Originally from Liverpool, England, Matthew Barnes produces intricate soundscapes under the name Forest Swords. The former visual artist turned electronic musician creates his music from a highly visual background. His debut LP Engravings was released in August 2013...
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Leading Ladies: 3 Artists to Watch from the Toronto R&B Scene
Thanks to Drake and The Weeknd, this new contemporary/alternative R&B wave has hit Toronto hard. While many of the artists that have made a name for themselves are men, it’s important not to forget the women who are also making an impact on the scene in a...
The Tough Crowd: Venue Pet Peeves
Last Saturday, like most other Saturdays, I went to a show I won't name because it was mediocre, but I will mention the things I noticed there. A show that isn't holding your interest is the same as being in a class where the professor is droning on about nothing...
Live in the Hive: The So So Glos
Too pop for punk, too punk for pop, The So So Glos have made a name for themselves with their melodic DIY punk anthems over the past few years. With the release of 2013’s excellent Blowout, many yearned for their out of print earlier albums. Now comfortable with...
Sit Down with Shira: Chalk and Numbers
If we're going to talk about super cool female-fronted collectives, there's really no way we can't discuss the sudden — and well deserved — rise of girly pop duo Chalk and Numbers. Hailing from the bizarre land of Brooklyn, NY, Chalk and Numbers is...
Rainy Day Music #6: Is This It
Last week's rainy day selection came from my good friend from home and was an album you'd expect to fit in with a rainy day: a jazz album (Speak No Evil). This week's Rainy Day Album comes from another old friend, Michael Venit, but it's an album that you...
Minutia: Arcade Fire – "Some Other Place"
Composed for some movie about people loving their phones (actually though, the movie's f*cking great), Arcade Fire's “Some Other Place” lets the band escape from their persona and style that has been hammered into our skulls all of last year. When we get away from...
Under the Tide: The Radio Dept.
Sometimes you don't really care for a band or musician. It can be due to the fact that the first album or song you picked to start off with didn't sync well with you, the band members don't look attractive enough, the band name pisses you off (I actually did not...
Shaken Not Stirred: Nick Drake’s "Pink Moon"
I am always on the lookout for new folk music. I've listened to the complete works of Dylan and Cash, Mitchell and Baez, but somehow my craving for this eclectic, yet beautifully simple music is never quite satisfied. I was looking through a Spotify playlist the...
Heavy Rotation Highlights: The War On Drugs, Trust, Warm Soda & more!
It’s the first day of Spring! The weather’s getting warmer, and things are looking up, so treat yourself to our latest batch of rack additions. Not only does this edition feature The War on Drugs’ early Album of the Year candidate, but we’ve...