Hey All,

Don’t forget, tomorrow is the second “Best Live” showcase of the month. Check out these amazing artists!

Wed. May 27th, 2009 – TIMAs Metal/Punk/Alt Rock Showcase @ The Central
Doors @ 7:30pm, $7 or FREE with Seasons Pass, 19+
Letterbox Black
Hallowed Be
The MacHams
Sinister Trailerpark Magic
Pyramid Theorem
The JOHNNYS

Next “Best Live” showcase is the last two Wednesdays of June!

Season 1 Pass Holder!

By: BD Maria Hughes

On Wednesday, May 20, 2009, the TIMAs hosted its first showcase of 2009/2010 inaugurating its 5th season! The lineup at The Central, in Toronto, packed to capacity including the front patio, was nothing short of spectacular! Performing:

Alistair Blaik Bundale
Dave Borins (TIMA 2008 nominee for “Best Live” – Acoustic)
Mike Celia (TIMA 2008 Winner of “Best Blues”)
Jamesking
Isles of Thieves – and –
The Sound Foundation.

I had an opportunity to speak with the musicians and bands to find out more about them and what’s currently on their radar.

Singer/songwriter Alistair Blaik Bundale’s performance was mesmerizing. The rise and fall of his voice is full of unexpected moments – from quiet passion to, at points, sheer abandon (“Routine Things”, “Lonely”). Clearly he has fans – what seemed to be the entire bar joined him on “Under the Window”. Alistair credits these 2 monumental moments in his life as drivers of his music – being overwhelmed by music from a very young age singing in various choirs in Nova Scotia where he was raised, including the well-known and prestigious Nova Scotia Provincial Choir – and – major surgery while a high school student which instilled the sense of keeping things in life in perspective. His full-length album “Homestead” is now available. You can find Alistair’s music and more about him at: myspace.com/alistairblaikbundale.

Dave Borins and his exceptionally talented band gave an energetic performance in which more than 110% was left on the stage. The lyrics in “To Know You are Loved” are simply beautiful. His violinist, Blaise Alleyne, summed up in one word: exquisite. Self-described “wild and crazy cover” the song “Whiskey Women”, a quirky, anti-drinking song (explains Dave), is on his cd, “The Lucky Ones”, now available. Dave recently celebrated his 100th show performed at Hugh’s Room. He is dedicated to AllisJourney.ca, which fundraises and raises awareness of young adult cancer and research, an often overlooked demographic. You can find Dave at: myspace.com/daveborins and daveborins.com.

Singer/songwriter Mike Celia gave a professional and polished performance. He was joined by his singer/songerwriter brother, David Celia, “on the strings of steel”. Mike’s wealth of experience is evident in his polite command of the stage and comfortable way of bridging the songs with well-spoken chat. He has a pure and clean singing voice, void of messy runs or irritating affect. Mike’s fourth song “Dry Out” is full of thoughtful and sensitive lyrics. He dedicated his last song “Baby’s Gone” to Daniela Olvia, founder and producer of the TIMAs, explaining she once shared with him it’s her favourite song of his. Mike is at: myspace.com/mikecelia.

Jamesking, a pop/rock/soul band, is a great mix of attitude with deep-rooted soul. Their lead singer, Gyles, is a warm and friendly, charming and down-to-earth soul (there’s that word again). She seamlessly transforms into her element on stage. While this is not my language, per se, listening to her just into the first number evokes the 2-word descriptor: diva delicious! She exudes pure confidence without that bitchy edge. Very refreshing in a scene fraught with feigned (and nauseating) air-of-entitlement and arrogance. The stage is small and hot. Jamesking is lined up 3-deep on stage. Yet they are able to punch out a dynamic, captivating performance. The band presents a polished sound, are very relaxed on stage, and skillfully
seem to anticipate each other. When I asked Gyles about one of the band’s best performances she immediately recalls recently opening for Divine Brown at the MOD Club. “We had serious, I mean serious technical problems before our set. I got really hot under-the-collar. It was one of our best nights! I perform well under stress”, she says, laughing. Gyles also reinforces the band’s focus on diversity and the band being a true mix of Toronto. “Ran our bassist is Israeli, Serbia is represented with our Band leader Duff our guitarist and Vlada our drummer, our pianist Ian is from Bulgaria”, she explains. Lisa Michelle, a solo artist with her own cd, backs up Gyles’ vocals – her voice is a perfect accompaniment. Less than a year ago, Jamesking put out its first video, “Gold”. You can find it on YouTube. Their new cd “Lied to Me” was released 2 months ago. Only recently they placed 2nd of 1,500 submissions in a lyrics competition with “Reminisce”. Having performed for 2 or 3 years (headlining in 2008) at Montreal’s Funk Festival, they look forward to participating again in the summer of 2009. You can find them at
jameskingcrew.com and myspace.com/jameskingcrew

Isle of Thieves, a punk, alt-rock, brit-pop, new wave band, hit the stage with phenomenal energy from the very first note. Their “look” is hip and cohesive, their on-stage performance dramatic and urgent, avoiding the theatrical and kitschy. Very cool. Their pre-set sound check was a bit lengthy but their sound was worth the audience’s patience. The lead singer, Japeth, is a natural on stage. I talked with the band’s drummer, Matt Coatsworth, who I’ve given the new nickname “Big Guns”, and keyboardist and vocalist, Justin Kwan, at the end of the evening. When asked how did their demo recorded at The Pocket Studios with Mike Langford (Evans Blue, Vaeda, Rains, Rex Goudie) prepare them for their debut album “Only Human”, Big Guns reflects. “You know, once we got into the process, we realized we could do the whole thing, a whole album. We had a clarity of the process from Mike and we definitely had enough material. So, after the demo, we just went ahead and did the album.” Their album was mastered by Joao Carvalho who’s worked with Billy Talent, Sam Roberts, Alexisonfire and Nickelback. Justin spoke to the band’s ongoing involvement in charity work. “We feel that we’re in a position to give back. Our music has wide range appeal. We’re enthusiastic about giving our time and talent to commit to fundraising efforts. In the grand scheme of things, it’s the least we can do.” Isle of Thieves is booked solid for the next 2 months. Their next Toronto show is at The Bovine on June 10. You can find this incredibly talented band at: myspace.com/isleofthieves and isleofthieves.com.

The Sound Foundation. WTF?? No, really. W. T. F. I heard one of the band members tell someone while setting up, “We’re SKA. We’re reggae”. To me, it seemed like Alexisonfire meets Bob Marley meets a rag tag bunch of wild guys who crashed a button-down “Meet the Parents Night”, demure “wine and cheese” soiree. Completely out of control. And I loved it! Just like the lead singer of Fancy Girls Market skateboarding off the stage right into the audience (!!) in the middle of a song at the TIMA Awards show back in 2008. The band – Adrian Schmidt, Matt Kittell, Devin Crossman, German Ocampo, and Nate Payne – routinely play at The Boathouse in Kitchener. Just recently they’ve been landing gigs in Toronto. Their most recent claim to fame is a 1st place win at Wilfred Laurier’s “Last Band Standing” competition. I could not find rhyme nor reason in their performance. The lead singer left the stage to go kiss a girl two tables over. Back on stage, he crouched down and started screaming his lyrics. Followed by a Q&A with the sax player – all during the same song! Maybe I’m having an acid flashback?? No mistaking, though, each band member’s musicianship. No mistaking how fantastic they sound all meshed together. Uniquely strange and strangely unique. A big thumbs up from me! You can find them at: myspace.com/thexsoundxfoundation and thesoundfoundation.ca or on America’s Most Wanted…..

Written By: Cleopatra Calypso

If “Wavvves”, the speedily churned out follow-up disc to Wavves’ eponymous debut album (one more “v” equals sequel, get it?), was intended to compound the initial Nathan Williams hype into enough fire power to shoot the dude right into the center of today’s DYI punk statusphere, well, it did. And guess what? Today’s eclipse of no-fi obsession has got little to do with it.

Yeah, sure, all twelve tracks on Wavvves have got enough grime, fuzz, noise and chugged-out/choked-out drums recorded in a typical lo-fi garage tape production style to be rightly classed along the ranks of present fascinations like No Age and Times New Viking and Lovvers (damn those hip kids and their V’s). Yet the noise is not to be solely credited for the wavve of buzz. Of course, all that scathing feedback is undoubtedly a part of why Triple-V is so delectably action packed. But whereas No Age can’t help but to inoculate their punk with ethereal Zen meditative tendencies, and Times New Viking often don’t travel far from their reckless garage punk humor, Wavves is bringing in the punk that is SoCal youth: Harmony! Sun! Girls! Drum kits!

Many have compared Wavves to Sonic Youth, but it’s simpler than that… dude. The noise ain’t to be dissected, ain’t to be carried too far. It isn’t meant to throw you off… just to get you off. Brian Wilson meets Black Flag? Now that’s more of an accurate comparison. Because at the end of the day, I’m not so sure lyrics like “I am a perfect, I am a catch” and “I’m so bored” and “I got nothing, nothing, nothing” and imagery like weed demons, Goths, guns at the beach, and vintage surf photography attempts to win ironic endearment. Instead, the record feels quite clear and genuine on at least these three counts: Nathan Williams is young, he thinks punk is fun, and he’s got very very catchy hooks for miles and miles and miles. Miles!

So it’s not a surprise that Williams, with a drummer in tow, didn’t trick out the Echo stage with tons of gear or any of those neat little distortion mics (in fact, Williams didn’t have tech help setting up the gig; he and his drummer set up sans crew. That’s DYI fer ya). What was surprising, however, was how cleanly Wavves translated into what could be described as an open mic night situation. Gone were the heavy fuzz drag inundating “So Bored”. Gone were the chant-like distortions on the vocals of “Wavves”. Gone was pretty much everything on “Sun Opens My Eyes”. One would have a difficult time imagining Times New Viking ever performing so naked, or No Age putting less effort into seducing their crowd with some jangle tricks up their sleeves. But Wavves never tried to match the fullness of their recorded works. Instead, we heard the songs.

And there it was: garage punk singer songwriter? Oh the delicious soda-pop core of all Wavves ditties. When they started “Summer Goth” with a quiet mouse-like anticipation, only to follow it by a bouncy explosion, they transformed the antsy, almost angst-hued song into a small private bedroom dance party. When they belted out their hit “So Bored” without its signature clang, they didn’t lose a single ounce of its anthemic kick while still highlighting its innocent surf charm. And when Williams’ 22 year old voice crackedwhilst crooning the lyrics to the balladic “Weed Demon” with only the accompaniment of a cymbal clank here and there, we got a pleasant glimpse into a softer side of Wavves that’s been there all along.

And really what is the harm in losing some edge? Because the brave risk bore some astonishing result. Not to amplify its weight, but the show was a bit of a welcome refresher on what it means to be a punk in America: hopeful, celebrational, and simple. And killer. Take that Wipers.

http://www.myspace.com/wavves

The Toronto Independent Music Awards Kick Off Season 1 of our “Best Live” Showcase series TOMORROW at www.thecentral.ca (603 Markham Street). Come check out the hottest acts in independent music, see fan favourites and make music discoveries of your own.

Artists will be showcasing the last two Wednesdays of every month. You can purchase a Seasons 1 pass for hella cheap on Ticketbreak.

Wed. May 20th, 2009 – TIMAs “Best Live” Showcase Series KICK OFF!
@ The Central (603 Markham Street) FREE with Season 1 Pass or $7 at the door. Doors @ 7:30pm

Alistair Blaik Bundale
Mike Celia TIMA 2008 Winner of “Best Blues”
Dave Borins TIMA 2008 nominee for “Best Live” -Acoustic
Jamesking
Isle of Thieves
The Sound Foundation

Wed. May 27th, 2009 – TIMAs Metal/Punk/Alt Rock Showcase
@ The Central (603 Markham Avenue) FREE with Season 1 Pass or $7 at the door. Doors @ 7:30pm

Saydiemichelle
Hallowed Be
The MacHams
Sinister Trailerpark Magic
Pyramid Theorem
The JOHNNYS

PRESS: TIMA “BEST LIVE” Showcase Listings are in Now “Critic’s Picks”, Toronto Star “What’s On”, BlogTO and Torontoist Urban Planner, check it out!

TIMA affiliates and sponsors, The Big Schmooze and Ellen Drake, have an upcoming industry event. Go check it out!

http://www.bigschmooze.ca
Date: Thurs. May 28th, 2009
Time: 7pm doors open, 7:30 Schmooze begins
Where: 935 Bloor St. West, Long & McQuade Music Store (upstairs in big seminar room)
How Much? $10.00 or Free with Schmooze Membership
Why? Schmooze your face off, have a blast, learn about the music industry!

Indie Success Stories (and cautionary tales):

We’ll explore the triumphs, trials and tribulations and incremental steps crucial to carving out a route to fullfilling your definition of making it in the music industry.
• Who are the artists makiing solid inroads by getting their music into the right hands, selling out shows whille touring or winning top honours in songwriting?
• Who’s getting corporate sponsorship and how did they swing the deal?
• What does an artisit do when they’ve been dropped by a major label and suddenly find themselves independent again?

WIN A PRIORITY NXNE PASS:
We’re giving away 2 Priority Passes worth $150.00 each to the North By North East Conference. It’s a three day feast of one of the best places to get music Idustry info and schmoozing with reps. Fill out a ballot to win.

**The first 20 people who show up at the Schmooze will receive an extra ballot for a chance to win this covetted prize!!

ANNNDD… A
FREE Screening of What Is Indie?…

We`ll be screening the award winning movie What Is INDIE? at the Schmooze. At a time when independent artists in the music industry have more power and control over their careers than ever before, “What is INDIE?” tries to determine just what it really means to be ‘indie’.