Have you ever woken up in a cold sweat, feeling as if you just lived an entire lifetime in a dream that you can never fully grasp again? SHY FRiEND is the alt-pop project that evokes that same indescribable yearning. With deeply emotional soundscapes contrasted by bursts of feminine rage, this soulful 6-piece band will get you moving your feet and feeling the emotions you can’t quite tackle in therapy. Created by frontperson Jubs, SHY FRiEND has been making waves in the Alberta music scene since their debut in 2023, known for their viscerally energetic live shows, quirky music videos, and enigmatic sound.
Name:
SHY FRiEND
Genre:
Alt-Pop
Founded:
2023
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
frank | My debut album “frank” dropped last summer – it’s an 8-track emotional indie-pop record that I self-produced and recorded in an abandoned church in the outskirts of Medicine Hat. Before I had a band or even a real name for the project, I just wanted to get something out there, and “frank” was it. It’s raw, intimate, and features my farewell to my time as a classical violinist on the title track “frank”. The band and I love to perform the songs “2009” and “tender” at our shows, and I get choked up every time the crowd sings back “fomo” back to us.
Latest Single:
Hammer The Screw | Since becoming a full-fledged project with my bandmates, we have gotten deeper into the recesses of how scary our sound can be. “Hammer The Screw” is our most recent single – a dark & introspective look into the queer experience featuring our guitarist Braiden May’s soaring & noisy talents.
Latest Video:
We just dropped a music video for our song 2009 recorded on a VHS camcorder featuring as much 2000s nostalgia as possible. It took 6 hours to get the one-shot take that finally made it, but we couldn’t have had more fun creating it.
Favourite musician growing up:
Queen | The band that truly moved me to step out of the classical bubble I grew up in was Queen. I didn’t even consider being a singer when I was younger, but the way Freddie Mercury would move the crowd with his opera-inspired sound and bombastic stage presence absolutely floored me every time I snuck one of my parent’s old concert DVDs.
Favourite musician now:
Chappell Roan | Chappell Roan OF COURSE – she is truly one of the best performers I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing live, and the way she embraces everything campy, gaudy, and cringe has helped push me out of my comfort zone on stage. She’s a queer icon I am so glad to be able to look up to.
Guilty pleasure song:
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) | Stevie Wonder is one of my all-time favourite artists and even though most of my jazz friends are sick of Sir Duke, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get giddy whenever I hear that little slide whistle. It’s such a cheeky & unabashedly joyous song.
Live show ritual:
I’ve got to run a lap around the venue before the show or something equivalent, to get all the shaky-nervous energy out. And my mum always told me “Don’t mess up, no pressure” before a show, so now that’s sort of my mantra.
Favourite local musician:
I will never miss an Oranje show if I can prevent it – same with Brain Bent!
EP or LP?
An LP – my iPad baby brain needs to hear all the best tracks condensed together – LP all the way baby!
Early bird or night owl?
NIGHT OWL. Especially in the summer heat – I work till the sun comes up, then sleep through the hottest parts of the day.
Road or studio?
We haven’t had a chance to get on the road much yet, but every time it’s been SO much fun! I basically live in my own little budget studio at home though, where I produce all the music we make & livestream to my lovely online community on Twitch!
Any shows or albums coming up?
We have our next single Girlhood coming out at the beginning of the fall – it’s like if Chappell Roan and Wet Leg made a song together and you can presave it right now! We are also thrilled to be playing a show with Bobby Henderson, Sub // Cell, and Niku on September 13th at the BLOX Arts Centre!
Where can we follow you?
Presave our next single to help support independent local music here <3
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Maven – delicious brunch surrounded by gorgeous plants with the kindest staff ever.
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
10th Ave – home to some of my favourite music venues, gay bars, thrift stores, and local eats as long as far as the street goes!
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
I love Sandy Beach Park – I get so much inspiration & writing done below the bridge there.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
High Line Brewing! Jeffrey & the rest of the team have uplifted SHY FRiEND in this city since before we were even a band – and now are the home of my queer performing arts group NEON MULLET SOCIETY too!
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Always go to A Pratte to give your guitar a spa day – they’re a Calgary institution for sure.
