When its all over Born Ruffians say 'Forget Me'

Written on the day Bowie died this new track from Born Ruffians threatens to burst into Space Oddity epicness but resists the urge and instead is more retrained approach to life after death. More of a quiet missal, an Ashes to Ashes message from the Action Man here. The video directed by Leah Fay Goldstein and Peter Dreimanis of July Talk, takes its cue from Weekend at Bernie's but there's no happy ending. Oops spoiler alert. Track is from their new Paper Bag Records 'Uncle, Duke and The Chief' coming February next year.

Aleksi Moriarty exhibit at Cork 'n Bean in Oshawa Nov 16

A chap I'm happy to call a friend and fellow traveller, Aleksi Moriarthy,  has a show opening at Cork 'n Bean downtown Oshawa NOv. 16 2017.  Aleksi was one of the Durham Reach exhibit artists at the RMG and is heavily involved in the arts scene via his intimate salons. 

Whitby Comics Art Fest opens Nov 18 at Whitby Library

Slowcity is currently working on a new project with Chris Wunderlich. It is a zine of sorts, titled Wunderlit, devoted to  celebrating the low arts. The first one will launch soon. Oshawa has so many comic stores and tattoo artists as well as illustrationists and drawists Chris thought it seemed time to start documenting them. I agree.

Anyway thats what we are working on and then lo and behold the Whitby Public Library goes and does this - The first annual Whitby Comic Arts Festival taking place at the Whitby Public Library downtown 11am - 4 pm, Nov. 18 2017. There are vendors, cosplay, face painting, artists alley and panel discussions. I’m thinking the How Comic Book Fans Took Over the Word panel will be pretty apt for our zine, Wunderlit.

The Living Room Community Arts Studio, Geek Hard and the Hey Kids, Comics radio show folks will be present as will J. Torres (DC Comics), ‘Fearless’ Fred Kennedy of 102.1 The Edge and comic writer, artist Valentine De Landro, graphic novelist Ron Kasman and webcomic creator D.A. Bishop.

The event does look amazing and I can already see so many people I want to connect with in the line-up. Check the website and see you there.

Prior to all this there’s Drinks ’n Doodles at the Royal Oak Nov. 17 at 7p.m. Probably see you there too.

The 'Happy Illusions' of Lavender Child

I know nothing about Lavender Child. Lavender Child sent me this. I send it to you. The video was inspired by a music festival. I think many of us share the same source. The track is from a forthcoming EP, "Reflections."

No Small Town Bring Down for Rory Taillon

Tales From the Road by Rory Taillon
Rory Taillon is on tour celebrating the launch of his new album "Only Whispers". He is sharing his tales of life on the road.

There are some venues that as soon as you walk into them, you just know that you have to play there. The atmosphere, the room, the people, the beer selection, it can just be magic.

The Moustache Club in Oshawa was like that for me as is Bar Robo in Ottawa where I had my (new) home town release for Only Whispers. The room has a really chill vibe, the staff is awesome, they’ve always got Collective Arts beer on tap, and there’s an amazing, giant yellow old grocery store sign on the wall at the back of the stage. Due to the room having this vibe already, it allows an intimate and relaxed show to occur where you can easily take everyone in the room across an emotional spectrum with your music and stories. Some of the most enjoyable shows as a performer come from venues like this.

One of the best things about touring is finding and playing in these intimate spaces that host music.

The first time I played McCloskey’s in Chesterville ON I remember pulling up to the address and not being sure if I was even at the right place. This venue is a bar underneath an old hotel in a small town, and you have to park around back and walk in through an unmarked back door.  The spot just oozes with character; you walk in and are hit with thoughts of the history and stories of this wonderful dive bar venue. There are pool tables as you walk in, an old wooden bar that spans most of one wall, matching little table and chair combos, and awesome staff pumping indie music over the speakers. These are the places that some of the best nights and the funniest stories come from. 

I love hitting small towns on the road and not just sticking to the major cities. You find some of the best little spots filled with some of the most interesting and welcoming people at small town venues. Cities are great, but I just love an art cafe in a small town filled with people.

Thanks for reading and coming along on this tour with me. Next time I’ll be chatting about the week of the tour that I spent in the Canadian east coast.

Bahamas' video for new single 'No Wrong'

Emmet Malloy took the photo. Emmet Malloy directed the video. Watch and listen to the new track from the hookmeister Bahamas. 

I'm With Her - yip all the hers

I'm With Her is Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan, but I'm sure there's a Melody is there somewhere. The trio's debut 'See You Around' drops Feb.

Spinning Coin's drops debut album 'Permo'

Ah the kids, so self-conscious, so its all been done before but who cares we love jangly all the young dudes and dudettes in a band because well why wouldn't you kind of attitude - its such lovely duffle coat pop - all Kinks and hi-jinx, beauty. The Scottish band's debut 'Permo' is out and "Money For Breakfast" gets the video treatment.

VISSIA is everything you want to be listening too

Best sometimes, when influences come tearing off the sleeve in ribbons, to say nothing and just let the artists do the communicating. And on VISSIA's track 'Mountaineer' from her album 'Place Holder' out now on her Hurry Hard label, its the big toothy grinning guitar, the whole horsey mouth of it that is so digable, crazy. But. . . VISSIA is based in Edmonton and I do hear some of that city's '80s cowpunk in her bluesy sneer. Drat I said it. 

A Tribe Called Red collaborate on The Light II with Lido Pimienta

Lido Pimienta travels to Chile for direct the video or The Light II, from A Tribe Called Red's album We Are The Halluci Nation. What is the Halluci Nation? Perhaps The Halluci Nation may be defined best as a nation built of bridges.

Dream Serenade at Massey Hall Saturday Nov. 11, featuring Sloan, Sam Roberts, Hayden, Skydiggers and more

The annual Dream Serenade at Massey Hall is an ongoing dream come true for organisers Hayden Desser and Christie Greyerbiehl. The Serenade is a fundraiser for the Beverly Street School, a school for children with special needs. Their daughter attends the school. This is the fourth year and while it is a concert with high profile artists it is also an annual community gathering for staff and parents.

This year artists include Sloan, Owen Pallett, Skydiggers, Sam Roberts, Hannah Georgas and The Big Sound plus special guests. Last year the surprise was a performance by Gord Downie and his Secret Path band. Such a beautiful night for such a beautiful school - Go here for a review of that night in Toronto.

Tales from the Road - Rory Taillon - plays RMG Fridays Nov 3

Rory Taillon is on tour celebrating the launch of his new album "Only Whispers". The Ottawa-based indie musician has taken a jaunt through southern Ontario and out to the Maritimes. He is back in Oshawa Friday Nov 3 at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and then heads west. He is sharing his tales of life on the road.

My name is Rory and it’s my pleasure to chat with you about my misadventures and shenanigans as a Canadian independent touring musician here on Slowcity.ca. Thanks for reading and I’ll be back with more tales from the road soon!

There’s not much worse than waking up to a parking ticket on tour. I mean it could be worse; your car could be towed, stolen or broken into, but parking tickets on tour are still pretty rough. 

When I woke up early in Toronto, (hungover as all get out) I had to move my car from its night time resting place. In my half asleep, half hungover stupor I accidentally moved my car somewhere that was not free to park for another few hours. Fortunately, I arrived at my car to leave the city right as the transit authority officer was pulling up to my illegally parked vehicle to issue a ticket. Fortunately, this fine gentleman saw I was moving it as soon as humanly possible and decided not to issue a ticket.

The rest of that day was a beauty. I got to play at 5 Paddles Brewing Co. in Whitby and they had the deliciousness that is their Midnight Paddler on tap. They also had Pierre’s habanero version of In Your Face IPA which took care of any blockages in my sinuses. I then headed over to Manantler Brewing Co. in Bowmanville to play a show with my good friend Brooklyn Doran, which both are always a treat. You know it’s a good night too when some of the patrons at the end of the evening aren’t sure whether they want to purchase your record or try to take you home with them. 

You know that feeling when you hear a song from your past and it immediately floods your mind with memories, moments and feelings from another time? There are a couple venues that have that same effect on me and the Moustache Club in Oshawa is one for sure. Just climbing the stairs sends my mind down countless memories of so many shows played and watched here, the shenanigans had and the people I met when this used to be my home town watering hole. Setting up on the stage is like remembering how to play a song that you haven’t played in a while. I then know exactly where to get the best post sound check/pre-set cup of coffee (down the street at Brew Wizards). It was incredible to share my new music with so many old friends and new ones the first weekend of this release tour.

Bahamas can do no wrong on his new single 'No Wrong'

Bahamas has an ear for a summery melody and on "No Wrong", the first single from his upcoming album Earthtones, he slips and washes like a beach lapping wave. Its just a gentle groove with the simple wordplay of Joel Plaskett and the giddy harmonies of Hall & Oates. The album will drop in the new year with a release show at Massey Hall Thursday Jan 18