cherry pick’s Sweetest Ego Death Yet

On set for her latest single “asleep with the fishes,” the fast-rising Vancouver artist maps her city’s evolving soundscape and the EP blooming out of it.

By Cam Delisle

Published on May 5, 2026

On set inside the freshly repainted, stark-white 604 Soundstage, where RANGE meets up with Cherry (of cherry pick) filming her new video for “asleep with the fishes,” the environment does most of the talking – green and blue hues bleeding into each other, water projections flickering against the walls, a vintage TV looping a live feed of her face back at itself. Cherry moves through it all with a kind of detached focus, like she’s both inside the moment and watching it happen a few seconds late. The song, written after an intense psychedelic experience, circles a fear of dying that escalates into a confrontation, drawn out and left unresolved.

Landing as a high point on cherry pick’s upcoming EP :3, the track that feels like a deliberate decision to stop skirting around things. Still entirely self-recorded – drums, bass, guitars, vocals – it trades looseness for intention without sanding off its edges. There’s weight to it, but also a strange lightness in how melody cuts through the distortion. It’s more direct, more specific, and, at times, a little uncomfortable in a way that feels earned.

Now newly signed to 604 Records’ indie imprint Light Organ Records, Cherry isn’t smoothing anything out. If anything, her scope has widened while her instincts stay intact. Still rooted in Vancouver’s close-knit, femme-led scene, she remains driven by the same D.I.Y reflex to do everything herself. What’s changed is the clarity of her vision, her sound, and how far she’s willing to follow an idea. The result reads not like a pivot, but like things finally locking into place.

How would you describe the concept for this video?

We’re playing with water and stuff because the name is “asleep with the fishes,” and fish are in water, you know? It’s a metaphor/allegory for death… or something. The song is about a really bad ego death trip that I had. It’s kind of just me freaking out about dying.

You recently signed with 604, what persuaded you to sign with a label?

I was initially against it because I’ve had a lot of horror stories about labels in general. Being a smaller artist with not as much leverage can make it difficult to find a deal that doesn’t screw you over, essentially. But 604 came to me with a really artist friendly deal and it was sort of too good to say no.

Did you have any non-negotiables for you, your music, and your career going into the deal?

Honestly, I just want creative freedom, and they’ve given me that. I want to choose the songs that I create and how they sound.

What can you tell us about your upcoming EP?

It’s the most real that this has felt. I started this project when I was in high school, and until now, it’s been super D.I.Y. I wasn’t really taking it as seriously. Now, it’s my whole life. It’s the first EP that I’m proud of, I’d say. Everything that I’ve put out before felt very rushed, but I’ve been sitting on this EP for a while and I’m really happy with it. Vibes wise, it’s a lot more colourful and creative.

What about this project are you most proud of?

All of it was recorded and played by me. I played the drums, bass, guitars, and recorded all of the vocals by myself. Also, for a lot of my previous music, I’ve been writing from less of a vulnerable place, like buzzword lyricism. For this project, a lot of the songs were really difficult to write, like, I was crying while I was writing them. It felt cathartic to write these songs.

Was it a natural progression for you to start being more vulnerable in your music?

It’s hard. I’m not a very emotionally open person, I tend to put up a wall. Music has become a really big coping mechanism for me to deal with things that have happened. So, it’s been natural but also scary putting out these songs.

Who are cherry pick’s biggest musical influences?

They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Julie, Feeble Little Horse, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Mannequin Pussy, and Wednesday.

How would you describe the Vancouver music scene?

There’s a really strong sense of community who all have each other’s backs. I’m loving how many femme-fronted rock bands are coming out of Vancouver, too. There are a lot, and we’re all homies.

Who are some of your favourite Vancouver bands?

The number one spot has to go to Piss. They are the band coming out of Vancouver, they’re so admirable and every time that I see them I just gush. I can’t even believe that they’re real. I also really like Concrete Vehicles (formerly Computer). Daysormay is sick too, they have really incredible visuals.

Catch cherry pick at RANGE Magazine’s Departure Festival showcase at The Garrison (Toronto, ON)

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