Even with four solid studio albums and eight albums available on itunes, including the bands live performance from The Juno, the Great Lake Swimmers are new to me. But, I like, so I thought I’d pass ‘em along.

Interview by  Callander Girl.

 
VanMusic: Can you give us a brief history of Perplexity Of Things? How did this project start? Who is all involved?
 The idea of Perplexity of Things started when I was 18. I knew that I wanted to make music, but wasn’t quite sure where to start. All I could come up with at the time was the name. I’ve always jammed with friends, but didn’t have anybody I could really connect with— someone who shared the same taste and mindset. So I realized that I would have to …

Festuca is an album that includes ballads (‘Sorry’), sing-alongs (‘Sing Low’) and drivers (‘Big Town’). ‘Horses’ is particularly catchy, in part due to its effective arrangement. Beginning with the simple sounds of taut guitars, doubled vocals, and single organ notes, ‘Horses’ builds perfectly, adding bass and building percussion and harmonies to culminate in wonderfully jubilant instrumentation and a chorus singing of freedom.

“My newer writing [‘Horses’], has a bit less of a roots form,”says Cockerill. “I’m just trying to be open to whatever comes out and not subject it to a form or genre. Trying to get more personal with lyrics as well. Write deeper. I think of writing as karate—complexity through simplicity. That’s what I’m trying to attain anyway. Do more karate.”

Cornfield has toured the west once before, two years ago at age 20 with nothing but a greyhound pass and guitar on her back. She has since established herself as a force to be reckoned with and has stunned the industry with her crushingly honest songwriting and stunning live performance.

100 Monkeys Interview by Danica Stewart
100 Monkeys -  Liquid Zoo

100 Monkeys are anything but typical. As their name might suggest, they are a little adventurous when it comes to all things music, but they take their craft quite seriously (in a fun-loving way of course). Sewn together by way of musical soul, 100 Monkeys are Lawrence “Uncle Larry” Abrams, Jerad Anderson, Jackson Rathbone, Ben Johnson and Ben Graupner. Taking their turns playing all instruments and singing (aka the “Monkey Switcheroo”), keeps this group creative, inspired and always creatively challenged.
Images of …

For Hard Rock’s Battle of the Band 2011, only 4 gifted bands from all over the world will earn a spot to play at Hard Rock cafe Calling in London, England in June 2011. Toronto local bands have been competing for this opportunity since the beginning of February to decide who will represent Toronto’s rock scene.

Hailing from the city in which I live (Barrie), I know that Afie Jurvanen exemplifies all the qualities of someone born and raised in this small city, with the lyrical genius of a worldly traveler and musical authenticity of someone twice his age. Having played alongside such acts as Feist, Jason Collett and Zeus, to name a few, Jurvanen ventured off to pursue his own project, Bahamas, and has been reeling in crowds ever since. Currently playing songs from his album Pink Strat, Bahamas is finishing their tour with Noah and The Whale. Bahamas, (consistent of Jason Tait on drums and Afie Jurvanen on vocals and guitar along with two new female vocalists recently added to the group) is a simple but intricate sound reminiscent of Neil Young and Nick Drake with a hint of tropical flair.

A Primitive Evolution is consistently able to create a new form of entertainment which is distinctly their own. They are also about creating a unique experience and different atmosphere for the entire venue.

THE ENVY in Toronto, Ontario (June 10, 2011) before their first headlining show as part of LiveMusicTO’s 1 year anniversary

NXNE Music and Film Festival presents over 650 artists and 40 films at over 55 venues from June 13-19 in Toronto.

Nitemarket12 from Toronto have a dramatic sound that is able to paint a landscape which moves from creepy to ethereal. The eccentricities of their songs are a testament to their talent as musicians as are the moods they are able to invoke.

Their radio friendly riffs, fast harmonies and quick melodies are sure to fill young iphones and ipods across the continent. Would I buy Impossible? Being that I’m in my thirties, it’s not quite my style. But if I was seventeen or I wanted to reminisce about being seventeen then I would probably buy it and dance in the living room at a friend’s house party with a girl I’m hoping to make out with and I would love every minute of it.

Toronto band Shoot The Image release their debut CD which was produced by Morrissey guitarist Boz Boorer. This is one sweet CD that you will want to own! This CD is absolutely brilliant. Everything about it – from the performances by all band members, the quality of the production of every song and the mixing/mastering – is by far the best I’ve heard by any band in recent years. These songs are polished and shine like gems in the murky and vast world of Independent Music.

On the surface of their current record (about which Grassia and Azzolini say is their best work), one can easily hear the classic ‘Golden Dog’ sound and feel the familiar frantic bop and bounce that has always been their calling card.

CMTM are masterful songwriters, almost unbeknownst to themselves. In dark bars, parties, or bright festival stages CMTM transform into raucous punk rock and rollers, yelling about the economy and its endless digression, schizophrenia, alcohol and of course, girls.