Toronto’s TD Music Hall is set to kick off the holiday season with an evening of original music and festive collaboration, as the acclaimed songwriting duo Good Grief hosts The Inner Circle, Vol. 4 – Holiday Edition on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The event marks the latest installment in the Good Grief Presents series, a one-of-a-kind writers’ round that has gained a reputation for spotlighting some of Canada’s most promising songwriters. Hosted by Toronto-based artists and producers Bryn McCutcheon and Kirstyn Johnson — the duo known professionally as Good Grief — the show will feature a mix of live performances, creative storytelling, and the debut of new holiday music.
Holiday Debut and New Collaborations
This edition of The Inner Circle will also serve as the live premiere of Good Grief’s first holiday project, the Happy Home EP, set for release on November 7. The new record features collaborations with an impressive lineup of Canadian artists including Priyanka, NIIVA, Nicolina, Andye, Bryn (Good Grief), and Kirstyn Johnson (Good Grief).
“The night offers a one-of-a-kind writers’ round hosted by Toronto based songwriting and production duo, Good Grief (Bryn McCutcheon and Kirstyn Johnson),” the organizers announced. “This upcoming installment of Good Grief Presents not only marks the first ever holiday edition of the showcase, but also promises the exclusive performance of Good Grief’s 2025 debut EP, Happy Home, featuring a star-studded roster of artists to be announced soon.”
Capturing the Spirit of the Season
Recorded at both the Good Grief House and The Deane Cameron Recording Studio at Allied Music Centre, Happy Home explores the emotional range of the holiday season. Produced alongside co-producer Jake Kovacevic, the project moves beyond traditional festive music to express themes of nostalgia, change, and human connection.
“Happy Home strives to express the real, human experience of the holidays: nostalgia, longing, growing up, changing, self-acceptance, and — dare we say — a touch of friskiness,” the duo shared. “It’s a real and refreshing collection of songs that encourages listeners to strip away expectation and invite in whatever this season might bring.”
The combination of original songwriting and live performance reflects a growing movement in Toronto’s independent music scene — one that blends professional artistry with a sense of community and authenticity.
A Platform for Emerging Voices
The Inner Circle showcases have become known for their intimate atmosphere, where songwriters share not just their music but the stories behind it. With the holiday edition, Good Grief aims to extend that spirit to a season often filled with both celebration and reflection.
Tickets for the November 27 performance are available now through www.tdmusichall.com or by calling the Massey Hall box office at 416-872-4255.
A Home for Creative Collaboration
TD Music Hall, located at 178 Victoria Street in downtown Toronto, is part of the newly opened Allied Music Centre — Canada’s multi-venue cultural hub dedicated to live music and creative development. The 500-capacity venue provides a space for emerging and established artists to connect with audiences in a state-of-the-art setting.
“Allied Music Centre unveils TD Music Hall, a state-of-the-art 500-capacity performance space that offers a hotbed of activity with a new stage for emerging Canadian talent and international touring artists,” the venue stated. “It is also a destination for music students and community groups to immerse themselves in dedicated programming and events with the goal of inspiring future generations of performers and music fans.”
Allied Music Centre’s broader campus also includes the historic Massey Hall, the Muskoka Spirits Basement Bar, and The Deane Cameron Recording Studio — the same space where Happy Home was recorded. “Creative opportunities abound at Allied Music Centre,” the organization notes, highlighting its role in nurturing Canadian artistry across genres and generations.
Looking Ahead
For McCutcheon and Johnson, Good Grief Presents: The Inner Circle – Vol. 4 represents both a celebration and a milestone — their first foray into holiday music and their growing influence as curators in Toronto’s songwriting community.
As anticipation builds for Happy Home and its live debut, the event promises to bring warmth, introspection, and a distinctly Canadian voice to this year’s holiday season.
Tickets are on sale now for Good Grief Presents: The Inner Circle, Vol. 4 – Holiday Edition, taking place November 27, 2025, at TD Music Hall in Toronto.
