| Advertisement |
|
Local Guides
|
|
|
INDIE SEEN HEADS TO CMW
|
by Carrie Humphries
March 11 - 17, 2010 |
|
Canadian Music Week, (or CMW for the simpletons), is back in full force for 2010. Running March 10-14th, Toronto will be over-run by bands, music industry professionals and a whole lot of fans waiting to see the next big thing. For the 700 artists, the 45 night clubs and everyone from Alicia Keys to Joel Plaskett making appearances, the nightlife (and the day time for that matter) makes Toronto one place you don't want to miss this coming week. So far be it for these performers from the tricities to turn down an opportunity to have their music heard in the back drop of today's growing music community. Congratulations!
BILLY THE KID
Hailing from British Columbia but regarding Kitchener/Waterloo as a second home, Miss Billy the Kid is taking on CMW in an intimate acoustic showcase that'll tear the roof down. No stranger to Toronto gigs, the Lost label founder and all-around hit-making tattooed beauty will be performing the CMF Stripped Down Series Friday March 12, @ 1:00AM at the Library Bar, (inside Royal York Hotel), URartists Showcase - Stage 2 Friday March 12, @ 10:00PM at The Great Hall and the Canadian Music Fest Preview Wednesday March 10, @ 9:00PM at the Gladstone Hotel (North Ballroom). The multi-instrumentalist Billy the Kid jokes, "I only play shows on nights where there are forty million other shows going on," and plans to light the stage with "fire, strippers, explosions and a car driving through the venue and on to stage. Y'know, the usual stuff you see when you go see a folk singer...."
LIFE IN VACUUM
The Waterloo-bred foursome are taking their infused heavy rock, pop, punk sound to the streets of Toronto during CMW to showcase their chops in front of the legions of music fans eager to feast their ears on something different. For the guys who call themselves a "chaotic movement of molecules...it comes together then it falls apart," they plan to rock at the Factor Breakthrough Series Wednesday March 10, @ 9:00PM at the Neutral Lounge. "Mostly bands play to showcase their music to the industry reps..aka BIGer PEOPLE..but generally its cool to be a part of one of the main festivals in Canada," they say about being a part of CMW adding, "Andy Clark said - 'These guys are gona flip out and they'll make You flip out and this whole thing will fill the room with beautiful things!'"
ACE KINKAID
From Waterloo, the sans-vocals indie heroes Ace Kinkaid have been eating up the gigs across SouthWestern Ontario and are gearing up to head East after their sting at CMW this coming week. Performing for fans who dig a new twist on rock, it's no suprise they were plucked from the bids to make their stand amongst the other artists who are gracing Toronto's stages. Referring their music to being "beckon(ed) on a wandering journey; it's not about the destination but pleasure in the ride," Ace Kinkaid will be at Brought to you by Galaxie Rising Star; Presented by: Two Way Monologues and CMF Wednesday March 10, @ 10:00PM at the Rancho Relaxo. "CMW is a great way for your audience to find you. Show goers are excited to see what is out there and they will seek you out if you pique their curiosity," they say. "Listeners who know our material can expect us to constantly change things up. When we aren't playing something with as much intensity as used to, we need to do something about it."
PICK A PIPER
The psychedelic/club/acoustic four piece from Waterloo (and Toronto) can count themselves in the ranks at this week's CMW. They're infectious music mashed with smart lyrics make it no wonder they'll be debuting on the Toronto homefront at Brought to you by Galaxie Rising Star; Presented by: Two Way Monologues and CMF Wednesday March 10, @ 11:00PM at the Rancho Relaxo. "CMW is a great festival that brings together lots of solid bands from around here, so why not play it? Some of our favourite bands are playing too... like: Ace Kinkaid, Born Ruffians, Woodhands, Vowls, Neon Indian, Russian Futurists and Think About Life," they say about the gig. "We have a drum and percussion focus with the intention of creating organic dance music with both primal and modern pop instincts. This combined with live guitar, bass, sequenced sounds and group-like vocals defines our sound. For CMW we have 3 additional drummers playing with us on some songs. Our sets always include portions where the 4 of us all drum together. So there will be points at this show where 7 people are drumming at once! We sometimes get the audience involved too. We have a surprise at this show as far as audience participation is concerned, so come see to find out!"
AfterpartY
For a band that creates the party on stage and off, Toronto/Waterloo-based AfterpartY are planning a high voltage show at CMW. With a female vocalist that will keep you on the edge of your seat and stunning guitar riffs to keep you dancing, the band with an incredible knack to rile up even the shyest of dancers, AfterpartY are creating their mark at the festival at Brought to you by Galaxie Rising Star, Frriday March 12, @ 10:00PM at the Bread and Circus. "CMW is a big week in the Canadian music calender. It gives up and coming indie acts a chance to showcase their material in front of large crowds consisting of other musicians, industry execs. and people who otherwise may not have come out to see you," they say, "Being at CMW also allows bands a chance to rub shoulders with one and other, it's a great chance to network and make contacts. Playing CMW also allows all performers a free pass to all shows.conferences and guest speakers. We feel very fortunate and humbled to be part of CMW 2010 and are planning to make every show as special as possible while supporting all of our friends at the same time." And as for that infamous show you don't want to miss? "Our live show is our bread and butter. Standing front row at an AfterpartY show will give you the best seat for a high energy,intense and very focused show. We constantly push ourselves to improve as musicians and performers and I think that also comes across live. We try to combine elements of 70's punk, disco and pop into create a genuine and unique sound fronted by one of the best front women I have ever seen (Kristina B.)."
Other homegrown talent you don't want to miss: Green Go @ Horseshoe & Sneaky Dee's, March 11; HotKid @ Rancho Relaxo, March 10; Kidstreet @ Sneaky Dee's, March 11; Mocking Bird Wish Me Luck @ The Garrison, March 13; Pocket City @ Silver Dollar, March 13; Spirits @ Bread and Circus, March 10; and Will Currie & The Country French @ Gladstone Hotel, March 10 & Mitzi's Sister, March 11. www.cmw.net
RED ROSES BLACK
For those of you who aren't heading up to CMW, take heart. Plenty of fantastic shows are still being churned out right here at home and this weekend is no exception. Maxwell's Music House hosts Red Roses Black, March 12. Gracing the stages among the likes of Down With Webster, illScarlett, Lights and Mariana's Trench, Red Roses Black are the contemporary upswing of today's rising popular music. Eager beats and infectious guitar riffs mingled with a lead singer you find yourself singing along with, the band is preparing to "lead the next generation of bands." And when you tune in, you find the music is as simple as pressing play and letting yourself press repeat on the entire playlist. Influenced from the likes of the Beatles to Motely Crue, Red Roses Black are simply "just put(ing) a lot of effort into getting the music out to as many ears as possible. Play lots of shows. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter. It’s hard when you have day jobs, and school as well, but you make it work." Infilitrating their set list with a live cover of "Mad World" and keeping the show as genuine and honest as the music they write, Red Roses Black are band of up and comers ready to dominate the indie community, throwing their hat in the ring to a circuit of musicians they don't think earn enough recognition, "One of the things I wish would be acknowledged more is the bands in the Toronto Circuit. Some of the artist's that we've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with, and being exposed to. Sadie May Crash. Late Night Sanity. Breaking Benjamin." So instead of mulling over not going to Canadian Music Week, get your ass out of bed and into Maxwell's where it belongs. Red Roses Black take on the tricities March 12 and again on March 19 and April 2. For the sneak peek, check out myspace.com/redrosesblack. And as for the secret recipe? "Attitude, Dedication, Motivation, Drive, and an overall love for music and what you do. You have to want this!"
|
Share on
 |
No comments yet... be the first! |
|
