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 #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