We Are Busy Bodies

The way you’re saying it, ‘prolific’ isn’t the right word for The Bug Club. You’ve got to say it with the trademark Welsh lilt, and pay due homage to this inimitable band’s origins in the renowned hit factory of Caldicot, South Wales. Do that, and you’re about right with how to summarise a group who’ve released ten singles, two albums, two EPs, three things nobody knew how to describe, and an album under a different band’s name, all since 2021 and while playing 200+ gigs a year.

We Are Busy Bodies was fortunate to issue three albums, one album under another name, and a single in just over a year. Now we're excited to bring them in for a special one-off show as part of our 20th anniversary events with assumed future best friends, No Frills.

This is a 19+ event.

763784279 (o/a) We Are Busy Bodies Inc.

The Bug Club

No Frills

Gigs

Toronto

Longboat Hall

Pioneering Scottish-Canadian animator Norman McLaren (1914-1987) - creator of seminal short films Dots, Neighbours, Synchromy and many more - is remembered in first ever release of soundtrack works, self-composed from the 1940’s to 1970’s and forecasting the following half-century of electronic music.

Norman McLaren was once described by composer, music theorist, and mathematician Milton Babbitt as “the first electronic musician.” In addition to his pioneering work in animation, the electronic soundtracks McLaren created for his own films employ astonishing foresight and a characteristically precise methodology. They also crystallise boundless creativity, wit and whimsy, and illuminative brilliance into a unique insight to his remarkable mind, with or without visual accompaniment.

Rythmetic: The Compositions of Norman McLaren marks the first time his soundtracks have been released on record, carefully curated from his most important film works, hours of archival tapes, and multiple versions of the same key compositions. It represents an essential overview of McLaren as a composer, in neat dovetail with McLaren the filmmaker. Both are crucial figures in the respective developments of their fields, opening doors to a future that might not have existed without McLaren.

This event will feature live improvised soundtrack performances to McLaren's archive of experimental animations on the big screen.

This is an all ages event. 

Rythmetic: The Compositions of Norman McLaren (Live)

Norman McLaren - Synchromy

Norman McLaren

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

Live 10-piece band debut and first show as part of We Are Busy Bodies 20th anniversary festival with support from Aladean Kheroufi.

**UWUW** (pronounced you-you) released their debut album in the fall of 2022. With some of Toronto’s most experienced and revered musicians making this project possible, it’s no wonder why the sonic presence of this project demands your attention and doesn’t let you go. The impressive cast of players includes Jason Haberman of Dan Mangan and Yeahsun, Jay Anderson of Badge Epoque Ensemble, Biblical and Lammping, and Ian Blurton of Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Change of Heart, and C’mon. Giving the songs a voice are two of Toronto’s most distinctive songwriters: Chris A. Cummings aka Marker Starling, adding his distinct, easy-glide, story-telling charm to Box Office Poison, and Scattered Ashes, and Drew Smith (Bunny, The Bicycles), providing his trademark, 60s harmony pop and lyrical prowess to Staircase and Landlord. Scattered Ashes is the first offering from their upcoming self-titled album on We Are Busy Bodies, due out October 21st, 2022. Fans of Euroboys, T2, and Manfred Mann Chapter Three will be enamored with these exceptionally crafted and exciting compositions.

This is an 19+ event

UWUW

UWUW - Scattered Ashes

Aladean Kheroufi

The Garrison

Newfound Interest in Connecticut started when members met in a high school computers class in the suburbs of Toronto in 1999. Six years later, with the release of their 2005 LP Tell Me About the Long Dark Path Home they were no more.

In their Six years, they went from playing school talent shows to opening for bands like the Arcade Fire, Appleseed Cast, Death From Above 1979, and Alexisonfire.

Tell Me About The Long Dark Path Home was written and recorded as three sets of three interconnected songs; creating longer movements attached by theme and alluded to through song title. The record ends with a rerecorded version of their 2004 7" single, The Arctic Circle. The album also features a field recording made by the band wherein they took a long walk through a forest in the middle of the night with a group of close friends/family, manifesting many of the feelings evoked by the albums lyrics.

In 2021, their penultimate release was pressed for the first time as a double lp by We Are Busy Bodies, Pundonor Records, and Left Hand Label. After selling out immediately, they repressed the record that has also sold out. The band deeply appreciates all their new fans.

The band performed their first shows in 19 years in the summer of 2024. They return for more live dates in 2025, in this case with old friends We Are Busy Bodies at their 20th anniversary festival.

Newfound Interest in Connecticut

Michael Scott Dawson

Colin Fisher

The Elwins return for a special reunion performance as part of We Are Busy Bodies 20th anniversary festival with support from friends Vanity Mirror and Joe McLeod.

The four-piece made a decade-plus long career out of carefully crafting clever and cozy tunes. An Elwins song is just as comfortable in your headphones as you walk as it is being blasted from the sound system at one of their vibrant live shows.

We Are Busy Bodies

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