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Get Riddim at The Drake Hotel Sky Yard

// July 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

For those who don’t know us, we’re quietly some pretty big reggae fans. We’ll often find ourselves lounging away on a rooftop patio to the Tosh’s, Blessed’s and Gentleman’s of the world soaking in the sun and the sounds that seem to just pop on a perfect summer day.

Unfortunately, Toronto’s summer has been a little less than what Johnny Nash had envisioned weatherwise but luckily our local hot bed for culture, The Drake Hotel, is making up for it with an island getaway right in the heart of the city.

If you’re looking for something to lounge away your Sunday, then you should go check out Get Riddim at the Drake Hotel sky yard. Roots, reggae, dancehall and dub fill the air while Jamaican bbq platters and Red Stripe and Rum by the bucket fill the tummy. The fun starts at 3pm Sundays and there’s no better way to end your Caribana weekend then with what The Drake has put together.

Here’s one of our favourite Canadian Reggae sons own Summer Riddim to get your long weekend started right: Lindo P – Let’s Get Married.

Christoph Martin Schmid

// July 28th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Art

We don’t claim to be the fastest to new news, but we do claim to come across amazing artists of all types each and every day. We recently came across the photography work of Christoph Martin Schmid and though some of you probably will have heard of him before, a bunch of you I am sure have not.

This guy is incredible, with a lens that comes across more as a film still then photograph. Even more impressive than his skill with a camera is his dark wit; culturally aware of life’s little indiosyncracies that make us all just so beautifully fucked up.

If this is the first time you’ve heard of CM Schmid, follow this link to his website (http://www.christoph-martin-schmid.com/) and take a look at a few of his amazing collections.

CM Schmid was just declared the winner of the 69th International Photographic Salon of Japan. This is the most prestigious award given by the All Japan Association of Photographic Societies.

GRADE SCOOL CONTEST – YOUTH IN REVOLT SCREENING

// July 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events

We have 6 passes for two to give away to an exclusive screening of Michael Cera’s new movie YOUTH IN REVOLT. The screening is this Wednesday July 29th at 7pm at the Royal Theater on College Street in Toronto.  The first six people to email info@gradescool.com will win the passes. Contest closes Wednesday at noon, if it lasts that long.

Saturday in the City.

// July 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events

We have a really fun Saturday lined up, and you should probably come along for the ride. If you have a chance, check either and both of these events out tomorrow. Grade Scool tees will be on sale at Rolly’s night market (see below). See you soon, enjoy your weekend.

During The Day

During the Night

Justin Grounds – Tonight at Mitzi’s Sister 1554 Queen Street West, Toronto. 10pm

// July 23rd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Music

Justin Grounds is one of our favourite European singer songwriters. His modern one man band is a soothing sensory escape and his new album Hold Onto Your Soul – Live in Ireland is sure to make your ears fall into a lovely abyss of sound.

Justin’s last album Love is as Strong as Death is a lovely experience to close your eyes to and think about that which you love, have loved, miss, and will miss. You can listen to Justin’s music on his website www.justingrounds.com. Learn more about this artist now, you owe it to yourself, promise.

Justin performs tonight at Mitzi’s Sister on Queen st. in Toronto at 10pm. Join us. We’ll race you to the Merch table afterwards. Here is a brief 8 minute look at the production of Justin’s album, Love is as Strong as Death.

The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother

// July 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

New short film “Treat Me Like Your Mother” for The Dead Weather directed by Jonathan Glazer. The new album Horehound is in stores on 7/14/09. The Dead Weather is: Alison Mosshart, Jack White, Jack Lawrence and Dean Fertita. www.thedeadweather.com. The Dead Weather plays tonight at Kool Haus in Toronto.

AT.AW’s Orphans

// July 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Art

When introduced to an artist with the following sentence you can’t help, as an urban dweller, but to be drawn into the craft that this quote excites:

“Through the medium of street art, we optimistically subvert the often neglected, mediocre and complacent urban condition.”

- AT.AW

It is a inspiring thing when you discover individuals who recognize and attack the blah that exists in the natural construction of our landscape. We were fortunate to come across AT.AW’s work at a recent Art Market held at Rolly’s Garage here in Toronto. AT.AW came equiped to the market with a unique display of his plush Orphan dolls piled high into a washing machine and after meeting him we couldn’t help but want to know more about his work.

In digging deeper into his portfolio of creations we stumbled upon a locally spawned creative that inspires the likes of Banksy, Micallef, Insect, and Sick Boy. Using the concrete fabric of the city,  AT.AW describes his project Orphans as different from grafitti where “unlike graffiti which emphasizes territory or the individual persona/ego of the tagger, these character are mass produced mini-portraitures that celebrate the potential manufactured diversity of the urban environment.”

The look is fresh, the art is cool, and the spin off plush dolls that accompany his portfolio work are too damn cute not to want to have one of your own.

Take a few minutes to go through AT.AW’s work on http://www.at-aw.com and if you like what you see, pick up one of his Orphan Plush dolls which are available for sale from his website. Support local art, be inspired.

Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West and Common – Make Her Say (Video Premiere)

// July 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

This track is not only hot but conceptually genius featuring a cheeky sample taken from Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ and choice cuts by DJ A-Trak. The video is a refreshing splash of colors, swagger and videography and is the second single off Cudi’s much anticipated album ‘Man on the Moon: The End of Day’ slated for a early Fall 09 release.

Read More: Willow Books

// July 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Books

Before you enter the store, take a few minutes to browse the elderly wooden bins for ridiculously priced books of all themes. Walking into the store, with its long shelves of mildly ordered books, is a quiet refuge from the hustle going on around the corner at Honest Ed’s. Yellow signs dot the interior with deals ranging from 3 books for $10 to specific deals on fiction, paperbacks and hardcovers. The older the book, the better the opportunity you will have to bargain the price.

The floors creak a little and the lighting is just dim enough. The books ranged from the dilapidated romantics to new books of every sort. Two long shelves that run along the centre help in breaking up the flea market?type atmosphere so that you can find your fixation. A quick stop in will definitely leave you with a choice; a stroll with slightly more scrutiny will leave you weighted down with alternatives

Hours: Usually 11am – 7pm
Location: 758 Bathurst Street (416 534 2665)

Best Find:
The Fall By Albert Camus

Quote of Interest:

“In the interest of fairness, it should be said that sometimes my forgetfulness was praiseworthy. You have noticed that there are people whose religion consists in forgiving all offences, and who do in fact forgive them but never forget them? I wasn’t good enough to forgive others but eventually I always forgot them.”

- Pg. 49. Camus Albert. The Fall, 1956 Vintage Books

We’ve already raised $400 for Puntland. To celebrate, we dance!

// July 15th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

We’re just a few weeks into our Puntland Pirates project and we’ve already raised $400 for education programs being run in Puntland Somalia. Our goal for the year is $10,000 and we have lots in store to get there. If you would like to get involved, the first step is to buy one of our Pirates of Puntland shirts. $20 from each shirt goes to Unicef Somalia. The rest of the money goes to making the program happen and getting the shirts made. Click here to visit the Grade Scool shop.

Here is last month’s video release from our inspiration for starting this project, K’Naan. Enjoy T.I.A.

Alexander The presented Forever Soon.

// July 13th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

Watch this video for Alexander The’s song Forever Soon. Beautiful song for the summer. You can download your own free copy of Forever Soon from www.alexanderthe.com

Grade Scool tees will be on sale this Sunday at Rolly’s Day Market

// July 9th, 2009 // No Comments » // Art, Clothing

Come visit us at Rolly’s Day Market this sunday. All the info is in the poster above. If you can’t see the poster above. The address is 124 Ossington Ave, the bbq will be cooking, the music will be hopping, and the Grade Scool summer tees will be a vending. Come check us out and support local Toronto artists.

Book City – Annex

// July 8th, 2009 // No Comments » // Books

The stark contrast of yellow and white make you blink the first time you walk in but as your eyes adjust you find yourself in the centre of seemingly unending choice. The store’s atmosphere contradicts its stock in a brilliant approach. While being able to retain the choice of a larger store it is also able to remain superbly quiet and approachable like any stores of the smaller variety.

Well lit with a musical background, perusing this store is simplicity defined. The subjects are clearly marked in yellow with various deals abounding about the store so that all topics are given admirable attention. The staff is friendly and helpful, always willing to help a wayward reader to find the next literary fix. If the store and you start a budding relationship then the loyalty cards would definitely be worth a look at (information on website). The prices are excellent with many copies boasting the discount on the back covers. For a store that is family owned and operated and has been providing Toronto with its literary dose from multiple sources since 1976 it is most definitely worth the visit.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30-10pm; Fri & Sat 9:30-11pm; Sun 11am-10pm
Location: 501 Bloor Street West (416 961 4496) http://www.bookcity.ca/

Best Find:
Fargo Rock City
By Chuck Klosterman

Quote of Interest:

“When a series of notes reaches a certain speed, a David Banner?like metamorphosis occurs. This is especially true when these notes are played on an electric guitar. Listen to the final two minutes of “Animal” from Vinnie Vincent, a brilliant example of guitar masturbation that works.”

- Pg. 187. Klosterman, Chuck. Fargo Rock City, 2001 Chuck Klosterman

Alexander The presents Forever Soon

// July 7th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

The second of six pieces from Alexander The presents [Fe'ne-tik-s] dropped today with the release of Forever Soon. This song is fire, fire, fire.

The piece takes a deep look at the pursuit of opportunity, the lost chances that can wrack our brains and tear us apart or drive us to pursue harder. The song is gorgeous, it is catchy, and it will most certainly fulfill your July ’stuck in my head’ quota.

Visit www.alexanderthe.com right now and download your free copy of the track. Alexander The is one of Toronto’s most talented up and coming artists and we urge you to get on board with this man’s music before your cool hip friend down the street tries to convince you of it sometime in November.

Be sure to take a look back at June’s track, Janina, as well via the artist’s myspace at www.myspace.com/alexanderthe.

Grade Scool Summer 09 x Jalani Morgan photography

// July 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Clothing

Grade Scool’s Summer 2009 tees are now available. We had a great time putting our first run of tees to market and we hope very much that you like what were putting out. We recently held a photoshoot at Studio 407 with photographer Jalani Morgan. Setting ourselves up in a Studio plastered with famous faces from the past work of Toronto star Steve Carty, we were destined for a good look from Jalani’s fresh lens.

Many thanks to all those who helped us get this going, we would be no where without the love and support we’ve been surrounded with; you are all fam. The tees are now available online via the Grade Scool shop. Take a look and get yours before they run out.

Grade Scool x Times Neue Roman – Summer 09 Sneak Peak

// July 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Clothing

Listen while you look… (Times Neue Roman – Record Store)

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Lucky for us we managed to sneak a little post party photoshoot with the mad snapper Alex Felipe and TNR on the heels of their NXNE showcase.

After putting a serious dent into the North by Northeast music festival (4 shows in three days) the guys had just enough left in them to shock an early morning party that happened to showcase some of Grade Scool’s summer 2009 tees  that’ll be dropping early next week and available to buy online through this website.

Crack those piggy banks kids, cause these tees aren’t going to last for long!

And for our friends in the Montreal area, get live taste for what these guys do on stage as TNR and Styrofoam Ones will be in lurking in your back-alleys doing shows at:

July 3rd – Quebec City @ Le Cercle
July 4th – Montreal @ Blizzarts

Times Neue Roman: Alexander The, Arowbe Arowbe Arowbe
Special Guest: Mr Hands
Photography: Alex Felipe