June's Picks - Frenchie special!

French artists special this month! No, it has nothing to do with St-Jean-Baptiste since I'm not really patriotic. Even if you don't understand French, I'm absolutely convinced that these artists can be throughly enjoyed without understanding the content. Don't worry, no hateful, derogatory messages. Just awesome music.

The International artist that you've probably never heard about: Ariane Moffatt

Ariane Moffatt is one of those artists that would be instant indie success if she ever were to release an English album. Already having gained a certain popularity among the French indie scene in France and with the general public in Quebec, Ariane Mofatt has once again shown incredible talent with her latest album "Tous Les Sens", released in April. Faithful to her initial love with electronic music and sampling, Moffatt seems to have taken a much more pop approach with her new album; flirting by moments with Pierre Lapointe's cabaresque (is that even a word?) style. Even if you don't understand a word of French, I strongly recommend it to you.

If you like Fiona Apple's lyrical style with a mix of electro/pop

New Discovery: Coeur de Pirate

Simple, stripped down and gentle is how I would define Coeur de Pirate. Béatrice Martin is a long time piano player who comes from a family of musicians and just up and decided to start writing songs and somehow, popped out an extremely adorable self-title album in a very short time. With quite the success trickling down from Quebec to Toronto, with a full house for NXNE on to the rest of Canada, Ms. Martin easily makes us remember of both the simplicity of youth and the confusion that accompanies growing up and learning what love is. Again, even if you don't understand a word of French, buy it. It's a 30-ish minutes long quiet piano lullaby.

If you like Belle and Sebastian and Regina Spektor

The Album that I should have listened to earlier: Labyrinthe by Malajube

Still chaotic and slightly cacophonic, Malajube released "Labyrinthe" March 31, 2009 and the same week had a full house show for Canadian Music week at El Mocambo, which I was totally hyper for since I hadn't seen them live since 2005 at Salla Rossa in Montreal, opening for the Dears. The guys certainly haven't lost their increbidly dark humour but they seem to have gained maturity and a little bit of seriousness in their lyrics and music, which can be easily seen when comparing with their first album " Le Compte Complet". This album has put Malajube on the map, almost internationally, since I believe it was Spin Magazine that qualified them as one of the best Indie rock band out there right now (please correct me if I'm wrong). Check them either on their website or on MySpace.

If you like Kaiser Chiefs but darker and louder

Much anticipated movie: Precious

If you're put off because you saw Mariah Carey, don't worry.... It's not of the Glitter kind. This actually seems like a very tough and intense movie. Illiterate and living in a terrible environment, Precious is trying to reach for a better life than the one ahead of her. It's not so easy though when you're pregnant with your 2nd child, living with an abussive mother who doesn't seem to miss an opportunity to put her down. Rough, raw and real, don't watch it if you're sensitive to the sadness of life.

The Soundtrack that you should own: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist


Let's all be honest right now and admit that we all have a secret crush on Michael Cera and his geeky looks. Beside the fact that this movie rocks my socks off every time I watch it, the soundtrack is just as fun. I honestly believe that this soundtrack could be one of those albums that could define the teenagers of '07-'10 years. Quirky and part of a certain late 80's-early 90's revival movement, all the bands on this soundtrack are the definitely of the indie trendy flavor like Vampire Weekend, Bishop Allen, The Submarines and Shout Out Louds. I just feel like busting out my Wayfarer (even if I don't even own a pair) everytime I listen to it.

May's Picks

Ok so I said I would post around the beginning of the month but apparently, I got busy... or distracted... either would be good. Either way, here's what I loved in May. You might agree or not, it's all good to me.

Local band: Make Your Exit

Make Your Exit is another great emerging indie rock band in Toronto. Extremely talented is the best way to describe them but to get a little bit more into details, great lyrics, wicked arrangements, energy to resell and a great stage presence. Listening to their EP "Make always seems like hearing a slow rising explosion of bright colors, that are at the same time comforting. Great jam rock with tints of a jazz influence in there.

If you love Broken Social Scene and The Most Serene Republic

New Found indie Artist: David Martel

I found out about David Martel through Mark Berube's link on Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few's page, who, I later found out had opened for Adele on the April 29th show at Massey Hall.
Martel so wonderfully meshed prog rock, folk, pop and a sprinkle of jazz; resulting in a sound that reminds me of crazy drives around Mount Royal. Topped by a soft calming voice, David Martel will lift you up to another cloud, high above the city.

If you love Ray LaMontagne, Radiohead and folk music in general

Oldie: Crazy by Patsy Cline

Yeah, you read right. I absolutely love this song and you should too! You'll look really cool singing your head off to this song while driving downtown with the windows down. It'll look even more cool if something like Jimmy Eat World comes on right after...

New Release that I found too late: Maria Taylor's "Ladyluck"

I got Maria Taylor's single "Time Lapse Lifetime" through Last.Fm and didn't really pay attention to it for the longest time until I came across it through my iTunes playlist and totally fell in love with this song.

What I most appreciate is the candid feeling through either heavier topics, like the end of a life, or something much more lighter; like burgeoning love. Maria Taylor's calm openess and frankness is a moving element that'll get you addicted. It will move you to recall the lightness of your childhood memories with songs such as "Childhood and Forever Plans" and "Green Butterfly".

If you like : Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machines" or Ray LaMontagne or pop/folk

Just a little note...

So I've been trying to get my thoughts focused to write something remotely interesting but could never figure what, when or how or any of the answers of the sort for these types of questions.

I decided that I'm gonna make a monthly blog entry of my picks of the month. Don't expect anything much organized for the categories. I'm just gonna write a few sum ups of what I liked this month.

So that's it... just a little note on that. Keep an eye out on June 1st or around that date for a post for my picks of the month.


See ya then.

TWM 32: Amos the Transparent w/ Whale Tooth and Bellewoods

TWM 32 was a legendary kind of a year opening and by FAR one of the best shows Dan Wolowick and the Two Way Monologue team put together. It was quite the trip. It seems every band seems to take us at different places.

Opening the evening was my current heartthrob, Bellewoods. I've been listening to them almost none stop since I found them. With a realism that still seems to transport you into another world or in another time, their singer's voice carries a ghost of a sorrow-filled northern woodsmen who lives for the memory of his lost love. It goes without saying that there is a definite timeless essence in Bellewoods' sound that seems to grip you at the guts with their stretching guitars and dramatic violin arrangments (if they sadly did not have that night... the violins that is). Bellewoods has an authentic folk sound that I find incredibly surprising for a band located in the heart of Toronto. Now, none of that feel was lost on stage which totally blew me away. Even more when the lead singer's mic turned off and he finished the song, sung at the top of his lungs. Just plain amazing...

Bellewoods' MySpace page

Next up was the Whale Tooth, who I have to admit; I underestimated. They are a box of fun. A mix of ska, rock and crazy mad guitar picking that makes their music into a bundle of party dance rock. After the intensely heartfelt performance from Bellwood, Whale Tooth took the stage by storm and bombarded the audience with energy bombs thrown at us by all band members. Between the riduculous guitar playing, electrifying antics, shimmying bass lines and non-stop drumming and the added bonus of Elise Le Gros' swanky voice, it is was just incredibly fun. This band has convinced me that they are looking toward making the best that there is and to as far as they can. Another local band to keep your eye on for 2009. SYLSB

The Whale Tooth's Myspace Page

Finally, my love of 2008, Amos the Transparent came on the stage. I was looking forward to this particular set after the news that Amos would be performing in a 6-piece band that night. Usually, 4 men on stage, it always felt like something was missing with the absence of female vocals, since the album has them on almost every track. With the joining of Dan Hay on guitar and Kate Cooke on vocals, it just seemed like the perfect ensemble. Hay and Cooke have brought an edge to Amos, both bolder but without in any way, taking away from the soothing and quiet intensity. A week later, as I'm writing this, I really believe that this was another memorable night at Rancho for Amos, surrounded by a rapidly growing number of fans, such as myself. The new material is just as promising as their first release. Since last Friday, I can't seem to be able to stop to listen to it... again. (I think my iPod as memorized the location of Everything I've Forgotten To Forget) Let's all cross our fingers for a new album soon!

Amos the Transparent's Official website

Pictures of TWM 32: Amos the Transparent w/ Whale Tooth and Bellewoods

Compilation of quotes

"While you keep browsin' for others, I'll keep on dreamin' of you and me. Just sittin' and waitin' "

"Really... I don't care about the rest. I want you. I can't picture it to change anytime soon."

"Choosing my words carefully
Has never been my strength.
I've been known to be
vague and often pointless"

"I wanna know what it's like
On the inside of love
I'm standing at the gates
I see the beauty above"

"It's a choice
to stay
It's a dream
& I wanna wake"

"I'm not gonna live for you
or die for you
Won't do anything anymore for you
Cuz you leave me here on the other side
You leave me here on the other side"

Mark Berube - What the Boat Gave the River

At the Toronto CD Release Party for What the Boat Gave the River, his 3rd release, Berube explained that the project of the What the River Gave the Boat/What the Boat Gave the River originated 3 years ago; which consisted in making sister albums. They indeed resulted being the answer to each other, as he says "either in shape, form, content or mood". Quite the concept but with the most remarkable results.

Continuing his fearless approach of social issues and real life story telling, Mark Berube released his 3rd album and let me tell you that this another wonder! He is not only a singer/songwriter. I honestly believe that this description doesn't nearly do him justice.

His poetry evokes of true compassion, incomparable understanding of the world and a keen eye for recognizing what reality is for everybody that he meets. Berube embarks you on another journey with enchanting lyrics and splendid arrangements, making this album one of my personal favorites of 2008. Most importantly, we finally get the answer to what the river gave the boat!

I think he'll soon be recognized to rank up along side with some of Canada's best Folk artists of the 00's decade.

A little plus for your own curiousity, check out his Thought section on his website. If you can't buy the album, this will give an insight into the beauty of his writing.

Ray Lamontagne @ The Danforth Music Hall

Ok, so this is gonna be incredible biased simply because Ray Lamontagne is my favorite Folk artist of all time. Opening for Ray Lamontagne was the incredibly talented Leona Naess.

With sweetness and simplicity, Naess quickly left the audience speechless with her alluring soft voice. The slightest creaked through the auditorium. At the gentle picking of her guitar, Leona Naess quickly captured every single of our hearts. Not only that her music was absolutely enchanting but her lyrics demonstrated of a certain maturity while the youth still permeated through. A very surprising discovery for me and more CDs I HAVE to have. Leona Naess is a “Charm Attack”.

Now, Ray Lamontagne…. Sigh… If you know me, you’d probably understand what I mean when I say that Ray Lamontagne is probably the artist that I relate the most so far and probably ever. I personally, always see things with a lot more magic that the average person… Which leads to disappointment by moments. One way to describe Ray Lamontagne is by taking the bearded man that he is, dressed in plaid shirt, roaming the roads of America in search of an solace or epiphany. He seems one of those incredibly captivating persons that unfortunately we might not ever have the chance to understand.

With his deep raw voice, Lamontagne had his audience hanging at his every word and strum of his guitar. Artists have the ability of evoking feelings in us, which is the whole point of art, but he takes it on step further. With even more love tales and picturesque images, Ray transported us into his world and shared his vision of the world of childhood memories, heartaches and life mysteries. The talent, sincerity, honesty, rawness and beauty of Ray Lamontagne is simply soothing and heart warming. One thing for sure is that I lost count of how many times I had goosebumps during the concert.

Lamontagne has shown himself completely bare in the few new songs from his next upcoming album “Gossip in the Grain”, available next week, October 14 or with other classics, such as “Be Here Now” and “Burn”.

After 2 encores, the gently tortured troubadour closed to the over requested “Jolene”, making countless fans more than happy. Last night was, by far, one of the best performances I have ever seen in my short concert going experience. Now, I’m gonna say something that will get me hung by so much people but this trumps Radiohead… In MY opinion! The only thing missing was snow after the concert. Be on the look out for his new album.

You can listen to it on his MySpace page for the next week. I think that should prove to be one of my favorites of 2008.