'Sup in November: Ten Picks

I went to a lot of shows in October (including a Shotgun Jimmie instore and an historical Roky Erickson show with The Sadies that I still have yet to tell you about) which means that I think I'm going to chill out a bit for the month of November. I'll still be catching a few, but I'll likely be limiting it to a few of the smaller ones. Still, there's a lot to do, and here are my picks.

For more detailed listings, as usual, go check out Stillepost, Zoilus and Jen's Weekly List (of shows under $10)

1. Monsters of Folk @ Massey Hall
(Monday November 2nd; Cost: $36.50-$49.50 w/$1 of each going to Foodshare)

If you haven't yet heard about this project, (which, if this is the case, where have you been?) this is the name of a new supergroup consisting of Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket's Jim James and She & Him's Matt Ward. Initially I wasn't all that enthused about this project simply because I'm no longer as big a fan of each of these talented artists as I once was. Conor jumped the shark at the time of the truly boring Cassadega. My Morning Jacket's last two albums also left me wanting, and I never really was a huge fan of M. Ward. But the Monsters of Folk self-titled debut is actually really good, providing some of the best material that any of those artists have produced in some time. I've also heard that the show will feature two and a half hours of material spanning all of their respective careers.

[Myspaces: Monsters of Folk; Conor Oberst; My Morning Jacket; M Ward]

2. Postcards / Easy Targets / The Hoa Hoa's / Volcano @ Rancho Relaxo
(Friday November 6th; Cost: $7)

Psych rock is alive and well in the city of Toronto and 4 of Canada's finest are sharing a bill at the mighty Rancho. Montreal's Postcards play a minimalistic blend of 60's jangle guitar psych and Phil Spector-ish pop. The Easy Targets capture a mid-90's psychedelic shoegaze vibe, not unlike the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The Hoa Hoa's are one of the best garage bands in the city who are currently in the midst of releasing an outstanding new CD entitled Pop/Drone/Pedals that would've made Ian Curtis proud. And opening the evening is Volcano, the side project of The Space Between Things' Chris Hobson, which takes a lo-fi approach into the psychosphere.

[Myspaces: Postcards; Easy Targets; The Hoa Hoa's; Volcano]

3. Rural Alberta Advantage / Fox Jaws / Bahamas @ Lee's Palace
(Friday November 20th; Cost: $15)

The RAA are officially the hottest band in Canada this year, and they're playing another hometown show at Lee's Palace which is sure to be well supported. They're being accompanied by a couple of Nevado Records' finest; namely Fox Jaws and Bahamas. Hopefully the RAA's supporters will get there early enough to give the openers the exposure they rightfully deserve, enabling them to find a spot on next year's list.

The RAA are also playing a free in-store at Soundscapes on Nov 17th.
[Myspaces: Rural Alberta Advantage; Fox Jaws; Bahamas]

4. Ume @ The Horseshoe (Tuesday November 3rd; Cost: Free)

I finally got around to listening to the Sunshower EP by Austin trio Ume (pronounced ooo-may and pictured above) and it's pretty spectacular. The songs are tight examples of only the best in melodic power pop, but with an edgy guitar sound that rips right through you. Apparently frontwoman Lauren Larson is a guitarist with amazing shred all wrapped in a tiny little amicable persona which sounds to me like a compelling contrast. They've been labeled a must-see by several reputable sources, and to fulfill that recommendation for free is an opportunity not to be missed.

[Myspace: Ume]

5. Camera Obscura @ The Phoenix (Thursday November 26th; Cost: $20.50)

Although they're not the most animated performers I've ever seen, it's hard to deny the power of the music. Their latest album My Maudlin Career may not be quite as magnificent as their star making turn with 2006's Let's Get Out Of This Country, but it's still pretty sweet in its own way, and it will definitely be securing a spot in my personal best of in '09.

[Myspace: Camera Obscura]

6. Devendra Banhart @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Friday November 27th; Cost: $29.50)

As much as I admire this beacon of eccentricity, for whatever reason I haven't heard any of his albums since 2005's Cripple Crow. No real excuse for this other than just simply never getting around to it. I also have never actually seen him live, which is an even bigger atrocite considering the fact that he's apparently a very unique performer. Even more unique and eccentric, from what I've heard, is a room full of hippy, freaky Devendra Banhart fans, the entertainment value in which is also likely worth the price of admission. Sadly, I can't make it to this one either, but I will see him one day, just you wait!

[Myspace: Devendra Banhart]

7. The Swell Season @ Massey Hall (Tuesday November 3rd; Cost: $29.50-42.50)

Unlike some people, I never had the opportunity to catch their surprise intimate show at Dakota Tavern in September, but apparently, although the romantic involvement of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is no more, the sounds are still as sweet as ever. This means that Massey Hall will be the perfect setting for them to perform not only the hit songs from Once, but also the newer material from their latest effort entitled Strict Joy.

[Myspace: The Swell Season]

8. The Pretty Faces / Maned Young Lions / Born To Busk @ Rancho Relaxo
(Friday November 27th; Cost: TBA)

The Pretty Faces are an incredibly hooky band that used to live in Waterloo, Ontario before settling in Coral Springs, Florida. Their style is right up my alley as it borrows from many of my favourites like Big Star, Elvis Costello and The Kinks. In other words, the perfect power pop band. Maned Young Lions are a band from Orangeville that I only know in a casual way, but I've had the privilege of hosting a show in the past featuring lead vocalist Rayelle Stainton and I can say with absolute certainty that her talent is staggering. If you're looking for something new and accessible, this show comes highly recommended.

[Myspaces: The Pretty Faces; Maned Young Lions; Born To Busk]

9. Amos The Transparent / The Love Machine / Rival Boys / Michou @ Rancho Relaxo
(Saturday November 19th; Cost: $8)

Looks like the Rancho is the place to be this month, as we witness the return of the always entertaining (especially at the Rancho) Amos the Transparent. Joining them on the bill are fellow Ottawans The Love Machine whose infectious high energy rock throughly impressed me at this year's NXNE. As far as Rival Boys and Michou are concerned, I'm afraid I don't really know much about them other than the fact that they are a couple of Rancho faves whose reputation has become quite the buzz of that particular bar.

[Myspaces: Amos the Transparent; The Love Machine; Rival Boys; Michou]

10. Steely Dan @ Massey Hall
(Wed Nov. 25th & Thurs Nov. 26; Cost: $59.50-159.50)

Well, I'll bet you weren't expecting to see this one on my list. There is no band that raises more eyebrows amongst friends when asked to reveal my favourite bands of all time, but these 70's AM progressive jazz popsters settle nicely in the lower reaches of my top ten. 1977's Aja is an album that I actually crave from time to time and when that craving hits me, nothing else will do. My love of The Dan also explains my attachment to bands like Zero 7 and Midlake, not to mention local acts like The Paint Movement and Make Your Exit. Say what you will, but their influence is obvious (at least to my ears) and I'll bet their highly distinguished sounds would sound amazing at Massey Hall.

[Myspace: Steely Dan]

Honorable Mentions:
There's only a few other shows that I'd like to mention. Former Reily vocalist Megan Bonnell (Nov 1st @ C'est What); Dog Day, Immaculate Machine & Balconies (Nov 5th @ Horseshoe); Islands (Nov 7 @ Mod Club); Peter Bjorn and John & El Perro Del Mar (Nov 11 @ Phoenix); Young Galaxy & The Junction (Nov 13th @ Horseshoe); Invasions, Planet Creature & Davey Parker Radio Sound (Nov 13 @ Silver Dollar); Andre Williams & The Sadies (Nov 19th @ Horseshoe); Devo (Nov 23rd & 24th @ Phoenix); Elvyn (Nov 30 @ Horseshoe)

Where I'll Be:
As I mentioned, I'll be sticking with some of the smaller shows this time around. I'm hoping to catch Ume at the 'shoe, and it would be great to see RAA, Fox Jaws and Bahamas again at Lee's. I will definitely be taking in the psychedelic experience at Rancho Relaxo on the 6th, and I'll certainly be back there again on the 27th to support my friends in the Maned Young Lions. Other than that, the rest of the month is a toss up, so we'll see.

Final Notes:
Just one more thing that I'd like to mention: My computer is currently on its last legs meaning that it's running very slow and overheating regularly. This means that a post like this, which would normally take an hour or so to do, has been taking me approximately a billion hours to do. I'm hoping to get something new early in the month, but until then, my posting might me a little bit on the non-existent side. But I will get those aforementioned reviews up as soon as possible, and when the new 'puter is up and ready to go, I'll hopefully be posting a little bit more regularly again, which means a few more recommendations and rants than I have been providing lately. Until then, enjoy the stupidly colder weather.

[Above Ume photo by Michael Thad Carter]

2008: The Shows

Last year at this time I said that I would definitely be toning down the concert going in 2008 because my frail old body simply cannot sustain the momentum. 2007's final performance tally weighed in at approximately 132 acts. For 2008, the band count was 145. Yep, as per usual I didn't keep to my word as I intended to, but the fact remains that my personal concert going agenda is still about half of what other music bloggers do, so I still feel that I've remained relatively balanced. So to speak.

This year has easily been my favourite concert year thus far, and although I missed some of the big ones like Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine and V-Fest, I still feel pretty good about the shows that I did see. Before I lunge into my list of the best of the best however, let me take a minute to explain how I compiled things this time.

In years past, I've always compiled the list according to individual performances. This year, I've decided to rank the shows as a whole. In other words, instead of counting Eric's Trip and Quest For Fire as two separate entries, I'm going to keep them together since they performed on the same night. However in cases where the opening band were not a real contributing factor to the show's inclusion on this list, I won't be mentioning them at all. Get it? No? Whatever...here's the list...

1. Neil Young & Wilco @ Air Canada Centre on December 5th. (Review)

From the moment that I knew I was attending this one, I had a feeling it would likely be my year end fave. Both bands performed their greatest hits that night and both bands rank within my top 20 favourite artists of all time.

2. My Morning Jacket & The Besnard Lakes @ Kool Haus on June 16th (Review)

I had just finished an intense few days of NXNE-ing and I was completely fried. Add to that the fact that I haaaaaate the Kool Haus, and the odds of me enjoying this show was reduced greatly. However here it is at number two on my list. Yep, they are THAT good!

3. Cuff The Duke, Bruce Peninsula & The Stables @ Horseshoe on August 22nd (Review)

I was filled with some intense Oshawa pride as this show turned out to be one of the greatest surprises of the year for me.

4. Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes & Fox Jaws @ El Mocambo on April 2nd (Review)

This show was a flawless example of controlled chaos as all three bands displayed their amazing ability to rock out, culminating in the best encore of the year.

5. Deerhunter @ Lee's Palace on November 12th (Review)

I've heard Bradford Cox's performances described as everything from train wreck to religious experience but I have to say that whatever audience alienating techniques he had used before, he clearly got that aspect of his persona out of his system. This was a rock show my friends, plain and simple.

6. The Sadies & The Sunparlour Players @ Horseshoe on October 3rd (Review)

It's a fact that if I plan on making a Sadies show a yearly tradition, then they're going be on the list every year. They're simply too amazing for words.

7. Eric's Trip, Quest For Fire & $100 @ Mod Club on June 3rd (Review)

This was a year of legends for me and Eric's Trip are one of those legends. Seeing two of the most amazing current local bands open for them was not too shabby either.

8. R.E.M., Modest Mouse & The National @ Molson Amphitheatre on June 8th (Review)

Seeing one of my top 5 favourite bands of all time for the first time was an amazing experience and this show would likely have been higher if I hadn't stumbled across some better set lists from other shows on the tour.

9. British Sea Power @ Lee's Palace on May 16th (Review)

The band emphasizes the fact that an encore is not necessary if your last song is an intense 10 minute jam that'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

10. Nicole Atkins & The Sea @ Lee's Palace on February 17th (Review)

This woman needs to be experienced live in order to be fully appreciated. Her vocals are guaranteed to send shivers up the old spine.

Honourable mentions:
Evelyn Room, Golden Hands Before God, Spiral Beach & High Dials @ Horseshoe on November 11th (Review)
Broken Social Scene & The Beauties @ Sound Academy on November 28th (Review)
Amos The Transparent @ Supermarket on June 12th (Review)
Fox Jaws @ The Rivoli on June 13th (Review)
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers @ Rancho Relaxo on August 13th (Review)
Hawksley Workman @ Danforth Music Hall on March 7th (Review)
Born Ruffians @ Opera House on November 1st (Review)
Black Diamond Bay @ The Drake on September 10th (Review)
The Dears & The World Provider @ Music Gallery on October 10th (Review)
The Dodos & Au @ Horseshoe on October 6th (Review)

Also, if you're interested in seeing what my top 5 single performances of the year were, then check out my submission over on the blog London, ON: Burgeoning Metropolis. There are lots of other neat blogger lists on there as well.

'Sup in April? Lots.

I've mentioned to you all repeatedly that I'll definitely be toning down the concert going this year, but hey! I can't be a hermit or anything. And the month of April just keeps dumping too many great opportunities on me. Ones that I cannot pass up.

First let's start with what is left of March. I have a lot of other stuff going on this weekend, which means that I had to "just say no" to Saturday night's Basia Bulat, Katie Stelmanis and Amos the Transparent show. It's going to be a doozy, and from what I can tell, there's going to be plenty of blog coverage on it elsewhere, so enjoy reading about it, as I will now have to.

I will however be back in town Sunday night to catch another one of my faves in the all-timers category, Gary Louris at The Mod Club. He has recently released his first solo album following the break up of The Jayhawks and, lo and behold, it sounds like The Jawhawks. That's not a bad thing. It's called 'Vagabonds' and the title track sounds like an anthem that has been around for years. It's a significantly different listen than former bandmate Mark Olson's last solo release (The Salvation Blues,) in that Gary chooses to keep his country significantly more alt than Mark does. Both CD's are great though, which leaves me getting all anticipatory of their upcoming album together, entitled 'Ready For The Flood'. Which is funny because The Jayhawks just broke up. Whatevs. For now, I'm simply looking forward to seeing Louris provide for me what I assume will be a generally laid back evening; something that I could really use right now.

Portland, Oregon's Blitzen Trapper is at the El Mo next Wednesday April 2nd in support of Wild Mountain Nation. I've always liked them but I haven't completely absorbed that album yet. I'm hoping this show is going to force me to do so, because they've never let me down before. They're playing with Fleet Foxes from Washington whom I know very little about, but I am intrigued. At first listen I'm thinking a little My Morning Jacket like perhaps. Sounds good to me. And their name reminds me of another local band I like, who is it now... oh yes! Fox Jaws! And they're opening the show. How could I not attend?

I recently purchased my ticket for Jens Lekman at The Music Gallery on April 7th, with Katie Stelmanis. Most people opted for show number two on April 8th, because it also features Final Fantasy. I didn't, because I don't get Final Fantasy. I just don't. I know he keeps winning stuff, and everybody thinks he's so great and original, and I've got nothing against him but I just don't get it. I'm sorry. However, at this point all my ranting makes really no difference at all, because, due to popular demand, these two shows have now been combined into one. The show is now taking place at the bigger but still intimate Great Hall on Queen West. So I guess I'll just have to see what all the excitement is about. I am very very excited about finally seeing Jens though. I've wanted to for a while.

Do you remember that band Reily that I was borderline obsessed with last year? Well, as I mentioned before, they are sadly no more. However, most of them are now in a band called Bass Lions and they are playing at The Rivoli on April 10th. After missing their show a few times already, I plan on being there. They're playing with Elephant (awesome), Seedy Ease (wicked awesome) and The Monster Show (never heard them but heard they're awesome!)

I also managed to shuffle my way into the sold out MGMT show at Mod Club. I've heard some people say that they're amazing live, while I've heard others say, um, not so much. Well, I'll be the final judge on that one, thank you very much!

Saturday April 19th presents a little bit of a conflict of interest. I had mentioned before that I can't wait to see Destroyer at Lee's Palace. His new album 'Trouble In Dreams' is ahahamaaazing and I love it. However, that same night has Danny Michel at The Mod Club. I have not yet heard his new album 'Feather, Fur and Fin' and, although I like him, I have never LOVED any of his albums. So you're thinking then, what's the conflict right? However, in a very controversial move I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be opting for Danny. But why, you ask? This is simply based on the fact that he is hands down one of the best performers out there, bar none. I've seen him several times, and every show has been a slam dunk. Couple that with the fact that I haven't seen him now for over two years (other than his one song at a Neil Young tribute) and that my wife is guaranteed to come with me if I choose Danny, and all of a sudden, the choice becomes more clear. To me anyways.

And finally, another blast from my rockabilly past is in town at the end of the month, the always enjoyable Reverend Horton Heat. I'm still not 100% sure if I'm going to go to this one or not, but man, it sure would be a lot of fun, wouldn't it? He's also at The Mod Club for two nights on April 29th and 30th.

Whew.

Too tired to throw up a wild montage of linkage so here's all the myspaces where you can hear their stuff, k?

Basia Bulat
Katie Stelamanis
Amos The Transparent
Gary Louris
Mark Olson
Blitzen Trapper
Fleet Foxes
Fox Jaws
Jens Lekman (he bravely and admirably avoids myspace! Bwahahaha!)
Final Fantasy
Bass Lions
Elephant
Seedy Ease
The Monster Show
MGMT
Destroyer
Danny Michel
Reverend Horton Heat

Best of 2007: The Shows

Last year around this time, I was saying that my goal for 2007 was to attend more shows. Well, at 58 shows and 123 different live acts, I'd say mission accomplished. If I had started this blog when I was a younger man, then I'd be looking forward to upping the ante for next year. But alas, I am but a man with many responsibilities and I'll likely have to scale it down a touch for next year. That having been said, choosing the best shows of the year, for the most part, presented a bit of a challenge. But pictured above I would say that these were the top 20. Here are a few of the highlights:

1. Peter Bjorn and John at The Phoenix was by and large my favorite show of the year. It had many things running in its favor. First of all, there was the surprise factor. I knew it was going to be good, but not THAT good. They possessed an energy that reminded me of some of the old footage you would see of The Beatles performing at Shea Stadium. No joking.

Original review is here.
Download: Young Folks mp3
Photos: Peter Bjorn and John @ The Phoenix on flickr

2. Running a very close second was Loney, Dear which gets my vote for the most under appreciated show of the year. This show drew a comparatively smallish crowd, and that's unfortunate because it means that the rest of Toronto was likely doing something less enjoyable. Emil Svanängen is Sweden's most charismatic export and if they ever come back again, you owe it to yourself, dear music lover, to check him out.

Original review is here.
Download: I Am John mp3 / The City, The Airport mp3
Photos: Loney, Dear @ Lee's Palace on flickr

3. Rounding out the easy to choose top 3 was The Sadies team up with John Doe at Lee's Palace for this year's NXNE festival. For years I had heard about how great The Sadies were to see live, and this team up with the legendary John Doe was a perfect introduction for me. There is nothing the Sadies cannot do, and they proved that immensely at this show.

Original review here.
Download: The Golden State by John Doe mp3 / Loved On Look by The Sadies mp3
Photos: John Doe and The Sadies @ Lee's Palace on flickr

The rest of the pictured top 20 are:
4. Okkervil River @ Lee's Palace (review)
5. They Might Be Giants @ The Mod Club (review)
6. Last Town Chorus @ The Phoenix (review)
7. Midlake @ Lee's Palace (review)
8. Stars @ The Phoenix (review)
9. Richard Hawley @ The Horseshoe (review)
10. Nicole Atkins @ Lee's Palace (review)
11. Dinosaur Jr @ The Phoenix (review)
12. Basia Bulat @ Criminal Records (review)
13. Krief @ Rancho Relaxo (review)
14. Ohbijou @ Lee's Palace (review)
15. Sparklehorse @ Mod Club (review)
16. Cold War Kids @ Mod Club (review)
17. Fox Jaws @ Rancho Relaxo (review)
18. Lowest Of The Low @ Horseshoe (review)
19. The Besnard Lakes @ Horseshoe (review)
20. Jason Falkner @ The Reverb (review)

There were also a few single performances that really stood out for me and I just thought I'd mention them as well:

The single best performance I've seen this year was Rick White with The Sadies covering the MC5's "Looking At You". Pure garage rock adrenalin.

Video: The MC5 performing "Looking At You" in 1970 on youtube

I also loved Kevin Drew hopping on stage for the encore of Dinosaur Jr's Phoenix show to perform "The Wagon." The youthful enthusiasm that he portrays from playing with his childhood heroes is very contagious.

Video: Dinosaur Jr performs "The Wagon" at the Reading Festival in 1997 on youtube

And Nicole Atkins' cover of Patti Smith's "Pissing In A River" truly has to be seen to be believed. Captivating to say the least.

Video: Nicole Atkins performing "Pissing In A River" in Copenhagen on youtube

Midlake w/ St. Vincent @ Lee's Palace

Midlake made their Toronto debut last night at Lee’s Palace and it was definitely a show to remember. First off, the opening act St. Vincent (also from Texas) had a terrifically raw sound coupled with a hilariously self-deprecating wit that immediately endeared her to the Toronto crowd. Her name is actually Annie Clark and she is also a member of The Polyphonic Spree. I am stuggling however to describe her own music, especially after hearing it all over again on her myspace page. It sounded raw on stage with only her and her guitar (or keys, whatever the case may be.) But the recorded version of her tunes have a lot more going on, like Kate Bush or Laurie Anderson. Quirky sort of, but in a really cool way, not a really annoying way?!?! Y’know what I mean? Not really? Just listen for yourself on her myspace page. And to get an even deeper sense of what she is all about, check out her blog. An intriguing girl indeed.

I was unbelievably pumped to see Midlake. Been waiting for awhile, and I knew that the show would be nothing short of fantastic. They did not let me down. They stayed relatively reserved, which was appropriate for the music. At one point, my friend leaned over and asked if we had somehow been transported to a Fleetwood Mac show circa ’76. Ain’t that the truth! Lead vocalist, Tim Smith, alternated from lead guitar to keyboards several times throughout the show, working along with main key-guy Evan Jacobs providing all the sounds of a string section without there actually being one. They played just about every song on “Van Occupanther” and threw in a couple of cuts from their other CD, “Bamnan and Silvercork.” They even introduced a new song, which to me sounded deliciously mammoth. This was all done with a series of short films playing on a screen behind them that really complemented the music well. Also, it was next to impossible to wipe the silly grin off of my face during the encore when they broke into “It Covers The Hillsides.” You think that the song couldn’t possibly get any better? You gotta hear it live! Finally, guitarist Eric Nichelson’s final comments on the thrill of playing for us here in Toronto just sounded so blasted sincere than you couldn’t help but feel that the guys in this band are possibly the nicest indie-rock musicians ever.

Download:
It Covers The Hillsides mp3
Visit the Midlake myspace page.

I also took some pictures at the show which you can see on my flickr page.

Also, as a sidenote, here are a few more concerts that I want to go to but probably can’t afford.

Apples In Stereo @ Lee’s Palace on Feb 20th
Do Make Say Think @ Opera House on Feb 27^th
Dean & Britta @ Mod Club on March 12th
The Shins @ Kool Haus (ugh!) on March 17^th
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists @ Mod Club on May 2^nd
Peter Bjorn & John @ The Phoenix on May 6^th (I really hope to make it to this one!)
Arcade Fire @ Massey Hall on May 15th

Camera Obscura w/The Essex Green @ The Opera House

I haven’t been to a really good show for a while, so I was very excited to go to this one. The Essex Green is a band that I’ve been very curious about for a while but have never really taken the time to get to know them. Although I missed the start of their set, what I did catch was excellent. They’re clearly influenced by the folk / pop records of the 60’s, and they even like to throw in a bit of good old fashioned twang. From what I hear, their latest release, Cannibal Sea, is very good and this show convinced me that I should check it out soon. And, at the risk of sounding like a mullet-haired teenager at a Rush concert, the drummer is awesome!

Download: Don’t Know Why You Stay mp3
Listen to more of their music on myspace.
Buy “Cannibal Sea” at Merge Records.

Camera Obscura melted my heart. For the first few songs, it looked like the banter with the audience was going to be minimal, but as the show progressed, the band continued to make a few attempts at interacting with the crowd. Comprised mainly of selections from the “Let’s Get Out Of This Country” release, the songs really translated well to the live stage. I think most of the people at the overpacked Opera House have seen them before, but the double shot of “Lloyd I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken” and “If Looks Could Kill” still made the fans positively giddy. And I love the accent.

Download: If Looks Could Kill mp3
Visit their myspace page.
Buy “Let’s Get Out Of This Country” at Merge Records.

I was too far away to get any good pictures of Essex Green but you can check out my pics of Camera Obscura on my flickr page.
And, as usual, Chromewaves has even better pictures on his website.

Too Many Shows, Not Enough Cash

I was just checking out the current Toronto concert lineup for the next few weeks and there are going to be a slew of great shows coming up. Sadly, I can't afford to go to hardly any of them, but that doesn't mean that many of you won't either. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch a couple of these and if you make it to any of these shows, feel free to share your thoughts and expressions. Here's a list of some of the ones that I'm excited about:

Matt Mays - Jan 20 @ Mod Club
Apostle Of Hustle - Every Wednesday @ The Rivoli starting Jan 24
M. Ward - Jan 27 @ Mod Club
Camera Obscura - Jan 31 @ Opera House (I really hope to make it to this one...)
Grizzly Bear - Feb 6 @ Lee's Palace
Midlake - Feb 12 @ Lee's (This one would also be especially sweet...)
Cuff The Duke - Feb 24 @ Horseshoe
Guster - Feb 26 @ The Phoenix
TV On The Radio - Mar 4 @ Kool Haus
Of Montreal - Mar 13 @ Opera House
Sebadoh - Mar 23 @ Lee's Palace (It would be highly uncharacteristic of me to miss this one...)
Ah well...if I even make it to a few of these I'll be happy. Enjoy the downloads.

Sebadoh - Ocean (Live @ the Gypsy Tea Room) mp3
Sebadoh - Rebound (Live @ KVRX Radio) mp3
Sebadoh - Freed Pig (Live @ Metro in Chicago) mp3
More live Sebadoh can be downloaded at Sebadoh.com

Grizzly Bear - Fix It mp3
Gizzly Bear - Don't Ask (FinalFantasy Remix) mp3

M Ward - Vincent O Brian mp3

Camera Obscura - Come Back Margaret mp3
Camera Obscura - I Need All The Friends I Can Get mp3


NEW! APOSTLE OF HUSTLE! My Sword Hand's Anger mp3
(The new CD is going to be awesome!)