Howlin' Circus at Live on Elgin, in Ottawa, PLUS Bonobo Backlash and Landon A. R. Coleman.

Howlin' Circus: A rock’n’roll heartbeat for these divisive times, Howlin’ Circus is the Middle Eastern-inspired psychedelic rock project of Canadian-Iraqi musician, Jafar Sandouk. Sandouk's "gritty, powerful, and defiant" (Indie88) sound fearlessly blurs the boundaries of genre, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry that unveils the devastating personal impact of Islamophobia and white supremacy in the post-9/11 era. Yet, the Howlin' Circus project goes beyond mere social commentary; it delves deep into the heart of humanity, exploring the world’s sharp decline in empathy. www.howlincircus.com

Bonobo Backlash: An unconventional math rock band, Ottawa's Bonobo Backlash have a dark but poppy sound, turning odd signatures into catchy hooks. Featuring unpredictable song structures that at times at swing through different genres, and female lead vocals that switch between calming harmonies to screaming angst, Bonobo Backlash is a band that enjoys bending and quilting musical styles. https://bonobobacklash.bandcamp.com/album/bonobo-backlash

Landon A. R. Coleman: Landon A. R. Coleman has a sticker from the local “Light Favourites” station on his bumper. An Albertan solo artist in Ottawa, Coleman plays elegant pop. “I love Jim Reeves, John Denver… give me strings, horns, big melody.” says Coleman. His sound recalls the retro sounds of Belle and Sebastian and the modern torch songs of Father John Misty. “Like Losing a Fight EPs I and II”, (October 27, 2023 and February 28, 2024) are sonically rich, collaborative efforts, including vocals by Polaris-nominated Bernice and drums by Andy Shauf’s Olivier Fairfield. https://landonarcoleman.bandcamp.com/album/like-losing-a-fight-ep