METRIC @ THE PHOENIX, SEPTEMBER 29TH 2005

oh my god, i've said it before but i'll say it again - emily haines is the cutest female rock star ever. her little dances during songs are what make seeing metric live so much fun. the band rocked the house, and emily even crowd surfed!

i really love the new metric album live it out, it may be less synth-heavy and more guitar driven compared to their previous effort, but boy is it still yummy. miss. haines has one of the sweetest voices in rock today, and it's all balanced out with the delicious guitar, bass and drums. my favourite track off the new album is "handshakes"...i LOVE the part where she goes "everybody loves you baby, of course they do. do you miss me? i miss you". my other favourite metric tunes are "succexy" and "combat baby". "dead disco" was the encore, but it's sounded better in the past in my opinion.

there was a lot of pretty merch at the show, including some rad t-shirts but i opted to get a cute little tote bag instead. i'll be carrying it around town very soon.

metric setlist, september 29th, the phoenix

empty
succexy
the list
monster hospital
ending start
poster of a girl
glass ceiling
patriarch on a vespa
handshakes
calculation theme
combat baby
live it out

encore:
2 little 2 late
hustle rose
dead disco

INTERPOL @ KOOL HAUS, SEPTEMBER 28TH 2005

there are many reasons why interpol is my favourite band and has staked a claim on my foolish heart, and daniel kessler is one of them. what an amazing guitar player! i once again made sure i stood stage right the entire show to witness daniel do his thing, and he's spectacular at what he does. i was mesmerized at everything he did...it was like a one man dan show for me!

my heart skipped a beat when the band started playing their sweet, sweet music. i couldn't believe i was at another interpol show! paul's voice sounded a lot stronger this time, but he was frequently drowned out by the rest of the band and our screams. the band was really tight and i loved all the small interludes and guitar solos. the band had a pretty awesome lights show complete with cloudy smoke, it looked really cool but made it extremely difficult to take good pictures. this was definitely a better setlist than the last time they came through toronto last october on the first leg of the antics tour, i loved that they played "take you on a cruise" and "stella". i would have still liked to hear "the new", "obstacle 2" or "the specialist" but a girl can't have it all.

there was a girl who stood beside me dancing up a storm, i don't mind people dancing...in fact, i encourage it at rock and roll shows. but when you are obviously bumping into people and elbowing them, and pretty much taking up space equivalent to six people - you should fucking stop. everyone around us was getting pissed except her under-age drunk friends. we're all trying to have a good time, but she was just an obnoxious bitch with no regard for other people. i seriously wanted to punch her in the face, no joke. and i'm usually a really nice and friendly person, especially towards interpol fans! that was the only bad part of the show.

interpol setlist, september 28th, kool haus

next exit
slow hands
narc
a time to be so small
say hello to the angels
public pervert
not even jail
leif erikson
evil
obstacle 1
take you on a cruise
pda

encore:
untitled
stella was a diver and she was always down
roland

i stayed up really late last night to watch death cab for cutie on conan (good performance of "soul meets body") and stellastarr* (not too stellar performance of "sweet troubled soul") on last call with carson daly. ben's voice never sounded sweeter but shawn's voice sounded really off last night. it was really not the band's best performance. i expected better, but i still love them.

tonight i have a date with interpol! i am so excited! i love daniel kessler!

SOFT ONE

canadian cutie matthew barber's new album sweet nothing is out today on warner records. you can stream the entire album on his official site by clicking on the launch media player link on the left column. you know i just can't get enough of these cute male singer/songwriters. i've been playing the new disc repeatedly and it's really great. he's playing a free cd release show @ 10 p.m. next tuesday october 4th @ the horseshoe tavern. worth checking out if you got the time!

the following new albums also come out today:

metric - live it out
calla - collisions
elbow -leaders of the free world
supergrass - road to rouen
ryan adams - jacksonville city nights
wolf parade - apologies to the queen mary

i'm seeing metric this thursday and i predict the new songs will sound killer live. i've heard the elbow album and it's amazing and well worth your dime. they are one of those bands that make consistently good records. the track "my very best" from the new album is so good. the calla album isn't bad, but i prefer their debut much more. i haven't heard the new supergrass, ryan adams or wolf parade.

just thought i'd post some cool m.i.a. stuff since she played the pheonix last night.

remixes of "galang" to download: remix by serj tankian / remix by dave kelly feat. cham

the song is also featured in a new honda civic commerical?!

ELECTRIC COMICS FREAK-OUT!

i went to the word on the street on sunday. we got there really late, checked in with my homies at the toronto public library booth (heh) and was bummed about missing some readings. oh well, i wanted to pick up some music-related books but was disappointed at the selection. my boyfriend went to toronto comic book artist sean ward's booth and bought his set of the sean ward electric comics freak-out, a slew of autobiographical comic books. i finished reading books one and two today and they were great. i really like his visual aesthetic and style. it's really witty and well done in general. i'm impressed. i totally recommend you guys supporting a local artist and checking out his stuff. GO THERE NOW.

THE POCKET DJ

i spent friday night at home watching my one tree hill season two boxset. i am so hardcore. today, i had to get up at 7:30 a.m. to get to work on time...working saturdays really sucks. plus, it was extra nippy this morning so i'm wearing two sweaters. but anyway...

new york city blogger/dj/entrepreneur sarah lewitinn (a.k.a. ultragrrrl) recently released an adorable little book of music playlists encompassing every mood and genre titled the pocket dj. check it out. i was flipping through it at the book store the other day and it's really cool. way to go sarah!

she also introduced me to an excellent new band called nightmare of you, who had a single release on her very own stolen transmission label. click here to open up an e-card and listen to their songs. their song "i want to be buried in your backyard" is totally morrissey meets the police.

my friend joy told me about this cyborg name generator. coolest thing ever. try it out for yourself. here is my effort:

I CAN'T SEEM TO GET YOU OFF MY MIND

i'm really excited about the latest project by john mayer. john's been keeping busy with many other projects lately that really stretch his talents beyond his brand of safe and sweet adult contemporary pop people. besides having a natural knack for composing witty hits like "no such thing" and "my stupid mouth", this guy is a really gifted guitarist who has recently worked with true legends like buddy guy, eric clapton, b.b. king, herbie hancock and john scofield. you can hear his collaborations with these men on their latest individual album releases. the songs with herbie hancock ("stitched up") and john scofield ("i don't need no doctor") are especially worth hearing. now he's formed a blues group called the john mayer trio consisting of drummer steve jordan and bassist pino paladino. the trio will release a live cd recorded at chicago's house of blues on november 22nd. their first single "who did you think i was" is available to stream on his official site. i believe you can also buy the song off itunes. the single release includes the excellent b-side "come when i call". the video was directed by famed director gus van sant.

the john mayer trio are playing a sold-out show at the kool haus october 5th. i missed out on tickets because i found out too late :(

STELLASTARR* ON KCRW

stellastarr* dropped by KCRW this past tuesday to perform and chat with resident music guru nic harcourt. they played a great set of songs from the new album harmonies for the haunted. you can view the streaming video or download the podcast (itunes link) for your ipod.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - I HAVE A NEW MOBILE !

my sexy boyfriend bought me a new mobile phone (audiovox 8615) on the virgin network since i foolishly lost my old one on the subway last year. i've really missed not having a phone, but now the feeling has gone. if you want my #, send me an e-mail or something. i can also receive free e-mails (416XXXXXXX@vmobile.ca) and text messages (up to 140 characters) so go ahead and send me some lurve, people.

oh, and i kick ass because my ringtone is now joy division's "love will tear us apart".

gotta get to rebuilding that address book...

CONTENT ALWAYS WAS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR

the most serene republic released their debut album underwater cinematographer back in july but i haven't gotten around to listening to it until now. consisting of six friends from the small town of milton, ontario - the band sounds very much like their labelmates broken social scene. they both create the same kind of lush, melodic rock music that totally makes you smile.

a track from the up-coming strokes LP seems to have leaked. the track is titled "jukebox" and i've uploaded the mp3 here (yousendit link) for you to download. it's really nothing to write home about, although i still have a crazy crush on strokes guitarist nick valensi and i will probably still buy the new disc. anyone having any other information on this track, please leave a comment.

the new echo and the bunnymen album siberia is fantastic! the single "stormy weather" is classic echo. i'm really happy. i'm really looking forward to their show november 23rd at the carlu. their last show in toronto was so good!

SIGUR ROS @ MASSEY HALL, SEPTEMBER 19TH 2005

[photo taken from the official sigur ros site]

there are few bands in the world that create music as fine as sigur ros, and the icelandic band proved this to be true last night at their sold-out show at toronto's massey hall. i first discovered them through a bjork message board when legions of her fans recommended sigur ros to me. i bought their 2000 album agaetis byrjun and it stands as one of my favourite records of all time. their follow-up release ( ) kept me warm on those cold lonely winter nights. they have never made an album that i don't consider a true masterpiece and needless to say, i am a huge fan of their latest album takk. listening to them reaffirms to me what it feels like to be alive - to feel every emotion ranging from happiness to sadness and every little thing in between. there's something so touching and human about every piece of music the band creates. the sound is huge and intimate at the same time. the layers are rich, yet simple.

playing mostly material from the recently released takk, the band put on a breath taking gorgeous set that completely defines pure, honest beauty. to recreate their epic, awe-inspiring sound on-stage is not an easy feat, but they pulled it off gracefully with the help of some amazingly talented string players. the show was intense all the way through and the band really connected to the audience. listening to the band's music is really one incredible journey - with sweeping crescendos and the hushed angelic voice of lead singer jónsi birgisson carrying it all the way through. watching him bow that guitar and make such beautiful music is something to be remembered. i truly enjoyed the show from the first note all the way to the end of their explosive finale.

DANCE ME IN

i recently got a copy of the latest sons and daughters album the repulsion box and i totally love it. this scottish band have produced an album mixing country, punk, folk and indie rock and roll into one delicious blend. it's intense and immediate and darkly brooding in the most wonderful way. scott paterson and adele bethel's boy/girl vocals may not be the prettiest i've heard, but damn do they produce the sexiest sounds together. i just love when you can hear their accents. excellent percussion and use of rhythm on this disc as well, it totally stands out. i saw them open a long time ago for franz ferdinand and i know they recently came by toronto but i missed that show :(

here's a list of the rest of the new albums i've been playing on my ipod lately:

kanye west - late registration
calla - collisions
war child - help! a day in the life
franz ferdinand - you could have it so much better
metric - live it out
broken social scene - windsurfing nation
dandy warhols - odditorium or warlords of mars
ok go - oh no

STELLASTARR* CONTEST GIVE-AWAY !!!

to celebrate the release of the new stellastarr* album harmonies for the haunted, i'm having another cool contest where you can win some cool swag from this awesome new york band.

first prize: signed vinyl single (sweet troubled soul/love and longing), full length CD, poster, sticker, pins

second prize: signed vinyl single (sweet troubled soul/love and longing), poster, sticker, pins

stream the new single, "sweet troubled soul" by clicking here. view the awesome video here.

to enter, send me an e-mail with your name and address. please put "STELLASTARR* CONTEST" in the subject line so i can sort out the e-mails faster. good luck!

HARMONIES FOR THE HAUNTED

the brand new stellastarr* album harmonies for the haunted is now in shoppes. pick it up now. i really, really love it and i think it's a really mature growth for the band. shawn's voice has gotten stronger and musically and lyrically, the band have gone to a whole new level. opener "lost in time" really reminds me of the cure's "pictures of you", but i'm not going to hold it against them since the rest of the album is so damn enjoyable from start to finish. i could play this again and again...my favourite tracks are "love and longing" and "on my own". i especially really connect with the lyrics of "love and longing".

“Not many bands these days go for the kind of swirling, satiny romantic sound that stellastarr* pull off with ease. This is a Goth/New Wave candy box, stuffed with twinkly guitars and dark declarations of undying love.” - BLENDER

the other ace album you need to purchase today is the new sigur ros album takk. it is absolutely incredible and you won't be disappointed if you are a die hard fan of the band. i'm seeing their show in toronto september 19th - i can't wait.

is the new dandies album any good? i generally like their stuff, can anyone hook me up with the album?

i ordered the season two boxset of one tree hill off amazon.ca last week along with some other goodies so i'm expecting anyday now since it was released today. i can't wait to get it...i'm totally obsessed with this show. unfortunately, i've heard some bad news regarding the airing of season three in canada -- it might not. global probably won't carry season three just yet because ratings for the show have been so poor. boo hoo! it will definitely air in the u.s. on the WB channel starting october 5th though. what's a fangirl to do?

so unfortunately, i still have yet to bump into jake gyllenhaal (who is looking so damn fine these days doing press for his three (!!!) up-coming films) or adam brody on the streets of the t dot since they are in town for the toronto iinternational film festival, but i did see a wonderful french film last week titled douches froides which was very good.

i am also devouring season one of LOST which i picked up at future shop last week. i have come to the conclusion that it's all about ian somerhalder, baby. what a hottie!

check out the video for the new supergrass single: "st. petersburg"

I'M JUST THE TROUBLE THAT YOU NEED...

the stellastarr* show saturday night @ horseshoe tavern was wicked. it was my fifth time seeing the band and it was their best show i have seen them play yet! they opened with "lost in time", the first track on their new album harmonies for the haunted and continued on playing mostly stuff from the new album although old favourites like "jenny" and "in the walls" were covered in the set. i was right at front rocking out and had such a good time. the band have grown to be very good live performers. shawn + michael are especially so dynamic on-stage. the crowd went crazy when they played "my coco" as the last song of the encore. i got to talk to each of the band members individually after the show...they are all really sweet and down-to-earth people, which is always nice :)

magneta lane opened and i really enjoyed their set. loads of fun!

the stellastarr* album harmonies for the haunted is out tuesday. do pick it up...i totally love it. my friend sean mccabe designed the cover which i think is absolutely marvellous.

here are the pictures.

i know i have been out of the loop, hopefully i'll be back sooner rather than later.

this new kanye album is pretty fly. the song with maroon 5's adam levine ("heard 'em say") is really cool, i'm bummed the john mayer collaboration "bittersweet" never made it onto the final cut of the album. it was so good.

i've seen a whole load of movies since i last wrote: red eye, wedding crashers (rachel mcadams is just darling!), four brothers, skeleton key

i saw the cirque show weeks ago. it was spectacular.

my contract teaching job ended earlier this week, but i've got something else lined up. details soon.

WINNER OF M.I.A. CONTEST ANNOUNCED

congrats to shoma maraj!