Motivation

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 30

Summer Send-Off

Nothing helps ease the transition into fall quite like an outdoor concert—the vibe is relaxed, the conversation is buoyant and the air is crisp and refreshing. And what better place to stage a final salute to summer than a gym parking lot? It might sound peculiar on paper, but the execution was flawless.

Last Saturday night, Toronto indie rockers Hooded Fang celebrated the release of their sophomore album, Tosta Mista, as well as the launch of their record label, Daps Records. Presented by Wavelength and held in the Academy of Lions parking lot, the evening was nothing short of a stellar summer send-off.

With art installations glowing and Steam Whistles flowing, the crowd warmed up to the smooth hip-hop stylings of Wio-K and the raw garage-rock sounds of Odonis Odonis. Sandwiches from Sky Blue Sky were served as the parking lot filled up.

Wio-K 

Odonis Odonis

Once Hooded Fang hit the stage, the feel-good vibes were in full swing. Confidently plunging into Tosta Mista's fast and fuzzy surf-rock sounds, the band kept the energy high and the mood buoyant as they plowed through their highly-anticipated—and subsequently well-received—sophomore release. 

Hooded Fang

As the concert drew to a close, Hooded Fang slowed things down with the dreamy "Den of Love" and charming encore "Sleep Song." Concertgoers meditatively swayed along, feeling light as a feather as they floated out into the night. 

One last waltz before autumn descends. 

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 29

Summer Six

Like a cold beverage on a hot day, no summer is complete without a crisp and refreshing soundtrack that goes down smooth. Beer commercial rhetoric aside, here are six notable bands that will help quench your summer anthem thirst:  

1. Hooded Fang (pictured): Toronto indie darlings Hooded Fang pack an infectious punch on their sophomore release. Clocking in at a short but so-damn-sweet 22 minutes, Tosta Mista brims with fast and fuzzy surf-rock sounds ready for shaking and shimmying the night away.


2. Bombay Bicycle Club: Armed with airy melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and a music video that's cute as hell, London rockers Bombay Bicycle Club return with their light and breezy new tune "Shuffle"—enough to keep listeners on their feet until the band's third album A Different Kind Of Fix arrives on August 29th.

3. Handsome Furs: Montreal electro-pop duo Handsome Furs never miss a beat. Propelling forward with urgent anthems, blazing vocals and more synth-driven melodies than an '80s school dance, the band's third album Sound Kapital marks their most passionate release yet. 

4. Cults: The buzz surrounding New York pop duo Cults is thicker than an ugly-sweater party in December. But it's not without merit, as the group's dreamy, '60s-infused melodies shimmer with a gentle nostalgia that's enough to make anyone sway.


5. Black Lips: Six albums deep, garage rockers Black Lips peek their heads out from the scuzzy, lo-fi trenches—if only for a touch of polish from producer Mark Ronson. Although tight and tidy, Arabia Mountain still kicks around those room-spinning, dive-bar-thrashing anthems perfect for a hazy night out.



6. Bon Iver: It's time to give "Skinny Love" a breather and get cozy with "Calgary," the woodsy first single from Bon Iver's self-titled sophomore album. Delicate and enchanting, "Calgary" pairs well with the cool, quiet nights that mark the transition into fall.

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 28

Summer Concert Season 
More skin. More sweat.

More sweet summer anthems.

Summer concert season has arrived. Time to bypass coat check and save the extra coin for another round at the bar. Time to feel light and loose in tank tops and flip flops. Time to get lost in the crowd. Time to catch the eye of a stranger. Time to hold hands, to wave hands, to clap in unison. Time to sing at the top of your lungs.

Time to transition from the patio to the park, from the sand to the stage, from the van to the venue. Time to soak up the sun, the songs, the surroundings. Time to revel in the great outdoors.

Summer's here. Now go out and get it.

Royalty

I'll be outside howling at the moon

Check-in

By Brecht Vandenbroucke

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 27

    

Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour  

Feminism. Sexism. Homophobia. 

Vulnerability. Confidence. Independence.

Politics. Power.

Sometimes you just need to lighten up.

Documenting Le Tigre’s final world tour in 2004, Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour is an inspiring film that's packed with feel-good energy. The feminist electroclash trio—comprised of Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and JD Samson—confront and embrace all of the above topics and issues, but with a refreshingly calm wisdom and strength.

Armed with humour, quirky costumes and shameless dance moves, Le Tigre are strong and independent, but not angry. Dealing with sexism, homophobia and beyond in the music industry, they take a dignified approach, remaining most impassioned through their art. In fact, the most heated the band gets is when frontwoman Kathleen Hanna takes her vein-popping vocals to the stage.

Offstage, the members of Le Tigre are calm, cool and collected. As old souls in youthful getups, they remain humble yet firm in their beliefs. 

Even if you’re not a fan of Le Tigre’s music, it's not difficult to appreciate the band’s contagious energy and undeniable stage presence. Each member of Le Tigre brings her own individual sound and insight, creating a musical tour de force for anyone who wants to feel empowered.

Tell the night I'm not sleeping

Painting by Rosson Crow  

There's a space in my mind's big bookshelves

Holds the place of an idiot's dream 

For the songs I'll never sing

Humming sweet summer guitar melodies