Long celebrated as the frontwoman of Canadian post-punk outfit FRIGS and as a vocalist in Orville Peck’s band, Bria Salmena culminates her artistic evolution on her debut solo album Big Dog, set for release on March 28th via Royal Mountain in Canada and Sub Pop for the remainder of the world. Anchored by her commanding voice, the album chronicles a story of transformation – a deeply personal exploration of resilience and a declaration of artistic independence.
Following the release of Stretch the Struggle, today Salmena shares her latest single, Hammer, a fractured pop anthem that feels especially timely. Originally written as a love song, Hammer has since taken on new weight – as an empowering affirmation of resilience that is central to Big Dog, and arriving at a time when that feels more essential than ever.
“I’ve been struggling lately to find some light, to find strength in this current global dumpster fire,” says Salmena. “My personal troubles aside I feel as though this song resonates in a different way to me now. Whether I realized it or not, ‘you are a hammer’ and ‘you are a big dog’ became words of encouragement for myself, and in a way, the mantra for the record.”
The official video for Hammer, directed by Matthew Tammaro and Rebecca Cianfrini (who also shot the album’s artwork and press photos), is out now.
Salmena has expanded the previously announced shows in North America, with UK/EU dates to follow in May. See below for a full list of upcoming tour dates. Tickets are now available via Bria Salmena’s official website.
Tour dates:
Wed. Apr. 02 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Fri. Apr. 04 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s
Sat. Apr. 05 – San Francisco, CA – Make Out Room
Tue. Apr. 08 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
Wed. Apr. 09 – Portland, OR – Swan Dive
Fri. Apr. 11 – Visilia, CA – Cellar Door
Sat. Apr. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
Fri. Apr. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Lounge
Sat. Apr. 26 – Kingston, NY – Tubby’s
Sun. Apr. 27 – New York, NY – Baby’s All Right
Tue. Apr. 29 – Baltimore, ML – Metro Baltimore
Wed. Apr. 30 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
Thu. May 01 – Nashville, TN – The Blue Room
Fri. May 02 – Cincinnati, OH – Southgate House Revival
Sat. May 03 – Chicago, IL – Hideout
Wed. May 07 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
Fri. May 09 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
Mon. May 12 – Manchester, UK – YES
Tue. May 13 – London, UK – The Lexington
Wed. May 14 – Brighton, UK – The Great Escape Festival
Fri. May 16 – Amsterdam, NL – London Calling Festival
Sat. May 17 – Rotterdam, NL – Roodkapje
Mon. May 19 – Paris, FR – La Boule Noire
Tue. May 20 – Köln, DE – Jaki
Thur. May 22 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub
Fri. May 23 – Copenhagen, DK – Loppen
Sat. May 24 – Stockholm, SE – Echo Three Festival
Sun. May 25 – Oslo, NO – Revolver
Tue. May 27 – Hamburg, DE – Häkken
Sat. July 5 – Orillia, ON – Mariposa Folk Festival
