Top Canadian Bands You May Not Know

Hey Everyone!

So today, its not so much news, but one of my rants and raves about issues related to music. Today's topic: The Canadian Music Scene. This post is inspired by the MMVAs (Much Music Video Awards) which is currently airing as a rerun on my television. I didnt have much of a chance to watch this when it first aired live because I dont have cable at my house, but now that I'm at my mother's house between shitfs, I decided to give it a go. I respect the way that they are helping Canadian artists out, its great! My only issue: I find that people have a very narrow, limited view of Canada's Music industry.



As a Canadian, I am definitely proud of our exports... including those in the entertainment industry. Over the years, Canada has provided the world with some absolutely phenomenal talent... and yes, though many of them may move to the US, that doesnt change their maple leaf roots. I bet some of them still eat ketchup chips, insist on real maple syrop and believe in beer with an actual alcohol content. All that aside, my goal in this post is to remind everyone that Canadian music DOES NOT start and end with Justin Beiber. The kid may be this generation's Aaron Carter, but he is not the embodiment of this side of the border. So here is MY personal list of fiftenn amazing Canadian bands that you may or may not already be familiar with. All these bands are the combination of fantastic musicianship, raw talent, and creativity. Lets get started! In no specific order...



15) Theset
This five piece alternative rock band hails from Victoria, BC. What draws me to these guys is their live show... high energy, lots of passion, and purely Canadian. Love it. If you dont believe me, take note that this powerhouse band has played with the likes of Metric and Sebastian Granger, a couple amazing Canadian artists. If you love live music like I do, definitely look these guys up.

Their MYSPACE page has some great songs on it, I really like Already Know for what its worth!


14) Spiral Beach
This unique group comes to us from one of Canada's more well known cities, Toronto ON. This is pop with a serious edge... its definitely a bit darker than what you might expect. Lots of interesting instrumentation, powerful female and male vocalists, and a very unique sound that you wont soon forget.

Check out their website HERE!

13) Arkells
I saw these guys play a couple years ago and they did an amazing job. Hadnt heard much beyond some hype up until that point, but I'm really glad I checked them out. Love the gritty vocals, simple but effective melodies... it all comes together in a great package with these guys! You may even recognize a couple of their tracks from radio and TV. Trust me on this one, this band is amazing.

Check them out HERE



12) Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker
Are there even words for these guys? Never forget the first show I saw them play... they made a smoothie on stage as part of their set. Pricelessly entertaining and memorable: everything a show should be! Their blend of hip hop, indie and rock is completely unique and purely Canadian. They are one of those bands that make me proud to hail from the great white north.

Check them out at their Myspace page HERE

11) You Say Party
Tragedy struck this band merely months ago when they lost their drummer, but I am still very impressed by their career span, and I love their work. I've only seen them play once and it was incredibly brief, but I remember it being one of the most fun sets I have ever witnessed. Watching them play, you'll be screming PARTY at the top of your lungs!

Check out their music HERE



10) Stars
This Canadian indie group has just made it to the ten year mark, and they have already solidified their place in this music scene. Lets face it, any group attached to the Broken Social Scene name is destined to be touched with gold. They're heading out on tour soon so be sure to check them out if they make a stop near you!

Check out their Myspace page HERE


9) Attack In Black
This band is a bit tricky... let me explain. They are EXTREMELY talented, yes. That is a given. They make great music, I certainly wont argue that. BUT I have seen alcohol pretty much destroy my opinion of their performance. See, I have seen them a few times. The problem is, they reallllly lack in the consistancy area, and its ALL dependent on how much they have had to drink before. I really like them, but I actually fell asleep once when I saw them open at an arena show because I was so lack luster with the performance. I have high hopes for these guys. I really do. They have some serious potential, and their album got rave reviews... I just hope that next time I see them, its soberISH.

Hear their Music HERE

8) Wintersleep
These Halifax natives came together in 2001, and they're only just getting the recognition they deserve. I mean, lets be honest, its been a couple years now since Weighty Ghost dominated Canadian airwaves and its STILL stuck in my head! With all of the music I listen to, thats a pretty impressive achievement haha. "Are you some kind of medicine man? Cut the demons out of my head, You cant kill something thats already dead, Just leave my soul alone."

Listen to their music HERE


7) Controller.Controller
Probably one of the better known Canadian bands. An indie group with a bit of a techno edge, they make some really fantastic music... kind of dark, but still dancey with the beats and rhythms used.

Check out their Music HERE



6) Dragonette
Love Dragonette. Yet another one of those bands who have become quite the hometown favorites in these parts- seems like every show they play in the area is packed and hyped up to no end... and its easy to see why! The synth-pop trio have dominated the Canadian airwaves with radio friendly dance tracks like "I Get Around" which made it onto the Canadian Billboard chart. Between Martina's flawless voice, their signature creative genre bending sound and ability to kickstart dance parties from coast to coast, there is an endless list of reasons as to why this band is on the Canadian radar.

Listen to Dragonette HERE



5) Final Fantasy (aka Owen Pallett)
Owen is also a Toronto native... and absolutely brilliant, just like a handful of others on the list. Man, thats one talented city. What is perhaps most amazing about Pallett is the fact that he is clearly in it for the pure, simple love of music. He is known to donate a lot of the money to great causes. Struggling musicians, Doctors Without Borders... thats pretty cool. This violinist is one of a kind. Live shows get rave reviews and he even won the highly valued Polaris Music Prize. His work with numerous artists and solo ensure him a place on my list of valued Canadian musicians.


Give Owen and his work a listen HERE



4) Jesse Labelle:
Yes, a personal favorite of mine. This guy used to play a regular one man, one guitar show at a bar in my hometown before he hit it big- so its possible I'm in a bit bias. That dazzling smile, those heartfelt lyrics, and those impressive guitar solos probably encourage that bias JUST a little haha. Anyways, the Toronto native is remarkably talented and his cd is filled with beautifully written, catchy pop tunes that I can definitely see making a mark on the charts in the near future! Definitely check him out

Check out Jesse's music HERE... definitely listen to Dont Leave Now if you want a good idea of this boy's flawless voice



3) Saint Alvia
Formerly, Saint Alvia Cartel, the group formed back in 2005 uniting members of other bands like Jersey and Boys Night Out. Whats always great about bands coming together like that is the diverse influences that are often drawn out. The dynamic can make for a very distinct style that can never be duplicated. In this case... something punk/reggae/ska-esque. Magic. Give it a listen, its pretty fantastic, especially if you're looking for some summer tracks.

Listen to Saint Alvia HERE



2) Woodhands
More Toronto! This electro-indie pop duo is another example of the incredible things that happen when musicians from different backgrounds come together. Synth player Dan Werb had worked in bands from the Vancouver and Montreal scenes before teaming up with drummer Paul Banwatt. What ensued their collabortion? Pure Magic! This is what happens when punk meets sophisticated techno beats and catchy synth melodies. Hard to believe this is all the doing of two guys and a producer... thats what I call talent. Enjoy!

Check out Woodhands HERE



1) Broken Social Scene
Perhaps the most multi-faceted Canadian band in existence. This indie powerhouse contains a varrying number of band members who are involved in projects of their own outside the group. Members include well known musicians like Feist, Emily Haines (Metric) and Jason Tait. Now lets be honest here... with a lineup consisting of some of Canada's most amazing indie talent- HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? Its just not possible for this to end badly. Melding ideas from some of the most brillian indie voices in the country is only going to result in a surge of intense Canadian pride. DEFINITELY check them out and prepare to be left speechless.

Listen to some amazing Canadian music by Broken Social Scene HERE


And thats it folks, some awesome Canadian tunes to make you think twice about the great white north. Let me know what you think, eh?
Rock On!
-Girl At The Rock Show

Jesse Labelle Steals The Show

Hey Everyone!

So last night, I had the opportunity to go check out Faber Drive's tour in support of their new album "Cant Keep A Secret". Along with them for this leg of the tour, they brought fellow Canadian artists Jesse Labelle and The New Cities. Here's a rundown of the show for those of you who are curious or about to check the tour out in your home town!

Honestly, I say this without bias and without a fan girl bone in my body... Jesse Labelle absolutely STOLE THE SHOW. Its a shame that he is the opener on this tour, but it makes sense as he just released his first full length album on Wax records in April of this year. He's been called the next John Mayer, and after last night, I can see why this young Toronto native is getting such high praise. Jesse's set was filled with perfect pitch, soft melodies, incredible guitar solos and lyrics that made every girl in the building swoon. The small, confident smiles he flashed were always followed by bursts of cheers and screams. But his talent goes far beyond those boy band good looks. Behind all that, there is a singer and songwriter with the ability to write beautiful ballads about life and love. Trust me, this boy has only just begun his career... forget those short lived, 90s boy band escapades of his- he's clearly grown up since then.

Jesse is a true, raw talent. It was great to see a young man take the stage with such ease and confidence in his music. The set was nice and simple... no extravagant stage theatrics, just some guys in jeans jamming out on their instruments. So refreshing to see a band who let the music speak for itself. Particularly stunning was the solo acoustic rendition he performed of his song "Lost". Throughout his set, I had to remind myself that I was in fact NOT watching a young Butch Walker. So if you're into gorgeous indie love songs, definitely check this guy out! You wont regret it.

Sadly for me, that's where the talent on this tour kind of started to die. Next up to play was The New Cities. I had seen these guys play back in the summer when I took my two younger sisters to see Katy Perry as a way to spend some time with them. I didn't think much of their set, but it was alright. Nothing entirely too memorable but they served their purpose and played well. Last night, I'm not sure I can be as nice. Something was really off, and as far as I could tell, it was the vocals. Following Jesse's near flawless vocal style must have been difficult to follow, but I mean, the key of each song ran noticeably flat. Also, after the first few tracks, I began to have difficulty telling the start of one from the next. It was pretty much 40mins of solid techno-pop-punk. A couple songs stood on their own two feet and proved a nice break, but by the end of it, I wasn't sure if they had played 5 songs or 15. There is potential, that's for sure. Maybe last night was just an off night for the Quebec boys. I reserve total judgement of this band until I see them one more time... third time is a charm, right? Not sure if that logic applies to music and artists or not but I'll choose to be hopelessly optimistic for once in my life haha.

Finally, headliners Faber Drive took the stage. Now, I have to say I actually used to like this band. I mean, I didn't run out to the local store to pick up their CD or anything, but I could sing along when tracks made appearances on radio and television stations. I liked the somewhat generic love songs, they were well played and well produced so I had very few complaints... and then came their latest album Cant Keep A Secret... yeah. I don't even know what to say anymore because I'm pretty sure aliens abducted the original band and are now inhabiting clone bodies or something because they pulled a COMPLETE 180 and jumped on board this techno-pop-punk bandwagon which is still moving records at a fast pace. To say the release of "G-G-Get Up And Dance" caught me off guard is an understatement. You get the point, enough of my rant, lets get back to the show!

Now, I didn't stay for their entire set... in fact, I think I left after about 5 songs. However, it wasn't bad. They played a good mix of newer and older tracks to kick off their set which I enjoyed. The performance was definitely high energy as the band members bounced around the stage. It is great to see people having fun on stage without overdoing it. Faber and Labelle were both on par with that idea. All in all, I definitely prefer their earlier material. Songs like "When I'm With You" and "Second Chance" instantly find their way into your Itunes play list with their catchy, heart felt lyrics and alternative rock finesse. I'm interested to see what the B.C. boys do next... will they stick to the trend or venture back to the alt rock their fans love? Only time will tell. However, if you're looking for a fun night out with some good music and lots of energy, check these guys out. You'll have a good time, and that's what concerts are all about!

Overall, this tour is fairly generic. A few upbeat pop-punk bands with synths and auto tune used as an instrument. Throw in a young Canadian songwriting heart throb who plays the guitar with the precision of a seasoned pro, and well, its worth the money spent. If you're looking for a fun night out, you may wanna see if this tour is rolling through a town near you!

"Toronto native Jesse Labelle had the crowd hanging on every note at his
performance last night at Cowboys in London, Ontario. Opening
for fellow Canadians, The New Cities and Faber Drive, the seasoned
indie singer proved that he can write breathtaking ballads while
playing a mean guitar solo. Perfect tone, heartfelt lyrics, and a fun, casual presence left the crowd wanting more."

Anyone else attend one of these tour dates or about to? Let me know what you thought!
Rock On,
- Girl At The Rock Show

Jesse Labelle's Perfect Accident

Hey Everyone!

So here I am once again, sitting in the University Community Center trying my best to type up ten pages of brilliance... but its so not happening haha. I've been listening to some emo in an attempt to stumble upon brilliance, but thats also not happening. Instead I think I'm starting to feel morbidly depressed haha. Anyways, as a break, I put on shuffle and came across this gem that I picked up off some random music video flow not too long ago. Its called "Perfect Accident" by Toronto native, Jesse Labelle. Its so stunning, seriously I'm hooked. I know I said that I'm not big on guitar serenades but if a guy sang this to me, I'd probably get a little choked up. After all, I'm not heartless haha.

A fixture in the Toronto music scene from a young age, he's finally getting his chance at a big break (outside his early escapades in boy band ID- Identically Different haha). Jesse released his first EP on Wax Records in September and has been touring feverishly to gain some exposure. The young Canadian song writer has already been called the next John Mayer, and will be touring this spring in support of Faber Drive. Check out the tour dates HERE. I cant say I'm a big Faber fan, but I'm actually debating checking this show out just for Labelle.

What do you think?

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show