Results tagged “mostserenerepublic”

"Do you trust your friends? Would you let them redecorate your apartment, or do your homework for you? Would you let them buy your groceries? Would you leave them in charge of your kids? And if you did, what would they change?"

All those in favour of Born Ruffians becoming the next medium-sized Toronto buzz band say, "Most Serene Republic"! Good, now that we're all in agreement, we can decide on who signs these Ruffians to a record deal. Rumour has Paper Bag arranging some sort of US/Europe deal and another rumour has an unnamed multinational signing them to a developmental contract. And unfortunately that's all gossip fit for print today. Unfounded rumours aside, they play tonight at Sneaky Disease along with the Spitflowers (Spitfires + Mayflowers = Spitflowers) for $5. But if you don't go tonight, you can listen to Born Ruffians on the above MySpace page or at NXNE in a little over a month...

Watching The Most Serene Republic this summer was like watching a wino eat grapes - it might make sense in time, but not quite yet (thank-you to Mitch Hedberg). That is to say, Most Annoying Republic was the Arts&Crafts buzz band that never really buzzed outside Toronto, or even in Toronto depending on who you read. From a broader perspective, they were A&C's first real disappointment, and first real reason to be disappointed in the A&C. Rushing out that band and subsequent album showed poor artist and repertoire judgment on behalf of the label; just because the Most Serene Republic guy sang songs in his U of T dorm room didn't necessarily mean he was ready to release an album. That band, along with the Arts&Crafts merch department (who fold up/crease posters by sending them in envelopes rather than using poster tubes), seemed enough reason to seriously doubt or even avoid New Buffalo, the latest A&C signee from Australia. But then it occurred to us that ignoring new talent for those reasons was irrational and slightly vindictive. As an artist that has been allowed to develop on her own, through EP releases and a reasonable amount of touring, New Buffalo has a much better chance at success than her Serene A&C predecessors. And, not coincidently, she does succeed.

Opting for two $5.50 cans of Labatt Blue at Pride Parade over the $48.50 price tag of the Olympic Island throwdown, Torontoist missed a good show for the second year in a row (rhyme alert). Luckily for us, though, Mr Mason Wright of Propeller was able to get us the scoop. Above is a picture of the Most Serene Republic, and below is his review:

This weekend you've got two big to-do's vying for your attention - on the mainland, Pride Toronto wraps up a week of festivities with party after party and loads of live music. The full list of performers is too expansive to get into, but it includes David Usher, Carole Pope and Rough Trade, Lesbians On Ecstasy and Gentleman Reg. More detailed schedules of performances and locations available here.