Toronto: Gentleman Reg tells you about his residency at the Drake (Video)

Toronto: Hawksley Workman, the Great Lake Simmers and the Meligrove band playing free in Feb.

Edit: The Hawksley Workman and Great Lake Swimmers shows are on the same day - sad for us, sadder for the artists because people will have to choose.

Two in-stores and a free show at the Horseshoe are coming up in Toronto in early February - So if finances have been holding you back this is your chance to check out some great stuff for free. If cold weather has been holding you back - suck it up. You live in Canada and Toronto has gotten a pass on winter so far (there is no snow at all in my yard.)

First up February 5th at 6:30: The Great Lake Swimmers are playing a free instore at Sonic Boom (512 Bloor Street West) as far as I know there is no new release or anything that they are pushing but it's the Great Lake Swimmers and it's free - you should go. Details on Facebook.



Next, on February 6 5th at 6:00 Hawksley Workman is playing a free instore at Criminal Records (493 Queen St. West) - you may not have heard much for awhile, but Hawksley is back with a new album out (Meat) and another coming out in 2010 (Milk) catch him on the 6th for free and be out in plenty of time to hit New York Subway for dinner (it's great and cheap if you haven't been.) - Facebook.



Then on February 9 at 9 the Meligrove Band are playing a free show at the Horseshoe Tavern:

"We played a free show in December and a lot of people couldn't get in, including our own friends! So we're doing it again, playing at 9:10 PM sharp on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010. Songs from our forthcoming new LP (which we just finished), as well as some old favourites! See you soon!

http://facebook.com/meligroveband

Three other great bands are on the show as well. Those Darlins from Tennessee, Hacienda from Texas and Toronto's Invasions."

Facebook thingy here.

Book Launch: Treat Me Like Dirt - Punk in Toronto tomorrow at This Ain't the Rosedale Library

Tomorrow at This Ain't the Rosedale Library writer Liz Worth will unveil her new book "Treat Me Like Dirt: An Oral History of Punk in Toronto and Beyond, 1977-1981". The book, as you might suspect, revisits the first wave punk scene in and around Toronto (primarily centered around Queen Street West).

According to Exclaim:

"Worth undertook two years of research and conducted close to 200 interviews for the book, which documents the history of such acts as the Diodes, the Viletones, Simply Saucer, Forgotten Rebels and Teenage Head. The first-person recollections spawned the oral history approach of Treat Me Like Dirt, and at the launch she explained, "This wasn't my story to tell. I just wanted to preserve these stories."

Tomorrow's event at This Ain't the Rosedale Library (86 Nassau St. in Kensington Market Toronto) starts at 7 p.m. - admission is free.

For those of you who can't attend the event, or who don't live in Toronto but are interested in the topic - Keep an eye on Liz Worth's web site and/or Trainwreck Press where worth says the book will be available (though it does not appear to be at the moment).

For more info on the book check the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail.

Toronto: Julie Fader with Daniel Romano (Attack in Black) and Andrew Sisk (Share) at the El Mocombo Tomorrow night

Attn: Toronto - I deliberately didn't do year end lists this year. If I had though Julie Fader would have featured prominently, at the very least in the Best New Artist category. In addition to her work with Chad Van Gaalen, the Great Lake Swimmers, Blue Rodeo, Sarah Harmer and other's Julie put out an amazing solo debut ( Outside, In ). Tomorrow night she is playing a special show at the El Macambo (464 Spadina Ave. in Toronto).

Opening up the evening will be Andrew Sisk (a.k.a. Share) - out of the prolific Halifax scene. Share (Myspace) is another artist who first came to my attention in 2009, although if I was from Halifax I'd know he wasn't really new.

Share - Maybe Always Live with Jenn Grant



Next up will be Daniel Romano of Attack in Black and the recent collaboration with Julie Doiron and Fred Squire titled simply Daniel, Fred & Julie. Daniel will be playing a special set with a band made up of "his Dad, his Aunt, and his special friend Misha".

Attack in Black - 'Young Leaves'



Then, of course there is Julie Fader who CBC Radio 3 called the "Polaris Secret Weapon" because of all of the polaris acts she's backed up in the studio or on the road. Backing Julie up will be Jason Baird, Christine Bougie, Pete Hall, Randy Lee and Graham Walsh.

The Facebook Event is Here

(evil) senoB dna nikS - redaF eiluJ

Broken Social Scene Toronto Island Concert June 18 (with Pavement and Band of Horses)

On June 19, 2010 at 1 p.m. Toronto's own Broken Social Scene will be playing an all ages show on Toronto Island with Pavement and Band of Horses. Last year's cancelled show lead to the free Harbourfront show that Bruce McDonald is making into a film. No word on when the film will be out or what this years BSS lineup will look like. Tickets are (a fairly painful) $50 - not including fees, taxes and the ferry ride but if you're into it you will be able to get them at Ticketmaster, Rotate This, Soundscapes and the Horseshoe Tavern starting January 18.

Further details are at torontoislandconcert.com!

Charlottetown: Smothered In Hugs Customer Appreciation Night

Smothered in Hugs (smotheredinhugs.com) have a new 4 song EP but you can't buy it. The band is giving it away for free to anyone and everyone who attends their Customer Appreciation CD launch with special guests English Words (and 'Other Surprises').

Show is Friday, January 15, 2010 at Hunter's Ale House (185 Kent Street Charlottetown)
Facebook Event Page is Here

Smothered in Hugs - I Wanna Be Sedated (The Ramones cover)

Toronto: Daps All Ages IV with Casey Mecija Jan 16

Daps All Ages - put on by Daps Duo (a.k.a. Dan and April, a.k.a. Tonka & Puma, also of Hut & Hooded Fang) is becoming something of an institution. Previous shows (at the sadly closed Rolly's Garage) have featured people like the Bicycles, Laura Barrett, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, Pick A Piper, Spiral Beach, Bonjay and others.

The 4th show in the series has been set for January 16 - this time at the Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture (167 Augusta) at 2 p.m. The 4th edition is set to feature: Casey Mecija & Jeff, Santa Guerrilla, Sean Nicholas Savage, the Miles and Ruzan Orkestar.

$7 at the door!

More info on the bands, the event and all that good stuff can be found on the Facebook Event Page!!

One Hundred Dollars Drops New 7" Jan 22

Toronto's One Hundred Dollars (Myspace, CBC Radio 3) came a long way last year when 2008's Forest of Tears was long listed for the 2009 polaris prize. The band (which is made up of large parts of ex-Jon Rae and the River people) is now getting ready to drop a new 7", My Father's House on January 22 at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto tickets are available at Soundscapes, Rotate This and the Horseshoe. Helping them celebrate will be the Lonesome Ace String Band and the critically acclaimed "Special Guests".

$100 - live at Elder Schoolhouse

Putting the On No in Forest Fires (ONFF Breaks Up)

Via Chartattack: Oh No Forest Fires have schedule their last show. Coming hard on the heels of the indefinite suspension of Rock Plaza Central it's making for a bleak start to 2010 in Toronto. From Chart:

""Sometimes, good things come to an end," the band wrote on the Facebook event page for the show. "Sometimes, things that are good and that also jump around and play a little too loud even in small rooms and we're really sorry but we yell at you and tell you to make out with your friends and to believe in something you can taste and to be okay with what's actually happening around you, those things also come to an end."

Their final show will be on January 23 at the Horseshoe in Toronto.

Oh No Forest Fires - It's Not Fun And Games Unless Someone Loses An Eye - Mod Club

Free Julie Doiron Show in Toronto on Saturday

This Satruday (Jan 9) in Toronto at the Coburg (533 Parliament St.) Julie Doiron is playing a free show with Constantines Will Kidman opening. Show starts at 10 p.m.

Facebook Event is Here

Julie Doiron - No More

Rock Plaza Central Announces Last Show for a long time / Suspends Touring Indefinitely (maybe forever)

photo by Sebastian Politowicz / heart attack space cadet

Citing a variety of reasons: personal, professional and environmental Toronto's Rock Plaza Central has announced that they are indefinitely suspending any and all touring. They are, in fact, getting ready for their last show for 'a long time' as Chris Eaton prepares to become a father. A full explanation is on their Myspace blog and the whole thing is really worth reading, so to guard against the chance that you won't bother clicking the link it reads:

"The End of Touring

First of all, thanks for all of your support over the last three years or more. It's been a lovely few years, going from a band no one went to see at the Tranzac in ....Toronto.... to one that made a bunch of best of the decade lists for both our last CDs. We've toured the continent several times and played some huge places. And through touring, we’ve had the chance to meet so many people who said the music changed their lives. The last tour with the Weakerthans was, in particular, full of good times, sold out almost every night. Many of those experiences, as well as time just hanging out with all of my best friends, which I would never had had if I’d never left home, are among my most treasured.

However, I'm personally done with it. Many of you probably already know that Laura and I are expecting in February, but while missing her and the baby is a major factor, it is not the only reason and probably not the largest. While I have had many practical and philosophical issues with touring in the past (chiefly the environmental guilt of driving and flying so much, and the damage that sitting so much every day has done to my knees), it is my lack of productivity while traveling that has affected this decision the most. When I was in Grade 5, I started writing, became a social introvert, and really spent all of my free time making things. In high school, I rediscovered music and that was added to my compulsion to make things. I wrote the last three albums and two novels while working full-time jobs. Over the years, relationships have surely been killed by this obsession. I’m certain I’ve lost a few jobs. But really, when I’m not writing regularly (fiction or music), I’m not very happy. And because I can’t focus on the computer screen in the car, can’t even seem to read in the car any more, touring feels to me like a colossal waste of time when I’m accomplishing nothing. Sure, touring promotes bands and is the only way to make any money at this thing any more (see rant below), but all I can really think about is how much more music (and fiction, which I’m more into at the moment) I could make if I were at home. Shouldn’t that be the goal? To create more music? Can you imagine painters doing this, making twelve works and then not painting for another two years while they try to recreate the same paintings for people on the road every night?

It’s too bad that recorded music has become devalued so much that many bands feel the need to get out there to make ends meet. Although I’ve never done it myself, for years I have supported free downloading so more people can get access. Now I think this has led to even worse situations for many bands, and also makes us value the music we own less. Why can’t it work more like Etsy.com, where people purchase craft directly from the artist, removing the major labels that were always part of the problem? Really, $10-15 is nothing for the hours of enjoyment recorded music has brought me. Recorded music is worth something. And then, if someone wants to tour (and I know lots of people who love it and should obviously continue to do what they love), people should pay them to do that as well. It’s a separate job, and if someone loves it and wants to keep doing it, they should support it. Oh, rant, rant, rant…

This is not to say that we’ll never play again. I love playing music, at least the way we play music, which often feels like making new music all over again, anyway. But likely we’ll be cutting back to festivals here and there, maybe the occasional weekend trip to NY or Chicago. Maybe other short tours will even seem like fun and we’ll do them for the experience. But playing 100+ shows per year is done.

This may mean that fewer people get to see the live show, and that fewer people find out about us that way. But I hope people will continue to spread the word of what we’re doing, and that making more things for you to enjoy will fill that gap.

Thanks again to all of you. Without you, no one would probably know who we were anyway. You took a geeky band like us and made us your own. And we've fought the good fight together, trying to make the world a safer place for ears. And children. And children with ears. I apologize if you never got to see us live and wanted to, but this will be better for everyone, trust me.

So before the baby is here we're celebrating with one big hurrah at the Garrison (1197 Dundas West) on Jan 23. The original group of 7 will perform. Other bands will include Church & State and The Pining. It will be $10. There are advance tickets for sale at the usual places, and the first 100 people to arrive will get a free shirt, which is what remains of the last summer/fall tour. When they’re gone, they’re gone. If you can’t make the show and would like to order one first, I’ll also sell them for $10 plus shipping, which tends to be in the $5-7 range (order a CD for $10 and no additional shipping).
 
Facebook event is here if you would like to share: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=246637571063&ref=ts"

Personally I feel fortunate to live in Toronto for a variety of reasons and now I have a new one. When Chris is ready to start playing live again, they are most likely to do it here. Perhaps we can talk them into getting a uStream channel and broadcasting the concerts, or at least recording them so they can be shared after the fact.

I should also remind you that, for those who are interested (and if you've read this far I'm guessing you are.) There are some free Rock Plaza Central shows that you can download for free from Archive.org.

Olenka and the Autumn Lovers Go West: One Show Only in Vancouver

Olenka Krakus & co are apparently spending part of the holidays in warmer climes and have been added to a Dec. 29 show in Vancouver. They aren't the headliners the Belle Game are but Olenka and the Autumn lovers hold a special place in the hearts of people from Ontario who contribute to NxEW.ca. They were one of the first bands we really jumped on when this site started and Olenka & co jumped back (Patterson, who plays Cello for the group sometimes contributes here.) When we first started talking about them the typical response was 'who?'. Later there were a few 'yeah I've heard about them's mixed in with the 'who?'s then, suddenly they came in at #27 on I (Heart) Music's I (Heart) Music's Hottest Bands in Canada poll. Shortly thereafter their name came up as a possibility in a show that NxEW may be doing next year (stay tuned) and they had gone from 'who' to 'they're too big, you'll never get them'.

So seriously go see what all the fuss is about now because next year you are going to hear alot. Olenka & the Autumn Lovers are playing with The Belle Game, Aunts and Uncles and Unreliable Narrator

Start Time:
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 8:00pm
End Time:
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 12:00am
Location:
2096 Commercial Drive

The Facebook event page is here

OLENKA AND THE AUTUMN LOVERS - Mama's Bag from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

Construction & Destruction (at the Phog Tuesday)

It's a quiet time of the year. No one tours in late December ... except apparently Construction and Destruction - had I known ahead of time that they were going to do a swing through Ontario this late in the year I would have given you a heads up sooner. I didn't know, so I missed their show at the Boat with Hamilton Trading Co. last night and I can't be in Windsor tomorrow night so I'll miss that to. But if you are in, or can be in Windsor tomorrow you should make the effort. Phog Tom says "They play a certain kind of east coast music that reminds me of certain parts of other bands from out that way: Museum Pieces and Eric's Trip to name two" I'll add that not only are they pretty brilliant but they are really nice people. I didn't know that the video below existed but it does, so check them out and go catch them at the Phog tomorrow night if you're around!

Wavelength Goes Out With a Bang in February

After 10 years and 500 shows the Wavelength Music Arts Project will come to an end as a weekly thing. There are, as I understand it, still plans for occasional special shows but the music series that has been a Sunday night tradition in Toronto since the days when Broken Social Scene was just a glimmer in Kevin Drew's eye, Leslie Feist was doing sock puppets for Peaches and Arts & Crafts wasn't even an idea yet is coming to an end in February. To celebrate/mourn a 5 day festival is planned featuring old Wavelength Favorites, new acts and bands that are officially not together anymore. According to the Singing Lamb:

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.

Or, if you prefer visit Mechanical Forest Sound for a musical version of the lineup with Germans and Doc Pickles.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Jim Bryson

Ottawa's Jim Bryson may not be a household name but just about every Canadian under 50 will know his work. Byrson is a touring and/or studio member of the Weakerthans, the Tragically Hip and Kathleen Edwards backing band (among others). He is also celebrating his 10th anniversary as a solo performer.

There is an article in the Ottawa XPress that does it more justice than I can:

What a banner year 2009 was for Jim Bryson. After developing something akin to hidden-treasure status following years of gigs supporting the likes of Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer and The Weakerthans, Bryson can add supergroup The Tragically Hip to his ever-growing list of admirers after joining the Kingston legends as a tour musician since mid-April.

Such good news, while certainly appreciated locally, was likely also greeted with little surprise in the Cap, where Bryson's reputation as a musician of note has been ironclad for many a year - perhaps even a decade? Yes, in fact, a decade is accurate (it's true, my team of crack researchers left no stone unturned). Look no further than the evidence: Bryson's hugely popular holiday gig at Wakefield's Black Sheep Inn celebrates 10 big ones in 2K9.

read the whole thing here

And of course they are celebrating at Jim's home at Kelp Records. Head over to http://kelprecords.com/blog/2009/12/jim-bryson-10th-anniversary-the-black-sheep/ for info on Jim's two shows this weekend at the Blacksheep in (with special guests a plenty) and you can download a free, previously unreleased live track from the birthday boy himself.

Halifax + Fredricton: Make Your Holidays Superfantastic

If you live in Halifax or Fredricton you're in luck the amazingly spectacular Superfantastics are releasing a limited run of their new EP 'Holiday Special' only at their Holiday Shows:

December 17 at Gus' Pub in Halifax
December 18 at the Capital in Fredricton, New Brunswick
Facebook Event Page is Here

Joining them will be more superfantastical people - Jenocide and Jon McKiel - great music, and a chance to grab an EP that the rest of the country can't have (at least not yet).

Now I know that you're planning on doing your Xmas shopping on those days, but you aren't really going to. You'll just end up procrastinating some more - so, go to the show, have a few drinks and grab the new Superfantastics EP for all of your friends and family. It will be the best holiday shopping experience of your life!

Toronto: Hylozoists Holiday Video Party Tomorrow at Whippersnapper Gallery

Tomorrow (Thursday, December 17) the Hylozoists (Myspace) and guests Muskox will host a holiday party at the Whippersnapper Gallery and debut the new video/short film for the song Bras D'Or Lakes by Julia Deakin.

The Hylozoists music has previously been referred to as "Soundtracks for Imaginary Films" so it is was only a matter of time I suppose before someone got around to making one of those films less imaginary. You can still hear the Fuse show with the Hylozoists and Laura Barrett at cbc.ca/fuse/audio.html if you'd like to get a better sense of them.

The video below will tell you a little more. Tickets are currently on sale at Soundscapes and Rotate This for $10.

Toronto: Nine Mile at the Rivoli on Thursday

Nine Mile are bringing their distinctive “Jahmericana” style to the Rivoli (334 Queen Street West) in Toronto this Thursday night. Not to be confused with the Eminem movie, Nine Mile - who have shared stages with The Black Keys, Joel Plaskett, G. Love and Special Sauce, Gomez, Xavier Rudd, Cowboy Junkies, Blackalicious, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sarah Harmer, Donovan Frankenreiter and Pete Murray. Their recent album "Country Porno Electric Fireplace" will tell you something about the sound and so will the video below. For more sounds, and more tour dates see myspace.com/ninemile.

Out of This Spark's 3rd Birthday Party Scheduled for January

Out of This Spark is turning three in January and is having a party at the Garrison in Toronto to Celebrate. It's hard to believe that Stuart Duncan's little label, which brought us Timber Timbre last year and signed a distribution deal with Arts and Crafts is only 3 but apparently that's the case. The party will feature OOTS artists Forest City Lovers, the D'urbervilles, Evening Hymns and Jenny Omnichord - The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West – Toronto ON) Doors at 9 PM - $8 advance / $10 at the door - Tickets on sale next week (doesn't say where but Soundscapes (572 College Street) is probably a safe bet.

Contest: A Very Bloody Xmas (Win prize packs from Audio Blood)

Audio Blood and the Third Estate are having a holiday party at the Horseshoe tavern on December 12 and you could be the one getting presents. Attending the party will be Oh No Forest Fires, Make Your Exit, Clothes Make the Man and the Balconies and one person is going to win a prize pack with a CD from each of the bands playing, a mini screen printed poster for the event, an Exclaim tee from the Third Estate and two tickets to the show!

Not only that but a runner up will win CDs from the Balconies and Make your Exit!

For a chance to win send an email to [email protected] so that we can get ahold of you if you win. (We won't spam you, we won't even keep your email address when the contest is over. We just need to be able to get ahold of you if you win.)

The Winner (and runner up) will be chosen at random next Wednesday (December 9)!

For more information on the party visit the FACEBOOK EVENT