Sock Hop Arousal Gig - October 15, 2006

Checked out the band Sock Hop Arousal , and Undadogg the other night at The Kathedral, as part of Frygirl's twice annual (I think) Hempfest. It is so named, because one can access a special "smoking room" (which is really a covered over outdoor area), and purchase some "special" baked goods.

Sock Hop Arousal was brilliant as always, with their dub sounds and socially conscious lyrics. Check out pics of Sock Hop from the gig here.

Undadogg consistently delivers smooth and soulful trip hopp-y grooves, and they're tight as all get out.

Frygirl was also excellent, with her stripped down, honest acoustics, with haunting melodies. Doesn't hurt that she's got a voice that could carry across a continent! This time she has some accompaniment (guitar and djembe, I think), but I think I prefer her solo, as I've heard her before.

Sebadoh Reunites!

Photo Courtesy of Magnet Magazine
Lou Barlow is full of good news these days. Pitchfork is reporting that the original Sebadaoh line-up will be reuniting, and touring next spring! Woo-hoo!

Add to that, that Dinosaur Jr. will be releasing a new album (also next spring), and it gives indie kids everywhere reason enough to make it through the winter.

Read the entire Pitchfork article here.

The Quartertones

Just heard this Toronto band today (The Quartertones), gotta love these laid back jazzy downtempo grooves. Would be perfect for the 2-3 am music slot at a house party. More here.

Skool Me Daddy!

Update: I did go to the show, and boy did my friend and I feel old amongst the 20-ish crowd. Big Norm had his moments during his stand-up routine (although his mom, watching in the audience in a cute yellow raincoat, did flee the stage after he mentioned her), and the crowd seemed into it.

Isis was amazing, that girl has a voice and minor-key backing melodies and dope beats that made it sweet!


Great hip-hop show coming up this Thursday at the El Mocambo. As is appropriate for this time of year, its called Skool Me Daddy, and will include some fantastic Canadian performers such as Isis and Brassmunk.

Isis alone should be worth seeing...she's only 20, but has an amazing voice and uses great old jazz samples in her music. Should be sweet!

As a side note, now that I'm now back to school I may not be able to post as many of my Toronto outings as I have over the summer, but I always strive to keep up to date on interesting events/issues going on in the T-dot. Stay tuned!

Fjord Rowboat/Versoma/Red Sparrowes Show

Checked out Versoma and the Red Sparrowes on Saturday at Lee's Palace.

Unfortunately I missed Fjord Rowboat's set, but heard from others it was fab. Sorry I couldn't post pics, I just didn't feel like lugging the camera out. But, I think I saw Frank there, he may post some pics in the upcoming days.

Versoma was, without hyperbole, the loudest band that I've ever seen (in a club show), that title being formerly held by C'mon. I had to move back from the stage twice! Not sure if its because I'm getting old or what (although they almost asked me for id...how flattering!), but I think earplugs are now in order. Anyhoo, despite the intense volume, Versoma was really good. Very heavy, but good minor key melodies going on. The funny thing about them was that they all (except for the bald, heavily sweating guitarist) looked like cuddly emo-listening-cardigan-wearing boys. Good on them. Highly recommended live, with earplugs.

The Red Sparrowes exceeded all my expectations....like Godspeed You Black Emporer but better in the sense that they can limit their soundscapes to less than 20 minutes. I wasn't surprised to learn that one of their members used to be in metal band Neurosis, who I used to be a big fan of. beautiful lush, heavy stuff with great backing images on a projector screen behind them. I think I'm in love with their amazing bassist. Make sure to catch them on their next trip to Toronto, they're from L.A.

Festival of South Asia 2006

On Saturday I checked out the Festival of South Asia in Little India. The rain held out, and we got to take in soe great dance, music and food. The beautiful Kathak dancer below was the best I've ever seen. This is my fave kind of Indian dance because the bells on the ankles add an interesting element, and it takes incredible skill. My dad commented that you could tell how good she was because at certain points her feet were moving so fast that it looked like she was levitating!
















Other pics below are of some (pre roasting) corn, and a Punjabi Bhangra dance troop. I really have to start doing ore Bhangra dancing, its so much fun!

Juana Molina

Finally picked up Juana Molina's new album Son, out on Domino Recordo. Great chill out music that is that rarest of all albums that fulfills two roles: first, you can listen to it while doing nothing, and examine the intricate guitar, horn and electronic flourishes. Or, it makes perfect background music while reading, chatting, cooking etc. All in all, very mellow, relaxing, and interesting. Also, it has some of the most beautiful cover (reflective silver dots are neat!) and inside art that I've seen in a while, consisting of textile designs done by her grandmother.

Listen here.

See what Pitchfork had to say.

Afrofest 2006

Last Saturday we went to Afrofest in Queen's Park. We were just sitting on the grass, enjoying the fine African tunes, when these two adorable little boys jumped on Chris' back in a friendly attack! They hung out with us for at least 20 minutes, and the parents were cool with it, so we let them. In these pics you can see them sharing our drink, and cleaning Chris up. At one point a black woman walked up and commented to Chris that it must be nice to have someone to clean you up...we were kind of embarrassed, as having two little black boys clean up a white man wasn't looking too good!





Above is a pic of some very powerful African drummers...didn't catch their name, unfortunately. Below is an example of the fine wares that were for sale. I myself picked up a sweet wooden bracelet for $7. Word to crafters: it doesn't take much time to remove hot glue threads from your handmamde jewelry, and it will make it look much more professional!

Niyaz

Heard this great artist on the CBC today called Niyaz, on the always wonderful Six Degree Records. Although I love classical Persian, Turkish, Iranian, Kurdish and "Gypsy" music, I usually steer clear of those artistis billed as some sort of "Eastern electro-fusion". What this usually means, is that its basically a Western electronic song, with the odd minor key flourish of an Indian flute or oud, or the odd tabla beat. Niyaz however, does fusion the opposite way (and better): heavy on the classical Persian music, with some very subtle electro beats. Amazing vocals, strong melodies, traditional beats. Get out the bong, put it on, bliss out and get your body moving! Listen here.

Boards of Canada and Black Turtleneck

Picked up the latest Boards of Canada EP, Trans Canada Highway and the debut release Musical Chairs from Black Turtleneck from the always excellent record shop Soundscapes on the weekend.

Trans Canada Highway is the usual Boards of Canada fabulousness - they somehow manage to consistently make the ultimate chill out music (no matter who you are or what you listen to) without sounding canned and generic (I won't mention any names - cough- Thievery Corporation). The first track is also on their latest full length release, Campfire Headphase, but the rest of the tracks are new and sweet. Sit back with your intoxicant of choice on a sultry summer night and lose yourself in the groove.

Do you like Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb, Adult. and so on? This is for you: Black Turtleneck makes an impressive first release, although one of the members is the talented Solvent, and the experience shows. Crunchy angular electro-synth-pop that may not be incredibly original, but good listening. The opening track Discontinued Parts is a beauty, more tracks like this please! Music for when the party is just getting off the ground, cleaning, or wandering around the more industrial parts of the city. I think I remember hearing an interview with them on CBC Radio3 where they said that the name of the band typifies the anticipated wardrope staple of their anticipated musical audience.