It can be hard to decide who to check out at NXNE, especially this year with so many top notch international acts coming to town. However, one easy decision you can make is to support some local talent putting out some good tunes.
Toronto’s never had a shortage of bands vying for your attention, and this year is no different with something for everyone.
Phèdre
One of the biggest buzz bands of the fest is Phèdre, a duo who defy comparison and convention. Part of the stellar Toronto collective Daps Records Phèdre make dark murky songs that are not afraid to expirement. Whether it be with dog barks or unorthodox melodies, Phèdre doesn’t seem like a band that should inspire dance parties, but they do.
Phèdre will be performing as part of the Daps Records showcase happening at Sneaky Dee’s on Friday, June 15th at midnight.
Hooded Fang
Also on Daps Records is Hooded Fang, a young seven-piece band who strip bare much of the ‘weird’ of label-mates Phèdre and replace it with catchy hooks and more varied instrumentation including horns, keys and more. A band that is constantly changing, Hooded Fang can at times remind you of Beat Happening, at others Jens Lekman and others still Architecture in Helsinki all the while remaining awesome.
Hooded Fang will perform at The Horseshoe Tavern on Thursday, June 14 @ 10PM and Silver Dollar Room Friday, June 15 @ 10PM
Hooded Fang – ESP by HoodedFang
Broken Bricks
Fans of straight forward guitar laden indie-pop bands with tasty hooks like Sloan, Beulah and Apples in Stereo will be delighted with what Broken Bricks are doing. Recent single ‘It Won’t Get You High’ is awash in keys and fuzzed out guitars and reminds us of some of the best moments of the afforementioned bands.
Broken Bricks will be performing at Rancho Relaxo on Saturday June 16th @ 9PM.
It Won’t Get You High by Broken Bricks
Fast Romantics
Taking a slightly more modern approach to the whole indie-pop thing are Fast Romantics. A pounding drum line and harmonies aplenty propel the song forward to an abrupt stop, but not at the song’s end, but rather at its middle before a screed is clearly spoken by lead singer Matthew Angus. The track, which reminds us slightly of Wolf Parade is included on NXNE’s ‘Best of the Fest’ compilation album.
Fast Romantics will be performing at El Mocambo (Upstairs) on Thursday, June 14 @ 12AM and The Horseshoe Tavern on Saturday, June 16 @ 2AM
Funeral Song by Fast Romantics
Fast Romantics are also giving away 4 NXNE wristbands, to find out how to get a chance to win a prize priced at $50 but worth much more, click here.
