Frank YangConsidering that Friday afternoon was arguably one of the best blocks of music experiences I’ve ever had at SxSW, it figured that the karma pendulum would have to swing the other way sooner or later. As it happened, it was sooner.

The official portion of the day started downstairs at Waves, a narrow little venue on 6th, where Shad was kicking things off. You can insert my standard “not really a hip-hop guy” disclaimer here, but I really grew to like his The Old Prince Still Lives At Home during Polaris season last year, and though I’d caught bits of his live show, had never seen him do a proper set. Guess I can check that off my list. Backed by a live rhythm section and DJ, Shad was a complete entertainer, his raps flowing into his banter and back while evidencing loads of charisma and good humour.

It was then up to the Central Presbyterian Church for Fanfarlo, which was the perfect setting for their ornate, orchestral folk-rock. Frontman Simon Balthazar, natty in a bow tie, looked like a nebbish music teacher leading his charges in exercises in musical splendor, in this case their really excellent new album Reservoir. I commented on the Arcade Fire reference points when previewing this show but the comparisons go far beyond just sonic and stylistic similarities. Fanfarlo also manage to create the same sense of excitement and wide-eyed wonder that I got on early listenings of Funeral. Very highly recommended.

So it sounds like things were going pretty well, right? What on earth was I complaining about? Well, the next stop on the sched was Maggie Mae’s Rooftop, and one thing I’d forgotten when planning things out was how much I absolutely hated Maggie Mae’s rooftop. If you’ve never been, the “venue” is a not-that-wide balcony around the perimeter of the venue with little in the way of actual sightlines, a low, poorly-lit stage and the washrooms just off to the side so that people needing to expel their beer have to fight their way through the crowd and walk beside the band to get to the restrooms. So lame. And of course it’s always packed, even for acts you’d think were a bit niche – like British bluegrass revivalists Mumford & Sons. They were pretty terrific last year in support of Laura Marling (who was standing behind be trying to videotape the proceedings) and when they finally got their sound issues sorted, they were pretty terrific again. With four-part harmonies and superb musicianship to go along with emotionally resonant songs that really do seem to bring new life to the genre. Great performance, shame about the venue.

And yet I didn’t leave, for Wheat were set for the downstairs – a much less heinous locale than the upstairs, to be fair – at 11. In the half-decade since I saw them last, they’d essentially split, re-formed, lost a member, and generally gone through more existential shit than any band should ever have to – and yet, here they were, back again and with a new album ready for June release. Their persistence alone was reason to cheer, but the jury is still out on the new material. That the band – now with Brendan Harney on keys and vocals and with a new member behind the kit while Scott Levesque handles guitar, lead vocals and epically awkward stage banter – was having a great time being back was unquestionable, but their aesthetic has gotten so art-pop eclectic that it’s difficult to get a handle on. I mean, a dance song? Really? Maybe I’m just too emotionally invested in their old stuff, which they thankfully included enough of in the set. But I will still give the new record a proper chance when it arrives.

By rights, The Bird & The Bee’s midnight show at Karma Lounge should have been a disaster, if not cancelled outright. For starters, the band on before them – some awful dirge-country outfit – was running a half hour late (worst words in the English language – “we have three more songs”). The venue was packed, sweaty and generally horrid (two banks of green LED lights ensured the absolute least flattering light for the performers possible). And when the Bird & The Bee finally got to set up, they were incapable of getting Greg Kurstin’s keyboards working through the monitors. I was tired, drinks had been spilled on and around me and with things looking bleak – the SxSW volunteer and stage manager almost got in a fight – I was ready to cut bait and sleep.

But patience was rewarded as the band improvised with their equipment and not only salvaged the evening but made it a triumph. With their matching primary colour plastic dresses and synchronized dance moves, to say nothing of some wonderful songs, Inara George and her band literally managed to turn my frown upside-down. The set was shortened a bit due to the delays but they were still able to fit in the essentials – “My Love”, “Fucking Boyfriend” and “Love Letter To Japan” – as well as a couple of delicious covers, Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” and The Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love”. Swoon. Too short and I want/need them to tour up to Toronto ASAP. Do it.

So perhaps my lead-in to this post was a bit dramatic. It was hardly a bad night, not even close, though there were moments. I think the weariness of the week is starting to really hit me. But got to pull up the ol’ bootstraps… last day! Woo!

listentofeist.comThis past Friday, I (Heart) Music posted the results of his fourth annual, “Hottest Bands In Canada” poll – the ultra-unscientific survey of online Canadian music types wherein we submit a ranked list of the Canadian acts that we deem the “hottest” by whatever definition of the word we wish to use.

Though I managed to get my list in just under the wire, on account of being ultra-busy and distracted the last few weeks, I don’t know if I gave it the utmost amount of thought that I might have otherwise. But going over my picks again, I’m fairly comfortable with the my blend of realistic and idealistic though after seeing the final list, I’m reminded of a lot of acts that I perhaps should have given more consideration. But what can you do. Listed below are my 10 picks along with the blurbs that I submitted alongside. The bracketed number is the artist’s actual ranking on the final list.

Obviously I’m not as in touch with the Canuck zeitgeist as perhaps I should be. I was a little more in sync with the top ten last year, whereas this year I seem to be pretty firmly ensconced in the bottom half of the list or so. I realize that if I were a little more objective about things, then acts like Fucked Up and Crystal Castles should have been given credit for making waves around the world, but whatever.

1. Feist (15) – We’re a long way removed from The Reminder but anything Feist does, including her first arena tour, still makes headlines. Objectively and quantitatively speaking, she remains the hottest musical thing with a Canadian passport.

Video: Feist – “1 2 3 4”

2. Basia Bulat (13) – 2007 was very good to Basia Bulat with Oh My Darling receiving critical acclaim in Europe and Canada – 2008 was just as good, as the record did just as well in the US and garnered a Polaris nomination. The fairy tale just keeps on going.

MP3: Basia Bulat – “In The Night”

3. Woodpigeon (-) – This Calgary collective probably falls more under the category of “ought to be hot but aren’t”, releasing record after record of gleaming folk-pop that is making small, but definite waves in Europe and landing the band tours with the likes of Calexico and Iron & Wine. Big things coming. I hope.

MP3: Woodpigeon – “Knock Knock”

4. Caribou (3) – Even though it’s technically an off-year for Caribou with no touring and no new record, winning the Polaris Prize for last year’s Andorra makes Dan Snaith’s project a shoo-in

MP3: Caribou – “Melody Day”

5. The Rural Alberta Advantage (19) – This Toronto trio’s Hometowns record is an absolute jewel, and yet almost no one has heard it. But I am, just for a moment, pretend it’s a just world and include them anyways.

MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Don’t Haunt This Place”

6. Shad (9) – Though he didn’t win the Polaris, it can be argued that Shad – helped out by his spot-on, ultra-viral video for “The Old Prince Still Lives At Home” – benefitted the most from the exposure gained by the nomination. Hell, he got me listening to hip-hop – that is no mean feat.

MP3: Shad – “The Old Prince Still Lives At Home”

7. Land Of Talk (21) – Finally, after long last, released their debut full-length and while it’s not the kick upside the head that Applause Cheer Boo Hiss was, it’s still a worthy effort. But factor in that Liz Powell is the newest Broken Social Scene chanteuse and that Land Of Talk is opening up for BSS on their North American tour…

MP3: Land Of Talk – “Corner Phone”

8. Two Hours Traffic (18) – Utterly relentless touring machines and purveyors of note-perfect power pop. It’s amazing that a band from such a wintry country can so perfectly capture the spirit of Summer.

MP3: Two Hours Traffic – “Stuck For The Summer”

9. Bruce Peninsula (5) – The first recorded fruits of this Toronto collective have shown that the otherworldy power of their live shows can indeed be captured on tape, which means that soon they’ll no longer be just the secret of those who’ve seen them perform.

MySpace: Bruce Peninsula

10. The Acorn (25) – Glory Hope Mountain has been garnering praise everywhere its been released and… well, it’s a terrific album and they’re nice folk.

MP3: The Acorn – “Crooked Legs”

I’m sure some would like to use this poll as a mid-year barometer for next year’s Polaris Music Prize noms but considering the sample group for this was a lot smaller and narrower, that’s probably reaching a bit. And speaking of the Polaris, the gala ceremony from September will be broadcast on CityTV across the country this Saturday night, November 8, at 7PM local time. Considering I missed out on most of the show, I’d like to see this… but I don’t have cable. So I will miss it again. But at least I know how it ends.

Feist – my number one but the list’s number fifteen – has been making the most of her return to Toronto this past week. There was a pair of secret club shows , one at the Rivoli and one at the Cameron House, a relatively intimate gig at Massey Hall on Saturday night and tonight, her big show at the Air Canada Centre. And it was just announced that November 25 will bring a deluxe edition of The Reminder, featuring a bonus disc of remixes, all the album’s videos (The Toronto Star has an interview with the director of them all) and the cover of Kenny and Dolly’s “Islands In The Stream” with Constantines – and for everyone who bought the album a year and a half ago when it was released, the bonus goods will be available for sale digitally on their own.

Wired has an interview with Murray Lightburn, frontman of the 27th hottest band in Canada, The Dears’. They’re playing the Sound Academy on December 13.

Hour.ca talks to Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene, who hang in at #20 on the list despite being on fake hiatus the last couple years. They’re at the Sound Academy on November 27 and 28.

The D’Urbervilles, who come in at #17 on the list, have announced a two-night stand at the Tiger Bar that they’ve playfully named “Rock Em Sock Em 1 and 2” on December 12 and 13th. Night one will feature The D’Urbs along with Katie Stelmanis (also of band #5, Bruce Peninsula) and Mantler while on night two, they’ll welcome Bocce and Slow Hand Mortem as their guests.

Woodpigeon rated highly on my list, but evidently not many others’. I prefer to think of myself as simply being that much ahead of the curve instead of being out of touch. Just wait. Noize Makes Enemies talked to frontman Mark Hamilton about the origins of their first album Songbook, which was just released in the UK.

Environmentalist and car junkie Neil Young talks to The New York Times about his efforts to win the Progressive Automotive X-Prize. He’s at the Air Canada Centre on December 4 and 5.

The Bicycles will release their new album Oh No It’s Love on Tuesday, the same day they play a release party at Lee’s Palace and an in-store at Soundscapes at 7PM the instore at Soundscapes is on Tuesday at 7PM, the Lee’s gig is on Saturday. Sorry for the confusion, which appears to have been mostly mine.

Whilst on the topic of hottest things in a respective geographical area, I was pleased to see that NOW named this site as “Best Music Website” in this year’s “Best Of Toronto” issue – not just for the kudos, but because in the six-plus years I’ve been doing this, I think this is just the second time the magazine has acknowledged my existence. Not that I’m keeping score or anything.

NPR enumerates their musical love of Canada.