The massive success and cultural impact of 2025's KPop Demon Hunters had Sound Companions reviewing soundtracks from other hit animated films and series. Looking beyond the low-hanging fruit of Disney productions, anime out of Japan has offered amazing stories for decades, with music to match. Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most successful franchises, and the original series soundtrack volume one (1995) makes for an interesting pairing.

Ever feel like a cog in a machine or a slave to your technology? What does that sound like? This episode's companions are The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) by Pink Floyd and OK Computer (1997) by Radiohead. Following some early-career successes, these British artists found generational critical acclaim with respective album breakthroughs by channelling what Hegel and Marx would call human alienation. And they each manage to create that dystopian atmosphere both sonically and lyrically.

"You rearrange me 'till I'm sane
You lock the door and throw away the key
And there's someone in my head, but it's not me"

"Out of the way, it's a busy day
I've got things on my mind
For want of the price of tea and a slice
The old man died"

"And up above, aliens hover
Makin' home movies for the folks back home
Of all these weird creatures who lock up their spirits
Drill holes in 'emselves, and live for their secrets"

"But either way you turn, I'll be there
Open up your skull, I'll be there
Climbing up the walls"

"A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal"

Memorable Manitoba songs covered by great local artists. The provincial chapter of Women in Music Canada spearheaded a project for Winnipeg's 150th Anniversary that led to the creation of HER (204): Stories of One Great City Revisited. Compare and contrast the original tunes alongside the re-imagined versions on this week's episode of Sound Companions.

This week marks 10 years since The Tragically Hip played their final concert on Aug. 20, 2016. No one artist or album can elucidate the group's sonic origins, but this special two-hour Sound Companions will feature some of the artist and song influences on the band. They'll be sprinkled among lesser-known cuts from The Hip's exemplary discography.

Angine de Poitrine's weird microtonal fusion of jazz, punk, math rock and other alien-like stylings has taken Earth's internet music cognoscenti by storm, and the 2026 Winnipeg Folk is next! The polka-dot and paper-mâché mask-clad duo KHN and Klek de Poitrine actually hail from Québec on this planet. How did they come to play such wild, free-grooving music? Interviews, research and listening quagmires brought me to 1970s psych-prog artists, free jazz improvisers, a Canadian metal band and recent microtonal experimenters. Perhaps the closest companion to Angine de Poitrine's Vol. II (2026) is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's Flying Microtonal Banana (2017).

Days after coming across some Gwenifer Raymond live videos, I noticed that the Welsh virtuoso was added to the 2026 Winnipeg Folk Festival lineup! Her insane guitar-picking led me to John Fahey, who played folk fest in 1985. The latter was known for a guitar style dubbed "American Primitive" and now hers is "Welsh Primitive"

This episode's companions are The Transfiguration Of Blind Joe Death (1965) and Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark (2025) 

It's time for Sound Companions to delve into the blues by teaming up with awesome co-host Steven of the Ripped Hat Blues Show (always airs immediately afterwards). We combined our time slots for a two-hour-plus extravaganza sharing some of our favourite blues tunes and chatting about the influences that got us into the genre(s).

To mark Winnipeg Pride Festival 2026, today's companions are Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John (1973) and The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan (2023). It's fascinating to trace the evolution of the culture over 50 years through music. Both artists embrace their inner campiness, but on these albums at least, Elton John plays it straight(ish) and Roan is loud and proud.

While they are not necessarily clear sonic companions on first listen, 1968's Astral Weeks by Van Morrison and 2011's Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes share a lot in common. Both artists were coming off successful debut records, but were not happy with the crowd-pleasing pop sounds that had strayed from their true aims. For a multitude of reasons at the time, the lives of Van Morrison and Fleet Foxes catalyst Robin Pecknold were conflictual messes that sharpened the longing and existential angst in their songwriting. 

Each developed a distinctive vision for their second release: Van Morrison entered the studio with a relaxed, jazzy plan and let the magic happen, while Fleet Foxes obsessed over every layer. Somehow, the results were similar: longer, more complex songs packed with introspective, bleak themes but delivered in soothing, poetic, bittersweet balms.

What could be comparable to the legendary Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson’s 1966 magnum opus? New collaborators Panda Bear and Sonic Boom got together for a 2022 album that is part homage, but newly creative in its own right. This episode's companions are Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and Reset by Panda Bear and Sonic Boom.

The rise of Brooklyn's Geese in 2025 was the latest success in a long line of New York art rock bands going back to the 1960s. The Velvet Underground set the stage for Television in the 70s, Talking Heads in the 80s and The Strokes in the late 90s. Whether it's psych, proto-punk, garage, post-punk or them all in a blender, the Big Apple continues to produce influential artists. This episode's companion albums are Marquee Moon by Television (1977) & Is This It? by The Strokes (2001).

Today's show falls during UMFM's annual Pledge-O-Rama so the episode theme falls in line! The No One's Gonna Change Our World compilation was released in 1969, recruiting artists to "Sing for the World Wildlife Fund." On the other hand, in 1993 the Red Hot Organization put out their third fundraising release, No Alternative—"a defining moment of ’90s alt-rock."

After occasional co-host Evan requested The Arrogant Worms for this episode, I went in search of potential companion albums. There are not many Canadian musical comedy groups that have accessible recorded music, but the ones out there sure know what they are doing. Tune in and laugh at some of the common themes in Canadian comedy: geography, (east-west) cultural differences, non-American-ism, iconic animals and weird foods! This episode's companions are:

The Arrogant Worms — Canadian Famous (2025)

Three Dead Trolls in A Baggie — Steaming Pile of Skit (2001)

Buddy Wasisname & the Other Fellers — Greatest Misses (1999)

Ever feel like a cog in a machine or a slave to your technology? What does that sound like? This episode's companions are The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) by Pink Floyd and OK Computer (1997) by Radiohead. Following some early-career successes, these British artists found generational critical acclaim with respective album breakthroughs by channelling what Hegel and Marx would call human alienation. And they each manage to create that dystopian atmosphere both sonically and lyrically.

"You rearrange me 'till I'm sane
You lock the door and throw away the key
And there's someone in my head, but it's not me"

"Out of the way, it's a busy day
I've got things on my mind
For want of the price of tea and a slice
The old man died"

"And up above, aliens hover
Makin' home movies for the folks back home
Of all these weird creatures who lock up their spirits
Drill holes in 'emselves, and live for their secrets"

"But either way you turn, I'll be there
Open up your skull, I'll be there
Climbing up the walls"

"A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal"

This show aired just before the 2026 Juno Awards, at which Joni Mitchell became just the second artist to receive the Junos’ lifetime achievement award. To mark the occasion, episode companions are Clouds, Mitchell’s second album (1969), and Alas, I Cannot Swim, the 2008 debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Laura Marling. As selected by Sound Companions co-producer Dana.

Joni Mitchell did appear on stage for a medley of her songs!

Between bass and tenor voices, you'll find baritones, ringing out with power and grace. Canadian singer-songwriters Stan Rogers and James Keelaghan are two of the best. This episode's companions are Turnaround (1978) and House of Cards (2009), followed by some other notable baritones.

On the night of this episode, Winnipeg's very own Dust Rhinos will play a "Canadian Celtic Songbook" concert in early celebration of St. Patrick's Day. It's a great time to explore their self-titled 2024 release Dust Rhinos, and hear from their influences, particularly Rum, Sodomy & the Lash by The Pogues (1985).

Santana was part of a 60s and 70s California scene that blended Mexican and jazzy influences into rock. It attracted prodigious guitarist Neal Schon who, after joining Carlos Santana at 17, went on to found Journey as well as make solo albums that stayed true to the musical lineage of those early days. Santana—Abraxas (1970) & Neal Schon–Electric World (1997)

In the 80s and 90s, something in the air or water made Vancouver a nexus for Celtic music experimentation. Spirit of the West stood at the intersection of traditional jigs and reels, folk rock and a punk ethos. Their records like Labour Day (1988) helped inspire bands like The Paperboys, who borrowed one of their members and parts of their sound, evident on Postcards (2000).

Today's show will be a snapshot of the evolution of punk music, from its origins in the mid-1970s UK scene, to its teenage rebellion years in the early 1990s USA and beyond. Focusing on female-fronted powerhouse acts, this episode's companions are X-Ray Spex's Germfree Adolescents (1978) & The Gits' Frenching the Bully (1992).

For St. Valentine's weekend, Sound Companions turns to one of the masters of the love song, Al Green. His Let's Stay Together & I'm Still in Love with You, both 1972, set up the peak of his career. In 2003, the Hip Hop/R&B duo Outkast released an ambitious double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. André 3000's conceptual second half draws on soulful, jazzy influences to tell his own love stories.

Today’s episode falls on Superbowl LX Sunday, also a few days into the XXV Winter Olympic Games. Both sporting spectacles come with a history and culture of associated music. Sound Companions will compare and contrast themes and performances.

From the birth of garage rock to its revival in the 2000s, this episode's companion albums are Here Are the Sonics!!! (1965) by The Sonics, and Elephant (2003) by The White Stripes.

Willie P. Bennett was an Ontarian musician who deftly melded folk, blues and country beginning in the 1970s. He was so admired as a person and songwriter that Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson formed an enduring super group to pay tribute to his songs. This episode's companions are Blackie and the Rodeo King (Willie P. Bennett 1978) & High or Hurtin' (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings 1996).

What could be comparable to the legendary Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson’s 1966 magnum opus? New collaborators Panda Bear and Sonic Boom got together for a 2022 album that is part homage, but newly creative in its own right. This episode's companions are Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and Reset by Panda Bear and Sonic Boom.

Today's show will be a snapshot of the evolution of punk music, from its origins in the mid-1970s UK scene, to its teenage rebellion years in the early 1990s USA and beyond. Focusing on female-fronted powerhouse acts, this episode's companions are X-Ray Spex's Germfree Adolescents (1978) & The Gits' Frenching the Bully (1992).

Look back on the holidays with comedic, satirical, playful and downright funny songs. Music that takes down carols and tropes, evoking memories of events gone awry: family meltdowns, drinking antics—all the jolly times!

1989's Dr. Demento Presents The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time & 1997's Christmas Turkey by Arrogant Worms

Music played around the holidays runs the gamut from pleasing to sickly sweet and devotional to bah-humbug cynicism. This first of two late-December shows will focus on earnest, devotional, sincere, original songs. The (trad-folk?) companions are The Kingston Trio's The Last Month Of The Year (1960) & Loreena McKennitt's A Midwinter Night's Dream (2008).

One band has a street named after them, the other was named after a street. This episode test drives Not Fragile by Bachman-Turner Overdrive & Let's All March Back into the Sea by The Liptonians.

Representative of the Toronto folk music scenes of the late 1960s and early 2000s, this episode's companions are Gordon Lightfoot's If You Could Read My Mind & Great Lake Swimmers' Ongiara.