By Will McGuirk
Ancient Shapes at Lee’s Palace Friday Nov. 18 2022. Tickets here.
Leah Daniels -FB
Leah Daniels releases 'One More Round', new track and video
By Will McGuirk
Let it not be said we don’t do our due diligence here, we did reach out to Leah and Tim but as yet no reply. Folks are busy, or maybe we don’t have the right contact, either way here’s the video, directed and edited by Leah Daniels & Tim Deegan
Dizzy drop new video and track, 'Barking Dog'
By Will McGuirk
By Will McGuirk
“This song is mostly about how we're all just products of our youth; doomed in various ways none of us asked for.” - Katie Munshaw
Those dreamy-popsters Dizzy have released a new track, ‘Barking Dog’ - its a bit dark and the video directed by boy wonder, evokes similar vibes. Enjoy :)
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Pierre Kwenders, Storry, Jordan Klassen, Adrian Sutherland, Alexis Normand, Steve Mason, Velvet Beach, and The Lad Classic,
By Will McGuirk
“The mother is the land of your birth, it’s your culture, it’s all that makes you and it’s also all that makes you question yourself.” - Pierre Kwenders
"We praise the sun, earth, air and water. Just like the elements, we are gentle and lifegiving but also formidable. We are nurturing, we are power, we are ‘the maker of all things’.” - Storry
“Saskatchewan is often an overlooked and oversimplified place. I wrote Hidden Valley to show listeners a lesser-known landscape - it ain’t just flat roads, big sky and wheat fields over here! This is a cruiser - a road trip song that brings you to the breathtaking valley near the town of Eastend and embodies the contemplative peace I feel when I’m there;" - Alexis Normand
DancinWayne
Sports fans can look for Oshawa shout-outs at the World Cup.
By Will McGuirk
Canadian soccer fans may have noticed the new music for TSN’s coverage of the upcoming World Cup in Qartar. The track running behind all the TV channel’s promo features Crown Lands covering the Beatles’ ‘Come Together. Great to see the band with Oshawa roots get such recognition.
Canadian soccer fans will also see another musician at the games, one who is no stranger to Oshawa, and that’s the fab Najjah Calibur host of this year’s World Cup, soccer’s most prestigious tournament. Najjah was last in our city I believe, hosting the debut student homecoming event at Memorial Park September past.
But the connections to the city don’t stop there. Also hosting is TikTok star DancinWayne, no stranger to the streets and beats of the old lady Shwa.
DancinWayne took the time to chat with us. Also thats not us in the picture below.
Drake and DancinWayne
Slowcity.ca: What will you be doing in Qatar at the World Cup?
DancinWayne: “I will be the stadium EMCEE for all the games (not just the Canada ones) at World Cup. Doing interviews with fans from around the world, getting everyone excited, leading cheers, putting people on the giant screen, and doing interviews with players and fans for FIFA TV.”
SC: Tell me about how the opportunity came about?
DW: “This all started when I quit my job and pursued content creation online on an app called "TikTok." Since starting, I have amassed over 800 million views worldwide. When I began to blow up on social media, I got a message for an opportunity to host an event in Las Vegas for the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final with a pal (Najjah Calibur). I took the chance and leaped. They've been calling for more events since then. I got the opportunity to host FIFA's ARAB CUP in 2021, a big test event for the World Cup this year. It went well, and I left a lasting impression on the Qataris, leading to the call for the World Cup. “
SC: What are you most excited about with this opportunity?
DW: “I'm most excited to entertain people from all around the world. There's no better feeling and having the world watching is a pretty incredible feeling. I'm also happy to represent Canada and show them the values we represent. Kindness and love!”
SC: You pivot well, perhaps its the dance training haha, where do you think this creative hustle of yours comes from?
DW: “What I do doesn't feel like a creative hustle because I've always loved entertaining and uplifting people. It is my inner ballast. It's not who I am. It's what I am.”
SC: Refresh my old brain with a bio please.
DW: “It's all I've ever known. Since high school, I hosted talent shows at Monsignor John Pereyma in Oshawa, then did dance routines and even made funny videos for the entire school to see (all pre-TikTok internet age). Years later, after college, when I moved to BC, I did the Millennial thing and got a corporate job because I thought that was what I was supposed to do. But during the pandemic, I got into a terrible car accident where a drunk driver ran me off the road and almost crippled me. When I was in recovery and back at work. I realized I had lost myself - so I thought, what would make me happy again?
“Honestly, the only thing that came up was how I was before corporate life. So I decided to choose happiness. I started making video content on things I value as a person - inclusivity, relatable comedy, education and kindness. Before you knew it, I surpassed 800 million views online and started hosting events worldwide. I built a large community of other like-minded people worldwide based on content about empowerment and empathy using the basic concept of compassion. The creative hustle comes from choosing my happiness which is now something I preach to everyone. Find your version of happiness and jump two feet in. You'll be surprised how quickly the right things in life gravitate toward you.”
DancinWayne and Najjah Calibur at Canada 150 in Vancouver
Gigs This Week: Beyond The Sun at the Biltmore Theatre
Beyond The Sun at Biltmore Theatre Friday Nov. 11 2022. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Sam Jr at Dakota Tavern
By Will McGuirk
Sam Jr at Dakota Tavern Friday Nov. 11 2022. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Cloud Nothings at Lee's Palace
By Will McGuirk
Cloud Nothings at Lee’s Palace Saturday Nov. 12 2022. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Bartees Strange at the Horseshoe Tavern
By Will McGuirk
Bartees Strange at the Horseshoe Tavern Friday Nov. 11 2022. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Dream Serenade at Massey Hall
By Will McGuirk
Dream Serenade at Massey Hall Saturday Nov 12 2022. Tickets here.
Dream Serenade is an annual benefit concert and celebration of Toronto's community of children with developmental and/or physical disabilities and their caregivers. It began in 2014 as a way for musician Hayden Desser and his wife Christie Greyerbiehl to help support Beverley Street School, where their daughter attends, but has since grown to raise awareness and funds for respite and summer camp bursaries.
This year's performers will include Hayden, Cadence Weapon, Ron Sexsmith, Kevin Hearn & Hugh Marsh, Sarah Slean and The Art of Time Ensemble, Kevin Drew, Bella White, The Weather Station, Aysanabee and The ASD Band, along with the usual exciting surprise guests. - PR
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Aysanabee, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Louise Burns, The Weber Brothers, Lily Monaghan, Billy Strings, quinnie, Moonshine Collective, Great American Ghost,
By Will McGuirk
“It’s a perfect pop song, and exemplifies what Depeche Mode do best – incredible production and instrumentation that only enhances what was already a great song. We went with a more slowed down, elegant Bryan Ferry-esque treatment.” - Louise Burns
“As long as I can remember, I wanted to make a record with my dad. I’ve been burning up and down the highways the last 12 years, and as time slips away, you start thinking, ‘I need to make time.’ - Billy Strings
“this song is about how i used to be scared of falling in love because i enjoy longing for things and people. found out you’ll know u really love somebody if loving them feels even better than wanting them.” - quinnie
“The song isn't as literal as the video implies - the things that we go through as people can be harder than you could ever imagine and going through them alone can be truly torturous." - Ethan Harrison, Great American Ghost
Wayfinding, photo by Levi Manchak
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Wayfinding, Begonia, Storry, Jason Collett, White Lung, Emily Mac, American Lips, and Linebeck
By Will McGuirk
“I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea,” - Emily Mac
Josh Kvasnak, photo by Mikki Simeunovich
Josh Kvasnak of the Doozies releases solo album, announces shows with James Gray
By Will McGuirk
Josh Kvasnak of the Doozies has a new solo album and has posted a series of shows, along with James Gray, who also has a new album. The duo will be playing at the Lucky Bunker In Bowmanville Friday Nov. 4 and in Mc Keen’s Barn in Orono Saturday Nov. 5 2022. We reached out to our Josh and got the lowdown on the hoedown.
Slowcity.ca: Tell me about the genesis of the record, and who you have playing with you?
Josh Kvasnak: “I wrote the record during our collective COVID hibernation. I was bummed out because I couldn't play live. I was playing at least 10 times a month and then it all stopped. Just like that. During that quiet time, I thought I was writing Doozies songs. But it wasn't until the lockdowns were over I realized the songs didn't work for The Doozies at all. They were a different thing. That was a tough realization for me. I am, and have always been a very awkward musician, and to realize I'd have to do this without my Doozies bandmates forced me to expand, and flex new sonic muscles. Local Oshawa legend Bruce MacKinnon is on keys and drums, and a Hamilton based veteran Geoff Burns is on Electric Bass. Oshawa folk singer Tim Watson is on back-up vox, and there a few other folks sprinkled in. I was very lucky to have these folks contribute to these songs.”
SC: I'm always interested in someone going solo, while being a member of a band, the Doozies in your case - how do/did you separate the songs for you and for the band?
JK: “I just let the songs decide. We tried them with The Doozies, but they clearly didn't work during rehearsals. That said, there is a song on the album that The Doozies recorded that I absolutely stole for this record, full gosh darned exclosure. It's going to take a while for me to repay the boys back for that one. I love them for that. I think for folks who know Doozies songs, you'll hear these songs don't belong in that lane.”
SC: There's a quiet domesticity to the songs, references to fridges and family - small moments in your life become songs it seems, how much is biographical, did you ever drink two many shots before an interview hahah?
JK: “I have to acknowledge John K. Sampson of The Weakerthans on the specific referances. He's so great at using very descripitve nouns. I always try to borrow that trick from him. As far as the tunes being autobiographical or not, I think every good songwriter constantly walks the fence of fiction and lived experience, often times within the same song. I'd like to think that none of the songs are true, and none of them are complete fiction. As a maritime inspired songwriter, I'd borrow the old saying "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story". Take what you will from the songs.”