WE'VE MOVED!

That’s right, folks. From now on, all new posts can be found on the brand new Mind the Music website!

Don’t worry if you feel like looking back though- all the old posts will still be here. But if you’re looking for anything new, mosey on over to MindTheMusicTO.com!

- Mind The Music T.O.

Photo Dump: Pouzza Day 1 Part III, May 15th

The first day of Pouzza, Beach Slang packed Katacombs up to capacity and then nearly played a set that ended 20 minutes early. Upon hearing that they still had that long left, the band joked about just playing the first half over again, before going into a cover song. Earlier that day, Toronto band PKEW PKEW PKEW (gunshots) were one of the first to take the stage.  
At Piranha, French-based Guerilla Poubelle played a secret set, the day before their announced one.

Photo Dump: Pouzza Day 1 Part II, May 15th

Friday at Pouzza part two! 

One of the first bands to play the festival were Montreal's own Miracles, fresh off a win as Emerging Artist of the Year (French) at last week's SiriusXM Indie awards. Headlining later that night was singer Joey Cape of Lagwagon fame. Finally, featured in this set, is "Danny and the Havoks," an early-AFI cover band. They were one of the last bands to close out the night, with the crowd going wild during their enthusiastic and interactive set. 

Click "read more" for the rest!

Photo Dump: Pouzza Day 1 Part I, May 15th

On the first day of Pouzza festival in Montreal, Foufounes was filled with dancers and moshers alike, and of course, some fantastic bands. First in this photo set is PUP, who packed the room and even played a new song about annoying ones girlfriend in an unconventional manner. The night also included Fake Problems, whose hip-shaking tunes had the whole venue dancing, and Teenage Bottlerocket, who quickly turned the dancing into moshing.

Check out the photos below the cut, as well as a video of PUP's new song!

Article: Chris #2 of Anti-Flag

In February of this year, I followed the Anti-Flag as they played five cities across Ontario in the span of a week. At one of those shows, I had the opportunity to interview bassist Chris #2. Below the cut is an article based on that interview, as well as some photos I took that week. To see more Anti-Flag photos from the rest of the tour, check out the rest of MindTheMusicTO!

Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto. Feb 12th

Photos and Videos: Solo Night at The Smiling Buddha, April 13th

On april 13th, the Smiling Buddha hosted a solo, mostly acoustic night. After Gunk performed sad spoken word accompanied by his guitar, Organ Thieves member Chuck Coles mesmerized the audience with several original songs, as well as a cover of Sorrow by Bad Religion that left those listening with chills.

Drew Thomson of Single Mothers closed out the night- though before playing music, he started by reading two short stories he’s written in zines about a summer spent with family in Swastika, Ontario (yes, as he grimly assured us, there is unfortunately still a place of that name).

Below the cut are some photos and (shaky) videos from the night.

Related Links: 

GUNK | CHUCK COLES | DREW THOMSON | LITTLE MONKEY PRESS

Photo Dump: Pop Punk's Not Dead show in Toronto, March

What's this, two posts in one day?! Here's the last of my catching up from tech errors, with photos of A Will Away and more at their show in the cramped but always fun basement of The Smiling Buddha.

Photos and Video: PPOP Up Market 2 in Toronto, March 22nd 2015

Well this is a long time coming! Unfortunately due to a combination of very limited internet at home (apparently Bell likes it when you pay your bills- who knew?!) and what may or may not be a computer virus, I have been trying to get this post up for a long time, and now am finally able to. So without further ado, here are some photos from People Put Out Productions' PPOP Up Market #2- and even a video!

Photo Dump: Dead Broke and The Dying Arts in Toronto, March 21st

On March 21^st, The Dying Arts and Dead Broke played support for Restorations at the Horseshoe Tavern. Though I lack photograph evidence of the headliner band, I do have several of shots of these two dynamic openers.

Dead Broke have always excelled at entertaining the crowd during the set, but they certainly outdid themselves at their first Horseshoe show, including introducing various members of the crowd, high-jumps, and of course an impromptu mid-song healing ceremony.

The Dying Arts, meanwhile, have played The Horseshoe Tavern numerous times, but that didn’t make the 21^st any less exciting. The band ripped through their songs with their signature raw energy, drawing a growing crowd as the set went on.

Photo Dump: Anti-Flag in Oshawa, March 20th

Only a month after their recent stint in the province, Anti-Flag returned to Ontario for one more Terror State show.  In Oshawa this time, the show was opened by Newcastle's The Corporate Life and Peterborough-based Cross Dog. After playing the album in its entirety, Anti-Flag performed a mix of songs that included old favourites such as One Trillion Dollars, and even some new songs from the upcoming album American Spring (May 26^th)

NOW WITH 300% MORE VIDEO!

Photo Dump: Womb and Mother Leads in Toronto, March 18th

In an eclectic blend of styles, both jazz-influenced Womb and the heavier-styled Mother Leads gathered at Toronto's Cherry Cola. In a night filled with dancing, Womb played their first set as a five-piece, adding on a keyboardist and trumpet player.

Interview: How to pick out a drumkit, with Joe Torchia of The Dying Arts

Throughout my years of photographing concerts, I have always wondered what decisions go into setting up the perfect drumkit. Why are some kits so small, while others seem to cover half a stage, all of them producing such different sounds? Upon arriving at Long & McQuade to interview Dying Arts drummer Joe Torchia, my curiosity quickly turned to awe upon seeing the sheer quantity and variety in the drums section. Though he has only been working at Long & McQuade for a year and four months, the drumming veteran has been playing for the last twenty years. Torchia, an outgoing man with a shaved head and tidy beard, was dressed for work in a button-up shirt complete with a tie. This outfit was a far cry from how I’d met him, in his usual touring garb of jeans and a t-shirt.

Photo Dump: Brutal Youth 7" Release in Toronto, March 13th

On a very lucky Friday the 13th, punk band Brutal Youth released their new 7" record Bottoming Out, and brought a few friends along for the ride. Not only did $10 get you entry to the show, that included sets by School Damage, No Hands, and Good People, the lucky first 100 people got a free record at the door. Brutal Youth then took the stage, and played a fun and energetic set. Singer Patty even got a few jumps in, despite an apparent leg injury that left him in an elaborate knee brace.

Photo Dump: Sixteen Scandals in Toronto, February 28th 2015

Back in November, Sixteen Scandals were part of the project I created that eventually led to starting this blog. At the end of February, I had a chance to see and photograph this awesome pop-punk band again. With their fast-paced, dancey riffs and a bassist who used the entire venue as a stage, Sixteen Scandals did not disappoint.

Photo Dump: FRNKIERO AND THE CELLABRATION in Toronto, February 25th 2015

In February this year, Frank Iero- guitarist of My Chemical Romance fame- returned to Toronto for the first time since forming FRNKIERO AND THE CELLABRATION. This was the band's first headlining tour, and the fast-paced and exciting set featured songs from the debut album Stomachaches. One highlight, though, was when they were joined by touring support Homeless Gospel Choir to cover Boxcar by Jawbreaker. After this mesmerizing show, Iero stayed to meet each and every concertgoer waiting to express thanks or get something signed: a line that spanned through the small venue. 

Photo Dump: Anti-Flag in Saint Catharines, February 18th 2015

Back in mid-February, I was able to follow around Pittsburgh natives Anti-Flag and World's Scariest Police Chases and Toronto band The Dying Arts. I've posted many photos so far, though these photos from the last day of the tour at L3 in Saint Catharines are a long time coming. So without any further ado, here are photos of all three touring bands, on the final day of Canadian leg of The Terror State tour.

Photo Dump: Anti-Flag in London, February 17th 2015

So, here is the second-last Anti-Flag photo dump! Featuring shots of Anti-Flag and World's Scariest Police Chases at Call the Office in London, Ontario.

More photos under the cut!

Photo Dump: Anti-Flag in Hamilton, February 15th 2015

That's right, folks! another Anti-Flag photo post. I promise that this blog will eventually have photos of other things, but for now here are some shots from their Terror State show at Club Absinthe in Hamilton, Ontario- with some photos of The Penske File in there as well!

More photos under the cut.

Photo Dump: Anti-Flag in Peterborough, February 14th 2015

Another Anti-Flag photo dump! There will be a few more of these coming up, just a heads up.
This one features a few photos of Anti-Flag, as well as touring openers World's Scariest Police Chases and The Dying Arts. Because who needs a valentine when you have punk-rock concerts instead?!

More photos under the cut.

Photo Dump: Anti-Flag in Toronto, February 12th 2015

On Thursday, February 12th, Anti-Flag kicked off the Canada leg of their Terror State tour at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. The band played The Terror State album front to back, in addition to throwing in as a few fan favourites and a visit from Sea Shepherd and Amnesty International Toronto.

Find more photos under the cut!

Like Pacific EP Release!

Last night I went to Like Pacific's hometown EP release at the Hard Luck.
Actually, that's a bit misleading. I went to the release show, however had to leave before the band took the stage due to utter exhaustion. Normally, I wouldn't bother posting seeing as I missed the band I was there to see, and didn't even get photos.

However, I am posting about it anyway for a couple of different reasons: the first is that I would like to use this blog to document all of my concertgoings in some way or another.

But the main reason is that Like Pacific's new EP is absolutely awesome, and you should absolutely check them out right now if you have not already.

Documenting Toronto's Concert Scene Project

So, in December I did a project about Toronto's concert scene, photographing and interviewing bands, promoters, security... various people with various roles throughout the music scene. I promise everything I post from now on will be new, but for now, here is the result of that project.

Hi, welcome to my new blog, Mind the Music. Basically, this will be where I post photographs I take at concerts, reviews I write, interviews I do... Anything I create related to concerts and music, really.

The blog was named after some web forums I started and ran when I was a teenager, but I used it more recently to title a project I did about musicians and behind-the-scenes members of the Toronto music scene.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy. If not, that's cool too.

Peace
Katie Maz