Here’s the flyer for my Puregroove showcase…

Enjoy!  From the lens of Duncan McKie, President of CIMA.

I was interviewed by Tariq Hussain on Thursday… Check it out.

http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2009/10/Live-on-CBC-Radio-3-Blending-in-with-the-locals

and a video, celebrating the best and worst of British culture….

Well, last night was Canadian Blast at CMJ, a five band bill featuring some of the best music coming out of Canada. First, off the diversity of Canadian Blast at CMJ this year was impressive. To start, frenetic indie-surf rockers Spiral Beach opened up, giving an ADD-fueled performance of songs off their new album, The Really Only Thing. It was fast, upbeat and over the top. Check them out at a Canadian Blast Presents gig on November 24th at The Queen Of Hoxton in London.

Next up was Toronto via Winnpeg MC Grand Analog and his band. Mixing reggae, pop and indie into a stew driven by positive and conscience lyrics, Grand Analog showcased himself as one of Canada’s brightest hip-hop talents. The hip-hop continued with Last Gang Records’ signed Montrealers, Let’s Go To War. Filling in for Classified, the group put together a quick set in a day and drove down to New York, just to play the showcase. The result was a electro-tinged amalgam of hip-hop, trance and drum and bass, not far off of MSTRKRFT or other contemporaries.

The night ended on two completely different sides of the spectrum. First came the melodic alt-rock of Victoria’s Jets Overhead, followed the pummeling heavy metal of Montreal’s Priestess. Both are very, very good at what they did and played to packed audiences, whether it was moody and melodic or dark, double-guitar influenced rock and roll.

Another success for Canadian Blast. Pictures to come.

Day two of CMJ was quite something. First off was the Sounds Australia party, where Via Tania played. She is a new Joanna Newsom-esque Aussie who plays quiet, solemn folk pop. Quite something really and someone well worth watching. Thanks to Millie for the tip off and the pizza. Next came a SXSW party at the City Winery. This is a brand new place on Varick street. There was no music, but it was a treat sipping wine is a winery.

And now onto the music. Canada was in full force tonight at CMJ, playing at a dozen venues across the lower east side. The main draw was Arlene’s Grocery for the M for Montreal showcase. Performances included Malajube, BEAST, We Are Wolves and Think About Life. The event included free poutine and was absolutely rammed, so much so that is was almost impossible to get into the venue as 8PM rolled around.

In addition, both Ruth Minniken and Jenn Grant performed round the corner, upstairs at The Living Room. The Cake Shop was filled with Canadians as well, as both venues streamed out onto the street. The girls played to quiet but appreciative crowds, showcasing two of the best voices currently representing Nova Scotia.

Tonight is the bag Kahuna.. CANADIAN BLAST. It starts at 6:30PM with a reception at Arlene’s Grocery and then continues long into the night. Performing are Spiral Beach, Let’s Go To War, Grand Analog, Priestess and Jets Overhead. Don’t miss it!

First off, CMJ. What a head rush this festival is. There’s over 500 bands playing in dozens of venues around lower Manhattan, from black metal to acoustic. Yesterday began quietly, with Indica Records’ signed Colin Moore playing upstairs at The Living Room in the lower east side. To me, he sounds almost identical to Colin Hay, which is a good thing. Anyone familiar with the former Men at Work singer will love this other Colin’s material. There were some technical difficulties with a patch cord gone awry, but Moore took it in stride and delivered 10 terrific tracks off his soon to be released debut, ‘Leaving Home’. Here’s his MySpace for a proper listen —> MYSPACE

That was it for Canadian content last night, even though there were a few bands that clashed with Colin and were unfortunately missed. They included Parlour, from Montreal and actress turned chanteuse Jill Hennessey, performing at other venues across the city. It was the beginning of the festival, so last night was slightly quieter, the calm before the storm so to speak. Tonight will be much louder, with pictures taboot, as the M for Montreal showcase takes place at Arlene’s Grocery, featuring a beacon of fantastic Quebec talent. Here’s another link –> M FOR MONTREAL AT CMJ

Here’s some videos as well…

from their show at the Art Museum in Reykjavik for Iceland Airwaves. Thanks Galina Oussatcheva for shooting these, and Rich Smith for shooting the earlier ones.. More to come picture wise + CMJ begins!!!

Wow, this is what tired feels like. Reykjavik -> London -> New York in about 20 hours. Fun. Well, it was BEYOND worth it. Iceland Airwaves Day Three was fantastic, with all three bands headlining to packed audiences across Rekyjavik. First came Brasstronaut, who even got some local artists to join them and transcribe their songs. Here’s an article on Spinner about it.

http://www.spinner.com/2009/10/19/vancouvers-brasstronaut-enlist-special-guests-at-iceland-airwav/

Same goes for fantastic sets from both Culture Reject and Cancer Bats. All three bands partied long into the night as well, as so it goes in Reykjavik. Plus, over 4000 revelers passed through the Iceland Airwaves information area, adorned with a Canadian Musicweek banner, one of our sponsors. So for now, here’s some pictures. More coming.

CMJ updates starting tomorrow.

I’m sitting here listening to ‘Waving Flag’ by K’Naan, nursing a long and impressive night here at Iceland Airwaves. The city was just beginning to rumble at 5AM when I turned in, as Reykjavik becomes the premier party city on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s insane how alive this city becomes. It’s somewhat scary.

So Friday began the Canadian contingent work at Iceland Airwaves. Brasstronaut started playing a high school near Kringlaan, the biggest shopping centre in Iceland, while Culture Reject played a down-tempo set at the International Youth Hostel, on Vesturgata. In addition, Brasstronaut played their official off-venue gig, at 6PM at Skifan. Skifan is the HMV of Iceland, and over 150 people were there to celebrate the occasion, including Gasoline Magazine, White Whale Records and the Ontario Government. Plus, Montreal experimentalist Tim Hecker played at Idno, as part of the Bedroom Community Records showcase.

For the main events, the Canadians have to wait till later today, where all three play their headlining shows. This meant we all got to enjoy other countries work hard. Bands taken in included Dikta again, Aela (meaning puke in local slang), US’ Golden Filter, Denmark’s When Saints Go Machine, Vinnie Who and Sweden’s The Tiny. Lots of pictures were taken, so expect a picture only post later today or tomorrow. Here’s some videos of what we saw. Today is the big day for Canada. Cancer Bats headline at Sodoma, Brasstronaut at the Art Museum and Culture Reject at Grand Rokk. It’ll be a very, very late night.

Video Time.

Iceland…

Well, it’s raining here. It’s not icy at all. Still, it’s been a fantastic start to Canadian Blast Presents at Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavik. No Canadian bands played yesterday, so instead a bunch of members of Canadian bands took in some local fare, including Hogni from the Faroe Islands, the amazing locals Dikta, Danish Depeche Mode enthusiasts Choir of Young Believers and Eliza Newman, who coincidentally works for Icelandic Music Export. As to be expected it was a late night, one filled with bagels, booze and scarves.

Today, Brasstronaut are playing at the local University right now and then at Skifan at 6PM. The headlining shows are tomorrow. Pictures to come soon…