Sass Jordan, the Canadian rock and blues singer known for her 1992 breakthrough album “Racine” and the single “Make You a Believer,” died on October 2, 2026, according to a family announcement. She was 65. The family said she died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Birmingham, England, and raised in Montreal, Jordan signed with Atlantic Records and released her solo debut, “Tell Somebody,” in 1988, earning a 1989 Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist. Her 1992 MCA Records album “Racine” became her signature release, with the label saying it sold an estimated 450,000 copies worldwide; “Make You a Believer” reached No. 11 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, and Billboard named her its top female rock artist that year. She also recorded the duet “Trust in Me” with Joe Cocker for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack and toured with acts including Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Van Halen.

Jordan continued recording into the 2000s with albums including “Present,” “Hot Gossip” and “Get What You Give,” and spent six seasons as a judge on Canadian Idol starting in 2003. She also performed on stage, including an off-Broadway run as Janis Joplin in “Love, Janis.”

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.

Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile is set to perform as the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, with actress Dakota Johnson hosting the Oct. 3 episode.

The appearance marks a high-profile network television slot for the band, giving the group exposure to NBC’s mainstream late-night audience. The episode will be available to stream live for viewers without cable access.

Read the full story at Billboard.

Taylor Swift made an unannounced appearance during Dakota Johnson’s opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live,” joining the actress for a bit built around their friendship.

The sketch closed with Swift joking that she sends Johnson home after hangouts with a Pedialyte and a security escort, a nod to the pair’s offstage rapport.

Read the full story at Billboard.

Australian metal band Polaris has released “Without You,” its first new song in three years, as a tribute to late guitarist Ryan Siew. The band discussed the track alongside its decision to continue touring following Siew’s death.

The release coincides with a milestone performance at Good Things Festival, marking a significant moment in the band’s ongoing comeback.

Read the full story at Billboard.

Turnstile performed on “Saturday Night Live” for the first time, delivering a medley of “Birds” and “Never Enough” during the episode hosted by Dakota Johnson.

The Grammy-winning Baltimore band rescheduled an Oklahoma City tour stop to accommodate the taping, underscoring the priority placed on the national television slot.

Read the full story at Billboard.

Latin pop artist VALÉ has released her project “La Danza del Despertar,” led by the single “Entero.” The singer describes the release, which leans further into her Spanish-language roots, as her most vulnerable work to date. The project arrives with a video and a short film directed by Tony San Lorenzo, due October 5, and precedes VALÉ’s first headlining tour of North America this fall.

Rising pop artist Mergui has released “Spotlight,” the lead single from his forthcoming EP “Gut Feeling,” set for release November 20. The track was produced by Jesse Shatkin, known for his work with Sia and Charlie Puth, with creative direction from Austin Cieszko. According to the announcement, the EP traces the stages of a relationship from first attraction onward.

Indie-folk artist Bridey Costello has released “Impossible,” a song addressing the reassessment of past relationship patterns, accompanied by an official video and a live performance clip. Costello will join Taylor Bickett’s U.S. tour this fall as support.

Country artist Tyce Delk has released a live piano version of “Up There Down Here,” a ballad about grief co-written with Billy Dawson and Jonathan Hutcherson, following fan requests after the original version’s YouTube debut in September. Delk is currently touring 21 venues nationwide. Separately, TJ Minor has released “Paranoia,” co-written with Matthew Marino and produced by Kodeblooded, and will support Jady on select North American tour dates before a showcase at Revolver in Los Angeles on October 27.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Black Box | Alex Nesi, blackbox.la.

Raleigh, North Carolina indie/alternative rock band Harvey Street has released a new single, “Anywhere,” on all streaming platforms. The track was recorded at Waylon Jennings’ studio in Nashville and precedes a full-length album the band plans to release next year.

The release comes amid an active touring stretch for the five-piece, which according to the band has sold more than 20,000 tickets across 84 headline shows in 42 markets and 22 states, including what the band describes as more than 15 sold-out markets. The group has also opened for acts including Flipturn, Daniel Donato, Moon Taxi and Futurebirds, and reports more than 200,000 monthly Spotify listeners and over 15 million streams across platforms in the past year.

Harvey Street recently signed with Deep South Management and has upcoming tour dates in North Carolina and South Carolina through early December.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Sarah (faccipr.com).

Charleston, S.C. indie rock band Five Door Sedan has released its new album, Objects In the Mirror, now available on streaming platforms. The band recorded the album with producer Matt Zutell at Coast Records in Charleston.

According to the band, the record marks the first album written collaboratively by its current four-member lineup, following years of touring and writing together. The band says the songs do not follow a single concept, touching on topics including addiction, isolation, writer’s block and nights out with friends.

Five Door Sedan has shared bills with acts including Rome of Sublime with Rome, The 502’s, Penelope Road and Wim Tapley & The Cannons, and the band says it sold out a hometown headline show in Charleston earlier this year. In support of the new album, the band kicked off a run of shows with an Oct. 2 release show in Charleston, with additional dates set for Gainesville, Fla., Richmond, Va., and Charlotte, N.C. through November.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Sarah (faccipr.com).

Arista Records singer-songwriter Chelsea Jordan has released a new single, “worst case,” ahead of her debut performance at Austin City Limits on October 11. The song, which Jordan says is inspired by a real-life experience of impulsively flying to meet someone she had recently met, centers on themes of spontaneity and trusting one’s instincts.

The release follows Jordan’s early 2026 EP “better late than not at all,” which included the single “picky choosy,” said by the label to have surpassed 6 million streams. Jordan signed with Arista Records in November 2025 and released her major-label debut single “level out” that month. Her earlier track “halfwaythru” has drawn more than 10 million Spotify streams, according to the announcement, and has appeared on playlists including Spotify’s Pop Rising and Fresh Finds.

Jordan, a Baltimore native who studied at USC’s Thornton School of Music, built an early following on TikTok before transitioning to music full time. She was named one of Hypebae’s artists to watch in 2026 and has appeared in campaigns for Adidas, Guess, Coach and Miu Miu. Her Austin City Limits appearance will mark her first festival performance, following tour dates earlier this year supporting Ruel.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Kelsey Hession, aristarecordings.com.