Happy Birthday Talib Kweli!

Cheers to Talib Kweli! Watch the clip for "We Outside" feat. J Rawls off their new album The Confidence of Knowing out now.

The Blasters' Over There 2LP Live in London 1982 due for Black Friday

An expanded deluxe 2LP edition of The Blasters' live 'Over There' EP cut in London in 1982 is out on November 29. 

Here's the scoop from co-producer Chris Morris...

BIG FAT NEWS! I am freaking proud to be the co-producer (with Antone DeSantis and the Blasters) and annotator of this thrilling RSD Black Friday release, out Nov. 29. Limited to 1,500 copies, Over There: Live at the Venue, London 1982 — The Complete Concert is a smokin’ hot two-LP, 23-track (!) rendering of the original Slash/Warner Bros. EP, recorded at their UK debut as a headliner. This show has never been heard in its entirety, and 13 of the performances have never been issued in any form. 

The 73-minute show is WILD, and the blow-out power and full-tilt velocity of the seven-piece Blasters in their prime are on full display, in definitive form. The package features a jazzy gatefold jacket containing my detailed essay with new interviews from the band, plus never-before-seen photos and memorabilia. The album will also land on Dec. 6 as a single CD in a sweet-looking digipak; a digital version will also be available that day. I’ve been involved with Liberation Hall Records’ reissue campaign devoted to the Pride of Downey’s work for a year, and this set is to date the true revelation of that program. LET’S ROCK! – Chris Morris

Check out a lo-fi transfer of the original release of The Blasters' Over There below.

Project Nowhere feat. Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer @ St. Anne's Parish, Friday

Sonic Youth guitar slinger Lee Ranaldo is joined by Leah Singer headlining this year's Project Nowhere on Friday night.

Project Nowhere (October 3-5)

Wavelength is excited to be a part of the second year of Project Nowhere, a community-led event featuring underground legends, modern vanguards and exciting up-and-coming talent from Toronto and beyond. Different venues in Toronto’s west end will be taking part in this multi-dimensional music experience, hosting artist showcases over the 3-day festival. 

This year, Wavelength will be co-presenting two nights of exciting programming at St. Anne’s Parish and Lower Hall. Night 1 will feature an immersive sound and visual performance by Leah Singer + Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) presenting Contre Jour, Hamilton shoegazers Zoon, and experimental trio Yoo Doo Right. Night 2 will feature Slim Twig mastermind Max Turnbull’s side project Badge Époque Ensemble, along with fuzzed-out guitar rocker Sam Jr. and baroque psychedelic outfit The Royal Family. Visuals both nights by The Oscillitarium. Read an interview with Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer right here and check out a Contre Jour performance in Spain from 2022 along with Lee's guided tour of  his gear below. 

Project Nowhere & Wavelength: Night 1 

Friday (October 4) @ St. Anne’s Parish Hall (651 Dufferin St)

10:30 – Leah Singer + Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) presenting Contre Jour

9:30 – Zoon

8:30 – Yoo Doo Right

Doors 8pm 

Tickets: $38.13 advance (including taxes and fees) available from DICE.FM right here.  

Project Nowhere & Wavelength: Night 2 

Saturday (October 5) @ St. Anne’s Parish Hall (651 Dufferin St)

10:30 – Badge Époque Ensemble

9:30 – Sam Jr.

8:30 – The Royal Family

Doors 8pm 

Tickets: $26.49 advance (including taxes and fees) available from DICE.FM right here.  

Remembering session guitar ace Howard Roberts on his birthday

Raising a glass to prolific session guitarist Howard Roberts with a documentary series about his life, work and his instruments.  

Watch Dinosaur Jr. on "Rockin' In The UK" back in 1988

Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, Murph and Lou Barlow clearly weren't enthused about the whole "Rockin' In The UK" experience. 

R.I.P. American Pickers co-star Frank Fritz, 1965-2024

Sadly, antiques dealer/collector Frank Fritz – longtime co-star of American Pickers – has passed away at 60. He'll be missed. 

Brazilian legend Marcos Valle, DJ Jason Palma @ Opera House, Wednesday

Singer/songwriter Marcos Valle makes a rare Toronto appearance at the Opera House with Jason Palma spinning rare Brazilian gems. 

LINKS 

Tone Glow Marcos Valle interview

Happy Birthday Wendell Harrison!

Celebrating the birthday of saxophonist and Tribe co-founder Wendell Harrison with a few stellar recordings and an interview.

Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour feat. Lori Yates @ Cameron House, Thursday

Paige Warner, Lori Yates & Kylie Fox have joined forces for the Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour which hits Toronto Thursday. 

Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour

Join Lori Yates, Kylie Fox, and Paige Warner on a captivating musical journey that celebrates the heart and soul of songwriting in intimate settings across Ontario. The Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour rolls into Toronto on Thursday (October 3) for a show at the Cameron House from 9pm to 11pm. Tickets are $22.63 and available via Eventbrite right here. Watch the preview clip along with "Matador" by Lori Yates, "Bitter" by Paige Warner and "Brandi Baby" by Kylie Fox. 

From Toronto, Lori Yates, the pioneer of alt-country, weaves narratives that resonate with authenticity and warmth. Kylie Fox, hailing from the East Coast, infuses her set with folk-Canadiana elements and unique jazz-pop/folk-rock fusions. From Owen Sound, Paige Warner offers a soulful sound with evocative ballads, deeply personal lyrics, and catchy hooks.

The "Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour" showcases three uniquely talented Canadian women:

Long recognized by her peers and respected as one of Canada's top talents, Lori Yates was called "alt-country" long before the phrase existed – the pioneer of a genre in the making. This is an artist who met Johnny Cash, hung out with Tammy Wynette, wrote with Guy Clark, Don Schlitz, and Colin Linden, jammed with Jerry Jeff Walker, drank with Harlan Howard, sang with Greg Allman, Rick Danko, and Jim Cuddy, and ate jelly beans with Roy Acuff. As the saying goes, she's "been to the show." Lori's nominations include the Juno award, Canadian Country Music Award, Polaris Prize award (long list), City of Oshawa Lifetime Achievement Award nomination. She has won: Songwriter of the Year, (Hamilton Music Awards) Alt-Country Recording of the Year (Hamilton Music Awards) SOCAN #1 award. Most recently a City of Hamilton Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement nomination. Her lyrics are immortalized in Hamilton's Gore Park. A dynamic and often hilarious performer, what sets her apart is her golden voice; part honey, part growl. You believe every note that comes out of her mouth, she's that kind of singer, the real deal. Her lyrics are gritty, tender, and poignant. loriyates.com

Kylie Fox is a New Brunswick singer-songwriter that fuses folk storytelling with vintage elements of jazz and alternative rock. With influences like Kate Bush, Sharon Van Etten, and Joni Mitchell, her music is ethereal, lush and real. Her new singles, “Confetti," and album, “Sequoia", are produced by Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant, The Good Lovelies, Fortunate Ones). Fox’s debut album led her to tour Canada extensively, sharing stages alongside names like Bahamas, The Strumbellas, Joel Plaskett, and Matt Minglewood. She has showcased at countless music awards and festivals, and was recently named “Innovator of the Year'' at the 2023 PrixNB Awards. kyliefox.ca

Paige Warner creates alt-pop music with soul-inspired vocal licks layered on catchy hooks of heartfelt lyrics. Her career began as a busker in her small hometown market, and led her to perform on stages such as Massey Hall’s TD Music Hall, Yonge-Dundas Square, NXNE, Owen Sound’s Summerfolk, Harbour Nights, and share stages with iconic artists such as Ron Sexsmith and Monowhales. Paige Warner’s debut album, Bitter/Sweet (just released August 2024), has garnered hundreds of thousands of streams and views and has made its mark as an ode to female resilience. “Paige Warner doesn’t just sing about pain; she transforms it into a statement of strength and defiance, offering her listeners a breath of fresh air and inspiration…” paigewarner.ca

R.I.P. Anvil rhythm guitarist Dave Allison, 1956-2024

Sadly, Anvil's original rhythm guitarist Dave Allison – who played on the group's first five albums – has passed away at the age of 68 He'll be greatly missed.

Recordings by Bad Seed pianist Conway Savage appear on Bandcamp

Conway Savage's 2004 album Wrong Man's Hands is now available on Bandcamp along with four other recordings and more soon.

Here's the scoop from fellow Bad Seed Mick Harvey...

It has been a long 6 years but along with Conway’s daughter, Grace, I am very, very pleased to be able to announce that Conway’s studio recordings are now all available at Bandcamp. ‘Live In Ireland’ and ‘ Rare Songs & Performances 1989-2004’ should be there in the next 48 hours with some other unreleased material (hopefully) in the next few months. Streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music should follow in the coming weeks and there are plans for a vinyl anthology to be released sometime next year. Listen to Conway's Wrong Man's Hands below. 

Conway Savage's back catalogue is available at Bandcamp: https://conwaysavage.bandcamp.com