The title, Scroll Before You Sleep, is a unifying tether for these three songs and their nod to digital isolation. “It’s less of a command or a suggestion, more of a warning,” says Tariq. “Keep scrolling, see what happens. Our phone addiction keeps us up at night. It’s impossible to relinquish our devices and when we finally do, they sit beside us on the nightstand, buzzing, alerting, demanding to be looked at and engaged with. When they finally shut up, they start doing their most unsettling activity of all, listening. They eavesdrop on our desires, hunger, fears, our tastes in music, fashion, and lovers. They make decisions about our lives and then at night, they sell it all back to us in ads and subscriptions and as we scroll, we pay. We pay and we rarely sleep.”

Following up recent EP single, “The Ballad Of You And Me”, Tariq shares “Architect’s Studio” which tells the story of a poet who’s down on their luck and sleeping in an architect’s studio. “Every morning they vacate the premises, sneaking out before the staff arrives to work,” explains Tariq. “Do they have a place to go, friends or anybody that cares about them? The track discusses the current epidemic of loneliness that pervades our current society.”

The chorus refrain ‘If I lost everything would you still love me?’ burrows into your ear, as Tariq laments the pain that the feeling of being alone can have on people. The track stands out with a memorable chorus, driving gritty bass and a wall of distorted guitars.

A stalwart of the Canadian indie scene for decades, this new EP marks the beginning of a new chapter and new sound for Tariq. Decidedly louder, and more immediate he is trading in soft folk harmonies for full throated wails. It also represents a new and collaborative approach to making music, working with musicians Robert Chursinoff (Drums), Peter Carruthers (Bass/Keys), and Adam Nanji (Guitar) who have all been members of some of the most prominent bands in Canada including Tegan and Sara, Said The Whale and Belle Game. “This project is a way to experiment with collaboration and also a heavier sound. I want to create something that resonates in its live form, in front of a big crowd at a festival, something that will be entertaining to watch and sound big and bold.”