SLACK ROCKER CJ WILEY’S DEBUT LP, SO BRAND NEW, OUT NOW
VIA TINY KINGDOM MUSIC
WATCH / SHARE “DON’T DIE CHARLIE” LIVE PERFORMANCE HERE
BUY / STREAM SO BRAND NEW HERE
BUY SO BRAND NEW VINYL HERE
TOUR DATES CONTINUE IN MAY
“CJ Wiley keeps things simple in order to get complex. Warm guitars, steady drums and lively bass — sometimes that's all you need to start a fire. Wiley's Boy Golden-produced debut lights all kinds of fires, an ever-shifting document of change and renewal” Exclaim!
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Following the release of their debut LP, So Brand New, Toronto slack rocker CJ Wiley is sharing the live performance video of “Don’t Die Charlie”. The live video was shot and edited by Katja De Bourbon with audio recorded and mixed by Calvin Hartwick at Dreamhouse Studios. The band features Kate Palumbo on bass, Madelyn Kirby on rhythm guitar, Julia Wittmann on lead guitar, and Nick McKinlay on drums.
“Don’t Die Charlie” is about “my decade-long battle with addiction and the grief I still carry for the friends I lost along the way,” says Wiley. “It holds vivid memories, taking me back to high school when everything felt so chaotic, though I didn’t fully realize how dark things really were at the time. It’s for anyone who lost someone and still feels their presence, wishing you could spend just a few more moments with them.”
WATCH / SHARE “DON’T DIE CHARLIE” LIVE PERFORMANCE HERE
MORE ABOUT SO BRAND NEW
A groundswell of gripping slacker rock, non-binary singer-songwriter CJ Wiley doesn’t waste any time. Twirling guitars, a steady drum beat, crunchy bass; ballads twanged slightly country, anthems skewed slightly grunge; a message of love and anger, healing and rancour; all of which are found on their debut LP, So Brand New.
Produced by Boy Golden, So Brand New is a journey through the ever-shifting landscapes of identity and self-acceptance. This album explores embracing change and finding comfort in the continuous evolution of who we are. It delves into themes of grief, nostalgia, queer love, struggles with drug addiction, and the rejection of gender performance, while also addressing the absurdity of how expensive it is just to be alive these days. At its core, the album reflects the idea that no one is ever just one thing; we are all fluid, constantly adapting through the various stages of our lives.
So Brand New is a journey through the ever-shifting landscapes of identity and self-acceptance, embracing change and finding comfort in the continuous evolution of who we are. The album reflects on the feeling of having lived multiple lives within a single lifetime and confronts the irresistible urge to reinvent and start again. It delves into themes of grief, nostalgia, queer love, struggles with drug addiction, and the rejection of gender performance, while also addressing the absurdity of how expensive it is just to be alive these days. At its core, it captures the idea that no one is ever just one thing; we are all fluid, constantly adapting through the various stages of our lives.
LISTEN / SHARE “DON’T DIE CHARLIE” (OFFICIAL VIDEO) HERE
WATCH / SHARE “GET PAID” HERE
WATCH / SHARE “SO BRAND NEW” HERE
“Growing Out My Hair" marks "a pivotal moment in embracing my non-binary identity and breaking away from societal expectations of androgyny," says Wiley. "In "People Please," I challenge the music industry’s ideals of who I should be and what will make me successful, reflecting on my attempts to fit that mold before realizing I’d rather create art that truly represents me. Meanwhile, "Adelaide" is a heartfelt tribute to chosen family and the conscious choice to love and grow together instead of growing apart. The title track, "So Brand New," captures the seductive essence of finding ourselves within others, discovering parts of our identity through alluring new perspectives.”
WATCH / SHARE “NO ONE LIKE U” (OFFICIAL VIDEO) HERE
WATCH / SHARE “ADELAIDE” HERE
So Brand New blends deeply emotional and uplifting tracks with a slacker rock vibe, seamlessly marrying introspective singer-songwriter elements with a polished, radio-friendly sound. Featuring ballads with a hint of country twang and anthems that skew slightly grunge, it creates a unique experience characterized by rich, textured arrangements and candid lyricism. This collection serves as a musical reflection on identity and the courage it takes to let go of who others think we should be, embracing the full range of who we’re becoming. The result is a set of songs that feel both intimately personal and universally relatable, celebrating the transformative journey of self-discovery and the acceptance of our ever-changing selves.
WATCH / SHARE “CHEAP THERAPY” (OFFICIAL VIDEO) HERE
MORE ABOUT CJ WILEY
Performing alongside artists like Tokyo Police Club, Shannon and the Clams, or Haley Blais, and already a mainstay in the city’s queer music scene as the host of the Big Gay Night concert series, Wiley introduces themselves in songs as categorical and entrancing as the sold-out shows they organize. Aflame in a stirring spectrum of soulful Sheryl Crow Americana and the electric grumblings of Garbage or Hole, sometimes in the space of a single song, Wiley’s distinct voice carries their project with the wit, candour, and excitement of an artist with a striking perspective and a heart that demands to be heard.
BUY / STREAM SO BRAND NEW HERE
BUY SO BRAND NEW VINYL HERE
PERFORMANCE DATES
May 7-10 - Focus Wales, Wrexham UK
May 12 - London UK
May 14-17 - The Great Escape, Brighton UK
May 29 - The Drake, Toronto ON
May 31 - Spring Reverb, Kingston ON
Jun 1 - La Sotterenea, Montreal QC