Just giver

Toronto band The Darcys is doing its part for charity this month with a series of free performances and workshops in Canadian schools as part of the Play in School campaign in support of continued musical education in classrooms. "Discussions with our fans are really important to us. We spend a lot of time reading and responding to email, Facebook and Twitter messages. Two issues that come up constantly are a lack of opportunities for our underaged fans to see us perform and a frustration with the lack of opportunities to learn and experience music in schools," says Wes Marskell, drummer for the band. The band will be playing at a number of local schools as part of this initiative and will add more schools to the schedule as they continue to tour in support of their latest album Warring, out on Arts & Crafts. The Darcys is also currently joining a list of artists that includes Metric, Austra, Ryan Hemsworth and more as part of the Kielh's Gives campaign to support Canadian music programs in schools via MusiCounts. The band will also be partnering with Toronto coffee house Crema on an original blend for sale this Christmas with a portion of all sales donated to People For Education.

Beardo rocks

Iconic, bearded Toronto rocker and mega-producer Ian Blurton, of Change of Heart and C'mon fame, announced via Twitter that his new band Public Animal is heading into the studio to begin work on their highly anticipated debut album. We asked Blurton to give us the inside scoop on the new record. "It's a concept album about a character named Public Animal," Blurton explains. "The Public Animal first appeared on a song on Alice Cooper's School's Out LP (Public Animal #9). So it's really a concept album about a character from another concept album. The four of us wrote the LP together over the last year and it's been influenced heavily by black metal's anything goes attitude specifically the band Solefald. It is not a black metal record though." Blurton and company are set to being work at Revolution Studios on Dec. 7 and are looking at a release date of next spring. Other members of the band include Caitlin Dacey, Ryan Gassi and Eric Larock. Public Animal made a fiery debut at this past year's North by Northeast music festival in Toronto. Video evidence below.

Quiet riot

Hayden has announced more dates as part of a North American tour that will bring the alt country crooner back to Toronto for what will surely be a memorable night at the Danforth Music Hall on Nov. 30. Hayden released his latest album, Us Alone, to critical acclaim. Joining Hayden on Nov. 30, in what is shaping up to be a memorable night of music, will be Doug Paisley and Arts & Crafts' latest find Reuben And The Dark. To celebrate the announcement, Hayden unveiled a new video for his song "Blurry Nights," check it out below.

Back to the rodeo

Blackie and The Rodeo Kings has announced a new and seventh studio album, South, set for release Jan. 14, 2014. To celebrate the news, the band (Tom Wilson, Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing) will release a limited edition 7" dubbed North on Dec. 3. Of the new album, Tom Wilson says, "We’re very sensitive men. And when we’re not sensitive, we’re loud.” In addition to their work with Blackie and The Rodeo Kings all three artists perform or produce in a variety of projects. Linden, for one, recently played guitar in Bob Dylan's touring band. Listen to the title track to the new album below.
 

Lowest of the Low now even lower

Seminal Toronto rock band Lowest of the Low will have to decide whether or not to continue after the band announced the departure of one of its founding members, Stephen Stanley. On Oct. 7 an announcement was posted on Lowestofthelow.com stating: "Perhaps it’s because it ends in a 13, but this year has seen some unusual and unfortunate events. For instance-After 22 years of rock n’ roll co-conspiracy, commitment and comradery Stephen Stanley has decided to leave the Lowest of the Low. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours." Alan Cross featured an interview with fellow founding member Ron Hawkins and when asked about the future of Lowest of the Low, Hawkins was noncommittal. But, he did say that he has written 20 songs and is in pre-production for a new album with his current outfit The Do Good Assassins. Check out Lowest of the Low from one of their many memorable reunion shows.