Sonic "JB"log

How I Got Over

2011-01-18T16:20:00.003-04:00

I can not believe I didn't post about the newest Roots record, so let's pretend it's still 2010 for a minute... It made my entire summer, and even on freezing cold winter days like today, it keeps me warm and makes me think of driving and beaches and of just how effing much I LOVE the Roots. I am apt to say I really like every new Roots record (and have done at least twice on here so far) but this one... this one is really special. It's my favourite since The Tipping Point in 2004, and it might be my second favourite ever. If you are a fan of these guys at ALL you need to own this. Record of the year.

30 questions about songs...

2010-12-03T09:47:00.006-04:00

Facebook has this '30 day song challenge' page and I thought that I might participate, however, the questions got me thinking so much that I now just want to post my responses to all 30 days' worth right now. I also plan to break the rules and have more than one answer per line item some times... and that's ok.

Day 01 - Your favorite song

Always a tough one, as I can be heard saying "this is my FAVOURITE song" a few times a day... but I think I will have to go with Gord Downie - Chancellor. Or "You Are My Sunshine".

Day 02 - Your least favorite song

No question: Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart. ugh.
Or Crazy Bitch.
Or, and I always get flack for saying it but: Ween - Push th' Little Daisies

Day 03 - A song that makes you happy

Beastie Boys - Sabotage

Day 04 - A song that makes you sad

hmmm. maybe Pedro The Lion - Bad Things To Such Good People

Day 05 - A song that reminds you of someone

The Tragically Hip - The Exact Feeling

Day 06 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere

Jim Guthrie - So Small (Hamburg)
Neil Young - Unknown Legend (driving to Newfoundland with the boys)

Day 07 - A song that reminds you of a certain event

Neil Young - Keep on Rockin' in the Free World. OR, more specifically, the live recording of Pearl Jam w/ Wintersleep and gang - Keep on Rockin' in the Free World.

Day 08 - A song that you know all the words to

Eminem and Dr. Dre - Forgot About Dre

Day 09 - A song that you can dance to

Well there is many a dance song out there and I can dance to whatever you want me to. last song I danced to was Thriller, I believe. you know what is a song you can dance to? anything that the Mellowtones play, that's what song.

Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep

I wouldn't say it puts me to sleep, but it could lull me in to relaxation which I suppose could be followed by sleep: Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio

Day 11 - A song from your favorite band

Radiohead - Idioteque
Wintersleep - People Talk
The Roots - How I Got Over

Day 12 - A song from a band you hate

It's not the band I hate, it's their fans.
But seriously, Arms Wide Open *shudder*

Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Ring My Bell
Mr Big - To Be With You

Day 14 - A song that no one would expect you to love

Going to stick with Mr. Big here. or Lipps Inc - Funkytown. Although if you really know me, you KNOW I love that song...

Day 15 - A song that describes you

Anything I thought of listing here reads as slightly pathetic so ... next.

Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate

Usually goes the other way for me. I don't have an answer for this...

Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio

That bleeping Kings of Leon song from about 2 records ago now.

Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio

Dan Griffin - She's a Drug. Pesky f word.

Day 19 - A song from your favorite album

I don't know that I have one favourite album. I definitely have many, actually. For this purpose:
Postdata - In Chemicals

Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you’re angry

Refused - New Noise

Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you’re happy

Snoop - What's my Name. Why not.

Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you’re sad

anything early Leonard Cohen. soothing.

Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding

John Lennon - Oh Yoko
Basia Bulat - Oh My Darling
Wintersleep - Listen (listen listen)

Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral

The Sadies - A Good Flying Day. That just came to me, mostly because it just came on the ipod... pretty good one though, yeah? ...or is it some kind of morbid? Tough one. Maybe Mogwai. or Lanois.

Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh

Clarence Carter - Strokin'

Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument

Neil Young - Heart of Gold
any song in the world... on air guitar (yes it counts).

Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play

All the cool ones with the chords that my hands can't make work.

Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty

Odd question. One better left alone.

Day 29 - A song from your childhood

Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock
Hall & Oats - Private Eyes

Day 30 - Your favorite song at this time last year

Good question, but it requires further thought. Is it really December already? Not sure how I got here so fast...

You could be super if you wanted to...

2010-09-23T11:47:00.002-04:00

It's officially fall, and every year some album will come in to my life to provide the soundtrack to my favourite season. This year (although it's still early days), there are two...

#1 - Coco et Co. - St. Denis
This is Andrew Sisk (of Share and Sleepless Nights) and Miranda Durka. It's lovely, and I suggest that you go buy it. Wait, did I say buy it? I mean, download it for free (thank you Coco et Co) right here: http://cocoetco.bandcamp.com/

#2 - Snailhouse - Monumental Moments
It's no secret that I love me some Snailhouse. Made up of outtakes, demos, a live track, etc. Monumental Moments is pretty and warm and... well, it's frigging Snailhouse, so I think you should go buy it. Wait, did I say buy it? I mean, download it for free (thank you Snailhouse) right here: http://snailhouse.bandcamp.com/

Caliber live in Germany 2009

2010-07-14T11:50:00.000-04:00

Going Acoustic

2010-05-31T10:01:00.004-04:00

In the past week, we've received a few videos of some of our artists doing the acoustic thing. I would like to share:

Wintersleep - Preservation. A take away performance at Truck America

Wintersleep: Preservation from Foglight Films on Vimeo.

Mick Davis (Novaks) - I'd Wait for Anyone Who Would Wait for Me. Live at The Verge

Matt Mays - new song. Live at The Carleton

Just Be Simple

2010-04-27T10:36:00.001-04:00

An old favourite, rediscovered... and not a moment too soon.
ignore the video, just listen to the song:

Songs: Ohia - Just Be Simple

Boxer the Horse Video

2010-04-12T09:04:00.000-04:00

Bad Apples - Boxer The Horse from Gavin Keen on Vimeo.

Some times you just NEED some Mogwai

2010-04-09T14:10:00.001-04:00

the second best part of my day so far...
picture it on CD (not crap youtube sound) and LOUD. love it.

The Sheepdogs

2010-03-17T11:38:00.005-04:00

Have you been thinking to yourself, "man, I wish a new The Guess Who would come along already, but with a little bit more of an Allman Brothers vibe..."? well, guess what... The Sheepdogs. Check it.

American Football - The One With The Wurlitzer

2010-03-05T11:16:00.003-04:00

I should have included this in my 'list of songs that i never tire of'. so pretty and soothing. just perfect for a cold windy winter friday morning.

Clarence Carter - Strokin'

2010-02-26T20:41:00.005-04:00

so we're out at Tribeca last friday and the DJ puts on a Clarence Carter jam called 'strokin'', which is a hilarious song that my friends and i used to listen to in high school as we drove around aimlessly in curt's old... some type of car (a standard that he learned how to drive after he acquired it), anyway, the song comes on and i frantically start texting old friends and singing aloud - astonished that only one other person at the table knows of Carter at all.

I sang "i stroke it to the east, i stroke it to the west...'', i sang "i'm strokin'!", i was happy to flash back to those high school days, and kind of proud that i and only 2 other people in the entire place knew of this gem... but what i DIDN'T know, and what i just right this minute discovered, is that THERE IS A FREAKIN' VIDEO! oh my god. I hate to date myself, but when we were in high school (ok it was the late 90s) there was no such thing as youtube. and after high school, until last friday, i never really thought much about Clarence Carter... but it's all back on now... Jesse! Jen! Sal! Curt! Lou! Jor! there's a video!

to everyone else... behold:

Tobias Grey live clip

2010-01-30T10:51:00.001-04:00

Paul Murphy feat. Christoph Schmidt on cello :)

Postdata - In Chemicals

2010-01-19T13:49:00.001-04:00

This song is just so good.

Lyrics: (from www.postdatamusic.com)

To the murderer of my heart
To the stealer of my better parts
You defy me, you defy me, you defy me
Supercilious jokes beneath the blankets & pillows
You have tied me up, you have tied me up, you’ve tied me up
It’s chemical, it’s chemical, it’s chemical
When they find me they’re gonna know
They’re gonna let the bruise marks show
Disinfect me, resurrect me as if these parts were never loved
As if the knife was never shoved, was never shoved
In chemicals, in chemicals, in chemicals
It’s chemical, it’s chemical, it’s chemical

Liar, Liar

2010-01-15T14:02:00.002-04:00

You know how some times, you hear a certain song on a certain day, and it perfectly fits your mood / vibe / whatever you want to call it for that particular day? ... no? that's just weird? well, whatever. it happens to me. and this is me, today.
A touch evil but pretty chill, a little groovy ... an inexplicable mood but overall, pretty darn good.

Liars - Sailing to Byzantium

APPRECIATION POST: Wooden Stars - People are Different

2010-01-13T17:16:00.002-04:00

I've definitely blogged about this album before, but I don't think I've given it it's proper due. That is to say also, that I don't think you understand that you should own this gem (if you don't already). You see, I simply love this record. It was released a while back now (2007 i believe) - but I still listen to it often, and dance around in my chair as it plays. Sitting-dancing... it's good for you. 'People are different. difference is cool..."
MYSPACE

Boxer The Horse - Material Christmas

2009-12-11T15:12:00.001-04:00

A christmas song. By Boxer the Horse. You listen here: http://www.myspace.com/boxerthehorse

Hold on to your hat, babe.

2009-11-30T11:32:00.000-04:00

HAT - Racoon Bandit from Adam Perry on Vimeo.

Please let me introduce you to Postdata...

2009-11-19T15:07:00.003-04:00

I have been waiting to share this for quite some time. Paul recorded some songs with his brother Mike and now it's going to be released on Jan. 26th as a little record. I really love it. Here are 3 songs + 1 download at postdatamusic.com. you can 'share' or embed it as well.

APPRECIATION POST: Burdocks - Airplane Tracks

2009-11-05T16:27:00.007-04:00

Do you remember when you bought Airplane Tracks and listened to it for like, 10 months straight? If you answered, "no", then I'm not sure we can really be friends anymore... I'm sorry (kind of).

I am not going to lie. I go long periods of time not listening to this EP. I meet new records, become involved with them, sometimes fall in love, but when I'm reminded of my beloved Airplane Tracks, I run straight back with open arms and hug it and hug it and hug it. What a wonderful piece of art you are, AP. I'm sorry i don't say it often enough, but i do care for you, very much. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Pop Cult
2. Icicle Knife
3. Receipts
4. Save The World
5. We Seat Ourselves
6. Room Temperature
7. Battle Of The Band

Listen to some songs - http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/BURDOCKS
Buy it - http://dogdaymusic.com/discography/

Larry Blackberry

2009-10-20T13:20:00.002-04:00

Ah, Larry David. I'm not saying I approve, but I do understand...

Paul Westerberg - Things

2009-10-07T09:53:00.002-04:00

a little something to help us get through 'hump day'. i hate that term, but i used it anyway.

New Pearl Jam

2009-09-18T09:31:00.001-04:00

yeah man

and:

Do The Collapse

2009-09-04T13:09:00.001-04:00

It's friday before the long weekend. Listen to Guided By Voices.

Pearl Jam Loves Wintersleep too...

2009-09-02T15:47:00.001-04:00

Man, i just really really love this. and when he says wintersleep, i'm sure he also means me. i was there last time they played with them. on stage and all. ed wouldn't forget me, right? of course not.

The Novaks Media Player

2009-08-21T13:06:00.003-04:00

It`s been requested that I present to you the new Novaks media player - featuring songs from Things Fall Apart. Embed it anywhere you'd like too. Visit The Novaks website (media section), launch the player under "Audio" and find the 'embed', or 'share' button and there you go... magic.

Appreciation Post: This Year's Model

2009-08-21T09:31:00.003-04:00

I've been listening to this Costello record every day this week. It's damn good. His second record. Released in 1978. Pure awesome.

I just found out that pitchfork gave it a 10.0, so if you don't believe me, then believe Pitchfork, i guess.

Just put it on.

Boom Boom I Got Me A Gun...

2009-07-23T11:30:00.004-04:00

I don't really got me a gun. I'm not a fan of guns. However, I am becoming quite a fan of Myles Deck and The Fuzz. A punk band that lives here in Halifax that reminds me of the Stooges. I suspect they remind themselves of The Stooges, which is fine if you can pull it off.

I saw them last Spring at the Seahorse after seeing Death Cab For Cutie at DAL and had a blast. Definitely a completely different show, but no less of one, that's for sure. Luckily none of the beer or powder thrown on /in to the audience landed on me, but if it had I don't think I'd have minded because it all made sense at the time. Great show. punk rock.

A Myles Deck and The Fuzz audio player
[click on 'music']. song 2 and 3 are my favourite - from the EP Police Cops.

The Chiffons

2009-07-16T15:26:00.003-04:00

In the last 15 minutes I've become obsessed with The Chiffons. Sometimes you're just in the mood for old school awesome. this is it.

Woo! New Yo La Tengo!

2009-07-15T10:58:00.003-04:00

Yo La T is the FSOTW on iTunes.ca. Yay! New! Yo! La! Tengo! From Popular Songs - Due out Sept. 2009. You can also download the track (called "Periodically Double or Triple") here.
Have I ever mentioned that they wrote / recorded / perform one of my top 3 songs of all time? Love the Yo La...

You Can Have It All:

New Nick Rose

2009-07-07T10:16:00.004-04:00

I've been meaning to post this for about a week, but I continually get sidetracked. Now it's time... There are a few new Nick Rose songs posted on his myspace. "Run Tom Longboat" is worthy of repeated listens. go. go now.

In other news, in case you've not seen the posts on the band's sites, Wintersleep will be opening for Paul McCartney when he performs his only Canadian date - this Saturday, July 11th on the Halifax Common. :)

Bonus: HELP!

Extra Bonus: Hayden - Dynamite Walls (just because i love it so)

Polaris Prize - Long List

2009-06-15T15:04:00.003-04:00

Leonard Cohen, eh? that's some tough competition...

The list is posted below but you can visit the Polaris site for more info on the jury, the process, etc.

Who do you think will be on the short list? I have my ten picked out. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours...

• Arkells - Jackson Square
• Jill Barber - Chances
• Beast - Beast
• Bell Orchestre - As Seen Through Windows
• Bison B.C. - Quiet Earth
• Bruce Peninsula - A Mountain Is A Mouth
• Cœur De Pirate - Cœur De Pirate
• Leonard Cohen - Live In London
• D-Sisive - Let The Children Die
• Elephant Stone - The Seven Seas
• Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows
• Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life
• Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
• Handsome Furs - Face Control
• Tim Hecker - An Imaginary Country
• Hey Rosetta! - Into Your Lungs
• Japandroids - Post-Nothing
• Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care
• K'NAAN - Troubadour
• K-OS - YES!
• La patère rose - La patère rose
• Land Of Talk - Some Are Lakes
• Lhasa - Lhasa
• Malajube - Labyrinthes
• Metric - Fantasies
• One Hundred Dollars - Forest Of Tears
• Pink Mountaintops - Outside Love
• Joel Plaskett - Three
• Snailhouse - Lies On The Prize
• Charles Spearin - The Happiness Project
• Rae Spoon - superioryouareinferior
• The Stills - Oceans Will Rise
• Think About Life - Family
• Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre
• Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane
• Martha Wainwright - I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too
• Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms
• Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
• Women - Women
• Woodpigeon - Treasury Library Canada
C/W Houndstooth Europa

Goin' to Acapulco

2009-05-29T14:52:00.004-04:00

I must admit I'm not much of a MMJ fan, but I do love this. From the Dylan pic "I'm Not There", Jim James w/ Calexico:

Bonus (and possibly the best thing ever) - Beastie Boys with The Roots!

Grizzly Bear Black Cab Session

2009-05-25T15:16:00.003-04:00

oh yeah. that's good. that's real good: http://blackcabsessions.com/sessions.php?id=1243002825

Grizzly Bear on Myspace. New album "Veckatimest" is out tomorrow.

Cat in a box

2009-05-22T10:42:00.001-04:00

this has very little to do with anything... but i felt the need to share.
I'm as happy that it's friday and 30 degrees out as this cat is with that box...

Box Cat is back!

Songs I Never Tire Of

2009-05-13T10:46:00.006-04:00

There are a lot of songs on my ipod that I have been listening to for QUITE a while now with no real big breaks in between. Just go-to songs that I love and never tire of. Some of the main ones are below... what are yours??

Leonard Cohen / almost anyone - Hallelujah
Snailhouse - Daylight
Yo La Tengo - Today is the Day
Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire
Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio
Neil Young - Unknown Legend
Radiohead - Idioteque
The Roots - Thought @ Work
Sonic Youth - Androgynous Mind
Eminem & Dr. Dre - Forgot About Dre
Gord Downie - Chancellor
Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen
Christopher Robin Device - Parade Day
Dan Griffin - She's A Drug
Elvis Costello - Watching the Detectives
Hayden - Home By Saturday
Jim O'Rourke - Halfway to a Three Way
Museum Pieces - Old Cathedral

the wonderfully wonderfully weird

2009-05-07T12:50:00.003-04:00

Tom Waits' Mule Variations is just so great. On a rainy afternoon, there's almost nothing better. Give it a spin sometime this rainy season and you'll see. Watch Tom perform "Chocolate Jesus" on Letterman:

BONUS: "Come On Up to the House" Video:

sONIC yOUTH

2009-05-01T10:23:00.000-04:00

oh yeah.

Favourite Song of the Week

2009-04-14T13:39:00.003-04:00

It turns out the christopher walken twitter wasn't the real walken after all. and the account seems to have been suspended. oh well... on to new things.

There are so many new records to listen to... majors acts like the Hip, Neil Young, DCFC, Kos... some of these are better than others... but the song that I can't stop listening to on repeat comes from Jay Smith's Myspace. Check out the song "Romantic Fool". Good stuff.

BONUS: Arkells live at SXSW. I see danny g...

Christopher Walken... is it really you?

2009-03-26T15:01:00.005-04:00

I'm not sure if this is real chris walken or not (as opposed to 'the real shack' on Twitter), but who ever it is (and I really hope it's real christopher walken), he / she is hilarious. I will accept Twitter into my life now, happily. Thank you Mr. Walken, or whoever you are, for providing my new favourite light reading material.

Some Excerpts: from http://twitter.com/cwalken

I am now invited to a dog wedding. I don't have the words to make that stupider than it already sounds. They're registered at Whiskers. 9:16 AM Mar 24th

A friend mailed me her new book but didn't sign it. I hope that doesn't mean she wants it back. I'll tell her I sneezed on it or something. about 20 hours ago

There's a kid on a Pogo stick in front of my house. It's nearly midnight so let's assume he's been drinking. This should end well for him. 10:41 PM Mar 18th

Someone corrected my last post; said it's "frightened by" not "frightened of." Know what else I'm frightened of? Crazy people. 9:29 AM Mar 18th

No. I'm not really Tina Fey. That was an odd question but I applaud its random nature. 9:57 AM Mar 13th

Bonus:
A video on the "Twoubles with Twitter"

Too Cool For (old)School

2009-03-20T11:41:00.002-04:00

Thanks again to Matt for sending me an awesome video that I can now steal and post on my blog like I knew it was there all along...

"Come On Out..."

2009-03-20T09:03:00.003-04:00

it's spring! officially spring! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY!

Bonus: Rainn Wilson's "25 things about me" from here:
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/office-star-rainn-wilson-25-things-about-me-2009193

The Office's Rainn Wilson -- next up in Monsters vs. Aliens (out March 27) -- filled out the "25 Things" Facebook chain letter for Us Weekly.

1. I would make a beautiful woman.
2. My wife is way funnier than I am.
3. I once thought it would be a good idea to be a pipe smoker like Sherlock Holmes or The Hef. I was 19.
4. I am "just not that into" seeing that new dating movie.
5. I know why the caged bird sings. To make female birds think he's sensitive.
6. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. This causes a lot of injuries for me.
7. I've got 99 problems and a fish ain't one of them.
8. Fact: My mother wanted to name me Thucydides.
9. Maize: My people call it corn.
10. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? One, with my incredibly acidic saliva.
11. I believe in universal health care for every planet except Earth.
12. Unlike most, I feel John Oates is overrated.
13. I am 6-foot-1 and 5/6 inches.
14. I frigging hate negative people. They suck.
15. I once took a girl on a date and refused to pay for her movie ticket because, as a feminist, I was ideologically opposed to the idea. Never saw her again. I was 19.
16. If I see a fire extinguisher, I have to play with it.
17. When I was a child, I stepped on my pet gerbil, Frederick. My dad gave him a funeral flush.
18. I think Mary Todd Lincoln was a stone-cold fox.
19. I always thought the lyrics to "Jet Airliner" by the Steve Miller Band went "Big ol' Chad and the lineup."
20. I once put my left foot in while doing the hokeypokey and was unable to take it out for three days.
21. I'm an expert juggler, chess player and Call of Duty sniper.
22. I dance like a girl when Madonna's "Into the Groove" comes on.
23. Fact: My two favorite shows are Lost and Sesame Street.
24. My stunt double on The Office is a marionette.
25. I wish there was a Home Surgery Network.

PIECE OF CRAP

2009-03-06T15:52:00.003-04:00

I was just complaining about my home computer being a piece of crap (PIECE OF CRAP), and i remembered this tune. now i can't stop listening to it. and it's made my day better... but the video itself is a piece of crap...

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Piece of Crap
Uploaded by ivaxavi

Tom Petty - Runnin Down A Dream

2009-03-03T13:46:00.001-04:00

Such an amazing documentary. Everyone must watch it.

Bonus: "I Need To Know" (live)

15 things to help get you through until the weekend...

2009-02-27T10:00:00.004-04:00

1. The Magnetic Fields - California Girls
2. Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Stand and Deliver
3. The Replacements - Buck Hill
4. Liars - Plaster Casts of Everything
5. Beastie Boys - Sabotage
6. Bruce Peninsula - Crabapples
7. Chad VanGaalen - Bare Feet on Wet Griptape
8. Constantines - Easy Money
9. Nirvana - Aneurysm
10. Husker Du - New Day Rising
11. Fugazi - Life and Limb
12. Smothered in Hugs - Money Came Through
13. Sebadoh - Gimme Indie Rock
14. Sonic Youth - Androgynous Mind
15. Mudhoney - Overblown

"California Girls"

"Plaster Casts...."

"Life and Limb"

"Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west..."

2009-02-20T16:55:00.001-04:00

happy friday. dance and sing.

Soft Airplane

2009-02-20T11:04:00.004-04:00

WHAT is wrong with me that I put off listening to Chad VanGaalen's Soft Airplane until recently? I ignored everyone having listed it on their top 2008 albums lists, I ignored it when Glen (who sits not far from my office door) played it during the day, I ignored it for way too long and I deserve every i-told-you-so and kick in the butt you wish to dish out. I liked other Chad VanGaalen stuff, but I do believe that I love this. Don't make the same mistake I did... if you like brilliant indie pop, this is for you. Although I do recommend you listen to it as an album, and not download random songs. It's worth the .99 per track to have the entire thing.

Snow Storm

2009-02-19T14:19:00.004-04:00

it's storming out. like, snowing sideways type o' deal... let's sing it off:

Stevie Wonder drum solo

2009-02-16T10:10:00.001-04:00

i stole this from Jeremy (of boxer the horse)'s facebook. holy crap.

Podcast: Is This Thing On : Sunday

2009-02-15T13:01:00.002-04:00

These songs are great. the podcast as a whole could be better. but i went out last night and don't overly feel like playing the perfectionist today... enjoy.

1) Bob Dylan - Love Minus Zero / No Limit
2) Neil Young - Winterlong
3) Nina Simone - Aint Got No / I Got Life
4) The Faces - Flying
5) Elvis Costello - Lip Service
6) The Band - The Weight (last waltz version)
7) Koko Taylor feat. Willie Dixon - Insane Asylum
8) Candi Staton - That's How Strong My Love Is
9) Ray Charles - Lonely Avenue
10) Velvet Underground - Rock n Roll
11) David Bowie - Moonage Daydream

"The reactor's down. I guess for Labour Day..."

2009-02-12T10:27:00.003-04:00

There's a new Hip song, "Morning Moon" on their website from the upcoming album (due out in April). It sounds like it might be a mellower effort this time.

I can't even begin to put how I feel for Gord Downie into words. I've met him twice and both times I made an ass out of myself. I dont tend to get starstruck, but I felt like a deer in the damn headlights. The first time we talked about our jackets. The second, Mike O'Neil. But that's ok. If you can't be weird around Gord Downie, who can you be weird around?

"Grace Too" (SNL)

Listen All Y'all...

2009-02-11T15:28:00.001-04:00

Appreciation Post: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust...

2009-02-10T16:33:00.003-04:00

I just played this really loudly while trying to sort through some stuff here at work. The office didn't seem to mind. SO SO SO good.

Now, you go play it loud too. you deserve it. so do the people around you. and DON'T give me any of that "i'm not really a bowie fan" stuff. that means you just dont know any better... this record is worth setting all of that crap aside. trust.

"Five Years" Live

"Is This Thing On" feat. Dan Griffin (Or "JB & DG got a case of the Mondays")

2009-01-26T20:52:00.012-04:00

It's been almost an entire YEAR since my last podcast. A year!? How that happened, I just dont know. However, I had the pleasure of collaborating on the first episode of Is This Thing On 2009 with my buddy Dan Griffin. Dan came into my office yesterday morning only a short time after waking up and I was in my office working away / fighting to stay focused as I was out much too late (yes, on a sunday, but it was worth it), and I was exhausted. A great way to start a monday for both of us. However, putting this little episode together over lunch was a nice addition to the otherwise not very awesome day. So, I'd like to thank Dan for chosing the artists and most of the songs, and for taking care of the introduction (again, we're sorry for the mic sound)...

As stated, the theme of this podcast is 'Monday'. ..From waking up on Monday morning to going to sleep on Monday night. We hope you enjoy it.

- JB&DG

1) Yo La Tengo - Little Eyes
2) Nick Rose - Light At Dawn*
3) Bon Iver - Beach Baby
4) Magnolia Electric co. - Hard To Love A Man
5) The Replacements - Can't Hardly Wait (Acoustic outtake)+
6) Arkells - I'm Not The Sun**
7) Paul Westerberg - Dirty Diesel+
8) Loose Fur - Answers to your Questions+
9) Fleet Foxes - Quiet Houses
10)Constantines - St. You

*A big thank you to Nick Rose for sending me "light at dawn" for this podcast. To all of you in Toronto on Jan. 30th, head down to the Riv for his cd release show w/ guest...Dan Griffin :)
**Dan plays in Arkells. See these guys live. so great.
+Really love Paul Westerberg. And Jim O'Rourke.

THIS Sunday - Dan Griffin & Ryan Cook solo show

2009-01-23T15:44:00.002-04:00

Dan Griffin is in town playing with Arkells at The Marquee with Matty Mays, and while he's here, he'll also be performing a solo show at The Carlton on Argyle st. 9 pm sharp, with Ryan Cook. What a great way to end the weekend. I definitely told you all about Danny G, already. you know this is special...

Dan live solo - "She's A Drug":

And the wonderful Ryan Cook, covering Hank Williams' "Ramblin Man":

Luke Temple - Daytrotter Session

2009-01-18T15:51:00.005-04:00

"...is that a weight, my dear?"

What a lovely lazy Sunday find. I currently have "Thankful Survivor" on repeat. Listen or download here.

Bonus:

The catchy song - aired on Grey's Anatomy and in the short film Fortune Hunters (which I just watched - rent it on itunes). This is some type of fan made video: "Make Right With You"

LIVE: "Medicine"

Appreciation Post: Bruce Peninsula

2009-01-15T11:57:00.004-04:00

Matt Charlton sent me a message that said "hey JB, have you heard Bruce Peninsula? i think you'd really like it". God love Matt. I DO really like it. It's quickly become my winter record. If you like gospel-folk-indie-rock-choral stuff or something that sounds like fleet foxes meets tom waits with a little bit of wooden stars thrown in on "Steamroller"( I know that's a lot to take in...), then you should like it too. I'm not usually that great at giving the perfect description, but I am pretty good at recommending stuff that i like. and i like this. more and more with each listen, actually.

Let's put it this way: I walked to work this morning bundled up as if i lived in Alaska in the Winter. it was -20 or something with the windchill. Now, I HATE, nay, DESPISE the cold. So for the walk, I knew I had to choose an album on my ipod that i'd not feel the need to change half way through my trek (because the thought of taking off my mitts was terrifying), so I chose A Mountain is a Mouth. 2 minutes and 55 seconds in to the first song, "inside outside", I was walking gleefully along as if it was +20 degrees. When I arrived at my desk, my feet were frozen... but my ears were pleased.

LISTEN

Top 8 of 2008

2008-12-17T12:47:00.022-04:00

Alrighty. It's the end of the year, so if I want to call myself a 'blogger', it's about time I submit the obligatory best albums of the year list. As I sit down to write this, I have NO idea what is about to pour out. I don't think I've listened to THAT many new releases this year. I meant to, but didn't really get around to it. For instance I still haven't listened to the new Mogwai record. Which is ridiculous. So, I'm not sure how exactly I will work this out....

While I'm thinking, I shall distract myself from the task for a little while longer and give you various other 2008 JB favourites lists to look over....

Best 8 Shows, 2008
1 - Leonard Cohen. May. Rebecca Cohn, Halifax (1st night). Best show of the year. and tied for my very favourite show ever. A-MAZING
2 - Neil Young. November. Metro Centre, Halifax. Wilco opened. prettay pretttayyy good. nay, great.
3 - Wintersleep. January. Phoenix, Toronto. Technically, they walked off stage at midnight Feb 1st, which made it Tim's birthday also. I've seen many a Wintersleep show, but they KILLED it this night like i'd never seen before. Runner up Wintersleep show(s): February. Cyclone, Tokyo.
4 - Daniel Lanois. October. Marquee, Halifax.
5 - Boxer The Horse. June. Baba's, Charlottetown. My first time seeing Boxer. I walked in hoping and praying that they were as good as I hoped they'd be. They were better.
6 - The Sadies. May. Marquee, Halifax. Ah, The Sadies. Just so good.
7 - Steve Poltz. July. The Carlton, Halifax. I wasn't even going to go to this night #3 of 3 show, but am I ever glad I did. this dude knows how to entertain. Go for the tunes, stay for the insane stories. including the one that goes with this: http://www.poltz.com/blognews/stevejewel23.jpg
8 - Inbreds. October. Marquee, Halifax. Inbreds. live.

There are a bunch of other good ones... Runners up include Black Keys at Summersonic, MMET at the q104 show and NG Jubilee, Boxer's first Seahorse show, Ryan Cook at NSMW, Hayden at the Metro Centre, David Myles CD release in the casino ballroom, Bloodsport and the Lodge on some wharf in the country, um... oh yeah, and Bob Dylan at the Metro Centre. i didn't really love that show, but I do love Dylan.

Best Trip of 2008.
Most definitely Japan.
"What are you going to do tonight?" "go to karaoke with you..."

Runner up: Junos in Calgary. Just because I liked being there to see the boys win. I jumped up and yelled with arms raised high in the air if I remember correctly. Then came lots of champaign and beer.

Favourite Songs of 2008.
These weren't all necessarily released this year, but they are likely the ones I've listened to the most this year. Or rather, 8 of the ones I've listened to the most this year.

1- Fleet Foxes - Mykonos. From the Sun Giant EP. So very good. see #12 on their myspace
2- Boxer The Horse - Rock n' Roll Band. Smart. catchy. cute. Just like the band. AND it's my ringtone. hear it on sonicbids.
3- The Replacements - Alex Chilton. Honestly, I've been on a HUGE Replacements kick in the past 6 months or so. I have all 8 albums on my ipod (or HAD.. now they are just on my iTunes as i managed to lose my ipod), and listen to 7 of them all of the time. I chose "Alex Chilton" here, but I could have also listed "Seen Your Video", "If Only You Were Lonely", "Buck Hill", "You Lose", "Can't Hardly Wait", "Anywhere's Better Than Here"... you get it. Love the 'Mats. everyone should listen to them WAY more.
4- MGMT - Electric Feel. My summer dance party song.
5-Neil Young - White Line. From Ragged Glory. An oldie but a real goodie.
6-Beyonce - Single Ladies. I became a little obessed with this song. I don't know how it happened, but I don't think I'm really over it yet.
7- Snailhouse - Salvation Army. mmmmm.
8- L'il Wayne - Got Money. I only just started listening to this two days ago. but i like it. i like it a lot.

Others: Black Mountain's "Stormy High", Mays' "Stand and Deliver" (it do), "Oh My Darling" by Basia Bulat, Superfriendz' "Come Clean", "Sometimes" by Lanois...

Best 8 Albums of 2008
1- Boxer The Horse - The Late Show EP (Like you didn't know I was going to say that...)
2- Snailhouse - Lies On The Prize (Love. love love)
3- Contrived - ___,___,___. (Contrived!)
**the other 5 in no particular order**
- The Roots - Rising Down
- Black Mountain - In The Future
- The Streets - Everything is Borrowed
- Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (Mostly because i don't want to be the only blogger not picking this as a top record of the year. Just kidding. sort of. "White Winter Hymnal" makes it worth it.)
- Smothered In Hugs - The Healing Power of Injury

Others: Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Terminal Romance, Hayden - In Field & In Town, Lay Low - Farewell Good Night's Sleep (mellow and pretty), Portishead's Third...

Right on. Done. Happy Holidays!
JB

The Archives, Vol. 1

2008-12-16T14:34:00.000-04:00

I wannit.

"Enough about us, let's talk about me..."

2008-12-05T11:16:00.002-04:00

For the Lemonheads fans in the house... It's About Time:

And now for something completely different (for all the single ladies):

Monday, Nov. 24th

2008-11-24T10:18:00.002-04:00

Bonus: Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives (top of the pops)

Happy Monday...

Tell Me About Her

2008-11-19T13:43:00.004-04:00

Image: Anne-Marie Proulx

"Images call to memory and imagination. Everyone will make a different interpretation, will imagine a different story. Tell me about her"

Artist Anne-Marie Proulx has an exhibition coming up in Montreal. Her artwork, drawings of women in various scenes and situations, will be accompanied by printed captions submitted (anonymously) by YOU. Check out her website, browse through the images by clicking on them, and if one strikes you, stop and input your thoughts about the woman or women you see. I submitted a few and found it to be a really fun project. Participate!

Image: Anne-Marie Proulx

Metaform

2008-11-14T15:59:00.004-04:00

I just got an email from this guy. Sometimes I will admit that I am leery of checking out random artist sites that have been sent to my inbox, but the email was convincing and the back story was good, so I went to http://www.metaformonline.com/ and found the perfect mix of ambient / electro / hip hop tunes that I was craving on this dark rainy friday afternoon. they're fun but not too over the top. And not too much of one thing. But a lot of good things. "Sunday" has taken the lead as my favourite track. I recommend the click.

BONUS VID - Metaform Live in Japan:

Arkells Can Perform While Driving...

2008-11-10T14:18:00.003-04:00

The Arkells = a band from Ontario. they are out on the road with Matt Mays & El Torpedo for MMETs cross country CD release tour. Dan Griffin is in the Arkells band. You KNOW how much i love Dan Griffin, right? well, i now love this video just as much. If you need something to make you smile, this is it:

Happy Halloween from Bruce S

2008-10-31T12:18:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Matt Charlton for bringing this to my attention.

A much higher quality version can be found here:

"Jersey Devil"

10 x 10 Interviews

2008-10-24T09:21:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago Norwood Cheek called and asked me to do an interview to use in the 10x10 music video competition at the Atlantic Film Festival. I said ok. I was nervous though as i've never done an interview. He said it was ok, and that other people I knew around here would be participating also. So we went up to the studio and I talked for a bit...

Other pieces:

Tara:

Campbell:

Yo Rodeo:

Charles:

All! http://www.youtube.com/user/polavision

Good Week of Shows...

2008-10-23T12:39:00.003-04:00

I had the pleasure of attending Daniel Lanois, The Inbreds and tonight, Boxer The Horse (TONIGHT - Oct 23 at Coconut Grove) all in the same week. How lucky am I? Tired, yes. But lucky also.

This post is really a ploy to remind you that Boxer is great and that you should go see them. 10pm. $8. Jian Ghomeshi called today. He's going to try and make it. So, if you like Jian, or Boxer, or coconuts or groves... come out!

The Coast's write up (one of 10 picks out of the 125 bands playing popex this year):
Boxer The Horse
Coconut Grove, (1567 Grafton), 10pm, $8
Four barely legal PEI boys, Boxer The Horse have been on a slope of success ever since their first demo CD sold out at a Battle of the Bands show put on for Quebec exchange students last summer at UPEI's campus pub. "The prize was beer, which we couldn't even accept," says drummer Andrew Woods. "It was one of the funnest shows we've ever played…it gave us the incentive to make a new CD so people from PEI could hear." Since then, they've opened for acts like Jason Collett, Dog Day, Two Hours Traffic and The Museum Pieces, to name a few. Working classic rock and folk influences in with an upbeat contemporary indie rock sound, it's not bad for a few young musicians playing together for under a year and a half. Woods claims much of the band's music is inspired by "characters, weird people on the street," and chats excitedly about strange encounters on a trip to Montreal he and guitarist Jeremy Gaudet took by bus this past summer. The band is enthusiastic about Charlottetown's music scene and plans to stick around. "There are some nights now when you're like, 'Oh, there are two
options!'" says Woods. (LK)

BONUS: More Lanois.

I've been waiting 14 YEARS to say....

2008-10-22T09:31:00.003-04:00

...TONIGHT, I'M GOING TO AN INBREDS SHOW. The real inbreds! mike and dave at the marquee! i can hardly believe it myself. they play at midnight.
The best thing about having to wait the 14 years to see them play is that i'm now old enough to decide for myself that going out for a midnight show on a wednesday (a 'school' night) isn't going to stop me from going out. no matter what my mom might say. and i'm allowed to drink beer now. beer AND the inbreds. yay.

Sorry office, but you will be hearing me play all of my inbreds records very loudly for the rest of the day. the rest of you - catch up with some of these:

You Will Know:

Interview from 1995:

Amelia Earhart vid:

BONUS - A nice Oneill solo song:

Lala Lanois

2008-10-20T08:58:00.003-04:00

On Saturday afternoon and evening I had the pleasure of attending two Daniel Lanois events. The first, an interview / question and answer session lead by our friend Bob Mersereau. The second, a live show at The Marquee.

It was during these two events on Saturday, between the hours of 5PM and 11:30PM that I became slightly obsessed with Daniel Lanois. I would marry him tomorrow if he so asked. I'll leave that there...

A fan-in-the-crowd video of the messenger. More for me than for you. 2 minute mark on is my favourite...

"I'm in love with that song"

2008-10-17T11:29:00.003-04:00

How long has it been since you've listened to The Replacements' "Alex Chilton". An hour? A Day? A year? Never? ... no matter the answer, here's your chance to do it again (or for the first time). We all know the quality of you tube videos, so if you really want to do yourself a favour, do listen to your CD/ ipod / mp3/ tape / vinyl copy of Pleased To Meet Me really really loud. It's track 2, incase you lost the sleeve/case/digital track names. Happy Friday. And whether it be for the reminder or the introduction... you're welcome.

Best sound quality:

The video:

BONUS - P.W. Live:
"I Will Dare"

"Can't Hardly Wait"

Lay Low

2008-10-17T11:15:00.003-04:00

There's a girl from Iceland who has a band called Lay Low. The new album "Farewell Good Night's Sleep" is so good. She's sometimes poppy sometimes folk sometimes country and sometimes that adorable kind of soundscapey weird / pretty that only true Icelanders can be. While the latter sound isn't really represented on her myspace, you can check her out at http://www.myspace.com/baralovisa. There is a nice cover of Dolly's "Jolene" there as well.

live - in a living room with the flu (so youtube says)

live - full band

older video

Vote Ryan Cook

2008-10-05T15:38:00.004-04:00

Choose: Ryan Cook for 2008 Nova Scotia Music Week New Artsit of the Year. Love his country tunes, but really, the video below is reason enough.

Also: Vote for the next Hockey Night in Canada theme song. Guest stars on certain themes include members of Rush, The Hip and BNL.

AND: Vote for your next Prime Minister. The pickin's may be slim, but you should still take part.

Drive With Buck 65

2008-09-19T15:07:00.003-04:00

Troy, our new Concerts guy, said he was on a drive with Buck 65 through the US and was more than happy to let Rich play DJ because he'd play great stuff. Now we all get to drive with him; every week day from 3 to 6 pm Atlantic on the new CBC Radio 2. He plays a lot of cool artists and tons of Canadian and Nova Scotian stuff. He plays rock and hip hop and soul and blues and folk tunes...and tells some good stories.

Listen online. Learn some new musical things. Dance, groove and / or rock out. Now we can all be cool like Troy...

APPRECIATION POST: Keep It Like A Secret

2008-09-04T15:43:00.003-04:00

Built to Spill has released some good songs, true. but album-wise, I really believe that no complete work of theirs is stronger than this one, released in 1999. Pitchfork gave it a 9.3 which is probably the only thing that Pitchfork and I have ever agreed on. That's probably a higher rating than they give their moms and dads. or music in general. In fact, it's the same rating given to In Rainbows, so .... there you go.

It seems that until recently the band never made a video, so see below for another lovely 'video' of a song playing in the background while nothing interesting happens on the screen. While i do make fun, we should probably thank the creator of the 'video' below. without him / her, i'd have nothing to post.

"Carry The Zero"

I'm TOTALLY going to see neil young + cool youtube vid

2008-09-02T14:38:00.004-04:00

Seems I haven't blogged since July. Oops. Fortunately I'm back with a piece of exciting personal news. after november i will be able to say that i've finally made it to a neil young show. so cool. even better - wilco is opening. wilco and neil young in one night in my own city. after also seeing leonard cohen, bob dylan and daniel lanois here in the same year. and people say no one ever comes to halifax...

as an apology for being away for so long, I present you with Wilco / Fleet Foxes covering "I Shall Be Released". i like it. yes i do.

And how about some Neil for good measure. And because i'm feeling lucky to be able to see him in 2 months. Don't Let It Bring You Down:

It's A Shame About Ray

2008-07-29T13:11:00.004-04:00

I found this sitting on my CD shelf at work. It was exactly what I was looking for.

It's also a shame that early 90s johnny depp can't be in EVERY music video...

Horse, Foxes

2008-07-18T14:30:00.003-04:00

The Boxer The Horse EP, The Late Show is now available at Zunior.com! The write up pretty much says it all:

"The new Sloan? The new Pavement? Boxer The Horse! - Tuesday 15 July, 2008
Okay, so we may be laying it on bit thick but we really like a new band from Canada's East Coast called Boxer The Horse. The new ep is like Pavement fronted by Bob Dylan with Jay Ferguson on tambourine. A great band that you can see for yourself right here on Zunior.tv. Their new EP is only $5.55 on Zunior."

I also really love this quote from a review on the Wolves, Hawks and Kites blog: "Simply put, with its six diverse tracks The Late Show exhibits more potential and vivacious know-how than most bands can fathom. " Not. Too. Shabby.

Other than just loving Boxer in general and spreading the good word where ever i go, i've also been listening to the Fleet Foxes Tunes on myspace. They're so pretty...

Best Video of the 90s

2008-07-04T13:28:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday. Have Coffee & TV!

Preview The New Matt Mays & El Torpedo Album

2008-07-03T14:43:00.002-04:00

Terminal Romance, due out next Tuesday, is streaming in its entirety on the MuchMusic site. If you're curious... http://www.muchmusic.com/music/firstspin/mattmays/

PEI Pop Explosion

2008-07-03T12:54:00.004-04:00

I don't know what's in the water over 'on' PEI these days, but there are some fantastic pop / rock bands coming from there as of late. Two Hours Traffic seem to have started the trend, then along came the Danks, Smothered In Hugs and my very very favourite band in years, Boxer The Horse (who I've blogged about before).

Smothered In Hugs - If you like a good indie pop 80s vibe. The songs on myspace aren't my favourite on the record, but you get the idea.
Boxer The Horse* - If you like The Kinks, Pavement, Bob Dylan, music in general, or if you still want to be my friend...
The Danks (see vid below) - If you like cute Strokes-like indie rock.

*More about Boxer The Horse. Since I already blogged about them the day I heard their first demo, I was going to try and refrain from going to crazy on Boxer posts... but I can't help it. I LOVE this band. Their EP, The Late Show will soon be available on Zunior.com. Buy it.

A few of us recently took an overnight road trip to see them play live in Charlottetown and it was WELL worth the trip. The show was great, the guys are so sweet, and finding out that they were only 19 & 20 years old impressed me even more. The band is barely a year old, and they really have nowhere to go but up. Seriously... keep an eye on them. Herohill blogged about them today as well, so it's not just me. Although I do feel like I am slightly obsessed with this band of youngin's, I make no apologies. I am a Boxer cheerleader. And I won't stop until the country takes notice. or until they politely ask me to quit with the crazy...

Concerts Announcement: Summersonic Festival

2008-06-13T15:07:00.003-04:00

We're excited about this! I, personally, am excited for Wintersleep to come home and to see Black Keys again. For two dudes, they can certainly make themselves heard. I saw them twice before while opening up for Radiohead in a Montreal theatre and thought they were pretty fun... You?

Black Keys:

Sonic Concerts Announcement: Bloc Party

2008-05-30T14:03:00.003-04:00

Sept 14 & 15. Info and tickets: http://www.sonicconcerts.com/

And tonight... The Sadies!
Watch this video of them backing GORD DOWNIE, singing one of my very favourite Iggy & The Stooges songs. This is almost too much goodness. Be prepared... (just pretend the sound was better).

So You Think You Can Do This?

2008-05-23T12:49:00.003-04:00

I have a guilty Reality TV pleasure (ok, quite a few - but this one's my favourite) in "So You Think You Can Dance". Although it's still in the kind-of-boring audition stage, THIS was on last night and I can't stop watching it. I honestly have trouble doing a full sit up, and I can't (and never could) bend over and touch my toes. I never ever felt bad about that until now. Check this guy out:

"So Wonderfully Wonderfully Wonderfully Wonderfully Pretty..."

2008-05-15T15:40:00.002-04:00

THE LOVECATS

I Just Saw Leonard Cohen

2008-05-13T08:56:00.006-04:00

(photo from Halifax Herald)

Leonard Cohen. May 12. Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. Halifax, NS. 8-11pm.

Brilliant and beautiful, last night's show was all that I was hoping it would be and more. Spectacular band, lighting, sound, voice, crowd... I've loved Len for years, but now I just might be obsessed. Maybe obsessed isn't the right word. But...either way, whatever I am, that show was UNbelievable. One of the top 3 best concerts I've ever seen. And I've danced on stage with Pearl Jam, watched Radiohead in a soft seat theatre on their last tour, saw the legendary BB King, the White Stripes in a small pool hall with about 60 other people, Wilco on the Waterfront, Do Make Say Think outside in a field at sunset, and my first big show was Bob Dylan in the 1990s.

Set List:
1. Dance Me to the End of Love

2. The Future

3. There Ain't No Cure for Love

4. Bird on the Wire

5. Everybody Knows

6. In My Secret Life

7. Who By Fire

8. Anthem (Ring the Bells)

INTERMISSION

9. Tower of Song

10. Suzanne

11. Gypsy Wife

12. Boogie Street

13. Hallelujah

14. Democracy

15. I'm Your Man

16. Take This Waltz

ENCORE

17. Heart With No Companion

18. So Long Marianne

19. First We Take Manhattan

ENCORE 2

20. Closing Time

ENCORE 3

21. I Tried to Leave You

ObliVideo

2008-05-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

Wintersleep - Oblivion (By Darren Pasemko)

Little Radio

2008-05-02T14:12:00.004-04:00

Although I sometimes forget about it, I recently rediscovered littleradio.com. For someone who is as terrible at finding new bands these days as I am... it's a great way to discover new things. It's the best streaming 'radio' station online. A sample playlist is below.

Annuals - Around Your Neck / Hayden - Worthy of Your Esteem / Sonic Youth - Do You Believe In Rapture? / Red House Painters Grace Cathedral Park / The Cave Singers - Seeds Of Night / Muse - Citizen Erased / Radiohead - Reckoner /The Hives - Puppet On A String / Holy Fuck -The Pulse / White Stripes - Jolene / Preston School Of Industry - Get Your Crayons Out! / The Detroit Cobras - On A Monday / Pavement - Soul Food /Carbon/silicon - Tell It Like It Is / Gruff Rhys - Beacon In The Darkness / Dinosaur Jr - Back To Your Heart / Grizzly Bear - Knife (coverd By Css) / Califone - 3legged Animals / Andrew Bird - Dark Matter / Neko Case - Blacklisted / The Little Ones - Lovers Who Uncover / The Pink Snowflakes - Our Electric Hair /Yo La Tengo - The Room Got Heavy / Afghan Whigs - Turn On The Water / Pink Mountaintops -Cold Criminals /Band Of Horses - Lamb Of The Lam (in The City) / The Von Bondies - Save My Life / Camera Obscura - Let's Go Bowling / Grizzly Bear - Deep Blue Sea (daniel Rossen Home Recording) / Animal Collective - Cuckoo Cuckoo / The Flaming Lips Free Radicals [the Bird And The Bee Mix]

Annnnnnnnnnnd in other news... new Beginners album on its way!

The Almighty Roots Crew

2008-04-30T15:38:00.003-04:00

It's official. The Roots just released my favourite album of 2008.
Guests include Common, DJ Jazzy Jeff, mos def and more. soooooooo sooooooooo good. the perfect addition to your spring and summer. If you like The Roots...even a little bit...go get this now. Buy older albums that you don't have while you're at it.
Choice tracks upon first listen (ok after 3 times through): "Criminal", "I Can't Help It", "Singing Man", ... whatever, screw it, they're all good.

More vids + stuff here: http://www.myspace.com/theroots

"Tall Trees Hangin' Over The Road..."

2008-04-23T10:48:00.002-04:00

New Matt Mays & El Torpedo song is up at www.myspace.com/mattmayseltorpedo
New tour dates coming up as well. With Kid Rock. No lie.

Soup and New Stuff

2008-04-16T16:46:00.003-04:00

I was all set to "appreciation post" about my love for Blind Melon's Soup (It's easily one of my favourite albums of the mid-late nineties... i don't care what you say Mike G...) - but I got completely distracted by Nick Rose. You see, Danny G (that's 'Dan Griffin' for those of you who don't speak in JB uber fan language)'s touring drummer stopped in today. While talking music, he suggested that I check out Rose on Myspace. And I did. And I love it. Pretty folk/country/indie niceness. If you like Paul Simon, Blue Rodeo, pedal steel... you should really take a spin through the 4 songs on myspace. Thank you Rich Knox (who I see also plays in the band... how sneaky ;) ).

And also... listen to Soup.

SONIC CONCERTS Announcement: MM&ET Return

2008-04-11T11:39:00.003-04:00

So I heard some songs off of the new record coming from Mike's office. There's some good stuff about to come out from these guys... Debuting songs from the new album, Terminal Romance... Matt Mays & El Torpedo. Marquee. June 6. Tix at mattmays.com.

Juno Weekend Wrap Up

2008-04-08T15:07:00.006-04:00

Highlights:

- Tim "Squirly D" D'Eon scoring a goal for the Rockers against the NHLers team in the JunoCup game. And also watching his fight (resulting in a penalty shot) with Macoun.

From The Calgary Herald: Tim D'Eon of The Rockers gets hit by Jamie Macoun.
Photograph by : Todd Korol, Reuters

- Watching Jim Cuddy and Lanny MacDonald in a sing-off at centre ice

- Staying in the hotel that claims to have created the Caesar (the drink, not the salad...and yes, I had a few). Wikipedia article here.

"The cocktail was invented by bartender Walter Chell at the Owl's Nest Bar in the Calgary Inn (now Calgary Westin Hotel) in Calgary, Alberta in 1969, to accompany the opening of a new restaurant, Marco's."

- Being in the building to see the guys accept a Juno.

Now You Know

2008-04-03T16:31:00.002-04:00

I'm off to Juno weekend in Calgary. First, a present from 1990 for you before I go:

"Never trust a big butt and a smile..."

Ryan Cook & Sunny Acres Vs. Wintersleep

2008-04-03T08:47:00.003-04:00

Ryan Cook and I went to high school together. He is from Yarmouth like me and Paul and Tim are. Today is his birthday.

Ryan used to sing in a hardcore band. Is that what I call it? Hardcore? Metal?... either way, now he sings awesome old school County & Western songs. WhileI was searching for a facebook wall on which to post some birthday wishes, I came upon a player that allowed me to stream some of the above mentioned awesome old school Country & Western songs, and which also offered up a Ryan Cook & Sunny Acres version of Wintersleep's "Orca". Hear it here. Listen to the other songs also!

More songs, dates, photos @ http://www.myspace.com/ryankcook

Nude Remix

2008-04-02T09:19:00.002-04:00

Radiohead are issuing a challenge: http://www.radioheadremix.com/information/
So far Holy Fuck is in the lead. Check it out: http://www.radioheadremix.com

"If I Could Give You Anything..."

2008-03-31T16:10:00.004-04:00

...I'd give you these vids of Wintersleep in Tokyo (compiled and edited by mr. L Campbell) and Sonic Youth's "Cinderella's Big Score". Both are posted below.
Now that I have your attention, I also feel compelled to let you know that SNAILHOUSE will be playing at Gus' Pub this Thursday, April 3. Aaaand DAN GRIFFIN will return to the city on Wed., April 9 for a full band set at The Seahorse. yay and yay.

Travels in Tokyo:

Classic SY:

Songs For A Sunday

2008-03-28T14:21:00.002-04:00

Will Cookson of Edinburgh requested that I add him as a friend on myspace. Because I think he songs are pretty, I think I just might. Another good myspace find. What have YOU done for me lately, Facebook?

Check out songs on myspace or click on "Listen to some songs..." on his website.

Song of the Week: Come Clean

2008-03-20T10:42:00.003-04:00

"10 lbs" is great, "Karate Man" is a classic, but this song is where it's AT. From The Super Friendz' Mock Up, Scale Down (1995)... i give you "Come Clean" (choose from the menu on NMC). As good today as it was 13 years ago...

Friday Songs

2008-03-14T14:27:00.003-04:00

I find that on Fridays, I tend to listen to loud hip hop or Bruce Springsteen at least once throughout the day. Today I've been into both. In honour of Friday, coming out of a long week, I give you Jay-Z and a song Springsteen supposedly originally wrote for Elvis Presley (yet ended up being a hit for The Pointer Sisters)...

FIRE

(Holy hell I want to see Bruce live)

DIRT OFF YOUR SHOULDER

Cohen At The Cohn!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-13T08:46:00.005-04:00

"One by one the guests arrive /The guests are coming through /The open-hearted many / The broken-hearted few

And those who dance begin to dance / And those who weep begin / Welcome, welcome, cries a voice / Let all my guests come in..."

- L. Cohen

Just saw a press release saying that Leonard Cohen will play the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium - May 12 and 13. Tickets are expensive but I will pay top dollar to be as close to him as possible. Some brilliance:
"Suzanne" - Isle of Wight (1970)

Cohen Interview clip + Rufus Wainright singing "Chelsea Hotel"

"You told me again you prefered handsome men, but for me you would make an exception..."

"So Long Marianne" - Live (1979)

Reciting "A Thousand Kisses Deep"

Lyrics:

"IF IT BE YOUR WILL"

If it be your will
That I speak no more
And my voice be still
As it was before
I will speak no more
I shall abide until
I am spoken for
If it be your will
If it be your will
That a voice be true
From this broken hill
I will sing to you
From this broken hill
All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will
To let me sing
From this broken hill
All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will
To let me sing (MORE)

"HALLELUJAH"

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
HallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujah (MORE)

Tokyo Eye

2008-03-12T09:40:00.004-04:00

A few photos from our trip to Tokyo:

1) Upon landing at Narita...happy to be on the ground after the 10 hour flight from Vancouver.

2) Getting off the bus from the airport in Shibuya...

3) Tomoko at Shibuya Crossing. My first look at the world's busiest intersection. I explored while the guys ate Shushi.

4) Shushi...the aftermath

5) Sake barrels on the way to Meiji Shrine

6) Le Shrine

7) Back at Shibuya Crossing - hanging out with Hachikō

8) Exploring...