Stayed home and worked on Sunday. Good on me. Was quite productive despite getting up late. And even make dinner for myself. (Not as successful as the Thai curry from last week, but still edible.)
Monday was a different story. I woke up at the ungodly hour of 10:20am and went to dim sum with a new friend. SO GOOD. I love King's Noodle (Spadina, just north of Dundas, on the west side). It's amazingly good. Savory, deep friend . . . mmm. Afterward we went vintage shopping in Kensington Market. RN is a good guy to go with, I discovered. The man knows nearly EVERYONE in the market. It was much fun, and $100 later I had a new 60s coat and dress. We got in some grocery shopping too.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was when RN told me about the "cute cheese boys" who work at Magic Cheese, one of the cheese shops in the market. We went in, and sure enough: the guys working there were totally cute! Of course, I then proceeded to tell them what RN had said, and that I thought he was right. It got a bit of a smile out of the two men behind the counter. But I think it mostly just embarrassed all of them, especially RN. lol.
By 11:30 I was back downtown, this time at the Cloak & Dagger, a great little bar on College near Bathurst---so, right in the epicentre of my social life. A friend from Massey was having a get-together with his friends before taking off for the US and Argentina for many months. I had a good time, of course.
I'm now chatting with FN on MSN. (Live, from Berlin.) So I must get do that . . . .
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A day off work.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
A different kind of show.
The house party on Friday night turned into quite the event. EH and I were there LATE and after a trip to Mel's in the wee hours I was home by 5:30am. Unlike Thursday, this time we drank. And drank some more. And danced. I wore an "outfit" and had a good time.
Saturday was semi productive. I finished the indie list (see below), did more conference errands, and spent a few hours taking useful notes for my dissertation. I'm going through some of the material I collected back in April in New York. Good stuff.
In the evening I went to Hart House for EW's last hurrah dance performance. It was great!! Whatever will Toronto be like without you? Check out what the heck I'm talking about here. I really loved the whole thing. Afterwards the historians milled about and then MB, VC, and I went for a late dinner/snack on Bloor. And I was home by 12:30, so a relatively early night for me.
And now it's 5:20am and I'm fading. I should sleep so I can get up and be productive on Sunday.
Indie Music 13.
Are you wondering where I get my listings from? I take most of them from venue sites, but I also check out the listings at Zoilus and Stillepost. The latter is necessary because lots of show aren't listed, or aren't listed fully. And then there's what comes up on Facebook. There's lots of variety this week, and lots of quality shows on offer for just a few bucks (and occasionally a can of food).
I'll be out on Thursday and Saturday. Let me know if you'd like to join me for anything. I urge you to check other listings, though, because there are some fantastic shows on this week if you're willing to pay more than $10. Joel Plaskett at The Horseshoe Tavern, for example . . . .
MONDAY (10 dec)
Krista L. L. Muir @ The Dakota Tavern, 8pm (early show), $5 (or $7?).
Spooky Ruben w/ Mantler and Acousteaux @ Mitzi's Sister, 9pm, $5.
Nathan Gray @ The Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.
TUESDAY (11 dec)
* Evalyn Parry @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 7:30pm, pwyc. This is recommended by Toronto performing arts guru Steve Fisher. The man is super in-the-know about such things, and has good taste in music.
Hells Belles presents The Groopies and The Famous Monsters @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.
LAUGHstock presents Man with Target, Of The Epic, Kabula Chair, and The Metacomets (debut show) @ The Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, $5. Contrary to what you might think, LAUGHstock is not a comedy show, but a series of harder rock shows.
WEDNESDAY (12 dec)
Basia Bulat (CBC Radio 3 recording) @ Criminal Records (493 Queen St. W.), 7pm, free. Nice!
The Chris Bryant Blues Band and Gangrene and Blue @ The Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm.
* Pitter Patter Nights presents LLIONS, The Leonids, Zesty Caucasians, and The Cheap Speakers @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. I love those LLIONS. The Cheap Speakers should be good too, if who's in the band is any indication.
Lights and We Are The Take @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.
Red Trakpants, Women, and Transcendental Rodeo @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc.
THURSDAY (13 dec)
What's not good tonight? Too many options. I will be at the Rancho, and might show-hop over to Tiger Bar. I've only stared two shows, but I'd be happy to be at pretty much any show listed here.
The Done Me Wrongs @ The Dakota Tavern, 10:30pm, free.
* No Shame presents Gentleman Reg, Michael Leviton (Brooklyn, NY), and Scary Mansion (Brooklyn, NY) @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5. Good stuff, as expected.
* Two Way Monologues 7 presents Amos The Transparent (Ottawa), Oh No Forest Fires, and The Craft Economy @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7 (or $ 5 with canned good). I'm looking forward to this one. I missed The Craft Economy when they played No Shame last month, and it's been too long since I've seen ONFF.
World AIDS Day benefit concert featuring The Hidden Cameras w/ Sister Suvi and Allie Hughes @ The Great Hall, Hart House. All proceeds to The Toronto People with AIDS Foundation and Avert International. Advance tickets ($5 students/$10 general public) are available at UTSU. Tickets at the door are $10 for students, and $15 for everyone else.
Ninja High School (final show), Permanent Stains (Ottawa), and Women Are Good @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $6.
Hip-Hop Karaoke @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Promises to be ridiculous amounts of fun.
Black Collar Thursdays presents DJ Stu Dead of Playdead, Jar, Kansas City Shuffle, and Seconds To Go @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.
Dave Picco, Loitering Heroes, Ruby Coast, The Books Elusive, and The Feeling United @ The Silver Dollar, 9pm. Great lineup!
FRIDAY (14 dec)
Again, lots of potentially good shows, catering to a variety of indie tastes.
Cedar (CD release) w/ The Postage Stamps and Lipstick Machine @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5 (or $10 w/ CD). Good, good, and good.
The Calrizians Christmas show @ The Dakota Tavern.
Constant Crush and Damzels present DJ sets in the front room by Nikki Awesome and Orly, and DJ sets by the Darth Virgo AL911 and Patrick Pentland (from Sloan) in the back lounge, with live performances by The Outfit and Satan's Candy @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5. This seems like an odd mix of venue and performers, but that just makes it all the better.
* Germans, The Uncut, Love Kills, Lunchmeat, and Hollophonic @ The Silver Dollar, 9pm. Damn. Recommended if you're into harder pop rock (but not too hard).
Hits and Misses Records Christmas Party presents The King Khan & BBQ Show, Brutal Knights, The Vapids, and Ultra Violence Ray @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $10. Not necessarily my scene; maybe yours, though.
* Easy Tiger (final show!) presents Born Ruffians @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5. If I wasn't tied up drinking with historians---wine and cheese, yay!---I'd be here for sure. At least for the band---they start playing just after 11pm. The post-band dance party isn't for me, but some of my friends love it. You might too.
Dancing:
Bang The Party @ The Boat, 10pm, $5.
SATURDAY (15 dec)
Another excellent lineup of inexpensive shows. If you're want something upbeat, come with me to Lee's Palace or head over with your friends to The Rivoli. For slightly calmer fare Tranzac has a couple great shows on. Phew!
Fucked Up xmas show (benefit for the Toronto Food Bank and George Herman House). Go at 3pm to get your picture taken with "Santa," and stay for the 5pm show w/ guests tba @ Sonic
Boom, free w/ donation.
Tyvek, Quest for Fire, and surprise guests @ Adrift Skateshop, 7pm, $5.
The Best of Guelph! show has been cancelled.
The Golden Dogs, In-Flight Safety @ Nathan Phillips Square, 7 pm, free.
* Key Witness (CD release) w/ Still Life Still and Andy Swan (Ottawa) @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $5. Sounds good to me. But I'll be rocking out at Lee's instead.
** Electro Indie Rock Holiday Food Drive featuring These Electric Lives @ 12:30, Tin Bangs (EP release) @ 11:30, The i Spies @ 10:30, and Songs From A Room @ 9:30. Lee's Palace, $8 (or $6 w/ canned food donation). I will be there!! I believe Tin Bangs is also releasing a video that night. (You can see it here.) Ouff, this is gonna be some party.
* My Shaky Jane (formerly Oh! The Pretty Things) w/ Barons and Lengthy and Five Hot Bitches @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5. Barons and Lengthy are one of my favourites. Excellent indie pop fare.
Super Friends Super Party (benefit for the United Way) presents Forest City Lovers, Slutty Slutty Bang Bang, Friendliness And The Small Axe, Backwoods Justice, Words Around the Waist, The Thing Is, and slowly, slowly @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, pwyc.
Sin Dealer @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5.
* The Weather Station and Sheesham And Lotus @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc ($5 suggested). If you're into more folky fare, I recommend this for sure. Plus, everyone in The Weather Station is excellent.
The DoneFors w/ Mississippi Kings @ C'est What, 10pm, $7.
Clothes Make The Man w/ Silent Seymour and Charlemagne @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $8.
Monkey Business Christmas show (Chuck Berry tribute) @ The Dakota Tavern.
NUANCE showcase: A Live Progressive/Art Rock Festivity featuring Half Past Four (9pm), Wilton Said... (10:15pm), and greedyfeedr (11:30pm) @ The Smiling Buddha, 8:15pm, $8. "A portion of the door sales will be going towards a children's charity called Coalition for Music Education in Canada."
Dancing:
Back To The Future: Part 3 @ The Boat, 10pm, $5. "Music from the 1950s until the stroke of midnight, then the 1980s take over."
Loving In The Name Of @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5. This is the second installment. "It is a new DJ night . . . that focuses on pure hits. There is just the ultimate musical hits being played non stop." I can neither confirm nor deny this.
SUNDAY (16 dec)
Wavelength 393 featuring Loitering Heroes, Istvan Kantor and the Red Armband, Mandeverest, and DJ Major Melle @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. This sounds interesting, to say the least.
Fox Jaws, Cain and Abel, and The Darcys @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5. Nice!
The Noble Son w/ Capital Grass And The No Men @ The Savannah Room (294 College St.), 9 pm, $6.
Gather Round featuring Hamilton Trading Co. and dUTERVIL @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.
Two Scoops @ The Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, $5.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Meeting new people.
House parties really can be the best things ever. And even when they aren't, they are good for so many reasons. Last night I went with historians EH and MB to hang out with some indie people we know and lots of new people we didn't. And we had a good time. I finally met CG2's new g/f. (Yes!)
It's excellent to be at a party where there are almost no grad students in attendance. I love school but---and I'm sure I've said this many times before---it's important to get away from it once in a while. School is like my workplace, with all the attendant "boss" and "co-worker" and "promotion" issues, you know? School is also an important part of my personal life, since I am very much devoted to my (dead) guys and eventually telling their story (in my dissertation). Hence it being healthy to take myself away from it on a regular basis. I think it will deter burnout, which is not uncommon in my line of work . . . .
Ok, but I do need to work now. Tonight, maybe another house party with some indie friends!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
It's already Thursday.
Holy geez, and I have done so little work this week.
Errands continue to take up much time. I haven't been to a show since Saturday, so that's not what's keeping me away from dissertating. But other commitments and necessities of life get in the way. Also, I went out last night for many hours of socializing. But it was good to hang out with new people. My night went something like this: Sushi on Bloor, Ronnie's, The Embassy, The Cloak & Dagger, and home by 1am. There are important parties tonight, but I may only show up at one so I can get home early(ish) to work.
I'm going to go take more notes now. It's excruciatingly boring. But it must be done before I can get back to my chapter.
I wore purple leggings today. I'm not convinced about them.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Today I made red Thai curry.
All by myself! This is an FN specialty, but there were veggies in the fridge that needed to be eaten, and I was hungry after too many hours at school. So I did it, and it turned out just fine. Some of the veggies were overcooked, but it was otherwise totally edible. I ate it by myself, and now I have leftovers.
I feeling a bit down. But I'll get over it. Fun things are on the agenda tomorrow night!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Indie Music 12.
For this week's edition, I've included shows at The Smiling Buddha, a smallish bar on College, just west of Dovercourt. If you're in the area and up for catching some Toronto acts---at various stages of their careers---then I recommend checking this place out. The Horseshoe Tavern's series of celebratory concerts (for its 60th birthday) kicks off on Tuesday with a free show. And on Wednesday party it up with Henri Fabergé and The Adorables at The Embassy, the best bar in Kensington Market. The next seven days also feature a handful of CD releases, a two-night fundraiser for Punchclock Studios, a craft show with musical guests, and a couple solid lineups at my favourite venue, Tiger Bar.
MONDAY (3 dec)
Shoeless Monday featuring Urban Monks @ 11:30, Purge @ 10:30, and guests @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.
Kate Rogers Band w/ Casey Mecija (of Ohbijou) @ Supermarket.
TUESDAY (4 dec)
Slim Twig (EP release) w/ Huckleberry Friends, Conspiracy Of Familiar Objects, and projections by Exploding Motorcar Collective @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5.
The Horseshoe Tavern's 60th birthday concert celebration starts off with a special edition of The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite. Featuring Lowest of the Low @ 11:10, My Shaky Jane @ 10:20, and Songs From A Room @ 9:30, free. Sounds like a good show!
Great Aunt Ida (Vancouver) and Mantler @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm, pwyc ($5 suggested).
WEDNESDAY (5 dec)
* Henri Fabergé and The Adorables @ The Embassy, 8pm, free. Get there early because the bar is enforcing it's 60 person capacity. "Henri Faberge and The Adorables are bringing their residency at the Embassy to a close, for now. What with the amazing growth of acts like Laura Barrett and Woodhands taking off, my own side projects and an intensive writing period for the band, the Embassy shows have been here and there during 2007. So on December 5th, we are trading drums for decks and rocking the party tunes all night. Hot slut DJ Sheri Barclay (NYC/Edmonton) is promising some funky shit, we’re working on some video projections and we’re gonna sweat those windows up like it’s mid-July."
Frank Horvat, Ayton & Atherton, and Before The Flood @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, pwyc.
Pitter Patter Nights presents The Liras, The Knaves, Invasions, Picturesound, @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.
Lights and We Are The Take @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.
THURSDAY (6 dec)
There is, as usual, too much to do on Thursday night:
Ontario Power Generation, Russell Leon Band, and Canadian Honky @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, pwyc.
* No Shame featuring Five Blank Pages, The Audiovisuals, and Racoon Wedding @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5. FBPs are one of me faves. Go to this.
Andy Swan (CD release) @ The Dakota Tavern, 8:30pm, $tba.
Good Lovelies (1 year anniversary show) w/ Andy Sheppard and The Good Lovelies' Merry Men's Chorus @ Supermarket, 8pm, $10 (or $8 w/ canned good donation).
Punchclock Showcase featuring Final Fantasy, $100, Castlemusic, The Youngest, DJ Guvnor General @ Keep Six Gallery (938 Bathurst), music starts at 9:30pm, $5-$10. Or go early (from 6pm) to see the art. This event---and the one on Friday evening---is a fundraiser for Punchclock Print Studio.
Steamboat w/ Heidi Hazelton, Sandro Perri @ Tranzac, pwyc.
Local Rock featuring Dead But Dreaming @ 11:15, Flip Cynical @ 10:15, and Lost Innocence @ 9:15, Lee's Palace, $5.
Blood Ceremony (CD release) w/ Mäniac, Permafrown, and Old Witch @ The Boat, $5.
FRIDAY (7 dec)
All these shows should be good. Not everything is my style, but there's something for everyone on Friday night:
Jose Gonzalez (in-store performance) @ Sonic Boom, 6:30 pm, free.
Wild Honey presents Isle of Thieves, Purple Hill, and Terror Lake @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, pwyc.
* Easy Tiger presents Great Bloomers, Songs From A Room @ The Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5. I'll probably be here if I'm anywhere.
Revival Dear, The Unionist Ministers @ The Dakota Tavern, 9 pm, $5.
SLAVE to the SQUAREwave @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5. "Rob & Doug will be spinning your favourite tunes from the 80’s & 90’s before and after the show."
Modernboys Moderngirls w/ Mariposa, and The Speaking Tongues @ El Mocambo (First Floor), 9:30pm, $6.
Statues, Horses, Orphan Choir, You're My Home @ Adrift Skateshop, 7pm, $7.
The Two-Minute Miracles w/ Proof of Ghosts, and Luckyfool @ The Silver Dollar Room, $7.
Indica Records presents Montreal prog punk featuring GrimSkunk @ 12:00, Guests @ 11:00, and Alpha Galates @ 10:00, Lee's Palace, $8.
Punchclock Showcase featuring Kids on TV, LSdoubleDcup, The Blankett, DJ Will Munro, featuring art by Will Munro, Michael Comeau, Shannon Muegge, Jesjit Gil, and more @ Keep Six Gallery (938 Bathurst), music starts at 9:30pm, $5-$10.
SATURDAY (8 dec)
Jully Black and Hayley Sales @ Nathan Phillips Square, 7 pm, free.
Nanoworld, Yuka, and Dr. Payne And The Disease @ Smiling Buddha, 9:30pm, pwyc.
The Echo Hunters (Montreal, CD release) w/ Layah Jane @ Cameron House (Back Room), 9 pm, $6.
United Steel Workers of Montreal w/ The Dress Whites @ Bovine Sex Club, $6.
The Flints w/ PDF Format @ C'est What (67 Front St. E), 10pm, $6.
ALL CAPS! and No Shame craft show featuring The Youngest, Big Digits (electro dance party enthusiasts from Cambridge, MA), MYTH (formerly Alight), Kaeru (members of Ohbijou and Forest City Lovers), and City Field @ Whippersnapper Gallery (587A College). "Join us for a day of crafts and music. We've got some great local artists selling their work, and some great bands performing. The doors will open for the craft sale at 4pm and the bands will start at 7pm sharp. Cover is Pay-What-You-Can before 6pm, $7 after."
Dancing:
Doing It To Death @ The Boat, 10pm, $5.
SUNDAY (9 dec)
The Corporation, We Love, guests, and DJ Charleton @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5. This is a benefit show for the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
Wavelength 392 featuring Bill Bissett (poet), The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra, northamorica, and DJ The People of Canada @ Sneaky Dee’s, 9pm, pwyc.
Gather Round featuring Hamilton Trading Co. @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.
City Field (Halifax), Saffron Sect, The Hoa Hoa's, The Girl Guides @ Smiling Buddha, 9pm, pwyc. I might go check this out.
My Saturday.
FN moved out on Saturday morning.
At lunchtime the other conference organizers came over with delicious food and we had a potluck meal. It was excellent. We then spent the next several hours putting together the conference programme and making other decisions. It was good to get it all done, and in less time than I think most of us anticipated it would take. Yay us. Once we were finished, KE and EH hung around and we chatted for a while, and then I went off to Sneaky Dee's for the Rock Lottery.
For this charity event, 25 indie rock (broadly defined) musicians gathered in the morning to be formed into 5 bands. They had the rest of the day to go off and create a few new songs, which they would perform that night. Neat idea, but I can imagine it was a pretty exhausting day for the people involved. The show itself actually started on time, so when I got there at 11pm, the second group was already performing! So I missed Ken Farrell's (The Gravity Wave) group. Sigh. But I saw 4 bands, including Dan Werb (Woodhands) perform with Jonny Dovercourt and David Dineen-Porter (PDF Format), and then Paul Banwatt (Woodhands, the RAA, We're Scared, etc.) with Shawn Jurek (Oh No Forest Fires, The Primordials) and Sook Yin Lee. That second group was the best of the evening. Dan's was my second favourite. The last group, which included Simon Borer from Entire Cities and The Weather Station, was also pretty entertaining. All in all, a successful event. Lots of people came out to see the musical mashups.
Today I will stay close to home. There's quite a bit of snow on the group, and the weather forecasters are saying rain is on the way. How awful. I need to clean some more and get some work done.
P.S. I go to shows twice a week. And I occasionally buy CDs while there, as well as download the occasional album from Zunior. In November, I spent less than $50 total on all these things ("entertainment" in my expenses spreadsheet). So seriously not very much. And I get a lot of bang for my entertainment buck. Plus, I rarely drink.
Friday, November 30, 2007
More favourites.
FN is busy packing her Toronto life away. She is leaving me and moving to Berlin for 9 months! This is crazy. It hasn't hit me yet . . . no more gourmet dinners!
Last night I went to Massey for a lecture. And then I went to Sneaky Dee's for Cold Dead Hands' EP release (for Novelization). SH didn't show up---what kind of friend would not cough up $5 to come to his good friend's release party? Even after he'd told me I'd better come? (Not only did I show up as promised, SH, but I bought the EP too.) But I had a great time! I met new people and got to see a couple of my favourite Toronto groups in addition to enjoying CDH's set: Barons and Lengthy, and The Vulcan Dub Squad. I thought B & L was fantastic last night. I was a bit down on B & L last time I saw them, but they've completely won me over. Could it be that they're better than Foxfire Forest? I'm thinking yes. I was even dressed like a real B & L groupie, which may have put me in the right headspace ;-). It had been too long since I last/first saw The VDS. They are just great, and a real class act. I must see them again soon.
I think I might stay in tonight to clean and get some work done. Because tomorrow the other conference organizers are coming over for an all-day panel-making party. We have about 80 proposal to sift through, and we can only take half of them. After that's done I'm going to the Rock Lottery at Sneaks. I love that place.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Good days.
Tuesday was a good day. It started out with a free lunch at Trinity. The Trin One kids were doing a quiz, and friend CS invited me to be one of the judges of the international relations questions. There turned out to be no need for me, but I participated and it was fun.
The next fun thing was going to the Cameron House after my day at school, to catch Maylee Todd, Dan Werb, and Sky Shark perform short sets. And it was great! Maylee has a wonderful voice and her charming, warm personality filled the room with happiness. She played a little guitar, and then a big harp. Dan Werb, whom I've also only seen as part of Woodhands so far, did a solo piano and voice set. Wonderful stuff, really. Maylee joined him in singing a song. A couple guys from The Trews were there to hear Maylee and Dan, and Sean couldn't get over how excellent he thought they both were. He was not completely sober, but he seemed sincerely appreciative. He was a highlight of the night in and of himself! Sky Shark was entertaining, and my friends (all new-ish or completely new) ate it all up. The whole evening was just fantastic.
But it wasn't over yet! Afterward, I dashed home, grabbed a bottle of wine, and walked over to PB's house to celebrate his birthday. It was a smallish gathering for him---meaning not very small at all---but the people who were there were quite awesome. The festivities moved to the Pour House so PB's housemates could get some sleep. When the bar closed, a few stalwarts headed off in the direction of Vesta Lunch; I went home. I had to get up early (for me) the next day!
Wednesday has been a good day so far too. I had a quick meeting at school this morning, and then came home for lunch. After eating I headed down to Queen West and spent a whole lot of money on clothing and a new pair of boots. I seriously spent a lot of money on some of the pieces, but I really like all of them. I didn't buy anything boring, and I tried to mix it up a bit: blacks and bright colours! I also gave in a bought a pair of skinny jeans. We'll see how these go over. I think they're alright, but even if I don't love them after giving them a try, they were only $40 or so. Of course, I still need more clothes. ;-)
I do have one small complaint, though: the absolute worst music was being played at H&M and Zara. (Completely uninspiring music for mostly uninspired clothing. I am becoming a real snob, eh.) I was only just willing to put up with the pop-y awfulness to purpose sweatshop/child labour-made pieces. At Aritzia, a Spoon album was playing---thank goodness. I didn't notice the tunes at other places . . . no doubt a good sign.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Why I didn't make progress on my dissertation today.
I got up early to read a draft chapter for a reading group meeting. The chapter was actually fairly well done, and led to some interesting discussion later. Though during the meeting I was sitting beside a squirmy, cute 16-month-old child, I was more interested in the history being spoken about then the girl. So it's just more proof that kids are probably not in my future.
And then I came home and was tired, so I read part of a new book that will be super useful for my own work. (In a general, historiographical, kind of way.)
In the early evening I spent a couple hours putting together a "mix tape," which felt a little silly but also was fun. Massey is doing a "mix tape" exchange. For some reason I wanted to participate. Even though I mostly only listen to music at shows. And when I'm at home I mostly only listen to music I've already heard at shows. More proof that it's more about the people/experience of music for me than about the actual music. I do, however, have definite likes and dislikes, so I suppose I care about music somewhat . . . I don't know; my brain hurts.
It's now after dinner and I'm taking notes from a book. This is incredibly tedious and so not what I want to be doing right now. I think I'll go back to reading that book. Which I totally shouldn't do, but maybe it'll put me to sleep.
I'm getting a headache just thinking about working right now. Pain.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Indie Music 11.
This week the holiday charity shows get started in earnest. Competing with a solid lineup at Sneaks and another promises-to-be-good No Shame production on Thursday is Maylee and Slippers' workout party at the Boat; on Friday head over to the Rancho for a TWM charity show; Saturday at Sneaks there's a special Rock Lottery with a stellar bunch of musicians participating; and a Rock-A-Thon is happening all day at the Boat on Sunday. So this week you can get your indie fix and feel extra good about it.
I haven't listed shows happening at the Bovine (Queen W near Bathurst) this week. If you're curious, see their event listings here. I went there last night and had a blast. Tranzac (Brunswick just south of Bloor) showcases all kinds interesting of jazz, folk, and experimental acts. You can find their calendar of events here. It's not my scene, but there's definitely good quality music there on a regular basis. For a good all-round selection of musical happenings, check out Carl Wilson's Zoilus guide here. And, there are always lots of other inexpensive non-indie music/dance things happening outside the entertainment district. Let me know if you want some ideas about where to find out about these.
MONDAY (nov 26)
Indie Acoustic Songwriter Series with host Zach Kellum @ Supermarket, 9pm, $5.
Shoeless Monday featuring Magillvary Brothers (classic rock cover band) @ 11:30, Later That Same Day @ 10:30, and Blurred Vision @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.
TUESDAY (nov 27)
A Toronto Comic Jam featuring Sky Shark w/ Maylee Todd (from Woodhands and the Adorables, and Dan Werb (from Woodhands, doing a solo accoustic set) @ The Cameron House (Front Room), 8-10pm, free, followed by Run With the Kittens. I could very well show up to this.
The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite featuring Zuku @ 12:00, Julia Set Generator @ 11:10, The Waking Eyes (Winnipeg) @ 10:20, and Bury The Bully @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.
WEDNESDAY (nov 28)
* Madrid (EP release and "Out to Sea" video premiere) w/ Off the International Radar, and a Vitaminsforyou DJ set @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, $5 or $10 with CD.
Pitter Patter Nights presents The Feminists @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.
The Waking Eyes (Winnipeg) @ Supermarket, 9pm.
Local Hard Rock featuring Don't Church @ 11:15, Faithdown @ 10:15 and Stain On Society @ 9:15, Lee's Palace, $6.
Epigram w/ Flood, 8-Bit Revolution, and Sun Satellite @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5.
The Adores @ Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), 10pm.
THURSDAY (nov 29)
As usual, there is too much to do on Thursday night.
* The Maylee & Slippers Sweatshop Hop w/ Peter Project and DJ Darrin Scott @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Watch the promotional video. "This Is a Workout Party . . . Maylee Todd (fitness instructor to jesus) will lead you in sweating and muscle-building, Slippers (guy who hears outer space) will be laying down the beats, and you workout in your workout clothes, and drink booze, and pick up hotties, and get sweaty with the rest of us sweaty bodies. . . . DJ Darrin Scott will pick up where we leave off. . . . After his set of boogaloo, you get to hear Peter Project. . . . Bring canned goods to use during workout, and donate to a food bank." Maylee is all kinds of cute.
Dance parties at the Boat are all kinds of fun.
* The Vulcan Dub Squad w/ Cold Dead Hands (EP release), Ryan Masters, THe WitHouts, and Barons and Lengthy @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $5. I may check this out.
No Shame presents Ghost Bees, Saffron Sect, and Evening Hymns @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5. I've never not had a great time at a No Shame show.
Pear Shaped (CD release) w/ Captain Caveman and Sandro Perri @ The Silver Dollar Room,
9pm, $5.
Sunshine State @ Supermarket, 9pm.
Miss Scarlett (CD release) w/ Jenny Omnichord, Entire Cities, and Cunt Art @ Tranzac (Main Hall), 8pm, $5.
Sonic Unyon Indie Rock featuring A Northern Chorus, Bellewoods, Wax Mannequin, and Tusks @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, $8.
MusiCan benefit show featuring The Sea Inside @ 11:15, The Racket @ 10:15, and All For Nothing @ 9:15, Lee's Palace, $8.
FRIDAY (nov 30)
Pitter Patter Nights presents Code Pie (Montreal), Street Light Light, and Flying Eyes @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.
Two Way Monologues' charity show featuring Golden Hands Before God, Key Witness, and Kansas City Shuffle @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $7. I'll be here if I'm anywhere (unless I'm at Sneaks).
Trinket Trance presents Mariposa, Secret Public, The Good Ideas, and Donlands and Mortimer
@ Concord Cafe, 9:30 pm sharp, $6 or pwyc.
Indie Pop featuring Roflcopter @ 12:30, Wildlife @ 11:30, Black Hat Brigade @ 10:30, and Dress Whites @ 9:30, Lee's Palace, $7.
Roger Edwards Annual XMas Fundraiser featuring Bunkhouse Romeo playing 2 sets @ 10:30 and midnight, The Horseshoe Tavern, $10 minimum donation or pwyc.
Dancing:
DJ Shit la Merde @ Sneaky Dee's, 10pm, $5.
Goin' Steady @ The Boat, 10pm, $5.
SATURDAY (dec 1)
* Rock Lottery featuring members of Woodhands, Blood Ceremony, The River, Jewish Legend, Entire Cities, and many more @ Sneaky Dee's, $7. "25 of Toronto's Finest & Bravest Unite for 1 Night. On the morning of Dec 1st, 25 musicians will gather and draw numbers out of a hat to randomly separate into 5 bands. These 5 bands have 7 hours to write a few original songs, enough to fill a 20min set. Everyone regroups that night at Sneaky Dees to show you what they've got. Proceeds go to the Regent Park School of Music. Bands go on at 10:30pm." I'll be there!
The Northwest Division (EP release) and Kensington Station @ Neutral (349A College), 10pm,
$5.
Demon's Claws (Montreal) w/ Marvelous Darlings and Teenanger @ Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5.
Last Pogo TO Punk Rock 29th Anniversary featuring The Mods, The Existers, Screamin Sam & The Screwed, and The Raclones @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, $8.
SUNDAY (dec 2)
Wavelength 391 featuring First Person Shooter, Tank Hearts, Pants and Tie, and DJ Caesarian Selection @ Sneaky Dee's 9pm, pwyc.
Graveyards (Wolf Eyes side project), Disguises, Bottom Feeder @ Teranga, 10 pm, $6.
Soundproof Magazine and Pitter Pater Nights presents Rock-A-Thon @ The Boat, noon, $5. Fundraiser for CHUM/City Christmas Wish. "There will be door prizes and raffle tickets for sale . . . . Grand prize is a Nintendo DS Lite." DJ Lawrence and DJ Shoe from Kensington Station will be spinning between sets as well as the incomparable DJ Matt Rock. Here's the lineup:
12:00 Ian Strung
12:30 Pixie Moonshine
1:00 Ontario Power Generation
1:50 Static Lab
2:40 Malfunktion
3:30 The Narc Attack
4:20 Proposterous
5:10 Curses!
6:00 Fine Motor Control
6:50 Bound
7:40 Love Kills
8:30 Fire Hydrant
9:20 Now Yr Taken
10:10 Daddy Ashes
11:00 The Postage Stamps
Tin Bangs and the beautiful people.
FN's going away bash was indeed much fun. It started out at the Embassy with FN getting hit on by all the hipsters in the joint---ok, I exaggerate, but not much---and ended at Massimo's at 3:30am. In between, the party moved to the Red Room once we realized that our friends were being turned away because the Embassy was at capacity! In the middle of things. MB and I skipped out for an hour and a half to take in Tin Bangs at the Bovine.
Oh my. As I've written here before, the guys of Tin Bangs are fantastic performers. There are some real showmen in that group, folks. As MB pointed out to me excitedly as we walked back to the Red Room, each one has his own look and persona, and it comes across as totally sincere. They aren't posers; they aren't assholes. (In fact, the two guys I've talked to after shows seem genuinely nice.) Just pure rock performance brilliance. Great stuff. The songs are good, but the live shows are better. And the singer/guitarist, Ben, is, well, wow. If he was my thing, I'd be left speechless after seeing him perform. To be clear: the guy is hot. Robbie, the drummer, is incredible to watch. He's all kinds of entertaining. I had a couple more close calls with Ben's and guitarist Bryan's instruments during the set, but survived unscathed.
My only complaint was that the crowd wasn't that into it. MB and I were of course dancing it up at the front; almost no one else was. What the hell. I was disappointed in you, crowd. Ben kept having to ask people to "come closer." I was as close as I could get, and there was lots of room around me. Even an extended version of their last song, featuring Ben climbing over a railing, grabbing a tray full of shots from the edge of the bar, and handing them out to people---all while the band played on---didn't get most people into the show. Being at the front I didn't have to pay the crowd much attention, so I will put its behaviour out of my mind. Whoever is managing Tin Bangs is doing a good job, but the lesson I'd take from last night is: Don't play at the Bovine.
Last night was an EP release for the group; their next EP release---the fourth and final one in a monthly series---is happening at Lee's Palace on 15 December with These Electric Lives, The I Spies, and Songs From a Room. Awesome lineup! I'm so there. So there.
This was my first time at the Bovine. I would totally go back there, though the bands that play there tend to be a bit too hard rock for my tastes.
Back at the Red Room, the assembled FN-lovers from her many social circles were no end of entertainment. Lots of great people came out to wish her off to Berlin in a few days.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Non-indie Friday.
I was annoyed with myself on Friday because I was late to a meeting of our student society. Being a few minutes late meant I missed a by-election. Usually I wouldn't care, but I wanted to run for this position. I've been doing the job informally all term, so it would have been nice to have it formalized. No dice. I am slightly disgruntled that someone else will get to have this title---someone who hasn't been doing what I've been doing since September---but it's completely my own fault. But, as EW pointed out at lunch, it's not like I need another line on my cv under "Service." Quite right.
Last night FN and I had parties to go to, so we did that. We had good, clean, non-indie fun. Tonight is FN's going-away bash at the Embassy! Should be tons and tons of fun. Some of the same excellent folks we hung out with yesterday, plus others. I'm looking forward to it. Though I'm also looking forward to getting more work done on my dissertation. I'd be really nice to have half my chapter done (in terrible draft form) by the time I meet with my supervisor in December . . . .
Friday, November 23, 2007
No Shame. Wow.
I did some stuff school-related yesterday. And then went to dinner with my FN and my favourite Toronto couple (AG and JC, yes!) to this great sushi restaurant in Yorkville, called Asuka. That was really loads of fun. That, plus good tutorials and a good lunch and chat with a fellow history grad student earlier in the day, and I could have chalked it up to an awesome day in the life of Jen.
But then I went to No Shame, and wow. I've mentioned this Thursday night indie show at Tiger Bar before on this blog. I just love it. I went last night because We're Scared was playing, as well as a band Lauren told me she was excited about seeing: Harvee. When I arrived at the College St. Diner, though, I saw on the sign that the first two acts were playing, but Harvee had been replaced by something called Oh No Holy Fucking Forest Fires. What the? Clearly, Rajiv would be involved, but I didn't know what was up. Turns out snow kept Harvee away, and Rajiv (from Oh No Forest Fires) and Brad (from Holy Fuck) had agreed to fill in. Excellent!
First up was The Books Elusive, a rock duo with matching shirts. Good. Then We're Scared, who entertained with their friendly melodies and all around warmth and charm on stage. (This is me blogging about you, Paul, as you requested.) More and more people arrived during their set, so that there was lots of good energy in the audience. What's not to love about this pairing? I can't think of anything.
Between sets there were a bunch of great people to talk to. Half of LLIONS was there, as was Dan from Woodhands, and etc. But then Rajiv and Brad started playing and I don't think any of us were prepared for what was coming. The first two acts of the night were fairly disparate in style, and this last pairing continued this theme. But, oh my, what brilliance! I wish I knew much more about music so I could appreciate what we witnessed. It was just incredible. Rajiv (on bass and all kinds of equipment) and Brad on drums rocked out for a solid hour. No joke. I was exhausted by this point, but I couldn't not be up at the front for most of that hour. They played a few covers, including a Joel Plaskett song and Holy Fuck's Super Inuit. By the end, not many more than 10 of us were left, but it was worth staying.
After everyone cleared out I went to Sneaky Dee's with a few other people, and just generally had an excellent time. (I'd never hung out with these people off the dance floor before, or at all.) I was home by 3am. Which, actually, marked the 24 hour mark for how long I'd been awake that day (except for an hour nap in the afternoon).
Seriously: good day at school, amazing sushi dinner with excellent company, great show and hanging out with new friends at my two favourite College St. haunts. Wow.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I'm better; I'm working.
Ok, I'm feeling much less like a crazed grad student today. All seems well with the world.
Yesterday was busy, but good. Although I did for a few hours think I hadn't been invited to a supervisor's book launch. I happened upon it when I arrived at Massey to set up a junior fellow lecture. First thing upon entering the building, I see the book . . . and then my main supervisor (now at Oxford)! Totally unexpected. Over the next few minutes I realized all these people I knew were there, and I hadn't even heard about it! Was feeling a little put out. But once I got home I discovered a phone message with the invitation. Phew. I couldn't have made it anyways, but it's good to know I wasn't completely forgotten.
Today I've been working, and have actually made some headway on my chapter. It hurts my brain, so I'm taking a break by putting together all 77 paper proposals the grad conference I'm helping organize received. Seventy-seven! I don't think we can even accept half that number.
And I now know that my supervisor hasn't forgotten about me, and we'll meet up in December when she's back in Toronto. Better have something more than what I've got now to show her . . . eek.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
No surprise here.
A, I am more Canadian than you ;-).
| What American accent do you have? (Best version so far) Canadian People from outside North America probably think you're from the States, but over here we wouldn't make such a mistake.
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A bit of a wreck.
I am stressed. (But better now than a day ago.)
I am not sleeping well.
I am not prepared for class in the afternoon.
I am not eating enough.
I want to work on my dissertation.
I've been ordering (and receiving in the mail - yay!) books for my dissertation.
I am running out of shelf space for said books.
I have a 4-drawer, legal-sized filling cabinet waiting to be built.
On Monday evening I did not go to an event I said I probably would go to. Oh, and I didn't go to a lecture at school that I'd signed up for.
Today I am busy at school from 1:15pm to 9:15pm.
I am getting a headache.
I talked to a fellow grad student Monday afternoon and feel better about things, dissertation-wise, but only a little bit.
I am a bit of a wreck these days.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Necessary Woodhands.
Yesterday was difficult. If not outwardly, then I was certainly feeling very stressed out internally. I was tense and on edge and just generally disappointed with certain people. It didn’t help that I had slept the daylight hours away, waking up at 6pm. This was just in time to get ready and go to dinner with good friends JDS and TC, who now make their home in New Haven, CT. It was great to see them—they look the same! Except for JDS’s large, pregnant belly!—but the assembled group took its toll on me. I am sensitive to people being unpleasant; I can’t just dismiss it without their attitudes affecting me emotionally. Add to this my sense of aggravation at e-mails from a professor that I have to deal with: aargghhh! Said professor (thankfully not someone on my committee) is a problem.
All this is to say that by the time I got to Sneaky Dee’s last night, I was extremely glad to be there. The first person I saw was lovely PB: a harbinger of good things to come, no doubt! I let off some steam to poor SH and MB, but felt better after getting things off my chest. But it wasn’t until I talked to more people there and saw the first two acts that I started to finally feel relaxed. And just thinking about all this—and how annoyed I was by Ten Kens on Friday night—is stressing me out now! But I digress. Getting back to last night . . .
Garbarge! Violence! Enthusiasm! Yes! This is a totally appropriate name for this threesome. They are crazy. There’s just no better word that I can think of to describe them. SH was totally into what they were doing—throwing computer keyboards at each other, etc. I’d seen them before at PB’s trekfest, where they were done up in ST uniforms and fought each other with cardboard/duct tape bat’leths. It was something.
Next up was Kingston’s Magic Jordan, playing their first show in Toronto. (The bass player I’d seen before performing with Nich Worby at Tiger Bar.) Good stuff, though I wasn’t really that into it. I flitted in and out of caring—and on and off the dance floor—but that’s more a comment on my own state of mind than on what was being offered up on stage. EH arrived during their set and thought they were great. I think they’d be worth seeing again.
Finally, Woodhands. And I do mean “finally.” It had been two months since I’d seen them, and this time PB promised a “full-length set.” Just back from (another) eastern tour, they were excellent. Some of the regular groupies were out in force, and them combined with G!V!E! meant there was good-natured “dancing” (read: pushing and shoving) near the stage. I didn’t manage to stay out of it, but after a couple of songs found myself right in front of the stage and avoided the moshing (for the most part). But really, it was all okay since everyone was having a blast and dancing like mad. And it was just what I needed after several days of stress. Thank you, Woodhands. More, please.
After their set I and everyone else needed some time to come down from our respective Woodhands’ highs. Water was definitely in order, as was chatting with friends new, old, and indie. Good times. Necessary times.
Indie Music 10.
The week starts out with two solid lineups on offer at the Horseshoe. The music is more standard rock fare than indie pop-rock, but there's enough variety to keep all but the most hardcore indie scenester happy. And, these shows won't cost you a thing. If you're looking for something to take your mind off school for a bit, head down to Queen West. I've got recommendations for Thursday through Saturday, again with plenty of variety. The Boat and Tiger Bar are good bets all week, and a couple popular indie dance parties are happening on the weekend. Although there aren't a ton a shows to choose from, you should for sure find something to your liking between Monday and Sunday.
As I write this I've got Woodhands stuck in my head. Great stuff. I seriously needed that show Saturday night. NEEDED.
At shows I am almost always to be found right up at the front, mere inches from the stage if I can manage it. I recommend this spot, unless you aren't into the music, in which case you should go drink and talk (and check out the crowd) at the back. There's a totally different vibe in different parts of a venue/crowd, so it's important to find the right spot for you. I hate being behind people. I go out to hear and see the performers---and hopefully talk to them afterward!---so it's annoying when I don't feel like I'm doing that. But do bring earplugs, because the front is usually the loudest spot. And depending on the act, beware of musicians suddenly jumping off stage and their wayward guitars threatening you with a concussion, as well as the excited dancers at the front who will knock you over if you aren't careful. (This isn't usually a problem, though.)
MONDAY (19 nov)
Shoeless Monday featuring The Feeling United @ 11:30, Derek Lathrop from Adams Rib @ 10:30, and The Earthmen @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.
I may go check out this non-musical event: Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids 3 @ Victory Cafe, 8pm, free. Details here and here.
TUESDAY (20 nov)
The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman’s Nu Music Nite featuring The Last True Gentlemen @ 12:00, Summerside @ 11:10, The Struggle Fish @ 10:20, and One Second 2 Late @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.
Sky Shark w/ Mantler and The People of Canada @ The Cameron House (front room), 8-10pm, free. Followed by Run With The Kittens.
The Williamson Playboys w/ Boiled Wieners @ The Cameron House (back room), 8-10pm, free. Sketch (musical) comedy.
WEDNESDAY (21 nov)
Pre-Grey Cup Party presents B. A. Johnston @10:00 and 11:30, w/ Sean Ward and The Realness feat. DJ Human Kebab, Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, free. "Watch as Sean Ward and B.A. Johnston musically recapitulate the age-old struggle between Hamilton and Toronto!" If for some reason you care about the CFL . . . .
Pitter Patter Nights presents Acres (Ottawa) and Cedar @ The Boat, $5.
Sarah Burton (CD release) w/ Cindy Doire, and The Ory No'Man Too, Supermarket, 8:30pm.
THURSDAY (22 nov)
* Tafelmusik w/ Rock Plaza Central, CBC taping, Trinity St. Paul's Church (427 Bloor St. West), 7pm sharp start time, free. This sounds great!! And once that's done, grab some dinner and then walk down to College for . . .
* No Shame presents Harvee (Valleyfield, QC), We’re Scared, and The Books Elusive @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5. This will be awesome. No Shame's Lauren is uber excited about Harvee; the woman's got great taste. I am looking forward to We're Scared too. (Amy and Paul are great.) So I will be there.
Thee Diet Pills vs The Salarymen, hosted by Terror Lake @ The Boat, $5. Ummm . . . I'll let the The Salarymen explain: "We kill new enemy Diet Pill band with giant Kamikaze force. Terror Lake host gracious fight for death. Next we play Japanese Video Game for lock n’ loll supremacy. BANZAI!!!!" And now I'll let Thee Diet Pills explain: "ROCK OFF! Thee Diet Pills v. the Salarymen , hosted by Terrror Lake. this is happening! DJ Steve Shoe with guest referee Keith Hamilton." And finally, the host: "- - DEATH MATCH - - DIET PILLS vs. THE SALARYMEN {Terror Lake remains neutral at this time..}" This sounds ridiculous.
Blood Ceremony, Mean Red Spiders, Saffron Sect, Captain Caveman @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm.
The Knifings @ El Mocambo (first floor), 10pm, $5.
Six Shooter Roots Alt Country presents NQ Arbuckle @ 11:30, Jason Plumb and The Willing (CD release) @ 10:30, and Shannon Lee Briggs @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.
FRIDAY (23 nov)
* Pop With Brains # 12 presents Zuku w/ Five Blank Pages, Eden Ants, Black Hat Brigade, and Neighbourhood Noise @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5. Hosted by comedian Fraser Young. Proceeds go to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
* Pitter Patter Nights presents The Wooden Sky, Great Bloomers, The Weather Station @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Huh . . . good lineup! Lighter, more folky fare, and pretty music. Definitely recommended . . . though not if you’re looking for something to keep you energized. For that you might be better off at Tiger Bar . . .
Easy Tiger presents Everything All The Time w/ The Outfit @ Tiger Bar, 10 pm, $5. After the bands, stay and dance the night away. This could well be a good show too. I just don't know the bands (yet!).
Never Forgive Action & Do Right! Music present Never Forgive Action vs Circle Research, Round 2. "Classic Hip Hop all night!" Supermarket, 10pm, $5.
Kick Ass Rock N Roll! presents The Guv'nor Generals @ 1:00, Oliver Black @ 11:30, Brad Monk and The Union Band @ 10:30, and Chris Eaton @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.
The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra (CD release) w/ The Silt and more @ The Tranzac (main hall), 9pm, $10 (or $15 and you get the CD).
Dancing:
Shake A Tail at Sneaky Dee's, 10pm, $5. 1960s dance party. This is their second anniversary event.
SATURDAY (24 nov)
The Acorn is performing at Soundscapes record store (572 College St.), 5pm, free. While you're there, pick up tickets for upcoming shows (that cost more than $10).
Cavalcade Of Lights concert featuring Jully Black, Murray Mclauchlan, Sarah Slean, Louise Pitre, Kim Stockwood, Nikki Yanofsky, and The Imani Gospel Singers @ Nathan Phillips Square, 7 pm, free.
* Tin Bangs (EP release pt 3), with Fox Jaws @ Bovine Sex Club, 10pm, $5, and you get a copy of the EP for free. I experienced Tin Bangs a few weeks ago, and, oh my. These guys are fantastic performers. I've got something important to do that night, but if I can slip out for a bit, this is where I'll be.
Clothes Make The Man w/ Silent Seymour, and Charlemagne (Hamilton) @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $8.
Paperbag Indie CD Release presents The Acorn (Ottawa) @ 12:00, Bruce Peninsula @ 11:00, and Laura Barrett @ 10:00, The Horseshoe Tavern, $10. Laura Barrett is just so cool and uniquely talented, and I'm pretty sure all the indie boys are in love with her.
Dancing:
Yo! Remember the 90s? Retro dance party @ Teranga, 10pm, $5. I've yet to catch a show or dance party at Teranga in Kensington Market, but showcased some good acts lately. And being right across the street from The Boat, it can't be all that bad, now can it?
Zoi Zoi @ The Boat, 10pm, $5. French pop music from the ages. I didn't love it when I went, but maybe you will when you go. (Still had a good time, though.) This is the last one "for a while."
SUNDAY (25 nov)
Wavelength 390, The Silt, Sister Suvi, Barnyard Drama, Yellow Umbrella (opera singers) + DJ Rubpunzel @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. See more about this show and the Wavelength series here.
Pitter Patter Nights presents Primes (Vancouver) w/ Sincere Trade @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Fantastic Five Blank Pages.
I love these guys more and more every time I see them. And last night Five Blank Pages was fantastic. Really. Playing in the second slot of the Two Way Monologues showcase at Rancho Relaxo, they undoubtedly earned themselves some new fans. Their music is infectious---in a good way!---and the band members' personalities come across well on stage: appropriately fun and nice and welcoming, with just the right amount of excitement. Great stuff. FBP plays shows all over southern Ontario, so if you live at all close to the GTA there's no reason why you can't catch them live. And make sure to pick up a copy of their new full-length album, Last Blush. I've seen this group a handful of times now, and they are consistently good, but I think last night they were the best I've seen them. *Gush*
Now, to the rest of the evening.
JH and I arrived in plenty of time to catch the start of now-moribund The Incidentals' set. This band's sound didn't quite fill the room like FBP's did, but with catchy tunes and a good onstage vibe, they are hard to dislike. I felt like I'd heard some of their songs many times before. I haven't, but my point is that they feel familiar and make me want to sing along even though I don't know the words. The trio played a few new songs, so we'll get to hear those again when the band resurfaces at Young Mother sometime in the spring. Good luck recording, guys!
I was looking forward to hearing the headliners, Ten Kens. There's been some buzz around this group, and their MySpace offerings are good. But, well, I just didn't like them live. As I am wont to do, I did my best to get into what they were doing. It didn't work, and before the end of their set MB and I just couldn't take it anymore, so we left. (JH left a couple songs earlier.) They weren't actually bad; their shtick did nothing for me. I felt no desire to talk to the band members afterward. For me, this is a bad sign. Maybe it should be all about the music, but it's not: if I think you're uninteresting and giving off a prima donna attitude for no earthly reason that I can discern, then I probably won't like your music. But don't take my word for it.
MB and I ended the evening at the revamped Massimo's. And CLM was there too. Small world. (DT, with whom I went to high school and who I now run into at indie shows, was at the Rancho too last night.)
Friday, November 16, 2007
I am tired.
Today I will stay in and laze about and hopefully get some work done between naps. And then tonight I'll go out. Somewhere. Not sure which show yet.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Random!
While I was at Massey Tuesday evening for the junior fellow lecture, I met two guys who were taught by both my father and grandfather back at Ashbury College in Ottawa. They graduated high school in 1990---8 years before I did---and both also attended the junior school, which is where my dad and granddad taught. It was so random meeting those two.
I introduced myself to one of the men because he was an unfamiliar face, and he was sitting with a friend of mine. Then I saw him later and asked him again what his name was, because of course I had forgotten. It turned out that he was just visiting the college with an alum friend of his, who presently appeared. We introduced ourselves to each other. The man's first name was familiar.
See, at some point in the recent past I noticed that one of my father's old students seemed to have a connection to Massey. (I think I saw that he became "friends" with Masseyites I knew on Facebook.) I'd heard this guy's name a lot growing up: my dad was very fond of him and he was very bright, etc. So I remembered his uncommon name and noticed it. Then when I heard the friend's name, I asked him was his surname was . . . and, sure enough, it was him! "You know my father, DP!" "Yes, Mr. P! He was my favourite. Actually, we both know him, and his father too." Crazy!
They proceeded to tell me a few stories, but by then the lecture was starting, and as an organizer, I had to dash off. I got the men's business cards, and later e-mailed my dad to let him know. He will get a kick out of his happening, for sure. (My grandfather died in 1989, and he had Alzheimer's, so I don't remember much about him. But he made a big impression on the two guys I met last night. It was nice to hear.)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Damn chapter.
This damn thing is taking absolutely forever. The existing secondary literature that I need to internalize is excellent and deep and detailed and it doesn't matter how many times I read it, I still need to read it again. Diplomatic history, with all these different individuals making all kinds of decisions on a daily basis, is complicated! And then of course there's everything going on in New York and Washington and London and Moscow and etc. But I'm ignoring those things for the moment.
There was so much swirling around Americans in Petrograd (etc.) in 1917-1918 that it makes my brain hurt trying to figure it all out. And I need to place the American Red Cross and YMCA work in the midst of it. I go to write one sentence, and it's like: shit, now I have to go read about the Root Mission. And the thing is, I've read about this so many times before, but I can't for the life of me remember what I need to to write about it. SIGH.
I think I'm writing too much, but I also think I need to write it all out before I know what I can take out. You know? For me, the thinking process is tied directly to the writing process. If I don't write out what happened, I can't have properly thought-out thoughts on it. At least, I don't think so. Chronology and personality and context are all important because the individuals mattered a lot and the situation changed constantly. The only constant was confusion . . . but that's not really a constant at all, now, is it?!
Ok. I gotta get back to reading. (The book I'm on now is a fantastic study, very impressive in its consideration of the complexities, etc. I need to memorize it.) I just hope my committee members get that I am working even if I don't have anything concrete to show them.
Good thing I've got things to take my mind off my work every so often. I would wallow in despair and self-pity at my own inability to produce if I didn't. (Yes, I have a great life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But that doesn't negate the fact that writing a dissertation is difficult. I love it, but I also love to complain about it.)
Not to worry, though: I still love my topic :-)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Wavelength 388: Remember Toronto.
Great show tonight. I don't have the energy to give you a full rundown, so let's just say it was very well done, ran smoothly for the most part, had a great vibe, and everyone seemed to be having a good time celebrating music and publishing and Toronto.
I introduced myself to a bunch of people I'd seen before (in bands and otherwise) and will certainly see them all again soon. I ran into a couple friends I hadn't seen in years. I got a taste of Hip-Hop Karaoke . . . and, wow: what fun! I got stepped on by Jonny Dovercourt. (His band's covers were ridiculously amazing.) I finally got to see The Bicycles. Etc.
Now I must dissertate.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Indie Music 9.
Here we go again.
A note on times: The times I've indicated below usually mean "door" time. So, you can start going at the time indicated, but the music doesn't usually get started for another 45 minutes or more. Go early and start drinking in preparation for dancing up a storm, or show up later hoping to catch the first strums of the opening act.
I've seen some great shows in the past few months. Good music, cool venues, friendly bookers and promoters, musicians happy to chat between sets, the occasional free CD, and more . . . what else could one ask for? Let me know if you want to join me for anything. We'll have a fun time. As much as I love school and all things having to do with it, it's great to meet and hang out with people who have nothing to do with U of T, or at least nothing to do with anything I have to do with at U of T. It clears my head.
If you want to check something out but aren't sure about how you'll like the scene, good places to start are the No Shame shows at Tiger Bar on Thursday nights and the Sunday night Wavelength shows at Sneaky Dee's. No Shame especially has a constantly good lineup scheduled, and the crowd is usually pretty decent too. Wavelength can be hit and miss depending on your music tastes, but Dee's (or Sneaks) is an excellent place to hear live music. There aren't usually tons of people, so you can take things in without feeling claustrophobic. Drinks are relatively inexpensive at both places, and excellent late-night pizza (Massimo's) is close by!
Here's this week's lineup of cheap indie (mostly) music:
MONDAY (12 nov)
Shoeless Monday featuring Andy Butler @ 12:00, Punger @ 11:10, Night Life @ 10:20, and Wildbirds (Fox Valley, WI) @ 9:30. The Horsehoe Tavern, free.
TUESDAY (13 nov)
The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman’s Nu Music Nite featuring The Balance @ 12:00, The Amber Room @ 11:10, Hello Beautiful @ 10:20, and Prize Fighter @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, free.
Pitter Patter Nights presents Jewelry Rat w/ Bicyclette, and The Miles @ the Boat, 9pm, $5.
WEDNESDAY (14 nov)
Ummm... nothing particularly indie that I can see. Check the Zoilus gig guide for non-indie options. There's a jazz-improv festival happening at Tranzac, if you're into that sort of thing. It starts Tuesday and runs through Friday.
THURSDAY (15 nov)
TONS, TONS, TONS to do. Here are my top 4 picks, in order of what they'll cost you, followed by the rest of what's on in no particular order.
* Born Ruffians @ Hart House (Arbor Room), 9pm, free.
* No Shame presents The Mission District (Montreal), The I Spies, and Love Kills @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm $5.
* Clipd Beaks (San Francisco), Hot Friends (debut), and The Deathset (Baltimore) @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $6.
* Fox Jaws w/ Oh No Forest Fires, and Foxfire Forest @ The Drake Underground, 9pm, $7. Foxfire Forest is taking a bit of a break after this show, I believe. So if you've been meaning to check them out, you should go to this. They are a lot of fun. ONFF is a newish Toronto band that plays intricate indie rock music. They will put on a good show. (They are on my "bands to go see when I can" list.) The Drake Underground is a nice venue, though it will require streetcar'ing it out to west Queen West.
If none of the above appeal to you, then there's still more to do for seven bucks or less:
Constant Crush presents War Child Benefit show at Supermarket, featuring Shortwave, OPOPO, Brigitte, and DJ Nut Notch, 9pm, $7. All proceeds go to War Child Canada.
Hip-Hop Karaoke @ The Boat, 9pm (for signup, with 10pm start), $5. I got a taste of this on Sunday at Wavelength, and . . . what fun! If it's at all your thing, this should prove a blast.
Local Alternative at the Horseshoe Tavern featuring The Stormalongs @ 12:00, The Electric Tigers @ 11:10, Brane @ 10:20, and Sleep To Dream (Halifax) @ 9:30. $4.
Obviously Five Believers, The Salingers, and The Superstitions (Montreal) @ Mitzi's Siter, pwyc.
Local Punk featuring Dark Pearl @ 11:15, Jar @ 10:15, and Kansas City Shuffle @ 9:15, Lee’s Palace, $5.
FRIDAY (16 nov)
Like Thursday, there is just too much to do Friday. I've highlighted 2 shows, but I'd recommend the next two or three for sure also. The rest . . . well, it depends on what you like.
* Two Way Monologues presents Ten Kens, Five Blank Pages, and The Incidentals, playing their last show @ Rancho Relaxo, 9pm, $5. This will be a great show, and the range of indie styles---but with nothing too heavy---will appeal to lots of folks. FBP is one of the bands I go see when I can, and I've liked The Incidentals. Jesse's decided to go in a different musical direction, so this will be The Incidentals' last hurrah. I have yet to see Ten Kens, but hear good things.
* Steam Whistle Unsigned 4 presents The Carps, OPOPO, and The Bicycles @ The Roundhouse, Steam Whistle Brewery (255 Bremner Blvd.), 8pm, $5. Between sets Woodhands' members Dan Werb and Paul Banwatt will spin tunes. What fun! Great bands! Fabulous people! This should be a great show too, certainly more energetic than the TWM showcase. Someone else is excited about it, too. Hmm. Can't be two places at once, unfortunately.
LLIONS w/ Zeroes (Montreal) @ The Drake Underground, 8pm, $5. Wow... these guys are really going somewhere, I guess. Set times are 9pm for Zeroes and 10pm for LLIONS, who are lovely.
Easy Tiger presents One Heart Many Hands (EP release) + Easy Tiger DJs @ Tiger Bar, 10pm, $5. A popular indie dance night that's not totally my scene. Could be yours, though.
Etaoin Shrdlu, Place Hands, Sleeping Pilot @ Teranga, 9:30, $6.
The Nymphets (Montreal), Shitt Hottt, Teenanger, DCT @ Babydolls (227A Ossington just south of Dundas), $5. Yes, this is a strip club. No, there won't be stripping at this show.
"Very Special Secret Dance-worthy Act"---I know who it is; I'm not allowed to tell you---w/ Entire Cities, Andre Charles Therault, Owl Eyes, and the slam poetry of Spencer Butt @ Tranzac (main hall), 7pm, $6. Also raffles and art for sale. This is "a fundraiser on behalf of the Photo Thesis students at OCAD."
Intransit w/ Isle of Thieves @ the Boat, 9pm, $5.
Supernal and All the Brightness @ The Bovine Sex Club, 9pm, $5. If harder stuff is what you're into, check out more show listings at the Bovine here. It's not really my scene---although I am going to a show there next Saturday. Who knows, maybe I'll love it!
Steal the Days, The Corporation, Johnny Exxtasy, Mark St. Aubin @ Smiling Buddha (961 College, just west of Dovercourt), free. This is a small bar. I've never been but maybe I'll check it out one day if I happen to be in the area.
Dancing:
Fuck Faces presents DJs Passions AKA Mathead, Dirty 30, and Nasty Nav @ Sneaky Dee's, 10pm, $5.
SATURDAY (17 nov)
* No Shame presents Plants & Animals, Forest City Lovers, Great Bloomers @ The Drake Underground, 7:30pm, $5. Once you've sampled this, head on over to College and Bathurst for . . .
** Woodhands w/ Garbage! Violence! Enthusiasm!, and Magic Jordan (Kingston) @ Sneaky Dee’s, 9pm, $6. Yes! Yes! Yes! Finally a chance to see Woodhands perform a full-length set, and at one of my favourite venues. You can't keep me away. Oh, and these guys were recently rated no. 25 on a list of "hottest Canadian bands of 2007." So see them before they hit the big time.
Sandro Perri w/ Valery Gore and Melissa Boraski @ Tranzac, 10 pm, pwyc. Perri's got a new album out that's been generating some buzz.
Women Rockin For Charity presents Masia One @ 12:30, Priya Thomas @ 11:30, Tara Slone @ 10:30, and Melissa McClelland @ 9:30. The Horseshoe Tavern, $6. Not my thing, but the Horseshoe is a good place to see and hear live music.
Dancing:
Goin’ Steady @ the Boat, 10pm, $5.
SUNDAY (18 nov)
Wavelength 389, Williamson Playboys @ 12am, Alex Headley @ 11pm, Wee Golden @ 10pm, DJ Gawd Yes @ Sneaky Dee’s, pwyc.
Or, for something else completely different, there's this:
Trinket Trance presents Left Of Zero, Tripping Hazard, and My Flea Circus @ Tiger Bar, 9:30pm, pwyc.
Chocolate.
I've just finished a bar of Poulain Ultime Noir 86%. (I don't mean I ate the whole thing now, just that I ate the last part of it today.) It's very good, but now I'm out of chocolate. I'll have to buy more tomorrow.
