I had the pleasure of seeing Nardos Almaz open for Toronto-based artists CJ Wiley and Sister Ray this past year. Each time, I left wanting more from this magnetic performer whose wild energy, emotional vocals, and sharp lyricism filled the room—especially when her band later took the stage to perform her debut single, “18 Months.”
Time stood still for exactly three minutes and fifty-one seconds when Almaz performed “Stage Dive,” the second track on her debut EP, Close Contact. The song captures the tumbling inner monologue of a breakup you know needs to happen, even as you’re still asking why. The recorded version is just as wandering, conflicted, and stunning.
The rest of the EP is threaded with frank, tender lyricism—even when Almaz leans into the impulse to “Punch you out” in “Chew Me Up.” Tight guitar melodies carry these heartbreak anthems to unexpected heights, grounding their emotional honesty in full-bodied indie rock.
On November 13, Almaz celebrated her first headlining show at the Rivoli in Toronto, delivering a high-energy performance of the full EP alongside three surprise covers: “Linger” by The Cranberries, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, and “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers—a song she described as her personal gateway into the world of rock music.
She was joined by Toronto-based singer-songwriter Marielle Divino, who immediately captivated the audience with a dreamy set of alternative R&B and indie-pop originals, elevated by the enchantment of a live harp. Wicked cool.
During my interview with Almaz, she shared that she hopes this EP will encourage more women and queer people of colour to stake their claim in the indie-rock genre. She reflected on a recent moment when one of her songwriting students cited her as a model for what’s possible—a reminder of the quiet triumphs that cut through the grind of self-discipline, ceaseless creativity, and the strength expected of independent artists navigating intersecting identities in a too often oppressive industry. For Almaz, it felt like proof of what can grow when you follow your heart into this profession. To quote Alamaz, “And we are just getting rock-ier!”