Results tagged “listings”

Photo by room929 from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

Photo by king_frankenstein.

Photo by kygp.

Photo of Emily Schultz from her website.

Photo detail of Shary Boyle's Ouroboros, courtesy of Conundrum Press.

Photo of Tony Dekker by Trinh Nguyen

Photo by raveneye | José.

Photo of Tyr Jami and Todd MacDonald of The Winks by Jasa Baka

Photo by petite corneille.

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 a very underwhelming Worldwide Undergroud, the release of New Amerykah (part one of two EPs—the other scheduled to be released in July) has introduced a breath of fresh air for the gracious musician.

Photo by micgormit from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

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 incessantly listened to the Wooden Stars. This sort of admirable sentiment is often associated with Mike Feuerstack, for whom Sappy Records released a tribute album last winter. Titled Do You Want to Talk All Night, the album joins such musicians as Rick White and Shotgun Jimmie, who cover classic Snailhouse tracks, to celebrate over a decade of brilliant musicianship and the workings of long-lasting songwriting.

Photo by gp0256 from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

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 veterans Frog Eyes, who play at the Horseshoe on June 23—get your tickets early!

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 stop is included in their thorough North American tour (most recently selling out New York, Philadelphia and Boston dates), and supports the release of their third full-length, Rabbit Habits, on artist-friendly label Anti (home of Neko Case, Islands, and Cadence Weapon, to name a few).

Since its opening last October, Wrongbar has been a blessing to the Parkdale area. This Friday, it'll be hosting the second edition of the Stone's Throw Move Toronto party. The respected California indie hip hop and funk label will be sending off one of its biggest stars as Madlib spins a set. One half of Madvillian and Jaylib, Madlib also releases records under his Quasimoto guise. He will be joined by label mates Egon and Jamie Strong.

Photo by Tom (hmm a rosa tint).

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 New Pornographers/Okkervil River show at the Phoenix. Pas Chic Chic (a French side project from members of Godspeed! You Black Emperor) play at the Drake on Thursday, April 10. And on Friday, April 11, Madlib plays Wrongbar and Thunderheist, Bonjay, and Vitamins for You play Lee's Palace—a lineup almost as good as last year's Thunderheist and Bonjay NXNE showcase alongside Lesbians on Ecstasy and Yo Majesty.

Photo from The Chameleon Project.

Photo by blimpa.

Photo of David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors by David Topping.

A historic tour rolls into town this Wednesday, as Jay-Z and Mary J Blige bring their Heart of the City co-venture to the ACC. Since 1996, Jigga has released ten studio albums, two collaborations with R. Kelly, a mash-up album with Linkin Park, and an MTV Unplugged with The Roots. He also managed to squeeze in a three-year retirement, during which he served as Def Jam president. When no major labels would sign him, he gained his indie cred by starting Roc-A-Fella Records. Part owner of the New Jersey Nets, dubbed the CEO of Hip-Hop, dating the hottest chick in the game, and tied with Elvis as the artist with the second most Number One albums in music history, it's safe to say that Jay-Z is the man. From a critical and commercial perspective, the only other music artist in his league in terms of consistency and impact is Radiohead. He'll be joined by the Queen of R&B and Hip-Hop, Mary J Blige. In addition to doing solo sets, the two will do a shared set. If it's half as good as their Unplugged performance, this show will be a classic.

The fantastic Ibi Kaslik is back with a follow-up to her stunning debut novel, Skinny (a book that cracked the New York Times best sellers list for two consecutive weeks earlier this year—no small feat for a young Canadian writer). Kaslik's latest offering, The Angel Riots (Penguin Books), is the fictional chronicle of two up-and-coming Montreal bands, and speculation has already surfaced that the author (who, while in high school, was in a band with Emily Haines) drew inspiration for the novel from her real-life time spent with musicians. Perhaps this wouldn't be a point of interest if said musicians hadn't eventually ended up in bands like Stars and Broken Social Scene. Torontoist suggests you forget Kaslik's musical past (and any potential scandal via the fictionalizing of sordid details) and simply enjoy the book for what it is—an engaging and entertaining rock novel from a brilliant, innovative young author. As per usual, Kaslik creates a narrative that is both accessible and beautiful, and refreshingly, something that both literature and music lovers can enjoy. On Tuesday, April 1 join Kaslik and Apostle of Hustle at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom for the launch. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

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 are shows that you probably already have tickets for. What you may not be so prepared for this week is the Pitter Patter Music Festival.

Eric Warner has done it again! The man behind such endearing stories of booking concerts while still under-age, running an incredible independent label that just won’t stop, and being a soldier through those good ol’ days of Viking Club and Dollarama has just announced an ambitious lineup for this year’s Over The Top Festival. Equal parts film and music (with a hint of theatre), the festival spans five days from April 30 to May 4, and offers all events to all ages.

Photo by Jonathan Ponce from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.

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 genres (Yo La Tengo’s And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, for example). Sing Leaf play at a much-anticipated Beach House show on March 28 at El Mocambo—tickets are $8.50.

Panel from Emily Pohl-Weary and Willow Dawson's Violet Miranda: Girl Pirate #4, courtesy of Willow Dawson.

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.

Photo of Julie Wilson, courtesy of Julie Wilson.