Interviews, Love at First Listen, Music, Music Monday

Love at First Listen with Alex Porat

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Alex Porat Interview

We all have those artists and songs we hear that strike the right chord and make us fall in love at first listen. They’re the reason we refresh social media pages, tour schedules and Spotify profiles — because we can’t miss a single release. This is Love at First Listen — a new series introducing you to the emerging, and established, artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlist.

News flash: it’s Alex Porat’s world, we’re just living in it. With a fresh pop sound and highly-relatable (not to mention viral!) songs about love, life, and exploring your identity, it’s no surprise this 23-year-old, Toronto-based singer-songwriter has quickly attracted over 708,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alongside global critical acclaim.

Last month, Alex gave us exactly what we needed with her repeat-worthy debut album ‘MISS SICK WORLD.’ Songs like “dimension” perfectly capture the feeling of irresistible lust over someone you can’t have, while the sassy “never say ily again” serves as a final farewell to an ex you have no idea why you liked in the first place. 

With a new album comes a new tour and, luckily, fans don’t have to wait long — Alex is days away from heading out on the road with management-mate Ralph for a cross-Canada tour sure to be stopping in a city near you.

Get a behind the scenes look at Alex’s journey as we chat ‘MISS SICK WORLD,’ what you can expect from her live show, and her favourite music releases from 2021.

How does it feel to have ‘MISS SICK WORLD’ out for everyone to hear, and how did you know this was the right time to release your first full body of work?

It feels so great. I’m just about to head on tour with Ralph and I really wanted to perform a project that felt like it represented me as an artist first stepping into the world of live shows. I’m kind of treating it like a first impression or introduction to me as a musician.

What inspired the album title? Does it correlate with any overall narrative or themes the album explores?

The album title came from the track “miss sick world.” I left it last to release because I wanted it to set the overall tone of where I’m at now. The whole project is centred around my life and the story behind “miss sick world” is a commentary on how I’ve grown up navigating my identity. I’ve really struggled with my identity growing up, and it felt right to give such a heavy song it’s own moment on the project.

This era of your career has led to multiple milestones — booking a cross-country tour, landing a billboard in Yonge-Dundas Square, and, most recently, reaching one million subscribers on YouTube. What would young Alex Porat, who wrote music and recorded covers in her bedroom, say to the now 23-year-old Alex Porat?

I’m always in disbelief. It still never feels real to me and I always wonder if that feeling is going to stay. I can’t explain how appreciative I am to everyone. I think young Alex would probably ask me how this even all happened. When I was younger, I used to be able to picture myself on stage, singing, and recording music, but I could never picture what it took to get there. It really was just perseverance. Now, I’m realizing there’s still so much more left to accomplish and do. It makes me feel hopeful for the future because I feel like I can do so much more still.

One of your earliest endorsements was from Shawn Mendes, who loved your cover of his song “In My Blood.” Considering Shawn also rose to fame posting covers online, what does it mean to you to be part of the next wave of GTA artists making it big?

It’s an honour to be considered that, so thank you! I’m super proud to be from here and to be a part of the music community here has been so special. Despite there being so much talent, it’s a really tight community and very supportive. It was definitely a special moment for me getting that recognition from Shawn Mendes because it made me feel like a career in music was possible.

You recently said performing live was one of your biggest goals. Now that you’re about to go on tour and bring your songs to life for the first time on stage, which tracks are you most excited to perform?

I’m so excited! I’m definitely still in the process of adding more elements to my performances. I’m really excited for “dimension” because there’s a lot of choreography from the music video that I want to incorporate in some way at some point. I also really love singing “miss sick world,” even though it makes me want to cry.

It’s wild to think that we’re already approaching the end of 2021. Can you share some of the albums that you loved at first listen this year?

‘Happier Than Ever’ by Billie Eilish and ‘MONTERO’ by Lil Nas X. I’m also obsessed with everything Lisa from BLACKPINK does!

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Interviews, Love at First Listen, Music

Love at First Listen with Michelle Treacy

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Michelle Treacy New Music

We all have those artists and songs we hear that strike the right chord and make us fall in love at first listen. They’re the reason we refresh social media pages, tour schedules and Spotify profiles — because we can’t miss a single release. This is Love at First Listen — a new series introducing you to the emerging, and established, artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlist.

Stop what you’re doing and get ready for one last summer dance party. After a half-year hiatus, Michelle Treacy, the Canadian singer-songwriter who was launched to stardom on CTV’s The Launch, is rocking her way back onto our playlists with her aptly titled EP ‘High Heels in the Moshpit.’ It’s groovy, retro, and everything you could wish for in your next favourite record.

For this edition of Love at First Listen, go behind the scenes of Michelle’s experience releasing the EP as we chat about wacky musical universes, “Aha!” moments, and which artists’ concerts are worthy of wearing high heels in the moshpit.

How does it feel to have ‘High Heels in the Moshpit’ out in the world for everyone to hear (and play on repeat)?

This is the first time I’ve felt happy and sad about putting music out into the world. This is my baby and the first time I am in the exact place I want to be. I love this music and I love the person I have become. This is only just the beginning of this wacky universe. Get ready for more!

We last spoke just under a year ago. How has your sound and approach to music changed since then?

When we last spoke, I decided 2020 would be my year to feel sad and that 2021 would be the comeback year. I have spent my time during quarantine experimenting, crying, getting therapy, eating my feelings, and crying some more… until I finally had an “Aha!” moment where I knew exactly what I needed to do next. I just needed to be fully comfortable as myself and create music that had as big of a personality as I do — and here we are. I have a team of people around me who have believed in me even when I couldn’t see it for myself. I couldn’t have gotten here without them.

You wrote on Instagram that you’ve “never felt so passionate about a project before.” Why do you think that is? Were you able to touch on any subjects you’ve never written about before?

To be honest, my producer had been begging me to dive into this sound for five years. For the first time ever, I truly felt like myself while recording. I didn’t judge myself. I wrote what felt right. There was no agenda other than to have fun. The persona is me, as raw and fun as can be. The main theme is losing inhibitions and resisting the urge to self censor. If I thought a lyric would elicit the reaction “wait…did she really say that?” then we left it in!

You spent release night on a Zoom call with your fans. Why was it important to you to share that special moment with them?

My fans mean everything to me. They’re the reason for everything, which is why celebrating with my biggest supporters is the only way to release a record, even if it means doing it on Zoom. I am forever grateful to have such amazing and unconditional support. 

Now that concerts are slowly coming back, who is the first person you hope to see live wearing your high heels in the moshpit?

I got to see the Arkells live and I CRIED. Being back at a show felt so good. The next concert I’m going to is Finneas and I can’t wait.

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Interviews, Love at First Listen, Music, New Music Friday

Love at First Listen with Felix Cartal

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Love at First Listen - Felix Cartal

We all have those artists and songs we hear that strike the right chord and make us fall in love at first listen. They’re the reason we refresh social media pages, tour schedules and Spotify profiles — because we can’t miss a single release. This is Love at First Listen — a new series introducing you to the emerging, and established, artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlist.

In need of a summer soundtrack? Press play and turn up your speakers for Vancouver-based producer Felix Cartal’s latest release, ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People.’ The 16-track album is a musical journey through the high-highs and low-lows of life, love and everything in between, and it features some of Felix’s famous friends like pop vocalists Karen Harding, Lights and Kiiara. Whether you listen from start to finish as recommended or join midway through the party, it’s guaranteed you’ll be on the dance floor ASAP.

Fall in love at first listen with Felix’s new album below and read our chat about release week emotions, “expensive sounds,” and how making TikToks compares to making music.

‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ is officially out! How are you feeling?

I’m excited and relieved at the same time — and slightly anxious because putting new stuff out is always a little bit stressful. But ultimately I’m happy it’s out in the world and I can enjoy it and also move on!

This album has been three years in the making. Was there any point where you wanted to scrap everything and change direction, or did that mix of stories and emotions shape the final tracklisting?

I have written and scrapped an entire album, so I’m trying not to do that ever again because that was insane. I had the bulk of this done in the first two years and then as the pandemic happened I had extra time to refine things. For me, I mostly just care about consistency because growing up in the late ‘90s, early 2000s musical climate, I didn’t like albums where one song was ‘the song’ and then the rest of it felt thrown together. Hopefully when people listen to my music from front to back they can hear that I thought about these songs being in this order and it’s enjoyable for them.

What inspired the album title and what makes an “expensive sound”?

I feel very fortunate that I get to do music as my job and I’ve gotten to do it since almost 2007, which blows my mind to this day. And to me that’s like, okay, so what allows me to do that? I think it’s so much the people that share my music and are cheerleaders for it. That means so much to me, so I think those are the Nice People and they’re the ones that make my music feel expensive and give it value. This album is definitely a thank you to the people who like my stuff — and the title also just sounds kind of cheeky.

When ‘Next Season’ came out, I asked you this same question. Is there a line on ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ that stands out to you?

I love working with Ofelia K and I think she is one of the most underrated lyricists in the industry. I kind of work with her once in every chapter of my life and I love all the lyrics in the song we did this time, “Old Self.” I especially like the line, “If I told my old self it’ll be okay, would I be better?” I think it’s a really interesting way to think about enjoying the journey a bit more, not always being so stressed about what the next step is and just kind of going along with it, and I think it’s an interesting take on telling your younger self about this.

You seem to have found a new creative outlet in TikTok, especially with your now viral “Banned from the Gucci Store” remix. How has your experience been?

I kind of approach it the way I would make a song. I don’t have a plan; I’m just treating it like the spontaneous, of the moment thing that I think TikTok should be. I also definitely have noticed people going from TikTok to my Instagram or Twitch. On TikTok especially, there’s such a weird mix of people who really know my stuff and then some people who see it and are like, “Who are you?” And I don’t expect people to know who I am, but it’s nice that people will defend me to those people and say, “He makes really good music!”

Speaking of collabs, this album features your JUNO Award-winning single with Lights, “Love Me.” Can fans expect another collab in the future?

We’re always talking about stuff and we both want to do another song at some point, but we’re not going in with anything lined up yet. It would be insane for me if we didn’t do another thing — or even more than one other thing because we have a good friendship going now. I have the utmost respect for her as an artist and we have similar lengths of careers and we’re the same age, so that’s what we’ve gelled over a lot — just knowing the industry and some of its bullshit that we’ve been fighting through for a while. That’s why I love working with her and hanging out with her.

I expect songs from ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ will be on a lot of summer playlists! What new summer singles have you been loving at first listen?

I love the new Gorgon City album that also came out on Friday. I actually toured with one of the guys from Gorgon City way back in the day when he had another project. I love seeing people that have been in the industry for a while or who are my friends win like that, so shout out to Gorgon City. My other artist who I love from a pop side of things is BENEE. I just want to have “Find An Island” on a constant loop every day when it’s hot out. 

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Interviews, Music, New Music Friday, Take 5

Take 5 with Michelle Treacy

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Michelle Treacy Interview - angelamclean.ca

In the midst of a year defined by political and social unrest — not to mention an unprecedented global pandemic — a new chapter is what we all need. For Canadian singer-songwriter Michelle Treacy, the release of her new single “Time Off From A Letdown” is just that — the start of something new, and something “unapologetically Michelle.”

Three years after releasing her breakout track “Armageddon,” Michelle won an episode of CTV’s music competition show The Launch and was officially “launched” into the spotlight with an angsty new single, “Emotional.” Fast forward a year, Michelle is stripping her sound down to the basics, embracing a more somber and reflective folk-pop tone that’s perfect for the times.

To celebrate her first independent release, I caught up with Michelle to chat about “Time Off From A Letdown,” using your platform and performing with Lady Gaga (yes, you read that right!).

What does “Time Off From A Letdown” represent for you?

Thematically, the song represents the feeling of letting everyone down — the reality being that you are only letting yourself down by putting others first. It is about refocusing on yourself, as I have spent the last couple of years doing just that after going through a dark time in my life. The cinematic video is a beautiful representation of this created by an all-female team. It is a piece of art in its purest form, and I hope people take something from it. 

You’ve been vocal throughout the pandemic about mask education (masks are definitely sexy!) and #BlackLivesMatter. Why is it important for you to use your platform to shine a light on global issues?

I am really grateful to have a platform where people see my stuff and listen. If you have a platform and you’re not using it to educate people on current issues — why bother having a platform? I am pro mask and #BlackLivesMatter. If you are not, you are on the wrong side of history. It’s time to get educated.

The pandemic has presented a bit of a creative block for many artists. Which singers have inspired you the most this year and why?

Finneas has inspired me a lot. He has taught me that you don’t need anything to make a good song and record. He taught me that recording from home is cool. I mean, look at all his work… all done from his bedroom. So, that’s what I’m doing now. All my music is recorded in my closet.

Can you share the story behind that moment with Lady Gaga where you got to perform with her on stage in Montreal? Also, I have to ask: What’s your favourite song off Chromatica?

Long story short, I got really lucky when it came to singing with Gaga in 2014. I had met her a bunch of times prior and asked her. She said yes and the rest is history. My favourite song off Chromatica is “Sine From Above.”

What’s next for you? Are you working towards another EP or perhaps an album?!

I’m working on a bunch of new music. No release date yet but it will be worth the wait I promise. We are gonna do this right this time!

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Interviews, Music, Take 5

Take 5 with Langston Francis

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Langston Francis Interview

Introducing Take 5 — a new series on angelamclean.ca introducing you, through just five questions, to ones to watch who are killing it in their respective fields.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please take a minute to read the linked article, which was published just under two months after this interview, before you proceed. More Take 5 interviews are available on my blog.

Turn up your speakers: Toronto-based singer-songwriter Langston Francis is having a moment.

Prior to recently graduating high school, Langston had already amassed an impressive list of accomplishments — a successful debut EP roaming, an ad campaign with Roots, national radio play, sets at Canada’s biggest summer festivals, opening slots for artists like Hayley Kiyoko and, most recently, his first stateside show. “The moment that I have is here right now and I’m always aware of the fact that it might not be here tomorrow, so I’ve got to seize the opportunity,” he says, an observation more relevant than ever in the midst of our shared global experiences in quarantine.

Kicking off the rollout for his sophomore EP due out later this year, Langston just dropped his new single “Waste My Time,” a flavourful summer-ready track about giving into temptation despite knowing exactly how things are going to end. With much more music to come, I caught up with Langston over FaceTime to get the inside scoop on staying creative, overcoming Instagram Live fears, the new wave of local talent and more.

Happy release day! “Waste My Time” serves as the first taste of your upcoming EP and your first release of 2020. How are you feeling?

I’m so excited. I mean, I didn’t go on a hiatus in terms of creating things, but I released my debut project (in 2018) and then I only put out two singles — “Throw It Away and “Peaches” — for a large chunk of time. I’ve kind of been teasing at stuff for months, because I had this single done but we wanted to get the EP pretty much completely done. It’s kind of hard to put it all into words, but it’s a warm feeling. Coming up on past releases I had a little bit of anxiety and nervousness thinking about how it was going to be received, and I’ve let a lot of that go in the sense that I’m just happy to share the music with whoever wants to hear it. I’m so happy that I have my art because it’s something that I can enjoy by myself and create by myself and still share with others from essentially the comfort of my house.

What really wastes your time?

People are always joking on the label calls about this. Someone will be like, We don’t want to waste people’s time! I think for a lot of my life, it’s been the transit system — just the way I’ve spent a lot of my time freezing my ass off waiting for buses. Also, I spent 13 hours in a Cuban airport one time. The flight was delayed two hours more every two hours. We weren’t allowed to leave the airport, there was no food, the debit machine system was broken so we couldn’t take money out and we didn’t have any pesos because… well, I don’t know, me and my friends were just irresponsible teenagers. At one point they were like, We’re giving food out to everyone for free! It was just a hot dog bun and a can of Coke. We were like, alright, bless.

How has the creative process changed for you in quarantine? Have you felt a desire to be more experimental and productive, or is the isolation leading to creative block?

It was interesting; in the beginning, I definitely felt stir crazy due to the lack of human contact. When I’m writing, I like to draw from experiences in my life and it’s tough when you’re just staying inside and everything you’re seeing on the news is so negative. But I’ve figured out how to adjust, especially as a lot of producers and writers have been working via Zoom — which sounds like it would be difficult but surprisingly it’s been really nice. Also, I’ve always struggled with telling my story and showing my personality online. I’ve always been encouraged to do more of it, but I sometimes find that I just care so much more about doing live shows and releasing music and that was what I was so focused on.

Being in quarantine, I started this Instagram Live series where I play some songs, chat with people and then bring on a young creative on the come up. The first one I did recently was with this producer Jenius. He’s 18 and has produced for Travis Scott and a lot of pretty established artists, so it was really cool to talk about creativity in quarantine and answer questions from people about how you navigate the industry at a young age. I never really live streamed; I was always awkward talking to the camera. So, I think one pro of being stuck inside is it’s opening my eyes to exploring different mediums to connect with the fans. Hopefully even if one person feels like they got some knowledge or inspiration from hearing us talk, then that was a success.

What have you missed most about playing live shows and how hard are you going to go at the first gig back?

I had a couple of shows announced and some other stuff behind the scenes that we were lining up that I was massively anticipating, especially because I have this new project and I felt like I’d really gotten to a point where I was able to just enjoy the shows and be in the moment. From what I’ve heard I don’t think there’s going to be international touring on the larger scale for probably a lot of 2021. At the same time, I was actually just talking to a friend and we were thinking about how, especially for shows in Toronto, we’re spoiled sometimes. We have all these incredible acts playing large and small venues and it’s so accessible and for a lot of Canadian cities, artists just don’t come there. So, I think when we’re able to tour again, for artists and fans both the appreciation is going to be crazy.

I saw photos of the first social distancing concert and yeah, I didn’t really get that. I was also thinking, how did they break even? It was weird though, the fact that we both know it from that post that kind of went a little viral and obviously I imagine that’s not what they were intending – for everyone to kind of clown it — but if it was something that they did to live stream or just let a few fans in then that’s cool. It’s hard to say what’s safe and what isn’t.

Self-titled EPs don’t mess around and are typically more raw, authentic and revealing. What can fans expect and how would you describe your musical growth?

With my first EP, I had no idea what the project was going to be called when I released the first single and I was kind of taking it step by step. I describe this EP as more sure of itself, and I’m more sure of the songs. People might hear “Waste My Time” and I wouldn’t want to say that the whole EP is totally like that because we also have a big, epic, almost shimmery pop track, and then there’s a track that explores more of a rocky feel. I’ve also got my first feature on the project, which I’ve never done before and is really exciting being that we’re both Toronto artists. There are actually a lot of really cool artists coming up from Toronto right now that are around my age. I feel like since I was 15, 16, starting to drop music, I’ve gotten so much love and acknowledgement from people that I looked up to, and now seeing this new wave of young teens and early 20’s people coming up has been really dope.

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