Out Of This Spark Records

Friday marked the third anniversary of Toronto record label Out Of This Spark (congratulations!) and by the looks of ticketless people on the streets being rejected one by one at the doors of the Garrison, this was definitely the hot-ticket of the night.

This year’s festivities were moved to the Garrison as opposed to the Tranzac last year (fun fact: the label’s second anniversary was the night time show following the Singing Lamb’s launch party) and the room gradually filled up with each act.

The night boasted performances from all of the artists from OOTS including Jenny Omnichord, Evening Hymns, Forest City Lovers and The D’Urbervilles. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take in all the sets, leaving shortly after Forest City Lovers but for further coverage of The D’Urbervilles and the mini-set performed by a group comprised of all the bands, read Jen Polk’s review here.

Jenny Omnichord is the Laura Barrett of omnichords. Her simplistic take on songs melodically and witty lyrics concerning “babies and skeletons” are endearing and definitely something much more worthy of a smaller, quieter audience. With a new album coming out this year, definitely keep an eye out for this minimalistic, charming artist.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jennyomnichord

This was, believe it or not, my first time seeing Evening Hymns. Jonas Bonnetta, backed by a full band including The Magic’s Sylvie Smith on bass and Forest City Lovers’ Tim Bruton, Evening Hymns was able to achieve a fuller sound more reflective of the atmosphere of the his album, Spirit Guides, but even bigger. Though powerful and moving, I find Evening Hymns to be more of a sit-at-home-on-a-rainy-day band, or even better in a more intimate space, not to say they didn’t do a phenomenal job in the space they were given. Of all the bands, this is the one I am dying to see again.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/eveninghymns

Forest City Lovers were the last band I caught before leaving the party. The band’s sweet folk-rock tunes were delightful, fun and definitely got the crowd moving, being the most danceable of the night thus far. The last time I saw them, the band was sans violinist Mike Posen so to see her back added a welcome touch, bringing the songs back to its folk charm and away from the more guitar rock prominence of their performance at Pop Montreal. They also debuted a few new songs, which I’m sure hooked many in the audience, making them die with anticipation.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/forestcitylovers

Congrats again, OOTS. May the new year bring more good times and good tunes.

Evening Hymns

In light of the recent events in Haiti, Evening Hymns (a.k.a. Jonas Bonnetta) has organized a fundraiser this Sunday in Oshawa. The event, called Hymns For Haiti, will include performances from Evening Hymns along with Patrick Dorie, Dan Brooks and Jeff Leech and will take place at the Studio Restaurant in the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (72 Queen Street, Civic Centre, Oshawa, Ontario), starting at 2PM. This is a PWYC show (with a suggested donation of $5) – ALL proceeds to the Red Cross to help with earthquake relief for Haiti.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256125059236&ref=nf

No Shame promoter Lauren Schreiber shares her favourite songs of 2009!

Think About Life – Johanna

This song was on repeat the entire 6 hour drive back from Pop Montreal. The addition of Caila to the band was brilliant – that girl has pipes like whoa and gives 100% every time. TAL has gone from my favourite live band to my favourite much music video dance party; I’m regressing, and I love it.

Thunderheist – Jerk It

What can i say? Isis is young, sexy and the song is catchy as shit. It’s like peaches, only I feel really hot listening to it, instead of just dirty.

Green Go – Put Your Specs On Boy

GG are old hat to me – I feel like this album has been out for about twelve years. But the fact that I’ve heard their songs for ages shouldn’t touch the fact that they are great… really really great songs from a really really great album. Get a drink in me and put this on, and I still squeal THEY’RE PLAYING MY SONG! Every time.

Everything All The Time – Lazy Days

Britney and Beyonce move over. Catchy as fuck quality pop has a new face, and it’s EATT. Welcome to the only indie pop band I know who has a real singer. Plus I love each and everyone of them… just delightful people.

Sports The Band – Castlots

Between the harmonies and the basslines and the interband drama, I always forget just how good Sports are. Until I walk into a room where they’re onstage and all I can do is beam.

Dirty Projectors – Remade Horizon

I had to move to the front of the sold out room to understand exactly what the hell was happening. Is it a keyboard? A guitar? No… its vocals. Wait, what?! Motown in a meatgrinder – groundbreaking.

Gentleman Reg – You Can’t Get It Back

Either you like his voice or you don’t, but there’s no denying guy can write a song. It’s like I couldn’t pick between my favourite frontman, and my favourite front woman, so I got both. Reg is sassy like a pop diva, he’s the best of all worlds.

Pick A Piper – Rooms

You’re a summer festival, you’re a boy with slight B.O., you’re a joint rolled in cinnamon rolling paper. I love you, let’s stare at the stars.

Akron/Family – Everyone is Guilty

I drove to Hamilton to see these guys because I’m didn’t grab tickets to their sold out 2 night stand at Sneaky Dees with Born Ruffians. Worth It.

Animal Collective – Brother Sport

Every time Fez from Green Go spins this at a party, I get all ‘This is great! Who IS this?’ And it’s always Animal Collective. I actually bought this album in a store. This is significant.

Patrick Watson – Beijing

When his first album came out, I described my heart school heartthrob as creating music that sounds like Montreal. Cinematic, decadent, urgent and idiosyncratic. And endlessly romantic. Somewhere between the pots and pan percussion and the lush string arrangements is my hometown.

Portico – The Battle of Duck Lake

My favourite songs of the 90s are reborn in this CBC radio 3 hit.

The Darcys – The CN Tower Belongs To The Dead

Sure it’s a cover, but what a cover! This is how you do covers, people, pay attention. Just listen to that guitar solo! This is a cover enough to build an entire tour around… which is exactly what they did. I expect big things from The Darcys in 2010.

Great Bloomers – Speak of Trouble

Full disclosure; I manage these guys. But there’s a reason – they are The Band as arranged by Queen, epic twangy roots rock with charm and soul for miles. The album is a slow burn – I like it more with each listen, and young frontman Lowell Sostomi will be writing songs for the rest of his life. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

Evening Hymns – Dead Deer

I had to wait a year from the first time I heard these songs until the album was released. They almost didn’t make the 2009 cut off… Jonas! Way to build suspense. As expected, you were worth the wait.

Peter Wolf Crier – Down Down Down

A last minute discovery and one I’m still digesting. But the Minneapolis duo’s superlative Inter-Be may be my favourite album of the year.

Wooden Sky – Oh My God (It Still Means A Lot To Me)

For petty personal reasons, I REALLY didn’t want to love this album. But I do, and how. My opinion of Gavin Gardiner remains the same as the first time I heard him open his mouth… it’s a crime he’s not famous worldwide yet – every teenage girl should be mooning around her bedroom to this.

Wilderness of Manitoba – Evening

I wasn’t expecting to find one of my favourite albums in a backyard shed on Delaware street north of Bloor, but I did. And even though the music was coming from people I already knew and loved, I never could have predicted the delicate beauty of this album. Wilderness of Manitoba give me hope.

Timber Timbre – Demon Host

His Halifax pop showcase was legitimately frightening. Taylor’s talent is otherworldly…

NOTES

I would have included the Rural Alberta Advantage, Olenka and The Autumn Lovers, Tune Yards and Parlovr, but though they really saw acclaim this past year, their albums were originally released in 2008. And I would’ve included Bruce Peninsula, but I doan’t think the recording of Mountain is a Mouth , lovely as it is, reflects how magnificent they really are.

Woodhands

Here’s a quick run-through of news for today!

Need Valentine’s Day plans? Well go and check out a Junior Boys DJ set at The Social! Jeremy Greenspan will be previewing tracks from the band’s upcoming album, Begone Dull Care, out on March 24th. Doors will be at 10:00 pm! For more info, click here. The Boys will also be back on March 28th and 29th, so do not fear if you miss them this Saturday!

Want to stay in and just listen to some good Valentine’s tunes instead? Well Starbucks is offering the perfect compilation that features covers of various artists including Death Cab For Cutie (covering the Cure), She & Him (covering Screamin’ Jay Hawkins), Rogue Wave (covering Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Maps”) and as mentioned yesterday, A.C. Newman’s cover of A-Ha’s “Take On Me”! Click here to listen to the Department of Eagles’cover of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me”. For more information on the compilation, click here.

AIDS Wolf will be at Sneaky Dee’s on March 7th with U.S. Girls.

The Tranzac Club is introducing a new installment called the Last Thursday of the Month Residency, which is exactly what the title implies. The first show will take place on Thursday February 26th at 10:00 pm and will feature Lisa Bozikovic along with host, Meghan Hamilton. March 26th will feature Jimmy Rose and April 30th will have Eric Welton! Info here!

Alela Diane, who will be opening for Blitzen Trapper at the Horseshoe, will be at Soundscapes on February 21st, at 6:30 pm!

The National will be back in Toronto on May 21st at the Kool Haus, tickets will be $24.50!

Woodhands cover Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” (click here to download track) which is awesome, and they will also release a digital EP for their track “Dancer” on March 3rd. The Dancer EP will feature various remixes of the track, here’s the tracklisting:

Dancer EP:

1. “Dancer (Extended Mix)”
2. “Dancer (Bit Funk Remix)”
3. “Dancer (DJ Rexford Mix)”
4. “Dancer (feat. Reeseman Kackalak)”
5. “Dancer (Soundsmith Remix)”
6. “Dancer (CFCF Remix)”
7. “Dancer (Instrumental)”

Speaking of downloads, i (heart) music is offering up mp3′s from The Winter Gloves’ live CBC session back in October 2008. The session includes a superb acoustic version of “Let Me Drive”, so click here now to download!

Hooded Fang and Evening Hymns will open for Ohbijou at their CD release show at the Opera House on April 18th. This show just got significantly more exciting.

Also, yet another fantastical update on CMW schedules!

March 13th
Savannah Room – The Weather Station (9:00 pm), Sunshine State (10:00 pm), Ruth Minnikin and Her Bandwagon (11:00 pm), Blue Rabbit (12:00 am), Amelie Lefebvre (1:00 am)
Silver Dollar – People You Know (9:00 pm), The Darling DeMaes (10:00 pm), The Superstitions (11:00 pm), The D’urbervilles (1:00 am), The Ghost is Dancing (2:00 am)

Additional Notes:
- Amos the Transparent will be on at 1:00 am on March 13th at Rancho Relaxo
- The Week That Was will open for The Ting Tings (they will be on at 6:30 pm)
- Will Currie and the Country French will open for Sloan on both March 11th and 12th at the Mod Club, they’ll be on at 8:00 pm
- Hannah Georgas will be at the Library Bar (inside the Royal York Hotel) at 12:30 am on March 13th
- We Are The Take will be opening for Matt Mays & El Torpedo and The Waking Eyes at Lee’s Palace on March 12th; they will be on at 9:00 pm
- We Are Wolves will open for Bloc Party on night 1; they will be on at 9:00 pm
- Emma-Lee will open for The Trews at the Glenn Gould Studio on March 12th; she’ll be on at 8:00 pm
- Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees will be at the Drake Hotel on March 12th at 11:00 pm
- Hey Rosetta! and The Midway State have been added onto the list of performers at the Indies; they will be on at 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, respectively
- Hell Yeah Fuck Yeah will be at the Black Betty on March 14th at 11:00 pm

Looking for something to do tonight? Go to the Whippersnapper Gallery and check out the Art for Chilled Hearts group show. It’s a great opportunity to see great art from emerging artists and also take a look at the venues “new pimped out look”! Oooh! More information here!

That’s all for now! Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody