Posts Tagged ‘Across the Pond’

Hot, hazy and humid: three of the worst words in my personal vocabulary.  Yet despite the crap factor that was today's weather (only two-ish months until fall!), I figured playing some of MIA's new album and some of my old favourites were in order.  (Because nothing cures the cloudy day blahs like Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Depeche Mode.  Nothing.  . . . Except maybe candy.) (more...)

After a two week blogging hiatus, I'm back, bold and ready to dazzle with my intense writing skillz (and yes, the "z" is intentional).  If you tuned in this week, you were lucky enough to catch my second ever Artists I Like installment (previously known as "Artist Spotlight", but really, when would I ever use that term?), and because I feature, well, Artists I Like, I played you the sweet sounds of Summer Camp - the fabulous duo that hail from London, England. (more...)

Well, pals, I'm happy to report that after two days of incessant Tweeting, Facebook inviting and posting like it's going out of style (let's talk about how productive 48 hours can really be), Across the Pond's premiere Artist Spotlight was a total success.  We had listeners everywhere from Seattle to London (England - not just Ontario), and everyone survived in the process (from what I can tell).

If you're sitting there thinking "oh my - what on God's green earth is she talking about?" (because you're also a teenager circa 1956, apparently), that's completely alright.  I'm going to explain, you're going to understand and then next time, you'll tune in and be fully knowledgeable.

This week marked the very first Artist Spotlight that Across the Pond will (hopefully) have on a regular basis, and because they were so kind/pro-active, I chose to feature London's The Gin Riots.

If you're a little unfamiliar, they're a four-piece from England's capital that combine new wave, indie rock, punk and folk to make for interesting and energetic music that's actually getting a lot of sweet buzz.  And next week, they'll be bringing their talented selves to Toronto for the annual NXNE Music Festival after a successful run at this year's SXSW.  In fact, these are the dates that they'll be playing:

Saturday June 19 - Joao Carvalho Mastering BBQ between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Saturday June 19  - El Macombo at 1 a.m.

However, their Myspace also lists shows on the 16th through to the 20th, so if the 19th is jam-packed, there's still hope of catching them live if you can keep on top of who/what/when/where.

Also, the band is releasing a brand new digital EP, Sin + Sinew this July, and have been gracious enough to post two of their upcoming tracks on Soundcloud for your listening pleasure.  Behold:

Million Promises

In the Bedroom

And on top of that, there's also a video for their latest single, The Polka, which you can check out here.

So that's that on that.   Make sure you head to their Twitter and Facebook Page in order to stay up to date on all of their news, and keep checking in to Across the Pond because let's face it - I'm going to try and do Artist Spotlights as often as I possibly can.  (So if you know of a great UK band that deserves some recognition, drop me a line and perhaps magic can happen.)

Until Tuesday, enjoy your week, listen to sweet music, and we'll speak again soon!

xx

- A.

Before I say anything Across the Pond related, can we please talk about how kick ass the site looks and how hard Morgan (the genius responsible for all of this) rocks?  Seriously - it's gotten super professional up in here, and I'm now as proud as a mother watching her valedictorian teenager deliver a speech.  (Because frankly, that is pride.)

Man.  So peruse the site, check it out and revel in the wonder that is now Radio Laurier - I know I will (and have been).

So needless to say, it's been an eventful week.  I co-hosted the Morning Show with the lovely Judith Ellen Brunton on Tuesday and Wednesday, and of course, rocked out via the radio waves solo on Tuesday from noon to 2pm.  As promised, I won't be delivering the playlist every week, but I will be updating you very the blogosphere in order to keep you all enamored and interested.  (Is it working?) (more...)

Two weeks in, and we're still going strong.  "How strong?" you ask?  (Are you asking?  Well, I'm answering regardless.) So strong (in fact), I was joined by my fabulous friend and colleague, Melissa Kim, who provided Across the Pond with an amazing playlist and witty banter on a rather cold and dreary Tuesday afternoon.  (Anyone outdoors in Southern Ontario will share these sentiments and likely support my decision to go home, curl up, drink tea and watch Twister in an attempt to combat the "blah" factor of mid-May weather woe.)

If you tuned in, you were treated to some serious musical trivia courtesy of fellow Dirtbag Journalism writer Miss Kim, as well as conversation, discussion (one in the same, but I'm at a loss for words) and hilarious anecdotes regarding both British music and our interest in it.  (It may not sound interesting, but it was - oh yes, it was.) (more...)

So it happened - the first official show of Across the Pond aired, and as far as I know, no technical difficulties or disasters occurred. Music played, banter ensued and I learned how to use proper radio technology.  The sun was even out, coffee and muffins were had (that means I'm a real grown up, right?) and people tuned in to listen (or so I've been told).  Can I get a "hell yes"?

Now, without further adieu - because I have another blog for reflections and things of the sort - let's talk playlist, music and all things professional. (more...)