Q. What’s been inspiring you lately? A. Well I have to say that we are consistently inspired by the real people who remain committed to making, playing and sharing authentic music – not factory, comped together crap, but the real deal, done with heart. In Toronto we are so lucky that you can still turn on CIUT FM89.5, the community radio and hear live DJ’s who are curating the most incredible variety of music. Shows like High Noon, Ruby Slippers, Dementia 13 and Dreaming in Stereo bring rare, wonderful sounds ranging from lost deep retro psych to up and coming indie acts that blow your mind. The great thing is these DJ’s plug into and promote the live music scene in the city. And there again, we are so lucky in Toronto. If I need inspiration, I get my ass off the couch and walk out the door. Just the other night I stumbled into the venerable Groassman’s Tavern on Spadina Avenue and I caught two sets by the Action Sound Band with Eric Shankman on guitar and Glen Milchem on drums – the most lethal blues and rock n roll I have heard in eons. Thes musicians are masters of their instruments, and they are milking the best, most expressive tone imaginable. Pure feeling, pure energy! When I hear players like that I go right home and start playing my guitar, trying to re-imagine what they were doing. I generally fail at this, but I often end up writing a new song from it all. There is something about the way music hits you in a live setting. It gets in your head, sticks to your viscera and become part of you!
New interview with Original Pairs
New interview with Original Pairs
New interview with Original Pairs
Q. What’s been inspiring you lately? A. Well I have to say that we are consistently inspired by the real people who remain committed to making, playing and sharing authentic music – not factory, comped together crap, but the real deal, done with heart. In Toronto we are so lucky that you can still turn on CIUT FM89.5, the community radio and hear live DJ’s who are curating the most incredible variety of music. Shows like High Noon, Ruby Slippers, Dementia 13 and Dreaming in Stereo bring rare, wonderful sounds ranging from lost deep retro psych to up and coming indie acts that blow your mind. The great thing is these DJ’s plug into and promote the live music scene in the city. And there again, we are so lucky in Toronto. If I need inspiration, I get my ass off the couch and walk out the door. Just the other night I stumbled into the venerable Groassman’s Tavern on Spadina Avenue and I caught two sets by the Action Sound Band with Eric Shankman on guitar and Glen Milchem on drums – the most lethal blues and rock n roll I have heard in eons. Thes musicians are masters of their instruments, and they are milking the best, most expressive tone imaginable. Pure feeling, pure energy! When I hear players like that I go right home and start playing my guitar, trying to re-imagine what they were doing. I generally fail at this, but I often end up writing a new song from it all. There is something about the way music hits you in a live setting. It gets in your head, sticks to your viscera and become part of you!