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Performance video: "Use Me Blue"
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Southern Souls video performance, by Mitch Fillion and Brian Wirth, of "Use Me Blue", recorded live ...Southern Souls video performance, by Mitch Fillion and Brian Wirth, of "Use Me Blue", recorded live in a tobacco greenhouse in Tillsonburg, Ontario.
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Music: Reviewed. The Key Frames - Low Light High Light
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Rating: 7.25/10
“Rootsy, banjo-inflected rockers!” That’s straight from The Key Frames’ website. ...Rating: 7.25/10
“Rootsy, banjo-inflected rockers!” That’s straight from The Key Frames’ website. It suits! Rising up from the Toronto indie scene with an ever-growing fan base over the last five-plus years, these guys know how to get a party going! Their latest album, Low Light High Light, which was released in September 2012, is proof of that; it’s just plain fun!
Starting out with a pure get-up-and-dance song, “Sorted Out” gets the boys in action quickly. What you are going to hear with this band is maybe a touch of Tragically Hip, The Black Crowes and definitely a good dose of Blue Rodeo. The Key Frames have done a good job with taking parts of bands such as those three, and morphing it into their own style. You can’t go wrong with that formula. With the right talent, which they have, it all equals “good entertainment.”
Low Light High Light is good for almost any setting. I thoroughly enjoyed it and compliment the guys on what they’ve produced here. After the previously mentioned “Sorted Out”, other must listen-to songs include: the sensual “Way To Love”, the bluesy “Wanna Be Rain” and the eleventh and final song, “In The Mirror.” Very cool!
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Toronto Concert Picks for Dec. 18
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The Key Frames. Banjo-and-guitar country-pop-rock (sounds complicated, but it’s not at all) from a T...The Key Frames. Banjo-and-guitar country-pop-rock (sounds complicated, but it’s not at all) from a TO quintet who hit a confident stride this past summer with the release of second LP Low Light High Light. With Sam Cash. Strummin’. The Piston, 9 p.m.
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Key Frames and GGG in Oshawa Saturday
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This past September, Toronto's Key Frames played Murphy's Pub, but on Saturday the five piece return...This past September, Toronto's Key Frames played Murphy's Pub, but on Saturday the five piece return to play the Thirsty Monk.
They are on the same bill as Patrick Dorie and the Honest Thieves. It's a good matchup. Both bands play rootsy country sounds: think The Band or (hold your nose) Mumford and Sons. The Key Frames, however, crank it up with a poppier sound that brings to mind some of Sloan's lighter fare. The band is comprised of Rob Webster, vocals, guitar, harmonica, Theo Edmands on banjo, Ryan Higgins on bass, Brian Passmore, guitar, with Dan Schwartz on drums. Josh Findlayson (Skydiggers) produced the KF's second record, Low Light High Light, which was released Sept. 29. The band has toured across Canada a couple of times so they're weathered and a professional show is in the offing.
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Best of 2012: Canadian Albums ("LLHL" ranked at #3)
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10 Actual Water The Paisley Orchard
9 Boxer The Horse French Residency
8 Young Rival Stay Young
...10 Actual Water The Paisley Orchard
9 Boxer The Horse French Residency
8 Young Rival Stay Young
7 Lily Frost Do What You Love
6 Wordburglar 3rdburglar
5 Andre Williams & The Sadies Night & Day
4 Said The Whale Little Mountain
3 The Key Frames Low Light High Light
2 The Strumbellas My Father and The Hunter
1 Hill & the Sky Heroes 11:11
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The Key Frames Go West on Stripped-Down Tour
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The Key Frames wrapped up their Eastern Canadian tour just a couple of weeks ago, and now the Toront...The Key Frames wrapped up their Eastern Canadian tour just a couple of weeks ago, and now the Toronto roots rock outfit are hitting the road once again, this time heading west.
For this tour, the band will be performing in a stripped-down incarnation of the band made up of guitarists Rob Webster and Brian Passmore. The pair will start off in their hometown before heading west all the way to the Pacific coast and even swinging through the Yukon.
Once they're back in Toronto, the Key Frames will play an official release party for their recent album, Low Light High Light. The album was produced by Josh Finlayson of Skydiggers and mixed by Don Pyle of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.
Scroll past the tour schedule to hear the album track "Midday Sun."
Tour dates:
8/11 Toronto, ON - The Only Café
8/13 Thunder Bay, ON - The Apollo
8/14 Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre Café
8/16 Edmonton, AB - Haven Social Club
8/18 Whitehorse, YT - Bailey's Pub
8/19 Dawson, YT - Midnight Sun Hotel
8/24 Kamloops, BC - The Art We Are
8/25 Victoria, BC - TBA
8/26 Vancouver, BC - The Railway Club
8/29 Calgary, AB - house show
8/30 Saskatoon, SK - Lydia's Pub
8/31 Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre Café
9/1 Thunder Bay, ON - The Apollo
9/8 Oshawa, ON - Murphy's Pub
9/29 Toronto, ON - 3030
10/6 Oakville, ON - The Moonshine Cafe
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Toronto's Key Frames Head East on Canadian July Tour
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Toronto roots rockers the Key Frames just dropped Low Light High Light, their second album in as man...Toronto roots rockers the Key Frames just dropped Low Light High Light, their second album in as many years, via their own Snarlophone Music. To support the release, the group will be hitting the road in July for a number of Canadian tour dates.
The band will be heading eastward, playing a hectic 11 shows in just nine days. At its busiest point, from July 14 to 15, they will perform four times in two days. This will be followed by a tour of Western Canada in August (that will include show in the Yukon), although those dates are not yet confirmed.
Along the way, the Key Frames will be selling Low Light High Light, which was produced by Josh Finlayson of Skydiggers and mixed by Don Pyle of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. Scroll past the tour dates to hear the countrified single "Sorted Out."
Tour dates:
7/11 Montreal, QC - Petit Campus *
7/12 Quebec City, QC - Le Fou Bar ^
7/13 Edmundston, NB - Café d'la Vieille Forge
7/14 Halifax, NS - Obsolete Records (matinee)
7/14 Halifax, NS - Rockbottom Brew Pub (evening show)
7/15 Port Elgin, NB - Centennial Park (matinee)
7/15 Charlottetown, PE - Baba's Lounge % (evening show)
7/16 Moncton, NB - Plan B Lounge
7/17 Rivière-du-loup, QC - Brasserie Lafontaine
7/18 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC - Le Zaricot
7/19 Kingston, ON - The Mansion #
* with The Jimmyriggers
^ with Rat Lemon
% with Old Stone Station
# with with Tom Savage
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NXNE 2012
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The Key Frames
Saturday @ Annex Live, 9:20pm
Despite having to face the unfortunate consequences...The Key Frames
Saturday @ Annex Live, 9:20pm
Despite having to face the unfortunate consequences of a last minute sound check (apparently NXNE staff were not informed of the late addition of the Roots-Rockin’ Key Frames to Saturday’s bill), the quintet performed like veterans of the stage to kick-off Saturday night at Annex Live.
The banjo, normally a highlight of a KF performance, was barely audible after a power cord crapped out part way through the set. Still, the band managed to maintain their enthusiasm on stage, and guitarist Brian Passmore did his best not to overshadow the banjo’s understated soloing.
Treating the small but energetic Annex Live crowd to many of their newer songs (The boys have recently recorded a new album, High Light Low Light, to be released later this year), The Key Frames seem very comfortable with their material and dynamic as a group. Frontman Rob Webster’s honey-smooth voice pairs well with his style of songwriting (which sits somewhere between Blue-eyed Soul and early Beatles-pop). Banjoman Theo Edmands and Roots-driven East Coaster Ryan Higgins lead a few of their own tunes, too, and the variety makes for an entertaining and eclectic set.
The Key Frames are sure to make you feel like dancing up a storm – a feeling that a few audience members couldn’t ignore during Saturday’s show. Look forward to their summer tour stretching from coast to coast.
- Erin Klassen
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Low Light High Light (album review)
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Low Light High Light sees the value of being a regular live band. Where The Key Frames’ debut record...Low Light High Light sees the value of being a regular live band. Where The Key Frames’ debut record, Out On the Point showed promise, the new album shows the band has tightened its sound and become a lot better in the songwriter department. Key tracks: “The Hit Plays You” is witty and catchy, and “Sorted Out” finds the quintet channeling a little bit of B.T.O. (but with a little added mandolin).
The guys in The Key Frames gig a lot – they’re about to embark on a tour in support of Low Light High Light that has dates in Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, and beyond. Check the website for details and follow them on twitter (@thekeyframes).
- Noah Siegel
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The Key Frames: "Low Light High Light" (album review)
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8.5/10
Rarely does an album come around that's as easily enjoyable from start-to-finish as Low Li...8.5/10
Rarely does an album come around that's as easily enjoyable from start-to-finish as Low Light High Light, the forthcoming album from Toronto roots rock outfit The Key Frames.
From the first refrain of the soulful and melodic southern-tinged opener "Sorted Out", you know you're in for a treat. The catchy ditty "Midday Sun" and the hook-laden "The Hit Plays You" are delivered effortlessly.
Witty lyrics can be found throughout the record. While they aren't laugh-out-loud funny, songs like "Yer Spell" are clever enough to plant a grin on your face as you listen.
The band obviously have some Blue Rodeo in their record collections. "Wanna Be Rain" and "In the Mirror" are sophisticated urban country in the Blue Rodeo mold, while "Way To Love" is a country blues lament that wouldn't sound out of place on Outskirts.
The band excels the most when they pick up the banjo. The frolicking plucker "You've Been On My Mind" is a highlight, as is the instrumental banjo/harmonica hootenanny "National Keyframe Rag".
The only issue with Low Light High Light is timing. This is a perfect summer record. It seems like a waste not to have had it for those beer and barbecue long weekends.
The Key Frames play an album release party at 3030 in Toronto on September 29th.
Best tracks: "You've Been On My Mind", "Sorted Out"
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Review - "Low Light High Light" - The Key Frames
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It’s been a little over a year, so it came as a surprise to me when I heard from the Key Frames a fe...It’s been a little over a year, so it came as a surprise to me when I heard from the Key Frames a few months back with plans to release another full-length album this year. They certainly delivered on that promise, and even better is the fact that despite the fast time frame none of the songs on Low Light High Light feel rushed or incomplete.
I recall using the word “fun” quite a bit in my review of last year’s album Out on the Point and the word can certainly apply here again. In fact, the middle of the album is likely where you’ll get the most fun out of this album. “The Hit Plays You” is a take on radio stations that only play “hit music.” While the “Mr. DJ, turn the music up” line has been done to death in song, the band is instead asking the DJ to skip that popular hit. At one point the lead singer says “I can’t take another Nickelback tune.” Neither can we.
Following this is “Bootlegger,” a song which fittingly finds itself in the territory of Prohibition, with the song’s character lamenting about what would happen if his lover found out what he did to provide for his family.
The band’s approach to love songs is interesting to note, particularly toward the end of the song. “Yer Spell” characterizes love as just that- a spell or a hex that the character in the song is falling for. Later though, in “Wanna Be Rain,” love is seen as something worse than a spell- it’s a curse.
As far as instrumentation goes, The Key Frames are still whole-heartedly embracing the banjo, and it gives a lot of their songs a warmth it might not otherwise have, sometimes playing a much more low-key role but sometimes forming the song’s backbone such as in “You’ve Been on My Mind.”
The band also shows off some great vocal harmonies in songs like the burst of happiness that is “Midday Sun” (one of my favourite tracks on the album) and some vocalizations are at the end of the album’s closing song “In the Mirror.” You can even see the band’s instrumental chops with “National Keyframe Rag.”
The Key Frames are certainly not a band that shows any sign of slowing down. And the ability to not lose musical quality is one to be admired.
Low Light High Light will be available officially on September 29 via Bandcamp and other places, but you can already purchase the album should you see their live show.
Top Tracks: “Midday Sun”; “Bootlegger”
Rating: Strong Hoot (Good)
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The Key Frames - Out On The Point
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Toronto-based foursome [sic] The Key Frames have filled out their debut album, Out On the Point, wit...Toronto-based foursome [sic] The Key Frames have filled out their debut album, Out On the Point, with downhome Country and Roots sounds – and for fans of the genre, it won’t disappoint. The opening cut, “The Divide,” quickly sums up what these Roots rockers are all about – tight musicianship, charming harmonies and a happy go-lucky atmosphere all set behind a classy banjo. Even seemingly less happy songs like “Can’t Kiss You Again,” or “The Bullet to Lay Me Down” are still going to induce a toe-tap and bring a smile to your face. Setting The Key Frames apart from other Toronto Roots bands is their sincere emotion and charismatic approach to their music that can be heard in “Steal You Away” and “Feel Like A Fool.”
The band’s greatest strength is their ability to seamlessly alter the pace of their record by changing the leads. The Key Frames refuse to stick with only one lead singer, nor is their patented banjo always at the forefront of their songs. The Key Frames each bring a different sensibility to the vocals, while the guitars, the banjo and strings all flow together without ever becoming overbearing.
Comparisons to other Canadian bands like Blue Rodeo and The Sadies are inevitable, and that’s certainly not a bad thing. Roots rockers will want to stash Out On the Point beside their Blue Rodeo catalogue and save it for whiskey-soaked nights. This is a talented group of musicians that are only going to get better with time. I can’t wait to see what comes next for The Key Frames.
– Joe Veroni
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The Key Frames - Out On The Point
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The Key Frames
Out on the Point
Self-Released
Anyone remember an early 90s American band called...The Key Frames
Out on the Point
Self-Released
Anyone remember an early 90s American band called Poi Dog Pondering? They played an offbeat, but playful roots rock style, with a nice beach-party edge, nearly a decade before Jack Johnson made the sound popular. Toronto quintet The Key Frames sound almost exactly like them, but The Key Frames have a banjo. Perhaps a more familiar Canadian touchstone would be Blue Rodeo's roots sensibilities crossed with Moxy Fruvous' playful nature. Either way, The Key Frames have a fresh take on roots rock that has been sorely missing lately. Most of the songs have a melancholy edge, but are lightened up by a playful turn of phrase, a upbeat fiddle lick, or an accordion. “Our Age” tackles the young feeling old and the old feeling young, “Feel Like a Fool” is a playful take on lost love. “Steal You Away” is about stealing girlfriends and features the lyric “I've seen you look my way/Don't you want a man like me?”. “The Bullet to Lay Me Down” is a fanciful look at suicide. With so many roots artists looking to the sad end of classic country and bluegrass, it's very nice to see a band like this with a lighter and more upbeat style. Very nice debut for this band.
By Steve Marlow
Sep 10, 2011
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"Steal You Away" Live on CTV Morning Live
Original air date: Sept. 7, 2011
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"Our Age" Live on CTV Morning Live
Original air date: Aug. 30, 2011
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Key Frames offer diverse musical stylings
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Key Frames offer diverse musical stylings
Published Friday August 26th, 2011
Toronto band refuses ...Key Frames offer diverse musical stylings
Published Friday August 26th, 2011
Toronto band refuses to be tied down to one genre
by Ken Kelley
Times & Transcript Staff
With a sound that lies somewhere in the murky waters between pop and roots-rock, The Key Frames tend to embrace a diverse musical pallet, bringing that and more to their debut record, Out On The Point.
Formed in 2007 by banjo player Theo Edmunds and guitarist Rob Webster, the duo soon rounded out the group with drummer Dan Schwartz, Ryan Higgins on bass and Brian Passmore as a second guitarist.
They Key Frames will be performing at Moncton's Plan B Lounge on Monday Aug. 29, starting at 9 p.m.
The Key Frames refusal to relegate themselves to one specific genre of music is evident in listening to any of the songs contained on Out On The Point. As far as Rob Webster is concerned, it has ultimately helped create make the group all the more well rounded.
"Within my own influences I have always been a really immersive listener, so I'll just play the same five albums for months on end and start hearing things usually reserved for dogs only," he starts. "As a result of that, I end up thinking a lot about the essence or feeling behind a style or genre rather than the sort of surface conventions. If the music I have contributed to Key Frames seems to straddle a few different styles, I think it's probably because they all seem so easily connected to me when I write songs; the trick is whether other people see the connections or not, I suppose."
Bassist Ryan Higgins expands on Webster's statement saying, "I'm particularly proud of how difficult it can be to describe to people just what kind of music we play. Our influences are so many in number it means there is a real freedom within the group to play whatever comes naturally."
While song writing in The Key Frames is very much a collaborative effort between all members, playing live has been an important part of helping the group find their comfort zone.
"Playing live is where it starts and ends," Webster says. "You can practice forever and still not learn the lessons you do onstage."
"There is nothing like playing live to work out the kinks in songs," drummer Dan Schwartz says. "We have played numerous three-set nights, and even a few shows where we've played a three hour matinee followed by a four hour evening show. These are definitely the shows that have really helped tighten up our parts and gel our sound."
Despite being a relatively small fish in the pond known as the City of Toronto, the members of The Key Frames have left starry-eyed hopes of becoming rock stars behind and instead are incredibly realistic about what the future holds for them.
"In a city the size of Toronto, you have got to be so committed to what you are doing but also ready to leave your expectations of sudden, wild acclaim behind," Webster says. "It can be draining and beat on you emotionally but on the good side of things, it forces you to stand that much taller and work that much harder if you want to stay in the game. There is no room for complacency; the money is almost nonexistent and recognition can take years, if it ever comes at all. That being said, I wouldn't want my home base to be anywhere else."
* Ken Kelley is a Moncton-based writer, music fanatic and author of the entertainment blog www.musicnerd.ca.
What: The Key Frames
When: Monday Aug. 29, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Plan B Lounge, 212 St. George Street, Moncton
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Pick of the Week
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The Key Frames
OUT ON THE POINT
(Snarlophone Music)
Full of country rock twang, pop guitar jang...The Key Frames
OUT ON THE POINT
(Snarlophone Music)
Full of country rock twang, pop guitar jangle, and a fistful of indie hooks, Toronto quintet The Key Frames has a lot of bases covered on its debut CD Out On The Point.
Their sound is a familiar one, but it's delivered with energy and panache, thrusting scoopfuls of heart and unvarnished enthusiasm into each rollicking banjo lick and lyric of lost love and missed opportunities.
For a live sample, catch The Key Frames on Sunday at a live in-store appearance at Obsolete Records at 2 p.m. and later that night at Gus's Pub with Prospector's Union and David Bradshaw.
For more on the band visit thekeyframes.com.
(scooke@herald.ca)
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Time is key for The Key Frames
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Time is key for The Key Frames
The Toronto roots-rockers bring their well-honest first release *Ou...Time is key for The Key Frames
The Toronto roots-rockers bring their well-honest first release *Out On The Point* east for the first time.
by Allison Saunders
When it came to their debut album, time wasn't an issue for Toronto's The Key Frames. "We made a choice early that we wanted to be meticulous and give the songs their full due, even if it cost us more money and more time," says guitarist Rob Webster. "As up-and-comers that's not an easy call to make." Last May, nearly three years after their first sessions, Out on the Point came to fruition, showcasing 11 songs that hint at the country, blue grass and soul influences brought to the table by each of the band's five members. "We've never been hesitant to let quite different genres and styles cross-pollinate as we're putting songs together," says Webster. With the record out of the way, The Key Frames are making their first trip east and taking their Haligonian bassist Ryan Higgins home for a rest.
Sunday Aug 28, Obsolete Records, 2454 Agricola Street, 2pm and Gus' Pub, 2605 Agricola Street, 9pm, $5
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Key Frames (video interview)
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(A cool, though exceptionally hot, interview, as well as some performance footage from our greasy CD...(A cool, though exceptionally hot, interview, as well as some performance footage from our greasy CD release at the Dakota Tavern. Enjoy!)
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Review- “Out on the Point”- The Key Frames
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Posted on July 13, 2011 by glasspaperweight
reviewed by Michael
The blue sky and grey-brown la...Posted on July 13, 2011 by glasspaperweight
reviewed by Michael
The blue sky and grey-brown landscapes of Out on the Point‘s album cover suit the music of Toronto roots-rock band The Key Frames well. Their music is mostly sunny and reminds one of large open spaces.
The album is a good bit of fun, with banjos aplenty that mix with both acoustic and electric guitar, bass and drums. It’s a full-blooded roots-rock album.
The opening track “The Divide” serves a great intro to those who haven’t heard the band before, such as myself. Rather than go full-out, the song gradually adds in instruments. What begins with an acoustic guitar and group vocals (giving the beginning a Beatles-esque vibe) turns into electric guitar, bass, drums and banjo.
Once you’ve heard your first banjo on the album it won’t stick out to you for the rest of the album’s eleven songs. The banjo is therefore a very integral part of the band’s sound.
One of the album highlights is the song “Feel Like a Fool” which has an old-timey rock sound to it. It’s got keyboards, it’s got great backup vocals, it’s fun, and there are lots of hand claps. And a band can never go wrong with hand claps. Ever.
The song “Our Age” is a lot of fun, a song about “the good old days” however far behind those may be. A memorable line from the song is “I never had a camera cell phone and neither did you.”
The longest song “Can’t Kiss You Again” is a change of pace from the more up-tempo roots-rock the band plays but it’s a nice change. The song is pronouncedly slower-paced and comes across as a good old-fashioned pining song.
If I haven’t gotten the point across yet, The Key Frames play their brand of roots-rock well, and it’s all great fun to listen to. You can stream or buy the album through Bandcamp and you can find more info on the band on their website.
Top Tracks: “The Divide”; “Feel Like a Fool”; “The Bullet To Lay Me Down”
Rating: Strong Hoot (Good)
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NOW Mag NXNE 2011 Coverage
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Like the itinerant folksingers, country rulebreakers, British invaders and roots rockers from whom t...Like the itinerant folksingers, country rulebreakers, British invaders and roots rockers from whom they've drawn their inspiration the Key Frames prefer to build their music the simple way and let their hearts be the judge.
