By David Farrell
You read that right!
There will be no newsletter released next Monday, Wednesday or Friday as the FYI team is taking a break to kick-back and enjoy a holiday break. We promise to return refreshed and ready to roll up our sleeves and get back to the business of the day on Monday, July 15. Until then, happy trails.
Cheers – Team FYI
Ruby Waters
After 10 weeks, the independent Ontario singer-songwriter's pop-rock hit takes the top spot.
Ruby Waters has a grip on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts.
The Ontario-born singer-songwriter climbs from No. 3 to No. 1 with “GET A GRIP” on the Modern Rock Airplay chart, dated Nov. 14. It marks her first-ever No. 1 song on any Billboard Canada chart — a major feat for an independent artist. It debuted on Modern Rock just 10 weeks ago, slowly climbing to the top.
On the track, Waters grapples with toxic relationship games, but instead focuses on her desire to let loose. “It's way too bright, let's turn down the lights / Getting a grip and letting it slip,” she sings in her classic rasp. “GET A GRIP” was produced by Waters and frequent collaborator Sam Jackson Willows, and sees the duo crafting an atmospheric track that’s elevated by grit, hypnotic cadences and a steamy groove.
Since her debut single in 2018, Waters has become a breakout Canadian indie rock act. She has scored two Juno nominations, opening slots for artists like City and Colour and Shakey Graves, multiple hits in Canada, plus millions of streams to her name — and all of it she accomplished independently.
“The main force [behind] my independence as an artist really comes down to the love and support I’ve had from my day one homies and fans throughout my whole ass musical journey, starting from back when I was singing on the street,” she told Billboard Canada in 2025. Waters was a performer at Billboard Canada Women In Music 2025.
Waters has secured a string of songs on the Airplay charts in the past couple of years, including “Wet T-Shirt,” and “Sour Patch.”
Since the release of Three Days Grace’s Alienation, multiple tracks from the project have landed on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts. Their latest is “Dominate,” which arrives at No. 30 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Initially released last June, the CanRock giants have flexed their chart power on both sides of the border, and this is the latest song to help them do that.
Echoing the raw spirit of their 2000s rock sound, “Dominate” has an energetic tempo that bursts into the chorus, creating an urgent and electrifying atmosphere. “This song’s about the fire that wakes you up when the world doesn’t,” co-vocalist Matt Walst says. “The sun doesn’t rise or set for you — it just keeps spinning. If you want something, really want it, you’ve gotta bleed for it.”
“Dominate” marks their second song on the Mainstream Rock chart this week, joining “Don’t Wanna Go Home Tonight,” which reached No. 1 in August but drops 4-7 this week. That track followed previous No. 1s, including “Kill Me Fast,” “Mayday” and “Apologies," all from 2025's Alienation.
Three Days Grace were on the cover of Billboard Canada's No. 1s issue last year, recognizing the major success of their reunion — the first since Adam Gontier rejoined the band and joined the new dual lead singer lineup — with an album that continues to pay off.
Following the major synch of The Beaches’ 2023 hit “Edge of the Earth” in Prime Video’s college drama Off Campus, the Toronto rock act’s song has experienced a resurgence on the Airplay charts. This week, the song debuts at No. 25 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It’s the track’s latest placement, joining its No. 12 spot on Contemporary Hit Radio/Top 40 and its 13-11 rise on Hot Adult Contemporary.
The Beaches have a second entry on the Airplay charts — their No Hard Feelings deluxe track, “Should’ve Known Better,” climbs 24-22 in its 27th week on the Modern Rock chart.
Two of Canada’s rising country acts are debuting on this week’s Canada Country Airplay chart. B.C. singer-songwriter Matt Kennedy is “Taking Chances” at No. 40, while Ontario native Sacha arrives at No. 52 with “Wild Hearts.”
Canadian songwriter Cameron Whitcomb’s hit “Kingdom of Fear” spends its fifth week at No. 1 the All-Format chart in what has turned out to be his biggest charting hit.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s Patient Zero, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Stupid Song” and Tame Impala & JENNIE’s collaboration “Dracula” hold down the No. 1 spots on AC, CHR/Top 40 and Hot AC.
Over on Country, Ella Langley rises two spots to No. 1 with “Loving Life Again.” It’s her second top 5 track, in addition to her duet with Koe Wetzel, “Jaded,” which climbs 6-5 this week.
Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.
