SoundBytes
MONTREAL
QUICK & DIRTY - ADAM & THE AMETHYSTS
Having left his hometown of Thunder Bay for Montreal, the Amethysts’ Adam Waito has turned his homesickness into some catchy, poppy, buzz-generating music.
- Jason Giammaria -
HALIFAX
QUICK & DIRTY - HEY ROSETTA!
How do Newfoundland indie rockers Hey Rosetta! feel about their hometown scene? Well, home means different things to different people - and Newfoundland music isn't just about squid-jiggin' and reels.
- Alison Lang -
TORONTO
DVD REVIEW - WU-TANG CLAN: LIVE AT MONTREUX 2007
Since the Wu-Tang Clan rarely perform together live, fans can get a sense of what they've been missing all these years.
- Ama Scriver -
TORONTO
ART ON OUR SLEEVES - MANTHERS
There's a growing pandemic in the world and this time it isn't a disease. It's the "manther" or male cougar. Escaping from their natural habitat (the sports bar), they've made it onto the covers of some famous albums!
- Cody McGraw -
CALGARY
QUICK & DIRTY - WOMEN
Is it art? Noise? Pop? Indie hotshots Women are the only ones who know, but they’re too busy getting big to tell you.
- James Callsen -
TORONTO
QUICK & DIRTY - OH NO FOREST FIRES
For the ex-members of The Most Serene Republic, Fox Jaws and Five Blank Pages that make up one of Toronto's fasting rising indie four-pieces, being in a band with your friends is honestly what it’s all about.
- Jennifer Kentfield -
TORONTO
QUICK & DIRTY - CLAIRE JENKINS AVEC BAND
Claire Jenkins has melodies so relaxing they could be lullabies, and a voice so beautiful it could bring you to tears.
- Melissa Bessey -
OTTAWA
QUICK & DIRTY - THE JOHN HENRYS
Armed with a re-release of their shockingly good, ballad-to-ballsy release Sweet As The Grain and a new home on a major label, Ottawa's rootsy rockers are ready to take the next step.
- Todd Snelgrove -
TORONTO
QUICK & DIRTY - BELLEWOODS
Members of the Diableros, the Great Lake Swimmers and Raising the Fawn have teamed up to spread a little warmth in a music scene that leaves some cold.
- Chris Bowman -
TORONTO
QUICK & DIRTY - THE SAFFRON SECT
The Toronto psych-rockers sound like an obscure ’60s b-side, something recorded in a haze of holism by a band of balladeers out on the road with Vishnu and a whole shit load of acid.
- James Sandham -
MONTREAL
QUICK & DIRTY: WINTER GLOVES
Who the hell needs a bassist when you're one of Montreal's newest, finest and toe-tappingest indie-pop outfits?
- Andrea Grassi -
TORONTO
TEN SONGS ABOUT - MURDER
The docket is loaded and the jury is ready. The charge? Murrrderrr.
- James Sandham -
REGINA
QUICK & DIRTY - LIBRARY VOICES
In the midst of poverty, run-down neighborhoods and the unbearable winters of Regina, Library Voices' ‘60s-inspired songs and danceable melodies make the tough times seem a little less dreary.
- Cheryl Stornelli -
TORONTO
SOUNDPROOF RECYCLED - USING THEIR ELBOW
Way back in 2006, long before they were Mercury Prize winners, SoundProof sat down with Elbow to talk about breaking into North America.
- Nicole Kai -
MONTREAL
QUICK & DIRTY - DUCHESS SAYS
Whether it's budgie-driven religions or her own fierce live performances, frontwoman Annie-Claude is looking for authenticity in a high-tech, choreographed, YouTube world.
- Angela Alston -
MONTREAL
QUICK & DIRTY - SHORTPANTS ROMANCE
The Sonic Youth-inspired trio try to make their mark on the same scene that bred Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade. Next step: SoundProof's showcase at Pop Montreal.
- Hollie Stevens-Cashion -
TORONTO
YOU SHOULD ALREADY OWN: BRIGHTEN THE CORNERS BY PAVEMENT
The godfathers of lo-fi lyrical-literary indie-garage-pop hit the mark with their fourth - and most brilliant - album, Brighten the Corners.
- Karolina Rous -
TORONTO
QUICK & DIRTY: SADIE MAY CRASH
Rockers Sadie May Crash are your average Toronto indie band, but with a TIMA under their belt and performances up the ying yang, this band probably won't be crashing anytime soon.
- Jennifer Kentfield -
VANCOUVER
QUICK AND DIRTY - FOND OF TIGERS
Stephen Lyons, the mastermind behind the instrumental septet, takes a short breather to enlighten us on the secret to his band's unusual sound.
- Cheryl Stornelli -
TORONTO
A FISH OUT OF WATER - MXPX @ THE PHOENIX
SoundProof's Michael Dach attends his first punk rock show ever. And comes away knowing that next time he should expect a sore neck.
- Michael Dach -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - NOV. 16
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: Blur, Queen Latifah, Neil Young, Devo, and the inexplicable, quiet distance that can grow between two people. Plus, is that a four-track in your pocket?
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - NOV. 9
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: gorillas, anthrax, MGMT and drug-taking opera singers. Plus, why you should always check your pants for wildlife before putting them on.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
HOT AIR FROM HEAD HONCHOS: WELCOME TO SOUNDPROOF USA
SoundProof USA is live! Yeeehaw!
- Chris Stevenson, Scott Mckean -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - NOV. 1
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: Joe the Plumber, Michael Jackson, a six-second drum loop and how Alan McGee is a big fat quitter. Plus, the saddest thing we’ve ever heard.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF'S SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN 2008 MIX TAPE
Looking for a dead-good mix tape for your Halloween throw-down/virgin sacrifice, but don't want to get buried in the details? Look no further, pretties....MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
ART ON OUR SLEEVES: ALIEN ALBUM COVERS
SoundProof takes a look at one the greatest album-art genres ever: Alien Album Covers.
- Karolina Rous -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - OCT. 25
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: vinyl, protest songs, Johnny Rotten, and how the major labels are like goblins. Plus, John Lennon and Bob Dylan high in the back of a cab.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - OCT. 18
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: James Brown, Pavarotti, twee, heavy metal in Islam and the most unforgivable Grammy snubs of all-time. Plus, Janis Joplin is dead. Again.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - OCT. 11
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: Dylan gets rejected, Jack White's Bond theme, and ways in which Chris Martin is like Jesus Christ. Plus, music by Iraq War veterans and the greatest music video of all-time.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - OCT. 4
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: sleevefaces, Lester Bangs, Guitar Hero and more Guitar Hero. Plus, David Bowie and Marianne Faithful making complete fools of themselves.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
QUICK & DIRTY - TJ KONG AND THE ATOMIC BOMB
The duo have practically exploded onto Philadelphia's indie scene thanks to their bluesy, boot-stomping, '60s folk rock.
- Cheryl Stornelli -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - SEPT. 27
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: haircuts, censorship, bagpipes and Kanye West's Connect Four obsession. Plus, we all have very, very bad taste in music.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SASSY SIGNS: LIBRA - SOUL
What's your sign, baby? We here at SoundProof couldn't help but wonder how each music genre matches up with the astrological signs. Find out if your favourite music shares the same traits as you!
- Karolina Rous -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - SEPT. 20
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: Man Man, the Supremes, Vanilla Ice and some bullshit musical research study. Plus, why the long player format isn't going anywhere.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - SEPT. 13
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: Sid Vicious, file-sharing, crazy alligator ladies and Alanis Morrisette's $100,000. Plus, Randy Newman's not racist.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - SEPT. 6
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: the Kremlin hates emo; plus, the Beach Boys, the Doors, campaign songs and Devendra Banhart's pubic hair.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
AV CLUB - ALIAS
The most comprehensive and complete biography of David Bowie written to-date, 1986's Alias delves deeply into the life of a man who was a chameleon to the media and a hero to his fans.
- Lisa Mark -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
BATTLE OF THE BANDS - THE FLAMING LIPS VS THE BLACK LIPS
Get into bed with these two bands and see which one is better at the art of seduction. Who'll win:the hot young newbies or the sensitive veterans?
- Monika Warzecha -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
SOUNDPROOF LINKS - AUG. 30
Our weekly round-up of the best (and worst) from around the web. This week: 639 year-long masterpieces, Ludacris and Obama, Spock and Bilbo, Sam Beam's beard and why you should trash your entire record collection and start from scratch.
- SoundProof Magazine -
TO THE FOUR CORNERS
BATTLE OF THE BANDS: LOS DEL MAR VS. LOU BEGA
You can't go with just one category when it comes to pitting the Macarena against Mambo No. 5. No, no - you gotta cover all the bases, which is what SoundProof did in this Battle of the Bands.
- Karolina Rous -
LONDON
TEN SONGS ABOUT - DOGS
The cat people will always have that musical, but us dog people need something to listen to as well. SoundProof gives you ten canine-related ditties.
- Nicole Kai -
LONDON
A.V. CLUB - JUSTICE: A CROSS THE UNIVERSE
The French DJ duo are elevated to rockstar-sellout status thanks to a self-indulgent promo film Trojan-horsed as a documentary. Despite being a cult phenomenon, they're still only Daft Punk Jr.
- Nicole Kai -
LONDON
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: LONDON'S HARD ROCK CAFE VAULT
Feel like life won't be complete until you've seen an authentic pair of Lennon glasses? Lying awake at night trying to figure out exactly what makes rock rock? Jimmi, the vault master, can help you out.
- Alexander Gandar -
LONDON
QUICK & DIRTY: RA RA RIOT
Having rebounded from tragedy, Ra Ra Riot are now hitting British shores high on the wave of their newly released LP, The Rhumb Line.
- Gareth Meade -
LONDON
A/V CLUB: SHINE A LIGHT
The new Rolling Stones concert film from Martin Scorsese is as big as it is bad.
- Alexander Gandar -
LONDON
AV CLUB / UP THE SHAMBLES
This early footage DVD gives a whole lot of rock 'n' roll but not a whole lot of glitz. It was never meant to. Doherty staggers but never falls down and the guitar work blows away much of the competition.
- Robert Lake -
SAN DIEGO
QUICK & DIRTY - DELTA SPIRIT
Fresh off the road, Delta Spirit’s soulful, folksy, indie rock frontman Matt Vasquez talks about touring, his band’s excellent debut record, and mystical encounters in railway stations.
- Budd R. Phly -
NEW YORK
QUICK & DIRTY - BISHOP ALLEN
What do you do if you've already graduated from an Ivy League school, released twelve records in a single year and appeared in a major motion picture? You get to work on the next album.
- Hunter M. Daniels -
WASHINGTON
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE YOUTUBED
SoundProof delves into the funny, depressing and oh-so-corny world of YouTube's American election videos.
- Katrina Lopes -
