Summer of Scuzz mixtape
Here’s a scrappy pile of tracks we compiled courtesy of some local surf, new wave, punk, folk, and distorto-90s influenced bands from Canada’s epicentres of music (Toronto to Montreal to Halifax to Vancouver). True, there are other Can-Con mixtapes out there, but this one is decidedly less granola and a little more crude oil. It’s band/label approved, and it’s free. Enjoy.
Summer (of Scuzz) by resonancity
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1.”Came Our the Other Side OK” by Duzheknew -
From Halifax’s elusive Adam O, a perfect package of dark new wave, post-punk and pop. We picture this track playing in the deck on the start of a road trip. He will ship you his split tape with Cousins himself, hit him up on his myspace.
2. “Death Sunglasses” by The Wicked Awesomes!
Given the chorus of this track, “I’m wearing death sunglasses just to see you die,” it’s no surprise this scuzzy garage gang is from Deadmonton (though they also sing about iPods and wolf spirits); in fact, Alberta is churning out more so-called Wryd Punk than ever (The Famines, Topless Mongos). Their latest release is available at Psychic Handshake.
3.”Saturn” by Red Mass
Montreal 30-person collective Red Mass has a rep for releasing everything it records (much of it on Semiprini) but weeding through all the blues-punk crazy comes this gem of a pop tune, lovely to hear during their live show if spastic vocalist Gisel is on stage.
4. “Rip My Heart Out” by Devil Eyes
Of Montreal, Devil Eyes is a noisy slide blues, post-punk mash-up best described here. Who would’ve thought something with so much attitude could come from a married couple? See Signed by Force for their latest release.
5. “Fish” by Seth Smith
Dog Day frontman Seth Smith’s new project is full of lo-fi acoustic East Coast minimalism. His whole album New Problems is quirky-creepy (”I will kill you and eat you”) with a fragile beauty reminiscent of Daniel Johnston.
6. “Nans” by Cousins
This young two-piece reminds us of a lo-fi version of 90s indie Can-Pop, like a spaced-out Sloan. Check out their split tape with Duzheknew.
7. “I Hate Everybody Else” by The Nymphets
This Montreal outfit is made of bratty, cute garage punks not afraid to use DIY skills. One member is willing to do anything in the name of art, including stocking her own dad. See releases at Signed by Force.
8. “Gasmask” by RatTail
Toronto’s RatTail make melodic, entrancing, deep-voiced indie rock (and ironic videos) and they’ll release their first 7″, George Mounsey, this week on Unfamiliar records.
9. “Library Card Amulet” by Apollo Ghosts
This Vancouver band was named one of the best in Canada by Herohill. Download a track from their latest album Mount Benison, which according to them, reveals the dark secrets of hard-done-by Vancouver Island town of Nanaimo, BC here.
10. “Public School” by Soft Copy
This Toronto three-piece (you might recognize from Wavelength series mainstays, Neck) use that 90s rock contrast of earnest, intellectual lyrics and unthreatening vocals yet hard-hitting riffage. This is off their softmore release Vicious Modernism which hasn’t received enough attention despite critical acclaim.
11. “Walls of Dry Clouds” by Heartbeat Hotel
This young Toronto band (formerly from Peterborough, called Mariposa) combines Animal Collective’s airy-dreamy qualities with a knack for sad melodies and catchy songwriting. Not sure why they aren’t huge yet. Their whole high quality album Fetus Dreams is available for free here.
- Marsha Casselman
