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For five days and nights Toronto is turned on its head as NXNE draws over 330,000 people looking to check out the hottest music acts from around the world. If you're there now then you already know how amazing these bands are, but if you're not, check out some of the Sonicbids bands tearing up Toronto this week.
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The Lighthouse and the Whaler
Cleveland, Ohio USA
– booked by NXNE
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…their music invokes the rhythm of the ocean…
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Jeff: The Lighthouse and the Whaler may hail from the banks of a lake in Cleveland, Ohio, but their music invokes the rhythm of the ocean. Layered sounds crash over you, much like the waves beat against the shore. I have been lucky enough to see The Lighthouse and the Whaler at SXSW and I can’t help but feel a bit of jealousy towards those seeing them north of the border (and a little to the right) at NXNE. OK, a lot of jealousy. Whether you’re going to see them at NXNE or seething with jealousy like me, make sure you check out their 2012 album This Is An Adventure.
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Star and Micey
Vancouver, British Columbia CAN – booked by NXNE
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Isabel: Star & Micey became a band one night when Josh Crosby stopped to share stories with a homeless man (Star) on the streets of Memphis; a story which feels perfectly fitting to understand the raw passion this duo exhibits throughout their songs. In "I Can't Wait" you hear their country roots, but in "Soul Storming" you see a more whimsical side. Their music is soul and has soul - you'll be itching to start dancing!
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Mickey Factz
Bronx, New York USA – booked by NXNE
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Nate: It’s not every day that you get to see a rapper who was part of XXL’s freshman class, so the folks at NXNE are double lucky as Mickey Factz performs twice this week. The Bronx lyricist (who was once enrolled at NYU’s law school!) is constantly on the grind and in doing so has worked with a range of talented artists, from Drake to producer 9th Wonder. Lucky for us Mickey quit trying to pass the bar and instead started spitting them!
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Paper Thick Walls
Chicago, Illinois USA – booked by NXNE
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Drea: If dreams had a soundtrack, Paper Thick Walls would be playing each song. Having toured 50 cities in the last year the band has gained the exposure they deserve. These indie rockers use their story-telling abilities to captivate audiences nationwide and beyond. Chicago Magazine named them one of the Top 5 emerging artists from Chicago so stay tuned for their EP, due to come out this year!
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We Are The City
Vancouver, British Columbia CAN
– booked by NXNE
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Eric: The timing of this year’s NXNE Conference couldn’t be more perfect for Vancouver rockers We Are The City, as the trio’s latest LP Violent was just released on June 4th via Hidden Pony Records. Violent showcases the band's incredible technical abilities by creating tracks that are both melodic yet quite chaotic. My favorite example of this being the song “King David.”
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