VANCOUVER — Canadian rock veterans SLIP~ons are set to release their second EP, Overtime, on Feb. 20, 2026, positioning the guitar-driven Vancouver quartet to build on recent radio play and media exposure while reaffirming their place in the country’s independent music sector.
The new release, arriving via independent label Scamindy, represents the latest chapter for a band whose members bring decades of experience across Canada’s music industry, from punk roots to mainstream pop touring.
Fronted by Brock Pytel, formerly of Montreal pop-punk group Doughboys, and anchored by bassist Brian Minato, a longtime collaborator with Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, SLIP~ons have positioned themselves as a seasoned act in a competitive independent market increasingly shaped by streaming economics and legacy credibility.
Their new EP takes its name from hockey’s sudden-death extra period, using the concept as a thematic device. The record explores broader subject matter than the band’s earlier work, reflecting both personal and social perspectives.
“I made it all the way through side A without a single song about a breakup,” Pytel said.
The project was recorded at Vancouver’s Afterlife Studios, formerly known as Mushroom Studios, with producer John Raham, whose credits include Canadian artists such as Dan Mangan and Tanya Tagaq. Mixing was handled by Dave Ogilvie, known for his work with industrial band Skinny Puppy, while mastering was completed by Ronan Chris Murphy, whose portfolio includes King Crimson.
The involvement of experienced production talent reflects a broader trend in Canada’s independent music sector, where established musicians increasingly invest in high-quality recording and production to compete globally despite operating outside major label systems.
SLIP~ons’ origins date back more than a decade, when Pytel and Minato began collaborating in 2012. The lineup was later completed with guitarist Rob Matharu and drummer Shane Wilson, forming a group focused on direct, guitar-centric songwriting.
Pytel’s own career trajectory illustrates the unconventional paths often taken by Canadian musicians. After early success touring North America in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he stepped away from the industry entirely.
“I had a habit of going to extremes,” Pytel recalls. “At the time it never occurred to me that I could deepen my practice of meditation and play in a touring punk rock band. It was just, ‘I’m going to shave my head and become a monk.’”
He eventually returned to music, bringing both experience and perspective that now shape the band’s output.
The release of Overtime follows the group’s earlier EP Heavy Machinery, which generated more than 60 international media mentions and secured airplay across major Canadian outlets, including public broadcaster CBC and satellite radio provider SiriusXM.
Coverage from domestic music publication Exclaim! and television network Global News helped raise the band’s profile beyond core indie audiences.
Such exposure highlights the importance of radio and media support in sustaining Canadian independent artists, who often rely on a combination of touring, merchandise, and licensing revenue to remain financially viable.
Industry analysts note that veteran musicians with established reputations can hold a competitive advantage in the fragmented digital marketplace, where discoverability remains a challenge for emerging acts.
SLIP~ons’ members exemplify this dynamic, leveraging both legacy credentials and new creative output to maintain relevance.
The band describes Overtime as lean and focused, emphasizing efficiency in songwriting and production. That approach aligns with broader shifts in the industry, where shorter releases such as EPs have become a cost-effective way to maintain audience engagement without the financial risk of full-length albums.
With its February release, the EP is expected to reinforce the group’s standing in Canada’s indie rock ecosystem while potentially opening doors for additional touring and licensing opportunities.
For SLIP~ons, the release marks less a comeback than a continuation.
After decades in music, the band is still operating on its own terms — and betting that experience, combined with new material, can translate into sustained momentum in a changing business landscape.