Posts Tagged ‘canadian music week’

Canadian Music Week Round-Up: Saturday

March 22nd, 2010 | By: admin

The Wooden Sky @ Horseshoe (Photo Credit: Jerry Vo)

Joel Plaskett @ Mod Club

As part of the Canadian Music Week festivities this year, Sirius Satellite Radio put on a showcase billed as “Sirius Songwriters Cafe” at the Mod Club, which was recorded in its entirety for a future broadcast. The lineup was certainly a diverse one, including The Tea Party’s former frontman Jeff Martin performing solo, and late-Nineties Canadian rock radio favourites Default and The Trews. For myself, and countless others I expect braving the miserable, miserable weather and lengthy lineup at the Mod Club, there was only one act that mattered – a performance from The Nova Scotian Bard himself, Joel Plaskett.

I’m not sure whose decision it was to put Plaskett on first, but if it bothered the congenial singer-songwriter, than he certainly wasn’t showing it. Dressed casually in a t-shirt, vest and jeans, and grinning from ear to ear, he greeted the audience with a cheerful, “Hey Mod Club, how are you all doing?”. Accompanied by Peter Elkas on guitar, Plaskett played an abridged five-song set that included the Polaris Prize-nominated Three sing-along ”Through & Through & Through”, and fan favourite ”Nowhere With You”.

The least enviable job of the night had to belong to the female host from Sirius, who came onstage afterwards to say that due to a tight schedule we weren’t getting anymore songs from Joel, which promptly resulted in some enthusiastic booing from the filled-to-capacity Mod Club crowd. Nonetheless, even with a short set, Plaskett managed to prove why he cleaned up at the East Coast Music Awards several weeks ago (six awards!) and why he’s considered one of the best singer-songwriters in Canada today. Yet despite all his success, Plaskett has managed to remain incredibly humble – must be an East Coast thing.

Oh, and for fans wanting more Plaskett? He’ll be in Toronto next weekend for two shows at Lee’s Palace with his old band Thrush Hermit. Tickets for the Saturday show are sold out, but if you look around, you should still be able to get tickets for Sunday’s performance.

MySpace (Joel Plaskett): http://www.myspace.com/joelplaskett1

- MM

The Rural Alberta Advantage @ The Royal York Hotel

The Independent Music Awards, or “Indies” for short, is quite possibly the most bizarre annual Canadian music awards night ever. What other “awards show” can you name where you can see drunk music industry-types, 14-year-old Marianas Trench fan girls, and performances from actual talented bands, all in the giant ballroom of a swanky hotel? That’s what I thought. Last year, I caught Crystal Castles at the Indies after rushing over from the Bloc Party show at Kool Haus, and this year I caught another massively underrated (though in a completely different way) band, The Rural Alberta Advantage.

Taking the stage behind a giant video screen to perhaps one of the strangest crowds they’ve ever performed in front of, the Toronto indie rock three-piece of Paul Banwatt, Amy Cole and Nils Edenloff played about three quarters of their 2008 debut album, Hometowns, which was re-released on Saddle Creek just last year. The band drew their namesake and lyrical inspiration from Edenloff’s experiences growing up in Alberta, and write songs about small town malaise, heartbreak, the Rockies, and working in the oil fields. Live, the band transitioned effortlessly between uproariously frenetic barn-burners (“The Deathbridge In Lethbridge”) and slower, plaintive songs (“In the Summertime”).

Banwatt’s (who appeared earlier to present an award with Woodhands bandmate Dan Werb) powerful drumming, Edenloff’s rough, almost folksy-sounding vocals, and Cole’s (whose black Brigitte Bardot-esque dress nicely balanced out her male bandmates’ t-shirts and jeans) sweet backing melodies – they all mesh together to create songs that might not always be pretty, but damn if they aren’t catchy as hell. The RAA, who were featured earlier this week in a pre-SXSW article in the Toronto Star, are just one of those bands that you wish nothing but the best for. I can’t wait to see what these three have in store for 2010.

MySpace (The Rural Alberta Advantage): http://www.myspace.com/theraa

- MM

Yukon Blonde @ Horseshoe

Bucketfuls of rain poured all across Toronto, and I’m not sure if it was because of this that the Horseshoe wreaked of smelly wet feet or what. Nevertheless, it was definitely the place to be for CMW. The bill couldn’t look any better. First on the line-up is Yukon Blonde from British Columbia. Aesthetically, they look like the rugged guys you see hanging around Queen and Bathurst – with greasy, unwashed hair, donned in clothes torn in the wrong places. But musically, man, do these guys know their stuff. They opened with a song called “Rather Be” followed by “Brides” from their self-titled album released early last month. But what really got everyone hooked is their song “Wind Blows”. Even today, it continues to play in my head like a welcomed music worm. The clever wordplay in the chorus, “Wind blows/ Can you hear the wind blow?/ Listen to the raindrop/ Outside of my window,” certainly sticks without fail. Yukon Blonde sure knows how to make a pleasant lasting impression.

MySpace (Yukon Blonde): http://www.myspace.com/yukonblondeband

- CG

The Balconies @ Horseshoe

I must say, The Balconies is one good-looking band. Singer-guitarist Jacquie Neville is the master of mesmerizing the crowd with her intense rock’n’roll stage presence. Performing songs from their self-titled album, released last September, and a couple of new tunes, The Balconies had the crowd spell-bound. They ended with “Serious Bedtime” which resulted in everyone mouthing along the song’s words of mystery, “If you do it in the dark, in the dark, no one sees it/ If you do it in the dark, in the dark, it comes easy“. Energy is one thing the band never ceases to lack and whether you’re a fan or not you can’t help but be impressed by this up-and-coming force of (pop-rock) nature.

MySpace (The Balconies): http://www.myspace.com/thebalconies

- CG

The Wooden Sky @ Horseshoe

Coming back from their tour around Canada and the United States, The Wooden Sky played a much louder, turbulently-active set than I’ve ever seen. Amidst the guitar-flailing and emotion-filled singing, they played songs mostly from their album If I Don’t Come You’ll Know I’m Gone released last summer.  Obviously glad to be back home again, The Wooden Sky performed incredibly in front of the people who love them best – their Toronto fans. Frontman Gavin Gardiner didn’t hold anything back that night, not even his shirt by the end of it. After seeing them four times in the past year alone, I think it’s suffice to say that The Wooden Sky never ever ever disappoints.

MySpace (The Wooden Sky): http://www.myspace.com/thewoodensky

- CG

***

MM – Max Mertens, CG – Carmel Garvez

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Canadian Music Week Round-Up: Thursday

March 19th, 2010 | By: admin

Dan Mangan @ The Great Hall (Photo Credit: Michael Fil)

Sally Seltmann @ The Great Hall

Australian songstress Sally Seltmann’s first show back in Toronto since recording her newest, upcoming album Heart That’s Pounding was not entirely the warm reception that I think she was hoping for. A chatty crowd cut into Seltmann’s sugary sweet set of sunshine pop and piano heavy love songs. Even Seltmann, at one point, warned the audience that she was about to play a ‘quiet song’ and that ‘everyone should shush to listen’. Bad manners aside though, Seltmann – formerly known as New Buffalo – played a pleasant and charming show and from those who were kind enough to pay attention, we quite enjoyed it (when I wasn’t trying to chuck my cellphone at people’s heads).

MySpace (Sally Seltmann): http://www.myspace.com/sallyseltmann

- ML

Dan Mangan @ The Great Hall

Dan Mangan is simply amazing and amazingly simple. Mangan’s singer-songwriter persona is often overlooked and written off by many as ‘just another one of those guys’ but what those people are missing out on is a truly special voice, a beautiful writer and a genuinely charming man. Mangan’s set at the Arts & Crafts showcase at the Great Hall embodied everything that was great about his music – easygoing melodies, classic song arrangements laced with lush orchestral elements from time to time. All of this is fronted by one of music’s sexiest (yes, I said it) and most compelling voices out there today. At one point, during the crowd-pleasing epic “Robots” Mangan leaps off-stage to sing amongst the audience and even continues after his guitar accidentally unplugged itself. That conviction to jump into the crowd and sing and clap directly into people’s faces – that’s also what makes Dan Mangan loveable. Talented, amazing and loveable – this man has it all.

MySpace (Dan Mangan): http://www.myspace.com/danmangan

Everything All The Time @ Sneaky Dee’s

Everything All the Time, performing fourth on the bill at the Musebox showcase at Sneaky Dee’s, provided the growing crowd with their danceable synth-/soul-pop signature. Playing their full EP and a few additional tracks, the band managed to turn the upstairs-half of Sneaky Dee’s into a boisterous dance club, which is quite a feat for a Thursday night. Frontwoman Alanna Stuart graced the stage with style, swagger and outstanding vocals. Everything All the Time is one fun band you should never miss. Songs like “Lazy Days” and “I Get So Hot” are reminiscent of 80’s/90’s girl pop – delicious and sweet, always leave you feeling good and yearning for the good times.

MySpace (Everything All The Time): http://www.myspace.com/everythingallthetimeband

- CG

Parlovr @ Sneaky Dee’s

Newly signed (to Dine Alone Records) Montreal indie pop rockers Parlovr literally throws energy at the audience. From the ominous build up to their opening song “Pen To The Paper” to the various shrieks and screams between sets to the last intense strum of a guitar, fist pound on the keys or struck of the drums, Parlovr grabs your attention by the throat and doesn’t let go till the end – and sometimes even way after their set, as your walking home and humming their tunes and replaying their set in your mind. The band’s set on Thursday night at Sneaky Dee’s was just as consistently fun and energetic as the last time I had seen them and regardless of how much energy is thrown back at them – thankfully there were some that did so at Sneaky’s – they will continue to thrive and build up more throughout their set. Part Malajube, part Lovely Feathers, this band is one that’ll make you smile, dance, sing and occasionally scream, stomp and sweat; what’s not to love? Your new favourite band if they already aren’t.

MySpace (Parlovr): http://www.myspace.com/parlourmontreal

- ML

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ML – Melody Lau, CG – Carmel Garvez

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Top 8 Things We Learned From Canadian Music Week

March 17th, 2010 | By: Melody Lau

Earplugs! Important!

1. Bring Earplugs

I understand this music thing is supposed to be fun and harmless but it’s truly all fun and games till we all lose our hearing, folks. I’ve been lectured time and time again at shows by people for not having any form of earplugs but after the billionth scare at the Horseshoe – one of the worst places to go earplug-less – I think it’s time to permanently staple a pair to my hips. I’m not even out of my teens yet and I have pretty damaged ears – it’s not too late to save your hearing. Run to your local drugstore and grab a pair (or fifteen), invest in a fancy pair that’ll last you or in case of emergency I’ve been told tissue paper always does the trick. Just do it.

2. That Big Fat Burrito attached to Lee’s Palace – best idea ever.

Yes, the colourful mural at the front is gone but if that means I get to order burritos from inside the venue, without having to run out into the freezing cold – not that we could anyway with the no in-and-out policy – I’m down with it. Albeit, it’s a bit weird to be chowing down on a wrapped-up bundle of deliciousness in the middle of a dark crowded venue but who cares when you’re hungry.

3. Your three best friends: waterproof shoes, working umbrellas and the weather network.

Clearly, the weather was not on our side during Canadian Music Week. And even more clearly, I was not prepared. Ballet flats, water-absorbent boots – you name it, I did it. That just also teaches you to always check the weather before stepping out of your house for the day. Oh, and the umbrellas – just make sure you have a sturdy one that can withstand lots of wind. The number of dead umbrellas I saw last week was horrifying.

4. Show up early. Or else.

Blame it either on my choice of attending the ‘popular’ shows of the night or just poor event organization but getting into shows this year was extra tricky at particular venues (not going to name which ones though…*cough* Lee’s *cough*) Luckily, I channelled the 15-year-old, Kool Haus-show-attending self and showed up way before doors to line up. Unfortunately for some, Plan B’s had to be whipped out – and this is why Plan B’s exist (lesson #4.5)!

5. Bring as little as possible.

Coatchecks – unless they’re ‘mandatory’ – are lame and unnecessary. Why pay when you can just dump your stuff in a dark corner – or better yet, just don’t bring anything! Oh, except for earplugs of course.

6. The security at the Horseshoe is the best.

Consistently – at least in my opinion – the guys at the Horseshoe are always the nicest and friendliest at the door. Sure, if you’re a 17-year-old trying to sneak in, they won’t be your best friend, but during Canadian Music Week and just on any regular night, they will always greet you with a smile (or smirk) and even occasionally ask you how you’re doing! Amazing! Not even my friends ask me how I’m doing nowadays!

7. Sleep is for the weak

For every minute you slept last week, you missed out on something awesome. This applies to all music festivals.

8. Enjoy the music!

As much as I complained about everything last week, there was one thing I always remembered when the music started – forget about your frustrations and just enjoy the damn music!

***

Now take these pointers, apply them and bam! You’re perfectly prepared to tackle NXNE in June! Till then!

- The Singing Lamb

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Canadian Music Week Round-Up: Wednesday

March 16th, 2010 | By: admin

Bahamas @ Lee's Palace (Photo Credit: Michael Fil)

Jason Collett, Zeus, Bahamas @ Lee’s

Wednesday night’s Bonfire Ball featuring Jason Collett, Zeus and Bahamas was pretty much the equivalent of watching all your awesome uncles rockin’ it at a family reunion – but probably fifty times cooler.

This three-hour, 44-song marathon – with the exception of one intermission – was gruelling on the feet but entirely worth dancing your way through the whirlwind setlist that bounced back and fourth between all three acts.

This being Jason Collett’s show though, the set did rule more in his favour where Collett played a fantastically balanced list of songs from his entire discography of work – including crowd favourites “Charlyn, Angel of Kensington” and “I’ll Bring the Sun” as well as tunes from his latest release Rat A Tat Tat.

Zeus and Bahamas also brought an equal amount of energy and fun to the stage though, performing songs from both their latest releases as well. Bahamas, as per usual, fed off the crowd’s energy and benefited most from having a full band back him as he’s often solo or just accompanied by a drummer. Zeus suffered most, sound-wise – crazy sound mixing, especially on the loud keyboards – but even so, played an extremely entertaining set of upbeat set that got the crowd screaming and dancing.

Highlight of the night must’ve been the collective cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” – surprising, humorous yet one of the most amazing things I’ve seen this whole festival.

Three hours worth of rockin’, folkin’ good times simultaneously wiped me out early in the week and pumped me up for the days to come.

MySpace (Jason Collett): http://www.myspace.com/jasoncollett
MySpace (Zeus): http://www.myspace.com/themusicofzeus
MySpace: (Bahamas): http://www.myspace.com/bahamasbreeze

- ML

Fucked Up @ El Mocambo

Before his band even picked up their instruments, Fucked Up frontman Damian Abraham had a small matter of business to attend to. With guitarist Ben Cook holding up a copy of NOW Magazine with a cover reading “East End Sucks”, the typically-outspoken  Abraham told the crowd that he couldn’t disagree with the headline more (he’s from Riverdale), while Cook tore the magazine to shreds. This display received a mixed reaction from the decent-sized crowd at the decidedly West End venue, many of whom were there because a) they thought Vivian Girls (playing at Wrongbar) weren’t punk enough, b) they thought Jason Collett and company (playing at Lee’s) weren’t rock enough, or like myself, c) they didn’t want to trek halfway across the city for a Wednesday night show.

Make no mistake though, regional jokes aside, Fucked Up are an unabashedly Toronto band. Last year they continued to make their mark on the Canadian music scene, riding the success from their incredibly well-received sophomore album, The Chemistry Of Common Life, all the way to the 2009 Polaris Prize shortlist, surprising many by taking the award in the end. De facto leader Abraham also took on an eye-raising job as a correspondent for FOX News, had a baby (punk raaawwwkkk!), and the band put out about half a dozen new songs, released some older material and b-sides on one compilation, and recently recorded a version of a well-known Christmas song for charity with a hell of an all-star backing cast of musicians (which Abraham also shamelessly plugged).

But if you thought that these accolades would have the Toronto punk band resting on their laurels, then you can guess again. The six-piece cut their teeth out on their live shows, and they don’t intend on slowing down anytime soon. Abraham’s stage presence is nothing short of mesmerizing; loosing his shirt, wrapping the mic around his throat like a noose, and lunging into the riled-up crowd, the singer lead the band through a mix of newer material and fan favourites, including ”Baiting The Public” and “Two Snakes”. If Pink Eyes was the blood and sweat of the performance, than Cook (or Young Guvernor, as he’s sometimes known) was certainly the engine, hammering out riffs and climbing on Abraham’s shoulders while playing. Regardless of whether you are a fan of their kind of music or not, there’s no denying the energy these guys have onstage and musicianship they display. Best live band in Toronto? In my mind, no question. If you ever get the chance to see Fucked Upplay live, go – you won’t be disappointed.

MySpace (Fucked Up): http://www.myspace.com/epicsinminutes

- MM

Deas Vail @ Opera House

Deas Vail, a five-piece from Arkansas, were the first band to come out tonight at The Opera House. Banners hanging over the keyboards, featuring the bands logo and a cheeky blue bird in a top hat and matching vest, peaked my curiosity for a band I knew very little about. Although often compared to the likes of Death Cab for Cutie and Mae, they have a more piano-focused pop sound that complimented the mood of the venue perfectly as people slowly filed in. Performing songs mainly from their latest and third record “Birds and Cages”, Deas Vail played a brief and fairly unspectacular set. While the guy/girl harmonies were a highlight, the band’s actual songs were for the most part a hit or miss. Crowd pleasers “The Things You Were” and “Excuses” served as nice little treats as the audience began warming up to the beat and more and more heads slowly started bobbing. In hindsight, they probably should have performed closer to Copeland since both their pop-rock sounds are quite comparable to each other. In fact, if you like Copeland you should definitely check these guys out.

MySpace (Deas Vail): http://www.myspace.com/deasvail

- RM

Person L @ Opera House

Following the piano-pop styling’s of Deas Vail came Person L, who contrasted the night’s sound with a deeper focus on classic rock influences. Led by Kenny Vasolini of punk band The Starting Line, Person L serves as an outlet to explore a more garage rock approach. Their unusual use of percussion and rhythm, coupled with bluesy guitar riffs, woke the crowd right up as Kenny combined themes of triumph and personal growth throughout their set list. Although a few of the songs seemed to drag on well past their welcome, the catchy guitar hooks of “Goodness Gracious” were more than enough to set things back on track. Although a bit of a curveball, “Sunshine” was a seemingly simple but beautifully sad song revealing more of their ambient and indie rock influences. Perhaps their major weakness however, was the similarity in sound between several of their songs. Nevertheless, Person L undoubtedly delivered an exceptionally energetic show that not only made people excited for the main act, but actually got them dancing too!

MySpace (Person L): http://www.myspace.com/personl

- RM

Copeland @ Opera House

Copeland, led by singer Aaron Marsh, were the last band slated to play at The Opera House tonight. Although often lumped in with the pop-punk crowd, their sound firmly belongs in experimental piano rock with groups like Mew. As they began setting up, it was already a little past eleven and the crowd seemed to be growing a wee bit restless. After ten years together and four albums under their belt, Copeland recently announced that this would be their farewell tour, and naturally everyone was hungry to see them play one last time. All restlessness suddenly transformed into hysteria as they jumped on stage and straight into “Take Care”, a fan-favourite rock anthem from their debut. The rest of their set list continued in similar fashion, covering classics from all four records as well as a few wildcards here and there. Highlights “Chin Up” and “The Day I Lost My Voice” from their latest album were met with warm reception as Aaron Marsh literally poured his heart into every emotionally-driven track. Experimenting with horn sections and even incorporating some post-rock-like guitar riffs into the mix, the creativity and artistic ability shown both on record and on stage by Copeland phenomenally exceeds the minimal recognition they are given. Their trademark soft and dreamy guitar sound, complimented by Aaron Marsh’s warm melodies about love and loss, merge together into some of the most sincere melancholy pop rock you will find.

MySpace (Copeland): http://www.myspace.com/copeland

- RM

***

ML – Melody Lau, MM – Max Mertens, RM – Roman Melnik

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Show Announcements

January 4th, 2010 | By: Max Mertens

David Bowie

David Bowie

Happy New Year y’all! Here are some shows/events that might tickle your fancy for the month of January and beyond.

Ottawa up-and-comers The Balconies will be playing one of my favourite new places to see a show, The Supermarket in Kensington Market, this Wednesday. This show is pay-what-you-can and their set time is 10:30.

Burlington’s Sandman Viper Command will be playing the Casbah in Hamilton this Thursday. Details here.

Depending on your feelings for tribute acts (one of my very first concerts was an Eagles tribute band at the South Shore Exhibition – it was magical), then you might be interested in checking out the Tattoo Rock Parlour’s David Bowie Birthday Celebration, with Thin White Duke impersonator Clifton David Broadbridge. This Friday, celebrate the man who singlehandedly inspired legions of eyeliner-wearing male singers today and for decades to come.

I’ve taken a lot of chirping recently from people who weren’t aware that Little Girls is, in fact, THE NAME OF A BAND (I swear, if I hear one more joke about being a pedophile…). But I know better to listen to them, because the Toronto noise-mongers are awesome, and the band will be playing Sneaky Dee’s on January 15th with special guests. Facebook event details here.

The author of the new book, Treat Me Like Dirt: An Oral History Of Punk In Toronto And Beyond (1977-1981), Liz Worth, will be talking to Fucked Up’s Damian Abraham about the history of Toronto punk at the Gladstone Hotel on Jan. 18th. Doors open at 7p.m., admission is free with the purchase of the book ($5 otherwise), and there will be live DJing from Mark Pesci.

Love Music Volume 1 is a one-night-only event set to take place Jan. 23rd at the Sound Academy. This year’s lineup features Switch, The Martinez Brothers, Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Hercules & Love Affair & more! This show is 19+ and tickets will set you back $29.50. More details here.

Toronto-based independent music label Out of this Spark will be celebrating their third anniversary at the Garrison on Jan. 22nd. Music will be provided by The D’Urbervilles, Forest City Lovers, Evening Hymns, and others. Tickets are $8 in advance from the usual suspects, or $10 at the door.

If you live in Halifax – or Nova Scotia for that matter – and you consider yourself a fan of good live music, than chances are you already know about the Paragon Theatre. This is for those of you that haven’t, or are planning to making a trip to Halifax in the near future. Reopened this year under the new name, in the building which used to host the iconic Marquee Club, the Paragon has quickly grown a reputation for drawing some of the biggest local, national, and international acts from indie rock to electro and every genre in between. But this January, it’s all about the hip-hop. Just some of the names set to appear this month: rap pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, Scratch from The Roots, East Coast DJ Skratch Bastid, and Wu-Tang’s GZA. Get all the details on these shows and more on the Paragon’s Facebook page, Twitter, or website.

This show announcement might be a little premature, but I was excited to recently learn that one of my favourite new bands of last year (that feels weird to type) are coming to Toronto. West Palm Beach’s Surfer Blood will be playing with Nashville’s Turbo Fruits (containing former members from Be Your Own Pet) at Sneaky Dee’s on March 6th.

This year’s Canadian Music Week will be taking place March 10th to 14th, and is set to see over 700 artists play 45 venues in Toronto. Among the initial acts announced to play the festival are Our Lady Peace, The Trews, Joel Plaskett, Constantines, K-Os, The Rural Alberta Advantage and many, many more! Two acts that I’ve already put in my “must-see” column are The Mountains & The Trees, aka Newfoundland folk singer-songwriter Jon Janes, and American triple-threat (DJ/producer/musician) RJD2, whose work you may have heard recently on a little-known TV show.

Happy show-going!

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