Toronto Uncovered

Archive for the ‘Tunes’ Category

Hercules and Love Affair - Photo: Josh O'Kane

If Summer is the season in which lust and love are allowed to run rampant, Hercules and Love Affair is the perfect accent to Summer’s seduction. I went to see them play at Mod Club Monday night, and was thoroughly entranced. I had a vague idea of what to expect: I had watched them on YouTube and listened to them on Hype Machine, but had no idea they would rock out so hard.

To describe their music, and why the show was so incredible, I must first describe the band. Some could (and did) define Hecules and Love Affair as homosensual (that’s sensual, not sexual). There were a lot of rumors that Antony Hegarty would make an appearance, which, like most rumors, turned out to be total crap. But it seemed to work out in our favour. Instead, Kim Ann Foxman, who declares herself “like a faggy, lesbian messenger boy that delivers legends and messages for the Gods” carried the lead vocals. Her back up singers were two ‘divas’ with rich voices who bumped and grinded all night long. DJ Andy Butler mixed beats behind the vocals to create a truly energetic and unique sound. The whole crowd was dancing, jumping and throwing down along side Hercules. I think it’s fair to say we all developed a new love affair that night.

If youre new to their music, here are some tracks to get you started. When they come back to Toronto, dont pass up this show. If its not one of the most amazing concerts youve ever been to, youre a damn liar!

Hercules and Love Affair – Blind

Hercules and Love Affair – Im Telling You (live)

I’ve never been one to turn down a good dance party, hell, I throw my own dance parties for one whenever I am lucky enough to have my condo to myself. I love house music, I love playing it loud, and I love to dance.

This weekend I went to one such dance party at Tequila Bookworm, a venue that until recently I had no idea was so awesome! The party was held on the upper level which feels like you are actually at someones house – a few rooms with couches, a bar and a well-sized dance floor.

Toronto has some awesome DJs that don’t get nearly enough credit. I have been a friend and devoted fan of DJ Lee MacDonald ever since I first heard him spin in first year university. He kicked off the party, mixing in tons of great old school 90′s dance tracks and overlaying them with more recent beats. DJ Rich Hope took the party into the late hours of the night, each track making you dance harder than the track before. We were cheering and clapping with each new mix. I honestly didn’t want the night to end, and wished we really were at a house party so our lame 2:30am bar closures didn’t apply.

If you’re looking for some new Toronto DJs to support here are some sessions from Lee and Rich.

Lee MacDonald (download from this site)

Rich Hope (right click, save as)

Who is your favourite Toronto DJ?

Thursday night I went to Clinton’s to see my ridiculously talented younger brother, Alex St. Kitts, perform Moon Walker: A Michael Jackson Tribute. I lived with him for 4 years and listened to endless bass and vocals practice, so I never doubted his talent. That said, I had no idea he could rip up the stage; singing, dancing and flirting with the audience the way he did Thursday night. All I could do was sing and dance along, thinking to myself, “who is this guy?!”

He started the night of with Michael’s Jam and kept the hits coming backed by a full piece band and vocals. Not only was the music amazing, but there were multiple wardrobe changes as well – red jackets, sparkling gloves, fedoras!

Even if Alex wasn’t my little bro, I’d have been all over that concert. The showmanship,talent and energy in the room was incredible. Here are some of my favourite MJ tracks featured that night:

Michael Jackson – Jam

Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough

Michael Jackson – You Rock My World

Michael Jackson – Thriller

To reach Alex via email click here

Last night was Toronto’s annual summer kick off, AKA the Dave Matthews Band concert at Molson Amphitheatre. Ive seen Dave in concert 4 or 5 times now at various venues, and have never been disappointed. He’s a great performer and has such a charismatic stage presence. Everyone, young and old, was dancing from start to finish. You just can’t help yourself. I didn’t sit down once (and neither did my aunt, who until now was a DMB virgin).

One piece of advice if you’re going to see a DMB show: buy lawn tickets. You want to have room to move and dance around. I made the mistake of buying seats one year and it was awful. DMB is taking their first break in over a decade next year – if you can catch a show on this tour, it may be your last chance for a little while.

I actually didn’t know most of Dave’s new songs but that really didn’t matter. Below are some of my favourite Dave songs from last night and in general:

Dave Matthews Band – You Might Die Trying

Dave Matthews Band – Ants Go Marching

Dave Matthews Band – Stay Or Leave

Dave Matthews Band – Seek Up

What is your favourite Dave song?

Every now and again all I want to do is dance. I don’t want to talk or socialize, I just want to zone out and dance the night away. I find that as I get a bit older and have less patience to put up with massive parties, lines or outrageous cover, solid dancing nights are harder to come by.

Saturday night was one such night. Luckily, I was with friends who I consider to be fairly ‘in the know’ when it comes to good parties with decent music and dance floors. They took me to The Rivoli‘s backroom for the monthly Foot Prints event: four different DJs throwing down tribal house, infused with jazz, funk, soul, Latin and afrobeats. As we walked in to the crowded venue I could tell it was going to be exactly what I was looking for. The music was loud, the dance floor was packed and there wasn’t a wallflower in sight. Each track progressed seamlessly into the track that followed, building with energy and intensity. It was one of those nights where you turn off your brain and let your body do all the work.

I will admit that if you are at all claustrophobic or unable to get over the odd whiff of B.O., Foot Prints probably isn’t for you. If, however, you can manage to work around those  for a few hours, you wont be disappointed.

I sleep easy knowing this is a monthly event. The next one will be held Saturday August 29th with cover of $5.00 before 10:00pm and $10.00 after.  While I was there I picked up a promo for Brooklyn’s DJ Spinna at Sunnyside Pavilion, August 2nd. The show features many of the same DJ members of Foot Prints and might be worth checking out.

Elliott BROOD at Dakota Tavern: Picture by Rock Paper Pixels

I received an urgent text from one of my good friends Wednesday night. It read “You have to come to the Dakota Tavern! Awesome!” This was following two missed calls from the same friend, and one barely audible voice mail. Intrigued, I called back and was told by my fairly inebriated, but nonetheless musically reliable, friend that Elliott BROOD was about to take the stage for a Ride to Conquer Cancer charity event at Dakota Tavern, and that, “this would be the last time to see them in such an intimate venue”.

I had seen the post on BlogTO earlier in the week announcing the concert, and had decided that since I already had a networking commitment that night, I would have to miss it. Maybe it was something in my friends voice and all the noise and excitement in the background, or maybe it was just because I was already a few drinks in and my little voice of reason had piped down, but I decided to make an appearance.

Cover was a little steep for Ossington – 20 bucks – but easily justifiable (especially for a good cause). There were  a number of raffles going on inside as well to support the ride. Inside: the bar was packed, dance floor was moving, and the three piece band was really givin’ ‘er. The music was a mix of rock, folk, and alternative. It had a steady beat that made even the most reluctant dancer give in to the head-bob-two-step. I have since downloaded all of their albums, and would recommend them to anyone looking for some good, easy flowing, summeresque tunes. And, the icing on the cake, they got their start right here in Toronto.

If youre still looking for a reason to support them – give them a listen. According to their MySpace page they won’t be back in Toronto for a while, but are defnitely worth the download, and keeping your eyes out for any upcoming dates they might squeeze in!