Mat McHugh to Play at the Drake Hotel Tonight Sept 06

photo courtesy of Mat McHugh

Okay ladies if you're willing to open your ears, you need to check out a very sexy Aussie man who goes by the name of Mat McHugh. When I was listening to his EP what came to mind was a mixture of Michael Buble and Maroon Five. I know it's a little bit of an odd mixture but with his smooth vocals and likable lyrics, it was hard not to put two and two together. *random thought* After I finished listening to more of his music, I also found that he sounded a little like 100 Monkeys when they did they're slower songs. Maybe I'm crazy, but maybe not.

The acoustic guitar is subtle but very well played and the vocals are nice. I like the nice, relaxed feeling I got when I was listening to the music...and after the stressful end of the day I had, that's saying something for sure!

He's also the front man of the Australian band The Beautiful Girls, which also has a similar sound to what he is doing with his solo work and tour. His EP "Go Don't Stop" was released in June of this year with the expected release of his full length album to follow.


“I want to contribute to the musical landscape in 2011 by making something more about feelings and
emotions than it is about musical cleverness,” McHugh says in his biography.

If you feel like learning more about Mat or his band Beautiful girls check out their websites:

http://www.matmchughmusic.com
http://www.thebeautifulgirls.com
http://www.facebook.com/matmchughmusic

Be sure you check Mat McHugh and The Beautiful Girls out!

Busy Busy Busy!

Wow...August has been insannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnely busy and I am super excited to tell you guys all about it! I realize I haven't been as fast as I normally have been but that's because I've had so much to do and so little time!!

Now, I still have to write about Jackie Valentyne and Marianas Trench at The Ex  last Sunday (Aug 21), but let me tell you about the weekend I just had.

I literally did four straight days of amazing music. I was fortunate enough to win all-access guest passes to this year's "Dellspot End of Summer Party" which took place in Bala, Ontario. This year included bubble machines, milkshakes and bouncy castles as well as performances by the one and only These Kids Wear Crowns and Marianas Trench!

After that very loooong day, I packed up the car and my mom and I went to the very first (and hopefully not the last) CMT Music Festival! Yes, that's a huge difference in musical genres, but I must say I am a country girl at heart! Day one (friday night) consisted of Blake Shelton (yeah, you know, the hottie from the new TV show The Voice?), and Lady Antebellum. Day two was full of incredible acts like Tara Oram, Dean Brodie, Ronnie Dunn, Sarah Evans and Rascal Flatts! Sunday unfortunately we didn't stay the entire afternoon (we were just too damn tired) but we did manage to catch The Good Family do the "Sunday Morning Gospel Brunch" before we decided to pack up and head home!

Tomorrow I will be heading BACK to the Ex to spend some time there during TDSB Day (even though I'm not a student anymore) and we'll also be catching JRDN, Stereos, Shawn Desman and Down With Webster to end off the evening. I promise to keep you all updated!

Thanks for reading,
Taryn

Rest In Peace Jack Layton

Courtesy of MartinHo

News spread fast about the passing of NDP Leader Jack Layton. And grief spread just as fast, if not faster. Jack may have been the opposition to get Canadians believing change could happen, but he was also a family man, a community man, a lover and a fighter for all things good. He was also a survivor of prostate cancer. Not even a month ago he announced he was temporarily stepping down as he found out that another kind of cancer had appeared that was different from what he had beaten before. It took a turn for the worse though as his body didn't respond to treatment and on August 22, 2011 Jack Passed away surrounded by family.

Even if you weren't an NDP supporter, you knew who Jack was. You knew what he was about and you knew how passionate he was about youth and his community. He made a believer out of me and many other young voters who didn't believe Canadian politics could be changed.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future. 


Jack you will always be apart of the legacy of great Canadians who set out to change the world. You were the best Prime Minister we never had and an amazing person. Even tho I never met you, I felt like you were a close relative. With your heartwarming smile and soulful speeches, it was hard not to like you - even if you rooted for the other team. 


Forever in our hearts.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

REST IN PEACE JOHN GILBERT "JACK" LAYTON <3

Q&A with The Good Brother's Bruce Good

With the exciting weekend of the CMT Music Festival looming (it's next weekend!) Bruce Good and his family have been in the music business for over 40 years (his sons, a little less). I had the opportunity to chat with Bruce, who is well-known for his musical talents in the Good Brothers, and The Good Family. He's also in another band with his family members called The Gospel Bluegrass Bunch. This traditional bluegrass band, with a hint of Gospel music, will be performing on day three of CMT Music Festival's festivities on August 28, 2011.


Here's what he had to say:


Taryn: First off, could you tell me a little about yourself and your family?
Bruce Good: We are actually a combination of members of two well-known groups from Canada. One being members from the Good Brothers who have been around for 40 years and then members from a band called The Sadies  who have been around for about 15 years. The tie-in is that two of the four members of The Sadies are my sons. I am Bruce Good, they are Travis and Dallas Good. Myself, Travis, Dallas and their mother Margaret originated a group called The Good Family. We used to do shows on occasion when the Good Brothers and the Sadies weren’t working.

Then later Travis and Dallas cousin Darcy Good and my brother Larry Good also joined in on this musical adventure and thus became the Good Family as it is today!

T: And to readers who have never heard of The Good Family, what would they expect to hear if they were to ever see you live?
B:  That’s where the interest comes from this. The Good Brothers and the Sadies are very different. The Sadies have a high energy leading towards country-rock. You can’t even call it country-rock. It’s been known as surf punk country blues rock. And you can combine that with the more traditional sound of the Good Brothers and the Good Family, and you’ll get bluegrass and straight on rock.

T: I know you've been around for quite some time and have probably performed at many music festivals. Do you think that festivals have changed over the years?
B: It depends on what festival you’re playing – they are very diverse sometimes. I’ve watched festivals grow. For example, There’s a festival called the Havelock Jambouree. We’ve watched it grow from 300 people to 30,00 people. We’ve watched the stage grow from a flack block, to a full on stage. Yeah I see festivals change mainly because I’ve been around so long and I’ve seen it change. And then there is the fact that you play one one weekend and one the next. They are all the same but different. Whether it be the stage, or the music, or the genre of music that’s been played.


T: How important are festivals like the CMT Music Fest, to musicians? New and experienced?
B: I think they are really important for many reasons. They are important for the fans to see that kind of music and support those kinds of shows.  It gives new bands experience they need later on in their careers. We [The Good Brothers] are doing a show on Sept 8^th with The Sadies. Opening our shows are six of Ontario's premier country bands. And this is sponsored by the CMAO [Country Music Association of Ontario].  And this gives a performance opportunity for a showcase of six of Ontario’s up-and-coming country entertainers.
 

T: Do you have any favourite festival memories that you feel has helped shape you as a musician?
B: I remember playing a festival with Roy Orbison. In a small way we befriend him while on tour and I think we were playing a festival in Owen Sound and we had just gotten to know him a little bit. He came down to our dressing room after our performance and he complimented us on our show. To be complimented by him is one of the greatest accolades  for us I guess. It was great to hear him come and comment on something we worked so hard on.

Also, touring with Gordon Lightfoot and learning  big - I was going to say little - tricks of the trade. He was the one who always encouraged us to be original as impossible. We’d probably be doing less if he hadn’t told us to be original.

T: What can fans look forward to hearing when they see you next Sunday with The Gospel Bluegrass Bunch?
B: We will most definitely pepper our show with gospel but it won’t totally be gospel. Because Gospel is very important part of bluegrass, and bluegrass was always an important part of our [The Good family’s] lives so we know a lot gospel songs. If they are coming to hear The Sadies or The Good Brothers songs they will be disappointed.

Here's where we get a little off course from festival talk and I asked him about a few things that a good friend of mine mentioned to me. She just happens to be a fan of music from the 70s and I was interested to hear what he had to say!


T: A friend of mine mentioned that The Good Brothers played in Northern California in the early 70s. Were you ever involved in the Haight-Ashbury scene?
B: We were on the fringe of Ashbury. It was 1971-1972. It was still happening. We were doing hippy folk music and that was when we were involved with the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Yeah we were down in Cali those days. It was a great experience. That’s where we recorded our  very first album with James Ackroyd.  It was an experience with a capital E.

T: You also signed to Columbia records in the 70s. What is your opinion on record labels then vs. now?
B: Record labels to day are struggling with the internet and downloading. It’s a completely different ball game than before. Plus there are so many indie labels out there as well. These indie labels probably carry more weight compared to the major labels and the talent pool is a lot greater. People are being signed all the time, but very few people are breaking the big brink.

As for the music, to each their own. I like certain types of music, as you do. I think everybody likes their music and favourites. I don’t like where music has gone as recording, and tuning voices go. It doesn’t sound real and using synths and getting different sounds. To me that’s getting far beyond the sound of real music. I like hearing real music and real voices...Tell it to Neil Young, Johnny Cash. Their voices have never been changed, never been enhanced, never enriched,  and never tuned.

T: My mom mentioned she used to see you guys perform at The Kee to Bala in Muskoka, and you've also played the legendary El Mocambo in Toronto. Do you ever go back to play these venues? Do you think it's important to remember these roots?
B: Yes we do. The last time we played at the El [Mocambo] was at a fundraiser for someone, which was a little over a year ago. It’s been awhile since we’ve played the Kee, but we have some great memories






Well, that's it! I hope you learned a little bit about somebody who you didn't know before! Bruce was easy to talk to and had lots of stories to tell. It's always a good thing as a writer to have somebody who is so willing to talk and share his past experiences with somebody he doesn't even know!


Thanks Bruce! 

Bear with Me!

I am in a bit of a rut at the moment - a writing rut that is. Words just don't seem to want to come to me...which is definitely NOT a good thing!

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the site though! I just thought I'd let you know that I'm still out there, I am just trying to find a way to say what I want!

My Warped Tour Article will FINALLY be up ASAP...I PROMISE.

Then I have more than a few things coming up that will be posted soon too! First off next week we have the Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance show at the Molson Amphatheatre, then soon after that there is the kick off of the wicked awesome Canadian National Exhibition (aka the CNE or Ex!) and that includes a review of the fair as well as the Marianas Trench and Down With Webster show!

And hopefully (I'm still waiting for confirmation/declination), I'll be heading up north to catch a weekend of AMAZING country music at the CMT Music Festival at the end of August!

See...lots of things planned and stuff to do...so I'll be back with a vengence VERY soon!!

- Taryn xox

100 Monkeys spill Bananas all over Toronto

100 Monkeys on July 9, 2011 at The Mod Club, Toronto

The first time I ever heard of this band was because of Jackson Rathbone (yeah, you know, the actor who played Jasper Hale in the Twilight Saga? Him). I'd be lying if I said I didn't start listening to 100 monkeys because of him but after seeing them perform during Canadian Music Week last year, it's been a while different story. Their eclectic sound may not appeal to the average crowd but there is just something about them that makes you want to listen.

If somebody were to ask "What (or who) do they sound like?" I wouldn't be able to give you a definitive answer. To be honest they're not exactly like anything or anybody else I've heard. With a mix of blues, funk and old fashioned rock and roll, each and every song they have is different to the core. And while the songs may be different, they make you want to dance and move to the beat. Their energy is riveting and it's hard not to follow suit.

The Ruby Spirit

The opening acts were probably my least favourite moments of the night. Which, if I am to be honest, is weird because I'm usually one to find a new band to listen to in the opening act sequences. Not this time! The first band, The Ruby Spirit, were definitely a talented bunch (nobody can deny), but they kind of reminded me too much of Lady Gaga and Blondie combined. While the lead singer's voice was powerful and strong, she just seemed to be trying way too hard. I think if she just forgot about everything and just sang that her performance would have impressed me a whole lot more then it did.


As for the second act, Bleeding Horse Express, I was not impressed at all. While the male lead showed a little more personality then his female counterpart, he seemed to spend more time silently reassuring her that everything was fine. And in the meantime she barely looked out into the crowd. It's almost as if she'd never done this before in front of a large group! (And by large group I mean barely 100 people). They were lacking the connection with the crowd and the rest of the band and it definitely didn't appeal to me. But I do like to keep it positive and the instrumentals were definitely good. So if you tuned out everything else and just listened to the beat and the guitars you'd have enjoyed their set!


By 8:15 p.m. (It was an early show as it was a Saturday night - a.k.a. club night), the boys of 100 Monkeys it the stage. BY 8:16 p.m. they had their fans rocking out.

Jackson playing guitar

One of their greatest appeals to me is how they like to switch it up - literally. They share the vocal spotlight and the instruments evenly while keeping the crowd entertained with their jokes and flirty "Canadian girls are hotter" routine. While singing favourites (of mine at least) like "Orson Brawl", "The Monkey Song", "Dirty Girl", "Wing on Fire" and songs by the late great William Bell, they also kept it fresh by singing new tunes off their new album Liquid Zoo and by doing improv! Yes, improv people! They took a moment about 3/4 of the way through the set to get suggestions from the audience as to what they could sing about. Two minutes later and after multiple "great" suggestions, they chose the theme of "I'm so easy." So for the next four minutes or so they (with Jackson on vocals) made up an entirely new song off the back of there heads. It's not often you see musicians do something like that and it truly shows you the talent this band has. 


And yes, while I was smitten by Jackson's quirky good looks and southern charm, it does not cloud over the fact that I can recognize talent when I see it. While there music may be a little avant garde, anybody who walks out of their show, walks out a fan. I know I did.

Jackson playing Drums

Later days!
Taryn


*All photos courtesy of Zebraprintsky's Miss Jenny Ellis! My photos didn't turn out so swell (stupid dark club haha), so luckily I have such an awesome concert mate who allows me to use hers!






















Annnnnd one more picture just because he is just so adorably awesome. Seriously, his southern accent is to DIE for! 

At the signing table after the show! <3

Canada D'eh 2011!

Phew! Sorry it took so long to get S.C.E.N.E. stuff up! Time sadly just got away from me!

Anyways, I have to say that Canada Day has got to be one of my favourite days of the year. I am 100 per cent proud to be Canadian and I love seeing so many people come together to celebrate a great nation's birthday! I realize (as is it is almost always the case) that events like these always seem to be a great deal when you are younger. I remember always going to the Glen (a neighbouring small community) to eat pancakes for breakfast, participate in the rubber ducky races and the annual Canada Day Parade. As I grew older I recall playing baseball (I could be wrong - I have a HORRIBLE memory haha). As I grew older we toned it down quite a bit but now that I am obviously of age that I can do whatever I please, I have always tried to find some kind music event to attend on this special day. These events are great for two reasons: 1) These events are usually free (unless you went to EdgeFest!) and 2) They showcase amazing Canadian talent to celebrate the day!

 After spending the day relazing and getting ice cream at Murphy's in Streetsville, my step-sis and I eventually ventured to City Hall in Mississauga to take part in Canada Day festivities. Celebration Square is officially open after what seemed like years of construction and it was time to make use of it! And from what I heard, Mississauga celebrations were the biggest Canada Day celebrations outside of Toronto! And I can see that happening as it was packed with THOUSANDS of people by the end of the night!

Luckily I was once again able to catch These Kids Wear Crowns rock the stage. Decked out in Canada flags, Justin Beiber t=shirts and quirky outfits, they sang to a patriotic and excited crowd. As I saw them only a week before I thought I wouldn't be as interested but they sure know how to entertain a crowd and keep them entertained. Singing  fan favourites "Jumpstart", "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", "Oceans" and "Skeletons" to name a few, they were extremely successful in pumping the crowd up and getting them ready for the rest of the night.

The only thing I would have to say that I disliked was the sound quality. While I'm not sure if it was because I was extremely close to the sound system or because it was just poorly executed, I just didn't seem to be able to hear it as good as it could have been. Take note Mississauga!

Next to take the stage was Fefe Dobson. She's been around since I was in high school (which in the music world is sometimes deemed to  be a lifetime) and she's never really appealed to me all these years. With her new album Joy though, she has converted me - sort of. Although her performance was okay, her stage presence was a little awkward. To me it seemed a little forced. I also didn't like the fact she was late - for her own performance. I don't know the circumstances (could have been a bathroom emergency for all I know) but to me that was far from good musician etiquette.

(By this portion of the night, the crowd had multiplied by the thousands...just so you know)

Lastly, the one and only Shawn Desman hit the stage. While I have listened to Shawn since I was in high school (yes I'm bringing it up again - going on seven years later now) I had never really gotten the opportunity to see him perform live before. Well, unless you include the time he sang the national anthem at the Jay's game. I was thrilled when I heard he was in the lineup! While he mainly played new songs to the wild crowd, he did manage to go back down memory lane and play a few old favourites (which I gladly sang along loud and proud to). The overall performance was upbeat, energetic and extremely exciting. Oh, and not to mention the spectacular dance moves.

I have to say though, the best part of the night has to have been the fireworks. Tuned to music, these pretty fireworks lit up the sky and provided amusement to people of all ages. It seriously brings the kid out in me every time so I can only imagine what everybody else was feeling!

Proud to be Canadian!
-Taryn