We’ve been raving about her, and for a damn good reason, Santigold will be performing on Tuesday, May 15th @ Kool Haus.

Now it’s #HumpdayHandout so you know that means we’ve got something special for you. We’re giving away three pairs of tickets to the Santigold show next week in appreciation of good music and great readers.

Super Mash Bros are hitting up Toronto in a big way and they’re doing it for free!! Come check them out on the 30th at Kool Haus (other headliners include Dragonette, Z-Trip and Keys ‘n Crates). As this pair hits the stage, be prepared for some fun, craziness and a dash of good ‘ol dancin fun. Click here to get set up with free tickets. Honda Canada clearly knows where it’s at.

1. What is your dream of happiness? 

Shoes and cars.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

Brunette!!

3. What is the quality you like most in a person?

Loyalty/Honesty

4. What do you fear most?

Germs.

5. 808s or 909s?
Mix and match both. Lately a lot of 303s.

6. What’s your biggest regret?
Not buying stock in apple when I was 6/The loss of Lazerwolf.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world? 

The Roger Room or the Edison in LA and The Dart Room in the Oyster House, pre-remodelling.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Wifi and snacking

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Prince, Blink 182, Miles Davis

10. What is your favorite decade in music? 
90s duh!

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?

Blind – couldn’t live without music in my life and until I’m on that Beethoven level I’d like to keep my hearing.

12. How old is too old? 

No such thing. Unless this is a weird sexual question, in which case isn’t there some sort of socially accepted formula?

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years? 

I tried closing my eyes to imagine it but all I could see were these crazy flashing spots on the back of my eyelids; does that mean I’ll be in the Matrix?

14. Who’s your hero? 

Ben Franklin

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Purple

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
I could live without ever hearing pitbull ever again.

17. Metallica or Madonna? 

Madonna. Like a Prayer is better than anything Metallica every did.

18. What’s your most hated vice? 

Dick Cheney

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Lindsay Lohan/Joan of Arc

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

Daft Punk, Dracula Mountain, Of Montreal

I always say I really appreciate a wangsta. Wangsters were not born into the world of being a gangsta therefore, it does not come naturally to them. A wangsta is someone who has to work hard for their swagger. In my books, a wangsta is not a bad term even if 50 Cent thinks it is.

The Urban Dictionary describes a wangsta as the following; “A person who tries to act like a gangster or “gangsta” but is really white.” Coming from my perspective as a white person, what’s so bad about that? I understand that I can’t be full out GANGSTA but i’ll take the term wangsta as compliment and as a job well done on my part.

Last year we were obsessed with Asher Roth but now there is another white bro coming up on the block.  MAC MILLER. Now if you read this column often you’ll know I’m obsessed with BROMANCES. (that’s a shout out to TYGA AND CHRIS BROWN) Well, Mac Miller is attacking the scene with his bromantical brother Whiz Khalifa.

Miller was born in Pittsburgh, not too long ago. This young pup was born in 1992. Like this guy is a pure baby. But he’s working that baby face to he best of his abilities. He’s not even signed to a major label yet but he’s dropped an EP, is currently on tour, has 577,000 followers on Twitter and his most popular YouTube video, DONALD TRUMP,  has 16 million views. Not to bad for a wangsta.

He reminds me SO MUCH of the streets. Remember him? The little white european rapper? Anyways Lady Gaga has her “little monsters” but Miller runs with K.I.D.S…..a crew that is KICKING INCREDIBLY DOPE SHIT. I can get down with that.

If you’re down with 19 year old white rappers with a light hearted style check it July 16th and 17th at the kool haus.

The long weekend has concluded and alas, office life resumes.  And so what better way to kick start the workweek than with some dancey disco, curtsey of James Murphy and his cohorts, also known as LCD Soundsystem.  Scorching weather in the AM and screeching vocals at night, last night’s show at Kool Haus was the perfect spring sendoff.  Summer is here.

The show begun early. The crack of my first Heineken was inaudible over Us vs. Them. The sold out crowd rushed the stage and proceeded to bounce.  Albeit early, but the Drunk Girls and those who love them were receptive to James’ recant of their nights out.  LCD at it’s most recognizable, Murphy’s cracking voice spouting off a catalogue of one-liners. No stranger to the limelight, Murphy’s aware of the vibe he’s laying down, energy is on the ascent and This Is Happening’s Pow Pow brought hands up. What followed was a whole world of air punching. People need to mind their karate. I survived; bring on the dangers of the dance floor.

Tricky, tricky James.  Daft Punk is Playing at My House opened with an unfamiliar tune. Confused kids exchanged glances, unsure of where they were being taken.  Ah, all the more impactful. Live shows 101, keep your songs in a state of flux, it’s those slight separations’ from studio versions and propels live to the pinnacle of the music pantheon.  LCD Soundsystem got their hooks in me via this song, hearing it live was a welcome time machine. A recurring theme where James Murphy is concerned.

It’s hot in Toronto, James informs us.  We know.

There is a decided lack of drum circles and acoustic guitars to encourage hippie attendance.  Or perhaps it’s the presence of cleanliness and capitalism.  Regardless, All My Friends was the love-in of the evening. Marley ain’t got shit on Murphy, and the accursed arm-in-arm swaying reared its dreadlocked head.  Don’t be fooled by my hippie disdain, it’s a poignant song and my favourite of the night.

Encore time. Famous for his address of the crowd, James Murphy provided a public service announcement: please dance responsibly.  Far from having his vantage point, I remain unaware of the overtly physical dance routines that took place.  But it’s encouraging, LCD Soundsystem will make you move.

New York I Love You was the perfect conclusion. For a city that fancies themselves New York, Toronto was all too happy to draw the comparison.

The show ended on a slower note and with me wanting more.  Particular favourites never made a cameo. But so many did and life goes on.  Having tracks of great length doesn’t lend itself to a prolific show.  But a high caliber concert regardless. Murphy on stage, friends surrounding and Heineken in hand. Jesus, Happy Tuesday.

Photographs by Courtney Yip

Electro nerds Hot Chip got the kids dancing last night. Kool Haus shows have never impressed me and so I wearily approached the evening. My fears were unfounded, the show was sweaty dance floor perfection. My previous encounter with Hot Chip was on the West Coast and was a show that I doubt could be rivaled. Evidently I was mistaken, as new hits, old hits and remixed tracks made for quite the night.

Although their most recent record, One Life Stand, is easy on the instant hits, Hot Chip crafted a brilliant set list that pulled the audience in tow. Indie darlings The XX opened the night with a mellow show. I am a quite the fan, however as an opener for such an upbeat band I found the mood deflated post-set. Yet as roadies changed instruments, tested mics and brought a trumpet on stage, the excitement rose. The crowd condensed. The anticipation was palpable. Before the vibe reached critical mass, the band took the stage and at once hit us with Hand Me Down Your Love. The crowd roared, feet flew, sweat spilled. Audiences such is this are why I so feverishly thirst for live shows. The venue was sold out, Hot Chip was privy to true fans.

Few words were spoken to the crowd. Joe Goddard meekly commented how he liked this crowd before launching into Over and Over. Electropop heaven, Kool Haus rose 20 degrees, steam lifted off the sheer friction of hipster on hipster. Clearly a fan favourite, everyone in sight belted out the lyrics. My voice is still raw.

Hot Chip feels like a band of remarkably talented backup artists. The ubiquity of their skill astounds, like a record they rotate vocals and instruments. These kids learned to share, the spotlight belongs to them all. Felix Martin rose from the drums, approached the microphone and took over for Alley Cats. With notable exception, drummers tend to draw little attention. For Hot Chip, the drummer’s talent is wasted on percussion alone.

Boy From School was lent a whole new sound. Normally a down tempo take on fleeting young love. Last night it was a pounding electronic hit. Hardly recognizable in this new form. I was soaking up the beat, believing it to be a new track before my ear caught the lyrics. The song is perfection in both incarnations but was aptly chosen to be an incendiary dance floor hit.

Like all concerts of worth, the end came too soon. There was no mistaking the crowd’s demand, Hot Chip was returning for an encore.

Three more songs came. No Fit State was a game changer, there wasn’t a still body in the house. But the culmination was the conclusion. Ready for the Floor’s reception was wild. Clearly I am not alone in my love for it. Alexis Taylor, in all his subdued geekyness took the lead. The build up was unrecognizable, and so all the more impactful when Alexis commanded the crowd to “do it, do it, do it now.”

Flawless concert. My faith in Torontonian crowds has been restored. Beyond musical fresh air, Hot Chip continues to command the electropop scene with pulsating beats and bizarre lyrics. All from a band one wouldn’t expect. No doubt in my mind, coolest nerds around.

Brit singer Florence Welch and her Machine rolled into town Saturday night at Kool Haus. My ilk and I attended this show with great anticipation. Florence’s style eludes definition, an amalgamated style of folk, pop and rock. Her voice takes over a room. The new Patti Smith, but fortunately easier on the eyes. Indeed, Florence took the stage looking freshly roused from a hippie commune. A musical anachronism without label, as great music should be.

Now my hard on for the music aside, the show fell short of my lofty expectations. The ginger songstress took the stage and at once broke into Howl, my personal favourite off Lungs, her 2009 release. Her presence on stage was at once reminiscent of a young Steve Nicks. And she killed it like a young Stevie Nicks. Yet all feet remained firmly on the ground for the first song. The crowd seemed unaware that whom they had paid to see had taken the stage. Kiss With a Fist followed. A more popular number than the preceding track. I moved into the crowd and prepared to soak up the crowd’s ambient energy.  No dice.

My first inclination was to blame the youngens of the all ages crowd for the mausoleum style reception that Toronto provided. Perhaps I can in part blame them, but the other end of the spectrum brought their own brand of geriatric apathy to the concert. I can appreciate that Florence’s music reaches a wide crowd and can be enjoyed by many. Truly, it is the mark of a versatile artist.  But to come to her show, which in of itself demonstrates your affinity towards her beats, and then make no effort to partake in concert revelry? For shame, Toronto.

I lend the term ‘mosh pit’ with great trepidation. What technically should have been the mosh pit was not unlike a grade 8 dance. The range of motion was limited to minute swaying, people recoiled at accidental touching and scowls and awkward smiles were the expression of choice. My time here was brief, I relocated to the bar as the set ended. For the first time the crowd raised their voices in the standard bargain for more songs. We pad your ego, you keep playing.

Waiting for encores is like taking the bus. A little piece of me dies each time I do it.

However, like taking the bus, I waited for the encore.

Florence retook the stage. Two more songs followed. It was not until Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) that the crowd was reminded they were bearing witness to great live music. Despite the somewhat subdued volume when Florence hit the chorus, the crowd was there to help her out. Finally I saw a glimmer of the energy that a concert crowd should have in droves.  I wish this were the feeling from the show’s onset.

I imagine the force of Florence and the Machine’s concerts have elevated audiences in other cities.  Here in Toronto they were met with muddled disinterest. It is my hope that the bitter aftertaste from Saturday’s show does not dissuade the band from returning. Perhaps next time we can distract the douchebags with an Ed Hardy sample sale. That oughta keep ‘em busy.

Words: Darien Campbell

Tegan and Sara have come a long way since their days of selling adorable d.i.y inspired “I’m Tee and Essing” t-shirts at quaint venues across Canada. The days of house shows and being an opening act are over: the girls have arrived, and they are damned well deserving of it.

T&S are coming off a massive North American tour (which the lovely Sara Quin has been kind enough to blog about for us) in support of their latest release, Sainthood. Although they’ve been working in music for over ten years, it’s taken them a long time to reach the top, and you can tell they have no intention of stepping down.

They’ve sold out two shows in Toronto over the last few nights, first playing an emotionally-charged intimate evening at Massey Hall, and last night packing the Kool Haus until it was ready to burst. Gentleman Reg opened, but was (sadly) barely noticed by the hoards of screaming girls waiting for Tegan and Sara to come out. This shit was like being at a Beatles concert.

Looking out from my safety net of the press pit, I couldn’t believe how many people were there. I had to almost check myself, remembering that the last time I saw Tegan and Sara in Detroit they were playing to half a venue of dedicated fans who stood quietly enjoying tracks off their first few albums. That could not have been more unlike what I saw last night.

Their new album is a step in the right direction: their sound is smoother, stronger and rocks harder than ever. After briefly entertaining work with Tiesto this past summer, Tegan and Sara have stopped knocking on the door to your heart: they’ve kicked it in.

When they finally took the stage the roaring began, you could see on the Quin’s faces that they knew they had finally made it. Playing tracks like “Arrow” and “Hell” off their latest record was expected, but they also dove deep into their old tracks, playing “Living Room”, “Walking With A Ghost” and “So Jealous”.

If you’ve never seen them before, you need to. Their performance was heartbreaking: I’ve never seen a band be as thankful for their audience as they were last night. You knew that they’ve come a long way, and that they couldn’t have done it without the love and support of their fans.

Anyone who ever said they couldn’t do it: get ready to get so jealous.

Can we say TGIF!! And what better way to cap off the work week than scoring the best concert tickets in town ( its Pink Mafia, thats how we do). I’m sure your wondering who’s in town- its Fever Ray. I kid you not Fever Ray is here live n direct on what is said to be the Final Tour… just in case you live under a rock Fever Ray is the best export from Sweden since meatballs. Fever Ray aka Karin Elisabeth Dreijer Andersson is a one woman machine with a voice like bullets that could pierce anything in its path.

From I entered Kool Haus, it was as if Iwas dragged into a whole new dark and sinster world. I was completely bombarded with a cloud of smoke filled with subtle sweet tones of burning incense. It took me a minute to finally realize where I really was my eyes darted to the stage and, and I was speechless.

I know that must be hard to believe. But, for real it literally took me time to process what was      happening in front of my eyes. Ok, like where do I start the stage was ‘Dry and Dusty’ filled with    vintage lampshades imported from your Swedish grandmother’s room which gave a glow similar to eyes in a sea of darkness. The glow of these lamps illuminated Karin and her crew, their figures were brought to life through the thick fog and pulsating sinster beats and made you ponder ‘If I Had a Heart’.

The live band is dimly visible, their faces painted or masked who can tell dressed in grotesque, mysterious costumes.  They are equipped with keyboards and computers, maracas, guitars and everything under the sun.  And FYI how often do you get to see a woman beat the life outta congas like they were ‘Coconuts’.

In the midst of ‘Seven’ lasers is a strange, heavily cloaked figure which may be Andersson or may not – I cannot say for sure between the fog and the incense.

Until this great cloaked  robe releases a slender woman with long bleach blond hair fantastically surreal and slightly frightening screaming ‘Keep the Streets Empty for Me’.

The total haunting effect of Fever Ray consist of so many distorted components from the elaborate costumes and eccentric set design to the disjunct between Karin’s appearance and the ghastly, demonic sounds she emits, it could break ‘Concrete Walls’.

Fever Ray drew me into her cult where like her fellow bandmates I realized that the ‘Triangle Walks’.

The shrill and deep, contorted tones combined with her distinctive accent and the use of pitch-shifting made me realize that ‘Now’s the Only Time I Know’ and that ‘I‘m Not Done’. And like everyone that walked out feeling like they just left a secret society and ‘When I Grow Up’… I want be like Fever Ray.

Lady Gaga wants your soul, Toronto. And she’d probably fuck you for it, too. A little or a lot of ridiculousness is what most have come to expect from the Lady, and she wasn’t skimping on it in Friday night.

An overall energetic performance at the Kool Haus, the show started at 10:40pm (about forty minutes late), and ended at midnight. Gaga rocked multiple wardrobe changes, including her “bitch in a bubble” ensemble, and brought out the disco stick.

The crowd was filled with Gaga-wannabes; blonde wigs, sequined dresses, eccentric hair pieces (including my own giant flower). Girls and gays alike got rowdy to the tunes and robotic dance moves provided by the current, so-called “Princess of Pop”.

The piano was brought out for a stripped-down rendition of Poker Face, partly played with her legs spread apart on the keys. Because why not? Also sung was a cover of Kanye West’s Heartless which sent the crowd in a frenzy of sing-a-long.

There were quite a bit of philosophical theories and life stories from Gaga’s end, both between and during songs. She wants you to know that money ain’t a thang, and that the most important thing in the world to her are her fans. Lyrical contradictions aside, LG played a new song which she thinks might be about dildos.

Definitely a character, Lady Gaga knows how to take things to the very edge, sometimes taking a casual stumble over.

This was Lady Gaga’s final show in which she performs alone on stage. In this upcoming tour, there will be a band backing her. You can catch her opening for Kanye West later this year.

I stopped by the official Lady Gaga-hosted after party at Ultra, also marking the opening night of a crazy MMVA party-filled weekend. Gaga did indeed come and I got a glimpse of her in a secluded booth donning her signature shades. Chad Kroeger of Nickelback along with Midway State and Rumer Willis were also in attendance. And we can’t forget Perez Hilton (or can we), who was also in town, following Gaga around like a desperate puppy. A crowded patio, relatively deserted main floor and glass of water later, Gaga-overdose forced me to call it a night. I stepped out the door only to be greeted by eager autograph-seekers and Rumer Willis-stalkers. Overall, successful evening.

Words and Photos by Melania Fedyna

Thursday evening, Kool Haus was host to a benefit show called Peace Dot Love. With local Canadian talent playing for a good cause, all of the night’s proceeds went to youth at risk in an attempt to end the cycle of violence.

The line-up included Stereos, Rebel Emergency, Down With Webster, Dragonette, TMDP, USS, and some eccentric dancing troup who joined USS on stage. The night had a good turn out; people of all ages showed up to support the artists and help a worthy cause in the process.

Photographic evidence below.

Stereos

Rebel Emergency

Down With Webster

Dragonette

TMDP

USS

Previously mentioned eccentric dancing group, featuring salsa-induced excitement.

Words and Photos by Melania Fedyna

You know what it’s like when a good friend you haven’t seen or spoke to in ages, adds you on Facebook and you guys start reminisce wall-to-wall about the good ol’days? Feels good right? That’s exactly how I felt when I saw Bloc Party at the Kool Haus last night. The boys were in town for the weekend playing two sold out shows for Canadian Music Week.

When I was in high school, I fell in love with Bloc Party’s debut “Silent Alarm” an album beautifully put together with spiky sharp chords needling in places and guitars that swoons you to the moon. But after the hype and killing it by having Silent Alarm on non-stop replay, I stopped listening to them, forgot about them and moved on.

It’s been about 4 years since I’ve seen Bloc Party (Kele -vocals, rhythm guitar, Russell -lead guitar, Gordon -bass guitar, synths, backing vocals and Matt -drums, backing vocals) last and I’m kinda behind with the band’s happenings. They released their second album “A Weekend In The City” and put out their more recent album “Intimacy” released late last year.

I definitely didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at the show. I knew the band went through a slight change with their sound ditching their guitar driven riffs to have a bit more personal and electronic feel. The Kool Haus was jammed packed with people anxiously waiting for the indie rock darlings to finally come out. A little bit before 10:30 I saw purple lights and smoke filling up the stage quickly and the boys came out. I was at the back because I didn’t feel like going into the sweaty, people pushing, crowd. Right before the guys were about to play their first song a fan threw a bra to Kele. He had a laugh and so did the crowd.

It was nice to hear their new material for the first time live. I really liked Mercury and Talons from Intimacy. Made me wish I knew the lyrics so I could sing a long too like when Banquet or This Modern Love was played. Kele vocals were to satisfaction throughout the night and I definitely enjoyed Russell’s hair flips. Bloc Party put on a great show to wrap up CMW. The guys will still be in Canada for the next couple of days playing shows in London, Ottawa, and Montreal. If you’re in the area, check ‘em out!

Photos by: Jill Nefulda

And that’s exactly what went down Saturday night at the Kool Haus when Paramore took over Toronto.
Over 2000 kids, identical in skinnies, converse, and band tees, lined up at 8am to ensure their front row spots. Sacrifices had to be made, but the number of questionable violations that occurred while in the crowd, made you wonder if being dry-humped at all angles is really an acceptable situation to subject yourself to.

Opening for Paramore were Paper Route, Phantom Planet (of O.C. theme-song-fame), and Jack’s Mannequin. Having to stand through three openers proved impossible for some, as people were dragged over the gates by security, nearly passed out, sweaty, and falling over, all before Paramore even hit the stage.

The show was full of energy, heavy bass, and synchronized head-banging, while singer Hayley Williams thrashed around the stage, even spitting water onto the adoring crowd.

Natives of Tennessee, Paramore have been on the scene since 2005, when they released their first album, ‘All We Know Is Falling‘. Touring with their second, appropriately titled ‘Riot!‘, this will be their last promo tour for the album before heading back to the studio to write new tracks.

Five hours and a bruised hip bone later, I left musically satisfied for the night, and watched as the thousands of fans poured out into the parking lot in hopes of stalking down the band as they left.

I rate this show 4 asymmetrical haircuts out of 5.

Words by Melania Fedyna