Courtesy of our pals at EMBRACE, we are giving away two passes to Memory Tapes @ Wrongbar – August 13, 2011.

Player Piano, the excellent second album from Memory Tapes is released this summer on Something In Construction in Europe and Carpark in the US. It was, like its predecessor, recorded at Dayve Hawke’s home studio in rural New Jersey, where he juggles looking after his young daughter and being a musician.

Seek Magic was released properly in March 2010 and has since sold over 30,000 copies worldwide. It received almost exclusively excellent reviews. Memory Tapes debuted his live show in January 2010 in Manchester, England and has since criss-crossed North America and played shows all across Europe and as far away as Australia. His remixes of the likes of Crystal Castles, Gucci Mane and Britney Spears have had consistent acclaim.

To Enter //

1. Follow @thesinginglamb on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN TICKETS to see Memory Tapes on August 13/11. For your chance follow @thesinginglamb and retweet! http://bit.ly/oVF1Cj

2. Email aviva@singinglamb.ca with “Today Is Our Life” in the subject line and your full name in the body.

This is a 19+ Event. Contest closes August 12, 2011 at midnight/witching hour.

Courtesy of our pals at EMBRACE, we are giving away a pass The Soft Moon @ Wrongbar – June 21/11.

The Soft Moon is Luis Vasquez’s atmospheric post-punk solo project whose self-titled debut album has garnered an impressive score from Pitchfork, great buzz from the likes of Stereogum and opening slots for moody rockers Interpol and Mogwai.

Perfect for these summer blues.

http://www.myspace.com/thesoftmoon

To Enter //

1. Follow @thesinginglamb on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN TICKETS to see The Soft Moon on July 19/11. For your chance follow @thesinginglamb and retweet! http://bit.ly/rssAqt

2. Email aviva@singinglamb.ca with “Breathe The Fire” in the subject line and your full name in the body.

This is a 19+ Event. Contest closes July 17, 2011 at midnight/witching hour.

Ray LaMontagne

The May 30th bill at Massey Hall began with the vocal styling’s of the first opening band The Secret Sisters, whose charming country, western style set the pace for the course of the evening.

Following shortly after, Brandi Carlile (vocals, guitar, piano) and her band hit the stage, opening with their perfectly harmonized song “Oh Dear” from her 2009 album Give Up the Ghost. Carlile’s voice, which was powerful enough to fill the room to all corners, was both dark and sweet as she sung with an air of purpose and excitement.

The humbled musician who kept an upbeat, colourful interaction with the crowd, outdid each succeeding song with tantalizing melodies filled at times with a harder rock edge. A unique experience for Massey Hall, Carlile decided to play hit “Dying Day” as a completely unplugged acoustic set, which set the audience into complete silence and awe.

Carlile, who was backed by the vocal styling of the Hanseroth twins, Phil (bass) and Tim (guitar), proved that she could do no wrong with her emphatic and energetic nature making audience members yearn for more.

Closing their set with a cover of Youth Group’s “Forever Young” and calling on concer-goers to join in on the chorus, Carlile displayed the raw power of a female vocalist and was the perfect second act to set the stage for what was to follow.

No seat was a seat too far when New Hampshire-born singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne began his set with his tasteful blend of blues, folk, and country. LaMontagne, who was backed by the band The Pariah Dogs, featured Jennifer Condos on bass, Jay Bellerose on drums, Eric Haywood on pedal steel, electric, and acoustic guitar, and Greg Leisz on pedal steel, lap steel, electric, and acoustic guitar.

The soft-spoken LaMontagne, whose raspy voice resonated throughout the venue, performed with outstanding energy and emotion in his music. Opening with “Like Rock & Roll Radio” from the 2010 album God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise, listeners were put into a daze with the calming and soothing nature of his voice.

Playing a collection of songs from his 2004 album Trouble, 2008′s Gossip In The Grain, and his most recent album God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise, including songs such as “Jolene,” “Hold You In My Arms,” and “Let It Be Me,” Ray’s dream-like serenade of music was the ideal sound for the acoustics of Massey Hall.

Despite the limited interaction with the crowd which took away from the overall performance, LaMontagne won the hearts of concert-goers with his intensity and melancholic songs.

Ending his set with the encore song “All The Wild Horses,” fans gave a standing ovation to the talented man that stood before them, needing to be pulled away from the venue in order to leave.

Little Foot Long Foot - Oh, Hell

Little Foot Long Foot, damn big sound. They are bluesy, with classic and catchy riffs, eerie organs, and a female vocalist that pierces through it all. In dire musical times such as these, Little Foot Long Foot are sure to be warmly welcomed into ears across the country.

The Toronto trio (previously playing the blues in twos), comprised of dapper bearded drummer Isaac Klein, powerful but not shrill vocalist and guitarist goddess Joan Smith, and recently added organist and vocalist Caitlin Dacey, shows no lack of passion and keep the blues true to its roots. Oh, and they play hard.

Comparisons to the White Stripes seem inevitable here (a role reversal of the red, black, and white “brother and sister” team of Jack and Meg), but Little Foot Long Foot set themselves apart by not adhering to their iconic, minimalistic, and simplistic (but highly effective) drumming and guitar sound.

Joan Smith’s vocals can sometimes reflect the gritty growl of Alison Mosshart or Beth Ditto, with tinges of Joan Baez here and there. Paired up with her distorted guitar, it’s effortless to drink it all in. Klein’s drumming is en par with Smith, and toe-tapping is nearly unavoidable. Dacey’s organs are a welcome addition, as they add that final layer to each track, and round out the already seamless sound.

This is the band’s second full-length album, and with a title like Oh, Hell, you’ve got absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. You’ll be taken to hell and back, sell your soul to the devil, but come out seeped in blues goodness.

The single, “Sell Out,” is a perfect introduction to the band. It features an unbelievably catchy riff, Smith’s piercing vocals and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, awesome organs, and deadly drums. The fifth track, “Kickface,” starts off in the deadliest manner with a scrumptious and spooky guitar and organ intro, almost making the listener feel as though they’re in a Vincent Price film. And with lyrics like, “Makes me feel bad, feels good that way,” this track is, well, damn good. The dance-y break near the end is just classic – denying a dance to it is futile.

“She Looks To You,” the eighth track on the album, starts off with quite a unique drum beat (nearly sounds like Klein is playing it in reverse), and then proceeds to literally explode into blues bliss. The amusingly titled “Neko Case Hate Fucks Kurt Cobain” is quite a standout track, starting off with a subtle organ, then leading into Smith’s wail and Klein’s drumstick taps, culminating in an explosion of sound. As Smith fiercely states in this track, “god damn.”

If you ever find yourself hankering a big-sound blues band, give Little Foot Long Foot a listen. Sounds this good are hard to come by, so do yourself a favour and go ahead and fall victim to this hard-hitting trio. Your ears will endure a blues killing, but they will thank you.

Oh, Hell will be released with EMI Music on June 28, 2011.

Johnny Flynn - Photo by Amanda Macchia

Budding English folk-rock act Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit stepped onstage to play for a packed crowd at the Horseshoe Tavern on Thursday May 26.  The band, who is fronted by Johnny Flynn, also features sister Lillie Flynn on vocals, flute, and guitar, Adam Beach on bass guitar, James Mathe on keyboard, and David Beauchamp on drums.

The musicianship skills of Flynn were made apparent when he played an array of instruments including guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin and trumpet. Additionally, Flynn overwhelmed audience members with the poetic nature of his lyrics and enchanting vocal style.

The show opened with a charming rendition of “The Box” and continued with the band playing hits off of their first full-length LP, A Larum (2008), such as “Cold Bread,” “The Wrote & The Writ,” and “Hong Kong Cemetery.”

The band kept the pace of the night by playing tracks off of their second album Been Listening (2010), including songs such as “Kentucky Pill,” fan favourite “Barnacled Warship,” and “The Water” featuring Lillie Flynn singing the part originally performed by Laura Marling.

Despite Flynn’s inability to communicate with the audience, as indicated by “thank you” being the only words muttered by the shy performer, concert-goers could not get enough of the intoxicating sound of the well-practiced and skilled band.

While at times people wanted to sing along with the gentle sounds of these folk gods, respect was paid where due in order to soak in the warmth and energy that was pouring off the stage.

Ending their set with “Tickle Me Pink” and performing their encore song “Leftovers,” both tracks from A Larum, Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit gave a memorable performance filled with high-energy and a tranquilizing sound from beginning to end.

Our pals at Gold Soundz are putting on their second Craftstock 2, a whimsical craft fair/indie rock concert.

When: Saturday, June 11, 2011 @ Kapisanan Philippine Arts Centre for Arts & Culture

Who: Seoul, Formalists, Wide Eyed Tour Guide, Union Duke, Star Department, Spirit Oak + Tons of Crafts!!!

19+ / $6 / Doors at 8

More Information: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223322224347011