RAIN’S WORLD #16 – HOLLERADO

Posted on February 26, 2013 by rahrahraina

Hollerado: certified muscle-ymen

Moving sucks. Packing, moving boxes around, cleaning… all that stuff is the worst.

UNLESS you can trick a band into doing it for you. Which I did.

Well, if the music thing doesn’t work out, at least they’ve got a future in the NBA.

Fortunately, that music thing is going just fine.

Their new album, White Paint is out today! You can grab it (and you really, really should) RIGHT HERE!

To taste it before you buy it, here’s their first single from the record, “Pick Me Up”… accompanied by a video that you should only watch in the company of a close and trusted friend, in a space that won’t freak you out and give you a bad trip.

Hollerado heads out on tour this March with Billy Talent, Sum 41 and Indian Handcrafts. For more, check out hollerado.com.

Hey, 2013, Let’s PARTY!

Posted on January 3, 2013 by rahrahraina

It’s been nearly a year since Rain’s World got off the ground with a visit from Tokyo Police Club. When they came in for that episode, I’ll admit that I really didn’t know what we were going to do. Or how we were going to do it. All I had was a case of beer, a bunch of bread and cheese being cooked up by my sister Anne, and my friend Andrew holding a camera.

Fortunately, Dave, Graham and Greg of Tokyo made things easy and fun, and although the final video was a whopping 7-something minutes long, the first episode of Rain’s World was REAL! It was happening! It existed, and it was actually FUNNY.

I’d been so nervous to start a blog. Especially one focused on music. Because, let’s be honest: the internet probably doesn’t need a new music blog. But I felt like we had something new and different and special. And, I think we still do.

In 2012 we welcomed guests like the Darcys, Pack A.D., Brendan Canning, Parlovr, The Elwins, and so many more.

2013′s first episode will be a band that’s VERY familiar to readers of this blog. Here’s a hint: their name starts with an “H” and they like horses. And balloons. And ostriches. Watch for that video, coming soon.

We have so many more bands to look forward to, too. Lots of your favourites. We’ve worked out some kinks and we’re going to try to speed up production and make sure episodes come out more consistently.

As always, if you are IN a band, or you represent one, or you know one, or you’re just a fan of one and would love to see them on the show, please contact me.

And, as some final exciting news for the coming year, I will be hosting weekends on CBC Radio 3 indefinitely. I’d love if you’d come by and take a listen, we’re going to have the best time.

So, thank you, to the bands who have visited, to my wonderful and always flexible camera crew, my fantastic, hard-working, and endlessly accommodating editor, to all of my friends who have helped out, and of course, to Steam Whistle Brewing, who make so much of this possible!

But most importantly: THANK YOU. Thank you for visiting this site, for watching the videos, for following along, for being a part of Rain’s World, and supporting this project, for supporting me, and for supporting music in 2012.

Now, 2013… LET’S PARTY!

Love, Raina

RAIN’S WORLD #15 – BREWS WILLIS

Posted on November 29, 2012 by rahrahraina

Spoiler Alert: The Piñata Dies

You like piñatas. You like burgers. You like fun party rockers Brews Willis.

You will like this episode of Rain’s World.

Now, to get that dry burger taste out of your mouth- and to make you nostalgic for the island and summertime and beach parties- here is the Brews Willis track “Ride the Island Baby” from their album Nerped By A Zircon. (Toronto residents, keep your eyes open for some familiar summertime sights!)

For more, surf over to brewswillis.com

Win a Steam Whistle Unsigned 23 Prize Pack!

Posted on September 17, 2012 by rahrahraina

Well, you know what guys? Summer’s pretty much over. As the French say, quel bummér. But wait! There’s one more fun thing you can do before it’s over!

Steam Whistle Brewery is presenting Unsigned 23 – featuring Odonis Odonis, Indian Handcrafts and Young Mother – on September 21st! That’s the day before the Fall Equinox! Technically still summer!

And even better news? I have a Steam Whistle prize pack to give away for it – and it includes (among other glorious things) free admission for Unsigned 23! All YOU need to do is convince me that your summer wasn’t quite good enough. How much do you NEED one more crazy night?

Tell me the thing you DIDN’T get to do this summer that you wanted to do, and the most pathetic person wins! It’s a race to the bottom, folks!

Ready, set, GO!

All ticket proceeds from Unsigned 23 go to the Artists’ Health Centre Foundation,
which is involved in outreach, education, and prevention services for the over 20,000 professional artists who live in the Toronto area.

RAIN’S WORLD #12 – POOR YOUNG THINGS

Posted on August 13, 2012 by rahrahraina

Poor Young Things enjoy sitting together

This video was recorded during NXNE. I had made some unwise choices the previous evening and had a pretty terrible hangover when it was shot.

When I had arranged to film this video of Thunder Bay boys Poor Young Things and I playing Quarters, several days prior, I didn’t realize that Quarters was a drinking game. I don’t know how this happened. But it did. Here are the results:

Poor Young Things make rock music. If you’re a fan of Teenage Kicks, you’re going to like these dudes. Here’s the video for their song “Blame It On The Good Times”, which shows Toronto a lot of love:

If you dig it, comment below - I’ve got a an autographed copy of their 7″, Let It Sleep (as well as the CD of the same) – to give away to one of my readers. You can also buy the record now on iTunes.

Comment for your chance to win!

And please… DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

RAIN’S WORLD #11 – BOXER THE HORSE

Posted on July 11, 2012 by rahrahraina

Image Borrowed from Boxer the Horse’s Website

Andrew and Christian of Boxer the Horse came all the way from P.E.I. to play a rousing game of Pictionary/Real-Life Draw Something with me.

Turns out they’re not just talented musicians – they also are really good at drawing safe injection sites.

And now, if that didn’t prove to you that these guys rule, please see Exhibit B: their music video for their song “Rattle Your Cage.” It follows the old adage, “If life gives you a tarp, make it into giant waves so you can pretend to surf in a parking lot.”

So, if you’re fans of music that sounds like summertime and smelling the ocean and days that are cloudy but cheerful, go check out more of their tunes at their Bandcamp HERE. And while you’re there, why not buy their vinyl? It’s a new thing the kids are doing!

RAIN’S WORLD #10 – THE PACK A.D.

Posted on June 27, 2012 by rahrahraina

The Pack A.D.

Disclaimer: If you don’t like ham, this might not be your kind of awesome-video-with-totally-rad-women-from-a-great-band.

Maya and Becky of The Pack A.D. come by to play a game of Rad Libs. Yes, Rad Libs. (Not affiliated with Mad Libs.)

Even better than their love of ham? Their music:

Oh, so good.

Catch them live at Edgefest on July 14th at Downsview Park! And check them out at thepackad.com.

RAIN’S WORLD #9 – BRENDAN CANNING – NXNE EDITION!

Posted on June 12, 2012 by rahrahraina

Brendan Canning (of Broken Social Scene, Cookie Duster and Generally-Being-An-All-Around-Awesome-Dude fame) dropped by the apartment right before NXNE 2012 to talk about the NXNE Record Fair, who he’s going to see at the festival, and how you’re probably saying NXNE all wrong.

Oh, and we make a very practical record-related craft together.

You can catch Brendan’s DJ set at the NXNE Record Fair, which is happening Saturday, June 16th from 10am – 4pm. For all the info you need about NXNE go to NXNE.com.

Also, make sure you check out Brendan’s new project, Cookie Duster. They’ve released this video for their song “Two Feet Stand Up,” and it’s perfect if you’re looking for a poppy, fun song to dance to this summer.

Stay tuned to Rain’s World this week for more NXNE coverage! I’ll be telling you what I think you’ve gotta see and hear during this year’s festival.

WIN STUFF! Tell Me Your Favourite Summer Jam!

Posted on May 23, 2012 by rahrahraina

As you may or may not know, I live in a basement. Which isn’t altogether the worst thing, but when the weather is as nice as it has been the last week or so, I get a pretty severe case of DECK ENVY. Ohhhh, to relax in a patio chair, with a beer in hand, listening to some sweet jams on my boombox. Do the kids still say that? Boombox? Sweet Jams? Patio Chair?

*Artist’s Conception

Unfortunately, I don’t have a deck. Not yet, anyway. But I do have a patio chair in my apartment. (It’s covered with a blanket. I’m pretty sure no one can tell.) And I do have beer, and I can listen to sweet jams.

So, the question I pose to you, dear reader and obviously very cool person, what’s your favourite summer song? What tune would we be listening to if you were here hanging out in the patio chair? (That’s right, I’d even let you sit in the patio chair and I only have one. That’s how much I like you.)

Here’s what I want you to do. Go to the Rain’s World Facebook page and tell me what song gets your summer juices flowing.

The best answer (ie: the most summer-y song, that will get added to my Summer Jams Playlist) will WIN a Steam Whistle prize pack, which includes TWO tickets to the Steam Whistle UNSIGNED Show on June 1st!

You’ll get to check out The Wilderness of Manitoba, Amos the Transparent and Cai.ro! If you’re not full of summer vibes yet – this should do it! Here are the deets:

Click on this to go to the Steam Whistle event page!

Now go! Hit up the Rain’s World Facebook Page – just click on this link! Yes! Just click on it! I made it nice and long so you really can’t miss it! See, still going! This link! This one right here!

I’ll announce the winner on Monday, May 28th!

RAIN’S WORLD #8 – PAPERMAPS

Posted on May 15, 2012 by rahrahraina

The highly lovely Dean Marino and Wendy Leung of Papermaps joined me in my kitchen for a little vegan cookery recently! It’s the second time grilled cheese sandwiches have made an appearance on Rain’s World (the first time was with Tokyo Police Club) – but it’s the FIRST time they haven’t actually involved ANY REAL CHEESE!

Caution: this video might change the way you view vegan food forever. Also caution: Dean and Wendy are really really nice people.

By the way: The Olympic Sized Triple-Double Decker Avocado Caramelized Vegan Grilled Cheese Speciale is TRADEMARKED. Don’t even try to steal that catchy title.

Papermaps, by the way, will be playing NEXT WEEK at the El Mocambo! May 25th, to be exact, at 10:45pm. Doors open at 9, and they’ll be joined by Mercy Now, Goodnight Sunrise and Rulers of the Moon.

They’re also going to be rocking NXNE, of course! Catch ‘em June 14th at Two Way Monologues’ Showcase at Rancho Relaxo! Their set it at 11pm sharp and you can pick up your tasty NXNE wristbands right HERE.

Wait! One more thing before we go!

The beautiful and avocado-slicingly skilled Wendy has JUST released a new album by her side project, Wendy Vs. called Crayone Wars. Dean’s part of it as well, and you can buy the whole album on the Wendy Vs. bandcamp… right HERE!

Here’s what it sounds like. I think you’re going to like it a whole heap of a lot. I do!

Look out for Papermaps’ new album, they’re hard at work on it, and it’s gonna be rad.

Keep up to date with ALL things Papermaps at their website: PAPERMAPS.NET

Rain's World

Tag Archives: steam whistle