Playlist Thursday: Local Love

When I saw the theme for this week's Playlist Thursday, I thought my head was going to explode with options, I was so pumped.  This week's theme is Local Flavour.  The Canucks that are reading along know just how much amazing talent comes out of Toronto, as well as the rest of Canada.  In fact, I could probably do several weeks worth of Playlist Thursday just on this subject alone.  This wasn't an easy one for me as there are so many bands that I listen to (and love) from the Big Smoke so to have to narrow it down to three, well, it wasn't easy.  

The "rules" of Play List Thursday:

Something Old:  Songs that are at least 5 years old.  
Something Current:  Songs that have been released in the past year.
Something to Consider:  This is the wild card category.  Any song goes:  old, current, guilty pleasure, whatever floats yer boat.

Check out all the other participants picks on Brian's blog .  I'm sure you'll find more musical inspiration!

Something Old
Artist: Rush
Title: Spirit of Radio
Side Note: Those of you that know me, had to know that a Rush song would be on here.  My play list is filled with songs by these guys so it was hard to pick just one.  Hands down the best thing to come out of Canada since poutine and maple syrup (IMO).  There is something so uplifting about this song, especially the opening guitar riff.  Every time it comes on I find I get that little boost, that little extra oomph.  I also find myself playing a lot of air guitar.  The time changes make it a little challenging to run to if you're trying to follow a beat, but you could always do a fartlek run to it. 
Quotable:  "One likes to believe in the freedom of music".

Something New
Artist: Metric
Title:Youth without Youth
Side Note:  What can I say, I love Metric.  Singer Emily Haines knows how to rock it, that's for sure.  I have almost the entire Fantasies album on my playlist.  This song is from their new album and as soon as I heard it, it was downloaded and immediately put in rotation. 

Quotable:  "Hangman we played rubber soul with a razor blade, behind the church, hiding place, it was a long joke till the punch line came".

 

Something Different
Artist: Big Sugar
Title:  The Scene

Side Note:  I've seen these guys five times and I'm honestly surprised I'm not deaf.  By far the loudest band I've ever seen and the only band to have been able to create Boob Shakin' Bass with their live shows.   They were a big deal in Toronto and the rest of Canada in the late 90's and have recently re-formed and released a new album. 

Quotable:  "I'm only six feet tall, but I'm righteous y'all".

I know we're supposed to focus on local (City & Province) but I'd be remiss if I didn't include a couple of honorable mentions from outside Ontario.

Honorable Mention #1

Artist: Sam Roberts
Title:  Graveyard Shift

Side Note:  Sam Roberts is from Montreal.  Some of his songs combine both official languages beautifully.  There is something about his music I find so typically Canadian.  Perhaps it's just the fact that I associate his music with being up north, who knows.  I love the beat of this particular song so much, I listened to it 3 times in a row on my way to crushing my 1:40 half marathon goal last year. 

Quotable:  "And I was born on a precipice between salvation and the great abyss".

Honorable Mention #2

Artist: Great Big Sea
Title:  Run Runaway

Side Note:  These guys are from the East Coast and their music is very typical of that area.  Great harmonies and lots of toe tapping beats have made me a big fan.  This song is a cover of the Slade song that was popular in the 80's.  There couldn't be a more appropriate song for a running playlist!  I also find it impossible to be in a bad mood while listening to their music.

Quotable:  "If you're in the swing, money ain't everything".

Feeling the local love yet?

What local bands are on your playlist?