0.62 Miles

Normally, I tend to not use this blog as a soap box for friend's bands.  My criteria for who I pick is pretty standard, regardless of whether I know you or not; you gotta be able to get inside my head and stick with me for a while.  As such, it was with great glee that I saw not 1 but 2 different bands formed of good friends over the weekend.  While I will soon tell you more about Harbinger, this week's slot is going to be won out by Kilometre, since I kinda owe Matt about a lifetime supply of high fives after recording both NR albums for table scraps.

The boys took to the stage at the Hard Rock on Friday night and while I am a consumate rock enthusiast, after the week I'd had, I could do little more than sit in the middle back and nod it elation (insert lame old man jokes here). Their set wasn't without technical difficulties (read: Mark Watts flying ass over tea kettle into a stack of amps and drums in the first song... MARK! You're supposed to do that at the END of the set :-P) nor without the issue that I like to call the 'Hard Rock' factor (an incredible phenomenon whereby, even with a $100k sound system and one of the best rooms in the city, the sound guy always seems to botch some element of the mix), but the boys still brought their A game after roughly a year away from the stage.  With new bassist Andrew McCready in tow, KM tore through song after song, mixing styles between hard rock, psychadelic prog, post hardcore, and even something a little sexy.

If you're wanting to see for yourself, take a listen below.  Since the boys are so nice, you can even download their 3 track EP for free! At minimum, listen to my favourite track, This City, Red, and forward to 3:08 to have your mind blown.


-God gave you a wiggle and gave you a shake, but he don't care about the moves you make

All just a game

I did something last week that I haven't done in ages; I bought a video game. The context around this action was very specific; I found a great website called Humble Bundle that packages together old games into a delicious little slice and sells them to individuals, giving a good deal of the funds to various charities.  This particular bundle contained some great indie games from a few years back that I had been meaning to check out.  I finally had a chance to play a few of the games over the weekend (Bastion is absolutely incredible) however, the surprising part was that so far, my favourite part of the bundle has been the soundtracks that were included.

Specifically, I have been listening with near obsession to the soundtrack from Superbrothers Sword and Sworcery. While incredibly impressed with the soundtrack, I soon learned why it was so good: they cheated.  Enlisting the help of the Juno-nominated Canadian songwriter Jim Guthrie, the game - already a unique, original take on adventure video gaming - is taken to a whole new level by Guthrie's clever use of the reimagined 8-bit genre. Delicate yet powerful, catchy while still being complex, this album sits as much more than a gorgeous ambient background to a fantastic game; it insists upon being a brilliant piece of work on its own.

My recommendation to you is this: check out the video below to hear a sample of Guthrie's work and see the incredible adventure put forth by Superbrothers, navigate to Humble Bundle, drop a bit of cash and get a few amazing soundtracks and games (the Bastion soundtrack is great fun too!).  Be sure to spend over $7.87 to get Basion too!  It's worth it.


-Despite myself... I look that way again

Paging Dr. John

I let sneak a little teaser back in April when I heard that the legendary Dr. John was surfacing for yet another album. You know you've had a long career when you're losing track of the number of albums you've put out, but you know this one is up there around #30.

I'll admit, even though the good doctor is one of those N'Orleans funk/soul staples that has been doing his thing since the 50s... I didn't really know what was what until that dashingly wonderful gentleman, Dan Auerbach, shone some light my way. I took a listen to some of DrJ's discography and while all of it shows a twinkling of musical genius, the effects of Auerbach in the producer seat make Locked Down a formidable contender in the realm of today's, or any day's, music.

Long and long of it... you know the drill... why read my garbage when the goods are sitting just below?

-This is the last time I'll hold you; this is the last time I'll say goodbye.

Ola? Olay!

It is some strange sense of digital duty that has me posting after a long day of staring at a computer screen. I'm to the point where even the clearest of published typeface starts to blur together into a haze that makes me question my way of life, sobriety or both. Still... you need music... I need reasons not to sleep... everyone wins. Plus, it helps that some old friends have a pretty cool week going on that would only be fair to share with you fine people.

Stella Ella Ola is a fantastic game that kids just like you and I used to play when we were little.

Wait... let me try that again.

Stella Ella Ola is a Toronto based alternative indie band formed by Nixon & Jake Boyd (of Hollerado), Anne Douris, and Vince Rice.  They play simple, stripped down, short songs invoking the spirit of  early garage, surf rock, pop, country and... dear lord,  guys... where the hell are you going with this???  


Suffice to say, they seem to draw upon some atypical inspirations...in my ears I hear bits of Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers (yup... I went there... its late... go away) and let's say... The Beach Boys?  Awww screw it... I have no idea how else to describe it.  It's catchy... it's fun... just go download it for free.
 
And, if you're up for it this weekend, catch their first ever live show in Toronto.

-Sleep

The Discovery

Rarely - in fact about once every year or two - do I find a band that completely floors me.  I'm a lover of music and a consumate scout and as such, when something comes along that catches me in both the right state of mind, with the right vibe and completely by surprise... I'm done for.  Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to proudly announce that I've just stumbled upon my new favourite band (you know... until a new one comes along).

May I introduce... Rival Sons.

There are a lot of words I could use to describe this band.  Off the top of my head:

• Electric-boogie soul
• R&B that'll kick your ass
• Revival... pure, sweet revival
• Fuzzed out, grinding funk
• Savours of music
• Sped up, in-your face blues thieves
• Rock and fucking roll fuck

But most importantly, they're my kinda band. A foursome originating just outside of LA, these guys appear to have drank up from the cup and sold their souls... destined for rock and roll stardom.  In a mere four years together, they have already released 2 full lengths, an EP, a live album, and a CD/DVD combo pack, all the while touring around in the shadows of some of the biggest rock bands in the world.

It is a short time that these boys will continue to stay in the shadows:

-How do you size up the emotions of a fool?