Threat Shark Summer – Playlist PAYDAY

Technically this is playlist #29, but considering the circumstance, I had to amp things up a bit. Hence we have Playlist PAYDAY. Boom.

First off, huge thanks to Mr. Kergs for covering for me last week. I was wrapping up my last week in Toronto and between packing things up and tying up loose ends, I was doing my best to see a few sites last minute. This marks the third new location that I have published a Threat Shark Summer playlist from. Previously, I had fired things up from New College on the U of T campus. A quick move down the street brought me to Whitney Hall on U of T campus. Right now, I’m pitstopping in Calgary at my parents’ place before heading on to Castlegar for a wedding and finally Kamloops for the start of (what will hopefully be) my last year of school.

For this week, Brendan and I decided we wanted to wrap things up with a recap of our favourite tunes of the summer.

For you, I have 48 tracks compiled from my previous playlists as well as two brand-spanking new tunes that have yet to appear this summer. Hope you enjoy!

Musicschmuzick

1. Make A New Dance Up by Hey Ocean! – May 22
2. Lose It by Austra – May 22
3. My 5 by Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party – May 22
4. Out on the Shield by Said the Whale – May 22
5. Darling, Darling, Darling by Corey Isenor – May 29
6. Grab Me By the Lapel by The North Lakes – May 29
7. How Darwinian by Dan Mangan – May 29
8. No Common Ground by Gabrielle Papillon – May 29
9. The Sheriff by The Strumbellas – June 5
10. Hondo by Beta Frontiers ft. Becky Ninkovic – June 5
11. Ciao Monday by Emm Gryner – June 5
12. If I Get Old by Elliott Brood – June 5
13. In Came the Flood by Wintersleep – June 12
14. Bloodlines by Arkells – June 12
15. Echoists by Young Liars – June 12
16. Oceans by Topanga – June 12
17. Fisticuffs & Affidavits by Parlovr – June 19
18. Come On Out by The Elwins – June 19
19. Hallways by Islands – June 19
20. Americanarama by Hollerado – June 19
21. Pool Hoppin’ by Octoberman – June 26
22. Two Feet Stand Up by Cookie Duster – June 26
23. Ropes That Way by Dirty Ghosts – June 26
24. One Shot by Bend Sinister – June 26
25. Last Parade by Matthew Good – July 10
26. Who Do We Care For? by Sebastien Granger and the Mountains – July 10
27. What Are You Waiting For? by Hexes and Ohs – July 10
28. Arms Tonight by Mother Mother – July 10
29. Chameleon/Comedian by Kathleen Edwards – July 17
30. Queen of Hearts by F*cked Up – July 17
31. Vowels = Space and Time by Grimes – July 17
32. Hoshi Neko by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – July 17
33. Chit Chat by Hannah Georgas – July 24
34. All My Friends by Lindi Ortega – July 24
35. Life on Earth by Dala – July 24
36. Quelque Part by Caracol – July 24
37. Florentine by Cinderpop – July 31
38. Edmonton By The Rural Alberta Advantage – July 31
39. I Don’t Know by The Sheepdogs – July 31
40. Scar That Never Heals by Jeremy Fisher – July 31
41. I’m Just Me by Diamond Rings – August 7
42. What Do You Wanna Do? by Louise Burns – August 7
43. When I Write My Master’s Thesis by John K. Samson – August 7
44. Favourite Kisses by Henri Faberge and the Adorables – August 7
45. Ontario by Will Currie and the Country French – August 14
46. Hallelujah Halifax! by Audio/Rocketry – August 14
47. West Simcoe County by Dinner Belles – August 14
48. I Drove the Coquihalla by Chixdiggit! – August 14
49. Waikiki by Belle Plaine – August 28
50. The Discocalypse by Tupper Ware Remix Party – August 28

Kergin will hit you with another phatty playlist on Thursday. After that, we hope to be hearing you listening to us on the airwaves back in Kamloops on X 92.5FM!

Cheers to the few remaining days of summer! Make the most of ’em!

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #21

I love getting awesome numbers. Hey… wait a second…

If you’re thinking, “Hey! This cheap jerk started his playlist the exact same way last week!” You are correct!

And to that I respond, “too bad, good sir or madam.” Now, where was I? Oh, right.

I love getting awesome numbers. I remember wearing the #21 the year that I played baseball for the Calgary Expos. What a great memory. We were terrible. We also had these terrible maroon/purple uniforms. But we had a great name and I had a great number.

Ahh, great childhood memories of summer.

Speaking of summer, we are inching ever closer to the end of it! Can you believe that? When I looked at my calendar today, I couldn’t believe that it was the last day in July 2012! Time sure does fly.

Considering how valuable time is and the fact we just agreed that it flies, I won’t waste anymore of it for you.

ON TO THE MUSIC!

1. Florentine by Cinderpop – First, I would like to commend this indie pop group on a great name. Second, I would like to tell you that they come from the Pacific coastal city of Vancouver. Last, Florentine can be found on their June 2012 release, Manic Sparkles.
2. Edmonton by The Rural Alberta Advantage – First, I wanted to feature The RAA’s song  Tornado ’87 on today’s list because today is actually the 25th anniversary of the infamous tornado that destroyed a large part of Edmonton. Unfortunately, they don’t have that track on their CBC Music page! The song titled after that same city will have to do. Second, despite originally hailing from northern Alberta, The RAA conduct most of their business out of Toronto. Third, Edmonton can be found on The RAA’s 2009 release, Hometowns.
3. Neon Love by Secret Broadcast – First, Secret Broadcast hails from my hometown, Calgary, Alta. Like The RAA, they recently relocated to Toronto. Second, their newest album, Hungry Ghost, was produced by Jon Drew, who is known for his work with Tokyo Police Club, Arkells and other great Canadian indie acts. Third, Neon Love can be found on Hungry Ghost.
4. Letter from an Occupant by New Pornographers – First, the New Pornographers are perhaps one of Canada’s greatest rock treasures, having been on the scene since 1997. Second, Letter from an Occupant can be found on their 2000 release, Mass Romantic. Third, many people make a case for Letter from an Occupant as one of the greatest Canadian singles ever.
5. Miracle Drug by A.C. Newman – First, U2 has a song by the same name. It is also great, but much different from A.C. Newman’s Miracle Drug. Second, both Miracle Drugs were release in 2004; A.C. Newman’s The Slow Wonder and U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Third, Newman calls Vancouver home.
6. I Don’t Know by The Sheepdogs – First, if you’re thinking these guys remind you of Lynyrd Skynyrd, you are not mistaken. They have a very southern-soul sound. Second, they hail from a province that we rarely visit here on Threat Shark – SASKATCHEWAN! Third, I Don’t Know can be found on their 2010 release Learn & Burn.
7. Destroyer by Young Galaxy – First, this space pop groups calls Montreal home. We’ve had a number of these new electro-indie rock groups popping up from good ol’ PQ. Second, an interesting tidbit: they are a three-piece outfit, featuring two Stephens and one female bandmate by the name of Catherine. Third, Destroyer can be found on their 2009 release, Invisible Republic.
8. Spanish Fever by Chixdiggit! – First, Chixdiggit! is one of my favorite pop punk bands from the days of my youth. Second, they also happen to be from my beautiful hometown at the base of the foothills bordering the Rocky Mountains, Calgary, Alta. Third, Spanish Fever can be found on their 2000 release From Scene to Shining Scene.
9. Scar That Never Heals by Jeremy Fisher – First, this folk artist is a Juno Award nominee. Second, Canada’s capital in Ottawa also happens to be his hometown. Third, Scar That Never Heals can be found on his 2007 release, Goodbye Blue Monday.
10. My Chinchilla by cub – First, this song really makes me want to buy a chinchilla. Seriously, they make it sound as though owning a chinchilla will solve all of life’s problems. Second, only three hipsters from Vancouver could find such joy in such a small rodent. Third, My Chinchilla can be found on cub’s 1992 release, Betti-Cola.

Well, I’m back to my random ways of old. This week’s list featured some old music, some new music and some “turn of the century” music. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Tomorrow is August! Go make the most of the very final day of July 2012. Seriously, there will never be another day like today. I promise that this is the last July 2012 day that will ever appear in historical records. Enjoy it! Make it a July 31, 2012 to remember!

Catch you all next Tuesday. In the meantime, Kergburger will fire things up again, as per the usual, on Thursday.

Cheers,

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #19

I love getting awesome numbers. 19 is great for a number of reasons, primarily because it was worn by both Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman.

I have hockey on the brain.

We’re almost at 20 playlists and I thought it would be good to give you a taste of my taste in music. Up to this point, my selections have been largely influenced by various resources and areas within the Canadian indie scene. As happens naturally when you immerse yourself in music the way I do, you eventually get attached to some of the new things that make their way through your airwaves. This time around, I’m going to give you a listen of some of my favorite Canadian indie acts featuring female vocals.

When I took to writing this summer blog with Kergin, I was learning (albeit just earlier than you) about a lot of the bands that I was subsequently informing you about. Now some of them have made it into a regular rotation of my own.

It’s nice when that sort of thing happens.

MUSIC IS NICE TOO!

1. The Choke by AUSTRA – this act is quickly becoming one of my favorite Canadian indie groups. Upon initially discovering them when they were scheduled to play a show in Kamloops earlier this year, I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt. I found them to be somewhat airy and a echoey; a little bit too out there for my liking. But as I listened more and more to their work, I fell more and more in love. Disappointingly, AUSTRA was stranded on their bus in the middle of the Coquihalla Highway on the night they were supposed to play Kamloops, and so I never got the privilege of seeing them. One day.
2. Change by Hey Ocean! – I would say it probably happened in the past six months or so, but I have recently discovered this inexplicable fascination with female vocalists. If I think way back, I’m pretty sure it started around the time I broke up with my girlfriend. Perhaps the lack of a consistent female presence in my life pushed me to fill the void with the sound of a beautiful female voice? Only god knows. Either way, Hey Ocean! is one of my new favorites. Like Mother Mother? Then check out Hey Ocean! Change is a recent addition to their CBC Music library, only having 33 plays as I write this.
3. Revenge by Emm Gryner – Chances are you have never heard of Emm Gryner. And that is a real shame because she has released a whopping 13 albums! Recording since the early 1990s, Gryner calls St. Mary’s, Ont., home and runs her own record label, Dead Daisy Records, which is she also signed on to.
4. Quelque Part by Caracol – I first discovered Caracol when her record arrived at my student newspaper office earlier this year. I decided to give it a listen and pen a review for the paper. Why not? I’m glad I did. Caracol is pretty fantastic. In a somewhat unrelated note, I was published for the first time in French this week. Interestingly enough, I am now published in more languages than I speak, which I think is a pretty cool accomplishment. It’s too bad I’m not much of a worldly citizen and only speak English though… Anyways, Caracol is French and I thought that fit nicely for many reason.
5. Towers by Amy Millan – Millan actually reminds me a lot of Caracol. A folky blues sound that soothes the ears and leaves the listener at peace. Totally chill.
6. Run by Kathleen Edwards – featured on my last edition of Threat Shark due to her nomination for the Polaris Music Award, I feel like nothing else needs to be said about Kathleen Edwards. She is just all-around amazing.
7. Enemies by Hannah Georgas – here is a new artist that I have yet to feature on Threat Shark. Hannah Georgas is from Toronto, but based out of Vancouver. Best of both worlds, I guess? She is a Juno Award nominee and this song, in particular, really hits home with me. Don’t worry audience, you aren’t my enemy. Someone else is. Well, even that is a stretch because I don’t like to keep “enemies” so to speak.
8. All My Friends by Lindi Ortega – a great blend of poppy alternative country, Lindsi Ortega hails from Toronto. She claims to be a cowgirl, not something typical of most Toronto girls, but being from Calgary, I guess I can give her a break. It certainly doesn’t hurt that she has a phenomenal voice.
9. Open Book by Steph Macpherson – this Victoria native found the second thing that leaves me helpless – an awesome piano track. Brendan Kergin, here is a little Victoria folk singer-songwriter for ya!
10. Life on Earth by Dala – winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Dala has also been nominated for a Juno Award. Toronto is home to the female duo that names The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan among their greatest influences.

Kergin will be back with our DOUBLE DECADE post on Thursday! I know that doesn’t make sense and is entirely inaccurate, but I like it.

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #17

Little known fact and totally unrelated to Threat Shark – the sweater #17 was the most frequently donned number in the NHL this past season. Don’t ask me why I know this. I chalk it up to the fact I work at a hockey magazine.

Earlier today, the 2012 Polaris Music Prize  shortlist was announced.

For those of you who don’t know, the Polaris Music Prize is meant to recognize and promote albums on the basis of artistic integrity, with no regard for genre, professional affiliation, or sales figures. A group of music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers comprise the panel of judges who vote on this list.

We here at Threat Shark wouldn’t be able to safely call ourselves Canadian indie music enthusiasts if we ignored this announcement. In honour of today’s list, this edition of Threat Shark Summer will feature all Polaris Muisc Prize nominees… except for one that I chose to leave out.

Drake.

You all already know Drake. He would probably say he knows you too. But he would be lying through his teeth.

I replaced Drake with an artist that I think should have been nominated for a Polaris.

POLARIS! -http://music.cbc.ca/#/profile/manovrboard/playlist/Threat-Shark-Summer—July-17-2012

1. Sharks by Cadence Weapon – Edmonton, Alta. (Upper Class Recordings)
2. Heavy Hands by Cold Specks – Etobicoke, Ont. (Arts & Crafts)
3. Chameleon/Comedian by Kathleen Edwards – Ottawa, Ont. (MapleMusic Recordings)
4. Cicadas and Gulls by Feist – Toronto, Ont. (Arts & Crafts)
5. Queen of Hearts by Fucked Up – Toronto, Ont. (Matador Records)
6. Vowels = Space and Time by Grimes – Montreal, Que. (Arbutus Recordings)
7. Damage by Handsome Furs – Montreal, Que. (Sub Pop Records)
8. Younger Us by Japandroids – Vancouver, B.C. (Polyvinyl)
9. Hoshi Neko by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – Toronto, Ont./ Montreal, Que. (Yamantaka // Sonic Titan Research Laboratories)
10. A Link Between Urban Ties and Rural Relations by audio/rocketry – Edmonton, Alta. (Independent)*

* = NOT nominated for Polaris Music Prize

I apologize for the current lack of links to artist pages. Currently where I sit, I am working within limited means. I will add artist pages and full links ASAP.

Hopefully you enjoy this list comprised of fantastic Canadian musicians as much as I did.

Kergin will rock your socks on Thursday.

Peace, fleece and chicken grease.

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #15

Take me out, lay me down. Let the dirt fall all around me, baby. Ain’t it good to be back home?

I might be singing something like that if I were back at home in Calgary or Kamloops. But I’m still in Toronto.

Actually, I’m singing it anyways because it comes from our first track of the night! On to the music!

MUSACK!

1. Last Parade by Matthew Good – I fell in love with Matthew Good’s music when I heard Strange Days for the first time. Something about that song just hit me right in my emo button and I have had a dying allegiance to Matt Good ever since. Last Parade comes from Good’s 2009 album entitled Vancouver. Oddly enough, Last Parade was featured in a game-opening video by the Calgary Flames in 2010.
2. Amazing Backgrounds by Eric Chenaux – Chenaux is a folk artist hailing from none other than Toronto, Ont. In March 2012, he released Guitar & Voice. Amazing Backgrounds is featured on that album and Chenaux’s vocals will leave the listener feeling an eerie chill down their spine.
3. Who Do We Care For? by Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains – Grainger is more commonly known for his popular Canadian alt. rock act, Death From Above 1979. Clearly in a more lighthearted mood when working on this project, Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains is a pop rock outfit from Toronto. While there are certainly elements of DFAB1979 present, Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains have a significantly less industrial sound in comparison. Who Do We Care For? comes from the group’s 2008 self-titled release.
4. Something of Love by Ivy Mairi – While not quite Toronto, Ivy Mairi calls Toronto Island home. Silky female vocals accompany an acoustic guitar and send the listener into summertime dreamland. Mairi lists Neil Young, Van Morrison, Lauryn Hill and Paul Simon as influences and it is certainly easy to pick up on those influences in this track.
5. Agent Zero by Arkells – From just down the road in Hamilton, Ont., I am bringing you more Arkells. There was a time when I could only impress you. That’s what I’m thinking right now as I fail miserably at impressing you. My jokes are no longer funny or are completely non-existent and I’m starting to feature the same bands on a regular basis! That’s ok, I like to think I get a free pass here because of how awesome Arkells are. Turn all the lights down low…
6. Wild Shores by Cory Isenor – Nova Scotia is the home of Cory Isenor and his acoustic folk tunes grab me every time. He has also been previously featured on Threat Shark, but like I said, I have no shame in continually promoting artists that I think deserve the attention. Wild Shores comes from Isenor’s 2011 release, The Hunting Party.
7. Hate Crime by AUSTRA – This Toronto electro/ space pop group is touring Canada this summer and fall, including an Aug. 4 date at home in TO. If they happen to make a stop in your town, make sure you get out to the show. Tour dates include: Montreal (Aug. 5), Regina (Aug. 10), Vancouver (Sept. 12), Victoria (Sept. 13), Quebec City (Sept. 22), Kingston (Sept. 23), Hamilton (Sept. 25), London (Sept. 26) and Waterloo (Sept. 27). For some reason, Alberta gets no love.
8. What Are You Waiting For? by Hexes and Ohs – It isn’t very often that you get a song title with a question mark in it. On this edition of Threat Shark, we have TWO songs with a question mark in their respective titles. I love it. Oddities are fantastic. Hexes and Ohs hails from Montreal and have released four full-length albums, including 2012’s Thank You.
9. On Nights Like Tonight by Matthew Good – Well, I brought us in with some Matthew Good and I am going to start the send-off with some more Matthew Good. On a night like tonight, why not?
10. Arms Tonight by Mother Mother – Simply because it has been far too long since I have heard from Mother Mother. On a night like tonight, if given the chance, I might just fall in your arms tonight. I might fall hard and it might be nice for all we know. Too bad we won’t ever know. At least not tonight. Maybe in the future?

Random and all over the map, I hope you enjoyed Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #15. It certainly is my least-focused effort yet. But what’s wrong with a little A.D.D. every once and a while?

Kergin is up next on Thursday.

Ciao bellas.

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #13

Thankfully this isn’t a Friday. Otherwise we might be looking at a very unlucky playlist. I’m superstitious like that.

While Kergin’s interning adventures have just begun, I was lucky enough to have mine extended.

I was unexpectedly offered another two months, this time paid, at The Hockey News here in Toronto. I was due to be done on June 29, this past Friday. The extension came with such short notice that I am scrambling to find a new place to rent. My current lease expires TOMORROW and I am supposed to be back in the office on Thursday. Good times. But totally worth it.

Thankfully for me, our good friends Bend Sinister along with Exclaim magazine have done a massive favour. As you all know, Bend Sinister is set to release Small Fame, their newest full-length album, on July 10. However, partnering up with Exclaim has allowed the Vancouver boys to live stream their album a full week in advance!

I have no qualms with promoting this album because I really feel these guys deserve the attention. Therefore, this week, I present to you an ENTIRE Bend Sinister playlist. Enjoy their newest album, in its entirety.

P.S. You get 12 songs from me this week, but don’t tell Kergin.

Small Fame by Bend Sinister <— CLICK FOR MUSIC!

1. She Don’t Give It Up
2. Don’t You Know
3. Man of Faith & Virtue
4. One Shot
5. Got You On My Mind
6. My Lady
7. We Know Better
8. Give It A Rest
9. Hot Blooded Man
10. Black Magic Woman
11. She Lost Her Rock & Roll
12. Quest for Love

Kergin will be back on Thursday with his very first Fort Mac edition of Threat Shark Summer!

-T

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 #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 #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?