REVIEW: Bravestation - Giants & Dreamers

Bravestation - Giants & Dreamers

If you've spent a year on this fine planet of ours, you've undoubtedly observed the changing of the seasons – or even the daily exchange of sun for moon and moon for sun. There's something inexplicably beautiful about the subtleties that characterize these transitions: the way the leaves begin to turn color at the introduction of cold or the way the sun sets not against a blue canvas but rather one decorated with a multitude of brilliant orange, pink, and blue hues. It’s all organic, a series of natural events that mark the passage of time. But that doesn’t change the fact that the sight, or the feeling, of such things is rather surreal.

LISTEN: Bravestation - Giants & Dreamers

Once upon a time, this guy in the UK e-mailed about some Canadian band with a simple name. That band was Bravestation. As I do with submissions, I did my best to take a second to check them out. Fast forward two years, and I'm still keeping tabs on Bravestation's progression. Why? Well, while you can pick out their influences (e.g. Foals, Wild Beasts, etc.), they're one of the few acts I've had the pleasure of covering who are trying to distinguish themselves, always pushing forward to a new direction. And what's more impressive, they've managed to maintain their identity along this sonic evolution, experimenting just enough to challenge expectations and the boundaries of their prior output. They're some friendly Canadians, but also uniquely gifted musicians. A formal review is on the way, just as soon as I dig myself out of this mess I call an inbox.

Bravestation's debut LP, Giants & Dreamers, is out tomorrow. Hear the whole thing below. Someone (I apologize as I forget who you are!) brought up Peter Gabriel when describing Bravestation's current sound. I'd add to that and say Giants & Dreamers sounds like Peter Gabriel conducting a Foals and Wild Beasts collaboration: it's the sound of post-punk's adventurous edge and dream pop's aural hypnosis.

REVIEW: Patrick Watson - Adventures In Your Own Backyard

Patrick Watson - Adventures In the Backyard

The backyard seems like the place you’d find some sort of oasis from what lies beyond your front door, especially as a kid. But aging has a funny way of making the magic of the backyard seem like child’s play, a distant memory. Times when dreams felt more authentic than reality feel so distant from now. And yet, Montreal singer/songwriter Patrick Watson makes it feel as though this dreamful embrace isn’t all that far-fetched with his new album, Adventures In Your Own Backyard.

REVIEW: Japandroids - Celebration Rock

Japandroids - Celebration Rock

In 2009, Vancouver duo Japandroids (guitarist/singer Brian King and drummer/singer David Prowse) released their debut album, Post-Nothing, a unique blend of fuzzed out, distortion-heavy guitar muscle and air drum-worthy percussive weight that matched ‘90s rock ‘n’ roll volume and tone with garage rock’s blistering, energetic edge. It was one of the most critically acclaimed releases of that year, which inevitably lead to questions as to what would come next. It’s a rare occurrence when a band riding a wave of buzz is able to follow up their buzzworthy debut with an album that’s even better, but Japandroids have done just that with their sophomore outing Celebration Rock.

SEE & HEAR: Patrick Watson - "Into Giants"

Montreal singer/songwriter Patrick Watson's new album, Adventures In Your Own Backyard, was released today via Domino (Secret City released it in Canada on April 16th), and from the album we have "Into Giants" to share. It's a lovely tune that starts with gentle acoustic guitar and dashes of piano before sprouting into something rather sprawling. It's a song about the infinite possibilities love can provide, capturing both the beauty, depth, and magnitude of love's character. And with the entrance of some triumphant horns in its final chapter, everything sounds all the more wondrous.

LISTEN: Japandroids Share "The House That Heaven Built" from New Album

As previously reported around the web, Vancouver rock 'n' roll duo (some may say "garage rock" or "noise pop" duo) Japandroids are set to release their third album, Celebration Rock, on June 5th via Polyvinyl. Today, the guys unleashed a fierce new track, "The House That Heaven Built," from their highly anticipated follow-up to 2009's critically-acclaimed Post-Nothing. Take it for a spin. High volume is recommended.

PREMIERE: "Signs of the Civilized" from the New Bravestation Album

Ever since I heard the first song off of Bravestation's 2010 EP, I've been a fan. Following a productive and successful 2011 that included their first tour of the UK, the Toronto band is gearing up to release their debut LP. The as-yet-untitled album is, in my estimation, going to be one of the year's best releases, and today Mixtape Muse has the honor of sharing "Signs of the Civilized," a brand new song from the album. When I first wrote about Bravestation, I said there was something clearly unique about their sound, and, as you'll soon hear, their new material proves that these four gentlemen are intent on crafting something that skirts the lines of proper classification.

LISTEN: The Dirty Nil - "Fuckin' Up Young"

The Dirty Nil - "Fuckin' Up Young"


You know those moments where you're overwhelmed by something? Maybe it's falling in love or winning lots of money -- or something in between there. It's the type of moment in which you feel a rush of adrenaline swirling around inside of you, at a loss for what could be done to calm yourself down. Maybe you jump around and flail your arms in every direction possible, or maybe you jump off of something like a wall or set of stairs, without concern for where or how you'll be landing. It's the feeling of pleasantly drowning in a sea of elation. Listening to "Fuckin' Up Young" is much like this kick of adrenaline, and produces a similar high.

LISTEN: The Barettas - Touche 7"

The Barettas are an all-girl trio from Hamilton, Ontario that clean houses by day and bartend by night, killing their frustration and worries by filling any and all spare time with music. Off the bat, The Barettas sound something like Gwen Stefani fronting a pop-leaning garage rock band, but The Barettas are a lot more straightforward and gritty than No Doubt. More than that, The Barettas possess a certain spirit of mid-'40s to early '50s class, and pair style with attitude; they're a band that embodies the determined, proud character of Rosie the Riveter.

Lead singer and guitarist Katie Bulley sings emphatically and with great control -- her voice alone could be a hook. But what's really caused me to flip this 7" over and over (ok, I'm just listening to it digitally, but you get the idea) is that The Barettas don't play it safe with their arrangements. They could easily power through songs with a quickly-strummed power chord progression, but instead, drummer Carly Killotta switches up the tempo, providing these songs with a smart sense of timing. Pop meets garage meets rockabilly meets punk.

Stream/download/buy the 7" and watch the music video for "Touche" after the hop.

LISTEN: Memphis - "I Want The Lights On After Dark"

Torquil Campbell and Chris Dumont used to live together in New York City, and it was here in the late '90s that they began to make music together. Both men worked hard but lived as struggling artists for some time, and Campbell moved back to Canada where he would find success as singer for Stars. Dumont remained in the city, becoming a carousel operator in Central Park and then an actor in a prestigious opera house.

Despite the distance, the duo has released two full-lengths and is set to release their third full-length, Here Comes A City, on March 8th through Arts & Crafts. The album was recorded over a three-year period in New York, Montreal, Seattle, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Vancouver, and features 10 tracks. Check out a cut from it below entitled "I Want The Lights On After Dark."

"I Want The Lights On After Dark" persists with a pounding rhythm and tremolo'd guitar riffs. But what really pulls it all along is the punctualness of the active bass line. It's pensive, and breaks from a point of tension in the verses into free and uplifting choruses. There's an air of darkness here, but it's one that's lined with a hope in the infinity of dreams.

LISTEN: The Dears Share "Blood" From New Album Degeneration Street

Montreal indie rock/orchestral rock band The Dears are set to release their new album, Degeneration Street, on February 15, 2011 through Dangerbird Records. The album is the band's fifth overall and the follow-up to 2008's Missiles. Around the time of their last album, core members Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak dealt with a fairly significant line-up change -- I believe at one point, the band was just Lightburn and Yanchak. But with Degeneration Street, it seems as though a number of past members have returned to the band -- all the more encouraging for the success of the record.

And if you needed proof that the band was stronger than ever, check out this epic performance of the expansive, soaring 8-minute "Omega City" from a fairly recent show in Mexico City. This was, apparently, the first time they had ever performed the song live (whoa). Watch out for the guitar solo! The song will be on Degeneration Street.

Definitely watch this with headphones on if you can. It's really well-mixed.

The new album might not be out until next year, but you can hear and download another cut from it right now entitled "Blood" after the hop.

WHAT'S YOUR MUSE? Bravestation

It's time for another edition of "What's Your Muse?"

The concept is simple: We ask a band/artist to choose a song that means a lot/the most to them. Then, they record and send us a video of themselves describing why they chose the song. Think of it like a collaborative video mixtape project.

In this edition, we hear from Bravestation.

By Mike Dunn

Toronto's Bravestation dance around genre classification by incorporating a eclectic mix of styles, from new wave to post-punk to indie pop. Although having only formed a few short years ago, Bravestation have already created a sound that distinguishes them from their contemporaries. On the first Mixtape Muse Podcast, I said that they were ambitious, sounding natural but also futuristic, in a way. They've been featured on the site a few times before, so it's safe to say that I think they're something special -- let alone nice dudes. It only made sense, then, to ask the band if they'd be interested in submitting to "What's Your Muse?"

Their choice isn't all that surprising and makes absolute sense when you consider the direction they've taken with their sound. The band behind Bravestation's chosen song dodged genre classification, as well, for their adventurous songwriting and sound and is, understandably, a band that has been a big influence on Bravestation. Like Cheyenne Marie Mize, Archeology, and Sea of Bees before them, the band went the distance and covered the song they chose for "What's Your Muse?" (they even went ahead and recorded a studio version of the song). In the video, Bravestation provides a little window into their world with a montage of band photos and video as their cover plays in the background. Connect the dots after the jump.

LISTEN: Timbuktu

How does one get words to leave the mouth so quickly? Rap might not be my forte, but when I do come across rap that I enjoy, it's generally because there's something particularly appealing; it might be the production, the rhymes, or the lyrical flow's relationship with the music/beat. The name "Timbuktu" has often been associated with the unreachable, or the unreal, and when taken up by a rapper, it feels like it must be alluding to the rapper's flow and command of words. In the case of London, Ontario's revered rapper Timbuktu, the name seems rather fitting. Check out two cuts from his latest album, Stranger Danger, after the jump.

UNDER THE COVERS: Freedom or Death Take on Pink

Freedom or Death - "Sober" (Pink cover)


Less about strings than the original, and more about organ, post-rock style guitar, vocal harmonies, and layered percussion. With smooth, layered vocals, Freedom or Death turn the original's raw anguish into more of a cool detachment. It's a relaxed chill against the burn of the song's subject matter. While Pink's version relies on her powerhouse vocals, Freedom or Death put the emphasis on their production; the mix of massive drums, melancholic guitar, and the undertow of sinister synth embodying the sentiment originally expressed in the vocals.

Hear the original by Pink after the jump.

The Coast Premiere New Single "Heartbreak City"

By Carl Heindl

Canada's alternative indie poppers The Coast are set to release their sophomore effort, Queen Cities, on September 14 via Aporia Records in Canada and Afternoon Records in the U.S. Queen Cities was produced by Chris Stringer (Ohbijou, The Wooden Sky, D'Urbervilles) and is the result of nearly two years of nonstop touring in North America and Europe, supporting fellow countrymen Tokyo Police Club and Born Ruffians.

The Coast - "Heartbreak City"


Like a cross between Wolf Parade, Tokyo Police Club, and Vampire Weekend, the song has a lot going for it. A synth line that bubbles and slithers gives the music a certain sense of animation. With the parallel action of a single-noted guitar riff, the song receives an air of urgency that only increases the energy. It's like a 2010 (i.e. futuristic) version of a '50s pop song that's sure to have all the kids tapping their feet and shaking their hips.

BUY: Preorder Queen Cities here (US) or here (CA).

The Coast Official Site
The Coast @ MySpace
Aporia Records
Afternoon Records

CFCF Offers Up Free Mixtape, Helps You Get Down

There's something kind of kitschy about the '80s, and it's not the easiest thing to pinpoint precisely why that seems to be the case. Was it the zebra stripes? The neon colors? The sappy love ballads? It was obviously a collection of many things that helped to make it one of the most fascinating and inspiring decades of all time.

If you're looking for that love ballad that's going to get her attention or set the mood, there's a good chance the song is going to come from the '80s. The music might be a tad over the top, you might find the songs to be a little ridiculous, but, when it comes down to it, that's what makes such songs so charming. Songs from the '80s just have the right ingredients: the groove, the overindulgence of synthesizers, and those ambiguously direct lyrics that seem to apply to everyone, even if they're about a blind girl who sculpts a bust of your head.

Montreal-based DJ and electronic artist CFCF (aka Michael Silver) is offering up a free download of a mixtape that essentially captures the essence of these funky, sexy, sultry, and romantic '80s songs. It's like a soundtrack for one of those love stories when everything was all Miami Vice and hair metal. And as for the title of this mixtape, I can tell you that it is sort of like walking through a department store during the '80s -- not that I know much about that seeing as I was just a tot then.

But honestly, this is so awesome, enjoyable, and well-mixed. Get it now.

DOWNLOAD: CFCF - Slow R&B For Zellers Canada-Wide Mixtape

CFCF @ MySpace
CFCF @ Paper Bag Records

VIDEO: Hey Rosetta! - "Bandages" (A Blogotheque Take Away Show)

Canada's Hey Rosetta! recently filmed a Take Away Show/Un Concert a Emporter for the one and only La Blogotheque. Arturo Perez met up with the band in San Francisco and filmed them performing the lovely "Bandages" inside an apartment complex parking garage. The song is off of the band's Red Songs EP. To say it's a captivating song (let alone in this setting) would be a bit of an understatement.

Hey Rosetta! is hitting the road with fellow Canucks Hot Hot Heat in support of their debut American LP, Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood). Scope the dates after the jump.

LISTEN: Bravestation - Ambition Shown Through Infectious Songs

Bravestation - "Clocks & Spears"


Bravestation - "Colour Us With Youth"


Bravestation's sound is something of an exercise in ambition. Sitar, post rock-style guitar, synthesizer, tribal grooves -- nothing is off limits, which is an affirmation of the band's willingness to experiment with its music. Whether it's new wave, post punk, or art punk, the band displays their aptitude for seamlessly joining different styles into one agreeable mix, sounding like a cross between Wolf Parade, Yeasayer, and Talking Heads. The band tackles multiple genres without ever coming across as if they're attempting to emulate one particular band or sound. With infectious grooves and melodies like these, it's hard to understand why Bravestation hasn't received more attention. They're definitely a band to watch with fun and progressive songs like "Clocks & Spears" and "Colour Us With Youth".

BUY: "Clocks & Spears" and "Colour Us With Youth" are from the 2010 EP. Pick it up at iTunes.
DOWNLOAD: Grab free MP3s for "Clocks & Spears" and "Colour Us With Youth" here.

Bravestation @ Bandcamp
Bravestation @ Facebook
Bravestation @ MySpace
Bravestation @ Twitter