Mar On Music’s Weekly 5 Tracks (04/08)

See Rock Live’s Mar Sellars also hosts a weekly radio show in Toronto Mar On Music which can be heard every Friday 3-5 PM on CIUT 89.5 FM. Mar consumes hours of music each week to pick the best of the best of new and interesting music that’s coming out. Here are her 5 picks this week of music you should be listening to!

The Magic Gang – Your Love

The Magic Gang are my favorite four boys from Brighton. I was lucky enough to put on their first-ever North America gig (Mar On Music showcase at CMW May 2016) and fell in love with their Beach Boys-esque sugar-coated guitar pop. They are local heroes in Brighton and have a following wherever they go in the UK. The Magic Gang also lives in a massive house with another Brighton band, Abattoir Blues, which according to legend is the biggest party house in Brighton. Every time I see the Magic Gang no matter how tired, how drunk, how sweaty, how whatever they are, they never disappoint. Perfect harmonies, but what I love the most about them is the big smiles. They smile on stage and always look like they are having a lovely time. No pretension here. They’ve put out a series of EPs all aptly titled EP, The Second EP, and EP Three. “Your Love” is one of their latest singles to tide us all over until a full length is available.

Teenanger – Just Drop It

Toronto’s Teenanger often confused for the word “Teenager” have just released their fifth album and titled it, Teenager, just to confuse you more. Far from being teenagers, the band has been bopping and rocking in Toronto’s punk scene since 2007. “Just Drop It” has bass player Mellissa Ball on lead vocals. It’s got a bubble gum beat and is reminiscent of early 80s power pop/bubblegum punk legends Nikki & the Corvettes and the Gymlips. I love it. Be sure to attend Teenanger’s album release party at the Horseshoe August 11.

Fruit Juice – Kimkimsee

Eat You Up by Fruit Juice

Olympia’s Fruit Juice is a complete anomaly to me. Their debut album just turned up in my inbox one day and I put it on and was instantly converted to full-on fandom. That album is Eat You Up out just last week on Swoon Records (July 28). If you are a fan of eccentric indie pop à la the Unicorns, Of Montreal, and even hints of David Bowie you will fall for Fruit Juice as hard as I did. Residing between Seattle and Olympia now, let’s hope these West Coasters spread their wings and make it out East on tour.

Partner – Play the Field

We may seem slightly biased on our coverage of these fine shredders. But how can there be biased when the facts are Partner is the best live band in Canada at the moment!? And their debut album is one of the most anticipated albums of 2017!! Teasing us with another single is this poptastic romp about sports and high school crushes. If you aren’t on the Partner train yet, get on board and be sure to be at their album release show at the Horseshoe September 08.

Umm – Black Summer

Umm is Stefanie Drootin (The Good Life, Big Harp, Bright Eyes) and Chris Senseney (Big Harp). The duo resides in Los Angeles and also JUST released their debut LP Double Worshipper (July 28). This tune, “Black Summer”, is from there I’m In Love EP released in June. They’re self-described as “like the Everly Brothers and Suicide smoking cigarettes in bed and listening to the Breeders.” Black Summer is the perfect soundtrack to a lazy hazy summer afternoon, dreamy and fuzzy all at the same time. Advised to listen to while lying on the grass in a park in the sunshine.

See ya next week for another 5 tracks.