GROUNDERS at Sneaky Dee’s (431 College) as part of NXNE, Thursday (June 18), midnight, $12 at Handlebar (159 Augusta) as part of Passovah’s Unofficial Day Party at NXNE, Friday (June 19), 2-7 pm. Pwyc. nxne.com.
In a somewhat ironic twist of fate, hypnagogic Toronto indie rockers Grounders are sharing a bill at NXNE with Dreamers — a band whose brand of Foo Fightersish alt rock is much more grounding than it is dream-like. On the other hand, Grounders’ self-titled album, which came out last month, is awash in misty atmosphere and lulling reverb laboured over by Broken Social Scene producer David Newfeld. Keyboardist Dan Busheikin weighed in on Action Bronson, Toronto hot spots and the time an unruly North Carolinian disrupted Grounders’ musical dream state with a cold, hard request for Mr. Jones.
What’s the best thing about the festival experience?
As a musician, it’s getting our artist wristband, which lets us see tons great bands for free. As a fan, it’s being able to buy drinks until 4 am.
What would make performing awesome for you?
Hot tubs. Really loosens you up.
Does one of your songs translate best to a summer crowd?
I think Secret Friend is a very summery song, because it makes me feel like swimming. But we released our debut album in May and I think it’s very summery throughout. So, all of them?
Do you have any Toronto food, shopping or other things-to-do recommendations for visiting musicians and fans?
Go record shopping at Sonic Boom. Play Ms. Pac Man at Get Well. Go to the Toronto Island petting zoo. Go snake-hunting in High Park. Go to Honest Ed’s while it still exists. Buy a guitar/synth/pedal at Paul’s Boutique. Eat at least three burritos.
Best comeback you’ve ever used on a heckler?
One time in Raleigh, North Carolina, some guy kept yelling at us to play Mr. Jones by Counting Crows. We were really confused and then he got onstage and we started playing Jump by Van Halen, and he just kept saying “Might as well Jump!” over and over. And then security tried to catch him and he ran away. Kind of a lose-lose.
What’s your take on the Action Bronson controversy?
I’m kind of torn. I definitely believe misogynist messages shouldn’t be amplified at the centre of the largest city in the country, but I think they already are there are billboards and ads plastered all over Yonge-Dundas Square, downtown and beyond that objectify women to sell clothing or condos or cellphone plans. We’re constantly bombarded with portrayals of women as objects of gaze. I find the ubiquity of gendered media images to be more insidious than lyrics at a public rap show because they invisibly but effectively shape every onlooker’s ideas about men and women’s sexuality, social roles and power dynamics. Can we start a petition to ban advertising? That’d be cool.
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