them a few years ago, they’re nice folks with excellent taste in guitars. Kops Records and Pop Music on Broadview have the goods for vinyl, though.

The post Five Minutes WIth: Toronto Folk Musician Joshua Joyce appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

In a world where conformity reigns, Angela Saini fearlessly defies expectations and defines herself on her own terms. Hailing from a rich cultural background as an Indian-Austrian Canadian, Angela’s artistic journey is a testament to unyielding positivity and empowering ideals, a path she paved through both incredible success and her darkest moments. Her newest heartfelt creation, “Wanna Be You” is an anthem of self-confidence to love yourself for who you are.

The song celebrates being unique, not trying to be like everyone else. Angela Saini and producer Devon Lougheed (Altered by Mom, Ron Hawkins, Skye Wallace) approached the recording in the same way; there are pop elements that make the track sizzle, along with roots acoustic instruments like mandolin that keep the song organic and down-to-earth. The empowering and catchy anthem was released in September as the lead single ahead of her sophomore album due early 2025.

The prairie-raised artist has been heard on CBC Radio, Stingray, and Sirius XM across North America. She is most known for her sunshine-soaked song “Living on the Bright Side,” and has captivated audiences at festivals in Canada such as Home County in London, and The Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Name:

Angela Saini

Genre:

Alt-Country, Contemporary Roots, Folk-Pop

Founded:

Solo career started in 2012

# of Albums:

2 EPs, a live album, and first album out in 2019.

Latest Album:

“Remember Who You Are” for release in Spring 2025. My last album was “Hope on the Stereo” in 2019, with a whole bunch of singles in between.

Latest Single:

“Wanna Be You”

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Dave Grohl. I started out playing in a rock band, and my band pulled every trick from the Foo Fighters live show.

Favourite musician now:

I’m a big fan of Ben Gibbard and Death Cab for Cutie. Great hooks, lyricism and storytelling. This could also be a second answer to the last question.

Guilty pleasure song:

Not really guilty, because it is a very well-written song. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson. So catchy. The first time I heard it I stopped everything I was doing to figure out what I was hearing.

Live show ritual:

Yoga, then some vocal warmups. I often sing along to “Under the Blacklight” by Rilo Kiley (the whole album) If I’m in the car, because Jenny Lewis hits every note in my whole vocal range.

Favourite local musician:

Julian Taylor. I’ve known him for about 20 years and he just gets better and better.

EP or LP?

Lately, EP. You can cut out the filler songs… longer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.

Early bird or night owl?

Night Owl. Sometimes my best ideas come to me when the world is asleep.

Road or studio?

Definitely road. A live show is a big circle of energy, starting at the stage, going through the audience and then back to the stage. Singing is my biggest joy and there is nothing better than performing live.

Any shows or albums coming up?

New album coming out in the spring of 2025, with more singles to come before that. I’ll be playing some shows around Ontario before the end of the year. Shows here.

Where can we follow you? 

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

416 Snack Bar. Cool ambience, great service and delicious small plates. I think their tomato toast is one of the best things I have eaten this year.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Augusta Avenue, or anywhere in Kensington Market, really. Some great vintage shops and food are there, plus The Supermarket, which is a venue I frequented a lot when I first moved to Toronto. The “Freefall Sundays” open mic is where I really cut my teeth when I started my solo career.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

High Park. I can literally get lost in those forest trails (that’s another story!) and I bring my dog Banksy to the dog park there at least once a week. You can forget you’re even in a city with all of the trees and wildlife. I could do without the coyotes.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

The Cameron House on Queen St. You can have an intimate show in the back room, or a loud stompin’ party in the front room and if you stumble in there any day of the week, you know the music is going to be good. Very accessible and run by awesome people.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Dead Dog Records on Bloor Street. Great selection and staff, and I played “Altered Fest” there during Canadian Music Week this year. The owner built an entire stage for it and it was incredible.

The post Five Minutes With: Toronto Singer-Songwriter Angela Saini appeared first on Toronto Guardian.