THE J-STROKES WITH CUT FLOWERS — LIVE AT SONIC HALL!

The J-Strokes return to Sonic Hall to road test their new songs for an upcoming album. 2025 was a banner year for the band: releasing their seven song album, a triumphant packed album release show at Sonic Hall, and shows in Southern Ontario including a main stage appearance at Riverfest Elora (RIP RFE!).  Following up on the successes of 2025, The J’s continue to collectively write new songs and have a whole new batch that are studio ready. They are veterans of the Guelph music community with connections to - Mike Sharp and Local Honey, The Fonctionnaires, The Rolling Blackouts, Boom Echo, Maxine For Now, Billy But, The Regulars, Monkey Wrench Gang, plus many other community collaborations. The band features Mike Sharp (guitar, vox), Doug Roach (guitar, vox), Don Kudo (bass, vox) and Brad Holy (drum, vox). The crew have now welcomed Aaron Duncan (keys, sax, harp, vox) who not only brings his multi-instrument and vocal talents but also his songwriting chops to add to The J-Strokes flare for alt-rock pop with hints of classic rock and bluesy soul grooves. It’s canoe rock to steer you towards the dance floor!

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Formed in Toronto in early 2025, Cut Flowers are a six-piece collective with deep roots in Canada’s indie and alternative rock scenes. Members Kevan Byrne, Al Okada, and Geoff Walton previously played in King Cobb Steelie, the genre-defying band that recorded with Steve Albini (Nirvana), Bill Laswell (Herbie Hancock), and Guy Fixsen (My Bloody Valentine), and were twice nominated for a JUNO Award. Byrne, Peter Kirkpatrick, and Iain Thomson also shared history in Heimlich Maneuver, a proto-grunge band that once opened for Mudhoney, Volcano Suns, and Nirvana, while Rebecca Campbell – a longtime Toronto-based vocalist and songwriter – has collaborated with Jane Siberry, Fat Man Waving, and Sultans of String. Kirkpatrick’s past credits also include time with Tristan Psionic, and Thomson previously drummed for Loomer. Together, Cut Flowers blend indie-rock grit, folk tenderness, and soulful melody – think R.E.M. crossed with Richard and Linda Thompson, spread with analog synth and a touch of Motown pulse. Their sound lives in the bittersweet space between joy and resignation, where impermanence blooms into song.

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