Maryze Drops Sinister New Music Video for "Emo" (Hot Tramp Records)

Still from “Emo” by Maryze

Spooky season has reached its peak, and Montreal’s alt-popstar Maryze is here to celebrate with a brand-new music video for “Emo”. The single first garnered nostalgic admiration upon the release of 8 — Maryze’s debut album, out earlier this year via Hot Tramp Records — for its torment and evocation, reminiscent of artists like Green Day and Avril Lavigne. With the release of this video, Maryze sculpts a queer love story turned horrifically upside-down.

Still from “Emo” by Maryze

The self-directed video begins with a tender honeymoon phase between Maryze and model/artist Brit Carpenter. The pair is depicted lounging on the bed and laughing through skateboarding lessons, entangled in the purity of infatuation. But their spark turns into a destructive flame, with angst and toxicity steering their relationship out of control and towards a bloody end.

Detailing the theories behind their grungy and dysfunctional nightmare, Maryze shared:

I always seek out queer representation in horror, so this music video is my little contribution. I also feel like queer narratives lack the nuance that straight relationships receive in film, so I wanted to portray all the sides of the story, from beautiful tender moments to scary unhealthy fights. The horror aspect is left pretty ambiguous and moves into a more experimental art direction. We set out to use horror devices to illustrate the toxicity of relationships without having any explicit on-screen violence. I wanted the viewer to be left asking: “who killed who?”

To fully realize her cinematic vision, Maryze created the video concept with horror screenwriter Joel H. Brewster. The visuals were shot by artist Janette King and edited by Solomon Krause-Imlach, who also produced the song.

With its gory and gruesome complexity, this depiction of “Emo” fits magically within Maryze’s universe of transcendence.

Watch the video for “Emo” below, and catch Maryze DJing at the M for Montreal after-party (co-presented by Hot Tramp and Also Cool)!

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Maryze

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

YouTube | Spotify | SoundCloud | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Janette King Sinks Into Self-Confidence with Euphoric New Video for "Ooh Yeah" (Hot Tramp Records)

Still from “Ooh Yeah” by Janette King

With less than a week until Valentine’s Day, songstress Janette King is paying intimate tribute to the ultimate lover – herself. The slinky and self-assured “Ooh Yeah”, off Janette’s debut EP What We Lost, is reborn with a liberated new music video.

“Ooh Yeah” sees Janette re-emerge with a deep admiration for all that she is worth, wrapping the listener in waves of inspiration to follow suit. Produced by GRAY, the song documents Janette’s journey into the realm of self-pleasure, offering a masterclass in putting yourself first and chasing your wildest dreams and greatest ambitions. “Ooh Yeah” elaborates on Janette’s unique concoction of R&B and woozy electronica, showcasing her vocal agility.

"'Ooh Yeah' is about breaking trauma patterns, "killing" your old self in order to be reborn into the greatest version of yourself,” Janette reflects on the track. “This idea of walking into a new sense of self came from the forced time alone due to the pandemic, where I was left to reflect and learn what my soul truly needs in order to feel whole.”

Still from “Ooh Yeah” by Janette King

In the new DIY-style video for “Ooh Yeah”, Janette and pals soak in the pleasures of indulgence, transcending through various states of euphoria. Between cupcakes, champagne and video games, the deeper meanings of solace are explored. The video is directed, shot, and edited by Alexandra B. and Elya M.

As Janette explains:

“These visuals are a celebration of joy. It’s a music video about what it means to feel good in one's own skin and not feeling shame when one enjoys that feeling. Liberating oneself from societal pressures and expressing one’s sexuality in whatever way it feels best. It’s about self-pleasure, love, community and independence.”

Watch the video for “Ooh Yeah” below!

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Janette King

Website | Instagram | Bandcamp

YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Twitter | Facebook

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

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Toronto R&B Duo TRP.P To Share New Track at M for Montreal

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TRP.P (pronounced "trippy") is an R&B/hip-hop duo hailing from Toronto, comprised of Truss (producer, singer-songwriter) and Phoenix (singer-songwriter). The pair met in 2015 and have been “collaborating in music and life” ever since, all while enchanting audiences with their soulful, old-school sound. Truss and Phoenix made waves with their 2019 debut 2TRP.P, where they tackled injustice and oppression in their lyrics, while also celebrating queer love and empowering their communities. This effort remains intact with TRP.P’s latest offering “Never Leavin,’” out tomorrow (November 19th, 2021) and to-be-performed at the Hot Tramp Showcase at M for Montreal.

Leading up to their set at L’Esco with Janette King, Maryze and Witch Prophet, we had the chance to connect with the duo on what inspired “Never Leavin’” and how it fosters grounds for growing as collaborators.

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter for Also Cool: To start, can you tell me about the origin story of your new single “Never Leavin’”?  

TRP.P: We originally wrote this song while composing music for a TV show. Although it didn't work out for the show, it worked out perfectly for our album and complimented the new direction we want to take with our music. Once we started to record and perform the song, the message resonated with us more and more. It really is an anthem for communities that have faced displacement, especially during this pandemic. Through that same sense of community, we have met so many amazing people, including the roller-skating community right here in Toronto. You might even see them in the upcoming music video for the song!

Also Cool: Has "Never Leavin'" brought about any realizations for TRP.P? Whether it be learning something new about how you work together, your individual artistry or something you'd like to foster as a group in the future? 

Truss: That's actually a really good question. For me, it made me realize just how broad our spectrum of sound truly is. Although we both grew up influenced by R&B, gospel and hip-hop, there's an underlying influence of pop and house-inspired music in the song.

Phoenix: For me, it made me realize just how impermanent everything is and how fleeting time and existence is. The song is called "Never Leavin,'" but yet by the time the song is released, three new business will close down, one condo will be built, and a million dispensaries will pop up. It’s almost like the most defiant title we could choose in a time like this. In terms of working together, there isn’t a better team than us! We love and dislike everything we do at the same time. Our goals are always two halves of a whole when we are creating. 

Phoenix (left) and Truss (right) of TRP.P, photo courtesy of the artists

 AC: What does the next chapter hold for TRP.P? 

TRP.P: Album number two! It’s a summertime release and we are really looking forward to this one. We didn’t get to tour our first album due to the pandemic. We want to actually go on tour, see the world and play stages in places we could only dream of. Every show we play, we gain new fans and listeners. We are really excited to keep doing that, as safely and as soon as possible.

AC: What can we expect from your performance at the Hot Tramp showcase at M for Montreal? 

TRP.P: We just want to have a good time! We are honoured to be playing with Janette King, Witch Prophet and Maryze. Being only our second show since the easing of live music regulations, it may be a little awkward… But the awkwardness will pass and will be followed by some smooth R&B vibes, with a hint of bars! Everyone will leave saying it was a good show. And we can't wait to prove it to you!

Photo courtesy of the artists

Catch TRP.P at the Hot Tramp Showcase at M for Montreal on November 19th, 2021.

TRP.P

Website | Instagram | Spotify

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the co-founder and managing editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, and a radio host & DJ.

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M For Montreal Partners with Also Cool for Hot Tramp Record Showcase

Looking to start your week off right? Good news: the 16th edition of M for Montreal is on! This year's hybrid festival features panels, showcases and a brand new festival offering under the M for Marathon banner, presented by SiriusXM. With this latest unveiling, music fans will be treated to a jam-packed pop, rock and hip-hop program. M for Montreal will be held online from November 15th to 26th and IRL from November 17th to 19th.

We’re excited to be co-presenting the Hot Tramp Night showcase on November 19th at 9PM EST at l’Esco, featuring an absolutely stacked lineup, including: Janette King, Maryze, TRP.P, Witch Prophet and Shades Lawrence.

Check out the event page and get your tickets — you won’t want to miss this return to live music hosted by one of our favourite independent labels, Hot Tramp!

More info about the artists below!

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Janette King

Janette King is a producer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ based in Montreal. Janette’s unique sound blends together soulful vocals, upbeat production style, and honest lyrics to create a truly captivating listening experience.

Website | Instagram | Spotify

Maryze

Maryze is a bilingual singer-songwriter based in Montreal, originally from Vancouver. Her haunting alt-pop conjures an intimate universe, blending contagious beats with introspective lyrics on mental health, feminism and sexuality. Balancing angst and euphoria in electronic ballads, she offers a refreshing voice with fiery honesty.

Website | Instagram | Spotify

TRP.P

TRP.P (pronounced "trippy") is an R&B duo hailing from Toronto, Canada. Comprised of Truss (producer, singer/songwriter) and Phoenix Pagliacci (singer-songwriter), the dynamic duo met in 2015 and have been collaborating in music and life ever since. Their 80s/90s R&B inspiration takes a modern twist with powerful lyrics into uncharted topics, celebrating queer love and empowering their communities by brightening a spotlight on injustices and oppression.

Website | Instagram | Spotify

Witch Prophet

Witch Prophet is a queer, Ethiopian/Eritrean, singer-songwriter, and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats. Think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Portishead. She finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity.

Website | Instagram | Spotify

Shades Lawrence

Shades Lawrence is a Montreal born and based hip hop artist of mixed British, Jamaican, Irish and Scottish descent. A pure lyricist, Shades Lawrence’s style can be described as alternative hip hop.  Her words uplift, while keeping environmental justice at the forefront. To date, her style has been compared to Lauryn Hill, Shad, and Jean Grae.

Website | Instagram | Spotify

Poster by Emmanuelle Wielgus

Hot Tramp

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M for Montreal

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Tonight: Janette King and DijahSB Present "Cool Me Down" At The Diving Bell Social Club

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We’re thrilled to co-present Janette King and DijahSB’s “Cool Me Down” release show, recorded at the beloved Diving Bell Social Club, tonight Monday, April 19th 2021, at 8:30 PM EST. The set will feature both artists performing and coming together to share their new single “Cool Me Down,” set to release on April 21st. Tonight’s performance is presented in collaboration with our friends at Hot Tramp Records, POP Montréal, Exclaim! and The Diving Bell Social Club. Admission for this release show is free with the option to donate, and all proceeds will go directly to the artists and presenters. Folks who donate will receive a download code for “Cool Me Down,” and get an exclusive pre-release listen!

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Janette King shot by kittyshootsfilm, styled by Dress Up Collective

Janette King (she/her) is a producer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ based in Montreal. [Her] unique sound blends together soulful vocals, an upbeat production style, and honest lyrics to create a truly captivating listening experience. Her debut LP What We Lost is set to release June 2021.

Bio via artist Spotify

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DijahSB shot by Jarius Madion

DijahSB (they/them) is a Toronto-based rapper who makes navigating synth loops, booming bass claps, and smoothed out production look easy. [They] effortlessly glides across these soundscapes with lyrics that are as earnest and personal as they are agile and quick witted. Inspirational without being preachy, their music is a raw look into the mind of a Black, non-binary artist rapping their way through hope, heartbreak, and breakthroughs. Their sound [is] a small light pushing through dark cracks as the self-aware inner workings of an artist in a constant state of growth.

Bio via artist Spotify

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Visit the event page for more information and tune-in tonight via the event link

Tickets available here

Pre-save “Cool Me Down”

Janette King

Instagram | Website | Spotify

DijahSB

Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

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Janette King Debuts New Track "Mars"

Janette King by Adam Nigro

Producer, vocalist and DJ Janette King is back with "Mars." This lusty pop-RnB track produced by Jonny Tobin marks the launch of the record label Hot Tramp.

Founder/owner of Hot Tramp Sarah Armiento has been managing Janette since she launched her company in 2019. "Janette King is one of the most talented, creative and positive people I've ever met who matches that with an equally impressive work ethic, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit". This track is a taste of Janette King's forthcoming debut LP to be put out by Hot Tramp in May 2021. 

Imagined through sex, longing, and lust, "Mars" is a song about overcoming your fears to explore a deeper connection with someone who seems to be from a different planet than your own. This dreamy soundscape with catchy melodies and powerful vocals will definitely take you around the galaxy. 

We caught up with Janette over the phone to talk about the out of this world track, Hot Tramp's launch as a label, and her thoughts on the contemporary creative process. 

Dan MacDiarmid for Also Cool: This will be the first single on Hot Tramp as a label. Hot Tramp started out just last year, but I quickly heard it come up as a big name for show management and promotion, and now it's becoming a label.

Janette King: Yeah! I think it is really cool about Hot Tramp because you don't see a lot of women-led anything in the music industry. Hot Tramp is entirely run by Sarah. She tries really hard to be intersectional, inclusive, and diverse in the work that she does. I think that it's demonstrated in the shows that she puts on and promotes, even within her artists.

Also Cool: Let's talk about the song itself. "Mars" is Hot Tramp's debut single, and it's a celebration of Black queer sexuality. What does the song mean for you? 

Janette King: I had an intimate experience where we played with the idea of being on a different planet. I thought it was really cool because,  sometimes, as a Black artist in general, you kind of just feel like you're from a different world. I don't know, I also just feel like Black artists... they're kind of hypersexualized in certain aspects. It's nice to say "fuck it" to all of that (laughs) and explore sexuality and sensuality regardless. 

AC: Yeah, in your own voice. 

Janette King: Exactly, and as an artist, I haven't really written a lot about my sexuality, so that was kind of a new avenue for me. Exploring it within my own art. It was kind of a challenge, I wanted to expand a bit in terms of what I write about.

AC: What do you usually write about?

Janette King: I would say that I usually write about love. People breaking up, getting together. 

AC: Can you tell me anything more about the upcoming album? What's the vibe going to be, and what's in store for you?

Janette King: I always write about love, and it's a compilation of love songs, to various degrees. But more so, I was focusing on loss in terms of relationships. It expands into loss of oneself and loss of life, and mental health. 

It's an album about love and loss, just like all my other ones (laughs), but it kind of dives more deeply into the loss aspect and different ways you can lose.

AC: Did you write the song this summer?

Janette King: My friend who is the producer of the song, Jonny Tobin, created the beat and the soundscape. I wrote the lyrics, the melodies and the harmonies, and then my friend Alex mixed the vocals together. We did it in our own respective bedrooms.

Janette King by Adam Nigro

AC: It's really cool that with technology and different ways to connect, you can do all that stuff even if you can't get into a recording studio.

Janette King: In this day and age, with the pandemic, it has to happen that way.

AC: Well, that's getting to the obligatory question, "How are you doing in quarantine?" Has it had influence over this song and your upcoming debut full-length album? Do you have any thoughts about its impact on Hot Tramp and artists and the disadvantages and potential new avenues?

Janette King: Personally, I've been creating a lot more than I usually would. It's given me a lot of space and time to just be an artist. However, I would say on the business side, it was devastating. We had a whole East Coast tour lined up, and a bunch of shows we wanted to do in promotion of the album. We had meetings with various industry folks... there were a lot of things that fell through because of COVID, small heartbreaks.

AC: Summer is when all these independent festivals and shows happen. All of a sudden, artists can't tour, and DIY local venues are shuttered. It's a weird transition phase because everyone has time to make new work, but there are limitations on how they can share that with other people. 

Janette King: Totally. People who didn't think certain things were possible, like producing an album with somebody over the internet, are now realizing, hey things are actually easier than I thought that they'd be. You're going to see a lot more producers pop out of the woodwork, you're going to see a lot more video editors too. When people have a lot of creativity and have a lot of time, magic happens, you know?

You can listen to "Mars" on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Tidal, Soundcloud and Youtube. Keep an eye out for the official music video to be released in September, highlighting Black queerness and celebrating Black people's sexual freedom and expression, and make sure to stay tuned for what's coming up in the future from Janette and Hot Tramp. 

Hot Tramp

Instagram / Facebook

For Inquiries: Sarah@hottrampmanagement.com

Janette King

Instagram / Website

Dan MacDiarmid is a 24 year old writer and reality television scholar originally from the suburbs of Southern Ontario, now living in Ottawa. You can follow their cat on Instagram at @archieisfromriverdale.

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Hot Tramp Launches Label, and Announces Jannette King Release

It's a good day in Montreal when not one but two of your favourite music scene creatives announce new projects. Hot Tramp debuts as a record label alongside the announcement of Janette King's latest single 'Mars.' Stay tuned for an interview with Janette for her release on August 21st.

In the meantime, the label, run by Sarah Armiento in Montreal, is focused on raising the stage for womxn artists. So far, three artists have been set to release albums through the label in 2021: Janette King, Maryze, and Alicia Clara. Partnered with Outside Music as a worldwide distributor and The Diving Bell Social Club as its home venue, Hot Tramp is poised to make 2021 a breakout year for its artists.

Janette King by Adam Nigro

If you don't know her already, Armiento launched Hot Tramp in 2019 as an artist management company with Maryze and Janette King on the roster. Hot Tramp soon expanded into show promotion, tour booking, and PR, working with over 20 artists in the first year. The inaugural and iconic Hot Tramp Fest was the year's highlight, showcasing 25+ womxn artists across five days. They received festival support from Grolsch, Vans, MOOG, and more.

Regarding the switch over to a label, Armiento explains, "I'm launching Hot Tramp as a label because I think it's a necessary pandemic-adjusted pivot from my former format of a management company and show promotion. Secondly, I think that the industry needs more womxn-run labels to create safer spaces for artists, especially in the wake of all these industry call-outs.

There seems to be a cleanse happening in the industry right now that is dusting off some old cobwebs and clearing up space for newcomers like Hot Tramp." Launching the label alongside Janette King's latest single 'Mars' is the perfect start to making this year in music the Trampiest one yet, and we can't wait to see what Hot Tramp does next.

Hot Tramp

Instagram / Facebook

For Inquiries: Sarah@hottrampmanagement.com

Janette King

Instagram / Website

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Friends Interview Friends: Janette King and Maryze for All My Friends Fest

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Maryze (left) and Janette King (right) by Sabina Roman @darksight

Best friends Janette King and Maryze are two of Montreal’s finest femme vocalists, and their friendship is straight out of a musical heroine biopic (when theirs hits theatres one day, we’ll let you know!): they’re both managed by their pal and local powerhouse Sarah Armiento of Hot Tramp Management, they’ve toured together, and now they’re continuing to raise each other up despite being on Canada’s opposite coasts. In a brand new feature for Also Cool Mag called “Friends Interview Friends,” Janette and Maryze interview each other and discuss their musical beginnings, the eternal cultural value of Britney Spears, and how COVID-19 has impacted their creative process in promotion for All My Friends Fest on Saturday, May 30th.

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Maryze (left) and Janette King (right) via Janette’s Instagram

Janette King: Blessings. I have some questions for you! My first question is: what brought you to music? 

Maryze: My dad was a DJ for a world music show in the 90s, and he was always bringing home albums from all over the world in different languages and we would play them in our living room and dance around. He introduced me to all these different styles and sounds. So, maybe that’s what first made me connect with music. Honestly, pop music as well. I was thinking about the first time I heard “Baby One More Time” on the radio, and I remember thinking, “This is the BEST song I’ve EVER heard.” I don’t know how old I was, maybe 7, but I thought “wow magic is possible!” Just listening to music, and liking how it made me feel, and wanting to recreate that.

J: That actually brings me to my second question, which I had already written: what is your favourite Britney Spears song?

M: No way! I’m having such a Britney Spears moment right now. I feel like popular culture is really appreciating her as she deserves these days. The other day I was telling my partner how much I love her, and I actually started crying because I feel like she’s had it so unfair. Aside from all of that, I think… Can I choose two? A more popular one and a deeper cut? For the more popular one, I would definitely say “Toxic.” It’s such a banger and I feel like it’s definitely transcended time. It can be sung in so many different styles, I don’t care how you feel about pop music, you just have to recognize that it’s a great song. 

J: Truth.

M: Then a deep cut. So off that album that “Toxic” was on, In The Zone, there’s a few that just kill me. This question is the hardest I've ever had to answer... Damn. Maybe “Touch Of My Hand?” I think it’s about self-pleasure, which was a really bold song for her to put out.

 J: Do you do any other form of art other than music, and if so, what do you get from doing it?

M: I write poetry! I studied poetry and creative non-fiction in university, so writing is definitely my big one. I really miss writing more long-form, and I also really love doing photography. I’ve recently gotten into video-editing for my latest video as well.

J: At what age did you write your first song, and what was that experience like for you?

M: I wrote my first song when I was probably around 6 years old. My great aunt Tina passed away, and it was the first time that I had really experienced death in my life, so I wrote this really sad song about how I didn’t think it was fair that she had to go. It was also the first time that I felt I could use my sadness in a more positive way. It helped me feel better and helped me channel my emotions.

J: In what ways has the quarantine made you a better artist, and in what ways has it made you worse?

*both laugh*

M: It taught me that we always have the time for the things that we prioritize. Often through life, especially when we have other jobs, we’re focused on getting by financially and making art at the same time. Personally, there are always so many things I want to do, but I’ll put them off by saying “I’ll do this when I have time.” Now, having time in quarantine, being faced with all this time, I thought, “Okay, I can finally do all these things if I just set aside a few hours each day for them.” 

How it’s made me a worse artist… it goes hand in hand. When you have this indefinite period of rest, you kind of just keep putting things off. It's made me way more aware of time management, but has also made me procrastinate a lot more.

J: My last question for you is: how do you think music can change the world?

M: I think it can change the world by reminding us how we are more similar than we are different. People from all different places and mindsets can hear a song and feel so powerfully... its sadness or its joy, and that's just such an amazing thing that it can reach people from all walks of life, if we let it. I think that music is really powerful if we just open ourselves to feeling what it has to offer and how it brings us together with others.

For the second part of the interview, Maryze and Janette traded places, with Janette now in the interviewee seat. 

Maryze: Now I get to ask you some questions! You’re currently on the West Coast [of Canada], where you’re from. I was wondering if the environment inspires what you want to write about, and if you feel more inspired to write about things on the West Coast versus the East Coast, or wherever you are in general? 

Janette King: I would say that I’m inspired to procrastinate more on the West Coast *laughs*. The energy here is just so chill, which is great because it’s definitely been healing for my body and mental space. But in terms of being productive musically, being on the West Coast has inspired me to take things slow and to kind of go more inwards. It’s inspired me to be more experimental, playing for the fun of it and seeing what comes up. It's a longer way to write instead of being practical. I’m playing a lot more, which is good.

M: Can you describe an early music memory where a song just really hit you and left a major impact?

J: The first time I heard “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, it was over. My uncle had the album and was taking me to the store, and put the album on, and it changed my life. I had never heard anything that had hit me so hard in my chest before. It made me a dancer and a singer. That was when I was 8 or 9.

M: What was the first form of art you got into when you were younger?

J: I was a dancer for seven years. I studied hip hop, street jazz, and contemporary for a few years. It was my first art form, and then I played electric bass as well.

M: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?

J: Amy Winehouse and Beyoncé.

M: If your music was an animal, it would be a….

J: It would be a raven! Very dark but beautiful.

M: This is my last one. If you could only write one last song, and get one last message out there, what would it be?

J: It would be to quit looking for happiness in the external world. My message would be to search for all your answers within yourself. 

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Maryze (left) and Janette King (right) via Maryze’s Instagram

You can catch both Maryze and Janette King back-to-back at All My Friends Fest on May 30th via Instagram live. Janette King will be performing on the Also Cool Mag Instagram from 4:30PM-5:00PM EST, and Maryze will be performing on the Canvas and Cassette Instagram from 5:00PM-5:30PM EST.

Donate to the All My Friends Fest GoFundMe here!

All proceeds directly compensate all artists on our festival lineup.

Follow Janette King: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Follow Maryze: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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