Wintersleep in Atlanta Videos

Jud posted two pretty sweet videos that were shot at Atlanta's Roxy Theatre (on the night of the fist Tragically Hip show) on the Wintersleep website.

Matt Mays & El Torpedo Graceland / Sun Pics

Robbie gave me permission to post some of his photos from the band's tour of Graceland and Sun Studio (info / virtual tour here) in Memphis. He also promised me stories to post along with the photos, but I've not gotten any. Instead of waiting, though, I'm posting the photos anyway. Check back for stories later....
JB

"I'm Goin' to Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee"

(Elvis' house)

SUN, "The birthplace of Rock N' Roll"

Phil, in all of his classy glory, making us sound good and look even better...

Congrats to David Myles!

One of our publicity clients, David Myles, just delivered the news that he won in the International Songwriting Competition for the Folk / Singer-Songwriter category! This contest is open to songwriters and musicians worldwide and the judges for this year included artists such as Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Pixies' Frank Black, The Cure's Robert Smith, Roseanne Cash and more and a panel of industry pros. Check out the winners page for David's winning track. See his website and / or myspace for more info and stay tuned for a reaction to his win!

UPDATE: I just read the press release, and According to competition officials, they received almost 15,000 entries from 88 countries worldwide, representing all genres of contemporary music.

In response to my "Holy shit! Way to go!" email to David, he wrote “i'm pretty excited for sure. it's pretty crazy. next stop is to get Willie Nelson to sing that bad boy. "

SONIC PODCAST: "Is This Thing On" Ep. 01

I've made a new podcast featuring songs that I have been listening to in anticipation of Spring. The volume issues are somewhat better, but not totally resolved. Other than that, I'm feeling good about it. Here it is...enjoy!

The Songs:
Songs:Ohia* - I've Been Riding With A Ghost
The Constantines - Thieves
Rocky Votolato - White Daisy Passing
Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running
Nathan Wiley - Fist Full of Throttle (demo)
Mike O'Neill - We Live Happily
Led Zeppelin - Boogie With Stu
Matt Mays - Wasn't Meant To Be (unreleased)
Rilo Kiley - A Man / Me / Then Jim
Loose Fur - The Ruling Class
Evan Dando - It Looks Like You
Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio

*"Right off the bat we need to get one thing straight; it’s pronounced ... be Oheea for those who are more phonetically inclined) and not Songs:Ohia" (source)

Also... HAPPY CONSTANTINES DAY:

MMET Back in the US

Matt Mays & El Torpedo are heading back across the border to do some shows with Deadstring Brothers (and a few with Will Hoge also). All dates are added to the website as they are confirmed. So far the guys are scheduled to visit cities and towns such as Grand Rapids, MI; St. Louis, MO; Lexington, KY; Chicago, Minneapolis, MN; Vienna, Va; Milwaukee, WI, Philly, New York, Buffalo and more. Keep checking back for updates at...

I personally enter all dates into the calendar, and after the dozenth time writing out "Deadstring Brothers", I decided that it was time to finally check them out. So I went on over to their Myspace, and was pleasantly surprised. Reminds me of country Rolling Stones.

When the Angels Make a Movie

I was searching for a file on my computer and stumbled upon a folder containing Matt's original movie storyboards for the When the Angels Make Contact movie, so I thought I'd share a few compare them to what was actually filmed (well, to the video, anyway) - just for the hell of it.

The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico: a "honky-tonk-umentary"

If you've not heard of this movie, I highly suggest you rent it asap. Starring Halifamous musicians Matt Murphy (found in Superfriendz, Flashing Lights, etc.), Dale Murray (found in The Guthries, Cuff the Duke, etc.), Dave Marsh (found in Joel Plaskett Emergency, the Tiki Lounge, etc.); and legendary musicians including Merle Haggard, Ronnie Hawkins, Levon Helm, and Kris Kristofferson, it is a story of "Canada's Gram Parsons" (the two even shared the same manager) who "died" tragically in a very public way. The story is told by the people who knew and loved Guy, and the music is catchy as hell. I go through phases where it's all I want to listen to.

Apparently, the east coast is getting a huge snowstorm tonight, so go rent this before the weather gets too bad, grab the drink of your choice and maybe some popcorn, and you can thank me on Monday. Guy Terrifico on Myspace

10 favourites w/ Paul Murphy

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SONIC Concert of the Month: THE CONSTANTINES!

The Constantines are one of my favourite bands in the entire universe. Next friday is the Constantines / Jon Rae & The River / Shotgun & Jaybird show at the Marquee. I've been counting down the days for roughly 52 days now. Only 9 more to go...

SONIC PODCAST: "Is This Thing On"? (Episode 0)

Well, I've officially finished my first podcast. We'll call it a TESTcast, perhaps. I might just quit the speaking part altogether. Do you HAVE to talk in podcasts, or can I just make little mixed tapes all the time? The talking freaked me out.

Ten somewhat annoying things to note before I put it out there:
1) I forgot to tell you the actual name of the live BSS track. It's listed below.
2) I'm sure that I pronounced "Will Hoge" incorrectly.
3) It almost sounds like I say "Serge SamPson", when in fact I said "Samson" (no p - I hear he hates that).
4) I called The Acorn just "Acorn".
5) You can hear how badly I edited out some words (it was mostly me saying "uhhhhhhhhh" because I didn't know what to say next).
6) And WHAT is up with all of that AIR!? Really sorry about that.
7) I usually do much better with sequencing, but having to talk to my computer screen in a dark room (my computer room is actually storage closet) through a microphone fucked me up.
8) The speaking volume is really low. but that's ok, right?
9) The intro is lame. It's harder than I thought to get the ball rolling.
10) All of the above should be forgiven since I litterally learned as I went along. I had no help whatsoever from anyone (barring the dude who wrote the website that I used as a mentor), so let's hold back on the bitching about any of the above mentioned issues for now, ok? ;)

Ten GOOD things to note about this podcast:
1) Jenn Grant - Dreamer
2) Wintersleep - Listen [Listen, Listen] live on CJLO's "Hooked on Sonics"
3) Dan Griffin - She's a Drug
4) The Guthries - Season to Leave
5) Jim Guthrie - Nighttime, Anytime (It's Alright) (Constantines cover)
6) The Two Minute Miracles - Stall Tactics
7) Broken Social Scene - Major Label Debut (Live on KCRW)
8) Great Lake Swimmers - Your Rocky Spine
9) The Acorn - Darcy
10) Snailhouse - Daylight

I was going to keep it Untitled for now, but "Is This Thing On?" seemed to fit so well by the end of the experience, that I ended up naming it as such. If someone else is using that name let me know and I will cease and decist. And now... here it is: Is This Thing On? - Episode 0. (click to stream or right click and "save as" to download).

Wintersleep Boston Review / Interview

I found a nice Wintersleep blog entry / interview this morning on the Boston based Ryan's Smashing Life, so I thought I would share...

Meet Wintersleep - An interview with Bassist Jud Haynes

CATCHING UP WITH CANADA'S WINTERSLEEP.

Wintersleep's first album (self-entitled) and their second album (untitled) were just re-pressed and are now available at finer independent rock stores worldwide. The second release is just about the best record I have bought in the last year (& that's a lot of music!).

It's Friday, February the 23rd, and I am preparing to meet Nova Scotia's Wintersleep after checking out their gig at the Paradise in Boston. They are opening up for The Slip (Boston) and playing with Phonograph (New York), who they are alternating opening spots with every other night. Tonight, Wintersleep opens and they are excited about the prospect of playing in Boston. Little does the gathering crowd know that this evening's opening act will play the best set of the night.

It's frigid cold outset but inside - things were just heating up.Wintersleep comes off as a pretty original band. Singer Paul Murphy has one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard. It's like an extra instrument he uses to establish pace through the tracks. The band's next greatest strength are their songwriting and unique song structure. The songs are showcased with long mood-setting lead-ins and extremely catchy choruses. Simply: they are really good. Playing live, they are even better.

The Paradise is still filling in as the band closes up its set. Those that saw it were mesmerized. The applause were heartfelt and loud. It's a sad thing when the music ends but it means it's time to meet the band. The room is suddenly silent now - an abrupt and discourteous reminder of how good it was just moments before when the room was filled with the band's immense sound - what I can describe only as "Wintersleep-goodness."

Read the Full Interview HERE. An Excerpt:

RSL: Jud, can you tell us about the band? What's a typical night like before the show? Anyspecial preparations or rituals?

JH: We have no special rituals or preparations. I wish I had something fun to report - but other than a strict regiment of moisturizing; choice conditioners; push-ups and Oprah reruns we're really not all that interesting.As far as the individual personalities go, Paul loves coffee, books and spirited dance parties. Tim is quiet and finds comfort below the bill of his hat and while sneaking out for a smoke. Jon is a news junkie, watching countless hours of news TV finding occassional time to fry his brain on WWF wrestling.... Loel recently bought a souped-up mac laptop and now is the envy of us all while I have a sweet tooth that is sure to bring me closer to being diebetic with each tastey morsal, and I am fully in love with a machine called BlackBerry. We're very normal and mildly lovable.

SONIC PREVIEW - Nathan's New Artwork

Nathan and I were just having our weekly email conversation about "LOST", and at the end of one of the messages, he brought up the artwork idea he has for "The City Destroyed Me" - see a sample below - and i asked about the artist. This is what i got back:

"An artist named Maurice Bernard. He's really well known around these parts anyway. I actually took art lessons from him for a few years when I was a kid...he used to crank the soundtrack to "Good Morning Vietnam", so that was my introduction to Motown stuff. And he had books of weird art with topless chicks fighting dragons and stuff. So that was my introduction to topless chicks fighting dragons. So anyway, it's all come around and he's doing the art for my record. He's great at nailing the likeness thing...and making me look pretty.

(middle paragraph edited out)

Gonna start working on the graphics soon. I can't wait...it's always fun to do. Then we all get to fight over a single for a video or whatever. What do you think?"

It's important to note that this sketch is NOT the one we're using for the album cover. It is just part of the series of sketched the artist submitted to Nathan as ideas.

2007 upcoming releases

2007 is looking like a great year for new releases. Radiohead, Wilco, Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, Wintersleep, Wooden Stars, Do Make Say Think, PJ Harvey, Low, Feist, Neil Young Live @ Massey Hall... it's just nuts.

Here are some videos to celebrate.


New Modest Mouse song. It's been stuck in my head for 3 days.


"lalalalalalalaaaaaaaa"


I *heart* group singing. Aparently Chris Martin is in this crowd somewhere.


Neil rules.

I was there to witness this. June in Montreal. Radiohead in a smallish theatre. TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. Amazing. The video and sound quality is poor, but the song is great. And Johnny Greenwood is my hero.


Same song as above. Just totally different.

Also, there's a new Wilco track on their website and the entire album will be streamed for the day this Sunday. I've heard it. I love it. Check it.

Mays Tour Wrap Up

After spending from Jan. 17th to Feb. 3rd on the road with the When the Angels Make Contact tour, and then from Feb. 7th - 24th on tour with El Torpedo in the US, Matt and the guys are officially off the road for a well deserved mini-vacation.

The "Angels" Tour went off without a hitch with all 9 band members returning home in one piece, AND they all still like each other. Some fans have been posting photos from the shows (and what a show it was - i saw it 3 times), which I will share with you now, along with a video of "When the Angels Make Contact", shot at The Mod Club in Toronto. Before posting the good stuff though, let me just send a shout out to Matty who not only pulled off his vision, which came together only DAYS before the band started performing, but who also earned a JUNO nomination for the record in the Adult Album of the Year category alongside Neil Young, Jim Cuddy, Ron Sexsmith and Sarah Harmer! God job, bud.

Photos:

(Matt & Tyler, Alanna by Marie)

(IMac's light show by Wenda Atkin)

(The gang by Wenda Atkin)

(A very small portion of the gear by "davethenewfie")

(Matt by "davethenewfie")

(Matt by "Dan")

(Matt & Alanna by Sean Camp)

(Tyler by Sean Camp)

(Dale by ?)

VIDEO:

As mentioned above, Matt Mays & El Torpedo just completed a bunch of US dates as support for Will Hoge, and they performed a few dates with The Lemonheads as well. Andy has promised me some photos, which I will post when they arrive in my inbox. In the meantime, here’s an excerpt from little tour wrap-up message from Mr. Patil (originally posted on the www.mattmays.com message board), and a video of one of the new live tunes they’ve been playing called “Building a Boat”.

"right now we're taking a bit of time off and it's 'some nice'. you know i've really noticed the maritime accent a lot more since we got back and i love it--afterall it's our accent too. however, we get exposed to so many accents in our travels that our's becomes an amalgamation of many different ones by default. after being home for a few days our true accents surface again but no matter what we make sure to represent our maritimer ways in some fashion or another when we travel. here's an example:

louisville, kentucky

me: ah yes, can we buy a 2-4 from the bar please?
bartender: a tewww-fooar, what's that?
lighting guy (politely interjects): he means 'a case'. back home we call it a 2-4. (he was originally from cape breton, nova scotia)
bartender: ooooh! sorry my friend. what kind would y'all like?
me: got any schooner?

it's great to be home!"

MM&ET Live at Pianos Bar, New York, NY.
“I’m gonna leave you for her baby, it’s just a matter of tiiiiiiiime…”

Wintersleep Vs. America

NEW BUSINESS:
Quick Newsflash:

Today is the official US release date for Wintersleep's last 2 records (Labwork Music / Caroline Distribution)! We are excited about the releases and the upcoming US tour dates (three of which are in support of none other than The Tragically Hip). Yeis!

Also, there is a new Wintersleep Audio player (see link in sidebar) that features recorded Wintersleep songs as well as old demos, some Kary (Paul and Tim pre-Wintersleep) songs and some solo stuff that Paul recorded in what I've always pictured to be a tiny room. I've always been partial to the "Youth" track. "When I was around, I was king of this town..."

OLD BUSINESS:
Here is a little tour video shot by Dounia in Feb. 2006 when the band performed on the ECMA telecast and then traveled across the country in the dead of Winter. It's funny and it features Mike Bigelow (Happy birthday today michael!) and Dounia and me. Have you EVER heard better "dadadas"?

SONIC PREVIEW: Nathan Wiley - The City Destroyed Me

Nathan has recently finished recording his new album upstairs with Steve Berlin. Click on the image above for a sneak peek of some of the new songs. Also, here's a little video I recorded at Nate's ECMA showcase. It's for the song "One Bad Woman", which I very much enjoy. Sorry about the quality of the video. A videographer I surely am not. :)

It's a new dawn, it's a new day...

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the first of many Sonic blog posts. I (Janesta - better known as "JB" around these parts) am tearing down some walls, slapping on some fresh paint and putting up some posters, and soon this place will look brand new. In the coming weeks and months, we (Sonic staff and friends, better known as "the office")' will be bringing you podcasts, videos, news, artist playlists / stories / tour photos, and much more. So come on in (but please take off your shoes first) and make yourself comfortable. There's beer in the fridge and it's going to be a long night.
JB