TORONTO
September 24
DRY CLEANING
South London’s post-punk icons Dry Cleaning, featuring Florence Shaw (vocals), Tom Dowse (guitar), Lewis Maynard (bass), and Nick Buxton (drums), are known for Shaw’s deadpan spoken-word delivery and angular, Wire-inspired instrumentation. The group has released two critically acclaimed albums, New Long Leg (2021) and Stumpwork (2022), on 4AD.
BRIA SALMENA
Bria Salmena’s debut solo album Big Dog chronicles a story of transformation–a deeply personal exploration of resilience and a declaration of artistic independence forged through collaboration. Long celebrated as the frontwoman of Canadian post-punk Outfit FRIGS and as a vocalist in Orville Peck’s live band, Salmena culminates her artistic evolution on Big Dog. Anchored by her commanding voice—alternately tender, raw, and defiant—the album traverses the terrain of vulnerability and connection, marking the arrival of an artist boldly coming into her own.
JAYWOOD
JayWood is the genre-blurring, alt hip-hop/indie neo-soul of Jeremy Haywood-Smith. His self-produced, Polaris-nominated album Slingshot and EP Grow On earned praise from KEXP, CBC, Paste, and more. Recent singles like “BIG TINGS” (feat. Tune-Yards) and “UNTITLED (Swirl)” showcase his refusal to be boxed in. The upcoming single “ASSUMPTIONS” continues this trend—psychedelic, bold, and brimming with neo-soul swagger, channeling influences from Tyler, the Creator to Stereolab and Men I Trust.
SLASH NEED
Toronto’s industrial performance art outfit Slash Need have become a conduit for a collective and defiant form of liberation. The duo craft songs that slither, satirize, and scream. Sonically aligned with artists like Boy Harsher, Ministry, and Skinny Puppy, their live show traces an urgency familiar to anyone who’s ever felt combustible in their rage against systems of power.
