sadboy summer sampler vol. 1
when I bought my first ipod, I received the epitaph tour 2005 sampler. that summer, I listened to it on repeat. some of those artists became my favourites. samplers became my go-to source for new music - punk-o-rama, fat music, warped tour, punk goes…, to name a few.
years later, in my one-bedroom apartment in montréal, I started my own studio and record label. I worked with soundcloud rappers to hardcore bands. as things grew, I was inspired to put together compilations to help promote up and coming canadian artists. today, some of those artists are still active and have achieved mainstream success.
with digital fatigue, ai-slop running rampant, and a genuine desire to reconnect with canadian artists, I wanted to recreate that feeling of discovery I had as a kid.
I am proud to present a showcase of some of the best canadian artists you may not have heard of yet. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
sadboy pizza
artist profiles
Mountain Head
georgetown, ontario
Mountain Head emerged onto the Canadian music scene with a thunderous impact after they had gone through a mystical ceremony with a Mayan Shaman.
Since that faithful day they reunited with long time friend The Farmacy who joined them on drums. Since then the band has made a global impact, amassing millions of streams, garnereing multiple billboard top 40's in Canada, and received critical acclaim from The Wu Tang Clan for their cover of Shimmy Shimmy Ya.
The band has managed to do this all indepenetly, and has seen them share the stage with Nickelback, 54-40, Danko Jones, Sarah Harmer and more. After another viral blow up the band got asked to hit the road with Eagles of Death Metal across the USA this coming summer.
Don't miss one of Canada's most unique and exciting bands.
also-ran
winnipeg, manitoba
Inspired by Weezer, Green Day, and blink-182, also-ran aims to bring something new to the listener's ear, still paying homage to the groups that came before. Not quite Pop-Punk or Alt-Rock, also-ran uses chunky power chords and blazing guitar solos to write music that simplifies complex emotions and encourages self-expression.
madfolk
toronto, ontario
madfolk, their first release for Royal Mountain, is a culmination not only of the last several years, but of a decade spent growing up together and slugging it out in the Toronto music scene.
The band’s origins go back to when they were barely teens, spending their youth cutting their teeth playing venues like The Monarch or the departed all-ages vegan bar D-Beatstro, a stage otherwise graced by forebears like Pup and Jeff Rosenstock. madfolk is the kind of album that can only be made by friends who have stuck together through all the highs and lows of life and coming into your own.
By the end, they don’t claim to have any answers, but instead present snapshots of all the chaos and messiness inherent in figuring it all out. The band sought to take that uncertainty and angst and make it exciting.
Along the way, they also made it profound — creating a sophomore album that is the sound of a band becoming who they were always meant to be.
jenny palacios
toronto, ontario
Jenny Palacios is a Toronto-based alternative rock artist and multi-disciplinary creative.
She began playing in bands throughout her teens, working with producers like Sam Guaiana before launching her solo project in 2019 with "I Hope It Follows You," recorded with producer Terry Benn in Napanee, Ontario.
Operating independently, Palacios has maintained a steady output of singles, including the self-produced "Yellow" and "Regular People" (2020), followed by "Convenient" and "Noah" (2021), both produced by Phoenix Arn-Horn of Softcult. She continued with "Grateful" and "Clean Break" (2022), also with Arn-Horn, before working with Kyle Marchant on "Natalie's Advice" (2023). In 2025, she released "Took" and "Back of my Hand," recorded with Adam Cichocki in New Jersey, and "IYKYK," again with Marchant. Her work has landed on Spotify editorial playlists including Fresh Finds Canada and Indie Pop & Chill.
She's performed at Warped Tour and Departures (Canadian Music Week), sharing stages with emerging artists like MICO and Fionn. Beyond her solo work, Palacios has collaborated as a vocalist and topline writer, including features on Lauren Babic's "Erase" (2020) and Alex Kade's "Eyelight." Working with director of photography Matt Guarrasi, she directs her own visuals, drawing on her background in graphic design, art direction, and video editing.
neon ghosthouse
ottawa, ontario
Great Lakes Emo.
Having shared the stage with other notable acts such as The Dirty Nil, Rarity, Single Mothers and Hotel Mira, it's clear to see that they have no intention of slowing down.
Now, Neon Ghosthouse tours around their home provinces of Ontario and Quebec as they continue to explore new cities across Canada bringing their rowdy, exciting and unforgettable live shows to everyone who gives them the chance.
chief state
vancouver, British Columbia
Chief State is rain-drenched pop-punk from Vancouver, BC.
The band has released 3 EPs and an LP to date and is gearing up to release their sophomore LP Keep Your Friends Closer in 2026. Founding members Fraser and Nik first met online while Fraser was living in Japan. Not ready to return home to the UK, his intention was to move to Canada and start a band in the same vein of new wave pop punk bands like The Story So Far, Neck Deep, Knuckle Puck, The Wonder Years and more.
After a few lineup changes the band started releasing music in 2017 and signed to Chicago based Mutant League Records in 2018. Since then, the band has toured the UK, Canada and the US multiple times. Their upcoming album "Keep Your Friends Closer" marks a coming of age for their sound as they look to achieve mainstream success within the genre.
calling all captains
edmonton, alberta
Calling All Captains have built a reputation for turning personal struggle into explosive, emotionally charged punk rock.
Blending post-hardcore grit with the melodic urgency of pop-punk and alt-rock, the Edmonton-based band delivers music that’s as volatile as it is vulnerable. Luc Gauthier (vocals), Connor Dawkins (guitar/vocals), Brad Bremner (guitar/vocals), and Tim Wilson (drums) have created a sound rooted in honesty and trust, both within the band and with the fans who’ve followed them through every chapter of their evolution. Their upcoming EP, The Things That I’ve Lost (out January 9, 2026 via New Damage Records), is their most personal and sonically refined work to date.
Recorded at The Audio Department in Edmonton, Alberta with longtime collaborator and producer Quinn Cyrankiewicz, the seven-track release features a standout co-write on “Blood for Blood” with world-acclaimed songwriter Tom Denney (A Day to Remember, Pierce the Veil, Neck Deep, etc.) Mastered by Stuart McKillop at Rain City Recorders, the EP explores burnout, grief, and the quiet collapse of identity; capturing a band reckoning with itself in real time: honest, raw, and entirely unfiltered. The release follows an impressive run of national Canadian and U.S. headline tours, along with major festival appearances that have solidified Calling All Captains as a rising force in the scene.
With plans to expand into international markets and even bigger stages on the horizon, the band is set to continue growing their reach, pushing boundaries, and building a legacy of electrifying performances, while staying grounded in the community that shaped them. Calling All Captains are stepping into their most defining chapter yet.
Fueled by everything they've endured and everything they’re still chasing, the band stands ready to go further, dig deeper, and hit harder than ever before. The Things That I’ve Lost may tell the story of breaking down; but what comes next is all about rising up.
F!th
ottawa, ontario
F!TH ("Pronounced "fith”) is a five-piece Canadian hard rock band rooted in the vibrant music scene of Ottawa, Ontario. Known for their explosive energy, catchy hooks, and modern edge, F!TH have quickly carved out a reputation as one of the city’s most compelling rock acts. Blending aggressive riffs with melodic sensibilities, the band draws clear inspiration from early 2000s rock and punk influences—evoking the spirit of artists like Linkin Park, Alexisonfire, and Billy Talent, while crafting a sound entirely their own.
In 2023, F!TH released their self-titled EP, a fiery collection of tracks that showcased their range—from hard-hitting rockers to emotionally charged anthems. The EP features standout songs like “Rock & A Hard Place,” “DEAD,” and “Safe & Sound,” each delivering raw energy and memorable hooks that have become staples in their live set.
With each performance, F!TH bring their brand of unapologetic rock to life, commanding stages at clubs and festivals across Ottawa. They continue to evolve, writing new material and expanding their reach while staying true to the high-impact sound that first brought them attention. Whether you’re a fan of modern hard rock or looking for fresh voices in Canadian rock music, F!TH is a band worth watching as they push forward with intensity, passion, and undeniable musical chemistry.
cawston
kelowna, british columbia
From the heart of Kelowna, BC, comes Cawston, a pop-punk band dedicated to breaking down stigmas and sparking conversations about mental health. Jenna Johnson's compelling lead vocals, paired with the driving force of Alexis Artiga's guitar and vocals, Devin Corbach's relentless drumming, and Malcom Artiga's solid bass lines, creates a sound that's both energetic and deeply resonant. Their debut album, Therapy Sessions, released on June 21, 2024, is a testament to their commitment. Currently in the studio with more music to come.
in all fairness
hamilton, ontario
In All Fairness is an emo pop band from Hamilton, Ontario. They bring a passionate, emotional vibe blended with heavier, energetic elements that pull on the heart strings of the listener. Inspired by 2000's emo, they add a modern touch of their sound. Known for their fun and heartfelt live shows, IAF is building a strong following in the local music scene. IAF continues to push boundaries with their music and looks forward to releasing new music
customer service
halifax, nova scotia
From the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia–a city that feels both like a remote corner of the world and the centre of something extraordinary – Customer Service creates an unassuming yet unforgettable take on indie-emo that blends influences from Modern Baseball to The Promise Ring, and has quickly become one of Canada's hardest working young bands with a reputation for being constantly on tour.
On the tail of playing north of 100 shows a year and being named one of Exclaim!'s best new artists of 2024, the band is gearing up in preparation for their third EP titled If You're Here, You Must be Fine. Customer Service's newest release attempts to explore themes of love, loss, and the unwavering friendships that keep us going despite it all.
The EP was produced by longtime collaborator Owen Williams (SleepShaker, Neon Dreams), and Billy Mannino (oso oso, Macseal) mixed and mastered; the combination lends these songs a crispness and punch that perfectly complements its introspective core.
poor sport
victoria, british columbia
Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, poor sport are a dynamic pop-punk/emo band that writes, as put by one of their fans, ‘mildly depressing upbeat music to deal with my anxiety’. With vulnerable lyrics, explosive drums and intricate guitar parts they are akin to bands like The Story So Far, Hot Mulligan, Free Throw and Movements. Their latest releases include "streetlights" released in 2025, and "doomscrolling" released in 2026. They have toured Western Canada, and in the spring of 2025 joined Spiritbox, Loathe and Dying Wish on several Canadian dates in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
john's cottage
toronto, ontario
John’s Cottage is an post-emo band from Toronto’s west end. Combining grit with vulnerability, the boys write songs about healing, failing, loving, and their place in this world. At the end of the day, John’s Cottage is more than a band. John’s Cottage is four best friends bound by something deeper, creating music not just for the sake of it, but because without it they’d lose themselves. John’s Cottage is currently working on a new project and “No Glory” is the first single from it.