Next music from Tokyo packed out the Rivoli last night with a mixed crowd of Japanese expatriates, Japanophiles and obscure music geeks, curious for a glimpse into the parallel universe of Tokyo's music scene. The Japanese capital is a city so vast it feels like at any given time every cultural niche possible could exist within its sprawl. The wildly eclectic showcase last night suggested that could well be true. Akai Ko-en took the stage first, demonstrating one of the most compellingly original sounds of all the evening's bands. [...]
Toronto - Lately, there's been a fair number of Elephant Six alumni making their way through our town - Olivia Tremor Control and Music Tapes a little over a week ago, Jeff Mangum's sold out show back in August at Trinity St. Paul's, and now former Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes' current band A Hawk And A Hacksaw . Touring behind their latest album Cervantine , the New Mexico band played a mostly instrumental set of their heavily Balkan folk-influenced tunes. Accordion and Violin abounded, along with a smattering of trumpet at times, some of it with a mariachi [...]
If you find yourself at loose ends tonight, may I humbly suggest the triple bill happening over at The Rivoli. Minnesota's Dark Dark Dark are headlining, promoting their sophomore album Wild Go. Check out the track "Daydreaming": Also on tonight are A Hawk And A Hacksaw and Pillars And Tongues.
![[Event] Tonight in Toronto: Bump N' Hustle 16th Anniversary Party at The Rivoli!](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3711603_lg.jpg)
Where I'll be tonight with the homies, DJ Paul E. Lopes and Mike Tull ! Hot Stepper Productions celebrates 16 years of entertainment quality control at our longest running event Bump N' Hustle Saturday September 10th at The Rivoli! Saturday, September 10th, 2011 At the Rivoli (UPSTAIRS!): 334 Queen Street West doors open at 10:00pm Only $10…for the $5 earlybird B 4 11:00pm guest list for you and your group email: guestlist@hotstepper.com [...]
Frank Yang Who: Cass McCombs What: Nomadic and rangy American singer-songwriter now based out of Los Angeles and favouring a stark, baroque aesthetic for his darkly-hued country-folk songwriting Why: His generally critically acclaimed career got an extra bump when his latest effort Wit's End garnered a Pitchfork "Best New Music" nod. When: Saturday, July 23, 2011 Where: The Rivoli in Toronto (19+) Who else: Baltimore dream-pop outfit Lower [...]
Check out the Event here !
If you're at loose ends tonight, may I suggest a hop on over to the Rivoli where you'll be treated to a good old fashioned song circle. Local favorites Emma-Lee, Rob Szabo, Carleton Stone (that cannot be his real name), and Karen Kosowski will be performing an acoustic set together. Doors open at 8:30pm and the cover is $10. For our friends in Ottawa, you can catch Emma-Lee at the Ottawa
![[NXNE] Papermaps Live at the Rivoli- June 18th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3547032_lg.jpg)
by teepoo To end my series of NXNE posts is the band I've been anticipating all week, Papermaps . The Rivoli was a pretty quiet night until Papermaps was up. The lead singer Dean Marino also plays electric guitar in another group called Tin Star Orphans who was also present in the audience. I've been a fan of Papermaps self-titled album which is a whole lot of badass indie rock. Most of the songs on the album are catchy enough to be singles and this spoke through [...]
![[NXNE] Lunic Live at the Rivoli- June 18th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3547033_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Lunic is an all girl indie/psych trio from New York with an electric violin. They have the edgy vibe. Unfortunately, I didn't catch too much of their set because I was working the door extra hard so that the volunteers would let me watch the whole Papermaps set that was to come after. Here's a video from the night: Gallery after the jump [...]
![[NXNE] Thees Uhlmann and Band Live at the Rivoli- June 18th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3546247_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Looking at the name, they are obvious not a Canadian band. Thees Uhlmann are from Berlin, Germany with the leading member being a part of Tomte . They were hilariously entertaining. The lead singer tried to tell "Canadian" jokes in between each tune. An example was, "Where do old men go to get excitement?" Answer: "Viagara Falls" . There was free 73 vinyl on the tables which was a complete win. From them I learned that they had collaborated with the amazing [...]
![[NXNE] The Dress Whites Live at The Rivoli- June 18, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3545220_lg.jpg)
by teepoo First up on my last night at the Rivoli was The Dress Whites. Their keyboard player apparently couldn't make it so they replaced him with a can of soup. Quite literally, it was even mic'd up as you can see in the photos, and it had a beer. Right off the bat you could tell these guys were fun, and it came through on their live set. Gallery after the jump [...]
![[NXNE] Early Winters Live at the Rivoli- June 17th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3538833_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Early Winters is a group from all over the place including Juno nominated Canadian artist Justin Rutledge. He is joined by Carina Round from the UK, Zac from New Zealand and Dan from Tokyo. Their music reminds me a bit of 90s ballads turned a little indie. They were pleasant to listen to, but part of me really wanted something more, like a song with some punch to be thrown into the mix. Check out Spanish Burn from their self-titled EP. Early [...]
![[NXNE] Freedom or Death Live from the Rivoli- June 17th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3538834_lg.jpg)
by teepoo This was the second time I've seen Freedom or Death , the first being at Steamwhistle Unsigned . I have to say they sounded so much better this time, well mixed and full of soul. The crowd that had been there early to see Early Winter, was quite impressed by Sway. Freedom or Death- Lost in Dances This didn't end up being my last time seeing them during NXNE.. more on that later. Full gallery after [...]
![[NXNE] Hometown Beatdown Live from The Rivoli- June 17th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3538835_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Here's another band that is sort of a work in progress. Again, not my thing. They are sort of an Owl City sounding band with a little bit of an identity crisis image wise. They kind of look like a punk band, but really aren't. It isn't so bad in the video below, but they did live and it was a tad confusing when they started to sing. Hometown Beatdown Piece of that Peace from Hometown Beatdown on [...]
![[NXNE]Courage My Love Live at the Rivoli- June 17th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3538743_lg.jpg)
by teepoo I volunteered at the Rivoli all week so that was probably the only reason why i saw this band. They were part of the Friday TMKO law firm showcase. Some of the bands this night were a little bit questionable. Courage My Love is a pretty young band, 2 members being 18 and needed us to give them special wristbands. They group reminds me of a young Paramore, but still has a long way to grow in terms of making it to the same success level. [...]
![[NXNE] Bruce Peninsula Live at the Rivoli- June 16th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3535287_lg.jpg)
by teepoo The headliner of the night was Toronto's Bruce Peninsula. Another band who I for some reason missed posting about on the blog. They great part of them is the number of vocal parts they have in the songs to accompany almost tribal like rhythms. I was surprised how greatly they transferred this to the stage. It was the first show for the band in a while since Neil Haverty (singer/guitarist) got diagnosed with a highly curable form of Leukemia. Boy did they bounce back though and [...]
![[NXNE] Sweet thing Live at the Rivoli- June 16th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3535290_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Sweet Thing was probably the most anticipated band of the night for me, mainly because I haven't seen them even though they were from Toronto. They graced the stage with infectious poppy rock tunes that kept the audience moving. It was a busy night at the Rivoli. Check out Changes of Seasons which was in the movie Easy A . Sweet Thing- Changes of Seasons Full Sweet Thing gallery after the jump [...]
![[NXNE] Imaginary Cities Live at the Rivoli- June 16th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3535292_lg.jpg)
by teepoo I've watched Imaginary Cities grow up on the stage since before they were signed to Hidden Pony. The duo of Marti and Rusty (who are some of the sweetest people in the world) had grown to a full out band. Every time I see them more more and more people would be the audience enjoying their catchy pop songs realizing what they have been missing. Check out this video for Where'd All the Living Go and fall in love with Imaginary [...]
![[NXNE] Bobby Bazini Live at the Rivoli- June 16th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3534436_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Next up in the CBC Radio2 showcase was French artist Bobby Bazini from Montreal, Quebec. His French accent is pretty thick but it adds a little something to his music. His music is folk but almost to the boarder of wanting to be country, especially in his guitar licks. Full Bobby Bazini gallery after the jump [...]
![[NXNE] Peter Elkas Live at the Rivoli- June 16th, 2011](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3534437_lg.jpg)
by teepoo Peter Elkas is a handsome, handsome man. Even more so in real life. He certainly has some charm and an almost rock star presence. When he was singing I felt like one of those fan girls who thinks he's singing to me personally. That was a tad too much creepy information but anyways his set kicked off what would be a wonderful showcase for CBC Radio 2. Peter Elkas- Cruel Thing to Do Full gallery after [...]
blogTO - Toronto Indie Music and more
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