Posts Tagged ‘islands’

Some News…

October 2nd, 2010 | By: Carmel Garvez

Before anything else, we’d like to boggle your mind with these two amazing music videos that came out recently:

(1) Maylee Todd’s “Aerobics in Space”


(2) Forest City Lovers’ “Tell Me Cancer”

IN OTHERS NEWS

Born Ruffians recently started their North American tour in support of sophomore album Say It. Not long after this slew of American gigs, the Toronto quartet will be heading out to Europe come November. This week, their latest Daytrotter session finally surfaced to the world wide web. Not only that, the band also released a new EP called Plinky Plonk. Lead singer Luke Lalonde wrote in their blog that the EP included “songs that didn’t make it on the record, an alternate version of one that did and some other odds and ends”. You can get a hold of it digitally, and there will be physical copies from the shows.

Another band that’s also jetting off across the border is Keswick, Ontario’s The Elwins. Bound for quaint Philadelphia, PA, the band leaves tonight to work on their first album with Bill Moriarty, who’s been heavily involved with most Dr. Dog records, and Dr. Dog’s Scott McMicken himself. Shortly afterward, the boys will head to Seattle, WA to do the actual recording at Bear Creek Studio with producer/mixer Ryan Hadlock, who’s also worked with The Strokes, Islands, and Ra Ra Riot among others. Something tells me it’s going to be a good’un. The Elwins also promise to keep us all updated on their blog.


Happy weekend!

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Islands @ Mod Club – Nov. 7, 2009

November 11th, 2009 | By: Jeff Jewiss

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News Update!

July 29th, 2009 | By: Melody Lau

Built to Spill

Built to Spill

Show Announcements:
A Place to Bury Strangers, Dead Confederate, All The Saints @ Mod Club (October 27th)
Atlas Sound, Broadcast, Selmanaires @ Lee’s (October 24th)
Love @ Lee’s (August 14th, $25.00, 19+)
Busdriver, Abstract Rude @ El Mocambo (September 12th)
Titus Andronicus, The So So Glos @ Horseshoe (September 25th, $10.50, 19+)
A Wilhelm Scream, The Riot Before @ Reverb (September 25th, $13.50, ALL-AGES)
She Wants Revenge, Kill Hannah @ Phoenix (September 28th, $20.00, 19+)
Teenage Bottlerocket @ Kathedral (October 27th, $10.50, ALL-AGES)
Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop (of Travis) @ Mod Club (October 30th, $29.50, 19+)
Monsters of Folk (feat. Conor Oberst, Jim James, M Ward, Mike Mogis) @ Massey Hall (November 2nd, $36.50-49.50, ALL-AGES)
Wavves, Ganglians @ El Mocambo (September 22nd)
The Cool Kids @ Lee’s (August 27th, $20.00, 19+)
An Horse @ Drake (September 11th, $10.00, 19+)
Telefon Tel Aviv @ El Mocambo (September 9th, $10.00, 19+)
Os Mutantes @ Opera House (October 2nd, $25.00, 19+)
Kid Koala, Adira @ Mod Club (October 3rd)
Nosaj Thing @ Wrongbar (August 30th)
Mayer Hawthorne & The County, Buff 1 @ Drake (September 27th, $12.00, 19+)
Sea Wolf, Port O’Brien, Sara Lov @ Sneaky Dee’s (October 9th)
Bishop Morocco, The Two Koreas, Metz @ Silver Dollar (August 14th, $6.00, 19+)
Monotonix @ Velvet Underground (October 7th, 19+)
Golden Triangle @ Silver Dollar (October 2nd, 19+)
Zeroes @ Silver Dollar (September 18th, 19+)

For those dying to find details for the Built To Spill shows, Against the Grain has finally released show info! The band will be in town on October 6th and 7th at Lee’s for the price of $26.50 and this is a 19+ event. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning!

Islands will be in Toronto promoting their upcoming album Vapours on October 14th!! Vapours will be out on September 22nd and you can hear a new song entitled “No You Don’t” here now!

Do Make Say Think will play the opening party for the Bicycle Film Festival on August 19th at the Polish Combatants Hall; tickets are $22.00 and this is an all-ages event!

Toronto’s Everything All The Time will be opening for Amazing Baby at the Drake on August 4th. Tickets are still on sale for $13.00!

Metz have been added to the Japandroids/Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band bill at the Horseshoe on September 19th.

Arietta will open for Cursive this Saturday at the Horseshoe!

For those attending the Yeah Yeah Yeahs shows at the Kool Haus this coming Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Amanda Blank will be opening! Don’t know her? Start listening here.

In addition to his upcoming show at the Opera House on September 10th, Caribou will have a DJ set at Wrongbar on September 17th.

El Perro Del Mar will be opening for Peter Bjorn and John at the Phoenix on November 11th. Tickets are still on sale for $20.00!

Wavelength’s August schedule has just been announced! Check it out here! Personal suggestion: August 30th featuring the Wilderness of Manitoba, The Weather Station and Maylee & Pegwee Power!

Unfortunately I wasn’t at Hillside this past weekend but the talk of the fest? From what I hear, Final Fantasy(and why wouldn’t it be? Owen Pallett’s a fucking genius) and here’s video proof!

The Hidden Cameras have a new video out for their new single “In The NA” - watch here.

Flight of the Conchords have finally announced details on their new album, I Told You I Was Freaky! Read more here

And speaking of announcing albums, FINALLY - Tegan and Sara reveal the name of their new record: Sainthood. Not “Thainthood” (watch this video to understand why it may be Thainthood)

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody

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News Update!

June 28th, 2009 | By: Melody Lau

The Dodos

The Dodos

News Updates are back! Sorry for the lack of posts here, on the main page. Hopefully, everyone found their way to the ‘Features’ page though and the Singing Lamb’s NXNE coverage! There are still a few more reviews and interviews coming up this week, so keep checking that page! For now, this is what I missed out on for the past two weeks (more or less).

Show Announcements:
Library Voices @ Horseshoe (July 28th, 19+)
Woods, Wooden Wand @ Sneaky Dee’s (August 8th, $10.50, 19+)
Langhorne Slim @ Horseshoe (August 5th, $10.50, 19+)
The Hold Steady @ Lee’s (September 27th, $21.50, 19+)
La Roux @ El Mocambo (July 31st, $12.00, 19+)
The Dodos, The Ruby Suns @ Lee’s (October 17th, 19+)
Dinosaur Jr. @ Phoenix (September 30th)
Built To Spill @ Lee’s (October 6-7th, 19+)
White Lies, Still Life Still, Love is All @ Phoenix (September 28th, $20.00, 19+)
The Breeders @ Lee’s (August 15th, $23.50, 19+)
Jesus Lizard @ Phoenix (November 9th, $20.00, 19+)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Kool Haus (August 4th, $32.50, ALL-AGES)

For those who have yet to purchase your Yeah Yeah Yeahs tickets (i.e. me), unfortunately the show is sold out. Rumours are swirling that a second show may be added, but don’t be too hopeful. Fuck. Next best thing? Road trip to Osheaga – who’s in?

In addition to the already fantastic line-up for this year’s Harbourfront shows, The Dears have been added to the Canadian Voices festival and will be performing a free show on July 26th. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.

Yes Giantess will open for Little Boots at Wrongbar on September 14th.

Sick of The Singing Lamb’s coverage of NXNE? Same. For more coverage, check out these wonderful sites:

Chromewaves
Pete Nema
For the ‘records’
It’s Not The Band I Hate, It’s Their Fans
Narratives
Lycanthropy
North By East West
MW Music Review Blog
The Top Down
Suckingalemon

That’s more or less my list of favourite sites too, by the way. But all of them have fantastic photos and reviews from the festivities so take a look at them! …Then come back and read some more on the Singing Lamb. Please.

Haven’t had time to catch a Secret Session @ Tara yet? It’s okay; catch up and download sessions on theirsite now! If you’re in town, be sure to catch free sessions from BarzinBlack Hat Brigade, and The Artist Lifethis month! Read more about it on their Facebook page.

Other News:

The title of the new Hidden Cameras album is called Origin: Orphan and will be released again via. Arts & Crafts.

In an interview with NME, Arcade Fire lead singer Win Butler says the band is currently writing a follow-up to 2007′s Neon Bible. Read the interview here.

Feist joins Wilco onstage for a performance of “You and I” - watch here!

Islands lead singer Nick Thorborn talks to Pitchfork about the band’s new album, Vapours (out September 22nd). Read here.

Surprise! New Spoon EP coming out this week! Read more about it here.

Listen to She & Him’s cover of the Smiths’ “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” here. Then go out and watch (500) Days of Summer, out on July 17th. Watch the trailer here.

Amy Millan’s new album, Masters of the Burial will be released on September 8th. Here’s the tracklisting:

Masters of the Burial
01. Bruised Ghosts
02. Low Sail
03. Old Perfume
04. Towers
05. Day To Day
06. Bury This
07. Finish Line
08. Run For Me
09. I Will Follow You Into Dark
10. Lost Compass

She’ll be at Harbourfront on July 25th for a free show, alongside Gentlemen Reg!

Due to the city worker’s strike, the Poor Pilgrim show on Toronto Island this year has been postponed to August 9th. Another fantastic show happening on Toronto Island that’s to-be-announced will be Wavelength presents: ALL CAPS! This show will take place on August 15th; details to come.

This year’s Summerworks Theatre Festival will be August 6-16 and although the Music Series has yet to be announced, Miracle Fortress and Polaris long list nominees, Think About Life have already been confirmed! Exciting!

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody

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News Update!

May 13th, 2009 | By: Melody Lau

Amy Millan

Amy Millan

As we all know, free things are up there on the list of miraculous gifts from God. In this case, God is Harbourfront. This summer’s World Routes Festival line-up was recently announced and performers includeFaduma Nkrumah, The Constantines, Chad Vangaalen (Canada Day), King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, Hiplife(July 3-5), Holy Fuck, Winter Gloves (July 10-12), Jenn Grant, Gentleman Reg, Amy Millan (July 24-26) and many more. For the full list, click here‘For the Records’ also reports that Julie Fader and dd/mm/yyyy will be part of the festivities. And yes, all these shows are FREE. Thank you, kind folks of Habourfront, for understanding out financial crunches.

Bell Orchestre will also be playing a free show at Harbourfront, but as part of Luminato, on June 13.

For those dying of anticipation for this year’s Edgefest, there will be an Edgefest preview show at Velvet Underground on Saturday May 30th featuring Still Life Still, Dinosaur Bones and La Casa Muerte. This is going to be an all-ages show and tickets are on sale now for $10.00!

Apostle of Hustle’s new album Eats Darkness (due out May 19th) can be streamed on their MySpace now. They will have their CD release show at the Music Gallery on May 29th and they’ll also be part of this year’s Olympic Island Fest on July 11th (featuring Broken Social Scene, Beach House, Explosions in the Sky, and more).

Lykke Li will be returning to Toronto on August 9th, for a show at the Sound Academy.

Ohbijou have finally announced a new date for their CD release show, which was postponed earlier last month. They will be at the Opera House on June 25th; tickets purchased for the April 18th show will be honoured for this show.

Bob Dylan has a new video out for “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’” (from his latest release, Together Through Life). Watch here.

The Josh Reichmann Oracle Band covers Bat For Lashes’ “Daniel”. Click here to listen.

According to ChartIslands have finished recording a new album, titled Vapours, and it will be released sometime in September. The Montreal band will be in town on June 27th for a free show as part of Pride Week.

The Shins recently played a new song entitled “Double Bubble” in Los Angeles. Watch and listen here.

Glasser has a new video out for “Apply”. Watch here.

Love is All also has a new video out for “Last Choice”. Watch here.

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody

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News Update!

April 23rd, 2009 | By: Melody Lau

Rah Rah

Rah Rah

As Max already said recently, we’re finally done with school (for now), so we have finally reached a school-free season of music, festivals and sunshine! That last one is still pending; Mother Nature, it’s up to you. Here’s what I’ve missed out on in the past few days.

Saskatchewan natives, Library Voices have a new track from their upcoming LP now streaming on their MySpace. Click here to listen. Also look out for a potential Toronto show from these guys in July; we’ll keep you posted.

Speaking of Saskatchewan indie-pop darlings, Rah Rah have recently announced two date in Toronto. They will be at the Boat on May 11th and El Mocambo on May 12th. Definitely go and check them out.

King Khan & The Shrines have a new video out for “Land of the Freak”. For a download of the track and the video, click here. Make sure to catch them at the Phoenix on May 12th. Tickets are still available for $15.00, and this show is 19+. In case you miss out though, King Khan & BBQ Show will be part of this year’s NXNE. More details of that TBA.

Camera Obscura also have a new video for “French Navy”, from their new album, My Maudlin Career.Watch here. Catch them live at Lee’s on June 27th; tickets are still available for $23.50.

Islands recently covered BeckClick here to stream their take on “Cyanide Breath Mint”.

Holy Fuck are offering a free download of a previously unreleased track entitled “Jungles” on their website right now. Go here to download!

Also offering a free, unreleased track are The DearsClick here to go to Natalia Yanchak’s blog and download“Halfmast”!

Great Bloomers are featured on i(heart)musicRead more here and watch out for an interview here on the Lamb early next week!

Other Show Announcements:
Au Revoir Simone @ Lee’s (May 21st, $12.00, 19+)
Friendly Fires @ Lee’s (August 10th, 19+)
Kid Koala @ Lee’s (May 7th)
The Juan Maclean, The Field @ Tattoo Rock Parlour (June 18, 19+)
Cracker @ Lee’s (June 23rd, $23.50, 19+)
Slim Twig (CD Release for Comtempt!) @ Horseshoe (May 29th, $10.00, 19+)
Blind Pilot @ El Mocambo (June 12th, $10.50, 19+)
Adam Freeland, Alex Metric @ Wrongbar (May 5, 19+)
M83 @ Phoenix (July 17th)
Phoenix, Amazing Baby @ Phoenix (June 15th, $22.50, 19+)
Miike Snow @ Drake Hotel (May 20th, 19+)
Sunset Rubdown @ Lee’s (July 10th, 19+)
Emma-Lee @ Drake Hotel (April 25th, 19+)
Telepathe, Teengirl Fantasy @ El Mocambo (June 4th, 19+)
The Paper Chase @ Drake Hotel (June 29, $11.00, 19+)

Also, according to ‘For the Records’Neko Case will return to Toronto for a show at Massey Hall this summer, so no worries to those who missed out last weekend!

That’s all for now. Hope you all enjoy a fantastic weekend!

Musically,
Melody

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News Update!

January 28th, 2009 | By: Melody Lau

Nick Thorburn of Islands

Nick Thorburn of Islands

Here’s a quick round-up of some news for you today!

Edmonton’s Shout Out Out Out Out will be at Lee’s Palace on Saturday April 25; tickets are $15!

For those looking for something to do on Valentine’s Day, Hunter Valentine will again host a show at the Reverb. This show is all-ages.

Ex-Galaxy member, Emma McKenna will be playing tonight at the University of Toronto as part of Xpression Against Oppression at the Hart House (Arbor Room). McKenna will be on at 7:00 pm sharp!

Ryan Gosling is apparently releasing a concept album in the summer with friend, Zach Shields, under the name Dead Man’s BonesClick here for more information and a video clip. Hmmm, I’m intrigued…

Brad Weber (Caribou, Winter Equinox), Angus Fraser (Tenth of May), Dan Roberts (Winter Equinox) and Clint Scrivener are part of a new band called Pick A Piper. New songs can be streamed on their MySpace and no news of a release yet, but I like what I hear so far.

Stereogum gives a nice update on Islands’ Nick Thorburn. Apparently he’s quite busy working on new Islands material (they’re eight days into recording in New York), working on a solo album entitled I Am An Attic, and even working on a comic book called This is Howie Doo. According to the interview, the new Islands album will be “electronic-based, with plenty of drum machine and programming” and much shorter as “most don’t even break the 3 minute mark”. Whoa. Even content-wise, Thorburn says that they will veer away from the theme of death and touch on more topics such as “teenage rebellion, lazy music critics, the underclass, trust, mistrust, and good old fashioned self-doubt”. Nice. I’m excited. Click here to read the article and download a rough mix of a track from I Am An Attic.

B(oot)log is offering up a couple of bootleg tracks from Land of Talk’s set at the Wolfe Island Music Fest last year. Click here to download.

Speaking of Land of Talk, I had stumbled upon this quite some time ago, but I had failed to mention it. Lead singer Liz Powell used to perform under the name of Ele_K* and play straight up pop tunes. It’s actually not as bad as it sounds though! Click here for her CBC Radio profile and listen to some classic Powell! It’s no Land of Talk, but I like it!

That’s it for now!

Happy Listening!

Musically,
Melody

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Smile Like You Mean It

October 17th, 2008 | By: Melody Lau

The Killers

The Killers

“The Killers are bringing their douchestaches and their new album to Massey Hall on Nov 18.”

I’ve been quite stressed out with school work and coming down with a minor cold over the past couple of days, but when I picked up this week’s Eye Weekly and read that (pg. 46 in the concert announcements section, just in case you were curious), I laughed. “Douchestaches” will be my new insult of the month. Thanks. And yes, I notified Tech Nerd to tell you about the show because as much as we all like to hate on The Killers for their douchebagery, I know there are fans out there that would like to know about this upcoming show. Not I, particularly, as $53 is just ridiculous in my mind, but there are those who may want to pay to see the Vegas rockers play in the classy Massey Hall. I just find it weird why they wouldn’t book the ACC instead. Same applied when I read about Finger Eleven and Hedley playing this venue recently. But whatever floats their fancy boats, I guess.

Speaking of not feeling well, quick side note: listening to the thumping beats of Woodhands does not help a throbbing headache. I had to learn the hard way. Laura Barrett on the other hand, works.

Back on track now… My mind is literally all over the place at the moment, so I’m just going to go on a spew of random, yet notable pieces of news:

Islands just released a new video for their song, “Creeper” from their latest record, The Arm. Watch here. To sum it up, it’s weird. Then again, think about it – anything and everything Nick Thorburn does is weird; but strangely wonderful in its own unique manner. If you haven’t already purchased/downloaded/listened to The Arm, I suggest you do it now as it is one of the best albums of the year, in my opinion at least. Don’t believe me? Believe my 75-word review Also, in Thorburn-related news, his side project (one of many), Reefer just released a self-titled mini-album online this week. Interested? iTunes it.

Speaking of releasing albums, my favourite lads, Franz Ferdinand, are apparently finally coming back with a new album called Tonight. Tracklisting below:

01 Ulysses
02 Turn It On
03 No You Girls Never Know
04 Twilight Omens
05 Send Him Away
06 Live Alone
07 Bite Hard
08 What She Came For
09 Can’t Stop Feeling
10 Lucid Dreams
11 Dream Again
12 Katherine Kiss Me

Fingers crossed that a tour in North America will be coming up soon as they are slated to play a handful of European and Australian dates soon. Tonight will be out on January 27th.

More locally, The Diableros will be playing a free outdoors show at PS Kensington at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday October 26th.

The Bicycles are also rolling through Toronto on November 8th at Lee’s to promote their upcoming album Oh No, It’s Love. Soundscapes is also hosting a free in-store 4 days prior to that CD release show, on November 4th at 7:00 p.m.

Must see shows tonight:

  • Mother Mother + Dance Yourself to Death + David Martel @ Lee’s Palace
  • We Are Wolves + Pas Chic Chic + The Wet Secrets @ El Mocambo
  • Vancougar + The Bon + Terror Lake + The Blooming Rosebuds @ Mitzi’s Sister
  • Ten Kens (CD Release) + Chang-a-Lang + Whale Tooth + Sunriser @ Sneaky Dee’s
  • Lights + Everlea @ The Mod Club

I apologize, this list would normally appear on the “Shows” page, but as Tech Nerd mentioned yesterday, that page will finally be up next week, along with many exciting, new features! Also, shout out to my friends Everlea, who are opening for Lights! Haven’t seen those guys in forever, but alas I will be missing them again because I’ll be out of town for the night. Nice guys though!

I think this is getting a little long now… I’ve had a lot built up for the past two days and it just had to eventually explode on this page. Sorry. For now, I wish everyone a relaxing, stress-free weekend! Go out and listen to some music!

Ha… douchestaches.

Musically,
Melody

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