Toronto Unplugged

b5media’s Music Channel is pumped to announce the launch of two new blogs by two very talented bloggers.
Launched just in time to provide exclusive coverage of SXSW in Austin Texas, new b5media blog Austin Sound Check has quickly become a major draw for the channel. Austin Sound Check will cover the infuencial and breaking music scene of Austin Texas. The blog is headed by Austin Music specialist Ana Wolken.
A Texan by birth, but St. Louis-raised, Ana Wolken has been in and around the Austin music scene since returning to the Lonestar State in 2000. You are just …read more

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There is a group of us in this Music Channel who decided to track the songs we listened to on a random day and present it as our ‘Soundtrack of the Day‘.
My day was yesterday. Other than watching Toronto FC pull out a big win in Los Angeles over the Galaxy yesterday, I was in the car letting my iPod dictate all communication.
Here are a selction of standout tracks that anchored my driving Sunday soundtrack.
Joel Plaskett’s Ashtray Rock might be my favorite release of 2007. I don’t know if a day will come when at least one track …read more

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Foxboro Hot Tubs Fans….
Foxboro Hot Tubs new single, “The Pedestrian“, from their upcoming full length album, is now available for download at on their website courtesy of Jingle Town Records. You can download the new single at 320k MP3s; the highest quality available, direct from the band.
The Band will be announcing tour dates shortly and there will be some cool shows in Toronto.
While the band’s history is, as yet, unknown, they are comprised of the members of Green Day who are, according to rumors, performing “garage” music under the side project name.
Gotta love this new wave of music promotion. …read more

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It took a blogger in Austin Texas during SXSW to introduce me to The Cliks.  Finding out I was from Toronto, the lead blogger for Austin Sound Check indicated that one of her favorite bands was from our humble abode – a band called The Cliks who ’sound a bit like early Pretenders.’
The Cliks are known for their blazing, uncompromising live performances.  Their brand of rock is a throwback to what is fresh again.   In this same breath,The Cliks will be opening  for The Cult at The Sound academy tonight (April 12).
Late ticket pickups can be sought after here.
The Cliks …read more

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The globally successful and popular Virgin Festival will rear it’s commercial head and try its hand in Calgary on the June 21 & 22 weekend.The lineup is quite strong: Stone Temple Pilots and The Tragically Hip will headline, but it is the supporting acts that are generating all the chatter.
Here is a snap shot of the meat and potatoes…
The Flaming Lips, City and Colour, Matthew Good, Stars, New Pornographers, Constantines, Face to Face, Attack in Black, The Dudes, Said the Whale, The Spades, The Whitsundays, Ten Second Epic and quite a few more.
One day passes go for $75 and …read more

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Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island’s Two Hours Traffic is a band that you will likely hear blasting out speakers – depending on what circles you find yourself in.  The brand of ‘Anthemic Pandemic’ powerpop is prefect for this season – the bridge between winter slumps and patio season.  Their upbeat sound is sure to bring joy to your journey from A to B.
Two Hours Traffic is a Canadian indie rock band who chose their title after a line in the prologue to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Although often described as the band that Halifax guitarist Joel Plaskett took “under his wing”, …read more

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Toronto’s Sunparlour Players are playing a big show at the Horseshoe tavern on Thursday night. Whistles, organs, clarinets, Canadian folk rock n roll and spring in th air…this will be a great show. That is a prediction I am ready to stand by.
The band has won over fans all across the Country and quickly became a favorite of CBC Radio 3, while creeping up the R3 30. From CBC Radio 3,
Sunparlour Players..No question…a MUST SEE! These guys are so intense while playing kick drums, dobros, banjos, etc. And they sell preserves …read more

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The Verve, Rolling Stone no. 784, April 1998
This is merely a friendly reminder…
We are down to less than a month before The Verve play a highly anticipated show at The Ricoh Coliseum on Thursday May 1st. The show has been sold out for a while, but like any gig, there are ways to get tickets. Maybe you went to high school with someone who now works for a major label. Maybe your sister made out with Ashcroft’s brothers newphews neighbor. Or maybe, you’ve got a friend who has tickets but is being dragged to a wedding …read more

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The 2008 Juno Gala Awards celebrated honored two of Toronto’s favorites – our most recent breakout superstar Feist and legendary folk heroes Blue Rodeo. The gala, held on April 5, 2008 in Calgary, was an exclusive ticketed event to present 30 winners with Juno Awards in various categories.
Feist’s two awards included Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
Blue Rodeo also came away from last nights ceremony with two awards for Adult Alternative Album of the Year and Video of the Year.
For the rest of the highlights, visit b5media’s Media Scribbler covering the Juno’s live.
Image Source:    …read more

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A good friend is out in Calgary as Site and Logistics Manager for the Juno Awards.
I got a text regarding the Juno Cup,
The Juno Cup was an energy charged game last night. The rockers may have lost for the 5th year in a row but they fought hard with a score of 16-15. Even thought the Juno Cup is a friendly game between the Rockers and the NHL greats, accidents do happen. Unfortunately, Mike Hollett one of the original Rockers, broke his leg at the end of the second period. Michael was taken to Foothills Hospital …read more

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