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April Monthly Music

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2011 is finally working up to something stronger this month; are we all in agreement that these first few months have been kind of slow in terms of music? Or maybe we’re just impatient. Anyways, while we’ve surely had some musical finds each month, April has definitely kicked it up a notch. In just the first week, Toronto will be visited by acclaimed international acts such as The Joy Formidable, The Raveonettes, Foster the People, The Mountain Goats, Nat Baldwin (of the Dirty Projectors), Cut Copy and Toro Y Moi.
CMW 2011

Canadian Music Week 2011: Free Events Preview

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Every year, Canadian Music Week takes over Toronto, letting 800 bands take over 55 different venues over five nights. It’s really fun chaos. This year’s fest starts on Wednesday, March 9th. So as you’re unlikely to go buy a $75 wristband at this point, it’s in Dork Shelf’s best and wonderfully cheap interests to tell you about the great, free portions of the festival.
From Far and Wide - Featured

From Far and Wide New Music Challenge

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There’s a new reality show in Canada that doesn’t involve crazy club-hoppers, people who think they can host a proper dinner party (but really can’t) or those who think they can be the next Canadian Idol. What it does have are indie musicians trying to catch their big break from the industry professionals who get to travel across the country searching for new talent.
Sister - Featured

February Monthly Music

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As this year starts to get steady on its legs, we'll all need to find some new strength as well. This month’s picks will do just that for you – all of these acts radiate confidence and are really starting to come into their own. Let’s take a note from their songbook and get going!
Entire Cities - Featured

January Monthly Music

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We’ve all dabbled in the business of New Years’ resolutions, yes? Whether we keep them, kibosh them or disregard them entirely, they’re still there somehow. Did you make any this year? Mine were to learn how to play my new ukulele and to get to know many more local bands. If you share that last one with me, then this month’s column should be a treat for you as I help point us both in the right direction. Here are five Toronto (or GTA) bands who are ready to make that splash in the snow (shh, I know you’re thinking ‘slush’ right now, but snow is just more nice!).

December Monthly Music

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It’s the end of 2010! Holy crap! Music has been really wicked this year, but you know what, we here at Dork Shelf are kind of glad we’re on to the next round. We're excited for a fresh wave of newly made-up genres and themes. While this year held Kanye, teenage dreams, The Suburbs and more in priority, next year could have much more west coast chillwave bands, danceable Brit Pop and hopefully a lot more interesting local Toronto bands (wink).
No Joy

November
Monthly Music

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Really, what is there to do in November? It’s kind of a boring month, no? Maybe stressing out about Christmas is getting to you already? (And in that case, I say ‘oy.’) Dork Shelf can easily remedy this problem. Here are my music choices of concerts to feast your eyes and ears on as well as some hot new artists.
Hooded Fang

October Monthly Music

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Now that the Toronto Film Fest is over, us entertainment suckers are getting itchy for new interests. If you want to turn to the music side of things, I can help with that. Besides taking September off here because I was just so distracted (yeah, sure), I've also decided to re-vamp this column. For the time being, I will just be discussing what is to be expected and enjoyed from the month in full.
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