Undercurrents: An Artist’s Artist Conversation

Undercurrents: An Artist's Artist Conversation
S01 E06 - SHAD
S01 E06 - SHAD

In this episode of Undercurrents: An Artist's Artist Conversation, Simone Atenea Medina Polo is joined by the one and only Shad to discuss the release of Start Anew. Shad is a Juno Award-winning rapper from London, Ontario and the host of Netflix’s Hip-Hop Evolution. His albums have been recognized for their sharp lyrics and soulful arrangements.

This season finale brings together the theme of the podcast since Shad offers a thoughtful and informed outlook on the communal evolution and history of hip hop. The conversation proceeds by breaking down the themes of Start Anew which converges into a chat about Shad’s then-upcoming lectures on the history of hip hop at his alma mater (Wilfrid Laurier University).

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Reviews

Reviews
The Franky Tones - Janky Phones
Matt Carr
The Franky Tones - Janky Phones
Matt Carr

Emotionally omnipotent, rich yet economical, dense yet immediate, and always having fun, Janky Phones uses vintage-minded pop-rock as a living vehicle to navigate contemporary absurdity, forging a unique blend of old and new.

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Matt Carr

Quick Picks

Featured
Winterruption Edition!
Jeff MacCallum
Winterruption Edition!
Jeff MacCallum

Jeff delivers a special Winterruption 2026 edition of the weekly “Quick Picks” column. Read his thoughts about four of the Canadian acts playing this years festival.

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Jeff MacCallum

Features

Featured
In Conversation: Concrete Vehicles
In Conversation: Concrete Vehicles

For anyone who’s been to Sled Island, visiting Calgary’s Palomino is a must. The Palomino (or “The Pal” to those who prefer slang) is a barbecue joint and music venue in the center of downtown Calgary. Inside, it is dimly lit, with walls covered in mud-brown paint and exposed brick. It smells like propane and barbecue sauce and feels like you’re inside a piece of brisket—you could call it rustic. This is the location I chose for my interview with Concrete Vehicles, a five-piece punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia.

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News

News
Premiere: Raf Wilcot - “Wind”
Premiere: Raf Wilcot - “Wind”

We are very excited to help announce the new EP from Raf Wilcot and premiere the single “Wind".”

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Release Calendar

Featured
Upcoming Canadian Releases
Upcoming Canadian Releases

An ongoing list of all the upcoming Canadian releases that we know about.

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Pick of the Week

Body Surfer - be the archer, take your aim

"Under the Body Surfer moniker, Toronto multi-instrumentalist Christopher Whitley demands you lean in and listen with an incredible record of calm and quiet cinematic folk music punctuated by his rich baritone vocals."

- Jeff MacCallum