Leslie Feist’s performance transformed History into something new. As an internationally respected artist, Feist will find an adoring, attentive audience in most parts of the globe, but her most understanding and mellow (yet no less devoted) fans could be here at home. Blending folk sensibilities with a decidedly punk attitude, she took the world by storm with her debut album Let It Die which featured the title track and the positively-infectious Mushaboom. Following it up with The Reminder, 1234 had its moments as the biggest song in the world in part thanks to both Sesame Street and the iPod. Though…
Author: Aron Harris
Morgan Kibby aka White Sea has been featured here in the Music Dept a few times and for anyone in the know, they would understand why. Her first, most recognizable appearance in the music we love came from albums and tours with M83 as keyboardist and vocalist. Her personal project White Sea produced a pair of stunning electronic pop albums. In addition, Kibby lent her vocal and remixing skills to various artists. Moving into composition and songwriting, Morgan worked with artists like Panic! At The Disco, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, Phantogram, Mandy Moore and Butch Walker. From a film and…
Swedish indie-synth pop artist/collective is back on a North American tour Jonna Lee goes by a pair of additional names in performance. As iamamiwhoami, she releases her music alongside visual work in video, graphics and still images produced by a team of artists. In 2017, Lee began producing solo work minus longtime musical collaborator, Claes Björklund. The first release, titled Everyone Afraid To Be Forgotten was followed up two years later with Remember The Future. A play on her name, ionnalee became the title of this solo project. While the distinction between the two is a challenge to parse, the overall…
The idea of a fashion watch isn’t one that I have pursued too deeply, but, here we go. I’m not sure if the phrase ‘fashion watch’ exists as ‘jewelry watch’ does. In my definition, form far exceeds function to the point of those big and little details watch nerds pour over being relegated down the list of importance. Down to, gulp, the movement not mattering at all. In-house? Outhouse, who cares, is it pretty? But of course, function does matter. If a pretty watch breaks down in a month, it’s destined for the bin and no one is happy about…
The progenitors of synth-pop release album number fifteen and begin a worldwide tour in support. I would assume that calling Dave Gahan and Martin Gore the grandfathers of synth pop or some equally trite descriptor would be met with droll British cut-eye. So, I’ll avoid such cliches while marvelling at Depeche Mode’s awe-striking lastability. Formed in Essex in 1980, along with Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke, they hit the UK top ten with their first shot, Just Can’t Get Enough from 1981’s Speak and Spell. Despite Clarke’s departure, they did it again in 1983 with Everything Counts off Construction Time…
Friend of the ADDICTED Music Dept. and undeniable most talented person in the world, Morgan Kibby has not just created a new album, but a new musical identity altogether in Miss Sue Clayton. Listing Morgan’s accomplishments outside of her excellent White Sea music will take too long but we’ll high line it by namedropping Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Lorde, M83, Panic! At the Disco among artists she’s worked with. As well, you’ve likely heard her compositions scored for film and TV. You can hear a lot more about Morgan’s story in her own words from the Music Dept.…
Canadian genre-blending indie/soul/R&B band, Chiiild performed at the Axis Club in Toronto on March 30. Yonatan Ayal, better known in combination with collaborator, guitarist/producer Pierre-Luc Rioux as Chiiild released their second full length album, Better Luck In The Next Life on March 3. It’s a stunning work rich in melody and deep with sonic exploration, grooves and hooks that happily stick in one’s head long after the playing has stopped. Ayal, no stranger to working a song through from idea to hit has songwriter and producer credits as xSDTRK that include Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Jessie J, Rob Thomas, Allie X,…
The term genre-defying is used in high frequency these days in music reporting. I am as guilty as any other writer although I pass myself due to the variety of artists I cover. Whether or not I am justified is unclear and in defence, the boundaries between genres are happily being pushed outward if not being pulled down brick by brick. As I did my perfunctory research on Kelela, the term popped up again and again. Having listened to her latest album, Raven, as a whole and repeatedly, I speak for all music writers by saying we stand firmly in…
John Mayer’s first Solo Acoustic tour made its only Canadian stop at Scotiabank Arena on March 21. For the fifth of these very special nineteen shows, opening the night was Toronto’s own, JP Saxe. Based in Los Angeles, Saxe opened his set with 4:30 in Toronto on piano, afterwards musing on where he was. Explaining that he grew up ‘up the street’ at Yonge and Sheppard and that his first concert, Hilary Duff, was in this venue, it was a shared moment between artist and audience of hometown boy makes good and comes back for a visit. A rare talent…
Kicking off Pride Month, lavender wild will host an eclectic 2SLGBTQ+ lineup across two stages, with Norwegian singer-songwriter girl in red as the headlining act. In a time when queer spaces have never been more in demand, the festival will provide a safe and interactive place for fans of all ages to enjoy musical performances, drag shows, food and local artistry. lavender wild is also dedicated to creating a festival environment championed by and for queer people, hiring members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to help support various projects across the event. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Canadian non-profit, The Get Real Movement – a…
Toronto-based indie rock band July Talk, played back-to-back hometown shows on March 10 and 11, 2023. Despite the local snowstorm, the JUNO award-winning band filled the house at Massey Hall. Starting their Remember Never Before tour, they opened the night strong with Oshawa-based prog rock band Crown Lands. The night was full of palpable energy felt throughout the crowd. July Talk made sure to give everyone a night to remember while showcasing their exceptional songwriting and intense stage presence. PHOTOS AND WORDS BY CHRISTINA MAC
When it comes to spring fashion launches, watches are as important as any accessory. I had the opportunity to meet with Citizen Watch Canada to talk about their spring launch of new watches. Something I wasn’t aware of is that the Japanese brand is the parent company of Bulova, Accutron, Alpina and Frederique Constant watches. Being hands on with these new releases helped give me the idea of the weight and the feel of actually wearing them, although most were display pieces and didn’t contain their movements. Without question, the Promaster is Citizen’s most famous watch. First launched in 1989,…
Sol Blume is a place where like-minded individuals can gather to celebrate some of today’s most acclaimed R&B, soul, and hip-hop music acts, with an underlying emphasis on art, culture, love, social diversity, and good vibes. Sol Blume returns to Sacramento for the fourth year on April 29th and April 30th, 2023 to celebrate some of today’s most acclaimed R&B and soul music acts. Since Day 1, Sol Blume has strived to create a unique festival-going experience with an emphasis on culture, love, diversity, and positive vibes. This year’s lineup includes Brent Faiyaz, Ella Mai, Isaiah Rashad, Joey Badass, Sabrina…
AOTY contender’s Til The Wheels Fall Off tour rolls into Toronto Though the Western Illinois native experienced her fair share of snowdumped winters, Nashville-based Margo Price likely only experiences such cold as Toronto has recently experienced while on tour. As her Til The Wheels Fall Off tour commenced last December and continues until a week or so into March, its last leg proper winds through the north before a hometown show ends it. Toronto fans were treated to a stop on February 24 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. Touring in support of her latest, Strays, a firm 2023 top ten…