Toronto Unplugged

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 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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The first Sunday of the year. Well, the first Sunday where the sun is out and for the first time in a long time I’m actually looking forward to going outside and doing something.
And for this special occasion, I feel I need to add a touch of spring to my iPod.
Here is what’s on deck…
First heard Hello Blue Roses climbing the chart on the CBC’s R3 30. Their MySpace page seems to be at a standstill because they only have one track added on there and it is very different from their chart friendly standout: Shadow Falls
Vancouver’s …read more

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(Image Credit:  Juno Awards)
b5media will be attending and covering the 2008 Juno Awards being held this weekend in Calgary, Alberta. The awards celebrate Canadian Music, and the weekend consist of  events, concerts and in true Canadian fashion, the Juno Cup – a hockey game between Canadian musicians and hockey legends.
The b5media representatives at the Juno Awards are Arieanna Schweber and Jeanne Dupuis.
All live coverage will appear on MediaScribbler, including exclusive photos.
For more about the events of this weekend, check out the Juno’s website.

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After a short hiatus, The Assistants are back performing live again with new drummer Evan Bender. The band has a show booked for Friday April 18th @ Rancho Relaxo. The show comes by way of the ongoing ‘Two way monologues’ music series.
The show starts at 9pm and the cost at the door is $7
The lineup is as follows…
Opopo (Toronto)
Les Handclaps (Montreal)
The Primordials (Toronto)
The Assistants (Toronto)
Give us your thoughts on the lineup.

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Toronto Unplugged congratulates The Lowest of the Low on a legendary musical career and a well deserved induction.
Lowest of the Low will be inducted into the Indies Hall of Fame tonight as part of the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards. “The Indies” celebrate outstanding achievement in sound recording and live performance.
The Lowest of the Lowwere a Canadian alternative rock group in the early 1990s. Although they never broke through to the mainstream, they were one of the most influential bands on the Canadian alternative music scene.
Formed by Ron Hawkins, Stephen Stanley and David Alexander, the band was originally known as …read more

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Toronto Unplugged will profile individual bands and artists that are worth checking out during Canadian Music Week, but here is a snapshot of of some great line-ups at solid venues.
If you’re looking for One Stop Shopping…look no further.
Thursday March 6
Live at Lee’s Palace: JASON COLLETT (CD Release Party), BIRDS OF WALES, REBEKAH HIGGS,
9 pm, $18
Live at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: PLANTS AND ANIMALS, THE ACORN, KATIE STELMANIS, DOG DAY, IMMACULATE MACHINE
8:30 pm, $10
Friday March 7th
Live from the Drake Hotel (let’s hope CMW strips away the pretentiousness): WOODHANDS, TROPICS, WINTER GLOVES, LAURA BARRETT, HUCKLEBERRY FRIENDS, SLIM TWIG
9 pm, $5 …read more

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The Coast is quickly becoming one of Toronto’s most talked about Indie sensations. This track The Lines Are Cut lets you in on the buzz.

The Salingers are another Toronto band getting some pre-hype. The band is working hard to get a sharp new release out. If their Myspace tracks are any indication, this band will be big. Standout track: 2025
Swedish rockers The Hives recently challenged the Swedish players of the Vancouver Canucks to a game of hockey at General Motors Place. Word is that the band didn’t have a goalie, so they used build …read more

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Hello Operator has emerged as a band ready to break out in a big way. At the front end of a North American tour, the band will be playing the Opera House on March 6th as part of Canadian Music Week before heading out for the rest of the tour.
Hello Operator were called a “newsmaker” in Macleans magazine, and listed as “one of 12 bands to watch out for” by Canoe.ca Their video for Chasing Satellites has been in regular rotation on Much Music and Much Loud since November 2007.
Influenced by the likes of the Cars, Costello …read more

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