Toronto Unplugged

I’m hoping there is some debate on this one, because I’ve heard tons of good and bad rants on this next venue.
Lee’s Palace is Lee’s Palace, it’s that simple.
Lee’s is a legendary concert venue in Toronto. The place is dark, it sometimes smells, the acoustics can be a bit high on the treble and the servers are a notch down from pleasant. But this is one of my favorite venues in the city. All of the above make up the character of Lee’s Palace. I thoroughly enjoy the sight lines, the acoustics, the intimacy and the …read more

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Luke Doucet’s latest album Blood’s Too Rich has hit #1 on both ChartAttack and Earshot National college radio charts. The album has been getting rave reviews across the country and is an early 2008 favorite.
 
Quotes on the album…
 
A “landmark album”…”fearless guitar work”…”dangerously personal and transparently allusive songwriting”. (FOUR STARS) – Toronto Star, Disc of the Week
 
“For fans of Doucet’s stylishly robust guitar work, the album is a welcome homecoming.”
- Globe & Mail
 
Luke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band …read more

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I’ve always rolled my eyes at comparisons. Maybe I’ve never understood them.
When I read NOW Magazines cover story indicating that Toronto’s Zaki Ibrahim could the next Amy Winehouse, I cringed a bit. Why the comparison to a walking circus? Perhaps it would become clear…how’s that for foreshadowing?
The R&B/Soul/Singer/Songwriter paired her cover story with a gig at the MOD Club last night. It is always something special when a musician creates a fixation in concert not based on stage presence, light shows or gimmicks, but straight talent. Zaki Ibrahim is a compelling artist that reels …read more

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Located on the fringe of downtown at 722 College Street West lies a great Toronto concert venue: The Mod Club.
The Mod Club Theatre is a popular rock club that hosts smaller, more intimate gigs. The venue has a capacity of about 600 – concert-goers can watch acts from the floor, the tables to the side of the theatre, and a second floor balcony.
The theatre is decorated with Mod themed artwork and images that give the theatre it’s British vibe. Two large video panels give everyone in the audience a good view of the performers on stage. The …read more

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BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: LAUREN KATULKA
What blog do you write?
Oz Music Scene
How long have you been blogging?
Professionally it’s been about six months now. But I’ve kept a personal blog for roughly seven years, so it feels like a natural progression.
What do you like best about blogging?
I’m a bit of a control freak, so it’s really great to write about the things I want to write about, and the way I want to write them. I also love hearing from my readers, and meeting new people because of it.
Describe yourself in 5 words.
Passionate, domestic, honest, creative, optimistic
What is the last song …read more

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 (MGMT)
Eastern America’s MGMT (pronounced ‘Management’) will be performing with Yeasayer in Toronto on February 9th at the El Mocambo.
MGMT has been featured in virtually every publication, listing them as a band to watch.  Feb 9th at the El Mocambo will be your chance to see a cool band in a cool venue that could be an impact band in the future.  At the very least, it’ll be a trippy night.
Here’s the skinny on MGMT…
While studying music at Wesleyan University in Middleton, Connecticut, Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser formed the electronic-rock group MGMT and played at the college’s notorious “clothing optional” …read more

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Starting next week, Toronto Unplugged is going to count down the Top Concert Venues in the city. We will look at venues of all sizes, shapes and historical importance. We will list the key points on each venue as well as the top performances each has hosted.
Venue rankings can be biased on many things: who you’ve seen there, what time you arrived (where you ended up in the venue), how drunk you got and maybe how drunk you didn’t get.
We’ve begun asking all of the folks that we know that hit gigs in the city at a furious …read more

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So many band break-ups are ugly ordeals that leave fans wondering what happened.   In the world of big rock and roll, it’s often attributed to money, ego and the surge of fame.
Toronto’s Republic Of Safety have announced that their January 26th show at Sneaky Dee’s will be their last.  The band is breaking up.
Money?  Ego?
According to the band, it’s something a little more sense able.
“It’s always been a bit of a juggling act, but we’re all basically overachievers, so somehow it managed to last as long as it did.” says guitarist Jonny Dovercourt.  “the fact is that we’ve stopped agreeing …read more

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Artist profile: The Cansecos

Baseball reference = YES
Original Band Name = The Cansecos Against Racism
Tons of girls as friends on Myspace = YES
Laser sound effects in their brand of Indie Electronic Disco-ish rock = ABSOLUTELY
New Album “JUICES!” November 20, 2007.
Band Members: Bill Halliday (songs, guitar, keys, singing), Gareth Jones (songs, guitar, keys, singing), Paul Prince (baaaaaaassssssssssssss), Dan McCormick (drumming).
Track getting hyped on the R3 30: Raised By Wolves
Check out The Cansecos
Upcoming Shows:

23 Jan 2008
6:00

XM Radio Channel 52 “Live On The Verge”
Toronto, Ontario

23 Jan 2008
18:00

XM Radio Channel 52 “Live On The Verge”
Toronto, Ontario

26 Jan 2008
18:00

CBC Radio 3 R3-30 LIVE in …read more

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Here are three reasons to get your move and shake on this weekend:

Friday January 25 – Major Maker at Steam Whistle Brewing – $5
Saturday January 26 – The Salads at The Horseshoe – $10
Saturday January 26 – Tokyo Police Club at Nathan Phillips Square – free (bring a flask, it’s going to be a cold show)
If standing in the cold at the Tokyo Police Club gig isn’t for you, head to the El Mocambo to check out RA RA RIOT, The Coast and the Virgins – $8.50 (doors at 9)

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