Tess Parks and The Auras got things started opening for Ride at The Danforth Music Hall on June 2. Tess is from Toronto but spent many years in London before returning to Toronto, forming a band and signing to Creation Records' Alan McGee's new 359 Music imprint.
They were perfect openers, with four guitars and laid back vocal delivery. They played a short, 25 minute set featuring ambient guitar swirling suited to the name shoegaze. Their slow and deliberate songs got the crowds' ears ready for the auditory onslaught to come.
Check out some tunes. Their single "Someday" and "German Tangerine".
L.A.'s Magic Giant made their Toronto début at The Silver Dollar Room on June 12. They're barely a year old and their bio says that they're, "... on a mission to move bodies and souls." I'd say they do a great job of it. The band is Austin Bis on lead vocals; Zambricki Li on banjo, mandolin, and fiddle; and Brian Zaghi on upright bass and acoustic guitar. They're joined by a live drummer named Ian. Their début self-titled EP is out now.
This show marked Magic Giant's first gig outside of the U.S. Their first international show, if you will. Their live show can be described as super high energy. They've all got great stage presence and most importantly, they know how to say "Turonno".
They played tunes from their EP and a bunch that will certainly be on a forthcoming release. They did a little medley of old favourites like The Outfield's "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love Tonight", Cutting Crew's "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" and a sliver of Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" so you'll remember them. It's not like their own tunes won't stick in your head.
Magic Giant played the small Silver Dollar Room like they were at a venue 10 times its size. They closed out their main set with a brand new tune called "Set on Fire" and returned with for an encore of their big single "Let It Burn" to close out the night. These guys really know how to bring an audience to its feet and keep them bouncing. I'll be looking forward to their next visit to Toronto when I can experience them again.
This performance on KEXP serves as a good introduction to the band, although since they're playing for radio they can't be quite as rambunctious as they are on stage. They perform energetic versions of "Let It Burn", "Other Suns", "Love Or Die", and "Glass Heart".
This is their live compilation video for their big show-closing tune and addictive single "Let It Burn"
Michael Benjamin Lerner's Telekinesis have a new album on the way. It's called Ad Infinitum and it will be out on September 18. Check out his synthy new direction, combined with his impeccable pop songwriting sensibilities, on the track "In A Future World".
And here's the album trailer, showing Lerner hard at work.
I caught Telekinesis at The Horseshoe last time they were through town, and I'll definitely be looking to catch their return to The Horseshoe on October 25. More tour dates here.
LCD Soundsystem's eponymous debut turns 10 today. "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" is an incredible song that somehow never gets old no matter how many times I hear it. Love it!
And here are a few more from this groundbreaking album.
Tripping Daisy is one of those unique bands from the mid-90s that caught my ear with their melodies, delivery and sense of humour. Their breakthrough second album I Am an Elastic Firecracker turns 20 today. Check out the big tunes "I Got A Girl" and "Piranha".
