Magazine

Independent, provocative, now! The CJLO Magazine is the resource for features, reviews, and interviews. Established in 2004, and run by dedicated CJLO volunteers, the magazine covers the latest and best in local and international music, art, theatre, film, festivals, and more!


Taverne Tour 2024 Day 2: Intimate Shows Across Genres

On day two Taverne Tour 2024, Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood was packed with concerts to attend. With acts like TEKE::TEKE, Yves Jarvis, Family Man, Janette King, and more running February 9th, the city’s music fans were out and about Friday night catching a myriad of shows. 

CJLO staff were out on the town for the second day of the festival, seeing just some of the shows Taverne Tour had to offer.  

 


The New State of (House) Jazz: Berlioz at Le Studio TD

When U.K. DJ and producer Berlioz announced a tour earlier this year, I knew I had to cover his set at Le Studio TD. I’ve been a fan of Berlioz for just over a year, discovering his music on TikTok, as most of his fans have. Seeing that his entire discography, only going back two years, consisted of no more than eight tracks, I expected to be met with a fairly small crowd and a fairly easy night, and I couldn't have been further off. 


Taverne Tour 2024 Day 1: An Energetic Kick Off To The Festival

Taverne Tour was back last week with dozens of concerts happening across several Plateau Mont-Royal venues. From February 8th-10th, venues Casa del Popolo, L’Escogriffe, La Sala Rossa, Quai des Brumes, and more hosted a packed line-up of Canadian and international artists, including: Ducks Ltd., Janette King, Laurence-Anne, Population II, SUUNS, Safia Nolin, and many more. 

On Thursday, CJLO staff attended a few of the shows Taverne Tour had to offer.

 


Frost Children at La Sotterenea: An Energetic Double Header

Frost Children is a musical duo currently based in New York City. The act consists of siblings Angel and Lulu Prost, who both have solo music, but their collaborative efforts have brought them the most success. The siblings produce genre-bending music, with their newest album, Hearth Room, released in November of 2023. Hearth Room is a stark contrast to their prior work, demonstrating the duo's diversity and alternative indie sound. Their other 2023 album, SPEED RUN, features hyperpop, glitchcore, and techno tracks.


Joey Valence & Brae Unleashed Retro Riffs and Modern Beats at Le Ministere

The frigid Canadian weather became the butt of many jokes throughout the night as Joey Valence & Brae took the stage on January 26th 2024, charming the audience with witty quips about the Great White North. 


Industrial Hip-Hop at it's Finest: a Night with Armand Hammer

If you have paid attention to the underground Hip-Hop scene in the past decade, Armand Hammer will be a familiar name to you. The industrial Hip-Hop duo, comprised of New York MCs Billy Woods and Elucid, have been touring their critically acclaimed 2023 release We Buy Diabetic Test Strips since October. Their stop at Bar le Ritz this past Sunday was a fantastic display of the scenes' respect for these two cult legends. 


Charlotte Cardin - Une semaine à Paris EP Review

In mid-November of 2023, Montreal’s very own Charlotte Cardin released her Francophone EP, Une semaine à Paris following the singer’s week-long stay in the French capital. The short and sweet 4-track work was released after the drop of Cardin’s second studio album 99 Nights, and continued her careers’ upwards trajectory. Une semaine à Paris encapsulates the intense passion within Cardin’s relationship with actor Aliocha Schneider and the ebbs and flows of emotional intimacy. 


Tim Baker Does What He Does Best: Bringing Holiday Cheer

Christmas came early as Canadian indie musician Tim Baker brought much-needed holiday merriment on a dreary, icy Tuesday in Montreal. Playing solo to a packed house at the Salle de Gésu, the former Hey Rosetta! Frontman - who is touring on the strength of his new EP Along the Mountain Road - proved to be the perfect tonic for the all-too-real pedagogical and commercial stresses prevalent in December.


The Japanese House Brings Sunshine to Montreal @ Le Studio TD

This past June, Amber Bain a.k.a The Japanese House released not just a great indie-pop record, but one of the best albums of 2023. Featuring co-production by George Daniel of The 1975, as well as contributions from Katie Gavin of MUNA, Charli XCX, and Matty Healy (also of The 1975), her sophomore album In the End It Always Does is a triumph in focus. Every instrument, lyric, and vocal fits perfectly in place over the forty-five-minute run time. Gorgeously produced, deeply personal and moving, ITEIAD shows Bain in peak form.


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