Except for the forthcoming chart domination of Olivia Rodrigo, it’s been a rather quiet music week, so my reviews and the regular features can carry this edition of the Report along.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week along with a record of the week from “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’s Classic Five this week takes us on a musical trip back to 1971. Please do peruse the playlist for show 17 of my all-Canadian hour, The MAPL Tapes, featuring the music of Hamilton’s Gene Champagne (whose new single “Gimme Ammunition” is also reviewed below). In case you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
WESLEY DAVID, “Stop Sign”
About the artist: Wesley David is a New Jersey indie singer/songwriter guitarist/pianist who has been releasing his own music during this decade.
About the record: You’ll find that the acoustic guitar-driven “Stop Sign” immediately commands your full attention. Wesley establishes a comforting, personalized lyrical style drawing upon influences from the likes of Coldplay and Elliott Smith – early 2000’s singer-songwriter era pop but with a 2020’s viewpoint. “Stop Sign” flows beautifully, from a humble, quiet rumination about growing older and being restless, to a bolder, more resolute second half which uses the imagery of driving through a stop sign as an out-of-character act of defiance. Wesley has some unique ways of phrasing and holding notes which might be more borne out of folk music. It all gels together and attracts instant repeat listens.
Other comments: Wesley has toured and performed at the best piano bars across the United States but is out to set his own mark as a top indie pop talent.
GENE CHAMPAGNE, “Gimme Ammunition”
About the artist: Gene Champagne is the current drummer for Teenage Head. He was also the drummer in 90’s Hamilton greats The Killjoys, and has been releasing his own solo songs since 2024.
About the record: “Gimme Ammunition” is probably Gene’s most Teenage Head-era single to date – I can say this because I lived through that era – and it’s certainly my favourite thus far. It’s just over 2 minutes of unbridled rock that faithfully recreates a raw, unfettered sound we don’t hear too often these days. The fuzzy guitar work and harmonies are straight out of the post-punk era, and Gene’s vocal is the fitting conduit for a great party song. Alternative and college radio stations need to get on it STAT!
Other comments: Gene is the Featured Artist on this week’s edition of The MAPL Tapes (see playlist below). “Gimme Ammunition” is also featured in this week’s edition of our affiliate all-indie, all-Canadian show “A Slice of Canada” on Maple Music Cafe on Thursday June 18 at 9pm ET.
JIMMIE ALLEN, “Shaking in My Boots”
About the artist: Nashville-based, Delaware-born Jimmie Allen received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2022, becoming the first male country artist to receive a nomination in that category. He had three #1’s at country radio, and collaborated with Brad Paisley, Nelly, Noah Cyrus and Cheat Codes. Jimmie returns in 2026 though as an R&B/soul artist with his first new music in over three years.
About the record: “Shaking in My Boots” is an authentic and warm song in what’s now being labelled as “New American Soul” (which like “Americana” doesn’t really help the rest of us in the world outside of the U.S.). Using his prowess as a country music storyteller, he transfers those skills to a gentle story about the need to hold on to a relationship. If you’ve ever had to do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship, then “Shaking in Your Boots” will resonate with you. Jimmie’s voice is smooth and knowing and this one could easily win over new fans.
Other comments: Jimmie had a few troubling years, which included accusations which were later dropped. They ultimately cost him his record deal and his ability to tour. This song is a great restart as an indie performer looking for a chance to rebuild.
SHERRI HARDING, “Down in the Shoals”
About the artist: Ottawa-born Sherri Harding is a veteran singer who has toured the world in a variety of bands, but is best known in Canada as a member of The Cooper Brothers band. Like many of us, Sherri has toiled away in government offices during the day, but outside of office hours shows her performing skills as a bluesy rock vocalist.
About the record: Through all of Sherri’s musical connections over the years, “Down in the Shoals” bears a deep connection to the still-thriving music scene in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. And she’s in great company, already being compared to Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi, while in fine stead with award-winning fellow Canadian blues women Rita Chiarelli, Crystal Shawanda, and Sue Foley. She’s got an undeliably powerful voice, and the song’s familiar rhythm is given the golden touch by the Muscle Shoals Horns and renown guitarist Kelvin Holly. Bluesy rock rarely sounds this good and you’d never know that a bunch of Canadians are behind it.
Other comments: Sherri’s just-released album Storyland was written and produced by Richard Cooper of The Cooper Brothers, who have been performing for about 50 years, noted for their 70’s Canadian pop radio hits “The Dream Never Dies”, “Rock & Roll Cowboys”, and “I’ll Know Her When I See Her”.
I FIORUCCI, “Giorgio Is My Boyfriend”
About the artist: I Fiorucci is a trio of Toronto sisters of Italian heritage – Eva, Viva and Baby Jane. While this is their debut as I Fiorucci, they are hardly newcomers to performing. They’ve performed at countless local cultural festivals and events, and sing in English, French and Italian. I Fiorucci is the project where they can finally perform new music.
About the record: “Giorgio Is My Boyfriend” will have you basking in retro dance music flavours, a good dose of 70’s disco meeting 80’s Europop – think Baccara (of “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” fame) teaming up with Stacey Q (“Two of Hearts”) and that ear-grabbing syn drum sound. Written and produced by Richard Citroen, you will know that it is indeed a sweet production that shows off that gals’ fine voices in what turns out to be the second Giorgio Moroder tribute song I’ve written about in the last two weeks (the other being Kinga & Stonebridge’s “Giorgio”). Let your mind drift away and your body let loose and a fun three minutes will be had by all!
Other comments: Following Lola Dutronic’s “Stardom & Death” (reviewed last week), this is the second release for Richard’s new label Miracle Digital Music. And that’s two-for-two!
COOPER PHILLIP, “Love Me Not”
About the artist: Cooper Phillip is an L.A.-based, Russia-born indie singer/songwriter who has been releasing her own music for more than a decade. She has worked with countless singers as a vocal teacher, producer and coach. Her songs have thus far amassed over 15 million streams on the various platforms.
About the record: Cooper Phillip’s style is universal with a soulful touch, as I discovered when I first reviewed one of her songs back in 2021. “Love Me Not” is a breezy pop record which she says is about “the feeling of connecting to someone in your mind before anything has actually happened in real life”. The song’s story is intended to let you revel in your own imagination and the feelings that go with it. “Love Me Not” has a hopeful message that perhaps those feelings can be manifested eventually into something real. “Love Me Not” will appeal to fans of singers like Ariana Grande and Madison Beer.
Other comments: Cooper won numerous competitions as a teenager, which led her to the U.S. at age 17 through a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
MUSTARD SERVICE, “Who Knew Your Body”
About the artist: Mustard Service is a Miami-based trio led by singer/rhythm guitarist Marco Rivero Ochoa (though yes, there are five guys in the above photo). The group is known for their live performances, where they often incorporate lyrics sung in Spanish as well as vibrant Latin rhythms, and they have released four albums to date.
About the record: “Who Knew Your Body” is an introduction to what’s coming on album five, following up last year’s Vice City Magic, which features a rocker I previously wrote about called “Big Time”. Like with “Big Time”, I still don’t hear much in the way of Latin culture in the shimmering rhythm or sunny melody of “Who Knew Your Body”. It’s an 80’s-flavoured pop release which unfolds a darker tale of obsessive love and the need for someone to complete you. Like with “Big Time”, “Who Knew Your Body” is produced by Chad Copelin (Avril Lavigne, Wildorado). It’s got a slick backdrop that highlights Marco’s rich tenor.
Other comments: Mustard Service’s last album received well over a million streams on Spotify alone. I’m glad that “Who Knew Your Body” takes a few more risks as a step into their new era.
CHROME AGNON, “Ion You”
About the artist: Chrome Agnon is a solo project from Dw. Dunphy, lead singer of American rock group Orbis Max, whose song “Don’t Lose Me Now” I reviewed back in April.
About the record: “Ion You” could easily be added to a playlist of late 70’s, early 80’s power pop and you wouldn’t even blink. Dw. Dunphy here channels Ric Ocasek of The Cars (or is it Benjamin Orr?), and the song will have melodies from other bands like The Plimsouls, The Greg Kihn Band and Eddie & The Hot Rods dancing in your head. The song itself is a catchy piece of business that simply has no reason to be so catchy, but here we are.
Other comments: “Ion You” is a perfect example of the streaming era’s “expect the unexpected”.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world.
Alexander Stewart is back with another epic ballad, “Temporary”
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that currently airs on The Musicman James Rogers’ “The 3D Variety Show” (Tuesdays between 7 and 8pm ET) and KPHR Kat Power Radio (Tuesdays at 12:25 pm ET).
The Jam’s only worldwide hit “Town Called Malice” (1982)
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s Montana duo Buffalo Traffic Jam with “Pictures of You”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK and
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, including Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
It’s Toronto’s Johnny Orlando with the uncharacteric pop sound of “Charlotte” (22-15)
“THE MUSICMAN”JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays). The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Alice Cooper – Eighteen
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – Power To The People
The Carpenters – For All We Know
Cat Stevens – Wild World
Stevie Wonder – We Can Work It Out
Show #17 featuring songs and introductions from Gene Champagne, current drummer for Teenage Head
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Zayn continues at #1 for a 2nd appearance with “Sideways”
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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