White Rabbits played at the LegendaryHorseshoeTavern last week. This proud Toronto establishment has been serving the Toronto rock fans for over 60 years. It was the right venue for White Rabbits to make their Toronto debut.
The sextet played to an oddly mixed crowd of young uni students to older ‘I took off my tie so I would look casual’ kinda dudes. They have received some attention before making their first visit to hogtown, the band played on Letterman last year and their most recent and second album was produced by Spoon’s Britt Daniel.
The bands energy was high. The constant driving percussion made peoples’ heads bob and at times sent bodies crashing into one another. I love the duel drummers, one playing a full kit the other wailing away on some big ass toms.
Suckers (yes it is just a clever name) came along from Brooklyn to open along with Toronto’s The Balconies. I couldn’t say enough good things about both of these bands. So I won’t. Just go listen if you get the chance.
Yuki Chikudate’s angelic vocals wowed Toronto’s Mod Club last week.Asobi Seksu opened for Yann Tiersen to a crowd who was caught off guard by the opener.Mod Club, in the heart ofToronto’s Little Italy, was all a buzz before the show.The energy increased exponentially during Asobi Seksu’s set.When they had finished exploding the minds and winning the hearts of the crowd, 3 different groups of people asked who they were as they had been thoroughly satisfied.A man outside, with a glow on his face, asked who they were, “Asobi Seksu, pretty good eh?” was my reply.“No”, he says.I stare blankly in complete confusion. “They were fucking awesome!”We both smiled in agreement.In his French Canadian accent he continued, “They are monument.”“Monumental?”, I suggest.“Yes! Monumental!”
To say the least, Asobi Seksu was firing on all dream/noise pop, shoegazing cylinders.The group has said they wanted to emphasize Yuki’s vocals, a wise choice.James Hanna provided stellar backup vocals and great sustained, ambient guitar.William Pavone on bass gave their songs their backbone.While Larry Gorman’s confident, driving drumming made the heads of the crowd nod in approval.
The band’s third album, Hush, came out February 17, 2009.It was a follow up to their 2006 album Citrus.There are obvious musical tones and emotions associated with their music that liken them to Cocteau Twins and Lush, but Yuki’s voice and the band’s dynamic energy push them to levels their predecessors didn’t achieve.
Yann Teirsen, who is best known for composing the score to the Jean-Pierre Jeunet movie Amélie, continued to delight the crowd and pleasantly caught this unacquainted listener off guard.
Last Sunday Music Hall of Williamsburg hosted an epic concert with Mates of State and The Black Kids. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, the Black Kids southern charm and easy disposition created a welcoming environment to bust out your hottest dance move and never stop. “Listen to Your Body Tonight” cracked open the nights festivities paving the way for other fan favorites such as “Hit the Heart Breaks” and “Not Gonna Teach Him How to Dance with You.” The Dance floor was hot and spicy and all who attended “were tearin’ up the rug,with no regard for form.”
Check Out Black Kid’s newest tunes on their Cemetery Lips EP, they played “I’m Making Eyes at You(Joy Electric Remix)” last Sunday and the track is hot! Next up Black Kids take on Phoenix Theatre in Toronto, ON, if you miss the show you will miss out!
“Feel Good Lost” was released in 2001 as Broken Social Scene‘s debut album. The instrumental album suits its name perfectly as it does make you feel good getting lost in the tunes. There was one problem with this, when it came time to play it live it was difficult to create an interesting show with the instrumentals.
The band pulled together some of their Toronto friends from the Indie music scene to create a more bangin live performance. The collaberative line-up included Leslie Feist, Amy Milan, from the Stars, and James Shaw, from Metric(to name a few.) The creative group came back to work on Broken Social Scene‘s second album “You Forgot It In People”, adding lyrics to their already groovy sound.
Lesson: Sometimes it takes 14 people to get the sound you are looking for. Broken Social Scene is rockin out on tour this season and you can see them at The Brooklyn Masonic Temple on October 24th, 2008
Lesson: Sometimes it takes 14 people to get the sound you are looking for. Broken Social Scene is rockin out on tour this season and you can see them at The 
