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By: Gemma Mastroianni Wow, here we are week seven! We understand it’s tough times, and hope that our live music sessions can provide you with some relief. If you are looking for free mental health or addictions resources, please click here. With that said, here is your week seven lineup and set times! Blue Material | May 4th | 8PM Blue Material is a band formed by Canadian Musician Thom Gillies. Produced and recorded with long-time friend and collaborator Pat Jordache and Hotel2Tango studio in Montreal. Southwell | May 5th | 8PM Just some Whitby boys feeling that jam energy. Two Strangers | May 6th | 8PM Indie Folk from Cobourg, ON. Raised on TV | May 7th | 9PM Two brothers (from the same mother), on a mission, to rock as much and as hard as possible. Raised on TV is a rock duo comprised of Keaton (guitar, vocals) and Kacey (drums) who both grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. The Ophelias | May 8th | 9PM The Ophelias are your Cincinnati/New York art-rock nature punk moth music. ELISE | May 9th | 7:30PM I’m always “between bios”, but my current antics involve learning to DJ in Quarantine. Girl K | May 9th | 9PM A fresh-faced band from Chicago, Illinois. The Jailbirds | May 10th | 8:30PM Winners of Best Rock Band at the 2018 Mississauga Music Awards, The Jailbirds have a sound that is equally influenced by classic rock, grunge, and modern rock icons.

By: Erica Gellert To make the most out of my free time, I’ve taken it upon myself to write about the two things I’ve been doing the most since moving home: listening to music and drinking. This list isn’t your average tailgate party playlist that you can sip anything to- these are carefully crafted song and beverage pairings from yours truly. So ask Alexa to blast the volume, get your drinks out, and enjoy. 1. Shampoo Bottles-Peach Pit + 6 Pack of Coors Light The first time I heard this song, I was like, “Oh, what a fun mellow ditty about a breakup, a couple jokey’ digs at an ex is always my jam”- then I listened to it again, and again. I quickly realized I was staring at a wall without blinking for several minutes because that’s what this song DOES! You need a few Coors light beers to reflect on the cringe things we all do when we just want to lightly stalk a past lover. I just wanna get out my car keys and shotgun a tall can of Coors Banquet with Neil Smith n’ the boys. (Also the music video is just, mwah, chef’s kiss.) 2. Who You Lovin- Leon + Bourbon Neat (or on the rocks- you do you boo) This song gives me hardcore western vibes. I’m saying, we are one loon call away from there being a full out standoff, and I ain’t mad about it. I recommend whatever you drink to this track, you sip it slowly because they do everything slowly in Western’s. This tune is as sexy as Clint Eastwood’s entrance in “A Few Dollars More” – honestly, maybe even sexier. No wait- his eyes. No, wait- her voice. GAH just sip on that bourbon and sway to this absolute jam. 3. After the Glitter Fades- Stevie Nick + Bottle of Wine (that can double as a microphone) If this song comes on shuffle while I’m looking out the window of a train, a plane, or an automobile- I absolutely go into full music video mode. But since nobody is doing much traveling these days, it’s time to move the coffee table and couch over and turn your living room into a stage. Not much needed to enjoy this ballad, a bottle of red or white will suffice, and maybe some Risky Business attire (a.k.a: socks & underwear. Shirt optional). To keep the momentum going, toss on “Silver Springs” right after. And hope to God that your living room curtains are closed. 4. This Must Be The Place- Talking Heads (also Sure Sure’s cover) A Bucket of Anything Cold in a Can Did you think that a song mentioning “home” was somehow NOT making it on the list in quarantine times?? Think again. This Must Be The Place, the original and all of its mighty covers, has pretty much been my isolation anthem. Like everyone, I miss regular life and can get caught up in the whole when-will-this-be-over thought spiral. This song serves as a cool reminder that we got plenty of time, baby! So muster up a hearty stock of your fave beverage, set up a zoom chat with your best buds, and have a virtual cheers every now and then. 5. Saturdays- Twin Shadow ft. HAIM + White Claw As the weather gets warmer, I want to day drink. Just kidding, I always want to day drink. For my fellow adults who enjoy a proper buzz but also enjoy a reasonable bedtime, crank up this jam and get out your mimosas, caesars, or breakfast beers. Or yeah, one of those goddamn White Claws. Twin Shadow graces us with this 80’s pop moment- which reminds me of the opening of Footloose (which they definitely pay homage to in their music video) and you can’t help but attempt the fancy footwork yourself. Who knows, maybe after a few drinks you might be able to pull it off.

By: DJ Waves “Somebody was trying to tell me that CDs are better than vinyl because they don’t have any surface noise.  I said, “Listen, mate, life has surface noise.”  – John Peel I could try and tell you about my life story, but my record collection can describe me better than I ever could. I don’t know a life without music or records. My earliest memories involve laying on the basement floor of my childhood home, massive on-ear headphones with a spiral cord swallowing up my head as I bopped along to vinyl that my parents put on for me; Zeppelin, Sabbath, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sinatra were staples, and I gave the American Graffiti soundtrack a good workout over the years. My current sound setup is basically the same as when I was a child; a JVC L-A31 direct-drive turntable with a TEAC AG-790 receiver and Koss M75 speakers. I also have a backup Crosley for admittedly aesthetic and convenient travel-friendly reasons. I tried to catalog everything on Discogs a few years ago but gave up when I moved and had to pack everything up. Last I checked I had near 800 LPs and about 70 45s. My record collection has a little bit of everything (yes, even country) but I’d say 50% of it is psych/garage/metal with the other 50% being pop, indie, dance/house, and compilations/soundtracks. At this point in the game, I have all the classic staples so I mostly buy based on whatever I’m currently fascinated by or if I need something specific to DJ with. My First Love: QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE It wasn’t until I discovered Queens of the Stone Age as a freshman in high school that I decided to actually start taking record collecting seriously. A friend bought me Lullabies To Paralyze for Christmas and the album blew my mind. I quickly got acquainted with the rest of their catalog and it consumed me; I’d found my new favourite band! Vinyl is truly a music lovers’ format. When you adore a piece of music so much, physically being able to hold it in your hands and stare in awe at the liner notes and artwork is magical. You can’t get that with an MP3. Vinyl is a tangible, interactive art form. QOTSA gets that, as evident in the multiple vinyl variants they put out with special artwork, booklets, and hidden songs. From there, I dived into all of QOTSA’s musical friends and artists that they’d collaborated with. I started buying vinyl by bands like KYUSS, Eagles of Death Metal, Screaming Trees, Masters Of Reality, and this was the true start of my record collection—not just what my parents had given me. My Prized Possession: VAMPYROS LESBOS SEXADELLIC DANCE PARTY If I’d just met someone for the first time and they wanted to know about me, I’d give them this record. Vampyros Lesbos is a 1971 German erotic-horror movie about….well, lesbian vampires. It’s the perfect blend of gore, campiness, and B-Movie aesthetic. When I was in university, it was my weekly routine to go drink alone at Bovine after class and chat with Doug the bartender. He’d write out laundry lists of bands and movies that he thought I’d like. One of his recommendations was the Vampyros Lesbos movie and its soundtrack. The soundtrack pretty much opened the floodgates to my interest in movie scores, library music, and pulp style. It heavily influenced the art I made for school and was often the soundtrack to a lot of sleepless nights spent working on projects. The few years I was in university was definitely the peak of my record collecting as I’d started DJing all vinyl sets and crate-digging was my favourite way to de-stress in-between classes. Most of my OSAP money definitely went to records rather than school supplies. Oops! My Favourite Genre: GARAGE ROCK Lo-fi, gritty, fuzzed-out guitars, and primitive style drums are my idea of heaven. It’s good, straight up, no fuss rock n’ roll. As an extension of this, I also dip a lot into psychedelic and stoner rock bands. I was 10yrs old when I got my first guitar so I played A LOT of White Stripes tunes. Then when I found QOTSA at the age of 14 I just branched out from there; The Kills, The Black Keys, The Cramps, The Stooges. I would play songs by these bands on the guitar until my hands hurt. Safe to say that if a brand has the word THE in their name, they’re gonna kick ass. I will blindly buy records I’ve never heard of simply based on that fact and I have yet to be disappointed. Fun Sized: 45RPM & PICTURE DISCS I never gave 45s much attention unless a band I really dug was putting them out and I wanted to complete my collection of their discography. Once I started DJing I began to buy them more often because it was an easy way to play songs without having to find the specific groove on an LP. My collection seems pretty random—and to be honest it is (I do seem to have unintentionally collected just about every Third Man Records and Arctic Monkeys pressing though). The same goes for picture discs; I’ll buy them to complete an artist’s discography but other than that I don’t typically make a point of buying them. When an image is lasered on or the vinyl wax is coloured/splattered it lessens the sound quality and wears out quicker. Looks cool, but it’s a bitch to DJ with when you’re trying to find a certain song and can’t see the grooves properly. A Mixed Bag; COMPILATIONS Compilation records have been a great way to learn about bands and sounds that I would have never known about otherwise. The Nuggets Compilation records were some of the first that I’d bought after a friend showed me them in my early days of collecting. Most comp. records are a collection of bands from a particular era, genre, or music label. What I like about The Nuggets stuff though is that they have detailed explanations that summarize how the bands revolutionized the genre or geographic location they were from. I’ve learned a lot of random musical facts from these records and they were a great starting point to build my knowledge of specific genres. Front-To-Backs: THE WHOLE ENCHILADA One of the main purposes of vinyl is that you sit and listen to the entire album straight through. You don’t have the luxury of skipping songs that you don’t like with the tap of a “next” button. Vinyl forces you to sit back and enjoy the ride, and take in the album as the artist fully intended it to be. You might not enjoy every single song on an album, but it’s especially wonderful when you do. These records are some that are constantly stuck on my platter cause as a whole they’re THAT good. City To City – Gerry Rafferty S/T – L.A. Witch S/T – Durand Jones & The Indications Take Them On On Your Own – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

By: Gemma Mastroianni We hope you’re all doing okay. We understand it’s tough times, and hope that our live music sessions could provide you with some relief. If you are looking for free mental health or addictions resources, please click here. With that said, here is your week six lineup and set times! Berta Big Toe | April 27th | 7PM EST Berta Bigtoe was founded in the droopy caverns of Boston,MA. They now dwell in the gooey mountains of Chicago,IL. They are literally seventh cousins. Alex Southey | April 28th | 9PM EST Indie-folk musician focused on themes of Canadian identity, romance, depression, and the small aspects of life that make it so compelling. Johan Yundt (Small Town Stripclub) | April 29th | 8PM EST A rock band from Stratford, ON. Their debut songs, “Climb These Heights” and “Ends Meet” were recorded in the EMAC Studios with producer Nick Fetchison. MBG | April 30th | 8PM EST A multi-instrumentalist that writes, records, performs, and produces in her bedroom studio. She explores the genres between classic/punk rock and blues to folk and jazz. Frankie The Pig | May 1st | 8PM EST Toronto rock band. Leila Sunier | May 2nd | 9PM EST The girl at the mediocre house party who probably obsessed over Nietzche in high school or some shit like that. Kyra Mastro | May 3rd | 8PM EST A pop fusion artist from Toronto. After ten years of songwriting, she is proud of her evolution. Kyra experiments with different styles such as jazz, r&b, pop, and hip hop while still being influenced by her classical and musical theatre background.

By: Amanda McMillan Fiona Apple is not for everyone, nor do I think that she has ever wanted to be. Fans of hers will likely, for the most part, be quite pleased with her newest release Fetch the Bolt Cutters which comes to us eight years since her last release, and nearly a quarter-century since her single “Criminal” became somewhat of an angsty anthem. In true Fiona Apple style, Fetch the Bolt Cutters does not hold back: it’s brought to you by a woman who has demons, who’s failed as much as she’s succeeded, and who has not finished doing the work of healing wounds, both self-inflicted and otherwise. It is not an album for someone looking to have a “good time,” unless, of course, your idea of a good time includes openly weeping or destroying something beautiful. Apple, now in her early forties, doesn’t seem to have softened over the years as many artists with similar career paths do. But that’s never been her M.O. She’s not here to make us feel better all the time, she’s just here to make us feel something. Musically, this album is eccentric at best and chaotic at worst. It’s filled with sounds, some of which is simply just noise. It is raw, and exposed, perhaps even a little uncomfortable to listen to. The piano and double bass help things feel warmer when they would otherwise be cold, and chirping melodies and harmonies bring us back when it feels like we’re about to spin out just trying to follow along. Yet, nothing is without thought or precision, even the ambient sounds seem carefully placed. After all, you’re not lauded as one of the most prolific songwriters of a generation without knowing exactly what you’re doing. Apple takes us on a very intentional journey throughout the album, not necessarily leaving any breadcrumbs to retrace steps or allow for some sort of pattern or map to be drawn. She may be a Virgo, but that doesn’t mean she’s ever going to let us in on the plan. Thematically, this is an extremely heavy album. Based on the name alone, it’s easy to know off the bat that this is about opening up, and she opens waaay the fuck up. Fetch the Bolt Cutters sheds light on the weighty process of unpacking trauma, uncovering memories by pulling at threads and following the sinews of your own mind. It’s spooky, dark, and weird. At moments you want to look away, but she makes you watch. It’s certainly captivating, even when it feels unkempt. But that’s the thing about being a human, and certainly, one who has experienced trauma, it’s not exactly cute. This album is a lot of things – peculiar, fascinating, abstract, angry, feminine, raw, exposed – but one thing it is not is cute. Fiona Apple occupies a very special place in a lot of people’s hearts, like striking a match to create light and warmth amid total and complete darkness. She is a reminder, sometimes a forceful one, that we are all human, we are all fallible, we all have the capacity to be many things; tender and tough, powerful and powerless, to grow and to shrink. We are complex and incomplete. That’s a lot for an artist to give. If there is a desire to do anything after listening to this album, whether you’re a fan or not, it is indeed to unleash or uncage what’s trapped inside. This is not a particularly pretty process, it is uniquely painful and confusing and raw. It made me wonder if previous drafts of the album title were less polite, perhaps even as urgent as “Fetch the Motherfucking Bolt Cutters!” Something very clearly has got to get out. Given the intensity of this album, Fiona Apple seems to suggest that there is an animal inside all of us, and it is ready to be freed.

By: Gemma Mastroianni Virtual concerts are happening all over the internet every single day. With that said, tonight was something else. Fortnite hosted a virtual Travis Scott show, and it was hella cool. I was lucky enough to attend the Astroworld tour in Toronto last year, which was nothing short of epic. The setup for tonight’s show was very similar, until it involved jumping into space and flying. I was amazed with this! We even got a preview of a brand new song during his last track. Check it out:

By: Gemma Mastroianni James Blake joins us to discuss music in film, his career as “DJ Tiger Pants,” AM Radio in Manitoba, and how his relationship with music changed after working in radio. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Thank you to everyone for tuning in last week! Check out this week’s amazing lineup and set times for our Instagram live shows. Dakota Mill | Monday, April 20th | 8PM The Toronto based indie-folk collective founded and fronted by Brandon Dougherty has been relentlessly writing, recording, and touring since emerging with their 2018 debut EP “Ages”. Flissflissfliss | Tuesday, April 21st | 7:30 PM Solo project of Felicity DeCarle of Sparklesaurus. For Keeps | Wednesday, April 22nd | 8PM A Toronto indie-dream-pop band. Equipped with tender lyricism and atmospheric jangle, these 90’s infused melodies will lull you into a state of gentle nostalgia. Burner | Thursday, April 23rd | 8PM Toronto noise quartet. Frankie The Pig | Friday, April 24th | 9PM Finn Scott (Lead Vocal/Guitar) Jackson Seaward (Lead Guitar) Michael O’Meara (Bass) Tyler Twigger (Drums) & Harmonies from Vivien Shepherd. Growers | Saturday, April 25th | 9PM GROWERS are a garage rock band from Toronto, Canada, known for their upbeat original material and high energy live shows. Maya Malkin | Sunday, April 20th | 8PM A singsong girl in a ding-dong world

By: Gemma Mastroianni Toronto-based four piece Garage Rock band, Passport Radio, has dropped a brand new single, “Lighthouse.” The track is slow-paced with some moody guitar that progressively builds up to heavy drops, and eventually a harder, louder, and powerful chorus with heavy guitar and percussion. Lead singer and guitarist Alex Fecioru displays some of his best vocals yet. They are loud, powerful, and he even incorporates some screams – but like, Indie screams (they aren’t anything too out there.) I also loved their past release of “Dirty Hands” which was worked on in collaboration with Nixon Boyd of Hollerado, and Quezal’s vocals. “Lighthouse” is definitely a bit of a different vibe than “Dirty Hands”, but both singles show tremendous growth. “Dirty Hands” is a low-key love song, and “Dirty Hands” is edgier and more about struggles in a relationship. If things keep going in this direction, I could easily see the band growing and playing with bands such as Beach Goons, Diiv, The Dirty Nil, Kid Bloom etc. My point is that this level of talent and quality is something that can grow far past Toronto, and more into the mainstream North American Indie scene, if marketed properly (and the band has had some beautiful imagery thus far.) Now to get a bit more factual and stray away from opinion, the single explores the dark side of love, based on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. It discusses themes of anxiety, and how this can influence romantic relationships. Technically speaking, it was recorded at Orange Lounge Studios in Toronto by Spencer Sunshine, who also mixed and mastered the song. It was the bands first time in a real studio and they were reportedly really nervous, but were relaxed after talking with staff and their dog Jack. Watch out, Passport Radio is coming to a radio, more headlines, and festival lineups near you. All press photos & Album cover by Hal October. Follow them on Instagram.

By: Gemma Mastroianni What a crazy time it is right now. Millions of jobs have been lost, and many of us are alternatively working from home (including myself, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do so). I’m still working to find my groove, and I think I’m getting a bit closer every week, but it’s not easy. I also live in a basement apartment with little daylight coming in, so it actually makes it much more difficult. Through communicating with many close to me and being active on social media, it’s become pretty obvious that I’m not the only one struggling. With that said, I’ve been working hard to find solutions to improve my work environment, sustain my mental health, and embrace the ideology of “self-care.” Yes, I just described self-care as an ideology ;), but I’m serious! This is something that has really helped me. I’ve decided to look to the leaders of our society right now to see what is helping them- specifically female entrepreneurs of brands that truly embrace the idea of self care. If you too are struggling, these tips will most definitely help you! See below: Jessica Burnam – Founder of Cocoon Apothecary Work From Home Tip: Your sense of smell directly affects memories and emotions so aromatherapy is great to incorporate in your home office.  I would use a blend with rosemary and peppermint to stay mentally alert and focused. Playlist: Dreampop on Spotify – Mellow background music for working at home. Artists I’m loving revisiting: Arctic Monkeys – upbeat and fun Product from your line that’s keeping you grounded or you’re using during this time: I am using a lot of Eyewaken Eye Cream right now because I’m feeling tired and puffy from being cooped up. Jillian Mariani – Founder of Niyama Yoga Wellness Work from home tips:  At the end of each day, make your TO DO list for the next day and prioritize from most time-sensitive/important to least.  Cross it off as you go – and add the things that weren’t on the list as you do them and cross those off too! Make your bed – it lets you start off your day with a task accomplished and sets you up for success (and its way nicer to get into at night) Playlist: on Spotify – the Savasana – Yoga Playlist by Ra Yoga  – nice blend of contemporary and traditional and I like to play it while I practice at home Artists I’m loving revisiting: Cigarettes After Sex, Feist, Beck, Wilco, Cinematic Orchestra, Bon Iver, Jack Johnson, Arcade Fire, Stars, Death Cab for Cutie Product: From Niyama I never start the day without Daytime Zen or end it without Sleep Like Buddha. Both are totally key to managing the chronic stress we are all under and ensuring I get enough quality sleep to keep my immune system optimal. Sina Zere, Co-Founder of 1’Lux BeautyandBuff Wax Spot Work from Home Tip With Your Partner: Working from home with your partner can be challenging. Make sure to have designated work spaces and create specific work and break times so your home life doesn’t suffer. Spotify playlist: Eko Electronic  Artists I’m loving to revisit- DJ Razaq El Toro who’s based in Toronto and Common (his album Like Water for Chocolate is one of my top 3 faves of all time) Products keeping me sane: Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner, Chloe Nomade fragrance and my RSVP Oui Lip Mask! Emily Ratchford Founder of Free Flow Active Work From Home Tip:  I make a list of 3 things I will be sure to accomplish that day. 1 work related, 1 self care related and 1 home related. Playlist: (on Spotify – if applicable) I love this one from one of my favourite yoga teachers who is the owner of Power Yoga Canada Burlington. Such a great mix! See attached. Artists I’m loving revisiting: I am really obsessed with Nora en Pure right now. Product from your line that’s keeping you grounded or you’re using during this time: I am always wearing my Fluid leggings. They are buttery soft and are so lightweight. Super comfy to be lounging around the house in. My favourite top to do at home workouts in is our Abstract Bra. It’s also one of our best sellers! Remember to support local businesses and self-care! Staying grounded is so important right now.