Photo by Damann Singh @damaann_
Contact:
Julie Olive | SHY FRiEND creator
jubs@shyfriend.com
BIOGRAPHY:
SHY FRiEND is what happens when a queer, prairie-based, chronically-online & toxically self-determined artist faces the realities of the music industry in late-stage capitalism. SHY FRiEND is brutally honest, tragically dramatic, & full of feminine rage, and has been turning the Alberta music scene into a church for the queer, alt, pop & punk misfits to share in since 2023 while experiencing the sonic equivalent of their mantra “TO BE CRINGE IS TO BE FREE”.
Band Members:
Julie Olive | frontperson
Braiden May | lead guitar
Maria Bustos | keys / backup vox
Milo Clarke | drums
Gino Velasco | rhythm guitar / backup vox
Carter Randall | bass / backup vox
“Freaky Nightmare”
-Newest Release
Release date: August 20, 2025
Written by Julie Olive
Produced by Chris Dadge & Julie Olive
Recorded & Mixed by Chris Dadge
Mastered by Becki Whitton
With performances by: Braiden May (vocals/guitar), Ashley Tran (vocals/guitar), Maria Bustos (vocals), Milo Clarke (drums), Carter Randall (bass), and Julie Olive (vocals/guitar)
“Hammer The Screw” - popular release
Release date: June 28, 2024
Genre: emo, alt-pop
Written & Produced by Julie Olive
With performances by: Braiden May (guitar), Ashley Tran (vocals/guitar), Maria Bustos (vocals), Josh Chrun (drums), Carter Randall (bass), and Julie Olive (vocals/guitar)
Recording/Mixing Engineer: Brad Hawkins
Gaming Yeeter - “Juliegolive Puts On a Virtual Concert for 300,000 Redditors”
Music Shelf With Mustard - “A Frank Conversation with Julie G Olive”
Read Alberta - “Five Calgary Musical Acts to Catch at BIG Winter Classic”
Just Some Mustard - “Enjoying a Thunderstorm With SHY FRiEND””
Reverie Magazine - Song of the Day: SHY FRiEND - “Hammer The Screw”
Calgary Guardian - Five Minutes With: Calgary Alt-Pop Band SHY FRiEND
Reverie Magazine - Now’s the Time for Kue Varo and the Only Hopes, Window Lamp, Jolene Marie, Stucco, and Shy Friend
Reverie Magazine - Sled Island Day Three
Reverie Magazine - New Music Roundup: Tei Shi, Summerbruise, SHY FRiEND, and more
PRESS
Local Singles CJSW (Calgary, AB)
Going Underground WEQX (Manchester, NY)
The Eh! List - by Exclaim! (Spotify, Aug 22 2025)
LOVE IS LOVE (Spotify)
Edgy Indie (Spotify)
Daily Pills (Spotify)
NeverGrownUp (Spotify)
Kiraz Müzik (Spotify)
POP goes FAB (Youtube)
a.nneke93 (Spotify)
Bastido (Spotify)
Oleksandr Haidysh (Spotify)
Anton Panasiuk (Spotify)
RADIO / PLAYLISTS
NOTABLE QUOTES
“Here is the emotional intensity, expressiveness and fluency I was looking for! This composition can be listened to over and over again, this is a great production!”
“ I hope Julie realizes how many people she inspires and will continue inspiring.”
“Julie’s style is truly genre-defying, making her a true original in the industry. Her range as an artist allows for seamless transitions between writing and performing both upbeat bops and deeply emotive, soul-stirring sad songs.”
““SHY FRiEND was outstanding. [...] Their musicianship transcended the genre. [...] Listening to the singer- she was belting, absolute talent.[...]Their bass player emasculated me.[...] I will not be sleeping on SHY FRiEND.”
Unreleased song ‘No One, No One"“ live from Macewan University (Aug 2024).
MUSIC VIDEOS & LIVE FOOTAGE
"SICK OF IT!!" music video by SHY FRiEND (Dec 2023).
"lazy bones" music video by Emil Agopian (2023).
"fomo" (SHY FRiEND debut music video) by SHY FRiEND (April 2023).
Upcoming Record: “SNAGGLETOOTH”
Release date: October 10, 2025
Genre: indie-rock, alt-pop
Written & Produced by Julie Olive
With performances by: Braiden May (guitar), Ashley Tran (vocals/guitar), Maria Bustos (vocals), Josh Chrun (drums), Carter Randall (bass), and Julie Olive (vocals/guitar)
Recording/Mixing Engineer: Brad Hawkins
“Ferda Earf” performed live with Prairie People Sessions (Release: Jan 26, 2024).
"2009" live footage by Austin Dalke (Dec 2023).
"2009" music video by SHY FRiEND (2024).
