Tops (band)

Last updated
TOPS
TOPS 2022.jpg
(L–R) David Carriere, Jane Penny, Marta Cikojevic, and Riley Fleck in 2022
Background information
Origin Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels Arbutus, Musique TOPS
MembersJane Penny
David Carriere
Riley Fleck
Marta Cikojevic
Past membersThom Gillies
Madeline Glowicki
Jenni Roberts
Alana DeVito
Jackson MacIntosh

Tops (stylized in all capital letters as TOPS) is a Canadian indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec, which currently consists of Jane Penny, David Carriere, Riley Fleck, and Marta Cikojevic. They were formed in 2011 following the disbandment of synthpop group Silly Kissers, of which Carriere, Penny, and Gillies were members, along with Arbutus Records recording artist Sean Nicholas Savage. [1] TOPS are prominent within the Arbutus Records and Canadian indie music scenes. [2] Their debut album, Tender Opposites, was released on February 28, 2012, in Canada and the United States, and October 1, 2012, in the rest of the world, to generally positive reviews. The album was named the eighth best album of 2012 by Gorilla vs. Bear. [3] Their second studio album, Picture You Staring, was released in 2014 on Arbutus Records and featured artwork from LA-based artist Jessica Dean Harrison.

Contents

History

TOPS was founded in 2011 by childhood friends Jane Penny and David Carriere from Edmonton, Alberta. Penny and Carriere met drummer Riley Fleck at La Brique, the loft venue where they rehearsed for shows with their former band, Silly Kissers with Sean Nicholas Savage. [4]

In 2012, TOPS released their debut album, Tender Opposites, which received critical acclaim for its nostalgic yet refreshing approach to pop music. The album features former bassist Thom Gillies.

The band followed up with the release of Picture You Staring in 2014, [5] further solidifying their reputation for creating infectious tunes layered with intricate instrumentation and Penny's emotive singing.

Marta Cikojevic joined as keyboardist in 2017. [6]

The band wrote two songs for the 2025 film Mile End Kicks . [7]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles and EPs

Videos

YearVideoDirectorSources
2022"Janet Planet"Anthony Martino Maurice [8]
2020"Colder & Closer"Mashie Alam [9]
2020"I Feel Alive"Mashie Alam [10]
2019"Topless"Jane Penny [11]
2017"Marigold & Gray"Laura-Lynn Petrick [12]
2017"Further"Jane Penny [13]
2017"Petals"Jane Penny [14]
2015"Anything"Tommy Keith [15]
2015"Sleeptalker"Sadie Holliday [16]
2015"Driverless Passenger"Jason Harvey [17]
2014"Outside"Fantavious Fritz [18]
2014"Way to Be Loved"Fantavious Fritz [19]
2014"Change of Heart"David Carriere & Jane Penny [20]
2012"Turn Your Love Around"Graham Foy [21]
2012"Double Vision"David Carriere [22]
2012"Diamond Look"Marilis Cardinal [23]
2012"Rings of Saturn"Jasper Baydala [24]

Band members

Current members
Former members

References

  1. "TOPS Announce Debut Full-length 'Tender Opposites'". Exclaim!. 2012-01-16. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  2. "The Warehouse Pop Of Arbutus Records". Dazed Digital. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  3. "gorilla vs. bear's albums of 2012". Gorilla Vs. Bear. 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  4. "TOPS of the Pops – Impose Magazine". imposemagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  5. "TOPS: Picture You Staring". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  6. "Marci (TOPS' Marta Cikojevic) – "Entertainment"". Stereogum. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  7. Alex Ritman, "AFM: ‘Blackberry’ Star Jay Baruchel Joins Cast of XYZ’s Rom-Com ‘Mile End Kicks’". Variety , November 5, 2024.
  8. TOPS Band (2022-05-09). TOPS - Janet Planet (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  9. TOPS Band (2020-03-03). TOPS - Colder & Closer (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  10. TOPS Band (2020-01-21). TOPS - I Feel Alive (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  11. TOPSVEVO (2019-04-26). TOPS - Topless (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  12. TOPSVEVO (2017-09-05). TOPS - Marigold & Gray (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  13. TOPSVEVO (2017-06-20). TOPS - Further (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  14. TOPSVEVO (2017-04-11). TOPS - Petals (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  15. TOPSVEVO (2015-09-16). TOPS - Anything (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  16. Arbutus Records (2015-06-25). TOPS - Sleeptalker (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  17. Arbutus Records (2015-04-02). Driverless Passenger . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  18. Arbutus Records (2014-10-07). TOPS - "Outside" (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  19. TOPSVEVO (2014-09-03). TOPS - Way To Be Loved (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  20. Arbutus Records (2014-06-02). TOPS - Change of Heart . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  21. Arbutus Records (2012-10-31). TOPS - Turn Your Love Around (Official Video) . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  22. Arbutus Records (2012-10-18). TOPS - Double Vision Home Video . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.
  23. "https://vimeo.com/49784318". vimeo.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2026-01-28.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  24. Arbutus Records (2012-02-28). TOPS | Rings of Saturn . Retrieved 2026-01-28 via YouTube.