The Holiday Crowd
THEIR DEBUT ALBUM DROPS JANUARY 24TH Photographed by Jen Squires Styling: Kirsten Reader (Judy Inc.) Grooming: Taylor Savage (Judy Inc.) Story by Kate Kilgour January 24 marks the release date of The Holiday Crowd’s debut album, Over the Bluffs. Partly inspired by lead singer Imran Haniff and guitarist Colin Bowers’ Scarborough, Ontario, upbringing, the record clearly...
The War On Drugs
LAST WEEKEND’S SHOW AT THE HORSESHOE Story by Kate Davies Photo by David Hartley Equally as amazing as unrealistic, the idea of a Bob Dylan x New Order collaboration on an ambient, shoegaze album can lead you to a happy place in the realm of The War On Drugs. These Philadelphia musicians play with a set of Americana-infused...
Cuff the Duke
ALT-COUNTRY TUNES ABOUT LOSS AND HOPE Story by Kate Davies Photo by Jason Gordon “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” theme has always evoked images of tumbling tumbleweeds, vast desert vistas, and country cowboys. It is the ultimate tribute to outlawed bandits and dry, expansive plains, key derivatives of that old honky-tonk feel of...
NXNE in Words
FOUR DAYS OF MUSIC, SO LITTLE TIME – PLAID REPORTS ON OUR NXNE HIGHLIGHTS Story by Ally Hall, Kate Kilgour and Emily Whalen Yukon Blonde // Kate Kilgour YUKON BLONDE A year in the making, I finally got to see my favorite band of last summer at this year’s NXNE. Playing a surprise set at...
NXNE in Pictures
PLAID CAPTURES DIRTY BEACHES, FUCKED UP, BRAIDS AND MANY MORE DURING TORONTO’S NXNE FESTIVAL Photos by Mark Binks and Andrew Williamson
Teenage Kicks – Rational Anthems
GET SOME KICKS WITH THEIR GOOD TIME TUNES Story by Kate Kilgour Rational Anthems, the self-released debut EP from Teenage Kicks is smokin’. Like summer BBQ hot. Good, old-fashioned rock n’ roll, slightly distorted riffs and strong, raspy-ish vocals place this four-piece comfortably in the up-and-coming music scene our city’s offering. Their tracks are instantly recognizable and...
Canadian Music Week 2011 – Austra
BE SEDUCED BY THEIR HYPNOTIC BEATS Story & photos by Kate Kilgour With the rapid advances of technology that are going down right now, I imagine that one day we’ll be able to stream music right through our brains at merely a thought. When this happens, I’m convinced I’ll be in an eternally seduced state,...
Canadian Music Week 2011 – Half Moon Run
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH THIS BREAKOUT BAND Story & photos by Kate Kilgour Playing to an undeservedly sparse crowd at the Drake Underground, Half Moon Run was infectious. Just as on stage, Devon Dunn-Portielje (lead vocals, guitars, drums), Conner Molander (guitars, synth, percussion, backup vocals) and Dylan Phillips (synth, drums, backup vocals) are unassuming. They praised their...
Canadian Music Week 2011 – Dinosaur Bones
THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR SUMMER PARTIES Story by Kate Kilgour Playing an afternoon showcase at indoor skateshop/gallery/hidden gem, The Baitshop,Dinosaur Bones pumped out indie rock and roll that infused the crowd with a mid-week pick-me-up. Following Tokyo’s Zoobombs, this Toronto five-piece performed aptly on top of a skate ramp, breathing hints of the good times summer...
Canadian Music Week 2011 – Metz
PARED DOWN ENERGY FROM A POWERFUL TRIO Story by Emily Whalen Photos by Kate Kilgour Very few bands have the privilege of making their audience feel like their ears are bleeding. It takes a certain amount of gear, vocal ability and sheer determination. Having said that, I’m pretty sure Metz could play an acoustic set and match...
Canadian Music Week 2011 – Memoryhouse
ATMOSPHERIC DREAM-POP SWALLOWED UP BY VENUE SPACE Story by Kate Kilgour Recently acquired by Seattle’s Sub Pop Records, Memoryhouse played a CMW show at The Great Hall, slotted between Young Empires and Yukon Blonde. I can’t decide if it was the scheduling or the zero-degree rainstorm, or perhaps the vaulted venue, but something about this set left me...
