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