The other night I was listening to some jazz by a new kat introduced to me and I said that sounds like jazz, capital J jazz, cemetery institutional sealed done jazz. Jazz is not gone its still going as Jazz goes. New jazz oughta sound like jazz from the 50s sure but spilling through the 60s, 70s, 80s 90s, 00s gathering up channels and nuance, tech and grooves and all those experiences one would imagine an 80 year old would have. So folks, presenting Donna Grantis, about as now jazz as you can get now. The Prince collaborator, member of 3RDEYEGIRL and New Power Generation, has a solo album titled Diamonds & Dynamite coming March 22 on Entertainment One. Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready appears as a guest on a couple of tracks, which were already released as the A and B of a seven inch vinyl. Find it dig it listen.
A&C to release 'Live at Massey Hall' comp on vinyl
Two innovative TO music icons are collaborating to release a pretty rad document of the Canadian indie scene. Selections from the music series “Live at Massey Hall” will be complied and released on Arts and Crafts Records. Volume One includes Destroyer “Foam Hands”, Constantines “Nighttime/Anytime (It’s Alright)”, Hayden “Almost Everything”, Dan Mangan + Blacksmith “Vessel”, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton “Fatal Gift”, Andy Shauf “The Magician”, Cœur de pirate “Place de la République”, Bahamas “Like A Wind”, Japandroids “The House That Heaven Built” and Whitehorse “Die Alone.” Liner notes are supplied by Michael Barclay, author of the the Hip bio, “The Never-ending Present.” The Live at Massey Hall was a series of concerts by Canada’s best indie musicians which were filmed and then presented as short films on YouTube. Tickets were 18.94 in homage to the year the Grand Old Lady opened. She has closed up shop for a touch-up but these album (plus more I’m guessing) should hold you through.
Jennifer Castle 'Live at Massey Hall' released, will tour new album 'Angels of Death'
By Will McGuirk
Massey Hall celebrates 124 years Thursday Jun 14. To mark the occasion Jennifer Castle's "Live at Massey Hall" session recorded in November last year has been made available. Castle has always reminded me of Patti Smith, such erudition sourced from the most mundane and human, a corner store poet. Castle is touring beginning in the late summer with Sappy Fest Aug 4 and continuing across Canada and the States.
Field Trippers this weekend will get Dizzy, along with Metric, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alvvays
By Will McGuirk
Oshawa's courtiers of leafy court pop, Dizzy, bring their dreamy suburban sounds to the Field Trip Music and Arts Festival this weekend, June 2 and 3. The festival at Fort York & Garrison Common in Toronto also includes Metric running through all of their 2009 album, "Fantasies" plus Bahamas, Japandroids, Damien Jr. Gong Marley, the Yeah Yeahs Yeahs, Alvvays, Deer Tick, Partner and more.
Dizzy were most recently at the Great Escape Festival in Britain. Charlie Spencer of the band says it was quite the experience.
"Great Escape was beautiful, Brighton is a great town and the shows were rammed," he says.
The band of three brothers (Alex, Mack and Charlie) and singer Katie Munshaw have also announced they have signed a couple of deals around the globe. They are signed to Royal Mountain in Canada.
"We've signed a deal with Communion for records and publishing for the UK and Europe. We've also signed to a label called Inertia in Australia. It means good things for the band, lots more people working to help us push the singles/videos, and the record due out by the end of summer," he says.
They will be playing the end of summer Royal Mountain at Raspberry Festival taking place Sep 2 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton but before that trip its Field Trip time.
Canadian Music Week: Where the Oshawa/Durham bands at?
By Will McGuirk
CMW kicked off Monday May 7 and continues right through until Sunday. Among the hundreds of acts playing there are a few well known acts but thats the key to CMW; its a showcase of the new, the emerging, the bubbling under. With scores of venues, affordable ticketing and a slew of activities and events such as panel discussions, award shows, trade shows, an international showcase focus on the USA for 2018, a hackathon, summits, and a film festival there's no excuse to not get out and enjoy the week. Go see the next big thing now and get the bragging rights. Some of the existing big things involved or performing include Mudhoney, Sloan, Nile Rodgers, Bob Lefsetz, Steve Horowitz and Denise Donlon.
Some of the Oshawa/Durham kats involved include
May 9 Beams @ Lee Palace, Lindi Ortega @ Mod Club
May 10 Jaunt @ Garrison, Do Good Badlies @ Dakota Tavern, West Hammock @ Adelaide Hall
May 11 Crown Lands @ Phoenix
May 12 Sarah Fazackerley @ Paddock, The Standstills @ Horseshoe
Casper Skulls to grow with Audiotree North
Audiotree North will launch Friday May 11 as part of CMW at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern with Ought, Caspar Skulls, Begonia, Pkew Pkew Pkew and Pony performing. An Audiotree North live session with Casper Skulls has been released. It follows on the session by Lido Pimienta which can be seen here.
Haley Blais plays the Baby G in Toronto May 12
By Will McGuirk
Like the late Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries, Vancouver singer/songwriter Haley Blais has a gritty breathy voice, which roils up before popping with an icy tingle. Her new EP, "Let Yourself Go" has just been released with "Remove Tag" and "Small Foreign Faction" the singles.
Five Festivals to Spring into: Guelph, Hamilton, Picton, Sarnia and TO
Kazoo! Fest Guelph Apr 11 to 15
So many bands, so much art, so much to do, Kazoo! is a celebration of the Royal City, with night markets and print expos and bands, bands, bands. And unless I gather you are deeply involved with Guelph’s underground scene builders you won’t know any of the bands, or maybe its just me. I know one Hymns 57. But if you want the definition of community builders then look to Kazoo.
County Pop Picton Apr 28
Elliott Brood headlines the Prince Edward County based fest organised by Zunior.com and community partners. The all-day event runs Saturday Apr 28 at the Crystal Palace in Picton. Also on the bill Miss Emily, Lindsay Ferguson and KASHKA. Its family friendly so lots of activities for the children and its in the County so lots of great local food, wines, brews.
Empty Fest Sarnia May 3, 4, 5
Polaris Prize winner Lido Pimienta leads the line-up for this 10th anniversary celebration of the Imperial City’s indie festival. Everything from psych, world, punk, synth-pop, big-band, folk, experimental and more will be heard over the three days taking place in four venues in the downtown. There are a lot of local acts, Bad Habit, Faids, Horseless Headmen and Gucc among them. Moon Dog will be travelling from Detroit. There is a free launch party March 30 featuring Yamantaka/ Sonic Titan.
21C Music Festival May 23- 27
Eight concerts, five days, 21C brings together some of todays most innovative musicians and composers. Kronos Quartet, Katia and Marielle Labeque, Simone Dinnerstein among them.
Hamilton Liquid Art Festival June 15 16
Juno winners The Beaches with help launch the first Collective Arts Festival. The brewery will host brewers from across the globe. Line-up includes Lost Cousins, Mt. Joy and Jane’s Party plus more.
Q and A with Skye Wallace - Celebrating International Womxn's Day
By Will McGuirk
On Thursday Mar 8, International Women's Day, Toronto folk punk Skye Wallace will release her new single, "Swing Batter", (based on the 1911 trial of Angelina Napolitano in Sault Ste Marie) with a performance at Array Music in Toronto. Wallace will partner with Toronto Womxn In Music and herHABITAT. The show will feature sets by Skye, Lydia Persaud, Winona Wilde, Merival, and jes sachse, as well as pop-up vendors from NEW FRDM and Knot Naked. The event is sponsored by She Does The City and Beau’s and is in support of Sistering, a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women in Toronto.
Wallace will also be performing May 7 at DRKRM in Uxbridge and in Whitby Mar 14 at the Whitby Curling Club.
Q: Can you tell me about the event at Array and what people can expect when they go? Also something about your relationship with the other artists on the bill?
"This is going to be a multi-faceted show of music, art, and celebration. We’ve got performances from myself, Lydia Persaud, Winona Wilde, Merival, and a feature performance piece by artist jes sachse. We’ll also be showcasing guest vendors New FRDM & Knot Naked at the event. Beau’s is sponsoring our bar, and there will be a silent auction as well featuring local artists and brands such as The Likely General, Muttonhead, Nic ter Horst, and more.
"All of the people on the bill are so incredible and I feel very lucky to have this line-up.
"I’ve actually never had the chance to share the stage with any of them for their solo projects, so this will be an exciting first!"
Q: According to the press release, “Angelina's story is an insight into how the shift has happened in the past, and how we need to perpetuate that shift by working hard, being inclusive, vocal, and active, and educating ourselves and others."
Can you suggest to our readers some ways they can continue this work?
"I think action is a very important thing right now. Engaging in and supporting your communities is imperative; get involved in charity events supporting undermined groups in your community, volunteer with organizations that work for equality, women’s rights, anti-poverty, etc. Having your voice heard as an ally not just at women’s rights rallies, but rallies supporting indigenous rights, black lives, the queer community, is so necessary.
"So is doing the work in acknowledging and educating yourself regarding the implications of race and gender, and working to dismantle the systems of oppression in this country and around the world.
"One great example that you can get involved in is the #Next150 challenge.
"https://next150.indianhorse.ca is a series of challenges and engagement with literature, music, art, and culture working toward Reconciliation."
Q: In what ways are you going to continue to spotlight the history of others who have paved the way for this current climate of empowerment of women?
"This entire upcoming album is actually focussing on this. It’s a subject that I have gravitated towards, and an area that is rife with untold stories that are fundamental to the understanding of the history of feminism and women’s rights, as well as providing a context for the current climate.
"A lot of these women weren’t big names in headlines or as prevalent a story as Angelina’s. Some of them that I’ve written about are midwives, mothers, prostitutes, unheard voices that permeated with a strength that is so empowering to learn about. A lot of these stories are based in Newfoundland and the Yukon, places I had the pleasure of doing writing residencies in this last year. I’m excited to share the stories I’ve learned about and share the strength of these women with folks who listen to my music."
Q: There are those who will not define themselves by gender but see themselves as just them - and International Women Day is not needed anymore, but instead focus on collective human rights - why is International Women Day important do you think?
"This is actually a really important point. A lot of people are adopting International Womxn’s Day as an alternative spelling for that reason, as many groups (including Toronto Womxn In Music, who are co-presenting the event) are striving to be inclusive of not just female-identifying individuals in their work toward equality.
"I do still see International Womxn’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate inclusivity, as well as a way to come together to educate and support one another.
"I see feminism in this way as well - for many, the focus on collective human rights is a very important aspect of their platforms. When putting together this event, I wanted to be very mindful of representation of not just women, but non-binary/gender queer/trans-identifying folks as well.
"One of the vendors, J of New FRDM, is doing incredible work to educate, empower, and inspire change in how gender identity is viewed. They’re an awesome clothing designer, but are also making an impact with their Gender Freedom Club. Check out what they do at https://newfrdm.com
Urban cowboys Johnson Crook play the Moustache Club Wednesday Mar 14
Life is a highway but not every highway is grit 'n gravel, some run smooth like the proverbial passenger seat. Toronto based four-piece Johnson Crook drive on well paved country roads with radio-hummable melodies, inviting harmonies and steering wheel tapping beats. Ol' Mr. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane, joins them on the track "Mr. Nobody", from their 2017 album, 'The Album' on Coalition. A record is a journey and 'The Album' is worth the drive. Take it all the way through to "Desert Rose". Its a great place to end, (I'm a sucker for fat twang-y solos), and maybe a great place to begin again. Johnson Crook and Joey Landreth play the Moustache Club Mar 14. Patrick Dorie is also on the bill.
Charlotte Day Wilson's 'Stone Woman' available Feb 23, plays Danforth Music Hall Apr 6 and 7
The smooth grooves of Charlotte Day Wilson continue with the release of her new single, "Stone Woman", also the title of her EP, out Friday Feb 23 2018. The track winds its way into a conclusion Feist would be proud off, (guessing here, don't know her, but I am confident in the guess).
Ottawa's MEGAPHONO fest pop-ups in Toronto and Montreal
Trails is just one of the over 70 artists performing at MEGAPHONO in Ottawa Feb 8 to 10, 2018. Trails is also one of several artists playing pre-fest showcases in Toronto and Montreal. She joins Willie Thrasher and Linda Saddleback as well as King Kimbit Feb 5 at The Burdock in TO and Moonfruits steps in for King Kimbit at the La Salla Rossa in the City of Saints the following night.
Alongside such luminaries as Lido Pimienta, Steven Lambke, Daniel Romano's Ancient Shapes, Nap Eyes and Nick Ferrio, MEGAPHONO features a Native North American Gathering with Duke Redbird, the aforementioned Thrasher and Saddleback, Eric Landry, Leland Bell, Alanis Obomsawin and more. The full line-up is on the website plus tickets, schedule, conference deets and all that other vital info. Lucky Ottawa is all I can say.
Nothing New from Charlotte Day Wilson - new single from Stone Woman
Its a smooth operator that will call their track "Nothing New" and Charlotte Day Wilson is one smooth operator operating the groove like its jelly. Her EP Stone Woman drops Feb 23 2018 and she has a couple of dates at the Danforth Music Hall Apr 6 and 7.