Toronto Unplugged » Music

Vampire Weekend Return to Toronto

Sat, 24 May 2008 03:32:16 +0000

Most may know Toronto’s historic Fort York for the annual beer festival…most might not remember any of it, but that’s standard. The Rogers Picnic has declared Fort York home for their annual bash celebrating great music. This year’s bash will feature New York’s Vampire Weekend.

In case you missed Vampire Weekend when they were last in Toronto at their crazily hyped show at the Horseshoe Tavern, this is a chance to see them at another unique (although much larger) venue.

The other acts at this year’s Rogers Picnic includes Animal Collective, Cat Power, Dizzee Rascal, Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians, Chromeo, the Carps, and only-in-Canada headliners Alexisonfire side project City and Colour.

Info…

Rogers Picnic Sunday July 20th @ Toronto Historic Fort York | Tickets Here

Image Credit: Wikipedia

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Mars Volta at Sound Academy

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:16:36 +0000

Big concert tomorrow night in the city – The Mars Volta will be playing the Sound Academy. The Mars Volta are a very cool band with a rockin’ smooth vibe.

The Mars Volta is an American Progressive rock group founded by Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López in 2001. They are generally considered progressive rock, with jazz and Latin influences. They are known for their wild, energetic and improvised live shows, as well as their usually concept-based studio albums.

The roots of The Mars Volta are found in the side project of At the Drive-In members Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez known as De Facto; which also included Jeremy Michael Ward: audio technician, close friend, and cousin of At the Drive-In member Jim Ward.

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Hello Operator on Tour with Cameron’s

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:01:02 +0000

Hello Operator is a breakthrough band. They were called a “newsmaker” in Macleans magazine, and listed as “one of 12 bands to watch out for” by Canoe.ca after their exciting Canadian Music Week performance. Their video for Chasing Satellites has been in regular rotation on Much Music and Much Loud since November 2007 and have been featured on MTV Live.

The band just returned from an 8 week tour zig zagging across North America. Throughout the tour we would get random updates through msn, Facebook and email. Cameron’s Brewing is a big fan of the band and threw in some sponsorship for the tour. Upon the band’s return this video surfaced on Cameron’s blog.

Press play on the bottom left play button to check out this sweet video. Stay tuned for more pictures and video.

Check out Hello Operator for a tour stop near you.

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Tracks of the Day | Jazz, Blues and Hippie Sounds

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:22:14 +0000

This week we’re still pulling some key tracks from other blogs in the channel. We are diversifying our portfolio so to speak. Start out your day with some quality Jazz. Some people don’t ‘get’ jazz. Appreciation can be simple for jazz and any other genre – listen to it and pick out why it’s different from what you normally listen to. For jazz, your mind will race at the complexity and magic of the sounds. The Jazz and Blues Lounge is our online authority for Jazz and Blues and here are two key tracks. Keeping with the jazz era The Good Musician gives us two of the greatest of all time.

Next, add a little Hippie to your life. Love your neighbor, get outside and take in the beauty of nature, and add these tracks to your portable record player…or iPod if you’re a New School Hippie. Hippie Sounds offers a fantastic track from the most famous singer songwriter of our time and an absolute gem from Crosby Stills and Nash.
Image Credit: Crosby, Stills and Nash Wikipedia

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Two Tracks from the Brit Music Scene | The Feeling | Duffy

Tue, 06 May 2008 05:56:14 +0000

We’re huge fans of British music. Both Toronto Unplugged and I think Toronto (and most of Canada’s metropolitan areas) as a whole. There is a shared vibe. We dig their sound and they seem to catch on to Canadian artists and bands before anywhere else.

Brother blogger Dave at Brit Music Scene has just posted two somewhat mellow tracks that are recent releases to the British Music Scene.

Have a listen an do let us know what you think. This is an audience participation show…

Brit Music Scene | The Feeling | Duffy | Listen Here

Image Credit: Amazon

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iPod Must Have’s | Have a listen | Happy Monday

Mon, 05 May 2008 05:26:07 +0000

Start off your week with music. Here are two random Monday tracks that we think they are worthy of any iPod. Cheers.

This is a great track from Sam Robert’s Chemical City album. The band is scheduled to release Love at the End of the World…shortly. This is sure to be another solid album because this band just keeps moving themselves closer to legendary status with every release – their collection is incredible.

Sam Roberts will be in Toronto at Edgefest on July 12.

Love this tune.

The Constantines come from a planet held together with power chords and safety pins. We live in a rickety house in a dirty, dismal street, where the naked hide from day and thieves and drunkards meet. We come from a long line of bad teeth. We’ve got foul mouths full of black and gold. The band is originally from Guelph and later moved to Toronto. They are one of the most hyped bands in the city right now. Go see them live in a cool venue while you have the chance.

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Royal Wood Makes Big Debut | Sarah Slean

Sat, 03 May 2008 23:03:17 +0000

Toronto multi-instrumentalist Royal Wood has made a name for himself close to home, with knee-weakening voice, olde-English poetics and crafty piano chops.

His most recent release, A Good Enough Day, is an ancient sonnet spun into twelve reasons as to why you should become a romantic, blending modern elements, forthright lyrics and haunting strings with love, life and death.

Having shared the stage with folks like My Morning Jacket, Serena Ryder and Sarah Harmer close to home, Royal packs his suitcase and begins his courtship with the rest of Canada when he heads west with Sarah Slean.

Royal Wood is taking on a big coast to coast tour with Ontario dates:

OTTAWA, ON: Bronson Centre, May 22 w/Sarah Slean
TORONTO, ON: Danforth Music Hall, May 23 w/Sarah Slean
KITCHENER, ON: The Gig Theatre, May 24 w/Sarah Slean

“Wood is on his way to establishing himself alongside the Canadian royalty of artists such as Sexsmith and Wainwright.” — Exclaim! Magazine

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Best of April | b5media Music Channel

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:12:55 +0000

There was a plethora of great content in the Music Channel this month. There were a ton of tips to new music, handfuls of concert reviews, album reviews, industry news, compilations and lists.

Here is a recap of some of the top content from this past month. Enjoy!

Austin Sound Check already has the SXSW 2009 Dates.Big Apple Music Scene has a list of her favorite CD store in NYC.

Brit Music Scene begs for BoyZone to give up.

Christian Music Fan reviewed David Pettigrew “Every Minute Miracles”.

Concord Crazy delved onto New Zealand’s Coat of Arms.

Country Music Stop tells us about the Country Music’s 3 Muskeeters.

Crooner Culture is not sure whether to believe or not that Marilyn Monroe has a sex tape.

Ear Sucker is starting to get really sick of Mariah Carey.

Hip Hop Roll confirms that it’s really hard out there for a pimp.

Hippie Sounds posts her favorite hippie video of the week.

Industrial Addiction is not surprised at Marilyn Manson’s sex change.

Jazz and Blues Lounge teaches you how to create your basic jazz library.

Killed By The Video Star is not impressed with John Mayer.

Metal Martyr gives you major tips before getting your tattoo.

New Age Vibe posts an interview with Steven Halpern.

News In Punk has the track list from the Offspring new album.

Our Digital Music shares the news on MSN Download shut down.

Oz Music Scene gives Wyclef Jean a pat in back for setting a journalist straight during MTV Australia Awards.

Pop Music Scene jumped on the Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair pictures bandwagon.

Rumors In Music says there might be a Metallica online album.

She Plays Music lists the Top 10 Bad Girls Of Music.

The Beatles Invasion takes a look at the bitter rivalry between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

The Good Musician has 10 tips to power up your rehearsal techniques.

The Production Side has the FYI on Lollapalooza.

The Rock Dose has the Bob Dylan ‘Hard Rain’ video.

The Rock Relic says it’s time to ROCK again.

Toronto Unplugged reviews the Colin Meloy concert at the Phoenix.

And just in case you missed it, here’s the ‘Soundtrack of The Day’ list from the music channel bloggers – a must for any music fan!

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Wednesday Night in Gigs | Kathleen Edwards | Scout Niblett

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:09:09 +0000

There are a few interesting gigs tonight in town. Here is a rundown of the one’s that stand out…

Kathleen Edwards with Justin Rutledge will be playing the Phoenix.
This is a great venue to see both these acts – intimate with great sound. Let us know how this one goes

Portland’s Scout Niblett will play the Shoe tonight.
The style is lyrical, trance, strange folk. Reminds a bit of Bjork. Here is a back cab session

Ninja Funk Orchestra @ the Concord Cafe
Maybe the coolest name ever

The Great Train Reverie @ the Dakota Tavern
A great change of pace. Check it out and ask for a pint of Cameron’s

Classic Albums Live Series – The Eagles: Hotel California @ the Rose Theatre in Brampton
Tickets between $37.50-$65.00
“I had a really rough day man…and I hate the Eagles man” – Big Lebowski

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Toronto FC: Big Win at Home

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:36:52 +0000

Not Music related. Toronto FC related.

Huge win at home today over Real Salt Lake. Toronto FC’s new additions lived up to their hype and you can feel a rejuvenated confidence amongst the club and fans.

Local press article

Local Toronto FC Blog

Next match: Next Saturday at home against 1st place team Kansas City Wizards – 3pm

Image Credit: Pitch Invasion

Post from: Toronto Unplugged