Elias on MTV Live! Album To Purchase Now!

My brother's kick ass band Elias was in Toronto last week and what did they do? Oh, they just played MTV Live! Yep, they hit up the Temple to play three songs off their new album, Lasting Distraction. Could I be more proud of these four guys or thrilled for them? Not possible. 

Watch the three clips from MTV here, starting with All We Want, then Thousand Pieces and finishing with Dropouts. 

And don't forget~ you can purchase the album, Lasting Distraction,  in stores, online at Amazon or on iTunes. 

It would make a great Christmas gift! Buy lots! 

(Photos are screen grabs from MTV.ca~ Sorry for the poor quality!)

Lasting Distraction~ Out Now!

Lasting Distraction is the new album from Vancouver band Elias and it is my heartfelt recommendation that you buy it. Immediately. You see, this is my brother's band, but aside from that these are three guys that are passionate about their music and inordinately talented to boot. The new album was released today and you can find it on iTunes as of right this moment. Do yourself a favour and buy it. My faves? It is a toss up between Dropouts (sorrowful and angst-y), Thousand Pieces (if only boys wouldn't break my heart into so many pieces) or Awake Tonight (sexy as hell). Buy now!

 

(Band photo via Cohene.com)

Elias Back Onstage at The Biltmore

My gorgeous friend Chloe and I hit up The Biltmore last night to see my brother's band, Elias, as they opened for Pilot Speed (read previous posts here and here). The boys had just returned from a quick tour hop in Alberta to play Vancouver and are already back on the road as of this morning. Having not played together live in a year (I last saw them last October at the now defunct Richards on Richards for an Oxfam benefit), I was both excited and nervous for the show, especially as there is new material I hadn't yet heard live. Suffice it to say, the night kicked ass. I know, not very eloquent, but nonetheless true. It was a fantastic comeback show and the boys sounded tighter than ever. The new songs are beyond amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on their new album Lasting Distraction next Tuesday, October 13! Although one would think a sister could get an advanced copy..... hmmmmph. 

Congratulations, boys! Have a great tour! 

Click here to listen to new Elias. I highly highly recommend Awake Tonight. I've listened to it about twelve times today already. Amazing.

(Band photo by Mark Cohene)

LIsten To This~ Pilot Speed

As you already know my kid brother is the guitarist in a kick ass Vancouver band called Elias (read previous post here). Recently signed to the new label Wax Records, the boys are almost done their work in the studio in preparation for their upcoming album. And that's just in time, because in the lives of Elias, the month of October will be spent traveling across Canada touring with Toronto-based quartet Pilot Speed. Formerly known as Pilate, this band is signed to Wax's parent company, Wind Up Records, and are garnering attention in the Canadian music scene. I've been listening to their 2003 release, Caught By The Window, for the last day and I'm definitely smitten. It usually takes me upwards of five listens to any song or album to know if I like it or not but I was drawn in by the haunting beauty of the very first track, Endgame, and it only got better from there. Pilot Speed's latest album, Wooden Bones, can be found on iTunes and is definitely worth the purchase. 

Watch the video for the single Put The Phone Down here. 

Pilot Speed with Elias will be playing at The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver on Monday, October 5 and I, for one, will definitely be there! 

"All We Want" is Elias

It seems slightly unfathomable to me that I've been "blogging" (I hate that verb) for over three months now and I have yet to mention the likes of Vancouver band, Elias. These local boys done good are young, talented, dedicated and charismatic. Their music is inventive, alluring and always draws you back for more ~if you have taste, that is. And they are going places. I may sound biased, and perhaps I am, because this is the band in which my little brother belongs. Still, every word I write is true. 

Elias is currently a trio, comprised of lead singer/pianist (and a good friend of mine) Brian Healy, drummer Stefan Tavares and my kid sibling, lead guitar player (and for the moment, bassist as well) Rob Tornroos. I've seen these boys throughout the years, changing and growing, and it has been an honour to be part of the evolution (sometimes I get to hear the latest being practiced in my apartment). It has been a seemingly long road of cross country tours, club gigs and endless studio sessions but the result has been worthwhile. Not only has Elias emerged an even stronger musical act but have recently been in the studio, yet again, prepping for a new album under the label Wax Records (a new affiliate of Wind Up Records). I'm a ridiculously proud sister and I absolutely can't wait to hear the final result. 

In the meantime, do yourself a favour and visit Elias at myspace.com/eliasband to listen to tracks and visit their links. 

Watch Rob and Brian perform an acoustic set live on Global News here~ one of my fave performances when they released their album, All We Want, last year. 

Visit Wind Up Records here. 

All amazing images are by photographer and former Elias bassist, Jonny Healy. Join his Facebook group, Jonny Healy Photography, here. Prepare to be impressed!