1,008 Free Stickers

>> Thursday 27 August 2009

*gazing out into the horizon with a brass spyglass*

SHOWS HO, MATEYS!

The popular-video-game-moniker-sharing Final Fantasy has added a 2nd date: he'll also be at the West End on October 3rd (minus Timber Timbre unfortunately).

Pretty pop makers The Hidden Cameras roll by the Albert on November 30th sharing the bill with another purveyor of breezy pop: Gentleman Reg.

For a night of ska/punk, check out the quadruple-header October 30th at the West End. Scheduled to play are SubCity Dwellers, Greg Crowe & The Scarlet Union, The Afterbeat, and G.R.O.S.S (Get Rid Of Slimy girlS?).

For a wallet-friendly event, swing by The Forks this Saturday for Manitoba Music 8/29, a palatable sampling of some of this province's musical talent. The full lineup and set times are as follows:

  • DJ Bmac 4:00 - 4:20
  • Alana Levandoski 4:20 - 5:00
  • DJ DLO 5:00 - 5:20
  • The Aftermath 5:20 - 6:00
  • Solidaze 6:00 - 6:20
  • Novillero 6:20 - 7:00
  • DJ Mike B 7:00 - 7:20
  • LeBeato 7:20 - 8:00
  • DJ Penny Lane 8:00 - 8:20
  • Grand Analog 8:20 - 9:00
Sean Kingston is at Blush Ultraclub on September 28th.

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees open for Dragonette.

Polish metalloids Vader will rock the Albert on November 16th w/ Decrepit Birth.

The Fugitives' October 16th show at the West End has been rescheduled for November 26th.

Oh, and in case you're wondering what the post title is referring to, I got 1008 free stickers from Staples today just for being a teacher (seriously). While I love stickers (and temporary tattoos), this is way more than I possibly need, so I'll throw some in with the Fast Romantics' cd give away.

Infinite Playlist: YACHT - See Mystery Lights

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11 Questions With...The Fast Romantics

>> Wednesday 26 August 2009

Hailing from Calgary, promising indie-rockers The Fast Romantics are rolling through town next week, primed and ready to showcase all the highly diverse, wonderfully melodic tunes off their eponymous debut at the Pyramid on September 6th. And I've got a pair of their cds to give away if you're interested. Simply shoot me an email (on the side bar) by Tuesday @ 3 p.m. with the subject line "The Fast Romantics CD Giveaway", your full name in the body, and I'll draw the winner randomly.

Plus, the band's vocalist Matthew Angust was nice enough to take part in my not-yet-but-maybe-one-day legendary "11 Questions", and below he reveals which artist he listens to in the shower, sheds a new perspective on 'desert island albums' criteria, and gives props to South Park. Enjoy!

1. Where are you right now?

We're all on our couches in Calgary, recovering from what was an incredibly successful CD release party on Saturday night. Packed house, amazing hard-partying crowd. Great way to kick off the tour!

2. Who is the best Calgary-based band (other than your own, of course)?

That would have to be our friends Secret Broadcast. We like them so much that we even decided to go on this Canadian tour with them.

3. What are your top three, all-time, desert-island records?

That is ridiculously hard, but we'll try. Ask us tomorrow and you'll get different answers. But if we had to board the plane to the desert island right this second, let's take... The Clash's "London Calling", Blur's "13", and David Bowie's "Low".
In case you're curious about tomorrow, it would probably be Radiohead's "OK Computer", The Beatles White Album (with double albums you get twice as many songs. When on a desert island, you have to think about quantity too, I think). And as for the third one, hmm, probably Spoon's "Gimme Fiction".

4. What’s one song you love, but regularly dismiss as a “guilty pleasure”?

Lead guitarist Matty K sometimes listens to Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" when he needs a good cry. As for me, sometimes I like to listen to Bjork in the shower. I can't really name a particular song, in most of her songs she sounds like a dying whale, but in some sick way it's nice.

5. What was the last great concert you saw?

Radiohead in Vancouver in the pouring rain with no raincoat.

6. Who is one producer, alive or dead, that you’d just love to work with?

I think we'd all agree that Nigel Goderich would be a great producer to work with. Or Danger Mouse. Or George Martin. You keep asking for one answer, and I keep giving you many. Us Fast Romantics have a habit of over-pleasuring.

7. PC or Mac?

Mac. I wouldn't even know how to use a PC, they're weird. Alan, our drummer, he still uses a PC, but he has special powers.

8. Simpsons, South Park, or Family Guy?

South Park.

9. Would you rather have invisibility or flight?

Flight. If I needed to be invisible, I could just fly up where no one could see me. Easy.

10. What book(s) are you currently reading?

While we're all really really avid readers, I'm not currently reading anything, which is sacrilegious. But this band is a full time gig, these days we only get the chance to eat, sleep, and rock.

11. And finally…who’s your favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, or Raphael?

My mum didn't let me watch the Ninja turtles because it was too violent, so I called Matty K to ask him. He says Leonardo.

Infinite Playlist: The Very Best - Warm Heart Of Africa

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Oh, You'd Better Believe That's A Paddlin'

>> Monday 24 August 2009

Acclaimed West Coast alt-rockers Immaculate Machine swoop by the Lo Pub on September 6th.

The King Khan & BBQ show returns to the Peg - look for it at the Albert on November 28th.

The Park Theatre, which has emerged, imo, as a pretty fantastic live venue over these past years, is celebrating its 4th birthday over the second weekend of September. The festivities kick off Friday the 11th with local heroes Tele and Dime Store Macy's rockin' the joint; LeBeato and Royal Canoe the next night; and folkies Oh My Darling wrapping things up Sunday. Tix are a sawbuck each night.

Stratovarious is at the Garrick on September 27th.

The Creepshow
play the Albert on November 3rd w/ Hypnohonics & The Dreadnoughts.

Infinite Playlist: YACHT - See Mystery Lights

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She Had Wet Hair / Say What You Will

>> Thursday 20 August 2009

Preeminent hip-hopper Lupe Fiasco will be at the U of M on September 18th as the headliner for the university’s "Party at the Parkade" event (What a score!). Tickets are 35 bones, but slashed to a paltry $20 if you’re a student. Not entirely sure if this deal is exclusive to U of M students, because this U of Wer would love the break in price. Show is all ages.

Resident rockers The Perms are at the Academy on September 4th w/ Floor 13. Tix are a mere fin.

Apostle of Hustle open for Gogol Bordello at the Burt on October 3rd.

The Harddrive Live Tour featuring All That Remains and Lacuna Coil rolls through these parts on October 30th, stopping in at the Garrick.

Dry Run are at the Pyramid on September 10th w/ No Other Way.

Minto will appear there on October 10th.

And finally, on October 16th, the Pyramid hosts a triple bill of vitaminsforyou, Circle Square and the google-proof Get Famous.

Infinite Playlist: Japandroids - Post-Nothing

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You Are So Beautiful To Us

>> Wednesday 19 August 2009

I completely forgot to mention this last post: Pitchfork BNMers Japandroids have scheduled a make up date for their make up date which was a make up date for, actually, I'm not sure how many times they've bailed due to illness - there's been at least two - but anyway, they'll materialize at the Lo Pub on September 11. Expect this to sell out! I'm pretty keyed up for this!

Also, the good folks over at CBC Radio Two recorded Iron & Wine's enchanting set from this year's Folk Fest (well, most of it) and it can be found here if you're interested.

Infinite Playlist: Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

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Lioness, Grand Analog - Live At The Pyramid

>> Monday 17 August 2009

Stopped in at the Pyramid on Saturday night and caught Toronto's dance-rockers Lioness. Their singer, Vanessa Fletcher, has this beautiful, soulful croon and her pipes welded perfectly onto the drummer's fluid rhythms and the bassist's throbbing lines, resulting in a contagious sound that almost everyone gleefully danced along to (except The Dudes who yelled "play something with guitar chords"). I suspected they're very insecure dancers.

I've mentioned my love of local hip hop/rock/funk/soul-mashuppers Grand Analog on here a couple times, so I was right irritated they didn't take the stage until 1:10 (Lioness didn't start until past midnight). By this time I was engaged in a fierce battle with the relentless Sandman, slugged him a few times (read: lasted several songs), then was TKOed around 1:35. A weeks' worth of intermittent, non-refreshing sleeps finally got the better of me. Next time I'll down a few Red Bulls. From what I heard though, Grand Analog were nothing short of great.

***

Not a lot new happenings these dreary days, but here's a few of note:

Classified is at the Pyramid on September 16th.

Collective Soul still exist! and are performing at the Burt on October 12th.

Infinite Playlist: melee of The Dirty Projectors - Bite Orca / Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix / Delorean - Ayrton Senna

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I Will Fight The Time, And I'll Bring You Back

>> Friday 14 August 2009

Quick update before I head to the Lo Pub for Young Rival.

The Sheepdogs are at Times Change(d) on October 10th.

Dropkick Murphys play the Burt on November 16th.

The Fast Romantics
drop by the Pyramid on September 6th.

And finally, if you're looking for a cheap show ($10ish) with an impressive lineup, Lioness are at the Pyramid tomorrow night with one of my favourite hip-hop acts Grand Analog. It's worth $10 alone just to hear Lioness play this catchy-as-can-be dancy song (I've had it on repeat the past few days). I'll be there.

Infinite Playlist: M83 - Saturdays = Youth

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My Whole Life Is Like A Picture Of A Sunny Day

>> Saturday 8 August 2009

Some shows to pass along:

Seasoned horror-punk outfit The Misfits swing by the Pyramid on November 6th.

The synth-pop-loving Dragonette play the WECC on October 12th.

Young Rival are at the Lo Pub on August 14th (I sampled some of their tunes via MySpace earlier; pretty solid, pretty solid indeed).

Kram Ran will release his next EP on September 11th at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church.

The Rock The Bells hip-hop showcase featuring Slaughterhouse, Slum Village, and Supernatural takes place at the Pyramid on August 21st.

Shiloh is at the Park Theatre on September 9th with Latency.

Infinite Playlist: Sleater-Kinney - The Woods

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11 Questions With...The Wooden Sky

>> Friday 7 August 2009


Toronto-based indie-rockers The Wooden Sky have been catching ears and breaking heartsall over the place lately with their quietly devastating sound. The somber foursome are slated to release a brand new record on the 25th, and are currently in the middle of a massive tour, a lengthy series of dates which sees the guys stop by Music Trader on the 12th for a free gig at 4 p.m. then, later that same night, perform a much longer set at quaint little Ragpickers.

And the folks over at The Muse Box are giving away a limited edition tour EP exclusively to readers of this here blog. If you're interested, flip me a quick email (on the right) by Monday @ 2 p.m. and I'll draw the winner randomly. Be sure to include your full name in the body and "The Wooden Sky Limited Edition Tour EP Giveaway" in the subject line.

And the folk-rockers took part in 11 questions (well, Gavin Gardiner and Andrew Wyatt did anyway), and here's what they had to say:

1. Where are you right now?
Right now we are driving on the 401 heading westwards to Windsor Ontario to play at the Phog Lounge. I've been pretty excited about touring this summer as this new iPhone update has meant internet in the van.

2. What's the best venue to play in Canada?
There are a lot of great venues to play in Canada. It's not really so much the venues or the places as it is the people who run them. This tour is giving us a chance to play a lot of "venues" that we would never have a chance to. There have been canoes rented for us to play on the lake in Banff and there will be a show on the Gondola in Whistler which holds about 35 people.

3. What are your top three, all-time favourite records?
Not necessarily in this order:
1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2. Phosphorescent - To Willie
3. Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde

4. Of the albums you own, which has the best cover art?
I really love the artwork on the first Royal City record, At Rush Hour the Cars; it's simple but the drawings are really nice.

5. What is one song you love, but dismiss as “a guilty pleasure”?
I like a lot of music and for better or for worse don't ever really feel guilty for the bullshit that I like.

6. What was the last great concert you saw?
While at sxsw I saw a lot of great stuff but I think my favourite was the Phosphorescent show. We'd just finished driving all the way there from Montreal where we were finishing up a record and went from seeing Roky Erickson over to see Phossy and a really great friend of mine was on the road with them doing their merch. So I guess it was just a combination of a good show, meeting up with friends in new places and cheap beer.

7. Would you rather have invisibility or flight?
(No Answer)

8. What is your favourite periodic element?
Lithium, great bassline.

9. Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart?
I don't really watch either but I hear talk that Stephen Colbert is the obvious choice, at least that's usually the consensus in the van.

10. What are the best and worst movies you've seen this summer?
I have developed a love for the drive in theatre as of late and it really seems to skew your opinion of movies. For example, I saw the new Terminator movie at the drive in recently and against all odds I quite enjoyed it.

11. And finally…who’s your favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, or Raphael?
(No Answer)

Infinite Playlist: Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre

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Signs Of Sexual Confidence

>> Monday 3 August 2009

Oh, how wonderful it is to discover a latent talent, even if it’s for something that doesn't really have much application in life. Like, say, wack-a-mole!

Fueled by carbo-heavy mini-donuts, I obliterated the wack-a-mole competition at the Icelandic festival yesterday by going a precise 15/15 and winning this adorable little guy:

With “Grumpy Bunny” safely tucked under my arm (that’s really his name), I made my way over to the Harbour Stage where Royal Wood was setting up.

Looking like a character from Mad Men, Royal Wood, accompanied by electric guitarist Dean Gerrard, played some warm, clean piano ballads and while I admired the songs, I wasn’t particularly moved by them. He did utter the best line of the night: “Singing is a sign of sexual confidence.”


John K Samson took the stage shortly after and his set-up was simple, too. Shedding the Weakerthans, Samson donned an acoustic guitar and sang some of his band's more lighter numbers like “One Great City” and “Night Windows”. And for possibly the first time in the festival’s history, the crowd demanded an encore! Ironically, the crew of chunky-glass-wearing hipsters to my left cheered hardest despite talking through Samson’s entire set. I found it very puzzling.

Regardless, Samson gladly obliged.

***

mum's October 30th show at the Pyramid is an early one with doors opening at 7. Early for the Pyramid's standards, of course.

Couldn't resist mentioning this one: baggy-pants idol MC Hammer is at Blush Ultraclub on August 21st. I hope he brings the Rapmaster 3000.

Infinite Playlist: Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Like Bad News

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