
Frank Yang I don't think Toronto necessarily has an international reputation as a destination for expatriate pop geniuses, but apparently Canadian women hold a certain appeal for them. Joe Pernice of Pernice Brothers has been up here for the better part of eight years while Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub moved to Kitchener a couple years ago - both on account of their Canadian wives - and on Friday night, they were on stage together at The Dakota Tavern for a low-key show together. It had been advertised as a Joe Pernice [...]

Jason Arthurs We're still over a week out from the official Summer solstice, but Superchunk don't need no druidic approval to declare the season of sun and fun officially here. After following up 20102s Majesty Shredding with a series of reissues, they've just released a new 73 single for the song "This Summer" and if that wasn't enough seasonal thematicness for one release, the b-side is a cover of Bananarama's 1983 Summer anthem. The single is limited to an edition of 1300 pieces worldwide, pressed [...]
Cat Power: American Flag Doris Day: That Jane From Maine Matt Pond PA: New Hampshire Scud Mountain Boys: Massachusetts Blossom Dearie: Rhode Island is Famous For You Simon & Garfunkel: The Only Living Boy In New York The Mountain Goats: Going To Maryland Nation of Ulysses: You're My Miss Washington, D.C. Ryan Adams: Oh My Sweet Carolina [...]

Frank Yang The Bellwoods crew is certainly setting a high standard when it comes to set dressings. Thanks to them, I've now attended shows in the heart of a volcano , an exploding library in the sky and as of this past Friday night, a heavily wooded lumberjack camp. In reality, it was the Tranzac and the occasion was the record release party for Evening Hymns' new album Spirit Guides ; a grand and gauzey statement of gospel-inflected folk-rock which is quite highly-regarded [...]