For this special edition of StandardTapes, we’ve teamed up with the folks over at the Toronto Urban Roots Festival to create the first instalment of TURF-Tapes curated by Canada’s homegrown heroes, Arkells. The multi-day festival will take place July 4-7, and will feature a variety of acts from Canada and beyond. The guys from Arkells have compiled a list of songs from their favorite artists who are set to perform at TURF. Hear their mix and read its annotated tracklist below.
Where and how was this mix recorded?
It was created in Hamburg, Germany. We just landed for a couple weeks of shows, and just woke up from a nap. These euro flights can take it out of you.
What was the idea behind the mix?
We wanted to highlight our favourite songs from the bands and artists playing TURF. So many to choose from. It was hard to condense the list.
In your own words, can you describe the sound of Arkells?
Without getting caught up in semantics or being self indulgent, I suppose you could call it rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a community affair.
Who’s an act you’re excited to see at TURF?
Fitz and The Tantrums. We are huge fans of their records but have never seen them in concert. By all accounts they are amazing live. They’re playing right before us, so I’m sure they will give us a swift kick in the ass.
Where and when can the Standard’s readers see you perform during TURF?
We are playing Friday night, July 5th, at 9:30pm on the East stage.
Tracklist:
Joel Plaskett – Deny, Deny, Deny
Fleetwood Mac meets a good ol’ fashioned hoe down. Love the back and forth vocals.
Fitz & The Tantrums – Tighter
An amazing ballad, album closer. Stands up to any great classic Motown song about heart break.
Matt Mays – Indio
We share the same booking agent, the great Jack Ross. I got to hear Matt’s new record before it came out and immediately e-mailed Jack and told him that this song must be the single. Them’s the rules!
Hannah Georgas – The Waiting Game
Great piece of Canadian Indie Rock Lore: our drummer Tim played with Hannah when they were just a couple new market teenagers in a band called Sister Satellite. They both have burned any photographic evidence sadly. Hannah has turned into one of our county’s finest young songwriters, and I love the production chances she took on her new record.
The Wooden Sky – North Dakota
When our band was getting going, I remember seeing WS perform this song on MTV Live. I was really impressed with Gavin’s voice and guitar playing, and how cool the band looked on TV. It was really inspiring to see guys around our age play so confidently.
The Hold Steady – Hurricane J
Lyrically, this song is an all timer for me. Pull up the lyrics and read along.
Alejandro Escovedo – Always A Friend.
I heard about this song because he’s pals with Springsteen and they perform this tune together. I bet the boss wishes he’d written it himself.
Belle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister
My friend Brendan Bowles, a local Toronto writer, put both of these songs on a mix CD for me in 2005-2006. So cool we get to play on the same bill in 2013.
She and Him – In The Sun
Like every other outdoor festival we play in the summer, we’re prayin for some good weather.
Check out more TURF here, and Arkells at these websites:
Missed the last couple of mixes? You can catch up at our StandardTapes archive.
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Jeremy Schipper is an intern at Toronto Standard. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeromeoschipps.
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