Spinner

Northern Exposure: Adaline, 'Say Goodbye (I Won't Even)' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2012-01-23T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, RPM, Northern Exposure

Vanessa Heins

Singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman may be known for his quirky take on pop songcraft, but his keen production work with a wide variety of similarly-inclined artists shouldn't be overlooked -- he's helped draw out the dramatic flair in musicians from Sarah Slean to Hey Rosetta.

So hearing that Workman helped helm the new sophomore album by Vancouver songstress Adaline immediately conjures up a certain vibe -- lots of melody, lush vocals, and rich keyboard textures come to mind. And while all those elements are certainly at play on 'Modern Romantics,' there's also a sleek electro feel to the lovelorn torch songs that make up the record.

Northern Exposure: Danielle Duval, 'Control' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-11-02T17:30:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Danielle Duval

Danielle Duval might be a new name on the Canadian music scene, but if her long roster of musical collaborations is anything to go by, the young Montreal singer-songwriter has had some pretty impressive peer influences, indeed. Even before releasing her debut album 'Of the Valley' last month, she lent her vocals to tracks by Sam Roberts, Jason Collett, and the Golden Dogs.

Duval shares a similar retro-tinged roots-rock vibe with all of the above, so it makes perfect sense that she enlisted Carlin Nicholson and Mike O'Brien of Collett's backing band Zeus to produce her debut, which features guest turns from former Collett cohort Bahamas (the solo guise of guitarist Afie Jurvanen) and a duet with Collett himself.

Ladytron Attribute Their Longevity to Lack of Mainstream Success

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-10-05T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, RPM, New Music, New Releases

Nettwerk Records

Ten years into perfecting their icy brand of electro-pop, Liverpool quartet Ladytron have not only outlived the many imitators and various permutations of the genre briefly known as electroclash, but have also left their distinctive mark on a sound that has mushroomed despite once seeming destined to be little more than a passing fad.

Five albums into an intriguing career that's seen them score bona fide hits with the pulsating beats of 'Seventeen' and the epic build of 'Destroy Everything You Touch,' these days Ladytron seem far more interested in making music for themselves rather than dancefloor DJs.

That's not to say they're not still working within a synth-soaked template on their new (and aptly named) album, 'Gravity the Seducer,' but the band's usual metal-sleek beatscape has mellowed into something a little more quixotic, with gauzy instrumentals (autoharp, bells, organ, and violin lend an elegant, almost orchestral bent) sitting alongside hookier tracks like first single 'Ace of Hz.'

Spinner caught up with Ladytron vocalist Mira Aroyo as the band was rehearsing in London for their North American tour, which kicked off last week and continues throughout October.

This new album has that characteristic Ladytron sound, but also brings a certain stately new element to the mix -- were you consciously thinking about going for a different sound?

It's a mixture of both. We knew that we wanted to create a certain atmosphere, a lusher sort of record. That's how we started thinking about it. I think what came out was a different sort of pop album, so to speak. No matter how much you plan, songs have a tendency to take on a life of their own.

Northern Exposure: Tasseomancy, 'Healthy Hands (Will Mourn You)' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-09-21T14:30:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Courtesy of Tasseomancy

A few years can bring big artistic changes in emerging artists -- case in point: Halifax-bred twin-sister duo Tasseomancy, formerly known as Ghost Bees, and perhaps best known these days as the backing singers for red-hot Toronto goth-popsters Austra.

Sari and Romy Lightman continue to play off their impeccable harmonies and primordial rootsy sound, but they've taken their particular brand of neo-folk into decidedly spookier territory on their new album, 'Ulalume' (that it's titled after a 19th century Edgar Allan Poe poem certainly hints at the album's creative direction).

It comes as little surprise, then, to find that the album was co-produced by Taylor Kirk and Simon Trottier of the like-minded Timber Timbre -- in fact, given that the pair also contributes vocals and instrumentation to the record, it's perhaps to be expected that 'Ulalume' often sounds like a female-fronted take on a Timber Timbre record.

K'naan Kicks Off TIFF's Festival Music House With Taste of New Material

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-09-13T14:15:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, Exclusive

WireImage for Good Housekeeping

Lights, camera... music? Movie mania is in full swing in Toronto thanks to TIFF, but the festival also shines the spotlight on homegrown music with the Festival Music House series, a three-day event featuring a lineup of Canada's best rising acts.

Produced by indie label Arts & Crafts, the invite-only showcase is designed to introduce Canadian talent to industry insiders who might just be looking for new music to soundtrack their next film.

Moving this year's Festival Music House to the Mod Club, a venue actually meant for live music, was a wise move following last year's event at the Roosevelt Room, a supperclub-style lounge better suited to imbibing cocktails.

Northern Exposure: Rah Rah, 'Arrows' (Kitchen Party Remix) -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-08-17T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, RPM, Northern Exposure

Hidden Pony Records

Few bands out there are as aptly named as Regina collective Rah Rah -- since releasing their sophomore album, 'Breaking Hearts,' last summer, the sextet have been busy building critical buzz and a loyal fan base for their infectiously effervescent indie pop.

Anyone who's seen their grin-inducing live show can attest to the band's fondness for creating a joyous racket (often aided by a well-placed piñata, some candy, and a whole lotta confetti), something they've shared with audiences right around the globe over the past year, thanks to tours with Wintersleep and the Besnard Lakes. Their relentless touring schedule has found the band at major festivals across North America, including well-received showcases at SXSW and Canadian Music Week.

Northern Exposure: Gobble Gobble, 'Wrinklecarver' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-07-23T12:30:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Gobble Gobble

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the notable acts at Guelph, Ontario's annual Hillside Festival (July 22-24).

When you come across a band called Gobble Gobble, it's a safe bet the music they play is bound to be, well, interesting. One thing one can say about this mysterious noise-pop collective with origins in Edmonton is that they certainly sound unlike anything you've heard before.

Fronted by "pop experimentalist" Cecil Frena, Gobble Gobble is aptly described in their bio as a "hyperactive, futuristic techno-pop project" -- to that, we'd add: "that really messes with your ears -- in a good way."

Northern Exposure: Hooded Fang, 'ESP' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-07-22T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, New Music, Northern Exposure

Courtesy of Hooded Fang

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the notable acts at Guelph, Ontario's annual Hillside Festival (July 22-24).

Few brand new bands manage the kind of instant connection with both fans and critics alike as Toronto indie collective Hooded Fang -- since first forming in winter 2008 and releasing a self-titled EP and their (delightfully named) debut full-length, 'Album,' last year, the group have charmed their way across their native land with their sunny orchestral pop.

It's been quite the year for the ensemble -- not only did they release their debut to great acclaim only nine months ago, but they also embarked on a cross-country tour with fellow Toronto indie-rockers Rural Alberta Advantage, and recently scored a Long List nod for this year's Polaris Prize.

Northern Exposure: Charlotte Cornfield, 'Construction on the Street' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-07-21T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, New Music, Northern Exposure

Courtney Lee Yip

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the notable acts at Guelph, Ontario's annual Hillside Festival (July 22-24).

Though barely out of her teens, Montreal (by way of Toronto) singer-songwriter Charlotte Cornfield has already managed more artistic output than many musicians double her age -- not only is she garnering buzz for her pop-meets-folk solo work, but she's also hit the road as the drummer for Montreal indie-acoustic band Bent by Elephants, jazz group Takk, and Chicago folk ensemble Panoramic and True.

Since completing her music degree last year, Cornfield has become a favourite on the festival circuit, winning over audiences at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival and Pop Montreal, sharing stages with an eclectic group of artists (everyone from the Sadies to Dead Prez) along the way.

Northern Exposure (NXNE): Samantha Savage Smith, 'The Fight' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-06-18T15:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Lindsey Baker

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the finest acts at Toronto's North by Northeast festival (June 13-19).

Either Samantha Savage Smith's parents bestowed the ideal handle upon the Calgary singer-songwriter at birth, or she's come up with a rather apt stage name, because the pint-sized 24-year-old is about to shake up the music scene once her preternaturally accomplished debut album, 'Tough Cookie,' is released this fall.

After building buzz in the fertile Calgary indie scene over the past two years for her guitar dexterity and sharp songwriting, Smith caught the attention of local producer Lorrie Matheson (Rae Spoon, Ghostkeeper), who took her under his wing to record her debut, which the Calgary Herald praised as "one of the finest, most honest and absorbing releases you'll hear this or any other year."

Northern Exposure (NXNE): The Darcys, 'House Built Around Your Voice' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-06-17T18:05:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the finest acts at Toronto's North by Northeast festival (June 13-19).

Sometimes it seems like Toronto is so crammed with hardworking indie rock bands that it's hard for many of them to rise above the fray and get their music heard. Local live faves the Darcys have certainly faced more challenges than any group should have to go through -- just when it seemed like they were amassing both a critical and audience following in the years after dropping their well-received debut, 'Endless Water,' their lead singer unexpectedly quit, and a subsequent follow-up album seemed to be going nowhere.

Northern Exposure (NXNE): Louise Burns, 'What Do You Wanna Do' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-06-17T16:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

M Ford

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the finest acts at Toronto's North by Northeast festival (June 13-19).

After you've signed to Madonna's record label at age 15, where on earth do you go from there? For Vancouver singer-songwriter Louise Burns, it's been quite the journey from co-founding bratty pop-punk band Lillix as a pre-teen to recasting herself as a purveyor of charmingly retro-flavoured pop tunes with her delightful new album, 'Mellow Drama.'

It's hard not to think of Burns as Canada's answer to Zooey Deschanel, given her penchant for '50s and '60s girl-group-era harmonies and impeccable Brill Building-style production -- any fan of Deschanel's She & Him duo would be hard-pressed not to fall for Burns' similarly classic approach to songwriting that's at once beautifully simple yet also rich in musical and lyrical detail.

Stars Are Proudly Out of Fashion: 'Hey, Smirk Away!' -- NXNE

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-06-17T15:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, Exclusive, Q + A

Yasmin Siddiqui

Things have been quiet on the Stars front since the Canadian swoon-popsters released their fifth album, 'The Five Ghosts' (just long-listed yesterday for the Polaris Prize) last summer. But the quintet has been anything but idle in that time: singer-guitarist Amy Millan and bassist Evan Cranley welcomed their first child this spring; frontman Torquil Campbell has been juggling not one, but two side-projects with his solo Dead Child Star guise and a new release by Memphis (his musical partnership with New York actor/musician Chris Dumont, a longtime pal).

And last week saw the release of 'The Bedroom Demos,' the original recordings of songs from 2007's 'In Our Bedroom After the War' (which can be purchased or streamed here).

Recorded at fellow Montrealers Besnard Lakes' Breakglass Studios in the deep-freeze of winter 2006, the demos offer an intriguing glimpse into the creative process: 'Barricade' recorded with one microphone, Campbell singing both the male and female parts on 'Personal'; even the working titles of some tracks ('Flack,' 'Film Score') hint at musical and lyrical inspirations eked out as the songwriting progressed. (The band eventually ended up making the album at Bryan Adams' historic Warehouse Studios in Vancouver, where Campbell resides).

The release of the demos brings a flurry of renewed activity for the band: Stars headlined a big free show as part of the NXNE music festival in Toronto this week, and will play an intimate secret gig June 18 (a clever social-media campaign designed as an urban 'scavenger hunt' unlocks the clues to getting in) before embarking on a handful of summer festival dates.

Amidst all that, the band also recently reunited in Montreal to begin work on their next album, and Campbell continues to be the group's chief multitasker, juggling his Stars duties with parenthood and his other musical pursuits. Spinner caught up with the ever-garrulous Campbell to talk music, social media, and why he thinks people have been smirking at his "out-of-fashion" band for the past decade.

'The Bedroom Demos', while obviously raw, don't sound too far removed from the recordings on 'In Our Bedroom After the War'. Why did you decide not to use those particular tracks and record new ones for the final album?

Because we really wanted to make a slick '80s Fleetwood Mac record, and the Warehouse [in Vancouver] was the place to do that. Breakglass, on the other hand, is a place where you can literally taste the studio when you listen to things recorded there. They weren't sterile and Bryan Adams-y enough, I guess! [laughs] We are very strange people. Though we do love the demos, we made the album we imagined at the Warehouse.

Northern Exposure (NXNE): The Details, 'Weightless in the Dark' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-06-16T19:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Courtesy of the Details

Northern Exposure is Spinner's MP3 column highlighting the best in new Canadian music. This week we feature some of the finest acts at Toronto's North by Northeast festival (June 13-19).

Most indie bands would kill for the kind of eyebrow-raising backstory Winnipeg quartet the Details boast in their bio -- turns out the group was pursued by Kim Fowley (best known as the Svengali of 1970s girl-group the Runaways) after randomly crossing paths with the infamous manager/producer during SXSW in 2009.

Memphis Promise 'Best Amy Millan Impression' With 'Here Comes a City'

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-05-04T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, New Releases

Arts & Crafts

While dream-popsters Stars take a little break (in part thanks to the recent birth of Amy Millan and Evan Cranley's first child), frontman Torquil Campbell has been anything but idle, releasing not just one, but two albums in recent months.

The loquacious vocalist (who readily chatters away about everything from pop to politics) has been on a creative roll, quietly putting out 'Cold Hands, Warm Hearts' -- his first collection of solo material earlier this year under the Dead Child Star handle -- before 'Here Comes a City,' the third full-length from Memphis (Campbell's side project with longtime friend and collaborator Chris Dumont) came out last month.

While both records showcase Campbell's swoony vocals and the kind of shimmering melodies that wouldn't be out of place on a Stars album, each bears its own distinctive hallmarks -- the Dead Child Star release, a compilation of Campbell's own songs written over the past several years, is a gentle, stripped-down affair, while the Memphis album evokes a grander, more cinematic feel.

But, as Campbell is quick to point out, all his music shares the same DNA: friendship.

"What I get out of [each project] is as individual as what we get out of friendships, right? You get something different from each of your friends," he tells Spinner.

Northern Exposure: XI, 'Medicate' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-04-18T10:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Courtesy of 2+2 Management

Dubstep may seem like the buzzworthy genre du jour, but Toronto producer Christian Andersen, aka XI, was helping introduce the sinewy, bass-heavy sound to North American ears since the mid-2000s, moving from an early drum 'n' bass style to the darker, more experimental take on bass-driven music that's come to represent the dubstep vibe.

Known for hosting Toronto's popular monthly Subtrac parties as well as a busy international touring schedule that's seen him play alongside the likes of Prodigy, Kode 9, and Nosaj Thing, in addition to releasing plenty of tracks on labels all over the world, XI seems poised to break through beyond the confines of a particular scene.

'The Ghost,' his debut single for UK label Orca (whose founder aptly dubbed XI's sound as "future-aqua-crunked-out-dubstep"), received plenty of airplay on BBC Radio -- BBC's high priestess of electro, DJ Mary Ann Hobbs, even commissioned a guest mix from XI for her trendsetting show.

Northern Exposure (CMW Edition): Freedom or Death, 'Virginia Woolf' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-03-11T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Joe Fuda

Canadian Music Fest features 800 showcasing bands at over 55 live music venues during five nights of performances in Toronto this week. Our exclusive Northern Exposure column highlights some great tracks by homegrown artists playing Canadian Music Week's CMF.

What do you get when two major-label escapees join forces? Well, some pretty engaging tunes, if Toronto electro-folk duo Freedom or Death is any indication. Vocalist Sway Clarke and instrumentalist Steve Fernandez met while working for a big record company and decided to take their first-hand knowledge of the music biz to seize creative control over the music-making process themselves.

Even their band name is a direct nod to the pair's fiercely DIY focus, and the two handle all writing, producing, recording, and performing duties on all their tracks. A classically-trained pianist, Fernandez also has a background as a DJ, while Clarke honed his songwriting and vocal chops fronting several bands over the years.

The result of this creative meeting of the minds melds Clarke's soaring Jeff Buckley-esque vocals with Fernandez's clever arrangements that bolster soft folk melodies with poppy synths and effervescent percussion.

Northern Exposure (CMW Edition): Imaginary Cities, 'Hummingbird' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-03-10T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Trevor Maczylo

Canadian Music Fest features 800 showcasing bands at over 55 live music venues during five nights of performances in Toronto this week. Our exclusive Northern Exposure column highlights some great tracks by homegrown artists playing Canadian Music Week's CMF.

Fledgling bands dream of the kind of rapid upward trajectory Imaginary Cities are riding right now -- the Winnipeg duo of singer Marti Sarbit and multi-instrumentalist Rusty Matyas (who has worked with fellow 'Peggers the Weakerthans and Waking Eyes) are not only garnering big buzz for their soul-meets-indie-rock debut, 'Temporary Resident,' but they've also just been tapped to open the reunion tour of none other than the Pixies.

Their rise is no mere blog-fuelled hype, however -- the duo are garnering praise the old-fashioned way: by putting out a fully-formed album that seems to come out of nowhere but was actually the result of taking the time to incubate both a unique sound and solid songwriting.

Northern Exposure: Katie Moore, 'Wake Up Like This' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-02-08T15:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

Nick Helderman

Montreal's Katie Moore is one of those singers other artists can't stop raving about -- the fiery redhead has worked her soulful pipes on stage with Klezmer rapper Socalled, crooned sweet backups for Cuff the Duke, and was part of Feist's band during the indie icon's appearance at the Vancouver Olympics.

Turns out those collaborators knew something the rest of us will hear for ourselves with the release of Moore's sophomore album, 'Montebello' (referencing the picturesque Quebec region where the 2007 Summit of the Americas took place) -- a showcase for her burnished alto, the elegant, moody collection of alt-country, folk, and bluegrass suggests Moore is due for her time in the spotlight.

Northern Exposure: New Country Rehab, 'Cameo' -- Free MP3

Tabassum Siddiqui — 2011-02-03T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Exclusive, Northern Exposure

David Leyes

The many bands that count on the seasoned session players who make up rising Toronto quartet New Country Rehab may want to start making contingency plans -- if NCR's driving self-titled debut album is any indication, these guys are about to get very busy with their own music.

Led by violinist John Showman (who also lends his fiddle to Toronto bluegrass institutions the Foggy Hogtown Boys and the Creaking Tree String Quartet), NCR also features Run With the Kittens guitarist James Robertson, percussionist Roman Tome, and Flashlight Radio bassist Ben Whiteley (who's also much in demand by folk-tinged artists like Amy Millan and Basia Bulat).

Their name tells their story: NCR play country music, full stop. Theirs is kind of straightforward, old-school sound that would be at home in a shadowy speakeasy -- or the Grand Ol' Opry (the way it used to be, anyhow). A mix of old-timey originals and classic rootsy covers (including three Hank Williams tunes, which sound right at home delivered in Showman's Williams-esque drawl), 'New Country Rehab' corrals the strengths of all four of its talented musicians to promising effect.