Big in Canada

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Alex Porat, Adam Rodway, Preston Pablo, Alex Samson...are these real people? Do you know them? Have you heard their songs? We dive deep to discover what all these random people sound like and find out what it takes to make a Top 40 CanCon hit in 2026.

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Paul Murphy, singer and guitarist of Wintersleep, is here to discuss the Nova Scotian origins of the band, playing shows wherever they could, the early 00s Halifax music scene, his voice, the weight of Weighty Ghost, writing about America, nostalgia, and much more. Wintersleep's new record Wishing Moon is out now via Dine Alone Records.
Also discussed: UFOs, Mac and Laura's love of Wintersleep, "51st State", Mustique, The Tragically Hip's various brand partnerships and much more.

It's 1984 and you are watching MuchMusic. Metal is ascendant. You are 14. A video begins to play. "Metal Queen" Lee Aaron is holding a sword as tall as her, wielding a voice twice that size. "Is this metal?", you wonder. It doesn't matter - you submit to the will of your new Queen.
Also discussed: metal, songs as boner metaphors, being sexy vs. empowering, hard rock trend chasing, the impossible 80s, The Friendly Frog Freak Show, Voices in Public, Zohran loves k-os, rockin hard and much more.

Before becoming the Paula Abdul of Canadian Idol, Sass Jordan was known for her huge voice and bluesy disposition. But the further she leaned into the sleaze, the closer she got to Canadian reality television fame. Not everyone can be Robert Johnson at the crossroads.
Also discussed: YouTube channel maintenance, cover bands, posting your Ls is CanCon, Xav at Shawarma Fest, Bündock, Taylor Hawkins, appropriation, blues, internalized misogyny and much more.

As Ryan Malcolm went from singing in an oldies cover band with his dad to becoming the Season 1 winner of Canadian Idol, he experienced first hand what it was like to be inside the guts of major label CanCon. Despite being the people's champ and having a number one hit single for several months (!), his place in the industry, as he tells us, came with an asterisk.
Also discussed: reel estate, nature, Mile End Kicks, the PPLL, Canadian Idol, World Idol, recording "Home", screaming fans, wanting to win, Low Level Flight and much more.