The Sound of Pop

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2013 SIRIUS XM INDIES

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2013 SIRIUSXM INDIES
- AWARDS PRESENTED TO CANADAS METRIC, MARIANAS TRENCH AND SIRIUSXM EMERGING ARTISTS

TORONTO, ON (March 23, 2013) Last nightís SiriusXM Indies took over the Kool Haus for a sold-out presentation of awards and performances by some of Canadaís breakthrough artists. From Metric to Marianas Trench, and Matt Mays to Cold Specks, indie stars came out to celebrate the year in independent music. Artists Canailles and Poor Young Things came out the biggest winners taking the titles of SiriusXM Emerging Artist of the Year in the French and English categories, respectively, and taking home a $5,000 bursary each from SiriusXM Canada.

Dragonette - Run Run Run

Dragonette has released the video for their latest track Run Run Run. It features the ever graceful Martina walking through the streets of both London and New York, after what must have been one hell of a night.

While the premise of the video might seem trashy, it is actually the perfect fit for a song that you will want to play all night long over and over again...and even listen to on your walk of shame back home.

Take a look for yourself and maybe at yourself while you enjoy Dragonette's latest electropop eargasm.

  

Canadian Music Week: Chvrches

Virgin Mobile Mod Club was the place to be last night for Canadian Music Week. It was a sold out venue which meant we had to flash a few smiles and use some sweet talking to get let in...seriously there was a moment when our heart was on the verge of being gutted.

This little band from Glasglow has managed to sell out during their North American tour even without releasing an EP(due out March 26th), that is why Chvrches is the definition of a buzz band. The energy in the crowd was contagious, everyone was there to have a great time and get blown away by electropop goodness.

We've bragged about Chvrches before but seeing them live was a completely different experience and makes us ever so eager to get our hands on that EP. The venue was perfect for this band and the sound engineer did an awesome job ensuring everything sounded perfect. The light show although simple was choreographed perfectly with each track and created the vibe for the audience to really start losing themselves in the music....which was all too easy to do with the mind blowing vocals on lead singer Lauren Mayberry. However, it was the band as a whole that epitomized the feeling of electropop music. 

Once again BBC Sound of miscalculated by placing this band fifth in their list...which actually if history repeats itself is a good thing to avoid the kiss of death of first place prize. Chvrches is definitely going to make 2013 their year and this stop in Toronto was just the beginning of many amazing things to come.

The absolute highlight was their encore...they covered...get ready for it...PRINCE I Would Die For You!!! Their rendition was to seriously die for and was once again choreographed with the lights perfectly and the vocals and synths and just the harmony of everything was just immaculately perfect! Seriously hoping but also doubting that this cover would make it on their actual album due out end of summer:(

Enjoy the audio for I Would Die For You

 

 

Canadian Music Week: The C'mons

Canadian Music Week got the perfect start Tuesday night with Toronto's very own The C'mons. They showed everyone what CMW was all about while bringing the roof down at The Rivoli in Toronto's hip Queen West neighbourhood.

While no stranger to CMW (having performed last year) the band showed a fresh new set list that included their fan favourites but also treated fans to some new sounds. Everytime this band hits the stage this sense of awe takes over. All these different sounds come together to create a force that goes beyond the genre defined alt rock. The drums(Cory Snider), guitar(Scott Hanenberg), bass(Jamie McDowell), and violin(Roslyn Green) are not used as tools but as an extension of the expression of feelings that are epitomized by pristine and heartfelt vocals of lead singer Steph Bosch. 

The crowd at Rivoli(who weren't already fans) were easily won over by the opening track and by the end of the set  were tapping their feet and begging for more. And who could blame them? These guys create an energy while on stage that becomes infectious to the audience and creates this atmosphere where everyone becomes upbeat and just wants to dance and have a good time...this is why The C'mons are masters at what they do...it is not enough to make good music you have to be able to stand behind it and show the crowd that your music is worth listening to. Every member of the band tonight was on stage giving it their all and showing the audience how much fun they were having and how excited they were to be apart of Canadian Music Week.

If you missed The C'mons don't fret they will be performing in Toronto at the Horseshoe on March 28th.

Check them out at:

www.thecmons.ca
https://www.facebook.com/thecmonsmusic

 

Osheaga 2013 Line Up

Montreal's infamous open air music festival Osheaga has released the line up for summer 2013. The highlights include Tegan and Sara, Ellie Goulding, New Order, The Lumineers, MNDR, and tons more. The great this is that as exciting as this line up is, there is still 20 more artist that will  be announced at a later date.

Osheaga runs from August 2-4 at Parc Jaan-Drapeau in Montreal. Tickets go on sale this Friday on Osheaga's website.

PS

Angel Haze and Azealia Banks are both performing...we feel like there will be plenty of shade!

www.osheaga.com

Still Corners - Berlin Lovers

London based producer/songwriter Greg Hughes and vocalist Tessa Murray are gearing up to release their sophomore album later this year. Still somewhat fresh off the heels of their 2011 debut, Still Corners are ready to show the musical progression of the band's sound.

The lead single Berlin Lovers is proof that Still Corners has evolved and is capable of delivering a sophisticated and alluring new sound. Longtime fans of the duo will be able to appreciate that as their sound has matured they have not given up on their magical kaleidoscopic synths and ethereal vocals that have become the bands trademark.

Strange Pleasures is out May 6th (UK/Europe) and May 7th (North America). Enjoy the first single Berlin Lovers 

www.stillcorners.com
www.facebook.com/stillcorners

 

 

 

Marina and the Diamonds - State of Dreaming

After way too long of a wait Marina and the Diamonds have finally released one of the strongest tracks off their latest album Electra Heart. State of Dreaming has been one of our favourite tracks because it starts off slow but by the bridge it starts to gain power that captures the essence of the song perfectly.

State of Dreaming is the ninth video in the ongoing Electra Heart series. The video starts off with Marina in front of a simple backdrop in monochrome but by as the track becomes more and more powerful the video transforms into colour.

Watch below and enjoy....wonder what the next installment will be....time will surely tell!

PS you might recall the set from Marina's Wedding Bells video from late last year!!

 

Cahill & Kimberly Locke - Feel The Love

The UK production team known as Cahill has teamed up with American Idol alum Kimberly Locke to create what is sure to be the anthem for gay prides in cities everywhere this summer.

As soon as you press play you will instantly Feel The Love for this track.

So get your rainbow flags along with a few glow sticks and press play to what is sure to be one of the club songs of this summer!

 

Artist Lookout: The Deer Tracks

Hailing from the land of overproduced pop comes a breath of intriguing and intelligently captivating music, that relief is courtesy of The Deer Tracks. There is just something that happens when a band is first heard that can only happen once, it is much more than just a mere first impression...its alchemy. Its the power to take all different elements and emotions to create something that the listener cannot help but become obsessed with, all it will take is one listen of The Deer Tracks to experience this phenomenon.

Upon first listen we guarantee you will want to know more and more and more about them. Their sound is uniquely their own but would expect to be heard from an Icelandic band(Of Monsters and Men, Sigur Rós etc), however David Lehnberg & Elin Lindfors are both from Gävle, Sweden. These two are the heart and soul of everything that is The Deer Tracks; from writing to music to recording to production to whatever else is needed to create their signature sound. It is probably for this reason that their sound is so intimate and that level of intimacy is able to transcend to the listener creating this unique music moment every time a track is heard. 

 It was in fact just the two of them alone in a remote cabin with nothing more than their talent and some sub-par equipment that allowed them to create the masterpiece known as The Archer Trilogy, the final installment was just released earlier this month.

The Archer Trilogy is a must have on any music lovers iPod. Its a testament to how serious these two take their music. Each EP is a journey through different layers of music that is harmonized perfectly and almost effortlessly with Lindfors' ethereal voice. Track by track these two show how they can transition from trance to dance to pop to folk. The Deer Tracks explore it all but do it without the novelty, instead they produce really solid tracks that although different in genre still somehow manages to unite the album into a cohesive and exciting piece of music perfection.

Have a listen to our favourite track Lazarus below and be prepared to hit repeat over and over again. Also they are currently on a North American tour so head over to their facebook page to check out dates and locations near you. For Toronto fans The Deer Tracks are playing at the Silver Dollar on February 28th

iTunes: Click here to download
Facebook: Like and get a free download
Tweet: Follow

Throwback Thursdays: Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner

This song has been sampled so many times but nothing compares to the original. Right from the first beat to the dissatisfaction of Suzanne's voice about getting a half cup coffee, this song just captivates and keeps hold for the entire track.

Although this and Luka were her two biggest claims to fame, Suzanne Vega is still active in the music world and has spent the last few years re-recording her back-catalogue know has the Close Up series.

Enjoy Tom's Dineras this week's #ThrowbackThursday Track