Chvrches release beautiful video for Clearest Blue

Chvrches Every Open Eye was a favourite of mine (album and songs) last year and their tour stop in Toronto was a definite highlight. They continue to leverage that great album with the release of a medievally classy and beautiful video for the amazingly uplifting tune "Clearest Blue". They'll be back in Ontario for Wayhome in a few months.

Enjoy!

New music from Ron Hawkins: Beautiful Girl from Spit Sputter and Sparkle

Ron Hawkins, one of my favourite singer / songwriters and one of the best songwriters that Canada has ever produced, has a new album called Spit Sputter and Sparkle on the way. We can hear the slide-guitar laden and beautifully crafted tune "Beautiful Girl" right now.

Ron tells us, "Can't believe it's that time again but the new record Spit Sputter and Sparkle comes out March 25th on Pheromone Recordings. I'll be celebrating the release with 3 shows at the Rivoli with the Do Good Assassins on Thursday April 14th, Friday April 15th and Saturday April 16th. Full band shows with killer openers Towers."

Five years ago: Lykke Li Wounded Rhymes

Lykki Li is one of those artists who have something magical within them. The songs she writes and how she delivers them are startlingly unique, yet accessible, emotional and likeable. Her second album Wounded Rhymes came out five years ago today.

These are my favourite songs from this amazingly special album. I love the melodies, the flow of the songs and the way Li delivers them. I especially the live delivery of several of these songs as captured on Austin City Limits, which I've embedded below. Lykke Li holds another entry on the list of artists that I really, really want to see in concert. Last time she was in Toronto, it was the same night as another show.

"Youth Knows No Pain"

"I Follow Rivers"

"Love Out of Lust"

"Get Some"

"Rich Kids Blues"

"Sadness Is a Blessing"

"Jerome"

Pic from Amazon.

Wavves at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Pictures

I really got into Wavves with their most recent album V. I enjoyed their previous output, but it all came together for me with V. The album came in at number 6 on my Favourite Albums of 2015 list and both "Pony" and "Way Too Much" appeared on my Favourite Songs of 2015 list.

Wavves played Toronto's Danforth Music Hall last night with Best Coast and Cherry Glazerr for the second Summer Is Forever tour. I figured based on their songs and attitude on record that they'd be a fun band to see live. Fortunately I was right.

They hit up "Pony" near the beginning of the set, but not so early that I was preoccupied photographing the band and would miss out on truly enjoying the tune. They played us tunes from across their discography, including tunes from the GTA 5 soundtrack and a split 7" with tour-mates Best Coast called "Dreams Of Grandeur". I've included my favourites below.

The band gave tons of energy and got lots back from the rowdy crowd up front. I enjoyed hearing their heavy-handed pop tunes live and joined them in wishing that summer truly was forever.

Here are my fave tunes from their packed setlist.

"Pony"

"Afraid of Heights"

"Heart Attack"

"Post Acid"

"Dog"

"Heavy Metal Detox"

"Way Too Much"

"King of the Beach"

"Demon to Lean On"

"Green Eyes"

Best Coast at The Danforth Music Hall - Concert Pictures

Best Coast are on tour with Wavves for the second Summer Is Forever tour. They played Toronto's Danforth Music Hall last night with Cherry Glazerr opening things up. I think that Best Coast are a fantastic band and I've missed out on seeing them live for way too long, including their show at NXNE last summer, so I was pretty excited to catch this show. 

The band sounded great and Bethany's voice sounded true and powerful. The great vibe was not lost on the band as at one point in the latter half of the set, Bethany remarked that the energy was great for a Monday, and then she corrected herself, that it was great energy by any measure. It seemed that Best Coast and Toronto had formed a mutual admiration society for good reason. The crowd was super into the show, having a great time, while the band delivered an awesome-sounding set of fantastic tunes.

Check out some of my favourite tunes from their setlist.

"When I'm With You"

"Crazy For You"

"Heaven Sent"

"California Nights"

"Feeling OK"

"In My Eyes"

"Boyfriend"