NOW PLAYING RADIO

“We have all these underlying issues: we all went to high school together…” Feb. 22nd show rundown with Poor Young Things

nowplayingchuo — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:09:56 +0000

We had a great time chatting with Matt, Mike and Dave from Toronto alt-rock group Poor Young Things (originally from Thunder Bay, ON) late last week about their current tour, their brand-spanking-new EP, and, well, the trials and tribulations of high school. They also selected some sweet tracks to spin, including The Trews (with whom they’ll be touring soon), The Arkells, and Teenage Kicks. Check out the entire show’s playlist and the interview below:

Poor Young Things – Blame It On The Good Times
The Trews – Every Inambition
Yukon Blonde – Stairway
Bahamas – I Got You Babe
Teenage Kicks – Middle of the Night
Silkken Laumann – On The Mend
Dan Griffin – Age of Empires
Arkells – Agent Zero
Samantha Savage Smith – The Fight
The Darcys – Josie
Poor Young Things – The Low Road

Chat with Matt, Mike and Dave from Poor Young Things (right-click to save, stream below)

Best of all, they’re playing in Toronto TONIGHT at the Horseshoe Tavern, and they’ll be hitting up Zaphod’s in Ottawa tomorrow (Friday the 24th) — be sure to head out and get your weekly dose of rock.

SONG OF THE WEEK: The Elwins, “Are You Flying With A Different Bird?”

nowplayingchuo — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:24:34 +0000

Keswick, Ontario’s The Elwins release their highly anticipated debut LP And I Thank You today — and we here at Now Playing Radio couldn’t be more excited. This sunshine-soaked collection of 10 rollicking and retro-feelin’ tracks is the perfect cure for the February doldrums, and if the “sha-sha-la-la-la” opening to song of the week “Are You Flying With A Different Bird?” doesn’t snap you into a good mood immediately, you need to go eat a toaster strudel and have yourself a better morning. In fact, with this release, The Elwins are just like the toasted treat: packed with just the right amount of sugary goodness, drizzled in awesome and part of a complete breakfast.

The Elwins – Are You Flying With A Different Bird?

Listen if you like: this recent wave of throwback indie pop, Hooded Fang’s Album, sneaking Skittles for lunch (especially the red and yellow ones).

And for any Torontonians, or others planning on being in the Big Smoke this weekend, The Elwins are celebrating the release this Friday with The Meligrove Band, The Bicycles, and a DJ set with Tokyo Police Club after the show. In short: it’s going to be quite the party. Details here — but we’ll be sure to keep you posted on more upcoming show dates as they’re announced!

“This is therapy, right?” Feb. 15th show rundown with Spencer MacEachern and the Fabulous Yawn

nowplayingchuo — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:48:24 +0000

We caught up with Spencer MacEachern of The Fabulous Yawn earlier this week to talk about — well, a whole slew of things. Finding inspiration on the street. Playing in a band with a bunch of your talented friends. The fact that, while there’ll always be Topanga (also the name of the band he’ll help open for next Friday), apparently Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt once upped the ante on ’90s primetime television. But perhaps most importantly, plenty of good music was spun:

The Fabulous Yawn – Compliments

Born Ruffians – Retard Canard II

The Elwins – Stuck in the Middle

Graham Wright – Heavens Just for Moviemakers

The Darcys – Shaking Down the Old Bones

The Meligrove Band – Racing to Shimmering Lights

Said the Whale – We Are 1980

The Fabulous Yawn – Summer Got Me Dirty

Check out the interview (and some Fabulous Yawn tracks) here:

(Right click to download)

And don’t forget to check ‘em out next Friday night at Sneaky Dee’s for the Topanga 7″ release party!

SONG OF THE WEEK: Silkken Laumann, “On The Mend”

nowplayingchuo — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:50:11 +0000

I know what you’re thinking — but no, it’s not the Olympic medalist we’re talking about here. Rather, Silkken Laumann is the electro-pop alter-ego outfit of Rolf Klausener and Pat Johnson of The Acorn and Adam Saikaley (of CBC Radio and independent endeavours). They released this single just yesterday, with a music video to boot, and the song can be all yours for a minimum donation of a dollar — the trio is donating proceeds to Ottawa’s Royal Mental Health Centre. So not only will the track make you feel good as you’re strolling down sleet-y February streets, but you’ll feel great knowing you’re supporting something important in the national capital community.

Silkken Laumann – On The Mend

Listen if you: enjoy any other electro-dance sounds coming out of Ottawa right now, a la Fevers and The Glass Chain; want some smooth synth beats you can digest during the day; have always wanted to dance to Rolf Klausener’s vocals but normally preferred listening to The Acorn while sitting down.

And hey, Ottawa: lucky for you, you can catch these guys at Ritual next Wednesday as they open for YACHT. Hit up Show Listings for more details.

“I find milk very suspicious.” Feb. 8th show rundown with Will Currie & the Country French

nowplayingchuo — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:52:06 +0000

We met up with Will, Amanda and Stephen of Will Currie and the Country French this week to chat cupcakes, Kitchener-Waterloo and their current tour. Oh, and hot tubs and waffles. In fact, the second part of the show is probably one of the best interview segments we’ve ever had the chance to do. Check out both parts of the show below and if you’re in Ottawa tonight, be sure to head to their show at Zaphod’s — and wish Will a happy birthday!

Part 1 of the show:

Part 2 of the show:

What we spun on the show (some hand-picked by them):

Will Currie and the Country French – The Whale
Aidan Knight – Jasper
Bobby Bazini – I Wonder
Julie Fader – Goodbye Before Hello
Dan Griffin – Emily
Brett Dennen – Sydney (I’ll Come Running) [WEEKLY IMPORT]
Will Currie and the Country French – John Denver Haircut
The Barr Brothers – Beggar in the Morning

We’ll be uploading our show from a couple of weeks ago with Ottawa’s Fevers soon, too — and keep your eyes peeled to our show listings page, which will be updated this weekend!

SONG OF THE WEEK: Matt Paxton, “Shore Pine Walk”

nowplayingchuo — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:26:23 +0000

We’re a little late on our pick this week, but better late than never, right? Hamilton singer-songwriter Matt Paxton (who’s over at Other Songs Music Co., home of another recent favourite of ours, Scott Orr — who also produced this song) released the single “Shore Pine Walk” just a few weeks ago — and I’ve already completely fallen in love with it. Best enjoyed on the iPod while walking by the water’s edge. If there are no appropriate shores in sight, it makes for a mighty fine late February night soundtrack. Oh, and guess what? It’s available for a free download.

Matt Paxton – Shore Pine Walk

Listen if you like: The Acorn’s Tin Fist EP; Graham Wright’s Lakes of Alberta EP; well-produced acoustic tracks that keep up a good beat; going for long, introspective walks on your own.

Stay tuned for our podcasted shows from the last few weeks, featuring Waterloo’s Will Currie and the Country French and Ottawa’s Fevers!

SONG OF THE WEEK: Crissi Cochrane, “I Won’t Try To Break Your Heart”

nowplayingchuo — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:18:52 +0000

This may be the one song that has melted my cold, late-January heart as Valentine’s Day creeps closer. Currently based in Windsor, Crissi Cochrane has been enjoying some airplay on CBC Radio 3 as of late — precisely where I first caught wind of this lovely song. Best enjoyed with a bowl of Lucky Charms on a sunny weekday morning. It’ll ensure you have a good day.

Crissi Cochrane – I Won’t Try To Break Your Heart

Listen if you like: Hannah Georgas, Jenn Grant circa Honeymoon Punch, those candy hearts with the messages on them.

SONG OF THE WEEK: John K. Samson, “When I Write My Master’s Thesis”

nowplayingchuo — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:55:34 +0000

We’re back! Back with a vengeance and a better understanding of time management. Yes, we’ll be doing songs of the week instead of songs of the day… just seems a bit more feasible, doesn’t it? In other “not biting off more than we can chew” news, we’re not going to attempt to keep Toronto show listings updated (there are just so many, all the time!) but rather re-direct you to some fantastic listings and venues sites. Head on over here to check it out.

Also, we’ll be back in radio action this week with our “highly anticipated” end-of-2011-review review show — yes, you read that correctly — where we’ll share some of the highlights from our four-hour mega show from Dec. 28. That’ll cap off our sleepy January as we gear up for an incredible next few months (several guests already in the works for February shows, and dare I start talking about CMW already?).

But for right here, right now: a slightly more well-known artist for today’s track of the day. The Weakerthans frontman John K. Samson releases his solo album “Provincial” today and if you’re currently in Toronto, I’d strongly suggest heading over to Soundscapes tonight for an intimate in-store performance at 7pm. If you’re reading this from the nation’s capital, however, fear not — Samson will be touring in March, visiting Ottawa on the 8th for a show at Mavericks and returning to Toronto for a show at the Great Hall during CMW.

John K. Samson – When I Write My Master’s Thesis

Be sure to tune in to the show tomorrow at 1pm EST on CHUO.fm or CHUO 89.1FM in Ottawa!

SONG OF THE DAY: Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, “Hoshi Neko”

nowplayingchuo — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:07:57 +0000

Montreal/Toronto “noh-wave” duo Yamantaka // Sonic Titan only released their debut LP YM//ST a couple of months ago and are already gaining significant buzz. (Yes, you’ve probably heard this track on CBCR3 before.) Self-described as “Asian Diasporic psychedelic noh-wave opera group fusing noise, metal, pop and folk music into a multidisciplinary hyper-orientalist cesspool of ‘eastern’ culture in giant monochrome paper sets” … well, there isn’t much more to say.

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – Hoshi Neko

Listen if you like: the thought of rocking out to tight, Chinese-opera-infused prog-pop.

Added bonus: they’re playing in Toronto at the Garrison on the 28th, and may be making the rounds to Ottawa in the near future. Stay tuned!

New feature on Now Playing! SONG OF THE DAY – Little City, “Sperry”

nowplayingchuo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:19:52 +0000

To shake off our post-holiday blues, we’re starting up a new feature we hope will bring some audial awesomeness into your day — every day. You won’t have to wait until every Wednesday to hear sweet new spins as our new SONG OF THE DAY daily post will deliver fresh new Canadian music right to your virtual doorstep.

We’re kicking off the second day of 2012 with a new track from Toronto’s Little City (you may have heard them on the show previously) who will be releasing a new 7″ on January 24th. “Sperry” is the A-side of the record, which you can stream via the link to their website below (though they’ve also set it up so you can download it on their Facebook page).

Little City – Sperry

Listen if you like: Ohbijou, swelling violins, powerful female vocals, majestic images of ships.

And hey: if you happen to be in Toronto on January 21st, they’re having a release party with Rival Boys and fellow pals of the show The Elwins!

Also: many thanks to all of you who tuned in for our four-hour mega-show last Wednesday. We’ll be replaying some highlights this week and next, and will also absolutely be podcasting/posting some of said highlights right here very soon. Show playlist also to come (and if you won something, don’t worry — we haven’t forgotten and will be in touch soon!).