Julie Doiron has been a familiar name within the Canadian indie folk-rock scenes for decades. In this interview with Doiron, we discuss her residency at Saving Gigi, living in Toronto, working on her next album and connecting with her audience. Continue reading
Heartbeat Hotel and its cohorts are no strangers to Dork Shelf. We’ve listened to their sound grow over the last year from the late-night basement ponderings of Fetus Dreams to the hazy glow of waking realizations found on their latest piece of work, a six song-long album titled Intae Woe, which was released at the end of November. By doing such, this Toronto four-piece has led 2011 into a blissfully sweet ending. Continue reading
When the air gets crisp, when the leaves turn colours and start to fall, the atmosphere noticeably changes. Generally around this time, I find people like to make a bit of a switch in the kind of music they listen to. Gone are the poppy summer hits and in come the warm and majestic folk-rock tunes. If you find that you’re one of these people, then Toronto’s Parks & Rec will snuggle right in. Continue reading
When discussing indie rock bands in Toronto and which ones have been waiting real hard for their dues, the name The Darcys probably comes up pretty often. For years, the band has been saying that their next album was forthcoming, but we can finally say that on October 25 that product of labour and love will be in our hands and ears and in front of our eyes. Their self-titled second album, The Darcys, will be released later this month by Canadian indie powerhouse label Arts & Crafts. Continue reading
Welcome to the first edition of a new column featuring a Toronto band for every month. We’re pleased to start it off with Army Girls, a two-piece who will release their first EP, Close to the Bone, on September 13 through the Blocks Recording Club. Continue reading
August is clearly trying to make sure summer ends on a hot note. Toronto’s so jam-packed with concerts and music-type events that there’s got to be something in this heap of sweat for everyone. Here are some choice methods to get hot before September. Continue reading
For fans, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two has been a moment we’ve been both waiting for and dreading simultaneously. To see the end of something that, for those of my age group and level of dedication, has lasted for over a decade is obviously bittersweet. That’s a long time to have really loved and been invested in something. Continue reading
Around this time of year, I start to crave something. Besides the usual cravings like ice cream, cold beer and not witnessing gross old men or even egotistical jocks shirtless (sup, dorks?), I yearn for some really good summer music. You know, the kind that you can blast at BBQs? The kind of music that make your steps a little more energetic while you walk to work and anthems you can sing along to. I think we all experience a form of this craving, so here are my local ideas for how to keep satisfied this July. Continue reading
Apologies; long time, no music advice, Dork Shelf-ers. But I have returned to these parts for the mighty occasion that is the North by Northeast festival! I’ve got a handful of acts – here, take a few – you should check out if you’re planning on perusing the festival market for the rest of the week. Here goes. Continue reading
It’s been about six months since Conan O’Brien took back the night with his talk show on TBS, but any fan of his or at least anyone still interested in what happened while he was off the air will want to see this documentary. Continue reading
2011 is finally working up to something stronger this month; are we all in agreement that these first few months have been kind of slow in terms of music? Or maybe we’re just impatient. Anyways, while we’ve surely had some musical finds each month, April has definitely kicked it up a notch. In just the first week, Toronto will be visited by acclaimed international acts such as The Joy Formidable, The Raveonettes, Foster the People, The Mountain Goats, Nat Baldwin (of the Dirty Projectors), Cut Copy and Toro Y Moi. Continue reading
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