Progressive rock. Prog rock. The term alone conjures up a lot of dodgy images amongst music fans of a certain ilk – old British dudes wearing capes, rows and rows of synthesizers, extended bass solos, concept albums about post-apocalyptic societies, Phil Collins … I could go on and on. In fact, to illustrate the perceived negative connotations of prog rock, I’ll tell you a story. Late one evening a few years back, I found myself in a club where there was a band playing cover tunes. Instead of a bass player, this band had a dude playing a Chapman [...]
According to Google the word ‘dulcet’ is often used ironically. I was going to start off this song of the day by saying that if you want to understand the meaning of the phrase 'dulcet tones' you should listen to Lucius frontwomen Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, but now that Google has hit me with some knowledge I’m not sure that’s what I actually want to say. Regardless, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Brooklyn based fivesome Lucius sound lovely on “Don’t Just Sit There.” Give it a listen – they’re currently on tour, here are some tour [...]
According to Google the word ‘dulcet’ is often used ironically. I was going to start off this song of the day by saying that if you want to understand the meaning of the phrase 'dulcet tones' you should listen to Lucius frontwomen Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, but now that Google has hit me with some knowledge I’m not sure that’s what I actually want to say. Regardless, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Brooklyn based fivesome Lucius sound lovely on “Don’t Just Sit There.” Give it a listen – they’re currently on tour, here are some tour [...]
What a dreary day. It's almost mid-April, the temperature is still in the single digits and the sky is forty nine shades of grey. It is definitely not the spring we wanted (maybe the one we deserved?) Like it or not, the weather is dragging everybody down, which coincidentally, makes it a perfect time to listen to Depeche Mode 's new album, Delta Machine . Their first album in four years, the Essex band returns with a down tempo record that is the perfect cocktail for those dreary days. I am actually amazed by Depeche Mode's [...]
You know, some shows are just damn good. Jessie Ware 's Toronto debut (as a solo artist) was one of them. The success of her amazing debut album Devotion meant that a packed house filled the Opera House on a Saturday. Dare I say not one person left disappointed. The voice, the soul-meets nineties r&b music and the no-filter vibe of Jessie Ware's on stage personality all led to a gleeful show full of singalongs, dancing and general fun. As someone who may or may not have come off as a serious artist, Jessie Ware's persona onstage [...]
In a Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway says “Since I had started to break down all my writing and get rid of all facility and try to make instead of describe, writing had been wonderful to do.” I am not Hemingway (in case there were any doubts). But I am going to do my best to follow his advice to say what is true, without reverting to adjectives/metaphors/compariso n, to epitomize Darwin Deez . “He is tall in a two-dimensional way. He sings feelings but not in a serious manner. He inspires moustaches. He exudes fun. He [...]
I will admit to not being overly familiar with Caitlin Rose 's material before her show at The Garrison this past Friday night, but I liked what I had heard from her and after seeing her live, I was converted to a fan. The Nashville-based, Dallas-born country singer is a charming and totally assured performer and the songs from her latest, The Stand-In , are quite catchy. And her stage banter, while a little hit and miss at the beginning of her set, was often quite humorous. "This is a pop song, I think. I've never [...]
There are rare moments when I have a sneaking suspicion I am actually at the spot of maximum fun on any given night in DC. Last night was just such an experience. The particular equation for optimal fun in this instance was : Black Cat + Wednesday night + Carousel + Mansions on the Moon = maximum beats. The beats were seriously coming fast and furious over the two bands’ awesome sets in the Black Cat’s intimate backstage room. Carousel led off with an adrenaline pumping dance fiesta ranging from their original works to [...]
Swedish band Shout Out Louds latest release, Optica has been one of my go to albums thus far this year for pleasant sounding music. It brings the group back to the warm, friendly twee-esque pop that made them darlings in the mid 002s, as oppose to their last release, Work , which sounded like the band was moving away from the things that made them so fun. While they will probably never reach the heights that was Our Ill Wills , this latest release is full of what constitutes as classic Shout Out Louds [...]
It might be a blessing in disguise that my iPhone died the day of the Sigur Ros concert. My inevitable crappy Instagram pictures that I was bound to take during the visual and audio spectacle that occured would have done the show injustice. And my god, what a visual and audio spectacle it was. Playing Toronto for the second time in eight months, the Icelandic group opted for a theatre configuration inside a cavernous ACC, which in result created a far different atmosphere then the Echo Beach show. Whereas the latter show was one [...]
I've always wonder about covers - I'm sure the originator of the song is pleased that another band is playing tribute to them, but is there always anxiety that someone else is going to do it better? I feel a little bad for Richard Swift when I say it, but Pickwick , a garage R&B band out of Seattle, blows his version of Lady Luck out of the water. Honestly though, I feel worse for myself that I won't be in town when they come to Chicago on April 19th to play Schubas. Check out the single featuring Sharon [...]
Get ready for it: David Bowie give-away! That's right, we're gracing you with a contest for 1 vinyl or 1 CD of this magical musician man's "The Next Day" album. This gem includes tracks such as "I'd Rather Be High" and "Boss of Me." It rocks, and it's Bowie at his recent best (which is... obviously... awesome). You know what else is awesome? The fact that I grew up in a little town called Bowie (whose denizens, I must add, are not eligible to participate in this contest - Canada only!). So, Canadians, [...]
If you are going to attend a city wide music festival, it is imperative that you follow these simple rules to ensure success. See the band you've just discovered and have fallen in love with, it will be one of the best shows of the year so far. See bands you've never ever heard of before that you chose randomly because timing or venue proximity worked. Stay hydrated, lube up that bicycle if weather is suitable and show hop until your hearts content. I could only make it out for shows on Saturday so I tried to squeeze [...]
"Cause you heard it on the radio/Doesn't make it beautiful." A song with a good beat can hold it's own any day in my book, but when the lyrics make you think it's definitely an added bonus. Mansions on the Moon 's latest single, Radio , does just that. The track is a great synthesis of upbeat (I can't listen to it without doing the unprofessional but inevitable office-chair-wiggle) and contemplative. It's mellow enough to allow you to actually listen to and appreciate the lyrics. The group's put together a narrative that paints [...]
Kids these days. After playing a spirited hour long show, the young, Australian indie pop group San Cisco left the stage to a large applause from the young and enthusiastic crowd. As the applause continued, it became apparent that the group was going to come back for the traditional encore. Only they didn't. Taking the microphone, lead vocalist Jordi Davieson (who looks like a cross between Joseph Levitt Gordon and Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig) simply explained that they had run out of songs. "We don't have any more songs, but if you want, we'll [...]
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if a band plays a showcase at a music festival and pretty much no one shows up, did they still make a sound? Most definitely ... on both counts. Why would you think a tree falling wouldn't make a sound? Seems like basic science to me. Unless you're in space. In space, no one can hear you scream. Or fall, if you're a tree. But what about the band in question? Saint Catharines based Bronx Cheerleader [...]
Another year, another SXSW. No trip in the deep south post festival this year. Honestly, I don't even know how we survived a one week road trip after South By last year. We are definitely getting old. Having had some time to reflect, the four of us came up with some of our moments in Austin, Texas. Favorite SXSW Moment Gary : When the big guy at Lianne la havas' concert shouted out: I'm not too old for you! Derek [...]
I must be getting old. It seemed everyone in the crowd at this show was about 15 years old. They weren't checking ID's, so maybe? Matt Pond PA was the opening band to Jukebox The Ghost, which also made me feel old, because dude's been around forever! Matt Pond PA I came in to the last two songs of his set. His voice is crystal clear, and pitch perfect. Matt Pond PA has been around since 1998, and has cranked out 8 LPs and 8 EPs, it was a little bit confusing to see him opening [...]
When I saw Peter Peter setting up, I had the feeling that this could be a good one - two synths and a dude with a saxophone onstage boded well for the evening. Of course with that much equipment onstage and six band members, the possibility for things to go wrong are also higher. And so of course, everything that can go wrong will, and after clearing up a few issues in a lengthy sound check, the band was finally ready to go ... 20 minutes after their scheduled set time. It must be frustrating for bands playing [...]
The week before Canadian Music Week, I had the pleasure of hearing German folk pop band BOY for the first time. I enjoyed their sound and they had a charming demeanor onstage, so when I saw they were playing the El Mocambo at 11:00 on Saturday night, I figured I'd check them out again since there was nothing else that grabbed my attention during that time slot. However, after being annoyed by the overly chatty crowd and dubious sound mix at their show, I hightailed it to the Comfort Zone. No fault of the band of course. [...]
The Panic Manual
Kanye West Performs “New Slaves” And “Black Skinhead” On Saturday Night Live
Watch Fred Armisen’s SNL farewell with Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Aimee Mann
And We'll Run
