Dig it
Long-time Toronto band Skydiggers have re-released their tune “November in Ontario” as a free download as they get ready for their annual hometown Christmas shows at the Horseshoe Tavern on Dec. 16 and 17. The song originally appeared on the band’s 1997 album Desmond’s Hip City and is characteristic of the Skydiggers’ roots-rock sound. The new version piles on the atmospherics, loads of piano and synth, and is actually a better fit with the moody subject matter. Still, we’d take the original over this. In other news, the band also has a new album in the works for 2012. And, newly minted MP Andrew Cash will be one of many guest performers at the Horseshoe for their December shows.
Who the heck is Cold Specks?
Cold Specks is 23-year-old Al Spx who hails from Etobicoke and seems destined to become Toronto’s next big female recording artist. She’s already making serious inroads in the United Kingdom, where she’s living these days, and is currently recording her Arts & Crafts debut album with producer Rob Ellis. In an interview with The Guardian, she describes her music as “doom soul,” and it’s easy to tell why. Her voice is big and dripping with the type of emotion and spirituality reminiscent of the best music from the deep south. She plays the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on Dec. 15. It’ll be incredible.
Cold Specks – Holland by Arts & Crafts
Enter the Feistodon
First Lou Reed and Metallica joined forces, and now Leslie Feist is teaming up with heavy metal band Mastodon to release a split single in support of Record Store Day slated for April 12, 2012. For those who don’t know, Mastodon is a serious metal band from Atlanta, Georgia with five studio albums to their credit. In an interview with MTV Canada regarding the collaboration, Mastodon singer Troy Sanders says, “The idea is for Mastodon to cover a Feist song and throw some hair and dirt on it. And they’re going to take a Mastodon song and pretty it up a bit. We’re going to do everything we can to work with Feist to have a split 7 inch to support independent record stores.”
Sloan and Fucked Up plan hardcore charity gigs
Long-time Canadian rockers Sloan and punk rock band Fucked Up are releasing a split seven-inch to raise funds for a couple of different local charities. Sloan’s effort is a fairly classic, pop-rock version of “12 Days of Christmas,” already streaming on the band’s website (www.sloanmusic.com). The other guys, we’ll have to wait and see, but expect the unexpected. In conjunction with the release there will be shows on Dec. 20 and 21. Fucked Up play on Dec. 20 with PS I Love You at the The Great Hall, with Sloan playing the following night with Ohbijou. Proceeds go to Barriere Lake Solidarity and the COUNTERfit harm reduction program.
Album of the week: Provider by Bry Webb
Feist’s Dec. 1 show at Massey Hall (Amazing!) introduced many in attendance to the new, soulful sounds of ex-Constantines frontman Bry Webb, but he’s been headed down this path for a while, dabbling in other projects including the short-lived band The Harbour Coats. Webb’s music caught Feist’s ear and the pair sang a duet together on her new album, Metals. His solo debut, Provider, was released on Nov. 15 on Idée Fixe Records. It’s a quiet affair with Webb’s bluesy, wobbly vocals front and centre, akin to early City and Colour and Hayden; both moody and introspective with a solid narrative-driven songwriting style. Webb cranks it up a notch on the more upbeat "Ex-Punks," which happens to be a standout along with the achingly sweet "Get You Up in Peace" and "Rivers of Gold." A startlingly good effort.
IF004: Bry Webb "Provider" by Idée Fixe Records
Rock ‘n’ roll tweet of the week
This one is courtesy of @Metric from the Prince concert at the Air Canada Centre last week: "Intermission?? Prince quote of the night: “Put your phone away. Participate!!" That’s me signing off. Bye.”