Indie pop

Regina Spektor’s music a mystery even to the creator

Regina Spektor’s music a mystery even to the creator Arty, gifted popster coming to Sony Centre has no clue how her songs arrive. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Oct 10 2012 Words like “eccentric” and “quirky” don’t really define the peculiar pop compositions of Regina Spektor, but they’re a decent starting point. The 32-year-old Moscow-born, Bronx-based singer and songwriter — a classically trained pianist with…


Ed Sheeran’s folk-pop sheer brilliance shines at Echo Beach: Review

Perhaps there’s hope in the pop world after all. By: Special to The Star Nick Krewen Published on Mon Sep 17 2012 Perhaps there’s hope in the pop world after all. Inundated as we are by hormonal determination of the female tween populace regarding such lightweight romantics as the Justin Biebers, One Directions and numerous copycats whose musical, puppy-eyed declarations of love carry the emotional resonance of a Twix candy…


Beirut: Down to brass attacks

Gypsy-pop band coming to Sound Academy leading a wave, says frontman Zach Condon. Messy-haired ukulele (“a joke at first,” he says) leads the indie-folk band Beirut.       Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Jul 18 2012   Is brass making a comeback? Beirut’s Zach Condon certainly thinks so. At the very least, the Santa Fe band’s lead singer, songwriter and trumpet player is doing his…


Norah Jones musically solid but lacking in charisma

The Grammy Winner got in 12 songs from her new album Little Broken Hearts but seemed most at home playing country standards.   Norah Jones performs at Massey Hall in Toronto on Friday evening.   Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Sat Jul 07 2012 Ever since she exploded onto the mainstream pop scene with her jazzy multiple Grammy-winning album Come Away With Me, Norah Jones has been…


Ingrid Michaelson, as heard on TV

Ingrid Michaelson, as heard on TV | Toronto Star Small-screen dramas and commercials are a big reason why singer’s Phoenix show is sold out.    Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Mon Apr 09 2012 Singer and songwriter Ingrid Michaelson — who performs a sold-out show Tuesday night at the Phoenix — remembers the moment when she crossed the threshold from obscurity to success. Ironically, it wasn’t during…