Already almost through January, I thought I’d reflect on what an insanely busy year 2010 was for music.  After attempting to hibernate last January and February, this is a bit of what I got up to..

Spring

As always, Toronto welcomed Canadian Music Week with plenty of artists and speakers from around the world.   I was able to listen in on Seymore Stein reminisce about being at the centre of the crazy New York music scene, pioneering acts like The Ramones, Pretenders, Talking Heads, Echo and the Bunnymen and The Smiths to name a few. 

In April the 2010 Juno’s took place in St.Johns, NFLD. Unfortunately I didn’t make it last year..blessing in disguise? Planes were grounded most of the weekend all over eastern Canada and Europe after that volcano in Iceland erupted, creating clouds of ash. 

Jack White with Dead Weather played a “secret” show at the Horseshoe (though I was out of town for this, thought it was worth mentioning).  Jack stayed on drums most of the evening until he set the sticks down to take lead vocals on a few songs, alongside the seductive songstress Alison Mosshart (of The Kills). 

Summer

North by Northeast brought in Iggy and the Stooges. After attempting to enter into the sweaty mess that was Dundas square to see him prance around, my friends and I opted to watch a shirtless Iggy run around the stage from a street corner.   The Flaming Lips play with Spoon at the Molson Amp in July.  Wayne Coyne never disappoints. 

Tom Petty plays the ACC. A good friend of mine gets us 10th row floor seating.  Long time Petty fans say this was one of their best live shows they’ve seen in years.

Fall

Jenny Lewis with boyfriend Jonathan Rice form Jenny & Johnny,  stop in Toronto mid-October and play to a near sold-out Kool Haus.  UK’s Foals visit Toronto once again, playing to a full-house at Lee’s Palace.

So that’s the coles notes of 2010.  Let’s skip to today, plenty of cool shows and new music to check out.  One album I know many are looking forward to is Lykke Li’s follow-up album to 2008′s Youth Novels.  Li is Swedish, hot, mixes Tribe Called Quest tunes into her live shows, works with Peter, Bjorn and John and does duets with Bon Iver – indie rock goddess in the making?

Iron & Wine, Kiss Each Other Clean – January 25  www.ironandwine.com

Buck 65, 20 Odd Years – February 1  www.buck65.com

Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes - March 1  www.lykkeli.com

The Streets, Computers and Blues – February 8  www.the-streets.co.uk

Jessica Lea Mayfield, Tell Me – February 8   www.jessicaleamayfield.com

posted by bianca

On my ride into work today we were listening to our random ipod selections and on came Postal Service – baby side project of Death Cab for Cutie singer Ben Gibbard.  That was back in 2003.   It got me thinking about Death Cab and what they’ve been up to.  Their last album came out over two years ago – clearly these boys were due for a new record.  Sure enough, I found out this morning that they are indeed coming out with some new music…and apparently it has already been recorded! In a span of two weeks and in four different cities – Seattle, Vancouver, LA and San Francisco, they completed their seventh full length.  In an interview Gibbard did with NME over the weekend, he lets us know that 1) It’s coming out next spring and 2) it has yet to be given a title.  He also lets us know that “It’s not a guitar-based record.”  More details here: 

http://www.nme.com/news/death-cab-for-cutie/53641

On a different note, here are some upcoming shows happening in your neck of the woods:

Joy Formidable – UK band playing tomorrow at the Horseshoe Tavern here in Toronto and Montreal on November 4th @ Le Petit Campus. www.thejoyformidable.com

 AfroCubism – Nov 5th @ Metropolis, Montreal. http://www.myspace.com/afrocubism

Christine Fellows – Nov 16 @ the Great Hall, Toronto *More dates here: www.christinefellows.com

Fran Healy (of UK band Travis) -  Nov 16 @ the Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver *More dates here: www.franhealy.com

Ladies of the Canyon – Nov 19 @ M for Montreal. *More dates here: www.ladiesofthecanyon.com

3OH!3 – Nov 7 @ Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg. *More dates here: www.3oh3music.com

posted by bianca

Next week Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drop their new album, Mojo..and it’s good. I mean, really, really good. I’m biased as you may already know if  you’ve read this blog at all (thanks mum) -  I’m a full on Tom Petty fan. Who isn’t you ask? Good question friend.  Petty says, “With this album, I want to show other people what I hear with the band. Mojo is where the band lives when it’s playing for itself.” 

Plenty of fun summer shows coming up too that I should mention.

Dead Weather  – July 15 @ The Sound Academy, Toronto *More Canadian dates here: www.deadweather.com

Flaming Lips – July 8th @ the Molson Amp, Toronto – More dates here: www.flaminglips.com

Against Me! – June 29th @ The Sound Academy, Toronto

The Black Keys – August 3/4 @ the Kool Haus, Toronto *More dates here: www.theblackkeys.com

Hail the Villain – June 18th @ The Mod Club, Toronto *More dates here: www.hailthevillain.com

Ladies of the Canyon – June 12/13 @ The Drake, Toronto *More dates here: www.ladiesofthecanyon.com

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – August 25th @ the ACC, Toronto *More dates here: www.tompetty.com

Stone Temple Pilots – August 29th @ the ACC *More dates here: www.stonetemplepilots.com

Next week is NXNE here in Toronto where hundreds of bands from all over the world will be heading into town to play some dirty rock and roll. Fun times.

posted by bianca

Our good friends and East Coast rockers The Novaks will be taping a short performance on CBC’s The Hour, hosted by George Strombo on Thursday, May 6th.

It’s a special early taping at 1:30 pm. If you’re interested in attending, visit www.cbc.ca/thehour/tickets.html to request tickets (4 max).

You can also check out the Q & A I did a while ago with singer/guitarist Mick. Just scroll through some past posts if you’re so inclined!

www.thenovaks.ca

www.myspace.com/thenovaks

posted by bianca

The brilliant and ever so championed Flaming Lips have finally announced a summer Toronto date -  headling the Molson Amphitheatre with Spoon Thursday, July 8th.

All I can tell you is you must see these lad’s live at least once in your lifetime.  Their shows are epic. EPIC. I’d argue singer Wayne Coyne is unmatched when it comes to leading front man at the present.  This is a band that has emerged from the 80′s, 90′s and first decade of the millenium with a cult following – mostly in part to their bizarre lyrics overtop crazy psychedelic riffs, banging drums, dramatic live performances with bubbles, balloons, confetti, fake blood, etc..

Their new album, The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and The White Dwarfs, With Henry Rollins and Peaches Doing Dark Side Of The Moon comes out May 4th.  Interesting concept.  This album came about after weeks of the Flaming Lips and Stardeath touring together, only to realize they both were heavily influenced by Pink Floyd.   Soon after they found themselves collaborating and recreating their version of Dark Side of the Moon.  Looking back at their catalogue – always unpredictable – this collaborative effort is a welcomed follow-up to 2009′s Embryonic.

http://www.flaminglips.com/

http://www.myspace.com/flaminglips

posted by bianca

If you’re a fan of hair metal (either openly or still in the closet) than you’ll enjoy the new RATT album, Infestation. These guys have been in full form since the early 80′s (loose incarnations stemming back to the early 70′s, with founding members Mickey Ratt and vocalist Stephen Percy) and are notably instrumental to the rise of the glam metal/rock scene. More specifically, they were pioneers of the whole Hollywood Sunset Strip scene.

RATT’s new album Infestation is their first album in 11 years and if you’re either an old RATT fan or just a fan of glam rock, chances are you’ll love this album. It’s a throwback to their early years and is getting lots of love from the glam metal/rock community. Even Percy himself said they “wanted it to be like something that we would have written right after (1984′s) Out Of The Cellar.”

So there you have it.

www.myspace.com/therattpack

posted by bianca

My utter neglection to this blog as of late is noted.  Having said that, let me make it up  by introducing you to Ladies of the Canyon.  The beginning of their bio actually sums them up nicely, “They’re four friends who got together in their living rooms to write and sing songs influenced by their favourite bands – The Eagles, the Band and Fleetwood Mac.”  All four Ladies sing harmony, with three of the vocalists (Maia Davies, Senja Sargeant and Jasmine Bleile) sharing the lead on differing tracks – think Fleet Foxes meets Blue Rodeo.

The Ladies are gearing up to release their debut album, Haunted Woman, this June.  Produced by Colin Cripps (Jim Cuddy/Kathleen Edwards/Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), Haunted Woman has that signature country twang vibe that Cripps is known for.  The album features 12 tracks – my favourite at the moment being track 6, No Deliverance, with vocalist Davies channelling the remarkable Dolly Parton.

They’re set to play some summer folk festivals, check out their site for more info.

www.ladiesofthecanyon.com

 www.myspace.com/lotcmusic

posted by bianca

Firstly I want to confess that I’m late on the Magnetic Fields bandwagon.  I have had good friends rave about them for years and when we released their album Distortion back in January of ’08, I admit I barely gave it a listen (though I did love the cover art).  Now, almost two years to the day, they have released their follow-up album, Realism, to rave reviews.  After spending the last three weeks connecting interviews with Stephen Merritt, the brilliant mind behind Magnetic Fields, I now had a sense of his character and realized something that most already were aware of-  how witty and dry-humoured he is.

In preparation for the Magnetic Fields show, my friend Sean (old-school MF fan) made me a mixed cd with his favourite songs over the course of their career, so I felt as ready as one could be to appreciate the two-hour performance I was about to see.

From left to right sat Shirley Simms on autoharp, Claudia Gonson on piano, John Woo on guitar, Sam Davol on cello and Merritt on the ukulele.  Due to Merritt’s unfortunate hearing condition, missing was any sign of percussion onstage though.  Seemingly in good spirits and throughout the show,  Merritt and Gonson engaged in some entertaining bantar, Merritt always always on point and deadpan.

They opted to begin the night with one of Merritt’s side projects - a song off of 6th’s album Hyacinths & Thistles.  They then delved into songs from Magnetic Feilds repertoire, playing a mish-mash of both old and new.  Their acoustic renditions of all older songs from their wide catalog sounded breathtaking, especially between the walls of the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Theatre.  To add to all of this, Merritt’s lyrics are stories told with humour and sharp wit – and I found myself both in awe of how beautiful the acoustic arrangements sounded while unexpectedly laughing out loud.

Looking around the audience, there was no doubt the sold-out crowd were nothing short of pleased and Merritt himself, though notorious for his hatred towards touring, you would never have known.

Highlight: Performing You Must Be Out of Your Mind.  With cynical lyrics like “If you think you can leave the past behind/ You must  be out of your mind / If you think you can simply press rewind/  You must be out of your mind, son..”  how can you not enjoy yourself?   

www.houseoftomorrow.com

posted by bianca

We’re already on our way into 2010 – the winter is (thankfully) flying by and on the Eve of the winter olympics on the west coast and Canadian Music Week fastly approaching here in Toronto, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Here’s a list of shows to entertain you in your downtime.

Amelia Curran  – Feb 13/16, Vancouver @ the Cultural Olympiad

*Blue Rodeo – Feb 3 – April 10,

Eric Clapton – Feb 21, Toronto @ ACC /Feb 22, Montreal @ the Bell Centre

*Elliott Brood – Feb 13-March 27

*Hawksley Workman – Feb 6-April 24th

Magnetic Fields – Feb 6, Montreal &  Feb 8, Toronto

*Muse – March 8-April 1st

*Wilco – Feb 12-March 3

Magnetic Fields will be playing the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Monday, February 8th.  Vish Kanna from Exclaim! had a chance to talk to Stephen Merritt recently - below is the link to their interview in this month’s issue.

http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=140&csid2=9&fid1=43908

*Visit artist’s site for more touring and other info.

*For more listings, visit our On Tour section.

posted by bianca

When I first heard Robert Francis’ voice on his debut album Before Nightfall, it sounded like one I’ve heard before - reminiscent of Cohen at times, Joe Cocker at others.  Timeless none the less. Of course I took to the trusty old web to dig up some info about the gifted singer/songwriter, only to discover he’s barely 22 years old! Now, his young age would be irrelevant except for the fact he sounds like a seasoned vet in the music scene.

Francis wrote the entire album and lyrics on Before Nightfall and played most instruments including piano, Mellotron, Hammond B3,  Wurlitzer, Farfisa organ and a Solina synth. Just saying.

Listening to Francis’ lyrics, I’d say each song is so incredibly bare and honest, it’s difficult not to get wrapped up in each story.  Songs like Mescaline and Climb a Mountain tell stories of loss, difficult journey’s and hope (and where his Bob Dylan/The Band influences are on full display).

Check out the feature article on Francis posted on today’s Daytrotter.

www.daytrotter.com/dt/robert-francis-concert/20030948-3737895.html

www.myspace.com/robertfrancis

posted by bianca

Sidenote: Something cool I learned about Francis, his father has one of the largest collections of sheet music in North America, with 23,000 give or take.

Hailing from St.John’s, NFLD, Hey Rosetta! will be visiting MTV LIVE next Monday, December 7th at the Masonic Temple, here in Toronto. If you’d like to attend you can RSVP to liveaudience@mtv.ca.

Hey Rosetta! have toured from one end of Canada to the other, promoting 2008′s Into Your Lungs. I’m thinking by now you’ve either a) seen them in concert or b) heard their music and are planning on seeing them.

My friends and I went down to the Harbourfront this past July to watch them play a free show alongside fellow East-coaster/songstress (and guest musician on Into Your Lungs) Jenn Grant. Here’s a little video interview with Adam and Tim from Hey Rosetta! before the jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pGb5Lmtp7g

It’s been agreed that their live-show is a must see and has repeatedly been compared to Montreal’s Arcade Fire chaotic/energy-infused live performances.  NOW Magazine had recently attended one of their shows at Lee’s Palace and wrote  ”[Hey Rosetta's!] passionate rock songs – fuelled by emotion and poetry – grew and swelled, retreated and quieted down, and expanded again in just the right doses for the sold-out crowd completely ecstatic.”

www.heyrosetta.com

www.mtv.ca/mtv-live/tickets.jhtml

 posted by bianca

In all seriousness folks, yesterday was a pretty spectacular day here at the Warner office.  I got an email from our boisterous receptionist Melanie, letting me know I had something waiting for me at the front.  I had an idea of what it would be..but could it be? I just ordered it not even 48 hours before. Sure enough…it was!

The ultimate Tom Petty collectors item – The Live Anthology – a multi-disc set of recordings that features three whole decades of live performances by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.  More specifically, you’ll find material from 1978-2007 and are tracks selected from Petty himself, Mike Campbell and Ryan Ulyate.  Needless to say when I opened  it, it felt like Christmas morning (with a few colleagues of mine witnessing my severe nerd out).

This coming from a person who used a combination of two chapters gift cards (thank-you Steve and Jamie) to buy Petty’s Running Down a Dream coffee table book two Christmas’s ago. I’m a fan, yes, though I have yet to see him live in concert. Guess this anthology will have to make do until he comes back to Toronto.

posted by bianca

There are a whole lot of shows happening this week – Devendra Banhart plays tomorrow night at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre; The Novaks play two back-to-back sold out shows with The Arkells tomorrow and Saturday at Lee’s Palace, Jenn Grant is over at Glenn Gould Studio tonight and Jets Overhead are set to open up for LIGHTS  at the Kool Haus this evening also.

I decided to repost the Q & A I did a while ago with Adam Kittredge and Antonia Freybe-Smith, singers from Jets Overhead, for your viewing pleasure.

When did Jets Overhead form?

Adam: This is always a tough question to answer; it’s like a relationship being defined as starting on the wedding day when really the relationship had been gestating for years leading up to that special day. Let’s say 2003 wink wink or .. Speaking of which, at first I wasn’t down with the bracket colon smile/frown thing, but I must admit, I have come to find it somewhat handy. Is that Wrong?

What’s the meaning behind the title of your follow-up album, No Nations?
 

Adam: The truth is, it came out of a stream of consciousness jam with no political intention or otherwise. We were writing the song – like we wrote most of the songs on the album, as a group jamming/improvising and I was singing the melody. Probably started as “meah…meah..meah” or some garbildgook, and then at some point out came “No Na Tions” (melody inserted).  From there it became the chorus, then the title of the song and eventually we landed on album title as well.  It took on mulitple meanins, and I/we are still coming up with new ones every day. Borders be damned, break down the walls between us, one world, globalization, alienation, multiculturalism – all these common phrases are really what tied us into the concept of “No Nations.”  And I think these themes come up in all of the songs on the album in some capacity. But isn’t it funny that “No Nations” was ultimately just a phrase picked out of the air: consonants and vowels that sounded phonetically right with the melody I was humming at the time. Song writing is weird.

What’s your favourite track on the album?

Adam: Changes all the time, especially now that we are playing them live!  But lately I’ve been really digging Sure Sign. I just love how the bass line picks up and drops in hard on the second verse. Gives me tingles every time.  That was actually a mix decision made by our mixer Malcolm Burn. One day we’ll release the original rough mix and you’d be surprised by the difference his arrangement made to the song. He is very cut and dry kind of guy.  I really like that about Malcolm – Although it was challenging to accept sometimes for all of us. He’s the kind of mixer that will just take a scythe and sheer large swaths of a song away if he thinks them to be overindulgent.  Bye-bye one minute intro – hello 3 minute ditty!  Ultimately we really appreciated the editor in the room.  I’ve never written a book, but I would imagine it is much the same.

Antonia: My fave track is Always a First Time. I get a nice road trip, sunshine, thoughtful feeling when I hear that song.  It was written really quickly as a group, it just kind of emerged and it was like, cool, onto the next one!

Which past album do you tend to revisit often?

Antonia: Paul Simon, Rhythm of the Saints. I am in awe of everything he is doing on that record- I find it endlessly satisfying and uplifting and return to it again and again to revive my faith in the beauty of music when all the music industry crap is getting me down. That, and Dire Straights Dire Straights – I do not thing it’s possible to ever get sick of that album.

Do you find there’s a reoccuring theme on No Nations?

Antonia: I think that there’s a bit of a resigned sadness, tinged with hope and love. Sort of  like: well, this is a crazy, messed up world we live in. Fine, so be it, let’s try and love one another anyways.

Speaking of shows this week, I’m giving away a pair of tickets to see Devendra Banhart for tomorrow’s show, because I’m nice and I heard you like nice people.  Just email me at bianca.oran@warnermusic.com with the subject being the title of Banhart’s latest album, What Will We Be, and they’re yours.

posted by bianca

If you’re looking to make the next few weeks go by a bit faster, might I suggest checking out the following bands that are touring across Canada?  If you’re here in Toronto though, your best bet would be to check out London-based indie-rock band, Fanfarlo at the El Mo on December 15th.  They just released their debut album Resevoir, produced by Peter Katis (The National, Interpol) and features a wide array of instruments, ranging from mandolins, cellos and ukulele’s to table saws!

www.fanfarlo.com

Devo @ The Phoenix, Toronto, Nov 23-24 

Devendra Banhart @ the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto, Nov 27

Blue Rodeo @ the Centre for Performing Arts, Vancouver, Nov 26-27

Jets Overhead (opening for LIGHTS) @ Kool Haus, Toronto, Nov 26th

Amelia Curran @ The Gateway Bar, Calgary, Nov 27

Zero 7 @ the Phoenix, Toronto, Dec 2nd

Jack’s Mannequin (opening for Weezer) @ the ACC, Toronto, Dec 5th

Melissa McClelland @ Cochrane St. Church, St.John’s, Dec 10

posted by bianca

Today is a great day for Blue Rodeo - not only are they releasing their 12th studio album, The Things We Left Behind, but they’re throwing a roof-top party to celebrate!  They’ll be performing for fans this afternoon, on the roof of the Diesel Playhouse (55 Blue Jays Way) @ 2:30 pm.  The City of Toronto will be closing off Blue Jays Way and Mercer Street for today’s unique performance.

The Things We Left Behind is a 16-track, double-disc album, showcasing some of Blue Rodeo’s best work in their 25-year career. I remember first discovering their music when I was around 14 or 15, when their song Hasn’t Hit Me Yet (off of Five Days In July) had heavy rotation on Much Music.  Around the same time Sarah McLachlan was promoting one of my still all-time favourite records, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy and also appeared in Five Days In July, singing a duet with Greg Keelor on What Is This Love.  Sold.

To launch The Things We Left Behind, Keelor and Jim Cuddy will be going out as a duo, embarking on a National tour to play smaller, more intimate venues than fans are used to. 

Fave track:  One Light Left in Heaven performed by Cuddy and Canadian songstress Oh Susanna.  I saw Cuddy perform this song solo acoustic last Spring at The Centre in Vancouver For Performing Arts.  Too good. 

www.bluerodeo.com

www.myspace.com/ohsusannamusic

posted by bianca

Vancouver-based indie rock trio Elias are currently in Toronto promoting their recently released album Lasting Distraction.  This past Saturday they played a stripped-down set at The Edge 102.1, as a part of Steam Whistle’s Indie Club.  They’ll also be playing tomorrow evening at The Horseshoe Tavern and later in the week at Berkely Church with Pilot Speed (formerly Pilot).  I had a chance to touch base with keyboardist/lead singer Brian Healy, here’s what he had to say:

First off, tell me a bit about Elias.

Elias are Rob Tornroos on guitar, Stefan Tavares on drums and I sing and play guitar/piano. We’ve been together in this formation of Elias now for about two years, although Elias has been around in different incarnations for four years. Rob and I have been making music together for something like nine years.

At what age did you pick up piano and guitar?

I started playing piano when I was in grade three, so I was like seven or eight. I guess I hated it. My mom really wanted me to learn an instrument and each daily, half-hour practice or weekly lesson was like pulling teeth. It wasn’t until much later when I started playing in bands that I started to truly appreciate the piano and its unique place in rock music. It really adds another level to the sound. I started to play guitar in high school, learning basic chords from The Beatles Complete Easy Guitar.

Growing up, were there any key musicians or bands that influenced your songwriting today?

I think one of the main influences that I still wear on my sleeve is Radiohead.  When I was first introduced to The Bends back in ’96, it really changed my approach to music and songwriting. It was all part of my Brit Rock admiration. I thrived on Blur, Oasis, The Verve, Spiritualized, Doves, Travis, Muse and Coldplay. Aside from that, there are a slew of other artists that I grew up listening to on long family car trips, like Dire Straits, Traveling Wilburys, The Police, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, The Band, U2, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel that all still make an impact.

Do you remember the first album you purchased?

I can remember a couple cassettes that I was given and listened to on repeat were Midnight Oil’s Diesel and Dust and Bryan Adams Waking Up The Neighbours.

Tell me about your favourite record store? And are you a vinyl, iTunes or album guy?

I grew up in Richmond, BC and there used to be a CD store there called Silver Disc. It didn’t last very long, but I have fond Memories of going there. My friends and I would sometimes make trips out to Vancouver and browse amongst the music snobs at Zulu Records. I would say that that, out of pure convenience, I’m an iTunes guy, but given the chance I love sitting down and listening to selections from my record collection (which is actually an expansion on my father’s record collection that spans from the 60′s to late 80′s.  I’ve found that if you pop into small thrift stores or Value Villages, you can often find some hidden vinyl treasures!

Your new album, Lasting Distractions, has some interesting artwork featured - broken armour. What’s the symbolism there?

The album art is taken directly from the lyrics in Giving Up Never Felt So Good.  The broken discarded armour, to us, was an idea of fighting for something, taking a beating and losing. “Sold my armour to someone more worthy of it.” I suppose it’s a reference to the idea that you can’t win all the time and sometimes you feel like giving up and going home.

Do you find there’s a common theme throughout the album?

I’m not sure that there’s any sort of common theme to the album; there are just a lot of relatable subjects for people listening. Songs on Lasting Distraction cover topics like breaking up, death and sex.

What should we expect from Elias in the New Year?

The plan for us in the New Year is going to be a lot more touring and promotion of the album. Also – and this might sound funny as we just released our album – we want to start writing more as there are still a lot of ideas on the back-burner that we want to hash out.

Elias will be playing the Horseshoe Tavern on Tuesday, Nov 10 @ 8:30pm.

www.myspace.com/eliasband

posted by bianca

This fall has proven to be one of the busiest that I can recall (and the most amazing weather wise).  I’ve been looking forward to checking out a few albums coming out this November too, so I thought I’d share a few that are on my radar..

Andrew Bird’s Bowel of Fire – The Swimming Hour (Vinyl LP)

www.myspace.com/andrewbird

Bird describes the album as, “when the everyday becomes incredulous to you” and was inspired by something he encountered nearly a decade ago, walking through a run-down neighbourhood in the old streets he grew up in, in Chicago. At the time he was thinking of which direction to take his next project when “everything got really strange-feeling…everything became really slow.”  Bird would later refer to this state of mind as the “swimming hour.”

Tegan & Sara – Sainthood   teganandsara.com

Six albums later, the Quin’s have released their latest effort Sainthood (out today), which further explores their curiousity with relationships and everything that surrounds- adoration, devotion, longing, delusion. The twins will be hitting the road in late-December and all through January, embarking on a cross-canada tour.

posted by bianca

Wilco played two back-to-back sold out shows at Massey Hall this week, and I was fortunate enough to catch their opener.  Let me preface this by saying I’ve been a long time Wilco fan; I remember first seeing Jeff Tweedy jumping out of a plane for their video Outtasite (Outta Mind) back in ’96, when I was an impressionable teen.  Although the Wilco line-up has been a bit of a revolving door over the past 15 years, with only Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt being the original band members, their show on October 15th showcased the best of the best. 

The band opened the night with Wilco (the song) and whipped through a beyond impressive two-hour set (oweing to the early 11pm curfew that Massey Hall inflicts on concert goers).  A main highlight was their lengthy rendition of Impossible Germany, where Nels Cline’s riveting  guitar solo set the bar of what was to come for the rest of the evening.   Tweedy later introduced their next song, Jesus Etc.,  asking the audience if they would be able to sing it better then their American fans. Everyone was laughing, singing and having a great time.

Guitarist Cline, who Rolling Stone Magazine  proclaimed him as one of the top 20 New Guitar Gods, stood at the far left of the stage while multi-instrumentalist/guitarist Pat Sansone stayed at the far right – Sansone switching from piano to guitar throughout the night. Both guitarists played off one another the entire evening and the audience was treated to a guitar dual at the final song of the evening.

Wilco will return to Canada next  February (bypassing Toronto unfortunately) for a cross Canada tour, beginning in Vancouver on February 13th and ending in Halifax on March 3rd.

*Wilco have recorded seven studio albums, including their most recent Wilco (the album). If you’re not a fan, do yourself a favour and pick up any one of their albums.

You’ll thank me!

http://www.wilcoworld.net/

posted by bianca

This past Sunday our very own Blue Rodeo were one of eight to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.  The honour was made extra special by having Canadian icon, Gordon Lightfoot, induct them that evening. Canada’s Walk of Fame was first launched in 1998 and acknowledges those in music, film & television, visual & performing arts, sports and science.  Blue Rodeo have been together for more than twenty years, have released 11 full-length albums (not including the multiple sideprojects, solo albums and collaborations they’ve released) won countless Junos and have sold millions of albums. They are also incredibly supportive of the up-and-comers in the Canadiana music scene, so who better to be honoured than they?! 

The recepients gathered at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, including fellow singer-songwriter and inductee Tom Cochrane. 

For an entertaining read, check out Toronto Sun’s interview with Jim Cuddy who discusses the event.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/09/12/10853061-sun.html

Congrat’s to the men of Blue Rodeo for such a great honour!

On another note, the folks around the office have been blaring the sweet sounds of their new album, coming out in the fall.

Feels like a fall record.

 *Thanks to Jude for the pic!

 posted by bianca

Ron Sexsmith will be playing a Benefit for War Child Canada show tonight at the Dakota Tavern, here in Toronto. Duo Colleen and Paul will open the intimate night of music up, with Ron headling and playing alongside a full band.

Hope to see you there!

www.ronsexsmith.com

www.warchild.ca

 posted by bianca

When a group decides to name themselves Monsters of Folk, one would hope that said group would have the goods to back that up.  Monsters of Folk are a collaboration of our generations most important folk-rock singer songwriters, consisting of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward and famed producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, Mike Mogis, who has worked with Jenny Lewis & Rilo Kiley, Rachael Yamagata, Bright Eyes, The Faint, Songs: Ohia, Jonathan Rice and more.

With that heavy intro, we can all look forward to their self-titled album to be released September 22nd.  What could make this collaboration even more amazing? Perhaps adding in a female component? Plenty of talented folk ladies out there boys!

Unfortunately they only have two Canadian tour dates. Road trip?

October 13th – Vancouver, Orpheum

November 2nd – Toronto, Massey Hall

http://monstersoffolk.com/

posted by bianca

I had a chance to catch up with one of Canada’s favourite troubadour’s, Justin Rutledge, for a little Q & A.  Here’s what Justin had to say..

How long have you been songwriting/performing?

I first began singing at age 15 in cover bands in high school. We’d play the staple ‘Battle of the Bands’ at places like the Gasworks and Opera House in Toronto, and our repertoire consisted of songs by Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, etc. I didn’t begin playing the guitar until I was 16, which is when I began writing my own songs.

You majored in poetry from what I understand in University? Your songs seem like poems transformed into melodies..

Well,  I must admit that I never actually graduated from University. I spent three years at U of T, but left to write and record what eventually became my first album, No Never Alone.  I do consider lyrics the most important element of my songwriting – well, a decent melody doesn’t hurt either – but I slave for quite some time over the lyrics. I guess that’s my failed attempt at a PhD in Poetry rubbing off…

Do you find you’ll sit and write a poem, with the intention of turning it into a song?

Personally, I find poetry to be one of the most difficult artistic mediums.  I do not consider song lyrics poetry, since they are assisted by the melody/temp/etc. Words on a page stand on their own, and in order to write a successful poem- one which is unassisted by anything other than itself-takes a strength far beyond my own. I used to write poetry, and have been published a few times, but I guess I had a little more stamina back then. However, I do make an attempt to infuse many poetic techniques into the lyrics I write.  I hope it comes across.

You’ve toured extensively across Canada over the years. Do you have a favourite record store you absolutely have to visit?

My favourite record stores are still Criminal Records and Soundscapes in Toronto, although I love visiting Sloth Records in Calgary and Fred’s in St.John’s, Newfoundland.

What is the Junction Arts Festival and how did you get involved?

The Junction Arts Fest is a multi-disciplinary arts event held in the Junction are in Toronto.  I grew up in the Junction, so I’ve been attending the festival for quite some time.  It’s a fantastic neighbourhood with an incredible artistic fabric.  I was asked to book the bands for the Saturday night this year, so the Beauties and Jason Collett will also be playing. Apparently, tens of thousands of people attended the festival over the weekend last year. They shut off Dundas from Keele Street to Quebec Avenue, and all the local businesses take over the streets. It makes me feel quite proud to be from such a vibrant neighbourhood.

Are you in the studio right now? 

We head into the studio in early September. I’m quite excited, actually. I’m never this excited, so it’s a little strange.

And lastely, do you see yourself living out your years in Toronto, or do you have a desire to live abroad?

I lived in England for a year when I was 19, and attempted to leave Toronto many times, but this darn city just won’t let go of my sheepish heart. I think I’ll die here, if that’s ok with everyone.

http://www.justinrutledge.com/

posted by bianca

Hey music nerds,

Just got the new Muse cover art in. You like? I like. Feels like I’m being swallowed in a giant tetris-lite-brite-ball.

www.myspace.com/muse

posted by bianca

Hey folks,

If you’re looking for a little musical entertainment for the remainder of the summer, perhaps you’d be interested in the following shows happening across this great nation of ours.

Billy Talent – Aug 9. Calgary (Virgin Fest)

Blue Rodeo – Aug 27. Toronto @ Molson Amp

Amelia Curran – Aug 21-22, Ottawa Folk Fest

The Dead Weather – Aug 21-22, Vancouver @ Commodore Ballroom

Iron & Wine – Aug 8, Edmonton Folk Fest.

Lykke Li – Aug 9, Toronto @ Sound Academy

Little Boots – Sept 14, Toronto @ WrongBar

Jenn Grant – Dates throughout September, check her myspace.

Regina Spektor – Sept 16, Toronto @ Sound Academy

Ok, that’s enough for now.

p.s. Listening to the amazingness that is Jenny Lewis. You should listen to her too. Just sayin.

www.myspace.com/jennylewismusic 

posted by bianca

When you start off an evening of music on the right note, the night can only go upwards. Seeing Swedish band Dugen open for Fleet Foxes to some seemed like an odd match, but to FF, they couldn’t have been more ecstatic.  As proof, singer Robin Pecknold proclaimed the Pychedlic rockers Dugen as his “Favourite band in the world”..for the moment at least.  Dugen put on a terrific show, but it was headliners Fleet Foxes who blew everyone away..(And I’m perfectly comfortable speaking for all, that they did in fact blow everyone away).

From the first song onwards, their set was rich with four-part harmonies that bounced off the acoustic walls of the infamous venue that is Massey Hall. Pecknold’s voice was surreal and his style of finger-picking/guitar playing sounded like a full orchestra. 

In between guitar tuning, there was some witty bantar exchanged between drummer Josh Tilman and the audience, but as soon as the next song began, it was back to all serious music.

For the last song of the evening they played the haunting song Mykonos, off their Sun Giant ep. Once finished the young lads thanked the Toronto audience and walked off the stage..but it was quickly apparent no one was going anywhere.  Pecknold revisited the stage on the first of two encores by walking right to the edge of the stage and sans microphone or amplifier, played an old American folk song, Katy Cruel.

After playing a few more songs, Pecknold said his final goodbye to the audience. While walking off the stage I could see him from where I was sitting- him just taking in every single moment and looking back countless times.  With one more glance before the final exit, he stood in the doorway for a moment, nodded his head and closed the door behind him. You could tell playing the same venue where Neil Young once recored that legendary Live album, had truely affected him. An awe-inspiring evening of music, no less. 

www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

http://www.myspace.com/dungen

posted by bianca

The always shirtless avant-folk-singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart will be releasing What Will We Be, this Fall on Warner Music.  This is Banharts follow up to 2007′s Smokey Rolls Down the Thunder Canyon.

Track-Listing:

Can’t Help
Angelika
Baby
Goin’ Back To The Place
First Song For B
Last Song For B
Chin Chin & Muck Muck
16th & Valencia
Rats
Maria Leonza
Brindo
Meet Me At The Lookout
Wiliamdzi
Foolin’

www.devendrabanhart.com

www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart

posted by bianca

Fleet Foxes will be playing tonight at Massey Hall with Swedish band Dungen, who have joined FF for the remainder of their North American tour dates.

Also, I threw in Jay-Z’s new album cover for The Blueprint III… because I really like it.

www.myspace.com/dungen

www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

posted by bianca

 If you didn’t love her before, you will now.

Here’s a pic of Alison Mosshart, of the Dead Weather and The Kills, showing off the benefits of Yoga.

Special thanks to my good friend Tim Mcready, who captured this moment.

For more pics, check out Tim’s blog

http://timmccready.livejournal.com

posted by bianca

Life goes through fazes and apparently so does my attention to this blog.  Apologies, I’ll try not to neglect you again.

On another note, tonight, supergroup Dead Weather are playing the Kool Haus with The Screaming Females. If you’re not familiar with the Dead Weather, they’re made up of vocalist Allison Mosshart of The Kills, Jack White (explanation needed?), guitarist Dean Fertita from Queens of the Stonage and bassist Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs.  They recently played a ‘secret’ show at The Horseshoe Tavern (I was out of town..sigh) and needless to say, they blew everyone away.  Were you there??

Just a little background about the Dead Weather: they formed in Nashville, Tennessee in early ’09, basically out of a jam session-turned-full on project, and are currently touring North America in support of their new album Horehound.

www.thedeadweather.com/index.html

Lots of other great music coming out this summer… keep these on your radar!

(500) Days of Summer soundtrack – ..Includes The Smiths, The Doves and She & Him.  I heart Zoe Deschanel.

Wilco -  Wilco (the album)

Billy Talent – Billy Talent III

 bianca

In support of their recently released album, No Nations, Jets Overhead have set off on a cross-country tour, opening up for Montreal’s The Dears.  They’ll be stopping in Toronto to play The Horseshoe Tavern tonight for Nu Music Tuesday and from there they’ll be heading to New York and Tennessee, to play the legendary Bonaroo fest.

They’ve had a busy few days in Toronto, showing up at Explore Music, CBC Radio’s Q with Jian Gomeshi and performing a few songs on XM Radio’s The Verge. BUSY!

Check out our Q & A’s with Jets Overhead singer, Antonia Freybe-Smith:

Hey Antonia, just to introduce everyone to you, what instrument do you play and when did you pick that up?

I play guitar and a mean tambourine. I started playing piano as a kid, hated practicing. My mum would have to set the egg timer to make sure I played for 30 minutes everyday but I would push it forward when she left the room.  I took up guitar in my mid teens- I had an awesome, charismatic older cousin who sang and played guitar and I thought he was the coolest person in the world so I tought myself alone in my room. I’m kind of a pathetic player.

I doubt that! What was the first record you bought?

Talking Heads, Little Creatures. The soundtrack of my childhood is a chalk-a-block full of Talking Heads, Leonard Cohen, Brian Ferry, Joe Jackson and Paul Simon- all thanks to my wonderful, energetic Aunt.

Where do you discover new music? Online? Magazine’s? Word of mouth or recommendations from friends?

I’m addicted to Espace Musique, the CBC French music radio station. They play a delicious selection of jazz, classical, electronic and world music. I’ve discoveres some gorgeous stuff through them – the only frustrating thing is when they play some amazing piece of music and then I frantically try to understand what the Quebecois DJ is saying so I can find out what it is but I can’t understand and I start to panic but it’s my own fault, because my french is terrible.

Which past album do you tend to revisit often?

Paul Simon, Rhythm of the Saints. I am in awe of everything he is doing on that record- I find it endlessly satisfying and uplifting and return to it again and again to revive my faith in the beauty of music when all the music industry crap is getting me down. That, and Dire Straights Dire Straights – I do not thing it’s possible to ever get sick of that album.

What was the last place (outside Canada..even North America) that you’ve visited?

I was just in China touring with Jets Overhead and that was such an interesting experience- incredible food, kind people, crazy cities, wonderfully enthusiastic audiences – we loved it.

Do you find there’s a reoccuring theme on No Nations?

I think that there’s a bit of a resigned sadness, tinged with hope and love. Sort of  like: well, this is a crazy, messed up world we live in. Fine, so be it, let’s try and love one another anyways.

And lastely, what’s your favourite track on the album?

Always a First Time. I get a nice road trip, sunshine, thoughtful feeling when I hear that song.  It was written really quickly as a group, it just kind of emerged and it was like, cool, onto the next one!

Post-show update: The Horseshoe was packed for Jets Overhead, who hit the stage around 10 and played a 40-minute set.  They sounded incredible live, rich harmonies, very atmospheric with shoegaze undertones leading into a heavier rock sound.  Everyone had such a great time, especially the band who said though it went by fast, they had a terrific time in Toronto!  

www.myspace.com/jetsoverhead

posted by bianca

As part of Three Girls & Their Buddy, Emmylou Harris, Patti Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller played Massey Hall this past Friday, and competed for our Canadian hearts. Throughout the over 2-hour set, all four artists tried to outdo each other by “who’s more connected to Canada.” Shawn Colvin confessed that she was raised in London, Ontario until Grade 6, Griffin’s great-grandparents has roots in New Brunswick but Emmylou one-up’d both ladies saying “Well..I did have a daughter with a Canadian..so..”

All four singer-songwriters took the stage as part of the kick-off to Luminato’s festivities. Performing both originals and covers (opening the night with Neil Young’s song Birds), Patti Griffin played a number of songs from her latest gospel album (which Miller produced) while Colvin treated us to a cover of The Band’s song, Twilight.

The three ladies took the stage (sans Miller) for an encore and treated us to an a cappella version of Go To Sleep Little Baby, ending the evening on what seemed to be an impromptu note.

posted by bianca

Tuesday night I went to see Blackie Jackett Jr (members of Finger Eleven) open up for Chicago-based quartet, Company of Thieves.  Everyone seemed to enjoy singer/guitarist James Black’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the woes of love and heartache and drinking whiskey until the wee hours of the morning..for a Tuesday there were a lot of shots going around.

Company of Thieves followed and played an engergetic set while singer, 22 yr-old Genevieve Schatz violently played the tamborine and sang her arse off.  Upon close inspection, every boy in the venue watched in awe and left drooling. No exagerration.

Wednesday evening Santigold played a sold-out show at the Phoenix.  She brought along a live band this time around (last time she played to a DJ) and two 80′s-inspired dancers, clad in American Apparel gold jackets.

Tonight I’ll be heading over to Massey Hall to see Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patti Griffin and Buddy Miller. Everyone around the office is pretty excited to see Emmy Lou..I’ll probably just bow down to her in the ‘we’re not worthy’ motion.

Pt 2: Q & A with Adam Kittredge:

Are Jets Overhead still based out of Victoria, BC? Any Plans on moving the band more east..say, to Toronto??

No offence, but are you crazy??? Victoria is where it’s at. We are making our own scene here. Move to T.O. or Montreal and we’d just get swallowed by the over saturated scenester scene/lost in the quagmire of tight jeans and greasy hair – actually..mine’s pretty greasy right now. Plus, winter here?? Yes please.

Fair enough! What’s your favourite live venue in Canada?

The Commodore Ballroom of course.

What’s the meaning behind the title of your follow-up album, No Nations?

The truth is, it came out of a stream of consciousness jam with no political intention or otherwise. We were writing the song – like we wrote most of the songs on the album, as a group jamming/improvising and I was singing the melody. Probably started as “meah…meah..meah” or some garbildgook, and then at some point out came “No Na Tions” (melody inserted).  From there it became the chorus, then the title of the song and eventually we landed on album title as well.  It took on mulitple meanins, and I/we are still coming up with new ones every day. Borders be damned, break down the walls between us, one world, globalization, alienation, multiculturalism – all these common phrases are really what tied us into the concept of “No Nations.”  And I think these themes come up in all of the songs on the album in some capacity. But isn’t it funny that “No Nations” was ultimately just a phrase picked out of the air: consonants and vowels that sounded phonetically right with the melody I was humming at the time. Song writing is weird.

What’s your favourite track on the album?

Changes all the time, especially now that we are playing them live!  But lately I’ve been really digging Sure Sign. I just love how the bass line picks up and drops in hard on the second verse. Gives me tingles every time.  That was actually a mix decision made by our mixer Malcolm Burn. One day we’ll release the original rough mix and you’d be surprised by the difference his arrangement made to the song. He is very cut and dry kind of guy.  I really like that about Malcolm – Although it was challenging to accept sometimes for all of us. He’s the kind of mixer that will just take a scythe and sheer large swaths of a song away if he thinks them to be overindulgent.  Bye-bye one minute intro – hello 3 minute ditty!  Ultimately we really appreciated the editor in the room.  I’ve never written a book, but I would imagine it is much the same.

www.myspace.com/blackiejackettjr

www.myspace.com/companyofthieves

www.myspace.com/jetsoverhead

posted by bianca

As promised, here is the second part of my Q & A with Mick Davis, but first, which shows are on your radar over the next few weeks? A lot of folks around the office are going to check out the NIN/Janes Addiction/Street Sweeper Social Club show tonight at the Molson Ampitheatre.  

I’ll be heading over to the Drake Underground to catch two Windup acts, Blackie Jackett Jr. and Company of Thieves this evening.  Tomorrow Santigold will be playing a sold-out show over at the Phoenix and argueably one of the most influential woman in alt-country will be performing at Massey Hall - Emmy Lou Harris, along with Shawn Colvin, Patti Griffin and Buddy Miller, this Friday. Great week for music.

Q & A with Mick Davis of The Novaks

You get to travel across Canada quite a bit, what’s the best record store you’ve come across?

East Side Records in Toronto, a great vinyl shop.
What’s the best live venue you’ve played in Canada

I care about nice rooms, sound and lights and all that but it’s all a lot of nothing without the people. So my favourite venues would be the ones in the cities where people get what we’re doing. Besides, at home I’d say we’ve had our best shows in Halifax, Edmonton, Calgary, Vangroovy and Victoria. Oh, but a pool table in the back goes a long way.. a guiness tap too.

If you weren’t living in the East Coast, where would you be living?

I like to have a laugh in the big cities for a week or so.  But it’s the trees and water that I like. Quite happy where I am.

If you weren’t in a rock band, what would you be doing?

Chess champion? I don’t know. I really can’t do anything else. It’s Novaks or bust.

www.myspace.com/thenovaks

www.thenovaks.ca/

posted by bianca
 

Victoria-based band Jets Overhead, whose new album No Nations comes out next Tuesday, June 2nd, has been a staple on my ipod ever since I first heard it (admittingly I’ve had the album since December!)  Now, I’ve been accused of using the words epic and amazing too often when describing music (guilty) but I don’t use them frivolously my friends. This Rock album is both epic AND amazing and I predict Jets Overhead will be in demand all over the Canadian (and hopefully U.S) music scene in the near future, so make sure you go check them out on tour now while the venues are relatively intimate. They’ll be playing The Horseshoe Tavern June 9th and are currently touring with The Dears and Black Diamond Bay across Canada.

Here’s pt 1 of my Q & A with singer Adam Kittredge:

Staying with the either/or starter questions, here’s one for you. Lennon or McCartney?

Lennon (typical I know). But I must say I heard a bit of McCartney’s latest effort recently and I have got to hand it to him – it sounded very fresh. That reminds me..I’ve got to pick that new record of his up!

When did Jets Overhead form?

This is always a tough question to answer; it’s like a relationship being defined as starting on the wedding day when really the relationship had been gestating for years leading up to that special day. Let’s say 2003 wink wink or .. Speaking of which, at first I wasn’t down with the bracket colon smile/frown thing, but I must admit, I have come to find it somewhat handy. Is that Wrong?

What was the first record you bought?

It was a tape cassette – Def Leopard’s Histeria

What new artists/albums have you been listening to lately?

I’ve been listening to new music a ton thanks to CBC Radio 2 Drive. I bought Howie Bec’s new album and am digging it quite a bit. Kathleen Edwards Asking For Flowers I love too. Guilty pleasure: Kings Of Leon’s new one and MGMT. Can’t stop spinning In Rainbows (Radiohead).

Which bands would you love to hit the road with?

Death Cab for Cutie would be great.

What instrument do you play? When did you pick that up?

Guitar. Grade 6..It was actually bass guitar at first, but I quickly realized that singing songs to girls with a bass didn’t impress them anything like an acoustic guitar..

Up next week, Pt 2 of our Q & A with Adam.

Also coming up are Q &A’s from whiskey-country rock act Blackie Jackett (James and Rick Finger Eleven); Antonia from Jets Overhead and  Pt 2 from Novaks singer Mick Davis.

http://www.myspace.com/jetsoverhead

http://www.myspace.com/thenovaks

http://www.myspace.com/blackiejackettjr

posted by bianca

Especially free stuff.

I have a few cool things to give away, courtesy of Jon’s (pictured above left, with Trevor from Warner Van) generousity.  I’ll be giving out the latest Fleet Foxes and Lykke Li albums, as well as a Fleet Foxes and Dan Auerbach poster, just for fun.

Ahhh see, but there’s a catch. All you have to do is post which bands you plan on checking out during  NXNE. Who’s on your radar?

http://www.nxne.com/

That’s it. See?  Easy.

Lykke is playing the Sound Academy Aug 9th

www.myspace.com/lykkeli

Fleet Foxes will be playing at Massey Hall August 4th

http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

posted by bianca

I first met Rock trio The Novaks back in early March, during Canadian Music Week here in Toronto.  They were looking forward to their latest album, Things Fall Apart, to be released in late spring on Sonic Records (Hey Rosetta!, Matt Mays) and to get back out on the Road. Well that time has fast approached – the boys are gearing up for a tour across Ontario in support of their latest, which is due out TODAY! Lot’s happening for these East-Coasters.

Keeping things p.g., Mick and I had a little fun with some Q & A’s, which will come in two installments.   Enjoy!

Let’s just get right into it Mick. Beatles or The Stones?

Beatles. The early Beatle period when they were doing all that Chuck Berry and Little Richard stuff… that’s the greatest era in Rock and Roll for me. They did all those covers better than the original artists. And as far as I know they were the first sort of 4 man band, where every member played an important role, rather than Buddy Holly and the Crickets or Chuck Berry and whoever.  I also believe they were the tightest group ever during those early records. Ringo is my favorite drummer. No click track back then, folks.

I love the Stones, but they don’t really turn me on until they hit the ’70′s with their Chuck Berry type rock on Exile, etc.

Tom Petty or Tom Waits?

Petty is an obvious influence on me. I couldn’t sing when I was a teenager (can’t “sing” now!) and so I looked up to all the talky sort of singers like Petty, Ian Hunter, Mark Knopler, even Ace Frehley, and especially Dylan. But yeah, Petty. “I Won’t Back Down” is just about the greatest song I ever heard and I played it constantly on the jukebox when I was a kid.

How old were you when you wrote your first song? What did it sound like?

I wrote my first tune when I was 7… when I started playing guitar. I tried to copy a song I heard a cartoon sing on Garfield and Friends. So I imagine it was pretty awful.

Do you remember the first album you bought?

Yep. ZZ Top’s “Eliminator”. I bought it just for the artwork. But “Legs” still knocks me out.

How would you describe your new single, There Goes the Night?

This song is mostly about people and their gadgets. It seems people are always looking for anything besides what is immediately around them. There is hope in the last verse however, asking the kids to not fall for that shit, use their hearts, and fall in love.

What Inspired it?

“There Goes the Night” like most of the album is saying “everything is terrible, but it can be alright.”

Look for the second installment next Tuesday.

www.thenovaks.ca

www.myspace.com/thenovaks

posted by bianca

With NXNE just weeks away, let the countdown begin! In the weeks leading up to the big event, I’ll be interviewing some of Canada’s up-and-coming rockers..bands spanning from the East to the West Coast. From the East we’ll start things off with Nfld based rockers The Novaks, who will be playing the Horseshoe Tavern on June 19th.  Also look forward to some Q & A’s from singers’ Adam and Antonia of Victoria-based quintet Jets Overhead, who’ll also be playing the Horseshoe on June 9th, for a pre-NXNE show.

http://www.myspace.com/thenovaks

http://www.jetsoverhead.com/newsplash/

http://www.nxne.com/

posted by bianca

As the summer approaches, so do a lot of really hot shows and album releases. I’ll be checking out Santigold’s June show at the Phoenix, along with the intense amount of shows that will be going down with NXNE just around the corner. Also something to keep on the radar is Jack White’s new side project, The Dead Weather, whose new album is out this July..it’s shaping up to be another epic summer of music!

Here’s a list of a few shows to check out (sorry, I tend to focus on Toronto but feel free to post questions if you’re in need of recommendations!

Justin Rutledge @ The Mod Club, May 29th

www.myspace.com/justinrutledge

Ron Sexsmith @ Hugh’s Room, June 1-2

www.myspace.com/ronsexsmith

Jets Overhead @ The Horseshoe Tavern, June 9

www.myspace.com/jetsoverhead

The Novaks @ The Horseshoe, June 19th (Part of NXNE)

www.myspace.com/thenovaks

The Dead Weather @ the Kool Haus, July 22

www.thedeadweather.com

Fleet Foxes @ Massey Hall, Aug 4

www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

Lykke Li @ Sound Academy @ Sound Academy

www.myspace.com/lykkeli

posted by bianca

I asked Chris earlier today if he wanted to do a favourite things kind of list and being the nice guy that he is, he sent this back in no time.

See below what Chris loves to do on his time off.

Favourite record store?

CM: Rotate / Cosmos tie…I’ve switched back to only buying vinyl – these two still feel like the best options for new / used to me.

Best thing to do for a Sunday brunch?

CM: My favorite Sunday brunch thing to do is to pick up a picnic at Max’s Deli in Bloor West village, and take it to High park to listen to leaves, people watch, and have a nap after.

Favourite venue to check out live music?

CM: Lee’s Palace. I’ve seen the best mind-blowing / life changing shows there, they’ve always sounded great (to my recollection at least), and it’s just the right size / layout for things to feel cozy.

I’ve been seeing bands there since I was underage and still figure that’s juuuust enough people for the band and audience to feel cozy and like one big happy family.

Chris has won Junos for Video of the Year (2008) for Blue Rodeo’s C’mon and Music DVD of the year (2009) for Blue Rodeo’s Blue Road.  He is currently working on a documentary on Canadian hip-hop artist Buck 65.

posted by bianca

We’re sad to say that today is Karolina’s last day with the Warner family. She’s been with us for three and a half years and decided to take a position with Coalition Entertainment. Luckily we’ll still get to see her around the office every now and then, since a few of our artists are on Coalition’s roster.

About 30 of us had her goodbye lunch at our favourite shwarma place,  Aladin’s, pictured above.

Good luck Karolina!

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As mentioned a few days ago, I went to see folk rocker’s The Low Anthem play at The Horseshoe Tavern, here in Toronto.  Opening up for Elvis Perkins, they played about a 45 minute set switching up instruments the entire time.  Their set ranged from quiet introspective folk songs rich with harmonies to full-on blues-rock  jams.

The trio are made up of singer/songwriter (and painter) Ben Miller, singer/pianist/jazz bassist Jeff Prystowsky and singer/guitarist Jocie Adams.  What caught me off guard was Miller’s range, going from soft-singing harmonica playing to aggressive bluesrock, channeling Red Ingle & The Natural Seven’s covering his song Cigareets, Whiskey and Wild Wild Women.

Their stunning album Oh My God, Charlie Darwin comes in a hand-painted homemade package, but is being re-released by Nonesuch Records on June 9th.  It is also being remastered by Bob Ludwig (Radiohead, The Who, David Bowie, etc..) which the band is pretty excited about.

The Low Anthem are off to the UK for a summer tour before they head back to the States.

www.lowanthem.com/

www.myspace.com/lowanthem

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So now I ask you, which artists seem to never leave your player?

Sidenote: A friend yesterday over dinner said, “I usually listen to one artist at a time, obsessively, for months on end. My neighbour’s must hate me..It’s offensive what I do to music. No one should endure it!”

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The Low Anthem

www.myspace.com/lowanthem

www.lowanthem.com

Check out their song Ticket Taker. With lyrics like “I will be your arc, we will float above the storm..” you can’t go wrong.

They’ll be playing The Horseshoe Tavern Wednesday, April 29th.

Vancouver hosted this year’s 2009 Junos which was held March 26-29. I was originally booked for a 3-night stay but being a first timer in Vancity, a last minute decision to move my flight a few days was inevitable.  A good thing too, I ended up cramming a whole lot in 5 busy days, but we’ll focus on the highlights of the Juno weekend.

Saturday:

The Juno Gala Dinner was held on Saturday evening where 32  awards were handed out over a 3-course meal and several performances, including Montreal-based ”trip rock” band Beast, who opened the evening.

Big congrats to Divine Brown for winning  R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and to Christopher Mills & Geoff McLean who took home a Juno for Music DVD of the Year for Blue Rodeo’s Blue Road. 

After the gala we headed over to the Gibson party at Richard’s on Richards to check out some live music. While I watched the boys from Barenaked Ladies take the stage and get the crowd going with cheesy covers, my friend was on the hunt for Robert Pattinson from Twilight, who was floating around the bar somewhere.

Sunday:

I went to check out the Juno Songwriters’ Circle at the Centre for Performing Arts Sunday afternoon, hosted by the insanely talented Hawksley Workman.  Also included were Doc Walker, Jim Cuddy, Ndidi Onukwulu, Jacob Hoggard, Sarah Slean and Buffy Saint Marie.  Check out cbc’s review/pics for more info:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20090329junos

The televised Junos hosted by Russell Peters were held later that evening at the GM Place.  The whole production went pretty smoothly from a spectators perspective and two hours later it was all over. Great performance by Sarah Mclauchlan with Luke Doucet and Melissa McLelland.

After the Junos everyone headed over to the Warner Music/Flare party at Bryan Adams massive studio in Gastown. Artists jammed all night on stage and at one point Divine Brown and Michael Bublé sang Signed, Sealed, Delivered with Ron Sexsmith on guitar, Murray Foster from Great Big Sea on bass and Glenn Milchem from Blue Rodeo on drums.

Next year’s Junos will be held in St. John’s , Nfld.

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Toronto’s We Are the Take, were the openers, though I missed their performance (they took stage at 7:30, I was eating dinner, sorry guys).

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Thursday
9:00 pm Stopped into Bovine to check out Carmen & Camille (think Lilith Fair, small stage) and left after the second song.  Headed towards The Horseshoe Tavern with the intentions of seeing $100, not before stopping in The Hideout to see Ireland’s indie-showcase.  Dublin band Halves were barely into their set and though I only planned on staying for a song or two, I ended up staying for their whole set. Halves sound was  described to me by someone  I randomly met, (who ended up being the guitarist from Cork, Ireland based-band Fred) as “atmospheric mathrock,” but also reminded me a bit of the Postal Service meets sigor ros.

10pm Finally made it to The Horseshoe where Women, an indie experimental-rock outfit (and Chad VanGaalan’s protege’s) from Calgary, were setting up.  The Horseshoe was packed and the crowd was eager to have the next band hit the stage.  Not to my surprise, VanGaalan himself  joined the 4-piece on stage, playing a lively set. Though the band rarely interacted with the audience, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

11pm onwards Headed for Lee’s Palace to see The Waking Eyes and Matt Mays.  Mays seems like he’s become a staple in Canadian Alt Country/Rock, having been in the music scene since the late 90′s, starting off as a member of alt-country band The Guthries.  His unpretentious/confident stage presence combined with the rest of talented soldiers from El Torpedo made for a solid/energetic show.  MM&ET went on around midnight, playing newer songs from Terminal Romance and oldies, including a song from The Guthries.  I watched about an hour of his set with friends, then headed home.

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I went to see Nikolai Fraiture, aka Nickel Eye, at El Mocambo Tuesday night, playing to a full crowd.  We all know Fraiture as the bassist from The Strokes, but we never saw him in the limelight up until recently, when he released his debut album, The Time of the Assassins.  He played about 40-minutes, with the crowd being most receptive to his single Brandy of the Damned.  He wrapped his set up (no encore) and was off to his next adventure.

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Neil Young @ Air Canada Centre, Dec 4'08

It’s been a (long) while since my last post, due to technical difficulties, but all is back up and running, so perhaps this is the best time to catch up on what’s been happening.

There were some amazing shows towards the end of the year, specifically the Wilco/Neil Young show. After seeing Neil Young at Massey Hall back in fall ’07, I wasn’t sure how any other show of his could top that one, but come on, it’s Neil Young right?!

I was able to catch the first of two back-to-back shows at the Air Canada Centre here in Toronto. Wilco was great, though Jeff Tweedy was apparently ill throughout their set, which from where I was standing you couldn’t tell. Wilco put on a great show regardless.

Mr.Young played all of his classics including Cinnamon Girl, Heart of Gold, Cortez the Killer and Ohio. Highlight for me was his solo acoustic performance of Needle and the Damage Done.

He makes it look so effortless. Amazing.

As for what 2009 holds, check out some upcoming January/early February shows, if you can gather the motivation to brave this Canadian (below) freezing winter we’ve been having.

Amelia Curran   Jan 28  @ Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

Gym Class Heroes Jan 22 @ Saddledome, Calgary

Lykke Li Feb 6 @ Phoneix, Toronto

Nickel Eye  Jan 20 @ El Mocambo

Justin Rutledge  Jan 29 @ Company House, Halifax

The Virgins Feb 5 @ El Mocambo, Toronto

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It’s been a busy month for The Waking Eyes here in Toronto.  I’ve posted about them a few times already, but what can I say, they’re working hard. Thursday night at El Mocambo, they had their cd release party. They played about an hour long set, changing things up with a little MGMT prelude to their song Masters of Deception. To see a snippet of them playing their new single All Empires Fall, check out the link below (thanks girls over at Sugarcain Entertainment for this!)

http://www.youtube.com/v/cJzG-xsY40M&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1

As soon as The Waking Eyes were done, some of us headed over to The Phoenix to check out roots rocker and Canadian fave, Matt Mays & El Torpedo.  I missed The Arkells but heard they put on an awesome show.  Matt walked onto the stage looking like a good old fashioned rock star, clad in head to toe white, with matching white guitar.  The boys seemed to love being back in Toronto, and had some special guest friends join them onstage, including Brian Byrne (ex-I Mother Earth singer) and had The Arkells, along with Byrne, join MM&ET onstage for Cocaine Cowgirl. Matt also shared a story with us early in the set, saying he was mugged earlier in the day over on Ontario/Carlton. He seemed pretty unfazed by the ordeal saying, “anyhooo, I’m alive.”

Personal highlights of the show was watching a drenched Mays playing the title track (and piano driven)Terminal Romance. They also did a GREAT version of Wild Horses by the Stones. I know it’s a song that’s been covered many a time, but Mays covering a classic Stones song.. too good.

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If you’re free tomorrow evening, try checking out the following shows:

Matt Mays & El Torpedo wsg/ The Arkells - Phoenix, Doors are at 8pm

The Waking Eyes – Cd release at El Mocambo

Will try to blog Friday with photos from both shows. See ya there!

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If there’s anyone that knows how to start a party off right, it’s Toronto’s own Die Mannequin.

The Casby’s showcase the Edge radio stations hottest acts of the year and have now become a main staple in the Toronto music scene. This year’s live-to-air awards show featured some local favourites; Tokyo Police Club, Never Ending White Lights, City and Colour, U.S.S, and Sloan. It was one of the Casby’s best lineups to date and undeniably their most memorable opening act!  At only 8:30 on a Wednesday night, Die Mannequin literally had jaws dropping as they set the bar for the evening with their unsurpassed energy and raw stage antics. From jumping into the audience and screaming the chorus with fans, to rocking the guitar while sprawled across the stage, lead singer Care Failure grabbed hold of the audience and never gave them back.

With the Edge’s always entertaining Morning Show staff running the party, (not to mention hilarious cardboard cutouts of each of them) and CBC’s George Strombolopous announcing the awards, the Casby’s have once again proven to be a worthwhile reason to make the mid-week trek down to the Koolhaus.

For more highlights check out:   http://www.edge.ca/ConcertsandEvents/Casbys08/Main.aspx

posted by bianca

I went to see The Waking Eyes last night at Lee’s Palace and as I approached I saw the drummer outside with a friend.  I overheard them talk about the state of the indierock scene and the ways bands are compared. I tried not to eavesdrop (but couldn’t help it)!

Sidenote: the guys in the band told me they’re staying in Etobicoke (while they’re in TO from Winnipeg) when I bragged that I biked to the venue from my house in the Annex, basically down the street. Needless to say they weren’t too impressed by my boasting, but I digress.

The band went on around 10:30, and I have to say I’ve seen them play a few times now, but this was by far the most energetic set I’ve seen these lads play..ever!  They started their set off with the first song on their album, and at one point some audience members shouted out the names to songs only a few chords in. Very impressive.

The Eyes breezed through a 40-minute set, I took some pics (one seen here), finished my beer and biked home. 

posted by bianca

If you’re free in the coming weeks, you should definitely check out some of the following shows:

The Waking Eyes @ Lee’s Palace on October 16th

David Martel @ Lee’s Palace on October 17th

St. Alvia @ The Horsehoe Tavern on October 17th

Madonna @ the Air Canada Centre on October 18th

Lykke Li @ The Mod Club on October 24th

Estelle/Gym Class Heroes @ The Sound Academy on October 26th

Justice @ Circa on October 29th

I’ll be at Lee’s Palace this Thursday to check out The Waking Eyes. I’ve seen them a few times before and always put on a great/energetic show. Will post some pics of the Waking Eyes show on Friday.

posted by bianca

Highlights: Performing bebe*, in full-on character, as a friend of mine put it, ”she just popped.” 

posted by bianca