Xadaa (MEGAFAUNA / Syrup Moose Records / VNRL / Grumm Trencher)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Moor Mother & Sumac - The Film
- Ethel Cain - Perverts
- Backxwash - Only Dust Remains
- Am I In Trouble? - Spectrum
- Emma Goldman - All You Are Is We
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
2025 was kind of the year of discovering/rediscovering more experimental music for me; and of the stuff that I maybe wouldn't have liked as much in my younger years or years when I wasn't also making electronic/experimental music. So I found myself really interested in Death Grips, Bjork, and even more new-age music like Enya. Stuff that I was aware of to varying degrees, but then also discovering bands like Lightning Bolt, Container, Paris Texas, artists that are doing really interesting things in a variety of genres.
One new one that made it on to my AOTY list was Hexed! by Aya, a really strong and strange record. Also Dream Tower by Wite Rino, just a really satisfying electronic album from here in Canada. I'd also be remiss not to mention Kneecap, who I was only tangentially aware of prior to 2025 but they had a hell of a year (for better or worse).
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
An embarrassment of riches, quite frankly. There was such a huge amount of really tremendous music this year, and right from the start in January.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Personally, I have albums coming out from all of my projects in 2026 -- a Grumm Trencher record (The Bat and the Hellebore) in April, a new VNRL (Power That, When Wielded, Corrupts) in July, and a self-titled MEGAFAUNA record in September.
Add to that the return of Syrup Moose Records and its going to be a busy year for me. The first Syrup Moose Records release for 2026 comes right in January with Phases by Twilight Phenomenon and I think we're coming out of the gate swinging.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I think there is some really strong stuff coming out pretty early next year: Love is Not Enough by Converge and We Mean It, Man! by Gogol Bordello are pretty exciting. Plus there's 12 whole releases coming from Syrup Moose Records soooo....(haha).
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Honestly, I hate that singles "rule the scene". Its always such a bummer to find a cool band and go to their page on Apple Music only to find that their entire presence is made up of singles. Part of that comes down to my dislike for how visually cluttered it is.
Obviously it's working for folks, but I'm just really not a fan. It's not done a huge amount to change how I do things: releasing singles in lead up to an album is pretty normal and standard, and I'll keep doing that, it's just when that's 100% of your output that I find it disappointing.
