How is it that Boulevard St-Laurent, one of the main drags in the Plateau area that’s hosting most of Pop Montreal, is an even bigger mess of construction than it was last year?

I managed to avoid having that be an issue for the first night of the festival by skirting St-Laurent entirely – I started off quite a ways east of there at La Tulipe, a beautiful old converted theatre that was hosting Caribou, though I didn’t stick around for the headliner. I was there mainly to see Miracle Fortress in their hometown. I’d seen Miracle Fortress as the solo act at last year’s Pop and as the band a times this year, though neither performance particularly dazzled or measured up to the wonderfulness of Five Roses. The third time, however, was the charm. The band appeared infinitely more comfortable with each other and the material this time around and Graham Van Pelt has really grown into the frontman role. Songs were stretched out and reinvented beyond their recorded structures and though their set was far shorter than anyone on this side of the stage wanted, it was still very satisfying to see the band coming into its own.

Photos: Miracle Fortress @ La Tulipe – October 3, 2007
MP3: Miracle Fortress – “Have You Seen In Your Dreams”

With La Tulipe being as far removed from the rest of the clubs as it was and no one I absolutely had to see in that time slot, I opted to let inertia do its thing and stuck around to catch Born Ruffians. I was commenting earlier in the evening that I think I like Born Ruffians as much as I’m going to – the likes and dislikes balance each other out so that my overall opinion is positive, though tepidly so. On this night, however, everything I did like about them – their musical tightness, creativity and general goofiness – was out front and I really enjoyed myself.

Photos: Born Ruffians @ La Tulipe – October 3, 2007
MP3: Born Ruffians – “Hedonistic Me”
MP3: Born Ruffians – “I’m Not One Of Those Girls”
MySpace: Born Ruffians

I had an ulterior motive in catching The Cape May next – namely I wanted to check out the room that would be hosting my show tonight. Thankfully, the Calgarians would have been worth seeing even if I wasn’t casing out the joint. Their dark, slowburning dustbowl rock was haunting and hypnotic and deserved a far larger audience than the dozen or so of us in attendance.

Photos: The Cape May @ Le Gymnase – October 3, 2007
MP3: The Cape May – “Spring Flight To The Land Of Fire”
MP3: The Cape May – “Copper Tied”
MySpace: The Cape May

I finished the night off with the closing act of the opening Bleating Heart Show, assembled by Said The Gramophone, as Brookyln’s Ola Podrida were making their Canadian debut in the upstairs of Le Gymnase (very similar to the downstairs though slightly better appointed). Though they let their inner rockers out for a couple of numbers, they mostly kept their set on simmer while evoking sunsets in western skies and the days after bad days.

Photos: Ola Podrida @ Le Gymnase – October 3, 2007
MP3: Ola Podrida – “Instead”
MP3: Ola Podrida – “Jordanna”

So obviously I’m a bit preoccupied with tonight – god willing everything will go well and a wonderful time will be had by all. Fingers crossed. And those of you back in Hogtown, don’t forget that The Brother Kite – headlining tonight’s soiree – will be at the Tiger Bar in Toronto tomorrow night with Fjord Rowboat. How good is it going to be? eye named it their best bet for Friday night, that’s how good. Be there or be somewhere else, but be there. And if you’re in Montreal, be at Le Gymnase (first floor).

Los Angeles’ Earlimart just released their fifth album Mentor Tormentor and are currently on the road to promote, including what I think are their first Canadian dates – if not ever, then in a very long time. I know this because they’ve been perpetually on the bubble as far as my SxSW schedules have been concerned and never quite made the cut. I’ve always felt a bit guilty about this and have never had the chance to make it up by seeing them locally, until now. And, of course, I can’t make their Toronto show at the El Mocambo on Friday but have every intention of seeing them here in Montreal on Saturday… which if history holds means I won’t be seeing them at all. But enough about me.

I have Earlimart goods to give away. Not the new album, but a bonus EP that is/was only available through certain stores with purchase of the record as well as some fancy frameable posters and some stickers for vandalizing things. Swag, in other words. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “Shop Smart – Shop Earlimart” in the subject line and your mailing address in the body. This contest is open to anyone living in North America and closes at midnight, October 6 (which is when they’re scheduled to play at Le Gymnase in Montreal). In the meantime, check out a track from the new album and a couple of bonus tracks not on the album or the EP. And read this interview with The Georgia Straight.

MP3: Earlimart – “Everybody Knows Everybody”
MP3: Earlimart – “Thank You For Visiting Earlimart”
MP3: Earlimart – “Untitled #3”
MySpace: Earlimart

Hello from Montreal. Before shifting things entirely to matters Pop Montreal, a bit of business from Monday night to take care of, namely John Vanderslice’s show at the El Mocambo. It was supposed to be a sort of super-bill, with the ‘Slice’s tour intersecting with that of fellow San Fransicans Two Gallants but they were felled by a busted-down van, leaving Vanderslice and Two Gallants tourmates Blitzen Trapper to carry the night.

Blitzen Trapper were a complete unknown to me before Monday so it’s not overstating to say that they came out of nowhere and totally impressed. To describe the six-piece Portland outfit as “roots rockers” wouldn’t be inaccuarte, but it’d also be a huge disservice. Yeah, at the core of it they play raw and rambunctious old-school rock, but they sound like they’ve traveled the (musical) world and seen the sights before settling in on the farm. Their songs were deceptively complex and ambitiously structured – there may have been more synths on stage than guitars – but never at the cost of the killer pop hook. Though the audience wasn’t more than a few dozen people deep, they were loud and enthusiastic and called them back for an encore and deservedly so. Their new album is Wild Mountain Nation and is worth checking out. And definitely seeing live.

With such a high energy act to follow, Vanderslice – a terrific songsmith and producer and all-around nice chap but not one you’d call a rock monster – and his band had their work cut out for them. And as far as putting on a great show, they were up to the task though they did it through personality and astonishing musicianship. Vanderslice always assembles great backing bands and this outfit was no exception, reproducing the songs from Emerald City and further back into his catalog wonderfully. They maintained the sonic quirks and flourishes that are a hallmark of Vanderslice’s recorded work but also gave them the oomph and spontaneity necessary for translating live. And you don’t get more spontaneous than Vanderslice trading his per diem ($10!) to his bassist in exchange for having him cover Hendrix’s “Little Wing” as Michael McDonald. You had to be there, just as you had to be there to see them close their set not with an encore, but by playing out in the middle of the audience accompanied by a local fan on harp. Yeah. Not something you see everyday.

The Justice talked to Vanderslice about his recent blog tour (which I was honoured to be part of) as well as the new Mountain Goats record.

Photos: John Vanderslice, Blitzen Trapper @ The El Mocambo – October 1, 2007
MP3: John Vanderslice – “White Dove”
Video: John Vanderslice – “Time To Go” (MOV)
Video: Blitzen Trapper – “Devil’s A-Go-Go” (YouTube)
MySpace: John Vanderslice
MySpace: Blitzen Trapper

…And back to Montreal. The Columbia Spectator talks to Patrick Wolf, playing The Caberet in Montreal Friday night and Lee’s Palace in Toronto Saturday night (congrats to Kat and Damon who won passes, btw). JAM! meets Harmonica, who may well be your new favourite band. They’re at Le Divan Orange Thursday at 2PM then at Le Gymnase on Friday at 8:30PM as well as the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto on the 7th. And Ted Leo, playing Le Gymnase Friday night at midnight and then heading to Toronto for a show at Mod on Sunday night, talks to The Cleveland Free Times and The Cornell Sun.

And Pitchfork reports that Arcade Fire have got something planned for this Saturday, and it’s big. They bought a domain name for it and everything.

Stereogum has curated another indie-anniversary tribute album to follow up the one for 10th anniversary of Radiohead’s OK Computer – this one for the 15th birthday of R.E.M.’s Automatic For The People. Hey, interesting – John Vanderslice appeared on the first one, Blitzen Trapper appear on this one.

Country Standard Time has an extensive feature on Steve Earle.

Allmusic talks to Richard Hawley about his new one Lady’s Bridge.

Paste has a six-minute clip from Todd Haynes’ Dylan sorta-biopic I’m Not There and Exclaim! has a talk with the director about the film. It’s out November 28.

So. Tomorrow morning I’m off to la belle province for this year’s Pop Montreal fest. This should be the bookend to a festival-laden year and I’m as much looking forward to it as I am to it being over.

But sleep can come later. For now, there’s still much great music to be taken in over the next week and this is approximately what I’m going to be trying to catch, starting with Wednesday. When I first caught Miracle Fortress last year at Pop, it was just Graham Van Pelt by his lonesome, barricaded in by his drum kit, guitar, samplers and other accouterments of a one-man band. Now expanded out to a four-piece band, working a splendid album in Five Roses and no longer an obscurity thanks to the Polaris Prize, it’ll be nice to have them open things up at 9PM at La Tulipe. Then I might head to La Sala Rosa to see The Watson Twins at 10 before having to decide between returning to La Tulipe to catch Caribou or Casa Del Popolo for Torngat at 11. Whichever it is, I’ll be at Le Gymnase for Ola Podrida, part of Said The Gramophone’s opening Bleating Heart Show.

Thursday is, of course, my showcase. So while I’d normally encourage folks to go to the Ukrainian Federation to see Final Fantasy, Ohbijou and Basia Bulat, I am instead directing you to come to Le Gymnase to see The Brother Kite, Airfields, My Dad Vs Yours and Danielle Duval. Note the venue change – all shows that were slated for the Mile End Cultural Centre, that is Main Hall and The Green Room, are now being held at Le Gymnase at 4177 rue St-Denis (at Rachel), which has two separate rooms for shows. We’re in the smaller one on the first floor. Set times are the same and everything should be wrapped up by midnight so you’d still have time to catch something else as a nightcap. I’ve no idea what, I intend to be passed out by then.

Friday will force me out of bed before the sun sets as NYC’s Elk City have a 3PM matinee at the Urban Outfitters on rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest. There’s no excuse for missing a chance to see Sean Eden on guitar. None. The evening’s agenda will begin at Le Gymnase (small room) where Norwegians Harmonica will be doing something that I’ve been advised not to miss. I don’t know what, but I’m told it’s pretty great. Then I may try to catch The Coast’s 8PM set at 3 Minots before decamping to the glorious Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour Rire for Patrick Wolf. He’s not on till 10 but I want to be sure to get a good spot. And while it’s not fair to ask anyone to follow his show, if I’m out by midnight and have any gas in the tank, I may head to L’Escogriffe where Rah Rah are on at 12 and The Hot Springs at 1.

Saturday is looking a bit light from where I stand right now but I’m sure between now and then I’ll have had a dozen and one things recommended to me as can’t misses. For now, however, I’ve got Woodpigeon at the Ukrainian Federation at 8 and then the OFFICE/Earlimart show at Le Gymnase (big room) where they’re on at 11PM and midnight, respectively. And that’s all that’s I’ve got written down so far. If I was sticking around for Sunday, the sure bets would be The National at le National or The Jealous Girlfriends at the Ukrainian Federation but as it is, they’re both going to be in Toronto on Monday night at the Phoenix and Tuesday night at the Drake Underground respectively, so everybody wins.

Obviously, suggestions and recommendations for alternatives to this sched are welcome. Some shows are etched in stone, some are not. Always willing to check out something new. McGill Daily talks to Matt Berninger of The National, The Montreal Mirror previews some of the acts playing, Hour.ca pays a visit to the festival headquarters and The Montreal Gazette does both.

And now, for something completely different.

Pitchfork has details on British Sea Power’s next album Do You Like Rock Music?. Still a cheeky title, but not nearly as deranged as the previously reported Now That’s What I Call World War One Joy Division. It’ll be out on January 14 in the UK and February 12 in North America. Their Krankenhaus? EP is still out November 20.

Some interesting new albums streaming over at Spinner.com. Most notable is PJ Harvey’s White Chalk, the domestic release of UK crooner Richard Hawley’s Lady’s Bridge and Heaven, the new one from Brooklyn’s Mobius Band. Unknown to me till very recently, but I like what I hear and will be catching them on November 7 at the Horseshoe. And in addition to the stream, you can save a couple of MP3s from the new record for your very own.

Stream: PJ Harvey / White Chalk
Stream: Richard Hawley / Lady’s Bridge
MP3: Mobius Band – “Friends Like These”
MP3: Mobius Band – “Hallie”
Stream: Mobius Band / Heaven

Radio Free Canuckistan has posted the second of his two-part interview with Rolf Klausener of The Acorn.

Steve Earle has a long sit-down with The Houston Chronicle.

The Weakerthans have added a second show to their visit this November – they’re now at the Phoenix on both November 7 and 8 with Jenn Grant opening both. Aversion has an interview with songwriter John K Samson. And here’s a video from the new last album (brain fart on my part):

Video: The Weakerthans – “The Reason” (YouTube)

And finally, some mildly context-less MP3s from Josh Ritter and Iron & Wine.

MP3: Josh Ritter – “Rumours” (live in Berlin)
MP3: Iron & Wine – “Innocent Bones”

Hey, have you heard of this great band from New York called The National? I really dig em. They released this great album earlier this year called Boxer. It’s really good. If you haven’t heard it, you should. They have another album, Alligator, that’s also really good. They’re playing with this guy who goes by Doveman, who’s also really good but in a completely different way. He’ll probably play with The National for some songs too. They’re friends.

They’re going to be in town next Monday night, that’s Thanksgiving, for a show at the Phoenix. I saw them back in June and it was really good. I bet this show is also really good. It’s just about sold out though. But that’s okay, because thanks to the people at Against The Grain, I’ve got one pair of passes to give away. To take a shot at winning them, send me an email at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see The National” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Also tell me how good this show is going to be. And do it quick because this contest is only going to run until midnight, September 3 October 3. That’s Wednesday. Thanks.

MP3: The National – “Fake Empire”
MP3: Doveman – “…& Sunrise Medley”
Video: The National – “Mistaken For Strangers” (YouTube)
Video: The National – “Apartment Story” (YouTube)
Video: Doveman – “Chasing Clouds” (YouTube)
MySpace: The National