Fresh Finds with Yukon Blonde and Boxer the Horse
Before I get to the music, we all need (especially me) to celebrate and honour the passing of Jim Marshall, the man who invented the Marshall amp and made loud music a thing of joy for everyone. He...
View ArticleIn Concert quiz: Dancing about architecture
Here's an oft-cited expression: "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." I've often wondered where it originated. Happily, someone has looked into this question. I like this...
View ArticleThe Q Interview: Austra
Toronto band Austra had a big year in 2011, capping it off with nods for Band of the Year from the Toronto Star and New York Magazine. 2012 is also off to a great start with their debut record Feel...
View ArticleMadonna to Kanye West: Jesus in pop music
Though Easter may now be synonymous with chocolate eggs and bunnies to some, it is the most important date on the Christian calendar. In the music world, contemporary Christian music and its subgenres...
View ArticleFantasy baseball: When fans think they're rock stars
Baseball season is in full swing, a rite of spring that even warms the hearts of baseball haters. No surprise that many of them can’t help but burst into song. In fact, a brief perusal of YouTube shows...
View ArticleCatl.’s Jamie Fleming offers 5 pivotal blues influences
Toronto based post-punk, blues band catl. is led by Jamie Fleming. The guitar player, vocalist and songwriter has compiled a list of five blues players and songs that help to define some of the...
View ArticleWiretap's Jonathan Goldstein reveals David Bowie obsession
Ever imagine what your favourite CBC hosts were like as teenagers? Are you curious about what music turned them on growing up? Jonathan Goldstein is the writer, host and co-producer (along with Mira...
View ArticleDubstep, slow rap and the rise of 140bpm
Tempo is a decision that’s uniquely important in electronic music. In rock and other band-oriented genres, musicians can try out riffs and other musical ideas at almost any speed, without thinking too...
View ArticleElton John's music in Love Lies Bleeding
Monday April 9, the life of rock star Elton John comes to life through choreography and dance. Love Lies Bleeding is a spectacular hour-long celebration of the man and his music created by Jean Grand...
View ArticleMeet: Oh My Darling
Oh My Darling is a country-folk quartet from Winnipeg. Formed after a winter's day jam session, the four talented musicians combined their forces and have mixed "bluegrass, Appalachian old time,...
View ArticleClassical music week in review: Shaw Festival seeks Ragtime pianist!
The Met's controversial new Ring Cycle comes to Canadian cinemas, the ShawFestival searches for the next great ragtime pianist and violin bows may soon be an endangered species. [View the story "This...
View ArticleLetter from Berlin: Honens quarter-final update
The search for the next laureate of the Honens International Piano Competition is on now. The competition is based in Calgary, but the Honens team is on the road to London, Berlin, New York and Los...
View ArticleGreat Lake Swimmers' Tony Dekker recommends Sandro Perri
It’s always interesting to find out how artist inspire one and other. Great Lake Swimmers’ new album, New Wild Everywhere, is our featured album of the week and the band is X3’s artist of the month, so...
View ArticleJuno Winners and Losers: Dan Mangan, City and Colour, Malajube, Podcast #315
Hooray! You survived our Sweatin' to the Indies Podcast AND you're back for more! Very impressive. Here's what you can expect on the Podcast this week: :: Sizzling new singles from Wintersleep,...
View ArticleThe R3-30 feat. Great Lake Swimmers, Trust & Songs With Rather Long Titles!
R330 288 Check out this week's Top 30 songs as a playlist or the hosted podcast: As winter folds into spring and then moves into summer, the days are becoming not only warmer, but longer! R3-30 FunClub...
View ArticleMusic News Roundup for the Long Weekend
Hey everyone, happy Easter long weekend to you and thanks for joining me here in The Basement Studio today. It's been an active few weeks in the music biz. First there was SXSW then Canadian Music...
View ArticleBahamas, Up Close on Drive
This week's Up Close session is Bahamas and it's a pretty special one. Bahamas is the brain child of Afie Jurvanen, not exactly a band and not exactly a solo project. With a name like Afie Jurvanen...
View ArticleJohn Southworth is so glad it's finally spring
Over an almost fifteen year career, Toronto (by way of England and Vancouver) songwriter John Southworth has established himself as one of the most singular voices in Canadian music. He's a little more...
View ArticleThe story behind the song: Amos Lee on 'Windows Are Rolled Down'
In the latest in our "Story Behind The Song" series, American singer-songwriter Amos Lee tells us about how his song Windows Are Rolled Down was written to someone who hit the road before he had a...
View ArticleWEB EXCLUSIVE: Mother Mother Performs 'Dirty Town'
Mother Mother dropped by the studio in Vancouver with Nick Gilder, and while they were there they also treated the hometown crowd to one of their own tunes: the massive rocker 'Dirty Town'. BIO: Mother...
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