Basia Bulat - Tall Tall Shadow

Toronto singer-songwriter Basia Bulat's third album 'Tall Tall Shadow' was released Tuesday, October 1, 2013 by Secret City Records. It was co-produced by Tim Kingsbury (a member of Arcade Fire) and Mark Lawson (a grammy awarded studio alchemist recognized for his work with Arcade Fire), and it promises her bravest work yet. Without losing the Basia Bulat that I love, she has found a way to revitalize her music and please both existing and new fans. As a super fan, I must say that I love this CD. It did take some time for it to grow on me, but now that it has, I can't stop playing it. Wires is probably my favourite song, but I also love 'Five, Four' too. It's definitely worth a listen and if you haven't heard me say it before, Basia Bulat is my favourite singer song writer! So she is a must must MUST listen. That and if you haven't heard her previous work, get on that right away. 

Songs to listen to: Wires, Five, Four, From Now On 

Sóley

-Alternatively known as Sóley Stefánsdóttir
-From Reykjavík , Iceland
-Previous member of the Icelandic group Seabear
-Trained composer and passionate pianist
-Favourite writers: Davíð Stefánsson (Poet), Steinn Steinarr (Poet), Edgar Allan Poe, Leonard Cohen and Joanna Newsom
-Fan of Keith Jarrett and his trio, Bill Evans, Chad Vangaalen, Tune-Yards,  Joanna Newsome, Beach House and Blonde Redhead
-Played SXSW and CMW
-Toured with Of Monsters and Men
-Three words she uses to describe her album 'We Sink' are Dreams, Autumn and Surreal.
- Taken from Icelandmusic.is:
Sóley's a really pretty name: what does it mean?
A. In Iceland we have a beautiful wild yellow flower that grows all around Iceland. The name is Sóley. I think that´s where it comes from. They grow many together so when you travel around the country you can these big “islands” of Sóley. Sól means the sun and ey means island.
-Taken from TheRumpus.net

Rumpus:  What can you tell me about “Smashed Birds?”
A. It’s a song that I wrote first on the piano but I’m glad I changed it in the recording process to guitar. It’s a song about a girl’s last day on earth… kind of. I’m really bad talking about my songs because they are often more about feelings and something you can’t describe. When I play my songs I always see the same “short movie” inside my head and I hope people see their own “short movie”. I’m not telling people what to see or think while listening to these songs, it’s more they can experience it on their own.

Songs to listen to: The Sun Is Going Down II (below) and Kill That Clown



Conclusion: Soley's music sounds exactly how she describes it: dreamy, autumn and surreal. It makes you feel like you're asleep and dreaming of music playing in some sort of historic church hall. Her songs are very eerie and exiting at the same time. Her piano work in combination with her shy voice is perfect. When I saw her play with Of Monsters and Men I was entirely captivated by her stage presence. She made me feel relaxed and alone in a crowd. It's kind of uncommon for me to feel so taken aback by an artist I've never heard before and as soon as her performance ended, I grabbed her album. It was worth every penny! Take a listen and enjoy!

Dillon Francis

- Born and raised in Los Angeles
- Electronic-dance musician known for being one of the pioneers of moombahton (DEF: a fusion genre of house music and reggaeton that was created by American DJ and producer Dave Nada)
- Into Brown and Gammon 
- His "Something, Something, Awesome" album was released on Skrillex's label.
 - Remixed Cher Lloyd, CSS, Calvin Harris, Gym Class Heroes, Chris Brown and more - DJed at HARD Haunted Mansion Pre-Party at Terminal 5 in New York w/ Joker, Skream, Benga and Gesaffelstein
- “I would love to collaborate with Calvin Harris. I love all his music and he’s just been a motivating inspiration for a lot of my music. His music is “poppy” and still grabs everyone’s attention.”
-“Growing up, I couldn't watch TV unless I watched two hours of Sesame Street a day to learn stuff. And then I had to go to study. I had Hooked on Phonics just so I could be ahead of the game. It’s weird. I’m happy with what my parents did for me and the type of work ethic I have."

Taken from The Fat Club's interview with him in 2011:

 How did you get into the genre “moombahton”?
I got into Moombahton because of Munchi. Munchi sent me a message on Soundcloud saying that we remixed the same song. I then went onto his soundcloud and started listening to all his music. Once I heard what he had done, I was blown away. I remember thinking, ‘Holy shit this is the next big thing!’ I didn’t know what it was at the time, but it was Moombahton.

Songs to listen to: I.D.G.A.F.O.S. (Below), Dill the Noise, &  Steve Aoki - Earthquakey People (Dillon Francis Remix) 

Conclusion: I never knew what moombahton was until now... I'm a fan. Must download everything out there with this guy's name on it. It's so much fun. Good music to keep yourself awake. I also want to use his album for my next pre-drink. Awww yeeee. Also for you Toronto folk, he's playing a show at the Hoxton March 28! Might have to show up, we'll see!

Angel Haze

Twitter | Facebook | Myspace | Website 

-Real name Raee'n Wahya
-Detroit rapper and lyricist signed to Universal Republic and Island
-Born July 1991
-Didn't start listening to music till she was 16 because her family is religious and her mom didn't let her.
-Inspired by a neurosurgeon in America by the name of Daniel Amen. She was actually in school to be a neurosurgeon before she ran with her rap carear. Cool nay?
-She's a fan of Jason Mraz, Train, Eminem, and New Radicals. Random, haha. Love it.
-Friends with Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
-Has a collab with Azealia Banks coming out soon.

Songs to listen to: Werkin' Girls, Gossip Folks, & New York



Conclusion: Angel Haze is too legit. Her rhymes are so good! If you like Nicki Minaj, listen to her ASAP. If you don't Nicki, listen to her ASAP. She's just so good. She's just so raw and in your face. Definitely worth your time. I've been really into rap and Angel Haze has it going on. Enjoy!

Mumford and Sons - Babel

Mumford and Sons - Babel
Released: September 25, 2012 (Canada)

    Such a great album. As soon as I heard the single for the album 'I will wait' I knew I was going to like it. I find their music to be so enlightening and proud. It's almost as though each song is an orchestrated prayer off to the sunrise; It's just that exciting for me. Best part is they balance these loud and powerful songs such as 'I Will Wait' with more mellow and sympathetic songs like 'Ghosts That We Know.' Let me put it this way, it's the Mumford and Sons we first fell in love with no surprises, just new songs and lyrics to fall in love with. They really do do a good job writing music to relate to; I always find myself quiet and just listening to every word when I hear a song of theirs. So far, I'm in love with the first track 'Babel' but I'm sure I'll just be going down the list changing favourites day to day just as I did with 'Sigh No More.' It's exactly what I need right now during this changing of seasons. Good bye summer, and hello fall!

Songs to listen to: Babel, I Will Wait, Below My Feet (Sooooo good!)

TIFF - Picture Day directed by Kate Melville

Tatiana Maslany in Kate Melville's 'Picture Day'

     The other day, Danielle, a music supervisor, asked if I was interested in reviewing the music from the latest TIFF movie selection 'Picture Day'. I said yes.

Here goes nothing!

Danielle forwarded me to the press package which contained two downloadable links to songs from the movie; not my favourites from the film, but decent songs none the less. I personally don't recommend either.

• “FunkBox” by The ElastoCitizens (MP3)
• “Be About It” by Humble The Poet (MP3)

     It's a shame they didn't include this other song from the movie. I mean it wasn't a huge scene or anything but it was a part of the film I found totally relateable. Here's the scene in a nutshell: The main character was at a point where she had no where to go and just zoned out with her music on and walked aimlessly. The song playing through her walk was so easing and it reminded me of the countless times I found myself doing the same thing - Oh the power of good music. :)

Here's that song:



Figs it was The Dodos; They are wonderful live as I discovered at Lollapalooza three years ago. Great stuff and good job Picture Day! Haha.

Now, what about the movies you ask? It was okay. I mean it was really well done but it just didn't peak my interest.  They showed bits of Toronto and Lee's Palace which I loved but as a whole it just wasn't for me. Either way, I had a good time watching it with my sister and would recommend this movie to any girl with a love for music and general confusion with their own life's decisions surrounding love. Yes, this means every girl.

Thanks again Danielle and Picture Day for inviting me out! 

Picture Day
directed by Kate Melville.
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First Aid Kit

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[Left to Right: Johanna and Klara Söderberg]

-Sister duo from Stockholm, Sweden
-Influenced by the music and songwriting of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom
-Their 2008 YouTube video cover of the song "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" by Fleet Foxes went viral and Fleet Foxes invited them to perform the song with them in a concert in The Netherlands.
-Later that year the duo signed to Rabid Records, a label co-owned by the Swedish electronic duo The Knife.
-After playing a concert in Nashville the duo was approached by Jack White who requested them to record a single for his Third Man Records series.
-In February 2011 the duo collaborated with Bright Eyes during their performance of Lua.
-Playing Newport Folk Festival 2012 and Lollapalooza 2012
-Appeared on Conan


Songs to Listen to: When I grow up, Our own Pretty Ways, and their cover of Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. 



Conclusion: It's pretty sweet to see these two swedish sister so beautifully in sync with each other. Their music is simple and yet wonderfuly enchanting. Only really started listening to them today, but I am excited to hear the rest of their songs. Best part is they're coming to Toronto!  So hopefully I'll have a chance to drop by and check out their set... but we'll see. :D