What started as a joke between friends on a beach in Tofino has gradually snowballed into something real. In 2022, a loose pact was made: start something new, don’t overthink it, and write catchy songs that feel relatable and genuine.
Based in the mountain town of Squamish, British Columbia, Surf Hat have been crafting their own version of cold-water surf rock — beach music written somewhere between the ocean and the mountains. Their sound floats somewhere between breezy shimmer of Allah-Las, the loose swagger of The Growlers, and the off-kilter quirkiness of Talking Heads.
The band has quickly built momentum the old-fashioned way: writing constantly and taking their music on the road. Surf Hat have released three full-length albums, including Modern World Blues released in November 2025, a record that expands their sound without losing the loose, unhurried spirit the band started with.
Following their most recent release, Surf Hat have spent the year circling the globe on sold out headline tours across Canada, the United States, and Australia, convincingly turning casual listeners into lifelong fans. Next, they’ll head back out across Canada supporting The Sheepdogs on some of the country’s biggest stages — not bad for a band named after a hat.
Skinny Dyck
Resist the urge to laugh at Skinny Dyck - the alias of western Canada’s Ryan Dyck (or don’t, that’s kind of the idea). The new album Easygoing sees Dyck moving a few steps further away from the country music environs he once wholly inhabited, but fear not, as the “distilled the spirit of wide-cut country” (Exclaim!) lives deep in the blood. Marinating in the success of his off-brand twang is a batch of material that sees the celebrated songwriter stepping further away from a genre defined by its traditions. Nominated for Recording of the Year at the 2025 Western Canadian Music Awards, Skinny Dyck offers a live show with a creative firmness you likely haven't experienced before.
2025 Festivals: Canmore Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival, North Country Fair, Big Valley Jamboree, 39 Days of July