Missed Opportunity

Seems like the story of my life, either 2 seconds to early or an hour late. Last month, Time Magazine dedicated the cover and a large portion of the issue to Canadian independent music. I manage this band called The Wilderness, a super group of sorts, made up of Andrew Rodriguez of Bodega, J Ball of A Hopeful Monster and Jason Kent of The Sonny Best Band. They're pretty frickin stellar and have been working on a record for the better part of 2 years. Seems as though Time wanted to feature The Wilderness in the issue but had no way of getting in contact with me or the band. So, they contacted Scott of Controller Controller who also runs the Umbrella Music Night where The Wilderness played last night. The following is the email that was delivered to me today but sent to Scott on March 24 as Scott has been on tour for the past 6 weeks (no hard feelings Scott)

Dear Scott,
I'm a reporter at the Toronto bureau of TIME Magazine and I've been trying
to find a contact for a new band called the Wilderness (Andrew Rodrigues and
company). I believe you booked them at an Umbrella concert at the Rivoli in
April. I've left a couple of messages at Umbrella, but I haven't heard back
from anyone. Do you have a contact number for someone with the band? All I
am trying to find out is when they might have an album coming out in 2005,
the catch is that we are closing this story on new Canadian indie music
tomorrow (Friday). I'd be grateful for any help you can offer. Thanks very
much! Leigh Anne

Oh well, I guess, if the band were featured in this issue who knows what could've happened as they would've been the band that most people hadn't heard of. It definitely would've sparked a buzz, some curiosity at least. It's now back to the grind, playing shows, winning fans, losing money. See you at the next show.

Friday April 8 - El Mocambo

Another Blue Door opens itself widely to influences as far reaching as Pavement, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, at times "rocking out" and at other times "folking out," quite often within the same song.
Three Imaginary Girls

it all sounds so damn original, not just another sampling of forgotten sounds brought back to life (which isn't such a bad thing either come to think of it). Best of all, you can get back on the Canuck rock bandwagon which is yet again picking up steam.
Cosmik

A very impressive album from a band you should hear much more from. Look no further than the adorable closer "Ithaca, N.Y."
Pop Matters

Haulers is a moving album...full of mood enhancing compositions that push the needles back and forth over the course of the album. Cool intense tunes include "Nova Scotia," "Streetlight Song," "How're Things?," and "Ithaca, N.Y." Unusual and intense.
LMNOP

The sound of Another Blue Door is like Pavement shaking hands with Neil Young while The Replacements are combing their hair with Wilco watching.
Crimewaves

On Friday April 8 at the El Mocambo, Another Blue Door will be playing with Magneta Lane, The Mark Inside and The Key Concepts. Yes, Another Blue Door is a horrible band name but this group are amazing and criminally overlooked in the burgeoning Canadian independent music scene. I've watched this band grow from being pensive and enigmatic to dynamic and explosive in their live show. I am in constant amazement as to how this band has progressed. Dave Schoonderbeek wrote the songs for "Haulers" when he was 17, they're naive, stark and intense. The new material has been more of a collective effort and the bands maturity shines through.
Perhaps it's my fault this band has been overlooked, not in the local press but in the grand "scheme". They signed to a US indie, did well at college radio and somewhat continue to do so. This band is the epitomy of everything good about music.
I hope that who ever reads this, comes to the show on Friday, if you're out of town and want a copy of "Haulers" please drop me an email. I guarantee that this band will blow you away and you will become a fan.
Another Blue Door