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 strong poetry in a fashion that is relatable, authentic and destined for airwaves.”

More from Toronto Music Scene on The Coast 

Image Credit:  CBC Radio 3

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

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 released by some incredible Canadian acts including the likes of Toronto’s Holy Fuck (LP), Winnipeg’s Weakerthans (Reunion Tour), Montreal’s Plants and Animals (Parc Avenue) and Kathleen Edwards (Asking for Flowers)…just to name a few.  The short list is down to 10 entrants – widdled from the semi-final selections.

There is no submission process or entry fee for the Polaris Music Prize.  Jurors select what they consider to be the best Canadian albums released in the previous year.  A cross-Canada panel of 185 music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers determines a long list of semifinalists, released in June, as well as Monday’s 10-entry short list. A smaller panel of 11 judges will ultimately select the winner.  Jurors include national music mavens like John Sakamoto and Alan Cross.

The third annual Polaris Music Prize will be awarded at a gala, hosted by CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence, at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre on Sept. 29.

Image Credit:  Wikipedia 

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

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 release of their debut album, “Here,” was held at Toronto’s Reverb to a beyond-capacity crowd of nearly five hundred screaming fans. They followed this up by playing to over 10,000 people at Nathan Phillips Square for the United Way of Greater Toronto.

Five Star has a history of producing powerful live performances and is returning to the stage in 2008 with a pocket-full of breathtaking new songs assembled under the watchful eyes and ears of renowned Toronto producer James Paul. There is already much buzz surrounding The Fight That Broke Your Heart, which will be released at Toronto’s legendary Rivoli on Saturday, May 31st.

Five Star Trailer Park has just returned from taking the stage with the Tragically Hip, the Sam Roberts Band, Sarah Harmer and Attack in Black as part of the Big Music Festival in Belleville’s Zwick Park at the end of June.

Image Credit:  Facebook

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Band at SXSW + a Beverage + BBQ’d something…

The Tom Fun Orchestra…

Fun Dip for dessert…who remembers fun dip?

No idea what I’m talking about…go here.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

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 two acts on the bill from the Arts & Crafts label, Toronto’s The Constantines. This is a great set, give it a listen. I think astronaut Roberta Bondar has an office in Toronto…for what it’s worth.

Arts & Crafts second act, The Stills from Montreal rounded out the line-up with a solid show.

The lads and lasses at Radio 3 have posted the sets for all to enjoy.

Emo’s Austin, Austin’s best small venue for live music, is located just off 6th Street on Red River. On any given night you will find some of the best bands and the most colorful staff and patrons in all of Austin sitting at our bar.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

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

Post from: Toronto Unplugged