Discarded Stereos

Media Production @ Ryerson University

2009-09-23T14:38:00.004-04:00

Passion Pit @ the Phoenix

2009-08-11T17:39:00.003-04:00

Heading to the Passion Pit / Ruby Coast / The Grates show at the Phoenix tonight.
The hype surrounding this show has been pretty staggering. Complete with Sneeky Dee's after party DJ set with Real Talk & Huggs, tonight should prove to be an electromagnetic evening. I'll update this post in the following days with a reflection on the performances. I've seen the Ruby Coast numerous times, hung out with them in Ottawa when they were still co-managed by friends and since then they've recieved a lot of acclaim and comparisions to their Northern Toronto breathen Tokyo Police Club & Born Ruffians.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Kool Haus

2009-08-11T17:29:00.008-04:00

I've been crazy busy working on my application package for Ryerson (I'm applying for a MA in Media Production) and pushed my updates to the side. But now that I've dropped off my manila envelope of portfolio, statement of intent and various other personal information pages, I'm back to report on the amazingness of Karen O.

Yeah Yeah Yeah's played the Kool Haus on Aug. 4th, supported by Amanda Blank. I skipped Blank's set because I feel there's enough Madonna wannabe's in this world. Dinner on a patio with friends and beer superceed Blank's set 8 out of 7 days a week.
I arrived at the show just in time to run into a couple excited friends, grab a beer and struggle my way through the typical screw-face audience for a prime position about 12 people away from the front of the stage.

The moment Karen O came on stage covered in Middle Eastern-inspired garb, the crowd swelled and I didn't stop moving until about 45mins into the set. I gave up my prime real estate to a younger, shorter audience and hit the back half of the club for a beer and come-down.

The National Post ran a half-decent review here.

Old Tyme Jazz

2009-08-04T15:34:00.005-04:00

I filmed Elise LeGrow do two sets of jazz classics at the Bread & Circus in Kensington, Toronto back in June. Only now have I had the chance to slightly edit and post what was captured.
Elise performed two sets; the first accompanied by master jazz guitarist Reg Schwager, and the second featuring a full backing band. The "Good Girl - Bad Girl" performance was absolutely fantastic and I'm glad I had a chance to take it in and share some of it. A second video is coming...stay tuned.

Bonnaroo '09

2009-07-02T17:24:00.005-04:00

I'm a little late in posting about Bonnaroo 2009 but better late than never.
A quick overview of the festival:
- 9 hour line-up to get onto the grounds
- 1.5mile run to catch up with our car when the line-up shot forward (we were playing soccer)
- 4 days of music
- 5 main stages (This, That, Which, What, Main)
- 2 nights in a hotel (one there, one coming back)
- 4 states we past through on the way (Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee)

Highlights:
Bon Iver - 5,000 people all singing "what might have been lost." spine-tingling good.
The Decemberists - rock opera. dueling female performances. amazing.
Band of Horses - best end of the weekend.
Low Anthem - best discovery of the weekend. multi-instrumentalists from Providence, RI.
MGMT - performed new tracks.
Girl Talk - epic dance party.
Bruce Springsteen - singing "Santa Claus is Coming To Town"
Wilco - always amazing live.
Snoop Dogg - classic hip hop show.
Erykah Badu - so groove. beyond groove.
Phish - popped my Phish cherry.

videos and links coming soon. [re: when i've got time!]

2009-06-05T13:34:00.003-04:00

New video for Kids by MGMT. There's a lot of angles I could take to describe it...a satire on contemporary Sunday morning cartoons, an acknowledgment of '80's TV generation, just a straight up-trippy-as-balls day in the life of MGMT.
I recommend you be the judge.

www.whoismgmt.com

Joke's On...Me?

2009-06-04T16:52:00.007-04:00

NME recently posted on the new side project from production wiz, DangerMouse. His newest musical endeavor, you ask? A partnership with London-based folk singer, Helena Costas, who together have produced 14 tracks under the moniker, Joker's Daughter. Combining traditional folk guitar arrangements with sweeping strings, synthetic squeaks and pops, and stripped down production, the album plays out like a sign of orchestral futures to come.

You can preview the album here.

Heavy Cross - Gossip

2009-06-02T16:04:00.003-04:00

Ever since I stumbled upon this band by throwing the Live In Liverpool DVD on my PlayStation and watched Beth Orten gyrate through an intense of stripped down club rock, wearing pretty much only a tinsel wig, I know I was privy to something special.
The first single from their upcoming album, Music For Men, is Heavy Cross. Check the vid & get excited for the pending release.

Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up

2009-06-02T15:28:00.002-04:00

Sunny Side Up is the follow up full length to the well received debut LP These Streets, which featured the obnoxiously catchy "New Shoes." I was recently handed the new album and on my first listen through I'm already intriged by the growth and diversity within the first 4 tracks. "Growing Up Beside You" is a shuffling ballad with feathery backing vocals and a bouncing snare beat.
The same acoustic sounds we've become accustomed to on Nutini's debut LP return with an added depth and a slightly more ambitious and polished effort. His uncharacteristically-aged raspy voice fits nicely with slide guitar on the track "Candy" and the album plays out like a tribute to Paolo's most influential singers and songwriters.

Here's a live rendition of "10/10," the first track from Sunny Side Up, from BBC's - Late Night with Jools Holland.

Martin Puryear

2009-05-28T23:16:00.006-04:00

A friend recently lent me a copy of a retrospective on American artist, Martin Puryear. Puryear works primarily with various types of wood, wire, tar & rawhide, using traditional carpentry and craft methods to create alarmingly still, warm pieces of art.
He studied his craft in Sierra Leone, Stockholm & the US, and shared his exhibitions around the world with installations in the MoMA,

...just thought i'd share.

MoMA Interactive
Art21

Spring Fever

2009-05-25T14:54:00.008-04:00

I've got it. And this is what I'm listening to as I savor the feeling:

///Delta Spirit - People C'mon

///The Manchester Orchestra - In My Teeth

///Arietta - We Were All Invincible At One Point In Our Lives

///Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Nikorette

///Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line

///The National - Start A War

///Bon Iver - Blood Bank

///Chad VanGaalen - Bare Feet on Wet Griptape

///Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes

Will find time to link songs soon. Seek & find in the meantime.

Mitzi Fiesta

2009-04-30T17:40:00.009-04:00

Macro Fiesta, a collection of international musicians based out of Toronto (of which I was drummer), played together first as a three piece (formed during University) and eventually became a 5 piece with guests constantly joining the stage. A French sax player from Normandy (Charles) and an Irish troubador (Alan) rounded out the sound along with an eccentric percussionist/vocalist from Ottawa who joined us on more that few occasions. We've also had a charango thrown into the mix, national Irish hymns sung by lively friends and so much more (...imagine everyone with egg shakers grooving out...).
One of our performances was documented by a friend of the band and I decided to take the photos from that night and create something to stoke the memories and keep the music alive in a different medium. Here's what I put together using Final Cut...

Irish Musicians

2009-04-24T10:41:00.007-04:00

I'm just back from 6 speedy days in Ireland visiting friends who lived and played here in Canada last year, and was introduced to a barrage of Irish and European musicians who I will have to explore more in my spare time. I wanted to make a small list of some of the favorites I was introduced to for posterity.

Lisa Hannigan
Of Damien Rice fame, she's struck out on her own with beautifully light melodies and the soft touch that defined her past performances.

Declan O'Rourke
A singer songerwriter from Dublin, his lyrics are vivid and arrangements are captivating. Perfect for the long drive between Cork and Dublin.

Mick Flannery
From Blarney Co. Cork, he's album White Lies came highly recommended along with the other musicians to explore further. His music is slightly more sober than the others mentioned but I tend to focus on the lyrics and it really draws me in.

Even more recommendations:
- Bell X1
- Fred
- Niall Connolly
- Christy Moore

I fell in love with Irish wit ("Are you taking the piss?") and I think it's strongly related to their mastery with strong, emotive lyrics in their songs. 6 days isn't nearly enough to get even a clear picture of the music masters of Ireland, but it's certainly a start.

Outside the Box Fundraiser

2009-04-14T17:22:00.003-04:00

Outside the Box is a music program for children in the Parkdale community of Toronto who lack easy access to instruments and music education. It's a great program and I volunteer teaching guitar. Our last session ran from October - December 2008 and taught kids 9-13 years old Feist's 1,2,3,4. Amazingly, Feist herself came out on the last day to meet all the inspired young musicians and watch the recording process.

If your in the GTA next weekend, come out and support a great program!
Fundraiser details are below:
---------------------------------
Sunday, 26-April, 2009
8pm – 1am

Whippersnapper Gallery
587A College Street
Toronto, ON
M6G 1B2
(416) 887-7483
----------------------------------

Balcony TV

2009-04-14T13:52:00.008-04:00

I'm heading to Ireland later this week to meet up with my good friend Alan and play some tunes. He's lined up a gig with Balcony TV, who have featured performers like Sebastian Grainger, Of Montreal and the Script. Stay tuned, I'll post the vid when it becomes available.

Also, if you're in Dublin between the 17th and 22nd of April, look for us on the street busking for pint funds.

blitzen trapper + iron & wine

2008-11-14T16:04:00.003-05:00

Last night I headed to the Phoenix to watch Blitzen Trapper and Sam Beam's Iron & Wine ensemble perform. My girlfriend and I headed down shortly after 9:15pm only to catch two closing songs by the opening band. Constant with similar southern blues rock revival bands My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, etc. Blitzen Trapper's youth and slight pop appeal differentiate them in a positive way. They had an early Spoon-ish quality to their sound and from the brief encounter prior to a set change I was enjoying it. Two quick beers may have had something to do with it.
Sam Beam and sister Sarah started Iron & Wine's set with an acoustic set of perfectly melded harmonies and a soft touch on guitar strings with Sarah's violin punctuating the delicate silence between chords. Transitioning into an full on set, Iron & Wine essentially jammed out for the rest of the night, stopping only briefly to humor local fans who anticipated each new song from the very first guitar chord. The only thing missing from this show was Paul Niehaus of Calexico, who collaborated on The Sheppard's Dog and joined the band on stage at Chicago's Lollapalooza. Calexico has an upcoming show later this month so I was hopeful but Beam's backing band carried a full sound with keyboards, accordion and wandering funky bass lines.
All in all it was a great performance. A slightly down tempo reggae version of House By the Sea was a highlight, along with the many seamless transitions between old and new songs.
Here's some live footage of a recent tour date in Vancouver @ the Commodore Room by Iron & Wine.

great lake swimmers

2008-10-26T19:51:00.002-04:00

Last night the Great Lake Swimmers, along with Kate Maki & Sandro Perri, played at Lee's Palace to a crowd seemingly fresh from the countryside. Adorned in flanel shirts, scruffy beards and a trucker caps, the Great Lake Swimmers capitvated the audience with their soft meandering melodies.
Sandro Perri opened the night with atmospheric jazz-infused folk song, along with a cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight" by King of Harvest. Kate Maki, from the Big Nickle (Sudbury), followed with some upbeat country songs. The real highlight was when Tony Dekker & gang hit the stage and played a set of current releases and songs from an upcoming album due sometime in the spring. Personal favorites were "Changing Colours","Silent Pictures Moving Film", and "Your Rocky Spine."

The Majority Wants A Minority

2008-10-15T14:45:00.002-04:00

Another Canadian election has come and gone. Here's some interesting facts:
- only 59% of Canadians voted, the lowest on record ever
- Liberals lost 32 seats in the House of Commons, NDP ended up with 37 seats
- in 2006, Conservatives promised Oct. 2009 as the next election date.
These statistics point out the obvious: Canadians grow apathetic when elections are called every 2 years, Stephane Dion lacks charisma and leadership, and the Conservatives broke a campaign promise not to spend tax payers money on unnecessary elections.
And this guy with the kitten runs the whole show...

Bleep

2008-10-15T12:54:00.002-04:00

Tuesday's are long days for me. Work and night class, with a long commute between the two. Which is why I laugh so hard when I see something like this. Literally, I was wiping tears from my eyes. Exhaustion has terrible side effects...

Enjoi.

Pop Montreal

2008-10-09T16:50:00.003-04:00

Last Wednesday I traveled to Montreal with a friend to catch some live music, take in the scenery of the city and do all things Pop-related (drink, socialize and listen)!
A brief list of the acts I took in include You Say Party, We Say Die!, Woodhands, Amos the Transparent, D'urbervilles, The Wooden Sky, Brasstronaut, Green Go, Leif Vollebekk, Shad & Semi Precious Weapons. Whew. All that in two days you say? Indeed.
Montreal possesses a charm that is unlike any other urban city in Canada. It's old and new at the same time, a juxtaposition that warms the soul and excites the senses. I've only been a handful of times and I will continue to visit as long as it's charm never wears off.
Personal highlight from Pop Montreal were Woodhands on night one (Wednesday). They performed at the Portuguese Association building after You Say Party, We Say Die! played at La Tulipe. The electro-nerd rockers played to an energized crowd who had a brief break between sets (the clips played prior to woodhands) because Montreal police pulled up and walked around the venue. The best part of Woodhands' set was a hipster kid who climbed on stage to crowd surf and eased into the audience like an old man getting into a bathtub. It was carefully planned and executed, and as a result the kid surfed atop hands for what felt like an eternity (but was more like 10mins, still a feat!).
My Thursday started out with a seminar by Patrick Vien, CEO of Warner Music International at McGill, followed by a trip to Pop headquarters for passes and a brief run-in with Vincent Moon (of Blogotheque AKA Take Away Shows). The evening was full of folk rock sounds courtesy of Amos the Transparent from Ottawa & the Wooden Sky from Toronto, followed by the amazing energy of the D'Urbervilles of Guelph, ON. Each band performed at the Jupiter room on St-Laurent and the D'Urbervilles set floored me.
On my last night I ventured out independently to see Leif Vollebekk, who came highly recommended to me from a friend who'd spent the summer in Montreal and made his acquaintance. Leif performed at the Prince Au Parc and his set of folky looped sounds with atmospheric violin additions and incredibly quarky vocals was a definite highlight of the weekend. I scored a CD from Leif by chance at an industry meet-and-greet at the Symposium early in the day and it's been constantly playing in the background of my days ever since.
There is so much more to say about Pop Montreal and all it's performances and moments of excitement, confusion and exhaustion but I'll leave it at this: if you're thinking about a festival and you like french cuisine - go to Pop Montreal. The people are fantastic, the bands will more than likely surprise you and the city is worth the trip in and of itself.

Ron Paul Tells It Like It Is...

2008-09-29T20:13:00.000-04:00

It's almost as if a group of like-minded individuals started a fire in the highest levels of the US' houses of government and financial sectors, fanned the flames as long as they could in order to 'cook their dinners,' then let it spread across the living room and out the front door so that the oven is ruined for the next group to come along. Almost...
And now here's a word from our favorite Texas Rep. Congressman.

US Economy Stalls. Everyone cares but Americans.

2008-09-24T10:49:00.000-04:00

Canadians have been watching, along with the rest of the world, as the US continues on it's dramatic economic decline. From a downward-spiraling auto industry to the subprime mortgage crisis to a proposed $700 billion (US) federal bail-out, the American economy has definitely taken a turn for the worst.
But in the race to fix what's been done, the current US administration is once again pushing legislation past the majority of the electorate without oversight or input from most Americans. It's really not surprising considering the current US Secretary of the Treasury is a former CEO of Goldman Sachs ("a large global bank holding company that engages in investment banking, securities and investment management").
But I digress...

welcome.

2008-09-23T18:40:00.000-04:00

I sure wish I had something important to start this first post with...but with new music covered by my favorite blogs, politics reported by major media outlets every breaking minute and art and environment largely the same, I'm pretty much at a loss for words (but only initially I promise you).
So when in doubt, post an insightful image, cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Banksy is an incredible UK artist famed for his street art and controversial juxtapositions and contextual references.
Enjoi.

_4st.