Toronto Freedom Festival
The Toronto Freedom Festival is a political movement protesting the laws that ban marijuana. It is widely believed that marijuana can serve as medicine or even a better alternative to other recreational drugs such as cigarettes or alcohol. Too many individuals have been slapped with criminal charges for growing, distributing or even possessing any hemp.
There [...]
CMF 2010: Highlights
This year’s festival has taken on some new features, including but not limited to “Ragga Jungle” presented by HIGHGRADE PRODUCTIONS, a new iPhone app to compile your own schedule developed by The Mobile Cartel, and a performance workshop conducted by Tom Jackson of “On Stage Success”.
At last year’s festival we shot a few hip hop [...]
Maneli Jamal – The Ziur Movement
Progressive Finger Style
Maneli Jamal is originally from Iran and has travelled the world. He has performed in the U.S.A., Canada and England to name a few. He has just recently acquired his Canadian citizenship and in turn written a song called Morning in Adanac which spells Canada backwards.
It’s a witty name which reflects the turning [...]
God Made Me Funky – Welcome To Nu Funktonia
Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal
I just got home, it’s been a long day and I just popped in their record Welcome to Nu Funktonia as I reach back to the kitchen to grab a snack and prepare to write this review. As I’m pouring myself a glass of water my knees begin to bounce [...]
Dead and Divine – The Machines We Are
The Machines We Are – CD Review
Dead and Divine’s 2009 release ‘The Machines We Are‘ (Distort Records) is a truly impressive addition to the world of hardcore and their own discography. The divine team consisting of vocalist Matt Tobin, guitarist Chris Lemasters, bassist Kellan Lindsay, and drummer Kyle Anderson certainly pull no punches on [...]
The Roots – Thought @ Work (Live at CEMF 2009)
The Roots were on fire at CEMF 09! They preformed a very tight live set which seamlessly weaved their songs together with live improvisations. The Roots are definately a Hip Hop band and not just a group. Their live show is a testament to that. Black Though is such a vibrant preformer. He was full [...]
BEAT LOUNGE Beat Battle
On Sunday June 21st, 2009 20 local producers from Toronto went head to head in an elimination style Beat Battle tournament as part of The Academy’s 4 days of programming during NXNE 2009 Festival. The excitement levels blasted through the roof as contenders knocked each other out of the ring, fighting for a $500 [...]
North By NorthEast Music Festival 2009
More than 500 bands and 50 venues scattered in downtown Toronto, all accessible with a $30 wrist-band. It’s by far the most affordable way to enjoy a seasonal bar hop in the early summer.
By day, NXNE organizers hosted a conference for film and music at the Holiday Inn on King St just off of Spadina [...]
Canadian Music Cafe 2008
Submissions for the 2009 Canadian Music Café are now open and last year’s event was a real big hit! The showcase is annual in association with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and includes 15 Canadian acts performing in front of music supervisors, publishers, producers and directors attenting the TIFF.
Last year’s showcase landed some of [...]
Lawrence Collins – Superman is Dead
I have had the good fortune of meeting a musician from France with nearly 20 years of experience under his belt, his name is Lawrence Collins. This man is by far the most captivating performer I have seen in ages. He has one of the most dynamic voices I’ve heard in a long time. His [...]
Rob Szabo – Life and Limb
The MP3 Download Card
Rob Szabo has done it all; toured, produced, written, engineered, merchandised, grant funding, and much more. He is a full-time artist playing at a comfortable pace of 100 shows per year and one album per year.
One of his most innovative presentations was his merch stand at Graffiti in Kensington Market, Toronto. It [...]
The Human Statues – Carol That I Know
Get Noticed
The Human Statues were originally formed in Vancouver as street performers performing mime. They have now relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada and not only perform mime, but are also musicians/comedians. They’ve often been compared to Jackson 5 and the Beatles. Personally, they remind me of the Roxbury brothers (Steve and Doug Butabi) from the [...]
Andrew Austin – Just The Way I Feel
The Canadian Idol
As you may or may not know, Andrew Austin is a veteran cast member of Canadian Idol 2007. He lived in the Royal York hotel for a couple of months and played the part of a talented singer… not a talented songwriter. Andrew stumbled upon the open call audition for Canadian idol while [...]
Canadian Music Fest 2009
It had been a mind blowing week for Canadian musicians in Toronto. From March 11-14, artists from all across the nation had the chance to showcase their music, and many were willing to listen – including Gene Simmons. With thousands of participants, this week long event played a huge part in exposing underground talent to [...]
Daniel Roth – I Should Have Known (Live at C’est What)
Guitar Layers
I had the pleasure of playing a show with Daniel Roth this past week. He’s’ a solo singer/songwriter from Toronto. On stage he has an acoustic guitar with a few fx pedals and a loop recorder. His repertoire is similar to that of Now Yr Taken or Marco Solo, but Daniel Roth brings a [...]
Mandippal Jandu – Live @ FACTOR OPEN MIC
In 2006 Mandippal was nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award in the “Best Indie Rock” category, receiving the same nomination again in 2007, both times as the youngest artist to be nominated in any category. He has been featured on OMNI TV, TorontoIndie.com, Brit Asian Magazine (UK), CJIQ FM (Conestoga College), CIUT FM (University of Toronto), IndieLove.ca, and Qatalyst Magazine, along with a showcase at 2007′s S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival in St. Catharines.
Virgin Festival 2008
This years Virgin Fest mimicked the spirit of the man with its amazing bands, amazing people, and overall fucking great times. The party always starts in line. Music fans guzzle as much of the cheap LCBO liquor as they can before their bags get searched on the way into the park. Alcohol, is always a [...]
The Saint Alvia Cartel EPK @ VFEST Toronto Island
Stardom Boredom
Only 3 days into their Canadian tour with the punk and roll phenomenon known as Against Me! The Saint Alvia Cartel (or Saint Alvia) along with their tour mates made a brief cruise across lake Ontario to The Toronto Island for this years Virgin Music Festival.
I happened to run into the guys from St. [...]
Sellout Artists Sellout Shows
When big name artists roll into town, we all stop and notice.
A few weeks ago I had the chance of going to one of these “big league” shows and had a first hand look at what it takes and what it is to be a sellout artist.
Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Tour @ The [...]
Rogers Picnic 2008
The Ongoing Music Documentary along with 6000 rain braving music lovers enjoyed the second annual Rogers Picnic at Historic Fort York in Toronto. This years Picnic was the first of its kind to offer complete wireless ticketing where attendees can text and get their ticket confirmation number directly to their cell phone. Basically, your phone [...]
Edgefest 2008 – Downsview Park
This past weekend The Ongoing Music Documentary attended Edgefest ’08 at Downsview Park to see bands such as Attack in Black, The Flatliners, Hostage Life, Sam Roberts, Linkin Park and of course The Stone Temple Pilots.
This was my first time seeing a show at Downsview Park and I would have to say that the location [...]
Attack in Black – The Love Between You And I
Weather Conditions
So this year’s weather was rainy, muddy, but nonetheless a ton of fun for the young souls who could enjoy the moment with some mud sliding as if the wet grass was a Crocodile Mile matte. However, when Attack in Black played Edgefest 2006, poor old Dan woke up in the hospital the [...]
The Flatliners – This Respirator
The Flatliners are back and tighter than ever. We managed to grab an interview with vocalist/guitarist Chris Cresswell and guitarist Scott Brigham back stage at Edgefest ’08. It’s been a year since we’ve met the boys at NXNE 2007 where they just finished recording their album and signed to Fat Wreck Chords (the youngest group [...]
The Manifesto Urban Music and Arts Festival
The first-ever Manifesto Festival of urban Music and Art took place throughout Toronto on September 20-23, 2007. Some of the venues that hosted the event include the Whippersnapper Gallery, The Berkeley Church, The Supermarket, The Gladstone Hotel, The Revival, and Nathan Philip Square. The four-day citywide festival showcased a diverse array of talent ranging from [...]