Canada – Page 2 – poetry in an empty coke can

Braids – Taste

Posted on June 1, 2015June 1, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

In what is being hailed as their strongest album yet, Canadian act Braids released their third record Deep In the Iris via Arbutus this April. Although it contains the characteristically nuanced production and sophisticated soundscapes the art-rock outfit is known for, it’s also the most organic, lyrically powerful, emotionally raw and sanguine album they’ve put out to date.

Listen to standout track “Taste” for a shining example of their complex melodies and exquisite instrumentation. Braids is also currently on tour supporting Purity Ring so be sure to check them out if you have the chance.

Seoul – Haunt / A Light

Posted on May 18, 2015May 19, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Seoul

Canadian chillwave act Seoul are set to release their first full-length, I Become A Shade next month and have a shared a new track in advance of the debut. They first captivated us with their single “Stay With Us,” and the new one, “Haunt / A Light” is another lush, reflective electronic arrangement that has drawn sonic comparisons to Rhye. Seoul’s debut album will be released June 9 on Last Gang Records in Canada and Grand Jury in the US.

Chromeo – Lost On The Way Home (ft. Solange)

Posted on October 31, 2014October 31, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

On Chromeo‘s latest LP, White Women (released May 2014), the Canadian electro-funk/disco duo teamed up with Solange to create soulful single “Lost On the Way Home” — an 80s-inspired synthy duet about a relationship gone sour. Dave 1 of Chromeo and Solange duel it out on the track, but it’s the gripping vocals of the Knowles songstress that steal the show with her repeated refrain ‘And you know it’s gonna take time’ — which sounds like it was sampled straight out of an 80s pop song.

Stream the melancholic gorgeousness below, along with a more upbeat remix from Mat Zo. The british producer ups the tempo and transforms the track into an uplifting drum and bass electro-affair. Snag the mix gratis on Soundcloud!

Arcade Fire – “Afterlife” Video + Flume Remix

Posted on August 14, 2014August 18, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

arcadefire

Arcade Fire need no introduction. The Grammy award-winning rock band from Montreal have been on tour for their latest album, Reflektor, and will be performing at DC’s Verizon Center this Sunday, October 17. Watch the excellent video for standout track “Afterlife”— a cinematic feat directed by Emily Kai Bock below.

Flume also recently reworked the track into an epic ten-minute, sonic space-age engagement. Devoid of his usual massive drops, the Australian producer opts instead for a minimal atmospheric production, maintaining the melancholy of the original while also giving it an edge. Check it out after the video.

Stars – From The Night

Posted on August 13, 2014August 14, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Stars have just released the first single off their forthcoming album, and it is a doozy. “From The Night” encompasses everything the Montreal group is known for — iridescent indie-pop with lush instrumentation and one of the best hooks I’ve heard in some time (anyone else hear the influence of The Police?). A more uplifting tune in their armory of pop noir, an interesting anecdote is that Stars’ recording studio was situated just above a discotheque, which inadvertently affected their sound.

In terms of the narrative, singer Torquil Campbell tells NPR that the track is a “letter to those of you who stayed home and didn’t take a chance on the possibility that a bassline and a hi-hat rhythm might save your life.” Lest you fear that Stars have gone too soft, however, Campbell adds: “Oh, and one other thing: It’s lonely. There is no lonelier feeling in the world than watching the sun rise as you walk home.”

The new album, No One Is Lost is due out via ATO Records on October 14. Check out their tour dates below, which includes a stop at DC’s 9:30 Club November 13.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Aug 18, 2014 : Stratford ON, Canada – Stratford Music Fest
Aug 30, 2014 : Calgary AB, Canada – Xfest
Aug 31, 2014 : Edmonton AB, Canada – Sonic Boom
Sept 7, 2014 : Toronto ON, Canada – Riot Fest Toronto
Oct 5, 2014 : New York, NY – Modern Sky Festival
Nov 8, 2014 : Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
Nov 9, 2014 : Boston, MA – Royale
Nov 12, 2014 : Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Nov 13, 2014 : Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Nov 14, 2014 : Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Nov 15, 2014 : Atlanta, GA The Loft
Nov 19, 2014 : Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Nov 21, 2014 : Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Nov 22, 2014 : Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
Nov 23, 2014 : Buffalo, NY – The Tralf (Music Hall)

Caribou – Can’t Do Without You

Posted on June 19, 2014 by santiago

Canadian composer Dan Snaith (known as Caribou) hits us with the first single from the forthcoming album Our Love. The track, “Can’t Do Without You” preserves Caribou’s signature sound with pleasant drums and percussion, glowing synths, looped lyrics, and delayed vocals. Check out Caribou’s US tour dates this November below — including a stop at DC’s Black Cat.

US Tour Dates 2014:

Mac DeMarco – Passing Out Pieces

Posted on April 30, 2014April 30, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Montreal’s Mac DeMarco released his new album Salad Days via Captured Tracks the first of this month. And for only a 23-year-old, DeMarco demonstrates remarkable craftsmanship — and a world weariness that is a marked departure from earlier efforts. Albeit still quirky in his aesthetic, the Justin Kirk look-alike manages to show a more authentic side of himself on the LP with his blend of understated pop and lo-fi sound. Stream the dismal single “Passing Out Pieces” below.

Artist Spotlight: Yuna

Posted on March 30, 2014August 20, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

If you’ve not yet heard of Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, I implore you to spend some time getting acquainted with this rising star. Breaking onto the North American stage in 2012 with her self-titled debut, the already internationally-acclaimed artist released her follow up album Nocturnal this past fall.

Filled with velvety vocals and melodic instrumentation, highlights of the album include the sultry song “Falling,” produced by Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal of the musical duo Rhye. Watch the video for this enticing, disco-infused number below. Also a standout from the LP is the infectious single “I Wanna Go,” produced by Mike Einziger of Incubus. Check out a refreshing remix of the track by Parisian producer Belarbi below.

Another outstanding interpretation comes by way of Canadian duo Adventure Club with their insanely seductive rendition of Yuna’s earlier single “Lullabies.” Demonstrative, bass heavy and drop-laden, the mix only serves to amplify Yuna’s already emotionally-charged, signature soul-pop sound. Download both of these mixes (for free!) on Soundcloud today, and pick up Yuna’s new album on iTunes here.

Destroyer – El Rito

Posted on January 29, 2014January 29, 2014 by santiago

Five Spanish Songs is the name of the latest EP produced by Destroyer, consisting of five tracks originally recorded by the Seville songwriter Antonio Luque’s band, Sr. Chinarro. Following his own Spanish background, the Canadian-bred musician Dan Bejar surprises us with an acoustic format, absent of delayed horns and saxophones that gave identity to his phenomenal album Kapput in 2011. Stream “El Rito” below.