I hate the feeling I get in my gut when I discover some amazing new artist/album/whatever and then find out that they played in Edmonton the week before. I wish someone could just tell me: "Hey. This band is coming to play. You've never heard them, but you will soon fall in love with them". Also, I am often told that blogs should cater to a niche subject or service, so why not this? So I'm going to add this as a regular feature. That being said, if you know of hot upcoming shows, please e-mail me and [...]
Aggggh, I've been under vow of secrecy punishable by death for the last week regarding the line-up announcements for this summer's Edmonton Folk festival. But now, it is Wednesday. So I get to tell you. Ready? Jakob Dylan Sarah Harmer Gord Downie and Patrick Watson. Whew. Feels so good to get that off my chest! They will be joining Ben Harper, Calexico and Dan Wilson, among others. I hope to see you there, Folk festers! This is looking like [...]
For all of you BSS fans out there, the ensemble is passing through Edmonton October 9th in support of their new album: Forgiveness Rock Record . Now, I've never had the opportunity to catch these guys live before, but I've been told by some trustworthy sources that it is a must-see show. Tickets are not on sale yet, but I will be keeping a sharp eye out (they've gone on sale in other cities, but alas, E-town has a different promoter). Check in [...]
I've been loving this Seattle-based Hip hop pair for a few years now (ever since they were name-dropped on one of my favourite webcomics . Commence making fun of the uber-nerd). They're political, energetic, emotional, melodic, and totally fucking amazing. So I figured I'd bring out some samples for everyone to snack on. Betcha can't eat just one*. Blue Scholars - Paul Valery Blue Scholars - Evening Chai Check out their albums Here and Here . Can't wait [...]
Muse . After eight years of pent up (musical) frustration - much like the wait I endured for Radiohead and Coldplay - Muse finally gave me the release I waitied so long for: a live show where we made sweet, sweet music together. The night was not for the faint of hear (nor those prone to epilepsy), with laser shows that drew parallels to acid trips and being trapped in a Frankie Goes to Hollywood music video ... plus face melting guitar work. Of course. They peppered the show with homage after homage to those [...]
First, let's talk about The Blow . The Blow is the moniker of a one-woman act hailing out of New York. Her initial stage presence was timid, if not a little self-depreciating. Totally hip cred? Check. I wasn't blown away at first (hur hur hur. I know). I was more captivated by the Ian Curtis-esque dance moves than what she was singing. There was a lot of intentional off-key moments that just didn't resonate. I've seen off-key get used in magical ways that really jar the audience and make a point... but this was like... well, imagine an under-prepared [...]
So I scored a couple of tickets to see Vancouver's You Say Party! We Say Die! do an acoustic set at a local radio staion . I was pretty pumped for this intimate set, and YSP!WSD! delivered. Not really surprised. This latest album has me rethinking their genre label of "dance punk". I mean, maybe it was the acoustic set, but it wasn't so dance-y as I remember the first one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that's a bad thing. XXXX is just a totally grown up sound from their sophomore effort. That [...]
This four-piece out of Halifax took me by total surprise. I went to check out a show featuring some out-of-town friends of mine , and In-Flight Safety provided the crowd with some sweet, sweet opening magic. Despite my drunken inability to actually grab an album off the guys before the end of the night (and remember their name. Sorry), I got my hands on a copy of "We Are an Empire, my Dear". And boy, am I glad I did. These guys are def going to be one of [...]
A hot Saturday in September was the inaugural Sonic Boom festival in Edmonton. And I have to tell you, it was totally worth having to put up with the usual "first timer" kinks to go check it out. After figuring out where the hell the VIP entrance was, I hunkered down on a spot of wet grass with a piece of shitty pizza and waited for the face-melting rock to start. But it just didn't have the sweet, sweet view I assumed there was going to be, so as The Wet Secrets took the stage, I ventured out to brave [...]
Friday ended up being a short day for me, as I missed some of the acts that played earlier in the evening. Two beers in, however, I found myself couched in front of the iconic Loudon Wainwright III. Yeah, Rufus, Lucy and Martha's Faja . 63 and still rocking hard. While he didn't play my favourites ("Rufus is a Tit Man", "I wish I Was a Lesbian"), his set was replete with his standard humorist-styled songs. He's one of those artists you didn't know you knew: to be expected, as his 21 albums have spanned nearly 40 [...]
My very first Edmonton Folk Fest was a fabulous experience. Glad I had a seasoned folk-fester take me by the hand for the duration, or I would have been ill-prepared for the bring-your-own-seating, dance barefoot in the grass celebration that the weekend is. The festival didn't officially get underway until Thursday (august 6th), but there was a kick-off show on Wednesday with the cool premise of creating an endowment fund with the ticket sales from the extra evening. That way, next time Edmonton hits a cycle of economic crap, there would always [...]
Check out the track Mexican Circus (March to the Holly Dome) off their new album " The Way Forward ". (which you can grab here, if you love it. And I think you will...) [...]
We'll now interrupt the regular programming with a blog swap. Sorry dear readers, today you won't be getting goodies to caress your auditory senses from Chels, but something completely different from Adorably Bitter . Consider yourself warned... Because the thing is, in my daily life I am not really an active music-listener. I can pretty much put up with anything as long as it is there, in the background, not interrupting me. That is why I tend to gravitate towards jazz and blues - it creates an atmosphere without [...]
I don't know a single person who hasn't been enjoying the indie music coming out of Canada for the last couple of years. Well... let me rephrase that. People have been enjoying the indie music coming out of Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal [myself included]. A real crime has been committed in overlooking the talent in the more sparsely-populated provinces that make up this great nation. So, [...]
Easily one of the best shows I've had the opportunity to catch this year has been TV on the Radio , with their guests, Dirty projectors. I didn't know what to expect going in: it was at a venue I'd never been to that I'd heard horrible things about (in the West Edmonton mall?), I had no idea who was opening, and I really hadn't listened [...]
... only 5 days until the new release from Phoenix drops. Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy. Phoenix - 1901
Rocking the fuck out of Vancouver, British Columbia - as are many bands after my own heart these days - comes Mother Mother . This five piece ensemble does some magical things to the auditory sensory area of my brain. Their second release, O My Heart, is a whirlwind tour of dark, layered pop that's at once creepy and accessible: not a bad combination to master on a sophomore attempt! So like, Kudos. [...]
Metric frontwoman Emily Haines and her partner in [almost] crime[s] Jimmy Shaw, have taken it to the road. And it is so good to hear it. To promote the new Fantasies album, the pair gave a special acoustic performance for Edmontonians who had either pre-ordered the new album, or had been lucky enough to win tickets. My album wasn't pre-ordered, nor am I a lucky person: good thing a friend of mine always [...]
Okay, everyone is in love with Passion Pit right now and eagerly awaiting the drop of the new album, Manners (If you're not, here's your first head's up). Sleepyhead has been on my iPod for almost 6 months. It was love at first listen. [...]
At the behest of a good friend, two weekend's ago I picked up Calgary artist Chad VanGaalen's third release, Soft Airplane. It hasn't left my CD player since. Sure, I feel bad that I will play this album until I can't stand it anymore, put it away for two months and then do it all over again, but it's well-deserving of such obsession. [...]
Narrow Crafts
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First Aid Kit – Emmylou
Hardwell Bootleg Pack 2012
Circo Voador anuncia shows de The Kooks, Foster The People, Friendly Fires, Gogol Bordello e mais
