CMW 2009

Les Handclaps @ CMW 2009

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By Steve McLean (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 2:04 pm
Background / Composition: This Montreal band are composed of singer Lorraine Muller (who was previously in The Kingpins and Lo And The Magnetics), keyboardist/vocalist Daniel Saucier and guitarist/vocalist Hugo Clermont. They use a laptop for the drum tracks, but that's apparently about to change. They also have two women dancers who didn't make...
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CMW 2009
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The Golden Dogs @ CMW 2009

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By Sarah Kurchak (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 1:42 pm
Background / Composition: They're a lively quintet led by husband-and-wife duo Dave Azzolini (guitar/vocals) and Jessica Grassia (keyboards/vocals) that play songs packed with well-crafted melodies and boisterous choruses. Around these parts, they're usually just referred to as "one of the best bands in Toronto." Grade: 91 Comment:...
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CMW 2009

A Primitive Evolution @ CMW 2009

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By Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 1:33 pm
Background / Composition: This rock band is one part Playdead co-owner, one part Darkside store operator and two parts ex-members of industrial rock band LYE. While the music boasts some similarities to former projects, the Toronto quartet have added a nice alternative flair. Grade: 81 Comment: Though this wasn't an official CMW show, bands...
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CMW 2009

Spirits @ CMW 2009

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By Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 12:58 pm
Background / Composition: Spirits were a last minute addition slotted to replace Hot Tub. I wasn't familiar with the Ontario indie dance rock trio, but man was I blown away! They have a calibre of talent that transcends various genres with elegance. For a trio, they produce big sound — think stadium. Grade: 88 Comment: Normally when watching a...
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CMW 2009

Modernboys Moderngirls @ CMW 2009

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By Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 12:26 pm
Background / Composition: Modernboys Moderngirls started generating a buzz last year, and their album I Might As Well Break It climbed on CBC Radio3 charts. They even scored high on previous ChartATTACK report cards. Yet over the year, they lost the Moderngirls part of their band and singer/guitarist Akira Alemany and drummer/singer Brett Millius...
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CMW 2009

Cuff The Duke @ CMW 2009

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By Scott Bryson (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 12:21 pm
Background / Composition: This Oshawa, Ont. foursome are Canada's torchbearers for twang-filled indie rock. They were the first band to have an album released on Hayden's Hardwood Records (aside from Hayden himself) and have repeatedly toured with the indie legend, playing as his backing band. Grade: 89 Comment: It's never easy to follow...
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CMW 2009

Elliott Brood @ CMW 2009

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By Scott Bryson (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 12:11 pm
Background / Composition: Elliott Brood are a Toronto-based trio that took the indie rock world by storm with 2008's Mountain Meadows. They used to lean towards a country/bluegrass aesthetic, but have lately morphed into wall-of-guitar rockers. Grade: 96 Comment: Mid-set, the trio opened up a Santa sack and tossed aluminum plates and wooden...
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CMW 2009

The Ting Tings @ CMW 2009

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By Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 12:03 pm
Background / Composition: The Ting Tings are a British duo best known for their crazy addictive hipster dance tracks like "Great DJ" and "That's Not My Name." Featuring drummer/singer/guitarist Jules De Martino and vocalis/guitarist Katie White, the poppy dancey duo reached #1 in the U.K. for last year's debut album, We...
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CMW 2009

Young Galaxy @ CMW 2009

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By Aaron Brophy (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 12:00 pm
Background/Composition: This Montreal five-piece do up dreamy shoegaze with all the pedigree that a band with links to Stars, Thee Silver Mt. Zion, The Besnard Lakes and The Stills should. Grade: 71 Comment: Young Galaxy were probably the act I was most looking forward to seeing at the festival considering their 2007 "Swing Your...
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CMW 2009

Jon-Rae Fletcher @ CMW 2009

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By Scott Bryson (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:58 am
Background / Composition: Jon-Rae Fletcher used to front Vancouver-then-Toronto collective Jon-Rae & The River, but recently struck out on his own and released a disc of old-timey folk-rock titled Oh, Maria. Grade: 80 Comment: We may never know for sure what went down with The River, but let's face it, we wouldn't have been going to those...
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CMW 2009

Herman Dune @ CMW 2009

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By Scott Bryson (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:54 am
Background / Composition: Herman Dune are a Parisian duo with a penchant for cute, intelligent folk-pop. They've been at this for 10 years and their latest disc, Next Year In Zion, has garnered them some serious attention on this side of the ocean. Grade: 83 Comment: Herman Dune's set possessed an unmistakable beach party vibe. Someone at the...
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CMW 2009

The Artist Life @ CMW 2009

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By Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:45 am
Background / Composition: The Artist Life are a solid pop-punk band from Toronto featuring ex-members of The Fullblast, Jersey, Always Outnumbered, Jude The Obscure and At The Mercy Of Inspiration. Guitarist/vocalist Dean Richards is also a high school English teacher and singer/guitarist Ian Blackwood is part of the TV show Instant Star. Grade...
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CMW 2009

Basia Bulat @ CMW 2009

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By Scott Bryson (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:38 am
Background / Composition: Basia Bulat turned heads last year when her under-the-radar full-length debut, Oh, My Darling, garnered a Polaris nomination. Her folky-pop is credited with (once again?) making the autoharp cool. Grade: 86 Comment: Bulat had a full band in tow, but it wasn't the sort you see every day. Her primary players were on...
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CMW 2009

Two Hours Traffic @ CMW 2009

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By Jen White (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:26 am
Background / Composition: Charlottetown's Two Hours Traffic have been making some pretty big waves with their incredibly catchy pop-rock sound. They caught Joel Plaskett's attention, who has produced all of their albums, including 2007's Polaris Music Prize-nominated Little Jabs. Grade: 90 Comment: These boys are really starting to come into...
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CMW 2009

Rebekah Higgs @ CMW 2009

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By Jen White (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:21 am
Background / Composition: Halifax songstress Rebekah Higgs is known for her brand of electronic indie pop, but she's recently been concentrating on fronting dirty-electro quartet Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees. Grade: 69 Comment: Higgs didn't seem at the top of her game. She performed only with a drummer backing her, when she really needed...
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CMW 2009

The Hundreds And Thousands @ CMW 2009

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By Jen White (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:16 am
Background / Composition: Formerly of Ottawa band Starling, this trio have reemerged as pop-rock outfit The Hundreds And Thousands, donning suits and singing about the daily grind. Grade: 77 Comment: The Hundreds And Thousands play catchy pop-rock that is definitely radio-ready. With their debut on the way and a deal with Nettwerk Records, you'...
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CMW 2009

Vancougar @ CMW 2009

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By Steve McLean (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 11:11 am
Background/ Composition: Vancougar are an all-female quartet from Vancouver whose latest album, Canadian Tuxedo, was released last summer by Mint Records. Grade: 80 Comment: These ladies obviously enjoy what they do, and they're pretty good at it. There's a definite retro vibe to their music, but they're not a total throwback to the '60s....
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Hexes & Ohs @ CMW 2009

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By Steve McLean (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 10:22 am
Background/ Composition: Hexes & Ohs are Edmund Lam and Heidi Donnelly: high school sweethearts-turned-electro-pop duo. They could use a drummer, but maybe that would make for a strange menage a trois. Grade: 83 Comment: Lam and Donnelly had a bigger sound than you'd expect from two people and recorded drum tracks. He plays guitar and she...
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Dave Marsh And The True Love Rules @ CMW 2009

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By Kate Harper (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 9:51 am
Background / Composition: Dave Marsh is the drummer in The Joel Plaskett Emergency. He released his The True Love Rules debut album last year, and The True Love Rules is also the name of his backing band. Grade: 65 Comment: Unlike Plaskett's music, Marsh's centres less on folk-rock and more on radio rock. Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll...
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Share @ CMW 2009

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By Kate Harper (CHARTattack) March 16, 2009 9:49 am
Background / Composition: This Halifax band recently completed a U.K. tour and play a typical brand of angular indie rock mixed with indie pop. Grade: 79 Comment: If you hear their name spoken aloud you shouldn't confuse them with that '60s diva, but a band with a penchant for Converse shoes and Steve Urkel shirts. Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll...
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