SWOMP

Ichi-Bons bring reckless rock revival to Sommo Festival 2025

Toronto rockers Ichi-Bons tore up the Sandbar Stage on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, closing out the final day of Sommo Festival.
The band, known for their high-energy performances and their 'reckless rock ‘n’ roll revival' sound, spoke with SWOMP ahead of their set:
Drawing inspiration from obscure surf, garage and rockabilly 45s, Ichi-Bons say their sound blends the grit of a raunchy vinyl DJ with the punch of a live rock band. Their sets move seamlessly from boppin’ garage and frantic rockabilly to instrumental surf and raw rock ‘n’ roll.
Ichi-Bons have previously toured with Jack White, Messer Chups and The 5.6.7.8’s.
Fans can find more of their music on Bandcamp at ichi-bons.bandcamp.com.

Customer Service chats with SWOMP following Sommo 2025 Day #2 opening set

Halifax indie/emo band Customer Service were the first band to grace the stage on Day #2 at Sommo Festival 2025, kicking off the final day on the Sandbar Stage on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Named one of Exclaim! magazine’s favourite emerging artists of 2024, Halifax indie/emo band Customer Service has been on a fast rise since forming in the spring of 2021. The quartet — Matt Cheverie (they/them, rhythm guitar and vocals), Owen Harris (he/him, drums), Max Hayden (he/him, lead guitar and backing vocals), and Nick Adams (he/him, bass) — has built a national following through relentless touring and emotionally charged songwriting.
From the start, Customer Service has embraced an ethos of friendship, joy and fun — with no one enjoying a Customer Service show more than the band themselves. That spirit, combined with their work ethic, has carried them to their next chapter: the release of their sophomore EP, to you, after 2000 years. Mixed and mastered by Billy Mannino (Oso Oso, Macseal), the record pushes the band into heavier, crunchier territory while digging deeper into lyrical vulnerability. It’s due out Feb. 14, 2025, on Royal Mountain Records.
Follow the band at https://customerservice.band/.

Yukon Blonde on new album 'Friendship & Rock 'n' Roll' + tour dates in Ontario & across Canada

Some bands wanna tear down the walls, some wanna reinvent the wheel — but for Vancouver alt-rock band Yukon Blonde, they wanna write a love letter to rock ’n’ roll itself, like a dog-eared note stuffed in the locker of the universe. That’s exactly what they’ve done on their brand-new album Friendship & Rock 'n' Roll, out Sept. 19, 2025 on Dine Alone Records.
That love letter isn’t just to the riffs — it’s to cracked friendships, nights spent hanging around after the amps are shut off, still talking about songs like they’re sacred scriptures, and the million beat-up vans hurtling toward nowhere. It’s the sound of finding your people in the dark.
The record is a testament to the band’s 15-year journey together — equal parts messy and magical. Co-written and produced by Jeffrey Innes, Brandon Wolfe Scott, Graham Jones and James Younger, the album features lead vocals from each member, including the first-ever contribution from drummer Graham Jones.
SWOMP caught up with Brandon Wolfe Scott for an interview.
From the familial chaos of “Colours Of My Dreams” (Younger) to the gear-inspired heartbreak of “Keep On Breaking My Heart” (Innes), the songs capture the highs, lows, and spirit of a band that keeps chasing the intangible. Jones’s “Phaedra” reflects on awe and self-mirroring, while Scott’s “I’ve Got Yours” pays tribute to the bond between bandmates.
Elsewhere, Yukon Blonde tip their hats to rock ’n’ roll tradition (“Waiting On A Call,” “Here She Comes”), explore love’s fog and redemption (“One of These Days”), and honour the power of live connection (“Adore You”). The record closes with meditations on intimacy (“This Night”), bittersweet encounters on the latest single “That Girl” featuring musician/actress Taylor Hickson (Deadpool, North of North), and defiance in the face of control (“What People Can”), showing that after all these years, Yukon Blonde is still leaving it all out there.
The new music is already garnering attention with support from 3 am Revelations, Alan Cross’ Five Songs You Must Hear This Week, CBC Music, Range Magazine, The Straight, CityNews Toronto, Global TV The Morning Show, Vancouver Province, The Adamantium Podcast, NEXT Magazine, Spill Magazine, Indie88, Calgary’s X92.9, and many more.
Marking a shift in sound, Friendship & Rock ’n’ Roll strips things back to capture the rawness and electricity of the band’s live show. Yukon Blonde will take that energy on the road this fall with more than 20 dates from BC to Ontario. The tour kicked off last night in Kelowna, BC, and wraps October 24–25 with two hometown shows at Green Auto in Vancouver.
Friendship & Rock ’n’ Roll Fall Canadian Tour 2025
Sept. 18 – Kelowna, BC – Red Bird Brewing*
Sept. 19 – Nelson, BC – The Royal*
Sept. 20 – Calgary, AB – Modern Love*
Sept. 21 – Red Deer, AB – Bo's Bar & Stage*
Sept. 25 – Windsor, ON – Meteor
Sept. 26 – London, ON – Rum Runners
Sept. 27 – Hamilton, ON – Mills Hardware*
Sept. 28 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory*
Sept. 29 – Ottawa, ON – NAC Fourth Stage*
Oct. 1 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
Oct. 2 – Cambridge, ON – Farm League Brewing*
Oct. 3 – Toronto, ON – Longboat Hall*
Oct. 4 – Sudbury, ON – Townehouse Tavern
Oct. 6 – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub*
Oct. 7 – Winnipeg, MB – Sidestage*
Oct. 8 – Regina, SK – The Exchange*
Oct. 9 – Saskatoon, SK – Amigos*
Oct. 10 – Edmonton, AB – Double Dragon*
Oct. 11 – Fernie, BC – The Northern*
Oct. 16 – Nanaimo, BC – The Queens+
Oct. 17 – Cumberland, BC – The Waverley+
Oct. 18 – Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom+
Oct. 24 – Vancouver, BC – Green Auto+
Oct. 25 – Vancouver, BC – Green Auto+
* with support from Altameda
+ with support from Janky Bungag
Tickets available at www.yukonblonde.com
Photo from left: James Younger, Graham Jones, Jeffrey Innes, Brandon Wolfe Scott.
Photo by Zachary Vague

Ducks Ltd. bring jangle pop anthems to PEI, chat with SWOMP following their Sommo set

Toronto’s Ducks Ltd. lit up the Colliding Tides Main Stage at Sommo Festival on Saturday, September 13, 2025, delivering a set that showcased their blend of buoyant jangle pop and driving power pop.
The duo features Australian lead guitarist Evan Lewis and U.K.-born, U.S.-raised singer, bassist and rhythm guitarist Tom McGreevy.
SWOMP caught up with Tom following their set, and a quick game of Jenga, for an interview.
Their latest album, Harm’s Way, contains what McGreevy describes as “songs about struggling. About watching people I care for suffer, and trying to figure out how to be there for them. And about the strain of living in the world when it feels like it's ready to collapse.”
Harm’s Way represents an evolution from the band’s earlier work. While their 2019 EP Get Bleak and 2021 debut LP Modern Fiction were self-recorded in a Toronto basement, the new record was made in Chicago with producer Dave Vettraino. It also features contributions from Macie Stewart of Finom, Ratboys’ Julia Steiner and Marcus Nuccio, Dehd’s Jason Balla, Moontype’s Margaret McCarthy, Lawn’s Rui De Magalhaes, Dummy’s Nathan O’Dell, Patio’s Lindsey-Paige McCloy, and Ducks Ltd.’s touring drummer Jonathan Pappo.
That collaborative streak first appeared on their 2023 covers EP, which included renditions of songs by The Cure, The Feelies and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Guests on the project included Mo Troper, Ratboys, Illuminati Hotties and Jane Inc.
McGreevy said their growth as performers has reshaped their approach to songwriting. “When we got signed, we had played maybe five or six shows ever. After last year, it’s well in the hundreds. Those things change your perception of your own music and songwriting.”
Lewis added that the duo’s creative process remains rooted in partnership. “Our relationship is built on trust and we don't let our egos come into the creative process in any way. We have this really great thing where every decision with the band is filtered through both of us. Here especially, we really figured out how to make something that truly sounds like us.”
Follow the Ducks at https://www.ducksltd.co/.

Charlottetown’s Gizmo chats with SWOMP following electrifying hometown set at Sommo

Gizmo were the first band to grace the stage at Sommo Festival 2025, kicking off the weekend on the Sandbar Stage on Saturday, Sept. 13. The four-piece indie rock outfit from Charlottetown set the tone early with their roaring, high-energy performance before sitting down with SWOMP for an interview.
Formed during the pandemic, Gizmo began as a COVID-19 quarantine songwriting project that took shape into a full band in 2021. Since then, they have grown into a fixture of the local music scene, playing countless shows around their hometown while also embarking on tours across Canada.
Their debut EP, Buddy System, dropped in August 2023, showcasing four tracks that blend crunchy power-pop guitars with slacker-rock sensibility, sharpened by hooks that stick. That sound carried through on Saturday as the group’s raw, electrifying presence captured both loyal fans and festival newcomers.
Now two years removed from their first release, Gizmo continue to build momentum in the Canadian underground indie rock scene—something their Sommo Festival set only reinforced.
Follow them on Bandcamp, here.

Goodnight Sunrise chat with SWOMP following high-energy Sommo Festival set

Toronto indie rock band Goodnight Sunrise brought their dual-vocal, high-energy performance to the Sandbar Stage on Saturday, September 13 as Sommo Festival 2025 opened in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.
The pair, David Kochberg and Vanessa Vakharia, formed the band in 2011 and have built a reputation for eclectic influences and a dynamic live show. They’re touring behind their fourth full-length album Get a Life, released May 2 on Rejection Records and produced by Ryan Worsley.
Speaking with SWOMP after their Sommo set, Kochberg and Vakharia talked about their quick three-show run through the Maritimes, starting September 11 at Halifax’s Seahorse Tavern with Minus World, then September 12 at Holy Whale Brewing in Riverview, N.B., before capping it with the Cavendish festival slot.
Follow the band at https://www.goodnightsunrise.com/.

Campbell & Johnston chat with SWOMP ahead of Sommo 2025 performance

East Coast duo Campbell & Johnston will be the first artist to perform on the Colliding Tides Main Stage at Sommo Fest 2025 in Cavendish, PEI on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Prior to their Sommo show, Christine Campbell and Blake Johnston hopped on Zoom for an interview with SWOMP.
The pair discuss their career, their latest album Paisley Hearts, what fans can expect in Cavendish, opening for Tom Cochrane, Amanda Marshall (and soon Alanis Morrisette), along with new music in the works.
Campbell & Johnston are an East Coast blues-rock duo blending vintage grit with modern edge.
Christine Campbell’s powerhouse vocals and guitar chops meet Blake Johnston’s soulful slide and rootsy sensibility, creating a sound that bridges hard rock energy with intimate folk and blues.
Their debut won the 2022 East Coast Music Award for Best Blues Album, and their latest record Paisley Hearts (2024) hit number 3 on Canadian roots radio, with the single Find Your Way landing on Joe Bonamassa playlists and earning a 2025 ECMA nomination.
Follow them at https://www.campbellandjohnstonmusic.com/.

Ben Murphy, the CEO of Whitecap Entertainment, on Sommo Festival 2025 in Cavendish, PEI, Sept. 13-14

Sommo Festival is set to deliver one of the biggest weekends of the year as seven-time GRAMMY Award winner Alanis Morissette and GRAMMY-nominated superstar Hozier headline the 2025 edition, returning September 13–14 to Prince Edward Island’s picturesque coastal resort community.
SWOMP caught up with Ben Murphy, the CEO of Whitecap Entertainment, for an interview to discuss how the third edition of the festival will be the East Coast’s most sought-after ticket of the summer, pairing world-class music with an unmatched culinary experience.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Alanis Morissette to the island this summer,” Murphy said. “Alanis is a legendary Canadian icon and we know that her fans across Atlantic Canada are going to be buzzing with excitement to see her bring her biggest hits to life on stage this September. When we asked the fans who they would most like to see in year three the resounding response was Hozier — and we can’t wait for his Sommo debut.”
Alanis Morissette: a Canadian icon
Morissette will take the main stage Saturday, Sept. 13, performing hits from her extensive catalogue. Since the release of Jagged Little Pill in 1995, she has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, earned seven GRAMMYs, 15 JUNO Awards, and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. In 2023, she received the inaugural Billboard Canada Icon Award. Beyond her music, Morissette is an advocate and activist, known for her work in female empowerment and wellness.
Her influence stretches beyond albums and arena tours. In 2019, Jagged Little Pill: The Musical opened on Broadway, earning 15 Tony nominations. More recently, she released her ninth studio album Such Pretty Forks In The Road (2020) and her meditation album The Storm Before The Calm (2022), followed by sold-out arena tours around the globe.
Hozier: making his Sommo debut
Diamond-certified Irish singer-songwriter Hozier will headline his first-ever Atlantic Canadian performance at Sommo. Best known for the 13x Platinum anthem Take Me To Church, which remains one of Spotify’s Top 30 most-streamed songs, Hozier has amassed more than 14 billion streams and sold over a million concert tickets worldwide, including sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden and The Hollywood Bowl.
His most recent album Unreal Unearth debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, solidifying his reputation as a globally acclaimed artist unafraid to pair poetic songwriting with social commentary.
Taste of Sommo: food and drink highlights
Sommo Festival is more than a music event — it’s a celebration of food, drink, and East Coast hospitality. This year’s Taste of Sommo will feature 31 food and beverage vendors alongside a curated menu created exclusively for the weekend.
Festival-goers can expect everything from indulgent classics to creative twists, including Crabless Cakes (hot for food), campfire Banana Boats (Old Time Hawkey), Italian Beef Sandwiches (Adam Loo), Garden Rainbow Bowls (Chef Seth Shaw), and Parmesan Wheel Pasta (Chef Kaela Barnett). East Coast favourites such as Lobster Rolls (Chef Ben Schmidt) and Donair Poutine (Big Cheese Food Truck) will also be on offer, along with gourmet cookies, Mexican Elotes, and wood-fired pizza.
VIP pass holders will have access to an exclusive menu from Chef Kyle Campbell of The Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar. To complement the food, beverage experiences include a tequila bar, whisky bar, martini bar, and bubbly bar, each with non-alcoholic options.
Chefs and culinary personalities such as Old Time Hawkey, Lauren Toyota (hot for food), Andrea Buckett and Chef Michael Smith will also be featured.
A growing tradition on the East Coast
Since launching in 2023, Sommo has quickly become a marquee event in the Atlantic Canadian festival scene, produced by the team behind the award-winning Cavendish Beach Music Festival. Past performers have included Mumford & Sons, Noah Kahan, Maggie Rogers and Greta Van Fleet, while past culinary guests have featured Gail Simmons, Amanda Freitag and Mary Berg.
This year’s combination of powerhouse headliners, world-class chefs, and coastal charm is expected to draw thousands to Cavendish.
Tickets are on sale now at sommofest.com.

Kelsi Mayne performs at Boots and Hearts 2025, catches up with SWOMP for an interview

Canadian country music singer-songwriter Kelsi Mayne performed at Boots and Hearts on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
Reporter Whitney South caught up with her at the festival.
Whitney, along with photographer Sofia Jardine, captured these images from Kelsi's Boots performance.
Formerly a nationally ranked sprint hurdler, Kelsi Mayne has seamlessly transitioned into one of Canada's fastest-rising independent artists.
With over 3 million streams under her belt and a track record of performances alongside industry heavyweights, the 3x CMAOntario award nominee, SiriusXM Top of the Country finalist, and 2024 International Songwriting Competition winner is just hitting her stride.
Kelsi enthrals audiences with her infectious melodies, high energy, and powerful stage presence — gracing major festivals like Boots and Hearts, Calgary Stampede, and Cavendish Beach Music Festival, national television, stadiums, and has supported theatre tours with Meghan Patrick and Russell Dickerson.
Drawing inspiration from her Detroit Music City roots, her eclectic style blends notes of hip hop, r&b, Motown, rock & pop with Country.
Follow her at https://kelsimayne.com/.

Sacha chats with SWOMP at Boots and Hearts 2025

Warkworth, Ontario country music singer and songwriter Sacha performed at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Reporter Whitney South caught up with her the following day at Boots. 
A trailblazer in country music, Sacha blends heartfelt storytelling with an infectious energy that captivates audiences. Since releasing her debut EP The Best Thing, she has quickly risen as one of the genre’s most exciting new voices. Named iHeartRadio’s “Future Star” and a member of CMT’s prestigious Next Women of Country Class, Sacha has achieved numerous milestones in her burgeoning career.
Sacha’s certified platinum hit “What the Truck,” with The Reklaws, became the fastest Canadian country song to achieve platinum status in the streaming era. The viral sensation earned Sacha a CCMA Award for Top Selling Canadian Single, the same year she won SiriusXM's Top of The Country contest and toured the U.S. with Maddie & Tae.
Sacha continued to build momentum by singing the Canadian national anthem at the NHL All-Star Game and performing at major events like the UK’s Long Road Festival.
Last fall, she hit the road opening for the likes of Tenille Townes and then Owen Riegling, further cementing her place as a must-see performer in country music. She is a frequenter of all the major red carpets from the CMAs, CMT Awards, and CCMAs. 
On May 30, 2025, Sacha released her debut full-length album Woman In The Mirror, a bold and introspective collection that highlights her growth as both a songwriter and storyteller. The album includes Sacha’s hit single, “Hey Mom I Made It,” a heartfelt anthem that has garnered over 8 million combined streams globally and climbed into the Top 10 on the Canadian country radio chart. A deluxe version came in early summer, featuring "Shooting Star", her duet with one of the hottest groups out of Nashville, Restless Road. The song is a soul-stirring reflection on a love that slipped away—anchored in the hope that a single wish might bring it back. With soaring harmonies and gut-punch lyrics, the song showcases both artists at their most vulnerable and vocally dynamic.
Sacha has performed at top-tier festivals this summer all across North America, including CMA Fest, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Boots and Hearts Music Festival, and LASSO.
She will close out the summer performing for the second time at the CCMAs, where she has three nominations including Female Artist Of The Year.
Follow her at https://www.iamsacha.com/.