Evening Headlines: Doug Paisley to open for Jim Cuddy; The Manitoba Folkways Record Launch

First up, The Jim Cuddy Band plays the Pantages Theatre on January 20th w/ rising singer-songwriter Doug Paisley (above) slated to open the show.

Find the Others at the Park Theatre on December 1st.

The Manitoba Folkways Collection Record Launch event takes place at the Lo Pub this Friday, October 28th. From the presser: "Artists Jen Delos Reyes and Kerri-Lynn Reeves drove across Manitoba in search of examples of contemporary vernacular music about the lives of Manitobans. Manitoba Folkways is an audio portrait of the province today." $10 gets you in the door and a copy of the album.

Torontonian garage-punk band Dirty Mags is at the Pyramid, supporting K-OS on December 3rd.

Carleton Stone and his pop-rock stylings open for Tom Wilson, November 9th at the WECC.

And finally, a last minute announcement: Lindsay, Ontario’s The DGB rock Ozzy’s tomorrow night.

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PS I Love You, Bob Log III moved to the Albert; Japandroids Cancelled

As per the Winnipeg Free Press, The Albert will remain closed indefinitely, so a pair of weekend concerts are moving a half dozen or so blocks over to the friendly neighborhood Lo Pub: PS I Love You will be there on Saturday and Bob Log III on Sunday.

Japandroids' September 27th show, however, has been axed.

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Evening Headlines: Perms CD Launch; John K. Samson On The New Jets Logo

Local pop-rockers The Perms (above) are launching their newest disc, Sofia Nights, at the Park Theatre on October 14th.

Genre-bender Cécile Doo-Kingué stops by Le Garage Café on August 14th.

On Friday, August 19th Regina’s Fur Eels rock the Cavern.

The opening act for Greg MacPherson: Quiet Edition is…Jesse Hill (of Slow Dancers). Show goes down on September 10th at the WECC. 

Add Dinosaur Bones to the rockin’ October 1st bill at the Pyramid feat. Ra Ra Riot and Imaginary Cities.

And finally, if you haven’t read this already (it made its way into my inbox/Twitter feed many times yesterday), Weakerthans leader John K Samson recently penned his thoughts on the new Jets logo for The Winnipeg Review. Spoiler alert: he’s not a fan.

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Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ The Albert; Arctic Monkeys @ Burt Rumours Bandying About

Photo Credit: Pavla Kopecna

As per Exclaim, NY indie-pop exports The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (above) will be dropping by the Albert on September 28th w/ Big Troubles.

Speaking of the Albert, 2011 Polaris long listers PS I Love You rock the joint on September 24th.

Matthew Good returns to town for a show at the Burt on November 7th.

Yukon Blonde are at the West End Cultural Centre on October 2nd.

And finally, the rumour mill is a’churnin’ that Arctic Monkeys will play Winnipeg for the first time (I think) on October 1st with the show going down at the Burt. Let’s hope for corroboration very soon.

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In Winnipeg Music News....Greg MacPherson Weekend @ The WECC

Lots of exciting news to report from the Greg MacPherson camp these days.

The resident singer-songwriter recently founded his own label (with Cam Loeppky) called Disintegration Records; will be dropping a new recording, Disintegration Blues, sometime in late August; and has booked a pair of shows at the West End Cultural Center on September 9th (Loud) and 10th (Quiet).

Ticket packages are being offered for the event. The "Two-Show Option" includes admission to both shows for $33.50 (inc. fees) while the unquestionably unique "Two-Show + Contest" package includes a ticket to both concerts, a copy of the new record, an autographed screen printer poster, and, most intriguingly, entry into a contest that sees Greg MacPherson flex his culinary skills and cook brunch for one lucky winner. The latter option runs for $54.50 (inc. fees).

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In Winnipeg Music News...Ra Ra Riot and Imaginary Cities @ The Pyramid; and more!

Ra Ra Riot by Doron Gild

Another contender for best double-bill of the fall concert season has emerged: Syracuse-based indie-rockers Ra Ra Riot and Winnipeg darlings Imaginary Cities play the Pyramid Cabaret on October 1st. According to the Pyramid’s site, you can grab tix for $15 through ticketworkshop.com; however, they’re not for sale just yet.

Fact: you can grab ducats for Japandroids (Sept 27, Albert) and Handsome Furs (July 15, WECC) on the same site as well.

Couple of aging-but-still-virile acts are coming to town:

• The Moody Blues will be at the Pantages Theatre on September 30th.

• Jeff Beck plays the Pantages on October 22nd.

• Lyle Lovett performs at the Burton Cumming Theatre on August 9th.

And finally, local songstress / recent 11 Qs participant Jenny Berkel has a new video for “Stop and Go.” Check it out below.

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In Winnipeg Music News...The Fall Season at the WECC Rocks The Party

Karkwa Photo:  Marie-Claude Hamel

This fall the West End Cultural Centre is THE venue for titillating indie-music.

First, 2010 Polaris WINNERS Karkwa finally head West and pass through the gateway on September 29th.

Plus, there's the previously announced Danny Michel, Socalled, and Frank Turner shows going down there in the fall as well.

Oh! And speaking of the Polaris Prize, the 40-band longlist was announced earlier and all five of this juror's picks (PS I Love You, Diamond Rings, Young Galaxy, Braids, and Imaginary Cities) made the cut. Extra props to Imaginary Cities for being the only Winnipeg act left standing.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Louise Burns, Sun Wizard @ Rock Bar; Braids, Pepper Rabbit @ The Albert; and more!

First up, burgeoning indie artist Louise Burns has teamed up with labelmate Sun Wizard for a cross-Canada touring adventure, including a pit stop in Winnipeg on July 8th at, umm, Rock Bar (of all places).

Montreal-based pair Handsome Furs are at the WECC on July 15th.

Braids are playing a string of dates in September/October alongside Pepper Rabbit with both bands due at the Albert on September 16th.

Edmonton’s Doug Hoyer and the Joe have booked a pair of dates in Peg City: July 21st at the Lo Pub and Mondragon on August 22nd.

Without Mercy rock the Park Theatre on July 13th.

Sweden’s Opeth play the Burt on October 8th alongside countrymen Katatonia.

Australian 8-piece urban roots band Blue King Brown is at the Pyramid on June 22nd.

Gt. Dane releases his debut EP, Mourning Yer Host, Gt. Dane,  at the Lo Pub on Thursday, June 23rd with Sit Down Tracy.

Multi-talented performer Socalled is at the WECC on October 12th.

And finally, the award for best local concert poster, possibly of all time, goes to…The Eardrums! Catch the guys at Aqua Books on June 29th w/ Texting Mackenzie and Johnny Sizzle.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Japandroids @ Albert; Dark Dark Dark @ The WECC; And More!

First up, triple bill at the WECC on July 20th: chamber-folk six-piece Dark Dark Dark headline while Narwhal Strike and Demetra support.

Returning for the third time in 18 month, Vancouver's intrepid guitar 'n' drums duo Japandroids play the Albert on September 27th. Fun fact: third venue in as many visits.

Troubadour Danny Michel pays a visit to the West End Cultural Centre on October 1st.

Big congrats to local anthemic rockers Les Jupes for signing with German label The Instrumental Village.

Rise Against play the MTS Centre on October 6th, w/ Flogging Molly, which could easily change once the Falcons/Jets home schedule is released.

Frank Turner is at the West End Cultural Centre on October 22nd.

And finally, my 2010 Polaris Prize picks, which I locked in late last night:

1. Diamond Rings - Special Affections
2. Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting
3. Braids - Native Speaker
4. PS I Love You - Meet Me at the Muster Station
5. Imaginary Cities -  Temporary Resident

Agree/disagree? Who would've been on your ballot?

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In Winnipeg Music News...Born Ruffians To Play Free Show, Dam-Funk @ Pyramid, And More!

First off, some major changes to the Jazz Festival: Appleseed Cast (June 18th, Old Market Square) and Quintron & Miss Pussycat (June 21st, Pyramid) are out. Born Ruffians (June 18th, OMS) and Dãm-Funk (June 21st, Pyramid) are in.

And, yes, you read that right: Born Ruffians playing for FREE at Old Market Square.

Speaking of festivals…a reminder: Early bird ticket pricing for the Folk Fest ends on Tuesday, May 31st. Also, add Funky Meters to the Saturday Main Stage Lineup as the evening’s sonic night cap.

Fill in the blanks: Peter Frampton C_____ A_____ at the Pantages Playhouse on September 28th. He’ll be performing said iconic, 70s chart-topping album front to back as well as some new material.

Montreal-based indie-folk artist Charlotte Cornfield plays Times Change(d) on July 28th.

And finally, Vancouver metal act Titans Eve rock Crescent Fort Rogue Church on July 7th.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Pearl Jam @ MTS Centre

90s Grunge demi-gods Pearl Jam are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ten with a Canadian tour, a ten-city trek that sees Eddie Vedder & the boys rock the MTS Centre on Saturday, September 17th. Tickets are reasonably priced (relatively) at 69.50 for all sections ($81.50 inc. fees & taxes) and are slated to go on sale next Friday, the 27th of May.

And according to the official press release, $2 from every ticket "will be donated to Vitalogy Foundation, which grants funds to non-profit organizations chosen personally by the members of Pearl Jam."

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In Winnipeg Music News...An Horse @ Park Theatre; Miri @ The Albert

Brisbane indie exports An Horse return to Winnipeg for a date at the Park Theatre on June 27th w/ Enjoy Your Pumas. The duo are touring in support of their sophomore release, Walls, which dropped on April 26th.

Icelandic alt-rockers Miri make their debut at the Albert in two days (May 13th) as part of this year's Nuna Festival.

And finally, Southern arena rockers Kings of Leon play the MTS Centre on October 4th. Band of Horses to open? Stay tuned.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Ms. Lauryn Hill @ Centennial Concert Hall; Kjartan (of Sigur Ros) to play with WSO

Couple of exciting shows to pass along...

Ex-Fugees leader Ms. Lauryn Hill is playing a solo set at the Centennial Concert Hall on May 30th. Public sales gets underway on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Way, way, way into the future news... On February 3rd, 2012 Kjartan Sveinsson (Sigur Ros's keyboardist) will be performing an original piece, Credo (Latin for "I Believe"), with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the Concert Hall. According to the WSO's site, the piece "is an exquisite work that conjures luminous intensity within a contemplative bliss that verges on the mystical" which pretty much describes Sigur Ros's catalogue too.

Distinguished Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson will also be showcasing a new work on the same night, alongside the WSO.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Folk Fest Thursday v. Tragically Hip/Broken Social Scene/Hey Rosetta IS ON!

So the conflict between Folk Fest Thursday Edition vs. Tragically Hip @ Shaw Park just reached new epic, loyalties-will-be-test heights, with the latter event also featuring the one-two indie-rock punch of Broken Social Scene and Hey Rosetta.

Presale for the Hip/BSS/Hey Rosetta outdoor party kicks off tomorrow and the presale password is band. What to do? What to do?

Also, still-relevant-after-20-years rockers Sloan return to Winnipeg for a show at the Pyramid on May 28th.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Tragically Hip Concert Conflict; The Details CD Release

Concert conflict alert: Canadian rock luminaries The Tragically Hip is playing an outdoor show in Peg City at Shaw Park (formerly CanWest Park) on Thursday, July 7. The conflict? It’s the second night of Folk Fest.

According to several emails I’ve received over the past week, Sleigh Bells is not playing the Pyramid on May 21st, despite the gig being listed on their MySpace page.

Winnipeg indie-rock treasures The Details are staging their cd release show at the West End Cultural Centre on June 11th. Their much-anticipated sophomore album, Lost Art, hits the shelves on May 31st.

Speaking of Winnipeg treasures…folk songsmith Del Barber is playing the West End Cultural Centre on June 9th.

Indie-pop octet Library Voices are at the West End Cultural Centre on July 14th.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Neon Indian and Sleigh Bells Both Playing Here...On Separate Nights

"6669 (i don't know if you know)"

So it turns out that, despite co-headlining a string of North American dates together, noise-pop purveyors Sleigh Bells and chillwave makers Neon Indian will not be sharing the stage in Winnipeg. Instead, they will be playing separately on back-to-back nights at the Pyramid, with Sleigh Bells on May 21st and Neon Indian the night before.

Indie-folksters Tasseomancy (sisters Romy and Sari Lightman) open for Timber Timbre, May 26th at the Park Theatre.

Montreal-stationed indie-rockers Miracle Fortress return to Winnipeg for a show at the Lo Pub on May 1st.

Also, eight-piece pop act Library Voices will be there on May 4th.

And finally, this Saturday at the Lo Pub welcome The Liptonians home from their recent tour in support of their sophomore release, Let's All March Back Into The Sea.

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In Winnipeg Music News...The 2011 Winnipeg Jazz Festival

Shad! Shad! Shad!

The lineup for the 2011 Winnipeg International Jazz Festival dropped earlier this afternoon and, as in years past, it boasts an exciting, highly eclectic roster of musical acts that span/fuse many, many genres (in other words, Jazz Festival continues to be a misnomer).

Running from June 16 – 25, the ten day soiree trucks in some intriguing artists including: singular hip-hopper Shad (Pyramid on the 24th), the-previously-mentioned Blonde Redhead (Pyramid on the 20th), the still-virile Robert Plant & The Band of Joy (Centennial Concert Hall on the 21st), and post-rockers The Appleseed Cast (Old Market Square on June 18th).

And there’re a whole slew of great acts to check out (for free!) at Old Market Square: This Hisses, Nova, Les Jupes, The Liptonians, Royal Canoe, The Appleseed Cast, Paradigm Brass, The Tight Fits, The Blue Fisher Band, The Noble Thiefs, The Lytics, Moses Mayes and on and on.

Above is just a selective sampling of acts (accounting for this site's demo), so for the full lineup, please visit Jazz Winnipeg’s website here.

So...who are you most excited to see? You know my vote.

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In Winnipeg Music News...Jeff Tweedy Added To Folk Fest; Blonde Redhead @ Pyramid; Art & Activism Event

First up, a bona fide solid add to the Folk Fest 2K11 lineup: Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy is playing the festival on Sunday night. 

Indie-rockers Blonde Redhead will appear at the Pyramid on June 20th (thanks to Will for the heads up). 

And finally, a Celebration of Art & Activism is being held at the Ellice Cafe and Theatre on Thursday April 28 with all proceeds from the event and silent auction going to Agape Table and the Good Food Club. Featured musical acts include: All Our Yesterdays, The Reverend Rambler, Ben Wytinck, and Cheering For The Bad Guy (thanks to Robin for the info).

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In The Future...Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers @ Pantages; Benefit for Cinematheque @ WECC

Steve Martin.

Comedian. Actor. Novelist. Screenwriter. Playwright. Juggler. Bluegrass Band Leader. If the last entry of this impressive dossier intrigues you, check out Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers at the Pantages Playhouse on July 27^th. And tell him I said Shopgirl is a fantastic book/film combo.

On Thursday, June 2^nd a benefit for Cinematheque is going down at the WECC featuring John K Samson, Nathan, The Jaxon 3, and The Shallow End (Rod from Novillero’s new band). Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Vancouver-residing singer-songwriter Jess Hill is at RagPickers on May 4^th.

Add songstress Holly Conlan to the Sam Bradley bill at the WECC on May 16^th.

And finally…nine days until Record Store Day! See you at Music Trader. And Into The Music. 

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In The Future...Slayer/Zombie @ MTS Centre; Potential Death Cab Date? (Please!)

For the first time in almost 12 years, Slayer is teaming up with Rob Zombie for a North American tour (w/ Exodus). This includes a stop at the MTS Centre on July 27th.

On May 6th, the Lo Pub hosts a FemRev benefit show featuring The Blowholes, Ian LaRue and the Heartbeat City, and Salinas. All proceeds go to FemRev in support of them hosting the RebELLEs PanCanadian Young Feminist Gathering in Winnipeg from May 20-23.

Singer-songwriter Sam Bradley is at the WECC on May 16th.

And finally, charm-pop quartet Death Cab For Cutie have recently announced a North American tour in support of their new album, Codes & Keys (street date: May 31st). As of now, this does not include a Winnipeg date. However, there are two full days between their Minneapolis show (May 21st) and their Edmonton date (May 24th), so you never know. Time for a Facebook campaign?

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