Going Acoustic

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

Pearl Jam Loves Wintersleep too...

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.

New Nick Rose

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)

Top 8 of 2008

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

Concerts Announcement: Summersonic Festival

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:

ObliVideo

Wintersleep - Oblivion (By Darren Pasemko)

Juno Weekend Wrap Up

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.

Ryan Cook & Sunny Acres Vs. Wintersleep

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

"If I Could Give You Anything..."

...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:

Tokyo Eye

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...

PODCAST: Is This Thing On? (Feb. 2008)

I didn't realize that I hadn't updated this blog in so long. In light of my neglect and because I'm going to be in Tokyo with the guys until the end of the month, I've decided to provide you with another thrilling episode of "Is This Thing On". My computer mic is angry with me for some reason, so there's only a short introduction and hardly any indication of what songs are featured (see below), but it's a good collection of songs (I think), so check it out. Sayōnara!

1. Sleepless Nights - Got Caught
2. Bonobo - Nitelite
3. Radiohead - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
4. Wintersleep - Dead Letter & The Infinite Yes
5. Hayden - Worthy of Your Esteem
6. Tom Waits - Big in Japan
7. Sonic Youth - Tokyo Eye
8. The Soft Drugs - Defending the Paint
9. Nathan Lawr & The Minotaurs - Righteous Heart
10. Cuff The Duke - Words (neil young cover)

Happy Holidays...

I'm off for the holidays / vacation in only 3 more hours. I thought i should leave some sort of parting gift. If you are a Wintersleep fan... this one's for you: https://www.wintersleep.com/audioplayer.htm

And if you're a fan of Refused. Some old school goodness:



And for Radiohead fans:
videos of the band in the studio can be found here.
Featuring:

Top 5 of 2007

Although there were a number of contenders that didn't end up making my Top 5 Albums of the Year List (I'm looking at you Do Make Say Think, Nathan Lawr, Thurston Moore, Kayne, Common, Blonde Redhead, The Acorn, Bruce, Nate...), I had no problem leaving them out in favour of my top picks. I usually debate my year end list and have a hard time committing, but not this year. Based purely on the number of plays each album has received throughout the year, I give you ... my Top 5 of 2007

1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. Wintersleep - Welcome To The Night Sky
3. Dan Griffin - Stars and Satellites
4. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
5. Wooden Stars - People Are Different

BAM. Now more lists... because i love making lists...

My top 5 (.5) most anticipated releases of 2008:

1. Constantines
2. Snailhouse
3. Contrived
4. Hayden
5. MM&ET
5.5 Portishead

Top 3 disappointments of 2007:

1. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight (no dice. superbad.)

2. PJ Harvey - White Chalk (i still love her because she's PJ... and it's not a BAD album... it's just not the PJ that i wanted or needed at the time. I wanted "50 ft. Queenie" PJ. Not PJ plays Cat Power.)

3. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (speaking of sinking...I actually didn't have high hopes for this one... but it still let me down.)

Wintersleep Board! New MMET! Danny G Video!

Three things that make me happy:
1) The return of the Wintersleep message board. Come talk to me / us / them / others: http://www.wintersleep.com/forums/

2) Dan Griffin - She's a Drug (LIVE)! Thank you stephanie. This will be played a lot...



2.5)Dan Griffin - The Kings (Live)


3) Matty Mays listening to some roughskies in jolly 'ol England. Updates still coming in from Matt at www.myspace.com/mattmayseltorpedo

MM&ET Photos / Dan Griffin is Coming!

If you've been reading this blog for more than a few weeks, or if you know me at all, then you've heard about Dan Griffin. I gush about this kid as much as I gush to people about David Myles, the new Wintersleep record, Mike O'Neil and / or Snailhouse (which, put together equals a hell of a lot of gushing these days). Well, i'm happy... nay, ecstatic, to report that Dan will be IN HALIFAX NEXT WEEK! He's at Tribeca on Wed., November 14 and at the Seahorse on Sat., Novemeber 17th for Shotgun Jimmie's CD release show. I've been waiting to see him play live for a year, and am litterally counting down the days, so I thought it best that I let you know he's on his way.

There are a few other dates around the Maritimes, which you can find on the Dan Griffin myspace page, along with songs. go now. you might also want to check out Shotgun Jimmie (site also contains a receipe for Blueberry pancakes), and The Superfantastics while you're at it.

In other news, I just got some cool pics of the Matt Mays & El Torpedo show at Cunard Centre from a few weeks ago (Halifax Pop Explosion weekend). Thank you Chris Smith of funkfactor.com! More photos from the weekend can be found on his website.

Jivin' w/ Wintersleep on CBC Radio 3

Hear the interview here.

Weighty Video

(Wintersleep vs. Children)

and then there's:

(Liars vs. kittens)

Let's Get Baked / News

While searching for the "Welcome to the night pie" episode of the indie radio show "Let's Get Baked With Matt and Dave"; and thought about what news updates I should blog about on this long birthday weekend (yeah, I stretch it out over 4 whole days, so what? I'm allowed... it's my birthday). In the end, I decided to run artist news and include a link to their individual LGBWMAD episodes for your perusal. This show has had everyone on from Alicia Silverstone to Buck 65, Joel Plaskett, The Golden Dogs, Holy Fuck, Camouflage Nights, Ok Go and so on. Good music and good receipes by some favourite local / Canadian (and beyond) artists. What else do you want!?

Wintersleep: (Welcome to the Night Pie)

Wintersleep is out on the road, starting the western leg of their tour in support of Welcome To The Night Sky (now you get it, right? sky... pie...). They're in Edmonton on Sunday, Oct. 28 (ahem...BIRTHDAY!), and will be out until the show in Halifax on November 24th at the Cunard Centre. Can't wait for them to come home. Not only for the show, but with all of them out at once, 50% of my birthday party party is absent. I will make them celebrate again. All dates and complete ticket information is up at http://www.wintersleep.com/.

Matty Mays: (Tamale Pie)

Matt Mays & El Torpedo has left the continent... The guys are currently in the UK working on new songs the producer responsible for The Tragically Hip's Fully Completely record. He also worked with Ozzy and Judas Preist. bam.

David Myles: (David Myles' Mega Chocolate Cheesecake)

David has a show tonight at Ginger's. He's so great. And funny. I'm listening this episode right now. I just learned a little about tubers. mmmmmmm... .tubers.

Mike Oneill: (Nanaimo Bars With Mike Oneill)

I don't have any news about Mike O. I was just really excited to find this episode. HUGE fan right here. HUGE. If you know me, you already know this, but it's always worth reiterating.

Wintersleep on MTV and Cuff The Duke's New Album

as the title of the post suggests:

- Wintersleep on MTV
- New Cuff The Duke album preview on Myspace. This week only!

For Those of You in Torontonia...