Toronto Unplugged

Produced by Martin Terefe, who also produced 2005’s Retriever and 2002’s Cobblestone Runway, Exit Strategy of the Soul was recorded in varied locations including studios in London, England and Havana, Cuba. Its ambitious arrangements, backed by a punctuating and swelling horn section on nearly every song, complete an album that is one of Sexsmith’s most wide-ranging in breadth of sound and feel.
With Ron Sexsmith’s disarmingly warm, inviting voice and his brilliant lyrical melancholy, the album’s 14 tracks contain observations on spirituality, love and the ever present hope that the beauty of life can overcome the world’s harshness. Also included here …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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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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Thursdays Brit Music Awards were covered live by b5media blog Brit Music Scene.
For a full recap, visit Brit Music Scene.
Toronto’s Feist was beat out by Kylie for Top International Female. Extremely popular when in Toronto, The Arctic Monkeys took the prize for Top British Band.
Love these guys…

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Do you follow Hype Machine? If you’re in to music, I suggest you do.
Easy and cool way to find (and listen to) bands generating hype. Everywhere.
The Hype Machine follows music blog discussions.  Every day, thousands of people around the world write about music they love — and it all ends up there.
The Hype Machine sidebar will constantly update every time the page is refreshed – making it easy to listen to what is getting hype in the world of music.
This minute’s list features Feist and a New York band who is getting huge hype and playing a sold …read more

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Missed Feist on tour this past year…you’ll be able to catch her on a few award shows in the next few months.
 
The singer is the leading nominee at Canada’s Independent Music Awards, receiving four bids. She joins such other Canadian favorites as Arcade Fire, The Weakerthans, and Emerson Drive as the frontrunners at this year’s ceremony. Voting begins next Tuesday at www.cmw.net.  Winners will be announced at a ceremony during Canadian Music Week, which will take place in Toronto from March 5th through the 8th. The show will feature performances from Tokyo Police Club, The New Pornographers, Besnard Lakes, Young …read more

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Believe it or not, people are still buying albums and thank you to those who are in that minority.  Record solid material, press it and people will still shell out money for it.
Elite company here…Radiohead and Anne Murray???

Here are the top 10 albums sales in Toronto for the week ending January 10th:

Radiohead – In Rainbows
Alicia Keys – As I Am
Feist – Reminder
Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Anne Murray – Duets, Friends & Legends

I can’t help but think back to that segment on Sesame Street called, “One of these things does not belong here…”
That’s right Rihanna, …read more

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The cold of December is warmed by lists, recaps, nominations and awards of virtually every music media and medium.  There are many I absorb, but only a few I truly hold steak in.
Over the next few days, we’ll look at the lists – what artists and albums consistently held high ranks in the lists of the world.
Today however, I simply regurgitate an acclamation.
Canada’s Chart Magazine, Chart Attack, just named Feist as Artist of the Year.  This recognition is based on chart position on Canada’s College campuses, so (in my opinion) it is a true award and speaks to credibility as …read more

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