Toronto Music Blog Collective

Recent reviews and more.

2009-08-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hello! Remember me? I've been blogging away over at Narratives, posting my weekly show listings, podcasts, and occasional other fancy things. I have some recent reviews to share with you: of The Junction's new album (and ticket/CD giveaway), the Jon-Rae Fletcher show at Sneaky Dee's at the end of July, and the RAA's CD release show.

Pick of the Week #29: The Parkas - You Should've Killed Us When You Had the Chance

2009-07-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

Most of the picks of the week that are made on this here blog are because I really, really, like the albums; many of them are from bands that I feel are under appreciated, and, occasionally, its because I have some type of personal connection (real or imagined) with the band... this time its all of the above!

... read the rest of the story plus mp3s here...

The Parkas Final Show/CD Release. The Silver Dollar. July 25. 2009.

2009-07-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

... yes, I have been gone for a while, thanks for noticing...

Today is the official beginning of Parkas week at the Burgeoning Metropolis...

Next Saturday is going to be like a funeral... of a new mother. The Parkas, who are awesome and I've have said so on a number of occasions, are packing it in as a band (they're dying). And, even though they're dying (figuratively) they're releasing a new album, You Should've Killed Us When You Had The Chance (the baby), which is pretty exciting, because we're going to have a way to remember the band.

So, the way I see things going on Saturday is more of a 'celebration of life (and their new bastard child)' rather than the show being a somber, sad affair (feel free to wear bright colours!); as well as, part OISE re-union (I hope). And, who knows, maybe playing their last show is exactly what the band needs to get their record on MTV and start making bazillions of dollars to quit being teachers and doctors and stuff...

*Although (History) Jen has pointed out that Amy Milan and Gentleman Reg are playing down for free down at the harbour front, Mike Brown (Parkas lead singer) points out that: 1/they'll be finished; 2/ they'll be playing again; and I'll point out that, 3/ the Parkas will be WAY more fun than either of them...

Who: The Parkas (duh!) w/ Tacoma Hellfarm Tragedy & Whitebelt Octopus
What: Rock and/or Roll
When: 10:30 pm
Where: The Silver Dollar (College & Spadina)
Why: ... why not?
How (much): $6

Win tix to see the Tom Fun Orchestra at The Horseshoe along with a copy of their CD!!

2009-07-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

We're partway through this 2009 concert going year, and for now, the Tom Fun Orchestra show that I saw back in January is sitting comfortably in my top 3 shows of the year. This band is one of the mostest funnest bands around and thankfully, they're coming back to Toronto again on Thursday August 6th at The Horseshoe Tavern. Opening for them will be a solo set by current Tom Funner Carmen Townsend, as well as local rock band The Coast.

I've got two tickets to giveaway to the show, along with a copy of their outstanding CD entitled You Will Land With a Thud.

All of the contest rules, along with mp3's and stuff, are posted here.

And while I've got your attention, here's some other stuff I've been up to:

I saw Sonic Youth at Massey Hall and talked about it here.
I attended a Bluegrass Festival in the town of Tottenham and talked about it here.
I saw Ohbijou perform an in-store at Soundscapes and talked about it here.

And I had a rather subdued involvement in this year's NXNE, but still managed to catch a little something everyday.

Day 1 is here featuring Spiral Beach, Amos the Transparent, The Love Machine, The Balconies, Pirate Love and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head.
Day 2 is here featuring Coeur de Pirate, One Hundred Dollars and The Deep Dark Woods.
And day 3 is here featuring The Sonics, The Zoobombs and The Dudes .

I survived NxNE... and here's what's happening the first few days of July.

2009-07-01T22:26:00.001-07:00

Hello TMBC readers! Long time, no contact. My bad. Been busy with stuff (still am), but here's this week's listings and podcast. If you aren't paying attention to these, you really should! (Say I.) For my NxNE adventures, go here. Happy show-going/music listening, and happy Canada Day!

"Gravity Has Lost Its Charm"

2009-06-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Bobby B, here. You may remember me from such blogs as It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans and Toronto Music Blog Collective. It just occurred to me that I haven't posted here for about a month or so. It's that dang life of mine getting in the way again. It'll do that sometimes.

In case you're interested, here's some of the music related things that I've been up to:

I saw The National at Kool Haus and reviewed it here.
I saw Lovely Killbots, Whale Tooth, Make Your Exit and Amos The Transparent at The Horseshoe and reviewed it here.
I saw Dog Day at Soundscapes and reviewed it here.
I saw The Fishwives, Hut and Pick A Piper at Rancho Relaxo and reviewed it here.
I saw Slakah The Beatchild at Revival and reviewed it here.
I saw Passion Pit at Lee's Palace but I haven't reviewed it yet because I just got home from the show two seconds ago. But I will probably review it here.

Also I found out about an obscure little local music festival called NXNE that is taking place starting tomorrow. If you're looking for some recommendations or you wanna know what I'm doing at NXNE, then you can read about it here.

Have a good night and I'll blog to ya soon.

The lyric "gravity has lost its charm" is from the song Doom by Hut. Amazing song!

Pick of the Week #23 - Still Life Still

2009-06-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

This week's pick = Still Life Still... "not just a Broken Social Scene knock off!"

See the full post at the BM.

Weekly update!

2009-06-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Listings + podcast!

My picks for the Polaris Prize

2009-06-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

Interested in what I'd pick if I were a Polaris Juror? No, eh? Huh...

If you change your mind, my post is here.

Introducing Great Bloomers.

2009-06-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Check out my blog for a little "shout out" post about Great Bloomers, a young band with a new record and a cross-Canada summer tour coming up. I met some of them when Tyler and I had them on the podcast ahead of their CD release show. You'll find a mini review, some free song downloads, links to other cool stuff, and the band's upcoming Toronto and Canadian tour dates.

Pick of the Week #22: Pink Mountaintops

2009-06-05T09:20:00.001-07:00

Without belabouring the point (I belabour the point here), basically, I'm not really a fan of Stephen McBean, Black Mountain, or people from the West Coast (kidding! about the last part at least), but Outside Love by the Pink Mountaintops is quite good. In a nutshell, the album eschews the messier, grungier, side of Black Mountain and replaces it with a more accessible, free love, sort of boy-girl vocals. They haven't turned into the New Pornographers or something, but they have softened things up enough to win me over...

See last week's pick of the week: Howie Beck

This week's podcast + listings + other stuff!

2009-06-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

The podcast is up here.

Featuring Flotilla ("Charlie, I'm Through"), Clara Engel ("Appetite for Pain"), Evening Hymns ("Sentimental Reasons"), The Darling DeMaes ("Girl Soldiers"), The Lovely Feathers ("Lowiza"), and Jordaan Mason & the Horse Museum ("Bird's Nest").

Tyler and I realized that we've already done a year's worth of podcasts! The first one covered the last week of May 2008. So here's to the start of year 2. Thanks so much to everyone who's listened!

As always, we're on the lookout for new music. Streaming from MySpace can be difficult or impossible some days---like yesterday, when the player wasn't at all reliable, so feel free to send me some song files (historyjenATgmailDOTcom).

Another podcast you should know about are the ones done by Justin Beach for the NxEW.ca music blog. Check out previous all-music podcasts here, and submit your band's music for potential inclusion (northbyeastwestATgmailDOTcom).

And the show listings for the rest of this week and the first half of next.

I took in some of the huge Pitter Patter Music Festival on the weekend. And it left me sick come Tuesday. Yeah, PPMF, I blame you. And all the great bands I saw: Octoberman, Sandman Viper Command, Pick A Piper, The Diableros, Sports, Cursed Arrows, The Speaking Tongues, Chang-A-Lang, Mt. Royal, Sarah D., and Drunk Woman. And Slim Twig and Wyrd Visions, too. Also, and most especially, Keith Hamilton. *cough* *sniffle*

Everything is great this week. Here's to hoping I'm well enough to take some of it in. My schedule looks like Flotilla on Thursday, Jordaan Mason et al. on Saturday, and Wavelength on Sunday.

This Saturday is the first AUX.tv "secret session" at TARA. All the details about this can be found here. The first band to do an acoustic session is The Ghost Is Dancing, this Friday at 5pm. It's free to go as long as you RSVP beforehand with your name and the number of people coming.

Finally, there's a new mini-documentary by Egin Kongoli about the Wavelength anniversary shows that happened in February. It's really great, and I encourage you all to check it out.

WL 450 from Egin Kongoli on Vimeo.

New Ohbijou Album "Beacons"

2009-06-03T07:03:00.000-07:00

This may be the shortest post ever...

Ohbijou's Beacons came out digitally yesterday, will be out physically (in Canada) June 16, in the US a week later, and it is AWESOME.

You can read everything I've ever written on Ohbijou here.

Live in Sackville: SappyFest 2009 Linuep

2009-06-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

A first look at the SappyFest 2009 lineup has just been posted at the Sappy Records website and I think I just peed myself a little in excitement. Take a look at it yourself and see if you don’t loose a little control:

http://sappyrecords.com/SappyFest_09/lineup.html

What a collection of bands! I missed the boat on submitting to perform this year, but I’m sure as hell going to try to make it to Sackville anyway this summer, as this lineup looks top notch (with more TBA).

Read the full post at Wolveshawksandkites.com.

2 Giveaways: Flotilla and Jordaan Mason & the Horse Museum.

2009-06-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

Two giveaways happening this week, for new CDs just out this week:

Ticket/CD Giveaway & Review: Flotilla @ Tranzac, Thursday, 4 June.
CD Giveaway & Review: Jordaan Mason & the Horse Museum's "Divorce Lawyers I Shaved My Head."

Review's of both albums, some free downloads, etc. Enjoy!

Pick of the Week #21: Howie Beck - How to Fall Down in Public

2009-05-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

The executive summary: How to Fall Down in Public is certainly one of the better singer-songwriter albums released during this (2008-2009) Polaris calendar. It has a kind of nostalgic, golden age sound that reminds me of driving up to a beach with my parents in the 80s.

See the full post at the BM.

First Impressions: Think About Life - Family

2009-05-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hot damn! This is just what the groove doctor ordered. Family, the latest album from Montreal’s Think About LIfe, is simply fantastic. It’s a wonderfully layered, upbeat and candy-coated work of sheer exuberance that makes you forget your dog is dead.

Frenetic, soulful, and infused with an ability to make you move, listening to Family is pretty much the most fun I can remember having in a while. Hell, if Graham Van Pelt wanted to leave Miracle Fortress behind for good in favour of doing Think About Life fulltime it wouldn’t bother me at all (and I like Miracle Fortress, so that’s saying something). Suffice to say that I’ve been pumping this album pretty consistently since the moment I first popped it in the ol’ CD player and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Read the full post at Wolveshawksandkites.com here.

Over the Top Festival diary.

2009-05-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

On a Quest for Glory, On a Quest for Glory (or, Shad is awesome)

2009-05-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

The nuts and bolts of it is that Shad is pretty spectacular. I've been a big fan for a while now, advocated for him for the 2008 Polaris, but it took me listening to the Old Prince while I was driving back and forth to Oakville this weekend to realize how much I really like this album.

Its very quickly becoming one of my favourite albums ever...

See the full post at the BM w/ an unbelievable 6 minute freestyle...

Indie Music 82 (27 May - 2 June 2009).

2009-05-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Like this list? Join my Google Group to get my weekly Toronto indie music listings. Or, the Facebook group. Subscribe to my weekly podcast (or download the episodes) here, or through iTunes. Or just listen to the latest one, and all the other ones, at Zygiella. Make sure to check the rest of my blog for show reviews and photos, giveaways, and downloads.

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto, all for $10 or less. If I'm missing something you think I should list, or you have any comments, let me know. I star (*) shows that most interest me.

This weekend I took in the Over the Top Festival. From start to finish, I saw: Ghost Bees, Timber Timbre, The Ghost is Dancing, Clues, Woods (in-store), Bayonets, Tune-Yards, Think About Life, Oh No Forest Fires, Five Blank Pages, Tiny Masters of Today, The Guest Bedroom, The Budos Band, and Green Go. I could conceivably have seen a few more acts, and I suspect some people did. Still, that’s a lot of music. I’ll post a full recap and review of the festival on my blog soon.

Sunday night I was out again, this time for a special edition of Wavelength at Sneaky Dee’s, my favourite venue. Remember Toronto II featured the reunion (sort of) of four bands that owned the scene in the 1990s and early 2000s: Grasshopper, The Electric Shoes, Katrocket, and Doc Pickles’ band. All the acts were good, and different, and though Grasshopper’s Derek Madison hurled himself, his guitar, and other stuff around stage, and birthday boy Jonny Dovercourt was on-stage screaming during the closer, “Neptune,” my favourite act was Steve Heyerdahl’s Electric Shoes. The crowd was a chunk of years older than I’ve come to expect on Sunday night, and the place was pretty busy, full of nostalgia and old friends reconnecting. I didn’t know these bands back in the day, but the excitement of the evening was infectious. A fun night. And thank goodness for earplugs.

Monday night I got word that Rock Plaza Central was doing an intimate performance at midnight at the Tranzac’s front room. A few minutes into the release day of their new album, the 6-piece band played an hour-long (at least) set to no more than 25 audience members. Yawd Sylvester joined them on piano for a couple songs. Near the end of the show, the band’s drummer punk-rocked it out, bashing his cymbals to the ground, swearing at his bandmates (in jest, of course), and leaving them to play on. Quite the rousing set by what is essentially a literary folk-rock ensemble. It felt special to be there. Or “magical,” as Chris Eaton, the band’s front-man, put it.

This week I'm recommending the Pitter Patter Music Festival, happening at various venues in Toronto (and 7 other Ontario cities) Thursday through Sunday. I'll be at Rancho Relaxo on Friday night, Sneaky Dee's on Saturday, and The Rearview Mirror in Kensington Market on Sunday (running the door; come say hello!). And I will likely be other places, too. You know me: I love show-hopping when I can afford it. The PPMF is all pwyc, so it's totally affordable. For all the details, see the festival website.

For the full listings, see my blog post.

Podcast 41 (28-31 May 2009).

2009-05-25T10:07:00.001-07:00

On this episode Tyler and Jen talk to Keith Hamilton, creator and organizer of the Pitter Patter Music Festival. Featuring songs by Sandman Viper Command ("Oh Yeah, It's Fusion"), Parlovr ("On the Phone"), Pick A Piper ("Yellowknife"), Two Year Touqe ("Sea Unicorns"), Golden Isles ("Zombie Heart"), and The Champion Heartache ("Emergency"). Many new, good discoveries this week!

The festival is happening this weekend in many venues across 8 different cities. Tons of good bands and shows to check out. Full details here. Check back closer to the festival start to make sure you get the most up-to-date schedule, whether you're in Toronto or elsewhere in Southern Ontario. I'll have more on the festival later this week.

Listen at Zygiella
Download the podcast
RSS (subscribe / download this and past podcasts)
iTunes (subscribe)

Weekly update!

2009-05-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

There's lots of new content on my blog this week, including three (!) giveaways you can enter, a couple of which include new album reviews for local bands; news about the latest podcast (sort of); and a special Over the Top Festival preview with song downloads from most of the bands playing this weekend. All told, there are thirty free songs in the following posts. Check them out if you're interested:

Ticket/CD Giveaway & Review: Slim Twig @ Horseshoe Tavern, 29 May --- Slim Twig's new album is expectedly bizarre (in a good way), and the show should be awesomely weird too.

Podcast 40 (21-23 May 2009) --- This episode was eaten by technology, but here's what it would have been like.

Over the Top Festival preview --- To make up for the loss, and as an excuse to give you lots of free music and get you out to these great shows.

Ticket Giveaway: 9th Annual Bob Dylan Tribute Night @ C'est What, 24 May.

Ticket/CD Giveaway & Review: Five Blank Pages @ Mod Club, 23 May --- This Toronto band performs for the last time ever, and celebrates the release of one final EP.

This week I'm recommending the Over the Top Festival, but I've got a few other show suggestions here.

Finally, a fellow blogger and Ottawa's main indie music show promoter, Matthew from i(heart)music, is in a bit of financial trouble. SOCAN called him last week demanding $2000 in royalties.Anyone willing and able to help out can read his post about what's happening here.

Happy show-going / music listening!

Jen

Pick of the Week #20: Black Hat Brigade

2009-05-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

I suspect everyone here is on board with how awesome the Black Hat Brigade is, so, the fact that Fathers is pretty excellent shouldn't really surprise anyone. What might surprise you is the range that the band shows in their new 8-song album/EP.

You might also be excited to learn that they've got a few shows coming up, in particular, Torontonians will want to check out their May 29 CD release at the El Mocambo as part of the Pitter Patter Music Festival ...

See the full post at the BM.

Some reviews and contest updates

2009-05-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's Bobby B. here and I thought I'd just link you to a few of my recent goings-on over the last couple of weeks.

First of all, I told you about my Dog Day CD giveaway a few days ago. The contest has received a slight tweak in the sense that I've now got a couple of tickets to their show at Lee's Palace to give away as well. The show is on Thursday May 28th, and it also features Burning Hell, Wildlife and Pacific Trash Vortex. Contest info is here.

Secondly, I recently attended Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite at the Horseshoe featuring The Balconies, Tin Star Orphans, Boxes and Bags and Bella Clava. Read the review here.

And lastly, I just posted my review of Arietta's explosive CD release show at the Horseshoe, also featuring Serb Superb and The Junction. Read it here.

Have a great long weekend!

Life Is Like Canadian Football: The CFL Sessions:

2009-05-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

Every time I want to throw in the blogging towel (which, as you can probably tell by the eradic posting schedule lately, is often) something comes up that I just can't help but write about. The most recent musical firecracker-up-my-butt is The CFL Sessions, the latest project from Henry Svec.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Henry's (Peter Mansbridge and The CBCs, The Boy from ET). He's one of the most charismatic live performers around (see here) and his song writing is top notch. In fact, I'd be lying if I said I haven't been salivating in anticipation of the release of The CFL Sessions since I heard him perform these songs last year at the Tranzac. That's saying a lot, as I'm far from a sports nut and don't know much about the Canadian Football League at all. These are just damn good tunes.

Read the full post at Wolveshawksandkites.com here.

Pick of the Week #19: Sunparlour Players

2009-05-14T06:39:00.001-07:00

The Sunparlour Players are my favourite band. They have a new album called Wave North, which is going to be released this coming Tuesday (May 19th). The album is awesome, the band is awesome, and you better believe their CD release show (June 26th @ the Horseshoe) is going to be awesome.

Start saving your pennies to pick up a nice mustard or some preserves at the show. If you're in Ontario they're probably playing dates near you. See their myspace for details.

See the full post w/ mp3s and a video of their cover of 'Thunderstruck' here.

Win A Copy Of Dog Day's 'Concentration' On CD

2009-05-12T19:42:00.001-07:00

Halifax's Dog Day are easily one of the most underrated bands in Canada. Their new CD Concentration was produced by John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) and it's a wonderful blend of psych rock, shoegaze and good old fashioned East Coast Pop Music.

I've got two copies of the CD to giveaway. All of the (easy) contest rules, as well as my personal review are on the blog:

It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans

Seriously, trust me, you want this one.

Plants and Animals w/ David MacLeod @ the Mod Club. May 7.2009.

2009-05-08T06:17:00.000-07:00

("No pictures... ")

I saw Plants and Animals last night at the Mod Club. Cool venue.

The band was, well, I'd say mediocre. Especially given their reputation for putting on a face-melting, awe inducing show. But this may all just be due to my general distaste for psych rock, and less to do with the band itself.

Anyways, I've got some audio from the photos and audio from the show so you can check it out for yourself...

Pick of the Week #18: The Liptonians

2009-05-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

The executive summary: The Liptonians s/t album is, in my estimation, like vintage Ben Folds except more Canadian... which is to say that they're nicer, less abrasive, and write songs more about/for real people and not... characters.

See the Liptonians myspace for the dates for their cross country (Canada) tour, their tour blog for videos of said tour, and their twitter page if you're wondering what they're doing right now.

See the Burgeoning Metropolis blog for the full post w/ mp3s, and possibly in the coming weeks for an email exchange (emails pending) with the band.

Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective
Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula
Pick of the Week #5: The Antlers
Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys
Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou
Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands
Pick of the Week #9: Chris Whitley
Pick of the Week #10: Alela Diane
Pick of the Week #11: K'naan
Pick of the Week #12: TOR/Sufjan Stevens
Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre
Pick of the Week #14: Justis
Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation
Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson
Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers

Free Album from HotKid!

2009-05-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

The hard-hitting duo of Cambridge, Ontario’s HotKid have just released a brand new full-length called Someday Somehow. Just in case 10 adrenaline-filled tracks weren’t enough to get your ears salivating (…or waxing, I guess?) the album’s price should ought to seal the deal…because it’s FREE!

That’s right, you can download the whole shebang for zero spacebucks from Zunior. Just click image below and get your fists ready for pumping:

Here’s a track from the album to get your tails wagging, but seriously, just go download the damn thing already:

HotKid - Burning Daylight

The band is also currently on an eastern tour with Andrew DeVillers and you can find dates at their Myspace page.

Best Songs of '09 ... the First Trimester: A to H

2009-05-04T12:04:00.001-07:00

This is relatively self explanatory. I cleared my computer at the end of last year ('08) and have since compiled what I think are the best 40 (or so) songs of this year (so far). That said, there are probably a couple of songs that aren't actually from this year, but if you're that big a stickler I don't want you reading my blog anyhow...

See the first half of the list with a couple of mp3s at the Burgeoning Metropolis blog, and look for the second half tomorrow.

Also, I'm going to try and come up with some type of .zip file or playlist, so if that happens I can email it out to those interested...

The Dears, Lioness @ The Mod Club (April 30, 2009)

2009-05-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

My review (with a link to photos) of The Dears with openers Lioness at The Mod Club on April 30, 2009 is now up at my blog For the records.

Read the full review here.

Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers

2009-04-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

The executive summary: An album (s/t), which feels like the story of Olenka Krakus' youth in Poland, really should've been somewhere (probably top 15 on my year end list last year) and is making me think I should go back and re-evaluate my picks.

See the full post here.

Exchanging emails with... Ketch Harbour Wolves

2009-04-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ketch Harbour Wolves, if you're unfamiliar, are a terrific band from Toronto. Their album Dead Calm Horizon was #1 on a lot of year end lists including: mine, herohill's and i(heart)music's. The insane part of this of course, is that they aren't charging anything for the album. Its free. Not free with the purchase of... just free. You can download it at: ketchharbourwolves.ca.

Oh, and I spent some time emailing back and forth with them last week-ish, so you can read the text of the emails on the Burgeoning Metropolis blog. If you're not interested in the emails, fine, I'm a little offended, but at least go download the album... did I mention its free?

Upcoming shows...

2009-04-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

No, not a comprehensive show listing (I'll leave that to Jen) or even a monthly batch of wassup (I'll leave that to Bob), but I did make up a bunch of concert posters on my computer... Liz thinks the one posted above is the best of the lot of them, but you can see three others here.

The Rest CD Release w/ Ketch Harbour Wolves @ the Tranzac, Apr. 24.2009.

2009-04-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

I went to go see The Rest & Ketch Harbour Wolves last night at the Tranzac (great venue!), but sadly missed Amanda Zelina.

It was a terrific show.

See the full post here and look out for my "Exchanging emails with..." ft. the Ketch Harbour Wolves early next week.

2009-04-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

Yup, I've also got a review of Green Go's new album, a couple downloads, and a giveaway for the CD release show next week up on my blog. Read! Listen! Dance! Email me!

CONTEST: Win tix to see Green Go at Wrongbar, along with a copy of 'Borders'

2009-04-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Green Go are an amazing band from Guelph who specialize in hyperactive sweat fueled electro pop that will literally force you to dance like a fiend.

They are celebrating the release of their new CD Borders at The Wrongbar on Thursday April 30th. Also on the bill are The Magic, Everything All The Time and Opopo DJ's. The cost of the show is only $5 but I've got two free spots on the guest list to give away along with a copy of their stellar new CD.

All of the contest information as well as my personal review of the CD are on the blog:
It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans

Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson

2009-04-24T10:38:00.001-07:00

The executive summary: Yes, Patrick Watson won the Polaris Prize with his last album, but I think this one is better.

See the full post here.

Flight of the Conchords @ Massey Hall, Apr. 22.2009

2009-04-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

I saw Flight of the Conchords at Massey Hall last night... with hilarious results...

Podcast 36 (22-26 Apr 2009).

2009-04-21T14:09:00.001-07:00

Featuring Black Hat Brigade ("Zombie City Shake"), Beth In Battle Mode ("A Little-Known Fact"), The Ghost Is Dancing ("Battles On"), Emma-Lee ("Never Just A Dream"), and T H O M A S ("Feels Delight").

Listen at Zygiella
Download the podcast
RSS (subscribe / download this and past podcasts)
iTunes (subscribe)

Next week: Special musical guest(s)! Hint.

What do you think of the new intro style we've got?

---

For more great Canadian music, there's a new music-only (no talking!) podcast put together by the incredible Justin Beach, who runs the NxEW music blog, among many other projects. His first digital "mixtape" is now up, and the second one---with a whole lot of great tracks---will go up later this week. All the music is artist- and label-approved as free to enjoy and share with everyone, everywhere.

Slim Twig is offering up from free music, too, in advance of the release of his debut full-length, Contempt! The digital collection features unreleased songs as well as remixes of tracks from Contempt! For more info and the download link, see ST MySpace blog.

Ticket/CD Giveaway: Beth in Battle Mode @ Silver Dollar, 24 Apr.

2009-04-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

For some reason it took me a long time to get around to seeing Beth In Battle Mode perform. Once I did, I kicked myself for not partying with them sooner! Their indie synth pop is just so catchy and danceable, and they've got stage presence and energy that match the songs perfectly. (Plus: attractive musicians!) The band has a new album out---Hot Science---and they're headlining a show this Friday, 24 April, at the Silver Dollar, a great spot for them. Opening are The Hey Now and Clouds (that look like things). It's been too many months since I last saw this band, and this bill also featuring two local acts I have yet to see (but have heard good things about) at a venue I rather like. That is pretty hard to beat. Here's to hoping I can persuade a few of you to join me at the show... with free tickets and some freebie downloads just to get you in the mood!

For more info, instructions about how to enter the contest for 2 free tickets and a free CD, some downloads, and everything else you need to know, check out my blog.

Exchanging emails with... The Rest

2009-04-20T13:19:00.001-07:00

My first email exchange with the Black Hat Brigade was, at least in my opinion, a resounding success so here's round 2 with The Rest from Hamilton. Adam Bentley, who is also involved with the record label Auteur Recordings and another band, Allegories, was good enough to chat with me about the Rest's new CD Everyone All At Once, the recording process, and beating up on teenagers in basketball.

Oh yeah, and thanks to the rest of the crew at the TMBC for the kind words and link ups to Rd 1, hopefully this will be equally entertaining...

See the full text plus mp3s here.

Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation for Charity

2009-04-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hibiscus & Rosehips is a terrific collection of folk music for a terrific cause (people going through Lymphatic Cancer treatment). The compilation has some great songs from bands I really like (Ohbijou - pick of the week #7, Timber Timbre - pick of the week #13), a couple I've been meaning to check out (Castlemusic, Snailhouse), and a bunch of unknowns. Above all else, its been a great survey of the Toronto folk scene, and its a great way to support a very worthy cause.

Also, if you like tea parties - and who doesn't, really - there will be a Hibiscus and Rosehips folk music tea party this Sunday, Apr. 19 @ the Resistor Gallery, 284 College St. (2nd floor) from 1pm - 6pm.

See the full post at the BM...

Lost Channels by Great Lake Swimmers

2009-04-16T04:41:00.001-07:00

Wanna hear why I think the new Great Lake Swimmers album is so great? No eh...

Well, if you want to download a couple of mp3s, go here and skip past my commentary.

Win tix to see Shout Out Out Out Out at Lee's Palace.

2009-04-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

OK, I know that I just had a contest featuring Shout Out Out Out Out, but it was so successful that I figured I try it again. This one is even better!

I've heard a lot of good things about SOOOO's live show. Joining them are the self proclaimed macho disco sounds of DVAS and the retro synth funk of The Cansecos.

They're all playing Lee's Palace on Saturday April 25th and I've got two free passes to the show to giveaway.

All of the contest rules are up on the blog along with a download from each artist:
It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans

See you there!

Ticket Giveaway: Woodhands @ The Phoenix, 17 Apr 2009.

2009-04-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

My favourite pairing, Woodhands, is back in Toronto, headlining a show this Friday at the Phoenix (!). Paul Banwatt and Dan Werb haven't given Toronto too much love since their sold-out CD release show last spring at Wrongbar. But after playing a whole lot of shows elsewhere in Canada, south of the border, and in Asia, it's about time they headline again in the town of their founding.

The last time I saw Woodhands was during Pop Montreal in early October. The show featured some crazy crowd surfing, guest vocalist Aleks (from Chicago band Aleks & the Drummer), and freestyling courtesy LA's rap duo The Knux. The last time they played Toronto they opened for Cadence Weapon, who joined them on-stage during their set. Back in August they brought out a lazer as part of their live show. Paul's been known to join The D'Urbervilles for some live guest rapping . . . my point? I wonder what tricks these guys have up their sleeves for us this time.

Courtesy The MuseBox, I've got a pair of tickets for Friday's Toronto show to give away to one lucky reader. For a chance to win, e-mail me at historyjenATgmailDOTcom. Put "Woodhands" in the subject line and your full name in the body of the message. Deadline to enter is noon on Thursday, 16 Apr. I'll let you know soon thereafter if you're the winner. If you don't win, tickets are $10, and also get you in to see The Carps, Creature, Golden Girls, and DJs Famous Players. Doors are at 8pm; the Phoenix is at 410 Sherbourne St.

For song downloads and other goodies, check out my blog.

Pick of the Week #14: Justis

2009-04-09T15:46:00.001-07:00

The executive summary: A rap album that, if you're looking to nod your head, is just what you should be listening to...

Full text at the BM (Burgeoning Metropolis).

Exchanging e-mails with.... the Black Hat Brigade

2009-04-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

As you may have gleaned from the title of the post I've traded e-mails with Bryan from the Black Hat Brigade. We talked about the band, the upcoming EP, touring, bars in stripmalls among other topics...

Read the emails here, and you can pick up a couple of tracks from their soon to be released Fathers EP.

Podcast 34 (8-12 Apr 2009).

2009-04-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

The CD release episode! Featuring bands that are celebrating new disks this week, including The Miles ("Murder"), Megan Hamilton & the Volunteer Canola ("Cat Tail Legs"), Honest I's ("Wristwatches"), The Paint Movement ("Faults"), Luke Sneyd & the Deed ("Fightsong"), and Your Volunteer ("Oh Sweetheart").

Six local bands! Six new albums! Six good shows! Six songs you've never heard before (probably)!

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Pitter Patter Festival lineup announced.

2009-04-07T00:23:00.000-07:00

This is a short note to say that the lineup for the Pitter Patter Music Festival (28-31 May) is up on this website. There are shows in 9 Ontario cities, from Belleville and Brantford to Lindsay and London. Most of the venues hosting the festival are in Toronto, including all the regular live music spaces in Kensington Market. Some stellar bands are playing, as well as a whole lot of bands that have yet to make it onto my radar. And this is exactly the point of the festival: a pay-what-you-can affair that prides itself on helping young bands get exposure in the big city and elsewhere. The whole thing is carefully curated---and the bands chosen based musical merit---so that shows makes sense as whole experiences.

Here are some of the bands confirmed (in alphabetical order): Brent Randall & his Pinecones, The Darcys, The Diableros, Dog Day, Flotilla, Great Bloomers, Jordaan Mason & the Horse Museum, The Kettle Black, Llions, The Miles, OPOPO, The Owle Bird, Parlovr, Pick A Piper, The Racoon Wedding, The Speaking Tongues, Spiral Beach, The Vulcan Dub Squad, and Whale Tooth. Plus so many more! Great stuff.

I'm excited to see how the Toronto shows shape up!

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Live on WOXY

2009-04-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

No, its not a contest, but, it is a live set by the Rural Alberta Advantage. There's an interview and they preform a new (not on Hometowns) song, so, worth checking out if you're a fan of the band.

You can DL it via my site, or through the RAA's twitter feed.

CONTEST! - Win a copy of The Paint Movement's Latest Release!

2009-04-06T03:50:00.001-07:00

We've apparently gone completely giveaway 'loco' here at the Toronto Music Blog Collective!!

The Paint Movement are celebrating their upcoming release of Our Eurythmy on Friday April 10th at The Rivoli.

To celebrate the event, I've got one copy of the new CD to giveaway. The details are on my blog.

[So, that's three contests I've now got running simultaneously on the blog. If you enter all three, then you're bound to win one of them. Just sayin'...]

Ticket/CD Giveaway: Megan Hamilton & the Volunteer Canola @ The Rivoli, 9 Apr.

2009-04-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

Bob's got a contest, and I have one too. Here's mine. I've got a couple downloads for you, a wonderful promo video shot by Megan herself, plus all the details about the show.

Win tix to Megan Hamilton's CD release show and a copy of her new CD

2009-04-05T05:07:00.001-07:00

Megan Hamilton's new CD is called See Your Midnight Breath In The Shipyard and it will be released across Canada on April 4th. I think it's really freakin' good! She is having a CD release show at The Rivoli on Thursday April 9th with comedienne Kathleen Phillips and Olenka and the Autumn Lovers.

I've got two tickets to give away to the show as well as a copy of the new CD.
The contest details and a review are all on my blog:
It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans

Photo by Corey Goodyear

Win a copy of Shout Out Out Out Out's Reintegration Time

2009-04-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

Shout Out Out Out Out is an artsy fartsy progressive dance rock electro type band from Vancouver who are well known for their incendiary live show. Their new album Reintegration Time is pretty dang good and I've actually got two copies of it to give away to those who are in a position to get down with their funky selves.

A review and all of the contest deets are on the blog:
It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans

Above photo is on SOOOO's myspace.

Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre

2009-04-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

It's taken me a while (a year, to be exact) to really connect with this album, but better late than never! But, the best part is since I've been so slow, there's already a new Timber Timbre album out!

The executive summary: If BP is the haunted old country house, Timber Timbre the long trip through the woods (possibly at night) to get to the house...

See the full post here, along with picks of the week #1 - 12.

Podcast 33 (1-5 Apr 2009).

2009-04-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Featuring Gravity Wave ("Mobilize [The Pink Tide (My Baby And Me)]"), Canaille ("Francophonie"), The Burning Hell ("Old World"), In-Flight Safety ("Actors"), The Whitsundays ("It Must Be Me"), and Meligrove Band ("Ages & Stages").

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Have a listen, and let me know what you think!

Black Hat Brigade @ Walker's Brew, Brampton. Sat. Mar. 28.2009.

2009-03-31T16:56:00.000-07:00

I went to go see the Black Hat Brigade a couple of nights ago (full text + mp3s here)... they were great... and I'm really looking forward to their upcoming EP, Fathers, due out at some point in May.

Check back at Burgeoning Metropolis later this week/early next week to read the first installment of "Exchanging e-mails with..." featuring... the Black Hat Brigade.

CD + Ticket Giveaway: The Whitsundays, Pick A Piper, and The Superstitions @ Sneaky Dee’s, 3 Apr.

2009-03-31T13:45:00.001-07:00

The Whitsundays, an Edmonton group featuring members of The Faunts, Shout Out Out Out Out, and The Wet Secrets, play lush 60s-inspired psychedelic pop. To my mind they sound like Magnetic Fields, Plants & Animals, and The Beatles all rolled into one. In other words: good stuff. Currently on tour, they stop in at Sneaky Dee’s this Friday along with locals The Superstitions, and Pick A Piper, another group boasting members from other bands (Brad Weber from Caribou, for instance).

Download: “Sorry James” and "It Must Be Me" off The Whitsundays’s s/t full-length (2008).
Download: “Of Sound Mind” by The Superstitions (Honey In the Lion’s Ear, 2008).

Courtesy Pop Echo Records I’ve got a couple CDs to give away, and thanks to No Shame, I’ve got two pairs of tickets to the show to hand out. So that means I’ve got two prize-packs (each consisting of 2 show tix + 1 CD) to distribute! For a chance to get yourself one of these, send me an e-mail at historyjenATgmailDOTcom with “Whitsundays” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body. Deadline to enter is 11:59am on Thursday, 2 April, and I’ll let you know if you’re a winner shortly thereafter. If you don’t win, you can still head to the show Friday night. Tickets are $8 in advance (from Soundscapes or Rotate This), or $10 at the door. Well worth it. Doors are at 9pm, and The Superstitions go on first.

Finally! Reviews of 22 Bands in 5 Days!!!

2009-03-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

It took me forever but I've finally posted all of my reviews for Canadian Music Fest. They are as follows:

CMF Day 1 is here, featuring Zeus, Will Currie and the Country French and Sloan.

CMF Day 2 is here, featuring The Novaks, The Waking Eyes and Matt Mays & El Torpedo.

CMF Day 3 is here, featuring Dinosaur Bones, Daniel Wesley, The Bicycles, Black Diamond Bay, Black Hat Brigade and Amos The Transparent.

CMF Day 4 is here, featuring Jon Rae Fletcher, Herman Dune, Basia Bulat, Elliott Brood and Cuff The Duke.

and the Audio Blood Tea Party review is here, featuring Serb Superb, Great Lenin's Ghost, The Paint Movement, Our History Of Cowboys and Holler, Wild Rose! (the last of which completely blew my mind!!!!)

Pick of the Week #11 - K'naan - Troubador

2009-03-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted here, but, I'm pledging now to get back into the music a little and stop reading so much.

Anyways, this is a little bit of a half hearted pick of the week that, much like Chad Van Gaalen's Polaris nomination for Skelliconnection, is more based on his past work that this album...

The executive summary: The album, while good, is over produced and has too many guest appearances which take away from what K'naan does best: tell heartbreaking, clever, interesting stories about his youth/Somalia.

See the post in its entirety (if you dare!) at Burgeoning Metropolis or AWmusic.

Canadian Musicfest in Toronto (March 13, 2009)

2009-03-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

I have more reviews from Canadian Musicfest sets I checked out, this time from the night of Friday March 13, 2009. I saw and heard some great sets from Aussie indie rock duo An Horse, French indie band Angil & The Hiddentracks, east coast's Ruth Minnikin and Her Bandwagon, Toronto-Brampton indie rock outfit Black Hat Brigade, and Ottawa's indie act Amos The Transparent.

Click here to read the full entry as well as a link to photos from the evening.

Canadian Musicfest in Toronto (March 12, 2009)

2009-03-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have brief reviews of Canadian Musicfest sets I checked out on the night of Thursday March 12, 2009 including sets by Scots We See Lights, Ottawa's Angela Desveaux & The Mighty Ship, the Toronto debut of UK's The Week That Was, and ending off that night with Toronto's Slim Twig, and the awesome Rural Alberta Advantage. The bands that bookended my evening were my favourites. Good night overall.

Click here to read the full entry as well as a link to photos from the evening.

Indie Music 73 (16-22 Mar 2009).

2009-03-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

Canadian Music Fest is over, but as you all know that doesn't mean the music stops. (I think some other people don't realize we have amazing music every night in this city, and for cheap!) Last week I did some hibernating, but still managed to see some quality stuff. The Happiness Project (Charles Spearin's new project) at The Music Gallery was brilliant; nice to see Muskox in that lovely space, too. Saturday I saw a couple new-to-me bands: Eliott Brood (!) and Herman Dune (!), plus Basia Bulat, Jon-Rae Fletcher, and Cuff the Duke, a band I will love always and forever. As you can see, I didn't get out to the festival other than that Saturday Lee's Palace show, but no biggie since I see great bands all the time.

Speaking of great bands, this week's Wombat Wednesday at Tranzac features the aforementioned Muskox, the quiet folk loveliness of The Weather Station, and the mesmerizing The Owle Bird. A great, varied bill. Some touring bands are still in town, picking up gigs the week after Canadian Musicfest; from Ireland, FRED and Walter Mitty & the Realists; Liverpool's Familiar Looking Strangers; and Australia's Forgiven Rival. You've got a couple chances this week to catch Alistair Christl's Swingin' Chandeliers, a fantastic rockabilly act. The Drake Hotel's playing host to good lineups on Wednesday and Thursday. A handful of young bands who've made a name for themselves in the indie scene in the last year are playing at Lee's Palace this Saturday (Dinosaur Bones, Oh No Forest Fires, Still Life Still, and Arietta, who've got an album coming out this spring). Local electro-pop dance band Beth in Battle Mode celebrate the release of their second album on Friday at the El Mo. Wavelength promises to be good and very Wavelength: from country to in-sa-ni-ty all on the same bill. Lots more to see and hear . . . check below!

Full listings are up, here.

2009 Canadian Musicfest (Canadian Music Week) picks

2009-03-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

The newly dubbed Canadian Musicfest, the music showcase component of this year's Canadian Music Week kicks off tonight(Mar 11) with a few venues but heads into full gear from Thursday March 12 to Saturday March 14, and then ending like it started with a few select venues on Sunday(Mar 15). I'll likely skip the festivities tonight although perhaps if I get the bug I'll take in some of the Eye Weekly CMW showcase tonight at Gladstone Hotel or maybe check out Scottish indie folk-pop outfit We See Lights at the Horseshoe. I've been perusing the CMF schedule all day and I think I've finally come up with a schedule to my liking. Thursday, I mostly plan to camp out at Gladstone Hotel for the 2nd night of Eye Weekly's 3-way Throwdown with only the slight aberration that I'll likely take in We See Lights' set at Rancho Relaxo at 9 pm. However on Friday and Saturday I switch in to full club-hopping mode - if the TTC transit gods are on my side, I should hopefully make most of my planned schedule. For the life of me, I haven't found anything to my interest to check out at midnight on Friday night - perhaps I'll just swing by the Horseshoe Tavern and see how big of a lineup of people shivering in the cold there is trying to get in to see Handsome Furs. Oh good times. So taking a cue from Chromewaves recent CMF picks, here's mine (note: all the artist hyperlinks below point to their respective MySpace sites so click through and check them out):

Click here to read the full entry

Presents from me to you.

2009-03-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

Canadian Musicfest is upon us! Boy howdy, are there a lot of great bands playing. I've got some non-CMW events listed here. The latest podcast details are here. And get the new Amos the Transparent EP for free here! I like what I've got for you this week!

CONTEST: Holler, Wild Rose! Prize Pack

2009-03-08T05:45:00.001-07:00

New Jersey's Holler, Wild Rose! is trekking on up to our fair city to play the Audio Blood Tea Party at The Boat on Sunday March 15th. They'll be sharing the stage with Great Lenin's Ghost, Our History of Cowboys and The Paint Movement. The cost is $5 and there is rumoured to be lots of free tea. To welcome them to our fair city, I've got a pretty cool prize pack to give away. It consists of the following:

1) A pair of tickets to the show
2) A copy of Holler, Wild Rose!'s Our Little Hymnal CD
3) A copy of Holler, Wild Rose!'s The Yarn EP
4) A Holler, Wild Rose! t-shirt.

Prety cool 'eh? If you feel like stretching out your CMW experience to one extra day, then check out the contest rules and read a review of Holler, Wild Rose!'s Our Little Hymnal CD on my little blog:

It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans

Announcing the Pitter Patter Fest (28-31 May 2009).

2009-03-06T23:07:00.001-08:00

Just a note to let you all know that my friend Keith Hamilton is organizing a huge 10-city indie music festival, with all shows being pay-what-you-can at the door. The Pitter Patter Fest, now in it's third year, will happen on 28-31 May, and here in Toronto it'll be taking over ALL venues in Kensington Market, among other places. The festival's a great opportunity for both local and touring bands, since Keith can book you to play multiple shows in multiple towns.

For more information about the festival, to apply to play (there's no fee), or to find out how you can volunteer, check out the fest's website. I'll be volunteering some of my time for this!

Shout out.

2009-03-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

This here's a different type of shout out. Instead of bands, I want to salute Colin Medley, the National Post's music videographer. Colin's been a big booster of Canadian music for years, and recently won a Bucky Award for "top fan," voted for by CBCR3 listeners. Well, heck, I totally want that award! . . .

More at my blog.

Podcast 30 (4-8 Mar 2009).

2009-03-03T13:47:00.001-08:00

Featuring The O'Darling ("You're Directing"), Alphabot! ("Tire Fire"), We Take Lovers ("Evil"), Elastocitizens ("Get Together"), Leif Vollebekk ("Don't Go To Klaksvik"), and Brent Randall & his Pinecones ("Bluebirds, Flowers and Other Things").

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Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands

2009-03-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

I was surprised (based on nothing at all) how much I've enjoyed Gentlemen Husbands EP, Something Along the Lines of 'A Lesson in Unprofessionalism'.

The executive summary (for fans of Friday Night Lights - the TV Show): They are Tim Riggins in band form.

For anyone who needs more convincing than that (by way of a comparison w/ Cuff the Duke), please refer to the full post here.

Indie Music 72 (2-8 Mar 2009).

2009-03-02T12:05:00.001-08:00

This week's listings are up on my blog! Cheers.

'Sup In March?

2009-02-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

Short answer: Tons and Canadian Music Fest

Long Answer: Go to my blog for the latest postings of what I would do if I were you for the month of March. It's a rather lengthy post since I also feature my pics for the Canadian Music Fest as well as what I am planning on doing on those days.

Podcast 29 (25 Feb-1 Mar 2009).

2009-02-24T21:22:00.001-08:00

In this edition of the podcast, we talk too much, and we play The Golden Dogs ("Birdsong"), Megan Hamilton & the Volunteer Canola ("Prophecy"), Hollerado ("Americanarama"), Nice Cat ("Dirty Socks"), The D'Urbervilles ("Dragnet"), and No Bunny ("Give It To Me").

I think Tyler took out the part where he confused The Diableros and The D'Urbervilles. He's no fun, that one.

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Listings are up!

2009-02-23T12:38:00.001-08:00

Check this week's going out guide here.

Blitzen Trapper w/ Alela Diane @ The Horseshoe Tavern Feb. 21.2009.

2009-02-22T09:19:00.000-08:00

(Blitzen Trapper ft. bizzaro Dirk Nowitzki and bizzaro Seth Rogan)

... had a fun time at the Horseshoe last night at the Blitzen Trapper/Alela Diane show. It was, as you may be able to tell, ridiculously hot both on and off the stage.

The full post w/ live mp3s here... the live version of "Big Black Bird" is really awesome...

CONTEST: Still Life Still, The D'Urbervilles and The Paint Movement @ The Silver Dollar

2009-02-21T13:35:00.001-08:00

Three of the most enthusiastic bands in town are playing The Silver Dollar on Friday February 27th and I sincerely want you to be there.

Still Life Still is a spasmodic amalgamation of feedback and distortion mixed in with the melodic sound of collective chaos whose live show is incendiary.

The D'Urbervilles are an instantly likable band whose intense new wave sound is sure to satisfy any post-punk 80's loving appetite.

And The Paint Movement is the triumphant jazzy brass rock comeback that we've all unknowingly been waiting for.

Seeing all three of these together on the same stage is going to be ... wait for it ... epic! The cost for the show is only $6, but it can be free if you enter my contest. I've got two tickets to this Friday's show to giveaway and all of the reviews, downloads and rules can be found at my blog: It's Not The Band I Hate, It's Their Fans.

Gracing the Stage.

2009-02-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

My friend and fellow listings compiler and local music fan Steve Fisher has a new(ish) website. He's put together two fantastic evenings on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the launch of the website, and showcase some of the talent he's enjoyed over the past several years. [Check out Gracing the Stage.]

Steve started his Gracing the Stage weekly updates back in 2002, and has been doing so "pretty consistently" since 2004. At first a page posted to a Ryerson residence bulletin, then a small e-mailed newsletter, Steve new sends his update to a subscriber list of 1,000 people. The newsletter includes suggestions for all things performing arts, at an affordable price: live music, theatre, comedy, dance, and film. See the latest list here. An avid show-goer---catch him 5 or 6 nights a week supporting live comedy, theatre, music, or at the movies---Steve's gotta be the most knowledgeable person in this city when it comes to what's on, what's good, and who's working on what. His specialty is what's affordable and almost always local. For special events, like the Fringe, Steve puts together capsule reviews to help his subscribers navigate a dense schedule. It was thus only a matter of time before the e-mailed newsletter turned into a website with near-daily posts about the performing arts in Toronto. [Photo of Steve by Dahlia Katz.]

This weekend help celebrate the website's launch and enjoy top-notch local performers at Kensington Market's Bread & Circus (on Friday) and Bloor West's Comedy Bar (Saturday). Tickets for both nights are $12 in advance at their respective venues and Soundscapes (572 College St.), or $15 @ the door. The shows are fundraisers for the website. Here's who you'll get to see:

FRIDAY (20 feb)

gracingthestage.ca Launch Party Night 1 feat. Entire Cities, 10,000 to Flight, Gravity Wave, Tonka & Puma, The Williamson Playboys, Levi MacDougall, Maylee Todd, Convergence Theatre, and Carnegie Hall, with hosts Iron Cobra @ Bread & Circus (299 Augusta Ave), 8pm doors, 9pm showtime.

Entire Cities headline the Friday night show at Bread & Circus. Also performing are Gravity Wave, who I have still yet to see in its latest incarnation (Ken Farrell likes to mix things up), bass-drums duo Tonka & Puma (AKA April and Dan from Hooded Fang), and the hilarious Williamson Playboys.

Download: Entire Cities' "Cop Song" (Deep River, 2008).

Download: Gravity Wave's "Buffalo Jump" (Twin Prime Conjecture, 2008).

Watch: The Williamson Playboys perform "Hindenburg."

SATURDAY (21 feb)

gracingthestage.ca Launch Party Night 2 feat. Maylee & Slippers’ Sweatshop Hop, Pat Thornton, Peter Katz, Kathleen Phillips, The Remainders, Jehan Khoorshed, Melissa D'Agostino, Makesi Arthur, hosts the Flirts (Kurt Smeaton & Alana Johnston) @ Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. W.), 8pm doors, 9pm showtime.

Saturday is less music-focused, but there are a couple singer-songwriters on the bill, followed by the Sweatshop Hop, an insane workout show requiring audience participation. Jehan Khoorshed is an Ottawa singer-songwriter, and longtime friend of Steve's. He doesn't play outside his hometown very often, but has a new record he'd love to share with more people. Peter Katz comes highly recommended by Steve. A "masterful performer," says Steve, catch him here before his major headlining show at Hugh's Room in April.

Download: "These Are The Days" off Peter Katz's 2007 release, More Nights.

Download: Jehan Khoorshed's "Jodessa" (s/t, 2008).

Watch: Sweathop Hop video.

Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou - Swift Feet for Troubling Times

2009-02-19T17:14:00.001-08:00

The fact that Ohbijou is awesome, I suspect, is not exactly breaking news around here. But to the readers of AWmusic it may be, so there's that... and, well, they're releasing a new album, Beacons, in a little over a month... not exactly a timely post, but its not like I'm getting paid to do this...

The executive summary:
If you like Stars (without the electronic business) or Feist (with a strings behind her) then its an absolute lock that you'll like Ohbijou.

And the text of the post at Burgeoning Metropolis.

Jenn Grant / Kevin Hearn @ The Mod Club (Feb 12, 2009)

2009-02-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

Jenn Grant @ The Mod Club(Feb 12, 2009): photo by Michael Ligon

I have my review now up of the Jenn Grant / Kevin Hearn show at The Mod Club which took place February 12, 2009. Or go straight to the photos.

Free Download: Vacuity "At The Command Of The Blanket Sky"

2009-02-16T08:11:00.001-08:00

The album that took spot #4 of my Top 10 Albums of 2008 was At The Command Of The Blanket Sky by a relatively unknown band called Vacuity. The album is now available for free download.

Free Download: Vacuity "At The Command Of The Blanket Sky"

Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys

2009-02-12T10:22:00.001-08:00

... I guess my invite got lost in the mail... nobody invited me to the blogger convention....

This week's pick: The Darcys.

The take home message:
The Darcys and their album Endless Water are Toronto's answer to Montreal's Plants and Animals Parc Avenue. I'm not sure the album really captures how good they were/are live, but its certainly worth your time...

Where were you, Rob?

2009-02-11T01:24:00.000-08:00

Soundscapes was blogger central Tuesday evening for the Hylozoists in-store performance. Frank and Bob were there with their cameras, Paul filmed a few songs for Zunior TV, and even Mike showed up . . . albeit an hour late. Look for reviews and various kinds of film footage in the next few days. I, of course, did not bring my camera. But suffice to say that Hylozoists = love. Instrumental indie rock/classical!

Check out my blog for more information and a couple Hylozoists's downloads.

My week in shows + free .mp3s.

2009-02-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

My latest "shout out" post is now up on my blog. I've cheated and combined it with a post going over some of the great stuff I took in last week. So, bonus: read about my adventures and download the soundtrack at the same time! Best set of last week was Diamond Rings at the Boat on Sunday. All the details about this and everything else I did are here.

Listings + podcast now up!

2009-02-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I've got my listings up for this week here, and click here for all the details about this week's special Wavelength-themed podcast with guest Doc Pickles.

Free music!

2009-02-05T00:43:00.000-08:00

I've got an occasional series on my blog called "shout out." In these posts I write a little something about a band I like, including good albums and shows I've been to. I don't have time to write proper, full-length reviews of all the shows I attend or all the great albums I hear, so this series allows me to share goodness with you. And perhaps the best part (for you) is that I post mp3s for download, so you can sample the goodness for yourself over and over again, if you so desire.

My latest "shout out" features Whale Tooth, Timber Timbre, and The O'Darling. Check it out, and download the songs, here. Enjoy! You'll find a link to my other shout outs on my blog, too.

Podcast 27 (5-8 Feb 2009).

2009-02-05T00:41:00.001-08:00

The 27th Zygiella podcast is now available on the internet for your listening and dancing-in-your-kitchen (or whatever) pleasure.

Featuring Winter Gloves ("Factories"), Vitaminsforyou ("B4U"), Forest City Lovers ("Two Hearts"), Whale Tooth ("Clever"), The Primordials ("Shout, Shake, & Go"), and Key Witness ("First Wave [unmastered]").

Lots of good music. The Whale Tooth track comes off their new EP, to be released at Sneaky Dee's on Saturday. And the Key Witness song will be featured on their upcoming album, with a 21 March release date. (And hence why I have an unmastered copy to share with you.)

Listen at Zygiella
Download the podcast
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iTunes (subscribe)

Indie Music 68 (2-8 Feb 2009).

2009-02-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

The list is up at my blog. Cheers!

Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula

2009-01-31T12:56:00.000-08:00

Bruce Peninsula's A Mountain is a Mouth was my pick of the week.

The executive summary:
The album is like spending 40 mins inside a haunted country church, (which is to say that AMIAM is an experience... and there are very few bands that can create an experience).

I'm going to check them tonight at the Horseshoe, so, probably a review and some photos tomorrow...

CONTEST: Win A Copy of In-Flight Safety's Brand New CD!!!!

2009-01-28T17:41:00.001-08:00

In-Flight Safety are a very talented band from Halifax that has been compared to Coldplay, Band Of Horses, The National and The Cardigans (ok, personally, not hearing that last one but anyways...)

I've got two copies of their new CD entitled We Are An Empire, My Dear to giveaway. A review of this CD, as well as the (simple) contest rules are up on my blog over here

Podcast 26 (28 Jan-1 Feb 2009).

2009-01-27T09:07:00.001-08:00

Featuring Laura Barrett ("Ferryland"), Wendy Leung ("Stop/Start"), Shad ("I Don't Like To"), Cuff the Duke ("Long Road"), The Tom Fun Orchestra ("Highway Siren Song Breakdown"), and The Unsettlers ("Red To Black").

Listen at Zygiella
Download the podcast
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iTunes (subscribe)

Giveaway: Ruby Coast, Winter Gloves, and Everything All The Time @ Horseshoe, 5 Feb.

2009-01-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

Check it out. Get free tickets, a CD, and a t-shirt from this up-and-coming young Toronto band about to embark on their first US tour!

Indie Music 67 (26 Jan-1 Feb Jan 2009).

2009-01-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

I got my listings up for this week. Here.

Annuals w/ Jessica Lee Mayfield @ El Mocambo Jan.24.2009

2009-01-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

I saw Annuals and Jessica Lee Mayfield @ El Mocambo w/ my buddy Mr. Grosman on Saturday night.

The executive summary:
Jessica Lee Mayfield = much better than expected, great voice, interesting song writing, looking forward to hearing the album.

Annuals = great sounding band with lead vocals that were a little too emo for me.

The photos and the whole review here.

Tom Fun Orchestra

2009-01-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

(The) Tom Fun Orchestra are different (I think in a good way) and have a new album You Will Land With A Thud, which, if you're looking for something unique you should def. check it out.

Also, there are a pile of contests by Jen, Bob, and Allan to win tickets, CDs, etc...

All that jazz including my thoughts, mp3s, show dates + other info here.

Podcast 25 (19-25 Jan 2009).

2009-01-21T23:09:00.000-08:00

All the details on this podcast, the 25th one (!) on my blog. This week's guest was Matt Bahen of The Schomberg Fair, and he played a song for us. Zygiella podcast exclusive!

Ticket/CD Giveaway: The Tom Fun Orchestra, Bruce Peninsula, and The Darcys @ The Horseshoe, 31 Jan.

2009-01-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

I've got my own contest running on my blog. And I forgot to mention yesterday that I got the listings up for this week. Busy!

CONTEST featuring Bruce Peninsula, Tom Fun Orchestra & The Darcy's

2009-01-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

This one is pretty awesome guys! I don't know what I'm doing to deserve such amazing opportunities to give away stuff but you'd better jump on it while it lasts. Tom Fun Orchestra are playing The Horseshoe on Saturday January 31st with Bruce Peninsula and The Darcy's.

Here's what I've got to give away:

1) A pair of passes to the show at The Horseshoe on January 31st.
2) A copy of The Tom Fun Orchestra's 'You Will Land With A Thud' CD
3) A copy of The Darcy's 'Endless Water' CD
4) A digital download of Bruce Peninsula's 'A Mountain Is A Mouth' release.

A review of The Tom Fun Orchestra's You Will Land With a Thud CD as well as all of the contest rules are on my blog, over here.

Photo by Nathan Boone

Neko Case Download for Best Friends Animal Society

2009-01-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

Don't ask me how this works, but Anti - the record label - is making a $5 donation to the Best Friends Animal Society for every blog that posts the new single "People Got A lotta Nerve" from Neko Case's upcoming album Middle Cyclone.

I did. And, while I'm not an uber-animal activitst or anything (although I was step-father to a fish once -RIP Roy) it seems like a good thing to do... so you should do it too...