If anyone is familiar with Guelph, Ontario, they might have stumbled across the Family Thrift Store. Run by Ray Mitchell, father of Jenny Mitchell (Barmitzvah Brothers / Jenny Omnichord), the store was a hub for creativity in Guelph and beyond. Numerous bands used the basement and attic as rehearsal spaces, there were many amazing concerts thrown there that celebrated everything that music should celebrate. Kyle’s other band , the D’Urbervilles, practiced there all the way through university. I played one of my first shows ever among the crystal lamps and antique furniture. Our house in Toronto is furnished almost exclusively with Family Thrift Store items… and not to mention the mass amount of musicians across this country that have scored an amazing instrument or two from the shop.
We are all very sad that the Family Thrift Store is being forced to close to make room for further urban development in Guelph. If it were up to the community I am sure that they would support Ray and his store and let them continue existing and growing. Unfortunately, it seems that the developers and the property owner seems to disregard the importance of such an institution on the youth and community of Guelph, and such would rather see the space occupied by a parking lot.
Our dear friend Colin Medley made a short little video about the store this past weekend, when it was opened up for one last hurrah and “Thriftstock” took place. Please watch it.
Today is Earth Hour day. Please participate and turn off your lights for at least an hour tonight around 8pm. We like to think that every day is Earth Hour day for us in the band, we’re always trying to reduce and reuse (and recycle!) as much as we can with the hopes that every bit counts.
((I think that if they made cars stop for one hour today in Toronto it would make more of a difference, but turning off the lights is a start!))
Earth day is coming up in a few weeks – what are you going to do? We are playing two shows in Sarnia that day, including the grand opening of grassroots shop the Energy Exchange.
Most of our spring Europe tour dates are booked. Check ‘em out and tell your friends to come by!
Happy to say that we’re almost sold out of the recent re-pressing of The Sun and the Wind. If you don’t have it yet, you should order it! I don’t think it will be repressed again. So pretty much that means you will have a unique collector’s item in your hands. Made with love from start to end.
Comes in a hand silkscreened case with an FCL pin as well. You can order directly from us here through the PAYPAL machine.
In other news, we think it’s mildly hilarious that Steve Buscemi is following us on Twitter. We’re not sure if it is the real man behind the tweets, but Kyle certainly is hoping that it is…and that Steve would like to come visit us for tea.
1. Forest City Lovers’ song “Don’t Go” will be featured on the Explore Music radio show hosted by Alan Cross in the “One of The Five Songs You Must Hear” segment.
You can listen live on Monday, March 23 if you live in Canada:
Toronto: from Monday to Thursday at 7pm (ET) on 102.1 The Edge Hamilton: Weekdays at 1pm (ET) on Y108 London: Weekdays at 6:30pm (ET) on FM96 Winnipeg: Weekdays at 6:30pm (MT) on Power 97 Vancouver: Weekdays at 8:30pm (PT) on 99.3 The FOX (CFOX)
5. FINALLY – we added a music player to the “Music” section of the website in which you can stream The Sun and the Wind and buy tracks directly from the player! Check it out.
We’re very excited to almost have our European tour booked. If you live in Germany, France, Spain, Italy or the Netherlands – get in touch! We always need help spreading the word about our little band, and learning new things about your cities! We are recording a few new songs this week! One will be on the second installment of the Friends in Bellwoods charity compilation. Yay!
Until then- here is a free download of an acoustic B-side of “Oh Humility” that we recorded at CJLO in Montreal a couple years ago. Enjoy!!
