Colin Medley This here is another of those posts that, were it a category on Jeopardy , would be called "Potpourri" on account of it being a whole lot of this and that with only the passports of the artists mentioned in common. And I'll start with Toronto's METZ because, well, I haven't used one of their photos yet and my posting process is really that random. The trio has been making a lot of noise - literally and figuratively - on the back of their self-titled debut , and while it [...]
Zunior A lot of people were excited when Canadian indie icons Rheostatics announced that they were reuniting for a couple of shows to mark the 65th anniversary of Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern this week, and then a lot more - particularly those who missed out on tickets for those two shows - got excited when a third show was added to meet demand. Then all of them were disappointed when the shows were abruptly cancelled , presumed due to Martin Tielli's long-running battle with performance anxiety, and disappointment turned to concern when producer and [...]
Frank Yang That whole, "Halifax is the new Seattle" thing that went down in the early '90s is better known these days for simply having happened than for much of the music that came out of it. Sloan precipitated it and continue to endure, and the likes of Thrush Hermit and Eric's Trip are still remembered fondly by many and their principals continue to make music, but most Maritime acts who were tipped as the next big, fuzzy, plaid-clad thing some 15 to 20 years ago simply called it a day after a release or two, to be [...]
rheostatics.ca It was a pretty sweet get for Toronto's Legendary Horseshoe Tavern to enlist Joel Plaskett for five nights of shows from December 12 to 16 to mark its 65th birthday, but they weren't done. Canadian art-pop icons Rheostatics , who formally disbanded after eleven studio albums, four live albums, and a farewell show at Massey Hall in 2007, are getting back together for two nights at The 'Shoe on December 5 and 6. It's not quite the record-setting twelve shows in twelve nights "Fall Nationals" concert series they held at [...]
Mashup Monday - We're back again with some of the freshest mashes to start your week off right. These are the mashes that are worth hearing, so stop you're searching and instead settle down at your computer... turn up your speakers... and get ready for that sweet nectar that only EARMILK can give ya. Let's GO . So this week was a little tougher to find a solid quantity of mashups. Didn't want to inundate you guys with more mashes of "Call Me Maybe"...it seems as though I had about 20 mashes with that sample alone in my [...]
Mashup Monday - We're back again with some of the freshest mashes to start your week off right. These are the mashes that are worth hearing, so stop you're searching and instead settle down at your computer... turn up your speakers... and get ready for that sweet nectar that only EARMILK can...
Filed under: News , Exclusive , New Releases Courtesy of Pheromone Recordings Rock music and literature usually inhabit separate ends of the arts and culture spectrum but Dave Bidini , founding member of seminal Canadian art-rock outfit the Rheostatics and current leader of the Bidiniband , is determined to bridge both worlds. The musician has authored 10 books -- including ' On a Cold Road: Tales of Adventure in Canadian Rock ,' which [...]
Filed under: News , Exclusive , Book Club Image From 'Have Not Been the Same' It shouldn't be too hard for any music fan to name groundbreaking and influential Canadian artists: Neil Young , Joni Mitchell , the Band , Leonard Cohen ... and then Arcade Fire , Feist , New Pornographers , Broken Social Scene . But what about the in-between? 'Have Not Been [...]
Rheostatics: Legal Age Life at Variety Store [ purchase ] This song comes from the Whale Music album, which I've expressed my love for already . This is perhaps the most catchy number on the album. I dare you to listen to it and not sing along! Rheostatics: Saskatchewan [ purchase ] A sailor paralyzed by battle can only think of his Saskatchewan home as his ship [...]
"It is comforting to know that he didn't suffer," reads the memorial announcement on Paul Quarrington's website. "He was calm and quiet, holding hands with those who were closest to him." Paul Quarrington, who lost his struggle with lung cancer in the early hours of January 21, was best known for his 1989 book, 'Whale Music' -- about a reclusive Brian Wilson -esque rock star -- which won the prestigious Governor General's Award for Fiction and was described by Penthouse Magazine as "the best novel written about rock 'n 'roll." [...]
Rheostatics: Palomar [ purchase ] Rheostatics were a unique, creative Canadian band that never achieved much success below the 49th parallel. I friend of mine slipped me a copy of their Whale Music album years ago, and I was immediately sucked in by the eclectic arrangements, offbeat song structures, and often inscrutable lyrics. But I still don't know how to describe them, other than "very Canadian". "Palomar" is one of the more musically straightforward songs from that first album I heard (which, as it [...]
Filed under: News , Exclusive , Canada Most of us have one or two really talented friends. Y'know, those_thumbnail.gifted, smart and charming folks who make you feel like an untalented rube. But what do you do if all of your friends are of that blessed ilk? If you're Jason Collett , you host an annual holiday spectacular. Jason Collett's third annual Basement Revue Series take place Tuesdays in December at Toronto's urban cowboy-themed Dakota Tavern. The multi-disciplinary variety show brings together some of Canada's most [...]
(photo: eyeweekly.com) "More songs about dead hockey players, cannibalism and lesbian school teacher," is how Dave Bidini (ex-Rheostatics) describes The Land Is Wild , his most recent musical outing, this time under the name Bidiniband . Bidini is joined by fellow former Rheostatic Don Kerr on drums and guitar, guitarist Paul Linklater, and Doug Friesen on bass. Bidini has spent most of his time lately as an acclaimed writer, playwright and composer. He's been working on a new novel, Home and Away , about Team Canada's adventures [...]
Frank Yang For the last few years, Harbourfront Centre has been the go-to spot for Canada Day celebrations in Toronto. Each year, they put on a free show on the lake with some of the top domestic acts of the moment, but on a year-to-year basis they've also been doing a pretty great job of representing all the facets of what we'd call Canadian indie rock. Back in 2007 (I missed the 2006 show featuring The Dears ), they showcased the more avant garde end of the spectrum with Final Fantasy [...]
Toronto-based independent digital music store Zunior has announced the inaugural class of inductees for its Independent Music Hall Of Fame.To qualify, a band must:Be CanadianEmbody the spirit of independent music.Have put an album out on an independent label.The first inductees are:Eric's TripDefinitely deserving. At their peak Julie Doiron, Rick White and company were the Canadian equivalent to
In hono u r of Canada Day here are ten quick facts about the Great White North: 1. It is the world's second largest country. 2. My British friends call it "Canadia" to annoy me. 3. Popular Canadian creations include: Basketball , Superman (co-created with American writer, Jerry Siegel) Five Pin Bowling , the Wonderbra , Standard Time , the paint roller and Insulin . 4. My British friends insist on [...]
I don't have a lot of good stories about the Rheostatics. I have never been a particularly good fan, haven't followed the projects of the band members, don't even have a copy of Double Live or The Story of Harmelodica. Hell, I bought a ticket to see the Rheostatics in Kingston once, and then forgot to go. (Oddly enough, that wasn't the first time I forgot to go to a show—I made the same mistake a year earlier with Sarah Harmer. That was a fun Sunday morning in the residence cafeteria.) But even I understand the [...]
After more than twenty-five years as the reigning kings of Canada's independent music scene, Rheostatics will play the biggest gig of their lives, and the last with their founding line-up, at Toronto's legendary Massey Hall. Mainstream fame always eluded the band, but that was fine with their legion of card-carrying fans (you weren't a true Rheostatics fan unless you joined the Green Sprouts Music Club). Some may argue the band's prime came and went more than ten years ago, but their infectiously fun live act was always a draw. Tonight's show [...]
Chromewaves
earmilk.com
The Noise Collective
Spinner.com
Star Maker Machine
Quick Before It Melts
Snob's Music
Wolves, Hawks and Kites
angels twenty
Nueva canción de Arctic Monkeys: Do I Wanna Know
M.I.A. – “Bring the Noize”
