INTERVIEWS
Blog digging producer Ryan Hemsworth a long way from Halifax
Ryan Hemsworth, a 22-year-old bedroom producer from Halifax, has risen to recognition over the past year with a couple of blog-hyped EPs, and is now commissioned to do remixes for the likes of French “electro-bro” Brodinski’s label, Bromance Records. I discussed his strategy in the July issue of AUX’s ipad magazine. Aside from producing... »
‘We are all lonely’ – and other revelations with Kyle Bobby Dunn
There isn’t much of a “scene” for wordless, beat-less drone music; so if you’re going to produce it, be prepared to relish time by yourself. Canadian producer Kyle Bobby Dunn thrives in this lonesome endeavour, as you can hear on his second double album Bring Me the Head of Kyle Bobby Dunn, out on... »
CMW preview: Absolutely Free shed DD/MM/YYYY past, talk upcoming album
DD/MM/YYYY were one of the first bands we covered on Resonancity, so when we heard four-fifths of the band were regrouping to form the new group, Absolutely Free, inviting them to play our CMW showcase was a total no-brainer. But since they don’t have any music online beyond a few live videos, and since... »
CMW preview: Cynical Detroit duo Bad Party makes Toronto debut
Detroit industrial punk duo Bad Party – who make their Toronto debut at our CMW showcase this Saturday – mix pounding drum machinery and ripping guitar that makes you want to both dance around and rough someone up at the same time. But while frontman Nate Savino has a reputation for bad-assery, I found... »
CMW Preview: Skitso-Convo becomes Cellphone
Today we continue our roll-out of previews for our CMW showcase with another song premiere, this time from electro-horror-punks Cellphone. If you’re not familiar with the band that may have a little to do with their defiantly unGoogle-able name, but it’s actually their second moniker. The band recently rebranded from the more descriptive Skitso-Convo. »
CMW Preview: Connoisseurs of Porn debut Re-Gifted Fruit
Gearing up for our first Resonancity showcase at the Comfort Zone this Saturday has us very excited. We stand behind every band on the bill, though we know none of them are exactly industry-friendly. So, starting today and running every weekday up until the show, we’ve decided to give you a preview of each... »
Crystal bowl player Darren Austin Hall on the perversity of modern music
“Our culture uses music as entertainment, primarily. And that’s a perversity.” Darren Austin Hall, a singer, crystal bowl player and one of a few “sound healing” practitioners in Toronto, believes American music should move away from being a spectator sport and return to its ancient roots as a communal experience. »
Hooded Fang’s Tosta Mista: A delicious summer snack
Despite the sucess of their Polaris-nominated debut LP, Album, Toronto indie pop darlings Hooded Fang have been quick to u-turn their glockenspiel-y sweetheart sound. They’re sporting a SoCal surf rock vibe on Tosta Mista (out today, handled by new label Daps Records, which includes Doldrums and Odonis Odonis). »
Q&A with The Pharcyde (i.e. Small-town white girl schooled by straight-outta-Compton rapper)
When I interviewed 90’s hip hop vets The Pharcyde for today’s 24 hours Toronto piece, I expected a tight-lipped convo judging from this tense 2008 reunion interview. After all, there are legalities making their re-assembly somewhat of a miracle. »
Austra talks TO’s scene, queer videos and growing up on Kate Bush
Today marks the release of Austra’s Feel It Break (Paper Bag), one of the most anticipated electro-band albums to come out of Toronto since Crystal Castles’ debut. The album’s dark, operettic, trance-inducing pop can be heard in full at NPR. »
Bloodshot Bill gets personal with new album, Thunder & Lighting
Montreal’s Bloodshot Bill has been traveling as a one-man swagger-heavy rockabilly band for over ten years and just released Thunder and Lightning, an LP of songs about relationships (many of which are stormy, judging from the title). Prized by renowned Toronto booker Dan Burke, Bloodshot plays the Silver Dollar for his album release party... »
Q&A: Suuns about to explode
A few critics in this neck of the woods are anticipating big things for Suuns – a dark, Clinic-esque four-piece out of Montreal. Since changing their name from Zeroes and releasing their debut full-length Zeroes QC, they’ve excited folks in both the U.S. and Europe. Of course, Canada’s slow to warm to their... »
Interview: Freedom or Death at Pop Montreal
Producers Steve Fernandez and Sway of new Toronto soul-synth-pop outfit Freedom or Death would rather not focus on their past as major label employees. They’d also like to keep their blogging, interviewing of sugary sweet pop stars and Top40 club DJing under the radar - but today they’ve surrendered. »
We Are Wolves at Osheaga: Nous Sommes les Artistes
Arcade Fire wasn’t the only hometown band reveling in French stage banter at Osheaga in Montreal this weekend. We Are Wolves, now 10-year veterans of electro-punk, drew a good sized crowd des amis for their early evening set on Sunday. As I approached them pre-gig backstage, all three were sweating, on the grass on their... »
Osheaga side-stage preview: Hovatron and Lunice
If you’re thinking of heading to Montreal for the Osheaga festival this weekend for 90s-slacker and indie-rock goodness (The National, Sonic Youth, Pavement, to name a few), open your mind a little and you’ll be treated to a slice of the future. According to world-renowned New Yorker music critic Sasha Frere-Jones, Montreal harbors North America’s... »
Alterna-Pride: Dancey post-punks The Torrent speak out on gay politics
After much controversy, Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) marched in the Pride parade yesterday, but not all feathers were left unruffled in the gay community, and musicians were a big part of that. »
Q&A: Exene of X says punk is different when you’re 50
In Toronto this weekend for the NXNE festival is Exene Cervenka, the poetic, off-tune-harmony singer-songwriter of 70s-80s punk band X. In 1976, Exene Cervenka met John Doe, and they went on to create history as part of L.A.’s punk scene revolving around the club Masque, infusing punk with blues, country, rockabilly alongside more harsh... »
RatTail celebrates new life and a new EP
RatTail, a new three-piece from Toronto, creates minor-noted, hooky rock tunes, and though lead singer/songwriter Jasmyn Burke’s deep voice lends sophistication, they’re an otherwise fun indie outfit not to be taken too seriously. And they’re just as playful in lyrics, judging from the name of their debut EP, George Mounsey. »
Unruly since 1982: Montreal hardcore vets take another go
Montreal, early ’80s: Hardcore band Unruled were living the squalored, 18-year-old crust punk’s dream opening for legends GBH, Dead Kennedys and DOA. Until, like the scene itself, the band fizzled in 1985. “Basically it was (due to) personal conflicts,” says Pat “God” Gaudette, original bassist, adding there was “violence between band members,” including body throwing... »
Holy Fuck discusses new un-Latin album, Latin
“The purpose of the band isn’t necessarily to only use wacko kookoo and hilarious instruments,” says Graham Walsh of Toronto’s mech-electro darlings Holy Fuck. He assures us, though, their trademark 35mm film synchronizer and various “old junkie drum machines, keyboards and toys” appear on the new album, Latin, out May 11. »
Upcoming Shows
Vinyl, tickets
Books: The history of Toronto’s scene
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