Toronto – ARMS were one of a few bands that I first came across at SXSW and they definitely made a good first impression with their catchy indie rock. Yet for whatever reason, we never did write about them at the time. It’s time to rectify that now.
The Brooklyn based band is fronted by former Harlem Shakes guitarist Todd Goldstein and they have a new album, entitled Summer Skills, due out sometime in May. In the meantime, check out this track from their self-titled EP.
Toronto – Japanese rockers Boris are a diverse bunch. Their songs can run the gamut from hazey, psychedelic tunes to garagey punk to full on sludge metal riffs and beyond. They’ve collaborated with noise-monger Merzbow as well as former Cult frontman Ian Astbury. So if they decide to make a really poppy song full of strings (or maybe just keyboards that sound like strings?) and buzzy guitars, no one’s about to say it sounds uncharacteristic.
“Hope” is the single from their soon to be released album, Attention Please. Yes, Boris, you have my attention.
Toronto – Jonquil was one of those bands that came out of nowhere at SXSW to surprise the entire Panic Manual crew with an amazing performance. The Oxford band has only an introductory EP One Hundred Sun out right now but their debut LP is fast approaching. This track with it’s jangly guitars and upbeat summer vibe will help make you forget how much Vampire Weekend has regressed over the past year or so. Check it out yo.
Good video too
JONQUIL /// GET UP from B A N K S on Vimeo.
Toronto – Rarely is a remix of a song better then the original. After listening to the mellow Roy Orbisonesque remix of Cut Copy‘s Need You Know by fellow Australians Architecture in Helsinki, I am compelled to tell you this might just be the case. The band takes the song and stripes it of the dance beats and replaces it with a laid back lo-fi sound. The results are stunning and takes this song to another level. Architecture in Helsinki has a new record coming out Moment Bends, which is out May 3rd. They’ll be at Toronto’s Mod Club on June 11th.
Here are some other tour dates
06/01: Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
06/02: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
06/03: San Francisco, CA @ Slims
06/04: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
06/05: Vancouver, BC @ Venur
06/06: Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
06/09: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
06/10: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
06/11: Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
06/12: Montreal, QC @ Le Tulipe
06/13: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
06/15: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
06/16: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
06/17: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
06/18: Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
