Toronto Unplugged

A band forms.
They play in a basement.
They play a few bars.
Word spreads that they’re pretty good.
They play some bigger bars.
They go on tour hitting a few cities in the province.
Word spreads that they’re better than good.
They play a few bigger shows.
They play the States.
They try their hand at a tour overseas.
“There’s a reason why Toronto’s the Coast are leaving in October to do an extensive tour of the UK which will be followed by another tour of the States and Canada and that is because they have the ability to combine sadness and longing with a solid music backdrop and …read more

Comments Off

The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label.
The award was established in 2006 and includes a C$20,000 cash prize. The Polaris Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Music Prize, which is handed to the best British or Irish album over the past year. The award is sponsored by Rogers, Sirius Satellite Radio, Radio Starmaker Fund, and the Canadian Recording Industry Association, and the ceremony is broadcast live on CBC Radio 3.
This year’s short list for the prize includes albums …read more

Comments Off

Facebook lurking helped me (re) find Five Star Trailer Park.  I saw an alert that a mate had joined their group and I went back and listened to them again, because I remembered digging their sound when they were featured on CBC Radio 3 back in February.  A very cool indie rock pop band from our fair city. 
Their sound is a vibrant mix of softer sounds and lyrics with rock riffs and strong vocals.  Comparisons have ranged from Ryan Adams to Foo Fighters.
Formed in 2004, Five Star Trailer Park is no stranger to big shows, and its past accolades are plenty. The …read more

Comments Off

Here you go Lana Gay…I’m expanding your Band Pairings concept to this side of the Net.
Band at SXSW + a Beverage + BBQ’d something…
The Tom Fun Orchestra…
Tom Collins (Hayman’s Old Tom Gin…of course)..
BBQ’d Nova Scotia Lobster…
Fun Dip for dessert…who remembers fun dip?
No idea what I’m talking about…go here.

1 Comment

picApp_publisherId = 449;picApp_imageId = 4483;picApp_imageWidth = 357;picApp_imageHeight = 318;picApp_configUrl = “http://pis.picapp.com/IamProd/FlashSite/GetConfig.aspx”;picApp_Picview=”http://pis.picapp.com/IamProd/FlashSite/en/picviewerv1_1.swf”;picapp_numberOfLine=1;ImageServe();
Working away today listening to CBC Radio 3 and caught their live feed from SXSW.
Grant Lawrence was on site (or was he…) at the outdoor stage at Emo’s.
Radio 3 shot the feed through all the snow to us Canadians. The line-up was canuck heavy and featured….
The Most Serene Republic from Milton, ON – proud home of astronaut Chris Hadfield…you will be reminded of it everywhere in Milton
The Shout Out Louds from Stockholm Sweden (not sure how many astronauts have come from Sweden…feel free to weigh in)
One of …read more

1 Comment

CBC Radio 3 is always on top on what is breaking in Canadian Music.  This week’s NMC features local Toronto band Five Star Trailer Park.
Five Star Trailer Park are an emerging band from Toronto’s vibrant independent music scene.  Drawing comparison’s to bands as varied as the Foo Fighters and Ryan Adams, this sextet is reputed for songs crafted with beauty and tension.
The band is taking up residency at legendary brew pub C’est What on Tuesday nights for the month of March.
Standout Track:  On the Drive Home

Comments Off