Sep. 06, 2006 - Issue #568: Sex in the City

Streets hit the road

There aren’t a lot of bands in this city with balls the size of the City Streets. I’m speaking figuratively, of course. Though I’m sure the band members aren’t lacking in actual testicle size, the balls I’m referring to have more to do with bravery.

Unlike other bands who send off their festival applications and then wait for the organizers to extend an invitation, the City Streets’ determination has led them to crash Toronto’s NXNE, Austin’s SXSW and soon they will descend upon the world’s second largest French speaking city at the Pop Montreal Festival, followed by the Halifax Pop Explosion.

Though the band wasn’t exactly officially accepted, as bassist Matt Leddy explains, the band has never seen that as an obstacle.

“A lot of people think that if you get accepted, you’ll automatically get signed,” he says. “Every time we just show up at these things, something great comes out of it.” The band has been gearing up for the festival appearances and the tour that will get them there by writing a whole bunch of new songs that may make their debut at their tour kickoff at the Sidetrack. When they return, the band has high hopes they’ll be able to record them with Ian Blurton, leader of Toronto’s C’mon and general rock demi-god.

Blurton and the band were introduced to each other at NXNE. “He told us to send some demos, so hopefully it’ll work out from there,” Leddy explains. “We really like the work he’s done [producing] the Weakerthans and the Illuminati.”

Until then, however, the band is looking forward to their Sidetrack gig, where they’ll be kicking off their tour with their good friends, Vancouver’s the Feminists.

“It’s sort of a fake tour kick off,” Leddy laughs, “because we leave 10 days later.” V

Thu, Sep 14 (9 pm)
The City Streets
With The Feminists, The Kettle Black
Sidetrack Café, $5

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