Toronto Unplugged

According to Nielsen, Canadian sales of digital tracks in Canada increased 73%, well ahead of the 45% growth rate posted in the US. Digital album sales are up 93% in Canada while in the US they are up only 53%.

“This is great news,” said Canadian Music Creators Coalition spokesman Steven Page. “In fact, it is exactly the kind of news that we hope the government will consider when they work to rewrite Canada’s copyright legislation later this year.”
Major label representatives have consistently said that the only way the industry can survive is by making it easier to sue music downloaders …read more

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If some of the bands that have been on the scene of late made resolutions…and if I somehow knew what they were…and if they were resolutions that I wish lacked longevity and were in fact broken…than these would be them.
Picture the Broken Social Scene town meeting just before New Years,
“This year folks, we are going to collectively commit to no side projects.”
A hush of silence.
Some of the best albums of this past year in Canadian music have been Broken Social Scene sides.
I was saying to my wife a few days ago…I wish I was around for the days of bands …read more

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CBC Radio 3 handed out their Bucky Awards yesterday. Full stream of the Podcast can be found here. This is one of the Top streamed music programs on the Internet.
CBC Radio 3 has a broad understanding and grasp of the music scene in Canada. Their Indie reach and influence makes it a true promoter and advocate of music culture in our cities and towns.
Back to the Bucky’s. I love how the winner of each award is most often reached on the phone to get their reactions – winning categories like Best Lyrics, Best Sweatin’ to the …read more

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These are some of my favorite nights. Got this text message at 10:21 pm on Thursday night,
Apostle of Hustle, Lee’s. Anytime now (10-15min). Come.
Already at the Press Club and not far from Lee’s, me and some mates jumped in a cab and darted to Lee’s Palace for the gig.
We walked in just as second opening act, Skin Tight, Outta Sight, was taking the stage. The Burlesque Revival show, led by dancers Gigi, Pussy and an apprehensive man of religion who eventually stripped down to an ass-less pair of stockings made me realize that the last-minute decision …read more

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Musician and songwriter, Kevin Drew – who, together with Brendan Canning, founded the expansive Toronto baroque-pop collective Broken Social Scene – played the Kool Haus on Saturday night. Drew, along with many BSS’ers, were playing a solid repertoire of Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew’s Spirit If…
Our man Joe Manocchio was at the gig and had this to say:
“The opening band was great. Kevin Drew was great and he played for over 2 hours straight, sans encore. I had to leave the show at around 12:10 and they were still on stage. The show was pretty …read more

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Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett is playing the Dakota Tavern on Tuesday night.
Most singer/songwriters are lonely souls with only a stool, an acoustic guitar and a heart-worn sleeve. Not Jason Collett. Oh sure, the Broken Social Scene guitarist has his instrument and a stack of intimate tales to tell-but his new solo album, Idols of Exile, sounds more like a house party.
What’s going on at the Dakota for the rest of the week?
Wednesday the 5th:
David Myles early show @ 8:00. Tickets $10 @ door
Flash Lightnin’ plays some lowdown southern boogie @ 10:00
Thursday the 6th:
Andy Swan early show @ 8:00. Tickets …read more

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