Upcoming Shows: Windsor, Toronto

Windsor: Myles Deck and The Fuzz (Halifax) w/ TBA Phog Lounge on Tuesday, June 30 at 10:30am.

Windsor: Arctic (Vancouver) w/ Language Arts (Vancouver) w/ A Welcome Breeze Phog Lounge June 13 at 11:00pm

Toronto: Alterna Queer Sunday, June 28 at Noon, Alexander Parkette Toronto

Toronto: Megan Hamilton and the Volunteer Canola w/ Olenka & the Autumn Lovers + Ghost Bees & More Saturday June 20 @ Bread and Circus 299 Agusta 8 pm

Toronto: Hut @ drake w/ young flux, deastro "good freaking times" June 16 Drake Underground, Tuesday, June 16 8pm

Toronto: The Craft Economy+Golden Triangle+The Ghost Is Dancing+People You Know Friday, June 19 8 pm @ the Velvet Underground

Windsor: Said the Whale w/ Will Currie and the Country French @ Phog Lounge - Tuesday, June 23 @ 9 pm.

Language Arts at NXNE, plus Windsor and Montreal

Vancouver's amazing Language Arts are headed east - for NXNE and stops in Windsor and Montreal. If you're not a fan of these folks yet, it's only a matter of time.

However, I'm more of a fan of letting you hear the music for yourself than trying to talk you into liking it. So, I'll just tempt you into listening with a few lines from their bio:

"When you fix up a trained classical guitarist who loves underground hip-hop, with a double bassist into Strauss & Mahler but obsessed with alt-rock, to a keyboardist perfecting her singer songwriter craft and join a drummer who has dabbled in everything from free-jazz to folk; what would you expect to hear?
Vancouver based Language-Arts have woven an intricate spread of sounds that have taken them from coast to coast, winning them a widespread of appeal."

Then I'll just let you listen a bit:



Download Cavity



Download White Socks in Birckenstocks

You can find out more at language-arts.net

Now Go See Them!!
June 12 - Rancho Relaxo (300 College, Toronto, ON) L-A is Headlining, guests are: Proof of Ghosts and Luke Nares and the Sleepwalkers at 9:30PM - 1:00AM
June 13 - Phog Lounge (157 University, Windsor, ON) L-A is playing with Arctic at 10:30PM
June 16 - Le Divan Orange (4234 St Laurent, Montreal QC) L-A is playing with Caledonia at 8:30PM
June 18 - El Mocambo (464 Spadina, Toronto, ON) L-A is opening for the NXNE Showcase for Musebox Music and Culture, they play at 8:00PM sharp!
+ a surprise acoustic show!

Last Thursday @ The Biltmore: We Are the City, Language-Arts and Bend Sinister

This last Thursday I had the great pleasure of seeing not only a great band I'd heard little about and one of my hometown favourites but a band that I've been trying to see for almost 2 years! We'll go in the order they appeared on stage so first up is something new.

We Are The City
Facebook / MySpace / New Music Canada

We Are the City is a trio out of Kelowna BC that boast a great mix of songs that range from a raw electric energy to a heart felt melodic ballads such as the song Time, Wasted. Although these guys seem young, the arrangments of their songs feels strong and likely draws on the years of musical training already under the belt of vocalist and keyboardist Cayne McKenzie. Don't get me wrong, David Menzel (guitar) and Andy Huculiak (drums) are no sloaches and they bring everything together to make songs that stray from a lofty melody to a stronger rock sound. If you haven't given these guys a listen, I recommend you do. With this strong addition to this set, I already knew I was in for a spectacular show. Next up was a local favourite of mine...

Language-Arts
Facebook / MySpace / New Music Canada

Excellent as always, Language-Arts brought their unique blending of hip-hop style vocals with everything from jazz and classical styles to newer alt-rock. When I saw them the first time I went off hearing one song, I had few expectations. I was blown away and captivated right after their they hit the stage and have been a fan ever since. Having a full double bass was one of the first things that caught my attention, it really is the strong backing that Kristen's quick vocals needs alongside he excellent work on the guitar. Couple this with keyboardist Karma Sohn and Gregor Phillips on drums gives this band a sound that you just can't find anywhere else. This may not be the first time I've seen this band, but this will not be the last. There's no one like them and I'm highly anticipating their sophomore release.

This brings us to the final band of the night, some how I have missed them time and time again but after a pining to see them, I finally got to see...

Bend Sinister
Facebook / MySpace / New Music Canada / Twitter

I will say, I had fairly high expectations for these guys. I've listened to Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers inside and out and fell in love with the song Time Breaks Down (and it's music video). Everyone I've talked to who's seen them told me how fantastic they are live, how great of a show they put on. Going in with all this feeding my anticipation and expectations, how does someone live up to them, right? My question is how does someone completely eclipse them. If you have even a moderating like any of their songs, go see them live. The amount of raw energy and stage prescense that every member in the band gives off would floor you if you could stop dancing. Blending in many styles I've heard them labelled as tons of different styles of rock but a these guys just can't be nailed down as a certain style of rock, nor should they need to be. Bend Sinister is one band that I can't wrap my head around why they aren't a household name for anyone who likes to rock. I'd be willing to bet any reputation I have that someday we'll be seeing them fill up the Commodore ballroom.

I hope you give all these bands a try, oh and sorry for the lackluster pictures. I forgot my camera and had to use my phone.

- AofA

Coming up in Vancouver: Bend Sinister, Language-Arts & We Are The City are doing a 6 dollar show on May 7th!

These days all we are hearing is how much the economy stinks. Tired of all the cutbacks and bailouts? Looking to get out to see some fantastic bands without breaking your budget? Bend Sinister, Language-Arts & We Are The City have your back. Coming up in Vancouver on Thursday, May 7th these three bands will be at the Biltmore Cabaret for only 6 bucks! With a line-up of this caliber for less than the cost of 2 beers, it's a steal! Here's the related Facebook event so all you FB junkies. Doors at 9:00p.

Hope I see you there!

Unfamiliar with the artists? Below is some info and the times they'll hit the stage.

9:30p - We Are The City from Kelowna

"We Are The City features three young composers: Cayne McKenzie on vocals and keys, David Menzel on guitar, and Andy Huculiak on the drums. Cayne’s symphonic piano arrangements flow into David’s guttural guitars and the grand heartbeat of Andy’s drums, as the vocals slink from soft melodies into gruff howls. Their songs paint out a sincere and beautiful interpretation of life; exploring evocative sounds and storytelling." [Exert from their myspace bio]

10:30p - Language-Arts from Vancouver

"When you fix up a classical guitarist who loves underground hip-hop, with a double bassist who’s into composers like Strauss & Mahler but listens to a awful lot of alt-rock, to a keyboardist who is perfecting her singer/songwriter craft and join them with a drummer who has dabbled in everything from free-jazz to folk; what do you think you will hear?" [Exert from their myspace bio]

11:30p - Bend Sinister from Vancouver

"Labeled as anything from math to prog to pop but feeling most comfortable in the plain guise of rock , Bend Sinister of Vancouver BC have evolved through numerous styles and absorbed a plethora of influences to become a band so refreshingly original that the struggle to categorize them is a losing battle. Together since the nerdy days of high school jazz band over seven years ago, singer/songwriter Daniel Moxon, lead guitarist Naben Ruthnum, bassist Joel Meyers, and singer/guitarist Henry, and Jason Dana on drums..." [Exert from their CBC Radio 3 bio]