As of Late: 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

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.

Monday, August 22, 2011

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.

Monday, July 4, 2011

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.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Royalty

I'll be outside howling at the moon

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Check-in

By Brecht Vandenbroucke

Monday, May 16, 2011

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.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

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

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Running wild

When I was young

And moving fast

Nothing slowed me down

A tiny piece of paper falls out of my desk drawer and suddenly I'm a hot mess. Wounds resurface, things get misty and time starts to blur.

Three big gulps, two red cheeks and one pounding head later, this weary soul has hit the sheets.

And the rest is history.

History. The past. Dead and gone. Not to be repeated.

It's time to take out the trash.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Pen to the paper

I put the pen to the paper many nights ago

Happy Canadian Music Week!

Monday, February 14, 2011

So smooth now

We'll still be best friends when all turns to dust

- "Excuses," The Morning Benders

Happy heart day, all.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 26

"Wouldn't it be nice to be lost in the city?"
- "Younger Days," Hooded Fang

In the brash, ruthless depths of winter, I increasingly find myself wandering these big city streets. Seduced by the crisp clarity that the sharp air brings, I opt for the long way home, wistfully passing by old haunts and curiously soaking up new sights. Bundled up and blissed out, music keeps me company.

Yet in the great spirit of urban hibernation, I don't have to wander very far to warm my music-loving ears. And what better way to fight the winter blahs than to cozy up with the local lays of Toronto's very own Hooded Fang?

[Artwork look familiar? The band's album cover was crafted by Honest Ed's sign painter Dougie Kerr.]

Hands down, Hooded Fang Album is the perfect winter weather soundtrack. Each one of the album's orchestral pop melodies fuses nostalgic, swaying narratives with a youthful warmth to create infectiously breezy songs with major toe-tapping appeal. Wistful without being overly woeful, Hooded Fang Album is one dangerously charming release.

I know, I know that the highway steam
Runs through our veins at the break of reason

p.s. You can also read my CD review on !earshot or stream the entire album online. Or you can just do yourself a favour and buy the album already.

Thank me later. Spring is nigh, my friends.