While I have six great new songs for you to check out below as well as all of its regular features, the BILLCS New Music Report will be on-and-off again during the next three weeks as I will be on holidays and travelling.
The Report will not publish next week, but will return, again on Thursday September 3, and then will not publish again the following week. The Report should be back in its regular Wednesday routine on September 16.
For readers who also listen to my online show The MAPL Tapes and my picks of the week should note that the show and those segments will be in repeats on the stations which play them during the week of August 31.
As for the next BILLCS Top 30, I will publish it on Saturday afternoon rather than Monday but the blog post will simply be the chart.
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”. This week, “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five represents some of the classic pop and rock tunes from 1977. Please do check out the playlist for my all-Canadian hour, The MAPL Tapes Show #26, with songs by featured artist Carly Rae Jepsen. And I have a Flashback BILLCS Top 30 for you for this week in August 2000!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
MASHBIT, ALTO MOON, “My Love”
About the artists: MashBit is the American-Persian Texas-based dance producer born in Italy, who is just completing a run on the BILLCS Top 30 with his collaboration with Canadian-Persian singer Navan, “Embrasse-moi (Mara Beboos)”, which peaked at #3. Alto Moon is a queer R&B/soul artist who hails from Atlanta.
About the record: “My Love” is a snappy Latin-flavoured dance track with an acoustic guitar melody that stands out for its creative production by MashBit and a stellar vocal by Alto Moon. Intended or not, it’s got an affinity with songs by heavy-hitters like The Weeknd and Bruno Mars, and Alto Moon’s invested vocal reminds me a lot of fellow singer Aloe Blacc (of Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” fame). It’s a really crackerjack release that could also benefit from an extended remix for clubs.
Other comments: Alto Moon appeared as a contestant on TV’s “American Idol” in season 22.
DUTCHMAN, “Summer Side of Life”
About the artist: Dutchman is a rock trio from Delaware led by singer, guitarist, pianist and principal songwriter Connor Johnson and was formed in 2017. Their main influences come from the classic rock sounds of The Beatles, The Eagles, and others. Releasing singles and EP’s since 2021, the band issued their debut album, Springfield ’78, in 2025. Proceeds from “Summer Side of Life” go to the Canadian Red Cross & Canadian Wildlife Fund.
About the record: Dutchman sets aside its many rock influences and inspirations for their take on the title track from the late Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1971 album. This was the album where the Canadian legend incorporated more electric instruments than on previous records. Dutchman eschewed this and based their arrangement of “Summer Side of Life”, stripped of its drums but with the addition of strings, on a 1972 performance by Gordon on the BBC. It’s really quite charming and thoughtful, and folk/country/Americana enthusiasts might find themselves making the most of it beyond Gordon Lightfoot’s own fans. Canadian radio stations interested in supporting the band’s cause should know that the song is two parts Cancon as written entirely by Gordon Lightfoot.
Other comments: Dutchman’s charitable cause is in recognition of the wildfires that the band could see eminating from Canada from their own homes all the way in Delaware. Being very good neighbours to the south, the band says: “A big chunk of our life’s soundtrack comes from Canada. In America you don’t learn much about Canadian history, but you can learn a lot from a Lightfoot tune.” Covering “Summer Side of Life” became a way to honour that influence directly and support Canada as well. You can also check out Gordon Lightfoot’s 1972 BBC performance at the following link: Summer.
SAM HARDING, “Back to You”
About the artist: Sam Harding is an L.A.-based singer, songwriter, actor and multi-instrumentalist about whose songs I’ve written before in these blog pages, though this is his first 2026 release.
About the record: Sam switches it up for “Back to You”, which is a frenetic and enjoyable bop. Sam’s got a fantastic voice, as demonstrated before when singing a ballad or a reflective kind of pop song. With some production twists it’s distorted somewhat here for effect, but it jibes with the energy level of the song. It all comes together rather nicely and if you’re looking for a song to give your day a boost, then be sure to listen to “Back to You” and add it to any playlists you might use for your daily exercise routine.
Other comments: It’s so important for indie artists to mix up their repertoire, even if there is a specialty style or genre, because it attracts listeners who might otherwise have not listened before.
RYAN BISSELL, “Get Up, Get Ready”
About the artist: Ryan Bissell is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and “Get Up, Get Ready” is his debut single.
About the record: Right out of the gate, “Get Up, Get Ready” shows immense promise in its relatable story about getting prepared for whatever is coming your way in life next. While many of us have routines, others do not, and there are still others who have the freedom to do whatever they wish, with each day being a different adventure. Ryan’s vocal is edgy and energized, and a guitar-bass-drums mix always sounds fine when it’s played well. Ryan turned to songwriting and making music while recovering from a serious accident a few years ago, and with a top notch start like “Get Up, Get Ready”, he has clearly made a good choice.
Other comments: The record is produced by Paul Gigliotti, who was one half of the Canadian duo Wave, which reached the Top 10 in Canada with “California” and “Think It Over” in 2001, (and also reached #8 and #22 respectively on the BILLCS Top 30), and he plays guitar and bass on the track.
ROXANNE, “Inferno City”
About the artist: Roxanne is the indie pop/R&B band project for Ottawa-based multi-genre talent Roxanne Lecuyer. She is formally educated in classical music and opera, has performed as a lead vocalist and part of ensembles on numerous North American stages including Carnegie Hall.
About the record: “Inferno City” is an intense electronic R&B jam that could resonate with fans of other talented Canadian R&B women such as Rochelle Jordan, Melanie Fiona and Jully Black, as well as international talent like Mary J. Blige and CeCe Peniston. The song, if a bit long at nearly 5 minutes, is an emotional story about loss and the feelings of helplessness that come hand-in-hand with it – like watching it all go up in flames as in the song’s title – but it’s set to an infectious, driven groove. Roxanne’s honed and taut vocal performance really sells the song and draws in the listener.
Other comments: Roxanne has also fronted a reggae band, Nile Groove, with whom she released an album in 2017.
DARLING NIKKI, “Stay”
About the artist: Hailing from Dusseldorf, Germany, Darling Nikki is an indie DIY talent who has released her debut album, Hippie Soul.
About the record: “Stay” is heavily seasoned with music styles from the 1960’s – think the heyday of Nancy Sinatra, The 5th Dimension, and the early part of Dionne Warwick’s career, when there were some truly stunning vocalists. In fact, Darling Nikki has even performed alongside Dionne in concert. The entire strings-forward sound of “Stay” screams 1967 and Darling Nikki has the gorgeous voice, songwriting chops and self-production style to pull it off with ease.
Other comments: Darling Nikki’s Hippie Soul has six vocal tracks (including a demo version of one) and five instrumental versions of those songs. The video for “Stay” was partially shot in Sardinia and is a mix of retro animation and cheesy 60’s-inspired sci-fi. Take a look at it at the following link: Stay.
Show #26 with songs by featured artist Carly Rae Jepsen
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.
Some dance music from Quebec, courtesy of Mike Demero and Betta Lemme with “Dance with the Sun (Olé Olé)”
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).
From 1978 it’s The Babys’ debut single “Isn’t It Time”
“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 Nashville garage pop singer Jordan Dean with “Pipe Down”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
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.
“American Idol” season 2 contestant Clay Aiken is back with his cover of Mr. Mister’s “Kyrie”
“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.
Eagles – Life In The Fast Lane
Jennifer Warnes – Right Time Of The Night
Dave Mason – We Just Disagree
Aerosmith – Walk This Way
KISS – Hard Luck Woman
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2000
The only artist on this list who is currently or has recently been on the BILLCS Top 30 in this decade is none other than Madonna, who was already 42 when she hit with “Music”(#15). She returned to the chart after a 17 year absence with “Danceteria”.
And if you’re curious about my #1 song, Jake was a Christian Pop trio of brothers from Alberta. The band was named after their dad and they released two albums on Reunion/RCA. “Let Me Know” received requent play on MuchMusic and YTV. Click on the You Tube link below to give this real retro earworm a watch!
01 01 LET ME KNOW Jake (You Tube link)
02 02 A SONG FOR THE LOVERS Richard Ashcroft
03 03 ETERNAL LIFE (“Mystery White Boy” live version) Jeff Buckley
10 04 BANG BANG BOOM The Moffatts
07 05 THE NEXT EPISODE Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg
11 06 FEEL THE SAME Triple X
06 07 BACK HERE BBMak
14 08 OOH IT’S KINDA CRAZY soulDecision
NEW 09 BETTER LIFE 3 Doors Down
04 10 DRIFTWOOD Travis
05 11 LIFE STORY Angie Stone
09 12 DANCE TONIGHT Lucy Pearl
19 13 SOUR GIRL Stone Temple Pilots
22 14 (HOT SH*T) COUNTRY GRAMMAR Nelly
27 15 MUSIC Madonna
25 16 DOESN’T REALLY MATTER Janet
18 17 DON’T CALL ME BABY Madison Avenue
NEW 18 RESCUE Eve 6
12 19 IF ONLY Hanson
23 20 PROMISE Eve 6
21 21 WEST SIDE STORY LFO
13 22 WONDERFUL Everclear
15 23 GREEN GRASS VAPORS Angie Stone
NEW 24 CAROUSEL Brattt Pack
20 25 MOJO PIN (“Mystery White Boy” live version) Jeff Buckley
17 26 HE’S ALL I WANT Angelmoon
NEW 27 ROCK DJ Robbie Williams
24 28 YOU NEVER KNOW Hanson
16 29 WITH ARMS WIDE OPEN Creed
28 30 BENT matchbox twenty
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