The UK likes to boogie woogie

I was looking around for some new tunes to listen to so I started to do that thing, where you go to a band you like on myspace, and then click on one of their top friends, and then on to another band and then another, and so forth. Anyways I came across this really awesome dance trio from the UK called TEETH, who make some pretty stellar tunes that are heavy on the drums and on the synths, and as well I instantly became a fan of Veronica So's vocals. Definitely an act you should check out if you are looking for some new dance rock kind of tunes.

TEETH


As well I came across another British group of individuals who were making some also catchy indie dance rock tunes, called PENS. Watching some of their videos and listening to their tunes i really dug the washed over sounds and loved the combo of the synths and the drums driving the tunes. Sadly they apparently just broke up, like about two weeks ago. But you can still enjoy their music here.

PENS

And perhaps you'd enjoy a video to go with that. Here's a sweet PENS one also for you.

Sleepless Nights from Halifax

So last year I did a really awesome show during Sled Island, which meant the show overall didn't do so well in Edmonton, as most people were in Calgary for Sled Island. Fleetwood Mac was also the same night which also was not so good. But that is how it goes when you do shows, but for those that made it out to the show, they were in for a helluva treat from a great band from the East Coast, Sleepless Nights. This band plays some ferociously catchy indie rock, and is definitely for you if you like bands like Two Hour Traffic or Wintersleep or even Thrush Hermit or some of the other amazing bands that seem to come out of Canada's glorious Maritimes. Their songs are catchy to the nth degree, sometimes with hilariously insightful lyrics into life out east, and the guitar duo riffs like there is no to tomorrow. Not sure when they will head out west again, but if they do make sure to check them out. To see what you would be in for, watch this.



They also like to give away free tunes from time to time so if you go here you can probably snag some free tunes as well.

Hey Marseilles! Goodbye Versailles!

Continuing in my trend of either loving bands from the northeast or the northwest comes Seattle's Hey Marseilles. A fine little assembly of seven talented music makers, the singer and chief lyricist Matt Smith writes some powerful poetic pieces, while cellos and violins and keys amongst other instruments are what build this bands luscious melodies. Probably one of the best bands i've listened to in a while and looking forward to more great things. As well, they made a pretty fantastical new video for their song 'Rio' which you should watch here.



As well, you can download that song for free of their site, if you didn't catch that. So, just click here to go to the site and download it. Do it, it'll make your heart sing.

archeology

A little while ago I was discovering alot of really awesome bands in the Pacific Northwest, just randomly going through myspace pages and finding that there was some really great talent out here on the west coast. One of the groups I really dug was Archeology from Portland. Really awesome folk rock group with great lyrics and jangly guitar riffs and catchy harmonies. Have definitely been a fan and remembered they made a pretty awesome music video. You should watch it, and maybe you will enjoy them too.

Circa Survive

I honestly don't understand how this band continues to put out such fantastic albums. In my opinion they are three for three, for all their phenomenal songwriting, song structures, and also especially it's Anthony Greens voice that consistently blows me away. I've seen this band a couple of times and they have such a fierce stage presence it's terrifying how good they are. Especially though Green's voice. I have never seen a singer project his voice to the levels that Green is capable of, it's seriously staggering. Their new album is out and I am definitely digging on it, and here is one of the newer songs.




As well, here is a favorite of mine, an older one but still oh so good.

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

I should seriously just move to New York and get it over with. Well, after I live in Vancouver for a while I guess. But still, there are so many great musicians coming out of there, Brooklyn in particular, that I just can't get over it. Small Black are another band that I have fallen in love with. Kind of lo-fi washed out electro pop music, their EP is fantastic from beginning to start, and their tunes just kind of melt all over you.

Dreamy good goodness.

the saddest song ever sung

Some of you may know of Bob Wiseman. Some may not. He is a talented Canadian musician who was in Blue Rodeo back in the day, and in the early 90's when they were starting to take off, he left the band. So it goes, but he is a very talented man in his own right and has continued to make amazing music since then.

Usually pretty happy stuff, but then there is Uranium.

My friend Doug sang this song once at a gathering at one of my old places when I had some musician friends over, and we were all hanging out and passing a guitar around and singing songs. Doug sang this, and it blew my mind, it's beautiful but the saddest thing ever.

You have been warned.

freelance whaling

If there is one band i've been listening to more than any other as of late, it would be Freelance Whales from Brooklyn. I stumbled upon them rather randomly earlier this year and once they finally put out their album I was elated. Fantastic indie pop music, with harmonies that will make your ears melt from sheer joy and happiness. I definitely feel a bit of Sufjan influence in their stuff, which makes a bit of sense based on where they come from but they are a band that you should pay attention to.

Just sayin.

They are touring the states with Tokyo Police Club I believe in August, and hopefully they can make their way across the border. If not, I feel a trip to Seattle is definitely in order just to see them play.

John Boutte and Treme

So I recently become obsessed with Treme. If you haven't heard of it, it's a new HBO show set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hits, and it's about the people there trying to get back to their lives and a fair amount of intertwining of tales takes place. Also, music plays a huge role in the show as it does I am most certain down in the Big Easy. The theme of the show is sung by John Boutte, a great and talented singer from down there, whom I got to see play at queen alex hall a bit back. Fantastic voice and definitely someone you should get to know.

Capitol Hill Block Party

So I am going to Capital Hill Block Party down in Seattle in one month, and I'm getting pretty excited for it. At first it was kind of like, ok cool I'm going to that. But as it creeps up, i'm really excited to see alot of random and hopefully awesome bands. While in general the lineup is a hipster awesomefest with bands such as

Yeasayer
Shabazz Palaces
Bear In Heaven
Holy Fuck
MGMT
Jaguar Love
Mad Rad
Champagne Champagne
Fences
Atmosphere
Blonde Redhead
Harlem
The Dutchess and the Duke
!!!
Obits
The Dead Weather
Cynic
Night Marchers
Blitzen Trapper

and you know, more. There is one band however that has definitely grabbed my attention, and that is The Drowning Men. Definitely caught my ear and am really digging this song in particular.



Stay tuned as I gear up for this first festival, it should definitely be one helluva weekend.

Music Waste

I suppose while the memories are still somewhat fresh in my mind, I should write a little bit about my Music Waste experiences. Well you see, every year here in Vancouver they have a little indie music festival called Music Waste, over a span of many days at lots of different venues, art spaces, dive bars and pubs and whatnot, and lots of people come together for this wonderful celebration. As I was just moving to Vancouver I figured maybe I could see some sweet bands and meet some amazing people if I volunteered and did doors, as I so often do.

So the first night I volunteered at Zoo Zhop, and it was super awesome. It's a little record shop, with a bit of random other cool record shop things, as well as an artists co op type deal. So to sum it all up, it is a great little hang out of really talented people. I did doors for most of the night, which consisted of me sitting on a chair with a cashbox in a hallway and making sure not too many people were drinking out front. Most of the bands were pretty solid I would definitely say. Bleating Hearts had the best use of a french horn that i've heard since Fractal Pattern, Half Chinese were noisy rock awesome, Collapsing Opposites were as pop rock as ever and sadly were playing their last show, but my personal favorite was Canaries. This tight little 3 piece played screechy dance rock, with tinges of post hardcore awesomeness. They were pretty heavy on the synths, as well the drummer liked to bust out the trumpet from time to time. Everyone was moving and while the recordings are only ok, you definitely need to see them live.



The second night I worked doors with sweet local promoter Lynzaii, and we worked it up at Pat's Pub, way down and off East Hastings. All in all it was pretty fun, and even crazier than the first night. I think all in all there was well over 200 people there that night and the local goers were none too happy, but I think most people had fun. Sweet dudes from Edmonton Brazilian Money opened up the night and were stellar as always, as well Apollo Ghosts who closed the night had everyone in the pub, and I do mean everyone dancing. But as always it was Plus Perfect that stole it for me. I did a show with them last year, and they are one of my favorite bands in Canada easily. Always a pleasure and always a great show. Here, watch this video of them playing in fort mac on a deck.



Yes it was definitely a great weekend for music and made some fantastic friends. I'm definitely looking forward to even more adventures here in Vancity so stay tuned.

Whoah 2010

Wow.

I cannot believe I haven't written anything on this blog pretty much since last year. I don't even know where to start actually, there's been so much great music and so many amazing concerts that i've been to already, and i'm gearing up for festival time in the pacific northwest, starting with Capital Hill Block Party in Seattle, Bumbershoot in Seattle, and then MusicfestNW in Portland as well.

It'll be busy for sure. I think I shall start writing again in this blog though to at least stay in touch with music friends back home and highlight maybe some sweet people I have seen here and just general music ramblings and whatever I feel like writing about.

Oh also, my favorite album of the year is Jonsi, easily, and I keep meeting people that went to his concerts at the Vogue a bit back.

I am insanely jealous and would kill to see him live. Just saying.


Click here to see why.

yeah that's why. ugh. amazing.