Have you noticed... Summer music time

So. I am one week shy of being on summer vacation for two months. 'Awesome!' may be the initial reaction but... it's been bittersweet.

Sad fact 1:

I have no job. I've been looking, applying like CRAZY since before READING week. I officially hate this 'recession' business.

Sad fact 2:

living at home can be hard. Like you can NEVER be alone and you have to be more aware of people in your house (ex my mom wakes up easily. She's not to happy about my coming home in the am's).

Sad fact 3:

I miss London friends, house, and parties/dance places. That is something I for sure have taken for granted over the last 3 years. (HOLY CRAP THREE YEARS!)

Happy fact 1:

Dundas friends are AWESOME, I love my family, and I get to travel more for cheaper (hi nine dollar ticket to Toronto).

Happy fact 2:

I get to do more things I WANT (reading for fun, making stuff for fun ETC).

Happy fact 3 (and here's where music comes in):

AWESOME CONCERTS. I've seen some pretty awesome shows so far this summer. OH! Fest in London was SUPER awesome. Animal Collective at Sound Academy was amazing (but some of the crowd SUCKED (what Animal Collective has more music than just Merriweather Post Pavilion?!)). MOREOVER this week I get to go see Grizzly Bear at Pheonix, as well as Lovely Feathers with the Ghost is Dancing at Lee's Palace. Lovely Feathers are FINALLY releasing their new album. If you're in the GTA come to the show on Saturday. It's only eight dollars and I promise it will be awesome. This kind of brings up the topic of summer music.

I tend to listen to certain music during certain seasons. For example Bloc Party and Arcade Fire are winter bands to me. The Shins and Matt Pond PA are fall bands. Spring music... is... I can't think of any... maybe because spring is a weird mix of all the other seasons. But Summer, summer is a new story.

Summer music is some of my favourite, because I find it the easiest to tie memories too (super cheesy right?!). Last summer was MGMT, Thehoodinternet.com (LOVE), Andrew Bird, and some others. Previous 'summer' bands have been Modest mouse, gorillaz, Crystal Castles, Girl Talk, Delgados... I think you get the picture. So... does nyone else do this? Am I the only one who makes soundtracks in my mind?

Well this summer will have a DAMN good sountrack. I was inspired to do this post by Vivian who brought Think about Life's new album (oh god so good. I need to start listening to them again) to a BBQ lat night. I think that'll be one. Also Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz is making my life complete. I'm anticipating more Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Lovely Feathers love OH AN MOST SERENE REPUBLIC. Ok. I think thats enough.

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

Canadian Music Week-Thursday at Horshoe Tavern

As previously mentioned, I am at Canadian Music Week this weekend in Toronto. Last night I went to the Horseshoe Tavern and it was loud, packed, and awesome. Unfortunately we got there a little too late for The Lovely Feathers,only seeing the last song, Photocorners, which kind of sucks because I've never seen them but the rest of the night made up for it.

$100 was next, and they put on a great performance. I actually saw them play a double set the night before in London at The Alex P. Keaton, which was also pretty damn good. They're a folk band leaning more towards the side of country. The crowd enjoyed them, and they seemed to be having a good time.

$100 at The Horseshoe Tavern on Canadian Music Week

Next up was Women, who were by far the noisiest. This band has come a long way from playing shows in basements of the wilderness that is the Alberta suburbs. Their set last night was a sound collage of their past self titled album along with a few noisy jams that were made on the road. Their set was melodic, sporadic, it ebbed and flowed into hybrids of their previous work. They were so low-fi that my confidence was crushed completely and then rebuilt again in the laysers of telecaster squeals. They were abrasively loud, and in the next moment, sweetly quiet. It was a bit disappointing that neither the crowd (or sound guy) could keep up. Many times they would finish a song, unbeknownst to the crowd, other times the crowd would cheer when they were only halfway done. It was caos. Overall their preformance was a trip through a sound they are so delicously good at playing and it was done in a way only Women could accomplish. They were good and i'm not sure if too many people would agree. In a strange twist of events, we met the lead singer at the grocery store on our way home. He seemed surprised that I shook his hand and thanked him for what i heard.

Women at Horseshoe Tavern

Next up was Gentleman Reg, who I've never heard, but I knew he was signed to Arts and Crafts (Brendan Canning was in the audience). It was easy to see why, his music is easy to get into, very pleasant to listen to, and he had the best interaction with the audience. His music is indie-rock of the usual type, some softer ballad songs, and some more poppy upbeat songs. Gentleman Reg had a few intense fans dancing, lighting up their jackets (yeah, there was a middle aged guy with a light up jacket), and screaming his name at people(same guy). He's pretty decent, check him out if you like most Arts and Crafts artists.

Gentleman Reg at Horsehoe Tavern

Finally, closing the set was Chad Vangaalen. I really like Chad Vangaalen, but his set was kind of disappointing. He only played 6 songs, got in there and got out. I can understand why, as it was a very long night (I was so tired by this point), and he had already played with Women. But most of the crowd came there to see him, and I feel like most of them left a little unhappy, especuially because after the short set list, he didn't have an encore (he may not have been allowed to, but his set seemed shorter than any other, and as a closing act there is usually an encore). Regardless, the songs he did play were pretty good, and everyone enjoyed it.

Chad VanGaalen at Horseshoe Tavern

Overall, the night was a success. Earlier in the Horseshoe won best live music venue in the CMW awards, and it was the first Thursday they have ever filled to capacity. Tonight I'm going back for

The Bicycles	10 : 10 PM
Human Highway	11 : 10 PM
Handsome Furs	12 : 10 AM
Hot Panda	1 : 10 AM

Canadian Music Week is coming

Do you have your wristband? CMW taking place in Toronto, from the 11th-15th. That's five nights with 500 artists and 50 venues. Wristbands are $50 and give you no cover to any participating show during that time.
With 500 artists there something for everyone. There are also films, and award shows. The lineups are looking pretty decent. Heres's one I'm looking forward to on Thursday at Horseshoe Tavern

The Lovely Feathers	8:30 PM
$100	9:20 PM

Women	10:10 PM
Gentlemen Reg	11:10 PM
Chad VanGaalen	12:10 AM

Other awesome artists playign that weekend include: Arkells, Basia Bulat, Bicycles, Cuff the Duke, D'Ubervilles, Elliott Brood, Ghost is Dancing, Handsome Furs, Hoodinternet, Hot Panda, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Ting Tings, Young Galaxy, and so many more. For info on any of the bands or when they're playing just check out the website.

Expect a lot of reviews this coming weekend.

Dear Lovely Feathers- Where have you Gone?

2006, I was in grade 12, it was a year of fun, friends, discovery, and The Lovely Feathers released Hind Hind Legs. That was truly a great album. I was supposed to go see them on December 8th, 2006 (also known as the worst day of my life) but if any of you remember that was the craziest snowstorm I have ever seen. As a result of all the snow, my comp sci exam was moved, I couldn't get home until much much later, missing the concert (also that day I ripped my favourite pair of jeans, and there was no italian grilled cheese). That was also the last I heard of The Lovely Feathers.
They seemed to just disappear, and that's not easy for a band on Spin's Top 5 up and coming Montreal Bands. Earlier this school year I heard they were back! But... that's about all I've heard. In the INFO section of their website it states, "And so it goes to where they are today: The Lovely Feathers, several years finer, are pleased to announce the imminent release of their new completed album, ‘Scherezadian’. It will be followed by a respectful and pleasant tour of North America." On their myspace it even says Fall 2008! Well... where is this album?! I checked the last.fm page to see if there was any news, or if there were any new songs on ANYONES account... but nothing. In the Shoutbox- written in December- is, " haven't heard anything about scherezadian for a while now :(". So I guess I am not the only one who is confused.
However, the band is back to playing shows in Montreal tomorrow, and later for Canadian Music week in Toronto. I guess they haven't ceased to exist. They're just so cryptic, does anyone know whats going on with 'Scherezadian'?