Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon break with our Afternoon Tea curators. Need an extra lump of sugar? One more sip? If you have five minutes more (or ten), we have one more hit.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Henry Taylor.
Kitchener-Waterloo-based artist Henry Taylor delivers a high-voltage rock experience with “HUMMINGBIRD,” the explosive focus track from his sixth studio album, SWEET THUNDER! A departure from the gentle and delicate imagery often associated with its namesake, “HUMMINGBIRD” is a fan-favourite at Taylor‘s live shows, showcasing his signature blend of rock ‘n’ roll, Americana, and folk rock.
“HUMMINGBIRD” was born on a back porch while Taylor and longtime songwriting partner Monique Montgomery were playing music with former bandmate Mark. A chance glance at a hummingbird feeder sparked an idea – chords turned into a chorus, lyrics fell into place, and within 40 minutes, the song was complete. The decision to push the track into full-blown rock territory sets it apart from other “HUMMINGBIRD“-titled songs, reflecting its dynamic energy and unconventional take on the theme.
SWEET THUNDER! was inspired by a serendipitous moment when Montgomery spotted a license plate reading “SWTTHNDR” on a blue Corvette. That moment perfectly encapsulated the album’s essence – a fusion of thunderous rock anthems and tender acoustic ballads. The album balances electrifying rock tracks like “HUMMINGBIRD” and “I DON’T HAVE A NAME” with the softer, folk-tinged melodies of “WITHOUT YOU” and “HEY OLD PAL.”
Stream + share SWEET THUNDER! in full:
Check out the official live performance video of “HUMMINGBIRD,” as well:
SWEET THUNDER! is a compilation of songs that express the range of emotions we’ve experienced over the last few years – hard and soft. Sometimes the only way to make a big noise is to speak softly and tell the truth. But sometimes you have to smash the pots and pans to be heard. SWEET THUNDER! does both. We included some lighthearted numbers like “HUMMINGBIRD” and “I’VE GOT THE GUNS.” Other songs are heavy. We wrote “BURN” a few days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and “I DON’T HAVE A NAME” was initially a response to stories about missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. In Nashville, we wrote “SHOEBOX OF MONEY” to shine a light on the strength it takes to get out of a bad situation. We hope these songs resonate with people who need a lift – people who need to know they’re not alone. – Henry Taylor
Sound: Ryan Wayne’s ‘Grand Illusions’ released in 2024
Sight: ‘The Fish’ on our fireplace mantle
Tea: Lemon Balm Tea
From the first note, this song makes me think of Toronto. I can’t say why, but I know Ryan lives there and so did we for a really long time, and I don’t think you ever lose your loyalty to Toronto or get the love for that city out of your bones. Ryan’s got this great voice, and the song has a lot of the slow beauty of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb’. ‘The Fish’, as we call it, is a sculpture of mango wood mass produced by hand in Thailand. Monique picked it up at a fancy furniture store near our house in downtown Toronto when we had no money. For some reason she had to have it. I think it was $100, which was a crazy amount for us at the time. She came home with it in her arms, crying and wet from the snow and apologizing. It was the first piece of art we put on our fireplace mantel in Waterloo when we moved here, and it’s never moved. Anyway, Ryan’s song has a bit of an underwater feeling, so they go perfectly. As for the tea, it’s got to be Lemon Balm. A very relaxing tea that unplugs your nerves and leaves you feeling like you’re lying in a bath of warm salt water, to steal a line from William S. Burroughs.- Henry Taylor
Second Lump:
Kitchener-Waterloo-based singer-songwriter Henry Taylor is back with a hard-hitting new single, “I DON’T HAVE A NAME.” Taking inspiration from Neil Young’s legendary protest anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World,” this unapologetic track shines a spotlight on the stark disparities between the ultra-wealthy and the growing numbers of the disenfranchised.
“I DON’T HAVE A NAME” is both a call to arms and a gut-punch to those who have chosen to ignore the plight of the nameless and faceless. With searing rock ‘n’ roll guitars and a raw vocal delivery, the track pushes back against the failure of elected leaders to address systemic inequality and widespread poverty.
Stream + share “I DON’T HAVE A NAME” now:
Currently, Henry released his sixth studio album, Sweet Thunder, which was released on March 28th, 2025. Collaborating with award-winning Nashville songwriters Cory Lee Barker, Mark Barnowski, and Ri’chard Trest, Henry continues to elevate his craft with every release.
Tea + Me 