{"id":9505,"date":"2019-12-03T02:17:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T02:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/?p=9505"},"modified":"2020-02-14T20:39:01","modified_gmt":"2020-02-14T20:39:01","slug":"the-state-of-rock-music-a-look-into-the-toronto-indie-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/?p=9505","title":{"rendered":"Is rock dead? A look into the Toronto local rock scene"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^9310|url^https:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Awk-Yers-9.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^Awk Yers-9|description^null” bg_img_attach=”fixed”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”IS ROCK DEAD?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:100|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:0.8″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”A look into the Toronto indie rock scene” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]\n

BY STEPHEN VITI<\/span>
\nPublished Dec. 3, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The current state of Toronto music” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Its easy to say \u201crock is dead\u201d when the days of Kiss, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith seem so disconnected with today’s version of mainstream music. Waves of EDM and Hip-Hop have taken the mainstream music scene by storm. The reality however, is that rock is going through an ever-changing evolution, experimenting with new things all the time.<\/p>\n

Rock at its roots is experimental, just look at Queens, A Night at the Opera, a 1975 album mixing the sounds of classic rock and roll and opera to create what some people argue is one of the best rock albums of all time. Brent Albrecht, evening host on Indie88 and member of his own band Sure<\/strong><\/a> says \u201cThe days of clich\u00e9 rock n\u2019 roll are gone and what has emerged is a scene of genre mixing focused on aggression, attitude and feel, the things that make rock fantastic\u201d. Albrecht talks about the rise of Billie Eilish and how her unique and modern style of music can still be connected back to rock roots, arguing Eilish in many ways fits into the genre of rock. Post Malone is another example of this, taking many modern hip-hop trends and blending them with childhood inspiration from artists like Bon Jovi.<\/p>\n

The current state of Toronto rock is very experimental yes, however that does not change the fact that certain sub-genres have taken centre stage. Albrecht mentions a rise in power pop, as well as a new surge of female musicians and voices, finding their place in a historically male-dominated genre. What tops it all though is the prevalence of alt and punk rock emerging form the Toronto scene. \u201cIt’s mental how many people are part of that scene,\u201d said Albrecht. Jessica Velasco, a 21-year-old Art and Art History student earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts from a collaboration with the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and Sheridan College agrees that though the Toronto scene has good variety there is a heavy focus on Punk rock, comparing it to the like of Sum 41 and Blink 182.<\/p>\n

The notion that \u201crock is dead\u201d is nothing more than news website clickbait to get old school rock fans upset and new school fans excited, generating clicks, said Albrecht. On a local level Albrecht said although the opportunities may be less than, vast opportunities still exist in a community priding itself on its openness and helpfulness. When asked about the local Toronto scene Albrecht described it as \u201cfairly vibrant, there is tons of good shit happening in this city\u201d. As a host on Indie88 Albrecht prides himself for being a part of this amazing community, acting as a champion for those talents needing that little push of exposure. \u201cMy hope is that in continues to evolve into something weirder and hopefully cooler\u201d said Albrecht.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^10198|url^https:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Interview-3-e1579838726201.jpg|caption^Shot and edited by, Tyler Young|alt^null|title^Interview-3|description^null” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_img_attach=”fixed”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Toronto artist showcase” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”Roach” tab_id=”1579843025350-6157b605-09ac”][vc_single_image image=”10229″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Violet DeRege Braga on lead vocals and guitar Carly Harris on drums and Jackson Seaward on lead guitar on bass make up the group called Roach<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>a look into authentic human experience through indie punk sound. From their debut EP Taste Test, released Mar. 30 2019 t0 multiple singles and demos all the song writing comes directly form their lead Violet, with songs that come off as if directly from her journal. Formed in the summer of 2017, at their core, the group are friends who just love to make music and only want to see each other grow. The group’s inspirations include Charlie Bliss, PUP, The Dirty Nill and Modern Baseball. With a hugely involved and appreciative of the Toronto rock community having made countless connections including an informal group branded Happy Pills Collective with other artists all working to support each other.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_slide” interval=”0″ images=”10303,10304,10305,10306,10307,10308,10309,10310″ img_size=”large” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The Awkward Years” tab_id=”1579843025477-b93724f2-2ab4″][vc_single_image image=”9467″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]A band made up of three members Tokyo Soda (Jerry) on lead vocals and guitar, Goon Star Fish (Ryan) on drums and After Tide (Eddie) on bass, The Awkward Years<\/strong><\/a> are a perfect example of the resurgence of punk rock while still striving to implement their own elements and experimentation. Heavily inspired by the likes of Linkin Park, Brock Hampton and Tyler the Creator their inspirations come from a very wide range. Even noting the property of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World having a major influence on their creative process. With their debut EP, VHS Therapy released Jan. 16, 2018 featuring tracks like Highlight Reel and Black Licorice the group has been moving upward with a full-length album currently in the works. With the majority of their creative process coming form home studio sessions and self mastering the group is a intimate part of all aspects during the creative process.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_slide” interval=”0″ images=”9327,9323,9324,9326,9325,9328,9322″ img_size=”large” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Have or know a band you want to showcase?” tab_id=”1579843025682-efd583dc-1840″][vc_column_text]The goal of this section of the article is to give people a glimpse of what Tronto rock is all about and allow those artists who may be looking for a little more exposure a place to be discovered.<\/p>\n

If you know of or have a band you would like to see featured in the section of the article, feel free to contact us at:<\/p>\n

torontoindierock@gmail.com<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Live sessions” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_tta_pageable][vc_tta_section title=”Section 1″ tab_id=”1580191599809-1da3fbc8-6174″][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sxTS9hJyKFU&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=ArtistShowcaseSubmissions” align=”center”][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_pageable][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^9321|url^https:\/\/www.gh360.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Awk-Yers-1-e1580111954257.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^Awk Yers-1|description^null” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_img_attach=”fixed”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”An audience perspective” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It would be easy to pretend the role audience plays in driving the creation of music is unimportant, nut the reality is that without an audience msuicians would never find the inspiration and drive required to make the music we all enjoy.<\/p>\n

Velasco believes her role along with other fans should be to make the little difference that they can in support of local artists. \u201cWord of mouth is super powerful and important, that and respecting the band enough to actually pay for entry goes a long way in support of local art\u201d. Velasco also mentioned the importance of social media and \u201cclout\u201d, whether you have 50 followers or 5000, that post still gets scene by a valuable audience and has the potential to go a long way.<\/p>\n

The biggest drive for Velasco and why she has found herself immersed in the Toronto rock scene is a sense of \u201chomeliness, nostalgia, earnestness and honesty.\u201d Velasco says these values stem from her childhood, \u201ceveryone in my family was a musician, I woke up to music not an alarm clock.\u201d With a desire to connect back to those roots she sought out live music, but with the expensive ticket prices of mainstream performances, Velasco required an alternative to that norm. With lower prices, broad talent and an impactful sense of community Velasco found a home in the Toronto music scene.<\/p>\n

In a survey conducted over instagram with 50 participants, the question was asked “Do you go out and listen to live music at least once a month?”<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_round_chart stroke_width=”0″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22No%20(78%25)%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2239%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22juicy-pink%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Yes%20(22%25)%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2211%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22blue%22%7D%5D” animation=”easeOutBounce”][vc_column_text]Interesting, is the drastic amount of people who rarely go out to see live music, if at all. It seems apparent that the local scene in general is very small, meaning the local rock scene is even further niche. Evidence of the importance of fans doing what they can to support the artists they love and introduce more people to such a unique community of music.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/2″]