If you’re in Toronto for NXNE this year, I highly recommend checking out the following showcases. Artists are listed in order of appearance.
Ministry of the Environment
Thursday, June 18 at 12am // The Hideout // myspace
Formed in 2007, this band initially bonded over their love of The Smiths, The Sea and Cake and Sonic Youth. Since, they’ve played all around Toronto, and have just finished their second EP.
Barzin
Friday, June 19 at 11pm // C’est What // website
Toronto singer-songwriter whose recent release was awarded Mojo Magazine’s “Americana album of the month.” The band — acoustic and electric guitars, vibraphone, upright bass, banjo, drums and keyboards — has toured Europe several times. Lush, introspective and confessional.
Spirits
Saturday, June 20 at 9pm // The Reverb // myspace
Spirits combines the writing talents of accomplished songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Ian Smith and Brad Germain. Drummer Nick Skalkos completes the trio, bringing a third vocal to the live show. Spirits will release their self-titled debut album this September on Sonic Unyon.
Hopeful Monster
Saturday, June 20 at 11pm // The Now Lounge // website
Since forming in Nova Scotia in 2000, Hopeful Monster makes psychedelic chamber pop and synthed-out space gospel — recommended if you like The Zombies, Kinks, Todd Rundgren, Jeff Buckley, Of Montreal, Spiritualized, Jellyfish, Heavy Blinkers, Sufjan Stevens.
Said the Whale
Saturday, June 20 at 12am // The Reverb // website
Said the Whale is as much a product of Vancouver’s tremendous natural beauty as it is of the city’s budding independent music scene. Electronic indie rock that captures the essence of what it means to be young, free and heartbroken.
