While this workweek was a bit shorter for much of Canada, there was still plenty to report in the music world. For just some of what went down this week, have a look-see at our news roundup.
First off, it was a sad one for the Canadian music world, as Toronto lost one of its most beloved players, James Gray, who died of a heart attack at age 52. Along with serving as Blue Rodeo's keyboardist for over a decade, he played with several fledgling outfits within the eclectic Queen Street scene, including the punk band Vital Sines, the ska band Hopping Penguins, and an early incarnation of the Rheostatics. Needless to say, Gray will be sorely missed by many.
Sadly, Pere Ubu/DNA member Tim Wright passed away this week as well.
Back in Canada, there was thankfully also more positive news. Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs/Divine Fits member Dan Boeckner revealed his next project, Operators, Arcade Fire are on deck to score the new Spike Jonze film, Vancouver's Victory Square Block Party announced a pretty amazing lineup, and Yamantaka//Sonic Titan revealed their new full-length.
In other news, there was a whole lot of controversy over Daft Punk's Colbert Report cancellation, while Black Flag launched a lawsuit against FLAG (something Greg Ginn later elaborated on), International Cassette Store Day revealed a massive list of exclusives, White Denim got Jeff Tweedy for their next album, and Civil Wars' Joy Williams spoke to us about their hiatus and hopes to be "sewn back together."
First off, it was a sad one for the Canadian music world, as Toronto lost one of its most beloved players, James Gray, who died of a heart attack at age 52. Along with serving as Blue Rodeo's keyboardist for over a decade, he played with several fledgling outfits within the eclectic Queen Street scene, including the punk band Vital Sines, the ska band Hopping Penguins, and an early incarnation of the Rheostatics. Needless to say, Gray will be sorely missed by many.
Sadly, Pere Ubu/DNA member Tim Wright passed away this week as well.
Back in Canada, there was thankfully also more positive news. Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs/Divine Fits member Dan Boeckner revealed his next project, Operators, Arcade Fire are on deck to score the new Spike Jonze film, Vancouver's Victory Square Block Party announced a pretty amazing lineup, and Yamantaka//Sonic Titan revealed their new full-length.
In other news, there was a whole lot of controversy over Daft Punk's Colbert Report cancellation, while Black Flag launched a lawsuit against FLAG (something Greg Ginn later elaborated on), International Cassette Store Day revealed a massive list of exclusives, White Denim got Jeff Tweedy for their next album, and Civil Wars' Joy Williams spoke to us about their hiatus and hopes to be "sewn back together."
