Toronto – Another week, another series of concerts. My life is such a routine.
Sharon Van Etten
April 12th, Drake
If you haven’t been fully entranced by a Sharon Van Etten live show, then you get the opportunity to check that off your bucket list on Tuesday. The Brooklyn based singer songwriter is best seen in small intimate venues and the Drake is certainly one of those places. Her most recent album, Epic has garnered her a lot of deserved attention as it is filled with earnest songs that highlights her strong voice and songwriting talents. Word is that she is already recording new material with The National’s Aaron Dessner. Will we get a preview Tuesday night? Go to the Drake and find out. We’ll be there.
Cloud Nothings
April 14 , Horseshoe Tavern
One of those buzz bands that I had made a point of seeing at SXSW but somehow failed to, The Cloud Nothings are so new they don’t even have a wikipedia page. It’s amazing how upbeat a song like Understand it All sounds given the fact that the Cloud Nothings are from Cleveland, one of the most depressing places to live in North America (if you follow sports). Maybe Cloud Nothings didn’t care about Lebron. Check out their early 90s pop grunge sound at the Horseshoe on Thursday.
Cloud Nothings – Understanding It All by The Drift Record Shop
Black Lips/Vivian Girls
April 16, The Phoenix
The Black Lips were one of the best bands I saw in Austin and they will take their rock and roll extravaganza to the Phoenix on Saturday to kick some serious ass. The Atlanta band has a new Mark Ronson produced album coming out in June, but don’t expect them to come out in sharply dressed suits with a penchant for using horns. Expect the same old Black Lips show, which means a few stage dives, some ridiculous antics on stage and an army of crowd surfers. You’ll come out of the show a little worse for wear, but you’ll thank yourself for going. The Vivian Girls are a band that I’ve heard of, and am getting around to listening to them, but I say that about a lot of things.
Black Lips – “Drugs” by modernmysteryblog
Fergus and Geronimo/Surf City
April 16th, Garrison
Two Pitchfork approved bands will take the stage at the Garrison on Sunday. One‘s a experimental garage pop band from Texas, the other, a J&MC influenced noise rock band from New Zealand. On Sunday, they will share the same space. Will they get along? Will hilarity ensue? Come to the Garrison on Sunday to watch the hijinks! It’s must see tv!
Surf City – Crazy Rulers of the World by Popfrenzy
Fergus & Geronimo – “Never Satisfied” b/w “Turning Blue” by hardlyartrecords
Charity Concert Alert!
ModernBoys ModernGirls, Make Your Exit , The Elwins and HotKid
April 15th
The Toronto indie rock community has stepped up and put together a benefit concert to raise money for the Red Cross of Japan (via Canadian Red Cross). The HELP JAPAN benefit show takes place Friday, April 15th at the Garrison (1197 Dundas St. West) and there is a minimum $5 donation at the door.
Organized by Modernboys Moderngirls singer and guitarist, Akira Alemany, HELP JAPAN also features fellow Toronto indie rock artists, Make Your Exit , The Elwins and HotKid. The York University Japanese International Students Association, which has already raised thousands of dollars with an inspired origami paper crane campaign (see CBC.ca), will be folding paper cranes onsite at the Garrison for every dollar donated.
