Every Monday, we round up the most exciting music news happening in Toronto. In this edition: Arts & Crafts celebrates its 10th anniversary with an awesome compilation album, Ra Ra Riot drops a new video, Bruce Peninsula hits town and more.
Last week, Arts & Crafts announced the release of what could very well be the greatest indie compilation album ever. As part of the Toronto label’s ongoing 10th anniversary celebrations, it has put together what it calls a definitive retrospective album: Arts & Crafts: 2003 – 2013. The record features both A&C’s most well-known songs as well as never-before-heard rarities. That includes tunes from Broken Social Scene, Stars, Feist, Jason Collett, The Hidden Cameras, The Dears, Zeus, Dan Mangan, Cold Specks, Snowblink, Apostle of Hustle and loads more. As an added bonus, Stuart Berman (a BSS biographer), wrote the liner notes for the 24-page accompanying booklet. The album will be available on April 16.
The latest album from local roots-rock outfit New Country Rehab drops this week on March 5 via Kelp Records. Ghost of Your Charms is a testament to the band’s unique ability to combine country, rock and folk for a cohesive album. So it comes as no surprise that the band uses a range of instruments that varies widely and wildly — from goat hoof shakers and sawblade cymbals to an acoustic double bass to the fiddle. Until tomorrow’s official release, the band is offering up one of their tracks, “Luxury Motel,” for free.
Local gypsy rockers Bruce Peninsula will be as busy as bees this month. First off, three members (Neil Haverty, Matt Cully and Misha Bower) of the band will be playing a local show at the Campbell House Museum on March 10. As well, BP’s Daniela Gesundheit’s solo project, Snowblink, recently released a Zammuto remix of their song “Safety Stories.” Snowblink will also play a set at The Garrison on April 1. Finally, an email sent out by Bruce Peninsula hints that they are almost finished up their next record.
The Highest Order are hosting a listening party for their debut album If It’s Real tomorrow night at the studio where it was recorded near College and Spadina. The record is slated for a March 19 release, and it will be out on Idée Fixe Records. In the meantime, you can stream “Lonely Weekends” below.
And last, but not least, Ra Ra Riot just dropped a new video for their song “Dance With Me,” and they’re playing at Lee’s Palace on March 6.