quietly loud

How To Dress Well

2011-01-26T23:44:00.003-05:00

Trampauline

2011-01-24T14:51:00.002-05:00

When planted in a music venue, if the Korean pair reciprocates anything within a marbles throw of this favorable late night performance in a Seoul underpass, they'll easily be seeing differing sides of water masses soon, soon, soon!

Quietly Loud Showcase at Popperville

2010-09-22T00:14:00.006-05:00

Wednesday, September 29th
Club Lambi, 4465 St-Laurent

9pm: Adverteyes
10pm: The Auditor General
11pm: Coltrane Motion
12am: Cousins
1am: Victory Chimes

COLTRANE MOTION - best band I've witnessed live in the last two years. Will entertain with your socks on. What they give in energy to the live performance, makes the post game look like they took on a couple rounds of that tour boat going under Niagra Falls. Stream new album 'Hello Ambition!

"Genre-defying Coltrane Motion’s music is full of movement, life and exuberance. A blend of shoegaze, ‘60s psych, and electro-indie, this Chicago-based duo's sound is effective."

COUSINS - the hands up top applicant to this years festival. This band easily stood out over 1,399 other acts.

"My cousin Ben would be into this band. They're from Halifax and they play advanced music that's pretty and accessible, which Ben is into. My cousin Ryan might not be into this so much, but to be honest he has awful taste in music, so that's more of a compliment than anything."

THE AUDITOR GENERAL - a la death cab for cutie.

"They said it: 'The Auditor General will be hitting the road as often as they can to get you dancing out of the way so they can drink your beer.' Even with this knowledge, you may not be able to help yourself—the vocals are soft on the ears and the music is catchy as fuck!"

VICTORY CHIMES - bring on the homefield advantage.

"The new solo project of Montréal’s Jeff Louch. After years playing in other bands, Louch wrote and recorded his first album, Frozen Ghosts, in six short months, with help from a slew of local musicians including members of Besnard Lakes and Land of Talk."

ADVERTEYES - a mixed drink of recent Arcade Fire meets Oasis 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' stage.

"Adverteyes is made up of six fine folks from Guelph, Ontario who sound like 'cabbage in a brine of gold.' So I guess that means some kind of sauerkraut or maybe kimchi? YUMMY!"

Scripting the 9th Edition of POP Montreal

2010-09-09T21:16:00.012-05:00

Here is how I schedule to see time pass:

Wednesday, September 29th
09:00pm ~ Gotan Project
10:00pm ~ Menomena
10:30pm ~ Mahala Rai Banda
11:00pm ~ Coltrane Motion
12:00pm ~ Cousins
02:00am ~ We Are Wolves

coltrane motion

Thursday, September 30th
07:30pm ~ Leif Vollebekk
08:30pm ~ Karkwa
09:00pm ~ The Russian Futurists
10:00pm ~ Miracle Fortress
10:30pm ~ Women
11:00pm ~ Liars
11:30pm ~ Twin Sister
12:00am ~ Bear In Heaven
01:00am ~ Shonen Knife
01:30am ~ Indian Jewelery
02:00am ~ Holy Fuck

twin sister

Friday, October 1st
08:00pm ~ Zola Jesus
08:45pm ~ Warpaint
09:30pm ~ The XX
10:00pm ~ Timber Timbre
10:45pm ~ The Dears
11:15pm ~ Swans
12:00am ~ Naomi Shelton
01:00am ~ No Joy
01:30am ~ Cotton Mouth
02:00am ~ Les Savy Fav

naomi shelton

Saturday, October 2nd
08:00pm ~ Portico Quartet
08:30pm ~ Valleys
09:00pm ~ BRAIDS
10:00pm ~ Xiu Xiu
10:30pm ~ Marnie Stern
11:30pm ~ Wovenhand
12:00am ~ Mary Margaret O'Hara
12:30am ~ The Budos Band
01:00am ~ Danielson
01:30am ~ Vertual Vertigo
02:00am ~ Deerhoof

xiu xiu

Sunday, October 3rd
11:00am ~ Patrick Watson
04:00pm ~ Bounce Class w/ Big Freedia
09:30pm ~ Fall Horsie
11:00pm ~ Scout Niblett
12:00am ~ Jahnice
01:00am ~ Gobble Gobble
02:00am ~ Big Freedia

How Did That Get In?

2010-08-20T17:48:00.002-05:00

“We sent the perfect EPK!” “Our music is professional quality.” “My submission wasn't even heard.” “Why are you stealing artists’ money?” “Only industry insiders are considered.” ...And on and on tumble rejected festival hopefuls complaints.

We hear ya! No, really, we heard you!

We listen to every artist's submission, some too much. Thieves? If we omitted a fee, inviting all applications, the ballooned entries would guarantee bands were wasting time putting packages together. No argument on the mint press kit, but where's the press? Surely, glossy paper & warm font can't impress a shoe gazing crowd. To the vein of the sonic bliss being profound, why is the band history void of notable gigs? While it is favourable to be chummy, it doesn't pay off if the music doesn't back it.

Applicants judge their music against self-fabricated ghost competition and obviously champion themselves. But objective outsiders weighing it against 1,600 other 'sure things' often express different emotions. The axe of rejection generally falls on poor recordings, conflicting sound for the festival, mundane performances, mainstream fodder and not being able to decipher instruments from noise. Sadly, denials sometimes also prey on solid submissions, as there just isn't enough slots/venues to fill all appetites. With no real consolation to keep musicians from strumming away frustrated, bitter and jaded; remember, it's just our opinion.

Asking the POP listening session jury for the prescribed equation to getting thumbs of approval brings a predominately mute response, maybe the overused, but underplayed: uniqueness. If one wanted to hear Spencer Krug, why take on a Sunset Rubdown sequel instead? Fortunately not all clocks tick on the same time, foreign watches are worn by the challenging & unrecognized. Herein lie the emerging gems, wading through all the muffled sound, and rising to the top. From this years POP Montreal listening sessions, the refreshing acts deserving ascension and your ears are: the creeping fog blanket of Cousins (Club Lambi, Wed.), weirdo eccentricity of Gobble Gobble (Espace Reunion, Sun.), Byrne meets Krug with hometown Cotton Mouth (Casa, Fri.), and the sweat stained dance-ability of Chicago's Coltrane Motion (Club Lambi, Wed.).

POP Montreal POP Off Tour - Jane Vain + Valleys

2010-06-04T01:29:00.010-05:00

The Tour

June 11 - Montreal, QC - Club Lambi
June 17 - Wakefield, QC - Blacksheep Inn
June 18 - Hamilton, ON - Casbah Lounge
June 19 - Toronto, ON - The Drake Hotel - NXNE
June 20 - Guelph, ON - Van Gogh's Ear
June 21 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON - LopLops
June 22 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Apollo
June 22 - Thunder Bay, ON - Black Pirate Pub
June 23 - Winnipeg, MB - The Lo Pub
June 24 - Regina, SK - O'Hanlon's
June 25 - Edmonton, AB - Baby Seal Club
June 26 - Edmonton, AB - Street Stage - Works Festival
June 27 - Kelowna, BC - The Habitat
June 28 - Vancouver, BC - The Media Club
July 1 - Calgary, AB - Marquee Room - Sled Island Festival
July 3 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos

Jane Vain

Valleys

Yesteryear (2009)

2009-12-30T15:38:00.007-05:00

Top Mtl acts:

BRAIDS

Think About Life

Tune-Yards

Live shows that floored (granted no footage of said floorage) :

White Denim @ SXSW

Micachu @ Il Motore (Montreal) + Pop Montreal

Coltrane Motion @ Public Assembly (Brooklyn) + Pop Montreal

Delorean @ CMJ, twice! First time by chance, second by mission

Broadcast @ CMJ

Album of the year:

Micachu - Jewellery

"Mica Levi, born 1987 in Surrey, UK. is a singer, songwriter, composer and producer. She is classically trained and started writing/playing music at the age of four. She was offered a scholarship to attend the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to study composition. While a student at Guildhall, Levi was commissioned to write an orchestral piece for the London Philharmonic Orchestra which was performed at the Royal Festival Hall in April 2008.

She often uses unorthodox instruments, many of which are homemade, These include a modified guitar played with a hammer action, called a 'chu', and a bowed instrument fashioned from a CD rack. This multitude of objects, varying from broken bottles to a vacuum cleaner, help Mica achieve her distinctive and unique sound."

Saturday, October 3rd - Day 4

2009-09-30T05:24:00.002-05:00

Quietly Loud Showcase - Daehyun Kim, Jane Vain & the Dark Matter, Kinetic Stereokids, Deleted Scenes, Coltrane Motion
8:00pm - 12:00am - Green Room (5386 St-Laurent)

Daehyun Kim (8pm)
Pop's Korean Debut.

Jane Vain (8:45pm)
'thee' band of montreal

Kinetic Stereokids (9:30pm)

Finishing off the bill are Deleted Scenes (10:15pm) & finally Coltrane Motion (11pm).

Faust - 9:30pm - Ukrainian Federation (5413 Hutchison)

"There is no group more mythical than Faust"

One of the premiere Krautrock bands formed in Germany in 1971. Performances include using live drills as instruments. Prepare for their first show in Canada EVER!

Os Mutantes - 11:30pm - Le National (1220 St. Catherine E)
makin the trek from Brazil

Pick a Piper - 12:00am - Saphir (3699 St-Laurent)

Thee Oh Sees - 1:00am - Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent)
One of the bands making strong advances this past year.

The D'Urbervilles - 1:00am - Casa Del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent)
canadian pride

Think About Life - 1:00am - Espace Reunion (6600 Hutchison)
2nd favorite band in the city! definitely entertaining

Pop Montreal 8th Edition - Prequel

2009-09-26T02:58:00.001-05:00

Friday, October 2nd - Day 3

2009-09-26T01:39:00.008-05:00

Bob Johnson - 4:00pm-6:00pm - McGill's Tanna Hall (
555 Sherbrooke O)
Come see the producer of ... HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED, BLONDE ON BLONDE, NASHVILLE SKYLINE, JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON, SONGS FROM A ROOM, SOUNDS OF SILENCE, etc.

Talking about recording and answering questions...it will be FREE!

Yo La Tengo - 9:00pm - Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent)

Kid Koala - 9:15pm - La Tulipe (4530 Papineau)
Our nations pride in the mix-master world.

Destroyer - 10pm - Ukrainian Federation (5413 Hutchison)

Teenage Jesus & the Jerks - 10:30pm - Le National (1220 Ste-Catherine E.)
Thurston Moore + Lydia Lunch, wow. This song is stellar, and the visuals a weird homemade video.

The Dø - 11:30pm - Theatre Plaza (6505 St-Hubert)

Come be floored

Shapes & Sizes - 12:00am - O Patro Vys (327 Mont-Royal Est)
Local Montreal act

Lee Fields & the Expressions - 12:00am - Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent)

Thursday, October 1st - Day 2

2009-09-20T02:26:00.013-05:00

Easily rounded up to be the most difficult day of choosing what to see and what to sacrifice.

Fever Ray - 9:30pm - Metropolis (59 Ste-Catherine E)

Remember this hit a couple years ago...

these days that female voice is flying solo as 'Fever Ray'. Promised to be quite the showing, her production rider was over 20 pages long and insisted on specific lasers, (which cost quite a few grand to rent for the night)! So, imagine stellar laser flashing to this...

Mono - 9:30pm - La Tulipe (4530 Papineau)

Sailing all the way to the Mtl from J-pan.

Micachu - 10:30pm - Cabaret Juste Pour Rire (2111 St-Laurent)
from London, England, classically trained (yet plays catchy pop), she started writing and playing music at the age of four. Uses unorthodox homemade instruments. Objects varying from a bowed instrument fashioned from a CD rack, to broken bottles, a vacuum cleaner and a modified guitar played with a hammer action. While studying on full scholarship at Guildhall School of Music, Micachu (Mica Levi) was commissioned to write an orchestral piece for the London Philharmonic Orchestrap, not bad for a 22 year old.

Butthole Surfers - 10:30pm - Olympia (1004 Ste-Catherine E)
Kurt Cobain placed the Butthole Surfers as one of his three favorite bands. Member this didley from the '90's.

Best known for their chaotic and disturbing live shows (told over the phone by record store clerk in Ottawa, they were turned around by customs some years ago, attempting to bring their shotguns across the border for customary shooting of blanks over audience during performance). I can't get enough of this annoying song...

Roxanne Shante - 12:00am - Club Lambi (4465 St-Laurent)
Pretty impressive old school improvised rap.

Also playing on said night: Joel Plaskett 9:00pm - Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent),The Intelligence 1:00am - Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent)

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 - Day 1

2009-09-19T13:36:00.003-05:00

'It Might Get Loud' screening - 7pm - Cinema du parc (3575 Parc). The history of the electric guitar as seen from the point of view of three significant musicians: Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, U2's The Edge and the White Stripes' Jack White.

"I want it to be a struggle" - jack white

Fashion Pop - 8:30pm - Espace Reunion (6600 Hutchison)
Six of Mtl's finest emerging fashion designers present a six look mini collection. Official Puces Pop launch party!

Alright, the live music...

Amy Millan - 10pm - Ukrainian Federation (5413 Hutchison)

the lady from 'stars' is playing an intimate church set.

Very inneresting is Bruce Peninsula - 11:30pm - Il Motore (179 Jean-Talon O.)

Matt & Kim - 12am - Club Lambi (4465 St-Laurent)

Jay Reatard - 12:30am - Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent)

Stick a Fork Innit

2009-08-04T22:53:00.004-05:00

"Pitchfork...never heard of it. I like gangsta rap, cop killing gangsta rap. Alright... have a good time" with this uncomfortable admission from the buzz cut sportin', power hugging customs officer, myself, some peeps and our weapon of transport merge onto I-94 glaciering towards Chicago.

Hopping fancy along the aforementioned cities acquiesce architecture, feeling jazzed about VIP tickets to snag, adrenalin is stalled embracing the caterpillar envious shoelaced formation at the gate. With the talkie-talkies blarin, comedic relief summons as judging marshals organically decipher (in what is now the festival's ummth edition) that extra gate assistance and some fresh guest list prints may be yesterday wise. Impatience aside, we puddle through and find ourselves grasping weekend long complimentary 'Sparks' (dream of red bull spun thickly in vodka and orange crush) -$7 wallet pain at concessions- to accompany the less enticing 'Old Goose' sewer beer -$6 in festival grounds-.

How long to drive from Montreal to Chi-town...14 hours, how long till domesticated at the Pitchfork festival...1 minute. Now I like me a stand tall, independant festival headquartered by sonic bliss, but I also like a little internal audible signaled distraction to sidekick. Attractive as standing strong for six simultaneous hours of tunes appeals, it doesn't. Need to sway the goers off the diamond in the middle grounds, throw a bat, ball and some gloves out; initiate the alt-entertainment. Mind me, there stood a music orientated world record hub (be it most drum sticks held in one hand, most MJ tunes titled in 30 ticks while thrashing about on a pogo stick), years of show posters, and an army of arts n crafts. Yet, how quaint a distraction a mascot makes, an initiative or a scenic stroll. Rather, the grounds were tight, not a shadow formed of stuffed animals on polls, all in attendance seemed fashionably fair and porta potties hogged as popular booths. Credit where due, the eats menu salivated curiousity (Po' boy Catfish), the acts hit their marked set tick tocks quite accurately and stage transitions were flawless.

Now, now, an extremely pertinent aspect (stretching years above the mentioned) to consider in hosting a mammoth music fest...ensure quality sound. If you puddled away from the secluded third stage motioning forward to the bigger billed, you addled until sight oodling proximity whether anyone graced the mics. And if they did, you questioned who they were.
For all the snobbery the company offends on the www. the mystery lurks how the petty draw to close out the nights entailed: The National and The Flaming Lips. A colleague drilled a triple acknowledging the former verged winding into U2 hits with the riffs opening their ballads. While the Lips honed in old act they've been buffing what seems decades on, someday sound shall draw merit over trying antics.
The talent bored via: grizzly bear, final fantasy and beirut, neither seems equipped to translate well on a large platform. Other overrated hype: Yeasayer, Black Lips & M83 brought winners and losers, but mostly put me to sleep. Shutting my trap, much applause was felt for Built to Spill, The Very Best, Matt & Kim, Japandroids, slaving more sweat than the weekends clouds dispersed.

By not flaunting their title at site gates coupled with vacant stage hovering posts, Pitchfork warranted respect...not shoving business down fans throats, keeping attention on target. Yet, it's the lack of an appealing target that implies those fest adverting banners might have remained scarce on another take: embarrassment.

2009-07-24T17:52:00.002-05:00

"Once you are out of your teens you don't usually dance. You never dance in any public place. That's for squares." Of course not. What you did then instead was sit around in dreary 'pads' getting wasted and having big profound discussions for hours on end about the meaning of life, psychoanalysis, the martyrdom of Charlie Parker and materialism in square society. So twelve years later we've come all the way around again except now society has started to bust at the seams so you don't have to be a furtive or blaringly assertive 'bohemian' because everybody's a bohemian that smokes grass and now we can sit around in dorms and crashpads and even parents' houses and get wasted and talk about all the stupid things people talk about now with one difference that they don't have as many protocols and taboos as those lard-ass beatniks but there ain't many of them seem to move much more than the former did either and even if they do they're liable to make a big production out of it.

- Lester Bangs (Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung)

Changing One For All

2009-07-22T02:06:00.001-05:00

With Michael Jackson's final conclusive demise, the media jackals unshelved and re-birthed every minute detail enduring the renounced mans being. Of the bookshelf pages, one particular re-emergence didn't include a packaged date on MJ's life, but rather the skin off my own bones.

In 1986, MJ was officially diagnosed with Vitiligo, a disorder that basically eats away at the pigmentation in your skin. Inevitably, it was the recourse for his African American appearance changing to simulate a Caucasian. The sequined glove worn on one hand, although it became an iconic image, had originated to cover the initial depigmentation of skin tone on his right hand. Pushing further ahead, on came the powdered makeup to cover-up blotches on his face and the omnipresent umbrella to protect his now sensitive skin from UV rays.

Six years ago, I was read the same verdict. Fortunately, I'm a Caucasian from scratch so the visual differences are drastically less dramatic. Similarly, the disorder in question has no life-threatening symptoms, only psychological consequences. If grasped and emotionally contained, it warrants little necessity for attention. With no definitive cause or cure, the only plausible treatment is entering a tanning booth twice a week, crossing fingers that the safeguarded UV rays can re-vitalize melanocytes to re-invigorate color.

This is how it works - and it unnerves me. We sit back, wait until some devastation or disaster hits us/a family member/a close friend, than we take action/research/educate and promote finding a cure or fixing the affliction and this problem alone. Suddenly, it becomes a disease everyone needs to be more informed about, this selfish compassion is working no cures.

Teaing it up with a peep of mine, we volleyed around the topic until we reached a resolution, why can't people as a whole focus all research and funding onto one solitary cause, the most damaging and deadly. Vote cancer and just hammer all our efforts away until we resolve that dilemma before moving on to the next most pressing?

War and Peace (tolstoy)

2009-07-03T02:51:00.002-05:00

"this happiness is not for you...this happiness is for those who have not in them what there is in you"

"with that peculiar feeling of youth, that dread of beaten tracks, and wish to express itself in a manner different from that of its elders which is often insincere".

"the insignificance of greatness, the unimportance of life which no one could understand and the still greater unimportance of death, the meaning of which no one alive could understand or explain".

"there is nothing certain, nothing at all except the unimportance of everything I understand and the greatness of something incomprehensible but all-important"

"if you go on modeling and modeling, you must get smeared with clay"

"mentioning 'our days' as people of limited intelligence are fond of doing, imagining that they have discovered and appraised the peculiarities of 'our days' and that human characteristics change with the times."

"the whole world is now for me divided into two halves: one half is she, and there all is joy, hope, light; the other half is everything where she is not, and there all is gloom and darkness..."

"held her hands, looked into her eyes, and did not find in his heart his former love for her. Something in him had suddenly changed; there was no longer the former poetic and mystic charm of desire, but there was pity for her feminine and childish weakness, fear at her devotion and trustfulness, and an oppressive yet joyful sense of the duty that now bound him to her for ever. The present feeling, though not so bright and poetic as the former, was stronger and more serious."

"her wonder at the short-sightedness of men who seek enjoyment and happiness here on earth: toiling, suffering, struggling, and harming one another, to obtain that impossible, visionary, sinfull happiness....and they all struggled and suffered and tormented one another and injured their souls, their eternal souls, for the attainment of benefits which endure but for an instant".

"they were moved by fear or vanity, rejoiced or were indignant, reasoned, imagining that they knew what they were doing and did it for their own free will, but they were all involuntary tools of history, carrying on a work concealed from them but comprehensible to us. Such is the inevitable fate of men of action, and the higher they stand in the social hierarchy the less they are free"

"at the approach of danger there are always two voices that speak with equal power in the human soul: one very reasonably tells a man to consider the nature of the danger and the means of escaping it; the other, still more reasonably, says that it is too depressing and painful to think of the danger since it is not in man's power to foresee everything and avert the general course of events and it is therefore better to disregard what is painful till it comes and to think about what is pleasant. In solitude a man generally listens to the first voice, but in society to the second."

"war is the favorite pastime of the idle and frivolous"

"was not satisfied with her own words: she felt that they did not convey the passionately poetic feeling she had experienced that day and wished to convey."

"as a criminal who is being led to execution knows that he must die immediately, but yet looks about him and straightens the cap that is awry on his head."

"all his life he had looked over the heads of the men around him, when he should have merely looked in front of him without straining his eyes. In the past he had never been able to find that great inscrutable infinite something. He had only felt that it must exist somewhere and had looked for it. In everything near and comprehensible he had seen only what was limited, petty, commonplace and senseless.

"when two people quarrel they are always both at fault, and one's own guilt suddenly becomes terribly serious when the other is no longer alive"

"he now repeated in imagination every word that he or she had spoken and pictured every detail of her face and smile, and did not wish to diminish or add anything, but only to repeat it again and again"

Listen Up

2009-06-05T13:49:00.023-05:00

"Based out of Brooklyn, they play indie/rock, influences are the Smiths meets Modest Mouse and Radiohead, they've played SXSW and CMJ, pictures are pretty bland, seem purposely casual in front of an outdoor landscape"; escaping the predominately sinister music accompaniment, free beer and snacks, and revolving door of judges, welcome to the Pop Montreal listening sessions.

How is one anointed the graces of staging the plugged festival, well if you're not a part of a label showcase or making movement enough to be thrown an offer to play, its only plausible through the submission process. The number of applicants for the week long multi-venue festival climbs in around 1,400 yearning artists annually (85% online via sonicbids + 15% physical submissions). Unfortunately, only 100 of these submissions make the cut and are programmed into the festival (those are 7% odds).

The requirements are standard, a typical EPK, plus $25 submission fee (necessary so everyone owning a guitar doesn't comply respecting a free pass). For those lost on the Electronic Press Kit, simply: bio, photos, press, CD and contact info.
Imagining this to be your field or industry, how straightforward it stands to complete. Yet, embarrassingly how difficult reality proves. To think a major label would send in for one of their own, without leaving contact info (double checked the empty envelope afterward). One artist left me dumbfounded recently including simply a CD-R, band name, her name and $25 cheque. No bio, no picture, no address, no email, in fact no way of getting hold of her whatsoever. Fortunately facebook and my ambitions endure. But ambition can't produce a record player or boombox to play the vinyl and cassette tapes received.

Than there is Tam, Tam decided to send us an entire Xerox box of paper, included 4 different CDs (without a single highlighted track, hoping songs 1 & 2 of random CD are a favored representation) and personalized apologies for her performance and behaviour a year ago opening for Nice Cave. Her press included a Montreal Gazette article titled "Worst opening act in Montreal music history?", on with the ode to her.

But there is a charming approach, though I caution it is simply backing vocals to the spotlighted musical merit. As the deadline drops, many a acts choose to show face and saunter into our office personally handing over their musical resume. Moodini stopped by with four-year-old twin daughters, who handed over homemade wood helicopter toys. Pom Pom War passed along a set of Army men camouflaging their army themed album cover art. Honest I's punched out space in a book to hold their CD within. 'We're Coming' took their name literal delivering a box of sex toys accompanied by condoms. 'Domlebo' marched through our door singing Bonne Fete to pop, bearing a lit cake (ironically was his birthday) than proceeded to charm each of us individually. Deserving more applause, another act ventured in with chipmunk cheeks routing the office directly from having his wisdom teeth out! Mode Moderne couldn't physically attend hailing from Vancouver, alternatively they elected to ship a fair sized framed painting in the mail. Pricey to send, the portrait was not their work, but taped to it was their bio, flowers and a pop love note. Clearly, this doesn't shed light to their on-stage performance, but the abnormal package did award them a pre-listen.

On to the listening sessions, where the chords, beats, lyrics, etc. of every applicant are aired, following which democratic decisions are made by a jury of associates connected to the industry or with strong music taste. The decision had follows a thumbs up/thumbs down policy to whether the band fits with the festival. Each session lasts about two hours a sitting and rumbles through nearly forty artists, honoring each a minute of a couple songs (spelling why artists should highlight songs they want played). Simultaneously, the band bio, press & influences are voiced, pictures are shown, and peeps discuss the artists potential. After the music breathes air, attendees display their need or dislike of the sonic dispelled. Making this cut only guarantees a trip to a second round in which the stereo spins the CD again and tougher calls are made to match the magic number necessary. Even here, nothing is set, the names are simply passed to the Creative Director for final programming decisions.

At present, we have passed the application deadline for the 2009 festival, and having only hacked through a third of the applications, here are a few acts that have chimed positively to date...

Yes Nice
Ghost of a Stranger
Deleted Scenes
Computer Perfection
Arizona

Spanning Clocks in the Sewers of the Industry

2009-05-21T12:52:00.011-05:00

Wednesday

In the midst of cramming down a skinny fry poutine at cheap and popular joint 'Patati Patata', about to catch a set across the street at Divan Orange by a top local act Shapes+Sizes, I get the call. I'm to head straight to the Ukrainian Federation (another venue) for a unique job. Having shipped in over a million dollars worth of sound gear for the weekends shows via Tower Productions in Toronto, Pop is worried about leaving the stuffed truck on the sidewalk overnight unattended. Ultimately, the concern is a sequel to The Dears tour bus disappearance, oh Montreal. So, my specific task is to sleep in the front compartment of the truck to scare potential intruders or to quickly report any mischievous activity surrounding the vehicle. Uncomfortable yes, but whose to complain getting paid to sleep.

Thursday

As the sun rises and the neighbouring resto/cafe 'La Croissanterie' opens, activity is abound and I'm free to jump down from my elevated cushion and abandon the gear. It's a tired saunter to the Pop office to speak to a southern drawl in Atlanta about operating the Etix ticket scanner received via mail, again for the weekends shows. Feeling adequate with the door guarding laser god, I venture back to the truck for noon load-in of all the gear I so protected. To think it would take fifteen men (including some pro roadies with the gloves and all black attire) three hours to literally move sound gear from point A one hundred metres to Point Z and set it up. Much to handle learning bout specters, monitors, 'snakes', pins and HZ80 subs, I was ready for some Pop Bingo, only Thursday night shone my own show at noteworthy venue Sala Rossa. Co-promoted with 18 year-old phenom Noah Bick and his year old production Passovah, the show was also a baby, set only two weeks previous via another promoter handing me the premiere venue sans $300 rental cost coinciding with his booked show falling through. With limited time, I got Noah on board and we hustled to put together a free show entailing seven shortened sets with pressed time intervals between. Ended up banking a pretty entertaining bunch, including six local acts: Cotton Mouth, Nut Brown, James Irwin, Tyler Rauman, Little Scream, and Archivist (crowned my top act award), to accompany Flint favorite Kinetic Stereokids. With the large venue, it proved difficult to make a decent audience, but the draw was enough for respectability and the bands were even more so of the allotted time constraints placed upon them.
Post show, stuffing and over stuffing KSK's car with the now duo's gear, we managed to blow the balloon to capacity without it bursting all over the sidewalk. Just about ready to overcrowd the front seat, a clear 'clank' is heard followed by a raucous "FUCK". While talking to his girlfriend on cell, Justin (member of KSK) went to switch hands and instead dropped his phone, it banked off the steel bars and into the sewer. Believing the SIM card could still be salvaged, he was pictured, 2am running around finding 2x4's, window siding, tree branches, whatever to reach down in the slosh below and detect a phone. With tired faces and worn night light, a final decision was reached to come back next day.

Friday

By mid-afternoon (4pm), rolling out of my apartment to work a 600 seat sold-out Bonnie 'Prince' Billy show, I warn KSK numerous times to pack up and similarly put a move on in having a show themselves this same evening (8pm) in Ottawa. At 6:03pm I receive a text from my girlfriend 'Just saw KSK at sewer outside Sala, they have cell it works, some guy documented the whole thing'. Red with fury, I yelp at the idea they are casually laughing downtown Montreal, when supposed to be on stage in Ottawa at 8pm, yet what else to expect from these turtles. Here is the mysterious film directors finished work (soundtrack being KSK tune 'blunder'):

Fortunately, those involved with the gig in Ottawa showed patience for the kids and allowed them to grace the stage for a later set. Having to stay behind on my own ground in Montreal, I raced around in an attempt to fill BPB's unique rider which included needing a 'cracker' for a nitrogen gas capsule, the Franco at the nearest hemp store had no idea what I was getting at, out of breath I raced back to use the ticket scanner in running the door. The equipment worked like a charm, and allowed me to sit back drink some beers, spot Win Butler and 'beep' tickets of some excited music fans. Realized you hear a lot of crying in working a show booked over-capacity, "Is there really no extra tickets you could sell me?", "My parents surprised me and came into town last minute, and I already had my tickets, you think I could get them some?" Quickly learned, I sympathize too much with true fans who missed out getting a pass, it was heart wrenching and I did what I could to help them find ways in. Post show mingling accompanied by Jameson, I chatted up record store owner of 'Phonopolis', recently voted #1 independent music store in the city by Mirror, and also happens to be a member of 'Shapes + Sizes'.

Saturday

Back at the UK Fed and working the door for show by much hyped yet sparsely visible local outfit Clues. The show sold decent, as about 400 folks bought in, wanting to witness for themselves the truth behind the noise being spread. Catching much of the music, I caught no glimpse of why the talk is stirring about the band.
With the instruments set down, the crowd faded and the drinks coming to a standstill, I was anxious to get word on my shows in Toronto that evening. I had booked KSK, The Craft Economy and Europe in Colour, at the Silver Dollar, co-promoting with the notorious character Dan Burke. Also set up was a show (with leg work done by buddy Al) earlier in the evening with radio station 102.1 the edge, allowing a showing at the Steamwhistle Indie Club off Nathan Phillips Square using free on-air promotion and KSK spins throughout the week.

So, I stormed over to the Pop office and proceeded to set the security alarm off, settling that embarrassment I dialed up Tony in T.dot and received word that the radio gig was great for allowing folks to come and go as they judged the merits of the music. As for the Silver Dollar, despite a small turnout, the show was a success and Justin spur of the moment broke a guitar into a thousand pieces.

Sunday

Final stay of the weekend at the Ukrainian Federation was hometown folk country hero L'il Andy, the show saw me with another door gig. Of the couple hundred that attended, some dubious characters approached my artificial box office this night. First up, a diva audience member who insisted she be allowed to venture the building without ticket in search of someone. Eventually after finding & making her daughter pay her way, she refused to allow me to stamp her hand. Tipping that iceberg, was an older man, who drilled me on why the show had not started at seven (doors open) and than hammered on about paying by credit card despite being told we had no machine, he than asked if I could just take his credit card! Re-emerging an hour later accompanied by his poor wife, he insisted on taking five programs and quizzed me on who was performing before demanding I give him a receipt, on my dumbfounded face, he asked me to write a formal acknowledgement on the program. 'one ticket purchased (signed) aaron smith'. That's it, no more choir entourage with artists!

Monday

Over the course of the weekend the sound equipment in its place dwarfed the Ukrainian church (think opposite to Spinal Tap stonehenge/midget moment). Now, with the Ryder truck patiently waiting outside, it was time to take it all down and load-out. Fortunately, the reverse process involved descending stairs and brought the same number of men to only an hour of sweat.

Tuesday

Back to the admin work, yet reaching our office floor in a mile end industrial building, I was alarmed to be flanked by cops wearing green uniforms. The police are scattered about relaxed, than came the strong, strong smell of pot. Who knew, suite #219 Canarm Lighting & Fans, Eclairages & Ventilateurs (a neighbouring office) had a marijuana operation going on. They were definitely professionals at insulation, as the previously sheltered smell, could now be detected from the street. Spent the whole day high off the fumes, puzzled at how we could be so oblivious.

Mini-Tour

2009-05-14T10:18:00.004-05:00

Handed one of the premiere venues in Montreal sans rental fee and only two weeks before show date, decided to put together a little mini-Ontario/Quebec tour for KSK.

Thursday, May 14th - Sala Rossa - Montreal

This one has now turned into seven (3-4) song sets!

Little Scream

Cotton Mouth

Nut Brown

Archivist

Kinetic Stereokids

James Irwin and Friends

Superfossilpower

Friday, May 15th - Avant Garde - Ottawa

Saturday, May 16th - Silver Dollar Room - Toronto - $5

The Craft Economy (Toronto, ON)

Kinetic Stereokids (Flint, MI)

Europe In Colour (Toronto, ON)

A Fair Shake

2009-05-06T17:54:00.003-05:00

I enjoy album critics, they remind of my youth, being a little kid and thinking the world consisted of the small town I roamed everyday. Than I grew up and realized…all that time I knew nothing, I’d never been outside city limits, so how could I assess the world on four blocks. Present tense…they’ve never played an instrument (at least in a legitimate band), so why does their word hold supreme! It’s like getting a wrap-up of Paris by a 5 year-old who only knows his friend ‘Paris’ down the street.

Flint Happens Across America

2009-04-27T17:54:00.031-05:00

Heading out on their first tour across America, the Kinetic Stereokids had every notion to be ecstatic about soaking the experience in, but simultaneously the focus primarily lied on getting their name imprinted in college cities down the Eastern coast.

While passing over 4,000 miles of incomplete white/yellow lines, a story, rather stories wrote themselves. Looking for sex, not here, all band members came in with girlfriends and chased home to get to them. Looking for drugs, too late, a brief glimpse at some meds one night, about it. The music is obviously a mainstay, but most prevalent is the drama. At only 27 years old, they're eleven years into their venture and rewinding half that, stars aligned. Opening for headlining acts on National tours, playing premiere venues in Detroit, the accelerator was on the floor, only they chose to crash the moving vehicle by building bridges with contacts through reckless behavior. Now, they're left attempting to drive through those bridges.

"wherever we go, we bring Flint with us" - justin ford (frontman)

Mike Steibel...Mike Steibel...Mike Steibel, seems to be tattooed on all their worn lips. Truth breathes an intriguing, yet lame figure. A highly creative source to the band, who in extended lapses no longer figures in the band. Wearying 'behind the music' drama spanning years has generated restraint from inclusion on being a full fledged touring member. Present scramble of molding what was a 5 piece into a trio spotlights missing pieces to a finished puzzle. Yet, resolving the issue by making it a permanent change proves challenging as the man in question shares artistic control. Further question marks pertain to band cohesiveness, with members residing sporadically via Detroit, Flint and Chicago; it's difficult to co-ordinate practices, let alone schedule advanced weekend gigs. But for this initial tour across the country, their alter livelihoods were booked off to delve full throttle into this great quest. With the first tour gigs scraping off any rust, KSK were polished by the time they graced the stage at Divan Orange in Montreal. Strutting their vast instrumentation in garnering everyone's ears and equally competitive eyes, the boys didn't disappoint, only a lazy Sunday turnout did.

As the chill of a windy Montreal March night hit, hid away in all night diner munching on poutine, we pined to head south in search of warmth and more importantly crowds. On with the nerve racking border crossing, the highway crawling fog and picturesque mountain greenery and scenery filling Vermont.

Burlington, Vermont.
Pulling into Burlington is in accordance with confronting any one exit city, really we're there? Without a booked gig, KSK audibled storming a popular open mic venue entitled 'Radio Beam' to unmask local hippies needs. Ostensibly, the opposite occurred as attention was warranted for the circus acts that filed through the cozy room that evening. From dreadlocked college Caucasians playing sitar, a paraplegic comedian placing no laughs with stories of cancer, an egotistical guitarist from over hyped local band masturbating his craftwork to no takers, to the grandiose finale of a notorious hobo and ex child offender 'the birdman' stealing the mic for his erratic, yet well polished and city wide known 'five cent version of flavor flav' rap. Surprisingly, the city stuck as the most memorable stop on the trip, how else to file a night that also included spotting a man licking a tree, 6 years of dissension and ignorance between childhood friends melted away and squatting in the banquet hall of a hotel.

With a limited budget, sleeping arrangements are tentatively booked, left to float on economical alternatives. Reality proved radical for struggling musicians. From a roadie's stain drenched carpet, to squirming a suite on top of the Renaissance, taking cover on friend's futons, and staying in the 'cinema room' at a band relative's mansion. Yet, worth exaggerating was the accomplishment had at the Holiday Inn in Burlington. Booked across the street at the Ramada, we ventured testing the market strolling into the opposition lobby, confronting a red faced Irishman steaming about a lack of staff presence, antsy we shouted about to no avail, snooped our sneakers around many a corners and pushed against a door declaring 'oak room'. Emerging was an unfinished banquet room with carpets strewn about, a sun roof, dimmer, convenient exit falling into the parking lot and check-in free hassle. Shrugging shoulders hurried out nabbed their backpacks and barricaded themselves in for the night.

With a tour planned by office chair, bookings are not all sunsets upon confrontation, odds propel the existence of Spinal Tap moments of pulling up to a venue, and grasping it’s simply a coffee shop; enter Cambridge, Mass. and ‘Café Luna’.
Cambridge, Mass.
After whipping through dismal Boston, we reach the heart of college cities. Rather than playing to a mass at the premiere spot 'Middle East', the band stages a Starbucks reminiscent coffee house across the street. Squeezed in tightly to the sobering environment, a quieter set is elected, involving minimal movement, yet still tweaks some ears.

With so little of the day consuming music, the glamour of being 'on the road' quickly fades as you find yourself passing cityscape's in Laundromats, department stores, idle at venues, loading-in loading-out, bars, restaurants, highway rest stops. Romantic laid out on paper, tour stops are a wash in what eyes retain, assessing strictly on a street or two perched on for 6 hours.

Post stopping and starting with America's well harvested highway toll booths, the GPS throws you around a corner onto a street the garbage truck seemingly frequents, yet reassurance "arriving at destination". All you see is some back alley exit covered in spray paint. This is Brooklyn and this is where the music rats crawl at night.

Brooklyn, New York.
Straight from 6am wakeup in Cambridge, it's a race to ViVa Radio headquarters in Brooklyn for a noon radio recording. Arriving on Flatbush, to surmise the next 6 hours would be painfully spent in a squeezed box above American Apparel. From there a direct steer to the evening's venue, the aforementioned high ceiling, two room, warehouse styled 'Public Assembly'. NYC being host to the bands label 'Overdraft Recordings', shapes up a prime showcase and as the mic is approached, the room gets stuffy. In typical hipster form, the crowd looks unimpressed throughout, arms crossed and no movement as the band wear out their tools. When KSK crash to a halt and descend the stage they sweat over the poor reception, only to be informed that the majority were blown away, NEW YORK!

KSK eat molasses, hence a free day in nyc results in Central park, the post office, a bank, dinner in Chinatown, and that's it! Taking care of business more than tourism, a theme for travelling musicians. Vast free time is further spent hating on nyc subway delays, getting carded at every bar, wasting money on a Japanese act at the 'Knitting Factory' and watching the whole band go down with illness. One evening we took cover under the label heads abode in Brooklyn. Mike Koueiter also roles as a lawyer in Times Square who has bled a fair chunk of his funds towards his belief in this band.
I opened dialogue with said man regarding why KSK's live shows exclude the song of their recently released debut video. Revealed was the age-old battle of band conformity vs artistry. Essentially the stubbornness to play their public pleasing card over personal desires. Although in excellent standing relationship, Koueiter has debated at length with them, the need to pull audiences in, with song requests falling on plugged ears. In the bands words, they don't want to give a false representation of who they are, preferring artistic freedom to a controlled plan. Accordingly, they've been playing those songs so long, they attest to being 5 years ahead of the recently released album and want the live act to coincide.

Overall, the 5 day layover seemed like a perfect stay, but turned into a burden, as the lull brought a halt in momentum and depression of questioning purpose. Fortunately, the tension and frustration brought about the most electric set of the tour.

Rain trickles in unison with our Tetris packed rental minivan moving along the I-something to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mid afternoon we find ourselves among sparse in the unofficial Tar Heels sports bar, the bartender placing the KSK album into the stereo system and kindly evaluating its merit, a New York lawyer judging in favor enough to commit to the nights gig.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Hunting down 'The Cave' for the night's conquest, we encounter truth to the name. Locating the tunnel squeezed beneath a building, with its shallow roof melting on patrons, we encounter the owner, a four foot version of Matthew McConaughey. He advises to give a shout out mid-performance for sleeping quarter suitors (three parties end up tussling). Further evidencing southern hospitality, he directs us to some hunger quenching diners affording some of that all gravy, all fried action their cuisine is established for. With the day darkening, the stage is set, KSK anxiously await sonically relieving themselves all over the local acts draw. Past taking their spots and putting hands to work, the connection and intensity between the band is electric, felt by all. Although all bringing their 'A' game individually, it seems unspoken tongues further surround the core, creating unfathomable sonic bliss. They give until their allotted time won't give anymore, punishing with a ferocity, that leaves them bleeding all over their equally injured instruments.

As the clock ticks around musicians, hangers on are belittled regarding their interest in music. Creative, creative beings, when not making beats in moving vehicles or recording subway sounds for samples, their ears were booked listening back on the previous shows audio, noting mistakes, talking what worked, debating next set list. Stepping into a record shop peaks the demeaning and proves challenging to walk away witnessing their wallets spend less than $100.

Athens, Georgia.
Noting we were within 3 miles, it proved awkward and disappointing to only note our surroundings as cattle and farms, till finally the city opens up and slaps you across the face. Basically a few drawn out streets, suddenly present bar after restaurant after bar and blood hits the veins, excitement arises. If only it wasn’t St. Patrick’s Day and you weren’t playing some hidden, heavily encased, dark dump. With more of the crowd playing the show than witnessing, Athens was a wash, but as usual KSK didn't check out, rather they excrete sonic imagining a packed house. In celebration of the $0 pocketed for the 16 hour combined driving dedication, KSK proceeds to take advantage of the free Pabst Blue Ribbon offered up. Sauced, they play their pseudo act 'back seat drivers' as I steer through eighteen cop loving checkpoints exiting the U of Georgia vicinity to crash at the opening acts confines neighboring Atlanta.

"when you smoke, it's like you're playing in a different band, I mean you're a good band, but its like listening to two bands at the same time" - j.ford directed at Tony Vu (drummer)

Omnipresent with music is obviously the drugs, and although KSK has pretty much docked that ship, it has heavily influenced the path leading to their present state. However, there is no moral to the story here, it has hit both sides of the fence. The in excuse, those drugs allowed the courage to make what has been made. From aiding the formation of their sound, to their artwork and musical influences, substances have had an assist. They've also formed a stronger bond among the group, as they foiled and toiled in alter experiences together. The out excuse, at the age you start abusing drugs/alcohol to the extent of forming an addiction, you become stagnant in the mentality/frame of mind of that age/time forever. Matter of factly, the missing members of this band remain stuck dealing with their personal demons, out of the bigger picture.

How could the tour be swung without the van breaking down, suiting an emergency oil change layover in Biloxi, Mississippi. The rewards, breathing time at a seafood joint the monkey George W. munched at, doing our own Hurricane Katrina surveillance and tasting the Gulf of Mexico. As carbon wore back on the pavement, and the tank guzzled empty, we hit a Texas rest stop and uncovered treasure, connected to it was the world's dingiest casino, red neck central. These sights helped us humorize the 16hour drive mapping Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the don't mess with state. At last, the pinnacle, the reason for rolling the vehicles mileage, arrival at the most important music festival in North America.

Austin, Texas.
Imagining a small town completely wrapped with South by Southwest, the highway drive by painted a sizable city without inclination of a daunting music scene. But curving along to the '6th street' exit, wheels confront blockades withholding the cowboy boots, moustaches, skinny jeans and aviators of hipster college. Literally inhabiting 20 square blocks, sxsw accompanies your mood with either a glimpse of sonic heaven or a depressing sense of music overload. Endless bars sandwiched within the festival grounds present bands from noon to ears content.

Of these bands, the Stereokids in their second life of the festival are shown a couple noon bookings. Stuck trying to entice the early risers to hug the scorching heat on a patio proves challenging. Actually playing to only a handful at a highly populated festival pours frustration, dictating an indifferent 30 minute set upstairs at the 'Blind Pig'. Turning the clock ahead a day, with the minivan fuelled up for the first stretch of a 24 hour trek home to Flint, KSK brace to expel all remaining energy on the outer brim of sxsw in the final gig of the tour. As the band kicks into the set, the sounds a rarity with the live show mirroring the album recording, heavy on samples, Tony weighing light on the drums, but as time slips in come the loops, experimental jamming and heavier beats. Crowd reaction brought a reminder of why the music game is continually recycled and played again and again. Lunching with separate families, a pair of young teenagers happen upon this Irish pub showing, enthralled midway through KSK's opening song, both race for the merch table, inquiring on iTunes availability, but picking up the physical lp nonetheless. Back in their respective seats, they record the name and swallow every chord of the set. When Justin crescendos all by throwing his guitar, pulling the cord on the static, without hesitation the tastemakers of the future bound towards the band to make acquaintance and get autographs on their new discs. Quietly loading out, a serene smile is shared, while the tour may not have reaped in green, it ends with the original purpose had, getting the name Kinetic Stereokids out there for all the right reasons!

For audio of Viva Radio Recording go here. Footage of the Montreal stop on the tour. Finally, Check out the KSK rating in Toronto Star.

Sophomore Effort

2009-03-30T14:03:00.089-05:00

Quietly Loud + Pop Montreal present...

BURIAL SONG (mtl) + ARCHIPELAGOS (mtl) + WEIRD WEATHER (peterborough)

Sunday, May 3rd (TONIGHT)
@ Le Divan Orange, 4234 St.-Laurent
Doors: 8pm
$5

Northern Heights

2009-02-27T17:44:00.017-05:00

One could furiously scribble the endearing tales of Christianne Kearns happenings into a best selling promotions guide, but in deserved respect, lets keep tune with the topic at hand. Born and molded in Blind River, ON. and having a prototypical musician’s upbringing: standing out in church choir, winning talent shows, taking on open mics, scratching at venues for openings, searching out for love of a joined sound,.. Christianne could easily be blurred in the over capacity of singer/songwriters offered. But, with that voice and a propensity to not be bothered with industry thoughts in reaching her means, she finds herself gracing legendary stages (horseshoe tavern) and tackling noteworthy festivals (North By NorthEast) in support of her debut effort with a full fledged backing band.

Is this presently a full-time gig? How you supporting yourself?

Would love for music to be my full-time gig, but in the beginning you have to be patient. A lot of people say the business is about who you know, and I’m sure it plays an integral part in success, but overall I think music is still about how good you are, and whether or not people can relate to your material. Cecil Youngfox, this incredible aboriginal painter once said: 'You have to have peace of mind to paint well and for that comfortable feeling you need to be able to pay the bills.' I waitress to pay the bills, for that peace of mind needed to play well.

How did the recording of the debut come about? How did you finance it? How long did the recording process take?

My debut 'Doomsday Lovers' was essentially an accident. I moved into my apartment in Toronto and quickly became good friends with the couple (Sam and Gord) living downstairs. Gord happened to be this incredible musician who had toured Europe and north America in the 90’s with different ensembles, and we would often jam together. One night we came up with a really great arrangement for my song 'Wildfire', and I decided to finance the recording of that song myself. We went into studio 92 on the east end, and we developed a great chemistry with the sound engineer and the process came naturally. It became an addiction of sorts for me, I wanted to hear all my songs fully arranged and realized, to get them out of my head and into something tangible. It felt like every song was a dream come true. The album took 8 months to complete.

Admiring the willingness to alienate from the majority by showcasing "songs spiced with flamenco, reggae, Middle-Eastern and Afro-Cuban ingredients", how do you plan to rope the public in?

I’m not trying to alienate the majority, but it’s obviously important for me to feel like I’m bringing something new to the already incredible diverse portfolio of human music. My songs and my style are a reflection of the music I love and admire, and most of that music is coming from outside the Anglo-western world. I bought this Rough Guide to Gypsy Music before the recording of the album, and fell in love with the Roma percussion styles and the general spirit of their songs. Such collaboration and fierce passion! Here are people who have been persecuted and chased away where ever they’ve settled, but have relentlessly maintained strong communities held together by music. I hope to rope the public in with that same spirit of community, that people can feel like they’re part of something when they’re at my shows, because music belongs as much to the listener as to the performer.

Taking in stride that an artist is unlikely guaranteed a stable salary, rather must consistently petition their merit and worth over on strangers. How is this lifestyle more appealing than getting the traditional nine-to-five and using free time to alleviate the passion stress free? Why is there a need to have others hear your music?

When God blesses you with a talent, it’s your responsibility to develop that talent and cherish the gift by sharing it with others. Turning your back on your vocation is next to impossible if you intend on living an honest life. The traditional 9-5 would not be an honest choice for me simply because I would be channeling my energy and efforts away from the gift. There are more important things in life than a paycheck, although I’m in no way naive enough to believe it’s irrelevant. A person’s got to eat and have shelter. With music you may not be rewarded with a stable salary, but you’ll have your dignity in tact and your priorities in order. Success is completely relative to each person, I get my sense of success by staying true to my passion to sing and write.

How are you handling the business side of this cruel industry, learning on the job or leaving that in someone else's hands? Have the dreams diminished or been tainted by cold realities of the industry?

I’m currently self-managing the entire operation, and I’m learning everyday. I play in a band with 7 people, and getting so many people together for a single night is always a challenge, but they’re great musicians and I just feel so privileged to have them on stage. I try not to think about 'the industry', I’m well aware that most of the music on the radio is uninspired and completely redundant, and I’m also well aware that this kind of music is what will provide the big green. Who cares. It’s just about playing as much as you can. In my opinion if you’re playing 5 times a month, you’ve made it. Being a big fish in a small pond is much easier than being a big fish in a big pond. The industry is an ear soar.

Generally multi-language albums exist to appeal to and attract a wider market, was that the aim behind implementing French, English and Spanish into your debut effort?

I don’t think words like markets, industry or salary were even part of the equation in the recording of this album. I’m bilingual, and some of my favorite artists are French speaking. Jean Leloup, Francis Cabrel... I listen to as much French music as English. I knew that my mother and my family would appreciate a song or two in French, because we’re very proud to be Franco-Ontarian, even though we’re a dying breed. I sing in Spanish because I spent a lot of time in Colombia, and again... was influenced by their domestic music and wanted to integrate some of its flavor into my songs.

With the stigma that an artists music diversifies and grows as time logs on, peering into the review mirror where has your music seen significant progression or change from the past.

I suppose the more you play, the more confident you become in your craft. This confidence leads you to take chances and experiment with your sound and your style. I’ve been driven to write music with a message from the very start, and I still am. It’s just formulated differently now. My writing has become more fluid and less stagnant. I used to be that girl who writes and only writes folk ballads. I prefer a beat and a grove now... but who knows, maybe I’ll come full circle in the future and return to just me and my piano, or me and my guitar, but for now I’m really enjoying the big band, and the energy created from so many fingers playing together. It feels more like a celebration.

If at all, how has the small town upbringing added depth to your music?

A small town upbringing added depth to my music because it added depth to my person. Blind River is a town of 3,000 people, you practically know everybody. Whether they come from well off families or struggling families, whether they are Ojibwa or not.. it didn’t really seem to matter, we were all going to the same schools and drinking at the same local bar. I’ve often thought that being from a small town you are much more exposed to the suffering of others, because you can’t isolate yourself by joining or creating a certain group. There aren’t enough people. This lack of disconnection results in a real sense of community, which is why I enjoy being a musician, I feel part of a community. There’s a song on my album called Northern Souls, which is all about the juxtaposition of the North’s natural beauty, and the poverty and hopelessness of some of its people. Every-time I go home and reconnect with its unique nature, I feel inspired. That inspiration is what led to me to write songs in the first place.

In now calling Toronto home, curious how you see this arts scene favorable over the noise in Montreal?

I don’t call Toronto home, it’s just where I live right now. Northern Ontario is and will always be home. I’m sure there’s great music in Montreal, because it’s a beautiful city. There’s great music in Toronto too, because it’s a very unique metropolis. I don’t think there’s a hierarchy of good music scenes, good music is good music whether it’s around a campfire or at the Gladstone Hotel.

In regards to sound on this go, I chose to highlight the best of the lesser known at the upcoming Coachella lineup, unfortunately the lineup overall proves pretty weak this year, yet I found some treasure.

Alberta Cross - lucy rider
my favorite of the bunch. Definitely feels like driving out to Lake Louise, quite the vision for a band not even from the oil province, rather they call Brooklyn home (or maybe they don't, apologies Christianne).

Alberta Cross - the thief and the heartbreaker
more, more, more and myspace here. And see 'Low Man' (yes, physically they look a little too much like a Kings of Leon/Nickleback cross, but it’s the music that counts right?)

Ghostland Observatory - sad sad city
this ones for you brother, sadly I think they sound a little too much like a weak band from about five years ago in BC..'Hot Hot Heat' anyone(ouch)!

I Was A King - a name that hurts to say
maybe lulled in with other indie rock, but at least it erases time.

Jenny Lewis - fernando
reminds me of 'Wayne's World', when Cassandra is playing 'Ballroom Blitz'.
"like when we used to climb rope in gym class".

No Age - eraser
Obviously this Los Angeles act is receiving enough of a push right now, they don't need attention here, but its all about recognizing what deserves recognition.

Peter, Bjorn & John - nothing to worry about
okay, so we all know about this band, but I must pay respects for the willingness to shy in another direction after the big hit.

'Look what I did to you, look what you did to me; fix it'

2009-02-12T09:40:00.006-05:00

He comes waddling into class with not the slightest somber resonance, but when he parks his can, and is pressed upon for a mood, suddenly the skies cloud over and down trickles a significant solitary tear. Staring off into the deep dark corner of the room, the 12 year-old displays a look as if he’s pondering the destruction of his wife recently leaving him and monopolizing custody of their kids. Reality reveals he may have just lost his favorite pencil.

So it is, gearing into a final take on the land of 102 restaurants and bars...per street.

As the 60 year-old grandma attendant of our local 7-11 adamantly draws me back to the store counter, grabs the MGD from my bony hands and cracks it open with the bottle opener securely stored on the wall behind the counter, it hit me like a bottle of Fresh Soju, I’m due for some last spillage from the Republic of Korea.

Cruising in a KIA, stopping and starting with hundreds of street lights, pull up to one of numerable major intersections in Seoul and spot a bus in synch with a lit red light, with something amiss, the driver is absent. Darting eyes notice a uniformed man standing in front of the parked city transporter, cigarette in mouth. Hostaging a packed bus and trapping many unaware vehicles behind, the man knows his marathonesque Korean light changes, so he takes er easy, savours each haul in its due time, casually flips the butt upon completion and strolls on board in what happens to be perfect synchronization with the oncoming green light.

Every single restaurant and fast food joint offers take-out delivery. Heard right, MacDonald's to the mom & pop diners have helmetless bikers whizzing around with your heat preserved munchies. More unfathomable, the efficiency of the system considering there are no street names and endless apartments. Only one finger shows the times they have mistakenly come unsuspectingly knockin my way. More convenient is post-meal, where the worries of dispelling trash are scrapped since the restaurant's throw you their own plates. So when the belly is content, dirty dishes can be piled outside your front door and... hours later it's vanished, swooped up by the motorbike champ doing rounds. To think it's all done on no tip or service charge! Swallowing this and the quantity of delivered food that is fried, it's truly surprising Asians remain so thin.

Despite the promotion of laziness, sometimes you want to get out to the restaurants, if only to glimpse the foods origin. Me and my lady friend can be imaged, lounging at a typical Korean floor seated restaurant, munching on some meat soup, side dishes galore. After devouring our prized sliced cold carrots, our server voluntarily hurries us some more, yet this time upon our finished enjoyment, she doesn't go to the kitchen again. Rather, without hesitation she non-chalantly walks straight over to the table of the couple beside us, grabs there remaining dish of delicious orange slices, casually strolls back to our spread and bravely empties its contents onto our empty carrot plate. No shame.

Remember being in Grade 1 and learning about 'Little Red Riding Hood' and getting all riled up at why that friggin square block wouldn't go into the hollow triangle shaped placement. How the world has evolved ...or if I'm not being ignorant, how Asia has. Strange to place yourself in these foreign language countries, stare down at the English curriculum and realize you're required to go teach Grade 1 Koreans about the harmful consequences of corporations disregarding pollution regulations. With the daunting ahead, you're still trying to get your head around your lack of morality the day before,...while lecturing on the negative symptoms of drugs and alcohol, one youngster eagerly raised a hand to drag out a personal tale whereby their grandparents "drink alcohol all the time and than they start fighting and hitting each other". Fighting off the urge of non-tolerance back home, you unwillingly conceded to cultural norms and just rolled on.

Scene: Gym locker room. With no slight sign of embarrassment and in plain view of all gym patrons changing, a 25-year old Korean whips out flexible measuring tape, wraps it around his bicep and anxiously notes the exact measurement.

If the mold slowly encapsulating the entire walls of my cockroach infested apartment wasn't a strong enough alarm clock, than the 4am wake up call by the Korean burglar I chased out of the shithole and through the streets of Seoul stamped home the message, its time to keep on running to the airport.
On a plane, on a plane, off to see the home country again.

Movies

Before departing, I'd like to pass along some beautifully done Korean films. We all hate reading subtitles, but these ones prove more than worthy and add value to the picture. I'm not just passing along some alright flicks, these are world wide film festival acclaimed and will have an impact. Find the trailers here...

Old Boy and its epic fight scene

+

The Chaser (based on a true story which happened a few years ago in Seoul)

Music

Caught my Korean buddy play a popular venue here in Seoul, unfortunately it was 8pm on a Tuedsay night and his was the first of five bands on the bill. Given the circumstances, one had to be content debuting original material for only a handful of peeps. Yet, he impressed and was asked to come back on the weekend (too bad he is taking off for a life in England this same weekend). Anyway, here's a glimpse at his act, surprisingly they aren't all synchronized dancers and Pop stars in Korea.

Grown Up Kids

2009-02-05T00:02:00.001-05:00

Born out of the desolate basements holding Flint, MI., the Kinetic Stereokids predominately grace the streets of Chicago these days. Yet the road consistently haunts and next month the gritty, beat-heavy, sample-laden, lo-fi sonic act will be hugging foreign pillow cases as they tour the Eastern States in support of their sophomore effort 'Kid Moves'. Having donned stages at South by Southwest and Pop Montreal, and hauled their drum kit from New York to LA, the group is ever more persistently irritating its dirty motel rash. In anticipation of their forthcoming reunion avec Montreal at Le Divan Orange on March 8th, front man Justin Ford and drummer Tony Vu were plenty generous to borrow me some words.

How long you been playing together? How did you come up with the band name?
Justin Ford: This band of mangy ponies has been rolling along since high school, 98. We won a talent show in Flint with another group, Yello 5. Backstage we were playing this song 'Grapefruit' over and over and obsessively talking about a James Taylor/John Denver song with radio static & dangerous hip hop beats. The Kinetic Stereokids were thus born, and not much has changed from those ideals. The name is pretty much random, a sudden phrase used to sum up the aesthetic philosophy of a group of musicians/friends, like a motto. The 'kinetic' part was the main thing, to keep things moving no-matter-what. Kinetic art. Heinz Mack, premier kinetic artist said: "the restlessness of a line; it wants to be a plane. The restlessness of a plane; it wants to be space."

Granted this isn't presently a full-time gig, how you supporting yourselves?
Tony Vu: I just resigned from my job as a network admin and am contemplating shielding myself from the crappy economy back in school.
JF: We are all travelling salesmen in some respect. We sell things to other capitalists in The Great Wilderness of North America.

How did the recording of the sophomore effort come about? How long did the recording process take?
JF: 'Kid Moves' was originally conceived as being a project in which we would create these very delicate, almost baroque folk songs and alter them to the point of disfiguration. We tried to do Dark Side of the Moon with a Tascam cassette 4-track, and failed. It took us over 5 years to write, record, overdub, edit and mix it. You can hear the years in the songs, its like a real solid piece of hardened driftwood that's floated forever and is now unbreakable. Right under the surface you can hear the original songs, if you listen. Its got the Neil Young folk thing right there, but its smeared over by screams, laughs, samples, beats, Zeppelin guitars, chaos, preachers. It's a lo-fi adventure in sound, like 'How many times can we record TV static over this nice song before you don't see the forest for the trees?' It's a really fucked up collage.

How did the concept of your first music video come to fruition?
TV: It was the brainchild of a very talented lady named Kelly Brickner.
JF: She directed and conceived the idea of having us walk through an actual wilderness of our artwork. She used a book myself and Mike Steibel had made over the years of whacked out collages and paintings.
TV: From this, she created little worlds to animate and digitize us into. She then zapped us with the gun from Willy Wonka and we walked around and played in the screen.
JF:It turned out better than we could have ever imagined.

What is the moment/stage you bubbled about in your sleep growing up, when you would know you'd 'made it'? What is the dream gig or venue you are pining to play?
JF: There is no 'making it'. Mick Jagger still puts his pants on one leg at a time and pours his own cereal every morning. Maybe it's when you can actually quit your day job. Actually, I understand that Mr. Jagger was majoring in Business Administration when the Stones first started gigging. Maybe I'm totally wrong; maybe he has a person that puts on his pants for him every day. I think we'd all just like to be able to tour constantly, and play the British music festivals each year.
TV: I've always wanted to tour Europe. The thought of going to sleep and waking up in a different country each night still drives me. I'd love to play any of those big festivals like Reading or Glastonbury.

Have the dreams been diminished or tainted by the cold realities of the industry?
TV: Not really, we're fortunate enough to be on a great label that really believes in us and our music. We have a really good relationship with 'Overdraft' and we work side by side as we slice through the wackiness of the industry to forge our path.
JF: I don't think there were really any misunderstandings about how the music industry works at all. Even when we were 17-year-olds jamming out ideas in the basement, the TV would be on mute, and it would be Christina Aquilera or P Diddy or whatever on the screen, and immediately there was no connection with that whatsoever. Even if we had the ability to go to that place in the sky where Spinal Tap and P Duffy are, we'd still be a million miles from it. Not that its an excuse to be lazy-look at groups like Godspeed You Black Emperor or Do Make Say Think, they work their asses off at being the most unique and popular too. GYBE flattened pennies on the train tracks behind their studio and included them by hand in the first 500 copies of their debut album. That beats the industry. Flattened pennies.

If at all, how has your Flint roots affected/influenced your music?
TV: It's given us our voice. There's literally nothing to do in Flint except get in various forms of trouble. We used to joke that we had a coping club, where we'd get together and hang out and cope with our existence. This pure boredom mixed with the depressing state of the city, combined to create a storm of anger, resentment, and pure bewilderment. When we were younger we would literally lock ourselves in our parents' basements and play music day and night. This kind of shielded us from the outside world and allowed us the room and freedom to mold our sound.
JF: Flint has made us who we are. Living here, we have become pretty hard and learned not to take shit. Not to say that you end up jaded or calloused, but people from here do grow an extra thick layer of skin. It's just so bleak, desperate nothingness. So there is that choice: do you go down the road of desolation and join the madness, or do you fight it with art and words and music? For the most part, we've chosen the latter. While all those murders outside turned into wowing statistics for the rest of the nation to see, we were in our basement spray painting a bunch of homemade CD's to hand out downtown—of some diseased folk song made in the sump pump. A lot of musicians came out of this area, and I think the really good ones became that way because they learned that music is a defense, a weapon, a thing to occupy your hands, as well as being a nice thing to listen to.

Can you fill the blank on the present music scene in Chicago?
TV: There's a huge hip, ghetto tech, 808, party til the break of dawn scene here. It looks funny, kinda like hip homeless people from the 80's with diagonal haircuts. I'm not really too into this scene but it is prevalent and the party don't stop. For me, the gem in the Chicago scene would have to be the free jazz scene here. It's absolutely amazing, purely energetic art. These are very talented, world class musicians that constantly push the boundaries of music. There are a handful of venues that host gatherings throughout the week and there's kind of a rotating cast of players that group up in random configurations. Everyone is in bed with each other and it's a wonderful experience seeing them create. Sitting through one of these sessions will force you to redefine what your outlook on music is.
JF: A lot of DJ's. You could write a thesis paper on the entire culture of re-mixing. It's pretty insular and has a food chain, just like any other big city. I've seen a lot of great musicians playing to only 5 people, and some really whack ones playing packed houses. If you look past the popularity contest it's a breeding ground for anything new. People move from all over the Midwest to Chicago to start something interesting, and kids drive from God-Knows-Where, Wisconsin, to see some band they heard because their friend burned a copy of something from them.

Clearly, you've been influenced in artists having shaped your music what it is, curious whether the influence carries over to the live show, are you further inspired in the way you perform or present your music?
TV:Absolutely. Much of our show is based on improvisation and a lot of what each of us bring to the table at the moment is influenced by what we're listening to at the time. By the nature of the beast, this lends to us inspiring each other in the moment with what we play. We've also gone to emulating the work ethic of other bands as well. 'Can' is a major influence on our sound and I heard that they would literally jam for hours upon hours. So I took to this and instilled a jam til you puke ethic to some of our practices, where I'd lock Justin and Matt in my basement and not let them out until we had played for at least 2 hours straight. We'd get so exhausted that we'd resort to X-files sounding ambient jams at the end but I think that completing the process was a win in itself.
JF: Our real influences are sometimes audible on the recordings, but not as much live. The method we use to record the initial songs is much different than the method we use to come up with a live show. The tedious chopping and layering is difficult to recreate onstage, and long ago we had to just learn to be more immediate up there. So it tends to be louder, faster, heavier, longer. Which, in turn, creates new songs. We've always had a joke about us live being a 'Kinetic Stereokids' cover band, as it's frustrating at first to learn the meticulously recorded material.

How do you inwardly field being compared to well staged artists/names?
TV: I like hearing how people interpret our sound. Usually the easiest way to describe a band or sound is to bring up other bands as a frame of reference. The best are the off the wall ones, we've been compared to Rush and Kid Rock before.

Why is there a need to have others hear your music? What is the message which needs to be heard from you?
TV: I think there is a need to hear our music because the message was recorded seven years ago and it now seems more pertinent then ever. Greed and excess have run a muck and it's apparent on every newspaper and magazine cover you pick up today. When this album was being crafted, we took these ideas from books and films, ideas that had been around for years. Much of the angst against corporate greed on the album was derived from what was seen in between the lines at the time. From the bubble gum pop of the late 90's to the post 9/11 state of shock that we were herded into, at a time when it seemed like no one knew any better, we felt we did. We wanted to get across that this world is at once, sick, silly, and beautiful, as our good friend Luke so eloquently puts it. All of this was molded into the album.
JF: There is no other option, either someone else hears the music or you explode. Even if you just hand off a demo to a random person, it's a release. I hope people can find their own message, tailor what they want from the music.

With the stigma that an artists music diversifies and grows as time logs on, peering into the review mirror where has your music seen significant progression or change from the past?
TV: It kind of grows with both you and the world around you. As our lives change and we go through certain experiences, we gain different things to express. I like to look at music as language, and as we grow older, we simply have more to talk about.
JF: We've gotten wiser, and the music has a little bit of meaning now. It's just as exciting as when we began, and we're all even closer friends.

Brace Yourselves!

2009-01-30T09:48:00.004-05:00

This is it...either the start of a production tenure or the flicker of a dream. Puttin' on my first show, the one you can't miss, guarantying moments you're pining to rewind next day. For the inaugural, Quietly Loud is ecstatic to present the...

KINETIC STEREOKIDS + ARCHIPELAGOS
Sunday, March 8th
@ Le Divan Orange, 4234 St.-Laurent
Doors: 8pm
$7

Stay close for further propaganda surrounding the gig (interviews, video, pics, and the music itself)

Endangering Koala Depictions

2009-01-26T02:34:00.014-05:00

Introduced into this world with an inclination for the visual arts, Dietrich Rosteck has been scrawling pictures for his entirety, but 2-3 years for the music industries poster purpose. Charging a lean $40 for his hand, Dietrich is well entrenched in the show poster field of Montreal. He unknowingly took my spotlight on friendly competition and tossed his alternative viewpoint. More selfishly, I'm proud to acknowledge that he's championed the first poster of my production career.

How long you been at this action? how were you originally started/inspired in putting pictures to paper?
I don't know, I was too young to remember. I was always off in la-la land as a child, never terribly social, maybe it was some form of escapism/disassociation from my surroundings, I've just always done it. I remember getting out of bed every morning before anyone woke up, watching 'Thundercats' and doodling away. Now, I'm twenty-four and still kind of doing the same thing, which is either really neat or really lame depending on how you want to look at it.

How did you come about the void in creating show posters?
Started making little make believe flyers one winter in northern Ontario out of boredom, just watching '20/20' writing down Barbara Walter quotes as opposed to band names and so forth. I was going to a lot of punk shows at the time, and it turned me into a little D.I.Y. fiend though i didn't know how to go about it yet.
I got my first legit poster gig years later, right after I moved to Montreal, from some weird fucker with a koala fetish, who never ended up paying me. I cursed the bastard for weeks and swore I'd never draw a koala again. It wasn't the best experience, but I'm glad it happened, I learned a lot from those first few gigs.

How much time is put into drawing up each?
It can take me anywhere from 3-5 hours, sometimes in one sitting depending on the deadline. That's a rough estimate, I don't ever keep track of how long anything takes to make, its kind of irrelevant to me, I just really like making those darned tootin' things.

Where do the concepts originate? Do your posters sustain any trademark fingerprints?
I get ideas from all over , I'll catalogue color schemes that I like in my head for future reference from billboards or labels, magazines, weird scenery, etc., I think harmony within a color scheme is pretty important. Lately, I try and make the aesthetics of a poster reflect the band name, but sometimes the end product has nothing to do with anything and I just end up drawing whatever comes to mind or use an old idea from one of my sketchbooks. This funny little crosshatching thing happened with my drawings somewhere along the way, I think at first I was trying to mimic old lithographs from the 1800's or something. Anyhow, that's just how I ended up drawing, it wasn't a terribly conscious thing...I suppose that constitutes as a sort of trademark.

Are there any specific standards/necessities to adhere to in illustrating a show poster? What are your tools of choice?
No ones ever really specified anything like that to me so far, I have my own standards, I'm making it up as i go along and learn the do's and dont's. I'm really finicky when it comes to making something whether it's a painting, a poster or what have you, its got to be just right. Generally the promoters let me do whatever i want which is nice. I'll use anything I can get my hands on to get them done, typically pens and coloring crayons, I find the idea of using coloring crayons entertaining. They kill my wrists though, so maybe someday I should switch to finger paints or potato stamps or something.

Have you eyed progression in your archived work? Are you headed in a particular or planned direction with your artwork?
There's definitely a progression, do anything long enough and you'll see gradual improvement. As far as posters, they get easier to do, you pick up tricks along the way just from fucking up so many times, like how to fix spelling mistakes without using photo shop on a finished poster. I used to really stress about them and now the whole process is substantially more enjoyable. I want to paint more, I have a few comics and weird little publications in the works, and piles of to-do lists and notebooks of ideas. If I'm not learning anything new while I'm doing it, I find the work kind of dull. So, it's kind of hard to say which direction the work will go in, it's a lot of trial and error, the plan is just to get better and be more prolific.

How competitive is the field you operate in? What is your lethal weapon over the competition?
I suppose it is fairly competitive, I try to stay away from that dog eat dog gibberish, not pay it any mind, that sort of thing belongs on the football field.
My experience so far with the few people that I know who are doing posters has been pretty positive, high fives all around. Lethal weapon over the competition? Well, I have been trying to figure out this darn five point palm heart exploding technique.

Dietrich would like to pass on his music picks of the moment, worth keeping an eye on.

Allie Kell
Kieran Blake
The Rough Sea
The Felines

Check out this article for a British viewpoint on the Montreal scene.

Le Musique...

Sin Fang Bous - clangour and flutes. Only found the video for this dandy from the Icelandic Sindri Mar Sigfusson's debut. To hear more click here.

Anathallo - italo
definitely a love or hate song, after multiple listens to the Michigan natives, I tend to the former.

Antlers - two
Brooklyn-based trio's second album is highlighted by this epic 6 minute beauty which eludes boredom in gradually building and unveiling listless tragedy.

Bodies Of Water - under the pines
renditioning a comparison to the arcade fire, i find this Los Angeles created band to be more rock n roll. They are signed to the label 'secretly Canadian', which is genius.

Born Ruffians - hedonistic me
from Midland, Ontario.

Elliott Brood - fingers and tongues
the only good thing to come out of Windsor, Ontario. i think this song just became a new favorite band of mine, that's allowed.

Juana Molina - vive solo
Introduced into Buenos Aires, Argentina this singer/songwriter is the Spanish Bjork.

Heartless Bastards - hopeless romantic
Garage rock act from Dayton, Ohio, stands out by the unique voice on Erika Wennerstrom. Dateless, this one could have been placed at a mellow scene in 'dazed and confused'

Unresolved Intrigue

2009-01-05T08:17:00.014-05:00

When you think show posters in Montreal, the local scene predominately shakes into frame one man, Jack Dylan. Jack is a visual artist, whose distinct gig advertising drawings rake in $100 a shot. In conceiving over 200 images to showcase upcoming concerts, his work can be viewed exhausting a safari of concepts from exercising countless superhero depictions, to spotlighting self satisfying locations in the city, to sliding in cameos of notable industry players. These days, Mr. Dylan has steered his magical hands away from the poster paper to focus more towards magazines, but when promoters come begging the fingerprint left behind is still unmistakable and smears eye candy.

How did you trip upon/discover the opportunity to fill a void in creating show posters?
Well I had moved to Montreal with the intention of creating a large studio space for myself and several other artists, I wanted to recreate the atmosphere I had grown accustomed to in art school. There would be a silk screen studio, a dark room, and painting studio. I found a 4000 sqft warehouse space in little Italy, and invited four friends to move in. What I didn't predict, was that the real success of the place would come from the shows we would begin to put on there. Some of my friends were quite adapt to booking bands and drawing in a crowd, something I knew nothing about. As it happened though, just as my lifestyle of struggling painter was beginning to wear thin, the shows wound up presenting me with an outlet to make posters for the events we were hosting at my house. And this was the perfect opportunity to create work quickly, and to put it out there just as fast. Something that painting in privacy and waiting for a show didn't allow. The venue also acted as a gallery, so through the music I was able to gain an audience. It was the perfect symbiotic relationship, each art form bringing attention to the other. And I should mention that I always loved and created posters, my first series of paintings were all posters, ironically they were advertising things that didn't actually exist (see pic below). I was just making up info to put around a painting.

Where does the concept for each originate, solely your design or clients input welcomed?
The nice thing about designing for promoters is that they're not art directors. They rarely put in their two cents, so as the artist you get total freedom. Usually I'll sit on a commission for a few days, and see if any idea's strike me. Or sometimes there will be something that I've been wanting to try that may work. It may be topical to the news at the time, or strictly seasonal. I usually try to place my illustration in whatever we're in at the moment. -- I'm really inspired by formal illustrating styles, like the covers of the New Yorker, or vintage Harpers. Comic books of all kinds too obviously, and I like to place a narrative into the poster if possible, giving it the quality of a page that you can turn to find out what's inside. But of course you can't turn any pages on a poster, but I suspect that that's what makes them work, that tension of unresolved intrigue they create.

How much time is put into drawing up each?
It varies, sometimes I spend days, my latest series for Pop Montreal took about five days each. Usually though I can knock them down in two good days, or occasionally one if the style is more simplistic. (The nice thing about working for promoters and not art directors is that I can be completely elastic with my style, if I want to make them look like peanut characters, I can do that. If I want it to look like an oil painting, I can do that too.)

Is there any significance behind the locations/scenery in mtl you choose to illuminate?
Absolutely, in many cases at least. The posters are often very personal to me, and are littered with dozens of references to inspirations, other artists, friends and my own biography, past, present and fantastical. You spread all the posters I've done out over the last few years, and you virtually have my diary in pictures. My own very public diary.

With the public accustomed to the copyright issue in music, curious to know its importance in visual art, is imitation unavoidable/acceptable?
Well, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to avoid it, but so long as we're not making any real money I think we're on safe ground. You can't get blood from a stone and all that, and as seemingly popular as the Canadian music scene may be, it's actually still extremely underground. We're not putting these things on MTV or anything. So again it's another great example of the freedom that not getting paid for something can afford (having said that, I have been more careful lately).

I imagine its pretty gratifying to see your artwork plastered anywhere and everywhere all over the city? Is the authors door ever knocked on when posters are illegally posted?
No, not really, thankfully there are too many beatings and violent crimes for the law to concern itself with me. But actually, I'm just the guy who's selling one legal ingredient to make the whole illegal product. I'm just designing the thing, it's the promoters and the poster pasters who can catch the heat, I'm at safe distance from that. They on the other hand can catch a fine, but mostly the city just likes to tare the posters down as fast as they're put up.

Understanding your gradual move away from these endeavors due to the wage constraints, curious whether there is additionally any attached artistic limitations or skill hindrance associated with the gig aiding visuals?
Just the medium itself. After creating over 200 of them, I get a little frustrated by the fact that they're all just posters, and none of them have turned into a film or comic book yet. And after a while you just run out, a poster a week is a lot, and there's only so much there for me to express in them. That's the biggest problem now I think, that's why I'm slowing them down a lot. I want things to evolve, I'd like to be able to turn that page now.

Is it conceivably possible to dig a decent living out of artwork in the music industry? Peeps seem to throw their wallet at grasping vintage concert posters, is prized artwork strictly adhered to the work of yesteryear?
Oh I don't know about that, I'm sure if you had a well negotiated deal with Arcade Fire it would still be possible, but I wasn't able to talk them into it, no.

In a never ending chase for new music, one is quick to throw aside gems without letting them fully mature on the ears, thought I'd balance the dizzying effect by staring down alternative action from previous names highlighted and dicing in some freshly squeezed lemons.

Beach House - astronaut
dry tears are surfing down my cheek

High Places - new grace
for all kindergarten teachers whose drug induced students were lost on Feist's '1,2,3' in class insertion for practicing digits.

Lykke Li - little bit
Feist_y swedish singer, born in 1986. wowzers

Paavoharju - kevatrumpu
finnish psych-folk, I'm still lost in their stellar trance. Off the tongue loving Laulu Laakson Kukista album

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - kurt cobain's cardigan
smart, smart, smart. every band playing should put the intriguing man's name in a song title, the song would never be overlooked, cliche or not. Again, I like 'the smith's' comparison here.

The Rural Alberta Advantage - the ballad of the raa
hands up, my most valuable 3 minutes 27 seconds of sonic bliss in 2008. "And right here what we've had, is a good thing, it will last"

Shearwater - whipping boy
"are medium-sized long-winged seabirds. There are more than 20 species of shearwaters, a few larger".......
anyone looking for more of the Austin 'iron & wine', ici. While on target try out the Hawksley like 'century eyes'.

Titus Andronicus - no future
named after Shakespeares first tragedy, yawn. This is the debut for this Glen Rock, New Jersey act, music sounds nothing like a titus andronicus, more like conor oberst. potentially a future?

Jammin' In Japan

2008-12-11T05:43:00.009-05:00

Osaka is a hefty plane ride from Bournemouth, England. But with Christopher Pedley's feet currently kicking bamboo in Japan for an unfathomable fourth tour round with his dirty funk act 'The Baker Brothers', its small sushi. Besides, with the trio (he met the brothers Dan and Rich Baker six years ago) striking an audience abroad and being handed plane tickets by the likes of 'Fred Perry', whose to drag them in to comprehend the grandeur of these minute opportunities. In the midst of introducing the Japanese faithful to his bands now fourth album, Chris put down the sake and his bass to grace me with his perspective.

Quite lame to ever having shown an appreciation in the Jazz, am extremely interested in knowing how you came to playing as such?
The Baker Brothers started out as a weekly jam session at a bar in our home town, Bournemouth. We would jam anything from TV themes to funked out 70's rock classics. There was a good social buzz which kick started things for us. We were just having fun really making a couple of quid while chasing the girls.

My love for Jazz, Soul and Funk started in my mid teens when I was introduced to Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, James Brown, Herbie Hancock and Marvin Gaye. Also during the early 90’s there was the thriving UK Acid Jazz scene, where I got influenced by The Brand New Heavies, Soul To Soul, Omar, Jamiroquai, Mother Earth, Coudroy Incognito and Galliano. Gurus Jazzmatazz introduced me to the likes of Donald Byrd and Roy Ayires and kind of educated me about the inseparable link between Hip Hop and Funk. From age 18 I loved listening to Gilles Peterson on radio one, he was a huge influence.

How did you initially garner recognition?
When the band started there were lots of record shops, where people bummed around taking the piss and talking about music. Avid Records was where I hung out and met lots of people who educated me on funk and beats. We released our first 3 x 7” records and an album on ARSE records. We started doing gigs at funk nights all over the UK, it was kind of hip and lots of fun so we went with it! We unexpectedly got picked up by a Japanese label called P-Vine records who have been licencing us ever since!

Noticed your on an independent label 'PEDDLERS', is that yours?
It is our own label.

How much responsibility does that charge you? Is it added pressure to make the $ side of the band thrive?
To be honest, it does often distract me from the music. I am a musician and I find numbers boring and tiresome, although I find it hard not to get too tied up in it. Funk or Jazz music is unlikely to make us financially rich; however, we have to try and be clever with what we have to get where we want to go. It is hard to make money with music, so instead of sitting around dreaming about getting a deal we decided to set it up ourselves.

Respecting your about to embark on your fourth tour in Japan, how did all this come to be? Why is Japan the place you clamour to so often?
I met our Japanese manager Kats Okada in my home town when he was studying at the Bournemouth Arts Institute, we got into DJing together and put on a few nights. When we got the deal with P-Vine he acted on our behalf and sorted our deals out etc. We found that our market in Japan was a lot more fertile so decided to keep pushing. We have now released 5 albums, a DVD and tour as much as possible here to keep that market alive. It’s good to make records, but playing live and touring is the way to keep fans interested!

How do you afford these excursions?
I guess it’s mainly from the venues and promoters that support our music, our record sales have made our audience and I guess the venues put up the capitol to keep us coming back.

Employ me to how/why your music resonates so well with the crowd overseas?
We just play from the heart and people just seem to connect with that here. We have worked hard to nurture relationships with the people who have kept the flame burning.

Having recently encountered the conservative behavior of Japanese fans myself, I implore your take on their reception of live music.
I find that the Japanese people are very committed and when we bring what we have, the audiences seem to feed from our energy. Although on the surface they might seem reserved, they are the people who seem to connect with it the most. We have always had a very energetic connection here at our gigs!

Any acts or brands of music being played in the J-pan you are down with?
We have played along side some great Japanese acts such as Sleep Walker, Osaka Monorail, Kyoto Jazz Massive and UFO. It is a real privilege to meet and play with these people.

Is there a unique advantage or niche the Asian music culture has over alternatives abroad?
People here still seem to buy CDs and actively support bands that they love, I’m doubtful this is true of other Asian countries but Japan works for us!

Knowing this a focal market of yours, is it quasi impossible to fairly promote your band from half way round the globe?
Well we have good management and solid label backing so we just do as much here as we can, and we will keep making the records till people lose interest, but for now we must keep pushing, so far so good!

Have a take yourself at the sounds of the Baker Brothers, with video for Chance and Fly and live look at Keepin' Together

I'm gonna get behind the full reins of the music...

Amadou Et Mariam - politic amagni
Cheesy french tunage? Nah...maybe you'll maintain the cheesy claim, but replace the latter with African! Regardless, its catchy and worth a second listen.

Blind Pilot - the story i heard
The tired Portland voice sounds bored of Jo-Jo, until a sudden blink worthy outburst "Oh No I cannot tell" helps him carry on and find accompaniment. I'm entertained the whole way and also wishing to make
one red thread available.

Bound Stems - winston
They're doing Chi-town proud on this latest album 'The Family Afloat', I'm just not sure there is much backing behind it. Ah well, if we can grab a few, hold them close to our ears and move on, are we not better for it?

Grouper - heavy water/i'd rather be sleeping
I'd rather be listening to this action on a train travelin cross-country looking past the window contemplating my happenings.

High Places - head spins
This Brooklyn duo reassures that two minutes can jet by, luckily one can countlessly repeat those hypnotic two minutes to their hearts content.

Noah & The Whale - give a little love
English Johnny Cash? I think I'm behind to catching on to this one, but I'm here now!

Shugo Tokumaru - button
Thought it clever to throw a Japanese artist in. But, not outta fruitless will, Shugo brings merit for having also caught waves in N.A.

Shugo Tokumaru - parachute
Is Santa coming down the chimney so soon? Is that Sigur Ros? Doesn't matter, the instrumentation and arrangement is somehow appealing.

White Denim - sitting
eerily similar to 'Man Man' on this effort. But otherwise, they have their own Austin, Texas language, not sure I like the accent much.

EXTRA: An icon has stepped down. Nic Harcourt host of 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' on KCRW, has moved on to other endeavors. The shows live sets with today's pertinent bands will persist, but without its ever soothing voiced host.

A Clear Picture

2008-12-04T10:13:00.006-05:00

A brief six years ago, in witnessing the attention his Uncle received from the 'older ladies' at taking sunset shots, Remi Theriault picked up his first camera. Fast forward half that clock and Remi decided to full-on pursue the adjoined passion. After which, he landed a gig close to birth, shooting the East Coast Music Awards in 2006 and making acquaintance with a number of bands. Resultantly, he presently does all photography for 'Two Hours Traffic', has shot 'The Acorn' on occasion and just finished work with 'Andrew Vincent'. Between pounding the streets, galleries, venues and alleys of Ottawa, the photog made some time in his whirling world to fill my appetite for words.

What is it you add to the world of photography?
Lately, I've been trying to make photography a little more fun. Started my blog at the start of summer and wanted to make people laugh. I guess every photographer is part entertainer. There's a lot of serious photography out there, which I love and do from time to time too. I probably have a split personality.

What perks are associated with being a photographer in the music world?
Other than having clients that are usually hung over and wearing stinky clothes... I find people in the music industry are really nice and often easy to work with. Getting in free to live shows, is also really nice. They don't share the groupies though...

Are you big on using your mindset for a shoot or is priority set on what the client represents or is about?
Before setting up a band shot, I try to get an idea what genre they want, listen to the CD and look at the art work to make it gel together.

What kind of background is essential for taking a band photo shoot?
Definitely a graffiti background or dark alley is a must.

What frame you look for in grasping the essence of a live show?
I just try to have fun and dodge the flying beer.

Does a band putting on a good show generally equate parallel in photos?
If I'm bored at a show, my brain seems to shut down. I'll take nice clean shots, but nothing too creative. If my head is bopping, it usually gets me going...hopefully the pics are in focus.

Seemingly there's a lot of amateur photographers in the live show game, do you cringe when people exhibit their glare in the darks?
It doesn't necessarily bother me, at least if the photogs get some respect. Don't stand mid stage the whole show, or if you do, put the camera down from time to time. Talked to a couple of bands about it, and most don't seem to mind.

If there was one musician you could go back in time and shoot, who would be in your lens?
If I could change the question to who I would most like to shoot...'Radio Radio'. An Acadian Hip Hop group creating a real stir in Quebec and slowly moving into Europe.

time to throw the music, some choices from remi (*), some from moi.

straight off, Remi is thrilled about 'The Danks' from Charlottetown and I side with.

The Acorn - crooked legs
saw the ottawa group a couple years ago at 'casa del poppolo' in mtl, was midnight and they had passed curfew, so had to keep it down for folks upstairs to sleep. Must have been a sweet sendoff to their zzzzzzz's or looked like this

Beach House - gila
if 'Pink Floyd' were young today, went to school in Baltimore and never did drugs. Was split between this number and 'apple orchard', you tell me.

Chad Vangaalen - tnmt mask *
the Calgary native is a radio3 staple. Canadians making Canadians proud, no better love.

Hi Lo Trons - lovesuit *
this Ottawa act has definitely got some Hawksley in em. fun, fun, fun.

Hot Chip - we're looking for a lot of love *
obviously the band is not being introduced to anyone here, but probably one of the songs that receives little attention.

M83 - kim & jessie
cheesy?, wrong decade?, I don't know, but I love it. They're even from beautiful honeymoon stop Antibes, France.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - everything with you
last I read (decided) 'The Smiths' are due for copyright cash, just stare at that band name. Shocked to have just read they're from New York.

Radio Radio - chemin de terre *
monsier theriault already filled in the blanks "an Acadian (moncton) Hip Hop group creating a real stir in Quebec and slowly moving into Europe". Personally, I'm not there, its alright, me and Remi ain't lovers...to each their own. Couldn't bring you the desired 'Jacuzzi'.

The Walkmen - in the new year
up and down, back and forth, what a roller coaster of a song. Worth every twist and turn. merci ny.

Nevermind Age (the youth in sonic)

2008-11-12T05:29:00.009-05:00

Accompanying the music, I chatted up a young darling to the Montreal music scene, a sure fixture of the industry's future in the city. Noah Bick, creator of Passovah Productions is the 'Almost Famous' Cameron Crowe persona of mtl, a teenager making waves and cutting his place alongside the seasoned veterans. When not busy penning homework, he can be caught running around the 'mile end' putting on respectable shows.

Straight off, how is CEGEP? how old are you exactly?
I'm at Dawson College(CEGEP), a student of the arts (mostly history) is what I am. Was born December 17th, 1990, making me 17 years old.

Can you recall the first show you ever went to?
Could have been B.B. King with my father

So, did your dad call the shots on your music in the early days? What did he scratch your interest at?
No, not to take anything away from his musical taste, but I think the most that I picked up from him musically was an appreciation for Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel.

How did Passovah come about? How long you been at it?
It got off the ground February 2008. I had really wanted to give putting on shows a shot, emailed some peeps and bam. The inaugural was a crazy ass loft party at the 'Friendship Cove' in Griffintown. My buddy Lukas and I put it on, had around 200 people out for a Telefauna show.

Did you start formally (legally) or are you learning as you go?
Yeah, I got the company registered a few weeks ago, but there was a spelling error and I have to go through the process of getting that fixed. Kind of annoying but 'c'est la vie'. I guess that's what I get for naming my company after an urbanized Jewish holiday.

What's the show count at?
Hmm the 20th is coming up on Nov. 20th, next Thursday, The Lovely Feathers at zoo bizarre.

In your short production tenure, name the best performance to come through your gates?
I did a show for local act Parlovr they killed it at the Jupiter Room in July. And people seem to be digging them now, check out this really good track 'Pen to the Paper'

What direction do you plan on steering this beast?
Sell out to Capitol. Kidding. I'd like to give managing a try.

You're ready to move on to something else?
Just looking to diversify. No way, love this stuff. Essentially, I'd like to bring a hip hop show to mtl, something along the lines of Rock The Bells although there isn't much of a market.

Throw me the necessities to pull off a stellar gig?
When it comes to local bands it's a combination of skill, amount of friends that they have, how many actual fans they've picked up and of course the venue itself, soundmen are key too.

What acts are you keen on putting to a bill?
I'd love to do a show for local party band Think About Life. They killed it last week at the Montreal modern art museum, wacky show. Also, Shad from London, ON. who's getting huge. Would love to do a show for him.

What's your go-to-method for effectively promoting your shows?
Facebook and postering

done deal. thanks man.

Moving on, songs for this evening (find audio control below list)...

Bon Iver - blindsided
Only for one who enjoys the odd mellow tunage, your somber being will be peacefully drifting off to sleep.

Department of Eagles - no one does it like you
Terrible band name, much less terrible song. In New York, pre 'Grizzly Bear', Daniel Rossen formed this band with his college roommate. The project at the time called 'Whitey on the Moon UK'(much better) has now evolved into a critically praised 'Department of Eagles' duo.

Land Of Talk - summer special
emits a Montreal Kathleen Edwards, but like an air freshener bringing its own scent.

Man Man - van helsing boombox
Coming outta Philadelphia, bare an attractive honky tonk style piano, tom waits drawl, war paint and exuberant live performances, exemplified here on the streets of Paris with energetic young bladers.

Matt & Kim - daylight
Brooklyn duo made a splash in 2006 with their debut, about to release sophmore effort, this either catchy or annoyingly received single inclusive. I side with the former.

Parlovr - pen to the paper
'"Took her out. Took her out. Took her out. Took her out. Took her out. Took her out. Took her out. Took her out." I love Montreal' (Noah Bick and his pick)

Ten Kens - refined
There are no Ken's in this Toronto band. But, there is definitely a love for animation, animals and pain in their videos, strangely making a vastly entertaining combo, see Y'all Come Back Now and Bearfight.

He Dig

2008-11-06T07:54:00.012-05:00

With self bubblin' anticipation of the 'Handsome Furs' new album 'Face Control', here and ici are mouth watering previews and insight on the couple via my hero Jian Ghomeshi's 'Q' show.

Continuing on the future of music, forthcoming is the first set list on hopefully a never ending tour. Basically, i'll setup and provide the performances, you just venture on over here and reap the reward, now the rundown of what's taking stage this show...

D'Urbervilles - dragnet
southern ontario's own interpol.

Elliott Brood - without again
self described "deathcountry". As you're probably all familiar, Elliott Brood is a band to tag Canadian pride too.

Friendly Fires - on board
A bit off beat for me. Yet, was far and away the most entertaining act at this years Summer Sonic festival (see story below).

Fujiya & Miyagi - knickerbocker
hailing from england not france, find yourself fixed in their trance, movin feet to a unique dance, give this band named after a 'karate kid' character a chance.

Kinetic Stereokids - have a nice day
originally flint,MI. now calling Chicago,IL. home, the aaron #1 highly publicized act is back, releasing the mentioned single, eliminating the samples and inserting a sweet and tender chorus.

Mates of State - my only offer
The husband and wife duo bring fresh air plugging their intertwining dialogue.

Okkervil River - lost coastlines
a journey i followed and got lost in.

Rural Alberta Advantage - sleep all day
i'll let their words take it "singing about hometowns and heartbreak, born out of images and trying to embrace the advantage of growing up in Alberta."

Shad - the old prince still lives at home
London, ON. a rapper with talent singing about REAL life, imagine that concept. up for the polaris this year, shad has probably already caught your ear.

Yeasayer - 2080
Put forth is a beautiful anthem on world consciousness. The band is a self described "Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel".

Encore:

Cadence Weapon - in search of the youth group
rollie pemberton grew to be inspired at 13 years old by a pioneer hip hop dj known as his father. He began rapping in Edmonton then and is now one of Canada's finest.

Caribou - Melody Day
for one who desperately misses 'elliott smith', daniel snaith brings him back for a last tune.

conflicting interests with no sticking personality

2008-10-23T05:03:00.007-05:00

Hitting the Pavement

2008-09-05T14:42:00.006-05:00

Summer Sonic Festival, August 9th - 10th 2008, Tokyo Japan.

Can’t escape my head, the first breath of Sonic air a frozen image. With the annual festival only hours young, picture patrons strewn across Astroturf, peacefully napping on said surface shading solid concrete beneath. Puzzling, to behold music lovers asleep at the helm of a storm, a quake already shaking the bed they lie in.

Attempting to stretch out and harbor space from the enormity that is Tokyo, the Summer Sonic Festival earths half (other being in Osaka simultaneously) its music bliss in Chiba, a greater Tokyo residential area. Despite the distanced JR railway excursion, said location still lays tucked in the midst of skyscrapers, raised walkways and surprisingly, palm trees.
Upon admission of the front gate, was flattened to uncover the bulk of this daunting music festival is housed indoors. Resembling an airport hangar, the majority grounds are separated into grand rooms, each coldly accompanied by darkness and concrete. Their contents entail: three stages, an elephant accommodating sized food court, and extracurricular amenities, all linked together by a massive back corridor.
However, this is not the only canvas, rather the allotted space tumbles out from the covers and spills onto the neighboring floor.
Unfortunately, that footing requires binoculars to view, as the Marine Stage (outdoor stadium hosting the headliners) is at such a length that shuttle buses are provided to abridge the distance. Those wishing to forgo a bus line or not willing to make the 30 minute trek by foot (including a highway overpass) can watch a feed from a screen in the main grounds. With still more paint in the can, opposite the stadium reaches a long winding walkway to the sand and the sea. Somehow, this is connected and host to another stage, in a completely different stratosphere.

Seemingly, it feels the festival has conflicting interests with no sticking personality. To the point, Coachella has the desert, Glastonbury the oft muddy farm, while Summer Sonic has an airport hangar, a beach and a baseball park! Grasp for too much and you’ve got no distinction. Although one can seemingly adjust, due to the festivals nature, all weekend I nostalgically pined for grass, sun, mud, tents, any or all of it. Burying the prejudice, one fixture SSF sustains is roping in a mammoth crowd and a vast array of acts, to the tune of over 100,000 and 115 respectively.
In this realm, the weekend belonged to energetic performances by Crystal Castles, Hot Chip and Friendly Fires. Worth noting, the Verve’s Richard Ashcroft wielded an air of God as he calmly orchestrated his band through epic symphonic pop to the charming pleasure of a massive stadium gathering. Contrarily, to the displeasure of the dedicated and undermining the ‘silent disco’ (via headphones) muting the noise curfew, all music was astonishingly packed in by 10PM. With insufficient on-site hospitality, patrons were caught in a heavy current for the subway back to Tokyo, only to reverse the tide in the morning. As a result, I regrettably missed the ‘Ting Tings’ performance at 11:30AM, their time slot chronicling the lineup as profound.

In years past, one could jammer on highlighting the countless and vast cultural differences from Summer Sonic and festivals on the Western front. However, the angle is quickly disappearing as the blue and green circle heats up. By way of the worlds ‘smaller’ phenomenon has emerged increasing commonality in interests and ideas, most heavily evident at an international music festival. From art exhibits, hipster style and obligatory ‘guitar hero’ stations, to food adaptation, the beloved music itself and the environmental consciousness ignited via strict recycling.
Yet, in the midst of all this, remains a struggle to release characteristics deemed unique. An obvious distinction that evaded detection until ample exposure, thereafter leaking copious absurdity was the conservative crowd. The Japanese brought their general nature to the forefront showcasing anti-festival antics. The polite applause (and only applause) quickly silenced between song, the absence of jubilate shouts for encores after headlining sets, no crowd chants, outrageous outfits and odd behavior nearly non-existent, a lack of roughhousing, and neither the sight of flags or signs in plain view. Although all could be attributed to the oddity of spotting a patron with beer in hand, such was the cultural disparity from previous festival experience that when a local accidentally bumped me (inevitable with the population) he bowed, a first, anywhere.
Mingling with an air of conventionalism, the structured layout proved too much for a music festival. With select stair cases only permitting one direction, the food grouped altogether in one location, select smoking spots and absolutely no trash to kick about, it felt less laid back and more a challenge to get comfortable.

Breaking out of the shell, the extra-curricula’s were quite diverse with a stage amended for karaoke and air guitar competitions, others being invaded by a casino, a hair salon, yoga classes, fish bowl massages and a bag check stretching pupils to their limits. Detracted from discovering new bands, patrons pass the lull between favored acts pissing off into another field of entertainment. It seems lost on misguided eagerness that they’re creating direct competition with themselves.
Without question Summer Sonic looms large in no whisper of falling flat on the cement it abuses, but to ponder is whether it will continue to grow away from the music and more towards taking a longer walk in the park, stadium or nearest airport.

The bill included: the verve, the prodigy, panic at the disco, the subways, joe lean and the jing jang jong, los campesinos, coldplay, alicia keys, radwimps, the kooks, 311, hoosiers, vampire weekend, the wombats, sex pistols, lost prophets, fatboy slim, justice, devo, beat union, the ting tings, the metros, kids in glass houses, trivium, late of the pier, polysics, junkie xl, biffy clyro, mutemath, boom boom satellites, paul weller, the fratellis, death cab for cutie, cajun dance party, the kills, band of horses, blood red shoes, these new puritans, jesus and mary chain, super furry animals, against me!, mgmt, silversun pickups, hot chip, friendly fires, south central, we smoke fags, santogold, perfume, pendulum, yelle, new young pony club, the teenagers, the shoes, meg, wagdug futuristic unity, hadouken!, does it offend you, yeah?, crystal castles, xavier rudd, bedouin soundclash, tokyo police club, the troubadours, cut off your hands.

An Interview with the Sogyumo Acacia Band

2008-07-31T21:37:00.016-05:00

Preceding the Pentaport Festival, I was granted permission to peruse the index of Korean acts about to don the weekends stages, for an interview of my choosing. While sifting through MySpace pages of said subjects about to play the festival, the search was halted upon discovery of the 'Sogyumo Acacia Band'. This Asian take on a 'Sigur Ros' type vocals rang through and caught my attention. Primarily a duo of MinHong Kim (guitar, vocals) and EunJie-Song (Melodihorn, vocals), accompanied live by a backing band, they have been playing together for 7 years. In the last couple years, the band has extended out with a side project aiding in the debut album of rising performer 'Yozoh'.
Recently (post festival), on one of the most humid days of a scorching summer in Seoul, we cheated the sun and sat down for a casual chat in the confines of a chic air-conditioned restaurant, and than extended the conversation to a nearby cafe.
translation by Soonae Jin (Pastel Music)

Q: What was your introduction to music or how did you get into it?

Yozoh: From our youth, it was very natural. We all started playing piano in elementary school (as is the norm in the nation) and it progressed naturally from there.

EunJie-Song: In this country, the school system and natural life is so hard to live, it's very strict and there is a lot of pressure to excel. I couldn't concentrate in this environment, so I tried to find something different. I would always listen to music in class to escape and get into my own little world.

Q: How did you know that you were good enough or that you would want to do this for a career?

MinHong Kim: In my life, I hate everything except one thing, music. So, I knew that's the only thing I wanted to do. When I served in the Army I bought a new guitar and decided to concentrate on making a band when I got out. I just felt rebellion against the country's discipline, I wanted my life to be more relaxed and in my control.

Q: Being in the Tent Stage audience (pictured below) at your show on the weekend, it was hard to ignore the growing fan base you've got, how did you perceive your Pentaport showing?

EunJie: Oh, we were quite nervous and excited, it was the biggest crowd we've ever played for.

Q: What do you do to relieve stress or get ready for a show backstage?

MinHong: Usually just some stretching.

EunJie: For Pentaport I was so nervous because of the crowd size that I began smoking again, after having given it up for so long.

Q: I noticed your set seemed to end abruptly or with no warning or acknowledgement of a last song, was this intentional or were you cut short of your allotted time?

Eunjie: Yeah, no it was just nerves, we had a plan and we hurried through the set and got done everything early.

Q: What are your thoughts on this festival bringing International and Korean bands together on the same bill?

EunJie: It's great for helping the industry grow. Something like 'The Gossip' with the lead vocalist being much bigger would never work here, image being so important. But it was great and now it opens up the idea or chance in people's minds. People being more open to various music attracts a lot more people to us.

Q: One of the crowd pleasing singalongs you played had the chorus "I want to taste your Banana". I'm looking at you and understand you to be Korean, so I'm wondering if it's the language gap or whether that song has the underwritten connotation I think?

Yozoh: Yes, it is sexual. Actually, that song got airplay on KBS(nation wide broadcasting network), but was eventually pulled after they figured out what it meant.

Q: How do you decide when to fit English lyrics into your music?

MinHong: Usually, we don't have much of it in our songs. For the festival, we really wanted to entertain, so we made the set fit to that. Because it's not our language and we don't know the grammar so well, we don't use it much.

Q: Any idea how Western music got popular in this part of the world?

EunJie: Well, actually the American military brought over the blues and jazz, during the war. Japan has also had a carry over to Korea.

Q: Online, I came across your cover of Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon'. How/when did you become exposed to Western music and what are the influences you carry into your own music?

MinHong: Growing up pre-internet, Western music was hard to come across, maybe one radio station would broadcast some songs, at the time there wasn't even an MTV Asia yet, but I really wanted to see more of the music, so I sought out a few places that aired the American version. As for Neil Young, I didn't discover him until some years ago. Now I listen to Neil Young in the morning, Bob Marley in the afternoon and Bob Dylan in the evening, another strong influence is Antonio Carlos. Also, I would like to create something like the Buena Vista Social Club here in Seoul.

Q: How do you carry these influences into your music?

MinHong: I love their music, but more I really respect the way they live their lives outside of the music as well and that's really what I aspire to do. But, that's where the similarities end, I'm not trying to be them, my music is Korean and I have to look at my life. I want to stay true to what is happening in my life and having my life reflect in my music is very important, I like the idea of art imitating life.

Q: On the weekend, I noticed the 'Melodica' is becoming a more and more popular instrument, how did it come to be so prominent in your songs?

Yozoh: (genuinely shocked) Really, it is popular?

EunJie: Well, we used to have an accordion but it was just so heavy to carry around and have on stage, so we brought in the Melodica and introduced it to Yozoh and she has become a master of it. We love the sound it emits.

Q: Are you wary of commercial success?

MinHong: No, we don't have a problem, we welcome it.

Q: What other hobbies do you have?

Yozoh: Photography.

EunJie: Yoga. I spent a lot of time and money to find the right teacher, I find it very important to get all you can from Yoga.

Q: Obviously, the last few years in the industry have been dominated by the issue of illegal downloading, do you take exception to your music being accessible without your permission?

MinHong: No, not at all, it has helped us.

Q: Where do you make the income to survive on this as a solo career? Where is your music available?

MinHong: Composing, copyright.

EunJie: Our music is used as background music for blogs, ringtones, etc. It's available on Cyworld (itunes equivalent).

Q: Have you guys had any tours?

A: Yes, we get good crowds in Seoul and Busan (next biggest city), but some of the other stops are to a really small audience.

Soonae: They probably do the most shows in Korea. They play about a show a week.

Q: Have you ever toured or played a show outside of Korea?

Eunjie: No.

Q: Would you be interested in coming to Canada and playing Pop Montreal.

All: Definitely!

http://www.myspace.com/sogyumoacaciaband

Sogyumo Acacia Band
EunJie-Song - vocal, lyrics, chorus, melodihorn
Minhong-Kim - compose, lyrics, Guitar
Jooyoung-Jung - Bass Guitar
Kwanyoung-Kim - Electric Guitar
Jinho-Oh - Drum

http://www.myspace.com/yozoh

Thanks to: Pastel Music & Soonae Jin
Co-contributor: Vivian Morelli

Running On Fumes: Tale of a Korean Music Festival

2008-07-29T03:34:00.030-05:00

Claiming the last weekend of the rain season, the Pentaport Rock Festival (gracing ground in Incheon, South Korea), tackles true festival conditions (hurricane-esque). Yet, the end of July timing is by no choice of festival organizers, rather it is obligatory, to accompany the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. With a considerably small foreign music market compared to neighbouring J-pan, Pentaport faces the reality of selectively attempting to beckon artists solely from the pool clamouring to Fuji. Freshly concluding its third edition, the 3 day festival continues to fly on the fuselage of this bigger international carrier. With Korea generally passed over by touring artists and unable to break solo from the notoriety of the south, all energy and resources are spent enticing bands it's worth another day in Asia to make the trek. Having also attended the festivals inaugural showing, I attest the most frequent statement from lead vocalists is unveiling this as their debut performance in South Korea. This is commonly followed by a sentiment expressing genuine shock at the locals enthusiasm and reception. Clearly, someone's slacking in PR, no one knows this market is worth exploiting.

With prerequisites in order: camping, movie theater, guitar hero, beach area, all night dance tent, corporate sponsorships, foot massages, the event carries a miniature nostalgia of the famed fests known earth wide. Yet an off kilter observation saw the presence of pot as abundant as finding beer at a corner store in Ontario: nonexistent. Also, since the festival's conception there has been a major decline in the foreign food department. Further against the tide, a major tail-off is the lack of a decent backdrop (to the left a broken down amusement park, while the right holds a run-down soccer field and a Daewoo Motors parking field). With Seoul the size it is, attendees are left to scratch their greasy strands at why the surroundings aren't easier on the eyes.

In flexing their technological biceps whilst simultaneously spotlighting an overly obvious yearning for acclaim, this year the festival debuted a questionable innovation: money bracelets. The concept seemed unnecessary and proved the same. Requiring all to hit up targeted booths where figures forwarded to chips on our wristbands via an Ipod looking reader (which vendors also required), it seemed to mirror paper beer tickets. Furthering the hassle, the bracelet had to be returned to retrieve unspent cash, who never met a beat-the-crowd race they didn't enjoy.
Mind you, there were advancements where others should take note, including the camping service offering tent rentals at $10 for the weekend, abundant Internet resources (genius PR move, as goers no doubt rave on about their location), constant shuttles (to subway connecting Seoul), and almost unnoticeable set breaks, with scheduled times strictly adhered to.

The said schedule spilled the names of 68 artists of which three quarters were local, a handful British (this country is in awe of Brit Rock), a few Australian and Japanese, and one American.
In complimenting a previous rant, this years lineup included wash-ups: 'The Vines' and 'Travis' (laughably headlining). Also, while indications promised more, lousy Japanese act 'Ellegarden', had to be moved up to Friday nights headliner last minute. I won't hide the sets were all well received (Koreans are quite generous in nature), but I question whether it's a result of little exposure to alternative options.
While I applaud taking a chance on 'The Gossip', 'The Go! Team', 'Hard-Fi' and 'The Music', one cannot overlook what escaped from their grasps: 'Bloc Party','Spoon', 'The Futureheads', 'Asian Dub Foundation', 'Lee 'Scratch' Perry', 'My Bloody Valentine', 'Primal Scream', 'Stephen Malkmus'.
Negativity aside, 'The Gossip's' Beth Ditto stole the weekend, bringing one hour of unfathomable energy, and the packed tent replied having Ditto gushing "this is the best show ever". Not equaling the feat, 'Kasabian' at the polar opposite of the bar, came off stale, an indistinguishable Interpol type. 'Feeder' brought up high school feelings, 'The Go! Team' were cheerleaders for that high schools pep rally, 'The Music' had only light dancing shoes, while 'Underworld' was a yawner with the exact same show witnessed at an outdoor gig seven years ago. Many of the Korean bands screamed punk rock, other local acts proved soft and cliche, but a gem was uncovered in the Sogyumo Acacia Band.

Overall, one couldn't deny a good time, but in the grand scheme, still in early life the festivals already reached a flat line.
Seemingly, the logistics aren't great for drawing a band to the other side of the world for no promised return and a guaranteed high cost. And unfortunately, there is no pairing up with Japan's bigger, better 'Summer Sonic' festival as it already occupies each bands entire weekend with stops in both Tokyo and Osaka.
But, if Pentaport is to become renowned, take that back, even a blimp on the radar, it won't be at the teeth of a food bracelet. Rather, it's via distinguishing itself, stop booking the pale guaranteed success and take a risk on something more rewarding.

Strength in Numbers

2008-07-06T12:01:00.005-05:00

"waiting for an opportunity to express his own views, as young people are fond of doing."

Step abroad seeking change, worlds the same, just different. Night, sun, food and drink, but how to breathe, what drives a pulse to pump. As a passerby, inundated. As a tourist, sought but not always discovered. As a local, understood but not always felt.

Ignorant not to declare that with every piece of land kicked, individuals lay claim to a love and hate relationship. To obstruct ourselves from this obvious observation is to pretend the world perfect. Just harness the ongoing battle. At times exasperated in foreign words and faces, other moments spent cherishing the tranquility, walking lost in thought. Finding comfort in strangers, while yearning for a home. Gushing with enlightenment at exploring ever changing scenery to shouldering a blank stare with a crave for solace in an ever familiar couch crease.

Picture from here. Love at first flight. Popularity always reaps sequel. Another scene, another take. Shoot.

Bring in a new idea, make it valid. Elder statesman chimes about respecting his notion. Be more like me, don't state an opinion, go with my decisions, wax to the rest. And it's done, they're standing in line and asking no questions. Summed, a nation singing in unison even if some are blindfolded in their dedication.

Never a half effort, but tiring in need for perfection, proper form exercised on par with breathing. Mire enjoyment omitted in favour of science.

Deceiving, deceiving perceptions. Be it the cover, or the meat material. Under the magnifying glass, the bare bones are thin, but replaceable. Imagination looking on, pretend the serene musician isn't tarnished by his lip-synching on stage.

An idea of slushing comfort. Change this today, yet even it won't be around tomorrow. Surprise, surprise, adjust or you'll be none the wise.

Everywhere I go, I see sentences waiting to be re-written. But only time has passed and I want to be rid of em.

"and I toured with you, and you toured with me, can you stop...it...please."

A Foot Warmer

2008-06-19T07:54:00.030-05:00

"Play this, they love it" chimed in as the 'Beatles 1' compilation is pressed into my upward palm by a passing colleague. Heeding the advice, I enter the next box of a room, and sheepishly re-introduce the Beatles to yet another portable stereo. As the first sounds from McCartney's throat breathe air, a lucid dream figures in... lyrics to 'Hello Goodbye' are being spilled in chorus across the room. Reality hits, in truth these four walls situated in Daejeon, South Korea are flanked by a crowd of 7 year-old Koreans enthusiastically accompanying on lead vocals. As song reaches descent, said subjects begin shouting requests for every other tune on the LP.

Understanding accomplished facts,... the Beatles are beloved earth wide and the obvious, music transcends borders & languages; there lies a deeper recognition needing to surface. In the land of the yin-yang, music reins of vital importance.

With every girl bred on piano lessons, it's no wonder the majority have instrumentation mastered by the teens. Excused in as a symbol of discipline and brain stimulation, not all is cherry as one observes obedience standing in favour of creativity. Yet, having music breastfed in their youth, many serve it as a passion and interest carried through life. The preceding sentiment is most evident in the late night soju induced entertainment of the ever plentiful & popular, and now world renown Noraebong's (karaoke rooms). Where, in a past drunken state, I've purposely stumbled into an alternative room to behold a solitaire local enthusiastically exercising his voice. Present at our school itself, mothers of the children have their own scheduled choir practice, where they collaborate to belt out laughables like "La Bamba". The dominant presence of foreign music is not solely a sign of Western influence, but also stressed as a means of education in language pick-up.

In consistently squishing the rubber 'up' arrow, the green 28 catches the right-hand corner of the screen. A grabbing scene of 'Taekwondo' highlights, one subject seems to be taking it to numerous worldwide opponents. As the clips subside, a talk show emerges and essentially the setup is an interview with this burly 'Taekwondo' king. Minutes on, microphone in hand he gets up and starts delicately crooning some love ballads. In-take, this is not a one-off showing, there are countless exhibits of the behaviour. Conclusively, in this country whosoever face graces the TV bubble, appears liable to sing (from Taekwondo champs to cooks and the everyday hosts themselves). The kicker, this is no farce, although there is no album release or talent promotion, each is found to be showcasing a decent voice.

Witness a sporting event, and be taken aback that chants, dancing and singalongs garner the most action. With thunder sticks in tow and led by a conductor (not shy to distract against the game, see below), attendees bring more attention to cheerleading than any feet kicking turf or wooden sticks being swung. No matter the score, it seems employed in fans of either opponent to equally exercise three hours of non-stop energy. How so many routines and chorus's are memorized is for a foreigner to marvel. The thought is magnified when observing a 'new store opening'. This event cannot go unnoticed, rather it is a spectacle of mass proportions. First day of business, the owner of your new toiletries joint or restaurant will hire dancers who aim speakers to blast Korean hits out onto the sidewalk while they proceed with eight hours of choreographed moves on the stoop of the establishment in skimpy little outfits.

Music television and live outdoor performances are seemingly monopolized by boy bands and girl pop, which equates to focus on dance routines over sonic merit. One of the quote unquote 'artists' in this category named 'Rain' managed to prosper globally and quietly sold out 'Madison Square Gardens' a few years back. A growing fascination is the hip-hop culture, which again appears heavily influenced and formulated by overseas happenings. Further, in recent years focus has shifted away from local artists to spotlighting foreign acts. Hence, many Western and English bands are now hitting the scene and making Seoul a tour destination. Matter of fact, the increasing popularity garnered the creation of 'Pentaport' a third year established international music festival. With the festival playing out in a month, and hauling a healthy bill of Asian artists, I aspire to jump aboard and get on the cusp of the Korean music scene.

All this serious music chatter bleeds for comic relief, I leave with a foreign 'music video' take on Korean culture entitled Kickin' It In Geumchon

Practicing Life

2008-05-27T01:59:00.007-05:00

“‘Don’t you love Jesus?’ Well, I thought an’ thought, an’ finally I says ‘No, I don’t know anybody name Jesus. I know a bunch of stories, but I only love people. An’ sometimes I love’em fit to bust, and I want to make em happy, so I been preachin somepin I thought would make’em happy.” - John Steinbeck (text from ‘Grapes of Wrath’)

Everyday, I get more and more scared, the whole closer to the end of my life phenomenon. Depending on your religion, death is either the summation of existence or the beginning of paradise (understanding within these parameters lies endless differences and disputes).

This thick line generates and than continuously emits uneasiness. An unpleasantry which remains unresolved and stapled to each of us, until fate calls out an eyewitness account. Yet, a good majority of us act quite sure of our fate; I conjure this as self defense permitting one to walk around feeling safe, secure and in comfort.

In fact, I’m of the party that religion was created to prevent chaos (with which evidence might argue it's the number one ingredient for). And in that realm, I question whether our actions truly need to be managed and made for fear of the next life. Aren’t we the fool, consistently looking ahead, cautiously hugging the sideline approach for now. Essentially, taking a mulligan this life around.

Where does the time go?

The believers either carry blindness from birth or entirely focus energy on finding holes in others theories. Meanwhile, the unbelievers carelessly question Gods and life altogether. Raised a dedicated Roman Catholic and living the eventual fallout, I've been a habitant of both takes. Been piling on the questions, whilst finding no solace.

In exercising energy against...the head of my venom points at the very church I kneeled in awe of, whose hypocritical word I digested for years. The oft outspoken church, who rests in faith when there are no answers. Whose supposed leader’s message is to sacrifice yourself for the good of the needy. In saying so, would he truly sign on for money collection every Sunday to invest in gold cups, marble floors and ridiculous outfits? Would his ego be so insecure as to humbly accept his followers landing on their knees every Sunday and praising him instead of slaving for the less fortunate? If this man actually existed, I believe he would be looking on truly abashed by his very fan club.

And whenever I volley back over and hug my pillow in favour of God, I proceed to drive my mind crazy. I allow that if I do good here, I will die, go up to ‘heaven’ and live forever and ever! Sounds splendid, but I tend to oversee the stop sign, opting for “and than what? Forever and ever, and than what? What’s after the ever, I mean what if things get lame?” (considering everything is all lovey dovey and positive!). I often pound my head with this concept until it scares me to sleep.

Does either belief physically affect time spent in this being? No! All considered, I need to start enjoying the suns descent, before long, the happening will be no more or become extremely vapid.

Daniel Day-Lewis

2008-01-27T23:19:00.000-05:00

widely considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. Daniel Day-Lewis rarely takes on roles, but when the man commits, he makes it his life. Most famously known for an unprecedented dedication to roles, on set DDL will literally stay in character for the entire shooting of his films. All worthless if the performances were alright, but there's no acting, he actually is the person on screen.

Towards the commitment, several entertaining examples...

in 'My Left Foot' while "Playing a severely paralyzed character onscreen, offscreen Day-Lewis had to be wheeled around the set in his wheelchair, and crew members would curse at having to lift him over camera and lighting wires, all so that he might gain insight into all aspects of Christy Brown's life, including the embarrassments. He broke two ribs during filming from assuming a hunched-over position in his wheelchair for so many weeks".

'In The Name Of The Father', Daniel "spent stretches of time in a prison cell. He also insisted that crew members throw cold water at him and verbally abuse him"

for 'Gangs Of New York' "took lessons as an apprentice butcher, remained in New York accent on and off-screen (impossible when you hear him speak as Daniel Day-Lewis), while filming his dedication even threatened his life when he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He refused to wear a warmer coat or to take treatment because it was not in keeping with the period"

and finally in 'Last of the Mohicans' he "carried a Kentucky rifle at all times during filming and learned how to skin animals."

Even if I agree some of the movies he does are mediocore, his performances are always hauntingly brilliant and make the films memorable. One only hopes he continues to sign on and not delve into retirement, move to Florence and become a shoemaker (as he did in the 1990's).

Check him out here in the trailer for his latest "There Will Be Blood" http://youtube.com/watch?v=ml2Ae2SIXac (he is in every scene of the over two-hour movie, and still you want more)

or as we all remember 'Bill The Butcher' http://youtube.com/watch?v=aY2tbeP_K1M

Outside on the Inside: Pop Montreal 2007

2007-10-16T03:16:00.000-05:00

Pop pop pop pop pop pop! So much to take in, so little time. A common thread amongst the festival; yet, like scratching further below the mountain of McGill, an alternative word to 'time' might be 'access'. Just inquisite upon those who volunteered for a pass, only sparing their time to be harassed. It seemed the stiff arm of the festival came down on all wearing the purple wristband, regarded more as a lame fashion accessory. While Pop is quickly growing to assimilation's with SXSW, the perils of which sound appetizing, the results are drastically devastating. Being rejected at the venue doorstep has become the norm, forcing music-goers to scratch off the top sought acts and/or prioritize to simply one show a night.

Not here to fault festival at not seeking larger alternative venues, those currently housing the festival are one of a kind. Rather, I want the axe to fall on the allowance of attendance abuse by suedo volunteers. The secret is out, all it takes to gain a wristband to shows is signing up to lend a lie in the production of the events. Hence, as doors open each night, the over-abundance of aid disappears and crowds through the venue gates, quickly filling the wristband quota and blocking out what approaches the majority. To criticize without solution would be lame,...have volunteers put down a deposit (same price as bracelet on its own). If the volunteer fulfills their duties, than the deposit is returned, if they skip out on their responsibilities than they bought their ticket to the festival just like all others attending.

One could hack on endlessly to glue the rips in an enormous event such as this, but in all essence, it best is as is, the dis-organization curates last minute madness and frantic desires, the numbered crowds spark interest and attention, the seemingly unknown artists become known, the distance between venues becomes an adventure, the conflicting schedule leads to acceptance and appreciation of what is ultimately undertaken. Than again, one can plan. And I'm here to spread the word about what was made a point of and alternatively what came to fruition. If you haven't yet, get a hold of: Hot Springs, Zoobombs, Kinetic Stereokids, Jesse Dangerously and Fujiya & Miyagi. Out of which, a pair were fortunate surprises and the other handful exceeded expectation. On a larger scale, 'Pop Montreal 2007' swept old dusty curtains off a few neglected legendary and/or monumental acts: Cody Chesnutt, Half Japanese, Gary Lucas, Fred Wesley and Patti Smith.*

And while the single city, multi-venue festival might reap endless similarities and comparison to others alike, the originality was felt and left to ponder: why aren't there more afternoon shows round the world? why can't we always limit to a 10 minute break between artists? why not more rock n roll shows in churches? why not 4 artists on a billing? why can't we turn more haunted, rundown old age homes into venues hosting a house party featuring James Brown's former Trombone player?

Finally, why not allow more purple bracelets?

(In dedication to friends blocked out of Caribou, Sunset Rubdown, Patti Smith, The National and A-Trac)

* All of which were boldly humanized whilst accompanied to and from the airport. Whether it entailed: borrowing $100 off my job deprived self, revealing their fear of ever having to smoke marijuana, my making a 'Ryan Adams' fan out of a 'Jeff Buckley' collaborator (simply playing 'love is hell pt. 1'), unveiling their stripped down grumpy old self, or almost being stranded at the airport while their passport sat comfortably in my car trunk.(respectively)

Polar Opposite

2007-09-21T10:39:00.000-05:00

"it's still ryan adams"

Words never been exchanged and mutually vocalized more clearly across 80 time zones. My good buddy and r.adams introductory tutor (some 4 years ago), presently resides in Sydney, Australia., which saw Ryan come crashing through some weeks ago. His statement was to encourage my spirits to the fact that Adams was a major disappointment in his Oz showing (acting a miss, storming off the stage, little energy) and I was hesitantly about to embark on the ryan adams adventure myself. Not that I could breath to let any opportunity pass of seeing the man live, but just nervous anxiety, 'if...could I fall off an elevated seat on the wagon?'.

Fast forward to present typing, and the hilarity to understand I put that in question, as I personally know 6 individuals who are now pushing there way onto that ever busy bandwagon.

Knowing Montreal's proficiency for gigs starting on time and early, we got to our seats promptly for the 8pm showtime. Looking across the balcony, I was embarrassed to see more than half the seats empty (blame shall fall on the promoter, $60 seats, just cause the 'Rolling Stones' took the year off touring, come on!). Although, no complaints here, it provided benefit twofold: firstly, in my ever appreciative position in the music world I somehow landed an extra (6) guest list passes, including two tickets front row center. More importantly, it gave Ryan ever more silence to lay down his talented vocals.

To state the common sentiment 'you could hear a pin drop' would have you inhaling without truly smoking, so I'll drag it into the lungs; up in the balcony mid-song, a companion of mine, carefully got up to leave her seat (to bring ticket for a friend waiting in the wings), and corner of my eye I caught her guiding the belly of the seat up slowly to its resting place as to avoid whatever slight creaking might escape and in some possibility disrupt the performance.

It's no secret that Ryan Adams is the extreme of a hit or miss, there is no middle ground, he either connects and gives you a breathtaking show, or he coldly isolates himself and shuns his abilities from the crowd, electing to combat with verbal abuse. Well, pardon my love of baseball, but on this warm September night in Montreal, he hit one for extra bases.

It's incredible how well his music can transcend from album to live, if I might be so brave as to claim, it might even sound eighty-four times better. For two sets, two encores and a grand total of 21 songs (and there's not many three minute songs to be found here..see set list below) the select crowd who made the right decision to hit up the St.Denis Theatre this night were hypnotized for approximately two hours.

And when it was all said and done,...it wasn't done! In my decade of going to gigs I understood that when the venue lights came on, the show was over. But before anyone reached the 'sortie' signs, storming back came Ryan and the Cardinals, quickly retorting "that's fine we can play with the lights on" (they were quickly turned down again) and all stood in amazement witness of an outstanding take of "Easy Plateau".

*pictures courtesy of Danielle Smith

Ryan Adams - St. Denis Theatre, Montreal - September 19th, 2007

1st Set
Please Do Not Let Me Go
Peaceful Valley
Beautiful Sorta
Wild Flowers
Off Broadway
Dear John
Goodnight Rose
Blue Hotel
Mockingbird
Magnolia Mountain
I See Monsters

2nd Set
Sylvia Plath (solo piano)
Sweet Lil Gal (solo piano)
Rescue Blues
Dear Chicago
Shakedown on 9th Street
Cold Roses
Games

Encore #1
Night Birds
Goodnight Hollywood Boulevard

Encore #2
Easy Plateau

I'm sorry Eric.

*AA stands for 'front f'n row'(to Danielle)

EXTRA
The band came out in good spirits and it showed. The between song stage chatter hit a varied of topics (the ridiculous 'bon jovi'/being english in a french bookstore/fret gods/a Cardinal's hunt for bringing a pretty montreal gal back to his hotel), it all gave a positive indication they wouldn't get side-tracked or turned around by any dummy audience requests and when one girl vocally proclaimed her love, without hesitation Ryan hit back "yeah, but than there's the angry text messages, seduce and abandonment, things just get crazy, I mean crazy!" .
And when said 'dummy's' did yell out song requests, the responses were fresh cuts, one man requesting "two" and getting "one" back from the singer (assuming the man to be single), a fellow annoyed audience member also coming to Ryan's defence stating "i don't think he'll get there". At another request of "to be young", the man was embarrassed when he got back "Dad?, how did you get into Canada?, I thought they wouldn't let you through with that criminal record!". But it was all light hearted, with Adams even poking fun at himself, in stating "I'm not the type who would storm off a stage, I've never played a show on drugs and alcohol, I'm the reasonable person in the band"

My Top 5 from the Pop Montreal Listening Sessions

2007-07-15T21:35:00.001-05:00

After draining through the sonic waves of over 1,700 bands that applied to don the stages of Pop Montreal 2007, come forward the names I want to create more buzz about.
* clicking on band name will send you to their music myspace

1) Kinetic Stereokids

from Flint, MI.

2) Sleepless Nights

from Halifax, NS

3) Lismore

from Jersey City, NJ

4) Ryan Shearing

from Montreal, QC

5) Lima Research Society

from Mahwah, NJ

throwing back drinks until i drown, they're all marrying christ on the rebound

2007-07-09T00:23:00.002-05:00

"The english are coming and I don't know what to do" - The National

2007-06-07T01:03:00.000-05:00

Side 1:

"so tell us a little bit about yourself!"

"I'm from southern ontario, some years ago I moved to ottawa for university, after completing my business degree, I went to korea for a year to teach english, than I moved to montreal to attend trebas music school, when I found that not challenging enough, I opted out and started an internship at pop montreal"

"oh, so, ahhh, how's your french?"

"I'm learning!"

"yeah, okay, well we more cater to french music and so ah,.. we're looking for someone who is billingual, maybe even with more emphasis on the french side."

And exactly like that, before I could shout "I FUCKIN LOVE MUSIC, HIRE ME" my interview with some music label for a Promotions Rep/Publicist position became a pity party. Everywhere my eyes glance for sympathy, I seem to be fed the same advice..."you need to get a french girlfriend". But I have one, I have one! If only that was the job requirements.

Side 2:

Before the past 30 days expired, I can be pictured in a small glass encased booth ruling over the 'arcade fire' personal guest list at a couple of their sold out shows at the Maurice Richard arena dans la mtl. Sitting pretty jack and coke in hand, running my friends in, pocketing some $50 red papers issued by the Canadian government, closing shop down in time to catch the highly acclaimed bands setlist and meeting the bands family & accomplices; you couldn't ask for much else. Embarrassingly I got fed more, how bout a family poser who slipped through my radar of accent configuration. Everytime a french voice came to my ears, I was as lost as George W. and his taking of the word "nuclear", just impossible to get it straight, so I'd have to them repeating until impatience brought clear english. Than came a local thief, he threw out a first name that was ringing true on my sheet, but that last name though commencing with the same letter, didn't seem to match what I was reading. At this point, he stretched out his index finger pointing where my eyes met disagreement, not wanting to challenge the pronounciation of his own surname or my foreign beliefs, I relented. Giving him 2 tickets and backstage passes, he calmy proceeded on. Though wary, I felt content everything was in order, until a jack and coke later, heard aloud was the name the way i imagined it to come out. Standing before me was the authentic quebecois, shame, shame, I had been taken for a ride, no foul in knowing I wasn't played any better than the hometown band. Backstage passes for everybody! Adrenaline died down later when I discovered the original con had a true single ticket set aside somewhere else, yet he was now also meeting the band on my behalf.

All this to spill, I don't blame the source, I blame my ignorance. Corea you don't look so far away.

CoachhellYEAH meets CoacHELLa

2007-05-11T14:06:00.000-05:00

“Are you for real?” spilled in the direction of my non-uber hipster appearing self vs this white fruit of the loom, value village sought t-shirt and coffee stained khakis source, I’m lost, dumbfounded, so this is Hollywood. Content regardless, I’m not here to fulfill aspirations of five minutes of fame in the acting world, rather to descend upon Indio, California as a spastic music fan attending Coachella 2007. The festival connection was leaked two full days before commencement on a flight from Montreal to Los Angeles, as two Zeppelinesque teenagers and a musically inclined balding elder jabbered on about their excitement over the coming weekend’s events.

Upon the next sunrise, a scorching Thursday in the California sun, miles and miles of desert dirt was dismissed in favor of collapsing on the grass-stained grounds of Empire Polo Field, under contract to become a makeshift playground of music for the weekend. Delicately hauling our essentials into the camping grounds, had security check proclaiming “that’s an interesting shape” upon the touch of a 60 of Jack being conspicuously hidden in adjourning baggage, her sarcastic smirk being followed by “have a good time guys!”. With cheek-to-cheek grins in tow and believing our most difficult troubles accomplished, we trekked across four football fields of empty lot, soon to be beckoned with 6,000 festival goers fortunate enough to be in possession of a camping pass.

Plotting down our furnace tents we beheld the veterans to our right, sitting smitten with canopy, coolers, IPOD connected stereo, and pullback chairs. Lesson one learned, come more prepared than simply prepared. Consolation was quickly restored in grasping a possession of the essentials: alcohol, sun lotion and a yearning for live music. But, this night was set aside as a precursor allowing one to thrive in the glee of forthcoming shows, fully engulf the rapture of belonging to a select community of ecstatic patrons, enjoy the company you keep and to participate in what seemed a site wide thirst for tracking down the marijuana.

Thought we understood the forecasted heat and could slip by, until it slapped us awake Friday morning. Our sun endorsed cover had us on our feet and standing flat in sweat in a snap. Water, shower, water, power bar breakfast, swimming in sun lotion, time for losing rays in the distraction of sonic bliss. Unfortunately, the entrance staff made other plans, in fact the most painful decision to be had. Each day, feeling up every ticket holder led to standstill lines with some passing out and the rest of us cooking to well done in the sweltering heat, all preceding a chord of music.

After finally being herded in, scenery is ignored for a mad dash to the fog fans, shade tents and water sales. The latter of which made headlines and had a bewildered Coachellian stating “here normal people act like their homeless” in observing patrons rummaging through trash cans in response to the festivals offer of ‘return ten empty water bottles and receive a free new one’.

Why ramble on about H2O, the music the music!...sadly, at Coachella even music takes a bow to water. When it comes too hot to pretend its not hot kind of heat, even the toughest can’t stick it out. Between 12pm and 5pm, 65,000 took on part-time employment of battling to survive, post this with the sun tackled for another day, and the purple and orange acid flavored skyline taking hold of the pupils; a second wind was born, blossoming into a beautiful musical foreground.

With over 140 acts donning 6 stages running simultaneously over 3 days, questioning required, how much choice is too much? Conflicting interests made for many bitter decisions with similar tastes strutting their stuff in chorus. A choice was had, test marathon conditioning or calm frustration at missing an appetizer. Yet sadly, it seemed nothing was missed, with the stages placed within legs reach of another, sounds were bouncing around causing frequent distraction. Despite this, insert applause for twelve consecutive hours of music a day and religious adherence to the scheduled time slots, minus Air gracing the stage for only twenty minutes.

Although it proved challenging to enthusiastically take each in, there were no holes in the acts themselves, Interpol was well suited, Arctic Monkeys brought charming accent and won me over, Kings of Leon worked hard in kicking up some dirt, Cut Chemist did some magic tricks on the tables, Hot Chip saw many laid back taking a break in the shade, MSTRKRFT was as cheesy and delicious as one can swallow, Tapes N Tapes (pictured above) robbed all artists of the potential for standing out, The Rapture's late set, had many dancing from their aching backs and as Rage (below) took to the stage, seven years evaporated in an instant.

When all was entertained and burnt, there was no energy left to desire more. Matter of fact, it took the festival being over for one crazy Canuck to finally uncover shelter from the sky, pitching a tent inside the LAX airport. Finally, as my return flight landed in the mtl, and standing at baggage claim sadness kicked in about going back to the mundane life, a summation of the festival came trudging down the ramp in a bottle of sun tan lotion, solely checked in by someone clever enough to realize all that was needed for Coachella 2007. The little sun on the bottle reminding all, a year isn’t so far away, for some its time enough to lose a little heat stroke.

"star, star, teach me how to shine, shine, teach me so I know what is going on in your mind"

2007-05-04T01:24:00.002-05:00

Stole an internship with Pop Montreal. For some time I've sensed to have chosen the right industry, solidified on day one, when at the company's headquarters, housed in a ghetto office building, a colleague lights up a joint, while still others go jabbering on about the possibilities of attending the upcoming sold out Coachella festival via band hook-ups and another employee is detailing the last exhaustive weekend spent at the SXSW festival down in Austin, Texas.

Right away I was thrown the tedious, dialing record stores across North America. Quickly had me acknowledging everyone in Portland as being generous and keen, reaffirming New Yorkers as being short and unwilling, and putting a check mark beside your stereotype "Empire Records" clerk, the image being conjured up on a call to pot friendly British Columbia, finishing with a "lates". Up next, opening artist applications for this years festival; linked advice, in ever submitting a press kit, fulfill the required, don't get cute. Sad to acknowledge the waste of time in an artist confusing their interior designing skills as potentially winning out over minimal talent in the musicianship category.

And while these labouring, labouring tasks may not yet come with pay, I've got the nod for pressing play on free gigs. Preceding, a quick halt at the local pharmacy and I've initiated what will become an alternative to the popular mtl cafe excursions in keeping my ears awake. Earplugs in tow, show 1 of many under the guidance of pop mtl unfolds. On first thought, I can see this routine becoming lame...in 40 years.

'bout time you brought that in

2007-03-20T15:17:00.000-05:00

(boring)
With the long-awaited copyright court decision finally being handed down (March 19th, 2007) regarding the publishing royalty rates to be delivered to copyright owners by digital music providers for permanent downloads (8.8% of retail cost); its still quite disappointing, to comprehend this small percentage going into the pockets of the songwriters themselves, good thing for us most are focused on their art over the commerce, leave that to the silk tie shoppers. Legal buyers hear me, all this small talk means to speak is that the price of online downloads is about to be hiked.

And as the RIAA continues, with some bewildering goal in mind, its unrelenting yet grossly unpopular pursuit of suing all you illegal file-sharing music lovers. I've decided to take insight into a less spoken benefit of music being easily accessible for $0, via the internet.

(getting there)
While attending concerts, I used to be disappointed when my favoured musicians were debuting new material. Not that I imagined I wouldn't grow to love it, rather the opposite, that I knew I couldn't love it the first time through. With a live performance, there is the need to connect and sense familiarity with the music. Yet, I have always had a sense of respect, that the artist them self is tired of playing the past and want to predominately focus on the present. So, while touring is scheduled ahead of upcoming releases as an outlet of promotion, concert going fans can frequently be left in the dark, while bands find timid reception in delivering new music. Enter, the beautiful world of the internet, where 'yet to be released', simply means 'who cares for cover art, look what I've been leaking into my ears'. Now when bands bravely strum the first chords of the suspected unknown, a raucous uproar can be deafening as fans who threw down $45 (65% going to Ticketmaster) to be the first in their city to hear the beloved new LP live, realize their reward.

(okay, here we go)
Gather the girls, gather your boys, I've found it, I've found it! A unique, unique concept, how it was not mastered before is beyond me. It follows, as taking musicians out of the usual spectrum for demonstrating their music and throw them into a more natural everyday environment. To elaborate, the creations are pure, pure art; all the business of selling with a sexy, commercial music video is muted in favour of donning stripped down naked, magical, impromptu, unrepeatable, instrumentally innovative, scenery showering, cinematographically charming and passerby pleasing showings. I present to you... 'Take Away Shows' www.takeawayshows.com

For those clicking and viewing in the mtl region, I look forward to sharing in the joyous reception with you on Monday, June 4th when 'the national' debuts "start a war" for this city.

It wasn't at all

2007-03-20T00:29:00.000-05:00

surrounded the year with empty walls
capturing memories in frivolous scrawls
pining over what it all means
and the unlikely source that stole my dreams

losing sight more each day
end result of never being asked to stay

a hangul candle projects a world more intimate
running alone makes the possibility less eminent
desperate attempts to normalize my insanity
words escape in their own sweet vanity

the truth is hidden in a mistake
what reality of yours is fake
you say you don't know what true love is
and I know it too well
driven apart by a completely different parallel

transferred here to spark invention
lost the one I'll always mention
spend futile hours clearing words already spoken
pensively inserting actions awoken

broke down in a booth empty of storage
who could dishevel the lack of courage

used to be so independent
now I'm left here to defend it
my only hope down the line
I can distinguish what's yours and what's mine

- aaron smith

"Come on teacher, teach me something, don't just fill my head with nothing"

2007-03-01T14:50:00.001-05:00

5 anecdotes with a role in my recent withdrawal from the Trebas Institute - Music Business Program.

1) my 'contract and copyright' teacher is an entertainment lawyer who authored the text we were required to use. And when purchasing the highly demanded books from him, he had us line up and honored us with the privilege of mandatory autographs for each students copy. Even asking one student "Who should I make it out to?". Reading my peers mind like a bible, I imagined hearing...'make it out to that garbage can you egotistical square'. Aaron was next up and as the writing hand of the genius lifted to the inside cover, I sympathetically asked "Could you actually not sign it" before my plea fell on ignorant ears and he graced in blue ink "Enjoy the Read".

2) one of my colleagues is in a Hip Hop band and during a break in class he mentioned his appearing on a radio station Promoting "the best unsigned hip hop act in Canada". He talked of his onstage persona, and how he alters his language and voice ("uknowwhaammmsayin"), also wearing lots of bling-bling strictly for the occasion and rapping on about achievements he has never accomplished (well maybe I'm adding this final point myself having heard the music). When I questioned the consequences of his fans tripping upon this knowledge, maybe perceiving him as giving a front, being a fake, he got irate. The next 20 minutes of class time was spent forced into listening to him lecture on how some people are "so focused on being real that they aren't real". And trust me, he wasn't hitting the points of how genius that comment could be.

3) found myself in the director's office getting an exemption from 'Marketing'. I'd been to a few classes and realized the material to be no different than an equivalent taken in University. Anyway, as I'm proving my credentials, the dole turns to me and with no push from my side says "yeah, I've been interviewing people to take over that class, we're replacing Maude". From there he rolled on about the details, not a word exiting my mouth. Finally, I interject "has anyone approached or talked to Maude about this?". Enter some blabbing from his mouth and a "no, its too late for that". With each syllable from his side, I was brooding intense hatred toward this sly unprofessional wanker. By meetings end, I walked out of there feeling guilty, like I'd voluntarily participated in his 'behind the back' elementary school gossip. To relief this guilt, on reaching my computer I emailed and informed Maude of the plans.

4) In the 'music industry' course, we were given an in-class assignment worth 20% of our final grade. This task consisted of going through one chapter (10 pages) of our textbook and 'filling in the blanks' on test paper provided. The extracts were word for word from the book and we were permitted to accomplish the work altogether. The kicker, we had an hour and a half to get the job done, fruitless as ten minutes later we all walked out of there with 20 marks each and trying to somehow feel accomplished about this.

5) the secretary is a 35yr old audio engineer, and dawned the same coffee stain accumulating sweater 58 out of the 60 days. Maybe this last point is the number one reason I should have stayed, pure ROCK N ROLL!!!

"to put it modestly, I'm great at my job, sure there are a countless number of lawyers in Quebec, but only 2 or 3 that do what I do. Many people come to me and I'm well known in the industry as a great asset." - 'contracts and copyright' teacher

To put it modestly, Trebas is about feeding industry player egos, be it through green in their pocket or having 10 enthusiastic students attention while droning on about ones knowledge with little being delivered for the ballooned $20 an hour being passed over.

"those rainy days they ain't so bad when your the king, the king they wanna be"

2007-02-26T19:39:00.000-05:00

Recently, I attended the climatic show of a Montreal "battle of the unsigned bands". This competition started at 32 bands and was down to a final four on this night. The winner took home all the excess equipment on stage, an appearance on MuchMusic and 40hrs of free studio time. Disappointingly, in coveting the prize, some groups brought trash to accompany their garbage performance (confetti, balloons, beach balls). Hence, 'Prototype A' (a 'finger eleven' carbon copy) took it home over a much more deserved, talented and unique piece named 'Scarlet Stone' (who sadly had less friends and family in attendance). Backstage, I stated this opinion to the subdued runners up and overheard them sarcastically mutter they needed to invest in confetti. Still steaming and wanting to further express my frustration with live music, I bring you my top pet peeves related to music performances.

awards by fan base
we've seen what poor results the majority vote brings with the US President! I suggest digging deeper, finding better methods of evaluating talent. everyone knows the winner in a popularity contest. whats more intriguing is finding the most amazing musicians with poor business and marketing skills.

gimmicks
'the flaming lips' have pioneered them in modern day music, but all other bands should take a step back, respect this monopolization, and find their own niche; leave the bubble walking to Wayne Coyne.

hecklers/song requests
After recently being enlightened on the most famous heckle of all time in music... someone belting out "Judas" at a gig in Manchester in 1964; aimed at Bob Dylan, the name calling was referring to him being a traitor for 'plugging in', switching from acoustic to electric (big deal at the time)...I've elected to display the wittiest artist replies I've overheard, directed at individuals who annoyingly chose song breaks to yell out unnecessary selfish requests.

Ryan Adams: "wow, that's great you know, i think that's really great that you wanna hear that song, and I'm not sure how well you know how this works, but ah, about 30 minutes before we come out here, me and the band sit down and write out this list of songs we're gonna play for the night and if you don't mind, I think we'll just stick to that"

Win Butler (arcade fire): "It's so cool people remember our song titles."

Neil Young: "somebody do me a favour and knock that guy out"

Music and Politics don't mix
Alice Cooper said "artists opinions on politics shouldn't matter". Shut up Alice. It's for this reason your opinion no longer matters. Step aside, your old and the times they are a changin'. Musicians are citizens just like everyone else and they earned their stage, hence its their blank page, let them write as they like. It's called promotion for more than your own pocket.

artist trashing/the marketing ploy
Though my top band (oasis) is most famous for it, at least they have weight to back it up. I'm targeting those who show a bold face, but than don't have merit to put money where their mouth is. More bluntly, uttering worthless comments about a proven band to garner publicity on their name. In the end words amount to garbage, the music speaks volumes.

Comfort made me sad

2007-02-22T14:07:00.000-05:00

I might be digging back, I might be digging forward, just enjoy what I'm enjoying...

It's All Gone Pete Tong - one of the best 'mockumentaries' of all time, worth finding its place on the shelf next to 'Spinal Tap'. Concept rivals the latter and is quite humorous to the insensitive. Simply, DJ gains high acclaim and becomes a world icon, than it all falls apart when he loses his hearing through excessive partying and exposure to music. Rest of the movie is a bit slow, as he attempts to re-capture his glory days, but laughing is definitely had throughout. Look out for the cameo appearance of "Deaner" from Fubar.

PJ Harvey On Tour - To sit down and watch a music DVD in its entirety on original exposure is rare. But, I broke that virginity with Polly Jean, who is intriguing, unique, edgy and intimate and displaces it all here in her music and in backstage conversation. Hands up, she is the epitome of creativity, talent and attractiveness among females in Rock N Roll today. Keep an eye out for the appearance of the 'Spice Girls' dress as she takes the stage at Glastonbury (I was there kids, I was there).

Dig - Here's an actual documentary which needs reminding of this fact, as it seems more ridiculous than a fabricated script. 'Dig' is an unusual look along some years with "the Dandy Warhols", as they struggle to keep it together, before inevitably splitting apart and becoming two distinct bands Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. With no tensions going unspoken, this film is a classic. As the movie winds down, you grow to love the latter band, not for their music, but rather lack of it. Anton Newcombe has explosive breakdowns on stage and always losses it on either his band or fans, resulting in thrown objects and walking offstage cancelling shows (I've heard of people today going to their gigs for the sole purpose of setting him off, and he still loses it each time). Not appetized, as a bonus by viewing this masterpiece you'll undertake some of the biggest sunglasses and wildest chops (there's no other word for these sideburns) you've ever set in your line of sight.

Heavier than Heaven -
"Kurt Cobain, he never had a chance, you know. Incurable romantics never do. He held a flame I wasn't born to carry. I'll leave the dying young stuff up to you." - the stars 'heart'.

The book paints him as a sick and dark image, but when coating dries you take a color as it is. A different point of view might see it in a different light, but when facts are facts, there is no disputing what is present. This read has you understand that Kurt Cobain was ruined at the age of seven, the day his parents divorced. Although you won't come out the other side feeling sorry for him, you will respect his challenges. He was crushed by his drug addiction, but also endlessly agonized over his love life, body pains and his art.

Dylan - I knew nothing of the man going in, came out feeling like I knew the man. The preceding statement being a common misconceived sentiment among Dylan faithful, I retract from signing on. But I will say, although Dylan himself will no doubt trash any and all books contents (concerning him) as false, it proves unimportant as 'Spitz' creates an entertaining story, void of fact or not. Also, I highly regard the interesting angle the author took in refusing to interview or meet Dylan for the book, disallowing himself to be misled or clouded with false pictures drawn up on the spot by the conveniently misleading Bob Dylan. Despite this retraction, it didn't hinder him from inserting numerous priceless quotes from the mouth of Dylan while on stage, including this beauty... (in direct retaliation to those placing extreme pressure on him to be a key force in political movements). "I want now to say that what you're hearing is just songs. You're not hearing anything else but words and sounds. You can take it or leave it."

"I've got the whole world, in my hands"

2007-02-15T17:32:00.001-05:00

During a life abroad, I once hopped on a rather vacant Daejeon city bus; however, there was a group of 8 year old girls about 15 feet in front of me. As the bus chugged along, I noticed one of them kept turning around and staring back at me with blind admiration. Growing innovative, I decided to try my luck with what apparently is the most universal game in the world and so I mouthed the Korean words 'ga wee, ba wee, bo' (Paper, Rock, Scissors). I don't know what was the trigger, either the reading of lips or seeing a hand in a fist, but a connection was made; instantaneously, we were caught up in an intense match. In hindsight, it boggles the mind that two strangers, from different backgrounds, generations, ethnicity's, who speak a different language could find sport and bond with each other, at a distance, on a bus.

Warming Up to the Arcade Fire

2007-02-09T01:42:00.001-05:00

Unique enough how Arcade Fire is going around giving high five to churches, playing 5 consecutive shows in these rare venues across select cities (London, Montreal, New York). But what's more amusing was the decision to offer reward to truly dedicated fans by holding back 50 passes for each show, before the shows in Montreal sold out in four minutes. The question of dedication was brought to fruition when the band took the business of ticket selling back twenty years, to pre-internet days. Meaning, they limited the aforementioned availability to only being purchased the morning of each show at an obscure music store. The store of choice 'L'Oblique' opens at 10am, meaning the first fifty individuals lined up at this time have themselves an intimate evening with the highly acclaimed Arcade Fire. With the hometown band not having played the mtl in over two years, the first night fans quickly showed their yearning for seeing the band by starting a lineup at 3am and the last ticket holder waiting since 7am (on the coldest day of the year). My presence emerges in the tale when I got a call informing me of the procedure and inquiring on my willingness to partake in the freezing cold festivities the second day. Understanding I will shortly feel their presence at Coachella, void of having to wait in -25oC for 5 hours, I hesitated. But, when as convenience would have it, a realization landed that the chosen ticket outlet happened to be only a block from my residence, I committed.

Rolling over at 5:00am, I bundled up, walked a block, found friends already in line and found myself number 35 on the list. Frequently cheating back to the warm confines of my apartment, I still found each minute an hour. With frostbite gently biting the cheeks of strangers, and feet preferring to be chopped off than remain in tact, finally the door opens, its 10AM, tickets!

The Ukrainian Federation (above) is a seated music venue converted out of a church, holding 650 people. Thanks to some nice jockeying we got front row on the balcony, side stage. On its tiny stage, Arcade Fire resembled a glowing flock, with its members crammed in. Straight away, a memorable moment when Win thanked all those who waited outside that morning for tickets, sarcastically stating he wanted to bring awareness to homelessness because it isn't fun. The set list showcased most tracks from the new LP, 'Keep the Car Running' and 'My Body is a Cage' stood brilliant live. Highlight of the evening came with a loud and energetic performance of 'Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)', than without hesitation kicking into 'Rebellion (Lies)'.

As I trudged home from the show I observed a strange sighting, in the dark I faintly made out the shadow of a person waiting out front of a store a block from my house. Could it be...brave ones gearing up for a long cold night ahead in trade-off for what I was coming from, 90 minutes of a rare opportunity, witnessing a rightfully acclaimed act sing and praise a new bible, a 'neon bible'. (lol)

Field Day Festival: Born Wet and Dead

2007-02-05T18:42:00.000-05:00

In the aftermath of the disaster that was 'Woodstock 99', there stood a foregone conclusion that the State of New York would not hear a note from a music festival for generations to come. However, the powers that be decided this couldn't happen, they wanted to initiate another with aspirations of dawning a new annual flocking, while distancing itself from a connection or repeat of Woodstock, by creating the newly titled "Field Day Festival" in 2003. This momentous event originally scheduled to take place in a grassy field in Calverton, New York, and attract 50,000 music lovers, was changed 2 days before the festival because organizers couldn't get the appropriate security permits. The festival had to be moved to Giants stadium in New Jersey, and was condensed into one day, dropping: the price, the attendance, the camping, and some major acts originally billed: Sigur Ros, Interpol, the Roots, N.E.R.D. and the Streets. Already primed for hearing a weekend of live music, me and some friends begrudgingly resigned to getting some new ticket stubs.

Enter car and the drive down to East Rutherford, with anticipation of taking part in pre-festival football stadium tailgating. Unfortunately, the sky snatched victory from the already defeated and rain viciously poured down, refusing to let up for the next 11 straight hours. In-car-gating ensued with piss American beer water. Downing half a case between 4 of us and finally deeming the remainder useless as is, we put on brave smiles and accepted the cloud's crying on us.

Venturing across the parking lot towards the destination, we came to acknowledge that one stage was actually placed outside the stadium, which seemed peculiar. Shrugging shoulders and entering the big bowl shaped premises, we quickly observed a sparse, sparse crowd and all dressed for Water World.

First sounds to hit were exiting from Liz Phair rocking out in a skirt, enthralled with her command of the stage, I was content. During the ensuing break, half our crew decided they weren't content with befriending the rain, and retreated for the sheltered sections of the stadium. The bravery, Me and Tiiu, came to the conclusion there was no wetter than the wet we dripped, and onward we pushed towards the front of the stage.

On came a religious act, the lead singer dawning long, pretty boy hair, and the next 40 minutes performance by Spiritualized was most accurately summed by a male to our right booming out "YEAH CREED". Beth Orton came on strong, cracking jokes between song to pick up the crowds spirit, but got tiring. Energy was restored by the Underworld camp, their DJing instinctively had Tiiu dashing backwards to less crowded puddle splashed dancing. Next came my nemeses, Blur, the arch rival of Oasis, I entered this showing with vigorous hatred, for obvious reasons. Damon Alburn came out carrying plenty of raincoats to disperse and brought himself front and center into the rain. The band easily won me over in their set, and to this day I listen to "Tender" weekly with sweet nostalgia of the rain's sweet taste on that June day.

A huge grin hit with knowledge of the next name on the bill: Beck. Unfortunately, I seem destined to go without nostalgia of having seen this man live. Confused? Understatement for my emotions on June 7th, 2003. After a long, long delay before his set, an official finally came to the middle of the stage and announced that while Beck was side stage watching Blur, he slipped, fell and was now on his way to the hospital and will not be performing. %^@&!

Also, our lack of desire to travel back outside the grounds to get to the side stage, resulted in our sadly missing Bright Eyes and one of the last performances before Elliott Smith decided to end his life.

Tiiu's nervous, Tiiu's ecstatic, Tiiu's nervously ecstatic...and on come the BEASTIE BOYS, twenty-one years in waiting for her, and their first show together in three years! Mix Master Mike aside, the pro-longed absence proved itself. Forgetting lyrics, forgetting MC turns, and starting into the wrong songs filled their time on stage. With the band laughing it off and the audience being forgiving, a good time was had. One image I can't forget is how tiny 'Adrock', 'Mike D' and 'MCA' actually are. Humorous how artists are built up to be these characters imagined as high as the sky, but when they're finally presented to you in person, there's disappointment that their heads are no taller than your own.

With Beck gone and our teeth chattering from the relentless rain and the oncoming night, I held my hopes for the day being saved by the final act, and if your gonna put all the weight in the world on one bands shoulders...why not Radiohead. Unbelievable. The best show I have ever seen in my entire life. Not only did they do the impossible by matching the album 'Hail To the Thief''s sound live, but they somehow trumped it by making the songs more electrifying and had it all a soundtrack for some amazing visuals. They even stopped the rain, be it for a short lived ten minutes. With the bittersweet rain returning, Thom Yorke chimed in on 'Paranoid Android' enthusiastically singing "Rain down / Rain down / Come on Rain Down on Me".

And just like that the Festivals existence was rained out!

In a word: Many

2007-02-02T02:25:00.000-05:00

This past October, Montreal was host to the 6th "future of music summit". Volunteering got me a free pass and I took in all these panels on different subjects pressing in the industry. Now you can too, I got my hands on a video link (found on the right). It will bring up 21 different presentations, they're about an hour in length each. Yeah, I know...but some of them can't be passed up, I highly recommend: 'Young Musicians' (on the panel: win butler arcade fire, torquil campbell the stars), and 'Cashflow: Revenue in the Digital Age' (slow start but 20minutes in hit some interesting thoughts). Video quality seems pre-1900, but your in it for the words and all can be heard.

(If you want a trailer, see my throw down captured within 'Music Manipulation' entitled "4 Days of Talk, Rock and Running around the Block")

Somehow I feel like I'm only speaking to the Daye's on this!

Dostoevsky's Best

2007-01-30T17:48:00.000-05:00

"god is only a hypothesis...but I admit he is necessary for the sake of order...and if there were no God he would have to be invented"

"the more I love mankind in general, the less I love people in particular, that is individually as separate persons...I would go to the cross if it helped serving mankind, and yet I am incapable of living in the same room with anyone even for two days. As soon as someone is there, close to me, their personality oppresses my self esteem and restricts my freedom. In twenty-four hours I can begin to hate even the best of men: because he takes too long blowing his nose or eating his dinner. I become the enemy of people the moment they touch me"

"pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth"

"there is no more ceaseless or tormenting care for man, so long as he remains free, than to find someone to bow down to as soon as possible...the care of these pitiful creatures is not just to find something for which to bow down to alone, but to find something everyone else will also believe and bow down too, for it must be altogether. And this need for community of worship is the chief torment of each man individually, and of mankind as a whole from the beginning of time. In the cause of universal worship, they have destroyed each other with the sword. They have made gods and said to each other 'abandon your gods, and come worship ours, else death to your gods and you'. And so it will be until the end of the world, even when all Gods have disappeared from the earth: they will still fall down before idols"

"in every human idea that possesses genius or is new, or even simply in every serious human idea that is conceived in someone's head, there always remains something that cannot be conveyed to other people, even though whole volumes were written and your idea explained for thirty-five years; there will always remain something that is on no account willing to come out of your skull and will remain with you forever; so that you will die without perhaps ever having conveyed to anyone the most important part of your idea"

"What had he to live for?...To live in order to exist?...mere existence had always been too little for him, he had always wanted more"

"once mankind has renounced God, one and all, then the entire world view will fall...people will come together in order to take from life all that it can give, but for happiness and joy in this world only...every hour experience will bring such lofty delight to replace all former hopes of heavenly delight. Each will know himself utterly mortal, without resurrection, and he will love his brother without any reward. Love will satisfy only the moment of life, but the very awareness of its momentariness will increase its fire, inasmuch as previously it was diffused in hopes of an eternal love beyond the grave"

"he could not think for long altogether of anything; he was simply feeling. Life had stepped into the place of theory and something quite different would work itself out in his mind"

"ghosts are as it were shreds and fragments of other worlds, the beginning of them. A man in health has, of course, no reason to see them, because he is above all a man on this earth and is bound for the sake of completeness and order to live only in this life. But as soon as one is ill, as soon as the normal earthly order of the organism is broken, one begins to realize the possibility of another world; and the more seriously ill one is, the closer becomes one's contact with that the other world, so that as soon as man dies he steps straight into that world"

"what mother, for example, tenderly loving her child, would not be dismayed and sick with fear if her son or daughter were to go off the rails by even the smallest of margins: 'No, let him be happy and live comfortably, without originality', thinks every mother, as she rocks her child"

"nowadays almost all capable people are terribly afraid of being ridiculous and are miserable because of it"

"he read persistently over many years, understanding almost nothing at all of it, but perhaps precisely for that reason prizing and loving it all the more."

"you are going to be a very unhappy man in your life...but on the whole you will bless life all the same"

"you've never been able to understand how interesting you'd have become in her eyes if you'd managed to endure your surroundings with firmness and pride...he caught her on his hook because for one thing, he wasn't trying to catch her at all"

"love is gone...but what is gone is painfully dear to me. You now love another, I love another, but still I shall love you eternally"

"for man seeks not so much God as miracles"

"all my life I've been trying to break myself"

Fyodor Dostoevsky

2007-01-26T14:39:00.000-05:00

The best author of any era. Timeless. The man who brought forth "Crime and Punishment", "The Brothers Karamazov", "The Idiot", and is responsible for countless others. I've encountered the big three, and they knocked me on my ass. When it comes to stating my religious beliefs, I'm a full on believer in only one God...'Dostoevsky'. He belittles all forms of religion in such kind, simple, and few words. Additionally, his expression on psychology, and articulating the thoughts hiding inside our less than happy selves is incredible.

Nietzsche said of Jesus: "it is regrettable that no Dostoevsky lived near him." He also stated "Dostoevsky was the only psychologist from whom I had anything to learn: he belongs to the happiest windfalls of my life, happier even than the discovery of Stendhal."

i recommend reading "the brothers Karamazov". here's a link on the man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fyodor_Dostoevsky

Glimpse at Celebrity

2007-01-22T11:28:00.000-05:00

unforgettable encounters during an extended, yet brief time in korea...

routine encompassed going on a school trip every friday, bringing the kindergartens to either: a museum, play, trampoline or even a photographer's exhibit. One excursion to the latter involved checking out some retired Japanese guys photos from travels around the world. To accurately picture the scene, understand I was the only foreigner to accompany or be spotted on such trips. Though there would usually be many other schools present, it seemed other foreign teachers were either not invited or purposely excluded from such events. Consequently, I would receive the load of eyes, pointers, screamers, "you so handsome"'s, etc. But, on this occasion, it went beyond expectations. Upon our arrival, we were quickly assigned a tour guide, and they also designated another employee to be a translator for me, to explain photos in English. It became obvious this was only half her newly assigned role, when I observed her starting to take pictures of me at every opportune moment around the students. Whenever I would get in lens range of a student, she would become the red carpet paparazzi.(missed getting her in mine below). The icing on the cake was tasted when after taking in the full contents of mediocre shots of the eiffel tower and such, they asked me to take them back through the gallery and show them my favorite pictures and explain why. I noted their hesitation at the Niagra Falls frames, thinking I'd get patriotic and point at the obvious scene I've seen too many times over, instead electing to test their creativity, I pointed out some nice shots of "connie in venice" and simply stated the photo taken from a distance made her mystery intriguing. They laughed and wrote down every word of it.

(judy and sarah you are deeply missed)

while walking around shopping downtown Daejeon, I noticed out of the corner of my eye some lady running in my direction from an angle behind. Catching her shouting "hello", but not automatically assuming she was addressing me, I kept a pace. Eventually she caught up and was standing in front of me, out of breath, but excitedly re-stating "hello!". After I return the greeting, she just stares at me smiling, guilt weighs on that I should say more, but I don't know what to say (I mean in our culture when someone runs you down its because either you dropped or stole something). She's scrambling, but has nothing to utter herself, instinctively she reaches into her shopping bag, looks around in there and pulls out a new pack of Halls and hands it to me. Obviously noting that she had a cold and it would do more good for her to keep the medicine, I politely declined. But, she insisted and wouldn't let up to the point where I realized it would be an insult if I didn't take them. So, I took her much needed Halls, she thanked me, and we went on with our days, me off to a mountain and her back to buy a new pack of Halls.

a unique event I learned to appreciate was strangers asking me to "get in their picture". This usually resulted in my agreeing to take their picture on the assumption of 'poor english', only to learn they meant what they said. They wanted a picture with me being the central figure in it. I began to turn the tables and indulge in this hobby myself, getting photos with random Koreans at all opportune moments.

strutting to school one day at lunch, I had just passed a convenience store when simultaneously an 8 year old came running out of the candy store, an ice cream cone firmly secured in each hand. As he peels onto the side street he notices my presence and without hesitation runs up smiling ear-to-ear and offers for me to take one. Returning the smile, I had to decline and watched as continued his original mission and gave the cone to his brother up ahead. In whose world do kids give away ice cream? No way in my hay day would the same proceedings have gone down, especially sharing with an adult, I would have eaten both cones.

Glastonbury 2004 : A Retrospective

2007-01-15T17:15:00.000-05:00

INTRO
tickets went on sale while I was taking in Amsterdam. the website couldn't withstand the demand of close to a million people simultaneously attempting to acquire tickets, hence shutdown at my every attempt. Over the next 24 hours, 112,000 people won out over me and it was sold out! I was devastated knowing I'd been prepared months in advance for this day and Oasis was headlining (in ENGLAND). Weeks later, by chance, I went to the Glastonbury website and misfortune turned to fate, during that hour they were re-selling tickets for sales that didn't go through. Without hesitation I nabbed one up at 112pounds ($280) and felt assured there was a mistake, it was too good to be true,...I was going to GLASTONBURY!

DAY 1 - THURSDAY
After hearing the Euro 2004 Quarterfinal between England-Portugal would be shown on the big screens at the festival that night, I grabbed my backpack and hopped on the 1pound ($2.50) Megabus and rode that double decker (above) 5 hours from Brighton to a small farm town known as Glastonbury. Departing, I came to understand the festival was actually located on a farm 3 miles away. Being me, I asked the general direction and started walking. After passing a cow, but noticing few vehicles doing the reciprocal, I questioned my geography, but anxiety picked up my step. Finally I saw a glimmer of silver in the distance and with progress on the pavement, slowly it grew in front of me, until it looked like the outset of a major downtown, planted in the middle of a farm field and minus the skyscrapers. Reaching the more common route, I was continuously succeeded by cars honking, people screaming and music blaring. Through five honda plant lots, and proving my identity 8 times, I entered the invasion prepared fortress fence of the world's biggest annual music festival!
Succeeding in getting lost and found countless times, I found myself parked in front of the Pyramid Stage (main) and among the largest crowd to take in the game that night(easily outnumbering the stadium crowd itself). Too many England chants and arrogance later, the british found themselves ousted from the tournament with Beckham missing the net in a shutout. Party quickly ended and I found myself crashing on the Stage grounds (below), intending to be woken up by the sun and/or opening act. Instead, I shivered and constantly overheard voices "is that a person, is he alive?" and was woken up 4 times by security trucks stopping and asking if "I was okay, or needed blankets?". At one point, I was awoken by someone attempting to grab something near me, I lunged and bear hugged my backpack, and startled the dude, he jumped back "sorry man, I was just gonna pull that blanket over you, you look like your freezing". maybe a lie, but nonetheless, a moment which made me warm...this world can be incredibly generous.

DAY 2 - FRIDAY
dressed up for the occasion (below), i rid of my luggage in discovered 'baggage check' and was ready for the marathon.

the first chords of guitar to hit my ears came appropriately from bright eyes, it might have been 12pm, but conor oberst was drunk, depressed and left the impression he wouldn’t be alive to play the next show. Somehow, that made for an entertaining 40 minutes and he heavily promoted sticking around for Wilco next. I did and was blown away by one of the best sets of the weekend, the presence created by shy leader jeff tweedy was mesmerizing, they were dead on. Bubble Gum was passed around when the face of nelly furtado appeared, offering an opportune chance to wave my Canadian flag around, but equally made me not want to. I was infatuated with snow patrol at the time of this gig, so their showing sat well and they had the crowd eating anthems out of their hands. Anticipation raced in my blood for the stylish, talented and beautiful Polly Jean Harvey who came out in a memorable black dress containing all the faces of the “spice girls”. pj harvey was predictably her own and doesn’t need my praise. The second last billing of the evening was an adopted child of England, for good reason that country loves the kings of leon. I came in indifferent to the Kings sound, electing to witness only on behalf of and to report back to fanatics. When it came round to reporting back, I informed Ian and ED that I was now the biggest KOL fan of the bunch, they hands down stole Glastonbury! It was quintessential put on your jock strap but make sure it fits into your skin tight faded jeans, cause we’re going back 30 years and bringing a rock n roll cock fight, let’s just see who’s panting at the end of the day. Tough act to follow, even for the most anticipated, the return of oasis to the Pyramid Stage. The gallagher’s quickly made it no contest, they came out sober, dead to the rough and rowdy audience, and sulking (it was rumored the brothers weren’t talking). This became evident in no words being said, no emotion existing in the music and delivering the worst performance I’ve ever seen from this iconic band. They even debuted new songs to little fanfare (none of the songs saw life again). The crowd walked away pissed, as I’m sure the band too.

Being at such an extravagant festival with well over 200 bands and 10 stages, your guaranteed to miss more than half the artists, especially in having to walk 30 minutes to get from one stage to another. Note worthy artists missed on this day included: kasabian, franz ferdinand, chemical brothers, the rapture, and elbow. When the stage music is said and done, by no means does the festival shutdown for the night. Rather, the party is constant, so next up was the dance tents, and than onto acoustic tents, where pillows and blankets were laid out, while the staff delivered tea. Here you could pass out for the night or get up on stage and perform an artistic piece yourself. Most would eventually up and somehow try to locate their tent among the mass.

DAY 3 - SATURDAY

the comprehension of living in another world was brought to actualization when I was passed a newspaper published inside the maximum security prison walls of Glastonbury (below), it revealed all the different happenings, including the report of deaths at the festival. Venturing around, you also quickly come to realize just how large of an area is encompassed in the grounds (below, that isn't the town at the bottom of the hill, that's still the festival); however, the abundant street signs (below) keep you in check with where you are.

Before the music could hit the stage Saturday, out came just enough rain to turn the grounds into the ever necessary, music festival authentic ingredient: mud. And suddenly the world turned brown

As for the music...
sister sledge left me pondering, could infants create sounds and crawl on stage. scissor sisters contain former yet still aspiring go-go dancers, and it seems that’s the point they desire to get across. Keane was Keane; however, did a memorable “everybody’s changing”. lost prophets left me lost. ben harper continues to play too long and makes me want to lie down on a rug similar to his on stage, plug my ears and go to sleep. starsailor’s lead singer james walsh, is a huge geek, he should realize that, stop talking and stick to the decent performance, hope of the states were stunning, played a small stage and attracted all passersby in their sonic range; despite being eerily similar to radiohead in sound, image, performance, and anti-bush sentiments, the band hold a uniqueness all their own. black eyed peas enjoy wardrobe changes, emphasizing fergie’s female body parts and dancing, I yawned while they questioned “where is the love”. Closing out the night was none other than paul mccartney, realizing this to be my one chance to see a ‘Beatle’, and that my hero’s would be side stage to witness this performance, I made an effort, but then he started wailing on about some ‘jude’ lady and I lost interest and walked away. More favorably, I ventured over to the outdoor movie theatre and watched both ‘Kill Bills’ and ‘23 Grams’ before nodding off as the sun came up.

The day could be summoned as a swing and a miss. Speaking of which, I missed: my morning jacket, the killers, von bondies, black rebel motorcycle club, damien rice, orbital and basement jaxx.

DAY 4 - SUNDAY

Took a journey to the hippie area, where I was approached about buying just about any drug ever used by mankind. half the people encountered probably hadn't seen a band or left that section all weekend. There was a strange, strange vibe, if you weren't high it just felt highly uncomfortable and I didn't want to test someones home mix of chemicals, so I booted it.

mentioning the Zutons brings nostalgia of yellow chemical lab outfits and mediocre music. Buck 65 is a wacky Canadian and I’ve concluded, not for me. He brought his quintessential redneck honky style. The now departed James Brown looked to be in fine form, despite sweating up a storm and having 100 dancers and singers backing him. My personal bias for Gomez leaves me to state they were stellar. I think I caught a song from Belle and Sebastian, was more than enough, too late in the festival to have patience for their act, Badly Drawn Boy was another highlight of the festival, despite being bitter about only being called as a replacement for ‘the libertines’ (who had the now infamous falling apart), he delivered, as my memory recalls: Damon Gough sporting a trademark toque, giving fabulous piano work, while chain smoking his way completely through the set (amazing how well one can sing with a cigarette hanging from their lip) and bantering on between song, with dry humor and personality unmatchable, all accompanied with a non-stop bash of organizers for over-seeing him. I warmed up to the music of Morrissey, but left with the understanding he not only has a negative look on life, but also on everyone in it. And than there was 1, while the roadies prepared the stage, 100,000 strong began chanting “Muse” with furious enthusiasm. How had I never heard a song from this band, when obviously so many English not only knew, but religiously adored their existence. The lights dimmed, out came three british blokes, they settled into their positions and proceeded to exercise exhilarating energy, which was squarely focused on mastering their instruments and emoting vocals, for the next 90 minutes. Who could have predicted after an entire weekend filled with live music, the last act would leave you desiring more.

DAY 5 - MONDAY
As crews began to turn the ruined festival grounds back into a farm field, I hopped on the first round of buses to leave monday morning at sunrise. I got off 2 hours later in 'bristol' and started trudging around the city in my mud-drenched clothes. I was in culture shock, all these cars, people in clean clothes, cement structured buildings, and everything was so fast-paced. I eventually found a vacant park and passed out. Later, while looking for my way out of the city, some lady passes me on her bicycle, blurts out "how was it?" and than stops to hear my take of Glastonbury 2004.

Worthless Critique

2007-01-15T00:32:00.000-05:00

Cafe Noir, Montreal, 1:17am as a couple a seat over get romantic, touching, kissing and hugging (they missed the name of the place)

Books:

'Mainlines, Blood Feasts and Bad Taste' lester bangs
first 30 pages...sober words meet hard core drugs, watch this explosive couple give birth to a beautiful baby. Rest of pages contain his reviews on classic rock n roll acts. Entertaining cause LB took a different perspective than the common read, valid unexpected bashes of popular bands, worth a read.

'Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing' benjamin nugent
the latter point a good summation. terrible book. shit author. rounds story up using interviews with half of elliott's friends and also making his own trips to locations (2 years later) and commenting on current cars on the street and such. haha. aimed at milking sales post elliott's demise.

'Please Kill Me - the uncensored oral history of punk' legs mcneil & gillian mccain
whole thing done through quotes of the people involved in the emergence of punk. Read unfolds with, seemingly everyone in the genre having been bisexual, lays a crown on iggy pop, details everyone consistently switching bands and stealing girlfriends, downplays lou reed, andy warhol, sid vicious, & johnny thunders, gives you the lowdown on the New York Dolls, Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie, Iggy, CBGB's and Max's Kansas City, 90% of the words entail doing drugs. somehow all that comes off extremely attractive, solid read. when you close the back cover you find yourself looking back and deciphering who you would have been if you had been in the scene. Based on the words and actions of this person...Jerry Nolan here. pick it up.

'Cash: The Autobiography' johnny cash
i deeply respect the man and love his voice, but this book is boring. i'm sorry. johnny cash was definitely meant to sing, not write.

Movies:

'Hard Day's Night' richard lester
finally took it in. not my cup of apple juice. i was deceived into believing this was going to show performances and interviews, not a movie starring the beatles. Definitely great dry sense of humour in the writing, but boring story.

'Metal: A Headbangers Journey' Sam Dunn
Not a genre of indulgence for most, but that's non-essential, entertaining documentary nonetheless. Informative regarding: roots of Metal, huge - largely unknown - annual festival (walken, germany), the satanic of black metal in Norway. If you enjoy Fubar, you'll be right at home. Some cameo appearances by Tom Morello, Chuck Klosterman, and Pamela De Barres and endless metal bands. Worth seeing.

Couple is still kissing, duder keeps pushing her on for one more kiss, and than his alzheimer's kicks in and he needs another.

Most Intimidating Environment Imaginable

2007-01-11T20:43:00.000-05:00

Not to long ago, headphones on ears, Shoes on feet, and embracing the globally warmed weather, I headed on another routine venture to downtown Montreal. On arrival, I sought out my untouched, yet destined address and walked into a modest sized office building. The lobby looked like the interior to the most elaborate hotels held within the blue and white circle we live on. Entering the elevator, I put a glow around the number 23, the top floor, and accompanied by some 'suits', took in the stop & go ride to the finish line. My elevator co-occupants briskly walked out with purpose, I cautiously stepped forward and began double checking with my written directions that I wasn't on an LSD enhanced adventure and somehow my presence was requested and expected at said location. This hesitation cost me, as I peered up and confirmed the sad truth, I also found myself stranded in yet another post 9/11 security locked elevator hallway. Having learned to embrace the role of 'potential threat', I knocked away on the glass wall and proving the precautions pointless, was buzzed in. This found me in a room occupied by businessman, all at least 10 years my senior, their finest 'harry rosen suits' along for the ride. Strutting my casually clothed late-self to the front desk, I put in my name and was told to have a seat, resulting in play being fingered on my MP3 player, bringing the sadness of 'emily haines'. Within a minute, I found a hand tapping on my shoulder and looked up to the presence of a lady in her mid-forties, wearing her finest business attire and introducing herself, she told me to follow her to her office and leads me to the corner office on the top floor. As I walk in, I peer years to the left and see a grizzly bear sized brand new Oak desk, to the right of me is a guest table, with four beautiful antique sofa chairs and the entire wall opposite me is a glass window overlooking Montreal. And as she shuts the door behind her,..it sets in, my most intimidating environment imaginable "I am going to be teaching english to the President of this Mutual Funds company".
And somehow I made it through, before the end of our session I was teaching her what calling out "shotgun" will get you in a vehicle.

Michael Cohl

2007-01-09T19:31:00.000-05:00

The most famous man you've never heard of. He is not well known, because he spends all his time promoting other people's names: The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, U2. Michael Cohl is probably the best Promoter in the world and he hails from Canada and he started out owning a strip club in Ottawa. He might be most famously known in the industry for stealing the Rolling Stones in 1989 away from Bill Graham (only promoter to be a celebrity in his own right, also owned the Fillmore!!!), but you know Cohl's work as creating SARSstock (pic below left), promoting the largest rock concert in history (the Stones this past year in Rio, below right) and most major tours coming across Canada. I advise getting your eyes on a documentary on the man...'Satisfaction, the life and times of Michael Cohl' http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/cohl.html. Quite interesting stories enclosed, including the relationship he built with Harold Ballard, and a price fixing scandal.

here's another article on him: http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2006/07/2123.cfm

Welcome

2007-01-08T20:33:00.004-05:00

held within,'corean corner' adventures had on its turf. 'music manipulation' detailing my vapid thoughts on many a range of issues in the industry. 'beneficial beings', names which deserve more limelight. 'Spilling speech' not so everyday, everyday tales. 'turning tunes' industry interviews and new music

from me and my girl judes: "gomaps hammeda" (thanks)

Moving A Head

2007-01-07T21:12:00.000-05:00

Walking along a mountain somewhere in the midst of South Korea, me and a handful of Korean acquaintances came upon a Buddhist temple. As we approached the holy grounds and became witness to many locals bowing before Buddha on the temple floor, I was openly invited to displace my sneakers and join the majority in this praising ritual. However, feeling less than nothing, and with a clear sobriety hitting that this action couldn't be imitated without either completely ridiculing the religion or truly believing in the big bellied guy, I declined. Preferring the air outside, I found myself standing alone with the sole acquaintance who elected to pass the opportunity by. After kicking our feet around in the dusty grounds and his casually inquiring on my religious beliefs (quite open), he struck me still with the following tale...he himself had been raised in the Buddhist religion, his parents were quite devoted, they had run a very successful business and therefore gave a lot of their wealth back towards supporting their religion, always generously handing over these much needed investments to a certain head monk. Anyways, one day his father was hit with a serious illness and ended up bed-ridden in the hospital for a lengthy period of time. Although well aware of what occurred, NOT ONCE did the head monk come to visit, or send greetings of any sort. Yet, a local Christian priest did show face and wished him well. Furthermore, when his father got well, the monks lack of action despite all they'd given settled the matter, on the spot they turned their back on the temple and changed their religious beliefs to 'Christian'. Meaning, this man now standing in front of me, who used to enter the temple with devotion, now ignored its presence. Why did this affect me, religion is so deep rooted in much of the world, stirring up wars, and being the epitome of importance for many, that... its incomprehensible and incredible, yet generally understood and common for one individual person (behind a religion) to easily re-structure and change another beings entire belief system simply by their everyday actions or words that come out of their mouths. One person.

Lenny Bruce

2007-01-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

Not sure if you've ever heard of this man, regardless you should hear him. He's one of the best and most controversial comedians of all time, and the only one to ever be arrested for termed 'offensive' words said on stage. Anyway, if you get some spare time, you should check out the following link, which leads you to a documentary on the man entitled "Swear To Tell The Truth", its narrated by Robert De Niro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVaBfUMYhR8&mode=related&search=

from music critics/writers

2007-01-07T14:35:00.000-05:00

"Males have a weird sense of loyalty towards the bands they like; they sometimes view record buying as a responsibility" -chuck klosterman

"the single biggest symptom of drugs. They make crazy things seem normal and normal things seem crazy" -chuck klosterman

"I love the relationship anyone has with music: because there's something in us that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out" -nick hornby

"your old music cannot sustain you through a life, not if you're someone who listens to music everyday, at every opportunity" -nick hornby

"if something is good today, it will be good tomorrow. Variety is overrated; variety is for philanderers" -chuck klosterman

"do you know people who insist they like 'all kinds of music?' That actually means they like no kinds of music" -chuck klosterman

"most of what passes for rock criticism these days is stultifying in its predictability: timid hacks praising artists more for what they've done in the past than in the present" -jim derogatis

"nostalgia is the most incidious enemy of great art, especially rock'n'roll, a music that is about living in the moment" -jim derogatis

"the whole notion that one somehow has a 'career' instead of just doing whatever you feel like doing at any given time has always amused me when it didn't make me wanna vomit" -lester bangs

"the vision and value or troublesome types can seldom be celebrated until they're no longer troublesome" -lester bangs

"music, like color or a cloud, is neither intelligent nor unintelligent - it just is. I fundamentally, profoundly disagree with anyone who equates musical complication and intelligence with superiority" -nick hornby

"i'm a birthday candle in a circle of black girls and god is on my side"

2007-01-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

my favourite quote in music by none other than 'trent reznor' of NIN (strange)..."the goal was to create a record that, ultimately, you'll like - but probably not the first time you hear it"

a couple days ago, i was slumped on a leather couch in 'chapters', my headphones bringing in 'the doves' and my eyes reading 'killing yourself to live' (might I add, Klosterman is going downhill, between this effort and IV...damn!) when I sat forward and spotted a couple attractive italian ladies (late 20's) who were sitting on the floor nearby, casually reading. eventually got back to my own reading and 10 minutes later, i see one of them walk by, look over and than walk back to her original position (what was that about), 5 minutes later, she walks up to me, hands me this book, a bestseller and its titled "man of my dreams". i laugh and smile, she laughs and smiles and than they walk away and leave. my point...I fuckin' rock...or i'm a joke...either way, i'm amusing people. so, i'll keep on writing...

finished reading a book that finally brings some validity to the aforementioned top 40 music list, book being "can't stop, won't stop" on the history/culture of hip hop. coming in, this is a subject I had little knowledge or interest in, but now I feel like afrika bambaataa's long lost white cousin. the writing fills you in on the birth and rise of: MCing, DJing, b-boying, graffiti, public enemy, gangs in NY and LA, the LA riots, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, NWA, Def Jam. if you haven't completed christmas shopping, i recommend you put this book in the hands of your musically inclined siblings. if your coming from outside the Hip-hop fan base, you will feel like a whole world has been opened up to you without listening to a second of the music, the 2nd half gets overly political and one-sided, but overall the read provides an entertaining and informative basics.

now, the truth on what an artist makes with the sale of a CD...royalty breakdown: (first in terms than in numbers)
suggested retail list price - 10% breakage deduction - 25% new technology deduction - 25% packaging deduction - 10% free goods x (artist royalty - producers royalty) = net royalty per sale
ex. $16.98 x .90 x .75 x .75 x .90 x .09 (12% - 3%) = $0.70

now let me clarify how disgusting this calculation is. first off, the 'breakage deduction' was originally put in place back in the day of vinyl's, which were sensitive to breaking on distribution(and now we have CDs that rarely break, if at all, yet this clause has remained in tact). The 'New Technology Deduction' was inserted on the birth of CDs as a "financial relief for incredible cost of R&D", when in fact, most labels invest nothing at all. A 'packaging deduction' is pretty self-explanatory, but get this, the record labels have decided to keep this in tact for digital sales, which do not even have a package, they are not physical products! Onto 'free goods' , this clause is in place to eliminate the label having to pay royalties on promotional copies. yet, in truth, they use it to defer paying royalties on an additional 10% of units shipped (money in their pocket, but none in the artists). This shit is just the beginning, foreign sale royalties are further decreased, and an artist doesn't see a penny of royalties until all recording costs are recouped, etc. Now you know why most artists encourage illegal downloading, they don't see much from sales anyways!

my brother has thrown me this website www.danceage.com. type in any album you want (most) and you can listen to its entire contents, free, without downloading.

Music Dirt

2007-01-05T19:13:00.000-05:00

('Guns N Roses' recently came through mtl) i was out partying with one of my teachers this week and she told me she ran for the show, and one of the countless requests Axl Rose had her fill was to rent out a movie theatre that day, so that he could go in and watch "casino-royale" all to himself, so she obliged and than he decided to not even go. rockstars and their money and ego.

in my program i find myself surrounded by a lot of kids in bands, and if there is one identifiable trait that is singularly the most annoying thing about these people, its that they hand you their CDs or demo material, but before you've even put your ear to a chord of it, they will predictably say "remember, this is just rough, i mean its just an old demo, our new material is so much better and we're looking to get in the studio to record some quality shit soon". the statement just sounds like a translation to 'we suck, but i'm gonna use an excuse so you don't think we suck'. as cliche as it sounds "if you only get one shot in the industry" why would you waste it on something you yourself believe to be garbage. its like trying out for the travel hockey team, but not sharpening your skates for a year before you hit the ice.

this week i read "the dirt (motley crue) - confessions of the most notorious rock band" another on that top 40 list. anyway, it reads like a typical VH1 Behind the Music Episode, quite similar to Anthony Keidis's "scar tissue", yet not as elegant or poetic. most gripping pages surround the death of vince neil's 4 old daughter from cancer. Also the following exert had me laughing on the familiarity of being on drugs....

"my surfing buddy turned me onto my first drug, angel dust. when I tried it, I was crammed with four friends in a '65 Nova at a drive-in theater screening. I didn't know how much i was supposed to smoke, and I wanted to keep up with my friends, so I ended up getting so stoned that I could hardly even move or speak. I couldn't wait to come down. A security guard came knocking on the window and I was sure he was going to take us to jail, especially when John rolled down the glass and smoke came billowing out. 'sir, please remove your foot from the brake. your taillights are bothering the people in the cars behind you', the guard said......i walked out of the car to go to the snack bar, which was in the back of the parking lot. Though the pavement only sloped slightly upward, it felt like I was climbing a mountain. I began to sweat and run out of breath as I struggled to put one foot in front of the other.....Going downhill on the way back, the ground seemed so steep I could hardly walk. I fell about eight times and skinned my knees and arms trying to navigate my way down this Mount Everest which, if I wasn't high, would have seemed almost completely level. Before I was even halfway to the car, I had spilled all the popcorn and soda I was carrying. Of course, I was so stoned that I kept clutching the empty cups and cartons as if they were still full while I tripped and stumbled toward the car."

"gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is"

2007-01-05T19:11:00.000-05:00

reason number two why i love oasis.....check out this recent interview with 'noel gallagher', arrogant and hilarious in 'quintessential gallagher' form...http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=5833 ....if you don't have time to read it all, you must scroll down to the question "what do you think of when you think of canada?". the French bit is exactly what i'm going through everyday here in the mtl (Al buddy I think this takes the cake on the "its from the prime minister, he wants to have tea with us; here i am dressed like a fookin afghan clown at three in the mornin")

and for all those who refer to oasis as a 'beatles' ripoff act, i throw you my impression of a 'beatles' ripoff act.....download "lemon tree" by Fool's Garden. i actually thought it was a classic beatles song (thanks to my small insight of their catalogue) until I was corrected by a beautiful italian girl in a car near Torino, Italy. anyway, its a decent tune and better to be viewed as a beatles ripoff than to be the original dave matthews band (sorry FD).

finally, recently read the book "i'm with the band - tales of a groupie" by pamela des barres (who kate hudson's role in "almost famous" is partially based on). its in some top 40 music books of all time list, but I beg to differ, not much talk in it but: drugs, sex and death...um, i retract my former statement. anyway, its crazy to read all the people she's uhh 'encountered': jim morrison, mick jagger, jimmy page, robert plant, noel redding (from jimi hendrix experience), waylon jennings, chris something (from the byrds), 'don johnson' (the actor, haha), the list goes on. But take out the celebrity and the book is just a dragged on dramatic about someone's longing for marriage.

Selling Lies

2007-01-05T19:02:00.000-05:00

In the early 1980's, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney worked on some music together, during this time MJ asked Sir Paul for advice on what he should invest his money in. Paul jumped all over that question telling Michael "Publishing rights" was the way to go. So, MJ took this advice to head and crossed the line...when the rights to all the 'beatles' catalogue was being auctioned off in 1985, Sir Paul contacted Yoko Ono and told her they should pool their funds to buy back complete control of the catalogue. Unfortunately, MJ had the audacity to outbid them for $47.5million (side note: McCartney was pissed and has not spoken a word to MJ since). and as many of you may be aware, Michael Jackson outright bought the Beatles catalogue, meaning he has complete control and owns their copyright (100%) and half royalties to over 200 of their songs .... meaning every single time a 'Beatles' tune is used, half the royalty money goes to the beatles, and the other half is deposited into MJ's pocket. Now a decade later this changed and he gave up half his rights and royalties to his label, Sony.
This is where the story gets good...in the late 1990's, MJ decided to go on a spending spree, so he approached the Bank of America about borrowing $270million, a lot of money, yes, but Michael put them at rest in saying, that he would easily repay them in his future record sales or else he would give them the 'beatles' catalogue as collateral. MJ being MJ (the man who wrote 'Thriller') he figured no problem. Only trouble is he didn't account for the fact his music would actually turn to shit and that he would become a weirdo outcasted by the general public. So, his deadline came and went and at present he has lost half his royalties in the beatles catalogue and is at risk of losing the rest. MJ blames the low record sales on the label purposely sabotaging him to fail by not marketing his product, in an effort to eventually acquire the beatles catalogue. Sony claims, Michael's music sucks shit.

Speaking of selling records... have you ever wondered how its possible for some major label artists to have their new albums go platinum (in canada this means selling 100,000 copies, in the States 1,000,000 units) on the day the CD is released? Well, this happens because its not determined by the number of CDs actually sold, but rather the number shipped. Now, that is quite commonly known, but whats a label secret is how they get the stores to take that many copies. What will happen is the label will work out a deal with say HMV saying "if you just store X amount of CDs in your inventory (you don't even have to shelve them)", we won't make you pay for them for six months and at that point, whatever doesn't sell you can send back to us for a full refund". Now of course HMV isn't gonna argue with that, and why would a label such as Sony do something like this,...well 'to feed their ego' and ...so their artist can go to their CD release party and receive their platinum record award for that album (which is kind of funny "CD release party") and than it can be put on the news the next day, and all the hype and free publicity will go towards having the general public go out and grab the album to see what all this praise is about. Whats stupid about it all, is 6 months down the line, the album could still have possibly not actually sold as many copies in total, as the industry conceded them as selling on the first day.

anyway, my brother forwarded me this website...www.metacritic.com. It takes reviews from all media sources across the world (predominately N.A.) and gives an average score to a CD, Book, Movie whatever based upon compiling all the reviews together. I find it acceptable, because they throw in no personal bias, and also show all the reviews and ratings individually below. you'll notice those fuckers at 'pitchfork', give near the lowest rankings for everything (to give off that fabricated image of the most established critics)

4 Days of Talk, Rock and Running around the Block

2007-01-05T18:42:00.000-05:00

POP Montreal/Future Of Music Summit
Mtl,QC. - This past week (thur.Oct.5th - sun.Oct.8th) I volunteered for the future of music summit, being held in Montreal for the first time (previously staged in Washington for 5 years). It landed me a free pass to sit in on all the panels and a ticket to POP Montreal.

The future of music summit is basically a bunch of debates and discussions featuring industry: musicians (ex. David Byrne of `Talking Heads`), Advisers (ex. Bertis Downs with band R.E.M.) label owners, managers, company CEO`s (ex. founder of Pitchfork Media), lawyers, and apparently amateur basketball players (according to Win Butler of `Arcade Fire`). These hour-long sessions were thrown together over the course of four days on different subjects concerning: how the industry is run, how to make it independently, the technology taking over, the state of the music industry today, where the industry is headed, etc.

Some of the highlights/quotes:

- 70% of CD sales now come from Big-Box stores (Walmart, Best Buy) who offer Biggest Loser prices, hence they take a loss on CD sales in the hope that while in the store, you will also buy an over-priced toaster to accompany the CD purchase.

- Why is "selling out" overlooked anymore?...its become the norm because all bands are selling less music, therefore looking for more alternative revenue streams, so more musicians licencing their music...ALSO businesses have more money to spend on music than consumers do!

"problem in the industry is...people who know a little are taking advantage of people who know less than a little."

"Now the power is back in the hands of the artists, so the labels are turning their perspective from `i`m a label, i own you; too, i`m a label, i`m gonna do my job`"

25% of artists make money touring...25%!!!

while musicians attempt to cross the US/Canada border for touring ....some U.S. customs officers have really exploited their jobs and made visitors feel unwelcome...one artist was actually asked to prove he was a musician and pick up his guitar and perform for the officer.

musician `bernadette houde`said her band name "lesbians on ecstasy" is prohibited in Quebec, so when they perform in Quebec they have to go by "lesbians in ecstasy"

regarding radio..."there is a thing, or a sound you need to go for to get on radio. But no one knows who created this need or sound, but for some reason almost everyone goes for it, because you do have to have it to get on" - win butler

and the Quote of the Summit: (by Win Butler of `Arcade Fire`commenting on how album reviews, such as in Pitchfork have little merit, but can be damaging)..."sometimes you go to a restaurant, have a sandwich and you walk out thinking `yeah that was good`. But when you go to MacDonald's, you see this picture and it looks great, but when you actually get it, it looks nothing like the picture, its like they didn`t put any care into it (referring to journalist not artist), its crap.....who cares to read about music, you`d rather hear it, reading brings baggage and expectations that usually disappoint, just come see the show".

During the nights of these four days I was running all over the city to see performances for POP Montreal from many acts I`d never even heard of. On thursday night, I managed to catch 4 artists/bands in 3 different venues. Of the acts I did catch over the weekend, highlights included `the peasant`(ala elliott smith), `a northern chorus` (ala sigur ros), `beaver`(very original acoustic guitar style and vocals floating from a whisper to shouting), `space team electra`(although her band couldn`t make it, so she did the solo thing, but told me her bands sound is nothing similar), `the acorn` (from ottawa, ala joel plaskett voice) and managed to only walk-in and catch one song by `Cuff the Duke`, luckily it was the only song I thoroughly enjoy by them "it`ll be alright, it`ll be alright, everything will be okay"(chorus). Disappointments for the hype I did hear... `The Islands` (former members of `The Unicorns`), `Lesbians on Ecstasy`(elementary electronic music, sadly the name carries this band). And sadly,... I missed the most talked about band "Tapes N Tapes", heard it was sold out, meaning POP Montreal pass was useless for getting in. Not only did this event provide the opportunity to catch a lot of up and coming talent, but also I was quickly introduced to 7 different music venues in the city.

Alright I got to go, POP Montreal might be over, but the `New Pornographers` are in town.

"opinions are like assholes, everyone has one" - blurted by Torquil Campbell (musician for `the stars`) during `young musicians`panel.

written October 9th, 2006

Interview with Album Critic for www.canoe.ca

2007-01-05T18:17:00.000-05:00

aaron smith : In helping me get to the bottom of understanding the need for "Reviews" and "Critics", I was hoping you could take the time to answer some inquiries I have...one, how many times do you listen to a cd before you make a review?

darryl sterdan: it depends on the disc. i listen to a cd as many times as i need to in order to feel comfortable with it. with some stuff, once is enough. with others, a dozen times isn't enough. i probably listened to that tea party disc about 10 times. which is more than enough, in my opinion. that's not an insult. my point is that if you listen to anything often enough, it starts to grow on you and you lose perspective on it. plus i'm not trying to write the definitive review of any record; i'm just trying to give folks an overview of what's new out there, how it sounds in general, and whether it's worth buying.

as: do you have a biased towards certain genres or groups which conflicts with giving open minded reviews?

ds: if you're asking me if there are certain styles of music i hate, the answer is no. i listen to and love everything -- rock, rap, pop, punk, hip-hop, jazz, classical, world music, etc., etc. if you go back and search my reviews, you'll find times when i've given positive reviews to stuff i thought i was gonna hate. and vice versa. sure, i have my favourite bands like everybody else does. but when they make shitty albums, i say so. i try not to worship at anybody's altar. the only thing i tend to dislike is pure product: albums that are clearly made for no artistic reasons, but only to cash in and pry a few more bucks out of fans' pockets. celine dion live albums, for instance. or this week's piece of crap from next week's forgotten "idol."

as: why doesn't the music industry rent cds? Basically, what do you think of the idea of store's opening up which allow the general public to get their own opinion of music by allowing them to rent cds (much like movie stores) so that people can have a legal means of checking out a cd before deciding whether or not they desire it enough to purchase?

ds: music stores don't rent cds because people will burn them and trade them. people lie, cheat and steal. it's as simple as that.

Conducted September 13th, 2004
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/AlbumReviews/