Tag Archives: Alvvays

[Top five] Tracks not to miss

Back with a follow up to their debut single, Johnny, Basement Revolver has released the aftermath of a heartbroken teen trying to cling to the remains of a fantasy with Johnny pt. 2.

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After years of silence from the Toronto band, Alvvays have come back on the scene with In Undertow, as well as an album announcement.

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Always sweetly dark and haunting, Emily Haines’ new song is a hymn to chill your bones and awaken that lost teenager inside of us all. Her charm and talent is riddled into each of her tracks and is something that never gets old.

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Shake Smile, off their sophomore album, is no surprise one of the best new songs of summer 2017. Big Thief isn’t new to the love of online communities with their emotional lyrics and honestly sweet tunes that touch a part of you you didn’t know existed.

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An underrated treat, Death Valley Girls are a band to put on your radar immediately.  Dripping with GRL PWR they make a name for strong female leads with their strong tunes and mind blowing shows.

Backstage access: Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

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Mother Mother – before their set closing out night two of the festival.

Ever wonder what goes on before the bands take the stage? Get a sneak peak with the bands of ODBF. Playing frisbee, lounging on the grass or inside trailers, most bands liked a little R&R before their sets. Here is a quick gallery of what went on behind the scenes this past weekend.

 

Want more? For galleries of the shows click here.

All You Need To Know About The Casbys

Yukon Blonde – 2015 Performers

You voted, you decided, now we wait for the show. Thursday, massive names will pile into The Phoenix Concert centre to claim their awards at the 2015 CASBY Awards, presented by The Edge 102.1. But that’s not the only thing going down. The Zolas, Yukon Blonde  and USS are just a few of the bands that will be taking the stage for fans to put on breathtaking performances.

The Performers

There are some exciting names taking the stage! Just announced, Monster Truck will be opening the show. Amid the excitement, 2015 winners of The Edge’s Next Big Thing competition, Ivory Hours will get their chance to shine.

But I’m waiting to see Young Empires. With the recent release of their newest album, The Gates, the Toronto bound guys have showed off their new chops. And of course who isn’t excited to see one of the biggest bands in the country right now, Yukon Blonde?

Now check out some of the:

The Nominees

For weeks fans have been voting their favourite bands to glory. The Edge also gave away tickets to some of the lucky few who voted their way into the exclusive show. Tomorrow night we’ll find out the results.

Favourite New Record

Favourite New Song

 New Artist

Favourite Sugar Beach Session

Didn’t win tickets? No worries! You can catch the live stream tomorrow night at 8 on The Edge.ca!

Locally Grown: Alvvays

Why— The name sticks out probably because you’ve heard it among friends, seen it in your “recommended” music lists or maybe you’ve read it from the festival posters ridden all over Toronto. Playing everything from Canadian Music Week, Osheaga to Riot Festival in Chicago Alvvays is a, sort of, band that is awfully buzzed about by their die-hards. After listening to them once, you get why. There comes a time when a band starts to play and you just think “Oh yeah, this band is gonna make it.” A quick obsession follows until you find the next one. But then there are those bands that stick with you. Youlisten to their album anytime and can recreate or create something. Be it a memory, moment or a feeling, it becomes more than just music, it’s something to grow up to, to transcend you back to youth or make you stop and see the world around you. It’s a soundtrack to live to. The  Alvvays’ self-titled debut is an album that makes you appreciate just being.

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The Band— Releasing their first album in 2014, they’ve gained recognition from Rolling Stone Magazine and just this year were nominated for Juno Alternative Album of the Year. From Toronto, the band is formed by childhood friends Rankin (vocals) and keyboardist Kerri MacLellan. The two began playing music with Alec O’Hanley while in high school, later adding Brian Murphy and Phil MacIsaac in 2010 when the band formed. The fivesome very quickly they made something people loved and it’s clear they love doing it. They play communicating with silent looks, body movements and when they lose themselves in the set most of their eyes close. The chemistry between members translates vibrantly to the audience, when they play live, you can tell the exact moment people unfamiliar with their music fall in love.Alvvays 2_edited-11

They peak interest with their nostalgic sound and quirky look; once Marry Me, Archie begins there’s no turning back, instant super fans have been made; Rankin practically has people at the stages edge ready to put a ring on it. Following up their hit with strong singles Next of Kin and Party Police the band proved to be far more than a one hit wonder.

Wracking up over one million views on YouTube, Marry Me Archie is the bands best-known, and most addicting, song. A sweet rock-riff paired with Rankin’s enthralling voice the song is the perfect description of something relatable in all of us—a vulnerability, confession of love and a decision that has yet to be determined bad or good.