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Music

Keenly Realized Fabrication

Fucked Up’s Damian Abraham put together two nights of rock and roll at Toronto’s The Great Hall, in support of charities. The first night was headlined by Fucked Up, I didn’t attend, and have yet to see the punk band live, but would at some point like to see that show. The second night, however, I did attend. Starting off the show was Bonjay, a three-piece, who were fun, and danceable. I’d definitely go see them again, probably wouldn’t buy the record as it’s not my kind of home music. I was standing at the front with some awesome friends, ex-lovers1, and some newbies. After the first act, I saw some… Read More »Keenly Realized Fabrication

When the snow falls this November

Yay! My 400th post! Last night, I was watching live videos of Julie Doiron, pretty much non-stop. It’s been a few months since I’ve seen her perform live and I guess I’m itching for another Doiron show1. Really? Two months is as long as I can go without a Julie Doiron show? I’m spoiled. This morning, upon continually flipping past songs I didn’t want to hear, I gave up, and then remembered Julie, so I put my Julie Doiron collection on random. As I arrived at work, this song was playing. I couldn’t turn it off, I sat in the car until it finished. I long for snow. Soon. Here is… Read More »When the snow falls this November

Wild Flag

There’s something about “Future Crimes” by Wild Flag that not only evokes an emotional response, but a physical response, too. I’ve never had a song which affects me. From the opening salvo of drum and guitar, Janet Weiss’ drums pound out a heart thumping beat which actually speeds up my heart as I hear it. Kind of makes me feel slightly sick to my stomach. This didn’t happen with the original 7″ version, but certainly does with the new, faster, album version. Carrie Brownstein’s thumping guitar, and soon comes in Mary Timony’s lead guitar. It makes me feel slightly ill, but it’s still one of the best songs, ever.

#Rocktober 30 volume 29: Bow ties are cool

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. It’s my sister’s birthday on Tuesday, and it was my birthday on Wednesday. Every year our birthdays are six days apart. This causes a single celebration of our birthdays. We ate. Mmm. Shira made cupcakes, they were good. Then I went home, and changed. I put on a shirt, a sweater vest, a bow tie, and my Scrabble cuff links (thanks Emily), I also wore pants. I went across the street, and met up with Nat, and we headed to aL’s place. Nat was wearing an excellent scrabble board costume,… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 29: Bow ties are cool

#Rocktober 30 volume 28: Dan Mangan

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. There are times I feel that concerts are really just an excuse to see a large group of awesome people. That seems to be exactly what happened last night. Marta took my extra ticket, and while I’ve known that cute Polish doctor for probably 5 or 6 years now, we’ve never actually met in person. It was nice to finally meet her, and she brought along her sister Joanna (who I actually hang out with in person frequently), Jon (Jo’s man), and a friend of Jo I had never met… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 28: Dan Mangan

#Rocktober 30 volume 16: Dum Dum Girls

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. Went to see The Dum Dum Girls at Lee’s Palace. I’m glad I didn’t take my camera with me, as both the Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls decided not to use lights, and instead projected patterns of light on stage. Any pic would’ve looked like shit. When I got there, I found Mechanical Forest Joe ((Joe, I’m calling you this now.)) was there, too, as usual. I had someone to chat with, and it’s someone awesome. The opener came out in a lovely dress, but that was the highlight of the… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 16: Dum Dum Girls

#Rocktober 30 volume 14: Rob Benvie, Matt Murphy, Different Skeletons, and Queen’s Park

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. Last night I went to a weird alley in Kensington which in turn led to a staircase up to a strange bar I’ve never been in.  It was a packed house where Rob Benvie of Thrush Hermit fame was to be reading from his new novel. I didn’t quite understand why the place was so packed, but I quickly found Natalia and Tim and hung out with those two for a while. After hanging around for a while, we spotted Val, in the audience, and chatted with her. Turns out… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 14: Rob Benvie, Matt Murphy, Different Skeletons, and Queen’s Park

#Rocktober 30 volume 11: Wild Flag

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. Ahh, Wild Flag. I’ve been waiting for this. This is the one event I was truly waiting for. The other events were/will be okay, but man this was… this was… THIS WAS ROCKTOBER!

#Rocktober 30 volume 08: Cheap Speakers

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. To make up for bailing on me the day before, Natalia invited me over for lunch. So I joined her and her bandmate Tim for some tasty pasta made by an authentic Italian. We hung around and chatted, and I got back my copy of the Back To The Future trilogy. Later that night, I was back at the Horseshoe, where I saw Natalia and Tim’s band The Cheap Speakers. They put on a good show as usual, and it was fun. Then came The Ruby Spirit, who were ridiculous… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 08: Cheap Speakers

#Rocktober 30 volume 06: Entire Cities, Government, and The Nick

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce. After work, I went to Jackman Public School and voted. YES! My candidate won the riding. I then dined at Toronto’s best restaurant, The Old Nick. From there I chilled until it was time to head to the Horseshoe where rock and roll was to be had, and rock and roll was had. I saw Entire Cities (who I nearly called The Entire Cities). The were fun as usual. It felt like old times as I think the majority of the songs were from Deep River, their previous album. They… Read More »#Rocktober 30 volume 06: Entire Cities, Government, and The Nick