Chastity is such an interesting kat. His musical environment radiates out from his suburban experiences in Whitby, ON. He is neither a hater of the place nor a lover, instead he deals with it honestly, face-on, warts and picket fences and all. He skates the edge of that liminal space which is neither city nor country, neither farmland nor factory lot. Whereas K-Os, also from Whitby, would have steered towards the urban side of suburbia Chastity goes into the subterranean, delving deep into what lies beneath. We are familiar via pop culture with the failed promise of the suburbs, the darker side of normality, the eerie emptiness of the streets and the haunting behind the curtains. Chastity with a sound, one foot in NIN, one foot in Smashing Pumpkins, one foot on the asphalt, skates these streets, half raven, half Holden Caulfield, gathering the children to usher them back from the edge. There is a new album coming in July. There is a single available now.
METZ metes out 'Mr. Plague', sets out on European tour Apr 17
Had the random pleasure to see METZ in a shed back of Whitby Friday Apr 13, luck for me. The three piece heads out tomorrow on an international tour of Europe, Asia and the States. They leave us this from their latest, "Strange Peace" so we don't forget. As if.
Photo by Colin Medley
In Their Own Words - an interview with Evening Hymns' Jonas Bonnetta
By Will McGuirk
In between working and recording with Evening Hymns, Jonas Bonnetta has been working and recording his own solo work. Bonnetta's debut ambient album, "All This Here" will be released Apr 27 2018 on Idea of North Records. The record began as the score to the documentary film "Strange And Familiar: Architecture On Fogo Island". The doc was directed by Marcia Connolly and Katherine Knight. It tells the story of architect Todd Saunders and his design and construction of the Fogo Island Inn as well as artist studios on the island, which is part of Newfoundland.
Slowcity.ca interviewed Bonnetta by email.
SlowCity.ca: How did it come about you were chosen to score the documentary on Fogo?
JB: "The editor of the film tempted in some of my music and the producers connected with the piece and wanted to use it. This lead to a discussion about me writing new pieces to fit the film. I got lucky. I was given a tonne of footage from the film to score to and it was the first time I think that I was actually working with visuals to create the music. The landscape of Fogo Island is so incredibly inspiring that it made the job such a joy. I also got to see the film transform as the editors cut the film multiple times trying to tell the story. It was a lot of me sitting in the studio making drones while staring at the ocean crashing."
SC: Do you think sound creates a sense of place, a uniqueness? Was it that voice you were seeking?
JB: "I truly do. That's what I have been after with this record and with my field recording practice. I have been using field recordings for years. They've been embedded on every record I've made with my band Evening Hymns and they're central to my workflow with my ambient project. I believe that embedding these sounds helps to establish the listener in the place that I'm writing for/about. Because so much of my ambient work is based on place it's integral that I grab sounds from those places. It's also very important for me to put headphones on and walk in these places and listen in this magnified way to get a sense of what the soundscape is and how important those sounds are with the identity of the place. That practice has become it's own beast for me now. I'm amassing such a huge catalogue of sounds from places I travel to. It's obsessive and I'm not sure exactly how I'll use them yet but they seem to be useful from time to time. I edited a bunch of sounds from Barcelona, Palma, and Dawson City together last year for World Listening Day so I guess I find homes for these pieces" (See Soundcloud link below)
SC: Why did you want the ambient random sounds around the recordings, why was anchoring the sound in a certain time important?
JB: "Well my process starts with the collecting and foraging for sounds. These are then manipulated using software called lloopp in max/msp and then from there I begin improvising over the abstracted field recordings. Those are guiding me in a sense. I just got back from Fogo last week where we drove up and down the island multiple times listening to the record and I think it really fits that landscape and all those "ambient random sounds" are from that place whether it's a mic dropped into the bushes along the ocean or a dog barking on a back porch in Joe Batt's Arm. I like to remember the places I go by the sounds I hear. Because all the music I make is initially a selfish act this is my way of triggering those memories for me and taking me back to my amazing time on Fogo Island."
(I paid a visit to Jonas some years back when he was working for composer R. Murray Schafer on an on-site art project)
SC: That was a great day spent with you at Schafer's. Tell me about his book, "The Tuning of the World" and how it has affected your musical journey?
JB: "Well "The Tuning Of The World" really just helped give me an awareness of the importance of the soundscape. It made me open my ears more, got me thinking about the sounds that are around us constantly and how they infest our lives, for good or bad. He also talks about how the soundscape has changed and that's an interesting thing to think about. Would love to spend my life "archiving" the soundscape of Fogo or somewhere like that to see how it changes over the course of 50 years. His book definitely inspired me to listen deeper which has led me to making more field recordings and paying more attention to what is happening around me sonically. This of course is great for me on so many levels. It's meditative. It helps my music. Inspires me. It most definitely grounds me.
"I've recently returned from 10 days in Big Sur, California, where I'm making a similar record to "All This Here" in the sense that we collected field recordings from all over the coast and then improvised over them. I had Schafer's book with me there and it helped guide our thinking while we were working. It's a really nice practice to share the recording process with people and to watch their awareness of the soundscape change. I was working with this amazing violinist Edwin Huizinga in California and he participated in the recordings out in the woods and by the ocean and he became almost childlike in his excitement for hearing this familiar place with a completely different set of ears. I think that most people would benefit from taking mics into the woods and listening closer to what's around us."
Q: So far you are playing the Drake on May 27, any other shows coming up?
JB: "Yes! Ottawa on the 24th of May, Montreal on the 25th and hoping for a show on the 26th too. We've got some other cool things to announce as we get closer to the shows too."
Great Lake Swimmers release new track, play Springtide Fest in Uxbridge
By Will McGuirk
Great Lake Swimmers will release a digital EP, "Side Effects" on Friday Apr 13, a week before they are scheduled to perform at Springtide in Uxbridge, ON. Two singles from the EP have been available and a video for "The Talking Wind", directed by Anthony von Seck and filmed at Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church in London, ON.
GWC will play the inaugural Springtide Music Festival Saturday Apr 21 at the Second Wedge Brewery. Springtide takes place Apr 20 and 21 at a variety of venues in downtown Uxbridge. There are over 60 acts performing. including Charles Spearin, Rory Taillon, Sara Fazackerley, Tania Joy and Darrin Davis.
Average Sex lower their expectations on 'Ugly Strangers'
By Will McGuirk
"We have no jobs and no money. . ."
But here's the thing I'm getting from this jangly punk class act Average Sex from London UK. I'm getting everything is in place, I'm getting we've peaked so now its time to party 'til the cows come home drunk on fermented hay. The kids know it, their anxiety comes from expectations from us older gens. But within themselves, together, as a group of pals they have no expectations of each other, except maybe just don't add to the stress. - as per Primal Scream, we want to be free, we just want to be free to do what we want to do and we want to get loaded and we want to have a good time, thats what we're going to do. . . - can't blame them really.
Photo by David Dobson
George Thorogood Meet & Greet at Sunrise Pickering Apr 25, plays Massey Hall Apr 26
By Will McGuirk
Iconic rocker George Thorogood is paying a visit to Durham Region Wednesday April 25 2018. He will be at the Pickering Town Centre location of Sunrise Records for a meet & greet, a day prior to his Party of One show at Massey Hall in Toronto. The first 200 people to purchase one of Thorogood's albums that day will be given a wristband allowing them to meet him. He will be there 6 - 8 pm. Vinyl reissues for classic George Thorogood albums, "Bad to the Bone", and "Born to Be Bad" were released on March 30th. "30 Years of Rock" by George Thorogood & The Destroyers, which includes the hit songs "Bad To The Bone" and "I Drink Alone", as well as classic covers of "Who Do You Love?", "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer", and many more was also released. This current tour marks the 40th anniversary of Thorogood (and the Destroyers).
Good Lovelies play Massey Hall May 11, with Royal Wood and Fionn
By Will McGuirk
Busy time for the Good Lovelies with a grand date at the old lady on Shuter Street and another at the Grand Dame of Folk Fests, Mariposa. The trio are touring their indie release, "Shapeshifters", recorded with Daniel Ledwell, who has worked with Jenn Grant among others. Beautiful work too, with all instrumentation taking a back seat to the full harmonies of Kerri Ough, Susan Passmore, and Caroline Brooks.
Here's the intinerary:
Friday, May 11- Toronto, ON - MASSEY HALL - Special Guests of Royal Wood
Wednesday, May 30 - London, ON - Aeolian Hall
Saturday, June 2 - Thunder Bay, ON - Port Arthur Polish Hall
Sunday, June 3 - Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre
Tuesday, June 5 - Saskatoon, SK - The Broadway Theatre
Wednesday, June 6 - Edmonton, AB - The Triffo Theatre
Saturday, June 9 - Vancouver, BC - The Fox Theatre
Sunday, June 10 - Victoria, BC - Capital Ballroom
July 7-8 - Orillia, ON - Mariposa Folk Festival
Wednesday, Aug 1 - Hilton Beach, ON - Old Town Hall Summer Concerts
Saturday, Aug 11 - Goderich, ON - Goderich Celtic
Vernon BC daysormay release video for 'Desolation Sound'
By Will McGuirk
These five lads of daysormay are doing well for themselves. There's something of the Arctic Monkeys in there, but nice. Lead vox, Aidan Andrews, formed the band in 2010 with the twins Nolan and Carson Bassett on rhythm. Eli Garlick is on guitar and Craig Matterson is on keyboards. Although BC based they have played LA, NY and TO and have toured internationally. And as Spring is on the horizon I thought we would remind you what Winter looks like. You're welcome.
The Olympic Symphonium slow down the speed of life on 'Choral Voices'
By Will McGuirk
Choral Voices, vast as the night sky, just as full of dreaming as of mourning, the Olympic Symphonium from New Brunswick have released their latest single and video recorded at the Wilmot Church. Like Corb Lund (the Truth Comes Out) there's the openness of space and a wind which sweeps down from the Rockies across the prairies thundering its way to the sea beyond.
Graeme Walker says in a press release there’s “an effort to make sense of being made to feel like there is an air of failure or underachieving, when really there isn't. Exploring the idea of getting caught in the trap of how we measure success, the speed of the world today, how we miss opportunities to connect, and how the results can be damaging. The importance of effort and communication, and not taking people and relationships for granted. All of these are themes explored with an undercurrent of optimism and hope.”
The band are touring:
April 19 - Fredericton, NB - Flourish Festival
April 20 - Halifax, NS - Bus Stop Theatre
April 26 - Saint-Casimir, QC - House Show
April 27 - Chelsea, QC - Mill Road Community Space
April 28 - Ottawa, ON - The Record Centre (Matinee Performance)
April 28 - Frelishburg, QC: Beat & Betterave
April 29 - Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo
Haley Blais plays the Baby G in Toronto May 12
By Will McGuirk
Like the late Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries, Vancouver singer/songwriter Haley Blais has a gritty breathy voice, which roils up before popping with an icy tingle. Her new EP, "Let Yourself Go" has just been released with "Remove Tag" and "Small Foreign Faction" the singles.
Fabrizio Cammarata to play CMW at the Cameron House
By Will McGuirk
I miss Okkervil River, waiting for new tunes but Fabrizio Cammarata is a fair substitute. The Sicilian singer/songwriter last put out an album in 2011, "Rooms", and has released an EP in the interim. But he is touring still. He will be playing a few times at the Cameron House in TO over the course of Canadian Music Week. "Long Shadows" will feature on his upcoming album due November 2018.
Cammarata says on his website, the song features “total solar eclipse of memory. Two young women. They look alike… but not quite. It’s as if one was the idealized version of the other, the real one: in black and white, she’s naked, in the wild, like an angel, perfect. In color, she’s in a household context, where she can be smiling, crying, yelling at you, violent, let down. It takes a moment to understand. It only takes a total eclipse inside yourself.”
Born Ruffians, Chad VanGaalen help celebrate ten years of River & Sky
Located at Fishers’ Paradise in Field, ON, north of West Nipissing, River & Sky is a gem of the North. The festival is celebrating its ten year anniversary Thursday July 19 to Sunday July 22 this year.
The line-up has always featured an adventurous mix of sounds from Canada’s indie scene along with locals from towns along the Trans-Canada highway as it runs from North Bay into Manitoba. This year is no different with R&S alumni Chad VanGaalen, Born Ruffians and Shred Kelly returning to celebrate the anniversary. The festival’s alumni also includes The Sadies, Timber Timbre, METZ, Hayden, Black Mountain and Antibalas among others. Operators, Land of Talk, and The Pack AD will also play this tenth incarnation of the fest.
Ten years was not on the minds of the festival’s founders when they were first planning a home grown community gathering. Festival Director Peter Zwarich says its been just one year at a time for them.
“We are very happy that we have made it to ten years but getting there never really came to mind, it has always been a year-to-year existence with a wait-and-see-how-it-goes approach,” he says.
Even taking it one year at a time it hasn’t been easy. The newness of the festival, its location and its smallness were obstacles to overcome and there are always financial pressures too. Festivals are under pressure financially and
“Early on, I think that not having street cred was an obstacle at times in being able to attract key artists. That has changed over time as more artists have played R&S and they are able to speak to the experience with their peers,” says Zwarich.
“Money is always an obstacle. Without the help of key funders and partners R&S would not exist - they have been a key resource for both guidance and cashflow. We also belong to local, regional and provincial music/ arts & sustainability communities and their knowledge and energy and love has definitely propped R&S up over the years. The goodwill of many good people has been instilled into R&S and so many other festivals. Being open to a collective experience and allowing people to join in and contribute has often been our saving grace to overcoming obstacles - many obstacles,” he says.
But ten years on, obstacles being met and overcome, and bands ready and willing to make a stop, the good folks of River & Sky have proved themselves. They are now part of the community driven festival circuit, on par with some seasoned festivals as Mariposa, River Fest and Hillside. With the decade Zwarich as advice for any community looking to start their own festival.
“Do it,” he says, “figure it out and do it. Festivals, as a celebration of community, help to define and strengthen our overall social identity. They act as a focal point for collective energy and somehow you end up with something definitive and special that is somehow greater than just the sum of its parts. When people work together and come together at festivals we are reminded of what being humans can really be about.”
What You Need to Know about River & Sky:
4-Day Advance Passes: Arrive July 19 and stay until July 22. $204 (includes HST and processing fees)
3-Day Advance Passes: Arrive July 20 and stay until the evening, July 22. $154.50 (includes HST and processing fees).
Full Day Passes (advance): Friday $72, Saturday $72, Sunday $ 37.75
Night Passes (advance): $50 (Thursday; Friday; Saturday)
Children 16 years and younger with their families get in for free.
Dogs welcome on leashes. Must be spayed or neutered.
Sauna and Swimming – yes, but always at your own risk.
No Beer tent: BYOB at your campsite.
Camping available in field and forest area on the property. Cost of camping (in a tent) included in the price. Trailers/RVs will pay a fee, depending on the size. .
More info and tickets: www.riverandsky.ca
BEAMS will teach you how to love, they play the Moustache Club Apr 5
BEAMS are playing the Moustache Club Thursday Apr 5. Annie Sumi is opening. BEAMS have a new album, Teach Me To Love.
By Will McGuirk
Berlin baby, it has the pull, the pull of the nightlife - Cabaret and Kraftwerk, Bowie, Reed, Iggy and Peaches, It’s a Feistian bargain BEAMS has struck, the capital of cool imbues the Toronto band’s latest album, ‘Teach Me to Love’ but there is an accessibility, dare one say pop, to the avant-folk ramblings of Anna Mernieks, brothers Keith and David Hamilton, Heather Mazhar, Mike Duffield, Craig Moffatt and Martin Crawford.
The album marches in with simple sturdy strident sounds, mix up Kraftwerk’s “Computer Love” and Neil Young’s “Computer Age” and then play lead on a banjo or conversely just listen to the first three tracks. BEAMS play synth-pop who knew with nary a synthesizer in sight, I’m looking at you “Live In The Real World”.
“Pull of the Night” has Martha & The Muffins “like a loaf of bread in the oven you look good to me” baked in - could be the accent.
The journey through the anything goes world of Berlin the Myth continues on “I Notice Every One” which flutters on every one from Dave Brubeck to Focus to the Beatles.
As the album progresses it moves into more prog-folk territory, with the music becoming a subtle cradle for the voices of Mernieks and Mazhar, sonics ease, less stilted Kraftwerk more the wash of Tangerine Dream, albeit covering “Heroes”, as though nothing could fall.
Ultimately its the harmonies which hold up BEAMS and with such a strong core the band can play around with the walls, whether them walls be from Berlin or no.
No videos yet for the new album but here’s some oldies but goodies.