Faber Drive's #LostinParadise out Tuesday!

That's right guys...there's only a few more days until Faber Drive drops their new album Lost in Paradise!! It's been a long time coming but they're finally ready to show the world some new songs!

Don't forget to pick it up in store or on itunes this Tuesday!

And while you're waiting, check out their lyric video for Candy Store!

Q&A with Canadian Cutie Jesse Labelle

Jesse Labelle's sophomore album "Two" released Aug 7, 2012*

So I talked to the one and only Jesse Labelle earlier today and while I have an article on the go for  Suite101.com, I figured I would post the Q&A portion of if here for you all to see! Our interview was short and sweet (he probably wasn't used to that but I didn't want to take up too much of his busy schedule) but he had some really great things to say.

While it was only for 15 minutes I got a good sense of who he was as a person and an artist. I know that a lot of people put their favourite musicians and bands on pedestals (I admit it, I do from time to time) but in the end they are really just normal people. I hope you get the sense of it to as you read on!

(p.s. I tried to get this as true as to what Jesse said. As it was a phone interview I had no recording device so I had to type as fast as I possibly could!)

Taryn: Hi Jesse! How have you been?

Jesse Labelle: Been busy, early mornings long days, and late nights but it’s been fun.

T: How does it feel to be releasing your second album finally? Did you face any obstacles before the release?

J: Not really, but there is an interesting story. It’s actually the second second album I did. The record label didn’t think the first one I wrote was quite right so I had to re-write a second second version and that became “Two”.  After I wrote it I was so proud and so happy with it and I was glad I had the opportunity to write it again.

T: If you compared your first album “Perfect Accident” to your new one, what would you say the main differences would be?

J: It is completely different album. It was written from the time I was 18 until 26. There was long time in between and a lot of things happened. “Perfect Accident” was about me chasing my influences. This one I really wanted to go originality over influence. Ninety per cent of “Two” was written over the piano – over the keys. Has a sound that is is closer to my own sound. I mean every artist wants an album that sounds like who they are and I think this album has touched on that.

T: What has the writing process been like? Was it easier the second time around compared to your first?

J: It was a lot different and I included a lot of co-writers.  For my first album I only had one other co-writer. With “Two” I started to believe in strength in numbers and I really wanted to get the opinions of others. The writing process was a lot more intuitive and happened over a lot shorter period of time and  it was a lot more cohesive.

T: Everybody has their favourites (like mine are Won't Let you Down and Some to Feel) but what song or songs off of “Two” are your favourites?

The first song Won’t Let You Down, is definitely my favourite. I put it first because it’s the purest and most honest song on the record and I wanted everybody to be able to listen to it and feel that. I also wanted to let them know where I planned to take the music.

T: What’s the story behind One Last Night? Do you believe the world is going to end in December?

J: *laughs* I honestly don’t know. I mean you’ll never really know. I kinda like to live my life as if the world is going to end every day. Things pop up and things happen but you just have to go with it. This song is about living for the moment and making it count.

T: Heartbreak Cover-Up is about a personal experience right? What do you do to pick up the pieces of a broken heart?

J: Pretty much what’s in the song. That’s really where that song came from, having a broken heart and having the emotions that go along with it. Pretty much everybody has a way to deal like this, unless you’re too young and don’t have the card. They’re only emotions you can make because you’re grown up (talking about drinking Patron). That’s what I have done in the past. I haven’t had a broken heart in a long time and I don’t really want one of those again. They’re no fun to deal with and nobody should have to feel like that.

T: You also worked with Alyssa Reid on Heartbreak Cover-Up. Is there any other collaborations you’d like to do in the future?

J: There are tons, I mean there are so many people I would love to work with.  I’d really like to work with Ryan Tedder from One Republic. I really like his style and what he does. I’d also love to write a song with Rob Thomas - that’s always been a goal of mine. When it comes to collaborating with artists – this is going to sound crazy – but I would like to sing with Bono. I know it’s a little out there, but I would love to collaboration where would just share the song.

T: After reading your bio I got the vibe that you’re a bit of a romantic? How would you get the attention of the girl you like?

J: Yeah a little bit, I can be at times *pauses*. Wow, that’s a good question. I guess there are lots of different ways. I mean it really depends on the girl. I guess though that to get her attention I would give her attention.

T: You also mentioned in your bio that you’re trying to tell a story from beginning to end with “Two”. Do you feel that you accomplished this?

J: Yeah, I mean the record is all about human interactions and both sides and connections. It’s really about the good, the bad, the ups, and downs. It starts with an honest and happy song and it ends with a kind of sad song. But I really believe that it does have a beginning, middle and an end.

T: Can fans look forward to a tour anytime soon?

J: We’re working on it! I mean the summer doesn’t really have an opportunity for shows but we’re working on some shows for the fall. There should be an announcement soon about it.

T: Do you have any other projects on the go that you’re excited about?

J: I’m doing a ton of writing right now; so much. I’m working with a bunch of bands and artists. I’m helping with Alyssa Reid’s new album and as of yesterday a band called Bangarang. I’m really just looking to write with as many people as possible.

T: If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?

J: That’s a great question. It’s so hard to choose as there are so many amazing artists out there that I would love to tour with. I would be happy touring with anyone really. I would totally choose U2.  Or even Coldplay as they are like the U2 of this generation.

T: What favourite playlist could we find on your iPod/mp3 player at this exact moment?

J: I love Of Monsters and Men – they’re great. I really like the Frank Ocean album, and Collective Soul. I love them so much and always find that I am going back and listening to them. I mean I could really go on, I’m a lover of all kinds of music.


After all of this I want to thank Jesse for taking the time out of his schedule to talk to little ol' me. I wish him all the best with his new album and I hope to hear from him a LOT more! You'll be sure to see me at one of his up-coming concerts if one of them happens to be in the Toronto or GTA! 

- T 

*photo courtesy of Wax Records.

Vans Warped Tour 2012: Toronto

As with most people in the world, as soon as somebody looks at me they judge. It's almost human nature and something to expect even before you meet. That being said, I am often judged by my taste in music. Even my best friend raises her eyebrows sometimes when I go "Oh I know them! I really like it!" and it's classified screamo music. So when people see that I go to Warped  Tour (this year would be my third time running), they find it very hard to believe. While Warped has gradually centered towards one genre of music lately, they still have some amazing bands that tour year after year.

I must admit, the bands and musicians are not usually what I listen to on a daily basis but, for the love of music, I am a true fan of anything that sounds good. Yes some may have screaming, and some may have a country twang, while others are upbeat and bubblegum and mellow , I think it's safe to say that I listen to absolutely everything! 

July 15, 2012 was an eventful day for Warped Tour promoters and goers alike. With a change of venue creating a little chaos to begin with for veteran Warped fans, the heat alert, torrential downpour and thunderstorm, and the death of a fellow music lover, the day was far from uneventful. Everything that could go wrong for a travelling summer music festival, did go wrong. But in the true spirit of music and all things good - the show must go on. And it did. 

I am a fan in general of music festivals. I love the feeling you get being surrounded by thousands of people who are there for the same reason. I love seeing people get ecstatic about finally seeing their favourite bands for the first time and seeing the looks on the musicians faces when they realize that fans actually love what they do. It gives me chills to realize that they're still so humbled by the many faces that come and cheer them on and sing their lyrics word-for-word. It's a beautiful feeling!

Because of said events, my partner-in-crime Jenny Ellis and I stuck it out on the two Kia stages for the majority of the day. It was easiest to bounce around between two stages in the same area then it was to keep moving back and forth all across the grounds of Ontario Place. Plus with the unexpected death of a young woman, they shut down and rescheduled bands who were supposed to play on the Monster stage.

First up on our agenda for photo-taking was Memphis Mayfire. And while I may not have enjoyed the screaming (I have sensitive ears) I appreciate their mad skills and beautiful looks. These guys had a HUGE crowd and they knew how to rock it and rock it hard. With burly security at our backs we took some fabulous pictures and then retreated to the side of the stage to watch the mass of crowd surfers skim the crowd. It's amazing at how graceful they can look even though they're sweaty dirty and sometimes even hurt!

Next up was Four Year Strong. Jumping from a screamo/post-hardcore sound to a more hard-rock was a little bit of a relief. I could take a listen to the lyrics while we were snapping photos and that made me happy because why be at a concert if you can't enjoy the music! Right? While the genres were different, these guys still had a crowd and a great vibe. They were having fun and so was the crowd. These guys are veterans of Warped as well as in the music industry and their professionalism showed. They were catchy and had a great beat. And to top it off, they probably had the best drum set that I saw all day. I mean who wouldn't love a jaws inspired drum set?

All Time Low has been a band that I've been following since they played a semi-small venue in Toronto. And while they've become a little more mainstream than their previous albums, I was still stoked to be able to get up close and personal with them - even if it were only for three songs. Their songs are catchy and upbeat and have meaning to more than a few kids who've listened to them in the past and present. Their "Hustlers" as they call their dedicated fans proved to be the most heartbroken when they heard of the passing of a fellow hustler at Warped Tour. Taylor (the 19-year-old woman who suddenly passed away during the event) was a huge fan of the band and it broke their hearts. And while they had no idea at the time, they managed to put on a fantastic set for their Canadian fans. Oh and as an afterthought: These boys have some sexy guitars. Seriously.

We The Kings was on the same level when it came to the pop-rock sound. I listened to them briefly when I was younger but they never stayed long on my iPod. Their music was fun to dance around to and had a similar upbeat sound. I love the lead singers beautiful ginger hair. That along with his glasses and outfit, he reminded me of somebody you would have seen in the era of the Beatles. Too bad their music didn't mirror the Beatles because that would have been an amazing performance.

Right after We the Kings is when the weather became rather sketchy and windy. We took this opportunity to meet up with another friend of mine and to grab some food. While we checked out a very brief set from Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols, that's when the rain came - and it came down hard. They ended up opening the  Molson Amp to the concert goers as it was the only stable and covered shelter we could all sit in and wait out the storm. While it was an hour wasted, it was amusing all the same. People crowd surfed in a dingy and we sang O Canada. In true  Canadian spirit most of us waited out the rain and had a little fun while doing so.

After the rain subsided and the main sets cut to 20 minutes a piece (to their regular 45), everything kick-started again and the music resumed. We went back to the main stages for the old-time favourites and to have a good time. Anti-Flag was the first to hit the Kia stages and boy were they amazing. This was their very last show of Warped Tour and they went out with a bang. Their music was catchy, the lyrics had some definite meaning and they rocked the crowd. From those getting squished at the front barricades to the ones who ran back for more crowd surfing, Warped Tour went on as planned as if the rain didn't happen.

Yellowcard was next on stage and I have to say they were probably my favourite performance of the day. Even though I didn't know any of the words the music spoke for itself. These music veterans knew what they were doing and fans loved them. I'm always up to finding new tunes to add to my iPod and Yellowcard definitely made a spot on my playlist. I definitely enjoyed them and while their set was only 20 minutes long they still managed to make the crowd very happy.

Breathe Carolina was on afterwards and these guys are also super catchy and hard not to love. While they do have a bit of screamo in their songs, they're mostly and upbeat techno-pop sound and they're super fun to dance to. Decked out in Toronto Maple Leafs gear and praising Canada, these guys had a major following as well. They were appreciative of those who stuck out the rain and rocked to the crowd like nothing ever happened. With the fab sounds and the fact they rocked Leafs gear, I was a pretty happy girl.

The last two bands of our night were old time favourites that attracted fans of all ages but a lot from my actual age group. As I grow older I feel like an old maid attending Warped Tour but these two bands made it easy to relate. While I wasn't into this type of music as teen, I can relate with the music as my fellow listeners did (and still do). New Found Glory and Taking Back Sunday were staples in my friends discmans  when we were in high school. They danced around and took the lyrics to heart just like any teen who's in love with their bands. They both rocked out hard and and sang to their hearts content.

All in all the day went well and I was sun burnt and exhausted. While there were some major downs (like the rain the poor set up of the grounds and the poor girl), almost everybody came out happy. Warped Tour year three is over and while the tour is officially complete for 2012 they are constantly updating their twitter and posting pictures. 

I look forward to next year!

- T