2012 - From A TAE Perspective

We didn't really want our first post of the year to be a rant about something silly like Beyonce's baby. However, we do hope that everyone out there sees the absurdity in respect to what appears to be the two most important human beings on the planet? So instead, let's remain positive and talk about what great and amazing things are going to happen in 2012. Here are a few nuggets we believe will be as good as gold, or platinum, since we're emitting positivity.

• Our album Escape Plan will finally break free on March 6 (Spectra Records).
• One and/or many singles, TBD, will chart somewhere on this planet.
• We will be showcasing at this year's SXSW in Austin Texas.
• TAE will be playing a lot of shows in the US as well as some international shows.
• All of the members of this band will at some point hug.
• Shawn will finally get his Wolfgang guitar fixed or perhaps buy a new one! Either way, he'll be adding a new guitar to his arsenal.
• We will be recording new songs to give away as free downloads and/or package as a new album.
• There will be many a grudge-eye battles fought on the blood stained ice of the TAE table hockey game. It is expected that Brent will win most of them. Does that sound like a challenge, anyone? Anyone?
• Pretty sure Jesus will not be performing at the halftime show at the Superbowl this year, however, TAE will most likely be performing at some festivals.
• We will make many new friends in 2012, at least 2012 of them.
• Jay will NOT get arrested!
• It is widely anticipated that our personal vinyl collections will triple by year's end.
• and lastly, thanks to you, this will be the best year EVER for The Apollo Effect!

In The Twilight of Divinity

The room was lit like an ancient sunset

The speckled dust frozen in the streams of half light

And the walls stood weary from the passing years

Her face like a painting by Michelangelo

A thought left to be finished for another time

She stared out a glassless window across the fields of pale gold

A life that lay dormant under the weary hands of time

Questions chasing themselves in circles

As the reverie of lost years crutch her spirit

Nothing amputates the sting of failing dreams

Noted in the hint of her soulless smile

Her eyes speak like a silent tongue

A truth more obvious than a feeble lie

In times of desperation does one’s character grow stronger?

Or does it fade away in the twilight of divinity?

A wrinkled portrait of Jesus rests in a frame on the wall

Like a beacon smothered in a dense fog

There is peace in his eyes but pain in his heart

Things are never what they seem



The Big Give

As we live in times where “standing out from the crowd” is what seems to be the desired effect, essentially we all just want to feel normal. In this “Me” world it’s always good to be involved in something much bigger than yourself and on Tuesday night, as we performed at the 1st annual The Big Give event at The Great Hall in Toronto, that’s exactly what we did.

Look Good Feel Better is an organization that holds 1200 seminars for women and teenage girls who have just been diagnosed with cancer. The seminars teach these women how to maintain their self-confidence and elevate their self-image through their battle with cancer. The LGFB workshop brings women with cancer together in a safe and supportive environment where they can share stories, insights, laughter, and feel “normal.” LGFB should be applauded for their efforts in providing some comfort and self-assurance to those who truly need it.

A Massive Thank You to Margot Grant Witz for putting together a fantastic event and all those who gave their time and those who came out in support. We were honored just to be part of it.

What We're Listening To...

Switchfoot - Vice Verses

More of the same from these lads but sometimes familiarity satisfies like a pair of warm slippers. Plus, when you write songs this good, why change things? Though this album seems to have been recorded during a darker time for the band, the results are very uplifting.

Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys

A bit of a continuation of their previous disc, The Seldom Seen Kid, however, this one is even more melancholic but happily so.

Filter - The Trouble With Angels

The most kick ass album of the past 2 years. Great lyrical themes as well. Another gem from Richard Patrick. Even the bonus tracks, only available with the deluxe edition, are incredible. I think Patrick is in the most focused and prolific period of his career.

 

 

Kasabian -Velociraptor!

It’s no secret these guys are one of our favourite bands. 4 albums in now and yet another completely different record. A little less electronic and a little on the softer side than their previous 3 efforts, but equally enjoyable.

Bush - The Sea Of Memories

Back under the guise of Bush, Rossdale seems to have found the spark again. Good collection of songs, if only mildly different from his solo disc Wanderlust. At least he turned up the guitars this time.

IAMX - Volatile Times

We're not likely to see the former Sneaker Pimp, Christoper Corner's IAMX project crack the North American market any time soon. His cabaret-esque dark electronic sound seems strickly European in appeal, which is unfortunate really because it's too interesting and different not to be experienced.

Out In The Open in The Hideout





Saturday night @ The Hideout was monumental in many ways. Our first electric show in Toronto for many months felt like an eternity. We were victorious because we killed. We were victorious because so many of you came out in support (some faces we hadn't seen in a long time). We were victorious because on a beautiful Saturday night in our beautiful city we got to do what we do best and we feel we did it beautifully. Thank You All.

It's a night like this that makes it all worth it. The chaos and the often discordant rhythm of life become muted sneers on a passing train, fading quickly among the fierce winds of what will be yesterday. Goodbye Dark Cloud, your bags are packed and your ticket is in the front pouch. Time to drag your negative ass off into the sunset and go be a fuckface somewhere else. Would like to say it was nice knowing ya...

The Weekend That Was

Don’t know where to begin to describe the weekend that was. So let us just say this, the Spirit of Peace and Music Festival in Freeport, Illinois was an experience we won’t soon forget. Nevermind the 30 hours we spent in the van travelling from Toronto to Freeport and back again. Nevermind the impossible task of finding a late night watering hole in downtown Freeport (oh, believe me, we tried). And nevermind the technical difficulties that plagued the first half of our set. Despite all of the attempts from external forces to drag the weekend down some dark alley and leave it for dead, Magnificence strong armed the bullshit, with the help of all the beautiful people who worked the festival and those who attended, and saved the weekend in glorious fashion.

Now, we can’t speak on behalf of every artist who performed nor every soul that came to enjoy the fest, but we can tell you that TAE (aka: The Apollo Effect) made the most of what came our way. We enjoyed our set and gave it our best. So many wonderful locals confirmed afterwards that they too appreciated our efforts and to them we are extraordinarily grateful. You people really know how to humble a bunch of Canadian boys with your pleasant nature and genuine smiles. 

Highlights of the day included a backstage acoustic jam and sing-a-long, watching a great set from Tonic as well as a monster set by Filter. More importantly, the time we spent chatting with both bands backstage made the day even sweeter than we thought possible.

Shout outs to Pat Scully, Fred Brennan, David Hogan, Norine Smythe, Dawoge and everyone who helped make the event the experience it was.

See ya next summer!

Jammin' Backstage @ Festival