Fans of Toronto’s Afie Jurvanen, aka Bahamas, might be aware that the retro-loving soft-rocker shares a label, Brushfire, with Jack Johnson. Both acts recently finished touring America and Europe together, and last week they joined forces on the Comedy Network’s The Colbert Report. Jurvanen and Bahamas singers Carleigh Aikins and Tamara Lindeman (filling in for Felicity Williams) provided gentle backup, while Johnson and his band performed Don’t Believe A Thing I Say. “It was pretty serendipitous and awesome,” Lindeman tells us. This might be a good time to mention that her own impressive folk project, The Weather Station, has a new album out soon.
Lanois Pop-Up
Roncesvalles coffee shop and restaurant the Belljar Café kicked off its new music series in a big way last Thursday, September 26. Superstar musician/producer/U2’s go-to guy Daniel Lanois, who has a recording studio nearby, dropped in to sing a few songs and to present Rocco DeLuca, a California singer/songwriter whose album Lanois is mixing. Only about 30 people got into the small quarters, and Lanois allegedly requested a lifetime of carrot cake and coffee as payment. Video evidence is on YouTube.
R.I.P. Great Bloomers
Melodic young roots rockers Great Bloomers are throwing in the towel after six years and two full-length albums. “We all just feel that the time is right,” they wrote on their Facebook page, adding that all five members plan to continue pursuing music as a “life path.” You’ll have one more chance to say goodbye when they bring their high-spirited, densely layered tunes to the Horseshoe on November 16.
Rock The Line
It’s a busy week for live music, but don’t sleep on Rock The Line, a free concert aiming to raise awareness about the risks of the Enbridge Line 9 tar sands pipeline plan. Eco-conscious musicians Sarah Harmer, Gord Downie with the Sadies, Hayden and Minotaurs are all set to perform at Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge) on Sunday (October 6). Opening remarks by elder Garry Sault of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation begin at 2 pm.
Baller Drake
The biggest news of Monday, September 30’s Air Canada Centre press conference was not that Toronto would host the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. (Big news!) Instead, all eyes were on Drake (perched in a blue suit beside Mayor Rob Ford), who was named an official Toronto Raptors global ambassador.
The partnership will see Drake working with the team to develop and create a rebranding strategy complete with clothing line as well as providing input on key decision-making vis à vis the Raptors’ image in the future.
“I travel the world performing, and everywhere I go I preach the gospel that is Toronto. I love this city with all my heart, and I just want to let you know that I’m extremely excited to finally be a part of a team that I grew up as a fan of, a diehard fan of,” he said.
We couldn’t agree more.
