Latest news with #MacDeMarco
CairoScene
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
90s Arabic Pop Meets Alt-Rock on Pink Seasalt's ‘Matgily Tany'
As a whole, 'Matgily Tany' feels like the Arabic version of The Strokes but with a twist that's inherently Pink Seasalt's. Aug 06, 2025 I first came across Mahmoud Hafez, aka Pink Seasalt, at Memphis Records' first iteration of Tidal Dream Festival. Right there on the Nile side stage, he was belting out his debut record 'Out of Luck' with a quintessential guitar fingerpicking technique like a veritable rockstar, drawing Beatlemania-esque fangirl screams from the crowd. Back then, he was exclusively singing in English, yet he managed to carve out a distinct sound for himself, borrowing influences from the likes of Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and colouring them with his bedroom production and poignant songwriting that felt like something outside of the 70s psychedelic rock era. Recently, Pink Seasalt has been exploring Arabic music more, both lyrically and sonically, through a string of frequent releases such as 'Shreet Kharban' and '3ala Toul'. He has recently released his third single in 2025, 'Matgily Tany', a refreshing summer tune that showcases his signature mellow fuzz in a whole new shape. Drawing inspiration from 90s and 2000s Arabic pop and alternative rock, the singer-songwriter combines the distorted drum patterns of rock with funky basslines and shimmering synthwork of nostalgic pop. In the vocalisations, however, there are hints of R&B elements, akin to the work of and Dijon. As a whole, 'Matgily Tany' feels like the Arabic version of The Strokes but with a twist that's inherently his own.
CBC
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Mac DeMarco's miraculous awakening, and 3 more songs you need to hear this week
Songs you need to hear is CBC Music's weekly list of hot new Canadian tracks. Scroll down to discover the songs our producers are loving right now. For even more new music, check out our SYNTH playlist on Youtube. Holy, Mac DeMarco Over an animated yet unadorned guitar riff, Mac DeMarco's voice quivers as he sings about a "miracle from above" on Holy: "Miracle/ Reveal yourself to me," he sings with his signature silvery twang. The indie singer-songwriter wrote and produced the lean track entirely on his own, and it serves as the second single from his forthcoming Aug. 22 album, Guitar. A simple bass line helps ground the melody, which is understated and gentle without feeling too sparse. In DeMarco's typical D.I.Y. fashion, he self-shot the track's accompanying music video, which transports listeners into the outdoors for a breezy walk: "I waded around in the ocean fully clothed for a couple hours and completely filled my boots with seawater," he shared. "There were some other shots on some rocks I kept trying too, but in the end, the clip of me falling in the garden and eating the apple was best." — Natalie Harmsen Good Buddy, Fontine Cover me up, spin me around, tell me you're not gonna leave. We're takin' it slow but I already know, you're a good buddy to me. With that joyful chorus Fontine is back, serving a grittier sound than the folk she introduced us to on her acclaimed 2023 debut EP, Yarrow Lover. Although Fontine is embracing a rock-star vibe this time around, ready to roll with a debut album set for Oct. 7, the centre of her songs are still heartfelt and vulnerable. Good Buddy, the forthcoming album's title track, is named after CB radio slang for "gay," and the queer artist from Winnipeg leans into the term, setting us up with a live-off-the-floor song filled with tiny, quiet moments of love. — Holly Gordon Annihilation, Tops There's always a sense of anxiety that floods in when thinking about the future, but that sentiment feels tenfold in this exact moment in time. Montreal indie-pop stalwart Tops has chosen to tackle this with "a mix of complacency and surrendering," as explained in a statement. That's not as dire as it sounds though; sometimes there's freedom in acknowledging "in the end, nothing is ever finished and you just gotta follow your heart." That is felt across their latest single, Annihilation, a slinky number that was built off the foundation of drummer Riley Fleck's fill-heavy rhythms. "Truth is I'm just barely getting by," sings Jane Penny, "When I lose control/ Will I surface and know/ That I've reached the end?" Complete with synths and a dramatic chorus breakdown, it's easy to get lost — and yes, surrender — to the song's undeniable grooves. — Melody Lau Rapture in Blue, Daniel Avery and Cécile Believe British producer and composer Daniel Avery announced his upcoming album Tremor last week, with the release of a new single featuring Cécile Believe. Rapture in Blue is buoyed by the Montreal (now L.A.-based) producer and singer's ethereal vocals that float over Avery's textural layers of slowed-down breakbeat and reverb. Clanging guitar comes in on the chorus as Cécile Believe reaches her upper register and glittering chords descend in the aftermath. It's a lush and effusive track that reveals more and more of its magic on repeat listens. This one's for the real yearners, as she sings in the second verse: "Every time you walk away/ A little piece of me goes/ A bittersweet, sticky feeling/ Only lovers can know." — Kelsey Adams
CairoScene
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Pink Seasalt, Kazdoura & Tusmørke to Play CJC Agouza April 17th
Pink Seasalt, Kazdoura & Tusmørke to Play CJC Agouza April 17th An eclectic collision of 70s prog-psych, alt rock, and Levantine music all in one night. Cairo-born indie rock rouser Pink Seasalt, Toronto-based Arabic duo Kazdoura, and Norwegian psychedelic prog-rock outfit, Tusmørke, will be taking over Cairo Jazz Club, Agouza, with a Thursday night live show on April 17th. A guitarist, music producer and songwriter, Mahmoud Hafez, aka Pink Seasalt, is a one-man band known for crafting soulful and carefree jams, a sweet blend of 60s psychedelic, alt rock, neo soul and folk, all wrapped in groovy funky basslines. Think Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala and Unknown Orchestra in one. Pink Seasalt will be joined on stage by Kazdoura, who will be showcasing their debut album 'Ghoyoum', a contemplative 10-track project rooted in Levantine music, exploring themes of displacement and mental illness through a fusion of Arabic maqams with psychedelia, jazz and dream pop elements. The night will also feature Tusmørke, a psychedelic, progressive folk-rock outfit hailing from Skien, Norway, making their Cairo debut. Regarded as one of the most mysterious bands in the Norwegian alternative scene, Tusmørke is known for its dark, intense, and almost primeval, cauldron of musical potions. It takes its sonic cues from 60s and 70s prog-psych luminaries such as Gong and Caravan, and acid-leaning folksters like The Incredible String band with a generous dose of nordic folk music and influences from the golden age of Egyptian and Lebanese music. Doors open at 8 PM. To book your tickets, head to Cairo Jazz Club's official website.
CBC
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Mac DeMarco, Pup and more featured on benefit album for wildfire relief
Bandcamp is launching a fundraiser to support musicians affected by the Southern California wildfires on Feb. 7. For one day only, all proceeds raised on Bandcamp will go to MusiCares, the non-profit founded by Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. that provides musicians with health and welfare support. Several Canadian artists are indirectly participating in the event through the release of a compilation album, Good Music To Lift Up Los Angeles, which will be available exclusively on Bandcamp on Feb. 7. Mac DeMarco, Pup and the New Pornographers are among the artists taking part. Good Music To Lift Up Los Angeles will features covers, remixes, previously-unreleased songs and more. Pup shared that a demo of theirs would be included on the album. "We made a little demo called "Boring!" in our jam space. Nestor mixed it," they wrote on Instagram. "We donated it to this fundraising comp called Good Music to Lift Los Angeles, that's the only place you can hear it." Proceeds from the album will be donated to the L.A. Food Bank and California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund, with Bandcamp donating its share to MusiCares. "We only had a few weeks to put this compilation together and are absolutely humbled by the contributions," Good Music co-founder Jordan Kurland shared in a statement. "Music is a healing force, and we hope this collection of songs, in addition to raising much-needed recovery funds, provides some solace." Over 90 musicians will appear on the album, including R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie, Madi Diaz, MJ Lenderman and more.
