This week it's all about looking forward. Lead Sled Rocket plays Brooklin's Harvest Days Saturday and Whitby's Heritage Days Sept. 18. They have also played the CAW Labour Day celebrations in Memorial Park and for the Snowbirds. For me, the rockabilly foursome are the four corners of a block rocking party and I'm looking forward to seeing them Sept. 23 at the Thirsty Monk as part of the University District Supper Club.
The Culture Days kickoff party at Rileys Sept. 23 features Sunbear, which will release its new record, Moonbath, at the Legendary Horseshoe Sept. 21. Sunbear is Kate Boothman on vox/guitar, Ian Russell (of $100) on bass and Michelle Josef on drums. Moonbath was recorded at Greg Keelor's studio and includes contributions by Kathleen Edwards, Ian Blurton, Julie Fadar plus Sean Dean of The Sadies. Boothman and company play a periwinkle blue form of Anglo-rooted folk. The Rileys' gig is an early evening set and leads into the University District Supper Club festivities.
Shotgun Jimmie is playing the Culture Days closing party at Murphys Pub and Grill Sept. 26. Jim, originally from Ajax but now part of the Sackville set, is looking forward to a home territory gig. I'm looking forward to his coffee-pot poetry and sideroad songs. He tells me he has a new record, Transistor Sister, completed but due out in the spring. It features Jay Baird on bass and Ladyhawk's Ryan Peters on drums. Shotgun is touring with Baby Eagle (Steve Lambke of the Constantines) and will play drums for him at the Murphys gig. Ian Kehoe of Attack In Black will join them on bass. Baby Eagle's new record is called Dog Weather.
The Polaris Prize Gala and winner announcement is coming up fast (Sept. 20) so this week and next we will double up our look at the nominees. Both of today's acts are playing the TIFF Bell Lightbox opening Sept. 12 in Toronto.
Belmundo Regal
Radio Radio
Bonsound
Electro-pop mixed with Quebec rappers is definitely pushing the envelope but whether they will be pulled out of the winner's envelope is doubtful. The trois piece have the beats but there is a paint-by-numbers cliche sense to them, too, that calls for the next button.
Darker Circles
The Sadies
Outside Music
If there is one band I want to win it's the Sadies. They are stalwart journeymen and have played with Neko Case, John Doe and Greg Keelor. Just a couple of weeks ago they played a house party in Bowmanville with Ron Sexsmith. Mayor Jim Abernethy, who was there, enjoyed them so much he humorously made them honorary citizens of Clarington. Fabulous band and keepers of the Canadiana flame. If the prize is for musicianship they will win but if it's for the recording I'm not so sure Darker Circles is the best on that list.
