Slow Leaves
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: summersets, Slow Leaves, Flasher, Bodywash, Luka Kuplowsky, Mark Bragg, NQ Arbuckle, and Alexis Normand
By Will McGuirk
“I guess these songs serve as a reminder for myself, since I’m forgetful, that all moments are equal in that they pass through us once only in long stretches of boredom or by bursts of love and death. In the meantime, I only hope not to let any more go by unnoticed.” - Grant Davidson, Slow Leaves
‘Perfect Blue’ (the song) is an exploration of the many facets of my own cultural identity. Being both British and Japanese has often felt like a compromise. While it might be easy to romanticize this duality, the reality is that it’s impossible to wholly belong to either culture.” - Chris Steward, Bodywash
“the song is a recognition of the unanswerable. It is an attunement to the spiritual worlds that intersect and illuminate our daily lives.” - Luka Kuplowsky
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Hayden, Charlotte Cornfield, Braids, LA Priest, The Matinee, and Marcus Lowry
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
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Shirley Collins, Tanya Tucker, OMBIIGIZI, Sunnsetter, Louise Burns, Orchard Sky, Devontée, and Cola
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
Gigs This Week: Apollo Suuns at the Dakota Tavern
Apollo Suuns at the Dakota Tavern Friday Apr 7 2023. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Caroline Rose at the Horseshoe Tavern
Caroline Rose at the Horseshoe Tavern Saturday Apr 8 2023. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Mimi O’Bonsawin at RMG Fridays
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
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Hannah Georgas, Debby Friday, Abigail Lapell, Rachel Hickey, Leanne Hoffman, Isabel LaRosa, and Mad Ones
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
Gigs This Week: Angela Saini at the Dakota Tavern
By Will McGuirk
Angela Saini at the Dakota Tavern Friday Mar 31 2023. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Murder Capital at the Horseshoe Tavern
By Will McGuirk
Murder Capital at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Saturday Apr 1 2023. Tickets here.
Gigs This Week: Buddy Guy at Massey Hall
By Will McGuirk
Buddy Guy at Massey Hall Thursday, Mar 30, Friday Mar 31 and Saturday Apr 1 2023. Tickets here.
Music News: Lowest of the Low, Springtide, Dizzy, Standstills, and Protest The Hero
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.
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Brandon Wolfe Scott, Jerry Leger, Hello Darlins, Field Guide, Bailen, Craig Stickland, plus Kelland and Adriano
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