Welcome to The Crossroad, a new music blog right here on MitchMelnick.com. I’m Dan Spector and I’ll be bringing you new music releases, concert previews and reviews, band interviews and all kinds of other music content right here on Mitch’s website. Hope you enjoy!
FRESH MUSIC:
FATHER JOHN MISTY – PURE COMEDY:
If you don’t know Father John Misty, allow me to introduce you to one of the most interesting artists on the scene today. The DC native’s brand of emotive, heart-on-his-sleeve rock is captivating, sincere and often infused with a high dose of cynicism. His 2015 album I Love You, Honeybear cemented his position as a cult favourite bordering on big-time mainstream recognition, and his upcoming album might just catapult him into another stratosphere.
Pure Comedy, Joshua Tillman’s 3rd under the Father John Misty moniker is set to be released in April, and this week he dropped the title track. It had been a while since a song gave me chills. It’s clear Mr. Tillman has been thinking a lot about some of the recent developments in our world, and is inviting us with open arms into his existential crisis.
“Their idea of being free is a prison of beliefs that they never ever have to leave.”
ARCADE FIRE ft. MAVIS STAPLES – I GIVE YOU POWER
The Montreal indie gods have returned with a new single called “I Give You Power” featuring Mavis Staples. It’s another one that makes a political statement, and all proceeds from the song go to the ACLU. I’m not a big fan of the new song to be honest. It’s a bit more electronic than I’d like to hear from them, but you be your own judge! There’s no firm date for the full-length follow-up to 2013’s Reflektor but apparently a new album is recorded and will be released at some point this year. Arcade Fire have already confirmed some 2017 tour dates in Europe, but nothing in our neighbourhood yet.
SHOWS:
Hamilton rockers Arkells bring their Morning Report tour to Metropolis (or is it M Telus now?) on Saturday, Feb 11th. They always bring a ton of passion and energy to their shows, and it’ll be a joy to see them take over one of the city’s best venues.
Tickets to Arkells, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Saturday Feb 11th at Metropolis.
Quebec City’s Festival d’été de Québec is one of the most worthwhile reasons to take the 3-hour trip east, and organizers just announced British rockers Muse will take over the Plains of Abraham on July 16th. Muse are known for their fiery and energetic live shows, so unleashing them on the Plains just might be the can’t-miss event of the summer. The rest of the lineup comes out March 8th, and with Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and many others gracing the Plains in recent years, I’ll be anxiously awaiting to hear who else they’ve managed to wrangle this year.
