michaelkim.ca - MK blog

I’m not usually the one to pick this kind of stuff up, but this guy is a Piano Genius! I almost cried. But seriously, good stuff!

Elijah Bossenbroek was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started playing the piano at age six, but wasn’t a typical piano player. He often hated the dull repetition behind learning notes and playing to metronomes. Frustrated, Elijah began writing his own piano compositions at age fourteen. At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he spent the better part of 5 years traveling to places such as Mississippi, Japan, California, and Kuwait.

Upon his return from the deserts of Kuwait, Elijah purchased a home recording studio and began working on his first album, “Harmony In Disarray,”. In 2007 after gaining a lot of popularity and momentum in the music industry, he was noticed by an A&R at “A Matter of Substance Records” which singed him to a record deal and produced his anticipated second album “Carpe Lumen”.

Justice, another French duo dropping some hard hitting funky sets. What is it with the French? They’re releasing some of the best stuff I’ve heard in a while. I call it Dance France.

As for this video, they you might have heard this one before as a MSTRKRFT remix but here’s the video. Worth seeing for tshirt lovers everywhere. Trippy stuff.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E

All you favorites on one Set.

This video brings back childhood memories. As a kid, I would spend hours playing through books, just like these. Glasgow, Scotland’s Shitdisco tears it up on “OK”, quite literally!

I’ll be the first one to admit, that !!!’s frontman is a freakin goofball, but the way this guy moves is pure genius. Their music just makes you wanna move those feet and shake that ass! Here from New York, see them live in Toronto May 19th, 2007.

www.myspace.com/chkchkchk

Norway has been pumping out many great artists, to the likes of Kings of Convenience, Röyksopp, Annie. Now Datarock seems to be in the spotlight. The duo from Norway, will be playing Toronto with Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS), June 4th, 2007. Not only is their music super danceable, but these guys are pure jokes! Just plain silliness! Good laughs for geeks like me. Just watch the videos.

Datarock - “Computer Camp Love”

Datarock - “FaFaFa”

The burbs around Toronto, are producing a steady supply of great bands, to the likes of Mississauga’s Meligrove Band, St. Catharine’s Alexisonfire and now Newmarket’s Tokyo Police Club. This show was sold out the first week on sale. Big ups to Alejandro who got me the ticket as he had to leave for Europe this week. Man Ale, sorry but you missed a hell of a good show. These guys were young, vibrant, still full of energy, this being their last stop on their tour. Quite the contrast from what now feels like the geriatric Junior Boys. TPC killed it and you left craving for more. Too bad they only have like seven songs on their debut album as they played all seven at the concert. With these guys signed to the hot Paper Bag Records, they should go a long way. You can catch them again at the Virgin Festival in September.

‘Nature Of The Experiment’ - Tokyo Police Club

The boys from Hamilton played at the Mod Club, Toronto, marking the release of their new Remix EP. Entering the building, it was great to see a sign announcing no more tickets, as they sold out last minute. Right from the start, you kinda could tell they seemed rather tired from endlessly touring Europe and North America. Nonetheless, lead singer Jeremy Greenspan seemed to demonstrate a need to appease the crowd by throwing in a mix of the old and the new and some of the more danceable stuff. Matt Didemus stuck by his synth rather focused and other times, starry-eyed routine. Despite their performance, their music is always enjoyable taking bits from old school house and techno and throwing in Greenspan’s heartbroken lyrics. As for their new Remix EP, apparently UK’s Hot Chip does a cover of “In The Morning”. Gotta check that out.

Air, another French duo doing their their thing with a more chilled out vibe taking inspiration from Japan. Think about the music in Lost in Translation. In Toronto on Saturday, May 5, 2007.

Air Official Site |
Air Myspace
Astralwerks Records |
Buy At Amazon.com

Last time around was back in 1999, at a Syrous rave, also at the International Centre, Toronto. Good memories.

As a triber put it: “Total french house to overload my senses all night? Robots? Pyramid? Dirty Beats? why not”

One question I have is how the fuck do they see anything in those things? Do they just put in a tape and do the robot dance?

If you love organic coffee with a kick, good music and a casual vibe, check this place out. The bar is decked out in dark stained plywood with a white marble countertop. The back of the shop is covered with a black and yellow map grid of downtown Toronto. The lighting above the tables are home made and are really a smart idea to get some shades on a budget… single kitchen sink flipped upside down with a bulb sticking outta the drain. The menu is eclectic to say the least, and very unique. We sip on spicy white pepper espresso using fair trade beans and a hot apple as we listen to Cansei de Ser Sexy, Controller.Controller, and the latest Bloc Party.

“Nothing says COFFEE like crazy goats and rock ‘n roll” -Mercury Espresso Bar

Mercury Organic Espresso Bar
915 Queen Street East
647.435.4779

blog: mercuryorganic.blogspot.com
myspace: myspace.com/mercuryespressobar

The packed crowd at Lee’s Palace went totally bananas for Shout Out Out Out Out’s totally danceable high adrenaline set at on March 3, 2007. The band seemed genuinely surprised by the packed venue and the endless supply of screaming concert kids. They rewarded the crowd by putting on a show like no other with energy and high kicks to boot. Completely addictive!

I’m so hyped! It is not only because SHOUT OUT OUT OUT (SO4) will be coming to town, but I’ve been waiting to see 120 Days from Norway ever since they hit North America by storm, after signing with Vice Records. If you’re in the mood to dance, and “barf everywhere fuckin’ party man!” check out this show at Lee’s Palace, Toronto, March 3, 2007

SHOUT OUT OUT OUT @ 12:00, myspace.com/shoutoutoutoutout
120 Days @ 11:00 myspace.com/120days
2 Koreas @ 10:00 myspace.com/thetwokoreas

A short preview of what’s in store…

Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, November 10th, 2006

Young Love’s newest single “Discotech”.
myspace.com/younglove

Promo

Live in NYC

Erase Errata are a band from San Francisco, California. Their music draws inspiration from experimentalists such as Captain Beefheart, The Fall, and disco-influenced post-punk. Since forming in 1999, the band has released several albums as well as a number split singles with various other bands including Black Dice, The Need, Numbers and Sonic Youth. 4

The band consists of Bianca Sparta (drums), Ellie Erickson (bass), and Jenny Hoyston (guitar, trumpet, vocals). Sara Jaffe left the band prior to the recording of current album ‘Nightlife’.

Erase Errata - “Tax Dollar” (MP3)