Rocking The River Trail

Resident indie-rockers Federal Lights

Easily the best part of Winnipeg winters is skating/walking the Assiniboine River trail.

Having recently moved out of the Corydon area, I rue not being able to walk home each day on this majestic path, but I am going out of my way to hit the trail on Sunday, February 16th. After all, there will be live freakin' music happening on the trail!

Organized by the good folks at Manitoba Music, a genuine cross-section of Winnipeg talent will bare the Polar Vortex (aka winter) to perform some tunes for the heavily-clothed crowd from 1 to 4 p.m.

The acts slated to perform include:

• The Bros. Landreth
• Neil Watson's jazz trio
• Andrew Neville
• Claire Morrison
• Cassidy Mann
• Chris Bennett & DilltheGiant featuring live art by Brian G
• Federal Lights
• DJ Nathan Zahn 
• DJ Kasm  

Oh, and don't use the Canada v. Finland men's hockey game as an excuse not to get out. The puck drops at 11 our time.

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Contest: Enter to win tickets to see Mark Berube @ The West End Cultural Centre

Courtesy of our friends over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for the Mark Berube (with full band) show going down on Friday, February 21st. 

If you're interested in checking out the event, fire me off an email (on the right hand side, below the concert listings) by noon CST on Monday, February 17th with the subject line "Mark Berube Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

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Afternoon Headlines: Ridley Bent, New Country Rehab, Hopsin, and much much much much more.

Here we gooooooo.....

First up, country troubadour Ridley Bent is at the Park Theatre on Saturday, April 5th.

Edmonton punk rockers Slates will blow the roof off the Windsor on April 4th.

I dig these guys: New Country Rehab is at Times Changed on Thursday, March 20th.

Hopsin is at Union Sound Hall on Monday, May 12th w/ DJ Hoppa.

Jian Ghomeshi is bringing Q to the Burt on Thursday, March 27th as part of the Juno festivities. Musical guests TBA.

Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Dave Hause is at the Park Theatre on Louis Riel Day (Monday, February 17th).

Local artist Luke Reimer is launching his debut EP, Miles on this Truck, at the Park Theatre on Saturday, February 8th.

The Wilderness of Manitoba is at the Park Theatre on Thursday, February 13th.

Old Man Luedecke is also there on Sunday, March 2nd.

China's Car Sick Cars is at The WECC on Wednesday, March 26th w/ White & Cannon Bros.

Speaking of which...folk band The Fretless is there on Saturday, March 8th.

And singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant is there on Sunday, February 16th.

Victoria-based indie-roots foursome West My Friend is also there on Tuesday, March 18th.

And finally, Winnipeg-based 'ultra-rock' trio Northern Elms play the Park Theatre on Saturday, February 15th.

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Morning Headlines: Union Sound Hall books some intriguing acts

Some exciting doins a transpirin' at Union Sound Hall to report:

First up, local punk heroes Propagandhi are there on Saturday, March 15th.

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra drop by the joint on Tuesday, May 6th.

And I can't remember if I mentioned this: The 1975 take the stage on my birthday: Thursday, May 1st.

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My Love I Am The Speed of Sound - Neko Case to play the Burt in May

Interesting concert note: Neko Case is bringing her ridiculously mammoth pipes to the Burt on Saturday, May 17th. Presale commences post-haste and tickets run $35 + taxes, etc.

As a spiffy little bonus, The Dodos kick off the show. 

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My Favourite Albums of 2013

Still unpacking away, but I've finally settled on my favourite albums of 2013 list. Here goes.

Regular updates to commence soon. 

1. Kanye West – Yeezus

2. Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampire of the City

3. Volcano Choir – Repave

4. CHVRCHES – The Bones of What You Believe

5. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – II

6. Young Galaxy – Ultramarine

7. The Courtneys – S/T

8. No Joy – Wait to Pleasure

9. Yo La Tengo – Fade

10. The National – Trouble Will Find Me

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Favourite Tracks of 2013

So the wife-to-be and I purchased our first home in early December and moved in late December, meaning the past few weeks have been beyond chaotic what with packing, the actual moving process (during a fucking blizzard!), and the unpacking, which is still ongoing. Oh, and I wrote a 20 page paper somehow in there as well.

Anyway... my apologizes for the blog neglect. Tonight is the first time I've been able to give my complete and undivided attention to the tunes of 2013. Without further preamble, here are my favourite tracks of 2013 in playlist order. (Yes, there are two Vampire Weekend songs because, well, that whole album is terrific with many outstanding earworms.)

1. Haim - The Wire
2. Kanye West - Black Skinhead
3. The Head and the Heart - Shake
4. Au Revoir Simone - Crazy
5. CHVRCHES - We Sink
6. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - No Need For A Leader
7. mum - Sweet Impressions
8. No Joy - Hare Tarot Lies
9. Phoenix - Entertainment
10. Tegan and Sara - Drove Me Wild
11. Vampire Weekend - Unbelievers
12. Young Galaxy - Pretty Boy
13. Yo La Tengo - Stupid Things
14. Volcano Choir - Dancepack
15. The National - Don't Swallow The Cap
16. The Courtneys - Manion
17. Vampire Weekend - Worship You
18. Dodos - Confidence

What say you, dear readers (if you're still out there): favourite tracks of 2013?

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