Shattered Vinyl

Artists to Watch 2012: Honour Roll

2012-02-01T19:37:00.000-05:00

As part of our 2nd annual Artists to Watch list we've decided to add a new addition to the festivities, the Honour Roll. Not everyone can make the cut but we've taken some additional artists we considered for our list that deserve the honour of our Artist to Watch 2012: Honour Roll.

Jane's Party

Toronto's feel good pop act Jane's Party will be picking up where 2011 left off with more performances in support of their self-titled EP and hitting the studio creating more pop confections.
Unapologetic pop that's charming and contagious, if you're not a cheerleader of Jane's Party, you best get on board as the boys are planning on hitting Montreal & Halifax along with an American invasion, this is one pop band we love unconditionally.
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Artists To Watch 2012

2012-01-31T11:30:00.000-05:00

In 2011 Shattered Vinyl released it's inaugural list Artists to Watch list, and with it's success we decided to bring back Artists to Watch for 2012, and name another 10 artists worth your attention this year. All our acts have recently or are expected to drop new material over the course of 2012, and we think have what it takes to be big names by year's end.

10. Jagwar Ma

Indie-rock outfit Jagwar Ma are set to release their debut 7" Come Save Me. A modern-day twist on the Beach Boys, Jagwar Ma's sunny boyish vocals, looping drum beats, layered synthesizers take these simple pop tunes and warp them till they're just right, like on the band's track "What Love?." Lead single "Come Save Me" with it's retro 60s pop aesthetics that make for an enjoyable groove that's earned the band plenty of buzz and many watching what's next from the Aussies.
Droping their debut on February 27th, 2012 via Blue Rider, Jagwar Ma are sure to be a note worthy band especially in the early hours of 2012.

Come Save Me by Jagwar Ma

Sound Wave: Yuna

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yuna - Live Your Life

Video of the Week: Class Actress

2012-01-27T00:13:00.000-05:00

Class Actress - Bienvenue

Elizabeth Harper endears herself in the cinematic beauty of Class Actress' "Bienvenue" off the Brooklyn outfit's latest effort Rapprocher. Set in Paris Harper, atop Parisian rooftops twirls us into a heavenly friendly via "Bienvenue" and it's irresistible electro-pop and a handsome male suitor catching her gaze. Its romantic fantasy that fits with Class Actress' heavenly synth, a day dream perfect for Friday viewing.

Record Revue: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

Out of Frequency 4/5

Danish outfit The Asteroids Galaxy Tour drop their latest effort Out of Frequency, dosing the dancefloor in swanky horns, psychedelic funk swagger in a sunny pop shell.
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Sound Waves: Trust

2012-01-23T09:24:00.003-05:00

Trust - Sulk

Little City Kick Off 2012 With New Single

2012-01-18T10:09:00.001-05:00

Little City - Sperry/Capt. Kendall 7" Single Release

Record Revue: Polica

2012-01-18T09:44:00.000-05:00

Give You The Ghost 3.5/5

GAYNGS’ vocalist Channy Casselle and Producer Ryan Olson bring together their love of electronic adventurism with pop sensibilities and soulful vocals on their latest project Polica.

Single Selections: Jan. 13/2012

2012-01-13T16:01:00.000-05:00

Joan Osborne - Shake Your Hips 4/5 iTunes

90s one-hit wonder Joan Osborne proved to be more than meets the eye with her performance of hits such as "(Love is Like a) Heatwave" in the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Taking on another classic in Slim Harpo's 1966 classic "Shake Your Hips." Notably covered by the Rolling Stones on Exile on Main St., Osborne brings her own swagger, harmonica, husky vocals and all. Bet you can't resist this one.

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Video of the Week: Midi Matilda & Austra

2012-01-13T07:10:00.000-05:00

Midi Matilda - Day Dream

Setting the internet a blaze with the band's infectious single "Day Dream," the video treatment is equally enthralling, shot over 10 nights in San Francisco and Berkeley, California. With the images shot in studio and the projected onto thousands of city surfaces, there's never a dull moment, and makes for some fun viewing pleasure. Shattered Vinyl just can't get enough of these boys.

Not content with just one video this week (we should probably amend our post title), it's also worth noting one of Toronto's breakout bands of 2011, Austra and their music video for "Spellwork."

EP Beat: 1,2,3

2012-01-09T08:53:00.000-05:00

Dreamland Pt. 1 4/5

Pittsburgh's 1,2,3 follow-up their debut album New Heaven with the effortlessly cool, Dreamland Pt. 1 EP. Available for free download on Tumblr their latest offering may not be what you'd expect, still offering their unique brand of indie pop/rock, but with a more dreamy, soothing atmosphere.
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Sound Waves: DWNTWN

2012-01-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

DWNTWN - Big Jet Plane (Angus & Julia Cover)

L.A.'s DWNTWN are at it again, covering indie-poppers Angus & Julia's hit single "Big Jet Plane." The romantic song about falling in love is turned into a euphoric dance-pop tune of glowing synth and flourishing atmospheric beats. Jamie Leffler's hazy vocals add to the cinematic feel of the duo's cover, and its a perfect track for recalling a former romantic flame. Check out the band's video above or download the track for free at Arjanwrites.

Single Selections: Jan. 3/2011

2012-01-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

Teen Daze - Let's Groove A Silent Planet

Dancefloor junkies have a new reason to rejoice with Fraser Valley, BC-based Teen Daze offered up his New Years gift via Bandcamp the fist pumping, electro-disco jam "Let's Groove." Sampled vocals, processed horns and enough groove to bust a move to, it's one catchy ditty, and did we mention it's FREE!? Happy New Year!
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The Knocks Bring the Jams to Toronto

2012-01-02T22:08:00.000-05:00

Producers turned electro-hip-pop duo The Knocks, are hitting Toronto Saturday, January 7th at the Hoxton in support of their new EP Magic. The NYC-based duo are one of the hottest producers around, having remixed the likes of Rihanna, Foster the People and Katy Perry, and opening for Brit sensation Ellie Goulding during her 2011 North American tour.

Best of 2011... Best Songs

2011-12-30T00:29:00.000-05:00

The year's best songs included breakout singles about break-up sex from The Vaccines, Coldplay doing their best Rihanna impression, Lady Gaga's arena anthem to Nicki Minaj serving up some bass, and Austra losing it.

50. First Rate People - 'Someone Else Can Make A Work of Art'

First Rate People lived up to their name with a playful, breezy summer single that we had in constant rotation.
First Rate People - Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art by Meet You At The Show

49. Ambassadors - 'Unconsolable'

Industrial dums, shades of The Police and Hall & Oates it's a hidden pop gem.
Unconsolable by Ambassadors

48. Cat's Eyes - 'Over You'

The Horrors' frontman Faris Badwan teamed up with Vancouver's Rachel Zeffira for '60s girl groups fun.
Cat's Eyes - Over You by edin2sun

47. The Paint Movement - 'Fortune's Window'

Boy/Girl vocals, an unpredictable melody, plenty of horns and just enough chaos to make things interesting and one hell of a joyous listen.
The Paint Movement - Fortune's Window by Nevado

46. Bluebell - 'Normal Heights'

An alluring rhythmic, symphonic pop track from a rather mysterious pop outfit had us hooked.
Normal Heights by BLUEBELL

Best of 2011... Best EPs

2011-12-28T22:31:00.001-05:00

The EP is always a great way for up and coming artists to introduce themselves to audiences, or for established bands to tease fans with new/extra tunes and in the past year there was no shortage of EPs floating around, so Shattered Vinyl picked the best of the best in EPs for 2011 with the Best EPs of 2011:

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Video of the Week: The Weeknd

2011-11-25T02:47:00.000-05:00

The Weeknd - The Knowing (Official Video) from xoxxxoooxo on Vimeo.

The Weeknd - "The Knowing"

Toronto's The Weeknd is anything but conventional with his mixtape House of Balloons released earlier this year garnering widespread acclaim including the shortlist for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize, while remaining relatively elusive. In fitting fashion "The Knowing" is Abel Tesfaye's first official music video, a track that doesn't immediately scream music video yet still manages to captivate. Both bizarre and stunning there is no denying the oddly enthralling experience of Tesfaye's references to Ethiopia and futuristic vision, "The Knowing" is not your average video but then again The Weeknd has never been your average artist.

Record Revue: Rihanna

2011-11-21T14:12:00.001-05:00

Talk That Talk 3/5

Talk That Talk leaves the dark, hazy sounds of Loud and Rated R for dancefloors soaked in neon lights, and sexy, flirtatious R&B/pop tunes. After exercising her demons on Rated R and discovering her sexual ethos on Loud, Rihanna finds comfort in her own skin and a more carefree approach to her sound.
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Video of the Week: Data Romance

2011-11-18T10:15:00.000-05:00

Data Romance - She's Been High

Data Romance follow-up their ghostly video treatment of "The Deep", with "She's Been High" a simple, sleek black and white video featuring singer Amy Kirkpatrick as the focal point. The videos warmth comes from Amy's honest emotion, but arguably the music pulls focus from Amy with it's intense, addictive groove. Ready to embark on tour with Digitalism, Data Romance keep delivering new music that's worth our attention.

Video of the Week: Ra Ra Riot

2011-11-09T00:09:00.000-05:00

Ra Ra Riot - Shadowcasting

Ra Ra Riot's latest video for "Shadowcasting" besides being a solid track, is a colour video featuring what appears to be a distant relative of Cousin It if you replace the hair with bird feathers and what appears to be a lover in the form of a Peacock. A mix of what can only be described as Adams Family meets Alice In Wonderland, it's all a bit confusing but mainly just good fun.

Sound Wave: One Room

2011-11-07T20:28:00.001-05:00

One Room - I Want You

Record Revue: Florence and the Machine

2011-11-05T22:29:00.001-04:00

Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials 4/5

Ceremonials finds Florence Welch and company moving from the more refined, crisp sound on Lungs, to gospel rock built on a grand scale.
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Video of the Week: VV Brown

2011-11-04T00:40:00.000-04:00

V.V. Brown - Children feat. Chiddy Bang

VV Brown's lo-fi, sun kissed video for the catchy Children featuring Chiddy Bang, couldn't have come a better time, with Winter creeping up slowly it's a cheery, pop tune that reminds us warm summer nights. Who doesn't like a little freestyle dancing with children in the street, or random snake tattoos. It's fun, it's playful and that how SV likes it.

Sound Wave: Givers

2011-10-31T01:42:00.000-04:00

Givers - Saw You First

Little Red "Rock It"

2011-10-29T00:47:00.000-04:00

Little Red @ The Drake Underground

Aussie sensations Little Red hit Toronto Friday night as part of the band's inaugural North American tour, to a lively crowd at the Drake Underground, anxious to eat up the band's vintage pop.