Toronto – Lots of shows this week. As a big Steelers fan, my focus is elsewhere.
The Decemberists
Sound Academy, Feb 1st
In what world would you expect a Decemberists release to debut at #1 on the Billboards chart? In THIS world. The King Is Dead exceeded all expectations and demolish the competition, debuting at #1 on it’s initial release two weeks ago. Is this the sequel to the Smith’s The Queen is Dead? Only the members of the Portland band will know. The Decemberists are playing the dreaded Sound Academy Tuesday. Get used to large venues for these veterans kids, they are now popular.
The Decemberists — Down By The Water by buzzlegoose
Best Coast/Wavves
February 6th, Phoenix Theatre
Sadly, I will be missing this concert due to the Superbowl, but if you don’t care about football, be sure to make it down to the Phoenix to see two bands who arguably, had the best NXNE runs last year. Best Coast is the cat loving LA surf-rock act featuring the powerful yet lazy sounding voice of one Bethany Cosentino. They released a pretty good album last year. Waaves is a San Diego rock band that I don’t really get, but they seemed to have collected a nice group of followers and well, they have a lot of funny stuff on stage to look at..
Best Coast – Boyfriend by Ragged Words
Jane’s Party
The Piston, Feb. 2
Toronto based indie rock/power pop band Jane’s Party offer up some catchy, toe tapping tunes as heard on their most recent digital single, Alone Together. Also on the bill are Grammercy Riffs and The Rucksack Willies.
01 Alone Together by janespartyband
Julie Doiron
Horseshoe Tavern, Feb. 3
Julie Doiron first came to prominence as bass player for famed Moncton band Eric’s Trip. In the years since their breakup, she has forged a nice solo career for herself, first as Broken Girl, then under her own name, while also contributing to various projects such as Shotgun and Jaybird, Gord Downie and The Country of Miracles, Calm Down It’s Monday, and Daniel, Fred and Julie. Her most recent album, I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day, was released almost 2 years ago, so perhaps she’ll be previewing some new stuff at The Horseshoe. Regardless, it should be a good show.
Consolation Prize by Julie Doiron
Kidstreet/Rich Aucoin
Drake Hotel, Feb 2
There might be 30 feet of snow outside on Wednesday, but don’t let that stop you from what surely will be a helluva party at the Drake Hotel on Wednesday as Rich Aucoin and Kidstreet transform the basement of the Drake to what surely will be a room full of confetti, props and other stuff. While everyone probably knows about Rich Aucoin already, Kidstreet is a new group featuring three siblings (ala Hanson) who have been growing in popularity with their brand of synth pop (not ala Hanson). Check out their track X down below with a nice pulsating beat and tell me this isn’t a dancefloor waiting to happen.
Kidstreet – X (Album Version) by nettwerkmusicgroup
