Get to know some of the artists playing across Best Fit's two official showcases at this year's M for Montréal
Every November, M for Montréal transforms venues across the city into a meeting place for emerging artists, tastemakers, and music fans looking for their next favourite band. For artists arriving from across Canada, it's also a chance to bring a piece of their hometown scene to new audiences.
For twenty-one years, M for Montréal — part multi-venue music festival, part industry conference — has showcased some of Canada's best emerging artists early in their careers, contributing to the development of artists like Mac DeMarco, Grimes, Men I Trust, and Charlotte Cardin. The latest success story is undoubtedly Québec's polka dotted, masked math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine, who played to a packed room at Ausgang Plaza last year, leading to international booking representation with Roam Agency just months before their global takeover in 2026.
This year, The Line of Best Fit joins forces with M for Montréal for two official showcases on 19 November, bringing together artists whose music has been shaped by the communities they call home. At Quai des Brumes, Winnipeg's Virgo Rising will bring their brooding, introspective indie rock alongside Sea of Lettuce and Hillsboro, while L'Escogriffe hosts Montréal's own Hélène Barbier, Vancouver's cherry pick, and Saskatoon's blind commentary.
With acts like Hillsboro drawing from the intersection of early-2000’s emo and post-hardcore, and blind commentary coining their own "prairie emo" sound, this year's lineup also reflects the enduring influence of the genre within Canada that stretches from the early days of Moneen, Alexisonfire, Gulfer, Respire, and more recently bands like PUP and Concrete Vehicles. Perhaps it's something about growing up in places where long winters, geographic isolation, and tight-knit communities leave plenty of room for angsty introspection.
Ahead of the festival, we caught up with all six artists to talk about representing their local scenes at M for Montréal, which songs they'd recommend to first-time listeners, and their tips for making the most of the city if you're heading to the festival yourself.
cherry pick
What began as a creative outlet during cherry pick's final year of high school has quickly become one of Vancouver's exciting new fixtures in its underground shoegaze scene. After their previous band dissolved in 2023 due to their lead vocalist moving to Alberta, Cherry began writing and releasing music under the name cherry pick, building a devoted following through fuzzed-out guitars and delicate melodies. With their latest EP :3 behind them and a debut album in the works, cherry pick is only getting louder.
I would describe my sound as... Horse Jumper of Love meets Wednesday who is acquainted with Mannequin Pussy and Julie.
You should start here with my music: Maybe “aster”. It’s the most “pop”-ish song I have and it’s also super fun. It might be the song I am most proud of overall. Might.
The Vancouver music scene... is awesome because I kind of grew up in it. I know everyone’s name and am friends with so many awesome people and great bands who push me to want to be better. Getting inspired by your friends is such an awesome feeling, and I love watching everyone work so, so hard to achieve whatever they’re trying to do. I feel really motivated by the collective push towards something that still feels out of our reach right now. I think the scene has shaped my sound so immensely because when you’re constantly watching your friends play and listening to their music, you start picking up little things from everyone without even realizing it.
One artist from the scene you need to hear is... Hillsboro. They have one of my favourite, favourite live sets ever and I’m so excited to see them this year at M for Montréal. Also Jian is a super super dope local Vancouver project that I’m very excited about.
One thing I'm going to do in Montréal is... buy an iced matcha and thrift for like 5 hours.
When someone gives me the aux, you're gonna hear...“if you wanna party, come over to my house” - fcukers / “Gimme More” - Britney Spears / “Blow” - Kesha / “Judas” - Lady Gaga / “Work Bitch” - Britney Spears
Up next for me is... I released an EP in June that is pretty cool. We are currently working on an album and will be playing some unreleased stuff at the show. I’m really stoked and proud of how the new stuff is sounding live.
Follow cherry pick on Instagram and Bandcamp
blind commentary
Saskatoon's blind commentary have found their own name for the music they make: “prairie emo.” The four-piece consisting of Sam Thomson (rhythm/lead guitar), Lia Swenson (drums/vocals), Liam Jones (bass/vocals), and Bailey Quinney (rhythm/lead guitar), channel their experiences of growing up queer in small-town Saskatchewan into songs about belonging and the complicated relationship with the place they call home. “We were all involved in the same community, constantly crossing paths at shows, and eventually found ourselves making music together. Our current lineup is the most genuine reflection of who we are, both as musicians and as people,” the band shares with Best Fit. Their shared musical vision comes together on their debut album, greatsword, releasing in November.
We would describe our sound as... 'midwest emo, but made in Saskatchewan'. To us, midwest emo has always been about seemingly ordinary experiences, the mundane parts of growing up, relationships, nostalgia, and the uncertainty of growth, all shaped by suburban/small-living life in the American Midwest.
We're writing about those same experiences, but through the lens of growing up in the Canadian prairies. our environment, the distance between places/experiences, and the feeling of wanting something bigger while still being attached to where you're from. That really influences the music we make. That's why we've come to describe our sound as prairie emo. It's our own interpretation of a genre we love, dedicated to our roots.
You should start here with our music: "trapped in the walls", the first single released from our debut album, greatsword. We think it's one of the best introductions to both our sound and the themes we explore throughout the album.
The Saskatoon music scene is... special because of how tight-knit and supportive it is, regardless of a musician's/project's/band's size or genre. There's a genuine appreciation for the different kinds of music coming out of Saskatchewan, and that support extends beyond any particular scene.
For example, blu beach band makes indie rock, but they can appreciate the heavier emo music we make, and vice versa. We can also appreciate artists like Katie Tupper and the R&B influences she brings to Saskatchewan's landscape. Despite how different our sounds might be, there's a mutual admiration for what everyone is creating.
There are so many shows happening in Saskatoon, and what makes them special is that they aren't necessarily divided by genre. People show up for the music, it's a scene where artists genuinely want to see each other succeed.
Some artists from Saskatchewan you need to hear are... Drivesafe, Blu Beach Band, and Bitterfly are projects that should get a lot more recognition.
One thing we're going to do in Montréal is... Sam's interested in visiting Leonard Cohen’s grave, Bailey & Liam are interested in trying authentic poutine and visiting Old Montréal. Lia is excited to try Pizza Bouquet.
Bailey's most excited to generally visit Montréal for the first time and connect more with the central canadian scene; being in Saskatoon makes us a bit' landlocked.
When someone gives us the aux, you're gonna hear... “Pogo” by Digitalism / “This Bliss” by Accelera Deck / “VPN” by Lil Ugly Mane / “The Perfect Kiss” by New Order / “I Don't Know Why I Said That” by Me as a Girl
Up next for us is... our debut album, greatsword, released on 1 November. It's an eight-track record that's a culmination of the sound we've been developing and the direction we've been gravitating towards. It's a record worth listening to from beginning to end, especially for anyone wanting to understand who we are and the music we're making right now.
Follow blind commentary on Instagram and Bandcamp.
Sea of Lettuce
Calgary, Alberta, is known for harsh winters rather than beach culture, but Sea of Lettuce is making music in the city that sounds like the soundtrack to an endless summer. Blending surf rock and laid-back guitar melodies, the four-piece began as a recording project between longtime friends Daniel L'Amarca and vocalist Wojtek Musial in 2017. Since then, they've expanded into a full band featuring Dylan Hameluck and Caolán Ayres, amassed more than 30 million streams, and released a new collection of sun-drenched songs with their latest EP, Open Doors, which they’re bringing live to Montréal for the first time.
We would describe our sound as... sunny indie rock that often gets described as having “beachy” vibes. This can be felt throughout our discography, with each release mixing together aspects of surf rock and indie pop to create catchy hooks and lush instrumentals. Our music feels meant to be listened to while enjoying days in the sun.
You should start here with our music: Our track “Future Endeavours”. This song kicks off our 2024 album Any Day Now, and it feels like a great introduction to both that specific album and our entire catalogue in general. The instrumental really captures our band’s sound while having some of our most meaningful and personal lyrics.
Calgary is a very under-the-radar place for catching great live music... and we have been lucky to both watch and play with lots of amazing bands over the years. The venues play a huge role in making it special, whether it’s The Palomino, Dickens, King Eddy, or countless other spots around the city. The memories we’ve made at these places directly influence our songwriting, and our sound is shaped not only by the music scene but also the city itself, which I think many Calgary bands would agree with. The downtown area, artistic communities, large seasonal changes, and the sunny days, these all play a part in defining the music we make.
An artist from Calgary you need to hear is... a great band named Zoo!. We recently toured with these guys and they make some really good surf rock that translates into unreal live shows. Keep an eye out for them if they ever tour through Montréal.
One thing we're going to do in Montréal is... I have heard amazing things about Fairmount Bagel, so that is definitely on my list of foods to try. We are all big hockey fans as well, so we would love to check out a hockey game at the Bell Centre and feel the vibes at one of the most iconic arenas in the sport. This will be our first time performing in Montréal, and to do it surrounded by other fantastic artists in a festival setting is really exciting. I personally can’t wait for the conversations with other musicians and industry members, since this is a unique opportunity to develop some new relationships that could have long-term impacts on our band. Getting to watch some of the other artists from the Official Showcase perform will probably be my highlight!
When someone gives me the aux, you're gonna hear... To keep the energy high at the afterparty I’ll go with some good dance-y music, with “Peace Blossom Boogy” by Babe Rainbow, “You and I” by Jakob, and “Take It or Leave It” by Cage The Elephant.
Up next for us is... our most recent EP Open Doors came out earlier this year, and we think it serves as a great intro to our sound for new audiences! Hopefully the people discovering us at the festival for the first time will enjoy this collection of songs, and use it as a launching point for checking out some of the other projects within our discography. More music is on the way in early 2027!
Follow Sea of Lettuce on Instagram and Bandcamp
Hillsboro
Born out of the basement shows and DIY spaces of Victoria and Vancouver, Hillsboro make the kind of music that wears its heart on its sleeve, best enjoyed at full volume. Fronted by Nima Walker, the five-piece pull from emo and post-hardcore, with violin tenderly weaved throughout. The band's roots stretch back to childhood and high school band classes, starting with a teenage DIY project called ACAB Rocky. “Nima first met them going to basement shows, ACAB was his favourite local band, although we really didn’t like each other for the first few years,” Hillsboro tells Best Fit.
Eventually, the musicians found common ground, forming Hillsboro and later establishing their own label, play dead, to champion the community around them. Their latest three-track EP, this is me if i was you, arrives just ahead of M for Montréal.
We would describe our sound as... We have been completely obsessed with music from a young age, the challenge is always describing what we do to people who maybe haven't been so obsessed, not because the music is inaccessible but because there are so many reference points and points of inspiration colliding at once. To simplify it we are a Midwest Emo band that pulls from noise pop, post-hardcore, lofi and whatever else feels true to our world. In a way we are genre agnostic, but most importantly I think we aim to take the highs and lows of our lives and express our experiences through our music in a way that hopefully others can relate to.
You should start here with our music: Our newest release “My God” off our upcoming EP this is me if i was you truly feels like our most fully realised work to date. It’s like a mission statement for where we are going but true to everything we’ve made so far. It’s undeniably Hills. It’s the first song we allowed ourselves to create really quickly, and because of that it feels like the most honest document we have in terms of how we feel and sound right now.
The Vancouver music scene is... in such a great place right now – there is a serious cultural renaissance happening. The level of talent and musical diversity with new artists is honestly staggering. Thanks to some incredible DIY spaces and through our label ‘play dead’ we all get the chance to place our work in constant conversation with our peers and audience in real time. The community supports itself, it pushes us to be at our best, to hone the things that make us unique and to be a part of each other's success in a tangible way.
An artist from Vancouver you need to hear is... Vancouver is so incredibly rich with talent right now it's impossible to just choose one. Scarlet Fever are straight up writing catchier songs than anyone and they share members with gnawing who is also incredible. I never get tired of seeing them. And of course it's fantastic to see our friends PISS and Concrete Vehicles doing so well.
One thing we're going to do in Montréal is...More than anything I'm looking forward to reconnecting with friends and getting a sense of their life. So many of our dearest friends have moved to Montréal over the last few years and I've hardly had a chance to visit. I want to eat what they eat everyday, I want to walk where they walk, and see what they see! We want to go to some DIY shows if we can. I also really love the art museums there and all the old architecture.
We’re excited to connect with the Canadian and international music scene and to share not only our own music, but also the artists we help on our label. There is honestly so much incredible music our friends make that needs to be on their radar. Being on the West Coast we haven’t spent a lot of time with those based out East so it will be great to hang out with our pen pals, new friends, and share our music with a wider international audience.
When someone gives me the aux, you're gonna hear... Front to back listens of Rae Sremmurd - SremmLife and Fetty Wap - S/T hahahaha. I want Saosin, french house, “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne needs to play at least twice, Deftones’ Around the Fur and then to end the night Four Tet followed by Eno and Fripp - “No Pussyfutting” for the kids coming down.
Up next for us is... Just a week before the festival our new three-song EP this is me if i was you will be coming out. A Party in Your Name was our most recent release and means a lot to us. We have also finished recording our next full length! It’s our love letter to emo and it’s the most proud we’ve ever been of any music we’ve ever made. Expect to hear that album some time in 2027!
Follow Hillsboro on Instagram and Bandcamp.
Hélène Barbier
Montréal's Hélène Barbier first found her footing in the city's underground scene with indie rock projects Moss Lime and Phern before a birthday gift from friends in the form of a sound card inspired her to start recording music on her own. “Turns out it’s pretty fun to be your own bandmate,” Barbier tells Best Fit.
Her third solo album, Panorama, released in 2025, turns everyday observations and personal anxieties into nine wonderfully peculiar pop songs. Barbier also co-founded the independent label Celluloid Lunch, an important fixture in Montréal's experimental music community that includes local favourites Laughing, The Submissives, Feeling Figures, and more.
I would describe my sound as... pop music but a little sideways. Press releases say avant-pop and indie rock.
You should start here with my music: “Marcel,” because it was the first song I wrote for Panorama. Playing the bass line is very fun live.
The Montréal music scene is... Montréal has changed a lot over the years, but I love that people here will encourage you just for trying to do something. I probably wouldn’t be making music if it wasn't for the support I got when I was in my first band.
An artist from Montréal you need to hear is... Garden of Love. Go listen! They only have good songs and are amazing live.
One thing you should do in Montréal is... I’d recommend eating at Orange Julep and climbing the mountain to see the whole city at once. Very sophisticated cultural activities.
When someone gives me the aux, you're gonna hear... An eclectic mix of songs, probably a few things nobody asked for: The Spice Girls and, Beat Happening.
Up next for me is... I’m writing a new record, so currently I’m mostly hanging out with songs that don’t exist yet. In the meantime, check out “Kindness in a Cup”, the opening song of my latest album.
Follow Hélène Barbier on Instagram and Bandcamp.
Virgo Rising
Winnipeg's Virgo Rising formed in 2018 by vocalist and guitarist Emily Sinclair and sisters Jenna and Lauren Wittmann, developing a sound built around diary-like lyricism, textured guitars, and lo-fi experimentation. “We stayed in touch with Emily over social media, where she'd often post videos of herself playing cover songs,” the band tells Best Fit. Their early EPs, Sixteenth Sapphire and Vampyre Year, mirror the complexities of coming of age, while their self-produced debut album, Wishbone, released in October, marks a new phase of maturity.
I would describe our sound as... authentic, thoughtful indie rock. We like to play with contrast and dynamics, often moving between brooding tension and static bursts of energy. We try to approach every choice we make collaboratively and with intention.
You should start here with our music... “Wishbone”, the title track off our new album. We think it really captures our sound right now, which makes it feels like a good starting point.
The Winnipeg music scene is... very rich music with a longstanding history; we feel very grateful to be part of it. Neil Young and John K. Samson were incredibly influential to us growing up. Once we started playing shows, we realized how close knit the indie scene is in the city. There’s so many talented artists, and we all have close relationships with the local promoters and venues. Being a smaller city, we think it also had a part in shaping our DIY approach to music making and music business.
Another artist from Winnipeg you need to hear is... Jamboree! They're another indie rock band from Winnipeg. We got to know them when we first started playing shows, they're super talented and super nice!
One thing we're going to do in Montréal is... try our first authentic Montréal smoked meat sandwich!
When someone gives me the aux, you're gonna hear... Talking Heads, Bassvictim, and Horsegirl
Up next for me is... We just released our debut full-length album, Wishbone. It’s out now on digital platforms as well as vinyl and CD..
Follow Virgo Rising on Instagram and Bandcamp
Find out more at mpourmontreal.com
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