officially hold music
- grace
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Music 311 + cute summer shows
just a lil toronto staring these days. Still working towards that elusive upcoming album - which I've been testing new material at live shows with. So! If you wanna hear, and give some feedback, would love to see you there!
UPCOMING SHOWS
Music 311 + feeling Toronto-loved
City of Toronto's Music Office has been my go-to spot for odd, but memorable gigs in the city. From performing a harp/synth cover of Brian Eno's Music for Airports at Pearson International Airport to 12 Layers recently being slotted in as 311's Jazz/Classical/World option, they really do outdo themselves in providing musicians opportunities that normally wouldn't exist.
Namely since 2015, Toronto has taken a stance against generic hold music with their Music 311 program. For those who aren't Torontonian, 311 is our non-emergency line for City services, programs and information. Basically if you wanna hold a block party and figure out what permits you need to close the street, 311's your first step.
Anyways, instead of paying for music licenses, Toronto's platforming local musicians AND paying them for that right. A win-win if you ask me when it comes to tangible ways we can pair pre-existing needs with reinvesting in our community. For those that might boo government spending, they would've had to pay music licensing fees anyways, so why not pay local musicians instead?
Anyways, enough background info, I got the absolute pleasure of an email letting me know 12 Layers would be featured from June til November. Meaning if you call 311 and choose Option 3 you have a ~1 in 4 chance of hearing it.
With 311 receiving around 6000 calls daily, I am also hoping being hold music doesn't figuratively bite me in the ass. Hopefully rhythmic harp plucks is soothing to folks concerned about parking permits or trash collection? Time will tell...
on 12 Layers
One of the first pieces I ever finished writing, 12 Layers was originally an attempt to get through all possible pedal settings on the harp in each 12 keys - an idea that proved far too ambitious for what I ended up writing.
Based on the starting pedal diagram from Carlos Salzedo's Chanson dans la nuit - which gives you a B chord doubled enharmonically - 12 Layers is kinda my sherbert tootsie pop with a few crunchy pedal buzzes for when you bite through to the chewy centre. Best paired with standing on your bike pedals while surfing down a hill.
SOME TORONTO + RECCOMENDATIONS:
Bata Shoe Museum. Fun collections with excellent historical and cultural context. Well laid out and impeccably curated. Free on Sundays.
Under 35? Toronto Symphony Orchestra Soundcheck Subscriptions are now available. Pick 5 concerts and enjoy fab seating for a fraction.
tpl:map: Get free passes to a whole bunch of museums, events and attractions via Toronto Public Library.
This hour-long loop of Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild. I think I disassociated then was resurrected from an exceedingly bad mood having this on in the background at work. 50/50 chance it might work on you, dose appropriately.
Shrek Retold: if you don't have time for this near frame for frame fan-made remake of Shrek, at least watch this new wave version of I'm a Believer and like slowdance with your cat or whatnot.
thanks for reading
<3 plucks & ..... <3
grace
p.s. if you are a Toronto-based musician, what are you waiting for, apply to Music 311!!! The application is straightforward, simple, and doesn't require an essay on why your music should be featured.
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