Category: News

Toronto Music Scene January 6, 2014

Dear readers,

If you had asked us when we first started Toronto Music Scene back in 2007 what we expected to get out of this music blog, we never could have predicted or imagined the adventures, exposure and access to music it would allow. We’ve had the opportunity to not only attend some of the best shows in the city, but also to put some on. Supporting the local music scene has been our mantra since the beginning and it’s been a simple one to fulfill. There is so much happening in this city and so much talent bleeding out from behind basement and venue doors that writing about it didn’t only make sense, it was actually pretty easy.

There were months when we had up to 20 people contributing to this site at one time. We’ve been fortunate to bring on people such as Myles Herod, who breathed new light into Toronto Music Scene and helped us shape our narrative of the city. We are and will forever be grateful for this help and support from people who appreciate Toronto’s music scene as much as we do. And when the time is right, we’ll be sure to call on these fantastic writers and editors again.

But for now, we are taking a break from Toronto Music Scene. Both TJ Liebgott and Sheena Lyonnais have become so busy with other endeavours it’s been hard for us to maintain the caliber and wealth of content you’re used to. We’ll be popping our heads up again here and there, likely around music festival times or when something truly magical happens, but for the most part Toronto Music Scene is going on a temporary though indefinite hiatus for the time being.

Again, thank you for your support and thanks for reading TMS over the years. We’ll still see you around town at shows, you can count on that, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed as to any future developments with TMS. For now, however, promise us you’ll continue to support as much local music as much as you possibly can and we promise we’ll do the same. To keep up to date on what we’re up to, check out tjhollywood.com and sheenalyonnais.com.

Sincerely,

Sheena and TJ

Toronto Music Scene is stoked to announce we’ll be bringing you a “band of the day” everyday leading up to Indie Week in October. Starting next Monday (August 27) we’ll be posting our picks here and over at IndieWeek.com, complete with favourite tracks and where to catch them during the festival.

Early bird wristbands are available for half off until August 24. You can pick them up over here.

Bands announced so far:

If 50 million YouTube hits doesn’t land you a record deal, nothing will
February 9, 2012

To the surprise of no one, Burlington’s Walk Off The Earth have struck a major record deal, signing with Columbia Records. The band’s five-person, one-guitar cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” racked up over 50 million views in less than a month.

Continue reading “Walk Off The Earth Sign To Columbia Records”

January 23, 2012

Walk Off The Earth‘s viral cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” racked up over 35 million views in less than two weeks and debuted on the Billboard charts at #14, the highest debut since April 2011. There was some speculation that the five-piece band playing one guitar was a mere fabrication, but the Burlington outfit will lay all to rest when they perform on the Ellen DeGeneres today at 4pm ET.

Continue reading “Walk Off The Earth (and Sarah Blackwood) on Ellen TODAY!”

Get ready: The Horseshoe is about to get even louder!
December 16, 2011

New research conducted by University of Portsmouth psychologist Dr. Lorenzo Stafford shows that yes, loud music does indeed lead to higher alcohol consumption. Turns out loud music makes alcohol taste sweeter, AKA makes it easier to drink at a much faster rate. “Since humans have an innate preference for sweetness, these findings offer a plausible explanation as to why people consume more alcohol in noisy environments,” Dr. Stafford says.

Continue reading “Study finds loud music leads to more alcohol consumption, Toronto Music Scene then forgiven all sins”

November 11, 2011

That’s right….early bird wristbands for Canadian Music Fest are now SOLD OUT.  If you missed it…don’t worry.  You still have one more chance to save.  Another block of wristbands is now available at $45. This is your last chance to buy wristbands at a reduced price before wristbands go to full price. Buy your wristband now and gain your entry to Canada’s largest music festival – March 21-25, 2012 in Toronto.

Continue reading “CMW Early Bird tix sold-out, but new block + VIP wristbands released”

November 11, 2011

Universal Music has bought EMI for a reported $1.9 billion – or, according to CTV/Globe & Mail, a two-part $4.1 billion deal – meaning Universal will now account for a third of all music sales world-wide. The amalgamation represents one less major label on an incredibly shifting scope in the music industry and the decline of major labels.

Continue reading “Record Label Death: Universal buys EMI for $1.9 billion”

Rolling Stone cover contest winners The Sheepdogs continue to climb with a Gold record and multiple sold out shows
November 10, 2011

One of the biggest stories of the year in Canadian music continues with the announcement that THE SHEEPDOGS’ album, Learn & Burn, has officially attained Gold Record certification in Canada.

Continue reading “The Sheepdogs Learn & Burn certifies Gold”