Search Results | thesoundtrack.ca

By: Gemma Mastroianni Liverpool four-piece Indie Rock band The Banshees have released a brand new single titled, “It’s Alright.” The band is also one of the newest and exciting live bands around. The single is essentially inspired by people who play with your head and are overall confusing to understand, and sometimes attempt to make you second-guess your actions. People can be puzzling and this song comforts you through that. The sound of this track sounds like it takes inspiration from bands like Arkells and Echo and The Bunnymen. The progression and layering is beautiful. It jumps between faster and slower melodies, but flows as smooth as a river! The band also has a brand new mini-album coming titled, Tell Me Everything. Take a listen to their first single, and keep your eyes peeled for the new album. The band will also be touring across the UK this year, with dates being announced very soon! Follow the band on Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.

On March 19th we’re throwing our very first party at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern! Get ready for a night filled with art displays, music, and exclusive giveaways. Our lineup of bands includes: The Slow Drags The Slow Drags bring a garage feel to old-world bops and will be headlining the show. They put an emphasis on loud guitar, crazy drums and improvisation that makes for an amazing live show. The Slow Drags bring a garage feel to old-world bops. Sweet Tooth Quite possibly the sweetest Indie-Rock four-piece in Toronto. They have super catchy, high-energy tunes, and their stage presence is incredibly strong and exciting. Ten Minute Detour Soulful indie rock with a raw and spirited live show. Ryley Patrick + The Roundabouts 4 piece Experimental Rock band from Whitby with influences from The Cure, John Frusciante and Deftones inspiring their dark, alternative sound. Laughed The Boy 3 piece Indie Rock band from Whitby. At the event, you can also win… Doc Martens $50 gift card to Kops Records The Slow Rush on Vinyl Parkdale Brass’s Brockton Pipe The first 30 people to buy raffle tickets on-site will also receive a $40 gift card to Chotto Matte Toronto! Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are available for $10 here!

By: Sam D’alessandro On leap day this year, I decided to get my first tattoo EVER. Growing up, I gathered a collection of seven different piercings but I never got a tattoo, even though it was something I was always fascinated by and at one point even wanted to be a tattoo artist. A big part of the reason why I never got one was because of my parents… It was hard enough to convince them to let me get as many piercings as I have and I figured it was mission impossible to mention getting a tattoo. Over the past two years, I decided I was going to get one and I wanted it to be special. As and kid and even now, Winnie the Pooh has been a huge and super influential part of my life and personality. People who really know me, known the emotional connection I have to the character and how much the cartoon means to me. I decided to get the iconic cartoon honey bee from Winnie the Pooh for two reasons. Firstly, for the longest time, I had Winnie the Pooh stickers on my closet doors and the one that stood out the most in my memory was the bee. Secondly, I wanted to symbolize the fact that even though I’m a grown adult now, there’s always a piece of my childhood that will stay with me forever. All that was left to my plan was to find an artist and tell my parents. Back in October of 2019, I met a guy named Massimo De Carlo after inviting him to model for me for a shoot. We ended up becoming friends and I learned that he was doing a tattoo apprenticeship in Australia which I thought was so cool. Soon after that meeting, he went back to Australia. Fast forward to now, he came back from Australia and renovated his basement turning it into a super-cool home studio. Since I had met him, I had been following his tattoo account on Instagram and checking out the work he was doing in Australia. I really liked his style and I was really digging his minimalistic stuff seeing as I wanted my tattoo to be very minimalistic. Not to mention his drawings are also incredible. When he came back, I decided I wanted him to do my tattoo, not only because he’s my friend and I’m comfortable with him but also because I really appreciate his talent and wanted to support him in his tattooing career. His brand is called Dark Passenger Tattoo and he tattoos out of his home studio in Mississauga and out of a shop in Toronto called Smoke Signal Designs. I got my tattoo done in Mississauga which was awesome because I got to see the studio that he designed. The studio is super clean looking, painted white with black accents and it’s decorated with retro comic books, cameras, and other items. Since this was my first tattoo I was obviously nervous but Massimo was quick to assure me that everything would be fine and he communicated with me ahead of time how it would feel, how long it would take and how small we could make it which made me very comfortable and confident with the process. When it came time to actually do the tattoo, I was unsure about the placement and he was super patient with me, placing it until I was happy with the position. The tattoo took about 15 minutes for him to do and he was very gentle and reassuring the whole time, making sure I was okay. It was surprisingly way less painful than I expected considering I was getting it on my ribs and it was actually a pleasant experience. I’m absolutely obsessed with the outcome; it was exactly what I envisioned and I would definitely go back to Massimo again in the future. If you’re looking to get your first tattoo or add to your collection, be sure to check out his page on Instagram! Another huge thank you to Massimo for making my first tattoo experience amazing.

By: Amanda McMillan Written, recorded, and produced right here in Toronto’s east-end, quietype’s self-titled EP is a delicious mix of R&B, alternative, and just a sprinkle of electronic. It’s a combination that fans of Bob Moses, Bon Iver, or dvsn can appreciate and really dig into. Sonically, the trio (Mitchell Stuart, Jordan Ward, and Jon Plytas) sound comfortable and well-integrated with each other, which is likely the result of knowing each other since high-school. The songs are intimate and sultry from lyrics to instrumentals, with every melody feeling ooey-gooey, thanks to Plytas’ vocals. The album tells an all-too-familiar tale of a crumbling relationship, the way things fall apart in the in-between as much as it does out in the open. “Island,” is all about the feeling of isolation and guilt, while “Caroline,” is about thinking back on falling in love and the pain that comes from falling out of it. Sonically, “Hold Me Down” is like wading through honey, with heavy R&B bass and drums that are complemented by that delicate ‘wub-wub’ in the background. “King Street” parts one and two feel like just as much a love story to the city itself as it is to any person. By the time we get to “Always You,” it feels like we’ve been on quite an emotional journey in such a short time. There’s a slickness and professionalism in the production that is refreshing for a young band out of the city. Typically Toronto is known for its grit, especially when it comes to the music scene. But with a growing roster of R&B excellence coming out of the city and its surrounding areas, it’s nice to hear more of that here. Clear alt-rock and electronic influences bring the R&B vibe into fresh territory, putting the EP in good company with the rest of the emerging scene. Expertly mixed, with just the right flourishes by drummer & guitarist Mitch Stuart, Quietype is hopefully the start of something more from these guys. In the meantime, put this on rotation and just lean into that groove.

By: Gemma Mastroianni So it took me a while to decipher my thoughts on the new Tame Impala album. My contributor Dakota Arsenault felt the same way. Listen as he joins me to discuss our true thoughts on the project and where we see Tame Impala going. Check it out on Spotify or Apple!

By: Sydney Scott My name is Sydney, and this is my first blog post. I have an undeniable lust for life and you’ll usually find me seeking out my next spontaneous adventure. From dawn until dusk I am listening to music; during my daily yoga regimen; while spending time with my favourite people; at work; the list is endless. Some of my favourite artists are Tame Impala, SALES, STRFKR, Bon Iver, Men I Trust, their music allows me to feel both grounded and uplifted! My brother decided to leave us in December of 2019; leaving my family and me completely devastated. Grief is extremely complex and very personal; consequently, many people begin to feel reclusive due to the continuous waves of emotion, and I’m writing this in the thick of it. I remember very vividly what happened on that day and the week following. The outpouring of support was overwhelming until the funeral was over; people forget, and you feel alone. If love was enough –  he would still be here. Society has constructed a timeline for the grieving process but I’m here to say that grief isn’t so predictable. Melancholy frantically appears in surges when you’re least expecting it; despair, hopelessness, guilt. There are no words in the English language that could capture the type of bond I had with my brother. But to put it in perspective for you, he became my best friend from the moment I was born; he was my protector. I’m sharing a couple of things that have been therapeutic to this journey we call life; in hopes that it will spark something within you. I have found solace in the rhythm of music; it evokes in me a distinct feeling of nostalgia and becomes hypnotic as I reminisce about memories that I hold dear. It allows for emotions to surface. One song, in particular, has a very profound effect on me, “This Will Destroy You” from The Mighty Rio Grande. I can only suggest that you listen to it for yourself and you’ll know what I mean. No matter what I am feeling, this track seems to complement it. Hiking was our favourite pastime, and I will carry that legacy no matter where I decide to adventure. There are a lot of secret hiking trails we have discovered over the years. If you’re ever in the Niagara region I highly suggest checking out Rockway Glen on the Bruce Trail. Or even better, Beamer Memorial Conservation in Grimsby! To conclude, I’d like to leave you with some thoughts to reflect upon; have patience and love yourself through anything life throws your way, never work around it – work through it. Life is like an elastic band, the more you are pulled back, the more momentum you have to become the best version of you. Allow yourself to feel those uncomfortable feelings and believe in your ability to respond to life. I have also created an uplifting playlist that helps me when I’m feeling down. Check it out! I have also attached a guide for some Toronto local mental health resources. -S

By: Gemma Mastroianni Toronto based Soul/R&B group U.N. Jefferson has recently dropped a new single and video for ‘Shine on Me.’ The song is bright and uplifting and features elements of Soul, Motown, and R&B. Based out of Toronto, U.N. Jefferson fuses the elements of Soul with the fundamentals of Motown and early R&B to create a sound that is both familiar and fresh. The 9 piece band creates a fulfilling sound utilizing a variety of different instruments. The song is simple, yet utilizes a variety of different sounds to create such a filling and beautiful song. I love the details in this track such as the brass, claps, piano, Ajay Massey’s sleek vocals, and his choir. To top it off, production couldn’t be better! Massey’s vocals remind me a bit of Max Kerman from Arkells. Overall, the track is a nice way to utilize the inspiration of Soul and Motown to create a fun and modern track, I could easily see Arkells covering this one! The video itself goes perfectly with the song, and I love how it featured the entire band! The illusion of the continuous one-shot takes created an impressive and entertaining twist. Overall, I think this is a beautiful song that is accessible to a variety of music listeners. It’s nice to hear such a happy song with such a simple message! Follow U.N. Jefferson on Spotify and Instagram.

By: Kevin Brown DIY pop artist Zack Villere took to the stage at the Velvet Underground this week in support of his sophomore album “Cardboard City”, with Tennessee duo, Mulherin, providing the opening set.

By: Sam D’Alessandro On February 19th I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with, Canadian group, Theory of a Deadman, who is currently touring Canada after the release of their 6th album, Say Nothing. Theory released their new album on January 31st, 2020, four months after announcing their Canadian tour. Being a huge Theory fan since I was around 10 years old, I was super stoked to ask them some questions about the new album before their Toronto show on February 27th. After listening to the album, it’s apparent that this is not the hardcore, raunchy, angry Theory that we’re used to. This album carries a ton of depth and dives into sensitive and important issues such as domestic violence and mental health. Wake Up Call (2017) and Say Nothing (2020) have been the albums that really showcase Theory’s change in direction not only musically, but visually as well. The album covers are almost identical except that Say Nothing seemed to be the inverted version of Wake Up Call. Another thing to notice is the introduction of visualizers mixed in with traditional music videos. Dave and Dean explain some of the thought behind this concept. “It’s a label thing, the label nowadays wants to have some kind of visual way to absorb music as opposed to just putting songs out.” – Dave Brenner “Well, I think YouTube is a way a lot of people consume music now so in order to have music on YouTube… I mean you could just put the album there for three and a half minutes or whatever but… or you could create a little bit of a story.” – Dean Another visual aspect that can be noticed is the parallels between the music video for Rx Medicate (Wake Up Call) and World Keeps Spinning (Say Nothing). “The car thing was definitely done intentionally. There’s no parallels between the two songs but maybe, maybe unconsciously because, Rx was about the opioid problem and I think that using comes hand in hand with anxiety and depression which is what World Keeps Spinning is about.” – Tyler Connolly The change in musical direction is something that has not gone unnoticed by some of the original, hardcore Theory fans. Early Theory music often contained a heavy, guitar dependant, rock n’ roll sound, accompanied by aggressive and sometimes raunchy lyrics. If you could describe it using a mood, it would definitely be angry or vengeful. Say Nothing and Wake Up Call feature a calmer sound by using piano and channeling undertones of pop music. The question on everyone’s mind is, what caused this change? “The fans a little bit, I think. I mean we put out a record called Savages which I think was our heaviest record, but we feel like the most well-received songs were Angel and Blow and it was not the heavy songs and for me, it was like a bit of a wakeup call, no pun intended, it truly was because it was like you know we could go try to make another heavy record but it felt like our fans were telling us that that wasn’t what they were wanting.” – Dave Brenner Tyler went on to explain that the new sound also came from a place of inspiration for him of not being influenced by anything and just making what he wants to make. This makes the music almost purer in the sense that it is a true influence from himself. In the past, Theory has also released a number of cover songs that have been well received by fans. I would consider the most popular being their cover of Hallelujah and their most recent cover of “Wicked Game.” Both of these songs are transformed by Tyler’s soothing vocals and soft instrumentals. They can only leave us wondering if their will ever be a cover album? “We are confused why, almost, why we’re still releasing albums like, and we want to obviously it’s more like the label is… people digest music so quickly now we can’t even make new music fast enough. So I’m all about it, one day you never know.” – Tyler Connolly After releasing six albums in total, any band must have an album that they’re most proud of or that they enjoy the most and when it comes to Theory, all four members can agree that Say Nothing is their favourite album to date, however, Tyler takes an interesting approach as to why this is his favourite, “For me at least, the lyricist is that once I write a lot of the stuff it’s like gone, I don’t wanna hear it anymore it’s like therapy in a sense. So like I went back and listened to some of our stuff on our first record because we’re playing some stuff from the first record and I’m like, who is this?” – Tyler Connolly He expressed that he doesn’t listen to his own music and that Say Nothing is his favourite album for now because it’s still fresh but once it becomes old, it most likely won’t be his favourite anymore. In 2018, Tyler presented a Juno Award for the late Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. He’s expressed that he grew up listening to The Hip and is very fond of them. Seeing as they are both Canadian bands, I wondered how much influence or how much of a role other Canadian artists have had throughout his career as a musician, “It was just Tragically Hip. All the time. We grew up on it so it’s not even like a musical influence, it was a cultural influence so it was really sad [when he passed away].” – Tyler Connolly The idea of a musician being a cultural influence on another musician rather than a musical influence was very interesting to me because this isn’t a concept that you see very often when musicians are asked about influences. While still on the topic of Canadian musicians I was curious to know a little bit about Theories relationship with Nickelback seeing as they were once signed to Nickelback’s label. When inquiring about whether they would tour or collaborate together in the future, Tyler suggested they’re open to anything but Dave brought up an interesting piece of information, “We’re actually not on his label anymore, not on this current record so uh we don’t know maybe he wouldn’t wanna collaborate with us.” – Dave Brenner To end off my chat with Theory I decided to talk to them one more time about Say Nothing and the fans reactions. In the past, Theory hasn’t been one to hold back with their lyrics. Songs such as “Bad Girlfriend”, “Blow and Bitch Came Back” all contain very blunt and straight forward messages. The tracks on Say Nothing also contain similar messaging, the difference is, these tracks talk about more serious issues, especially domestic abuse. So how have people reacted differently to the rawness of Say Nothing versus other Theory albums? “It’s interesting because to me, the old stuff you’re talking about, “Bitch Came Back” and “Bad Girlfriend” and stuff… To me that makes me feel, that seems to be more squirmy lyrics which is ironic because I think with a lot of our fans they’re much more comfortable listening to “Bad Girlfriend” and “Bitch Came Back”, the more misogynistic stuff where our new stuff I feel so comfortable talking about but it seems like it’s very squirmish for a lot of our fans.” – Tyler Connolly It was an interesting and surreal experience to talk with Theory of a Deadman about music styles and their new album seeing as I grew up listening to them, similar to how Tyler grew up listening to The Tragically Hip. I’m super excited to be attending their show on February 27thand am also excited to see what they produce in the future, whether it be a cover album or new music. If you’re not really familiar with Theory, I suggest giving them a shot! They’re super easy-going guys and they’re Canadian! What’s there to lose?

By: Gemma Mastroianni Jared Burke from Ryley Patrick joins us to discuss and sample through his 16 guitar pedals. He discusses where, when and why he purchased each one, along with price ranging. He samples each sound to give us a glimpse of what he likes to play and gives advice on where beginners can start. Listen on Spotify or Apple Music. Don’t forget to subscribe! Catch Jared live on March 19th at the very first The Soundtrack Live showcase!