Mr. Something Something
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
"Formidable - a group of Canadians take on difficult Afrobeat syncopations behind a Nigerian poet, a man bursting with startlingly dramatic diction and much presence, and emerge with credit. Ikwunga The Afrobeat Poet may in waking life be a lovely personality, but in performance he sounds very cold and very cross, exactly the sort of man you wouldn't willingly disappoint. The title Deep Sleep refers to the trance state into which African leaders have been lulled and corrupted. Remind you of someone? Yes, the late Fela, and indeed Ikwunga has been a regular performer at The Shrine in Lagos. So, some pedigree, and the musicians are up to the task: they are sharp, inventive and well-muscled." - fRoots (UK)
"If you were with us at Supermarket on Friday for 'On the Map' you know what these guys are capable of. Everybody in the room was dancing, me included, terrifyingly enough. This is why, Mr. Something Something, a song called The Wanting, taken from a CD, which is really fantastic, called the Edge. If you've never seen them before, trust me when I tell you that they put on a fantastic live show." - Matt Galloway (CBC radio)
"West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!" - McGill Tribune (Montreal)
"NNNN" (4 out of 5) - Now Magazine (Toronto)
"With their third release, Mr Something Something make it clear that they are not interested in imitation, while constructing a firm case for themselves as Canada's premiere Afrobeat band." - !earshot magazine (Canada)
Discography
'Shine Your Face" (2009)
"Di Bombs" is included on The Rough Guide to Afrobeat Revival, a British compilation that has been released in more than 50 countries on March 24. The album features such great artists as the legendary Tony Allen, Antibalas and Fela's son Seun Kuti. www.worldmusic.net/wmn/news/item/afrobeat-revival
"Deep Sleep" (2007)
"The Edge" (2005)
Mr. Something Something "Self-Titled" (2004)
Photos
Bio
Mr. Something Something has built its reputation on high-energy interactive live shows and is becoming increasingly known for its green politics and dancefloor activism. To emphasize the importance of audience participation and draw attention to sustainability issues, the Toronto collective has put together Canadas first bicycle-powered concert, the SoundCycle.
(www.mrsomethingsomething.com/soundcycle)
The group did a number of "eco-dates" in 2007 and 08, playing a wind-powered show and performing in such unconventional venues as organic farms and food co-ops to highlight communities that are trying to minimize their ecological footprints. It is our intent to educate ourselves to a better and more sustainable lifestyle, says singer Johan Hultqvist. "Hopefully this will inspire others to do the same."
The band's second album The Edge was nominated for a JUNO for World Music Album of the Year in 2007 and Shine Your Face (2009) received rave reviews coast to coast . Over the last 7 years the band has toured relentlessly, playing over 600 shows in Canada and the US.
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