Celebrating a decade of powerful storytelling and musical connection, Four Chords and The Truth returns to TD Music Hall at the Allied Music Centre in Toronto on May 22 at 7 p.m. ET for its 10th anniversary edition.

The acclaimed semi-annual songwriter series brings world-class songwriters to the stage for intimate semi-round performances, and the stories behind the songs.

Tickets are available, here.

Toronto-based singer-songwriter, songwriter advocate, series founder, and curator Andrea England will host the May 22nd show, featuring a stellar lineup with performances from two-time JUNO nominee and CIMA Road Gold Award winner Terra Lightfoot, chart-topping singer-songwriter Jesse Gold in the TikTok emerging songwriters seat, JUNO-Award nominated singer-songwriter AHI and compelling East Coast singer-songwriter Logan Richard.

SWOMP caught up with Lightfoot for an interview to discuss the event, along with her JUNO-nominated album, Healing Power.

The evening promises to be one of intimacy, quality, and exclusivity, with each songwriter “confessing” their song secrets.

And as always, to the perpetual delight of the passionate Four Chords and The Truth fan community, the evening will also include some surprise guests.

Debuting in Toronto in 2015, Four Chords and The Truth is a widely acclaimed songwriter concert series that showcases Canada’s top and emerging talent in an intimate, confessional format.

Featuring over 130 artists and songwriters —including JUNO and Grammy Award nominees, Hall of Fame members, and Officers of the Order of Canada—the series expanded internationally with its Nashville debut at the Bluebird Cafe in 2019.

“When I booked the first Four Chords and The Truth show, it was just supposed to be one event; but as soon as that show ended, people wanted to know when the next one was,” said series founder and creator Andrea England.

“So I booked another one…and another…and another…and now, 10 years, 130 songwriters, and 29 shows later–May 22nd will mark the 30th FCATT show–people are still asking when the next show is, so I keep on booking them.”

Over the last 10 years, Four Chords and The Truth has supported the Unison Fund by raising 1000s of dollars and amplifying the cause.

This year, the series is proud to partner with MusiCounts to support music education in Canada.

For more information on MusiCounts and to donate please click here.

Proceeds from posters sold at the May 22nd show will also go towards the charity.

"MusiCounts is honoured to work with Four Chords and the Truth," said Kristy Fletcher, President of MusiCounts. "The impact of this collaboration will help inspire the next generation of songwriters by providing instruments and equipment to kids who wouldn't otherwise get the chance to make music."

The series would not be possible without the support of its presenting partner Herradura Tequila and sponsors TikTok, CMRRA and Songwriters Association of Canada.

For more information on Four Chords and The Truth, and to buy tickets to the May 22nd show, please visit fourchordsandthetruth.com.

What began five years ago as three friends jamming around a campfire has now blossomed into Cabin Fever, Canada’s latest contribution to the international Americana music scene.

Comprised of Kyle Faulkner on guitar and vocals, Jessica McKay on upright bass and vocals, and Colin Jolly on mandolin, Cabin Fever is primed to make a lasting first impression with a five-song debut EP entitled It’s Only Forever.

Produced by Craig Smith (ONTARIANS, Kelly Jamieson, Queen M) at his studio north of Toronto, It’s Only Forever is steeped in tradition, but pushes the envelope with the addition of drums to add an extra kick to Cabin Fever’s already high-octane sound. For the trio, it’s never been about sticking to the rules, but instead writing original songs that can connect with roots music fans of all stripes.

As Kyle explains, “Craig began jokingly using the phrase ‘remember, it’s only forever,’ whenever we found ourselves debating any musical decisions. The more those words sunk in for the three of us as we lay down take after take, the more we started to see how they connected to the songs themselves. The memories we recall are forever, the troubles we sometimes face can feel like they’re forever, and good relationships have a promise of forever, while bad relationships can sometimes seem to threaten it. I think all of the songs contain these elements in one form or another.”

In the case of “Born To Lose”—in which echoes of the Carter Family’s “Wildwood Flower” are clearly heard—Kyle originally conceived it as a dark and dramatic song. But once he decided to give it a more “old timey” feel, the tone of “Born To Lose” became more light-hearted and almost instantly made it one of Cabin Fever’s more rousing numbers.

However, a little darkness does appear on another of the EP’s highlights, “Devil Is A Friend,” a minor-key stomp loosely inspired by the Grateful Dead. “I tried to put myself in the shoes of a character who uses the chorus, ‘devil is a friend of the working man,’ as a kind of mantra,” Kyle says. “This character’s past life just kind of poured out onto the page. When my mother is in the audience, I especially feel compelled to assure the audience that the opening line—‘when I was a boy my momma left home’—is pure fiction.”

In total, It’s Only Forever captures the undeniable work that all three members of Cabin Fever have put into the band since its formation. The playing, and vocal harmonizing, reflects countless nights of doing two-and-three-hour sets, while the songwriting itself teasingly suggests that a lot more top shelf material is waiting in the wings.

As Kyle says, “With this EP, our aim is to keep playing bigger and better stages and sharing what we regard as ‘our’ music with the audience. At the same time, we’re looking into the future and wondering what it holds for about a dozen other songs we have ready to go. It can be exhilarating, dumbfounding, and humbling all at the same time when we think about how we’ve grown as individual musicians, songwriters, and as a group. But what I don’t think will ever change is that original spirit we had when we were playing around the campfire.”

Follow the band at https://thatcabinfeverband.com/.

Photo credit: Kerry's Klips

Montreal-based alt-pop artist Emi Jeen just released her intoxicating new single 'I’m (Not) Good' on May 9 via all streaming platforms.

The song was co-written by Emi Jeen, Lexie Jay (Featurette) and JUNO Award-winning Hill Kourkoutis (Aysanabee, Leela Gilday, Sebastian Gaskin), who also produced the track.

Driven by an entrancing bass line and pulse-pounding beat, the song showcases Emi’s powerful vocals and fearless dive into bold, new sonic territory.

Emi is also gearing up for a series of shows across Europe this May, leading up to a performance at the iconic Osheaga Festival in Montreal on August 3rd.

SWOMP caught up with Emi for an interview.

Emi Jeen is known for her magnetic stage presence and raw, emotional storytelling, seamlessly blending dark pop aesthetics with anthemic melodies.

In 2024, she made major waves - completing a 45-show tour across the US, Europe, and the UK, dropping her Razzle Dazzle project, and going viral on TikTok with over 17 million views.

Her fierce, emotionally-charged sound has already captivated the alt-pop music scene, solidifying her status as one of the genre’s most compelling rising stars.

For more information, please visit www.emijeen.com.

Photo credit: Whitney Otte