Every Monday, we round up the most exciting music news happening in Toronto. In this edition: new tracks for Dusted, a covers EP for Zeus, Austra plays The Great Hall and more.
There is something about Brian Borcherdt’s spectral wail and Leon Taheny’s meticulous beats that have us itching for Wiarton Willie to make good on his promise of an early spring. Ever a band of the summer, Dusted recently released two tracks ahead of their SXSW gigs in Texas. Both songs were recorded back when the duo was just starting out, and both feature Borcherdt’s other band, Holy Fuck. “No Trouble” is offered up for free, and the second, “In Yr Skull” (which was previously recorded for a limited edition split vinyl with Metz) is now available digitally.
Local rock outfit Zeus announced that they will be releasing the deluxe version of their sophomore record, Busting Visions, on April 2, to coincide with their North American tour. The album will include a seven-track covers EP, aptly titled Cover Me. On the track list are songs by Michael Jackson, The Flaming Lips, R. Kelly and Stone Temple Pilots.
Tom Wilson’s latest solo project, Lee Harvey Osmond, will be at The Great Hall on March 22 with a stellar lineup of local roots-rock gods. He released his latest album, The Folk Sinner, earlier this year, and this week he’ll be in town to promote his book, The Folk Sinner: a Photographic Ghost Journey, a 24-page photo essay curated from his life on the road. Wilson will be bringing along some pals as well, including members of Skydiggers, Oh Susanna, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Cowboy Junkies. You can stream The Folk Sinner over at Exclaim!, or watch a YouTube video below.
Toronto’s next Emily Haines, Katie Stelmanis, will be performing with her band Austra as part of a doubleheader show this weekend on March 23. The electro-opera trio will be playing at The Danforth Music Hall, and then heading over to The Great Hall as part of Fucked Up’s Long Winter festival for a DJ set. Austra also recently dropped a new single, “Home,” for their upcoming album, Olympia, due out June 18 on Paper Bag Records.
It’s been a busy year for Grounders. After signing to Nevado Records, setting tour dates with Zeus and Yukon Blonde and the re-release of their Wreck of a Smile EP this month, they’ve just debuted a video for “Grand Prize Drawl.” The band is also playing as part of Canadian Music Week on March 22 at Sneaky Dee’s.