Browsing Category

Canada

Interview: Warlet on Authenticity, Neurodivergence, and Finding Strength in Vulnerability

Warlet doesn’t hold back when it comes to honesty in her music. The Brazilian-born, Nova Scotia-based artist uses her platform to explore deep emotions, societal expectations, and the realities of being a neurodivergent Latin immigrant in the music industry. Inspired by artists like Twenty One Pilots and NF, she aims to offer listeners the same sense of understanding and comfort that once guided her through difficult times. With a sound shaped by emo, trap, pop rap, and RnB, her music carries both weight and intensity, reflecting her passion for raw expression. In this interview, she discusses her approach to songwriting, the intersection of her creative skills, and how she balances vulnerability with the energy of live performance.

Warlet, welcome to A&R Factory, it’s a pleasure to have you with us to discuss your backstory, achievements and ambitions. To give our readers an idea of your ethos; what does it mean to you to be an artist? 

Thank you guys for having me! It’s a pleasure! To me, being an artist means using one of the most amazing things human beings can do, which is to create, and give it back to people by making something meaningful in any form. I always say that I love making music because I want to make people feel something, whatever that is. Emotions are so beautiful and art is an outlet to explore that on us.

You never shy away from vulnerability in your songwriting; how does it feel to be so candid in your tracks? 

I don’t think I could ever be any other way. Being sincere about my feelings is my natural instinct with everything in life, maybe because of my autism, I don’t know really… But to me, vulnerability is powerful and being your true self should always be encouraged in society even though it really isn’t… Talking about the hard things once in a while is just as important as being entertained! I wish we all reminded ourselves of that more often.

What motivates you to speak so openly about these issues?

I think I was heavily inspired by Twenty One Pilots and NF on this one. In different moments of my life, these two artists literally helped me organize my own thoughts and feelings when I needed the most, which led me a moment where I thought to myself, “that’s exactly what I want my music to do to people”. I am motivated by the idea that there is someone out there listening to my song and relating to the lyrics, and that this brings them comfort, just like one day somebody’s music changed my life as well.

What has your experience of the music industry been as a neurodivergent Latin immigrant? 

Honestly, the music scene where I live in Nova Scotia is pretty opened and welcoming. These factors do affect my daily experiences in other areas more often than I would like, but at least the music world I am currently in, is one of those safe spaces away from all of this. I know once my horizons open up to the bigger world of music, it will be different, as this is a smaller community, but at least I have a good base to start building on.

What initially drew you to synthesising emo, trap, pop rap and RnB into your sonic signature? 

My passion for all these genres! The interesting thing is I think all these genres speak about deep topics whether on a social context or an emotional place, which is probably what drew me into these types of music more. I’m also very attached to heavier sounds overall, I’m passionate about heavier sounding beats, stronger vocals and any impactful sound on a song.

With your background as a beatboxer and visual artist, in what ways do these creative skills intersect when you write and perform your songs?

I always try to do at least a small beatbox showcase every time I perform! Eventually, I want to make some of my music being fully organic – with “mouth” sounds only, per say, it’s a plan for the future. I’m as well always drawing and designing my own cover arts and concepts for my music, so it’s quite helpful to mix all these worlds together!

Having just released your debut EP, which track do you feel best captures your reality, and what inspired its creation?

That’s hard to say, since the whole idea behind this EP was to be as genuine and raw with my emotions as I could, so in a way, all of them could fall into this category of capturing my life perfectly, but in different aspects. I do feel like “SOCIALMASKS” will always be that song that describes the struggles of being an autistic woman the best and more precisely though, if I had to point out one of them.

When it comes to your touring plans, how do you intend to connect with audiences on an emotional level during live performances?

I want to be real with every performance. Yes, I want to make people hyped and willing to dance as well, but I am hoping my passion for my own lyrical process comes through when I am singing on stage.

How do you balance the rawness of your personal backstory with the polished demands of performing on stage?

It is actually quite challenging – and funny. I feel like I am extremely awkward inside, but I did in the past take classes with my mother, who is a performance coach, and I just try to embody her lessons on my whole body in order to be a good performer. I have a lot to work on though, and I’m slowly trying to find ways to feel comfortable moving on stage regardless of my disability that kind of makes me a little terrified of being perceived! It’s the big irony of my life. I love to be an artist and show true myself just as much as  I’m scared of being seen. It’s a work in progress for sure!

Looking ahead, what role do you see touring playing in the evolution of your music career, and how might it influence your future projects?

I’m still very underground and frankly, just want to put my music out there in the world and form my own community of people that enjoy what I do. Making connections with people is what makes this whole music thing stronger, and I look forward to what other opportunities this project will open up for me. These are the first steps of what will eventually become a bigger achievement but I want to enjoy and appreciate every detail of the journey.

Stream Warlet’s discography on Spotify and stay up to date with all her latest aural antics on Instagram and TikTok.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Jaisy Blurred the Boundaries Between Reverie and Reality in ‘can’t get enough of you’

 The boundaries of romanticism and obsession blur in Jaisy’s ethereally dreamy, reverie-slicked release, can’t get enough of you, which exhibits her as the ultimate alchemist of contemporary alt-RnB. It’s hard to know where the kaleidoscope of hazily hued instrumental tones ends and where the lush natural reverb which spills from her harmonies starts.

To describe can’t get enough of you as hypnotic is an understatement at best; rather than being a release you consume, the single consumes you so that by the time the rock riff-licked crescendo hits, you’ll be beyond susceptible to the semi-lucid spell Jaisy cast.

The Toronto-based artist, producer, and dancer has been steadily building her name in the alt-pop and RnB scene, refining her craft at Seneca College’s Independent Music Production programme. With over 15 shows under her belt—including a headlining gig that attracted over 100 fans—Jaisy’s music is as much about emotional depth as it is sonic ingenuity. Each track she creates dares to test new extents of vulnerability, speaking to the overwhelming emotions that come with progressing into adulthood, balancing the desire to be taken seriously with the lingering nostalgia of youth.

We’ve heard countless new entries into the RnB arena already this year, but as far as making an everlasting mark goes, few have done it better than Jaisy. With can’t get enough of you paving the way for her upcoming EP, To: You, she is set to speak to even more listeners through her intoxicating sound.

can’t get enough of you is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Specyal T & Chasing Sunday’s ‘Ben’s Girlfriend’ – A Pop-Rock Glitch in the Matrix

Specyal T has never been one for convention. The Caribbean-Canadian musician, songwriter, and producer has spent her career breaking the mould, racking up radio play across North America and Europe, securing sync deals, and earning a reputation for shifting gears with every release. With Ben’s Girlfriend, her latest venture alongside Chasing Sunday, she veers into indie pop-rock with a salaciously eccentric electronic twist, proving once again that predictability has no place in her catalogue.

After the low rumble of rhythmic basslines draws you in, the indie pop-rock installation of authenticity arrests with its intrinsic distinction. While the promise you’ve never heard anything quite like this before is rarely a guarantee of artistic merit, it’s certainly the case for this paradigm of retro-futurism. By dipping into the 80s, tuning into the electro-pop rock energy of the early 00s, and allowing euphoria to pulsate through the unflinching four-to-the-floor beat, Specyal T and Chasing Sunday have orchestrated an earworm that holds its own against *that* iconic track from The Grand Spectacular.

With 2025 set to introduce more singles from her pop-rock band project, Ben’s Girlfriend is an electrifying glimpse of what’s to come. It’s brazen, boundary-pushing, and refuses to play by the rules. Specyal T’s mystique and ability to step outside of her comfort zone have cemented her status as an artist impossible to pin down—just as it should be.

Ben’s Girlfriend was officially released on January 31st and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Young Talent with Big Potential: Ruby Jean’s ‘One Step at a Time’

With her sophomore release, One Step at a Time, 11-year-old Ruby Jean from Kincardine, Ontario exhibited how she’s building the foundation for a career that could see her standing alongside the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift if she continues to hone her craft with the same determination and tenacity.

The Americana-tinged pop earworm single is effortless to sink into and lose yourself within, offering a warm embrace of chords and harmonies that sweep you up in their sincerity. What makes this track truly impressive isn’t just the composition but the maturity Ruby Jean infuses into her lyrics and vocal delivery. It’s hard to fathom how an artist of her age managed to conjure such an emotionally rich sound, but she’s clearly a natural when it comes to pairing heartfelt narratives with impossible-to-forget melodies.

Ruby Jean, who wrote both the lyrics and music for One Step at a Time, shows a passion for singing, songwriting, piano, and guitar that belies her youth. Her talent for storytelling and her ability to make listeners feel every note set her apart from her peers, marking her as an artist to watch closely.

One Step at a Time is not only a testament to her potential but also a reminder of how far raw talent, passion, and authenticity can take an artist, no matter their age.

One Step at a Time was officially released on January 16; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dave Sereny cast his gaze on ‘Brighter Days’ in his funk-fuelled gospel of hope

Toronto-based guitarist and smooth jazz virtuoso Dave Sereny gifted a sonic sermon steeped in optimism and resilience with his latest single, Brighter Days. With a groove underpinned by staccato reggae guitars, Sereny creates an intricate interplay of funk and jazz fusion that carries an irresistible pulse. His vocals, effortlessly soulful and evocative of Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, deliver the song’s lyrical fortitude, tackling global adversity while shining a light on perseverance and hope.

The addition of choir-esque backing vocals amplifies the track’s radiance, wrapping Sereny’s smooth delivery in harmonised warmth. The melodic complexity sits comfortably within the genre’s upper echelon, but the track never leans into gratuitous technicality—it feels alive, breathing with sincerity and intent.

Sereny’s guitar work is a testament to his time spent honing his craft in the studio and on countless festival stages alongside legends such as Warren Hill. As part of a forthcoming album featuring a mix of original tracks and reimagined classics, ‘Brighter Days’ sets a high bar for what’s to come.

Brighter Days is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lauren Ash – Whiplash: A Relentless Assault of Punk Rock Ferocity

Lauren Ash’s transition from award-winning actress to punk rock powerhouse proves she’s more than adept at commanding the spotlight in any arena. With her latest single, Whiplash, Ash and her band crank the scuzz to its absolute peak, delivering a relentless assault of punk rock ferocity. The track combines riotous pop-punk hooks with the unrelenting pulse of pure rock energy, creating an anthemic, adrenaline-spiked experience.

Known for her sharp comedic timing in roles such as Dina Fox in Superstore and Scorpia in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Ash channels a new kind of intensity in Whiplash, shredding through punk conventions with unapologetic grit. Her raw vocal delivery pairs perfectly with a blistering arrangement of riffs and percussion that lands like a gut punch and resonates long after the track ends.

Since stepping into the music scene in 2023, Ash has made a monumental impact. Her debut single, Now I Know, hit #1 on the Canadian iTunes Rock Chart and climbed to #5 on the Billboard Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. Following a string of high-profile performances, including sets at Los Angeles’ iconic Whisky a Go Go and the Viper Room, Ash is gearing up to release her debut album in 2025.

Whiplash was officially released on January 13th; stream the single on Spotify now and discover more ways to connect with Lauren Ash via her website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Toronto’s Premier Alt-Rock Outfit NAKEDBURN Entered the Post-Hardcore Pantheon with ‘Jaded’ ft Liam Cormier

NAKEDBURN

Electrifyingly frenetic emo-rock furore pierces and pulsates through the latest sonic juggernaut from Toronto’s premier post-hardcore outfit, NAKEDBURN.

‘Jaded’ featuring Liam Cormier is enough to put the generalisation that Canadians are placid to perpetual rest; the onslaught of intensity starts with an intro which wouldn’t be out of place on a Rocket From the Crypt LP before NAKEDBURN intravenously injects modernistic hypersonic power into the Post-Hardcore installation of angst that any fans of Dillinger Escape Plan will want to devour.

As a precursor to their debut EP, Drowning, which is set for release in early 2025, Jaded is a blistering statement of intent from a powerhouse that will show the alt-rock scene no mercy as they prepare to enter the post-hardcore pantheon.

Jaded will storm the airwaves on November 29th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

For more ways to listen and connect with NAKEDBURN, visit the band’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Heidi Vincent – Criminal: A Ruggedly Western Vignette of Vengeance

Vancouver’s Heidi Vincent fuelled her latest single, Criminal, with Femme Fatale fire-branded soul. Within the pistols at dawn ruggedly Western vignette of vengeance, the country-pop-rock siren reclaims her power after a sour romantic encounter while giving April March a run for her twangy rockabilly money.

As the ultimate soundtrack for the recently lothario-scorned, Criminal delivers enough vindication to devour your spite whole as you lose yourself within the stylised earworm which is a thematic continuation from her previous denial and betrayal-encompassing single, What Love Can Do.

While cinema may fail to write female redemption stories which don’t resonate as exploitative, that’s exactly where the independent singer-songwriter succeeded with Criminal, there’s catharsis by the smorgasbord in the invitation for every listener to find their power through the narratively electrifying sonic blockbuster.

Criminal hit all major platforms on November 1st; stream it on Spotify and connect with Heidi Vincent on Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kickstart your rhythmic pulses with Scott Cook’s alt-rock kaleidoscope of poetic innovation, The Author

With ‘The Author’, Montreal’s Scott Cook served an electrifying synthesis of gritty guitar riffs reminiscent of the Manic Street Preachers and the ethereal synth overlays akin to Suicide’s ‘Dream Baby Dream’. In the cacophony of the saturated with banality modern music scene, the single is a rare slice of accordance.

Cook’s voice, an instrument in its own right, weaves through the tight instrumental arrangement, anchoring and elevating the melodies with his poetic lyricality which is just as sharp as his guitar hooks in the track which filters the colour of psych pop-rock harmonics into the alchemic cocktail which invites you to lose yourself in its euphonic bliss.

The arrangement’s dynamism is palpable, with ebbs and flows that create eager anticipation for the next burst of momentum and the catharsis it bestows.

Scott Cook proves with ‘The Author’ that his musical evolution is not just ongoing but accelerating. Drawing on an eclectic palette that spans genres and eras, he reflects on contemporary life with a candour that Morrissey would struggle to match. If he released this hit in the 90s, he’d be at the top of the charts.

The Author was officially released on September 23rd, stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chords of Candour: Dylan Forshner on Crafting ‘Under Control’

 In an exclusive interview, Dylan Forshner discussed his latest single, “Under Control,” a poignant fusion of raw emotion and sonic exploration. Forshner, a Toronto-based artist known for his genre-defying approach, shares the intimate journey behind the creation of this track, his first and an intrinsically personal venture. The single unravels as a narrative of battling mental health challenges and as an emblem of hopeful resilience.

Through his narrative, Dylan engages with themes of emotional vulnerability and the cathartic power of music, which resonates strongly with his listeners. As he reflects on his influences and the therapeutic aspects of his songwriting, the interview uncovers the layers of an artist who is not afraid to expose his heart through his melodies.

This conversation is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersections of personal struggle and artistic expression, offering insights into Dylan’s creative process and his optimistic outlook amidst life’s tumultuous rhythms.

Dylan Forshner, thank you for sitting down with us to discuss your latest riot of candour, Under Control, what’s the story behind the single? 

Under Control is a story of me experiencing struggles with ups and downs in my mental health but holding out optimism that I have it “under control” this time. This was my first writing effort back in May 2023 and has been a favorite of a lot of people who have heard my originals or seen me perform, including my mom.

Did you naturally reach the epitome of genre fluidity with Under Control or was it a more conscious effort to pull elements in from across the sonic spectrum? 

This being the first song I wrote I didn’t have much intention to have it sound like anything in particular, I was just happy anything came out of me creatively. But looking back now I can see where my influences shine through. The vocal style especially in the chorus with the “ouu’s” is derived from my love of Australian surf bands such as Skeggs and Hockey Dad. With the guitar, and percussive elements I was inspired by Canadian bands Born Ruffians and Peach Pit.

You’ve got the sticky-sweet rugged rogue erraticism down to a fine art in the release, how does your artistic execution of the single amplify the emotional underpinnings? 

Under Control does a great job of portraying the emotions I was feeling at the time of writing. The lyrical content is heavy and open about difficult emotions I was going through but the tone of the song gives an uplifting and optimistic feel that things will get better.

Have you always worn your heart on your sleeve in your music?

The majority of my music is inspired by personal experience and emotion and I treat it as a form of therapy. To me putting it into words and sharing it openly helps me process the emotions I’m feeling.

What do you hope your listeners take from the release? 

I hope listeners can relate to the emotional openness of Under Control and can feel a bit more comfortable speaking openly about their struggles with mental health or whatever else they might be going through. 

When are you most inspired to write? 

I tend to be most inspired late at night before bed. I find my mind is the most clear at that time and I can more easily translate my emotions into lyrics, chord progressions or melody. 

What is your experience of the Toronto indie scene? 

The Toronto Indie scene for me has been where I learned to be a musician. Starting out seeing a variety of rock acts in the scene I then started going to open mics frequently to hone my own skills before eventually starting to write my own originals. I take a lot of inspiration from the diverse and immensely talented artists in the scene. The pocket of the scene that I’ve been lucky enough to be connected to has always been extremely supportive of one another and encouraging to newer musicians such as myself.

What’s next for Dylan Forshner?

I have another single coming titled “It’ll Be A Great Day” which will be out roughly around mid-September. There are also three other songs that are near completion that I hope to release by the end of this year or early next to complete a five-song EP titled “Hopeless Optimism”.

Stream Under Control on all major platforms via this link.

Follow Dylan Forshner on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Interview by Amelia Vandergast