Reviews

NXNE

From A to Z

Review Date: 2008-06-10

Last year I wrote a preview article for NXNE called "NXNE from A to Z" and for the most part, the festival featured so many neat bands I was able to find one or a few for every letter.  This is the second in what will hopefully be an annual NXNE preview article.

A is for…

Amos the Transparent (http://www.myspace.com/amosthetransparent):  Readers of Twowaymonologues and regulars of our Rancho shows know how awesome this band is.  But just in case you need a reminder, you can catch Ottawa’s Amos the Transparent at an awesome showcase at the Supermarket.  They’ll be on Thursday at 11:00 and allegedly have a few tricks up their sleeve that you won’t have seen at the Rancho before.

B is for…

Battle Creek (http://www.myspace.com/battlecreekmusic): Guelph’s Battle Creek blend elements of indie-rock, hints of emo, and a strong East Coast folk influence in a way that makes them one of the neatest bands I found out about through NXNE this year.  They are playing at C’est What Friday at 9.  Admittedly, C’est What is off the beaten path, but at least they are the first band on, which gives you lots of time to get to where you need to be.

Black Hat Brigade (http://www.myspace.com/blackhatbrigade): BHB have been skyrocketing up my list of favourite Toronto bands.  With tons of percussion played by several members, this band has a guttural indie-rock energy that wins over almost anyone who hears it.  They’ll be at the Neutral on Thursday at 11, and that’s where you can find me.

C is for…

Catnip (http://www.myspace.com/catniptheband): The Rancho is playing host to a full night of Australian imports on Saturday.  Catnip is the opener at 9 PM -- and in my opinion, the most intriguing of the bunch.  Having worked with Low and Sonic Youth’s producer, the band has a hypnotic, pretty sound that falls somewhere between Mazzy Star and local bands like Fjord Rowboat and Love Kills.  You won’t be moshing to this band, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be at the Rancho swaying instead.

D is for…

Dance Electric (http://www.myspace.com/danceelectric): They are noisy, they like to rock, and holy fuck can you dance to it!  Most bands who sound like this just wouldn’t even cross my radar, but there is something about their spastic energy that I can’t refuse.  You can find them at Neutral Friday at 11.

E is for…

Entire Cities (http://www.myspace.com/entirecities): You never know what lineup you are going to see, or exactly how they’ll sound from one time to the next.  But you’ll never regret seeing Entire Cities.  If you choose to do so this time they’ll be at the Cadillac Lounge at 1 on Saturday night.

F is for…

Foxfire (http://www.myspace.com/foxfireforest): You’ll have two chances on the same day to catch Toronto’s beloved dancetastic indie-pop group Foxfire (formerly Foxfire Forest).  You can do so either at the Reverb Saturday at 11 OR at Sneaky Dee’s that same night at 3 AM.  If you have the fortitude to make it to 3, that should be a wild place to be.

G is for…

Grand Analog (http://www.myspace.com/grandanalog): This is the hip-hop pick of the festival, and just to make it more compelling Grand Analog is from Winnipeg – a town I love with all my heart.  This is about as excited as I’ve been about a hip-hop artist since the last Cadence Weapon record.  Grand Analog can be found at the Reverb Saturday at 10.

Golden Hands Before God (http://www.myspace.com/thegoldenhandsbeforegod): This is my pick of the festival, even with it being in the tiny Savannah Room.  To say I’m excited about the soon to be released GHBG EP is the understatement of the year.  Come and see for yourself… a band that is destined for greatness Friday at 12.

H is for…

Hot Springs (http://www.myspace.com/thehotsprings): They've been touring around with Danko Jones, which at first seems like a bizarre partnership -- but the more I listen to the intense energy that Hot Springs manage to create within what is basically poppy rock music, the more it fits.  The whole TWM crew is checking this one at Sneak’s on Friday at 1.

J is for…

Junior Pantherz (http://www.myspace.com/juniorpantherz): I like what this group from Saskatoon seem to be bringing to the table.  It’s not reworking the wheel, in fact you’ve heard similar versions of it plenty of times before.  But it sounds authentic, and it’s done very well.  Come get your rock fix at the Rivoli Friday at 9.

L is for…

Love Kills (http://www.myspace.com/lovekillsmusic): Watching Love Kills live is a completely captivating and mesmerizing musical experience.  Hearing this band is more than just going to a show it really is an experience.  They’ll be at the Gladstone at 9 on Friday.

M is for…

Mixylodian (http://www.myspace.com/mixylodian): Holy Joe’s always ends up with a lot more quality bands than you would imagine.  The NXNE site compares Mixylodian to the Unicorns and while I find Mixylodian to be a bit more predictable and melodic than the Unicorns ever were, I still find that to be a really fair comparison.  They are playing at 1 on Thursday.

O is for…

Orillia Opry (http://www.myspace.com/orilliaopry): Just when you start to think Montreal isn’t as vital in the musical universe as it just was, you realize how many must see bands at NXNE still hail from that city.  I just got a promo copy of Orillia Opry’s record and it’s easily one of the best releases I’ve had a chance to hear this year.  Vocally stunning, and it will just keep bringing you back for more.  They are at the Cameron House Friday at 12.

R is for…

Rural Alberta Advantage (http://www.myspace.com/theraa): The R.A.A. have developed quite a reputation for putting on a sterling live show that I, believe it or not, still haven’t been able to see.  Thankfully this is being resolved in the very near future.  Check them out at the Boat on Thursday at 11.

S if for…

The Superfantastics (http://www.myspace.com/thesuperfantastics): I hope I can somehow swing the Halifax Pop Explosion this year because I’ve been hearing so many intriguing acts coming from that part of the country.  This one is a delicious quirky indie-pop two piece who actually do not sound a thing like the White Stripes and are all the better for it.  Find them at Clinton’s Friday at 11.

T is for…

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (http://www.myspace.com/tedleo) You could try to go see Ted Leo at the Mod Club on Thursday but I doubt they’ll accept many bracelets and the cost is fairly steep.  OR you could deal with the heat and surely a huge crowd and go to Yonge/Dundas square. 

W is for…

We Are Wolves (http://www.myspace.com/wearewolvesnoussommesloups) A band from Montreal with the word Wolf in their name is bound to be amazing, right?  Either that or really packaged and cheesy.  My understanding is that band is the former not the latter.  All of us are finding out Saturday night at the El Mo at 1.

- Dan