New Song Alert: Acres of Lions

Acres of Lions is easily one of my favourite bands around right now. They put on a great live show--regardless of attendance--high energy, entertaining banter, stories behind the songs: all the things you'd want from a concert. These guys should be bigger than they are.

The band has released the lead single, "Bright Lights" from their upcoming album "Home(s)" to be released April 2, and it's just such a good song. I can't stress enough how much I love this song! Maybe more exclamation points? !!!!!! It does exactly what lead singles are supposed to do: psych you up for the record while simultaneously reaffirming why you love them for their catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics in the first place.

Listen to the song and then go buy it on iTunes, and check out their tour dates for a show near you!

New Music: Violent Kin

Saskatoon-based electro-rock duo Violent Kin have released the video for their new single "Talk" from their 2011 release, "People."

Saturday Nights are Alright

It's been awhile since I attended two shows in the same night (and in retrospect, probably could have even done three. Sorry Arkells!).

I started the night at the Cavern, where Lost Weekend (for fans of Dragonette, Foster the People, The Limousines...) served up a healthy dose of danceable pop tunes. The Cavern isn't the greatest place for bustin' a move, but it only took half a song to get people out of their booths and onto the floor. Full disclosure: I don't dance because in my mind it looks something like this:



Second stop was Lo Pub for Enjoy Your Pumas (watch their super awesome video for "Walk it Off"!). The first time I saw the Pumas about five years ago, I was on the fence about them, but they have since grown into one of my favourite local bands. Their live show has gotten way better and Rosie is the picture of a confident frontwoman.

Lost Weekend are currently working on their debut EP, and Enjoy Your Pumas are about to set out on the second leg of their cross-Canada tour.

Quinzy: A little bit taller

WARNING: This post is full of unabashed love.

I remember the first time I saw Quinzy: It was Quinzmas in the old West End Cultural Centre, before they even had to prop up one of the walls. I sat with a friend at stage left to watch the show. My strongest mental image is of the boys sitting on the floor whilst House of Doc covered "Mike! Your House is on Fire!". When Quinzy took to the stage, I was swept up in their catchy songs, great harmonies, and (mostly) witty (sometimes awkward) stage banter. I've been to most Quinzy shows since.

I've been to every Quinzmas since 2006, except last year's *sob*.

I've seen them play a bunch of Elton John covers.

I showed up at someone's birthday party at the Academy once (I thought it was a regular show, honest! They let me in, so I didn't think anything of it until there were speeches! lol).

I even spent an afternoon at the mall.

It's safe to say, without hesitation, that I love Quinzy.

Most recently, they played at Festival du Voyageur, where they performed new songs from "The Flats", their latest EP. All I could think about during their set was how much they've grown as a band since the first time I saw them. I don't have children, but I have a niece and three nephews, and I'm always telling them they've gotten taller since the last time I saw them (a total auntie cliche, I know). Well, watching Quinzy this time made me feel like they'd gotten taller. In the years since "Please baby please baby baby baby please", the lyrics have gotten a little darker and more introspective. The melodies and arrangements have become lusher and more complex. The stage banter's gotten better, too. I wasn't watching a different band; I was watching a more mature band. I cried a little bit. And then I bought a CD and a mug.



Never stop growing, Quinzy. And yes, I did just make a reference to a milk commercial.