michaelkim.ca - MK blog

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

Man, that looks like Stuart Little with big ears doesn’t it?

Every year the kids go wild for free chocolate (and for me, Lick’s burger coupons) at the Easter Parade in the Beach community of Toronto. Fun for the child in me and seeing a lot of happy faces.

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

Think of an izakaya, dim sum, lounge, bar all rolled into one. Trendy, but casual interior design, nice enough to bring a date, but also comfortable enough to treat your mom. Not totally asian and not the typical fusion fair, this Leslieville favorite caters mostly to the loyal neighborhood fanbase, but should slowly be recognized as a fave in Toronto. The meal started with a yummy complimentary mango martini. We ordered a plate of roasted pork ribs with baked cherry sauce and a side of yam/root veggies and also a $20 prix fixe consisting of freshly made dumplings, a curry based noodle main and a to-die-for signature dessert called the Kubo Flakey. Great meals with good prices.

Kubo Radio
894 Queen St. East, Toronto ON
416.406.5826

This is my 3rd week at Tucows and I’ve been, apart from trying to absorb every last piece of new info into a somewhat dysfunctional brain, so far it is turning out to be a kickass company with really smart, friendly people. So far I’ve had 2 weeks of pure training, 2 presentations where everyone from the receptionist to the the VP’s get to go and the monthly speech by the CEO. There is a sense of community here and I feel at home already.

I was introduced to the Internet back in 1995, back when I was slimmer and when I still had a glimmer of innocence left. Ah the good old days!… snapping out of dream… Of course back then, I would use Tucows as the defacto shareware site. At the time, Tucows stood for The Ultimate Collection of Winsock Software. Our roots are still showing on the tucows.com website where shareware is still found, but we’re now more of a domain name wholeseller and a web services company.

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!

michaelkim.ca - MK blog is now available on blogTO, Local Blogs section. I invite you to check them out as they have smart posts with useful info about everything Toronto. Thanks Tom for the add.

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