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.’) That 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.
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.
Directed by Bruce McDonald (Roadkill, Hard Core Logo, Pontypool), Trigger tells the story of Vic (Tracy Wright) and Kat (Molly Parker), childhood friends who once had an extremely successful rock band until on stage argument signaled their demise. Ten years later, Kat works in the music industry in Los Angeles and Vic is still in Toronto. Kat returns home to attend a benefit concert and convinces Vic to accompany her. Through the evening, the two women battle each other and their inner demons. Which of them is happy? Can you go back to where you were or are some bridges burnt beyond repair?
I was ecstatic when I found out a year ago that Quentin Dupieux (aka Mr. Oizo) was going to be making a film. His history as an electro artist and music video director from an era of bar none the greatest music videos, which at the time had stations to play on, opened up a […]
So, did anyone make it out to North by Northeast ( NXNE )? If you did, what did you think? Suffering from concert and new band withdrawal? Well, Monthly Music is back to remedy just that with some exciting music to pump up your summer. So, without further adieu… Three Toronto bands you should know […]
Conan the Barbarian is well known for its hilarious lines and great action, but the film is also known for its wonderful musical score courtesy of the amazing Basil Poledouris. However, Jon and Al over at JonandAl.com found the Poledouris score lacking and decided to add lyrics to the mix. I give you Arnold Schwarzenegger […]
Torontonians are a strange lot. We’re often accused of being uptight, snobbish and centrist by fellow Canadians. As a born and bred local, I’ve always felt that maybe we’re a little uptight because we get shat upon so much by the ROC (seriously, do you know any other nation that hates their biggest city so […]
How long would you wait for your big break? And if you knew it would never come unless you took drastic measures like, say, becoming a vampire, would you? Do sex and drugs really make rock ‘n roll? According to Rob Stefaniuk’s tongue-in-cheek film, rock music is nothing without some kind of drug or in […]
North by Northeast 2010 is upon us! That means I have ringing ears and a sore ass ahead of me, thanks to the over 600 live music acts and an ample assortment of music themed documentaries that are taking Toronto by storm this week. This is simply a list of things I plan on checking […]
We’re kicking off this music month mid-way this time, as I’ve unfortunately been sick with a cold. Sorry readers! But, it’s here now, and we will celebrate by taking these recommendations in stride and soaking them all up before June kicks some new ones your way (in fact, North by Northeast is coming up next […]
Celebrities have their picture taken on an almost constant basis. Often by fans, sometimes by professionals, but only occasionally by certain photographers who have a knack for showing a side of the celebrity that is never seen on camera, often they can capture the loneliness that comes from lack of anonymity. For rock stars in […]
The Magnetic Fields are an eclectic but fairly obscure American indie rock band that has been recording for nearly twenty years. While not a household name, they have a fairly devoted following, and many musicians, such as Peter Gabriel, count leader Stephin Merritt as one of the great contemporary American songwriters. In Strange Powers: Stephin […]
New York City has seen its share of artistic revolutions, though any kind of positive revolution might have seemed impossible in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The city was crippled by massive debt with no help from the federal government, and whole neighbourhoods were urban war zones as countless buildings were left abandoned or […]
Rush is probably the strangest anomaly in rock music. They have sold the third most number of albums worldwide of any band (after The Rolling Stones and The Beatles), but have never had a number one single. Their fans are arguably the most devoted in the world, and yet (until recently), Rush has been panned […]
So, you haven’t had your Monthly Music fill in what, two months now! How does it feel? Did anyone go to Canadian Music Week? This month I’ve worked up a list for you that is perfect for your spring cleaning. From psychedelic rock to funk and pop, you’ll be moving and grooving straight into May. […]
