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Ben Folds Boarded A Cappella Bandwagon Before Joining 'The Sing-Off' Reality Show

Epic Ben Folds concerts have frequently involved the North Carolina musician splitting the crowd into various sections and asking them to sing along to his tunes. In the past couple of years, though, he's taken a much larger interest in the voices of strangers, immersing himself in the world of a cappella. "A cappella is wonderful because it's ...

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Old 97's Texan Frontman Rhett Miller Hearts Hockey

New West Records Rhett Miller is best known as the frontman of the Old 97's, a solo artist with four albums under his belt and, for some, a dreamy hunk. But the man born Stewart Ransom Miller II -- who just released his eighth studio album, 'The Grande Theatre, Volume One,' with the Old 97's -- also happens to be a huge hockey fan. Miller ...

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Shonen Knife's Favourite Japanese Bands -- Count Five

Good Caramel Records Japan's Shonen Knife has been playing their trademark blend of girl group pop and Ramones-style punk, with occasional elements of head-banging metal thrown in for good measure, since forming in 1981. The group released an English version of their 2007 Japanese disc called 'Fun! fun! fun!' along with an Anglo version of the ...

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Richard Thompson's Favourite Covers of His Own Songs -- Count Five

Beesweb Richard Thompson has written and recorded more than 400 songs over the course of his 40 year music career. Through his work with British folk rock group Fairport Convention, collaborations with now ex-wife Linda Thompson, and decades spent as a solo artist, Thompson has earned a reputation as one of the best and most versatile ...

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Shonen Knife Reissue Albums in English, Play Pop Montreal

Good Charamel Records Shonen Knife has had their ups and downs in North America over their near 30-year career, but the Japanese all-female pop-punk band are now enjoying their highest profile since the early '90s when Sonic Youth, Redd Kross and Kurt Cobain were singing their praise. "When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed ...

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Chromeo's Best Dance Songs of the 2000s

Tim Saccenti Chromeo, everyone's favourite Montreal-born electro-funk duo, are releasing their third album 'Business Casual' on Sept 14. Keyboardist/talk boxer P. Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) and lead singer/guitarist Dave 1 (Dave Macklovitch) have used the new record to expand on the '80s-influenced electronic dance-pop of their debut, 'She's in ...

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The Soft Pack Played Hard at NXNE

San Diego's the Soft Pack, who played a 4PM Saturday set in Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the NXNE Music Festival, was originally named The Muslims, but changed it after being subjected to ignorant racist taunts. Luckily, the group hasn't changed its music, which remains pretty diverse and eclectic. Some songs featured lots of guitar feedback, ...

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