Griot Review
In the documentary Griot , trumpeter Volker Goetze takes a look at his collaborations with musician Ablaye Cissoko, a man who keeps the historical and cultural traditions of music alive in his home country of Senegal.
music
The Scene: An Exploration of Music in Toronto Review
There’s nothing particularly wrong with the music documentary The Scene: An Exploration of Music in Toronto , but it’s doubtful that anyone outside of the bands being profiled and their friends and followers will get too excited by the prospect of rushing out to see it.
Interview:
Christian Ward and The Infinite Vacation
Artist Christian Ward talks The Infinite Vacation , his collaborations, musical influences, and what's next for him (hint: it's awesome, and features Matt Fraction).
NXNE Day 3 (Ladies Night)
Don't feel like braving the crowd at Yonge and Dundas square tonight? Then bomb around town and listen to some of these lovely ladies on what I've declared as the unofficial NXNE Ladies night.
NXNE Day 2
Some more recommendations for Day 2 of nxne including local rappers Wordburglar and D-Sisive, the post modern T. Nile, and blue grass boys Union Duke.
NXNE Day 1
1000 bands, 30 films, 150 comedians, 60 Artists… I believe it was Stephen Hawkins who said “ain’t nobody got time for that.” If you thought picking between two stages at a festival was tough, looking at over a dozen shows happening concurrently around the city can get a little overwhelming. As someone who is only […]
TIFF in the Closet
This Saturday, the TIFF Bell Lightbox will have a special sing-along to R. Kelly's labyrinthine Trapped in the Closet saga (the first 22 parts, anyway). But what is it that makes this kitschy R&B phenomenon so popular?
Interview: Justin Ludwig
Step into the pit as we talk to Canadian documentarian, punk rock frontman, and proud atheist Justin Ludwig about his film ChristCORE and how he learned to have a better understanding of the world of Christian punk and metal despite not being a believer himself. We also talk about the crossover success of Christian rock, how the bands politically believed a lot of the same things he did, and how to potentially really screw over Chik-Fil-A.
The Music of Our (Teenage) Lives
In honour of our special teen themed week here to celebrate the release of The Perks of Being a Wallflower on DVD and this weekend's TIFF Next Wave Film Festival for teenagers, That Shelf has assembled a crew of writers from both inside and outside the site, a special celebrity guest, and actually teenagers on the Next Wave committee to talk about something near and dear (and sometimes embarrassing) to all of us: what we listened to when we were younger.
Band of the Month: Snowblink
Get to know Snowblink in this interview with member Daniela Gesundheit, which features talk of traditional Chinese medicine, connecting with environments, and what it’s been like to be an addition to the Toronto music scene.
Band of the Month: Evening Hymns
Evening Hymns' front man and songwriter Jonas Bonnetta's father passed away before his first album, Spirit Guides, was released three years ago. Now as the band releases Spectral Dusk, we are invited into what Bonnetta and his family have gone through since. Read our interview with Bonnetta about the album, their sound, and what's to come.
Band of the Month: Dusted
You know how it's been so humid lately? It's so hazy in Toronto these days, as storm clouds tempt to thunder and then don't really come at all, hair frizzes to a scary level and the sun looks down on you with the biggest smirk. If you're looking for something to calmly lift you into a comfortable zone, then new Toronto band Dusted's new album, Total Dust, will do the trick.
Band of the Month: Stella Ella Ola
Stella Ella Ola make the kind of music that embodies good times, friends, and sunshine. Picture rollerblading down a boardwalk, flippin' burgers, hanging out in someone's basement eating popsicles while reflecting on yearbook memories. It's a simple joy that they've captured. We talk with pals Jake and Nixon Boyd, Anne Douris and Vince Rice about the band, their planned BBQ musical,, and their favourite Muppets.
Band of the Month: Wendy Versus
They've been around town for a few years now, but it seems Wendy Versus are experiencing a real refreshing and colourful new beginning before they release their first album, Crayon Wars , next month. We spoke to the trio about how Luke Skywalker got involved, how their music would be classified as X-Files, and what kind of hats they wear in this band and all their other bands.
Band of the Month: The Elwins
In this month's Band of the Month showcase, we take a look at indie pop rockers The Elwins about playing shows for kids, recording, and selling their own special brand of underwear.
