Thursday, June 16, 2011 Day 2 of NXNE started off at the Audio Blood Rooftop for an invite-only party. There was free beer, courtesy of St-Ambroise, and free Vitamin Water. Those Audio Blood folks sure know how to throw a party! First up was Library Voices, who brought out their delightful power pop in the […]

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 I kicked off my NXNE at the Bellevue for Audio Blood’s Go Folk Yourself showcase. I managed to catch Emma Hill and Revelstoke. Emma Hill hails from Portland, Oregon and she was super stoked to partake in the festival. I was instantly captivated by Hill’s sweet voice, but she was also […]

Date of show: June 7, 2011 Brooklyn-based Yeasayer had the sold out crowd at the Phoenix riveted by their set. The anticipation for the headliner to hit the stage was in the air and when band opened up with “Madder Red,” the energy from the crowd swelled. Songs like “O.N.E.” encouraged a dance party and […]

Date of show: May 14, 2011 Excited to be home, even if only for a short time between touring stints, Dinosaur Bones played an energized set to their hometown fans and friends. The 5-piece is comprised of Ben Fox (vocals, guitar), Dave Wickland (keys, vocals), Branko Scekic (bass, vocals), Josh Byrne (guitar) and Lucas Fredette […]

Date of show: May 13, 2011 This show was part of the Live Near Bellwoods Concert Series courtesy of the fellas who have dubbed themselves Humble Empire. Check out their site for videos from the show! Ruby Coast have this boozy allure that makes people want to dance or jump or simply party. The core […]

Date of show: May 12, 2011 By far, Dora Alexander had the biggest draw of the night. The band recently went from a 4-piece to a 5-piece and is now comprised of Alex Grant (vocals, guitar, keys), Christophe Brochard (guitar), Michael Succi (guitar, keys), Adrian Gagnon (drums, keys), and Lawson Smith (bass). For a band […]

Date of show: May 6, 2011 Buddy Black is a Toronto-based punk outfit fronted by Buddy Black himself. Mikey Gibbons and Ross Martin round out the 3-piece. Their show at the Bovine Sex Club was in celebration of their self-titled EP release and what a celebration it was! The crowd was completely into it, though […]

Date of show: May 6, 2011 Witch Ever is a Toronto-based 3-piece fronted by Stephen Sirisko. He is joined by his son Cal on guitar and Ken Boville on drums. The band caught my attention when they sent us this video for “The Push,” which is full of Toronto imagery, as well as some G20 […]

Date of show: May 4, 2011 Morgan Cameron Ross has released his solo debut, a bit of a departure in sound from the country/folk rock band Birds of Wales. Ross’ solo work is still in the folk category, though it’s much more pop. A common thread is the charming personality that colours the music. As […]

Date of show: April 29, 2011 By the time Teenage Kicks hit the stage at 12:30, the venue was packed, especially right up front. The set started off with “Brooklyn Bridge,” the same way the band starts off their Rational Anthems EP, the release of which was being celebrated that night. It didn’t take long […]