Top Six time! I’ve been fairly obsessed with some of the things on this list, so this is going to be a good one.
1. The Rural Alberta Advantage
Like I’ve mentioned before, I read Chromewaves everyday. Therefore I am bound to discover a heap of bands from it. One of them just so happens to be my new obsession with a Torontonian band named The Rural Alberta Advantage. This trio also coincides perfectly with my new found love for Woodhands, as both of them share a drummer – Paul Banwatt; while Amy Cole and Nils Edenloff complete the band. Their “indie-rock folk songs” have a sense of familiarity with me and easily made their way into high rotation on my playlist in the past couple of weeks. Their album, Hometowns, is packed with melodic perfection, including “Don’t Haunt This Place” and “Luciana”. The RAA are slated to play one upcoming date in Toronto at this year’s Summerworks Music Fest on August 14th. Check them out now HERE.
2. All-Caps Madness
I’ve always been aware of the miracle workers more commonly known as the people behind the All-Caps shows in Toronto. Their basic premise is to bring great music to people of all ages, by hosting monthly shows (either indoors or outdoors) filled with fanfare and excitement. This month is no different. On Saturday, July 26th, an indoor show will be held at the WhipperSnapper Gallery on College St. featuring the fantastic Colourbook, Brides and Cobras Cobras Cobras. (Show starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $6). This will be followed by a summery outdoors show on August 9th at Dufferin Grove Park with an exciting “to be announced” line-up. So regardless of your age, come out for these shows as they will probably be more fun than being with a bunch of uninterested bystanders drinking in a dingy bar anyway! (Not to insult those people though. I completely respect them. Just consider this to be an advertising technique/angry youngster talk)
3. Feist on Sesame Street
While most of her original fan base has deteriorated away with bitter “selling-out” rants, I still remain a loyal and loving fan of Ms. Leslie Feist. If anything, this recent YouTube clip of her upcoming appearance on Sesame Street has made me love her even more. I’ll agree with everyone – this song works much better in such given situations and it is in fact, perfect for Elmo and his friends to learn counting with. I find the re-written version weird, but still adorable nonetheless. Feist will return for a show at the Air Canada Centre (I still can’t understand this. Okay, I can…but it’s just plain awkward!) in November. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
VIDEO: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9fciD_II7NI
4. Return of Vinyl
To me, vinyl was never “out” but I was reading an article in the Rolling Stone recently about the sudden rise of the mighty record again. Sales have been booming again and I can’t be happier as many of my favourite artists are releasing their music on vinyl. Its sound is better, its artwork is bigger – what’s not to love about records? My recommendation for vinyl shopping would probably be Criminal Records on Queen St. and Rotate This, which recently moved slightly down the street to a larger location.
5. Frosh Rumour Mills
I just had to mention this as I am starting university in the fall and like any other music junkie, this is far more important than school itself. I cannot confirm rumours for any other school except for Ryerson, but I’m pretty sure we’ve figured it all out already. So far, it is a sure thing that Thunderheist and the Team Canada DJs will be opening acts, which should be interesting because I’ve heard many good things about Thunderheist’s performance at Harbourfront, opening for Toronto’s Crystal Castles. The “top-secret” headliner is yet to be announced, but all bets are on Bloc Party. They will be in town for this year’s V-Fest and knowing my luck with getting bands that I like Ryerson students will mostly likely be treated with a performance by these Brit-indie-rockers. Personally, I’m not a big fan of them. I’m quite tolerable of their music, but I would much prefer anyone else. Looks like I’ll be headed back to U of T once more. (U of T has had Metric, The Weakerthans, Stars and The Hidden Cameras play for their frosh week for the past 2 years – amazing)
1. The Rural Alberta Advantage
Like I’ve mentioned before, I read Chromewaves everyday. Therefore I am bound to discover a heap of bands from it. One of them just so happens to be my new obsession with a Torontonian band named The Rural Alberta Advantage. This trio also coincides perfectly with my new found love for Woodhands, as both of them share a drummer – Paul Banwatt; while Amy Cole and Nils Edenloff complete the band. Their “indie-rock folk songs” have a sense of familiarity with me and easily made their way into high rotation on my playlist in the past couple of weeks. Their album, Hometowns, is packed with melodic perfection, including “Don’t Haunt This Place” and “Luciana”. The RAA are slated to play one upcoming date in Toronto at this year’s Summerworks Music Fest on August 14th. Check them out now HERE.
2. All-Caps Madness
I’ve always been aware of the miracle workers more commonly known as the people behind the All-Caps shows in Toronto. Their basic premise is to bring great music to people of all ages, by hosting monthly shows (either indoors or outdoors) filled with fanfare and excitement. This month is no different. On Saturday, July 26th, an indoor show will be held at the WhipperSnapper Gallery on College St. featuring the fantastic Colourbook, Brides and Cobras Cobras Cobras. (Show starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $6). This will be followed by a summery outdoors show on August 9th at Dufferin Grove Park with an exciting “to be announced” line-up. So regardless of your age, come out for these shows as they will probably be more fun than being with a bunch of uninterested bystanders drinking in a dingy bar anyway! (Not to insult those people though. I completely respect them. Just consider this to be an advertising technique/angry youngster talk)
3. Feist on Sesame Street
While most of her original fan base has deteriorated away with bitter “selling-out” rants, I still remain a loyal and loving fan of Ms. Leslie Feist. If anything, this recent YouTube clip of her upcoming appearance on Sesame Street has made me love her even more. I’ll agree with everyone – this song works much better in such given situations and it is in fact, perfect for Elmo and his friends to learn counting with. I find the re-written version weird, but still adorable nonetheless. Feist will return for a show at the Air Canada Centre (I still can’t understand this. Okay, I can…but it’s just plain awkward!) in November. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
VIDEO: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9fciD_II7NI
4. Return of Vinyl
To me, vinyl was never “out” but I was reading an article in the Rolling Stone recently about the sudden rise of the mighty record again. Sales have been booming again and I can’t be happier as many of my favourite artists are releasing their music on vinyl. Its sound is better, its artwork is bigger – what’s not to love about records? My recommendation for vinyl shopping would probably be Criminal Records on Queen St. and Rotate This, which recently moved slightly down the street to a larger location.
5. Frosh Rumour Mills
I just had to mention this as I am starting university in the fall and like any other music junkie, this is far more important than school itself. I cannot confirm rumours for any other school except for Ryerson, but I’m pretty sure we’ve figured it all out already. So far, it is a sure thing that Thunderheist and the Team Canada DJs will be opening acts, which should be interesting because I’ve heard many good things about Thunderheist’s performance at Harbourfront, opening for Toronto’s Crystal Castles. The “top-secret” headliner is yet to be announced, but all bets are on Bloc Party. They will be in town for this year’s V-Fest and knowing my luck with getting bands that I like Ryerson students will mostly likely be treated with a performance by these Brit-indie-rockers. Personally, I’m not a big fan of them. I’m quite tolerable of their music, but I would much prefer anyone else. Looks like I’ll be headed back to U of T once more. (U of T has had Metric, The Weakerthans, Stars and The Hidden Cameras play for their frosh week for the past 2 years – amazing)
6. Top Six Playlist:
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place
Woodhands – I Wasn’t Made For Fighting
Ladytron – Runaway
Mother Mother – O My Heart
Thunderheist – Jerk It
Plants and Animals – Good Friend
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place
Woodhands – I Wasn’t Made For Fighting
Ladytron – Runaway
Mother Mother – O My Heart
Thunderheist – Jerk It
Plants and Animals – Good Friend
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