HELLO! My name is Karim and I’m a new blogger here for Life @ U o fT. This is my first post, and I’m really excited to be able to write for you all regularly. But before I start dropping…
music
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years from singing at open mics is that I ABSOLUTELY dread performing in front of a crowd. I feel like I’m having a seizure throughout the whole performance, I know that because…
9 Ways to Get Creative On and Off-Campus
The University of Toronto and the city of Toronto offer an abundance of opportunities to tap into your creative side. Studies have shown that expressing creativity can help calm stress, reduce depression, improve self-esteem and many other health and wellness…
The Faculty of Music is Pretty Cool.
When most of us think about music events, we think about concerts and shows that might be happening around the city or maybe even by our faculty or program. Chances are, those aren’t free. So, I thought, U of T…
Joy through Music
I like to joke that my earbuds are an IV. Unless I’m studying or at a lecture, there’s a 90% chance that I’m jamming out to whatever album or playlist has caught my fancy. Music is one thing that never…
CCP Exclusive: Exploring inside Musical Minds
Pam-Voice & Piano Instructor/Co-founder I recently had the pleasure to engage in a conversation with one of the Centre for Community Partners Grant recipients-Musical Minds Outreach Program (MMOP). Zahra, one of MMOP’s founder and current executive director for the program was…
On Finding the Perfect Study Playlist
It’s Wednesday night. I have allotted a specific block of time to writing this blog post before moving on to starting an assignment I have due next week. I haven’t written the blog post yet. Instead, I’ve been moving between…
The Joys of Summer Music Festivals and Performances
One of my favourite things to do in Toronto is to check out the FREE musical performances and other cool festivals because, WHY NOT? 🙂
An Afternoon at Walter Hall
Every now and again, during my midday campus dashes, I’ll cut through Philosopher’s Walk behind Trinity College which opens up on Bloor Street at the north end.
photo courtesy of previous blogger Cynthia
Battle of the Bands: U of T Style
Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the Winterfest 2016: Battle of the Bands, which took place at the Annex venue, Lee’s Palace. The Battle of the Bands event is a competition for U of T bands to win a prize of five hundred dollars and a set at Fireball 2016! If you haven’t heard about this totally epic musical battle sesh you should…
- Consider creating a Facebook account, if only to keep up with the never ending stream of FB invites to UofT affiliated events (that are actually fun to go to).
- Continue reading, because I am about to give you a recap.
Upon entering Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St. West / a popular venue for musicians and people alike whose music preferences would 100% offend your grandmother) I was reminded the battle of the bands scene in the movie Scott Pilgram vs. the World. The atmosphere of the venue was awesome in a grungy underground teenage angsty way, even if the smell distinctly reminded me of Queen Street’s “Black Market” vintage store. Various smells aside, I was in for a night of great music, dancing and a general good time.
Competing Bands
Spaceship Thoughts — Founded in October 2015, by Sky Casket, Spoon Johnson and Lump the Potato (who is unsurprisingly, truly a root vegetable) the sounds of Spaceship Thoughts are unlike anything I had ever heard before. They go for an “acoustic rap” vibe which was as interesting as it sounds. Despite being the youngest band at the battle, they rocked their first live performance! The lead singer was dressed up as a traditional 90’s “bro” complete with a popped collar, pink polo shirt, exceptionally spiky hair and two ties to really finish off the look.
This interview-style video done by The Varsity will give you a glimpse at the personalities of the bands who competed in the Battle!