By Will McGuirk
“When I wrote this song I was thinking about the idea of leaving things behind as a part of moving on - those painful past experiences that cause a pang of embarrassment and regret, the people who were at one point a central part of my life with whom I've fallen out of orbit - and how we can't really sever ties with our past selves no matter how hard we try.” - Charlotte Cornfield
“Everyone has a past, and everyone has a secret they’d rather keep than spill.” - The Matinee
Cola, photo by Colin Medley
By Will McGuirk
"I love it when friendship is palpable in a recording, when a piece of music laughs with you in a fast-food burger booth and takes you out to catch up on a walk by the river," - Peter Dreimanis (July Talk).
I think it’s my first attempt at a proper love song, in my own faux-misanthropic way…" - Louis Burns
Apollo Suuns at the Dakota Tavern Friday Apr 7 2023. Tickets here.
Caroline Rose at the Horseshoe Tavern Saturday Apr 8 2023. Tickets here.
By Will McGuirk
We have featured Mimi O’Bonsawin here at the Slowcity.ca Open Mic several times and we will finally get the opportunity to see and hear the northern Ontario singer songwriter when Mimi plays the RMG Friday event at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery Friday Mar 31 202.
Ok long sentence but there you go you made it. Now make sure you make it to the show too. RMG Friday is the gallery’s monthly showcase of makers culture from food to music and its always a fun evening.
Mimi is on a short tour promoting her new album ‘Willow’, a beauty of a collection of songs which just thrills with a celebration of life. Perfect to welcome in Spring (if it ever gets here!)
Isabel LaRosa
By Will McGuirk
“I have a lot of internal pep talks, as a way to quiet my own doubts and insecurities. This song is a reflection of that, and a reminder to go a little bit easier on myself.” - Hannah Georgas
“I have always looked up to women who were willing to be ‘bad’ in the name of living thoroughly.” - Debby Friday
By Will McGuirk
Angela Saini at the Dakota Tavern Friday Mar 31 2023. Tickets here.
By Will McGuirk
Murder Capital at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Saturday Apr 1 2023. Tickets here.
By Will McGuirk
Buddy Guy at Massey Hall Thursday, Mar 30, Friday Mar 31 and Saturday Apr 1 2023. Tickets here.
By Will McGuirk
I come from a long line of Goths, spinning webs in ivory towers, firing off poems from the turrets, and dropping messages in bottles plugged with candles in to rivers below. Hopefully someone somewhere reads all of this but to be read one has to write so the writing comes first. Life’s a bitch for the eternal optimist etc.
But here’s a top-up on music news from Durham Region.
Its a sure sign of something new is happening when Lowest of the Low come to town. As a band and individually the TO-based indie champions are our canary in the coal mine, but for good. Their shows seem to herald a new optimism in the city so happy yes to hear the band will play the Biltmore Theatre Friday June 16 2023. Tickets on sale Mar 24 onwards.
Springtide in Uxbridge has announced its line up for the annual three day fest happening June 9, 10 and 11, 2023. Over 70 acts across several venues will perform including The Sadies, Aysanbee, Terra Lightfoot, and Dizzy, with even more to be announced!!
Dizzy will heading south next week for a tour of the U.S. east cost. There are stops at the Toad’s Place, Cat’s Cradle and the iconic Stone Pony; I’m sensing a theme. Dates starts Mar 30 2023. April 16 the band will be in Toronto at the Axis Club.
The Standstills have a busy year ahead with multiple tours coming up; first southern Ontario with Big Wreck, and then two northern dates with Theory of a Deadman. And then its off to Europe with new besties Eagles of Death Metal for a run through the U.K and Germany.
with Big Wreck
March 29 @ The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, Brantford, ON
March 30 @ The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville, ON
March 31 @ River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
April 1 @ The Grand Theatre, Kingston, ON
April 4 @ Rose Theatre, Brampton, ON
April 5 @ First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines, ON
April 6 @ Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Richmond Hill, ON
with Theory Of A Deadman
May 4 @ Bronson Centre, Ottawa, ON
May 6 @ Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay, ON
with Eagles Of Death Metal
July 4 @ O2 Forum, London, UK
July 5 @ The Leadmill, Sheffield, UK
July 9 @ Batschkapp, Frankfurt, DE
July 10 @ Täubchenthal, Leipzig, DE
July 11 @ Capitol, Hannover, DE
July 13 @ Markthalle, Hamburg, DE
July 17 @ Huxleys, Berlin, DE
July 18 @ Hirsch, Nuremburg DE
Protest The Hero are also back on the road with an April kicking off in London Music Hall on the Apr 14, and ending with two dates at the Onyx Nightclub in Guelph Apr 22 and 23.
And as this is Durham Region news there’s the announcement Bryan Adams will be the first act to play the new Pickering Casino Resort. I usually keep my ear to the ground on music-y things here in the D-Rock but the Casino launch has been low-key on my channels. I guess I will have to leave the Great City of Oshawa and go west to check this palace out. This resort will be a challenge for both Rama and the Tribute Communities Centre, I am curious to see how it all plays out.
By Will McGuirk
"This project has at times felt Sisyphean, endlessly pushing my boundaries - both personal and creative. Challenged by the balance between the intimate and the public, Slow Transmission explores themes of being in a relationship with one’s inner demons.” - Brandon Wolfe Scott
“I suppose this song is a reminder to be careful with nostalgia and to be more present day to day.” - Dylan MacDonald, Field Guide
Russell Louder
By Will McGuirk
""Come to My Senses" is the moment of clarity that follows the realization that everything will be okay… that everything fades in importance after life and death… and all the little things we sweat and worry about don’t amount to anything when we look back on our lives;" - Skydiggers
By Will McGuirk
“It gave me more meaning to my current group of friends, all around me, to always welcoming me in their hearts as I do them. ‘Come, let me show what you are capable of, I like you, I love you, for who you are.’ I have always belonged to many foundations growing, and mainly of family and friends feeding me a beautiful life.” - Terry Uyarak
“The online wailing wall or maybe the Goliath of our generation. Social media therapy is what we need. Social media therapy is a necessity.” - Pierre Kwenders
“Flowers On My Bedside is a song for empowerment. I wrote it when I was in a sad place and it was a very healing experience, to take a hard situation and turn it into something that feels creatively inspiring.” - Bella White