These SoundOff artists released new records in 2025. Let’s delve deeper before you hear them live!
YVES JARVIS: ALL CYLINDERS
RELEASED: 2/28/25
Calgary-to-Montreal transplant Yves Jarvis would be a hometown hero based on his work with Faux Fur. His solo music (formerly under the name Un Blonde) has pushed the singer-songwriter to new psych-pop places. Case in point, All Cylinders is a shifting kaleidoscope of soul, funk, disco, and indie oddities that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Can you believe he recorded the whole dang thing himself and won the 2025 Polaris Music Prize?
STANDOUT TRACK: “One Gripe”
WHEN TO SEE HIM: November 13 at The Palomino
THE DUST COLLECTORS: COLD FEET
RELEASED: 6/27/25
On their sophomore release, The Dust Collectors feel more introspective. Across 10 tracks of prairie-tinged Americana, the band explores family life and the beauty of mundanity, brought to life by earnest lyrics and scored by pedal steel and fiddle. The resulting album is a lush tapestry of folk songwriting that feels distinctly Albertan in the best way. The group lit up Folk Fest back in July, so you don’t want to miss them at SoundOff.
STANDOUT TRACK: “Half the Time”
WHEN TO SEE THEM: November 14 at The Legion #1
STILL DEPTHS: LIKE HELL!
RELEASED: 7/18/25
Written and recorded over six months in a basement studio in Burnaby, Still Dephs describes Like Hell! as their “dance record.” It’s a mish-mash of hip hop, industrial noise, and outside pop that layers nicely with their well-defined noise-punk sound. The group pushed recording gear to the limit, constructed drum loops, and whipped up a storm of harsh electronic noise that remains relentlessly catchy. Three cheers for sweet chaos!
STANDOUT TRACK: “Smoking Dope in Hell”
WHEN TO SEE THEM: November 15 at BLOX Arts Centre
WAIT//LESS: IMPROVE YOUR IMAGE LISTEN TO WAIT//LESS
RELEASED: 8/22/25
Born from the miasma of bands like Little Destroyer and infamous Calgary outfit The Quivers, WAIT//LESS’s debut tape finally assaulted our ears this year with nine tracks of thundering garage punk madness. The tape captures the chaotic energy of their live show, a fuzz-laden train that teeters between full crash-out and precision strike. Their SoundOff show — and this album — are not to be missed.
STANDOUT TRACK: “CIRCUS MUSIC”
WHEN TO SEE THEM: November 15 at BLOX Arts Centre
ORANJE: IN IRONS
RELEASED: 10/17/25
This rock trio started a genuine math rock wave in Calgary when they hit the scene in 2023. On their debut album, Oranje stretches their midwestern emo sound into different places, from loud ‘n proud post-punk anthems to stripped-down moments of post-rock beauty. They also worked with a ton of other local musicians on the tracks, like Sophia Truscott and K-Riz. A screenshot of Calgary’s 2025 music scene is captured here.
STANDOUT TRACK: “BWV”
WHEN TO SEE THEM: November 15 at BLOX Arts Centre
REBEL GRRRLZ: WE’RE GONNA EAT YOUR SOUL
RELEASED: 6/5/25
Born out of Girls Rock Camp (now known as BAM Camp), Rebel Grrrlz is proof positive that the kids will be alright in Calgary. Their debut EP is a five-song punk rock bloodbath that clocks in under 10 minutes, mining punk, hardcore, and riot grrrl sounds to pave the way for pure sonic annihilation. Don’t be old and lame: get on the ground floor with some of Calgary’s punk rock brightest.
STANDOUT TRACK: “Vegan Hotdog”
WHEN TO SEE THEM: November 15 at BLOX Arts Centre
SoundOff Summit 2025 runs from November 13 to 15 at various venues across the city. Tickets are available at musiccalgary.ca.
