INTERVIEW: Augustines
There are three words often associated with the music of Augustines: anthemic, honest, and emotive. Augustines consists of lead singer Billy McCarthy, multi-instrumentalist Eric Sanderson, and drummer Rob Allen. The band was formerly known as We Are Augustines, but has come full circle with their name and self-titled sophomore release. The name is a testament to the journey the band has been on since their formation, under the ashes of McCarthy and Sanderson’s previous band.
PLAYLIST: Little Mix Valentine’s Day Playlist
We got the chance to chat with the four lovely ladies of Little Mix this past weekend. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we asked them what their favourite love songs were for a special edition of Playlist Friday. The full interview with the girls will be up next week, but in the meantime, check out their picks!
SOTD: Jessica Lee – Twisted Games
Jessica Lee released her new single, “Twisted Games (Remix)”, yesterday on iTunes. The track was written by Lee and Ryan Stewart, and remixed by Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench. Lee will be heading on tour next month with label mates Matt Webb & Fake Shark Real Zombie. Meanwhile, check out the the live acoustic version of “Twisted Games”.
INTERVIEW: Fifth Harmony
We spoke with Camila Cabello and Dinah Jane Hansen on the phone ahead of the first show of the Neon Lights Tour and talked about the fans, touring with Demi Lovato, collaborating with Boyce Avenue, and how it feels to be role models.
SOTD: Cat Thomson – Sticks & Stones
A little while ago, the lovely Cat Thomson talked to us about filming the video for her debut single, “Sticks & Stones”. This is set to be a busy year for Thomson as she prepares to release her debut album, an upcoming appearance at this year’s Canadian Music Week in Toronto, and more to come!
STRING FLING II, Rio Theatre – February 6, 2014
There was magic in the air at the Rio Theatre last Thursday night. By magic, I mean a group of wonderfully talented individuals including the Four on the Floor quartet and an array of local musicians creating musical euphoria. The evening was tied together by strings, and certainly left the audience wanting more.
PLAYLIST THURSDAY: Fifth Harmony
Fifth Harmony are opening for Demi Lovato’s Neon Lights Tour, which kicks off in Vancouver this Sunday at Rogers Arena. We had the opportunity to chat with Camila Cabello and Dinah Jane Hansen yesterday. The full interview will be up in the next few days, but until then, enjoy their playlist picks.
EVENTS: Cara Luft – Western Canadian Tour
Cara Luft is currently two weeks into her Western Canada tour dates, having kicked off her tour in her hometown of Winnipeg on January 25th. Prior to this, Luft spent the past year touring overseas in support of her latest album, Darlingford. Her return to the Canadian stage is more than welcome.
NEWS: New Year, New Look!
Presenting… a shiny and new logo and layout for asapmusicblog.ca! The new website has been in the works for awhile now, and we are very excited to finally be able to launch and reveal it. Web development and maintenance has been provided by Michelle Devera. Take a look around the website and our updated “About” page (includes links to our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram). For those looking to get in contact with us, we have a new form under the “Contact” page. Subscribers: If you are reading this from a Wordpress or e-mail subscription, we are currently waiting for Wordpress support to transfer our subscriptions over. Please hang on tight, or feel free to resubscribe to us – the mailing list is on the side or bottom of the homepage – depending on your browser. Readers, thank you so much for your support and we hope that you love the new website as much as we do!
SOTD: Sky Ferreira – You’re Not The One
Sky Ferreira achieved a number of things with her debut Night Time, My Time, with the release of the album being a huge accomplishment in itself – the album that almost wasn’t. Notably, the album did not leak ahead of its digital release last October, and Night Time, My Time is set for physical release today.
SOTD: JPNSGRLS – Monarch Butterfly
JPNSGRLS released a music video for ‘Monarch Butterfly’ earlier this week. Check it out, and then head over to the JPNSGRLS Facebook page or Twitter to find out how to get a free download of the track.
EVENTS: Cat Thomson w/ Kate Kurdyak & Chersea @ KOZMIK ZOO – January 18, 2014
This Saturday, Cat Thomson will be headlining an all-ages show at the Kozmik Zoo. Joining her in the line-up for the evening will be Kate Kurdyak and Chersea.
INTERVIEW: Sidney York
There is something refreshing about Sidney York. It might be in how quick Brandi Sidoryk and Krista Wodelet are to admit their band geek pasts. It might be in their use of unconventional instruments such as the bassoon and the French horn on stage. Whether it’s their willingness to write songs about geeky subjects, or in their musical training, Sidney York is definitely a lot of fun to listen to and to see live. The two lovely ladies of Sidney York are ready to take over the next ten months of your life, musically. Their sophomore release, <3s (Hearts), will be released in five subscriptions, two songs at a time, every two months starting today. The first volume of <3s features the title track, ‘Hearts’ and ‘Electrolove’. We had the opportunity to chat with Krista ahead of their show at the Biltmore Cabaret last week, and found out what Sidney York has planned for the year ahead, and what you can expect when you subscribe to <3s.
EVENTS: 2nd Annual String Fling Concert @ RIO THEATRE – February 6, 2014
The 2nd Annual String Fling Concert is set to be tied together by strings on February 6th at The Rio Theatre, presented by the Four on the Floor quartet. The special guests of the evening include: Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother, Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash, Steve Bays and Parker Bossley of Fur Trade and Hot Hot Heat, Brandon Scott of Yukon Blonde, Laura Smith of Rococode, and Tonye Aganaba.
EVENTS: Mounties Tour with Rich Aucoin, JPNSGRLS, The Zolas, & James Younger
Mounties, the super-group consisting of Hawksley Workman, Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat, Fur Trade), and Ryan Dahle (Limblifter, Age of Electric), announced their Canadian tour dates last month. Today, JPNSGRLS revealed that they would be joining their label mates for the Western Canadian dates, along with the previously announced Rich Aucoin. The Zolas and James Younger will be supporting Mounties for the Ontario and Montreal shows.