For many people the end of a calendar year and the beginning of the next is a time of both reflection and anticipation. Looking back on 2024, the local music community in the Waterloo Region has continued to grow and support a broad and talented collective of musicians and bands.

The Localist typically covers new music releases but for this month we will highlight some of the brightest and most exciting albums released last year.  

SERMON – AT PEACE AT LAST (EP) 

Release Date: Jan. 12, 2024 

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Post Hardcore 

basque – Pain Without Hope of Healing (LP) 

Release Date: Mar. 22, 2024 

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Noise, Screamo 

Maiden Lane – Maiden Lane (LP) 

Release Date: Apr. 25, 2024 

City: Waterloo 

Genre: Hard Rock, Punk 

Sam Nabi – Help Yourself (LP) 

Release Date: May 17, 2024 

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap 

Rachel Hickey – The Eve of St. Agnes (LP) 

Release Date: May 29, 2024 

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Folk, Pop Rock 

Stevedave – Infinite Jest (LP) 

Release Date: Jul. 5, 2024 

City: Waterloo 

Genre: Hip-Hop

Underwater Basket Weaving – Car City (EP) 

Release Date: Jul. 17, 2024 

City: Cambridge 

Genre: Emo, Screamo 

 

HouseCat – The Porch Orange (EP) 

Release Date: Jul. 26, 2024 

City: Waterloo 

Genre: Indie Pop 

Wedge – Big Reveal (EP) 

Release Date: Oct. 25, 2024 

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Hardcore, Punk 

Heir Loom – spell spill spoil (EP) 

Release Date: Nov. 8, 2024 

City: Waterloo 

Genre: Dream Folk, Shoegaze 

The Waterloo Region is home to several venues such as The Golden Apple, Midnight Run Cafe, The Union and The Yeti Cafe, as well as promoters like No Funeral Records, Pink Lemonade Records, Public Seating DIY and Srsly Productions that continue to build the foundation of the local scene by offering spaces for musicians to showcase their talent to their communities. Looking forward to 2025, there will continue to be more amazing releases and live music events in the Waterloo Region. For the music lovers out there looking for a New Year resolution, attending one of these events is an affordable way to show your support to the scene and explore the vibrant music the tri-cities have to offer.  

All album artwork sourced from BandCamp.  

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