Lovely Killbots, Whale Tooth, Make Your Exit and Amos The Transparent @ The Horseshoe

The last time that I experienced a Whale Tooth / Amos combo, the result was a show that was way too irresistible for words. So to say that I was looking forward to last week's show at The Horseshoe was an understatement to say the least. And of course, the show did not disappoint.

Getting things started off nicely was a little duo called The Lovely Killbots. Besides having a name that is all kinds of way cool, the sound coming out of this tiny band was rather astonishing. The band is comprised of Lauralee on piano and vocals, and Ryan on the drums. While the setup would suggest a simple and rudimentary sound, the fact is that this duo is anything but. Individually, each member is incredibly talented at their respective instruments, and when you add to that several levels of imagination and originality, you're met with a force that is really quite impressive. They specialize in a very dramatic style of indie pop that blends nicely with some jazzy overtones and slight leanings to cabaret pop.

The Lovely Killbots are playing NXNE at Rancho Relaxo on June 20th.
Photos: The Lovely Killbots at The Horseshoe on flickr
Myspace: The Lovely Killbots

The performance put on by Whale Tooth was an absolute triumph. I really enjoyed the last time that I saw them, but this time around they catapulted themselves into my top ten local bands for sure. Elise LeGrow is an amazing frontwoman, exuding all of the style, charisma and a good clean sense of fun that makes her impossible to ignore when she's bopping around on that stage. The fact that her sultry vocal croon is currently unmatched within this genre of dancey feel good pop music means that their performances are always going to be unique enough to stand out from the crowd. Guitarist and vocalist Norm Maschke proved himself, once again, to be the perfect accompaniment for Elise and the band played with vigorous enthusiasm. If you get the chance to check them out when they play NXNE this year, they come highly recommended.

Whale Tooth are playing NXNE at The Boat on June 18th.
Photos: Whale Tooth at The Horseshoe on flickr
Myspace: Whale Tooth

The fact that this was most likely a very well thought out bill became ever more apparent once Make Your Exit hit the stage, simply because their performance convinced me that this evening was showcasing some of the best acts that the local scene has to offer. I've heard a bit of the local buzz surrounding the band, but have not personally taken the time to examine their music as I should. It's very hard to keep up, y'know? Still, Make Your Exit wowed me from the get-go, as they showcased a sound that was not unlike the many collective type bands that our country has grown synonymous with. They actually reminded me quite a bit of one of my other current local faves, namely The Paint Movement. Both bands are very celebratory in feel, as they try to straddle that fine line between jammy-ness and over blown pretentiousness. Thankfully, neither band cross over that line, and Make Your Exit are an example of art-mospheric jazz tinged brass rock culminating in a soaring climax that is hard to follow.

Make Your Exit are playing an NXNE Showcase at Clinton's on June 19th.
Photos: Make Your Exit @ The Horseshoe on flickr
Myspace: Make Your Exit

To be honest, it's getting harder to think of new things to say about Amos The Transparent. The fact that this is my 4th time seeing them this year should tell you that I like them a little bit. And the fact that they trek down to our city so often all the way from Ottawa, is evidence of the fact that they love coming to Toronto. And with the reception that they've been receiving lately, who can blame them? After the rambunctious shouts of applause that accompanied set opener Lemons, frontman Jonathan Chandler stated with a hearty guffaw, "We're not in Ottawa anymore!" While I've got to believe that his claim of our capital's lack of enthusiasm for AoT has got to be exaggerated a bit (especially since I know personally of at least one Ottawan that sings the praises of Amos regularly), it really does show that Toronto's love for this great band is worthy of mention. As usual, the audience sang enthusiastically to almost every song that was played, and understandably, the band fed off of that zeal nicely. I'm looking forward to checking them out yet again, hopefully at this year's NXNE: i (heart) music showcase at The Drake on June 18th.

Photos: Amos The Transparent @ The Horseshoe on flickr
Myspace: Amos The Transparent

'Sup In January

I have to admit that a part of me has been enjoying the last few weeks away from the concert goings. I've read somewhere that the best way to know whether or not you're addicted to something is to try doing without it for awhile and see how you hold up. At this point I can honestly say that live music has finally become an enjoyable pastime in my life without being the hardcore addiction that it once was. So, now that I know I can quit anytime, it only makes sense to get right back at it again, doesn't it? Starting tomorrow night...

As I just finished contesting out on this page, Amos The Transparent is playing a TWM show at Rancho Relaxo on Friday January 2nd with Whale Tooth and Bellewoods. I just got the heads up that Amos is going to be filling the tiny Rancho stage with the six piece version of themselves. I also know that there are going to be a lot of people there so I'd definitely get there early, if I were you. $7. [Myspaces: Amos The Transparent, Whale Tooth, Bellewoods]

The 2nd anniversary of local indie label Out Of This Spark is being celebrated here in the city on Saturday January 10th at the Tranzac. Looks like it's bound to be a pretty wicked show since it's featuring some of the buzziest buzz bands that the city has to offer, namely The D'Ubervilles, Forest City Lovers, Timber Timbre and Jenny Omnichord. Tix are $8 w/ a non-perishable food item; $10 without. [Myspaces: The D'Ubervilles, Forest Ciy Lovers, Timber Timbre, Jenny Omnichord]

Another interesting looking show is at the Tranzac on Wednesday January 14th, when Entire Cities takes the stage once again. I've likely just been in the dark, but it feels like it's been forever since they've played live in the city. At any rate, it has been forever since I've seen them, and that just might be a good opportunity to do so again. They are sandwiched inbetween a couple of acts called Hobson's Choice (who are also doing a CD release show earlier in the week on the 10th, also at Tranzac) and The Owle Bird. $5 [Myspaces: Hobson's Choice, Entire Cities, The Owle Bird]

After an exciting jaunt opening for Broken Social Scene on tour, Montreal's Land Of Talk are headlining a show at The Horseshoe on Thursday January 15th. I'm thinking that this may be a good time to see them since Saddle Creek has been promoting them quite heavily as of late and their stock seems to be rising rather quickly. The days of seeing them for $12 at the 'Shoe may not be around for much longer. [Myspace: Land of Talk]

If a heavy hitting rock show is your thing, than you'll want to be at The Horseshoe on Friday January 16th when glamy thrash metal rockers Diemonds take the stage with Dean Lickyer, Drunkula, Birthday Boys and Left Of Zero opening. Not sure if I can make it or not, but I have to admit that Diemonds throwback classic rock sound has been mildly intriguing me for awhile. You can take the man out of the rawk but you can't take the rawk out of the man. Or something like that. $7 [Myspaces: Diemonds, Dean Lickyer, Drunkula, Birthday Boys, Left Of Zero]

One of the best bands in the city, Dinosaur Bones is celebrating their one year anniversary at The Horseshoe on Saturday January 17th with The Junction and Black Hat Brigade. Stay tuned because I've got a pretty cool Dinosaur Bones prize pack contest coming up soon that will allow you to win tix for this show. Otherwise, you'll be dropping a cool $7, which is still a great deal if you ask me. [Myspaces: Dinosaur Bones, The Junction, Black Hat Brigade]

Unfortunately for me, I've got a bit of a scheduling conflict on that day, because I'll be at El Mocambo on Saturday January 17th to see Bishop Allen (pictured above) perform in promotion of their upcoming Grr.. album which is due out in March. I loved their show the last time they were in town so I doubt that my feelings on this one should be any different. Opening for them are Electric Owls (from North Carolina) and the adorable Hooded Fang. $10 [Myspaces: Bishop Allen, Electric Owls, Hooded Fang]

Nickel Eye is at El Mocambo on Tuesday January 20th in support of his upcoming debut entitled The Time Of The Assassins. This is the "cleverly" monikered new act featuring Strokes' bassist Nikolai Fraiture. Personal opinion: It's never a good thing to have your name looking THAT similar to Nickelback. *shudder* Tix are $12. [Myspace: Nickel Eye]

The Fembots will be banging their pots and pans at The Horseshoe on Friday January 23rd with The Harbourcoats, Tusks and Great Bloomers. $8 [Myspaces: The Fembots, Tusks, Great Bloomers]

It's been a long time since I've had the chance to see Oh No Forest Fires so I just might pop in to check them out on Sunday January 25th at Sneaky Dee's with Adolf Glitter and The Weirdies. PWYC [Myspaces: Oh No Forest Fires, Adolf Glitter, The Weirdies]

Anf finally, a nice way to end the month would be by going back to everyone's favourite watering hole Rancho Relaxo on Thursday January 29th for the very first IndieCredit charity show. This will be headlined by Lovely Killbots and supported by Wilderness of Manitoba and Wendy Leung. Cost: TBA [Myspaces: Lovely Killbots, Wilderness of Manitoba, Wendy Leung]

Welcome to 2009, and I'll blog to ya soon!

'Sup In November

Well, although I've been listening to current releases by everyone from Deerhoof (very good) to Of Montreal (not so good) as well as several local acts (mostly good), I'm afraid I just haven't had it in me to whip up any new reviews right now. No particular reason other than a mild lack of inspiration I guess. So I figured in the meantime, I'd do my monthly "Sup In..." post a few days earlier because these are generally informative enough without requiring a great deal of creative writing. I've got a few cool shows that I'll be attending in November, as well as a few others that I probably won't but I still think are pretty cool for other people to attend.

I've always looked at The Skydiggers as Canada's answer to The Jayhawks, since both bands have released several albums of high quality alt-country; doing so at a time when people weren't really calling it alt-country yet. They're currently promoting their latest release called City Of Sirens, and this promotion brings them to The Mod Club on Saturday November 1st. $25.00.

Myspace: The Skydiggers

Born Ruffians are also playing The Opera House on that same day. Saturday November 1st. $12.00.

Myspace: Born Ruffians

There's all kinds of exciting stuff going on with my current favourite new discovery Olenka and the Autumn Lovers. They've got both a new full length album AND a new EP being released very very shortly and their playing a show in Toronto at The Press Club (850 Dundas) on Sunday November 2nd. It's an early show, the doors are at 6:30pm. Cost: TBA.

Myspace: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers

I've been looking forward to seeing local Hi Hat Recording artists Clouds (That Look Like Things) again since the last time that I saw them, and what better way to do so than for free at The Horseshoe as part of Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite on Tuesday November 4th. This is their EP release party, but they are on first at 9:10pm. Free.

Myspace: Clouds (That Look Like Things)

Speaking of bands that I can't wait to see again, two of such bands are playing exactly one week later at the same venue for exactly the same price (I think) with two other awesome bands. To celebrate the kick off of registration for NXNE 2009, two of my local favourites Spiral Beach and The Golden Hands Before God are playing The Horseshoe on Tuesday November 11th. Joining them will be The High Dials and The Evelyn Room. You are a fool if you don't attend this one. Free (I think)

Myspace: Spiral Beach
Myspace: The Golden Hands Before God
Myspace: The High Dials
Myspace: The Evelyn Room

Also on Tuesday November 11th is Drive By Truckers with The Hold Steady at The Phoenix. But it's sold out. $27.50.

Myspace: Drive By Truckers
Myspace: The Hold Steady

On Wednesday November 12th, Atlanta's Deerhunter (pictured above) are going to be playing Lee's Palace. I picked up my tickets right away since I am such a big fan of both Cryptograms and Microcastle. However, I've been reading up on Bradford Cox's, erm, concert etiquette, and I'm realizing that this show has the potential to be either amazing or a train wreck. Thankfully, all the reports I've heard of this current tour have been very positive so I'm looking forward to this being a great show. I really hope so, because the new album is just too good. He is playing with Times New Viking and Neighborhood Council. $12.00.

Myspace: Deerhunter
Myspace: Times New Viking
Myspace: Neighborhood Council

On Thursday November 13th, the bizarre double bill of Iron and Wine with Blitzen Trapper are going to be playing The Phoenix. As far as I know, the show is sold out which means that I guess that I won't be going. I've got mixed feelings about this since Blitzen Trapper has released one of the best albums of the year. Iron and Wine, on the other hand, I'm just not feeling these days. At all. So I guess I'm not all that bummed about not going. For the most part. $25.00.

Myspace: Iron and Wine
Myspace: Blitzen Trapper

The Sea and Cake are at Lee's Palace on Friday November 14th. $15.00

Myspace: The Sea And Cake

A friend of mine saw Calexico just a few months ago and said that it was unbelievable. I saw Cuff The Duke a few months ago and said that it was also unbelievable. Well, they're playing together on Tuesday November 15th at The Phoenix. My prediction: UNBELIEVABLE! $18.50.

Myspace: Calexico
Myspace: Cuff The Duke

The Lovely Killbots are having their CD release party on Saturday November 22nd at Rancho Relaxo. Clouds (That Look Like Things) are opening for them along with Montreal's After The Weather. $6.

Myspace: The Lovely Killbots
Myspace: After The Weather

For someone who was incredibly impressed with Ohbijou's live show last year, I've certainly been missing seeing them a lot lately. Well, I'm going to get another chance when they play Lee's Palace on Thursday November 27th with The Acorn. Except I don't think that I can make it. $10.00.

Myspace: The Acorn
Myspace: Ohbijou

And finally, Broken Social Scene are playing two shows at the Sound Academy on Thursday November 27th and Friday November 28th. As I've mentioned before, I've already got my ticket for the second show. I'm anxious to know which incarnation of the band I'll be seeing that night. It's been a couple of years since I saw them last, and Feist has been there every time. Now I know that she doesn't perform with them all that much these days, but her current tour schedule says that she's in Toronto at Massey Hall on the 1st, and the ACC on the 3rd. From there she goes to Montreal, and then does a few dates on the east coast. But after the 10th, I really don't know what she's doing. I know she's in Norway for the Nobel Peace Prize concert on December 11th. Hmmm. Just thinking out loud, that's all. $26.50 for BSS tix. Feist tix are $39.50-49.50 for Massey Hall & $29.20-49.50 for ACC.

Myspace: Broken Social Scene
Myspace: Feist

OK, good night; brain hurts; going to bed now.