Big in Canada

On part two of Big in Canada's special year-end wrap up episode, we count down our favourite albums from 4-1.Also discussed: Bryan Adams' A Great Big Holiday Jam, other Bryan Adams Christmas songs, Three Strong Words, fatherhood, the location of Pho No Café and more. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Because yeah, we're a music podcast too. On the first of two special year-end wrap up episodes, we count down our favourite albums from 10-5. Next week, we go 4-1. The suspense is getting you killed. CanCon laws ARE in effect. Also discussed: Three Strong Words, the Toronto (Still) Loves Jacksoul Map, Christmas music contradictions and mistakes, Tate "Cars" McRae, the band "Christmas" and more.

While Michael Bublé and Céline Dion may be the king and queen of CanCon Christmas, the system churns out an endless stream of MAPL-safe Christmas music to ensure the most wonderful time of the year is distinctly Canadian. We dig into our personal Christmas music preferences, check out some Big in Canada-favourites' contributions to the canon and count down our Top 5 Canadian Christmas songs.Also discussed: Chantal Kreviazuk's upcoming album of "her" songs, Christmasy artists, shopping, the birth of Jesus Christ, blue christmases and much more.

His vestige haunts the bathrooms of several Toronto bars years after his death, but the music Haydain Neale made with jacksoul and the impact he had on CanCon will never die. Had Neale lived, he would be Canada's king of soul. Even in death, he may still be. Also discussed: slow jams, sex jams, being a live band, the Philosopher King to hit-maker pipeline, cover songs, Ashlee Simpson, more Three Strong Words, the rule of three, "Les", Mac "CanCon Nostradamus" Cameron and much more.

Before Drake, Swollen Members were the benchmark for commercially successful hip-hop in Canada. Combining hardcore and halloween aesthetics with hip-hop, they won JUNO Awards, MMVAs and were constantly on MuchMusic. But was CanCon ready for rap to be pop? Will it ever be?Also discussed: Canadian Idol vs. BSS, cool words, extreme sports, being Ringo, getting into hip-hop, rapping at parties, Madchild and Prevail being fated, Bad Dreams, Nelly Furtado and much more.

Last week Big in Canada went viral. Well, relatively speaking. In this episode, your hosts react to the reactions from Instagram users about Mac's theory on three word band names and, for all of our new listeners, we lay out the official rules of Three Strong Words. 

soulDecision is probably the most successful Canadian boy band of all-time. Which is somehow not the greatest musical achievement of the band's lead singer Trevor Guthrie. This bland man has it all figured out. Good for him! But also, what the hell is going on? Also discussed: capitalization, the power of sports, 5 people 1 guitar!, Big Shiny Tunes (The Yellow Album), CanCon charity concerts and compilations, marketing, the same old story, songs concerning consent, pop bands and much more.

Billy Hamilton, the bassist and band archivist for Silverstein, dives into Burlington's vibrant hardcore scene during the 2000s. He shares compelling stories of local bands and their influences, revealing how Silverstein navigated the complexities of Canadian content regulations. Hamilton discusses his archival work, capturing the history of the scene on platforms like TikTok. He also recalls surreal experiences touring with stars like Avril Lavigne, while analyzing Burlington's unique music ecosystem and its legacy in the Canadian music industry.

In a surprise and live off the floor episode, Mac and Laura recap all the great CanCon moments of the World Series: Drake. Rufus. Geddy. JP. The cast of Schitt's Creek. National anthem thirstiness and more much.Then, Mac goes over his experience of DJing a wedding while Game 7 unfolded.

Skye Sweetnam crashed onto YTV and the Family Channel under the shadow of Avril, but from the jump, she knew she was no Avril-lite. Through sheer force of will, Skye managed to escape CanCon pop punk princess purgatory and sever into something else entirely.Also discussed: the Big Shiny Tunes 2 controversy, Katy Perry (somehow unrelated to her new boyfriend), the hair salon to major label pipeline, Sumo Cyco, and more.