Culture Addicts’ picks for Canadian Music Fest 2013

It’s that time again for Canadian Music Week / Canadian Music Fest, and here are our picks for the acts to check out during the festival.

A Place To Bury Strangers

They are playing at Sound Academy (ugggghh) alongside Coheed & Cambria, and always put on an amazing show. Make sure to check out their high octane, super distorted R’n’R kick in the pants.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9xMFKtFjFg” theme=”light”]

When: Thursday March 21 @ 8:20 pm at Sound Academy.

 

Bronx Cheerleader

These guys definitely know how to pull off some interesting psychedelic sounds. Definitely check them out – they know music and are music, and good friends to Culture Addicts on social media channels.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdOG3fEhBlY” theme=”light”]

When: Friday March 22 @ Rancho Relaxo 8:00 pm

 

Castle If / Cell Memory

Dark, creepy electronic music that will totally make your skin crawl – but in a very good way. The Castle If / Cell Memory combo platter is a definite, must-see for CMF this year.

When: Saturday March 23rd Silent Shoot CMW Showcase @ Comfort Zone 10:00 pm.

 

Chvrches

Electronic pop band hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. They are getting a lot of buzz lately, and it seems to be well-deserved considering the beautiful music they are making.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyqemIbjcfg” theme=”light”]

When: Wednesday March 20 @ Virgin Mobile Mod Club 10:00 pm

 

Decades

Toronto’s haze-pop, quartette Decades are set to the release their debut self-titled album on White Girl Records, April 30th 2013, so this CMF showcase will be a great chance to see them play the new stuff live. They are retro-centric, but looking forward / modern as well.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVVD0nv2yeE” theme=”light”]

When: Saturday March 23 @ Lee’s Palace 9:00 pm

 

Digits

Digits is electronic pop created by Alt Altman (great name) who is based in Toronto & Berlin. He is connected with Silent Shout who are amazing advocates of the Toronto electronic music scene. He is doing some interesting stuff right now, and well worth checking out.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3ZfKsf8KE4″ theme=”light”]

When: Friday March 22 @ Wrongbar 10:30 pm

 

Doomsquad

 

How can you go wrong with a band named Doomsquad who make weirdo, uber creepy electronic music that sounds like it comes from an experimental horror movie?

When: Saturday March 23 @ Comfort Zone 12:00 am

 

Mad June

These ladies know how to put on a show that the audience enjoys, and they do too. I was blown away by their live energy even since my musical project, Your Pretend Boyfriend, performed during the same showcase night at NXNE a couple years back. They are lovely as well, which makes them a band to check out.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY6AtK6KmNY” theme=”light”]

When: Saturday March 23 @ The Garrison 12:00 am

 

PS I Love You

FAST. LOUD. ENERGETIC. FUZZY. These are just a few of the words used to describe PS I Love You, the quick-rising power duo from Kingston, ON. You should definitely check out their take on the two-piece indie rock configuration – White Stripes, they are not.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHAOBhg9Ybo” theme=”light”]

When: Thursday March 21 @ The Great Hall 11:00 pm

 

The Great Wilderness

 

The Great Wilderness is a dream rock band from Costa Rica who compares themselves to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Joy Division and Smashing Pumpkins. It would be worth checking them out to see if these are accurate, and their video is quite good too.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bjbOoeCgcs” theme=”light”]

When: Monday March 18 @ C’est What? 10:00 pm
Tuesday March 19 @ Annex Live 10:00 pm
Thursday March 21 @ The Garrison 8:00 pm