The Chemistry of Common Life

I've been experiencing a bit of new music exhaustion/indifference lately. I'm still paying my hard earned money to continue purchasing issues of Under The Radar, Magnet and The Big Takeover and the occassional Filter and based on those readings alone there's a multitude of artists I have neither the time nor patience to even check out. Other than a few select music blogs, my online music exploration has decreased significantly as of late, and in turn contributed to a lack of content on this site. For that I do apologize. I've been fairly selective in checking out new music lately and a band that's caught my ear are Vivian Girls, a female Brooklyn, NY three-piece specializing in punk-infused, minimalist, garage pop and have been compared to bands like The Aislers Set(yes!) and Shop Assistants(not too familiar with them though I've read about them numerous times and how they'd influenced many indiepop bands). I missed them the last time they came to Toronto for a show at Sneaky Dee's several months ago but they'll be back at the same venue on October 30 as one of the opening bands for Fucked Up - also playing that bill will be Final Fantasy, $100 and Katie Stelmanis and to get advance tickets[$12 each] you need to e-mail epicsinminutes@gmail.com (after which you should be sent a PayPal invoice in order to complete the transaction). A stacked show indeed - I sent my e-mail today, and I hope I get a ticket.

Not to take the spotlight off hardcore band Fucked Up too much, but as you know this is part of their Fucked Up Weekend series of shows they are playing to celebrate the release of their new album "The Chemistry of Common Life" out through Matador Records on October 7. Check out Stille Post for the full Fucked Up concert series line up taking place at Sneaky Dee's from October 30 to NOvember 1 which also includes after-parties taking place each night at Rancho Relaxo. There's also apparently an all ages Fucked Up gig happening at The Wrong Bar on November 1 according to Beggars Group Canada.

It appears that expression "you snooze and you lose" has been ringing true lately with the Drive By Truckers/The Hold Steady show at the Phoenix on November 11 and the Iron & Wine/Blitzen Trapper show at the Phoenix on November 13 both having sold out already, according to Inland Empire Touring.

Just a reminder of a few venue/time changes - the Sharon Jones show at Kool Haus on October 28 has been moved to the Guvernment for the same night. The No Age show at Lee's Palace on November 21 will now start later the the previously scheduled early doors, with doors now at 9 pm. [via Soundscapes]

Pink Mountaintops, Nordic Nomadic and Castle Music are at The Drake Hotel On November 7.