Friday Five: Pride Edition

 Here's five covers of songs you will hear at any Pride celebration at least once. Happy Pride!

For your ears:
Paul Quarino - "YMCA" (Village People cover)

Corin Joel "I Kissed A Girl" (Katy Perrry cover)

Jack Johnson and G. Love "Holiday" (Madonna cover)

Steffalo "Believe" (Cher cover)

Cake "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor cover)

For your eyes:
The Spice Girls covering Sister Sledge's "We Are Family"

What Would Dolly Do?

I am so frackin' stoked for tonight's Night of 1,000 Dollys that I thought I'd share some of Dolly Parton's tracks today. I may even watch Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (my favorite Dolly movie, hands down) before the day is up! Yee-haw!

Dolly Parton "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place"

Dolly Parton "House of The Rising Sun" (Apollo Zero's Dolly House of Remix)

Dolly Parton "Jolene" (Ostanti Remix)

Dolly Parton "9 to 5" (SureCut Kids edit)

Smile

"Smile, and maybe tomorrow you'll find the sun comes shining through for you" - J. Monae

Janelle Monae "Smile"

The Killers "Smile Like You Mean It" (Madeon Remix)

Shanice "I Love Your Smile"

Portishead "Nylon Smile" (War Games Remix)

T.O. Pride Parties Planner

Whether you're LGBTTQQ or just an ally, Toronto's Pride week is an all out party that is not to be missed. There's a million and one things to do in the city duing Pride, here's my picks on what not to miss this week.

MONDAY JUNE 25th

CMG's LGBT Short film Showcase: 9am - 7pm @ 250 Front St (free)

This event will be running daily and ends on the 29th.

TUESDAY JUNE 26th
Sarah Bertrand book reading: 7pm @ Glad Day Book Shop (free)

WEDNESDAY JUNE 27th

GLAM! Pride Game Show Revue: 8:30pm @ The Flying Beaver  $10

All proceeds go to local charity SOY (Supporting Our Youth)

THURSDAY JUNE 28th
Parties:

Steers & Queers - Night of 1,000 Dollys:

10pm @ The Gladstone Hotel $8 Advance, $10 at door

"Toronto's long-running cult gay country and western party comes aboveground to the Gladstone Hotel for a Pride-sized edition. This travelling Fairy Home Companion will take the Gladstone Ballroom back to its roots as a rowdy country bar for one night only to pay tribute to country's greatest drag queen, Dolly Parton. Last year's inaugural Night of 1,000 Dolly's, held at the Dakota Tavern, was so popular that nearly 3 times the bar's capacity showed in full bouffant wigs. This year we've moved to a larger, fully accessible venue to accommodate all 1,000 Dolly's. Put on your best falsies, most convincing Burt Reynolds mustache and your coat of many colors. Dress code: Dolly drag, country and western realness... you're not just watching the show, you're a part of it. Yee haw!"


FRIDAY JUNE 29th
Parties:

WMST Presents: Gender Studies/Trans Pride Party

11pm @ The Beaver  (PWYC)

With  DJ's Transnational, Fluffy Souffle, & Kate Stelmanis
  
Live Performances:
The Cliks:  8:30pm @ Bud Lite South Stage (free)
Biff Naked: 9:30pm @ Bud Lite South Stage (free)
DJ Betti Forde: 10:15pm @ Bud Lite South Stage (free)


SATURDAY JUNE 30th
Parties:

Toronto Pride - Backyard Beats: 1pm -12am @ 519 Beer Garden (free)

With the DJs from Yes Yes Y'all, DJ Delicious at 5pm, and DJ Anna Paula from 7pm til close.

Yes Yes Y'all Pride Edition: 9pm - 4am @ The Annex Wreckroom $15
Toronto's favorite queer hip hop party with special performances by Tasha The Amazon, A-Game, and Jr Flo. Get in early to avoid a long line up. Extended liquor license.

Live Performances:
MC Jazz with DJ Cozmic Cat: 6pm @ Bud Lite South Stage (free)
Tasha The Amazon: 7pm @ Bud Lite South Stage (free)
Rae Spoon: 7pm Trans Space @ Pride North Stage (free)

SUNDAY JULY 1st

4th Annual Post-Parade Back Patio Party: 2pm-11pm @ Alto (free)

With DJs Delicious, KLR, Mizz Recklezz, and Stix

Prism Festival 2012 - Revival: 9pm - 7am @ The Guvernment $85
with DJs Peter Rauhofer, Dave and Gerardo, Javier Medina

Live Performances:
Lucas Silveira (from the Clicks): 7pm Trans Space @ Pride North Stage (free)
Random Order: 7pm @ Alexander Parkette Pride Stage (free)
Lady Miss Kier: 7:30pm @ Bud Lite South Stage (free)

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Tonight I finally got around to watching Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, a 2011 remake of an 1973 ABC made for television movie. I was reluctant to watch the movie at first because it starred Katie Holmes, whom I've never personally cared for as an actress. However, when I saw the film was written and produced by Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, The Orphanage, Hellboy), I knew I had to give it a shot. Directed by Troy Nixey, who is a comic book artist, the film has a dark, graphic novel feel to it that I really enjoyed. The movie is more subtle than over-the-top gory, and even Katie Holmes' acting is bearable. All in all, it's an inventive take on the "old creepy house with a past" genre, and well worth the watch. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is currently on Netflix streaming (U.S.) or you can watch it online here.

Here's the original as well if you want to give it a spin:

Friday Five: Cover Girls

It's officially summer, and a Friday to boot. Here's 5 songs originally done by men, but covered by women, which I think surpass the original! Enjoy!

For your ears:
My Name is Moses "Summertime" (DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince cover)

Indiana "Swim Good" (Frank Ocean cover)

Sister Crayon "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers cover)

Manicanparty "Animal" (Miike Snow cover)

Sleater-Kinney "Fortunate Son" (CCR cover)

 For your eyes:
Julia Stone doing a BEAUTIFUL cover of Boy & Bear's "Feeding Line"

Cruel Summer

"It's too close for comfort, this heat has got right out of hand"

Bananarama "Cruel Summer"

Ace of Base "Cruel Summer" (Ryan Evans Born in 83 Remix)

Aidan Moffat & Bill Wells - "Cruel Summer" (Bananarama cover)

Blestenation "Cruel Summer"

The Idler Wheel...

After a seven year wait, Fiona Apple's fourth studio album, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do,dropped yesterday. Whether you've been a long-time fan of Fiona Apple or not, go out and buy this now!. Seriously, stop reading this, and go get it. This album is raw yet lush. Stripped down, but full of twists and turns that will take me several listens to fully navigate. This album is simply, beautiful. Go indulge yourself.

Fiona Apple "Every Single Night"

Rollin' In The Heat

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
~Harry S. Truman

Adele & Jamie XX vs Cecile, Mr Lexx & Timberlee - "Rolling in the Heat" (The Heatwave Refix)

Tasha The Amazon at NXNE June 17, 2012

NXNE wrapped up yesterday with a huge hip hop show at Yonge and Dundas Square, and I have to say, Tasha the Amazon's performance was by far my favorite of the entire festival. No pretension, no over-the-top props to detract from how shitty the music was...just pure, lyrical bliss from one of Toronto's most talented MCs. Backed on the decks by Bass and Bakery cohort Danthrax, and joined on the mic by Cola from Wifetaker, Tasha the Amazon's set was fierce, fun, and an ass-shaking head-nodding great time. One of many highlights from the show: Tasha ripping rhymes while the main hook from Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" throbbed in the background. Blew. My. Mind. If anyone caught some video of this (my stupid ass camcorder died), please pass it my way! Toronto MC Rich Kidd also jumped on stage to perform "Back in the Day" and I found him to be highly charismatic and an excellent lyricist. Expect big things to keep rolling out from this exceptionally talented Toronto scene.

Some video from the show (which unfortunately is pretty crappy and doesn't do full justice to how awesome the set was)

Hit Up Tasha The Amazon's site for downloads and more!

The Flaming Lips at NXNE June 16, 2012

I'm going to be honest here and say that this is a half-assed review, because I did not stay for the entire Flaming Lips show last night at NXNE. Between a gajillion drunk fratboys, the band going on 30 minutes late, and Wayne Coyne sitting and chastising the audience for not being excited enough for a free show 2 songs into their set, I was over it after they covered Radiohead's "Knives Out". I went to the show because I had never seen them live, and I heard the stage antics are incredible. I probably would have had a better time if I had dropped acid, but those days are long behind me. Here's some video from last night.

Bad Religion at NXNE June 14, 2012

As a fan of Bad Religion when I was younger, I decided to check out their free concert last night in Toronto. Bad Religion's been around for over 30 years now, and I was expecting a pretty polished act. The band was tight, with one of the best live drummers, Brooks Wackerman, I have ever seen. However, lead singer Greg Graffin just was not on point last night. His vocals constantly cracked, he dropped lyrics, and just didn't seem to have any power behind his performance. I wish I had caught them 20 years earlier.

Here's some video from last night. I apologize in advance for the poor quality. 

Friday Five: Cover Songs That Don't Suck

Cover songs are very hit or miss, with most of them being huge misses. Here's five that hit the mark. Happy Friday!

For your ears: (right click to save all files)
Usher "Pumped Up Kicks" (Foster the People cover)

Brad Go "Say It Ain't So" (Weezer cover)

DWNTWN "Big Jet Plane" (Angus & Julia Stone cover)

DWNTWN "I'm on Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover)

Chromatics "Into The Black" (Neil Young cover)

For your eyes:
Heather Nova covering Chris Isaak's "Wicked Games" live.

Little Boots

Victoria Hesketh, known professionally as Little Boots, is a British electronica musician. She sings, plays synthesizers,  the Tenori-on and the stylophone. She is the former lead singer/synth player in Dead Disco.My amazing girlfriend brought Little Boots into our household, and I think she's well worth a listen.

Little Boots "Headphones" (direct link)
Little Boots "Headphones" (Dimitri from Paris Dub)  (right click to save)

Little Boots "Every Night I Say A Prayer" (right click to save) 
Little Boots "Every Night I Say A Prayer" (Midnight Affair Remix) (direct link)

Little Boots "Meddle"  (direct link)
Little Boots "Meddle" (Baron Von Luxxury Technicolor Remix) (direct link)

Wednesday

"I'm just sitting around being foolish
when there is work to be done" - Tori Amos

Tori Amos "Wednesday"  (direct link)

NXNE Free shows

NXNE, Toronto's annual five-day live music and film festival and music conference, kicked off last night with a free show by Metric at Toronto's Sugar Beach. While festivities will be happening all over the city that you'll need a wristband for, here's a list of some FREE must-see shows this week

Thursday, June 14th
Bad Religion  - 9pm  @ Yonge & Dundas Square

Saturday June 16th
Of Montreal - 7pm @ Yonge & Dundas Square
The Flaming Lips - 9pm @ Yonge & Dundas Square

Sunday, June 17th
Tasha The Amazon - 5pm @ Yonge & Dundas Square
Ghostface Killah/Raekwon - 9pm @ Yonge & Dundas Square

See you out there!

Some video from yesterday's show, which was well worth getting rain soaked for!

Every Single Night

"The rib is the shell and the heart is the yolk yoke and
I just made a meal for us both to choke on
Every single night's a fight with my brain" - Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple "Every Single Night" (Djemba Djemba remix)

No Worm In The Apple

Fiona Apple's 4th studio album, The Idler Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords will serve you more than Ropes will ever do, is due out in stores June 19th. I have been waiting years for her to follow up Extraordinary Machine, and after listening to the first 3 tracks Apple has released over at Sound Cloud, I can say it's been well worth the seven year wait. She's been a favorite of mine since 1996, and I don't think you could find another artist out there right now who writes lyrics and music with such punch. Apple is the poet of my generation.

Listen to:
Werewolf by fionaapple

 Watch "Every Single Night" live at SXSW 2012

I Got Life

 “…to make people feel on a deep level. It’s difficult to describe because it’s not something you can analyze; to get near what it’s about you have to play it. And when you’ve caught it, when you’ve got the audience hooked, you always know because it’s like electricity hanging in the air.” - Nina Simone

(for all files, right click to save)
Nina Simone "Ain't Got No/I Got Life"

Nina Simone "Ain't Got No/I Got Life" (Groovefinder Remix)


An amazing live rendition of "Ain't Got No/I Got Life" where she changes up the original quite a bit.

Friday Five: Rumours

Here's five Fleetwood Mac covers to kick off your Friday.

For your ears:
Florence + The Machine "The Chain" (right click to save)

Death Cab for Cutie & The Decemberists "Go Your Own Way" (right click to save)

The New Pornographers "Dreams" (right click to save)

Vampire Weekend "Everywhere" (right click to save)

 Sister Hazel "Gold Dust Woman" (right click to save)

For your eyes:
Cat Power performing "Dreams" live at the Filmore in 2011.

Hail To Whatever You Found In The Sunlight That Surrounds You

"Pretend all the good things are for you
Pretend all the good things are for me, too
And the weather changes not halfway between your house and mine" - Rilo Kiley

                                          

Download "Hail to Whatever You Found In The Sunlight That Surrounds You" (right click to save)

Synthetica

Metric's 5th studio album, Synthetica, is due to drop in North America on June 12th. Lead singer, Emily Haines, has described the group's newest effort as "about forcing yourself to confront what you see in the mirror when you finally stand still long enough to catch a reflection. Synthetica is about being able to identify the original in a long line of reproductions. It's about what is real vs what is artificial"

After listening to the album in full today, what I can say is real is that Metric hasn't lost any ingenuity and talent since coming onto the music scene back in 1998. Synthetica is a lush musical soundscape, with Haines' vocals and lyrics perfectly rounding out the album. Lou Reed also guests on the track "The Wanderlust", which was a pleasant surprise.

You can stream the entirety of Synthetica here at Grooveshark, and you can download the first single, "Youth Without Youth" here for free.

Free Concert!!!

The Wedding Singers

At a wedding my partner and I were at this weekend, we got a chance at the reception to hear a very popular San Franciso band called Con Brio. They were a great blend of soul, funk, and a little blues. They've got two albums out right now,which you can check out here at their website. My favorite song so far is "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker" (no, that one did not get played at the wedding) which is a D'Angelo cover. Check them out!