In just a few hours, Canadian Music Week will kick off in Toronto, bringing with it an incredible array of artists from all over the globe (hundreds in fact), taking over dozens of venues around the city for nine nights. Australia is the lucky “Spotlight Country” this year, meaning there are more Australian artists on show than ever before, but the musicians worth checking out reach far beyond our own borders. Today on the AU, before we head North to cover the festival’s final four nights next week (and throw a party of our own), we’re bringing you ten artists who we think are must sees. Some names you may be familiar with, and others you’ll likely be meeting for the first time. In no particular order they are:
Sydney Delong (Toronto, Canada)
Genre(s): Alternative Indie Pop
Official Showcase: Tuesday, May 05 – The Dakota Tavern- 8:00PM
Fresh faced Toronto based artist Sydney Delong has already impressed with two EPs and she’s only just turned 19! The second EP, My Vow to You, came out last year and was a stunning release. It’s no doubt only the start to the lifespan of a very talented artist…
Illionaire Records (South Korea)
Genre(s): Hip Hop
Official Showcase: Friday, May 08 – Revival – 9:35PM
This hip hop outfit from South Korea are huge at home, and their mix of English and Korean in their verse is impressive to say the least. They’ll certainly be an interesting act to catch at the festival.
Programm (Toronto, Canada)
Genre (s): Psychedelic Rock
Official Showcase: Tuesday, May 05 – The Garrison – 10:30PM
The Toronto Women In Music showcase at the Garrison on Tuesday night will be a pretty sweet one, and we’re most excited to see homegrown psych group Programm take to the stage. We’ve been hearing nothing but great things. Maya Postepski of Austra and Princess Century will also be playing the showcase, who we love.
Twin Lakes (Newcastle, Australia)
Genre(s): Indie Pop
Official Showcase(s):
Thursday, May 07 – The Dakota Tavern – 2:00AM
Saturday, May 09 – Horseshoe Tavern – 3:10PM
Canada loved this band so much, they asked them back for their second consecutive CMW! Don’t miss them this time around.
East India Youth (London, UK)
Genre (s): Electronic, Pop
Official Showcase: Friday, May 08 – Drake Underground – 11:00PM
We all deserve to see what the fuss is all about. Have you heard that record? Damn it’s good. And as I missed him at SXSW, now will be my chance! That chance will be now.
Amos The Transparent (Ottawa, Canada)
Genre (s): Alternative, Folk, Rock
Official Showcase: Thursday, May 07 – Smiling Buddha – 10:00PM
I first met this band back at Canadian Music Week 2011 and have been following them ever since. I can’t wait to hear what they’ve got going on with their new music… though I’m stil digging tracks like the one below, which was released about a year ago and features in incomparable Amy Millan. Listen in (and give it a minute to kick in…):
K-OS (Vancouver, Canada)
Genre (s): Hip Hop
Official Showcase: Wednesday, May 06 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – 8:00PM
It’s been a while since we last heard from K-OS, at least here in Australia. So it will be great to see what the Canadian Hip Hop artist is up to at the moment, as he gears up to release his new LP Can’t Fly Without Gravity! The first track off the album is playing below. He always brings an incredible show no matter where he’s playing or who he’s playing with! in this case, he’ll be performing a benefit show for UNISON, where Finger Eleven, I Mother Earth, Kim Mitchell, Jason McCoy and The Trews will be among the other artists performing. Canadian royalty right there!
Tora (Byron Bay, Australia)
Genre(s): Chillwave, Electronic
Official Showcase(s):
Wednesday, May 06 – Burdock – 11:00PM
Thursday, May 07 – Supermarket 12:00AM
Friday, May 08 – Horseshoe Tavern – 1:35PM
Saturday, May 09 – The Great Hall – 9:00PM
The vibes of Tora are perfect for the Canadian audiences, and we think everyone should get a chance to enjoy what we’ve been digging for years at home. Looks like you’ll have quite a few chances to catch them too!
DEON (Singapore)
Genre(s): Indie Rock
Official Showcase: Thursday, May 07 – Cameron House – Back Room – 7:00PM
Another returning artist to the festival is Singapore indie rock artist DEON, who knows how to write a pretty damn solid track. He’s definitely worthy of our attention.
Elliot Maginot (Montreal, Canada)
Genre(s): Singer-Songwriter
Official Showcase: Wednesday, May 06 – Burdock – 10:15PM
We’re loving what we’re hearing from this Indica Records artist and can’t wait to check him out at the festival. Have a taste of his music for yourself in the meantime, below:
Zoe Keating (San Francisco, USA)
Genre(s): “A one woman orchestra”…
Official Showcase(s): Friday, May 08 -Church of the Holy Trinity – 8:30PM
We have to say we’re pretty intrigued by the description in her festival listing… “A one-woman orchestra. She uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello, to create lush, beautiful and otherworldly music. Increasingly considered a role model for DIY artists, Zoë’s self-released albums have sold over 35,000 copies and she has amassed an incredible 1.3 million twitter followers.” I wasn’t familiar with her, but turns out she’s been to Australia already, as the below video will show!
SKEGSS (Byron Bay, Australia)
Genre(s): Garage
Official Showcase(s):
Thursday, May 07 – Rancho Relaxo – 1:00AM
Friday, May 08 – Rivoli – 2:55PM
Friday, May 08 – The Hideout – 3:00AM
Saturday, May 09 – Cherry Cola’s Rock N’ Rolla Cabaret
Messy, dirty, sweaty garage rock has rarely sounded so good. They’ll get you moving, be warned…
The Death Set (Gold Coast via Brooklyn, NYC)
Genre(s): Punk Rock
Official Showcase(s):
Friday, May 08 – Velvet Underground – 1:00AM
Saturday, May 09 – Sneaky Dee’s – 1:00AM
Starting on the Gold Coast in Australia, The Death Set moved to Brooklyn and have grown from playing basements to festivals around the world. But their live ferocity is unchanged no matter where they play. Thankfully, the venues mentioned below should see the sweat dripping off the ceiling for you… And we think that will serve them rather nicely.
The Lazys (Sydney, Australia)
Genre(s): Rock
Official Showcase(s):
Thursday, May 07 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – 10:00PM
Friday, May 08 – Rivoli – 5:35PM
Saturday, May 09 – Horseshoe Tavern – 1:00AM
No-hold-barred rock and roll, and some of the best coming out of Australia right now. But honestly you just have to see them live to find out for yourselves…
Caitlin Harnett (Sydney, Australia)
Genre(s): Folk, Roots
Official Showcase(s):
Friday, May 08 – The Paddock – 8:00PM
Saturday, May 09 – Horseshoe Tavern – 4:40PM
We named her one of the emerging acts to watch in Sydney, and now she’s an easy pick on our list for must see artists at Canadian Music Week 2015! Check her our and witness one of Australia’s finest new talents.
All information was correct at the time of printing. For tickets, full lineup and up-to-date schedule information, head to http://www.cmw.net/
