Check out all the new music of the week with Your First Listen! Hosted by SONiC Music Director Brandy Taylor, get the scoop from your favourite artists on their latest work and discover new songs from upcoming artists. Your First Listen airs Sundays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 11pm.

1 Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)”

Panic! At The Disco have returned with your new weekend anthem, but the song’s inspiration comes from an unexpected place. Frontman Brendan Urie wrote the song about his experience growing up in a Mormon household. In between recording albums, he wrote a song called “Not a Simple Sponge” for Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical – the play was just nominated for 12 Tony awards.  He also spent some time off from the band starring in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Their new album, Pray For The Wicked, is out June 22.

2. iamhill – “Give It A Rest”

Meet your new Local Spotlight artist, iamhill! Hailing from Edmonton, her song “Give It A Rest” has over 80, 000 streams on Spotify, landing itself on the “Viral Hits Canada” playlist. During the day she works as a top-line writer for Ultra Music – the record company behind huge electronic artists like Steve Aoki, Sofi Tukker, Kygo and more. She’s nominated for a 2018 Edmonton Music Award, having already won in 2015 under the name BMBSHL. As if that’s not impressive enough, she writes, records and produces all her own music – the vocals for “Give It A Rest” were recorded in her apartment on her iPhone earbuds. Learn more about iamhill HERE.

Play Pause

iamhill - Give It a Rest

Originally Aired: May 1, 2018

 

3. Black Pistol Fire – “Bully”

Black Pistol Fire have a reputation for putting on crazy shows – see them in action at SONiC Field Day! Their latest album Deadbeat Graffiti is an unapologetic rock album. For a band made up of two dudes, Kevin McKeown on guitar/lead vocals and Eric Owen on drums, they make a lot of noise. Dubbed the “next big thing” by Huffington Post after SXSW 2013, BPF has developed a reputation for their untamed live performances. Makes sense, since their pre-show ritual consists of them taking a shot of whiskey and singing Fred Penner.

Every week, it’s Your First Listen to the the newest alternative music. Hosted by SONiC Music Director, Brandy Taylor, Your First Listen airs twice a week, Sundays at 8pm and Tuesday at 11pm. 

 

Filed under: Black Pistol Fire, Field Day, iamhill, Local Music, Local Spotlight, Local Spotlight Showcase, New Music, Panic! At The Disco, SONiC Field Day, SONiC Local Spotlight, YFL, your first listen, Your Local Spotlight