'F-105 II: BABY MAKES THREE MIX' OUT MAY 4
Din to host new weekly LOLA'S LIVE OPEN MIC MONDAY'S WITH F-105 starting Sept.9.24
F-105 SUMMER TOUR 2024 kicks off in LA on Sun Jul 28 and ends with a performance at FANEXPO Toronto late Aug.23.24
Din to sing with JUNO nominated and BILLBOARD charting Sultans Of String at Downie Wenjack event WALKING THROUGH FIRE in Burlington Oct 22 2023
The full band is in the studio with our label Meriläinen Music to record 'F-105 II: SIDE A. To be released 2024
F-105 'DIY Hero's Journey' Panel at FANEXPO Canada Sun Aug.28.22
F-105 SUMMER TOUR 2022: From LA To Thunder Bay video playlist here
Din presents the DIY Hero's Journey panel at Toronto COMICON 2022 with performances by F-105
'Evergreen' nominated for best 'Folk' video at the 2022 CANADIAN INDEPENDANT MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS
Quotes
"I'm hooked. "Toys" is quite the funky little workout. Played it for my wife, she was dancing. "Songs For Our Kids" is a great bit of retro 1979 Brit-punk. And I think "(You Say You're) Not Special" might be the tune that resonates the most. This needs to be put in front of young people everywhere. It's a great message and could help someone with low self-esteem.
Great material and I love the voice. Soothing, and authoritative all at once.”
– JAIMIE VERNON, The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia
"Can honestly say that the world is in for a treat with the new mixes of the already fantastic F-105 III songs!"
– DOMINIC JONES, The SWU podcast
"F-105 III differs from his previous EP. With the world in an unprecedented period of change, Din sought to explore what is left behind for younger generations, which is most evident in the groovy yet cerebral lead single Toys.”
– CANADIAN BEATS
"The EP [F015 II Side B] is so acoustic and folky that we found ourselves wanting to feature it here... the themes of the album relate to self-reflection, the places we’ve gone in our lives and one’s place in the universe"
– ROOTS MUSIC CANADA
"Finally Found a Way from F-105 11: Side B: is really a grade A tune that both rocks and rolls, and all with little more than an acoustic guitar and a lot of heart. It will put a spring in your step"
- PHIL TAYLOR, Erin Radio 91.7 FM Music Director
“Evergreen made me feel instantly uplifted. It reaches in and instills hope, it has the same effect for me as The Beatles ‘Let It Be’, comforted that things will be ok. Meaningful and beautiful. Also, Shades of Neil Young and Bono”
– KATE MATUSZEWSKI, President, Elliot Lake Entertainment Series
"Love what I'm hearing. The singer-songwriter genre is sadly lacking these days. 'Evergreen' has a full on James Taylor vibe, and 'If I Were About To Die' is more contemporary - love the message and backing vocal call and response."
– JAIMIE VERNON, The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia
"I'm listening to Finally Found A Way and this is a real deal folk-rock jam!"
– CHANCELOR MARACLE, CFRC 101.9 FM Kingston ON
"If I Were About To Die incorporates intriguing vocal harmonies, and Finally Found A Way features a nice fat sound with acoustic guitar and harmonica playing a swingy groove. Bull Out Of The Gate has a country rock edge to it.
Evergreen is the lead track, a love song with a northern geography woven into the words. The song is not afraid to situate itself along the Canadian Shield or Muskoka Waters, like the steadfast evergreen of its title."
– ANYA WASSENBERG, Art and Culture Maven
"Loved 'Rebel Girl', and the timely message of the chorus. Really dug the bass line, the octave vocals, and that keyboard solo, total Ray Manzarek vibe/ Break on Through, yeah! The 80s alt 60s acid vibe fits the rebellious spirit nicely."
– DAVID W. COLLINS, Lucasfilm / The Soundtrack Show host
"F105 is exactly what you’d expect from a band who’s stolen their name from the most mysterious elements of Canadian aerospace myth and legend [CF-105 Avro Arrow]. Like its name sake, F105 brings the listener on a journey that is sleek in design, cutting the edge of all sonic barriers before them and landing the listener in the heart of every matter they’ve put to tape, track after track. One part geek-dom, one part rock and one part solid musicianship, equate to an album that pushes the listener into the stratosphere of the new can-pop-rock landscape."
– STEVE KRAUS, CKLU 96.7 FM Sudbury ON
"I just really like this artist"
– HOWIE ZOWIE, CHRW 94.9 FM London ON
"Din's vocals are raw and expressive. 'Viljo and Elsa' is a highlight of the album, a mesmerizing waltz about Finnish immigrants coming to Canada"
– ANYA WASSENBERG, Art and Culture Maven
"Very cool!!!! [Rebel Girl]"
– BONNIE BURTON, Author, CNET
"Two years is a long time to wait for an album, but I can promise you, F-105 was worth the wait. The music is always enjoyable and I love how he blends vocal sounds. Din’s lyrics are sometimes fun, sometimes serious and always thought-provoking."
– MELISSA MINNERS, G-Pop album review
Video
NEW! '(YOU SAY YOU'RE) NOT SPECIAL' ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEO
Featuring original hand drawn or painted art by Din, which was then animated by AI
Listen
Live
About
F-105 III: Baby Makes Three Mix is the definitive "band" mix of F-105 III, produced by original self-titled debut LP co-producer and drummer, Alex Mine.
F-105 has released 1 LP and 2 EPs since 2018. In 2018-19 Din toured 5 countries in support of the debut LP. F-105 II: Side B was released in 2021 and critically acclaimed by Canadian Folk music media. In 2023 F-105 toured Ontario, British Columbia and California in support F-105 III, including performances at the Star Wars Celebration Anaheim - the funky vibe of Golden Age Venice Beach LA seems so have seeped into "Toys (Peace Frogs of Venice Mix)". F-105 has performed at music festivals, fan conventions, concert venues, clubs and bars across Canada, the US and Europe.
Din’s themes as a lyricist span a wide gamut. On Baby Makes Three Mix he delves into how companies are trying to transfer human consciousness to digital in “Toys (Peace Frogs of Venice Mix”; how today’s youth are growing up with despair from the threats of climate change and unaffordability of living in “Songs For Our Kids (End of The World Mix)”; as well as the effects of celebrity culture in “(You Say You’re) Not Special”.
In its three releases, F-105 has explored genres ranging from the indie rock of “Desert Planet”, to the alt country rock of “Mileage”. Authentic folk tracks like "Finally Found A Way" and “Evergreen” are offered. On Baby Makes Three, F-105 goes full on funk in "Toys, pop-punk on “Songs for Our Kids”, and finally the waltzy ballad of “Not Special". Din’s former project, The Soles, had significant success on commercial with the experimental electronic rock EP Anodos Kathodos (2014), which was spun daily for years on satellite and FM radio with the songs “Rebel Force Radio” and “Emergency”. The Soles’ Broken Ghost EP (2011) was a college radio hit charting across Canada, which blended indie rock, folk, punk, and reggae.
As the principal songwriter of both F-105 and The Soles, Din has explored Indigenous issues on songs like “No Man’s Land” from the debut F-105 LP. “Sky (In the Name of You)” off The Soles You Burst into Fire Again LP (2010), was co-written with Indigenous artist Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan), - as well as songs like “Whisper” and “The Unknown” of the 5th and final The Soles release, Sand in The Sun LP (2016). These songs sprang from decades of experience being an activist or Indigenous rights. At Grassy Narrows First Nations Blockade Ontario, Din was awarded the Eagle Feather by the Elders of the community and was asked to help inform his fellow settlers. He humbly considers this to be his greatest accolade.
Din is also an established Canadian visual artist, who has completed several major public commissions and installations, and his work has been published nationally in print and online media. Part of his vision has always been the marriage of his audio and visual art - of which F-105 III: Baby Makes Three Mix is a good example – the cover art being a digitally altered drawing of his niece listening to music.
F-105 III: Baby Makes Three Mix is released via Meriläinen Music Inc.
Highlights and Press
• F-105 III interview with Din at CanadianBeats.ca
• 'Evergreen' nominated for best 'Folk' video at the 2022 Canadian Independent Music Video Awards February, 2022
• Din to present The DIY Hero's Journey panel at Toronto ComiCon 2022 with performances from F-105 March 18, 2021
• F-105 journey into 'Outer Space' - Fantha Tracks May 4, 2021
• Commerical radio debut of F-105 II: Side B on Erin Radio 91.7 FM March 28, 2021
• F-105 II: Side B feature article in Roots Music Canada March 2021
• 'Outer Space (I'm Coming Home)' debuts on Skywalking Through Neverland, The Star Wars Underworld, and Culture Slate podcasts March 2021
• F-105 II: Side B review by Art And Culture Maven March 17, 2021
• Songs from F-105 II: Side B makes college radio debut on CIUT (Toronto), Radio Crown (Baltimore), CFRU (Guelph), CHRW (London ON) Feb/Mar 2021, and Desert Planet Disks (Podcast) etc. February/March 2021
• Din's panel on the Hero's Journey in his songwriting at the first ever virtual Star Wars festival August 2020
• Story of debut album song 'Viljo And Elsa' featured in Finish-Canadian cultural magazine October 2019
• 'F-105 First Flight World Tour' concluded with four shows in at Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019 - video
• Debut album featured on 94.9 CHRW London Ontario January 2019
• Din hosted CIUT 89.5 FM 'Ruby Slippers' show in Toronto, incl. F-105 songs October 2018
• Completed F-105 First Flight World Tour (Leg 1). Entire tour video playlist here September 2018
• Canadian Beats F-105 album review September 2018
• Art and Culture Maven F-105 album review August 2018
• G-Pop F-105 album review August 2018
• Performance at Skylight festival in London, Ontario July 2018
• Rebel Girl plays with interview on national CBC radio with interview July 2018
• Continued weekly feature of album tracks at CIUT FM Toronto June 2018
• Rebel Girl debuts live with interview on Skywalking Through Neverland March 2018
• Completed a 20 show solo tour, from Victoria BC to Orlando FL to workshop F-105 songs January-April 2017
• Din appeared live at Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017 Podcast Stage April 12, 2017
Live Highlights
• Din performed with JUNO nominated BILLBOARD charting Sultans of String at Burlington Performing Arts Centre Oct 22 2023
• F-105 California Tour 2022 incl. live at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim May 26-June 2
• F-105 Live at Toronto ComiCon 2022 Mar 18, 2022
• F-105 Live in Victoria BC Dec 22, 2021
• F-105 Live at Finn Festival Canada 2021 Jun 21-25 2021
• F-105 Live at Skylight Festival Paris ON Jul 17 & 18, 2021
• F-105 live at Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019
• Full 'F-105 First Flight World Tour' Live YouTube Playlist 2018-2019
• F-105 live at Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017
• Din sings at World Cup Of Hockey 2017
• Din performed on CHCH Morning Live in Hamilton with his group The Soles Feb 15, 2017
• Din headlines Grace Hartman Amphitheatre, Sudbury ON with his group The Soles Aug 2013
• Din sings at Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010