It wouldn’t be appropriate to talk about this record without honoring the tragic passing of Steve Albini, esteemed producer, musician, and frontman of the band Shellac, to whom this review is dedicated. Since the release of 2014’s Dude Incredible, the band has been silently working on this album, while occasionally still doing live performances. Because of Steve Albini’s passing from a heart attack, the band has decided to put out the record as is, preserving the final recording they have as a trio.

SHADES, an up-and-coming five-piece indie-rock band from the Calgary area, share their first new single of the year and it’s an energized, high-octane track called “Stray Animals”.

REVERIE has been eagerly anticipating the next wave Sled Island’s lineup since their initial reveal back in February. The new additions to the festival did not disappoint, including breakthrough Canadian indie rock sensation EKKSTACY, trailblazing Argentine singer-songwriter Juana Molina, experimental guitarist and composer Jeff Parker (a longtime member of the post-rock group Tortoise), outlandish hyperpop performance artist Alice Longyu Gao, Francophone post-punk quartet Corridor, and LA goth rock outfit Death Valley Girls.

There’s also buzz around the guest curator selections, led by NYC hardcore outfit Show Me The Body, for the 2024 addition. Read on to hear a few more of REVERIE’s must-see acts that we will be hopping to and from during the week of June 19th to the 23rd.

Festival passes and single-show tickets are available via Sled Island's official website.

In 2010 the 4 piece alternative indie pop rock band “Chastity Belt” was formed in Walla Walla, Washington consisting of Julia Shapiro, Lydia Lund, Annie Truscott, and Gretchen Grimm. The band’s witty, thought provoking, feminist approach to music confronts and challenges feminine stereotypes and patriarchal tradition in a semi-satirical manner that exposes and points out the idiocy/stupidity of society's rigid, out-dated gender roles, standards and expectations. Over a decade deep into the band’s existence it has become apparent that they have found a way to successfully maneuver and operate in the modern music industry doing it their own way without having to compromise their artistic vision or take themselves too seriously. Chastity Belt’s new album “Live, Laugh, Love” is a testament to the idea that music can be fun and enjoyable while still exhibiting intelligent self-awareness as well as the ability to honestly express ideas and emotions that resonate and move the listener making them both think and feel. 

THICK have been on our radar since a ripping set at Calgary’s Sled Island Music and Arts Festival last summer and they are back with new single “Father”, out now on Epitaph Records. The track features a more vulnerable side of the band, with production by one of our indie/punk favourites Will Yip. “Father” also features Mannequin Pussy member Kaleen Reading on drums (who’ve arguably released one of the best albums of the year so far called I Got Heaven).

Toronto skate-punk roller derby band Shiv and the Carvers released a rager EP Physical Capital last October and the quartet have been stuck in our head ever since. Now they’re back with a new song (although the track has been a staple in their live shows as of late) and a new band member.