Big in Canada

As the 00s drew to a close and all meaning was lost to an endless sea of vibe and aesthetics, one final Avril-lite managed to break through to tween Bluenotes shoppers around the country.
We look at Shiloh's ska-infused "Operator", which made her one of the final almost-stars of the MuchMusic-era, only for the rug to be pulled out from under her ascendant Canadian fame.
Also discussed: phones, post-iPhone anxiety, Maestro lately, stickers, campus-core, Toronto suburb hierarchy update, our own personal JUNOs controversy, Bryan Adams' Canadian tour, Angine de Poitrine and more.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR FULL EPISODE
For this month's bonus episode we are diving into the Canadian songs on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart for the week of February 28th, 2026. Find out what's changed since 2004 (not much), what's good (not much), what's bad (most!) and what it all means.
Also discussed: our impending live show in Toronto, the difference between Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock and (very briefly) politics (yuck!).
Listen to this episode's playlist via Spotify here and via Apple Music here.
Tickets to our out live show at Departure Festival.

LIVE SHOW SHOW TICKETS! MAY 10 AT BURDOCK MUSIC HALL!
On a cold February day in 1985, some of Canada's biggest music stars answered the vehement pleas of manager Bruce Allen and gathered in a Toronto studio to record the charity single, "Tears Are Not Enough". As the fate of Ethiopia rests on the shoulders of producer David Foster, the studio's air is thick with cigarette smoke and the uncomfortable energy of a workplace Christmas party. But egos are being checked at the door.

In this special episode of Big in Canada, we rank the performances of all of the soloists heard on Northern Lights' "Tears are Not Enough". Who comes out on top? Who's a little flat? And who shows up in a white limo?

Also discussed: The Tears Are Not Enough documentary, kissing fans on the lips, Waiting for Guffman, Neil Young's steez, and much more.

As the first Canadian rapper to break into the mainstream, Maestro Fresh Wes broke down barriers and changed the Canadian music industry. From his platinum selling debut smash Symphony in Effect to a more recent release that can only be described as the most CanCon album of all-time, Maestro stuck to his vision to become the Godfather of Canadian Rap. 

Also discussed: Trate McRae, the ukification of Canada, Halifax potholes, Big Milk, Drake, rap in Canada, and more.

SIGN UP FOR OUR PATREON, THAT'S WHAT I KNOW
Popular music in the 1980s was defined by the Video Star: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, Prince. But in Canada, it was Lawrence "Larry" Gowan, whose music videos, hair and musical prowess captured the imagination of a nation who needed their own version of these icons.
Gowan is now known as one of the key members of Styx, but his story also finds him crossing paths with the Beatles, Yes, Ronnie Hawkins, Kim Mitchell and a man named Tickle.
Also discussed: Scarborough, prog pasts, The Weeknd, Queen Street West, drama, keyboard rigs, criminal minds, music videos and much more.