SWOMP

Toronto rockers A Short Walk To Pluto chatted with SWOMP following their set on the opening day at the Revelree Music Festival in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Listen to the full interview with band members Emma Armstrong (lead vocals), Max Kaiser (lead guitar), Jake Biggs (drums, percussion & backing vocals) and Georgios Papangelakis (bass guitar).

Watch for a full photo gallery from their Revelree set on SWOMP soon!

Here are some more details about the band:

From origins rocking their Toronto high school pep rallies as a humble trio back in 2018, A Short Walk to Pluto, are well on their way to establish themselves as a future cornerstone of the modern rock scene.

With their tasty riffs, profound lyricism and charming, charismatic personalities, A Short Walk to Pluto are truly the complete package. These polished performers have developed an attraction of a live show that leaves fans in awe of their high energy and level of musicianship, having a blast rocking out to banger after banger.

These loveable goofballs have entranced and earned the undying support of their loyal fan base, amassing over 870,000 followers across social media.

The viral sensations have caught the attention and endorsement of such names as Howard Stern on his SiriusXM show and Alan Cross on Toronto’s 102.1 The Edge.

Coming fresh off the completion of two successful headlining tours in the US and several headlining shows across Ontario, A Short Walk to Pluto are poised to further establish themselves as powerhouses in the industry.

Follow them at https://www.ashortwalktopluto.com/.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan rockers The Sheepdogs headlined the opening night of the Revelree Music Festival in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Prior to their set, frontman Ewan Currie sat down with SWOMP backstage for an interview.

Watch for a photo gallery from their performance on SWOMP soon!

The band is also set to his the road with Bryan Adams for a cross-Canada tour later this year.

All of the details can be found at https://thesheepdogs.com/.

Kingston rockers Luscious chatted with SWOMP following their opening set at the Revelree Music Festival in Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Listen to the full interview with band members Brielle LeBlanc (lead vocals), Cole LeBlanc (bass and vocals), Kurt Paquette (guitars and vocals), Doug O'Handley (keyboards and vocals), and Wyatt McMullin (drums).

Over the years Luscious has established themselves as a staple in the Kingston music scene.

Their music is best described as a modern interpretation of Classic Rock.

Luscious has a simple mission statement; to keep Rock n' Roll alive in a constantly changing musical landscape.​

Watch for a photo gallery soon on SWOMP!

Follow the band at https://www.lusciousband.com/.

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Following their performance, which kick started Day #2 at the inaugural Rockin' Thunder music festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Default frontman Dallas Smith sat down with SWOMP for an interview.

The Canadian rockers burst onto the music scene in the early 2000s with their infectious blend of alternative rock and post-grunge sound.

Formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1999, the core members of Default are Smith (lead vocals), Jeremy Hora (lead guitar), Dave Benedict (bass), and Danny Craig (drums).

The band has released four albums and has sold more than a million records.

When he isn't fronting Default, Smith is one of the most celebrated artists in Canadian country music.

His career includes amassing 18 Canadian Gold-certified singles, four Canadian Gold-certified albums, and seven Canadian Platinum-certified singles along with more than 500 million collective streams to date and two million global album equivalents.

Some of his greatest hits include “Some Things Never Change,” “Wastin’ Gas”, and “Drop.”

Smith is the first and only Canadian country artist in the Nielsen BDS era to have 12 number-one singles, including four consecutive chart-toppers from the same album.

Adding to the list of accolades, Smith is the sole Canadian country artist in the Nielsen BDS and Mediabase era to earn 12 number-one songs in history and have 23 consecutive singles peak in the Top 10 of the Country Airplay chart.

In 2021, Smith launched his Lifted Dallas Smith Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that mental health services are accessible to anyone and everyone in need.

Smith is a three-time CCMA Award winner for Entertainer of the Year, and in September 2022 he added two CCMA Awards for Male Artist of the Year, along with his first-ever Fans’ Choice award to his expansive list of accolades.

Follow Default at https://defaultband.com/.

Follow Dallas at https://dallassmithmusic.com/.

Canadian rockers The Trews are back with The Bloody Light, their eighth studio album, set for release October 24 via Known Accomplice / Cadence Music Group.

The band, known for their raucous live energy and radio dominance since the early 2000s, discussed the album drop ahead of their Saturday afternoon, July 12, 2025 performance at Edmonton’s Rockin’ Thunder festival, where SWOMP caught up with frontman Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, and bassist Jack Syperek for a pre-show chat.

Produced by The Trews alongside Brett and Jay Emmons of The Glorious Sons, the album is described as a sharpened return to the band’s rock roots while exploring deeper emotional terrain.

The Trews’ current lineup includes drummer Theo McKibbon and touring keyboardist Jeff Heisholt. This summer, they’ve been road-testing new songs across Canada, with Rockin’ Thunder marking a major stop on their 2025 calendar. Upcoming shows include stops in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Cranbrook, and North Bay before performing in Lethbridge this September.

Formed in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in the late ‘90s, The Trews have built a reputation as one of Canada’s most enduring rock outfits, earning multiple JUNO nominations, Platinum certification, and over 100 million streams globally. They’ve shared stages with legends like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, and Slash.

As The Bloody Light looms on the horizon, The Trews are leaning into what they do best: bringing people together through loud guitars, tight songwriting, and raw emotion.

More information on The Bloody Light, pre-orders, and upcoming tour dates can be found at www.thetrewsmusic.com.

The countdown is over. Starting tomorrow, the Exhibition Lands Racetrack will transform into the epicenter of loud guitars, timeless hits, and pure rock energy as the inaugural Rockin’ Thunder festival takes over Edmonton, July 11 and 12.

The long-anticipated, two-day rock spectacle is bringing an era-spanning lineup to Canada’s Festival City, with performances from some of the biggest names in classic and alt-rock history — including Def Leppard, Weezer, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Stone Temple Pilots, and Bret Michaels, along with Canadian favourites like Sam Roberts Band, The Trews, and Toque.

“We've always dreamed of bringing a rock lineup of this calibre to the Prairies,” said Troy Vollhoffer, CEO of Rockin’ Thunder Music Festivals. “With the incredible energy and love for music that defines Canada's Festival City, it felt like the perfect time. Alberta music fans are among the most passionate in the world and we're beyond thrilled to finally bring the first-ever Rockin' Thunder festival to Edmonton.”

Friday’s kickoff features legendary metal band Queensrÿche, Canadian supergroup Toque, platinum-selling icon Bret Michaels, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, before closing out the night with a full-throttle headlining set from the one and only Def Leppard.

Saturday’s lineup keeps the momentum surging with JUNO winners Default, East Coast rockers The Trews, fan favourites Sam Roberts Band, and grunge icons Stone Temple Pilots. GRAMMY-winning alt-rock giants Weezer will bring the weekend to an electrifying close with their signature sound and anthemic catalogue.

SWOMP caught up with Gerry Krochak, the Director of Corporate Partnerships for Rockin' Thunder, to talk about the festival.

Also, SWOMP has secured media credentials for the festival, so watch for our photos and interviews!

More details and tickets are available at https://www.rockinthunderfest.com/.

Dirt Road Opera will release their new single, a cover of Blaze Foley’s Clay Pigeons, on July 11.

The track is a simple, heartfelt version of the well-loved Americana song.

SWOMP caught up with Barry Mathers, lead singer, to discuss the tune.

The band’s take on the tune features their signature vocal blend and a laid-back, rootsy arrangement. It’s a quiet and respectful nod to Foley’s songwriting, offering listeners a familiar song with a fresh feel.

Clay Pigeons will be available on all major streaming platforms.

The band hopes people enjoy this new version of a timeless track.

Dirt Road Opera’s distinctive sound is shaped by the collective talents of two Juno-nominated lead vocalists, alongside a versatile multi-instrumentalist and a dynamic percussionist. Their original music ranges from emotive ballads such as “Hard to Find” to the hillbilly rock of “Nowheresville”, which is also the title of their debut album.

Rachel Matkin, a talented vocalist and the bassist for DRO, boasts an impressive professional career spanning over two decades. Her unique voice has garnered numerous awards and accolades.

Barry Mathers, a multi award-winning songwriter and lead singer, contributes guitar, mandolin, and harmonica skills while also producing the band’s records and videos.

Multi-instrumentalist Robert Bailey expands the band’s sonic palette with pedal steel, guitar, keyboards, and banjo expertise.

The fourth member of the band, Jay Terrence, is the heartbeat of the group. He is well-versed in all styles of music and is equally at home on a full drum kit or playing brushes on a suitcase.

Three-part harmonies, great songwriting, and stellar musicianship are the essence of this alt-country, roots/Americana band hailing from Kelowna, BC.

Follow the band at https://www.dirtroadopera.ca/.

After a whirlwind start to her first national tour outside the Maritimes, Music Nova Scotia’s 2024 Entertainer of the Year, Elyse Aeryn, continues to ride high on the momentum of her Unstoppable Canadian tour and recent single of the same name — a fiery anthem for inner strength, connection, and self-love.

SWOMP caught up with Elyse for an interview, digging into the meaning behind Unstoppable and what it feels like to bring her roots-rock powerhouse vocals across the country for the first time.

“What started as an accidental love song grew into a call from my younger self,” Elyse says. “I believe two people coming together is part of a bigger universal plan, but imagine the power of truly connecting to the girl within? Now that's unstoppable.”

The single, recorded at Soundpark Studios in Sydney, NS, with ECMA-winning producer Jamie Foulds, offers the first taste of Elyse’s forthcoming album — due later this year. The record promises a bold blend of risk, rebellion, and the journey to self-expression.

Since the tour launched May 30 in Charlottetown, Elyse has played sold-out shows and festival slots across Ontario, Quebec, and the East Coast, earning praise for her magnetic stage presence and soulful delivery. Recent performances include opening sets for The Trews at the Pictou Lobster Carnival and upcoming support for Amanda Rheaume at the Makin’ Waves Festival in Sydney on July 10.

Elyse Aeryn’s rise has been steep. Her debut album Joy State of Mind (2023) earned award nominations and radio play across Canada. Tracks like Cowboy and Criminal hit #1 on indie charts and solidified her as a force in country and roots-rock circles.

From playing pubs to festival stages, Elyse brings her songs for the wild-hearted to life with sincerity, grit, and an unstoppable energy.

For tour details, visit elyseaeryn.com/shows.

Remaining 2025 Unstoppable Tour Dates:

July 10 – Sydney, NS – Makin' Waves Festival (support for Amanda Rheaume)

July 18 – Woodstock, NB – Dooryard Festival (headlining)

July 19 – Shelburne, NS – Dockside Days

July 26 – Dominion, NS – Seaside Daze Bash

July 31 – Moncton, NB – Holy Whale Beer Hall

August 16 – Sydney, NS – Rock the Fiddle

September 25 – Halifax, NS – The Carleton

Photo credit: Steph McNamara

Hamilton-based post-hardcore band Rarity performed on the side stage at All Your Friends Fest on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Burl’s Creek, Ontario.

Following their set, the full band caught up with SWOMP for an interview.

The band released their latest album Lower Feeling in June 2024, marking another chapter in the group’s evolution since forming straight out of high school.

The four-piece band — vocalist Loeden Learn, guitarist Adam Clarke, bassist Cole Gardner, and drummer Evan Woods — has built a reputation for delivering sharp hooks and rich harmonies while maintaining the aggressive energy of punk and post-hardcore.

Lower Feeling tackles heavy themes including loss of control, anger, and sadness, but was described as a smooth recording experience for the group. The band says the album captures both their darkest fears and most passionate musical ambitions.

Blending the pop-punk feel of their earlier work I Couldn’t Be Weaker with the heavier edge of The Longest Lonesome, the new album is said to showcase Rarity at their most complete — featuring massive choruses, emotional melodies, punishing breakdowns and a renewed focus on guitar riffs.

Follow the band at https://www.raritytheband.com/.

After lighting up the side stage at All Your Friends Fest in Burl’s Creek, Ontario, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, CON THE ARTIST caught up with SWOMP to talk about his career and reflect on his performance.

The Toronto-based creative—known for blending infectious alt-pop with bold, rhythm-forward production—delivered a set that pulsed with energy and intention.

A true multi-hyphenate, CON THE ARTIST writes, produces, and scores music across platforms.

His work has been featured on major networks like Netflix (The Order), Apple TV, Disney+, ABC Family (Good Trouble), Lifetime (Story of a Girl), and HBO Canada (Family Law).

From opening for artists like Alyssa Reid and Shawn Desman to supporting Preston Pablo and taking stages at festivals like NXNE and Departure, CON THE ARTIST continues to carve out a unique lane in Canada’s pop landscape.

Follow him at https://www.contheartist.com/.