Friday 29 November 2013

On My Radar: Sound Of Lions

A few weeks ago, I attended a local craft fair. With my purchase of a lovely mug, I got a free copy of "4:11" by Sound of Lions. I had heard of the band before but never had a chance to listen to their stuff. So I was pleasantly surprised when I got their album as a gift!

Photo: ottawamagazine.com
So far, I am really enjoying this local trip hop group. Their music is chill, and the singer's voice is absolutely sublime!

I am looking forward to seeing them perform live. The group will be playing the famous Black Sheep Inn on March 1, 2014.

I love discovering local bands that are producing amazing music. It makes me so happy! Thanks to Hollow Clay Works for the copy of the CD.

Click here to check out the song "Enders", which is my favourite track off the album so far.  Also, be sure to check out the band's SoundCloud page. Enjoy!

Thursday 28 November 2013

What I'm Listening To: Jake Bugg

These days, I am absolutely obsessed with Jake Bugg.

This 19 year old British musician has a unique sound that blends many genres of music, including rock, blues, folk, punk and grunge. Last week, his second album "Shangri La" was released, just a year after his debut self-titled album was released. Pretty remarkable...

Bugg's talent as a songwriter is clear while listening to this album. Safe to say, he's got a long career ahead of him!

Check out the songs "Simple Pleasures" and "A Song About Love", two of my favourite songs off "Shangri La". Enjoy!

Also, did I mention that Jake Bugg is playing at the Métropolis on January 12th? See you there!


Check out my French review of "Shangri La" on Sors-tu here.

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Photos: Warbringer @ Mavericks

Last night, I hit up Mavericks to check out Warbringer, an L.A. based trash metal band. Such a great show! These guys are absolutely insane, and the show was a blast!






The show also featured Joe Trasher, My Shadow and DIABHOLICO. And there were many mosh pits, and lots of broken bottles and blood. Good times were had by all.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Your Guide to Indie Holiday Craft Shows

Originally published on Couch Assassin.

As much as we hate to admit it, the holidays are right around the corner. You know what that means? Holiday shopping! Indeed, it is that time of the year.

Does the thought of crowded shopping malls make your skin crawl? Don’t worry! Ottawa has lots of indie holiday craft events to fulfill all of your festive needs. You can support local artisans and designers while getting your holiday shopping done. What else could you ask for?

This weekend, check out Glisten! A Handmade Holiday Event. Taking place at the Great Canadian Theatre Company on Saturday, November 16th from 10am-3pm, the free event will feature some of Ottawa's best indie craft designers and makers. The duo behind Urban Craft bring you their third annual holiday themed craft show which will feature 20 local vendors.

Back in 2011, Urban Craft was launched and the Great Canadian Theatre Company hosted the event. In an effort to give back to them for their generosity, the team decided to create a special holiday show. "We wanted to give shoppers an opportunity to shop for holiday gifts and check out some new vendors that might not have been featured at Urban Craft," said Krista Leben, co-founder of Glisten! and Urban Craft. "The response was incredible and we decided to keep the show running even after we moved Urban Craft to a different venue earlier this year."

When asked how vendors are chosen, Leben explained: "For all of our shows, we try to find vendors that are creating unique, high quality products that appeal to people both young and old. For Glisten!, our goal is to introduce you to some new vendors that you've never discovered before -- ones that have awesome gifts for everyone on your Christmas list!"

Next week, Spins & Needles presents Holiday Assembly on November 22nd. The event takes place from 8pm – 12am at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Spins & Needles has partnered with the Museum of Nature’s Nature Nocture series to create a unique night market, featuring 40 designers, makers, artists and businesses from Ottawa’s burgeoning creative scene. Emerging vendors will be selling a diversity of handmade goods for both men and women. Seasonal workshops to be taught by participating vendors. Tickets are $20 in advance.

Spins & Needles will donate Christmas hampers through the Caring and Sharing Christmas Exchange Program on behalf of all those who participate in and attend the event. To donate, inquire at the event.

The next day is the MAC Fair - Not your Grandma's Craft Fair on November 23. From 10am – 3pm, head over to Immaculata High School (140 Main Street). Admission is $1 which helps feed hungry families through the school’s Christmas Hamper program. The admission fee also earns you a free ticket to the raffle with over 100 prizes. There are also door prizes for the first 50 people who arrive at the fair, where 120 local vendors will be showcasing their handmade products.

Later that evening, it's the Ottawa Arts & Crafts BONANZA! The action takes places at the Bronson Centre from 6:00pm – 10:30pm on November 23. The evening will feature a creative lineup of music, dance, theatre, comedy, live art, and of course, local vendors. The lineup of musical acts includes The Owl Eyes Project, Weird with Cats, Dynamite Motel and Tariq Anwar. There’s an admission fee of $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Don’t miss it!

That same week-end, the Ottawa Valley Crafts and Collectibles Show presents Artisans @ the Archives | The Christmas Market. Head over to Library & Archives Canada Saturday & Sunday, November 23-24 from 10am to 3pm. Free admission and free parking means you have more cash to spend on cool stuff! The event will feature 80 artisans and designers from the Ottawa Valley. There will also be a silent auction, in support of the Barrhaven Food Cupboard.

December starts on a good note with the Idle Hands Art, Craft and Vintage Sale: Holiday Edition. Drop by St. Anthony's Banquet Hall on December 1st from 10am to 5pm. With your $3 admission fee, you can access over 50 local vendors from Ottawa, Montréal and Toronto. The event will also feature beats from DJs The Girlfriends. Be sure to check it out!

There are tons of upcoming shows and fairs that will showcase some of Ottawa’s best vendors and artisans. So get out your wallets and support our local talent, all while checking off items from your Christmas list!

Sunday 10 November 2013

Photos: Saxsyndrum @ Pressed

Friday night, I headed to Pressed to check out Saxsyndrum, a Montreal based electro-jazz duo . The group was joined by Bucko and Adam Saikaley as supporting acts.

It was a great show with a great turnout. If you haven't done so yet, check out Saxsyndrum.

Here are some photos of the show:

Bucko
 
Adam Saikaley

Saxsyndrum

Friday 8 November 2013

New Metric Video!

Those who know me know that I love Metric. It is one of my all-time favourite bands. They can do no wrong in my book (except sell their song "Stadium Love" to the Blue Jays. Don't get me started...)

This week, Metric released a new music video. Last year, they released "Synthetica", which is a really great album. It was nominated for this year's Polaris Music Prize.

Check out their latest video for the "Synthetica", the title track from Metric's latest album. Enjoy!

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Paradise (Not For Me)

I recently came back from a "vacation" in Mexico. I use the term "vacation" loosely... Although I love the beach, I am not a resort type of gal. I tend to get bored easily and I don't like to sit around and do nothing.

Despite this, I went to Mexico for 8 days for a family vacation and to take part in my aunt's wedding. It was a good trip. However, while I was in Mexico, I missed a few shows.

Irish pop duo Heathers played at Zaphod's. I was lucky enough to see them live this past summer at Cafe Dekcuf and I was floored. Not only are they gorgeous and charming but they are extremely talented. Check them out; I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

Image courtesy of entertainment.ie

Plants and Animals played a show at the Museum of Nature as part of the Nature Nocture event.  I really enjoy Plants and Animals and their show last Spring was great. In addition, I was able to interview the band for Couch Assassin before their show, which was awesome!

Another show I wanted to check out was the Darcys and Still Life Still playing at Zaphod's. I had the opportunity to see them live this past summer in Toronto as part of Arts & Craft's Field Trip. I really enjoyed the Darcys and was sad to miss them play Ottawa. Turns out that both the Darcys and Still Life Still cancelled their appearance at the show, and Winchester Warm headlined the show with Loon Choir as the supporting act. Both these bands are fantastic (and local) so check them out!

Although I am happy I went to Mexico, I am thrilled to be back and quite sad about the shows that I missed. Since my return, I've been trying to catch up with all the fun stuff I missed.

Paradise is not for everyone.Here's a song that reflects my feelings well. And, although it's not my favourite Madonna track by a long shot, it's very fitting.