The NewMusic

With Christmas shopping, snow-mageddon and other various things on my mind, I totally missed the news that the long-running television program The NewMusic got cancelled recently. An article in the recent issue of Eye Weekly discusses the evolution of our "Nation's Music Station" Muchmusic, whose direction seems to be a shift from actual music to pop cultural programming, and in it's wake it seems The NewMusic got the axe. I hardly remember The NewMusic prior to '96 (although I know I watched it), but from 96' and onward I watched it fairly regulary except over the last few years as life got busier. As I expressed over at Stillepost, from '96 and onward with hosts Avi Lewis, Byron Wong, George Stroumboulopoulos, Hannah Sung and Hannah Simone, it was of consistently good quality in my opinion. Yes over the last few years they may have interviewed an inordinate amount of Emo bands but hey, who am I to be a music snob. As someone who doesn't choose to watch MuchMusic very much nowadays, it was cool to have The NewMusic as one of the last bastions of the old days of MuchMusic and something that was informative and entertaining to watch within the sea of dreck that MuchMusic is nowadays (although kiddies, I'm sure you'll grow up and realize the err of your youth musical tastes). Sorry to see The NewMusic go. Let's hope The Wedge and Going Coastal stick around.

I'm surprised I haven't read anyone mention this but, the Canadian Music Week website has a list of the artists so far confirmed for the festival taking place March 12-14/09.

I've decided to round up some of the recent concert announcments just for the record (though Chromewaves has mentioned many of these during the past week or so if you've been keeping up with him):

Don't call them The Jayhawks, just call them by their first names, Gary Louris and Mark Olson who'll be coming to The Mod Club for a show on February 4/09. The duo will be releasing an album "Ready For The Flood" in January 2009 according to their MySpace.

Jenn Grant (who was here recently supporting Danny Michel for some local dates) returns with new album "Echoes" in the new year and has also recently announced a string of CD release shows, included a date in Toronto at The Mod club on February 12. Apparently it's an early show. Via Six Shooter Records

Ben Folds will come to town for a show at Kool Haus on February 17/09 and has also announced recently on his MySpace that they're giving away a 2-disc set entitled "Way To Normal: Stems and Seeds" to all current members of his fanclub and anyone who joins the fan club before Feb 15th. Check out the MySpace link above for more details.

Sub Pop's country-folk rockers Blitzen Trapper return to Toronto for a show at Horseshoe Tavern on February 21/09 with openers Alela Diane. Via Sub Pop

Detroit garage rock outfit The Von Bondies will come to town for a show at the Horseshoe on February 20. Their new record "Love, Hate, and Then There's You" is out February 3/09.

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit and Deer Tick will be at Horseshoe Tavern on March 4/09. Jason's new album is out February 17/09.

New Pornographer frontman A.C. Newman takes his solo project on the road with a stop at Lee's Palace on March 11/09. His 2nd solo album, "Get Guilty" hits the street on January 20/09.

There are return trips to Toronto for Bloc Party who'll play Kool Haus on March 14/09 while Eagles of Death Metal (who were just here recently for a show at The Mod Club) will play the larger Phoenix Concert Theatre on February 20.

I don't remember if/when UK's Primal Scream played Toronto so perhaps that should be enough motivation to check them out when they come to town for a show at the Phoenix on March 24/09.

A new album (as yet untitled, and no official release date confirmed) from Depeche Mode will come this spring, while NME reports that U2 will do the same when they release their new album 'No Line On The Horizon' on March 2/09.

Fleet Foxes performed on Late Night With Conan O'Brien a few days ago. Check it out.