VIDEO: Mansions, Young Statues (Acoustic)
Two skilled breakout artists from 2011, Christopher Browder and Carmen Cirignano of MANSIONS and YOUNG STATUES (respectively) present a different side to the term “indie rock”, using the emotions that compose music and translating them into a softer, more raw output. What followed were two stunning records and as both groups made a tour stop in Toronto – which just happened to be during Canadian Music Week – we rendezvoused... Read More
VIDEO: DZ Deathrays – “Gebbie St” (Live)
One of the most talked about bands during Canadian Music Week, Australian thrash duo DZ DEATHRAYS came, jammed and conquered with a fistful of shows that rubbed off more energy than a PowerBar. In between their sets across Toronto, we were able to catch guitarist Shane Parsons and drummer Simon Ridley take their enormous shreds to the iconic spot Sonic Boom Records, where numbers like “Gebbie St.” (above) kicked, rattled and ripped. The... Read More
VIDEO: Grey Kingdom (Acoustic – CMW 2012)
During the fluid rush of Canadian Music Week, we managed to track down singer-songwriter Spencer Burton, otherwise known as GREY KINGDOM, whose raw, acoustic rock turbulence has become a distinguished and eclectic sound that’s hard to let go of. After his performance at Sonic Boom Records, the rock vet played a stripped version of a new song that slow-danced as a duet and echoed brilliantly in the corridor of downtown Toronto. Grey Kingdom’s... Read More
VIDEO: Kalle Mattson (Acoustic – CMW 2012)
Compared to the sincerity of Bob Dylan and the eccentric, creative honesty of Conor Oberst and M. Ward, Ottawa’s very own KALLE MATTSON is slowly becoming a popular name in Canadian music thanks to an instrumental talent and voice that’s rare, revealing and candid. A day after his CMW 2012 gig in Toronto, we met up with Kalle Wainio and co. who performed two new songs straight from their catalogue, echoing an open youthfulness that’s... Read More
GOING LIVE: CMW 2012 – Day Three
Continuing a stretch run of sheer dominance over the city of Toronto, Canadian Music Week showed no sign of giving up on the headlock it had in place. With help from ear-scratching indie rock finesse (DEVIN, CLOUD NOTHINGS), violently teasing shades of electro pop (DRAGONETTE, YOUNG EMPIRES) and a quick-draw one-two punch in homegrown rock with ZEUS and the night’s surprise guest DAN MANGAN, Friday’s barrage of shows embellished a relentless... Read More
GOING LIVE: CMW 2012 – Day Two
“IT’S THIRSTY THURSDAY!!!”. With the weather peaking and Canadian Music Week starting to send more hooks than jabs, embracing local brews and tunes became the provincial theme for the festival as bands poured out into venues by the hour. From punk acts I CALL FIVES, PARTYCAT and SKIP THE FOREPLAY handing out heavy dosages of ripping chords to BREWS WILLIS and COURAGE MY LOVE shedding a new side to local music, the atmosphere was... Read More
VIDEO: Michael Kiwanuka (Acoustic – CMW 2012)
Having recently performed at South By Southwest, BBC Sound Of 2011 recipient MICHAEL KIWANUKA visited Toronto for an exclusive Canadian Music Week performance. Like anyone would expect from British songwriter, the stripped down industry set at The Spoke Club took advantage of the private setting, letting the 24-year-old blues troubadour’s attitude rein free. Film can show a detailed picture, as we managed to capture the clip of above, but music,... Read More
GOING LIVE: CMW 2012 – Day One
To kick off five days of rock n’ roll, late night bar crawls home and a steady breakfast/lunch/dinner of pizza and poutine, CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK opened it’s curtains, letting local troops and nostalgia shake the city. Between TREBLE CHARGER headlining with their return and grit punkers DIE MANNEQUIN scratching at the walls on College Street, festival newbies DZ DEATHRAYS, TWIN ATLANTIC, and CAREERS IN SCIENCE bashed out explosive tunes... Read More
BLARE’s 25 Must-Hear Bands At CMW 2012
Let’s face it: it’s March, the weather’s nice and you’d rather be outside, right? Why not take in some tunes? As it’s getting the big 3-0 this year (meaning 30th), CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK is looking to do some damage in the city battling the heat with a fistful of bands (over 800 to be exact) at more than 60 venues, not to mention day showcases by names that deserve the utmost respect (Sonic Boom’s In-Stores) and are... Read More