It’s been ages (over a year in fact) since I have written anything on this blog. Last night’s legendary show at Lee’s Palace compelled me to revisit the old “Spot the Groove” bookmark that hasn’t gotten much click love lately.
I am talking about a soul singer Charles Bradley. Now blossomed at the ripe age of 63, he’s showing the world his heart and soul, and his epic journey along the way. His songs are his life story; a hard life that reached rock bottom when his brother was shot and killed, and hitchhiking across the US to keep from falling off the rails. (more…)
While traveling on a trip to China and Asia, I discovered the ambient orchestral folk sounds of Surface Of Atlantic while scouring for local music in Taiwan. It was playing while I was deeply rummaging unsuccessfully through their sample music stations at the Taiwan National Film Centre.
After speaking broken English/Mandarin with the friendly staff to figure out who the artist was playing in background, I later found out that the band was from Montreal. Who would have thought i’d have to go around the world only to find out about a great band right by my doorstep? (more…)
For the past 5 years I’ve been holding a holiday party in the beginning of December, to kick off the festive season. Last year we brought in a live act to play a blend of electro-jazz during the party. For our 5th Anniversary, we decided to bring it to the next level.
Kuba Oms, a rising soul-rock musician from Victoria BC recently launched “How Much Time”, a full-length album in 2009. I had the luck of catching him at the Rivoli during the North By North East music festival that same year. Since then, I’ve been addicted to his catchy blend of soul, rock and pop.
The magic of his music lies in its ability to transcend many genres, resulting in its appeal to virtually anyone. It’s tough to find someone who wouldn’t groove to a pop track like “Beautiful Uncertainty”; a rocker who wouldn’t dig hooks ala ZZ Top from “Ride On”; or a folkie that wouldn’t feel his heart-felt sentiments from “This Heaven” or “Piece de Resistance”.
When Oms agreed to play an intimate acoustic set in our living room for our holiday party, I knew he would not only blow away some of his biggest fans in Toronto, but also spread his music to 50 other music lovers lucky enough to be there for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. (more…)
Montrealer’s Arcade Fire posted a cheeky postcard giving clues to a new song being released. It states the following:
Howdy yall- Just finishing up pressing our new 12″. Should be in stores in the next couple weeks. God willing. Good luck with finals. See you this summer!”
It should be part of their upcoming release that’s scheduled to be coming out this year.
Broken Social Scene is giving back to their fans yet again. In support of their new album, Forgiveness Rock Record, Toronto’s favourite indie mega-band returns with 4 in-store performances in the 4 top Toronto indie record stores tomorrow.
What a great way to recognize some of the best record stores in the city, and show the fans how a accessible such a behemoth-sized orchestral indie band can really be.
Sunday May 9th
2pm – Criminal Records (493 Queen Street West) - crimedoesntpay.ca
4pm – Rotate This (801 Queen Street West) - rotate.com
6pm – Soundscapes (572 College Street) - soundscapesmusic.com
8pm – Sonic Boom (512 Bloor Street West) - sonicboommusic.com
Band of Skulls and the Whigs
Mod Club |04.28.10
7.5/10
It was a nice warm night in the city to check out one of my latest faves, Band of Skullsat the Mod Club on Thursday night. I’ve had a heart-on for this trio ever since hearing their catchy, head boppy track ,”I Know What I Am” last year. I can’t get enough of guy/girl vocal combos these days (ala The XX and Stars), and the blend of Russell Marsden’s raspy rocker and Emma Richardson’s warm sound is no exception. (more…)
Undivided. That was the attention Kristian Matsson aka Tallest Man on Earth commanded from the well-dressed folk/indie crowd this cold Saturday night. It was a sold out show and highly anticipated return from this unassumingly sweet Swedish singer/songwriter. His intense scrawl stopped even the peanut gallery from the back bar to have a listen. (more…)
Sweden’s latest folk singer/songwriter Kristian Matsson from Tallest Man on Earth comes to Toronto this Saturday. Matsson has an immediately stark resemblance folk rasp of Bob Dylan but with intricate acoustic finger stylings that balance this scruffy voice. Although his lyrics don’t match up to the D-man, he brings it all to life on stage. With the show already sold out at the El mocombo, and a 8.3/10 Pitchfork rating on his “Shallow Grave” release, he’s doing something right.
Tallest Man on Earth w/Nurses
04.17.10
El Mocombo
SOLD OUT
Dan Mangan stopped by to perform at CMW on March 12 as part of a BC music showcase. If you like what you see, he’ll be coming back to play a show at the Horseshoe on Apr 22. Here is a clip of him playing “Basket”, dedicated to his grandfather. Fantastic.
When Ondi Timoner’s explosive documentary Dig! came out in 2004, I was hooked. Everybody had heard of the Dandy Warhols, having been flung into mainstream success with the poppy anthem “Bohemian Like You”. If you weren’t listening to the radio anymore, any trip to your favourite watering hole with a relatively current juke-box selection and at least one or two inebriated patrons with too many coins in their pocket would ensure you didn’t survive the evening without hearing this little ditty. Probably more than twice. In short, this song was everywhere.
