Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
Fat CatScots The Twilight Sad don’t come across as the cheeriest folks you’ll meet, at least not musically. Though subsequent releases have seen the band becoming a touch more interested in atmospherics and dialing down the sonic blitzkrieg a bit, their 2007 debut Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters is still a towering example of angst made audible, in deafening fashion.
And it’s that aesthetic – massive, roaring guitars and James Graham’s thick Scottish brogue – that the band brings to this live Joy Division cover, taken from last year’s tour-only album of odds and sods, Killed My Parents And Hit The Road. Song and structure-wise, it’s done pretty faithfully, but sounds as if all that anxiety and tension that was wound up in Ian Curtis’ voice is let loose in a torrent of guitar. I approve.
The Twilight Sad are opening up for Mogwai on first leg of their North American tour, finishing up this week in Chicago but not before they play Toronto on Monday night at the Phoenix. Then it’s back to Scotland where they’re working on final mixes of their next album. In this interview with Citizen Dick a couple months ago, they said that they were looking at an October 2009 release with more North American touring to follow.
MP3: The Twilight Sad – “Twenty Four Hours”
Video: Joy Division – “Twenty Four Hours” (fan video)
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
So I actually got sent a Microsoft Zune MP3 player, unsolicited, a few years ago. Unfortunately, it arrived on the same day as my new Macbook Pro so in the battle of shiny new toys vying for my attention, it lost rather handily and even after I was all set up on the new computer, the fact that the Zune software wouldn’t run on the Mac OS basically ensured that it stayed in its box for the indefinite future. But it was a nice box, I give them that. I eventually gave it to a friend and was able to play with it a bit while setting it up and thought it was a nice little piece of kit – inability to handle leap years notwithstanding.
So fast-forward to today and the Zune is now widely available in Canada (it wasn’t at the time of the above anecdote, rendering the whole “social” aspect of the device pretty much moot) and the Zune brand is doing its best to make itself known, in part by sponsoring events such as the recent Zune Concert Series at the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler, BC. There, in addition to featuring performances from established acts like Metric and The Stills, they dubbed a local act – The British Columbians – the “Canada’s hottest undiscovered band” and added them to the bill with the heavy hitters.
But really, the best way to get the Zune out there is, well, to get it out there – as in the hands of people who’ll use them. And that’s where you come in – courtesy of High Road Communications, I’ve got a shiny red 80GB Zune from the Zune Originals series featuring engraved artwork on the back by Canadian artist Meomi – and which looks a little (or a lot) like this – to give away.
If you want a shot, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want the Zune” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body and get that in to me by midnight, May 10th. And, sorry, American cousins, this contest is open only to residents of Canada. And forewarned for Mac folks, I still don’t know if or think the Zune software is OS X-compatible.
Friday, May 1st, 2009
The Rural Alberta Advantage sign with Saddle Creek, no longer our little secret
Patrick LeducFor the longest time now, the phrase, “best unsigned band in Toronto/Canada/the world” has been used so often in conjunction with The Rural Alberta Advantage that they may as well have incorporated it into their name. But no longer. As hinted at a couple weeks ago and confirmed yesterday at Pitchfork, the trio’s long, slow build to critical mass – beginning with the eMusic Selects feature last Fall and culminating in their triumphant SxSW appearances in March – has now resulted in their signing to highly-regarded US label Saddle Creek. A fact which sent me digging for this piece in eye last Fall when the Omaha-based label insisted there was no master plan to snap up as much Canadian talent as possible (at that point, they’d added Tokyo Police Club, Sebastien Grainger and Land Of Talk to their roster in rapid succession). Now the truth becomes clear – we’re being annexed by Nebraska, one band at a time.
But seriously, It’s been such a treat to watch their star so deservedly ascend over the last couple years, and would like to offer the band a very hearty congratulations on the start of the next phase of their career. That will begin with a reissue of their debut album Hometowns on July 7 in the US and probably up here as well. I, for one, can’t wait to get a copy of the record in a physical form with a spine so that it doesn’t disappear on my CD shelves as soon as I file it, not that I’d likely ever forget that it was there. And I also envy those of you who’ll be getting to hear them for the first time with this wide release of the album and experience that feeling of discovery. You are in for such a treat.
North American touring is in the works for this Summer with a few dates listed in the Pitchfork piece, as well as confirmation of a couple of local festivals – Hillside in Guelph in July and Wolfe Island up in Kingston on August 8. Their next local date will be June 18 at the Drake Underground as part of I Heart Music’s NxNE showcase. Just informed they’ve got other things in the works – stay tuned.
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Don’t Haunt This Place”
MySpace: The Rural Alberta Advantage
In other “just signed” news, Billboard reports that Australia-by-way-of-the-UK’s Howling Bells have signed to Nettwerk for the July 28 North American release of their second album Radio Wars, which was released in the UK back in February. I was pretty down on the album after hearing it, particularly with all the promise displayed in their self-titled debut, but have warmed to it a bit since. It’s still not as good as the first, but it’s really only a couple of really BAD songs that drag down the overall experience, which is largely okay with moments of pretty good. Faint praise, I know. My main hopes are that with this deal in place, they’ll finally be able to tour North America properly and not just as support on big arena-scale tours (Killers, Coldplay) that I’d have no intention of seeing.
MP3: Howling Bells – “Into The Chaos”
The Pitchfork guest list from Camera Obscura which I linked last week but then promptly went all 404 on us is now back, and will hopefully remain so. They’re at Lee’s Palace on June 27.
Neil Halstead has released another video from last year’s Oh! Mighty Engine. Halstead will also apparently be featured in today’s Daytrotter session – those usually go up by 10AM ET or so – will link when it’s available. Update: It’s up! With two new songs!
Video: Neil Halstead – “Elevenses”
The Guardian and This Is Nottingham profile Doves, whose Kingdom Of Rust apparently missed being the #1 album in the UK… by four CDs. Ouch. They play the Kool Haus on June 1.
The Quietus and The Irish Times interview Manic Street Preachers about their new album Journal For Plague Lovers, out May 18, covering the main talking points of the record – Richey and Albini. The Quietus also has a track-by-track review of the record.
The Manics also big up The Horrors’ new record Primary Colours to The Quietus as the best of the year. Express Night Out talks to frontman Faris Badwan. They’ll be at the Phoenix next Thursday opening for The Kills.
MP3: The Horrors – “Sea Within A Sea”
Exclaim talks to Eugene Kelly of The Vaselines. The double-disc retrospective Enter The Vaselines will be out on Tuesday and they’re making a rare live appearance at Lee’s Palace on May 15.
MP3: The Vaselines – “Son Of A Gun”
John Vanderslice will take his Romanian Names out on tour immediately following its May 19 release and that includes a July 10 date at The Horseshoe.
Support for the ‘Slice for that show will be Cotton Jones, who essentially used to be Page France. Their debut album is Paranoid Cocoon. Rolling Stone has a feature on the band.
MP3: Cotton Jones – “Gotta Cheer Up”
MP3: Cotton Jones – “Blood Red Sentimental Blues”
British funk-soul outfit The Heavy have a date at Supermarket on June 26.
MP3: The Heavy – “Colleen”
Maximo Park will be coming to North America in support of Quicken The Heart, out May 12, for this Fall. Toronto, circle September 19 at Lee’s Palace on your calendar. Singer Paul Smith talks football and memories with BBC.
Video: Maximo Park – “The Kids Are Sick Again”
The first MP3 from Dinosaur Jr’s new album Farm, out June 23, is now available to grab. Bassist Lou Barlow talks about the new record with The Times Dispatch.
MP3: Dinosaur Jr – “I Want You To Know”
Metric’s Emily Haines gives Drowned In Sound a guide to Buenos Aires.
In case you missed it, Wilco have confirmed both the title (Wilco (The Album) and release date (June 30) for their next album. And to start the anticipation build-up, the band are giving away a non-album track – a Woody Guthrie tune – and asking that you make a donation to the Woody Guthrie Foundation & Archives in exchange. Honour system, yo.
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Japandroids have ulcer, cancel tour, make up tour
Leigh RightonVancouver fuzz-merchant duo Japandroids chose an interesting way to celebrate the release of their new album Post-Nothing and the attendant “Best New Music” laurels bestowed upon it by Pitchfork – they cancelled nearly their entire scheduled Spring tour.
Okay “chose” is probably the wrong word, as singer-guitarist Brian King probably didn’t decide this was the perfect time to suffer a perforated ulcer and go in for emergency surgery. But that’s what happened, and so nearly a month’s worth of dates were scrapped but almost immediately rescheduled – Pitchfork has the new dates, including a July 16 date at the El Mocambo in Toronto to make up for the nixed May 9 date.
In the meantime, they can try and keep up with the increased media interest that this record is sure to generate – witness them already on the cover of the latest Exclaim. There’s also interviews with them at JAM and View, while Metro talks to them in the context of what it identifies as a new trend of “lo-fi” bands.
MP3: Japandroids – “Young Hearts Spark Fire”
Video: Japandroids – “Heart Sweats”
MySpace: Japandroids
Exclaim! and Chart talk to Dog Day about new album Concentration. They’re at Lee’s on May 28.
Metric week continues at Drowned In Sound as the band plays tour guide – bassist Josh Winstead relates his favourite things about New York City and guitarist Jimmy Shaw does the same for Toronto.
NOW features The Dears, kicking of their North American tour at the Mod Club tonight.
Fucked Up will be hosting a night of what’s sure to be musical mayhem at the Phoenix on July 16 with a bill that will include Women and Vivian Girls amongst others still to be announced. There’s features on the band at Vue and Uptown.
MP3: Fucked Up – “No Epiphany” (No Age remix)
MP3: Fucked Up – “No Epiphany”
MP3: Fucked Up – “Twice Born”
The Los Angeles Record gets the boys from No Age to interview Bob Mould. No Age will be in town in June for NxNE – specifics still forthcoming.
Aquarium Drunkard interviews James McNew of Condo Fucks.
NPR has a World Cafe session with School Of Seven Bells.
The Guardian profiles St Vincent’s Annie Clark. Her new record Actor is out next week.
John Vanderslice has let loose another MP3 from Romanian Names, out May 19.
MP3: John Vanderslice – “Too Much Time”
M Ward stops by MPR for a session. Metro also offers up an interview.
Magnet offers an over/under analysis of The Hold Steady’s five most over- and underrated songs. Some of those songs make an appearance in the band’s session recorded for Daytrotter during SxSW, which is now available to download (or will be later today – will link when it’s up). Update: There we go.
Paste goes Bob Dylan-crazy on the occasion of his new album’s release. Together Through Life came out earlier this week and is streaming at Spinner.
Stream: Bob Dylan / Together Through Life
Metromix talks to Stephin Merritt about his score for the stage version of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline.
I like how much I’ve been able to swear in today’s post, and none if it was me being profane.
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Kathryn RathkeMuch as I’d like to be able to comment on The Decemberists’ latest album The Hazards Of Love, I can’t. ‘Cause I haven’t heard it. Don’t get me wrong, I quite enjoyed their last record The Crane Wife – it even made my 2006 year-end list – but for whatever reason I haven’t gotten around to the new one. It could be because I fear that this album, with its grand narrative thread and musical theatre origins, may be the one that upsets the delicate balance of pop smarts and prog excess that has kept the Decemberists with “most favoured band” status in my musical firmament. Those of you who have the record – what say you?
But while I dither, I know there’s those of you out there would follow Colin Meloy and his merry musical troupe wherever they might go and this is for you. Courtesy of Sneak Attack Media, I’ve got two super-sweet prize packs to give away, each consisting of a copy of The Hazards Of Love on 180-gram, gatefold double-LP and a poster by Kathryn Rathke, winner of the Imeem poster contest, commemorating their SxSW showcase from last month wherin they performed the album in its entirety. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to experience the Hazards Of Love” in the subject line and your full mailing address in the body. And hooray, this contest is open to residents of North America. It’ll run for a week, closing at midnight, May 6.
And while you’re waiting to find out if you’ve won, you can go shopping for more swag at the Decemberists online store, sign up for their newsletter. Also read this Paste interview with Decemberists visual artist Carson Ellis.
The Decemberists are touring through the Summer and that includes an August 3 date at the Kool Haus here in Toronto.
MySpace: The Decemberists
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