Artist: The Magic
Song: Downtown Line*
Recorded at The Tranzac Club, December 31, 2009.
The Magic - Downtown LineMy notes for this set are here.
* Thanks to Jordan for passing along the title to this one.
Founded as a blog about one curmudgeon's love affair with the em dash, Mechanical Forest Sound has grown to become a community-based archive of local musical culture. Assuming that "independent music" isn't just boys with guitars and "culture" isn't just some sort of pageant, MFS is an investigation of a wide range of artists, reflecting on concerts as shared experiences, acts of citizenship and a chance to get down — fuzzy photographs and clear-sounding original live recordings a specialty.
Current manifestations of this project include Track Could Bend, a monthly concert series featuring "improvised music and weird rock offshoots", presented in a casual environment.
At one point I wrote full-on concert reviews, and for longer I thought I would catch up and write about shows in the past. But these days, because of, y'know, life, do not expect much in the way of full show reviews — but live recordings with blurbs will be posted as quickly after the fact as is feasible.
Check out my original live recordings from many of the gigs discussed here.
You can also check out full sets uploaded to the Live Music Archive. [not currently active]
N.B.: All recordings should be available & playable. If you come across any broken links, invisible or non-functioning players, etc, please leave a comment and I will tend to it ASAP.
ALSO N.B.: I'm perpetually on the lookout for a new place to stash my MP3's online. If you know of any place that allows a couple gigs of stuff to be openly linked to for streaming, drop me a line!
All comments are welcome, or you can reach me at mechanicalforestsound@gmail.com.
All MP3's on this blog are audience recordings shared as a reminder of the excitement of seeing live music. If you are an artist who doesn't want their music shared in this way, please contact me and I shall remove it forthwith.
If you're so inclined, you can also follow me on Bluesky @mfs-toronto.bsky.social
Is your show missing from this list? Submit it via this form!
Soundstreams Encounters: Arvo Pärt at 90 (feat. Erika Raum/Oskar Daniel-Raum/Xin Wang) / Hugh's Room 2026-02-09 (Monday). $free with reservation. [more info]
Mike DeiCont Trio [Mike DeiCont/Eric West/Leland Whitty] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-09 (Monday) [more info]
Brodie West presents (feat. Brodie West's Double Double Basses Quintet [Patrick O'Reilly/Josh Cole/Rob Clutton/Nick Fraser/Brodie West]) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-02-11 (Wednesday – early) [more info]
mdbm [Michael White/Maggie Keogh/Don Rooke/Blake Howard] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-11 (Wednesday) [more info]
Max Donaldson [solo piano record launch] / Sellers & Newel 2025-02-13 (Friday). $15 minimum donation. [FB event]
Audiopollination (feat. Liam Alduous/Plastic Heart Surgery x lovesick/erin gray / Jamie Eriksen/Janel Jones/Nyda & Lief / Ryan Kinney/Travis John/Bri Clarke) / Arrayspace 2026-02-13 (Friday). $pwyc, notaflof. [FB event]
Soundstreams presents: Arvo Pärt at 90 (feat. Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir) / Yorkminster Park Baptist Chuch 2026-02-14 (Saturday). $33.25 to $89.75. [more info]
PIX FILM presents: Sound and Visuals (feat. Fabian Lanzmaier/Madi Piller / Allison Cameron) / PIX FILM 2026-02-14 (Saturday). $free with ticket. [FB event]
Music Hosted by Karen Ng (feat. Max Stover/Mateos Labbé-Phelan/Andrew Furlong/Karen Ng) / Wenona Lodge 2026-02-17 (Tuesday). $pwyc
Agnes [Rob Clutton/Bea Labikova/Mira Martin-Gray/Doug Tielli/Kevin Turcotte/Mark Zurawinski] / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-02-17 (Tuesday)
Ellwood Epps Trio [Ellwood Epps/Andrew Furlong/Blake Howard] / Sellers & Newel 2025-02-18 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [FB event]
Behaviours:Data (feat. Anando Gabo / Marelena Pellegrino / Technology of Creative Consciousness) / Array Space 2026-02-19 (Thursday). $25 (or Pay What You Want), livestream: $12.00 (or Pay What You Want). [more info]
CMC Presents: Solo Works (feat. Wesley Shen / Roan Ma) / Canadian Music Centre 2026-02-19 (Thursday). $15 Advance / $20 at the door (General Admission), $12 Advance / $15 at the door (CMC Members and Arts Workers), $10 (students). [more info]
Labyrinth Ontario presents Makam Nights (feat. Behnoosh Behnamnia / Naghmeh Farahmand) / The Tranzac (Living Room) 2025-02-19 (Thursday). $pwyc. [FB event]
Cooked Raw Presents (feat. Context NA / Understanding) / Dina's Tavern 2025-02-19 (Thursday). $20. [more info]
Ellwood Epps Quartet [Ellwood Epps/Jonny Luke/Rob Clutton/Blake Howard] / The Emmet Ray 2026-02-20 (Friday – 6:30 p.m.). $15. [more info]
Mehdi Rostami / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-20 (Friday – early) [more info]
The Cross Sea [album release] (Praises / Isla Craig / Catholic Wilt) / The Baby G 2026-02-20 (Friday). $21.53, 19+. [FB event]
Project Nowhere presents (feat. Hot Garbage / Yoo Doo Right / Bonnie Trash) / Lee's Palace 2026-02-20 (Friday). $27.65, 19+. [FB event]
BPM (Big Percussion Meeting) (feat. Amiel Ang / Em Wright / Greg Harrison / Joyce To / Mitch Lohmeier / Rumi Jeraj) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2025-02-20 (Friday) [more info]
Rapallo (Marker Starling [full band]) / Dina's Tavern 2025-02-21 (Saturday). $20. [more info]
Our Full Selves (feat. ROSINX) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-21 (Saturday) [more info]
Imaginary North and The AMBiENT PiNG present Ambient Afternoon (feat. anthéne / moonwatch.er / Daena Delam / Sparkling Water) / Society Clubhouse 2025-02-22 (Sunday – 2 p.m.). $10, NOTAFLOF, fully accessible and family friendly. [FB event]
Lipliners Residency (feat. Ronley Teper & The Lipliners) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-24 (Tuesday – early) [FB event]
Cooked Raw Presents (feat. Triples [EP release!] / Poolblood / Amelia Maxwell) / Dina's Tavern 2025-02-26 (Thursday). $20. [more info]
Earlobe fundraiser (feat. Louis Pino/Colin Cudmore/Karen Ng/Fahmid Nibesh/Mark Zurawinski/Germaine Liu/Andrew Furlong/Bea Labikova/Mira Martin-Gray/Marilyn Yogarajah/fossa (Lenny)/Bibibi) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-26 (Thursday)
Aline Homzy's Manouche Trio [Aline Homzy/Jonathan Meyer/Julien Bradley-Combs] / Sellers & Newel 2025-02-27 (Friday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
Eliza Niemi (Westelaken / Shep. Treasure) / Dina's Tavern 2026-03-01 (Sunday). $15 advance, $20 at the door. [more info]
Drones Over Dufferin / The Emmet Ray 2026-03-05 (Thursday – 6:30 p.m). $15. [more info]
Caylie Staples & Matt Brubeck / Sellers & Newel 2025-03-10 (Tuesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
Thursdays at Noon (feat. Eve Egoyan) / Walter Hall 2026-03-12 (Thursday – noon). $free. [more info]
Nash the Slash Rises Again! + Concert ["...a one night only event featuring the theatrical premiere of Nash the Slash Rises Again!, an in-person Q&A with the filmmakers and collaborators, plus a live musical performance with special guests!"] (feat. Ian Blurton/Christine Duncan/Rebecca Hennessy/Rob Higgins/Friendly Rich Marsella/Andrew Noseworthy/Frank Pahl/Eiyn Sof with house band: Kevin Breit/Dave Clark/Rebecca Hennessy/Michael Herring/Elena Kapeleris) / Hot Docs Cinema 2026-03-13 (Friday). $20 (general)/$15 (members). [FB event]
Ladyfinger [Diane Roblin & Kayla Milmine] / Sellers & Newel 2025-03-14 (Saturday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
Rob Clutton & Josh Cole / Sellers & Newel 2025-03-25 (Wednesday). $20 minimum donation. [more info]
Lipliners Residency (feat. Ronley Teper & The Lipliners) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-03-31 (Tuesday – early) [FB event]
Not Dead Yet presents (feat. Milkweed) / BSMT254 2026-03-31 (Tuesday). $24.94, 19+. [tickets + more info]
Not Dead Yet presents (feat. The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis) / 918 Bathurst 2026-05-02 (Saturday). $37.10. [tickets + more info]
Playscape Emporium: Paint, Play (feat. Duo Cichorium / Constant Yen / Rowan Campbell / Charli/Fahmid/Joe/Mira) / Array Space 2026-05-21 (Thursday). $25 (or Pay What You Want), livestream: $12.00 (or Pay What You Want). [more info]
2026 Gigs
Tania Gill presents (feat. Victor Bateman/Brodie West/Nico Dann) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-02 (Friday)
The Silt / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-02 (Friday)
Track Could Bend #112 (feat. Duo BEAK / Vividness Trio) / Wenona Lodge 2026-01-06 (Tuesday)
Toronto Improvisors Orchestra / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-11 (Sunday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Senior & Newman / Nick Flanagan / Aaron Knight / Azaria / Charter of the Forest) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-01-11 (Sunday)
ur audio visual presents (feat. Heraclitus Akimbo / Charter of the Forest) / The Sun Room @ 918 Bathurst 2026-01-18 (Sunday)
Track Could Bend #113 (feat. OH GEE / Ryan Kinney) / Wenona Lodge 2026-02-03 (Tuesday)
Toronto Improvisers Orchestra / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-08 (Sunday)
Ayal Senior & Friends (feat. Ayal Senior & Kurt Newman / Destroya / Nick Flanagan / Roya/Marilyn/Ayal / Ayal Senior) / The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge) 2026-02-08 (Sunday)
Bad Baby and Mayme Joach (Fan Wu / Colleen Coco Collins) / Burdock Music Hall 2026-02-08 (Sunday)
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