Welcome to part two of my Bleating Heart Shows preview for Pop Montreal next week. I started things off yesterday with a mini-interview with Danielle Duval and continue today with Tom Herbert of Ottawa’s My Dad Vs Yours. Still to come, The Brother Kite and The Airfields.

1) Inspect your official Pop Montreal bio below and respond. How accurately do you think they capture the essence of your band?

Yeah it was a pretty nice review! We’re not used to such flattery. At first we thought it was sarcasm. Actually we’re still a little suspicious. Above all it was nice for somebody to finally appreciate the hard work that went into our hand claps.

2) Given the same approximate amount of space to write your own bio, what would it be?

My Dad vs Yours force down post-rock barricades to a state where pop melodies take precedence over orchestral crescendos; where electronic beats, slide guitar and shoegaze co-exist in vibrant harmony; where instrumentals can incite sing-alongs.

3) Besides playing the best showcase of the festival, what else do you plan to do with your time in Montreal?

Unfortunately, we won’t be spending too much time in Montreal since we have to drive straight back to Ottawa as we have a show on Friday. We may come back Saturday to take advantage of the free passes and see some shows. Also, whenever I’m in Montreal I always try to go to the Biodome and look at the penguins.

4) Why should festival-goers come see your show over all others going on at the same time?

This is our first show with our new keyboardist / violinist who will really add to our live sound. Also for one night only there will be a 5% discount on all mydadvsyours merchandise!

MP3: My Dad Vs Yours – “Bellicose”
Video: My Dad Vs Yours – “No Farm No Food No Future” (YouTube)
MySpace: My Dad Vs Yours

My Dad Vs Yours plays on October 4 at 9PM at the Green Room (5390 St-Laurent) le Gymanse (4177 rue St-Denis), admission is $8 at the door or free with a Pop Montreal bracelet.

Show poster by Cheryl Cheung

Since discovering The Acorn at Pop Montreal last year, I’ve been inclined to use the phrase “quintessentially Canadian” whenever I’m describing their simultaneously expansive yet intimate pop so after tantalizing with two superb EPs in Blankets! and Tin Fist that only reinforced that characterization, what do they offer for their new, just-released full-length Glory Hope Mountain? Memories of Honduras.

More specifically, the album is based on the memories of frontman Rolf Klausener’s mother Gloria Esperanza Montoya (for whom the album is named) and details, in song, her journey from poverty in Honduras to a new life in Montreal in the 1970s. To come out with a concept album, let alone one so incredibly personal, as their first widely-available release was a risky move to say the least and even I, who had been looking forward to this record for nearly a year, had great reservations. Would the lyrics connect on a personal level? Would the traditional Central American instrumentation be used in a manner that felt natural within the compositions? Would I like it? Yes. To all.

Considering the loftiness of the record’s ambition, it would be an accomplishment to simply not be an interesting failure but Glory Hope Mountain is an unqualified success, worthy of note even without the creative back story. It tells Montoya’s story in enough detail to convey the necessary emotional weight but uses broad enough strokes to feel universal and the musical arrangements integrate the more exotic sonic textures such that they fit perfectly alongside the guitar, bass, drums and keys. But more important than the nuts and bolts of it all is the sense of celebration and joyfulness that pervades the record, even in its quieter moments or those inspired by tragedy. From the quietly scene-setting opener “Hold Your Breath through to the serene finale of “Lullaby (Mountain)”, beautifully sung by Ohbijou’s Casey Mecija, The Acorn have crafted an album of unexpected but triumphant beauty.

The Acorn grace the cover of this month’s Exclaim! and the accompanying story, featuring interviews with both Klausener and his mother, could double as annotations for the record. Soundscapes also has an interview with Klausener, getting some insight into the writing process for the album and finally, some asshat ripped off some of the band’s drums earlier this week – details here. The Acorn set out on tour as part of the Wood Whiskey & Wire cross-Canada tour in a couple weeks but aren’t on the Toronto date – instead, they’ve got their own headlining show at the Horseshoe November 24. Update: Radio Free Canuckistan, who penned the Exclaim! piece, has posted the first part of the actual interview with Rolf Klausener. Consider it the annotations to the annotations to the album. Update 2: …and part two.

MP3: The Acorn – “The Flood, Pt 1”
MP3: The Acorn – “Crooked Legs”
MySpace: The Acorn

Sam Beam of Iron & Wine, whose new album The Shepherd’s Dog hit stores this week, does the interview circuit with pieces in Austin 360, Chart, The AV Club, Filter and Exclaim!.

Exclaim! also checks in with SubPop’s other mighty beard, Ben Bridwell of Band Of Horses, whose Cease To Begin is out October 9. They’re at the Phoenix November 9.

Filter gets on the (tour) bus with Arcade Fire while The Minneapolis Star-Tribune catches a phoner with drummer Jeremy Gara.

The Toronto Star looks at the benefits appearing in the latest iPod ad has had for Feist. Before last night, I’d never seen the ad. After watching one hour of The Office, I’d seen it three times.

The Vancouver Sun and The Georgia Straight check in with Carl Newman of The New Pornographers. They check in with Toronto on October 21 at the Phoenix and KCRW has a recent session with the band available to watch or listen to (thanks to For The Records).

Also that night at the Mod Club are British party posse and Mercury Prize nominees New Young Pony Club while the night previous (October 20 for those who did poorly in math), M.I.A. brings her stage-invading ways to the Kool Haus. Do you think the Kool Haus Kops will let the kids rush the stage during “Bird Flu” as they did at V Fest and ACL or will they be ready for ’em? Also on the bill are Datarock, Holy Fuck and The Carps And by the by, Holy Fuck’s new album LP is out October 23. Check out a track from it below.

MP3: Holy Fuck – “Lovely Allen”

So as everyone (should) know, I’m curating a showcase at Pop Montreal next week as part of something that Said The Gramophone, I Heart Music have dubbed The Bleating Heart Shows. Mine goes down on Thursday, October 4 and features a lineup of The Brother Kite, The Airfields, My Dad Vs Yours and Danielle Duval.

To help get you acquainted with the artists and perhaps convince festivalgoers to drop in for a set or two (or four), I sent all the acts a quick little questionnaire giving them the task of talking about themselves and the city that’s hosting this fine event. Anyway, enough of my jibber-jabber.

1) Inspect your official Pop Montreal bio below and respond. How accurately do you think they capture the essence of your band?

The “super kickass heart touching rock wrenching power chic,” thing was actually coined by our British bloke of a manager who hails from a small and rough part of the UK. Let your imagination run with that.

When they say pipes, are they referring to my vocal chords or the strapping sets of biceps that belong to the boys in the band (Mike, Warren, Simeon).

2) Given the same approximate amount of space to write your own bio, what would it be?

We approach the way we play music much like a spartan would approach battle, except without the fight, we do it like it could be our last night on the planet. I sing with the kind of gut and heart wrenching lost and found love that can only come from the personal experience of the above mentioned. My voice also possesses an edginess that ensues from a night spent in heated, passionate conversation. We are four friends who like to keep it interesting with every new show we do.

3) Besides playing the best showcase of the festival, what else do you plan to do with your time in Montreal?

May have to ship in and ship out, but if I had things my way the list would begin with this:

Caribou, Cody Chestnutt, Patti Smith, and always Ron Sexsmith.

Then of course there would be breakfast at “L’Avenue”, coffee at Open Da Night, worldly discussions at Le Pistol, and a swim at the Y. My list ends with Thanksgiving dinner at my cousin’s log cabin with the family.

4) Why should festival-goers come see your show over all others going on at the same time?

Hey, there’s a lot of great music to choose from. But we’re playing a searing rock show with melodic crescendos included as early as 8pm. When do you ever see those words in the same sentence ever!

MP3: Danielle Duval – “Bright Galactic”
MySpace: Danielle Duval

Danielle Duval plays on October 4 at 8PM at the Green Room (5390 St-Laurent) le Gymanse (4177 rue St-Denis), admission is $8 at the door or free with a Pop Montreal bracelet. Check out the wonderful poster for the show from Cheryl Cheung.

Photo by kidwithcamera.com.

Last Friday was one of those embarrassment of riches nights with too much to do – this Friday’s shaping up the same. As discussed earlier today, you’ve got a choice between the arena rock (though no longer taking place in an arena) with Bloc Party at The Docks, you’ve got costume-laden art rock with Bat For Lashes at the El Mocambo and you’ve got unbearably cute pop at the Horseshoe with New Zealand’s The Brunettes, celebrating the release of Structure & Cosmetics.

Well courtesy of Against The Grain, I’m going to make your decision-making process just a little bit easier as I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away to the Brunettes show, which will also feature Ferraby Lionheart and Forest City Lovers. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to be a Brunette” in the subject line and your full name in the body. It’s okay if you’re not actually a brunette. Redheads are welcome as well. Blondes, keep walking. Go have your fun elsewhere.

I’m kidding.

Contest closes tonight at midnight.

MP3: The Brunettes – “Small Town Crew”
Video: The Brunettes – “Her Hairagami Set” (YouTube)
MySpace: The Brunettes

I started writing up a review of the Bat For Lashes’ album, perhaps known to you as the odds-on post-Winehouse favourite for this year’s Mercury Prize before Klaxons eventually took it, but truth is I’ve had the sort of day that leaves one’s mind barely able to comprehend the need to eat let alone describe an album as unusual and interesting as Fur & Gold.

So I won’t. I’m going to see her at the El Mocambo tomorrow night so I’ll save any insights that may occur for that review. Instead I’ll toss out the reference points usually used in the context of describing the music of Natasha Khan – Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, Bjork – and add my two cents (worth exactly that) in saying she reminds me of a less overtly pop, female Patrick Wolf. Armed with a harpsichord.

So check out the videos below, the Springsteen cover (via Pitchfork), this KCRW session graciously MP3-ed I Heart Music and read these features at AM New York and eye. And come by next week for some hopefully coherent thoughts on both the album and the show or maybe I’ll just see you there?

MP3: Bat For Lashes – “I’m On Fire”
Video: Bat for Lashes – “Whats A Girl To Do”
Video: Bat for Lashes – “Prescilla”
MySpace: Bat For Lashes

Another option for Friday night is Bloc Party, throwing down at The Docks. JAM! talks to the band about avoiding the sophomore slump on A Weekend In The City (though some, not me, would say they didn’t) and Spinner gets an inkling of what to expect on album number three. CityBeat also has a conversation.

And if neither of those shows tickles your fancy, perhaps you should get thee to the Horseshoe to see The Brunettes. Besides the always fun Kiwis, the bill also features Los Angeleno folkie Ferraby Lionheart and now local folk-pop outfit Forest City Lovers. The Daily Page and NewsOK have features on The Brunettes.

Exclaim! charts the long and fascinating career of PJ Harvey up to and including her latest album, the surprisingly inward and delicate piano-led White Chalk. They also have an interview with Polly Jean about it and The Times have a feature. You can stream a few of the tracks from the new record below and check the first video.

Video: PJ Harvey – “When Under Ether” (YouTube)
eCard: PJ Harvey / White Chalk

I Am Fuel You Are Friends has an interview with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, in town at the Kool Haus on October 1.

And some show news – Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, who played their first-ever Toronto show back in May play their second-ever Toronto show on October 28 at the Whippersnapper Gallery.

Sad news for everyone who’d hoped to spend Hallowe’en with The Go! Team – the show mas been moved both physically and temporally, now happening November 1 at the Phoenix. But hey, there’s nothing that says you can’t have a bitching All Saints Day party with the Go! Team. Maybe you can even ask them to play an All Saints cover to mark the occasion. No? No. Pitchfork solicits a guest list from Go! Teamster Ian Parton.

And the UK’s Athlete, whose last two albums have scored an impressive 99% on Metacritic… collectively… will be at Lee’s Palace on November 6. Check out a couple tracks from Beyond The Neighbourhood and judge for yourself if the critics are right.

MP3: Athlete – “Airport Disco”
MP3: Athlete – “In Between 2 States”

And finally, those of you bummed about missing the Broken Social Scene/Kevin Drew show at Lee’s tonight, take heart – they’re doing another one on December 8 at the Kool Haus. AOL Music Canada has a feature on Drew and CBC Radio 3 reports that work has begun on a book documenting the Broken Social Scene story. Maybe it’ll be a pop-up book.