Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #12

Wow, so, I just about forgot about this. Big news from Threat Shark West. Kergin is heading east. And north. Seriously north. Fort McMurray will be my new location, as a intern cub reporter with Fort Mac Today.

Sweet, paid for my words. A move up!

Anyways, the whole process has distracted me for this week, so I wasn’t able to put together my regular theme idea. Instead you’ll get pieces of three themes I had been slowly growing. Celtic punk, Hip Hop and then Canadian Music Corner bands. Three from each of those, and a bonus song, so let’s get going!

CLICK HERE, MY SON, FOR THE MUSIC.

1. The Wellits – For McMurray
   So this song doesn’t really work for me in that the story told isn’t really mine. BUT! He does mention Fort McMurray multiple times, and it’s the name of the song, so that puts into the opening spot tonight. I actually know very little about the Wellits, they’re from Montreal… They’re not a big band by any means, but they seem to have that Albertan acoustic punk thing I heard from some of the stuff Rocca played for me, mixed with a bit of a celtic feel and working class ideas. Decent lyrics too, pretty topical.
2. The Stanfields – Ship to Shore
   One of my favourite bands right now, especially on the celt-punk frontier. Hailing from Nova Scotia these guys are already looking like the next big thing in the genre after Dropkick Murphys, The Streetdogs and Floggin Molly. A little more Canadian and maritime than the others, but same working class, beer swilling righteous punk attitude. This particular example is all about the poor fighting the battles while the rich watch.
3. The Real McKenzies – Fool’s Road
   The classic Canadian-Scottish punk band. Out of Vancouver, these guys have been around forever and a bit. I remember watching the punk show on Much Music years ago and watching these guys. If your going to talk about bagpipes and electric guitars in Canada, these guys have to be part of the conversation. This is one of their newer tracks, and you can hear some wear in the singer’s voice, but it really adds to the song if anything. The raspy shout of a reality. Also, note the awesome guitar/bagpipe duos.
4. Classified – Oh…Canada
   The most likely track on this list that you’ve heard, this is the most patriotic piece as well. Classified may be a little generic for the hip hop arena, but he’s got pretty good lyrics and strong accompaniment. On top of that, this just a great piece of pump up music before national sports games. Olympics this summer? Put this on the playlist.
5. Wordburglar ft. More or Less – Rhyme O’clock
   Ok, so this might not be the most serious piece of music, but Classified did just point out we have a sense of humour. This is actually fairly middle of the road for SJ the Wordburglar, also a son of the Halifax region. He’s done some sketch comedy and bounced around the business for 5 or 6 years now. This track reminds me of some of the older days for some reason, like the 80’s or early nineties.
6. Kyprios – This is my hit
   Conceptually great, Kyprios deconstructs the marketing and construction of many of todays hit songs, making it meta by writing it like a hit. Great, if cynical, piece and nails the industry, I’m not sure if anyone has so concisely taken a look at the industry in a 4 minute song. Kyp is part of the Sweatshop Union as well, and has pretty good c.v. behind him. When the Canucks made it to game 7 a couple years ago he put a song together for the occasion which got some play, and Ignorance is Beautiful (off the same album) made it on to Much Music a few years ago, also taking swipes at mainstream culture. On top of that he released a video awhile ago, I’ll see if I can find it later, where he took a pretty well worded shot at racism, just vox, no beat.
7. Bruce Peninsula – Crabapples
   The Canadian Music Corner section now. Bruce Peninsula was my first choice for the column. I found these guys after hearing a movie trailer, and the song stuck with me. And Crabapples isn’t even my favourite song by them, Satisfaction is, but it’s a little more…it’s just different, and maybe not the best way to introduce people to their sound. The heavy percussion and group chants are what do it for me here. There’s melody back there, but it’s not delivered in the normal way, it’s part of the beat. Toronto, that’s where these guys are from, if you’re curious.
8. Owen Pallett – He Poos Clouds
   Just to get it out of the way, the title and theme of this album and song are based on the game Dungeons and Dragons. Now you can stop asking about it. If this string quartet style hits you right, then Pallett (formerly aka Final Fantasy) is a good choice. If your looking for something else, you’ve come to the wrong song writer. A winner of the first Polaris Music Prize, a pretty big deal in Canada now, there’s a lot to be said about him.
9. Rococode – Empire
   A few bands based in Vancouver have lost members to this band, or at least lent. Members of Tegan and Sara (neither Tegan nor Sara) , Hannah Georges backing band and an ex-member of Said the Whale have come together in this indie-pop group. These guys hit the ground running, this song was just released earlier this year, they’re already that polished. And to support it they’ve been all over this part of the woods. Literally in some cases, they just spent the weekend near Cathedral Grove playing in Tall Trees 3 (Vancouver Islanders will know what I’m saying). Maybe not the most stand out piece ever, but I so wish this is what pop music was these days.
10. Immaculate Machine – Dear Confessor
    And the bonus. A band based in Victoria and Vancouver, these guys have had some line-up changes. I think at one point a class-mate of mine was in there even. I chose this particular piece because of the voices, the harmonies and intertwining that go on. I’m not sure of intertwining is what it’s supposed to be called, but when you hear it you’ll know what I’m talking about. Also, the trade-off of leading vocals is interesting, like rappers who trade verses, the female leads for a spot. It’s almost like a song-in-the-round. A little complicated, but well done here.

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #11

Kergin made a big deal when we hit playlist #10 last week and deservedly so. Who ever knew we would make it to 10? For those of you who don’t know, both Kergin and myself have a bad tendency to chew off more than we can handle. But this time we have broken the trend!

I am going to make a big deal about playlist #11 this week. Why? Because 11 is my most favourite number ever. I wore for a few years playing minor hockey and for whatever reason it just stuck with me.

Without any more delay, let’s roll along to the music.

BOOM BOOM BOOM MUSIC PUMPS WHEN YOU CLICK HERE!

1. Tearing Me Down by Old Time Machine – For the first time in the history of the Threat Shark Summer playlist series, we travel north. And I don’t mean north, like northern Alberta north. I mean past the northern border of the provinces and into the Yukon! Old Time Machine is a two-piece bluesy folk rock act from Whitehorse. Tearing Me Down can be found on their self-titled 2012 album.
2. White Doves by Young Empires – I say it almost every week, but considering my current locale of Toronto, you can expect us to spend a lot of time listening to Toronto-based bands. It just seems appropriate. Young Empires is an electronic rock group based out of Toronto. Something about their sound really reminds me of Foster the People. White Doves was released as a single in Nov. 2011.
3. Pool Hoppin’ by Octoberman – Staying in ‘The Big Smoke,’ next up we have Octoberman, a six-pack alternative rock act. Quiet, calm and catchy, Pool Hoppin’ is a fun little song that will get your foot tappin’. It can be found on Octoberman’s 2012 album, Waiting in the Well.
4. Count On Me by Cuff the Duke – Hailing from Oshawa, Ont., Cuff the Duke have a little bit of a country twang in their music. Nothing overpowering, just enough to give them a folky sound. Morning Comes is their most recent release, hitting shelves in October 2011. It features Count On Me.
5. Two Feet Stand Up by Cookie Duster – First off, this may be the single best band name that I have ever seen. If Cookie Duster isn’t a fun band name, then I don’t know what is. The four-piece act from Toronto features the gritty female lead vocals of Jeen O’Brien. Fast paced and upbeat, Cookie Duster bears some similarities to Canada’s alt. rock heroes, Metric.
6. wOW! by Artist of the Year – Electro dance pop from Montreal sounds like a good time and Artist of the Year proves that it in fact is. Up Yours is the latest album from the Montreal group. wOW! has a very funky sound to it that at times reminds me of LCD Soundsystem and Ratatat.
7. Ropes That Way by Dirty Ghosts – Another Toronto rock group, Dirty Ghosts features more strong female lead vocals courtesy of Allyson Baker. Baker lists XTC and The Police as just a couple of the significant influences on her music and there are definitely hints of each in Ropes That Way, which can be found on Dirty Ghosts’ February 2012 release, Metal Moon.
8. Think So Now by Cedar Park ft. Esthero – I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, for whatever reason I am really digging female vocalists right now. This track is no exception to that current trend in my musical tastes with Esthero providing the vocals. Cedar Park is a one-man band, Dylan White. His latest record, Way Back Home, features guests vocalists such as Esthero and was produced by Emm Gryner, who was featured on Threat Shark recently.
9. The Villain by AUSTRA – The more I listen to AUSTRA, the more I fall in love. The ghostly and eerie lyrics of Katie Stelmanis and Maya Postepski just give me chills. The Villain comes from AUSTRA’s 2011 release Feel It Break.
10. One Shot by Bend Sinister – This Vancouver pop-rock act treats our ears and teases us with one more sneak peak from their up-and-coming album Small Fame. One Shot is another fun track with simple but catchy keys that roll along nicely with the vocals provided by Daniel Moxon. I’m loving this band right now and hope you do too!

That does it for another week of Threat Shark Summer for yours truly. Mr. Kergin will return on Thursday with *GASP* playlist #12!

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #10

We’ve made it 10 playlists, that’s actually pretty good.

This week we’re going to go into some less organic sounds with turntabalism, discopunk and a variety of synth based music forms. Canada hasn’t been super well known for it’s electro stars, but there are some out there, and there is a scene which supports them.

A reminder to that point, Canada does have well over 34 million people. While people always refer to us as a smaller country population-wise, that’s not so true. We’re spread out is the big thing, and live next to the third largest population in the world, so comparatively, ya, we’re not huge. BUT, we’re  the 35th largest country by pop. and have a few urban and cultural centers, so I think it’s time we started looking to home grown talent in the more cutting edge or urban cultural movements.

So with that we enter into a lot of blip, scratches, synths and altered music.

With great power comes great re-MUSIC!

1. Get Up! by Skratch Bastid off the album Get Up!
   Scratch Bastid has been around for awhile and worked with most of the big names in his genrea. When I saw Buck 65 Bastid was his DJ for the evening and actually opened up the set before Cadence Weapon Showed up. Catchy hooks from a few different genres make up a great opener.
2. ’88 by Cadence Weapon
   I’ve been talking about Cadence Weapon for awhile. To me, he’s got one of the most unique sounds out there with a really basic, minimalistic sound usually and clipped verses filled with great word use. Not got a great voice for singing, but it works for what he’s doing and he’s not trying to become some great vocal talent, it’s all about the construction. Produced with sudden electronic star Grimes (who was on the long version of this list).
3. Black History Month by Death From Above 1979 (Remixed by Josh Homme)
   DFA 1979 are a great band to get into if you haven’t already come across them. They only made one album while they were together the first time, as a duo, and I haven’t heard of any new full length piece coming soon. Josh Homme, for those who aren’t big rock fans, is the guy behind Queens of the Stone Age among many other projects. He’s married to the Distillers Brody Dalle and produced one of the albums for the Arctic Monkeys. And of course he and Dave Grohl have crossed paths, most notably in the super group Them Crooked Vultures. Anywho, he took to the sound boards and computers and gave this a new shiny look.
4. Beards Again by MSTRKRFT
   Ok, I had to go for their track “Beards Again,” how couldn’t I? MSTRKRFT is the side project of one of the guys from DFA 1979 and the producer of DFA 1979’s one album. Similar to Jesse Keeler’s previous work, with more electronics, and no vocals here, but they have some awesome power chords, stealing a little from the metal scene.
5. Alive Again by DJ Champion
   This guy has had a couple hit on alt rock radio, and I think this one made a bit of a splash as well. A really up beat track, easy to bounce your head to when sitting at a computer typing up a blog. Nothing too edgy, but a great pop-electronic piece. Champion is really the man behind the music, as a lot of the guitars and vocals are played by others. Good news from his camp as well, he wen’t through a scare with lymphoma a couple years ago, but as of last year seemed to be clean.
6. Hollowpoint by USS
   I’ve been listening to these guys for a little while now as they seem to be popular locally. I’m not sure what kind of national success they’re having, but they seem to pop by the west coast a couple times a year on tours of some sort, which is great. A pretty unique sound with a singer-and-DJ set up, they’ve really got a unique sound, grabbing sounds from all over the place, scratches, synths, drum machines are mixed with sound effects with the vocals floating on top. Some pretty decent lyrics too.
7. Odessa by Caribou
   These guys have hit a good gig, spending a good chunk of this year touring as the opening band for Radiohead. Not just Canada either, all over Europe and the US. The man behind them is Dan Snaith, who first made waves as Manitoba, but had to change that to Caribou due to a lawsuit. Now edging on 10 years in the music business, it looks like that math degree will have to wait.
8. Celestica by Crystal Castles
   Ok, so the producer/DJ and a vocalist type thing is taking off. Duos are hot, what can I say. This pair is a futuristic, up beat creation out of Toronto, like many others. While they may have a common-ish back story, they style make great chill out music you can kinda float along to.
9. 911 by Death to Sexy
   A Victoria outfit that may not exist anymore…I can’t find much current info on them. They seemed to be going somewhere, following in the steps of bands like Dragonette. They even had a well produced music video made…in 2008. Ah well, I really liked the track when I first heard it.
10. Ghosts’n’Stuff by Deadmau5
    For all the trance and house fans out there. Actually, if you’re a Canadian interested in house, then you know Deadmau5. Probably the biggest Canadian name in those genres he’s built up a pretty decent fanbase outside of Canada in a scene that’s mostly based in Europe.

Apologies for my post last week, it was  a good set of music, but I was all over the place, getting fired sucks.

– B

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #9

I spend a lot of time riding transit. This is something new to me. While it is something I hope I never get used to doing, it is the reality of living in a city the size of Toronto.

One thing that this has allowed me to do is read books I’ve been meaning to read for far too long.

Right now I’m leafing through the pages of “Open Ice” by Jack Falla. “Open Ice” is a compilation of essays on “reflections and confessions of a hockey lifer.”

Fitting considering my current place of employment.

The other day I finished reading one of Falla’s essays that touched on hockey and mortality, all structured around the great Maurice “Rocket” Richard.

You might be wondering, “what does Maurice Richard have to do with Threat Shark?! Just gimme the damn music!”

If we were speaking face-to-face, I would simply tell you to scroll past my mutterings and get to the music. The only thing stopping you from doing that is yourself.

This is playlist #9. “Rocket” Richard wore #9 during his great days and despite the fact that he has been gone from the game and earth for quite some time, I still think about him whenever the #9 comes to mind. I think about someone else when the #9 is brought to attention as well, but that isn’t as fun of a story.

If you don’t know who “Rocket” Richard is, I seriously encourage you to go pick up “Open Ice” by Jack Falla. Read that one essay. I found myself a hardcover copy for only $6.99 at Chapters. You don’t have to be a hockey fan. Falla’s essays are about life and its many tales, simply using hockey as the lace to tie everything together.

And now, onto the music.

CLICKETY CLICK FOR TUNAGE.

1. I Got You Babe by bahamas – From right here in Toronto, Ont., bahamas is chilled out folk rock courtesy of Finnish-Canadian Afie Jurvanen. He has worked with Canadian folk pop darly, Feist and typically performs solo and acoustic. I Got You Babe can be found on bahamas’ album Barchord.
2. 300 Pages by The Balconies – Kergin did a throw back to groups with strong female vocals during the eighth edition of Threat Shark Summer and I’m going to piggy-back on that a bit. The Balconies features Jacquie Neville on lead vocals and guitar. Her voice is powerful and carries throughout 300 Pages. Another Toronto group, 300 Pages can be found on The Balconies’ July 2011 EP, Kill Count.
3. Fisticuffs & Affidavits by PARLOVR – Hailing from the city where the aforementioned Maurice Richard’s name came to fame, PARLOVR is a three-piece alt. rock group. Fisticuffs & Affidavits even has hints of early 1950-60s rock ‘n’ roll; it might not have been so out of place during the Richard’s glory years. Fisticuffs & Affidavits can be found on PARLOVR’s 2012 release, Kook Soul.
4. Walk With Me by memoryhouse – More soothing female vocals. I can’t get enough! memoryhouse defines themself as space pop. I certainly can’t argue because Walk With Me definitely gives me the feeling that I’m floating peacefully, as if gravity had nothing to do with me whatsoever. From Guelph, Ont., memoryhouse released The Slideshow Effect in February 2012.
5. Come On Out by The Elwins – Apparently I am getting very attached to Ontario bands. The Elwins call Keswick, Ont. home and their track Come On Out has received the most plays of any of their songs on CBC Music. So now you can take someone else’s word for it when I tell you that this is an awesome song.
6. Tuff Ghost by The Unicorns – Breaking away from my Ontario spell for another moment. The Unicorns hail from “no home, Q.C.” Wait, that can’t be right. Ok, so maybe they are just claiming to be from Quebec in general. Let’s go with that. Tuff Ghost is a fitting title for this track, because the organ present throughout gives a very chilling feeling, almost as if the listener is wandering the halls of a haunted house, forever lost. Tuff Ghost can be found on The Unicorns’ 2003 album, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone.
7. New Wild Everywhere by Great Lake Swimmers – Back into Toronto with the Great Lake Swimmers. This folk band has been around since 2003, with their self-titled debut release. New Wild Everywhere was released in April 2012.
8. Hallways by Islands – Back to Montreal! Islands also hails from the home of Les Habitants and Maurice Richard. The catchy piano track is what first caught my attention on this track. I couldn’t help but tap my foot along. Hallways can be found on Islands’ 2012 release, A Sleep & A Forgetting.
9. Americanarama by Hollerado – Last Ontario band of the night, I promise. Coming from Manotick, Ont., Hollerado has burst onto the Canadian rock scene in recent years, most well known for their song Good Day at the Races. Americanarama comes from their 2009 release, Record in a Bag. If you aren’t already thinking about it, I can confirm that, yes, the record does in fact, come in a bag. It’s a Ziploc too. Ok, maybe a cheap knock-off of a Ziploc.
10. She Don’t Give It Up by Bend Sinister – Finally! We’ve made it out west for the last song of the night! Bend Sinister! I have been eagerly awaiting the release of a new song since I saw these guys rock Kamloops, B.C., a few months back. Well, Bend Sinister is back and set to release a new album, Small Fame, in July. She Don’t Give It Up can be found on that record. If you’re a fan of Supertramp, you better give this song a listen RIGHT NOW! I’m not even going to say why. You just need to find out for yourself.

That’s it for me tonight, folks. Kergin will be back on Thursday with some more rockin’ tunes for ya. Enjoy your Tuesday evening.

Cheers,

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #8

I’m going to keep this short, as this is the second time I’ve written this (shakes fist at internet and computer).

Anywho, we don’t see nearly enough girls involved in rock or girl bands out there, and some of them are frickin’ awesome. There were the Lilith Fair and Riot Grrrl movements, but those seemed to be genres that grew just for a female audience, and not for a more general audience. Nowadays we seem to be seeing a huge growth in female led bands, especially co-vocal acts, like Rococode, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and Mother, Mother and elctro-rock bands like Dragonette, Shiny Toy Guns or the Ting Tings.

CLICKEN SIE HIER FUR DIE MUSIK!

1. Stella Ella Ola Peter Sellers from the album Stella Ella Ola EP
    A brand new band, just releasing some songs on bandcamp, and played a show at NXNE in Toronto, tonight I think. Hope it went well for them. They’ve got that combo going on with male vocals as well (as you can hear with the intro) and seem to be residing in that surf-pop-punk-jangly sound going on.
2. cub New York City from the album Come Out Come Out
    This Vancouver based band once featured Neko Case, but now features no one, as they broke up in 1997. BUT, if you like this happy, peppy, poppy sound, the trio of women have a bunch of it out there. Some called it cuddlecore, a sort of reaction to the stupid pop and and brutal punk going on at the time.
3. Vancougar Distance from the album 7″
    Also out of Vancouver, but much more recent, Vancougar kind of follow the same path. Another all girl band, they enjoy the retro things in life, but there’s still a modern edge.
4. Tegan & Sara Northshore from the album Sainthood
    Tegan & Sara are pretty famous for being Canadian indie artists. The twin duo from Calgary are all over Canada now, and this is just one great song of there’s. (Yes I’m a fan) They don’t do enough of this style in my opinion though, with the fast lyrics and perfectly in tune singing (ya, the Mother, Mother song was a lot like it in some ways).
5. Hannah Georgas Dancefloor from the album This Is Good
    I heard Dancefloor a couple years ago, and it wasn’t much to me, but it’s really grown on me since. A catchy kind of electro-indie-pop. Originally based in Vancouver, I think she’s moved to TO to pursue the music dream. This is as close to acoustic singer/songwriter stuff on this list, trying to stay rock-n-roll here.
6. You Say Party Like I Give a Care from the album Lose All Time
    Another mixed band, a woman is the main singers in this current take on post-punk. Upbeat and full of attitude up on stage it’s a high energy liveshow. Formerly You Say Party! We Say Die!, they dropped the name after the sudden passing of their longtime drummer.
7. Controller.Controller PF from the album x-amounts
    Ok, another from these guys. Another from the post-punk genre, these guys are all closed up as well, but it was good while it lasted. An all male band except the singer, she new how to deal with the boys.
8. Peaches Downtown from the album Impeach My Bush
    I couldn’t do a list of Canadian female artists without including Peaches. She’s got a…unique style. Some may say hyper-sexualized? Listen to Downtown, and then see if you can re-interpret the lyrics. Oh ya. She’s awesome though, and definitely charting new territory.
9. Duchess Says Narcisse from the album In A Fung Day T!
    I swear I’ve heard this song somewhere before, but I can’t for the life of me figure out where. Maybe a commercial? Maybe on the radio somewhere and it just stuck with me? Anyways, this is the rock section of todays tour, and these guys and a gal bring it. The girl rocks, ripping up her vocal chords at one point and then more straight forward singing after that.
10. The Pack A.D. Sirens from the album Unpersons
    The only duo on todays list, the Pack A.D. bring a great crunchy rock sound with slammin drums. The voice is great too, a throw back here to the eighties with a dramatic curl. Not too sure what she’s singing about, but it sounds so cool.

Ok, short words from me today, and 5 minutes left in the day. My bad folks, but next week I’ll save my work…

B.

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #7

It’s hot and muggy and disgustingly gross here in Toronto. In fact, it’s so gross that there is even an air quality warning in effect today.

Perfect.

Seeing as I moonlight as a meteorologist, I knew that today was going to be exceptionally hot. Therefore, I brought together this wicked set of cool tunes for you.

Apologies to anyone from anywhere that isn’t currently experiencing balmy or humid weather.

CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC!

1. In Came the Flood by Wintersleep – It’s a fantastic combination of cool! Winter, sleep and a flood! If those aren’t three things that cool you down, then I’m not sure what is! Ok, maybe ice cream could fit somewhere in there…but other than that…Hailing from Halifax, N.S., Wintersleep just released their newest album, Hello Hum in June 2012.
2. Satellites by Cygnets – Satellites are often found orbiting in space. Space is pretty cold from what I hear. Cygnets is a new wave band from my old stomping grounds, Edmonton, Alta. Satellites can be found on their newest album, Dark Days, released in March 2012.
3. Low Sail by Amy Millan – What better on a hot day than to roll out the sails and set out on the water with a cool breeze at your back? Amy Millan calls Montreal home and I found myself feeling comfortably at home listening to her peaceful voice. Low Sail can be found on Millan’s 2009 release, Masters of the Burial.
4. Bitches in Tokyo by Stars – Sharing the same hometown as Amy Millan, Stars amps things back up for us a little bit after a more low key track from Millan. What’s cool about this? How about everything about Tokyo? Fashion, food, lights, music, you name it! I’m starting to find a common theme in many of the songs that I have been picking over the past few weeks. If you can figure out just what it is…please do tell! I’m curious if anyone else is picking up on it.I think it’s subtle…at least I hope it is subtle. Bitches in Tokyo can be found on Stars’ 2007 album, In Our Bedroom After the War.
5. Bloodlines by Arkells – I absolutely love the Arkells! I’ve basically been listening to them non-stop for the past weeks. You may hear more Arkells from me in the coming weeks. Hamilton born and bred, I only wish I could see them live at an outdoor venue this summer! When I think of the song title Bloodlines, I think of veins. When I was younger, I always thought it was really cool that I could see all of my icy-looking blue veins through my skin. I used to trace them with a blue pen when I was really little. Bloodlines can be found on Arkells’ 2011 release, Michigan Left.
6. Cover It Up by Andrew Vincent – In the first line of this song, Vincent sings about his house being covered by snow in the winter. Sounds like it is cold wherever he is. This song is just plain fun. I don’t know much about Vincent and I’ve never seen him perform before, but it sounds to me like the guy knows how to have a good time. He also gets bonus brownie points from me for mentioning the Alberta Wheat Board. This track is almost 10 years old, coming from Vincent’s 2003 album, I Love the Modern Way.
7. Echoists by Young Liars – Typically I spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth from coast to coast. Not today. This is our first Vancouver-based band on the playlist. This electro-pop track makes me reminisce and think back to warm August nights spent laying on the cool grass under the stars. Don’t ask me why. It’s just what comes to mind. Echoists comes from Young Liars’ February 2012 album Homesick Future.
8. Requiem for a Scene by Brasstronaut – After avoiding VanCity, we hit it up for two straight. Brasstronaut is a progressive pop group from the rainy city on Canada’s west coast. I absolutely love the brass horns featured in their work. If having trumpets and horns as a part of your regular set isn’t cool, then I don’t know what is. Requiem for a Scene can be found on Brasstronaut’s 2008 release, Old World Lies.
9. Dick & Jane by Sidney York – When I saw that Sidney York called Calgary home, there was no way I could keep them off of my list. After all, I am from the coolest city on the planet. Once again, I am smitten after hearing another great band featuring strong female lead vocals. Dick & Jane comes from Sidney York’s 2011 album, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic. 
10. Oceans by Topanga – Finally we bring it all the way around and back to where I am currently calling home. Out of Toronto, Topanga brings us Oceans. A gigantic body of water? Perhaps this is what brought in Wintersleep’s flood from earlier. Or maybe this was where Amy Millan was with her Low Sail. Either way, I can’t think of a better way to end my edition of the playlist this week. And that is pretty cool if you ask me. Side-note: Oceans comes from the album of the same title, release in February 2012.

Come back on Thursday as Kergin smash you upside the head with his next edition of Threat Shark Summer! Keep it real home dawg slice fries…?

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #6

So Imma brag here for uno momento.

As you may have guessed, I’m a fan of live music. I try to get out to shows whenever I can afford it or get in for free when I can. Supporting young acts and friends, seeing great performances, bragging rights, being social, just having a good time; all are good reasons for going to a concert when you can (except maybe bragging rights, but it’s valid to a degree).

It’s become a more important part of the industry lately, too. With the failing recording industry (money-wise) a lot of the music we talk about here is powered by live performances. The bands prove themselves out there on stage, and if their good, it powers them financially. Money more often goes to the bands and their direct support staff than some marketer or corporate bureaucrat.

Anywho, I don’t think I need to make a huge argument for going out to see music played live, ’cause going out is better than staying in. So here’s a list of bands I’ve seen live, and songs they played when I saw them.

The music you are looking for is in a different castle, so click this link!

1. Lily Frost – The City Seems So Far from the album Viridian Torch

   I really felt bad for her. Frost came to Victoria a couple years ago, on a Sunday night and played Lucky Bar. Normally that’s a hot venue, but for some reason (partly lack of promotion, partly lack of name recognition) it was empty. When I say empty, I mean there were more staff and band members than fans. I think it was just my sister and I and one other table with two people. In a club meant for a couple hundred people. And the worst part about it was she was GOOD! Really good. The lack of people didn’t really sway her. Five musicians jammed the stage, with an empty dance floor in front of them. I wrote a review for the Nexus and yelled at Victoria a bit. Anyways, she was super talented, all over the map musically, from fun little ditties, to this song which is a great soft song. On top of that, she broke out a Theremin. Ya, live Theremin, people, that’s what you missed.

2. Hey Rosetta! – I’ve Been Asleep for a Long, Long Time from the album Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood)

   I think this was a sold out show, or pretty close at least. The east coast band had travelled across the country and it was their final show of the tour, supporting Into Your Lungs. Local station the Zone had been pumping Red Heart out for the last few months and there was a crowd amped up for a live show, and Hey Rosetta delivered. It didn’t feel too east coast, just a solid indie band at the top of their game.

3. Mother Mother Dirty Town from the album Touch Up

   These guys have really picked up speed since I saw them. They had just released “Oh My Heart” and it was blowing up on the air waves. I was reviewing for the Nexus and got in a little late (who’s on stage at 8:30?). While Body of Years was big for them, I liked a slightly different style of theirs, with a more choppy sound and great harmonies. Dirty Town is a great example of this with the “chop, chop, chops” and “get, gones”. On top of that is the great lyrics, about getting out of crappy town and going to the woods for some good ol’ livin.

4. Chad VanGaalen Bones of Man from the album Soft Airplane

   VanGaalen is a bit of a chameleon. He can play a lot inside the indie genre. Here’s got a bit of that Josh Homme-style smolder going on with more interesting vocals. It’s just a cool song. And the lyrics are pretty great, with landscapes and imagery describing the “end.” He himself is a pretty interesting dude, on stage he came across as a fun guy with one of those chaotic-artistic streaks. He paid a girl for a dreadlock and tied it to his guitar is what I’m trying to say. In the middle of the show. And it didn’t seem like one of those forced “I’m a weird artsy, avant-garde kinda guy,” he just rolls that way.

5. Plants and Animals The Mama Papa from the album La La Land

   Up for a Polaris Prize when they came through town, they didn’t necessarily come across as great personalities on stage, but they played a helluva set up there, building up to this song. It had got a lot of local air play and the crowd were right into it. They great thing about their live show was the variety of influences you could hear, from blues to metal. I’m not sure a studio album can capture that as night to night you can play a song differently. With studio albums they have to hit the sound they are going for and want people to know them by. I guess you can’t blame them for being a bit meek at first though, as they’d been on the road for a couple months, but it got them some notice, and they’ve got another solid album out now.

6. Jason Collett I’ll Bring the Sun from the album Idols of Exile

   A major man in the Toronto indie scene, Collett is probably better known as a major force in the Broken Social Scene, but he’s got an solid solo career as well. A friendly, casual feel up on stage it was another solid night of Canadian indie. It’s not earth-shattering material he’s putting out, as a more conservative sound compared to BSS, but he’s got the song-writing skills to stay in the top-echelon of the Canadian music scene.

7. The Dudes Dropkick Queen of the Weekend from the album beepuncher e.p.

   The party band of this group, they actually opened up for Hey Rosetta, which was a bit strange because their sounds don’t really match. The Dudes always seemed like a working class band playing music for a good time. I wouldn’t say redneck, just more working class rock. Hey Rosetta! had to turn up the energy it seemed, as they have more mellow studio material. A good time though, and this is a great track to just crack a Lucky to to at a friends place.

8. Buck 65 Blood of a Young Wolf from the album Secret House Against the World

   A bit of an odd venue for a rap concert, the Victoria Music Conservatory is in an old cathedral I think (not totally sure, but it looks like a big old stone church). Inside is a beautiful wooden theater-like area with pew like seating and Some balcony seating above. I went solo to this one as I didn’t find any other alt rap fans out there. With Cadence Weapon opening up, this was definitely not the gangster rap seen at some of the clubs downtown. The crowd was told not to come up in front of the stage to dance, but most stood in front of there seats. Really, a strange site for the show, but Buck 65, someone you relies on good vocal performances, turned out solid. And then some idiot stole a bunch o his gear.

9. Controller.Controller History from the album History

   The opening band for one of the loudest shows I’ve ever been to, these guys had to precede DFA 1979, so they had to bring the noise fast! And they did. The band took to the stage normally, except for the drummer, who climbed down from the balcony above the drum set. He looked like a human version of Animal (the muppet), wailing away, keeping up a fast tempo while flailing around. The singer ripped it up to and the whole show edged on hardcore punk more than anyone was expecting, which was fine, because loud chaos was the tune of the night. This was one of the highlights as the crowd knew it and really let loose for it, especially when the shouting hit.

10. Death from Above 1979 Blood On Our Hands from the album You’re A Woman I’m a Machine

    A buzz band at the time, it was a hot ticket, and these guys were worth it. SO LOUD. Loudest band ever, and it was two guys. Jesse Keeler was a magician with the base, foreshadowing his MSTRKRFT days by putting the base on a loop and messing with sound boards to create sounds not normally heard by a bass player. And Grainger was a monster with the drums and vocals. At times he seemed stuck by the set, like he wanted to get up and just take off around the stage, but had to stay seated. Really, a lot of their tracks are super strong if you want something loud and rambunctious, this is just one example. And yes, all that noise is just two men.

Ok, I hope. Smaller bands than last time, and a build up from the light touch of Lily Frost to the percussive chaos of DFA 1979. Any suggestions to an area I should explore next week?

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #5

You thought I forgot about you, didn’t you?

I would never do that…

No…

Ok…

So, maybe I almost forgot… a little bit. BUT! That’s only because I was super prepared and already had my playlist ready to rock days ago!

Think you can forgive me? I know I forgive me.

On to the music.

CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC!

1. The Sheriff by The Strumbellas – Let’s start with something fun, shall we? When I’m feeling blue, I like to find an upbeat tune to bounce along to. That is exactly what The Sheriff is. If you can’t find a little bit of enjoyment in this track, then you’re just crazy. My apparent Toronto influence continues as the so-called “Centre of the Universe” is where The Strumbellas call home. But that’s ok, I’ll forgive them because this song makes me happy.
2. Illusions by Corey Isenor – You’ve caught me. I try my best not to double-up on an artist one week after the other. Fortunately, Corey Isenor rocked my musical world so hard last week that I simply couldn’t not include him on my playlist list week. He’s still from Halifax and he is still just as awesome.
3. Sunday Night by Teapot Hill – This song comes two nights too late, but I’ve always said, “better late than never.” Vancouver has been pumping out jammin’ indie rock bands one after the other over the past few years and Teapot Hill falls right there with the likes of Said the Whale, Hey Ocean! and others. A little more folky than the aforementioned, but still groovy, Teapot Hill is definitely a band I will be adding to my library. Sunday Night can be found on the band’s latest release, Night Night Rock.
4. Hondo by Beta Frontiers ft. Becky Ninkovic – Beta Frontiers hail from Toronto. I’ll admit that as of late I have found myself much more into the disco/electro/synth pop that this group, among others, embodies. That being said, I think it is the seductive vocals of Becky Ninkovic that really draw me in on this track. Hondo appears on the group’s most recent EP, released in April 2012.
5. Little Poems by Rah Rah – It feels as though it’s been an extremely long time since I found something out of Saskatchewan that I like… I KID! I love Saskatchewan! But it has been a long time since I found music out of Saskatchewan that really…struck a chord with me. Rah Rah can be credited with being the first band in a long time to do that. Right out of the heart of Saskabush, Rah Rah comes from beautiful Regina (I’m assuming it’s beautiful, I’ve never actually been). They’re not going to wow you with flashing lights or fancy bells and whistles. They’re just a great alt. rock band that combines soothing female vocals with a bluesy male presence and folk twang.
6. Post-War Blues by Dan Mangan – So, this might be two strikes for me. I repeated an artist TWICE within two weeks. Not good, but that just goes to show you how awesome I think these two guys are. Last week I thought that How Darwinian was awesome. Then I heard Post-War Blues and discovered that it was even more…awesomer. The moral of the story is: be awesome and listen to Dan Mangan because he awesome and if you listen to him then you can be awesome too.
7. Adieu by Coeur de pirate – I have a bad tendency of routinely butchering the French language. It isn’t because I hold anything against the French. I really have nothing against the French. If anything, I wish I could speak French. I actually think that my slaughtering of the language is more a mockery of myself and my inability to speak it, despite my (half-hearted and not great) efforts. Regardless of all that, I have a new-found love for French-Canadian indie pop. It started with Caracol and has since moved on to Coeur de pirate, a French-Canadian singer-songwriter from Montreal. Seriously though, she has a beautiful voice. When I listen to Adieu, I can picture myself in a 1930s film noir.
8. It by Rich Aucoin – Back to Halifax we go. I will forgive Rich Aucoin for being possibly the most hipster dude to ever come out of Halifax simply because this song is pretty damn awesome. I really can’t say much else because one look at this guy and one read of his biography on CBC Music resulted in me saying, “pfffttttt.” Appreciate the song for what it is. I don’t buy the guy’s image though. Thankfully my ears don’t have to see him in all his painful hipster glory.
9. Ciao Monday by Emm Gryner – No Italian jokes. Ok, glad we got that out of the way. So, I want to start by saying that I was immediately drawn to this song because the common Italian greeting “ciao” was contained within the title. Then I started listening to the actual track. It sort of reminds me of Friday, I’m in Love by The Cure in the sense that it is this really fun and upbeat track about a day of the week. The only difference is that it falls at the opposite end of the week and rather than being in love, it’s about being done with Monday! I’m in love. Did I mention that Emm Gryner also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous? Did I already say that I’m in love?
10. If I Get Old by Elliott Brood – This song is really hitting home with me right now… mostly because I just turned 24 and feel older than I ever wanted to be. In fact, I want to go back to the good ol’ days when I used to play street hockey in an old parking lot, only stopping to eat a peanut butter ‘n’ jelly sandwich on the curbside. Elliott Brood comes from the same hometown as one of my other favorite Canadian bands, the Arkells.

Woo! We made it to the end! I bet you’re glad to be done with all of my ramblings. I tried to freshen things up this week and rather than talk about the boring old usual “this band is from X city and plays Y type of music while reminding me of Z band,” I tried to give you a little insight into why I choose the music I choose.

Hope you enjoyed the music! Check us out on Thursday for Kergin’s latest!

Ciao…Tuesday!

-T