Access (thanks MM!)
Michael Rault playing in Trinity Bellwoods as part of the ‘Live in Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival 2012′
Amazing mojito at the Manitoba Music party on the rooftop of the Drake Hotel
NxNE in Photos
17 06 2012Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: North by Northeast Music Festival, nxne, NxNE 2012, NxNE Priority pass, trinity bellwoods park
Categories : Music, Musings, Toronto Music Scene
NxNE Mini Review – Paper Lions (June 15 – The Elmocambo) and a little Ryan O’Reilly Too
17 06 2012After 2:54 at Lee’s we pit-stopped for pizza (natch) and then headed to Sneaky Dee’s to catch a bit of Odonis Odonis…and lasted about 10 minutes there. Anyone who’s ever been to see a band upstairs at Dee’s would probs agree that it’s not the best venue unless you want to be crammed and sweating right in front of the stage, which is rather low and so anyone standing more than 10 feet back can barely see. Also, one gets the feeling that at any minute a surge of people bringing the venue to over=capacity could clause the floor to give. Kinda scary.
So we made our way to The Elmo to catch the tail end of Ryan O’Reilly (amaze!) and see the Paper Lions set. I’d seen Paper Lions once before, also at The Elmo, and gosh I just love them. They’re so fun to watch and so happy and upbeat. I described them as “cutesy” to MM but I meant it in the best way possible. They put a huge smile on my face. Which made it awkward to drink my vodka soda. White girl problems.
Hailing from P.E.I, Paper Lions is all melodic pop, catchy sing-along choruses and pure enthusiasm. They’re the perfect soundtrack for a picnic in the park or a road trip or even for a shitty day you’re trying to make better.
You can download their new acoustic EP At Long Creek here for free. I’ve been humming it since yesterday.
Rating 5/5
Paper Lions website:
http://paperlions.com/
And some Ryan O’Reilly thrown in for good measure…
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Tags: 2:54, At Long Creek, north by northeast, North by Northeast Music Festival, nxne, NxNE 2012, Odonis Odonis, Paper Lions, Ryan O'Reilly, sneaky dee's, The Elmo, The Elmocambo
Categories : Music, Toronto Music Scene
NxNE Mini Review – 2:54 (June 15 – Lee’s Palace)
16 06 2012After slamming down some allergy meds (anyone else finding their allergies out of control this summer in Toronto?), I kicked off night 3 of NxNE with 2:54 at Lee’s Palace. I went in not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised.
Hailing from the UK and fronted by the Thurlow sisters – Hannah on guitar and Colette on vocals – 2:54 is broody, pulsing, 90′s-esque rock. I found the singer’s ‘dance moves’ a little awkward and a teensy bit distracting at times, but I’m fairly certain her dance style was intentional. I commented to MM that it was like the Tin Man meets Axl Rose.
Rating: 4.5/5
2:54 website:
http://www.twofiftyfour.net/
Stand out song: Circuitry
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Tags: 2:54, lee's palace, North by Northeast 2012, North by Northeast Music Festival, nxne, NxNE 2012
Categories : Music, Toronto Music Scene
NxNE Mini Review – Black Belles (June 14 – Dakota Tavern)
16 06 2012After Belle Starr and Tia Brazda at the Dakota, I made the short trek over to The Garrison to see what all the fuss about the Black Belles was about. Jack White is a huge fan (and signed them on his record label) which should have been my first hint that I wouldn’t love them.
In short, the Black Belles are an all-girl rock/grunge/goth group in matching black floppy hats, and I’d bet money they buy black eyeliner in bulk. Lead singer Olivia Jean has great stage presence but holds her guitar so awkwardly I got a sympathy hand cramp.
I was willing to overlook the matchy-matchy makeup and clothing but something about the whole performance just didn’t work for me. But based on the number of people crammed into The Garrison it would seem that I’m in the minority with that opinion. If they ever roll through town again I’d go see them because I want to like them, if that makes any sense.
Rating 3/5 (because although they aren’t really my bag musically, the drummer is great and the singer had some brilliant moments and good pipes)
Black Belles website:
http://theblackbelles.com/
Photo source: http://theblackbelles.com/
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Tags: jack white, north by northeast, North by Northeast Music Festival, nxne, NxNE 2012, The Black Belles, The Garrison
Categories : Music, Toronto Music Scene
