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Song of the Day: Imaginary Cities – Hummingbird

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Toronto – I’ve been listening to Imaginary Cities pretty consistently since seeing their showcase at Canadian Music Week way back in March. Their debut record Temporary Resident has been making some waves in Canada and the duo of Marti Sarbit and Rusty Matyas have been riding a wave of momentum lately, including a much sought after opening slot for the Pixies’ Doolittle tour in the spring.

This track, entitled Hummingbird, is just an amazing pop song. It’s catchy, uplifting, and when you first listen to it, it sounds like something familiar but at the same time, something new. I think it could have been one of those opening credit songs for some ’80s family drama on ABC. That’s not an insult – it’s got one of those instant classic feelings to it. I really like Marti Sarbit’s voice. It’s got a playfulness to it that I don’t find in a lot of singers. Check it out. If you like it, check out their new video for some other song here.

Song of the Day: Miracle Fortress – Miscalculations

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Toronto – After impressing many people with his new material at Canadian Music Week, Montreal’s Alex Van Pelt aka Miracle Fortress is back and hoping to carry forth that momentum with a series of cross continent tours. The first tour will see him teaming up with the Canadian rapper du jour Shad for the Exclaim! Anniversary Tour. The second leg of his journey will see him team up with fellow Canadian electro rockers Junior Boys.

Miracle Fortress’s new album, Was I The Wave? comes out in May. The dude actually acted as a composer, arranger, producer, and engineer on the album as well, which I guess makes him quite the multitasker. This track, entitled “Miscalculations,” is a chilled out synth pop track that exemplifies the new electronic direction that Miracle Fortress is taking with this new album. The laid back laissez-faire attitude of this song reminds me of some of the Valerie bands that has been coming out of France in the past few years. Check it out

05/14 Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle
05/20 Montreal, QC @ Torn Curtain
06/09 Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix w/Junior Boys, Caribou (DJ Set)
06/10 Ottawa, ON @ Maverick’s w/Junior Boys
06/12 Boston, MA @ The Middle East (downstairs) w/Junior Boys
06/14 New York, NY @ Webster Hall w/Junior Boys
06/16 Washington DC @ Black Cat w/Junior Boys
06/17 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s w/Junior Boys
06/18 Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater w/Junior Boys
06/20 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl w/Junior Boys
06/21 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge w/Junior Boys
06/22 Louisville, KY @ Headliners w/Junior Boys
06/24 Chicago, IL @ Metro w/Junior Boys
06/25 Detroit, MI @ Crofoot (Pike Room) w/Junior Boys

Song of the Day: The Wombats – Vampires and Wolves

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Toronto – This is a ridiculously catchy song by Liverpool band The Wombats, who also wrote other ridiculously catchy songs such as Kill The Director, Let’s Dance to Joy Division
and Backfire at the Disco. While this single was released last September, the album this song is on – The Wombats Proudly Present: This Modern Glitch was only released last week, hitting number 2 on the UK charts. I’ve had a listen and while the tracks aren’t as immediate catchy as their debut record, this track really stands out. Good beats, dance floor sensibilities and a rousing chorus, it’s indie pop music at it’s finest. Check it out.

They are playing 3 dates, none of which is in Toronto.

Tue, May 31 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Wed, Jun 1 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
Fri, Jun 3 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw (Popscene)

Song/Cover of the Day: Boy & Bear – Fall At Your Feet (Crowded House Cover)

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Toronto – Australians covering Australians, how novel!

Boy & Bear are a five piece band coming out of Sydney. Unlike most of their counterparts from down under, this band have forgone the typical electro-dance-pop sound settling for some kickass gang vocals, rousing choruses, and some rip roaring/foot stomping guitar work instead. It wouldn’t surprise me if they became Australia’s answer for Mumford & Sons They released an EP last year named With Emperor Antarctica but the track I want to feature is their cover of Crowded House‘s hit single “Fall at Your Feet.” Boy & Bear took this wonderful track and basically banjo-fied it. The results are pretty good, check it out.

They are playing Lollapalooza so look for some tour dates around then.