More Nu Music

Tuesday night, I checked out another installment of Nu Music Nites at the Horseshoe. First up at 9 pm was Canon Blue from Nashville. With such an early slot, there were only a handful of people. The "Toronto gap" between stage and front row was almost half the bar. They played standard rock with some dabbling in more experimental arrangement and effects. Their most successful song was the twee-like "Indian Summer".

On at 10 pm was The Box Tiger, or just one tiger? Lead singer and guitarist, Sonia Sturio, did an acoustic set. Compared to her usual hard-rocking personae, this was a much more laid back affair. She sounded like a cross between Feist and "You Oughta Know" Alanis. Check out one of her new songs.

At 11 pm, Sandman Viper Command bounded on stage for their 7" release. Their straight-up rock got their fans singing and dancing along. A little mini mosh pit developed near the front, until a girl got hit in the head with an errant elbow. They even had groupies ... ok, most of the musicians' girlfriends were up front and centre to cheer them on.

The final act was Quiet Cool, a side project of Liam from the Balconies. I couldn't stick around to check it out.