We all know the jokes. Canada has a lot to apologise for; Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Nickleback, and Celine Dion. Some of the world’s most hated acts come from this country.
Jokes aside though, Canada and its largest city in Toronto have a music culture that far outweighs the above atrocities.
In 2011 Toronto music blogs proudly touted their city as the music capital of Canada, after local acts rated highly amongst critics’ end of year album lists worldwide.
Local acts like Feist, Austra, Drake, and Fucked Up all released critically acclaimed albums that gave the locals plenty to boast about.
Those from Montreal, the European-style French speaking city, wholeheartedly disagreed with Toronto claiming the title of music capital of the North American country as their own.
But with cross-town rivalries aside, Toronto has all the makings of a great music city, which makes the locals prized claims not so misplaced.
Unlike Montreal, Toronto has the feel of any other American city, yet it is one of the best places in the world to be a musician.
The amount of grants and loans on offer to local musicians of varying levels of success is extraordinary.
With the aim of fostering local talent in helping fund pricey videos and assisting in the shaky business of touring, the money comes from different areas.
While part of the funds come from the government, the country’s TV and radio broadcasters are legally obliged to provide money into a ‘talent development fund’. That’s not to mention the required amount of air time that must be given to local artists.
Such funds also go to music events, like the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, which is the Canadian version of Britian’s Mercury Prize.
The 2012 Polaris Music Prize, along with $30,000 was awarded to Toronto songstress Feist for her 2011 LP Metals.
Other alternative acts from the city to make it across international waters include Holy Fuck, Metric, Crystal Castles, Death From Above 1979 and Barenaked Ladies.
While Toronto’s independent music scene is obviously robust, the hip-hop community is considered underground, aside from the success of Drake.
Although, other artists such as K’naan, Dream Warriors, and K-os have achieved mainstream success in their homeland.
The 1990s saw R&B and soul music rise to prominence and since then, singers like Glen Lewis, Deborah Cox and Melanie Fiona have all achieved mainstream success outside of Canada.
Toronto has a venerable live music scene. The local arts are encouraged and fostered through a supportive government, but more importantly through enthusiastic championing from Toronto’s citizens.
Such government support helps to enliven a city full of talented musicians, where music from any genre has the ability not only to succeed in their hometown, but as history shows us, across the world.
Head to Toronto and catch your fair share of local gigs and who knows, you may well just stumble across the next big thing before they make it overseas and remind us, that despite all of Canada’s more famous music shortcomings, it is home to an abundance of great artists.
Toronto Festivals/Conferences
NXNE: North By North East Festivals and Conference is a multitude of festival experiences in one. Not only did the 2012 week-long event feature 810 music acts, but the festival included screenings of over 30 music-related films. Held in June, the 2013 event will be its 19th consecutive year and last year’s event attracted around 330,000 visitors. The festival is seen as a platform for emerging artists and runs in a similar way to Austin’s SXSW. Music acts play in over 50 different venues around the city, with some venues hosting six different acts a night. Past head-liners have included The Flaming Lips, Devo, Iggy And The Stooges, and Ghostface Killah.
http://nxne.com/
Canadian Music Week: This conference has also doubled as a festival since 2009 which is referred to as the Canadian Music Fest. But the conference is one of the country’s most important industry events. Over four days, top industry professionals participate in activities designed to help the market grow. Held since 1981 the conference also sees alternative artists, like Parachute Club, inducted into the ‘Canadian Indies Hall of Fame’, while more popular acts, like Alanis Morissette, are inducted into the ‘Canadian Music Industry Hall Of Fame’. The festival component showcases over 700 acts across 40 venues in Toronto. The 2013 event is scheduled for late March and features international acts such as Rihanna and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Although there are quite a few Australian acts performing such as Blackchords, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Seth Sentry, The Falls, Trouble With Templeton and heaps more.
http://canadianmusicfest.com/
Digital Dreams Festival: Held over the Canada day weekend this two day electronic jaunt is the biggest festival of it’s kind to take place in Toronto. With over 90 DJs the growing festival attracted an audience of over 25,000 people in 2012. The festival’s four stages kick off from noon and run until midnight. While tickets can set you back as a little as $60, or be as expensive as almost $200, the 2012 event featured big name acts such as Afrojack, Kaskade, Duck Sauce and Alesso. The 2013 festival is already being counted down over at the official website and is set to be held on June 29th and 30th.http://2013.digitaldreamsfest.ca/
Toronto Record Stores
Play De Record, 357 Yonge Street http://www.playderecord.com
An essential visit for DJs and music fans alike, this local store is often busy with customers searching through Play De Records extensive collection of vinyl, CDs as well as musical electronics and DJ Gear. If you’re looking for classical, metal or country records than this definitely isn’t the place for you. However if you enjoy searching for rare releases or want to purchase tickets to local gigs then Play De Record will have you covered. There is also a range of clothing by local designers at the front of the store.
Rotate This, 801 Queen St. West http://www.rotate.com/content/
As one of the city’s most loved record stores, Rotate This has been selling vinyl since before it came back into fashion. While the store also has a respectable collection of CDs, tourists will no doubt enjoy seeing the posters of upcoming gigs and the local magazines for sale. While their record catalogue is diverse, indie rock fans are best catered for here. Rotate This also sells tickets to local gigs, even those with assigned seating and they’re much cheaper than online outlets.
Sonic Boom, 782 Bathurst St. http://sonicboommusic.com/
Over a decade old, this record store has more recently opened up a second location in Kensington Market, but if you can help it, visit their primary location in Bathurst first. Sonic Boom has just about everything a music fan could ever want. Records? Tick. Record players? Tick. What’s even better is their range of cassettes and VHS tapes if you needed an added shot of nostalgia. The store even sells clothing, DVDs and accessories, but if you’re lucky you might just wonder in on one of the days when the store hosts live performances from local and international acts.
Soundscapes, 572 College St. http://www.soundscapesmusic.com/
With generous open hours (11am-11pm) this record store is your destination for a wide range of music styles. Soundscapes has become an institution in Toronto for its support of the local music scene, providing titles of Canadian acts you won’t find anywhere else, as well as big name reissues and international releases. They have an incredible selection of music-related DVDs as well as a diverse catalogue of music biographies. Soundscapes also hosts many a gig and sells tickets to independent tours.
Toronto Bars
Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Avenue http://thedakotatavern.com/
Once inside this Toronto venue, you’ll soon forget that you’re in Canada and think that you’ve just landed on the set for the latest American Western. Upon the walls you’ll find guns, horns, boomerangs and vintage band posters. With wooden walls the venue is like a cabin, however the brightly lit stage allows for something more pretty. The menu is tailored to suit the Western American vibe and the music also follows suit. Up and coming country, rock and blues acts start here, with a whisky, rather than a beer.
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street West http://www.horseshoetavern.com/
This legendary venue is 65 years old and holds the quintessential Toronto music experience. While it began as country music venue, it has since diversified and allowed rock acts to grace the stage. The dancefloor is chequered black and white, the walls are decked out with vintage memorabilia, including a shrine-of-sorts to Elvis and there’s even a life size motorcycle mounted on the wall above the pool table. In it’s long and incredible history the presence of the Rolling Stones has stood out above the rest, but other artists such as Willie Nelson and Bryan Adams amongst many have performed here before.
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street West http://wrongbar.com/wb/
This intimate, long and narrow establishment has a reputation amongst the locals for being a hipster bar. But don’t let its reputation deter you from what is one of the best bars not only in the area of Parkdale, but the city. For a such a small space the sound quality coming from their excellent system is the envy of many venues, but as the proprietors are also DJs themselves it’s less of a surprise. Much of the music is electronic, with bands and DJs occupying the small stage. If you’re looking for some gaming to go along with the cheap drinks the venue also has the notorious Michael Jackson arcade game called ‘The Moonwalker’.
Music Gallery, 197 John Street http://www.musicgallery.org/
This venue is actually an old church, which was primarily known as St. George the Martyr Church. However now the church, with a makeshift bar set up, is home to an eclectic selection of live music. From experimental to avant-garde and even jazz or classical. It is one of the best places to experience live music in Toronto, with the acoustics of the church creating an atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else.
Toronto Acts You Should Check Out
Austra – Soundcloud
Their debut record broke this three piece worldwide in 2011. Feel It Break was critically acclaimed and nominated for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, although they lost out to Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. However the electronic act featured highly on many end of year lists, listen to their song ‘Beat and the Pulse’ below.
Memoryhouse – Soundcloud
The two-piece gained notoriety a few years ago for their EP The Years, which was later distributed by Sub Pop. The boy-girl duo’s first full length record The Slideshow Affect was released in 2010 and met with musch acclaim with many likening hem to Beach House and Built To Spilll.
Gold & Youth – Soundcloud
The band’s four members hail from both Vancouver and Toronto and their debut album, Beyond Wilderness, is set to be released in early 2013. Their single, ‘Gold and Youth’ attracted the attention of international press, with NME labelling them as “a more poppy xx”.
