Ben Rayner
TorontoStar
Canada
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Past articles by Ben:
A brunch of breakups — with lovers and their label — sparked the Beaches’ explosive new album: ‘We’ve never had this much freedom’
With new album “Blame My Ex,” the Beaches are shedding their rock ’n’ roll skin in favour of something sonically slippery. They’ve never been more exciting. → Read More
He’s Canada’s next big thing in down-and-dirty, classic-rockin’ blues guitardom
Things are happening for Garret T. Willie, the 22-year-old from Cormorant Island who wowed a crowd with AC/DC covers at 10. → Read More
The album is called ‘Something Easy’ — but it was anything but for Justin Rutledge
Making it at home during the pandemic, the new father grappled with the technical details and whether he wanted to keep making music for a living at all. → Read More
Dilly Dally says goodbye to its fans with two last shows:
The band’s breakup is amicable. And the Lee’s Palace gigs “are going to my favourite shows I ever play,” says guitarist Liz Ball. → Read More
Andy Shauf planned to make a ‘normal’ record. That’s not what happened
On “Norm” — his’70s-tinged soft pop album — Shauf delves into the mind of a perpetually stoned stalker with brilliant results. → Read More
Meg Remy of U.S. Girls birthed what might be her best album yet along with her twins
Ahead of Toronto shows April 27 and 28, Remy talks about how “Bless This Mess” was born during COVID lockdown in the throes of incipient parenthood. → Read More
Darrelle London finds her quirky, poppy groove with kindie record ‘Primary’
The album, which originated during COVID lockdown with her two children, allows London’s bright, singsong voice and whimsical approach to songwriting to flourish in a most natural way. → Read More
This punk rock musician is obsessed with olive oil — and he has the prestigious certification to back it up
Fil Bucchino is Canada’s only Assaggiatore di Olio di Oliva, or olive oil taster, one of only 31 in the world. → Read More
Toronto songstress Martina Sorbara and the return of Dragonette
With 2010 hit “Hello” back on Billboard chart and a new album “Twennies” released Oct. 28, Dragonette plays the Axis Club in Toronto on Nov. 16. → Read More
Guelph band Bonnie Trash channels goth inspiration from Italian roots
Bonnie Trash release their first album “Malocchio” on Oct. 28. → Read More
Singer/songwriter Adam Baldwin was ready to give up, then he had a chat with Martha Wainwright
Baldwin is touring and has released a rivetingly heartfelt new solo album, “Concertos & Serenades.” → Read More
Alvvays latest album ‘Blue Rev’ is out today
Frontwoman Molly Rankin and the band will head to the U.K. and the U.S. for a string of live dates. → Read More
Well that’s a trip: ‘Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition’ explores our long relationship with hallucinogens
Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition, another art trip in the Immersive art experience vein, opens in Toronto Friday, Sept. 30. → Read More
He’s a tall roots ’n’ roller, she’s a short pop auteur, but Tom Wilson and Iskwē pair perfectly on ‘Mother Love’
The two Hamilton residents had never sung together before. But a duet at the Indspire Awards turned enough heads that they were inspired to reunite for more. → Read More
After losing singer and guitarist Dallas Good, the Sadies talk healing, touring and what’s next
Toronto band’s new album, “Colder Streams,” completed before Dallas Good’s sudden death in February and released July 22, ranks as one of the Sadies’ best efforts, writes Ben Rayner. → Read More
Fans get set for full sad girl immersion as Wild Hearts tour hits Massey Hall
Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen and Julien Baker have joined forces for femme-forward touring bill. → Read More
Field Trip, Toronto’s friendliest music festival, is back where it belongs
The return of the chill, inclusive, kid-friendly celebration to Fort York on July 9 has been greeted with glee by Toronto concertgoers. → Read More
Amid Toronto band MANifesto’s camp and conviviality there’s a message of empowerment
The self-described “gaggle of grown-up gays covering songs originated by girl groups” will perform at Buddies in Bad Times theatre on June 24. → Read More
Alexisonfire is back and they’re on fire with their first album in 13 years and a slew of live shows
“Otherness” out June 24, is arguably the most representatively hard-hitting and confident channelling of Alexisonfire’s stage show the band has ever put to tape, writes Ben Rayner. → Read More
A broken foot, a broken-down tour bus, an ‘electrocuted’ opening act — nothing will keep Lights from doing what she loves
The 905-bred, Vancouver-based electro-pop Queen of the Geeks hits Toronto’s History May 7 as part of the Baby I’m Back road show. → Read More