Slanted And Enchanted

Last night Thieving Bastards broke into my car and stole my cell phone. Why, you ask, did I leave my cell phone in my car? The answer's quite simple: because I'm a careless bonehead.

My no frills cell phone though, was, as far as I could tell upon the conclusion of my CSI-type investigation, the only thing taken, the criminals opting NOT to take any of my cds, a small, wicked collection which included: P B & J, the new Sigur Ros and Radiohead, and The Rapture.

I guess there's just no accounting for taste these days. I did, however, bring the four cds in, just in case they come back.

Some exciting show news: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks play the Pyramid on October 27th (side note: Did you know he provided Cate Blanchett's singing voice in I'm Not There? Tres cool).

Current rotation: The Believer Magazine's Various Artists CD.

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Hapless, Manitoba

I amended this post. Changes in Italics.

Updated Iron and Wine Canadian Tour Dates:

• Vancouver...October 7th
• Calgary...October 8th
• Edmonton...October 9th
• Toronto...November 13th (I originally read October)

A few blog posts ago, I mirthfully typed out Iron and Wine's Canadian tour itinerary and naively noted that since Edmonton was the last date scheduled, then logically and geographically Winnipeg had a fair chance of landing an Iron and Wine show. After all, a lot of bands will break up the lengthy trek from Edmonton to Toronto with a Winnipeg date.

Today though, I have some disheartening news: Sam Beam has extended his Canadian tour and the next date is a month later in Toronto. Blurg!!

While said tour date is four days and a month after the Edmonton one, there's still a chance, but I wouldn't hold my breath. The Divine Architect of Winnipeg Music has failed us...so far.

On a considerably happier note, another confirmed show at the ever-so-busy Albert:

The Real McKenzies are there September 6th w/ Wednesday Night Heroes.

Current rotation: Stereolab - Fab Four Suture

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The Still Up And Running Royal Albert Arms

So I guess last year's fears about the Albert going the way of the Dodo-er-Collective (RIP) have abated because shows are sure happening around that place:

Brooklyn's Love As Laughter, who opened for Modest Mouse in the fall, stop by on September 11th w/ Oxford Collapse. Ominously, neither band's MySpace page lists the Winnipeg date...

Dance Punkers You Say Party! We Say Die! - those talented, yet hapless folks from Vancouver who can't play in the States until 2011 - will be encouraging butt shakin' on September 20th w/ Beast and Winter Gloves. To the band: you're always welcome here.

Ladyhawk rock the place on November 1st with Attack in Black and Shotgun Jimmie.

The Exclaim Tour featuring Baroness, Bison B.C., and Genghis Tron is scheduled to drop in September 27th.

Current rotation: Sparklehorse - It's A Wonderful Life

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I Play The Drums Too!

I have fond memories of The Zoo.

The fondest being many revolutions-around-the-sun ago when my buddy Matt and I attended a show featuring two now extinct local acts: Projektor and The Harlots. This was around the time The Harlots had that smash hit "Alien" playing every hour on the radio for weeks. We were really there for Projektor though, whom I've always felt were an underrated group with a mature, distinguishable sound.

At one point that night, Matt came back from the bathroom laughing non-stop. While inside the bathroom he overheard this inebriated old guy chatting up someone from the Harlots while standing at attention in front of the urinals.

Drunk Old Man: Are you the drummer?
Unknown Harlots Member: No, I'm the guitarist.
Drunk Old Man: Hey, I play the drums too!

I always conjure up this memory and laugh whenever at The Zoo and last night, while seeing a friend of a friend's band Seventh Sin, was no different. Seventh Sin are pretty solid, if you like metal, and played a tight, rockin' set that even included a stirring rendition of Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell'. There's something about hearing heavy metal live that inspires me to come home, plug in my dusty electric guitar, crank my amp to 11, and blast my windows out onto the street.

Too bad I live in an apartment.

***
Crystal Castles open for Nine Inch Nails on the 31st.

Reel Big Fish are part of the bill for September 23rd's Less Than Jake show at The Burt.

Testament open for Judas Priest in four days.

Current rotation: The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

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Fargo: To Include, Or Not To Include...That Was The Question

Lately, as I've visited my usual music-related haunts on the Net, I've noticed more and more bands including Fargo (but not Winnipeg and/or the rest of Canada) on their tour itinerary, which kinda makes sense since crossing the border can be, at times, an unwanted pain. So I've been contemplating whether to include these shows in my listing since Fargo (tangentially-related: did you know Fargo's population is 1/7th Winnipeg's?) is a mere three hour, cross-border adventure South and surely die-hard indie fans from Winnipeg would be up for the travel. Right?

After all, I'm by no means an overzealous indie fan but even I've traveled to Minneapolis three times - trip #4 will be in September - just to see a band. Thus, I've decided I will mention Fargo shows - when I can - since it's so geographically close and who wouldn't travel three hours (six hours round-trip) just to see a band they adore?

Oh and for the record, I've seen Pinback, Sigur Ros, and Stereolab in Minneapolis and have tix for Sigur Ros's upcoming September show. All three shows were worth the time and cost. Plus, I brought back the requisite cheap 40 of alcohol each time, which is always an awesome bonus.

Texas folk-rock band Okkervil River stop by Fargo's The Aquarium on September 15th.

Experimental pop-band Xiu Xiu (whom I believe played the now defunct Collective a couple years back) play the same venue on September 7th.

Both shows are all ages (remember: unless explicitly stated, you must be 21 to be admitted into North Dakota clubs).

***
This week I received an email from the members of an Oregon-based indie band called Muke inviting me to listen to one of their songs "Hamburger Waltz", and was pleasantly surprised by the song. It's a fun, catchy, stripped-down number that wouldn't sound out of place on the Juno soundtrack. Click on their name to hear it.
***
Well, I'm off to The Zoo to hear a friend of a friend's band Seventh Sin, a heavy metal act featured in Uptown this week.

Current rotation: The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

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The Art Of Carrying On

Ok. I'm kinda embarrassed to admit that I missed local indie rockers Novillero's new album announcement in late June, just learning about the record's release date yesterday. Titled A Little Tradition, said LP will be dropped September 9th via Mint Records with the band playing a CD release show at the Pyramid on Sept 12th. It's a Friday night so don't use the ol' "Shows run too late at the Pyramid" excuse, like I always do. Plus, Novillero rock live so it's a guaranteed party.

Speaking of the Pyramid...

Moses Mayes will be there two weeks later on September 26th.

Toronto's Born Ruffians on October 4th.

The Fighting Hellfish a week later on the 11th.

Honey Eyes are releasing a cd on October 18th.

Arts & Crafts (Stars, BSS, Constantines) recording artist Jason Collett is there a week after that, on the 25th.

Low-B is there August 8th.

Local acts Floor 13 and Domenica play there August 5th.

It appears the Pyramid is benefiting quite a bit from the WECC's closure due to renovations.

Get well soon WECC. We miss you.

Current rotation: The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

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I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend, I Just Wanna Be Your Lover

Evenin' Music Fans!

Couple of show announcements:

Floridan Ska/Punk rockers Less Than Jake play The Garrick on September 23rd. Presale starts Wednesday, but I don't know the password (yet).

Parokya Ni Edgar are there almost two months earlier on July 26th.

Current rotation: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

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