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

Edgefest is one of the summers biggest concert events and will feature bands such as Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park and Sam Roberts.

Just a few months ago, The Coast launched their anticipated debut full-length album Expatriate to a full house at the Horseshoe Tavern.  Although the few hundred in attendance at the Shoe will seem distant to the tens of thousands that will occupy Downsview Park for Edgefest.

Other notable bands on the second stage include:  Hostage Life, Creature and The Flatliners.

The Coast will take the stage at 4:45pm.

For more information on Edgefest, check out The Edge. 

Image Credit:  MySpace

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

It began in 1996 and was patterned on the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Each year, three-dozen music venues host hundreds of bands from Canada, the United States and all over the world. Each music venue hosts five bands a night (9 p.m. onward), and the majority of the venues are grouped along downtown Toronto’s Queen St. West, College St. West, and the Bloor St. Annex.

The music conference at NXNE runs for three days at the Holiday Inn on King Hotel which serves as Festival HQ. NXNE delegates, panelists and bands playing the festival are able to participate in discussions, songwriter round tables, keynotes, demo listening and peer critiquing, legal clinics and the very helpful peer mentor sessions. The NXNE conference panels are held Friday and Saturday, and aim to foster a professional environment where musicians, artists and music industry reps can network and share ideas within their field.

This year’s line-up is solid to say the least. Perhaps the most anticipated gig will take place on closing night at the Kool Haus where My Morning Jacket will play the evening of June 16th.

My Morning Jacket’s new album Evil Urges will be released on June 10th – just before the start of NXNE. MMJ frontman Jim James says this about the album,

“There’s a theme of moral confusion that runs through the whole record,” says Jim James, explaining the title of the band’s new album, Evil Urges. “The world today is such a confused place. Things that people think are good values are obviously twisted, but there are other things considered evil that obviously aren’t. There is real evil out there, but Evil Urges is about how all of these things that you’ve been told are evil really aren’t, unless they’re actually hurting something or somebody.”

Alongside My Morning jacket at NXNE is a slew of incredible Canadian bands including: Moneen, The Stills, We Are The Take, The Coast, Spiral Beach, Ladyhawk (at the Shoe – sure to be a killer gig) and many more.

For the entire Festival lineup, visit the NXNE Band Schedule

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

The Coast released their much-anticipated debut full-length, Expatriate, on Aporia this April at the Horseshoe Tavern. The place was packed with anticipating fans and the band rewarded the crowd with a rockin set introducing the new tracks and leading frenzi’s on the familiar ones. It was a ‘good to be back’ set and offered a look at things to come.

The band was touted as one of the acts to watch in 2008 by Canada’s national music monthly Exclaim and Toronto’s Eye Weekly, thanks to the buzz that continued to grow as the band toured extensively across North America last year, playing alongside such acts as Tokyo Police Club, The Dears, Sam Roberts, The French Kicks, and a coveted CMJ showcase with Foals, A Place to Bury Strangers, and Le Loup.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

This week, we decided to list off the 76 Songs That Have Our Ear.

Why 76? Because Rock and Roll is unpredictable…

Various bloggers throughout the channel have listed off the songs that have been residing in their ear buds. Some are old classics, others are so new we’re not sure they exist and some are undiscovered gems. Click through the links below and discover music. Enjoy.

Our Digital Music let’s us in on a great collection of songs ruling their music player including the great Leonard Cohen and CSNY.

For a taste of what’s hot in New York, Big Apple Music Scene delivers some tracks to check out like ultra-cool MGMT.

Today’s Rock Dose features the lyrics to a legendary track.

Time to rock out. Check out the embedded music player at Metal Martyr to have a listen to 10 great tracks.

Toronto is rockin’ right now with up and coming acts ready to break out. Toronto Unplugged offers a chance to listen to bands such as The Coast.

You can NEVER go wrong with the Beatles. Beatles Invasion lists off a fantastic selection of tracks by arguably the world’s greatest band.

Oz Music Scene has put together a list of 10 tracks that have emerged as favorites including the likes of Josh Pyke. Sit back and enjoy because you can watch the video of each track listed.

Visit Ear Sucker to listen to a great variety of 10 tracks ranging from Zeppelin to Biggie Smalls.

Brit Music Scene has embedded 10 tracks that you should hear including The Zutons. Check it out and listen to great British Music.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

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 it yourself Swedish furniture…

The Hives will be playing Toronto this week as part of Canadian Music Week.

Still on the Plants and Animals train. Their sound is a cauldron of everything I dig. Track to check out: New Kind of Love

Getting ready to go on tour with Feist, Hayden’s new album showcases why the singer songwriter has been a favorite for years and will be for years to come.

What songs have your ear lately?

Post from: Toronto Unplugged