Toronto Music Scene - Reviews

Feature: Tiny Danza, Toronto’s not-so-hidden stage commanders

2012-02-02T17:51:38Z

We chat with Tiny Danza about the music, what’s in store for the year and what life’s been like since their Indie Week win
By: Sheena Lyonnais
February 1, 2012

It’s dark and I’m crammed into a back corner with 2/5 members from Toronto’s Tiny Danza. The room is full of, well, seemingly everyone: photographers, pretty girls, hipster boys, sunglasses, non-participating band members. There are cupcakes on the table with the band members’ names and faces on them, a sentiment from a super fan earned after TD’s 2011 Indie Week win. They offer me one nicely and although I admit the cupcakes look delicious, I decline. Eating the faces of people I’m interviewing seems kinda weird. Plus, there’s more important things to do – like talk about Tiny Danza’s whirlwind of a life since winning a trip to Ireland to also play Indie Week there.

Ask A Professional: Mastering Engineer João Carvalho

2012-01-18T16:02:46Z

We talk to Juno and Grammy award winning mastering engineer João Carvalho (The Sheepdogs, Death From Above, City In Colour) about what bands should consider when recording and mastering an album
By: TJ Liebgott
January 18, 2012

For most new recording artists, the process of mastering can seem elusive. The art seems so wrapped in secrecy and confusion you would expect it to be done by members of the illuminati reciting dark incantations in some Masonic back room. In reality it is the art done by a handful of audio professionals to create the best sonic enhancements and achieve an overall cohesive sound. To shed more light on the mastering process is the João Carvalho, the owner of Toronto studio João Carvalho Mastering.

Live Review: Anna Calvi @ Lee’s Palace in Toronto Dec 8

2011-12-23T05:46:57Z

Just She and Her Guitar
By: Laura Phillips
December 14, 2011

Mothers, bring your young daughters: the Anna Calvi route is female values wrapped up in a bow. While Thursday’s performance at Lee’s Palace played to a wider demographic of the 19+, the British artist managed to exceed already high hopes with her on-stage aloof and a couple of electrics.

Live Review: Austra play Toronto’s Phoenix Dec 1, 2011 with Young Galaxy and Tasseomancy

2011-12-12T17:29:44Z

By: Laura Phillips
December 10, 2011

Rousing a crowd comes easily to Austra and its posse of interchanging stage-friends. Alongside Katie Stelmanis’ iced (and increasingly signature) operatics, the band’s homecoming show at the Phoenix last Thursday pledged theatrics and the posture of a group in its prime state of mind.

Feature Fridays: Music publicist Jon Asher - The three things every band needs to know about image awareness

2011-12-09T18:44:55Z

Montreal-based publicist Jon Asher of Asher Media Relations gives his perspective on what it takes to get noticed in the music industry in Feature Friday #2.
By: Jon Asher
December 9, 2011

First off, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Toronto Music Scene for inviting me to write one of their guest columns. Now, being part of the Canadian Music Industry for the last few years, I have experienced different aspects of the industry and I hope that my experiences can help those in search of valuable resources in spreading their music to their audiences. Today I'll tell you the top three things every band needs to know to promote successfully.

CD Review: Playdeaf - The Super Sexy Market

2011-12-09T14:29:41Z

By: Natasha Pavlovic 
December 1, 2011 
4/5

Toronto band Playdeaf’s latest release The Super Sexy Market is definitely super sexy. With its sultry, biting lyrics and deep, dark rock, it’s an album you can strip to (if you’re into that sort of thing). It is definitely intense. Vocalist/guitarist Playdeaf Jeff has a voice that makes your body tingle and would make for the perfect soundtrack to a mellow, intimate night in. It’s easy to lose yourself while listening to the album’s raunchy, trippy sound. Each song invites you in with a deep, drawn out intro and then captivates the ears with quick guitar and sharp bass. It’s hard not to press repeat as it makes you feel so alive when listening.

Feature Fridays: The Paint Movement Presents: The Movement of Pain Tour 2011

2011-12-02T19:56:36Z

Introducing Toronto Music Scene’s Feature Fridays! We’ve invited guest columnists to tell us stories, tips and lessons learned through grandious adventures in the music industry. Feature Friday #1 is from Wes McClintock of the Paint Movement who tells us about surving car crashes and being saved by Yukon Blonde and the CAA.
By: Wes McClintock
The Paint Movement
Decemeber 2, 2011

Three alignments, three oil changes, new control arm, ball joints, water pump, new headlights, new wipers, one totaled trailer, one rental trailer, one flat tire, one rental van, three CAA phone calls, one U-Haul roadside assistance, three different mechanics, three cancelled shows, three blizzards and two tow trucks in just two weeks. This is what touring is all about.

Live Review: Zedd with Phonat and No Big Deal at the Mod Club in Toronto

2011-12-01T14:56:45Z

Zedd proves why this is his headlining show after a night of sweaty beats at the Mod Club on Nov 25/11
By: Lisa Aldridge 
November 25, 2011
3.5/5

Bright green Tetris blocks build skyscrapers above the dance floor as two young electro DJs, No Big Deal, begin their goofy and very danceable set. NBD blend beats with club hits like Justice’s “We Are Your Friends,” followed by DJ Fresh’s “Louder,” and close with The Wanted’s “Glad You Came.” This song, along with the duo themselves, provide a cheerful welcome to the audience. Unfortunately, the club is only half full and too many miss this playful, animated act; a very big deal.

Interview: Buckeye Red

2011-11-29T16:35:12Z

By: Tanya Bailey
November 28, 2011

A DJ that has built his loyal crowd appeal from the ground level of electronica and up, all while unleashing his high-energy electro and dubstep tracks on a crowd of screaming fans craving more. I had the chance to chat wit Mr. Dual Canadian & American citizenship himself, Buckeye Red.

Live Review: Deer Tick near perfect at Lee's Palace, Nov 16 w/ Guards and Thomas Hardy

2011-11-21T17:26:56Z

"I got a name, They call me The Bump. A night with me, is gonna mess you up."
By: Sarah Cramer
November 19, 2011
4.5/5

It’s pretty brave for any band to begin and end a show with tracks from a brand new album, but I cannot imagine more aptly chosen songs for Deer Tick’s Lee`s Palace gig last Wednesday the 16th. They opened with "The Bump" (which made good on the promise above) and they ended their set with raucous sing-along "Let's all go to the Bar." Sandwiched between was two hours of the most precious of things...real life, hell raising, live music!