Posts Tagged ‘wavelength’
Lullabye Arkestra @ Garrison – February 20, 2011
February 28th, 2011 | By: Victoria Fernandez-Gabica
Shamewave: A Wave of Shame and Good Music
July 22nd, 2010 | By: Melody Lau
Colleen and Paul
This Friday, No Shame and Wavelength – in association with Pop Montreal – are bringing you Shamewave and here are the four reasons you cannot miss this show.
1) Nick Storring
Toronto’s Nick Storring is anything but your traditional musician. Combining ambient atmospherics with haunting electro tinges, Storring conjures up chilling storm clouds of instrumental proportions. No samples are used in his music, just various instruments, objects and field recordings.
2) Shapes + Sizes
Off on various other projects in the past couple of years (Miracle Fortress, Elfin Saddle, Think About Life), the members of Montreal’s Shapes + Sizes have again reunited for a new record entitled A Candle To Your Eyes (due out August 3). Back is the cacophony of noisy guitar riffs, quirky rhythms and lead singer Caila Thompson-Hannant’s off-filter yet beautiful voice.
3) Braids
Dream pop quartet Braids are still fairly young, in age and in existence as a band, but the maturity they pack in their perfectly woven hits is up their in the ranks of indie heavy hitters Animal Collective or the Dirty Projectors. If we didn’t give you enough warning before about this band, here’s another one. A few more months and we’ll be saying we told you so.
4) Colleen and Paul
What do we crave most during the summer? Well of course – sugary sweet sunshine folk pop. This power duo of sorts – Colleen Hixenbaugh of By Divine Right and Paul Linklater of The Pinecones – sings simplistic indie rock gems such as the cutesy “A Home In The Top Boughs” and fans of their respective day jobs will undoubtedly love the tunes of Colleen and Paul as well.
Tickets are still available for $8 in advance ($10 at the door) and doors are at 9pm. Come celebrate Wavelength 505 with a shamelessly amazing line up!
The Singing Lamb Recommends…
January 16th, 2010 | By: Carmel Garvez
Photo Credit: Dave Meisner
When I was in my final year of high school, not too long ago, I wrote in my school paper about my little trip to Newmarket to see this band called The Elwins. My memory fails to recall how I stumbled upon them; I’m guessing it’s from one of those random MySpace clicking sprees that I do every so often when life seems too banal. I remember their EP release was on a Good Friday, and the parental units almost did not let me leave. But I was adamant, and I left home in the dust. I felt like a rebel.
Their EP release party was held at a youth recreation centre, which oddly piqued my interest for some reason. (At the time, I wrote a lot about shows held in unconventional venues. For one of the issues, I had also featured the first Daps show at Rolly’s Garage.) Greg Alsop, drummer of music sensation Tokyo Police Club and the night’s emcee, called the EP release party “the hippest thing that ever happened in Newmarket since 1997.” The master of ceremonies added that the only other equally hip thing that happened in this town was “the time Sloan’s tour bus broke down in front of Upper Canada Mall.”
Overall, it was a night of comedy and great tunes – definitely worth the trip to suburbia. If you get the chance, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of their self-titled EP. It is packed with five pop gems you are sure to love instantly! Tracks like “Dear, Oh My” and “Larry Pastorus” draw definite similarities to the cheerful pop-rock melodies of acts like friends the Bicycles and Ruby Coast. Guaranteed to paint a smile on anyone’s face.
The band is primarily made up of guitarist/vocalist Matt Sweeney and drummer Travis Stokl, with the new addition of third member, bassist Feurd. The band is also searching for a fourth member to round out the lineup.
Catch them live this Sunday at Wavelength’s 496th show, in partnership with No Shame! They will be playing with Tyson and the Trepids and Whale Tooth! And while you’re at it, check out an interview we did with them a few months ago!
For more from The Elwins,
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/theelwins
The Elwins are currently in the midst of recording a full-length album (due out sometime this year), so stay tuned for more news in the near future!
Let’s Chat: Whale Tooth
January 15th, 2010 | By: Melody Lau
Whale Tooth
The Singing Lamb: Introduce each member and any other bands or solo projects each may be in!
Alex Denike, Guitar + Vocals
Elise LeGrow, Vocals – also sings jazz + motown, see this
Norm Maschke, Guitar + Vocals
Michael McCreary, Bass
Sep Noroozi, Drums
Let’s get a little history about the band; where and when did you all meet? How did the group come to be?
Norm was the main factor in getting us all together. He met Alex on Craigslist, Elise at a Halloween party, and already knew Sep from when they were in former bands. Mike and Alex have played together for years, and when Alex joined the band, thankfully Mike wasn’t far behind!
How does the group go about writing a song? Who’s the main lyricist? How collaborative is the process?
Our writing process is very collaborative. People’s ideas, however rough, get brought to the practice room, and we piece songs together as a band. So far, writing lyrics has been the responsibility of the singers – Elise, Norm and Alex.
You guys are based in Toronto – what is it about the Toronto music scene that’s so supportive and successful, you think? Have you ever considered re-locating anywhere? If the band could be in any other city on Earth, where would you want to be?
It’s a competitive environment, but most bands/acts are pretty good about supporting each other. That’s really what makes it successful. Everyone is out there striving for similar goals, but we’re still able to cheer each other on. We’ve never considered re-locating, but if we had to, it would be cool to go to somewhere outside of North America that still has a vibrant arts community. Somewhere like Edinburgh, or maybe Melbourne. I hear it’s like the Montreal of Australia.
You’re headlining this Sunday’s Wavelength – what are your fondest memories of the Wavelength music series? Are you going to miss it when the weekly series is gone?
Hank and Lilly back in 2008. That show rocked. It will definitely be missed. It gave people a chance to see bands that they might not seek out on their own.
And finally, if Whale Tooth was a singing animal, what would you guys be?
***
Video: “Hibernation Song”
For more Whale Tooth,
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/whaletooth
Don’t forget to catch Whale Tooth, along with The Elwins and Tyson and the Trepids this Sunday at the Garrison for Wavelength 496! (PWYC – suggested $5-10)
Wavelength 500 Announcements!
December 21st, 2009 | By: Melody Lau
Wavelength
So the moment of truth is here. Here’s the Wavelength 500 line up (taking place Feb, 10-14):
Feb. 10, 2010 @ Music Gallery: Bruce Peninsula, Evening Hymns, Pony Da Look, Deep Dark United, Canaille
Feb. 11, 2010 @ Steamwhistle Brewery: Holy Fuck, Russian Futurists, Fembots, Diamond Rings, Professor Fingers
Feb. 12, 2010 @ Sneaky Dee’s: From Fiction, Bicycles, Laura Barrett, Magic Cheezies, Young Mother
Feb. 13, 2010 @ Polish Combatants Hall: Constantines, Rockets Red Glare, Donne Roberts, Picastro, Danger Bay
Feb. 14, 2010 @ The Garrison: Kids On TV, Barcelona Pavilion, Mean Red Spiders, Neck, Boars
Amazing or what! Tickets go on sale Jan. 7th. All shows will have advanced tickets except for Feb. 14th. That will be the usual PWYC rules.
***
I’m sure it surprises no one now when I say I’m young (close friends and the occasional not-so-close friend are aware of my age; it’s not really a hidden secret of any sort, really) but the following little snippet I’m going to write is going to significantly magnify that fact.
You know when you’re young and you read of these magical events that happen that made you feel lame for sitting on your couch, watching a rerun of the Simpsons? To some, it was hearing about the latest couture at Paris Fashion Week, for others it was hearing the glory of the Olympics but for me, it was just hearing about this amazing little Toronto weekly music series called Wavelength. Albeit, I wasn’t really that young and it wasn’t even that long ago.
Every Sunday, I’d sit in my room listening to music, regretting the fact that I was one or all of the following:
a) Too far away from downtown Toronto (North Yorkers have it hard sometimes, y’know. I live downtown now though, hurrah!)
b) Underaged (I sympathize a lot with underaged kids)
c) Occasionally poor (That’s an on-going problem in life…)
It may seem silly to idolize a series like Wavelength while others my age did the same with Fashion Week but hey, music is my life and when others gushed about Chanel and Prada I gushed about No Shame, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern or again, Wavelength.
The first time I (finally) attended a Wavelength show was this year. To be more specific, it was only a handful of months ago. But immediately upon walking up the stairs at Sneaky Dee’s, I was hit with an assuring sense of familiarity and warmth; partially because of the handful of faces I recognized but also just the atmosphere of it all. Not to name the bands that played but 70% of the night’s bands were, not to be rude, but fairly bad but I still left happy and smiling. The friendliness of the Wavelength ‘scene’ and the close-knit bunch of people who run it give me an instant feeling of an old friendship that only grew more loving as the years passed.
It is unfortunate that I only began attending these shows in its last months but at least I got to experience a bit of the magic. Wavelength, I hardly knew you but you were a pleasure to live through, vicariously. WL 500 will be my way to try and catch up on some history. Can’t wait! You will be missed!
xoxo
The Singing Lamb Recommends…
December 17th, 2009 | By: Melody Lau
Germans
Looking for a place to hibernate for this week? I know it’s a tad far for most but may I suggest the new, hot venue in town – the Garrison? Yes, I must admit I wasn’t the fondest of the Garrison when it first opened month ago but honestly, this venue just continues to improve and get better every time I go – which is often because everything’s there now, it seems! Here’s a quick run-down of why you must (yes, your hibernation at the venue is a necessity now) go to the Garrison for the next four nights.
Thursday: Lullabye Arkestra, Tropics and special guests. ($10.00, doors @ 8:30PM)
If punk/metal/noise is your area of expertise or just interest, this is the show to be at tonight. I’m not even the biggest noise-punk enthusiast and I know that Lullabye Arkestra has had a hell of a year, even garnering love from Pitchfork. And if that doesn’t sell you, then trust me when I say you won’t want to miss out on the ‘special guests’ of the night. These are two guests that you will wake up in the morning thinking, “Why the fuck didn’t I go!!” if you don’t go. Trust. Me.
Friday: We Are Busy Bodies’ 5th Anniversary Show feat. DD/MM/YYYY, Metz, Mayor McCa, Germans. ($10.00, $5.00 with five canned food donations, show @ 9:00PM)
You have to admit, DD/MM/YYYY has become an essential band to see in Toronto. Whether you like them or not, these guys put on a heck of a show worth checking out. And backed by a bill that’s equally as talented, you really shouldn’t be anywhere else in Toronto tomorrow night. Plus – it’s We Are Busy Bodies’ 5th anniversary! You don’t say no to Eric Warner; that’s just a rule in life (kind of)! Apparently the first 50 people to show up tomorrow night will also receive a free swag bag of albums and whatnot. See, you don’t say no!
Saturday: Spiral Beach, Boys Who Say No, Romo Roto, Heartbeat Hotel ($12.00 in advance, $15.00 at door, doors @ 9:00PM)
This will be Spiral Beach’s last show of the year and who doesn’t want to end the year with a bang, right? Usually, these guys put on an energetic, fun show so just imagine that…times ten. Plus, Boys Who Say No, Romo Roto and Heartbeat Hotel just add to the fun and excitement. This bill just looks better every time I look at it, really.
Sunday: Wavelength 494 feat. Germans, P.S. I Love You, Murder Ford Monument (PWYC, $5-10 suggested, doors @ 9:00PM)
There are two reasons why you need to go to this week’s Wavelength. One: great line-up. If you didn’t get enough of Germans from Friday night, or for some godforsaken reason you missed Friday, this is the perfect opportunity to catch them (again). But the important reason you cannot miss this show is: the announcement of the bands playing the big WAVELENGTH 500 shows!! I know we’ve all been waiting for this moment for a while now and are literally watching to weeks go by like a death clock is staring right at you but this Sunday, the beloved Doc Pickles will finally announce the very special guests playing WL500 which will take place February 10-14! MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW. Cancel all Valentine’s Day plans or move them over so you can come and celebrate. If you work, take four sick days. Do whatever you can. See you there!
News Update!
July 29th, 2009 | By: Melody Lau
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
