Music
10 can't-miss bands at CMW 2013
by Mark Teo
March 18, 2013
Canadian Music Week is often overshadowed by Austin’s SXSW, but don’t be fooled: Toronto’s springtime festival, while miniscule in comparison, is no slouch. Running for five days between March 19-24, CMW will attract nearly 900 bands from all over the world—and, beyond the showcases, it also hosts a film festival and the Indie Awards, which celebrates all things Canadian, musical and independent. Indeed, CMW is an overwhelming, and sometimes exhausting, week in music. But helpful as we are, we’ve scoured through the festival’s schedule so you don’t have to—and here, our 10 bands to watch in 2013.
Diana (Toronto, ON)
Featuring members of Army Girls, Destroyer and the Hidden Cameras, Diana is a sure bet to make waves at CMW. With a foundation in sophisticated, up-all-night electro and self-described intelligent pop (think: Kate Bush, Roxy Music and Talk Talk), Diana have become one of the city’s most hyped. For good reason: While their elegant pop is immediately charming, each of their tracks provides days of unpacking to comprehend. Diana play on Wednesday, March 20 at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club.
Savages (London, UK)
There’s no shortage of bands flying the post-punk flag, but few newcomers make songs as glacial, dark and bowel-stirring as London, U.K.’s Savages. The quartet released the arresting “Husbands” single last year, eventually cementing themselves as a buzz-worthy act with their Pop Noire-released live EP, I Am Here. But they won’t be here for long: CMW is Savages’ only Canadian date before the band dips southwards to continue their U.S. tour. Savages play on Friday, March 22 at the Horsehoe Tavern, and again on Saturday, March 23 at Lee’s Palace.
Mozart’s Sister (Montreal, QC)
If Mozart’s Sister, a.k.a. Caila Thompson-Hannan, seems familiar, she should: She also been a part of Can-indie faves like Think About Life, Miracle Fortress, and Shapes and Sizes. And when we caught her set at New York’s massive CMJ festival—opening for Montreal pals Blue Hawaii—she flat-out dominated the stage with her brand of shimmering, bedroom-ready electro pop. Mozart’s Sister plays on Saturday, March 23 at the Comfort Zone.
Ponctuation (Montreal, QC)
Eternally catchy Francophone garage-pop that follows in King Khan’s saucy footsteps. I don’t understand most of the lyrics on their LP, 27 Club—the band could be disdainfully calling me a tête carré, for all I know—but with tunes this brazen, it hardly matters. Pro tip: Ponctuation plays several shows during CMW, but make sure to catch their performance at June Records, College St.’s newest vinyl boutique. Ponctuation play on Thursday, March 21 at June Records and again on Friday, March 22 at Sneaky Dee’s.
Digits (Toronto, ON / Berlin, Germany)
Though Digits is partially Berlin-based, he’s been a cornerstone of Toronto’s indie-electronic scene for years as part of the Silent Shout DJs. On his solo venture, Digits delves into beautifully lush, late-night synth pop—and with his latest video, “Street Violence,” he proves that there’s plenty of conceptual oomph behind his glossy beats, as well. Digits play on Friday, March 22 at Wrongbar.
Lioness (Toronto, ON)
In a word: Fierce. Frontwoman Vanessa Fischer’s best known for her dark, sultry songs, but live, Lioness puts on a powerhouse show that’s equally domineering and danceable. They were a highlight from last summer’s ALL CAPS! music festival, nearly outshining the loud-loud-louder noisegaze of A Place to Bury Strangers (who, coincidentally, are also playing CMW). Lioness play on Saturday, March 23 at Lee’s Palace.
Pink Wine (Toronto, ON)
There’s something special happening in Toronto’s grimy basement punk scene—and Pink Wine‘s ’70s punk-infused power pop is the evidence. Locating themselves somewhere in grey zone between Parts and Labour and the Silver Dollar, Pink Wine writes unabashedly gleeful songs that sound like the Jam with a mouthful of whippets. Fun’s the name of the game here, so don’t get pissed if you leave Pink Wine’s set sopping with Stiegl. Pink Wine play on Saturday, March 23 at Parts and Labour.
Grey Kingdom (Welland, ON)
While his ex-Attack in Black bandmate Daniel Romano has ascended to Canadian country-music stardom, Spencer Burton’s criminally overlooked folk project is no less arresting. All reverb-drenched guitars, weeping strings and honeyed vocals, we’d say that Grey Kingdom’s music is as comfortable as a well-worn Hudson Bay blanket, except for one thing: Those tortured, guilt-ridden lyrics. Grey Kingdom plays on Friday, March 22 at Shanghai Cowgirl.
Action Bronson (New York, NY)
Action Bronson doesn’t need much of an introduction. Yes, he liberally references Ghostface—and plenty of other time-tested New York rap. Sure, he’s a larger-than-life personality who can talk hip hop as easily as he can fine dining. (In a previous life, he trained as a chef.) But he’s also downright hilarious and deftly talented, as evidenced by his untouchable 2012 mixtapes, Rare Chandeliers and Blue Chips. Here, the only CMW act who’d feel equally comfortable in both the upper and lower levels of Parts and Labour. Action Bronson plays Thursday, March 21 at the Hoxton.
Solids (Montreal, QC)
While Solids built their name playing in Montreal’s hardcore scene, they’re anything but punk: The Generic Dogs EP was the band’s coming-out party, and it saw them unveiling a brand of fuzz-drenched, Superchunk-owing guitar pop. Meanwhile, their latest offering—a split with Toronto punk act Animal Faces—sees them warping their signature sound with flecks of AmRep-styled noise. So, it boils down to this: If ’90s style noise-pop is your thing, Solids are essential. Solids play on Friday, March 22 at Silver Dollar.
Tags: Music, Lists, News, action bronson, Canadian Music Week, CMW 2013, Grey Kingdom, Lioness, Mozart's Sister
