Interview: Foals (Jack Bevan & Edwin Congreave)
Oxford’s Foals were in Toronto to perform at the Kool Haus on Saturday May 11th, supporting their brand new studio album Holy Fire (via. Warner Music on February 4th, 2013). BTW’s Steve St. Jean caught up with Jack Bevan (drums) and Edwin Congreave (keyboard) during the day for an interview to discuss their brand new LP, musical influences and of course… What they think life is. Watch our interview with Jack and Edwin of Foals below: If you missed them… Check out our photos from Foals Toronto gig at the Kool Haus here: Photos: Foals @ Kool Haus Videography/Interview by:…
Album Review: Fitz and The Tantrums – More Than Just a Dream
Released: May 7, 2013 | Record Label: Warner Music Canada When Fitz and the Tantrums released their debut album Pickin’ Up the Pieces in 2010, they immediately garnered a strong cult following and critical praise, being labelled “a band to watch” by Rolling Stone, thanks to the success of “MoneyGraber” and “Don’t Gotta Work It Out,” which both became top 40 hits. Their mastery of Motown-esque melodies mixed with a pop style made Pickin’ Up the Pieces an album that refused to allow the listener to sit still. This became a sign of things to come because a Fitz and the Tantrums show can…
Photos: Foals @ Kool Haus
Oxford’s Foals were in Toronto to perform at the Kool Haus on Saturday May 11th, supporting their brand new studio album Holy Fire (via. Warner Music on February 4th, 2013). The night consisted of openers Blondfire and Surfer Blood and then of course the main attraction Foals, who destroyed the Kool Haus stage. Lead singer and guitarist Yannis Phillippakis was a mystery on stage – completely unpredictable. He would be so still and calm at times and then out of nowhere he’d be spinning and jumping, fully living in the moment of their music. It was great to see an entire band that into their music (not just Yannis). Great…
Photos: On Set w/ Courage My Love @ Pie in the Sky Studios (Behind The Scenes)
On Thursday May 9th, Beyond The Watch’s Steve St. Jean hit up Pie in The Sky Studios for Courage My Love’s brand new music video for their upcoming single “Know How”. Steve got the chance to spend a few hours behind the scenes watching the band in action with some intense “marionette” scenes; to them smashing the hell out of a car with a sledgehammer. The video was being directed by Award Winning Director Warren P. Sonoda, who had a great vision and concept for the music video. Trust us… everything we saw on the video monitors will blow you away. Courage My Love’s Mercedes Arn-Horn (Guitar/Vocals), Phoenix Arn-Horn (Drums) and new member Brandon…
News: Portugal. The Man Announce 2013 Spring Tour
Portugal. The Man have announced a 2013 Spring Tour presented by Ones to Watch (House of Blues Entertainment) that’ll be stopping in Toronto on June 11th, 2013 at Phoenix Concert Theatre. The band will be coming in amped right after the release of their highly anticipated record Evil Friends (produced by Danger Mouse) that hits stores on June 4th via. Warner Music Canada. So far Portugal. The Man have released two tracks off the record accompanied with music videos (which we love). Get hyped people! If you’ve never been to a Portugal. The Man gig before, than you’ve been missing out for many years. Make sure you’re at…
Album Review: The Flaming Lips – The Terror
Released: April 12, 2013 | Record Label: Warner Music Forever labelled experimental, psychedelic, other worldly, gimmicky, and just plain strange, The Flaming Lips have returned with their first proper LP in four years, and it is probably their weirdest one yet. Not because, the album pushes any boundaries (like their 24 hour song did), but because on The Terror this Oklahoma band is something they have seemed bound and determined never to be…conventional. The songs are cohesive; they make sense together, with hardly anything sounding out of place. This predictability in songs should not be seen as a negative because The Flaming Lips…
Album Review: Iron & Wine – Ghost on Ghost
Released: April 16, 2013 | Record Label: Nonesuch Records Ghost on Ghost proves that the new radio friendly style that Iron & Wine’s am Beam favored on Kiss Each Other Clean was not merely an experiment or a one off, but the direction he intends to take his music in the next coming years. While some of the fans who fell in love with his Nick Drake singer songwriter approach will continue to be frustrated by the new style, it is clear that Beam finds the fuller sound inspiring, which has led to a beautifully crafted album. The most exciting aspect of Ghost on…
Interview: The Joy Formidable (Rhydian Davies & Matthew Thomas)
On Friday April 12th, 2013 Welsh alternative/indie band The Joy Formidable were in Toronto to perform at Phoenix Concert Theatre in support of their second studio album Wolf’s Law. BTW’s Steve St. Jean had the chance to catch up with Rhydian Davies (Bass/Vocals) and Matthew Thomas (Drums) before their set to discuss the new record, touring with Muse and of course what they think life is. Sadly, Ritzy (Rhiannon Bryan – Vocals/Guitar) had been battling with an illness and missed out on our interview with the guys. The night before they had to pull out from their set halfway through due to the same…
Gig Review: Muse @ Air Canada Centre
The sound suppression system has been activated. Checking stage and Muse for acoustical energy. We’re a go for main engine start. We have main engine start. 4, 3, 2 ,1… Booster ignition and Lift off! – BOOM! This is what we all should have heard seconds before the clock struck 8:15pm at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on night one of Muse’s The 2nd Law North American Tour (April 9th, 2013). The performance and show that music fans experienced was out of this world (almost literally), disconnecting you from this reality and taking you on a journey to wherever the hell…
Interview: Wavves (Nathan Williams & Stephen Pope)
“Life is a series of disappointments and nothing” American Surf Rock band Wavves released their newest studio album ‘Afraid of Heights’ on March 26th and were just in Toronto playing the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern on April 5th, 2013. BTW’s Steve St. Jean got the chance to sit down with Nathan WIlliams & Stephen Pope to discuss the new album, getting a beer sponsor and how we are all “nothing”. Watch our interview with Wavves below: Photography/Videography by: Steve St. Jean
Gig Review: Billy Talent & Sum 41 @ Air Canada Centre
Billy Talent energized the Air Canada Centre as they thanked fans and gave kudos to Sum 41 for helping launch their ascension into rock stardom. The opening act Hollerado captivated the early bird crowd and warmed them up for Sum 41. It wasn’t particularly fun watching Derek talk about his alcoholism nor was it endearing to listen to him engage a crowd that was in their infancy while he was in his prime. As much as I respect everything that band has achieved (who doesn’t still appreciate “Fat Lip”?) there is something sad in a Charlie Sheen train wreck sort of…
Photos: Billy Talent & Sum 41 @ Air Canada Centre
On Friday April 5th, Billy Talent’s ‘Dead Silence World Tour’ made it’s way home to Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. The show was packed with fans knowingly there for the rad show that Billy Talent puts on… every time they play. The tour (which hopefully you did not miss) brought along Indian Handcrafts, Hollerado and main support from Sum 41. Stay tuned for our Gig Review of the show. For now, check out our photos from Sum 41 and Billy Talents sets below: Photography by: Steve St. Jean
