Torontoist » Musicologist

Musicologist: May 19-25

Photo of Tony Dekker by Trinh Nguyen This week the Music Gallery, Carl Wilson, and a handful of musicians/composers want you to celebrate concrete. Paying homage to the iconic concrete architecture that sprout in Toronto between 1950 and 1970 (and to Michael McClelland and Graeme Stewart’s book Concrete Toronto), such musicians as Tony Dekker (Great [...]

Musicologist: May 12-18

Photo of Tyr Jami and Todd MacDonald of The Winks by Jasa Baka Vancouver-born, Montreal-settled The Winks will be passing through Toronto this Sunday, May 18 (with Vancouver’s Secret Mommy Quintet) at Sneaky Dee’s. The cello- and mandolin-fused band welcomed 2008 with the end of a “63 shows in 71 days” tour of North America [...]

Musicologist: May 5–11

It’s been a while since the Okay Player collective have celebrated a release for anyone other than The Roots (yes, they just released their 10th full-length Rising Down last week, yes that is worthy of celebration). But this year, the collective is also celebrating Erykah Badu. After a 5 year hiatus following the release of [...]

Musicologist: April 28–May 4

On a dim fall evening last September, Neil Haverty (guitarist/vocalist of local alt-gospel collective Bruce Peninsula) peered thankfully ahead at the Tranzac’s seated crowd. With utter honesty he acknowledged how honoured he felt to be opening that evening for headliner Mike Feuerstack of Snailhouse, as he recalled an important time in his life when he [...]

Musicologist: April 21–27

Summer’s concert season is well on its way, folks! This week a handful of exciting dates were announced, including Montreal’s orchestral pop collective Islands, who play on May 29 at the Phoenix, Retribution Gospel Choir (side project for Alan Sparhawk of Low), who will be at the Rivoli on June 21, and West Coast experimental [...]

Musicologist: April 14–20

Truckloads of hype have preceded the arrival of Philadelphia’s Man Man at Lee’s Palace this evening. With heavy comparisons to the spirit of Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa, and a show repertoire that includes opening for Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire, the six-man (man) band have inevitably entered the zone of high expectation. The Toronto [...]

Musicologist: April 7–13

This week’s listings offer quite the myriad of options for all you concert-goers, from Nada Surf at the Opera House this evening to the Music Gallery‘s fundraiser with Swedish sweetheart Jens Lekman, Final Fantasy, and Katie Stelmanis tomorrow at the Great Hall. Wednesday, April 9 offers both The Dodos at El Mocambo and a sold-out [...]

Musicologist: March 31–April 6

Photo of David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors by David Topping. Perhaps it’s old news that Brooklyn’s Dirty Projectors are playing Toronto again. The band was attached to Grizzly Bear’s leg like a dryer sheet for a few years, opening most of their Toronto gigs, and they recently played Sneaky Dee’s last August to precede the [...]

Musicologist: March 24–30

This week’s listings are definitely some of the most exciting in months! Obvious recommendations include Why? who play at the Silver Dollar on March 27; Basia Bulat, who plays Lee’s Palace on March 29; Owen, who plays El Mocambo on March 27; and The Roots, who play the Kool Haus on March 30. But those [...]

Musicologist: March 17–23

This week Musicologist wants you to meet Sing Leaf. This orchestral/experimental-folk sextet combines intricate pieces of woven sounds ranging from airy flute to a reversed loop of acoustic guitar to sparse banjo overtop of minimalist electronic bases. Their sound is warm and sincere, and offers promising comparisons to many of the ripened initiatives in similar [...]

Musicologist: March 10–16

Torontoist is ahead of the game for previewing some of the best music choices this week (Queen West fire benefit, Forest City Lovers’ CD release) but Musicologist will give you one more recommendation—just for kicks. When UK’s Field Music announced a (begrudged) break last year, who knew David Brewis would be in Toronto playing a [...]

Musicologist: March 3–9

Photo of Forest City Lovers by Joe Fuda Torontoist is gearing up for the annual Canadian Music Week this week. CMWist’s complete coverage of show listings and a constant outpour of recommendations and reviews throughout the week will keep you all focused with that overwhelming 500+ band schedule. But CMW aside, Soundscapes will be hosting [...]