Music
GTA Music Round-Up: Constantines, Final Fantasy, RAA, Wooden Sky, Fucked Up & More
I'm the kind of person who eats, sleeps and breathes music - a self-proclaimed audiophile. I suppose it's only natural then that I'd want to share my enthusiasm and passion for local Toronto music with as many people as possible. Without further ado, I bring you this week's GTA Music Round-up, a post dedicated to spreading the latest news, ticket releases, tunes and videos from our local talent.
Constantines
Guelph, Ontario's Constantines turn ten this year. To celebrate, they're playing back to back nights at Lee's Palace on 11th and 12th of December, complete with "special guests and many other surprises." Tickets come with a free digital copy of their EP 'Too Slow For Love' and an option to buy a 7 inch for 'Our Age'. These shows will sell out ridiculously quickly, so I'd act now if you intend on going.
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy's much anticipated fourth album will hit shelves on January 11 through Domino Records. In Owen Pallett's words, the twelve songs on 'Heartland' "are one-sided dialogues with Lewis, a young, ultra-violent farmer, speaking to his creator." Not quite sure what to make of that, but I'm intrigued to say the very least.
The Rural Alberta Advantage
The Rural Alberta Advantage stopped by Daytrotter recently and debuted some new material, as well as stripped down versions of a pair of tracks from 'Hometowns.' Files are free to download once you register with the site. I totally recommend doing so - the extensive archives are a goldmine, including renowned international talent as well as local Toronto acts like Born Ruffians, Fucked Up and Holy Fuck.
Wooden Sky
Fresh off the release of their stellar sophomore LP 'If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone,' The Wooden Sky (pictured above) announced a Canadian tour that will stop at Lee's Palace on November 13 with Brian Borcherdt and Hooded Fang opening. You can also check out the first part of the Wooden Sky documentary entitled 'A Documentary in Pieces' below.
Fucked Up
The annual Fucked Up Fest hits the Kathedral on October 30 and Sneaky Dee's on Halloween, with recent Polaris Prize winners Fucked Up playing both nights, joined by a small army of support acts. Full details here.
And, in general...
Grand Analog, Bruce Peninsula, Timber Timbre and Katie Stelmanis will Make Some Noise at a few branches of the Toronto Public Library in the month of November. As wonderful as musical performances are, I'm most excited about the Art of DJing workshop to be led by Grand Analog on November 10.
Ward's Island will be hosting the ALL CAPS! Island Show on October 17, a fundraiser for Artscape Gibraltar Point. AGP is a 100 year old school that has been converted into a work and living space for artists, and the benefit will feature sets from Great Bloomers, Sun Ra Ra Ra, Brian Borcherdt & many more.
Words & photos by Matthew McAndrew. Got a news tip or suggestion for me? Feel free to send me an email, but keep in mind: Toronto news only!
Discussion
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The typical audiophile is a fairly dogmatic, humorless sort, which the comment from Steve seems to illustrate :)
Nice to see Brian Borcherdt mentioned... There are plenty more bands who also deserve the exposure.
On another note...lucky bastards. I had tickets for Owen Pallet in Vancouver and he cancelled the show, apparently wickedly sick and getting tested for swine flu.
It made me feel bad about my original mental joke that suggested the "medical emergency" was that he'd found Davie Street.
Okay, this music certainly is "local," though the majority of the bands/artists you've mentioned are far-reaching and somewhat mainstream. I am not suggesting there is anything wrong with that, but to me, "local" bands refers to truly independent bands who play locally and do not have record labels and other entities promoting them. That being said (and remember, I'm not suggesting there is really anything wrong with Mr McAndrew's post), here is some other local music news/promotion: <br><br>
Toronto's operatic electro-tinged indie sweetheart (too much?) Katie Stelmanis plays the recently opened Garrison (Ossington/Dundas) this Thursday, Oct 15th. Check her out. Do it. <br>http://www.myspace.com/katiestelmanis
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I had the pleasure last week, or perhaps it was the week before (alcohol?), of seeing up and coming, self-described post-punk surf rock disaster band Arman's Frozen Peas (they claimed to be the awkwardly-named band you love to hate when I spoke to them after their set) at the Boat. Expect to hear more from these youngsters very soon. <br>http://www.myspace.com/armansfrozenpeas
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After conquering New York City a few times over, including stints opening for Japandroids, Toronto's lo-fi buzz blog sensation Little Girls are set to release their debut full-length Concepts tomorrow (or today depending on your time-frame), Tuesday, October 13th. Look for them on tour across Canada with You Say Party We Say Die! in November and as part of Fucked Up's Halloween Weekend bash, Thursday, October 29th at Sneaky Dee's with Meligrove Band, METZ and The Bitters. <br>http://www.myspace.com/littlelittlegirls
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Spazz rock heroes DD/MM/YYYY are in the midst of conquering the USA as part of a tour with These Arms Are Snakes, but the math-rock influenced quintet will be back playing on home turf opening for Dan Deacon at the Great Hall on Wednesday November 4th. <br>http://www.myspace.com/ddmmyyyy <br><br>That is all for now.