Lisa SQ Channels Playful Panic on New Single “Cold Little Fingers”

Where do your thoughts go when the lights go out? For Hamilton-based indie rock artist Lisa SQ, that restless, liminal space between dreaming and waking becomes the playground for her deliriously raw new single, “Cold Little Fingers.” Equal parts chaotic and charming, the track captures the late-night jitter of a mind caught between imagination and panic, where whispered voices, pounding hearts, and childhood monsters swirl together in the dark. The song feels like a sonic portrait of insomnia: a place where fear, humor, and exhilaration collide.

“Cold Little Fingers” is where the shivers hide. “Cold Little Fingers” is tossing and turning. “Cold Little Fingers” is a dizzying whisper. “Cold Little Fingers” is making friends with the monsters under your bed. “Cold Little Fingers” is a late night thought spiral. “Cold Little Fingers” is trying to keep your composure on the verge of a meltdown.

The inspiration behind the track comes from a personal, slightly absurd domestic scene. “I regularly wake up to him mid-conversation with me, unsure if he’s asleep or awake,” Lisa SQ says of her partner. “While disorienting in the moment, I find the whole thing pretty sweet and funny.” That delicate balance of vulnerability and humor is embedded in the song itself: a high-energy narrative that simultaneously elicits tension and delight.

Recorded live off the floor at Toronto’s Dwaynespace, the song captures the exhilaration of improvisation and collaboration. Producer Tyler Kyte (Dwayne Gretzky) amped up the BPM to create a heart-racing tempo, drummer Michael Brushy (Dwayne Gretzky) drives the rhythm with relentless momentum, bassist Dave Dalrymple (Wax Atlantic) provides Strokes-esque grooves that ground the song, and guitarist Jimmy Hayes (Harlan Pepper, Deseronto) slices through with sharp, frenzied riffs. Engineered and mixed by Ian Docherty (July Talk), the track feels raw and alive, preserving the sense of immediacy that comes from friends playing in the same room, feeding off each other’s energy.

Born in Montreal, QC, and now based in Hamilton, ON, Lisa SQ is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends indie rock, art pop, and experimental storytelling. Her music balances nostalgia with avant-garde sensibilities, and her influences — Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, David Bowie — are evident in her playful, yet emotionally resonant approach. Her songs celebrate human clumsiness, curiosity, and idiosyncrasy, turning everyday observations into inventive musical experiences. Lisa SQ’s work has been featured in films and web series screened at festivals including Austin and Cannes, reflecting her talent for crafting music that feels cinematic while remaining intimate.

“Cold Little Fingers” is the first taste of her forthcoming debut full-length album, which she recorded partially at Toronto’s Dwaynespace with Tyler Kyte and Ian Docherty, and partially at Chale Abbey Studios on the Isle of Wight with producer David Granshaw. The full album promises to capture the warmth, spontaneity, and collaborative magic of Lisa SQ’s creative circle, highlighting her ability to transform personal experiences into compelling musical narratives.

The song exemplifies Lisa SQ’s skill in transforming chaos into art. Its fractured melodies, energetic rhythms, and layered textures emulate the experience of a restless mind in the dead of night. It is at once disorienting, joyous, and cathartic, revealing her capacity to turn small domestic moments into universally resonant stories. The track lingers in the listener’s imagination, encouraging repeated listens and rewarding attention to its subtleties.

“Cold Little Fingers” is not only a song, but a glimpse into Lisa SQ’s creative universe — one where vulnerability, humor, and curiosity coexist. It is a reminder that even late-night panic and sleepless thoughts can be transformed into something beautiful, compelling, and utterly human. With its infectious energy and intimate storytelling, the single positions Lisa SQ as an artist unafraid to embrace imperfection and revel in the exhilarating unpredictability of life.