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from Elliott Brood, who perform as part of a fundraiser for the son of John O’Keefe, the innocent bystander shot and killed in front of the Brass Rail last month. Other artists include Stephen Stanley, Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson, the State of Things and more. Sunday (March 2) at the Mod Club. $10 or pwyc. 416-588-4663.
What Toronto restaurant do you like to eat at before a show?
I usually don’t eat before a show, but after playing I usually crave pizza. I try to hit Massimo’s (302 College, 416-967-0527) for a wicked slice of margarita.
Where do you go when you want to party after a gig?
If the stars are aligned, then we play the Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington, 416-850-4579) and I can just hang out there for the rest of the night.
Who is your favourite Toronto artist?
It has to be Matt James. He creates amazing works with simple themes. The brilliant characters is his songs seem to encompass all that is great about Canada (hockey and wildlife), but he does it in a non-traditional way.
What do you love most about Toronto?
We can still sell out every Leafs’ game even though we haven’t won a Stanley Cup in decades.
What do you hate about the city?
Not much, but I do have a problem with TTC prices constantly going up.
How do you spend your day off here?
I sleep in, then walk my dog to Capsule Music (921 Queen West, 416-203-0202) and ogle the great guitars, probably have lunch in Trinity Bellwoods Park, maybe read the paper while watching a baseball game. Then I head to a Brazilian bakery on Dundas for some custard tarts. Then I’d make dinner, have a glass of wine and go to bed.
What was your biggest misconception about T.O.?
That it’s a big city.
Most memorable border crossing experience heading to Toronto?
Casey Laforet (our guitarist) and I were coming back to Toronto and were stopped by the border guard. He asked us where we met. We told him in high school. Then he paused and said, “Are you sure you didn’t meet in jail?” We didn’t know what to say other than no.
What was the wildest time you’ve ever had here?
My wildest night in T.O. was during the blackout, watching the crowds make their way home on foot, seeing the dead streetcars abandoned in the streets and then hanging out with friends and neighbours for the next couple of days.
