blog post ON AIR with Louise Burns: SHOEGAZE

What is it about gazing at your shoes whilst making monstrous walls of sound and beautiful swirling feedback that is so darn appealing? Shoegazing is a genre of music that rose to its shimmering heights in the late 80's and early 90's, only to dwindle away with the coming of Britpop and whatever that terrible period of pop music in the late 90's was called.

Today I will be discussing the shoegazers with the most fascinating shoes, that is, those who helped sculpt and later keep the genre alive. Please feel free to contribute to my list of past and present awesomeness. 

And now for the classics: 

My Bloody Valentine: Only Shallow

The Jesus and Mary Chain: Just Like Honey

Ride: Unfamiliar

Five Canadian shoegazers to watch, gaze and listen to:

1. Beliefs (Toronto)

It's impressive when a band can gain so much buzz without any assistance from a publicist, record company or any sort of media. They're one of the most exciting bands to watch right now so catch them before their shoes get too big for dive bars and clubs. Think My Bloody Valentine "Isn't Anything" era meets Jesus and Mary Chain "Darklands". 

2. The Haiduks (Montreal)

I recently found this band via Weird Canada, and I gotta say, I'm hooked. Weird Canada describes them as "the sound of a popsicle turned to sweet, sweet sugar juice". I couldn't agree more. Delicious.

3.  Bird World (Halifax)

Psychedelic maritimers Bird World are heavy on the psych, easy on the gaze. Their bio on myspace is "tapes{tapes{tapes{{{ LOST + FOUND {{{ OBSOLETE RECORDS}}}}}} $5 $5 $5 }}}" so, whatever that means! I like em.

4. Diamond Sea (Montreal)

Lots of pretty melodies, swirly guitars and wall of sound vocals make this band SHINE! This seemed to be the most recommended band when I asked my friends about their favorite Cancon shoegazers. Heavy influence of Teenage Fanclub, Pale Saints and Ride.

5. Odonis Odonis (Toronto)

This band rules. If they toured with A Place To Bury Strangers, my shoes would burst with excitement. Plus this video is a synesthete's dream come true.

There are more that I am missing but that's where YOU come in- what are some of your favorite Canadian shoegaze bands, both known and not so known?

Do you like shoegaze, or does it make you dizzy?