Slowcity.ca Open Mic: The Odds, Danny Michel, Haviah Mighty, Haley Blais, Bells Larsen, Matt Paxton and the Pintos, The Sextones, and Johnny Eaton

"I want people to feel they’re not alone, and still find hope in things that are painful,”  - Danny Michel

“Anytime I listen or play this song, I can smell the basement of my childhood home, or my best friend’s cigarettes (she quit now), and I can see myself, talking to myself in the mirror, doing my best Late Night show wisecracks” - Haley Blais

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mattzaddy · What Comes Around

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Gigs This Week: Shannon Chapman at the Dakota Tavern

By Will McGuirk

Shannon Chapman at the Dakota Tavern Saturday July 1 2023. Tickets here.

Gigs This Week: Haddix at the Horseshoe Tavern

By Will McGuirk

The Band Genie, Service Delay, featuring Haddix at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Wednesday June 28 2023. Tickets here.

An interview with Brooklyn Doran, plays Toronto Pride Stage June 24

Brooklyn Doran, no stranger to our Slowcity community, has a new album out, Fixer Upper, and its a bit of the departure for the folk focused singer/songwriter we have come to know. Seems Brookly used the lockdown downtime to connect with Cancer Bats, writing and then touring, and thus there’s a subtle intensity to the new tunes, deceptively singerly/songwriterly but ready to pounce loud if needs be.

Brooklyn is also involved in outside music work, and has been collaborating with The Get Real Movement x Kiehl's Canada campaign, The 519's Will Munro Fund, Facebook Canada's International Women's Day in 2018, and NDP Canada's Virtual Pride in 2021. The track ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’ is dedicated to a late friend, Andrew Henderson, with proceeds of the single going to The 519.

Its been as they say a minute so time for a catch up.

Slowcity.ca: What a great before and after Covid story - one would imagine a solo artist would grow more solo during lockdown but you went opposite, why and how did that come about?

Brooklyn Doran: “I've always had a variety of iterations as a solo artist and as a band. Depending on what festival shows I'm booked for, how much money we're able to be paid, what type of performance the festivals or bookers want etc. I can always provide a few versions of my live show. The majority of my touring is done solo to keep my touring costs low, but I am always so happy when we are able to bring on friends who can fill out the show to be a bit more loud.

At the crux of it all though, I think the strength in my songwriting is in the stories that come through in the lyricism. I think that is something that can hit an audience, no matter the format of the band.”

SC: And touring with the Cancer Bats, bit different, how has that been and what did you learn about yourself as an artist during that experience?

BD: “I've been friends with those guys for a really long time, and it is always so fun to hit the road with them. I'm really stoked that the bats trusted me with "Hammering On" to lend my voice to that duet with Liam. Liam told me once, and I'll never forget it, that touring is all about being able to chill as friends. I think that because we are friends, we get to have those fun little giggles in the van, and it makes a long drive way more fun. We've been able to have a few really good tours together under our belts.”

SC: I'm sorry about your friend, what a lovely tribute, can you tell me about Andrew ?

BD: “Andrew was truly the most beautiful person I've ever met. We bonded over both moving to Toronto from Northwestern Ontario / Manitoba and became fast friends. We used to go out to plays together in the city and we'd sneak into the bathroom to put on lipstick during the intermission. I knew him for many years and he was such a light. Andrew was one of the first people in my life who told me to speak my truth in a way that really landed with me. We were driving in his truck from Gimli, Manitoba back to his parent's home in Clandeboye, and it was the last time I ever saw him. He told me in a really real way that there's no point in worrying about what people think- to just do what feels authentic and true to you. I think if Andrew was around today he'd be proud of me, and possibly would poke fun at me a little.”

SC: Good news about the Pride gig, tell me what's happening there,

BD: “Thank you! I've performed at a few pride events throughout the years for different organizations and municipalities but a main outdoor stage at Toronto Pride is such a bucket list dream gig that I feel like I need to pinch myself. I'll be performing at the Rogers South Stage on June 24th at 3:30PM. There will also be performances from icons like Witch Prophet and CJ Wiley and I'm so pumped to be a part of the day.”

Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Robyn Ottolini, Les Moontunes, David James Allen, The Americans, Ghostly Kisses, Deer Tick, Gov’t Mule, and Mark Bragg

“We write our songs inside-out. We grab hold of something minuscule and primitive—a simple turn of phrase or an unusual beat—and try to build a song around it. It's inefficient, but when it works, it works.” - Patrick Ferris, the Americans

“A change is taking place; abusive relationships can no longer stay silent, as well as many taboo topics that are now being more openly discussed and exposed in the public sphere.” - Margaux Sauvé, Ghostly Kisses

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The Americans · When You Get Back

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