Parks and Rec

In my last post I mentioned that the planned shows for NXNE that are suppose to take place in various parks/street locations around the city weren't listed(except for a few shows) in the NXNE schedule. However, over the last few days I see that has changed. Actually, one of those sets took place near my work today over at the College Park Parkette with local Jennifer Foster playing a set. I was too busy munching on my delicious $2.99 hamburger at the nearby Richtree patio to listen to Jenn's set, but yes, outdoor sets like this are really a great idea. The Yonge-Dundas Square NXNE lineups for the end of this week(Thursday, Friday & Saturday) will likely draw big crowds, but there are variety of other alternative venues around the city that'll be hosting some live sets too.(My pick is UK's This Is Radio Freedom who'll be playing a half hour set at Metro Square [King & John Sts.] on June 12 at noon - their song "Bombthreat", streaming over at their MySpace, is a bristling, anthemic Brit-rock tune.) Peruse the NXNE schedule and see what interests you. (I'm slowly putting together my schedule for NXNE. Any recommendations? I'm mostly interested in club hopping and checking out the lesser known acts.)

In other news, Chromewaves points out that The Watson Twins come back to Toronto for a quite an affordable(and sure to be enjoyable) evening at Lee's Palace on July 15, with opener Tim Fite. Tickets only $10. The gals debut full-length "Fire Songs" will be released June 14.

The Mexican Elvis, El Vez stops in at Horseshoe Tavern for a show on August 9[via The Windish Agency].

Handsome Furs return to Toronto for a show at Lee's Palace on August 22, with openers The Witchies[via Inland Empire Touring].

Eric's Trip at The Mod Club tomorrow night? Hmmm, I'm still pondering about going. I always liked them but I never really listened to them much. But I just finished listening to their album "Forever Again" and it reminded me how much I loved their song "My Chest Is Empty". It breaks my heart every time I listen to it.

North By Southwest

I hope this year's NXNE is at least half as good as SXSW seemed to be. I was scrolling through some photos over at Pitchfork(specifically the Pitchfork/Windish Austin Bash) and was in awe of the bands that were there(a lot of bands who I hadn't necessarily heard but at least bands I'd heard/read about and would have liked to check out based on such curiosity). Beats my method of checking out bands at NXNE and CMW which is less about buzz bands and big names and usually involves putting time into researching bands by checking out their MySpaces and reading band descriptions during the local weeklies festival coverage.

But fortunately, a lot of the bands that pass through SXSW have passed or will pass through Toronto. And in the case of some, like Jens Lekman, hopefully will make it to Toronto this year. (Anyone in the Jens Lekman camp reading this?) So really all that I have to regret missing is the SXSW festival atmosphere, and maybe the BBQ, right?

A few of the bands that stopped in at SXSW will be making their way to Toronto in the near future. The Raveonettes will be in Toronto next week on March 21 for a show at The Opera House, but in addition to that will be playing an instore at Sonic Boom earlier that evening[via Stille Post]. Scotland's Sons and Daughters will be in Toronto for a show at Lee's Palace on March 26. Both bands performed at SXSW, part of which was recorded by MPR's The Current for posterity. Check it out:

Audio: Sons and Daughters @ SXSW 2008 (live on MPR's The Current - March 13, 2008)
Audio: The Raveonettes @ SXSW 2008 (live on MPR's The Current - March 13, 2008)
Video: Sons & Daughters - "Gilt Complex" (live on MPR's The Current @ SXSW - March 13, 2008)
Video: The Raveonettes - "Dead Sound" (live on MPR's The Current @ SXSW - March 13, 2008)
Video: The Raveonettes - "Aly, Walk With Me" (live on MPR's The Current @ SXSW - March 13, 2008)

Still extolling the virtues of their most recent album 2007's "Under The Blacklight", Rilo Kiley return to Toronto for a show at the Phoenix on May 28. Full dates at Ground Control Touring. I'll vouch that their last show in Toronto(back in Sept 2007, also at the Phoenix) was a fun one.

My Old Kentucky Blog points out that Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis' friends and one time back-up singers The Watson Twins have signed to Vanguard Records and will release a new album on June 24th called "Fire Songs". [via Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands]

Halifax indie guitar-drums duo Museum Pieces return to Toronto for a show at Wavelength(ie a Sunday night) at Sneaky Dee's on April 27. More dates over at their MySpace.

Opening Tokyo Police Club's show at The Opera House on May 2 will be teen sister indiepop duo Smoosh and Montreal's Winter Gloves, well at least according to Pollstar.

Venerable Toronto Music Venue/Church The Music Gallery launched their new website yesterday.