Exhibits Not To Miss at Toronto's 2012 Nuit Blanche

Toronto's seventh annual Nuit Blanche hits the streets today from 7:03pm until sunrise. Nuit Blanche is a giant, free art celebration that has over 150 contemporary art projects scattered across three zones in downtown Toronto. Some are small, intimate projects, and others are jaw-dropping large. New this year, a special exhibition of 14 projects at (and below) Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, Museum for the End of the World, will be the centerpiece of the festival. 


With over 150 exhibits, and an estimated 1 million people slated to attend, Nuit Blanche can be a sensory overload. Here's my picks for each zones "must see" this year.

Zone A: (downtown south and west)
Green Invaders, by Yves Caizergues
Location: Sun Life Financial Tower, 150 King St. W.
A massive lighting display paying homage to video gaming roots

Water Will Be Here, by Eric Corriel
Location: Commerce Court West, 25 King St. W.
Experience rising seas from global warming in this video installation

Cent une tueries de zombies, by Michael Lane and Colin Geddes
Location: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W.
101 zombie slaying scenes from cinema, tv, and pop culture spliced into a looped visual installation on a giant screen. 18+

 Zone B: (downtown central/east)
All Night Convenience, by Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky
Location: Bay Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay St.
An homage to "the common corner store", this exhibit is made out of 2,000 lanterns that will shrink throughout the night as lanterns that represent "convenience items" are handed out to visitors throughout the night.

Zone C: (downtown east)
Smells Like Spirit, by Hadley+Maxwell
Elgin Theatre Loading Dock, 160 Victoria St.
Will Kurt Cobain's ghost make an appearance for a final gig?

Keep in mind, the TTC is running a special events day pass that is good until 9am Sunday, and is extending subway service all night long. 

New Azealia Banks video "Luxury"

Friday Five: 90s Covers Edition

Here's 5 covers from the 90s to start your weekend out. Enjoy!

For your ears:
Richard Cheese "Loser" (Beck cover)

Owen Pallett "Fantasy"  (Mariah Carey cover)

Snow Patrol "Ray of Light" (Madonna cover)

Charlie Ash "I Wanna Sex You Up" (Color Me Badd cover)

 Tori Amos "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana cover)

For your eyes:
Pearl Jam covers Radiohead's "Creep"

House at the End of the Street vs The Avengers

 I caught the newest Jennifer Lawrence flick, House at the End of the Street, this week, hoping to be in for a good couple of hours of scares. Unfortunately, while House at the End of the Street started off decent, after 30 minutes in the movie went from bad to worse. The story focuses on Lawrence's character, Elissa, and her sweet next door neighbor, Ryan, whose family was brutally murdered by his crazy ass sister, Carrie-Ann, years ago. I won't divulge the entire plot, but I will say that director Mark Tonderai uses the same scare tactic over and over again throughout the entire film, and it's obvious and gets old quickly. The "twist" at the end is absolute bullcrap as well. I'd avoid paying to see this in theaters at all costs.

However, I finally got to catch Marvel's The Avengers, and the sheer awesomeness of Joss Whedon's flick made up for all of the suckage I had sat through with House at the End of the Street.

The Avengers has grossed over 1.5 billion dollars since it was released this summer, and with an epic ensemble cast. and Joss Whedon's impeccable writing, it's no surprise this movie has been such a smash. Pulling together characters from the Marvel Universe (Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury + S.H.I.E.L.D.) fighting against Loki and an alien race raging war against the Earth (The Chitauri), this movie is a riot from start to finish. You don't even need to be a fan-boy or comic book geek to enjoy this. Watch it now!

Throwback: Nirvana's Nevermind

 Nevermind is the second album released by Nirvana back in September of 1991. Produced by Butch Vig and released by DCG Records, Nevermind propelled the band into the international spotlight, scoring a number one slot on the Billboard album charts. Nevermind was certified Diamond by the RIAA, eventually selling 30 million records worldwide, and bringing the alternative scene into the forefront of the early 90s music scene. All 4 singles from the album, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Come As You Are", "In Bloom", and "Lithium" where all chart-toppers, and Nevermind is generally considered by music critics as one of the best albums of all time.

Cruel

Tori Amos "Cruel"

Tori Amos "Cruel" (Shady Feline Mix)

Tori Amos "Cruel" (Wub Machine Remix)

Streams of New Tori Amos album, Gold Dust

Tori Amos is set to release her 13th studio album, Gold Dust, on October 2nd. The album is a reworking of some of her favorite songs, performed alongside the Metropole Orchestra. If you're in the UK, NME is streaming the entire album today. You can catch a stream of "Silent All These Years" and "Gold Dust" over at Rolling Stone, and below is a re-worked "Jackie's Strength". Gold Dust track listing:
1. "Flavor" (from Abnormally Attracted to Sin; 2009) 4:08
2. "Yes, Anastasia" (from Under the Pink; 1994) 4:17
3. "Jackie's Strength" (from From the Choirgirl Hotel; 1998) 4:32
4. "Cloud on My Tongue" (from Under the Pink; 1994) 4:23
5. "Precious Things" (from Little Earthquakes; 1992) 4:44
6. "Gold Dust" (from Scarlet's Walk; 2002) 5:45
7. "Star of Wonder" (from Midwinter Graces; 2009) 3:46
8. "Winter" (from Little Earthquakes; 1992) 5:45
9. "Flying Dutchman" (from "China" single; 1992) 6:21
10. "Programmable Soda" (from American Doll Posse; 2007) 1:27
11. "Snow Cherries from France" (from Tales of a Librarian; 2003) 3:01
12. "Marianne" (from Boys for Pele; 1996) 4:08
13. "Silent All These Years" (from Little Earthquakes; 1992) 4:33
14. "Girl Disappearing" (from American Doll Posse; 2007)

New Music Releases for the week of 9/24/2012

 September continues to be very good to us with album releases, as today sees the much anticipated second album from Mumford & Sons, Babel, hit stores. Dragonette continues the party with their newest album, Bodyparts. Green Day releases the first album in its trilogy, Uno!!, today as well as efforts from No Doubt (Push and Shove), and Deadmau5 (<Album Title Goes Here>).

For new singles, Joss Stone offers up "Pillow Talk", Passion Pit score with "Take A Walk", Jennifer Lopez grabs Flo Rida for "Goin' In", and Sneaker Pimps try to squeeze more blood from a stone with yet another remix of their decades old hit, "Spin Spin Sugar".

Friday Five: Cover, covers, covers

 I am really loving these covers. Take a listen!

For your ears:
The Ukuleles "Call Me Maybe" (Carly Rae Jepsen cover)

Johnny Cash 8-bit "Hurt" (NIN cover)

Barcelona "Call Your Girlfriend" (Robyn cover)

Patrick Wolf "Born to Die" (Lana del Rey cover)

Wild Nothing "Cloudbursting" (Kate Bush cover)

For your eyes:
Lana del Rey covering Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" for H&M

Throwback: Ooooooohhh...On The TLC Tip

 TLC's debut album, Ooooooohhh...On The TLC Tip, was released 20(!!!) years ago on LaFace Records, and propelled members Tionne "T-boz" Watkins, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes into the national spotlight back in 1992. The record was produced by a slew of popular talent at the time: Dallas Austin, LA Reid, Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, Marly Marl, and De Funky Bunch. With the strength of its singles "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "Baby, Baby, Baby", "What About Your Friends", and "Hat 2 Da Back", the album was certified quadruple platinum by 1996, and hit number 14 on the Billboard Album Charts.

Aimee Mann Spoofs Herself in "Labrador" Video

 Aimee Mann's got a new album out (Charmer), and in the second single from the album is the track "Labrador". Aimee's done a great video for this track, with the video being a frame by frame parody of her classic 1985 video for "Voices Carry" (back in her 'Til Tuesday days). Peep it! Ted Leo in a wig is brilliant.

New Cat Power single + video "Cherokee"

 Cat Power debuted the video for "Cherokee" on Monday evening, and I'm featuring it because it has ZOMBIES! Check it out!

A Sorta Fairytale

Tori Amos " A Sorta Fairytale"

Tori Amos "A Sorta Fairytale" (101 Mix)

Tori Amos "A Sorta Fairytale" (Original Single Version)

New Music Releases for the week of 9/17/2012

 Another great week for new releases from big  names sees new albums from Kanye West (Cruel Summer), Pink (The Truth About Love), The Killers (Battle Born), Nelly Furtado (The Spirit Indestructible), Aimee Mann (Charmer), and Dinosaur Jr (I Bet on Sky).

For singles this week, No Doubt officially release "Settle Down", Ladyhawke shines on "Blue Eyes", and a strange pairing as Pitbull remixes Micheal Jackson's "Bad".

Friday Five: Fresh Covers

 Here's five cover songs to start your weekend off right. Enjoy!

For your ears:
Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra "Video Games" (Lana del Rey cover)

Dawn Landes "Won't Back Down" (Tom Petty cover)

Trails and Ways "Animal" (Miike Snow cover)

Carolina Chocolate Drops "Hit Em Up Style" (Blu Cantrell cover)

Chromeo "When The Night Falls" (Mayer Hawthorne cover)

For your eyes:
Eliza Doolittle covering The Weeknd's "The Morning"

Throwback: Whatever Happened to Save Ferris?

Remember Save Ferris? Bueller? Bueller? Anybody? The ska band was formed in 1995 in Orange County, California. The original line-up of the band consisted of singer Monique Powell, Brian Mashburn on guitar, Bill Uechi on bass, Eric Zamora on sax, Jose Castellanos on trumpet, Brian Williams on trombone, and Marc Harismendy on drums. Financially backed by their family members, they self- released their first EP, Introducing Save Ferris, in 1996. They received a Grammy showcase award that year for best unsigned band, which lead them to a recording contract with Epic Records later in 1996.

In 1997, Save Ferris released It Means Everything for Epic Records.  The album was a modest hit, selling around 400,000 copies due to the strength of the singles "The World is New", and their cover of Dexy Midnight Runner's "Come On Eileen". The album charted at 75 on the Billboard Charts, and the band toured with Sugar Ray, The Offspring, and Reel Big Fish over the year. Monique Powell also guested on Reel Big Fish's 1996 album, Turn The Radio Off, with the hilarious single "She Has A Girlfriend Now".

1998 saw drummer Marc Harismendy depart the band, and after adding Evan Kilbourne to the Save Ferris line up, the band released Modified in October 1999. The album charted at 136 on the Billboard 200, but saw low sales due to a move away from a ska sound to more of a pop-punk vibe. The band finally called it quits in September of 2002, after a loss of many of the original band members.

Since the break up, lead singer Monique Powell has formed the band The Mojo Wire. The other members of the band formed Starpool and released a record, Living in Transition, in 2010. Mystery solved!

New Music Videos not to miss (week of 9/10/12)

Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait"

Calexico "Splitter"

DIIV "Doused"

The Black Keys "Little Black Submarines"

Muse "Madness"

God

Tori Amos "God"

Tori Amos "God" (The Joys The Dharma Kava Mix)

Tori Amos "God" (Carl Craig's The Rainforest Resort Mix)

Tori Amos "God" (Carl Craig's The Thinking Mix 2)

New Music Releases for the week of 9/11/2012

September is shaping up to be a great month for new releases. This week in new albums, The XX release their second album, Coexist. Dave Matthews Band is back with their 8th studio album, Away From The World. Mono, Melanie C, The Ravonettes, and DMX also have new material shipping out today. For a real blast from the past, check out new material from Bob Dylan, The Tempest, and The Pet Shop Boys, Elysium.

New singles to catch this week include Hot Chip's "How Do You Do?",  Red Hot Chili Pepper's "Magpie/Victorian Machinery", and The Killers' official release of "Runaways". Under no circumstances whatsoever should you listen to Kreayshawn's new single, "Go Hard".

ICYMI: New Calvin Harris + Florence Welch song "Sweet Nothing"

After recent top 40 success teaming with Rihanna, Ne-Yo and more, Calvin Harris has signed on Florence + The Machine's Florence Welch for his new single, "Sweet Nothing". Harris told Rolling Stone he didn't think he had any chance of securing Florence Welch, saying "She seemed a really unattainable artist to reach for." The single is pretty decent for EDM, take a listen for yourself.

"Sweet Nothing" will be on Calvin Harris' upcoming 18 Months album, which will be released on October 29th. 


Calvin Harris (feat Florence Welch) "Sweet Nothing"

Friday Five: Easy Star All-Star covers

 Easy Star All-Stars jumped on my radar many years ago when they did a cover of Pink Floyd's entire Dark Side of The Moon album, entitled Dub Side of the Moon. They've just released their interpretation of Micheal Jackson's Thiller. Here's 5 covers that the group have done over the years to kick off your weekend. Enjoy!

For your ears:
Easy Star All-Stars "Human Nature" (Micheal Jackson cover)

Easy Star All-Stars "Speak to Me/Breathe" (Pink Floyd cover)

Easy Star All-Stars "Paranoid Android" (Radiohead cover)

Easy Star All-Stars "With A Little Help From My Friends" (Beatles Cover)

Easy Star All-Stars "Beat It" (Micheal Jackson cover)

For your eyes:
Easy Star All-Stars covering Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in The Sky"

Throwback: Weezer's Blue Album

Released in May 1994 by DGC Records, Weezer's debut album, Weezer (also known as the Blue album), propelled the group to alt-rock stardom with the singles "Undone - The Sweater Song", "Buddy Holly", and "Say It Ain't So". Produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars, the album has been certified triple platinum since its release. I personally love the hell out of this album, especially the tracks "My Name is Jonas", "Sufwax America", and "Say It Ain't So". Weezer's videos for this album were all done by Spike Jonze, and are brilliant.  You'll find the Blue album on most critics top ten albums of the 90s lists, and this record definitely ranks in my top 10 of all time, and is listened to at least weekly.

Jackie's Strength

Tori Amos "Jackie's Strength"

Tori Amos "Jackie's Strength" (Wedding Cake Club Mix)

Tori Amos "Jackie's Strength" (One Rascal Dub #1)

Tori Amos "Jackie's Strength" (Wedding Cake Meltdown Mix)

Tori Amos "Jackie's Strength" (One Rascal Dub #2)

Tori Amos "Jackie's Strength" (Bonus Beats)

New Music Releases for the week of 9/3/2012

This is a pretty sweet week for new album releases. Cat Power drops her highly anticipated album, Sun, tomorrow. Also on the radar, new releases from Azure Ray, David Byrne + St Vincent, Mono, and Stars.

For singles, check out the new singles from NOFX "Ronnie & Mags", and The Vaccines "Teenage Icon".


New music videos not to miss this week include:
Missy Elliot premiering her new songs "Triple Threat" and "9th Inning" this weekend

American Horror Story: Asylum

One of my favorite new shows has been American Horror Story, and by the looks of the new trailers coming out for season 2, the show is going to continue to be incredible. The premiere is set for October 17th on FX, cannot wait, especially as Jessica Lange is back and Chloe Sevigny and Joesph Fiennes have been added to the cast. If you didn't catch season one of American Horror Story, do so now!

No Doubt "Push and Shove"

 No Doubt released the title track from their upcoming album, Push and Shove, this week. "Push and Shove" was produced by Diplo, and sounds like a crock of shite. The chorus is decent, but the rest of the song is trite. What happened to the band that put out Tragic Kingdom and Rock Steady? I'd like to see that band put out another album, not this dribble. Stream the song below if you can stomach it.