Floating Song of the Day

Bedroom Shoegaze Alt Rock

"Ceiling Fan"

Swapmeet

" i woke up as the song was building, and so was my adreneline for the day. it pushed me out of slumber. good morning ceiling fan and to my walls."

Yesterday's Song of the Day

Soft Blue Shimmer

Char and Meredith of Soft Blue Shimmer, along with producer Corey Coffman, join Weajue for a conversation about “They Will Leave Us With Nothing.” It’s a record about capitalism, bodily grief, and what we pass between us when the system leaves us with nothing. This three-sided emotional triangle made it one of the hardest albums Corey has ever produced. Recorded at Taylor Creek Park in Toronto.

“They Will Leave Us With Nothing” is Soft Blue Shimmer’s third album, and it’s the first time they’ve stepped back far enough to name what’s been breaking their bodies. From my first encounter with them through Heaven Inches Away in 2020, they’ve been writing about depression, loneliness, grief, bodily feelings so close they couldn’t see past them. But this album marks a shift- Meredith wrote the title from lyrics in another song, “Soonby,” and suddenly they could see it: we’re suffering from because of capitalism and systems bent against us.

Full transcript available here.

─────────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────────────────

I’ve been thinking a lot about my parents lately as I’ve noticed them ageing. As a result, within myself I feel a tensing arithmetic of sacrifice that looms. Like my life was supposed to add up to something to make it worth it for them. And when I think about the lineage of those who paved for me to get here, and the unknowable names of people who came and went, it feels like many of us got the short end of the capitalist stick.

And that’s what They Will Leave Is With Nothing, left me with. I think beyond the weight of carrying your own name, your own singular point of view, if we’re lucky enough, we can look out and see the patterns in the lives of everyone else around us. All the earth groans from it’s weight. For the conversation, I was also joined by producer Corey Coffman who has been with Soft Blue Shimmer since before they had a name. He may be more of an invisible force weaving below the record, but his hand played in sync with that of Char and Meredith’s.

We recorded this conversation at Taylor Creek Park, which is one of main ravines that cuts through Toronto where I often hide and dance in the trees. That morning, the creek was still moving, the trees dying but not bare. It was a late-September in Toronto, that strange in-between where fall hasn’t fully arrived but summer is already gone.

I hope you listen and enjoy whatever small something this brings to your life. As always, be well and see you next week 🙂

Absent Sounds - Music Interviews & Radio Show | CJAM 99.1FM

Snowing

We sat down with Willow Brazuk and JR back when the sun was still around at New Friends Fest in Toronto

Let it snow!!!!

Soft Blue Shimmer

Char and Meredith of Soft Blue Shimmer, along with producer Corey Coffman, join Weajue for a conversation about They Will Leave Us With Nothing. Press play and enter the Soft Blue Shimmer

Allegra Krieger

Allegra Krieger joins Weajue talking about her album Art of the Unseen Infinity Machine—a record that grapples with impermanence, and the liminal spaces of existence.

Press play and enter the Infinity Machine

John Roseboro

On this episode of Absent Sounds, Weajue caught John Roseboro to talk through his album Fools. Each track feels like a meditation on love, faith, and the strange arithmetic of becoming.

What a wonderful time to press Play

Bloom Effect

Bloom Effect's oscilón has been part of that unwinding: a record that carries you out of the tangled noise and into something expansive, cosmic, and bright.

Bloom away, and press Play

The Holy Gasp

Earlier this summer, we sat down with Benjamin Hackman and Luke Sargent to rediscover the album and documentary- The Love Songs of Oedipus Rex (2018)

Wowie! Press Play

Swimming

Earlier this year, Weajue sat down with Jacob Cherwick to talk about Old (2025).

We're not getting younger!! Press Play

Gingerbee

On today's episode Weajue catches Gingerbee after their set at New Friends Fest, diving into their latest EP.

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Memory Pearl

On today's episode of Absent Sounds, we're featuring an interview with Toronto-based artist Moshe Fisher-Rozenberg the mind behind Memory Pearl.

immerse me

Avery Friedman

Weajue and Avery dive into her debut record, New Thing. Hard to believe this is where the story begins, and even more excited to see where the next chapter leads.

Hit it

Tomato Flower

Weadee chats with Baltimore-based band Tomato Flower, to talk about the everchanging architecture of their songwriting in their latest album.

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Conjure Hand

In this episode of Absent Sounds, Weadee chats with Conjure Hand, the Victoria-based band behind the captivating album Spellbound Blues.

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Sunforger

Weajue joins (Kier, Piper, Chris, and Spencer) in Montreal for a special episode.

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Motherhood

Getting lost in the chaotic world of 'Thunder Perfect Mind' with the band.

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Jordan Klassen

Jordan Klassen discusses his latest album 'Tell Me What To Do' and the creative process behind it.

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Tanukichan

Explore the musical journey of Tanukichan in this exclusive interview.

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Tall Heights

Weadee chats with Paul Wright about their latest album 'Softly Softly', exploring themes of love, memory, and change in this autumn-inspired record.

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Half Waif

Together we talk moving through grief with her latest album 'See You At The Maypole'

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Algernon Cadwallader

Exploring the reunion and legacy of Algernon Cadwallader in the emo revival scene.

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Las Nubes

Miami's Las Nubes discuss their latest album 'SMVT', their DIY roots, and creating music that reflects their multicultural identity.

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From Indian Lakes

We talk to Joey Vannucchi of From Indian Lakes in this first episode of 'We Built This House' as we explore the evolution and ethos behind From Indian Lakes since 2009.

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M Vaughan

Explore M Vaughan's journey from Berlin to Lisbon, and his evolution from dance music to a unique blend of electronic and singer-songwriter styles.

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Bobbing

Bay area artist Bobbing (Robert Ross) blends indie, electronica, and mathy rock in his eclectic sound. His 2023 album 'Year of the Newt' showcases his unique ability to craft experimental yet accessible music.

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Brutus VIII

Dive into Brutus VIII's latest record 'Pure Glottny', a raw and confrontational exploration of love's darker corners.

feeling gluttonous

Raised by Swans

Eric Howden joins us to talk about the ethereal world of his solo project- Raised by Swans.

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Ratboys

Join us for a conversation with Ratboys about their latest album 'The Window' and their evolution as a band.

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Oso Oso

Woo! Jump into Oso Oso's world as we play through Sore Thumb and chat with Jade Lilitri.

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Miss Grit

Cyborgs deserve love, join us as we 'Follow the Cyborg' with Margaret Dewey Sohn, the creator.

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Bedbug

Join us for a conversation with Dylan of Bedbug about their 2024 album 'pack your bags the sun is growing' - a perfectly unperfect DIY sound with lyrics that read like poetry.

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Frog

Join us for a conversation with Danny Bateman of Frog about their 2023 album 'GROG' - one of our favorite releases of the year. A fun and enjoyable chat with the artist himself.

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Crosslegged

Tap in and join us for an lovely conversation with Crosslegged about her musical journey and creative process.

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Racing Mountain Pleasant

Explore the world of Racing Mountain Pleasent (previously Kingfisher), while gripping your fists.

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Lutalo

A once-in-a-lifetime musician, Lutalo joins us to talk about his musical influences and identity.

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Roye Trout

Join us for a conversation with Windsor musician, Roye Trout.

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Cootie Catcher

Catching up with Cootie Catcher after their Toronto show!

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Cake Function

Old friends, new music. Discover Cake Function (throwback to the Boy Friend Interview) as we discuss their lastest record.

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Gulfer

Canadian math rock/emo legends! David joins us to talk about everything inbetween.

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Sunnsetter

Ever since finding Sunnsetter, I've held the music close to my heart. Join us as we chat with Andrew about their process.

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Poolblood

Talking about their album, being back in a "white" room, and more with Poolblood.

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Cedric Noel

Join us for a conversation with Cedric Noel about his musical journey.

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Tyler Jafelice

London-based musician, Tyler Jafelice joins us to talk about his EP!

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No Joy

Live in the studio with No Joy, ahead of their preformace at the Meteor (Windsor).

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Chris Walla

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Chris Walla, the producer behind the beloved album from Carissa's Wierd.

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Crywank

Chatting with Jay in the studio before their Windsor show at the Meteor.

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Status Non Status

Being seen as a represtation of Indeginous voices in Canada is complicated, Status Non Status joins us to talk about it.

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Gentle

Discover the gentle sounds and stories in this intimate interview.

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Mighloe

Join us for a special NXNE Festival interview with Mighloe.

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Frankie Flowers

Explore the music of Frankie Flowers in this NXNE Festival special.

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Sydney Riley

Join us for a conversation with Sydney Riley at NXNE Festival.

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Kicksie

Getting into it with a live CJAM session from Kicksie.

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Monday Night Live

Experience poetry and music at John Muir Library's Monday Night Live.

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Picastro

Join us for an intimate conversation with Picastro.

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John Cohen Ex.

John Cohen Ex. visits the station for this special live studio session.

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Bilal Naseer

Join us for an engaging conversation with Bilal Naseer.

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John Van Deusen

John Van Deusen never steers away from hard conversations, and we get to hear about it in this intimate conversation.

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Listening Notes

On Returning to Albums

November 29, 2024 • Thoughts on From Indian Lakes

We named our show after one of their albums. Absent Sounds. That should tell you something about how much this music matters to us...

On First Listens

November 15, 2024 • Discovering New Artists

There's something sacred about the first time you hear an album that will become important to you...

Music and Memory

October 28, 2024 • Place and Sound

Certain albums become inseparable from the places we were when we first heard them...

On Returning to Albums

November 29, 2024 • Thoughts on From Indian Lakes

We named our show after one of their albums. Absent Sounds. That should tell you something about how much this music matters to us.

But I haven't listened to From Indian Lakes in maybe two years. Not on purpose—it just stopped being what I reached for. The algorithm never suggested it. It fell out of rotation.

Then we did the episode. The five-year anniversary. And I had to sit with Able Bodies again, had to really listen, prepare questions, think about what Joey Vannucchi was doing with space and delay and voice.

Here's what I'd forgotten: how patient these songs are. How they don't rush. "Sleeping Limbs" takes almost a minute to even start. When the drums finally come in, you've been waiting long enough that it feels like relief.

I think I needed music to be faster for a while. More immediate. Emo with sharper edges. But sitting with FIL again reminded me that there's a different kind of intensity in slowness, in letting things build until they're undeniable.

I've been playing Able Bodies every night this week. It's like visiting an old house. The rooms are the same but you're different. You notice different things. The light comes in at different angles.

I'm glad we named the show after them. I'm glad we came back.

On First Listens

November 15, 2024 • Discovering New Artists

There's something sacred about the first time you hear an album that will become important to you. You don't know it yet, but it's happening.

I remember where I was the first time I heard Women's self-titled. In a basement apartment in Windsor. Winter. The heat wasn't working. I was under three blankets with headphones on.

"Black Rice" came on and I remember thinking: this sounds like it's playing in another room. Like I'm hearing it through a wall. And that felt right somehow. Like the distance was the point.

Now when I listen to that album, I can't separate it from that apartment, that winter, that specific loneliness. The music absorbed all of it. Or maybe I projected all of it onto the music. Either way, they're inseparable now.

That's what first listens do. They mark time. They become coordinates. Years later you hear a song and suddenly you're 21 again, freezing in a basement, discovering something that will matter more than you can possibly know in that moment.

Music and Memory

October 28, 2024 • Place and Sound

Certain albums become inseparable from the places we were when we first heard them. The music becomes a map. A way back.

I can't listen to Cap'n Jazz without thinking about driving through Ohio at 2am with my sister. Can't hear Adrianne Lenker without remembering that cabin in November. Can't play Algernon Cadwallader without being 19 again, in someone's living room, realizing that music could do this—could make you feel understood.

Sometimes I wonder if I even like the music itself or if I just like what it reminds me of. But I think that's a false distinction. The music IS the memory. They're the same thing now.

When I'm homesick—not for a place but for a time, for a version of myself I used to be—I put on the albums that were there. And for three minutes, or thirty, I get to go back.