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 #22

Wow, we’re at 22. I think this is the longest I’ve stuck at anything for awhile. I usually get distracted by the internet, but here we are, participating in it.

If you’re wondering I’m ambling around here without getting to the point of my playlist this week, it’s because I’ven’t got a real theme this week. There is a progression I tried to work in, with the first 8 songs kind of going from a kind of cute, peppy feel and getting more mature. But that’s not really a theme, and the songs are just loosely related that way.

And then there are the last 2, which jump into funk and then apocalyptic electro-hip-hop Zombie warning. That’s desert. It’s the fun bizarre one.

So without delay, let’s leap into lyrics (and melody)!

LOOKOUT, IT’S A SHARK! NO, WAIT, IT’S JUST THE THREAT SHARK PLAYLIST! REJOICE!

1. Jenny Omnichord Kings of London from the album Cities of Gifts and Ghosts
   A cute little song with a minimalistic air to it. I think that instrument she’s using is called an omnichord, hence the name of the and, which is really just Jenny Mitchell of Guelph. It’s pretty low-fi, but that adds charm to the overall production. The song is a simple little ditty, very Canadian in some regards. Just a fun song, reminding me of Kate Micucci’s work, like THIS.
2. The Elwins On Your Doorstep from the album And I Thank You
   The Elwins are a great choice if you’re looking for some fun, kinda retro, low-fi work that’s still current. The Keswickians have been doing alright of late with some festival appearances and shows with bigger names, playing quirky, fun, danceble songs. A little short, On Your Doorstep is fun with the backing vocals and clapping making it a friendly piece.
3. Hollerado Good Day At The Races from the album Margaritaville 2: The Reckoning
   We’ve actually played this track before on Threat Shark, but I think it’s worth a revisit, especially in this medium. These are one of the big up-and-comers in Canadian indie I think, with a couple of songs making decent moves into our collective consciousness. The most well known is probably Americanarama, which has over a million hits on youtube with a fantastic viral style video that just required 24 friends and an unstable structure, or Juliet, but this is there most recent single which I think shows they weren’t just lucky.
4. Yukon Blonde Stairway from the album Tiger Talk
   Ok, you know when I said that I preferred a track off of an earlier album to the work on Yukon Blonde’s Polaris Prize long list nominated Tiger Talk, but Stairway has really grown on me. And how have I heard more of it? On the TV, of course. I forget the ad, but it’s being used with some sports add. I actually forget now if it’s the Toronto Blue Jays or Olympics, but the driving, upbeat nature of this song is perfect for a pump up song before a summer sport.
5. Wintersleep Resuscitate from the album Hello Hum
   I was worried for Wintersleep for awhile. They had a pretty big hit with Weighty Ghost, but the follow up to that was kind of bland and didn’t receive much notice. Well, five years after the Haligonians (people from Halifax) big break, they seem to have something again. While I don’t think it will quite catch the popular conscious like Weighty Ghost, Resuscitate is still a noteworthy song, with those melodies they’re great at and a starry sounding musical break at the end.
6. Broken Social Scene Meet Me In The Basement from the album Forgiveness Rock Record
   I was originally going to put a Jason Collett song in here, but I’m holding on to that. In it’s stead is the collective he’s so closely tied to. Again, I love the build up at the beginning, it really songs like it should be shown during a clips show of some great sporting achievement put into slow motion. BSS actually has a huge number of people associated with it, and some are pretty big names, notably Emily Haines of Metric. However, here I’m not sure of who’s involved, but the strings section seems prominent, and while vocalists probably take a step back during this piece, almost all the instruments are probably used.
7. New Pornographers Moves from the album Together
   More strings! But this time in a different context as we finally make it to a band from out west. The New Pornographers make it to Threat Shark again with something less than traditional as piano and strings highlight here, along with some really interesting vocals. At times it sounds like it’ falling apart, but they reduce and bring it back in.
8. Amy Millan Skinny Boy (session) from the album CBC Radio 3 Sessions: Volume 3
   A member of the aforementioned BSS, Millan also has had a pretty solid solo career and spends time with Stars, another pretty big name in Canadian music. I’m guessing, but I’d say she’s a busy lady. In fact, with Emily Haines and Leslie Feist both having spent time in BSS, it’s probably safe to say that’s a good place to find talented female musicians. While she’s contributed to a lot, She’s only got a couple solo albums out there, so if you like her voice with the more stripped down music, there isn’t a ton right now.
9. Big Sugar Little Bit A All Right from the album Revolution Per Minute
   Big Sugar guys, Big Sugar. Legends in the right crowd, this is white boy funk and working class reggae and it is so good and so smooth. The main man is Gordie Johnson, and he is amazeballs on stage. Just oozes rock and soul. While Big Sugar has come and gone from the Canadian music scene, they returned recently. I got to see them with Wide Mouth Mason last fall and really, there isn’t much that can compare to it. It’s a niche very few bands fit into, the white-boy Canadian blues, funk and reggae scene, but the vets there are doing some great work.
10. Buck 65 Zombie Delight (Buddy Peace Remix)
    “Zombie’s are on the loose, be courageous. They’re totally disgusting, they’re condition is contagious. They’ll try to bite you’re body, but don’t let ’em.”  Ok, how could I not put this up? One of my favourite artists, on one of my favourite subjects, remixed in an awesome way with screams and heavy beats. Listen to the lyrics, over and over. Do it, you deserve it.

Ok, lots of Ontario this week. I think it’s a good musical meal, starting off light, getting a little more meaty in the middle and then a desert of human flesh. You’re welcome.

Adéu,
Kergin

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