Australia

Xavier Rudd savours that healing energy

Aussie multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd plays the Phoenix on Nov. 28. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Fri Nov 23 2012 Environmentally topical singer and songwriter Xavier Rudd has been entertaining global audiences for over a decade with his one-man set-up, an intriguing skeletal hybrid of guitar, pedals, percussion and didgeridoos, the guttural-sounding instrument of aboriginal origin native to Australia. But about 18 months ago, his life —…


Art Vs. Science: Dance band’s rise in fast tempo

Songs have the ‘relentless riff’ but trio were a quick hit. Art Vs. Science play two NXNE shows starting June 15. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Jun 15 2012   So it wasn’t entirely inspired by Daft Punk after all. There are certain sources that would have you believe that the formation of Sydney dance music trio Art Vs. Science was strictly due to a rousing…


Gotye goes global

Entertainment / Music “Somebody That I Used to Know” hitmaker Gotye hits Toronto’s Kool Haus on Saturday.    “There are so many unofficial remixes and mash-ups and parodies that it’s crazy,” says Gotye of his biggest hit. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Mar 30 2012 If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, consider Gotye officially bowled over. Not only is “Somebody That I Used to Know” a…


Urban renewal, thanks to country

Urban renewal, thanks to country | Toronto Star Keith Urban’s prowess and that of his crack band coaxed fresh depth out of his songs at the Air Canada Centre. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Sun Sep 11 2011 Many have talked the talk when it comes to promising something innovative in a country music concert format, but at the Air Canada Centre over the weekend, Keith Urban…


An Horse is lean but lively animal

Entertainment / Music Tegan and Sara opened doors for Aussie transplant Kate Cooper.      Damon Cox and Kate Cooper are alt-rock band An Horse. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Thu Jul 28 2011 Sometimes songs that have the silliest titles turn out to be the most personal and profound for the artists that write them. Take, for instance, “Brain On A Table,” a track off Walls, the recently…