alternative rock Archives - Toronto Guardian

“Five Minutes With” Alternative Rock Artist, jsin

Sofia Touboul — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:33:41 +0000

To win, give in. jsin learned that the hard way. Now he shares that truth on his EP Surrender.

“These songs speak to the process of surrendering to what is, instead of trying to control things,” jsin says.

Name:

jsin

Genre:

Rock/Alternative

Founded:

2008

Last Single:

“Inside”

Last Video:

“Inside” (2009)

Favourite musician growing up:

Axl Rose

Favourite musician now:

George Michael

Guilty pleasure song:

“Pony” by Ginuwine

Live show ritual:

Listen and dance to Bhangra to get loose

Favourite local musician:

Hearing John Campbell sing live soothes the soul

EP or LP?

This release is an EP…though originally planned to be an LP including some songs I had written many years ago

Early bird or night owl?

Lifelong night owl trying to make the transition to early bird; it ain’t easy

Road or studio?

Stage is where I feel the freest.

Any shows or albums coming up?

Setting up shows for the spring and summer – dates will be posted to socials!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

***

Rapid Fire Toronto Qs

Favourite local restaurant:

Archive Wine Bar

Favourite street in Toronto:

Gladstone Ave.

Favourite park in Toronto:

McCormick Park – a little gem in Little Portugal

Favourite music venue in Toronto:

Poetry Cafe

Favourite music store in Toronto:

I used to live close to Steve’s on Queen…

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“Five Minutes With” Diana Studenberg of Alternative Rock Band Trope

Jessica da Cunha — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 04:30:27 +0000

Trope is an alternative rock band with progressive elements located in Hollywood, LA featuring Canadian vocalist Diana Studenberg. The band formed in 2016 and spent the next couple of years writing and recording demos which became their debut album “Eleutheromania”, scheduled for release in 2021.

After recording the demos for “Eleutheromania”, they garnered the attention of the music industry including Mike Fraser (ACDC, Metallica) who agreed to engineer the album. David Bottrill (Tool, Peter Gabriel) also expressed interest and agreed to creatively consult and mix the album. Ted Jensen (Eagles, Dave Mathews Band, Pantera, AIC) mastered the album.

Trope have performed shows internationally in Europe, Canada, the US and Los Angeles in such venues including LA’s Whisky A Go-Go and The Viper Room and the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, where they played the main stages in the past two consecutive years and have shared stages with Switchfoot and Sevendust. They also shared stages at the legendary Hollywood Improv with world class comedians Iliza Shlesinger (Unveiled/Netflix), Steve-O (Jackass), David Koechner (Anchorman), Bryan Callen (Hangover), Harland Williams (Something About Mary) and more.

They’ve recently been featured as one of HEAVY Mag’s Top 40 Female Rock Acts in their Ladies of Rock Edition in good company with Lzzy Hale, Lacuna Coil, Jinjer, The Runways, and more.

Trope’s music combines hypnotic rhythms with dark, progressive elements while delicate-to-angst vocals cascade over the top. The concept of “Eleutheromania” which means “a manic zeal for freedom”, permeates their music which craves to break free from patterns.

Diana Studenberg of Trope

Name: Diana Studenberg of Trope

Genre: Alternative Rock

Founded: 2016

# of Albums: One debut upcoming album, ‘Eleutheromania’

Latest Release: ‘Shout’ – our Rock cover version of the Tears for Fears song

Latest Single: ‘Shout’

Latest Video: :

Favourite Restaurant:

PAI on Duncan St.

Favourite band as a teenager:

Dream Theater

Favourite band now:

Jeff Buckley, Radiohead

Guilty Pleasure Song:

Blinding Lights by The Weeknd

Live Show Ritual:

Whisper swear to myself for 30 seconds before going onstage

Favourite local artist:

Jessie Reyez

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

Sneaky Dees Nachos please!

Queen or College St?

College St. – College St… I like the calm energy of that street and its intersections with Kensington Market. I used to live right off College, so I may be biased!

Trinity Bellwoods or High Park, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?

High Park

EP or LP?

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl, I’ve tried really hard to change this but for the life of me can’t

Road or studio?

Road, though I do adore being in the studio and the routine/energy of it

Swiss Chalet or Roti?

Roti

Where can we follow you?

Facebook

Instagram; Diana’s Instagram

Any shows or albums coming up?

We have a tour in the UK in September. Also our next single comes out in June. Currently – we’re promoting our latest single ‘Shout’ which we just released last Friday April 24 – it’s our alternative version of the Tears for Fears song.

Lastly, just wanted to thank you for sharing our song, and info about our band. We really appreciate your support of Canadian talent.

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“Five Minutes With” Toronto musician Cat Montgomery (Cat and the Queen)

Joel Levy — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:30:04 +0000

Cat and the Queen is the brainchild of songwriter Cat Montgomery. Playing piano from a very young age, Cat combines her musical skill with her work as a theatre artist to create an unmatched live experience. Early on in Cat’s music career, her performances were more cabaret and satirical in style and content; writing spoof tunes like Waitress 86’d and Just Another Suicidal Day in Vancouver. These ‘funny’ songs allowed Cat to cut her teeth on stage as the quirky, talkative, fly-by-the-seat performer self she is. Her style and songwriting quickly evolved. Always theatrical and in the moment, Cat has a raw performance style that is unique and exciting.

Her energy is not lost on her recordings. Loba Loca, Cat and the Queen’s first full length LP, captures Cat’s effervescent presence. A moody but optimistic journey, this album invites you to ride the wave with Cat through love, fear, and everything else encompassed by personal development. Cat’s newest release, Heart For A Ride (due out January 9th), explores 6 songs in two different genres. Side A: a solo electro pop vibe. Side B: accompanied by her band The Royals, it is raw, explorative and with a live-off-the-floor sensibility.

Name: Cat and the Queen (Cat Montgomery)

Genre: indie alternative pop rock (hm..)

Founded: 2013

# of Albums: 3

Latest Release: Heart for a Ride

Latest Single: “Hot Bath”

Latest Video:

Favourite Restaurant:

Anywhere there is a taco

Favourite band as a teenager:

Tori Amos to the maxxx

Favourite band now:

Creedence for life

Guilty Pleasure Song:

“Whataya Want from Me” – Adam Lambert thank you

Live Show Ritual:

Dry shampoo and a solid dump

Favourite local artist:

Prancer and Marty Topps

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

OK. So I worked at Sneaky Dees on and off for 7 years. They’re a solid Greek family that don’t eff around when it comes to feta portions. So Dees, hands down. Fun fact, Greek Nachos are on the menu because of this guy (cue 2 thumbs point to me).

Queen or College St?

I mean, The Little Jerry on College has gotta be my favourite record bar. And, it’s across the street from Sneaks. So, College? But not College and Bay. Gross.

Trinity Bellwoods or High Park, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?

Woah. Kew Gardens. Where’s that? I’ll say Kew Gardens.

EP or LP?

“Green Jacket, Gold Jacket. Who goes a shit!” – Happy Gilmore

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird. Me like coffee in the morning.

Road or studio?

Gimme the road. Oh man. If I could be in a random hotel in Denver booked for a show, hashtag living the dream.

Swiss Chalet or Roti?

Roti. ROTI. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ROTI!

Where can we follow you?

On Instagram

Any shows or albums coming up?

Yesh. January 9th, vinyl release party for Heart for a Ride at the Horseshoe Tavern.

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“Five Minutes With” Toronto Group Pterodactyl Problems

Joel Levy — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 04:20:36 +0000

Fiercely original Torontonians Pterodactyl Problems are a gender-bending, genre-defiling hybrid gene-spliced from four distinct personalities: An outrageous frontman who probes dark emotional truths while clad in full drag; two unrepentant metalheads underpinning his devastating messages with crushing intensity; and a meticulous musical mad scientist sprinkling jazz, blues, classical and more into their alt-metal DNA. It aligns in their debut album Esoteric Hobbies — a dynamic, diverse disc that heralds the next stage in the evolution of rock. Those lucky enough to witness their high-energy performances know the awesome power of this four-headed, fire-breathing beast. The world won’t be far behind. It’s evolution, baby. Just in the nick of time.

Name: Pterodactyl Problems (David White lead vocalist)

Genre: Heavy Alternative Rock

Founded: between 8 and 3 years ago

# of Albums: 2

Latest Release: Esoteric Hobbies

Latest Single: Paresthesia

Latest Video:

Favourite Restaurant:

Aunties and Uncles

Favourite band as a teenager:

Cold War Kids

Favourite band now:

Fashion Jackson

Guilty Pleasure Song:

All Star(and the entirety of Astro Lounge

Live Show Ritual:

Sing lots of songs and smile a lot

Favourite local artist:

Satanic Mills and PUP

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

Pasta from Terroni

Queen or College St?

College St (I love you too Queen)

Trinity Bellwoods or High Park, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?

Dufferin Grove until I die

EP or LP?

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl

Road or studio?

Probably Studio

Swiss Chalet or Roti?

ROTI

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | Youtube | Spotify

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and any streaming platforms @pterodactylproblems

Any shows or albums coming up?

We have our show Rock and Roll is a Drag, a drag show with live music on the last Sunday of every month at The Hideout, starting on August 25th. We’re also working with some great booking agents right now so look out for some Pterodactyl tours coming soon!

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“Five Minutes With” Toronto Indie, Alternative Rock Band The Fame

Joel Levy — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 04:20:19 +0000

Toronto based indie-rock quartet, The Fame, were born from online ads, and unlikely situations, proudly echoing the sounds of the 90’s, and 00’s rock scene. They are rapidly propelling a new wave of guitar-based indie music forward.

Their raw rock songs recall the sounds of Oasis, White Stripes, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, The Strokes, and The Velvet Underground. Combining elegant, and memorable Beatle-esque melodies with an unhinged grit, & tenacity is what makes this band who they are.

Their debut EP, produced by famed Canadian music producer, Brian Moncarz (Our Lady Peace, Moneen, Circa Survive etc.) is set for release in mid-2019. In the meantime the band will drop a series of singles, which started in November 2018 with the release of their debut single ‘Wide Awake’.

After a sold out hometown show, lots of press coverage, and acquiring more than 4,000+ monthly listeners on streaming services from one single, they have just released their follow up and their second single, ‘Cherry Lipstick’.

Name: The Fame

Genre: Indie/Alt Rock

Founded: 2017

# of Albums: 0

Latest Release: Second Single: ‘Cherry Lipstick’

Latest Video: N/A

Latest Single: ‘Cherry Lipstick’

Favourite Restaurant:

Sneaky Dees, Tondou Ramen

Favourite band as a teenager:

We all love Nirvana, Oasis, The Strokes, RHCP, Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles, Velvet Underground & Black Sabbath.

Favourite band now:

Still all of the previously mentioned bands.

Guilty Pleasure Song:

Rich Girl – Hall & Oates

Live Show Ritual:

Meditation

Favourite local artist:

Fade Awaays, Vienduze, and METZ.

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

Sneaky Dees Nachos

Queen or College St?

Queen St

Trinity Bellwoods or High Park, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?

Trinity Bellwoods

EP or LP?

LP (Even though we haven’t released one yet…

Early bird or night owl?

Night Owl

Road or studio?

Road

Swiss Chalet or Roti?

Roti

Where can we follow you?

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Any shows or albums coming up?

Our debut EP will be coming out sometime in May or June (TBA), and we will be playing at the Horseshoe Tavern, Wednesday May 15th opening up for UK band ‘Pretty Vicious’ at 9:45pm.

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