Turn The Radio Off

Disappointing news of UK band The Long Blondes calling it a day. Too bad, it was way too short a run for them. On the other hand, fellow What's Your Rupture?-rostermates Swedish skronky popsters Love Is All are preparing for the release of their second album "A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night", out November 11. Definitely one of my favourite discoveries of the last few years. I'm sorry I wasn't on board with them in 2006 when their debut full-length "Nine Times That Same Song" came out, and especially given that I think they'd played live in Toronto at least twice that year, but ever since giving their debut a listen this past summer, it's probably been my most played album this year. Melodic, fun, sometimes spastic, but always a keen ear/pen for good songwriting. I love how they make me love the saxophone all over again. I see at their MySpace[in addition to a few songs off the album available for stream] that they've finally added a Canadian date to their tour itinerary [Vancouver @ Richards on November 24] and hopefully a Toronto date will be added soon. Update[Oct 25/08]: They're going to be at Horseshoe Tavern on December 11! Woohoo! [photo from Ground Control Touring]

Video: Love Is All - "Wishing Well On The Beach" (music video)

More Love Is All music videos and live videos here.

Disappointment seems to be the theme of the week, also with the news that the Deluxe Edition of the reissue of Pavement's "Brighten The Corners" has been pushed back to December 9/08. Shucks, the original November 18 release date was already feeling like an eternity. Just a reminder that for those of you in Toronto and vicinity, Soundscapes is an authorized retailer soliciting preorders for this release - so worth it as you get access to a web stream of the album,two bonus downloads available on October 21[ok, that was a few days ago] and November 4 via the Matador website, and the kicker,a free live vinyl LP and poster. If this fancies you, sign up here.

According to a little note on their MySpace, my favourite discovery of the 2008 NXNE festival, London, Ontario gyspy-folk specialists Olenka and The Autumn Lovers will be releasing their self-titled full-length as well as a new EP at the end of this month. There's a bunch of shows lined up over the next few months including a local date at The Press Club in Toronto on November 7. I think it's an early show. Also on the bill are Toronto acoustic guitar/drums duo Polyester Heart.

BlogTO conducted a Q & A with The Dears.

The Coast wind their way back home from the US for some local shows before heading to the UK. They'll be at Sneaky Dee's on December 6. They're doing a Daytrotter session on November 5.

The Octopus Project are at The Drake Hotel on October 28.

Got my ticket to the Fucked Up/Final Fantasy/$100/Vivian Girls/Katie Stelmanis show next Thursday at Sneaky Dee's! If you want tickets, send an e-mail to epicsinminutes@gmail.com. Deets about the show over at Stille Post.