It's two, two, two songs in one. Check out the brand spanking new video for "Flesh without Blood" and "Life in the Vivid Dream" from Grimes' forthcoming November 6 release Art Angels.
"Flesh Without Blood" features a propulsive beat and instantly likeable melody. As though by design, "Life in the Vivid Dream" is a quiet number featuring acoustic guitar and introspective lyrics.
Grimes is heading out on tour and is appearing at The Danforth Music Hall on November 22.
Local musical legends The Sadies had a great following at "The Suburbs", also known as the south stage at The Toronto Urban Roots Festival. I'll admit that I didn't take great notes on their setlist. I soaked up the energy and passion that these veteran musicians put into their performance, and that was plenty.
When you see a couple of scruffy looking guys walk out from backstage with a guitar and sort of suspiciously walk out the front door of Lee's you have to wonder if you just witnessed a theft. Band members don't usually do such things. But be careful what assumptions you make. I saw them walk back in with it later. I was quite relieved when I saw those guys take the stage with noisy rockers Sun Club.
The guys in Sun Club are here to have loud fun. They're from Baltimore, Maryland and their new album The Dongo Durango comes out on October 30. They were in town opening for the amazing The Districts. They told us that they were stoked to be playing Lee's Palace, partially due to its appearance in Scott Pilgrim. And, yes, dude was using an ironing board as a keyboard stand and the band feature that all-to-rare instrument, the xylophone.
The Avett Brothers are a folk band from Concord, North Carolina. They're centred around two brothers named Scott and Seth Avett, oddly enough. They're a well-loved band who were a big attraction at The Toronto Urban Roots Festival in September. They are a favourite of one of TURF's owners, Dave Hodge, and one that he's been pushing for since TURF began. He and the crowd were happy that they were finally there to energize and entertain with their unique tunes.
The stage was crowded with the superb musicians who make up the band. The band produces an accessible yet intricate mix of roots, folk, country and rock, featuring cello, violin, banjo, keyboards, bass, drums and soaring harmonies.
Mansionair opened for Chvrches at Toronto's Danforth Music Hall on October 5. They hail from Sydney and play easy going indie pop. They showed good stage presence and warmed us up for the amazingness of Chvrches that would follow.
Their EPs Pick Me Up and Hold Me Down are out now.
