11 Questions With...The Wooden Sky

>> Friday, 7 August 2009


Toronto-based indie-rockers The Wooden Sky have been catching ears and breaking heartsall over the place lately with their quietly devastating sound. The somber foursome are slated to release a brand new record on the 25th, and are currently in the middle of a massive tour, a lengthy series of dates which sees the guys stop by Music Trader on the 12th for a free gig at 4 p.m. then, later that same night, perform a much longer set at quaint little Ragpickers.

And the folks over at The Muse Box are giving away a limited edition tour EP exclusively to readers of this here blog. If you're interested, flip me a quick email (on the right) by Monday @ 2 p.m. and I'll draw the winner randomly. Be sure to include your full name in the body and "The Wooden Sky Limited Edition Tour EP Giveaway" in the subject line.

And the folk-rockers took part in 11 questions (well, Gavin Gardiner and Andrew Wyatt did anyway), and here's what they had to say:

1. Where are you right now?
Right now we are driving on the 401 heading westwards to Windsor Ontario to play at the Phog Lounge. I've been pretty excited about touring this summer as this new iPhone update has meant internet in the van.

2. What's the best venue to play in Canada?
There are a lot of great venues to play in Canada. It's not really so much the venues or the places as it is the people who run them. This tour is giving us a chance to play a lot of "venues" that we would never have a chance to. There have been canoes rented for us to play on the lake in Banff and there will be a show on the Gondola in Whistler which holds about 35 people.

3. What are your top three, all-time favourite records?
Not necessarily in this order:
1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2. Phosphorescent - To Willie
3. Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde

4. Of the albums you own, which has the best cover art?
I really love the artwork on the first Royal City record, At Rush Hour the Cars; it's simple but the drawings are really nice.

5. What is one song you love, but dismiss as “a guilty pleasure”?
I like a lot of music and for better or for worse don't ever really feel guilty for the bullshit that I like.

6. What was the last great concert you saw?
While at sxsw I saw a lot of great stuff but I think my favourite was the Phosphorescent show. We'd just finished driving all the way there from Montreal where we were finishing up a record and went from seeing Roky Erickson over to see Phossy and a really great friend of mine was on the road with them doing their merch. So I guess it was just a combination of a good show, meeting up with friends in new places and cheap beer.

7. Would you rather have invisibility or flight?
(No Answer)

8. What is your favourite periodic element?
Lithium, great bassline.

9. Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart?
I don't really watch either but I hear talk that Stephen Colbert is the obvious choice, at least that's usually the consensus in the van.

10. What are the best and worst movies you've seen this summer?
I have developed a love for the drive in theatre as of late and it really seems to skew your opinion of movies. For example, I saw the new Terminator movie at the drive in recently and against all odds I quite enjoyed it.

11. And finally…who’s your favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, or Raphael?
(No Answer)

Infinite Playlist: Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre

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Signs Of Sexual Confidence

>> Monday, 3 August 2009

Oh, how wonderful it is to discover a latent talent, even if it’s for something that doesn't really have much application in life. Like, say, wack-a-mole!

Fueled by carbo-heavy mini-donuts, I obliterated the wack-a-mole competition at the Icelandic festival yesterday by going a precise 15/15 and winning this adorable little guy:

With “Grumpy Bunny” safely tucked under my arm (that’s really his name), I made my way over to the Harbour Stage where Royal Wood was setting up.

Looking like a character from Mad Men, Royal Wood, accompanied by electric guitarist Dean Gerrard, played some warm, clean piano ballads and while I admired the songs, I wasn’t particularly moved by them. He did utter the best line of the night: “Singing is a sign of sexual confidence.”


John K Samson took the stage shortly after and his set-up was simple, too. Shedding the Weakerthans, Samson donned an acoustic guitar and sang some of his band's more lighter numbers like “One Great City” and “Night Windows”. And for possibly the first time in the festival’s history, the crowd demanded an encore! Ironically, the crew of chunky-glass-wearing hipsters to my left cheered hardest despite talking through Samson’s entire set. I found it very puzzling.

Regardless, Samson gladly obliged.

***

mum's October 30th show at the Pyramid is an early one with doors opening at 7. Early for the Pyramid's standards, of course.

Couldn't resist mentioning this one: baggy-pants idol MC Hammer is at Blush Ultraclub on August 21st. I hope he brings the Rapmaster 3000.

Infinite Playlist: Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Like Bad News

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Dull To Pause

>> Thursday, 30 July 2009

Enthusiastic gypsy-punk troupe Gogol Bordello stop by town for an October 4th date at the Burt. Presale starts tomorrow, and if I successfully procure the code, I'll post it under comments.

The Vic Chesnutt Band play the West End on November 20th.

Alex Cuba will be at the Park Theatre on November 19th.

Local favs Quinzy rock the same joint on August 27th.

For those heading up to Gimli this weekend for my ethnic kin's event, the spelling-bee-final worthy Islendingadagurinn, here's who are playing:

Saturday @ The Harbour Stage: Library Voices and Crosstown Rivals. Show starts at 8.

Sunday @ The Alternative Folk Festival: vitaminsforyou; The Details; John K Samson; Royal Wood. Shows start at 6:30. I'll likely make the trip North for this.

Infinite Playlist: Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care

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Shake Harder Boy!

>> Tuesday, 28 July 2009

There's a doin's a transpiring!

09 Folk Fest alumni The Deep Dark Woods drop by the Park Theatre on October 8th (thanks to Will for the heads up).

11 Questions alumni Haunter rock The Albert on August 14th and The Lo Pub on August 28th.

Still Life Still have landed the opening slot for the Hold Steady's September 24th sold-out show at the West End. Hope you managed to score tickets cuz it's gonna be great.

Cuff The Duke stop in at the Albert on September 17th w/ Zeus.

These Arms Are Snakes are there on September 18th.

And finally, to whom it may concern: mum tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. sharp via our ol' pals at Ticketmaster.

Infinite Playlist: The National - Boxer

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Blessed Brambles

>> Friday, 24 July 2009


My nightly prayers to the Winnipeg Music Gods have finally been answered! Those benevolent deities are bringing one of my favourite bands ever, Icelandic melody-makers múm, to New Iceland for a gig at the Pyramid on October 30th.

I'm still in a state of dippy shock.

Infinite Playlist: Mum - Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy

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Loretta Broke My Heart With A Letter

>> Wednesday, 22 July 2009


First, a show announcement that filled me right to the brim with happiness: Chad VanGaalen is hitting the Park Theatre on October 9th. Yay!

Second, a show that is likely too scary for me: Shock-rocker Marilyn Manson is at the MTS Centre on September 13th.

Third, those just craving some delectable Norweigian electro-pop should catch Datarock at The Zoo on September 8th. I'll likely hit this, too (thanks to Rieds for the tip).

Fourth, for a cost-effective, intimate gig, catch Great Bloomers at Music Trader (for free) on August 4th @ 8; if you like what you hear, the band will rematerialize at the Lo Pub on August 13th (thanks to Carly for the heads up).

And finally, congrats to Michael on winning the Eagles of Death Metal tickets.

Infinite Playlist: Chad VanGaalen - Soft Skeleton

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11 Questions With...The Job

>> Tuesday, 21 July 2009



Giveaways ahoy! The giving gang over at The MuseBox Canada are offering readers of this blog a “The Job”-related prize pack consisting of the following:

• A copy of The Job’s CD
• A The Job T-Shirt
• A guest list spot for their show at the Lo (+1)

So who are The Job, you ask? Well, The Job are a Toronto-based garage rocking quartet known for their devastatingly raucous live shows, something Winnipeggers will get to experience first hand this Monday the 27th at the Lo Pub (for free if you win the contest). If you’re interested, flip me a quick email by Friday at noon with “The Job Giveaway” in the subject line, be sure to include your full name and just for fun, answer the following question: What’s one of your essential summertime records? (While still a newbie record, Cut Copy’s In Ghost Colours is and should continue to be one of my fav summer albums). One entry per person please. And remember you need to be 18 to get into the Lo.

Also, Vocalist/guitarist Nyles Miszczyk of The Job took part in the now-patented 11 questions segment and gave me some pretty decent (although succinct) responses. We apparently share a love of Xenon.

1. Where are you right now?

MOOG Audio on Queen St. (at work)

2. Who is the best Toronto-based band (other than your own, of course)?

Bang Bangs - their lead singer Sian will take you into a back alley, sing the shit out of you and leave you for dead. Brilliant.

3. What are your top three, all-time favourite records?

Beatles - Revolver, Television - Marquee Moon, Beulah - When Your Heartstrings Break

4. Of the albums you own, which has the best cover art?

Louvin Brothers - Satan Is Real

5. What is one song you love, but dismiss as “a guilty pleasure”?

"Peg" by Steely Dan

6. What was the last great concert you saw?

King Khan & The Shrines. They'll make you believe.

7. Would you rather have invisibility or flight?

Invisibility, because airplanes take care of all my flying needs.

8. What is your favourite periodic element?

Xenon - I like my gasses noble.

9. Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart?

Jon Stewart. His hair in Death To Smoochy is a constant inspiration to me and the rest of the band.

10. What book(s) are you currently reading?

The Collected Short Works of Roald Dahl... probably the 5th time I read it.

11. And finally…who’s your favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, or Raphael?

Michelangelo. Easy. Did you know that Splinter and Elmo are played by the same guy? I shit you not.

Infinite Playlist: Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

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