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 #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 #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