Apostle of Hustle speaks to me…

If you go to an Apostle of Hustle show just to see a charter member of Broken Social Scene, you've done both yourself and Andrew Whiteman a disservice.

In its own right, Apostle of Hustle have produced three albums of compelling music that eat their way out of the darkness of being known as a member of the baroque pop orchestra, Broken Social Scene. Apostle of Hustle stands on its own, not as a side project of the larger machine, but a home for Whiteman's artistic prowess to take the lead.

Apostle of Hustle dropped into London (London Music Club) to kick off a short tour in support of Eats Darkness , the third LP on Arts and Crafts for Whiteman. Flanked just by percussionist Dean "Deaner" Stone, the packed room were delighted with songs and showmanship, that included Blackberry, Eazy Speaks and Snakes, highlights from new album, as well as old favourites My Sword Hand's Anger from National Anthem of Nowhere.

It's easy to see why Apostle of Hustle shows are legendary not just for the musical side, as Whiteman's quirky appearance and delivery, are offset by weirdly hilarious between-song prose. And he has a definite flair for presentation with a show includes a flag (presumably for Nowhere), a mask, and some sort of water ritual that includes territory marking and a sky high spit take.

And while most of the show will leave you transfixed on this enigmatic presence, you are equally drawn in to the beats of Dean Stone. Spending equal time between his traditional kit and his makeshift beat studio centre stage 'Deaner' creates these primal, tribal beats to drive the frenetic guitars of Whiteman home.

It's hard to make a live show stand alone, and have as much meaning and impact as an album, but some do. Apostle of Hustle is one of the ones that can. And will.

But, don't take my word for it – catch them on the rest of the mini-tour at:

• Wednesday November 18th, 2009 – Peterborough, ON at Montreal House
• Thursday November 19th, 2009 – Toronto, ON at Lee's Palace
• Friday November 20th, 2009 – Wakefield, QC at The Black Sheep Inn
• Friday November 27th, 2009 – Montreal, QC at Il Motore
• Saturday November 28th, 2009 – Kingston, ON at The Grad Club

Apostle of Hustle Fall Tour (ON & QC)

Broken Social Scene guitarist Andrew Whiteman's band Apostle of Hustle is kicking off a mini-fall tour that will take them through London, Toronto, Peterborough and Kingston Ontario and Wakefield and Montreal Quebec starting next Tuesday. Apostle of Hustle's 5th album Eats Darkeness was released in May. Go see them at:

:Tues, Nov. 17th - London, ON @ London Music Club
Wed, Nov. 18th - Peterborough, ON @ Montreal House
Thurs, Nov. 19th - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
Fri, Nov. 20th - Wakefield, QC @ The Black Sheep Inn
Fri, Nov 27th - Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
Sat, Nov 28th - Kingston, ON @ The Grad Club

R3TV Episode #85: Apostle of Hustle



Apostle of Hustle - Justine Beckoning
"Performance at the Music Gallery in Toronto for the CD release of Apostle of Hustle's Eats Darkness."

Check Out Thick Specs Interview with Andrew Whiteman

If you're a fan of Broken Social Scene or Apostle of Hustle you'll want to head over to Thick Specs to check out Matt McKechnie's interview with Andrew Whiteman. The whole thing is at http://www.thickspecs.com/my_weblog/2009/11/andrew-whiteman-of-apostle-of-hustle-and-broken-social-scene-interviewed-by-matt-mckechnie-.html but just to get you motivated:

"MM: I watched an interview where you openly bashed the concept of the book that was written about Broken Social Scene ('This Book Is Broken') – how do you get away with that?

AW: Well, ya know, my band is used to me, man. They're my family. I say what I want. But I'm never afraid to admit that my opinions change. In fact, we were in Houston, Texas, touring a while back, and someone in Houston read the book and told me about how it changed his whole perspective and really opened up his eyes to the fact that a specific music scene can start anywhere. You don't have to be in a 'cool' place. Houston is a cool town, man – we loved playing there. And they're just trying to get a scene going there. So the fact that this one guy got off on the book and it helped him – I think that's awesome. I still think the concept was f*cking stupid, though and way too early. I mean, come on – we're not even ten years old as a band.

MM: What was the story about the fan accusing you of uttering a death threat against Stephen Harper?

AW: (laughs) Ohh. Yeah – no, that guy wasn't a fan. He was some ex-army guy who was passing by the show. And as I was introducing Fast Pony for Victor Jara, I did this thing on stage where I talked about the decapitated, bleeding head of George Bush making love to the decapitated, bleeding head of Stephen Harper. But this ex-military guy said I was making a death threat and he told the cops about it. Anyways, there were cops backstage, after the show, asking me these questions, but they were really nice and basically told me I had done nothing wrong but that they just had to verify that I wasn't making a death threat against anyone."

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Herohill digs the Black Mold.

Greenshoelace.com hearts Spiral Beach.

Chartattack is into the new Volcanoless in Canada.

Herohill also digs the new Grand Analog!

the Singing Lamb interviews the Most Serene Republic

The Line of Best Fit is into the new Apostle of Hustle.

Pete Nema has some great shots from the Arkells / Still Life Still / Ruby Coast show at the Sound Academy.

I (Heart) Music (Hearts) the Junior Boys

the Summerworks Blog talks to DD/MM/YYYY

the National Post is all about the Rural Alberta Advantage.

Radio 3 has an interview with Tom (Lee Harvey Osmond) Wilson.

Last Waltz for Broken Social Scene ?

Broken Social Scene is obviously not going away, from what I understand there is a new album in the works but it's questionable whether or not we'll ever see so much of the Broken Social Scene crew on stage at the same time again. In attendance were the usual core of BSS - Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Justin Peroff, etc., as well as Feist, Metric's Emily Haines and James Shaw, Charles (Happiness Project) Spearin, Jules Penner, Andrew (Apostle of Hustle) Whiteman, Jason Collett, Amy Millan, Even Cranley, Lisa Lobsinger and more.

The show was not just a gift to the city of Toronto or a BSS reuinion though. It was also a film shoot for This Movie is Broken, Bruce McDonald's upcoming film about the band and the set list would serve as a good intro the the music of Broken Social Scene and the spinoff bands it produced - from Broken Social Scene favorites like "Fire Eye'd Boy" and "KC Accidental" to Metric hits like "Give Me Sypathy", Jason Collett's "I'll Bring the Sun" and Feist's "I Feel It All."

It all had a very "Last Waltz" feel to it, but it is clearly not an 'end'. Perhaps though it was a celebration of what's been and a launching point for what's to come. It's doubtful that we'll see such a collection of Broken Social Scene members on one stage again, at least not for a long time, but all of it is moving on. Broken Social Scene is still going, adding new members and spinning off new bands and Metric, Stars, Amy Millan, Jason Collett, Charles Spearin, Apostle of Hustle, Feist and others are all going strong, producing new material and continuing the BSS tradition. As I understand the concept this is what was always intended. Broken Social Scene produces albums under that name, but each of the parts, each of the other bands and all of their current, former and future members are all a part of the Broken Social Scene. There is no 'end' to it, even if the faces continue to change.

It should be an amazing film.

(Sadly I wasn't in a position to get any good film or video from the show for you, but based on the number of cameras I saw there should be plenty available soon.)

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Now Magazine on Joel Plaskett @ Massey Hall

CBC Radio 3 has Joel Plaskett Super Fan Lauren Simmons' review of the Plaskett Massey Hall show as well.

Chart says Elliott Brood to play Festival of Beer (and other tour dates)

Herohill reviews Black Hat Brigade.

Lonely Vagabond on $100 at Whipper Snapper.

Herohill's take on Apostle of Hustle and the Handsome Family

Wolfe Island Music Festival Lineup

Although the Wolfe Island Music Festival website is silent still, Exclaim! reports that the final lineup for this year's festival - the 10th - is set. Taking place on August 7 and 8, 2009, this is a wonderful musical event on a pretty island near Kingston which features many great Canadian artists. As a true community festival, proceeds go to the Wolfe Island Community Centre.


Here's the lineup:

August 7

Rocky Roberts
Bahamas
Sarah Harmer
Woodhands
PS I Love U

August 8

Holy Fuck
Busdriver
The D’urbervilles
Apostle Of Hustle
Attack In Black
The Rural Alberta Advantage
Ohbijou
Julie Fader

Check out the Festival's website for more information on location and tickets. And check out this recent blog post here at NxEW about the Rural Alberta Advantage.

Broken Social Scene at Toronto Island July 11

On July 11, the one and only Broken Social Scene will headline the Olympic Island 2009 contert on Toronto Island. Joining them will be Explosions In The Sky, Thunderheist, Beach House, Apostle Of Hustle and Rattlesnake Choir.

Tickets are $61 and are available at http://www.galleryac.com/product_info.php?products_id=61456&cPath=96_118 the Facebook Event Page is here. Personally it's not my kind of thing - at most of the shows I go to $61 dollars will get me in the door, buy me a CD and a T-shirt and cover 2-3 beers with money left over, but if you like big venues and big shows it doesn't get much bigger than Broken Social Scene.

Broken Social Scene: 7/4 Shoreline

Apostle of Hustle announce tour and want YOU to open!

Apostle of Hustle have announced a tour of southern Ontario during May. You can score a free digital copy of their new album Eats Darkness out May 19th, 2009 if you pre-order tickets to any of the shows.

And as a pretty awesome added bonus, they're having a contest to find opening bands for the tour (see dates below). Interested musicians can submit their info, a myspace link, and a short summary of their music and why they(you) should be Apostle of Hustle's opener by email to supportaoh@arts-crafts.ca by May 1 (more info here). This is a great idea, and I can't wait to see whomever wins and opens alongside Apostle of Hustle.

5/20/09 – Guelph, ON @ E-Bar
5/21/09 – Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah
5/22/09 – Peterborough, ON @ Montreal House
5/23/09 – Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
5/27/09 – Kingston, ON @ The Grad Club
5/29/09 – Toronto, ON @ The Music Gallery
5/30/09 – Waterloo, ON @ Starlight Room

You can also acquire a free copy of Apostle of Hustle's song Perfect Fit by signing up for their mailing list.