Out of my house, roach
The race to crown the next mayor of Toronto got a little musical boost last week as Richard Underhill signed on to challenge Rob Ford. Underhill is one of the finest saxophonists in the country and is best known as a member of funk-jazz outfit Shuffle Demons. No word yet on whether “Get on the bus,” or “Out of My House, Roach” will be the official Underhill campaign slogan. But we’re fond of the latter.
The return of Kevin Drew
Kevin Drew, new album, March 18. Huge news. The album, Darlings, will feature longtime collaborators Charles Spearin and Ohad Benchetrit as well as Dean Stone and Dave Hamelin. It is described as his “first solo album that is truly, to put it bluntly, solo.” Drew is, of course, one of the original members of renowned T.O. hipster musical collective Broken Social Scene.The first single off Drew's sophomore album, released on Arts & Crafts, is “Good Sex.” Check it out below.
Power to the punks
Local next-big-thing punk band PUP will be playing a big homecoming show at The Garrison on Jan. 31. The band is on a tear as of late, signing a deal with American label SIDEONDUMMY Records as well as being awarded two Bucky Awards (CBC Radio 3’s annual listeners’ choice awards ) for Best Live Show and Rookie of the year. The band also announced a massive European and American tour kicking off after their Montreal show on Feb. 1. These guys are going to be huge.
Rink rocker
Rocker Sam Roberts is in town this week to lead a team of NHL alumni onto the ice at Nathan Phillips Square on Jan. 24 as part of the 2014 Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am. NHL alums suiting up for the game include Maples Leafs legend Wendel Clark, Todd Warriner, Mike Krushelnyski, Rob Pearson and Gilbert Dionne. Game time is set for 12:15 followed by a public skate with the players. The event is the official kick-off of the ninth annual Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am scheduled for May 1-3. Sam Roberts’ new album Lo-Fantasy is set for release on Feb. 11 featuring the first single “We're All In This Together.”
Great Lake Swimmers Dekker talks new album
On the road supporting his excellent solo record Prayer of the Woods, Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers opened up about a new full-band album in the works. As reported on Exclaim.ca, songs for the upcoming album were inspired by a trip with the World Wildlife Fund when Dekker witnessed the result of the BP oil spill. According to Dekker, the new GLS album could be out this year. In the meantime, Dekker plays in support of Prayer of the Woods at the Haliconian Hall in Toronto on Jan. 24.
