true romance

is anyone else obsessed with collecting movies from the criterion collection? if you haven't heard of it , you need to check it out, you'd be surprised how many of your favourite flicks are included. they select only the most important classics and contemporary films ever created. i just saw the new cover of true romance, and it sparked my need to collect more movies. i think i have about 15 so far.

happy birthday meghan morrison (only a week late!)

photo via facebook

last friday callum and i paid a visit to aspetta cafe, where our friend meghan morrison was celebrating her birthday. she rented out the joint for the night and shared the stage with everyone in attendance. guests were encouraged (sometimes forced hah) to sign up for the open mic. we played cadaver bells & gypsy spells as well as the hangman's elm. aspetta is a small cafe (with a wicked patio) located in trendy kensington market. they have a stage that opens to the patio, nothing better then being able to enjoy live music while sipping a cider and chain smoking (kidding!...sort of... ew). callum and i were recently featured on meghan's weekly webcast, which you can find here.

the bowery

grilled octopus with tomato confit, tomato chips, nicoise olives, baby arugula, polenta and squid ink aioli

grilled 24 oz Rib eye with lemon shallot honey vinaigrette and shaved parm

if you're down in the financial district and are looking for somewhere to eat or to catch a drink with friends, look no further because the bowery just opened up. it took over the spot of six steps and the transformation that happened with the space is phenomenal. the space is eclectic with a hint of "punk" thrown in. lots of black and orange with vintage hits, like the stools that are straight from new york city. i don't have a picture of it, but featured in the main front window is a custom neon art piece by up-and-coming canadian artist jarrod wilson.

the food served was nothing short of mouthwatering. my favourite of the night was "grilled octopus with tomato confit, tomato chips, nicoise olives, baby arugula, polenta and squid ink aioli." long name, but delicious. the prices are reasonable, a couple drinks, an app and an entree will likely set you back around $50. not to bad. i love that they cook on a five foot long charcoal grill as it makes the whole restaurant smell like campfire slightly, one of my favourite smells. the word on the street is that they will be opening the downstairs as a live music venue. i had a chance to check out the basement and once this place is up and running, i can see it getting packed real quick.

finger snap snap

yesterday was our last night at the studio. we finished up our song cadaver bells and gypsy spells and we really dig the new spin on it, greg's drums really pick up the tempo compared to the demo. if anyone is looking for a great studio to work with, i confidently recommend oak recording studio. we worked with justin helle (pictured above), who is a multi-talented engineer/musician and he made the entire experience an enjoyable one. he was "spreadin' the good vibes". we're very excited to get the first song recorded off of our new album and can't wait to get back and finish the rest.

pirate heart

have you heard of cœur de pirate yet? she is 22, covered in tattoos, a beautiful piano player, and up until this past year, has sung only in french. she recently collaborated with Toronto's bedouin soundclash for her first english-speaking song, brutal hearts. you can check out one of her original songs, fondu au noir, here. 

cœur de pirate will be playing franco-fete festival this weekend at the harbourfront centre. it's an annual festival celebrating all things francophone. p.s. there is also a magic show.

p.p.s. doesn't the beginning of the first song totally sound like, "it's the time, of the season..."

today's tune: dead man's bones - pa pa power

today's tune is by none other than our favourite canadian (and drop dead gorgeous i might add...) , ryan gosling and his friend zach shields band, dead man's bones.the song is called pa pa power. enjoy!

did i mention that i am absolutely addicted to this band. i am hooked on all of their songs, they're bloody geniuses!

today's tune: hot panda - mindlessnesslessness

today's tune is from canadian indie band hot panda. they're from edmonton, alberta and they are fantastic. i caught a performance by them (read here) during canadian music week this year and was blown away. they're dancy and eclectic and just a lot of fun to watch. to i took a couple photo's on my trusty iphone and posted them for your viewing pleasure. oh and also of my dear, dear friends who accompanied me to said concert (even though i think the extended bar hours had something to do with it). here is their song mindlessnesslessness off of their new album "how come i'm dead"

from left: callum, jake, andrew