blogTO | Posts by jenford

blogTO | Posts by jenford http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2009 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:33:16 PST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Ohbijou Drops "Beacons" at The Opera House Every memory I have of seeing Ohbijou play live is a good one. Before Thursday night, the show that stuck out the most was last year's co-headlining performance with the Acorn at Lee's Palace. (Incidentally, that was the experience that really piqued my interest in covering live music. I blame you, Ohbijou, for all the late nights in muggy clubs, and for the constant stream of ink stains on the back my right hand that never seem to wash off.)

I'd been looking forward to this show for months. The band was originally slotted to play in April, but the show was rescheduled for June 25th as part of the CD launch for their new album, Beacons. It was worth the two-month wait, however; visually, artistically and musically, Ohbijou never disappoints.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/ohbijou_drops_beacons_at_the_opera_house http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/ohbijou_drops_beacons_at_the_opera_house Music Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:08:49 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-06-26T12:08:49 Sonic Youth Rock Massey Hall All the excitement leading up to Sonic Youth's show on Tuesday nearly gave me an aneurysm. As I'm somewhat prone to do, I'd been deliberately panicking since my photo pass was approved the week before. Why? Because it's f@&^ing Sonic Youth.

Massey Hall is an odd choice of venue for these guys, but once the show started, I figured it out - the acoustics blew my mind... and my eardrums as well.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/sonic_youth_rock_massey_hall http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/sonic_youth_rock_massey_hall Music Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:17:16 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-06-25T14:17:16 The Parlor Mob: Five Guys Against the World If you haven't seen The Parlor Mob play live before, you'll get the chance tonight as they open for Theory of a Deadman at the Sound Academy. In a word, their live performances are legendary. Expect straight-up, no holds barred rock and roll when they hit the stage.

A little bit of history on these guys: the Jersey-born five-piece got their start back in 2004 as What about Frank, before changing to their current incarnation as The Parlor Mob. Their debut album, And You Were a Crow, was released on May 6th, 2008 and contains twelve energetic and progressive tracks.

I recently had the chance to chat with bassist Nick Villapiano about the band, future albums, fantasy venues... and Paula Abdul.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/the_parlor_mob_five_guys_against_the_world http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/the_parlor_mob_five_guys_against_the_world Music Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:12:08 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-06-24T10:12:08 Isla Craig Drifts Across Toronto Island Until recently, I hadn't been to Toronto Island in almost a year. Last weekend a few friends and I headed out on bikes with a fine selection of cheese, meat and cupcakes for Isla Craig's show and album launch at St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Church.

Isla couldn't have picked a better venue... or a better location, for that matter. The Church of St. Andrew-by-the-Lake sits by a wee river at the end of a winding bike path on Ward's Island. We arrived to the sight of dozens of sunburned, blissed out show-goers (the Island has a way of doing that to you), and their dozens upon dozens of bikes. (I've never had to look so hard for bike parking before.)

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/isla_craig_drifts_across_toronto_island http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/06/isla_craig_drifts_across_toronto_island Music Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:19:12 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-06-11T15:19:12 Royal Wood at Harlem [Contest] I'm unofficially calling it Summer now. Especially after experiencing the hot and humid heights that Hugh's Room reached last Thursday night during Royal Wood's performance. I had to jump outside a few times in between songs to avoid passing out onto someone's pita platter. It was worth it, though, to catch Royal's live show - his songs ring with a level of sincerity and understated romanticism that mark him as a true and lasting talent.

In case you missed Thursday night's sold out show, you now have a chance to win tickets to catch Royal again in Toronto, at an intimate invite-only show at Harlem on June 3rd. Want to be on the list? Keep reading for details on how to win.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/royal_wood_at_harlem_contest http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/royal_wood_at_harlem_contest Music Sat, 23 May 2009 13:51:34 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-05-23T13:51:34 Ben Harper and Relentless 7 Fire up the Phoenix Ben Harper and Relentless 7 were arguably the hottest ticket in Toronto on Wednesday night - a testament to Ben Harper's enduring popularity and career longevity. Every available square inch of the Phoenix was packed with overheated (and possibly overdressed) fans, and even though I was relegated to the extreme right of the venue for most of the show, I could still physically feel the intensity from the performance on stage.

We all know of Ben Harper, but we might not all be as familiar with his current project, Relentless 7. During the recording of Harper's album Both Sides of the Gun, guitarist Jason Mozersky (who had been invited to contribute), brought along bassist Jesse Ingalls and drummer Jordan Richardson. A few short years later, the four were able to come together to record White Lies For Dark Times, their first official (and brand new) release as Relentless 7.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/ben_harper_and_relentless_7_fire_up_the_phoenix http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/ben_harper_and_relentless_7_fire_up_the_phoenix Music Thu, 14 May 2009 14:06:57 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-05-14T14:06:57 Old World Charm with The Billie Hollies I'm always on the lookout for new music, especially anything with a hint of folk. During a conversation with singer/songwriter Donna Orchard, I was invited to check out her band, the Billie Hollies, at the Rivoli on Thursday night. The show was a mix of contemporary and classical influences, and that good kind of folk I always rave about.

The Billie Hollies are Coralie Martens (piano, vocals, French horn), Julia Hambleton (clarinet, bass clarinet, vocals), Janet Morassutti (guitar, vocals), and Donna (lead vocals, autoharp). Toronto-based, and still relatively new, they're currently working on a full length album, tentatively to be released before the end of 2009. (Girls, let me know when it's out and where I can get it, because I WANT IT.)

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/old_world_charm_with_the_billie_hollies http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/old_world_charm_with_the_billie_hollies Music Sun, 10 May 2009 12:28:39 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-05-10T12:28:39 Barzin Mellows, and Olenka & the Autumn Lovers Impress I've had Barzin's newest album, Notes to an Absent Lover, stuck in my head for the past month. I can't get enough of it - especially the last track, The Dream Song. I've actually got it on repeat right now.

When I got the chance to finally see him play live at the Rivoli on Friday night, I was super-stoked. Mellow, sweeping tunes are the best way to end a rotten week (dentists and biking in rain storms make me cranky).

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/barzin_mellows_and_olenka_the_autumn_lovers_impress http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/05/barzin_mellows_and_olenka_the_autumn_lovers_impress Music Mon, 04 May 2009 14:08:50 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-05-04T14:08:50 Neko Case Delivers a Spiritual Experience Neko Case's performance at the Trinity St. Paul's United Church this past weekend came pretty close to being an otherworldly experience. I'm going to reveal my unhip-ness right now and say that I wasn't too familiar with her brand of alt-country previously, but after catching Saturday's sold out show, I've been converted. This was easily one of the best shows I've seen all year.

Neko has a long history of collaboration: she's worked with the Sadies, the New Pornographers, Carolyn Mark and Calexico. (FYI - my heart belongs to Calexico.) Her voice has that rare ability to lull you away from reality - to pull you into her strange, creative little world. Her lyrics suggest elements of nature and fantasy; tornadoes, critters and man-eating tigers run wild through the newest album, Middle Cyclone.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/04/neko_case_delivers_a_spiritual_experience http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/04/neko_case_delivers_a_spiritual_experience Music Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:56:21 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-04-21T08:56:21 Opeth Brings Metal & Mayhem to Toronto I don't quite dress like a metalhead. Never was this more apparent than at Opeth's show at the Sound Academy this week. I showed up wearing heels and flowers in my hair when I should have worn leather. And more black. But you don't have to have long hair and sport a raggedy band tee to appreciate the amount of energy, theatrics and crowd fanaticism involved in any good metal show.

Opeth is the definition of a truly progressive metal act. Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt joined the band during its formation back in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden. He remains the only original Opeth member, as members Fredrik Åkesson, Martin Mendez, Per Wiberg and Martin Axenrot eventually joined the roster over the following years. I had the chance to sit down in the sun with lead guitarist Fredrik on the day of the show for a rundown of things to come.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/04/opeth_brings_metal_mayhem_to_toronto http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/04/opeth_brings_metal_mayhem_to_toronto Music Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:20:50 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-04-02T12:20:50 Bruce Peninsula Go All the Way to 11 Toronto band Bruce Peninsula took over Lee's Palace this past weekend with a show vigorous enough to heat the venue up by about ten degrees. Call their style what you want - new folk, ensemble choir... this crew is just incredible.

Bruce Peninsula has been around for three years - I'd list all the current members, but it'd take way too much time. (I counted eleven on stage last Saturday night.) They're known for mixing experimental sound techniques with American folk tradition, producing their highly original, distinctive style. Their LP, A Mountain is a Mouth, was released February 9th of this year - the band first started recording it back in 2007, and spent months perfecting it. Additionally, they released a 7" in July of last year with reinterpretations of three traditional folk songs.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/bruce_peninsula_go_all_the_way_to_11 http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/bruce_peninsula_go_all_the_way_to_11 Music Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:49:47 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-03-29T16:49:47 Bell Orchestre Cures the Common Flu I've been laid up with the flu since last week. (No, not that flu.) I'd avoided it all season, but my number finally came up just a day or two before I was supposed to see Bell Orchestre performing at the Courthouse downtown. I went anyway, so if anyone else at that show is feeling like crap this week, you can blame it on me. And possibly that sneezing little baby on the streetcar last Tuesday.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/bell_orchestre_cures_the_common_flu http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/bell_orchestre_cures_the_common_flu Music Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:43:00 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-03-27T16:43:00 The Constantines Reach New Heights The Constantines come pretty close to being the kings of the Canadian indie scene. In the eyes of their fans, at least - who are devoted and many, according to the turnout at the Phoenix on Tuesday night. The band were the openers for three sold out shows in Toronto with the Weakerthans, playing a set both dynamic and raw.

These guys have been doing their thing for a while now. The quintet includes frontman Bryan Webb, guitarist Steve Lambke, bassist Dallas Wehrle, drummer Doug MacGregor and keyboardist Will Kidman. The band formed in Guelph in 1999 and released their self-titled debut album a year later. Shine a Light and Tournament of Hearts followed in 2002 and 2005, respectively, and the band's newest release, Kensington Heights, is currently on the receiving end of a whole lot of critical acclaim. And for good reason.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/the_constantines_reach_new_heights http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/the_constantines_reach_new_heights Music Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:41:30 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-03-27T16:41:30 Julie Doiron Sings in the Saddest of Keys I adore Julie Doiron. Simple as that. A down to earth, East Coast girl with a taste for the sweet and melancholy and a knack for writing songs that hit you hard in the heart - what's not to love? This past Thursday night, she played an endearing show at the Horseshoe and made the packed house fall a little in love with her as well.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/julie_doiron_sings_in_the_saddest_of_keys http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/julie_doiron_sings_in_the_saddest_of_keys Music Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:15:00 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-03-27T12:15:00 Born Ruffians & Akron/Family Stay Up Late at Sneaky Dee's Toronto-based trio Born Ruffians and Brooklyn's Akron/Family kept me up way past my bedtime on Tuesday night at a second sold-out show at Sneaky Dee's. Thanks to these guys, I'm still exhausted. (In a good way.)

I'm just gonna come out and say it: the guys in Born Ruffians make me feel OLD. (Just for the record, I'm not actually old. I mean, sure, I chase kids out of my yard every now and then, but who doesn't? Now, where are my slippers?) Point is, these three guys have more talent in their little fingers than I have in my whole body, and I'm not entirely convinced that lead singer Luke LaLonde is legally allowed to drink.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/born_ruffians_akronfamily_stay_up_late_at_sneaky_dees http://www.blogto.com/music/2009/03/born_ruffians_akronfamily_stay_up_late_at_sneaky_dees Music Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:46:23 PDT Music Jen Ford 2009-03-26T20:46:23