Band: Jay Malinowski & The Deadcoast Album: Martel Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Jay Malinowski’s latest effort, the introspective Martel, delves into the historical and imagined life story of Malinowski’s ancestor, sailor Charles Martel. A double concept album, there are 9 songs on the “Pacific” side and 9 on the “Atlantic” side with the album’s storytelling […]

Date of Show: January 29, 2014 Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Niagara’s Kaptur is the project of multi-instrumentalist Riley Jensen. Formerly a solo endeavour, he recently expanded to a full four-piece band to include Andrew Grierson (guitar), KC Floyd (bass), and Justin Jennings (drums). Their set began with a looping sampler recording introduction, “Hello, we’re Kaptur […]

Band: Hands & Teeth EP: Before the Light Written by: Chiara DiAngelo After being relatively quiet throughout 2013 following the departure of a founding member, the now four-piece Toronto band, Hands & Teeth are back with their latest EP, Before the Light. More melodious and less extravagantly experimental than their 2012 LP, Hunting Season, the […]

Band: Mike Trask and the Precious Memories Album: One Big Happy Family Written by: Chiara DiAngelo East Coast singer-songwriter and blues rocker Mike Trask’s latest release One Big Happy Family is the culmination of a collaborative effort with local artist Benjamin Allain. The tracks are based on a collection of artwork by Allain inspired by […]

Date of show: November 30, 2013 Written by: Chiara DiAngelo On a cold November night, Montreal’s Half Moon Run took the stage in front of a sold-out crowd and instantly the chill in our bones was melted away by their spectacularly atmospheric synth-pop. From the simple yet heavy harmonica-laden ballad “Unofferable” to the swelling entire […]

Date of show: November 29, 2013 Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Led by swaggering frontman Matthew Angus, Toronto-based Fast Romantics had a redesigned lineup since last we saw them, welcoming two former Australians, Shane O’Keeffe (guitar) and Lauren Heron (keys), who threw some lovely accents into the mix of spirited backing vocals. The band’s new album […]

Date of show: November 24, 2013 Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Opening the night was Vancouver’s Jordan Klassen. Where there was nervous awkwardness when we saw him at the Dakota earlier in 2013, this was now replaced with confidence. Still just as quirky, Klassen owned his eccentricity and thus, commanded the stage with a newfound presence. […]

Band: White Ash Falls Album: Over the Night Written by: Chiara DiAngelo Over the Night is Vancouver musician Andy Bishop’s second album under the White Ash Falls moniker. Having previously played a supporting role with BC bands Yukon Blonde and Twin River, Bishop has found his rightful home in this solo endeavour. From first listen, […]

Saturday, October 26, 2013 After devouring Lobster Eggs Benedict at Your Father’s Moustache (highly recommended!) and restraining ourselves from purchasing all of the vinyl at the Record and Zine fair, we headed out to spend the rest of the afternoon at the Nevado Records showcase at The Company House that came complete with free pizza! […]

Friday, October 25, 2013 KASHKA (11:00PM) Catherine and I met up at Burrito Jax to thaw our fingers and gain sustenance in the form of a burrito before heading over to The Seahorse Tavern for the remainder of the night. The new project of Toronto’s Kat Burns, KASHKA represents a departure from the folkcentric Forest […]