It’s time for another great sample platter of Southern Ontario’s best original artists. Jess gets deep into why cultural appropriation is a silly accusation and Dylan explains why ‘Adult Contemporary” is not a four letter word. We hear tracks from Todd Donald, Poshley Slums, Julian Troiano, Julian Taylor and Claire Coupland. If you get in no other loop this year, get in this one!!!
Category Archives: Review
Episode 24: Red Arms
A couple of cheeky Communist-themed fellas from London who like to make loud music. It’s punk, it’s rock, but above these it’s poetry. We trace Red Arms’ tunes from the EP Welcome to the New Cold War and into their latest release, Let Every Nation Know. Jess recites some of her favourite lyrics ever on the show, and Dylan praises the ‘take no prisoners’ prose of anti-record exec anthem No Inspiration.
Episode 23: Yanis
Folk, blue-eyed soul, call it what you will. Yanis’EP Queen Kari is a distinctly emotive and personal record, full of powerful imagery and the heartaches of youth, familial dysfunction, loss, and love. Warm, wispy vocals, inventive steel guitar and highly evocative lyrics make this a new favourite for AFL. Jess asks Yanis on air to join the bill for the anniversary show, and Dylan reads an email from the man himself personally thanking him for purchasing the record. This is what it’s all about people. Get in the loop!
Episode 22: Cowboys in Cardigans
In AFL’s first live album review, we get into some seriously raucous, explicitly sexy tunes with Windsor’s grungey, punky, psychedelic rock foursome Cowboys In Cardigans Mammoth. There’s something for everyone on here, but especially if you dig a little kink in your life and like a growly-yet-clean vocal and a lot of bendy bass. It’s sweaty and chaotic in the best way. Are we still talking about music? Get in the loop!
Episode 21: Remember The Fire
Pop-punk from Ottawa is on the docket today, with a 5-track release from Remember The Fire: What Was Never Said. It’s restrained but energized angst with plenty of voices to sing with. Dylan extols the virtue of embracing bias, and Jess compares the closing track Fractures to A Day in the Life. Get in the loop! And don’t forget to mark your calendars June 30th for the first ever live concert featuring AFL all-stars!
Episode 20: The Consumer Goods and In The City (w/ JW Blakeley and Phill Hood)!
Whew! It’s a big one folks. But Jess promises it’s worth it. JW takes us behind the curtain on Tyler Shipley’s political indie pop outfit and its rotation of musicians, and sheds light on the upcoming gossamer-pop In the City tunes yet to be released (yay sneak peek!). Phill Hood, JW’s longtime bandmate and front man for Phill Hood and the !! stuck around to make JW blush by comparing his melodic bass style to Paul McCartney. If you want giggles, anecdotes, and two very different records to get into, this is the one. Get in the loop! SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE END!!!!
Episode 19: Jeremy De Freitas
Jess and Dylan tuck into some alt-pop-rock from singer-songwriter Jeremy De Freitas. His debut album Crossed Off is many things. This mostly acoustic, dual-guitar driven record is highly polished, replete with belting strong vocals, and flavours of Incubus, Theory of a Deadman, and John Mayer. Lots going on, and certainly an achievement for the bucket list. Are you still reading this? Get in the loop!
Episode 18: Rye & Fairytales
Another first for AFL, we dig into a bluegrass duo originally from Calgary and now based in the GTA. Described by fans as “Mumford & Sons but with chops,” the pair features versatile, gorgeous string work and classic bittersweet love songs. Forget everything you thought you knew about a wicked guitar solo, and check out the electric mandolin at work here on their self-titled full length record, and keep an ear out for more from these boys soon!
Episode 17: Airliner Blues Band
Dylan and Jess go blues and funk with Ottawa outfit Airliner Blues Band. If you dig a good old fashioned tale of love gone wrong and some solid ivories-tickling, get in the loop! Check out their full-length album Fired Up and the 4-track EP we discussed on today’s episode!
Episode 16: Singles Showcase
In this episode of A Feedback Loop, Jesse and Dylan take a look at six tunes by six artists, just to give you a taste of what’s to come from their next, and in some cases, first, full releases.
Doo Wop Days – Joy Thompson
Adrift – West End Riot
The Real Thing – Time Giant
Momma (Told You To Roll On) – 1990Future
Fall Down – Parasona
Gotta Have You – Ol’ CD
And all of it worth listening to! Enjoy.