Gaby does Gladstone Friday at CMW 2011-Feldman Showcase

 

Friday night at the Canadian Music Fest was extremely wet, cold, windy, and all in all gross weather. So, rather than my preferred bar hopping extravaganza I opted for a showcase that I hoped would deliver all night long. I scanned the schedule to find a comfortable venue that would deliver a solid line-up that would allow me to stay inside. To my delight, I came across the S.L. Feldman & Associates Showcase.

 

The showcase was held at the lovely Gladstone Hotel in the North Ballroom; easy to get to by TTC(Public transit), warm, clean, friendly, and welcoming. My dreams had come true. I walked in just as Justin Hines was finishing up his set. I only caught the last bit of his closing tune but was instantly energized by his up-beat number. The room was excited and ready for the next set.

 

Next up was Sierra Noble. Sierra is from Winnipeg MB and has opened for Paul McCartney, had her music played in space, played the Opening Ceremonies for the 2011 Winter Olympics, and there�s no sign of her slowing down. She�s accomplished all this at the ripe age of 20.

 

The first thing I noticed when Sierra and her band took the stage was that the entire band was whole-heartedly committed to this performance. The passion of the band as a whole was palpable. Not to mention she was wearing a great dress. As Nikki Sixx put it �fashion and music go hand-in-hand�.

 

Sierra spoke about how she started out as an accomplished fiddle player and was content with that on it�s own. It�s hard to believe that she had no confidence in her singing or song-writing ability. It was only when a friend of hers sat down to write Possibilitiesthat she discovered her love and talent for singing.Possibilities went on to be her first single, her first music video, it won her an international songwriting competition, and it won the hearts of this crowd.

Sierra ended her set with a nod to her musical roots of fiddle playing. She played a fiddle medley called Gabe and wowed the crowd. The energy in the room was incredible and she got even the stiffest industry folk jumping or at least bobbing their heads/tapping their feet. I for one couldn�t manage to keep still enough to get video because the music was so powerful.

 

Sierra Noble was followed by Australia�s Kim Churchill. I have to say that I noticed a lot of Aussie action at this year�s CMW/Canadian Music Fest. I wasn�t quite sure what to expect as I watched this young lad set up. There was a lot of gear for 1 guy, and much of it was covered in duct tape. There were stage hands/manager and sound guys running back and forth turning knobs, checking cables, etc. Such an elaborate set-up for what seemed to be a simple young singer-songwriter intrigued me. The second he started playing I was reminded that night not to judge a book by its cover.

 

My immediate impression was that he reminded me of Xavier Rudd who also hails from the down under, but with a better voice. Kim was playing �acoustic� guitar, harmonica, bass drum, and sang. I put acoustic in quotations because it was hooked up to an amazing array of pedals that could make it sound like an awesome electric.  His entire set was high-energy. The bass was chest thumping; his guitar skills were incredible His songs had incredible texture to them. Each tune brought the crowd through a journey not only using lyrics, but music as well.

 

After his first song the audience erupted in applause. From that point on they were quick to participate by clapping, foot tapping, humming, and snapping for the rest of the set.

Kim�s passion was evident not only through his playing and songwriting, but physically as well. He was sweating and spitting all over the place - which is a good thing in my books (only while on stage). That kind of dedication to putting everything he had into this show is a rare commodity these days. His intensity translated directly into the crowd and there was a moment where I thought a mosh-pit was about to start. I�ve never seen a solo act get a crowd going like Kim did that night.  To top it all of, Kim is another super musician 20 year old. What�s up with these kids?

 

Unfortunately I had to call it an early night as I had work at 6am the next day. But I was thoroughly impressed with S.L. Feldman showcase and the little bit of Current Swell that I heard before I left sounded like it was the beginning of another great set.

I will definitely be checking out their showcase again next year. Read Gaby on How to get booked at Festivals Here.

Big News, new music from Big Sugar and Mother Mother featured at CMW 2011

 

Canadian Music Week 2011 had some great new talent that we will feature on IndieCan Radio, it had some GenX blasts from Stadium Rock past like Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), Sammy Hagar and Melissa Ethridge. As always wild guesses at �what is coming next,� was a recurring theme for the Conference portion of CMW. 

 

I was treated to the first presentation in Toronto of Mother Mother�s new Eureka CD (Available March 15, 2011) as they headlined Phoenix Concert Theatre Wednesday to kick off CMW before bolting for Austin Texas where they have a number of SXSW showcases.  (See the show Wednesday night). �Honestly, I am nervous� says, Jasmin Parkin, the newest Mother Mother member who celebrated her second anniversary with the band on this tour.  She was with them as them opened for Matthew Good for the 2010 cross-Canada tour. �I totally have confidence in our band, doing our thig.  But, there is such an aura about SXSW, I hear you carry your gear through ten blocks and thousands of people in walking malls to get to each gig.�  �If I have learned anything,� says lead singer, Ryan Guldemond, �it�s not to have any expectations. We just want to go out there and do our thing the best we can.  I am not dreaming of signing the big deal or being invited to best rock-star after party. I just want to focus on what we do as a band and having the best relationships and time I can with my band-mates.� 

 

Like �Touch Up� and �O My Heart� before it, Eureka if a real record.  You press play, you are treated to cinematic trips into dark recesses, yellow-brick-road-esque fantasy and faced with some poignant social commentary.  A single has been circulating for while but Eureka will have some long shelf-space.  Some of the songs I like the most aren�t even on the single or Video short list, so that tells you how deep it is in compelling music.  The crowd at the Phoenix was on fire.  It�s the only sing-a-long I can recall at CMW.  100s in the sold-out crowd knew the words to most of the catalogue. The show was 5-Star. It was packed with great songs, special moments, completely non-reliant on special effect trickery.  What is scary is good is this band�s performance has room for improvement.  You can see the evolution over the years but it�s hard to miss the world-class-potential.  In a world of dumb-down, Mother Mother, like Arcade Fire before them, will be one of the acts that make us proud as a nation and help us heal over our shame for the pop-Hollywood want-a-be that our country is now known for in the music google-sphere.

 

I had asked Ryan and Jasmin if writers were trying to compare Mother Mother again to some kind of sound (You try � good luck to you) and they told me ��90�s Power Pop;� although, Ryan had no idea what that means or sounds like.  Too bad he couldn�t have hung out a couple more days with me and come to the Sound Academy Friday night� 

 

You heard it on IndieCan Radio first, Big Sugar performed from what will be their first studio LP in 10 years, �Revolutions Per Minute,� coming out, according to Gordie Johnson, �Sometime soon after the snow melts.�  This marks 20 years of Big Sugar.  Grady is still going strong and Johnson is producing indie rising stars between tours.  Gordie played a Grady set at Tattoo Rock Parlour Thursday night and was bassist for Wide Mouth Mason who performed just before Big Sugar at the Sound Academy and then did about a two-hour Big Sugar set. The man is feeling HALF his age, just to play with Diggin� A Hole a wee bit.

 

Tim Chasson and Jay Malinowski (Bedouin Soundclash) who guest-appear on the new record were in the house to perform with the band.  (see Big Sugar and special guests, Wide Mouth Mason, Desperate Union and The Stanfields)The new record has the same brash and playful reggae-rock feel that couldn�t have been Grady songs, because they are so true to Big Sugar.  Will the record produce hits to the extent, �Hey Mr. Fantasy,� �Turn the Lights Down,� or �Diggin� A Hole,� did?  That is undetermined, but I loved the new stuff.  It won�t be painful like a new Rolling Stones album.  Radio doesn�t have the relevance it did when Big Sugar first shocked and seduced us in 1991. 

See all the CMW 2011 pics HERE

More CMW coverage HERE

The Ramones strongly influenced the whole band but The Diodes differentiate themselves, or their subject matter as more Art-school than the traditional political punk. Mark Gane (Martha and the Muffins) helped the band record their first tracks and in 1977, The Diodes would open some shows for Talking Heads.  The Diodes were part of a Canada-Punk night at CBGBs which included The Viletones and Teenage Head. 

Indie Week just finished it's 6th edition and now that it takes more than one hand to say, "I'm this many!" it's worth taking stock.  Dave Borins who competed in the final Saturday October 10th, made a good point, "I was in Indie Week 3 and there were 50 bands and now it seems like there's three times as many - they have to be doing something right.  Our band had a blast playing and the depth of talent was just fun to be part of."

The format of Indie Week is Wednesday through Friday every venue of bands are playing to the audience and a panel of judges that pick a winner from that showcase.  Over three days that's over 20 winners that all play off on the Saturday night on the Holy Joe's stage and two stages in the retro-fitted Reverb - both at Queen and Bathurst in Toronto.

Team IndieCan seems to have no consensus over who was "best" and the audience is always left divided and sometimes frustrated.  But the point is that everyone seems to care - everyone has a vested interest and grows attached to their "favorite."  The process gives the bands something to shoot for and the audience an easy way to break the ice and chat amongst themselves with "What have you liked tonight?" or "Who are you here to see?"

The bands have their reservations about the whole idea of competitive art but they bring the right attitude to work: If they can meet some other bands that they would love to play with and make some new contacts in towns they have never been to, then they leave Indie Week a winner.  The talent is varied and every showcase is so deep in first rate music that the outcome is more of a lottery than a talent contest.  There is no scientific way to put punk or pop up against country, folk, metal, rap and rock to pin-point one superior product.  Everyone has an opinion, and if you have a strong opinion, then Darryl Hurs, founder and coordinator has a job for you next year.  "If you got a good idea, let's do it," he says.

IndieCan Radio is sharing the wealth of interviews that include new finds, old friends and industry insiders over three shows - Episode 153, 154 and 155.

 

MUD-SLIDE at HILLSIDE (Guelph Conservation Area Rain Dances July 24th - 26th)

 

The NATIONS CAPITAL MARATHON - BLUES FEST style

Day One - Thursday, July 8th
Well after two hours of sleep, three hours at work and a four hour drive, I arrive luggage in hand, at the 16th annual Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest. After arranging my pass and stashing my gear (and a swig from my flask), I was off to soak in, what is my absolute favourite music festival to attend. By the time I was settled, I didn't make it to get photos of Metric from the pit, so I grabbed some pics guerrilla style in the pulsating crowd swaying with the beat, while trying to find a clear line of sight. The first show I caught and it was a great way to start my 2009 Bluesfest experience.

 

So I gave up on the "big" show and made my way back to the Hard Rock Stage (after stopping and shopping at a jewellery booth) where The Road Hammers were playing. I've heard their music before and liked it, but something always came up to prevent me from seeing a show. I'm glad I didn't miss this one - it was my favourite of the evening. These country rockers had the crowd "rawkin out" to their tight, energetic stadium size performance - that is until guitarist Clayton Bellamy caused an outburst of laughter- during his banter, a slight misstep caused a trip on a cable that nearly sent him flying off the stage. A few jokes about that and the guys closed out the evening right - leaving the fans wanting more - because it was a great show.

I decided that even as tired as I was, David Gogo was in town for the festival and had an after-party show at Ottawa's legendary Rainbow Bistro where he was playing tracks off his new CD "Different Views". He also had some guests drop by and sit in on a song each with him - Maple Blues Award Winner - Steve Marriner and Becky Abbott. I my sleep deprived state; I realized it would have been a good idea to have remembered to keep my camera on me after I relocated the luggage to the next "safe" spot. Ah well...it allowed me to enjoy the show, dance up a storm and have some drinks to complete the first of what are expected to be, very long Bluesfest days....

Day 2 - Friday, July 9
Starting off the evening on time is a good way to begin the evening, made it in plenty of time to get in for photos of The Stills. First show of the evening, and it pumped me up for the evening ahead. After about half their set, I wandered over to a couple of the other stages to see what was going on - never heard of the other bands before so wanted to give them a listen. I was able to catch Lindsay Ferguson and the last song of the set for The Dodos. I decided that even though I could probably run and get more photos of another act, I wanted to see the full set (or as much of) the power hour hosted by one of my favourite Ottawa based acts - MonkeyJunk. They had the Texas Horns join them, as well as David Maxwell on B3, and other special guests to come up for a song. My friends and I had a "dance floor" area where we boogied away. I ran off for a little while to see Sam Roberts and get some snaps of him. He has made it Bluesfest somewhat regularly over the past number of years, and I had seen him recently, so after a few songs, I went back to dance to the last few songs by MonkeyJunk. Then backstage to say hi to the guys and catch up with them and get their new CD "Tiger in Your Tank". Hubert Sumlin (who would be considered one of the grandfathers of Blues) was hanging around back there too and got a quick word in with him.

It was getting close to the end of the evening, so figured I'd roam around find out about after parties and see a bit of most shows. So off to stage hopping - into the quiet and intimate Barney Danson Theatre to catch a few songs by Doyle Bramhall, over to the pit to try and get photos of Jackson Browne (which had to be done from the crowd as my press pass wasn't able to get into the pit on this one - well, we got in, and then were turned away by a polite stage manager as we were commenting on the nicely decked out tour buses). Because I was in the crowd and wanting to catch most of the set, I couldn't help but be struck by how good the videography for the big screens is this year. I don't recall it ever being as interesting as it was, and it wasn't just because Jackson Browne is easy on the eyes. I noticed more screens on the stages and on the main stage a variety of cameras to get different angles. Off again, I decided to skip Steve Earle to catch the last little bits of acts I didn't know.

Devotchka was an electrified polka performance, that my description is likely to not do justice for, but mesmerized me and my friends, stuck around longer than expected dancing, and for a couple of them became a band of the day they HAD to buy CD's from. While they were waiting in line, I ran off to catch the last few songs of King Sunny Ade & His African Beats. A few friends of mine are big into world music, so knew of him and had planted themselves there for his entire set. I danced along with them and decided that the after partying would begin at that time with a beer. Once the set was done, the night went on from there - some more pints and chuckles with friends who are volunteers for pageantry - decorations and stage design - just off site in a makeshift tailgate party. I wasn't doing anymore running around tonight, so I parked it and after a couple hours with them decided that staying out late drinking for too much longer was not going to help a full day I had planned for Saturday.

Day 3 - Saturday, July 11th
Well, today turned out to be different than I planned. I woke up to see that today was going to be one of the annual rain days on a Bluesfest weekend. Muttering to myself as I got ready, I made it down in time to support my friends playing in the local staple act for Bluesfest - The Drew Nelson Band. Playing a mixture of originals and Blues standards, they keep the troops who came out in the rain entertained for their set. Literally, in fact, on my way in the gate, there were about a hundred cadets in uniform in formation outside the war museum - nice, unexpected photo op. I bopped over to the Subway Stage where another of my fave bands - The United Steel Workers of Montreal played. A friend of mine missed them last year, so I dragged him along in the rain and muck to make sure I didn't fall and drop my gear (being the klutz I am) and have him experience their kind of cow-punk bluegrass. He was enjoying it so much, that he stayed behind while I ran off to see my friends in the Drew Nelson Band backstage. A couple beers, pics and chatter there, then off to do the same thing backstage with USWM. Back over to the main-stage with my friends again, who I figured would still likely be there even after an hour - sure enough - and some more beers. Then the rain started heavier, and my day went like a mudslide from there. I wasn't sticking out in the storm, so yeah more beers at a friend's place nearby sounded like a good way to wait out the rain. At least after all the afternoon beers I was able to catch a two hour nap. And when I woke up, the sun was shining.

So back to Bluesfest, and slowly made it through the night hopping around to see Celtic songstress Loreena McKennit, some power blues by Jesse Cook, caught some swing and jazz by the Brian Setzer Orchestra on the main stage, and then ended my evening with some more afro beats by Femi Kuti and The Positive Force. And as anyone who has experienced, after an afternoon of drinking, I was tuckered, so made my way back to my crash pad early to avoid the crowds leaving at the very end of the show - which is the way to do it, either leave a few minutes early or hang around chilling with friends for some time after. While they have added extra bus service from the park, if you have the choice of being able to do either of those options, saves you a bit of madness. Luck have it though, as I walked by an apartment building, I was greeted by some Ottawa friendlies to sit on the stoop and have a beer with them. I thought for a half millisecond of saying no and heading home, but at that point, figured a beer would probably help give me some energy back for the rest of the walk. Forty five minutes, some laughs and random meetings of other musicians later, I headed off to get some shut-eye. I wish I had a pedometer on me this weekend, it feels like I've walked over 50 kms. It's got to be fairly close, at least half of that with all the stage hopping I've been doing. Ahhh, sleep.

Day 4 - Sunday, July 12y last day of Bluesfesting for this weekend started with my sister's bridal shower in the morning, far earlier than I would have liked to been awake to start another long day. It started out as a gorgeous sunny day, so figured I'd take it easy in the afternoon enjoying the shows in the sun. Until it was time to head to the festival grounds. Then the rain hit again. There was plenty of great music I would have liked to see - JW Jones with Charlie Baty, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Divine Brown, Sunparlour Players, Rick Fines, Jenn Grant, The Balconies, King Khan & BBQ Show, and so many others. However, having seen them all before, I made the call to have a nap and wait out the rain. I've taken vacation for the whole Bluesfest week in the past and really, to be down there every single day for as many shows as humanly possible, it is really a requirement, unless a person can function as a walking zombie.

So I waited out the rain until it got close to the time to see Hubert Sumlin, who I didn't want to miss again this evening. I was able to catch a bit of a dance party going on with Girl Talk as well - the rain had cleared and people were packed in at the Hard Rock stage with beach balls bouncing around the crowd - and immediately got my second wind from the energy of the festival atmosphere. I moved on to take in a bit of Neko Case, and had planned on grabbing a bite afterward, but then ran into friends and completely forgot. Next, on to make photo call for Joe Cocker, who had a large, more mature crowd. And my conclusion that I reached last year about older people being more rude than the younger crowd was re-enforced - I had two songs to try and get some decent photos (while dealing with excessive front lighting) and I have a woman yelling at me to get out of her way from the other side of the fence. Fine, if I was actually being rude and had parked myself in front of her for the whole show, but was not the case. Maybe the younger audiences are influenced by substances that make them more easygoing, but whatever the case, I vow to not become and old grump at music festivals in my mature days. Otherwise, if I don't like it, I'll go to concerts where there is assigned seating.

I wrapped up the weekend by catching a bit of singer- songwriter Ani DeFranco, who while good, couldn't finish my weekend on a mellow note. I strolled over to see Los Lonely Boys to groove along for a few songs until deciding that the best way to close out my weekend was going to be to see one of my favourite indie rock bands - Mother Mother. The crowd was having a blast and I was happy that they didn't play Hayloft until late in the set, so I didn't miss it with my other stage hopping.

A quick stop in the "pod people" (our term for the Pageantry Volunteers) for a little after gathering and then back off to crash for two hours before having to catch a train back to Toronto...uugghh...

 

Day 5- Weekend Two - Thursday, July 16

 

Yeehaw!! Back in town for the rest of Bluesfest, four more days and many more hours of superb music! I made it in early enough to catch the shows at the start of the night. Loudlove kicked off the evening on a high note with their upbeat tunes. I stuck around for their whole show then headed over to see some great blues from Zac Harmon. He's a great guitarist and his charm and stage presence makes him an overall great performer.  My friends who had never heard of him before had the show as one of their favourites of the night.

 

I decided that this weekend I was going to enjoy the shows fully and take a bit of a break from the intense stage hopping. My show of the evening was the next to be seen - Live. Granted they hit it big when I was in high school and were one of my favourite bands, I haven't followed them too closely in recent years. However, they put on a show that re-enforced why I like them; some catchy songs, some insightful lyrics, and an attractive front man. I bumped into a couple friends before the show, and showed them the way to get close to the stage without being "sardined" in (nope it's a secret of die hard Bluesfesters - you have to go to find out). I went off to get my photos during the first two song window- which was delayed by Busta Rhymes deciding to not start his show until an hour late at which point he played only 26 minutes. I feel sorry for some people I know who bought their tickets specifically for that show. Geez. Rappers, they always seem to have inflated egos. Now it just may be rumour, but word had it was hey were just sitting in their tour bus. Regardless of the reason, this is a highly organized and well run festival, which the stages run very much on time. There may a couple minutes delay, but that was absolutely ridiculous. Personally I don't think that's anyway to treat your fans.

 

Anyway, back to Live - it was a truly fantastic show, and I'm happy I stuck around for the whole thing - wanted to get backstage, but alas, didn't happen for them. So I moseyed over to catch a bit of Styx, which while decent, wasn't captivating my attention for too long. So I wandered over to see the Alan Parsons Project which was good as well, but not as exciting as I was in the mood for - given I was starting off the first night of my second extended long weekend. But my friends were at that stage, so hung out, had beers and formulated our attack plans for the rest of the night - a trip to another local Ottawa haunt - Irene's Pub - for the weekly Thursday jam, after a pit stop to see the "pod people". Some great Ottawa talent shows up to play here and tonight was no exception. Frontman of Rudeboy - Scott Amey was there on guitar, Jed Rached, Steve Marriner and a host of others periodically through the night. With a slight beer buzz...I wrapped up the night hanging out with friends who didn't have to work early in the morning.

 

Day 6 - Friday, July 17th

 

The day started too early for my liking. But at least the sun was what woke me up - great - nice weather for Bluesfest. After making my way to a Starbucks to get a kick start to the morning, I was ready to see what I would do with my day before the shows started. A visit with a friend, lunch on a patio, ducking some more rain, visit with / stash my backpack at another friends place, check some emails, a short nap, and I'm off. Like a herd of turtles. I should have had the nap earlier, for longer.

 

I get down to the festival grounds to meet my mom who didn't want to miss seeing Blue Rodeo again. Something has always come up in her schedule. I know, they play around often, but well, she sometimes seems to live under a rock. This night would be a mother/daughter evening. I had made jokes with both her and my friends that I was going to run her into the ground after the first hour of stage hopping if I didn't take it easy on her.  Much to my surprise, she kept up with me pace for pace for the whole night.

 

We started off our evening at the Hard Rock stage seeing Sugar Blue, which was some great traditional blues lead by a harpist front man. We spent almost the whole show there as it really was too good to move on from. After it was done, we moved over to see Ken Workman and theUnion, a band I had wanted to check out for well over a year, but my travel schedule always interfered. I know the bass player Sean Burke from the other projects he's been associated with - Trevor Finlay and The Tony D Band, and when I first heard he would be working with this project, I figured it would be good. When they posted tracks on their MySpace, my thoughts were re-enforced. I was so happy to get to see them perform finally, again another show I caught the majority of. I did pop over to see Larry Garner - another fine blues man who was entertaining in his rousing the crowd to sing along / respond back. I wandered by The Rogers Stage to hear a bit of Cake, in the hopes of seeing a few other friends who I knew would be there. No dice, and so headed back to see the last bit of Ken Workman and the Union.

 

I was really hoping to share the experience of being in the photo pit for Blue Rodeo with my mom, who is a bit foreign to the life I lead in the music industry. I had subbed her in to get some video of them and gave the run down of what I needed her to do while I grabbed pics...only to be denied access that night to the main stage. Personally, I do have plenty of pics of Jim Cuddy from the Junos, and of him and the band from the Jeff Healey celebration held in Toronto last year, however, I never get tired of staring through the lens at him, and it would have been a cool experience for my mom. Alas, the one Canadian band I really wanted coverage on the main stage, and I couldn't get it other than some 'ok' pics from far off in the back of the audience. I wasn't going to weave my mom up to the front to attempt better photos. So I took the opportunity to make photo call for Paolo Nutini. A very successful artist himself, however a Scotsman - he wasn't high on list of bands to get a bunch of photos of. I like his music a lot and was planning on spending a fair amount of time there watching the show, but didn't originally plan on being in the pit. Well, it was a blessing in disguise. Being I hadn't seen a gig before, wasn't expecting so many to be at the stage, but there were, so was happy to not have to try and wiggle in like a mouse (as my mother so aptly described my crowd weaving) to get pictures. But pictures aside, it was one of my favourite shows of all of the Ottawa Bluesfest experience. Stage presence - he's got it, tight musicians and sound - he's got it, - stage presence, charm and looks, yep that too. I now have to see another gig of his as soon as I can. After my three songs pit time was up, my mom and I headed back to see more of Blue Rodeo. I weaved us back through the crowd to the midway point that we could see both the stage and the video screens, and parked ourselves beside a nice biker "fella" who bought us some beers and was entertaining to chat with. Another reason I love the festival, the majority of people are friendly and are there to have fun, regardless if it's with people they know or not; kinda like a modern day Woodstock experience (not that I would know for sure), but possibly with less drug use.

 

I gave my mom the hint that she should leave the grounds before the last song of Blue Rodeo's encore was done to avoid the rush of people and so she could make her last bus home. She thanked me for a really fun night. I went to meet up with friends to continue mine into the wee hours.

 

I made my way to another Rainbow "Bluesfest Afterparty" to see Paul Deslauriers play. I've seen him a couple times in the past and knew it was going to be a good show, but tonight he was really smokin'. He also had Steve Marriner pop by to guest on harp on a couple tunes, and even though I see Steve play often, a nice treat - I love the harp. Anyway, I danced some, played pool, hung around chatting with friends and closed down the bar. Only to step outside and find it was pouring. Damn rain. One day, just one day without rain would be nice. At least it was warm so the short walk in it wasn't completely terrible.

 

Day 7 - Saturday, July 18

 

I needed sleep, but forced myself out of bed at 11 to go meet a friend at noon. Should have scheduled that later - I should know better by now. Anyway, a stop for lunch, back to relax for a couple hours, check email, figure out my must see shows for the night, have a mini nap, then back out to the festival.

 

I caught a lot of Otis Taylor's set as I was waiting for friends nearby. I've seen him before, and being a well known blues-man, was on my hit list, so it worked out well, even though friends were a bit late meeting me. The music coming from the Subway stage was enticing after we had all met up, so went over to check out Rythym Council. They finished their set about fifteen minutes after we were there so moved on to take my friend to see That One Guy. First words out of his mouth were "I don't like Folk" when he saw the description in the pamphlet, to which I said, "Trust me, I've seen him before and if you haven't, you must." I may not be a music critic per se, but I know what I like, and can appreciate good music in all genres, so generally speaking when anyone who knows me hears that I am stoked about something, they tag along. So entourage in tow, we went over and I was completely shocked to see how large of a crowd there was this year. He played last year in the Barney Danson theatre and it was half empty. Maybe his marketing efforts paid off, maybe the stage was the bonus, but regardless, I was happy to see such a turnout. The interesting hook, is that while his music is great (a melting pot of blues, jazz,  folk, electronica) it really is just one guy up there playing a contraption made of steel pipe, a bunch of elbow joints, strings, and who knows what else. He plays percussion on a boot and a small snare drum. It's a highly entertaining show to take in.

 

Admittedly, I was more focused on hanging out and catching up with friends than taking photos today, so we were making frequent trips to the beer tents, made a few jewellery purchases with the gals,  and grabbed some grub before getting back to the music. Since I wasn't able to get up close and personal with Lynyrd Skynyrd, we decided to start the end of the night with a few ofBlack Mountain's tunes and then went over to the main stage to enjoy Skynyrd in the thick of the crowd. After "gophering" our heads above the crowd, we found an empty pocket that was in sight of the video screens, had a decent view of the stage and ample room for a dance floor. We grooved away the night there, the crowd signing along to " Sweet Home Alabama" as they closed out their set. Of course they were not escaping without coming back to fulfill the crowd's request for "Freebird".

 

We still had an early night on our hands, so continued the party elsewhere, to see a friend's cover band at a local pub and still closed out the night with a Skynyrd experience through their version of " Sweet Home Alabama". Twice in one night live...cool co-incidence.

 

Day 8 - Sunday, July 19th

 

Damn - the last day of Ottawa Bluesfest 2009.  That is always a sad time - the festivities can't go on forever. They end tonight. And I'll have to go back to reality for a little while. Ironically, it turns out to be the most gorgeous day of the whole festival. The first day it actually feels like summer. 29 degrees Celsius + and the sun beating down upon us. It makes for a great day taking in concerts with a brew in your hand and good friends around. All of the diehards said the same thing with a look of longing in their eyes - "Last Day". After much psychological discussion of what Bluesfest means to everyone, the feelings associated with the wrap up and of this year's highlights - possibly substance induced ramblings - we enjoyed another power hour with MonkeyJunk and friends. After a pit stop for more beers we made our way over to take in Larry McCray's set, and stayed there to listen to Eden Brent. One powerhouse female singer, who's voice is completely deceiving of her age and race. We couldn't see the stage from where we were waiting in the line for more beers, and once the group of us made our way into the crowd to see her perform, we all had the same comment as to our shock when we realized the deep, powerful southern voice was coming from the forty-something Caucasian lady sitting in front of the keyboard.  We were hooked and the goose-bumps she caused were a nice relief temporarily form the heat of the sun. Some of the group left a bit early to check out Magneto, and the rest of us waited until the end of the set to begin our stage hopping again.

 

Another stroll over to the "good" beer tent (where there was more variety and the ability to get beer in cans rather than draft in cups), and we made our way over to see C.R Avery and The Sojourners. I had told people how great The Sojourners were and that we had to go check them out. I admittedly didn't know C.R. Avery or his style of music but thought it might have blended better with the sweet, soulful gospel sound The Sojourners have. I'm not a big fan of rap, or spoken word and I personally wasn't that impressed with C.R. Avery's music, I would have much preferred to see The Sojourners have the stage to them selves. So after a few songs and pictures, we moved over to sit on a hill over looking the view of the Ottawa River while listening to David Lindley. More discussions on how great this year's edition of the Ottawa Bluesfest and we decided to head over to the Subway stage to get in position for Buckwheat Zydeco.

 

I got a call from my mom that she was going to join me as she wanted to see Jennifer Warnes as well. I watched for her to come over to where I was, picked her out in the crowd and motioned for her to join the group of us front and center. We took in about a half hour of Buckwheat Zydeco, and then headed over to Jennifer Warnes as she was antsy to see her. I was completely humouring her on that. There is a reason why some artists are one hit wonders, and I wasn't left wondering in regards to her. Aside from the fact she appeared under the influence of something, was reading her lyrics and still managed to forget them, those reasons alone wouldn't have made me want to leave as much as how depressing her music was.  After three songs I asked if we really had to stick around. I was almost to the point of wanting to cut my ears off. My mom agreed that it wasn't the show she was hoping for, so we decided to make our way back to Buckwheat Zydeco by way of the long route. I wanted to catch a bit of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the main stage, so took in a few songs of theirs while watching (or being watched by?) a giant eyeball beach ball bouncing around over the crowd. Not exactly my mom's cup of tea, but since I humoured her, she humoured me. Then back to where we were both happy finishing off the night dancing to Buckwheat Zydeco with the rest of the group of friends. For me, it was a great way to complete the Bluesfest experience. I wish time could have been paused at that moment - a beautiful mid summer night, friends, family, great music and beers. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end (why? I still ask), and I made my way back to my crash pad to pack my gear and get a few hours sleep before catching the train back to Toronto. Hmmm...d�j� vu, but this time slightly different, the promise for more is further off...I have to wait until next year to take in my favourite festival again....ah well, plenty of great memories to last until then...

The 2009 NXNE is June 17 to 21 in Toronto Canada

Hear IndieCan Radio as you read and enjoy galleries of NXNE

Stream Epiosde 137 HERE

Download Episode 137 HERE

REVIEWS: Check out NXNEreviews of NXNE showcases by IndieCan Dan Dwoskin

IndieCan's team on the street is bigger than ever. We'll bring commentary, video and pictures as well as great radio programming. We're off to a great start. Sensory overload will come every day with new content added.

The musical experience of North by North East is expanding. New venues are participating and more out door "free" events are offered. Score one for youth and families that can feel included in celebrating culture in what is sometimes sarcastically referred to by the arts community as the business capital of Canada. Dundas Square, in-store appearances and other all-ages opportunities respects what is the future for most emerging musical artists - our youth. Juno winners, Wintersleep, The Cliks, Spiral Beach, In Flight Safety and My Darkest Days are some of the indie rock bands that pour their creativity out into the openair of Toronto.

was one of the messages coming from the pannel. "Focus on your craft - write great songs, be great musicians, never stop learning about performance. Then we'll find you. And if we come knocking on your door you can expect we'll be offering a better deal than if you keep calling us." The Panellists were: Jodie Ferneyhough, Managing Director, Universal Music Publishing Canada, Kevin Leflar, President, officialCOMMUNITY, Steve Kane, President, Warner Music Canada, Denise Donlon, Executive Director, CBC Radio, Paul Haagenson, President, Canada West, Live Nation Canada, Heather Ostertag, President/CEO, FACTOR, Jack Ross, Senior Vice President, The Agency Group, Jack Ross, Senior Vice President, The Agency Group, Chris Sisam, General Manager, Corus Radio Toronto, Bernie Finkelstein, President, Finkelstein Management, Chris Taylor, Owner, Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, Mark Jowett, Vice President/Co-Founder, Nettwerk Music Group. See what we saw - CLICK HERE!

Top left, Chang A Lang, Toronto, Top Right, Spiral Beach, Toronto, Bottom Left Xavier Caffeine, Montreal, Bloodgroup, Reykjavik from Day one of NXNE Photos of North By North East 2009 : Saturday Showcases - Queen Street      Saturday Showcases, Kensington, Rancho VIDEO of Noth BY  Saturday Conference and Trade Show Town Hall Meeting PART 1 - FACTOR Friday Cliks, Wintersleep, In Flight Safety on Dundas   Friday Conference and Trade Show @ the Hyatt   Friday Dinosaur Bones, Eve and the Ocean more video from IndieCan  Thursday by Gayle - Spadina, College, Kensington NXNE.com More radom Thurdays Pics +Dundas Square   Thurday Showcases at NXNE IndieCan Radio - all about NXNE 2009     Keep scolling below for galleries and commentary for NXNE coverage from past years.

LILY FROST pays homage to fallen Toronto independent legend RAY CONDO Gayle Hurmuses Lily Frost has a voice that gives me goosebumps and a poise both on stage and off that makes me wish I was a real grown-up too. It's a wonder that she and I had never met before, we've got lots of mutual friends and I'd been hearing about her for years, particularly from Ray Condo, a mutual friend. I remember sitting in his kitchen on Grant Street when he told me about Lily and her swing band, the Colorifics, the story of Lily's wandering life and what a fabulous voice she had. He mentioned them regularly over the years as one of the great bands in the Lower Mainland. Kept trying to be in Vancouver when they were playing, but it never worked out. On May 14, I was walking down College Street, when I saw the poster proclaiming: "Lily, Does Billie, For Ray" in the window of Soundscapes, two days before the show. Lily Frost, singing Billie Holidayfor Ray Condo, on May 16, his birthday. Ray Condo was more than a friend and a colleague, he was a hero and a mentor...this, I had to be at. As it happens, given that the show was sold out the day before I saw the poster, this was a four email, two phone call finagle...Thanks so much to Lily and RJ and Jake and Jane for getting me in at the last minute to this stunning, over-capacity show. So, the show...May 16, 2009. Got the word at about 4:30 that I could get in. I arrived at about 8:30 to see the opening act, a singer named Emma Lee, looking like a cross between Melanie and Lesley Gore, with a band that included an upright bass, guitar and drums. They did a great job on a swampy arrangement of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog", with a smokey close only slightly marred by an unsuccessful attempt at call and response with the audience. They were 'Cool' in the hipster sense. The group of people where I was standing, was there to see her in particular and said that she regularly plays up on the Danforth.

She really is and the show was like a spell, from the first note to the last, with the audience listening intently, even at the back of the room where the industry types were all standing about, as reverent in the face of her talent as any other fan. Now, that's not something you see everyday

This isn't a full list, but here are some of the songs that Lily performed so brilliantly that evening: Love Me Or Leave Me, WIllow Weep For Me, Don't Explain, Them There Eyes, One Never Knows, I Cried For You, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, It's Too Hot For Words, Do Your Duty, What a Little Moonlight Will Do, (where she sang a duet with the clarinet), In My Solitude, Swing Brother Swing, and in an encore dedicated especially to Ray, Lonesome Blues with Lily playing rhythm guitar. "She cooks with gas!" says the drunk guy next to me. Inelegant, but true. Ray would have been so proud. More IndieCan Lily Frost pics by Wendy L. Rombough (Canadain Music Cafe) "Sailor" pic by Ivan Otis

More bands from greater distanced applied to be part of the Hamilton Spring Music Festival in 2009. Hamilton fans got a taste of bands from more countries and as always, southern Ontario showed off some of our home-grown talent this year, too. Gordie Johnson and Grady returned to Hamilton this spring, getting a thumbs up from all those in attendance last year who left saying "Damn, So-and-so should have been here to see this!" This year they had a second chance to bring them to see and hear the big sound of Austin's Grady.

Jay Sparrow (Edmonton) returned this year as well but not hiding behind the big punk sound of Murder City Sparrows - this year, Jay was sporting an acoustic guitar. The Free Press of Toronto, Apollo's Down(Guelph) and Never Ending White Lights (Windsor) were some of the bands from driving distance that made Ontario proud.

"I started in the concert promotion business as a band, bringing bands into Hamilton to play so my band could open for them, then I started a label in the mid-1990s, so I had lost of street experience." points out Rob Rapitti, who heads the festival. "Then I got the corporate experience working with Canadian Music Week as sales manager, being flown to Vegas, L.A., New York and I really learned how to do business internationally." Bands from Philadelphia to Alaska were in attendance this year. Enough typing about music - here's what we have to see and hear:
IndieCan Radio - Episode 133 and 134 both have a Hamilton angle LISTEN HERE
See more pictures from the Spring Music Festival's Saturday night - CLICK for Pics!! SeeGRADY on YouTube

IndieCan Covers Canadian Music Week with more team-members on the streets than ever before. Once agian, you'll find more CMW here than at CMW. We will help if you are here - we will help if you can't be here. Hear IndieCan Radio CMW 09 Hear CMW President Neill Dixon on CMW 09 IndieCan Radio will be bringing you hours of Canadian Music week including (show 124)Vanderpark live at IndieCan with CMW big-cheese, Neill Dixon + (125) Sunshine State live at IndieCan. Coming soon, we hear from April Wine (# 126), honoured with a Life Time Achievement Award by the Canadian Music and Broadcasting Industry Hall of Fame. See April Wine, talking to IndieCan, meeting old friend and producer, Ralph Murphy. See who's on IndieCan Radio Anvil was inducted to the Indie Hall of Fame in a presentation by Biff Naked to join the likes of D.O.A., Rough Trade, The Pursuit of Happiness and more. Performances included Montreal's Beast, St. John's Hey Rosetta and Midway State. XM Canada's Jeff Leake hosted an enchanted night to a charged up, full house at the Royal York - See Indie Award winners and performers HERE! More on Myspace (coming soon). Video on YouTube READ MORE ABOUT ANVIL RIGHT HERE Once again at CMW, legendary songwriter, Andy Kim hosted the Canadian Radio Star finals as finalists for 12 radio stations across the country sing-off for a great prize pack. Included were IndieCan friends Andrew Hunter (Nova Scotia), Jeffery Straker (Sask), The Insiders, Stephanie Mainville, Seven Days, Watters Brothers, Tigerbomb, Taylor Demetrioff, John Antoniuk (pictured with Andy Kim), Zoo Lion, My Sister Ocena and eventual winner, The Latency from Vancouver. See the whole gallery here by Wendy L. Rombough. Congrats to all the fianlists. IndieCan wishes you could all have won. I am filled with hope about the music scene in Canada and more specifically, in Toronto - which I often accuse of being a "thank God it's Monday" town, to busy and important and overwhelmed for art. But the streets have been filled with excitement. CMW 2009 and more importantly, the Festival segment (Can. Music Fest), have seen many venues over-flowing or beyond capacity. Nothing I could have said could have got me into Mother Mother Thursday night at The Supermarket. Tyrone wasn't out from at the Horseshoe and I got cock-blocked there too. It was the same all over town. Sure - I didn't get to cover all the bands I wanted to see and talk to but the cold and heartless strictly business city I live in grew a soul. Like the Grinch, Toronto's heart grew to the size of 10 Toronto's + 2. Inside the Royal York Hotel, (which you will never find me calling the fairmout) conference were packed. I got to talk with Myles Goodwyn and the rest of the new-look April Wine. I will bring that to you soon. I didn't ask where Jimmy Clench (bass player for all my favorite albums) was. In case the answer is ugly, why rain on their induction parade. Myles and Brian deserve it (bust so do some missing soldiers). Someone asked me, "Who's that? He looks stressed out ." I said, "That's Neill Dixon, president of CMW. There's 5,000 people in this hotel right now who think they can run this thing way better than him. I doubt he's had enough sleep and there just isn't enough coffee." Twice daily Team-IndieCan will be posting new content here and Myspace and Facebook. We look forward to bringing it to you - what a privilege. Here's a few pics, and comments to start with. Check out our radio page for some sounds of CMW. For conference goers of Canadian Music Week, a battle of two influential titans emerged. I don't think I was planned that way, otherwise it would have been billed that way. Gene Simmons and Bob Lefsetz has what seems at times geometrically opposing views on the what is and should never be of the music biz.                 Gene Simmons is looking to recruit the best of the best of the best in un-signed talent, provide his artist(s) with the weapons needed to come out on top - using his label, marketing and merchandising know how to create a made-in-Canada international superstar. Lefsetz believes the traditional label-artist relationship is tragically flawed and has no future. In the most widely read music biz news letter in the world Bob Lefsetz has argued that in the near future the workable model puts the power with the artists not the label - not even if your subordinating your career to Mr. Kiss Army, the most successfully marketed franchise in the U.S. history. Here's the common ground Simmons and Lefsetz agree on - most emerging artist are grossly unrealistic about the odds of success, the sacrifice required or the path to take. One titan won me over, but both won my even growing respect. Lefsetz, beholden to no one, Gene Simmons, an undeniable self-made man who plays to his own strengths and makes no apologies for his shortcomings. IndieCan will spend some time dissecting what these great men had to say. It's only fair - they both put years of work and experience into arriving at the convictions they promulgate now. THIS JUST IN: Neill Dixon, preident of CMW seized opportunity - 4 PM Thursday in the Royal York Ballroom, the cage match was scheduled - Simmons/Lefsez - IndieCan was there! Details will follow soon. See how Wendy L Rombough interprets Gene, Laura Peek and Matt Mays are part of an East Coast boast. Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC and Manitoba wouldn't go unheard either. Team IndieCan divvied up Day II Canadian Music Fest duties loosely as three teams: Bloor Street, College Street and Queen Street. Adjustments had to be made as several venues were at or over capacity, denying entry and forcing to amend our plans. This is a sacrifice worth making to give in to the fact that demand for these showcases is on the rise. Detailed galleries and commentary are coming soon including the Music BC Showcase, Tanya Davis, Amanda Rheume, The Parlotones, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Easy Targets and much more. CLICK HERE for samples of IndieCan pics of Canadian Music Fest 2009 by Douglas Graham and others. CMW DAY KICK OFF: IndieCan Wednesdays was one of five official Canadian Music Week kick-off venues. Several other renegade CMW celebrations were also presented across the city. The Rok Boutique was CMWing, and the Big-Bop was doing a two story 15 band night of Indie Night in Canada upstairs at the Reverb and down in Kathedral. IndieCan Wednesdays regulars and new-comers were treated to a trio of showcases that left most thinking there couldn't have been a better line up of music anywhere in the world that night. Power-pop New Jersey lads, Jet Lag Gemini kicked the night off and if their set was some kind of foreshadowing, Rock 'n' Roll is here to stay, it will never die. I chatted with the band before the show (They will be at Tattoo Rock Parlor Thursday night) andn they couldn't believe how expensive parking was. Were they ever happy to hear that with their Garden State plates they could collect the whole set - at no cost to them and use them as post cards to communicate with their loved ones back home. I pushed my luck a little when I told them that if they get any ticket with 4 consecutive 3s they could take it to City Hall to redeem the $100 and bottle of Maple Syrup for possessing a winning ticket. Now, on to set # 2: What seems to be a haven for great alt/country, from the UK, Liverpool's Familiar Looking Strangers showed off some stunning vocal harmonies and many North American influences such as soul, R & B, Blies as well as the country/roots signature sound of the band. Paul Baker, guitarist said to us "You can't choose what kind of music comes out of you." (FLS play The Cadillac Lounge Saturday night). Manana (Tomorrow) from Basel Switzerland are promoting their latest xperimental art/rock CD, "Interruptions" on a North American tour that includes CMW and SXSW. Manuel, lead vocalist when asked if he knew Canadian bands like The Dears, says, "The Dears - they are fucking awesome!" paying homage to his Canadian cousins. "People in the audience were shouting out song titles," exclaims Manuel B�rkli, "How do they know are songs?" The WreckRoom crowd wouldn't leave without an encore. See Familiar Looking Stranger & Manana pictures here. Wendy's WEDNESDAY PICS (Tattoo Rock Parlour, The Horseshow, Rok Boutique + Jet Lag Gemini)  Wendy's THURSDAY MARCH 12 - PHOTOS Saturday night Indie Awards performances Like being there: See the indies, and come club hopping with us on IndieCan's YouTube page Couldn't make it to the Gene Simmons/Bob Lefsetz cage-match? We have it HERE. CMW has podcasting of some of the key-note speakers. See what Bryen Dunn saw @ CMW HERE

Hillside Inside 2009 Brings Summer to Canadian Winter February 7th

Wendy L Rombough photos - top: Bell Orchestre, Bedouin Sound Clash, K'Naan, Sam Roberts bottom: Thunderheist, The D'Ubervilles, That One Guy, Stars. Also The Magic, Great Lake Swimmers, Jay Malinowski,

"We are still in the experimental stage with Hillside Inside" says Artistic Director, Sam Baijal. "It's been 25 years of Hillside's summer festival and only the second year we've done this in the winter. Our summer festival sells out before we even announce the artist line up - it has that culture, it has that history. We are hopeful that in time Hillside Inside will develop those same attributes." Sam Roberts said from the stage "Let's here it for Sam for bringing summer to hockey arena in the middle of a Canadian winter." Some patrons jokingly refer to Hillside Inside as the first day of spring. Even the temperature came in line and rose out of the below freezing temperatures for the day. (Take a trip through Guelph's Sleeman Centre with photographer, Wendy L. Rombough - CLICK HERE) There is always a great balance of genre, marquee acts vs. emerging acts and a feel unlike other concerts. Attendees are free to travel from the floor to the stands, to the vendors market, in and out privileges allow anyone to take a break and walk about downtown Guelph. Vendor, Jason Bellchamber (Bellchamber Rings) is a veteran of Hillside and he heard opening act, The D'Urbervilles sound checking as he was setting and he said "Whooo, that's attention getting - who are they." Locals, The D'Urbervilles aren't new to the scene but they are starting to get some universal recognition. Hillside kicks off an exciting year that includes Canadian Music Week and their first South By South West. The Magic was another local emerging act that impressed. Great Lake Swimmers introduced new music from their upcoming release Lost Channels which included some up-beat and very sing-a-long-able new tunes. Jay Malinowski introduced his solo material as well participatin g in a great Bedouin Soundclash set. The boys of Bedouin are off to the land down under and they tell IndieCan that they are stoked about doing some big-venue shows with No Doubt later this year. Montreal's Bell Orchestre includes Sarah and Richard from Archade Fire, who don't refer to Bell O as a side project at all. This ensemble includes both classically trained talent and other artists on record for rude comments about classical that has them in hot water with their parents. I first had my music-loving socks off by Bell O at the 2008 Hillside "outside" festival where they entranced the island stage patrons. K'Haan, a Sam Baijal favourite, The Aboriginal Opening Ceremonies, That One Guy and Thunderheist stretched the boundaries of pop, art and cultural community and the Sleeman Centre crowd finished the night off with back-to-back sets of more Montreal with The Sam Roberts Band and Stars - either of which could justify admission cost of $55 to $70 on their own depending on what spectrum of pop culture you identify with. Check out swanky Hillside Inside pics, Coming Soon: IndieCan Radio coverage of Hillside Inside includeing chats with The D'Urbervilles (pictured here with IndieCan Radio's Joe Chisholm, Bedouin Soundclash and organizer, Sam Baijal

January 17, 18, 19, 2009 the 4th Annual Blues Summit graces Toronto. Maple Blues Awards were handed out at The Phoenix Don't just read, it, hear Episode 118, IndieCan gets the blues Artists, festival directors, blues societies and other industry leaders meet and greet in Toronto. Day one at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, great artists strut their stuff at The Summit

Toronto has been treated to the countries best of the blues for three days. January 17th to 19th, The Delta Chelsea hosted Maple Blues bands on two stages. Ross Neilsen, Blackburn, (top) Fathead and Tracy K (bottom) were just four of the acts that brought Blues power to T.Dot's winter wonderland Saturday. pictures courtesy of Jenn Martin Summit Pics -Saturday in colour - black and blue / Sunday in colour - black and blue and Conference Pics+ IndieCan presents... Eric Thom Pics Sunday morning, following a buffet breakfast (and yes I agree - a Blues Breakfast should somehow be a smoke filled room that smells of stale beer, but croissant, eggs, hash browns and fried pig by-product were the order of the day... and plenty of coffee) The Blues Summit keynote speaker was Ben Manilla, The House of Blues partner to the radio front man, Dan Aykroyd, A.K.A. Elwood Blues. Ben Manilla talk about House of Blues Ben's child-like love of music is still intact. He recounted so many of the idols he's interviewed that he still truly admires. His motto, stolen from Jerry Garcia, who stole it from Cary Grant, "If you just stay in one place long enough, people figure you're suppose to be there." The House of Blues radio hour (2 hours in some markets) is the longest running blues radio show in American history, running every week since 1993. For anyone wondering what interest, IndieCan - an emerging music community would have in "tired old blues music," here's one of the most compelling commentaries Manilla made: "Every town I go to in the USA, someone's bragging about a 16 year old who's better than Stevie Ray Vaughn. One festival in particular in the USA has a youth component (21 and younger) to their Blues Festival and they had 23 performers" In the media panel that followed the keynote, Danny Marks answered the question, "How can we (the Blues community) get our fan base average age down?" Without hesitation, Marks piped in, "As the old guard steps aside and makes room for young performers to play the blues, young people will catch on. As long as we look like Dad's music, young people will be reticent to embrace it." Media Round Table discusses the state of The Blues Young Canadian artists like Jimmy Bowskill and Alex Tintinalli are ready to take their place on larger stages as soon as the limelight will be shared by the old guard. In 2008 Southside Shuffle did just that, introducing festival goers to Homemade Jamz from Mississippi. Neither audience nor critics treated this 16-and-under sibling blues team as a novelty act. They are the real deal - and nowhere did we hear the condition "...for a bunch of kids." Blues players and fans alike always have, and always will honour their roots - those who have come before them and the craft of "the Blues." Tradition withstanding, music writers like Errol Nazareth still demand originality from new offerings. "If it's clich� I will say 'this is clich�' but luckily there is plenty of original blues and roots music on the Canadian scene like Julian Fauth..." The IndieCan favourite quote of the day goes to Richard Flohil : "Music has to reach you in the head, the heart, the crotch or the feet - any two of the four can give you a hit song." Keith Hallet's New Brunswick Blues Hamilton's Steve Strongman's band rock the Summit MAPLE BLUES AWARDS GALA show me AWARDS & PERFORMANCES HERE. MonkeyJunk, Danny Marks + more IndieCan Radio Review: "No Looking Back" by David Rotundo Band

More panels, more learning, networking, bonding and such. Now, after a full of day of conferencing, how about a full night of music? We saw MonkeyJunk, Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth, Amos Garrett, Suzie Vinnick, Matt Anderson, Ray Bonneville, Steve Strongman , Keith Hallett and more. You will be hearing from some of these people in IndieCan Radio episode 118 and seeing what we saw in photo galleries The Maple Blues Awards at the Phoenix Concert Theatre payed tribute to Jeff Healey and his band - Check our Myspace Blog for all the winners.

"When Balls are held for pleasure, that's the balls I like the best" AC/DC ~ Wednesday December 10th XM Satellite's Channel 87 THE VERGE had their "Thank God It's Not Another XMAS Party!" GalaThis was a free event at Tattoo Rock Parlour. Moneen, The Arkells & Hollerado played to the 500 that got in of the 700 that RSVPed.

Rocking the Burbs - Award winning Indie acts DO Kitchner / Waterloo + New Market Ontario!

James "The Road Dog" Walker and Sound FM hosted their annual fall night of noise in Kitchener Novernber 21 and IndieCan was there. Hello Beautiful closed the set that included The Joys, Low Level Flight and locals, Bravura. Pictures paint a thousand words so this should save me tens of thousands - CHECK THIS OUT - snappy pics, aren't they? Sound FM plays IndieCan Radio Wednesday's at 3 PM on 100.3 on the FM dial in Kitchener/Waterloo. Thanks Elements Night Club and thanks PIZZA NOVA for the warm and yummy food.

The other part of the November 21 double header included bringing culture to Toronto's northern outskirts where IndieCan was proud to be part of a first class night of music with Human Record, Little Sunday and Japhy. See what IndieCan saw at the Newmarket Theatre, "NEW CONCERT SERIES" CLICK HERE

"People are still buying VIP delegate passes from the USA and other far-away-places and when they come here, they want to see the Joel Plasketts and other local buzz bands when they get here," says Waye Mason, Executive Director of Halifax POP Explosion. That said, some of you may remember a blog I sent out after Tuesday of HPX called "NO FRED NO SAID" because at Coconut Grove, Fred from Ireland and Said The Whale from Vancouver we scheduled to play, the engineer at the venue told me he was unaware of any cancellations at 7 PM when I made my preliminary rounds, but then the 9:30 start got pushed back by the time I got there at 9:15 because both bands were no-shows. I don't know why that happened. I think in the case of Fred, there arrival hinged on a travel grant that never came. I hope all is well with Said the Whale, but I don't know what happened there. That's the sort of thing that might irk someone who received a "P.F.O." Sonic Bid reply.

Not all was lost on Day 1. IndieCan saw Emm Gryner at The Music Room - what a cool location. Its downside is that it's so far off the beat and path but it's an intimate, bright and warm place to enjoy great music and Emm, what a great way to kick off the festival. At the other end of the music spectrum, the night ended with Jay Retard at the Marquee - Folk to Punk - love it! Share was a band that played the shortened Coconut Grove set and I loved them - good local talent worth checking out.

Wednesday saw more of Team-IndieCan out. If you're on YouTube check out IndieCan Joe for a couple of videos in a series I call "IndieCan Crappy Cannon Cam Videos" by Joe C - Cannon doesn't pay us to enhance their product branding, it's just the point-and-click digital that I shoot these things on. Wednesday started my "Crappy Cam" coverage which over two videos will include Holy Fuck, Sebastien Grainger, Young Rival, Golden Hands Before God, White Cowbell Oklahoma, Modern Boys Modern Girls and much more. Doug Graham will be bringing us some high-quality video from HPX but all in good time. My crap is posted quickly and suffers through spelling errors and marginal quality. I know that to people with whom spelling matters, it matters a lot - but if it's how I will be judged, I will be judged badly. I also digress badly, don't I?

Thursday and Friday, let's see what I can cram in to what I saw and loved - VKNGS, Catherine MacLellan and Boxer The Horse from PEI, Sports The Band, Hilotrons, Innes Wilson from Guelph, The Superfantastics, Holy Fuck, Rich Aucoin, Rural Alberta Advantage, American Eric, Windom Earle and Sheva - who wasn't part of HPX.

City of Halifax, Young Rival, Catherine MacLellan, Sebastien Grainger, Emm Gryner, Grant Lawrence, The Superfantastics and The Seahorse Tavern

Saturday IndieCan stopped by the brunch at Gus' Pub where Mat and Dave of Let's Get Baked (Radio Show) were jammin' with Laura Peak and others were enjoying breakfast. Not long after that, you could have found IndieCan at the Zine Fair and we had a blast, not far down from the 6015 Willow project's table. We met some long-time listeners, made some new friends, sold some buttons and T-shirts and got a bunch of new Email pals. I found Chantal of The Maynards there too, who I saw the night before and got thier CD from her. Sebastien Grainger and Islands were part of the CBC Radio 3 night, where we got to hang with Kelowna of XM Satelitte Radio, Grant and Craig from CBC and chat with Waye Mason about this years Pop Explosion - an interivew you'll hear on that hyper link to 106 right down there... go ahead, you can click it. If it doesn't start playing some super-fab music, let us know.

Also on the final night, Myles Deck and the Fuzz, White Cowbell Oklahoma, Toronto's The Bicycles were jamming with Township Expansion, locals Iron Giant and seeing our Hamilton friends, Young Rivals was sweet, too.

Thanks for having us Halifax - we will have to POP and Explode again very soon. Enjoy some picture galleries in the mean time and if you have not heard Episode 106 of IndieCan Radio - what's the point of reading about music anyway? Get to it and listen up. It's more like being there.

 

 

Indie Week Toronto - October 8 to 11, 2008

(above) Night Flowers at Holy Joes

SATURDAY FINALE PHOTOS

WEDNESDAY Oct 8, 2008 PHOTOS

THURSDAY Oct 9, 2008 PHOTOS

Wendy's Oct 10 2008  PHOTOS

Jenn's Oct 10 2008 PHOTOS

Review INDIE WEEK 2007

What do you get when you have showcases all over the west end of down-town from Wednesday to Friday as part of Indie Week? 18 bands making the final showcase finals, playing off for the fans and the judges with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes up for grabs. The format was this: Reverb was retrofitted with an extended stage, an extra backline (drums, amps and PA system) ready for 10 bands to go back to back to back with 15 minutes sets and upstairs at Holy Joe's another 9 bands were playing off in what we'll call "Pool B." More of the acoustic or smaller acts (3 or less performers) were competing in a show that previous Indie Week winner, Peter Katz was hosting.

At IndieCan we are still putting together commentary and the final day photo-gallery but here's the punch line: In a Reverb playoff that could have been a coin toss between at least 5 acts, Walter Mitty & the Realists - one of the Irish invasion bands won downstairs and Bella Clava took the Holy Joe's showdown. Each of the two finalists went head to head with a couple more tunes for the audience and the judges and it would be Walter Mitty & the Realists who won the "winner-take-all" format. "I have seen these guys four times now," says Darryl Hurs, IndieWeek founder "and they get better and better with each performance." Walter Mitty & the Realists lead vocalist, Niall MacTaidhg added, "This hasn't really sunk in yet but everywhere we went in Canada, every show we played, we were treated like fucking Gods - we love this city!"

Yes, there was an Irish Invation in Toronto this weekend - Vesta Varro, who along with Durham's Hello Beautiful won Indie Week '07 are part of an all-Irish showcase at The Hide Out Friday October 10 included Fred from Cork and Walter Mitty & The Realists + Maslow from Limerick.

(above) Bella Clava, finalists  (below) IndieCan with Indie Week founder Darryl Hurs, plus three members of the winning band, Walter Mitty & The Realists

What was Oliver Black - now Townline DID the Horseshoe Friday night. The Riv, Shoe, Bo, Hideout, Reverb, Holy Joe's Free Times Cafe and Rancho Relaxo are all in on the IndieWeek act as well as Tattoo ex-Friday and Saturday, where they make way for their dance crowd from the 905.

IndieWeek format puts diverse musical acts in front of audiences who have never heard of them. No matter who you came to see here at IndieWeek, you were treated to other acts on the bill that were sure to impress. Great job to Darryl and his team - IndieWeek 5 was a great time, well attended and had a great vibe to it.

IndieCan couldn't be everywhere but we didn't find any soft spots in what we did see. We hope you enjoy our pictures and commentary. Episode 104 of IndieCan Radio will be completely devoted to Indie Week # 5. Congrats to all the other bands hat made the finals: Nathan Moormaw, Christina Maria, Larry Bagby, Ariel Mura, Ketch Harbour Wolves, Whaletooth, Braine, The Cunninghams, Pavlov'e Dog's Orchestra, Selena 7tySix, Random Robbery, Murder City Sparrows, Isle of Thieves, Purr and Process.

More on IndieWeek 2008 click here! 

Hear IndieCan's IndieWeek Radio Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fidget at the Hideout (left) and BreadFan doing the Reverb (below) as part of the Jagermeister showcase. IndieCan will be at the finals Saturday evening and bringing a complete review of Indie Week. More images coming soon - why, because we love you, that's why.

 

POP Montreal  2008 - October 1st to 5th was an annual party in the streets unlike anything else in Canada. We've told you about many of the bands before, we have covered club style festivals in Canada, but Montreal is in Quebec and Quebec is a distinct society; a cultures absorbing, party loving society with scale. Venue after venue that IndieCan visited neared over-capacity. I don't know if that's good organizing or just a testament to what a great city for art that Montreal is. Founded in 2002 by Daniel Seligman, Noelle Sorbara, and Peter Rowan (who has since moved on down the 401 to T.Dot's Queen Street), it has expanded in scope and vision every year, and celebrated it's 7th anniversary. We met visitor from San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Long Island, Vancouver, Halifax and..... damn, I know I am forgetting a few!@$@$!

Thursday IndieCan arrived but POP Montreal had started without us. Some of the Thursday acts we caught were Dave Martel, The Dears and Hollerado. The Jupiter Room must have been over capacity for the Dave Martel set. I noticed some industry buzz-buzz-buzz and it's nice to see a town and a room embrace Dave Martel's music the way it deserves to be enjoyed. I knew I would be catching up with Patrick Krief later in Montreal and then back in T.Dot for IndieCan Wednesday October 15, but I didn't yet know if his non-stop song writing frenzy and if his Black Diamond Bay commitments had brought an end to his Dears duties. Well, Krief was there, along with new band mates Andre, Roberto and George to take in The Dear's showcase at the Masonic Temple. - a campy, oddly lit let down for photographers, horny to post evidence of their presence at the unveiling of the all-new Dears (in the low-lights) new music. Two days later, I would talk to George about just that while we were stage left at Caf� Campus waiting for Black Diamond Bay to take the stage. "It wasn't really an act of indignance, we just wanted to do something different."

Friday was a WeeWerk focus as they had "side-by-each" venues pumping out non-stop twang from 8:30 PM to 3:00 AM. I missed Don Brownrigg (sorry Don, long story - explain in Halifax) which was bumming my POP Mtl high, but I did get to catch up with Charlotte Cornfield, Proof of Ghosts, Ladies of The Canyon, The Burning Hell, Canteen Knockout, The Unsettlers and United Steel Workers of Montreal. Some of Team-WeeWerk is off to Germany for Popkomm Music Festival in Berlin including Andre of Canteen Knockout, Don Brownrigg and USWM. For those of you who can't wait of the new Steel Workers CD, (and I still love Kerosene & Coal) it's being mixed and mastered now, so it won't be long. I got to hear some of the new music - smokin'!!! I also got time to head further on down the road to catch part of the Hey Rosetta (winner of this fall's XM Satellite Channel 52 The Verge $25,000 Music Act of the Year award) set which, as always was like a breath mint for the soul.

Saturday wasn't too hard to pick a venue - Caf� Campus had Black Diamond Bay and Mother Mother back to back - how sweet is that? It should have been a bigger venue according to the wrap around line up out front of hopefuls that never got in. That made for a great start to the night before seeking out new music on "The Main." So, Patrick Krief are coming to Toronto, NYC, Quebec City and Boston this Fall. This is one of our few "MUST SEE" live acts. If you ever wanted to know about what great '60s jam bands like Cream, Hendrix and Ten Years After were really like, come see Black Diamond Bay - it' not far from the real thing. Ryan Guldemond took some time to talk about the new record, "OH MY HEART" which I will be featuring on IndieCan Radio soon. Some serious make-over time and thought has gone into Mother Mother hair - looks like they got that "Touch Up" they were singing about last year after all. Mother Mother is on their way to CMJ October 24th. So, for anyone going to New York City write that down. If you aren't going to be there, check them out online to see where you can see them - I have seen Mother Mother three or four times and I am a long way form tiring of them just yet. Also, like "Touch Up" this isn't a CD you will buy, listen to and put away for life. You'll be coming back to this one - over and over.

At POP Montreal Symposium IndieCan took in some meaningful workshops or seminars. There was an interesting discussion on the state of Music Journalism. The comment was made that for readers - things haven't ever been better. For journalists, things haven't been this bad... ever. People like "just the facts" blogs and books when they want detail; feature articles - the main-stay of the journalist, fans don't have the time for. A lot of time was devoted to "Why is this so?" as the panellists performed a public wake for their profession of choice. You know what's strange? None of these people where at PodCamp Montreal - which we were at two weeks ago, where the answers to these questions were articulated. Journalists use to be gate-keepers. We came to them because they got the music first; they got to ask the question directly to the songwriter, "What were you going through when you wrote that song?" Now fans can get the music as it comes out of the studio on myspace. Fans can ask the things they want to know directly thanks to facebook. Fans can also find out where the band will be, how to get tickets, swag or what have you without waiting for the weekly Entertainment section in the Paper to arrive.

Songwriters Association of Canada panellists spanned four decades in age and the anatomy of a song discussion had some clear generational differences of opinion. I loved this discussion. Don Quarles, of SAC moderated and did a good job to keep the audience involved.

Another great panel was all about taking it on the road - international touring and festivals. Did you know that 10,000 applications come in to SXSW. 1,800 are selected.

More POP Montreal coverage 100's more pictures will follow. I want to take this time to thank organizers for having IndieCan as part of the festival. And thanks to La Belle Provence for making us feel at home.

Canadian Music Cafe at TIFF 2008

Day 1 Photo Gallery    Day 2 Photo Gallery    Day 3 Photo Gallery

For IndieCan, the highlight of the Toronto International Film Festival is the Canadian Music Cafe - a three day showcase exposing Canadian artists to music supervisors, directors and anyone in the film industry that is responsible for music placement. This is another opportunity to have Canadian music enjoyed by the rest of the world. Day One had had an anxious feel to it as reports were coming in that Tuesday's show clean-up hitter, Martha Wainwright was stuck on a plane delayed somewhere south of the border.

Ali Milner of Whistler BC kicked off the event, a piano playing songstress who looked pretty bubbly at the 1:00 pm start time considering that's 10:00 am Pacific Standard time. An IndieCan favourite, Kyrie Kristmanson introduced us to her latest record Pagan Love and some CBC commissioned work she's doing. About Kyrie, I always refer to a coffee I enjoyed on a Queen Street patio with Michael "A Man Called" Wrycraft where he eyed Kyrie's first record in a stack I had on the table and he said, "Have you heard that CD yet? Did it fuck you up?"

Royal Wood, the only full-on band of the day, took Martha's time slot and played to a very receptive crowd. Royal Wood was one of the first reviews that ever appeared on IndieCan.com, compliments of co-founder, Andre Skinner. The Duo, Thunderheist was a hip-hoppin' caffeine injection to what had been a pretty safe and easy listening day - hey not that folk can't be dangerous and edgy... come to think of it, that's a good question. Well, the answer to that question was addressed as Martha Wainwright hit the stage to close the show -  no band, no makeup, no sound check, just her and a guitar. Her new CD, "I know that you're married but I have feelings too" says something about the humour of this multi-generational songstress that I won't attempt to fairly represent in print. You have to see it, and if you haven't you should. She was funny, she was talented and she was professional. She wowed the crowd and CBC host Craig Norris was apologetic to admit that he had never seen Martha perform live.See What IndieCan saw Day 1, Click Here

Ali Milner Day 1	Royal Wood - Day 1

Wednesday September 10 Day 2 CLICK HERE to see Gentelman Reg, City and Colour, Final Flash, Two Hours Traffic, Jill Barber. IndeCan had some great interviews that we will share with you on Day 2. Final Flash is a new Montreal band working with Jace Lasek from The Besnard Lakes on their upcoming CD. Jill Barber, a Toronto native, got her music career going in Halifax and is now moving to the left-coast. Restless spirit? Maybe there are some answers in her new record, "Chances." Two Hours Traffic wasn't completly down with being dubbed "the band in plaid" but they were still good sports about talking shop with us. These interviews and more will find their way to IndieCan Radio soon.

Two Hours Traffic - Day 2, hear them on Episode 100

Thursday September 11, 2008 Shuyler Jansen of Saskatchewan showcased some singer/songwriter twang, Grand Analog, Lindi Ortega and Kreesha Turner, who you may have seen doing her Dundas Square performance at NXNE, all performed to a healthy and welcoming industry crowd. The show closed with The Midway State, the Collingwood Ontario pop-rock foursome who will be part of our one hour radio show (EPISODE 100) which you can hear by clicking the link. This year, Michael Perlmutter is the Caf� Coordinator and he talks to IndieCan on Episode 100 as well. Micheal comes to the role with sum creds as music supervisor of such films and television shows as "High Life", "Childstar", "Queer as Folk" and "Degrassi: The Next Generation".

CBC Radio 3 broadcaster and podcaster, Craig Norris hosted this years event, meeting some old friends and scoping some talent that was new to his national brodcaster ears and eys. Day 2 was recorded for CBC.

Day 3 photos CLICK HERE  Photo credits: Wendy L Rombough

Two Hours Traffic - Day 2, hear them on Episode 100

Thursday September 11, 2008 Shuyler Jansen of Saskatchewan showcased some singer/songwriter twang, Grand Analog, Lindi Ortega and Kreesha Turner, who you may have seen doing her Dundas Square performance at NXNE, all performed to a healthy and welcoming industry crowd. The show closed with The Midway State, the Collingwood Ontario pop-rock foursome who will be part of our one hour radio show (EPISODE 100) which you can hear by clicking the link. This year, Michael Perlmutter is the Caf� Coordinator and he talks to IndieCan on Episode 100 as well. Micheal comes to the role with sum creds as music supervisor of such films and television shows as "High Life", "Childstar", "Queer as Folk" and "Degrassi: The Next Generation".

CBC Radio 3 broadcaster and podcaster, Craig Norris hosted this years event, meeting some old friends and scoping some talent that was new to his national brodcaster ears and eys. Day 2 was recorded for CBC.

Day 3 photos CLICK HERE  Photo credits: Wendy L Rombough

 

 

Craig Norris- Music Cafe Emcee	New from Montreal- Final Flash, Day 2	Lindi Orlega- Day 3 performance

Thursday September 11, 2008 Shuyler Jansen of Saskatchewan showcased some singer/songwriter twang, Grand Analog, Lindi Ortega and Kreesha Turner, who you may have seen doing her Dundas Square performance at NXNE, all performed to a healthy and welcoming industry crowd. The show closed with The Midway State, the Collingwood Ontario pop-rock foursome who will be part of our one hour radio show (EPISODE 100) which you can hear by clicking the link. This year, Michael Perlmutter is the Caf� Coordinator and he talks to IndieCan on Episode 100 as well. Micheal comes to the role with sum creds as music supervisor of such films and television shows as "High Life", "Childstar", "Queer as Folk" and "Degrassi: The Next Generation".

CBC Radio 3 broadcaster and podcaster, Craig Norris hosted this years event, meeting some old friends and scoping some talent that was new to his national brodcaster ears and eys. Day 2 was recorded for CBC.

Day 3 photos CLICK HERE  Photo credits: Wendy L Rombough

 

 

 

Top Left - head draw for the event, Fidget, Top Right - headliner Exciter, Bottom Left - head cases, Bobnoxious, Bottom Right - head Metal Queen, chief and bottle washer, Betty

MQM's 2008 Phoenix Concert Theatre rocked hard for the house-party size crowd that paid their $25 in advance, $30 at the door afternoon and evening of big-hair sound. The line up was pop-punk to death metal to straight ahead De Lorean ride back to 1985 Heavy Metal, to afro-world beat. I am not a metal guy but I appreciate that these weren't light-weight music talents. Several of you have commented on how I poked fun at Montreal's Psychotic 4 by panning them in print; they took pretty well, so I invited them into our studio to have a few laughs, rock out and celebrate the music they have devoted their life to.

Many an IndieCan insider (male and female) own hair spray and apply it with pride so I don't get away with any "more sophisticated than thou" elitist crap around here. I don't go to enough of these types of shows to know if there is demand for this music. The bands I know, Bobnoxious and Fidget generally draw a crowd, but said-crowd all know they can wait a couple of weeks and see them somewhere else for $7. I assume that being at The Phoenix means there was some expectation of a larger crowd. I think like the beer commercial goes, people who like metal, like it a lot and "those" people, if they were here, they would have liked it.

We got some great photos. We had a good time. I can only assume the event was a bust but I don't pretend to know why. Performances were top-rate, the look and talent was there, and what a cool poster! Taking it on the chin and wallet in the same day isn't fun for anyone who works hard to create opportunity in the music business. I don't know what the winning formula is. Let's blame all the "May Be Attending" RSVPs from FaceBook that couldn't get the $30 together. But seriously, it looks to me like Metal Queen Management is only one or two slight adjustments from drop D-Shangri-La. I hope they keep at it. Their cold-blooded satin-worshiping hearts are in the right place.

 SEE MORE OF WHAT YOU MISSED   Photo credits: Wendy L Rombough

Hillside's 25 Summer Music Festival Gueph, July 25-27, 2008 What makes Hillside Music Festival one-of-a-kind on planet earth? Let's start with their "mission statemen t": To create and present music-focused events and projects within a non-commercial, environmentally responsible framework while engaging a diverse multi-generational community and volunteer base. The 5000 tickets for people permitted on the island are, in recent years, sold out, well before the line up of artists is fully announced. Many Hillsiders are seasoned veterans and they just trust Sam Bajal, Artistic Director and the rest of Team-Hillside to deliver a high-quality weekend of events and music. There is camping, there are workshops, family activities, 1000 volunteers, HILLSIDE PHOTO GALLERIES Random Gallery I including Broken Social Scene, Spiral Beach, Sun Stage workshops, Bell Orchestre and more Random Gallery II, people watching, back stage, fans, exhibitors, artists and IndieCan folks being goofy Friday Night as seen by Gayle, Hawksley Workman, The Abrams Brothers, The Cowboy Junkies, Drums, drums, drums Saturday as seen by Gayle, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, Spiral Beach, Po Girls, The Sadies and more... Sunday as seen by Gayle,  The Acorn, Kids doing Kids Stuff, Chocolate, Hayden and more... Main Stage as seen by Wendy, Elliott Brood, The Sadies, Sue Foley, Hayden and more... Lake Stage as seen by Wendy, Mr. Something Something,  The Akron Family, Rae Spoon, Justin Rutledge, Jenn Grant + + Island Stage as seen by Wendy, The Acorn, Plants and Animals, Mandibles, Spiral Beach, The Sunday Gospel Hour and more...    Four stages going constantly for most of the day. Several of this years' performers were last years volunteers. Airick Woodhead of Spiral Beach has "been going to music festivals since he was 2 weeks old but Hillside is special. Rolf Klausener of The Acorn said to the packed Island Stage audience that he has many time been out there dreaming of being on that stage. He also said to his Hillside voluntee r friends that he'll see them again next year at the late night drum circle in volunteer village. Broken Social Scene who closed the show took the time to say that they travel to festivals all over the world and there is nothing just like Hillside anywhere. Artists are rarely spending their entire weekend camped out in the hotel or sitting back stage, schmoozing with industry. They are in the audience, being music fans for a good part of the weekend and chatting with the patrons, fan to fan. Workshops are one of the idiosyncrasies of Hillside where artists for different acts are put on a stage together with little direction other than to entertain the audience. Fans are treated to once-in-a-life time musical experience, not likely to be repeated. On the Sun Stage Saturday, David Woodhead, Danny Michel, blues artist Sue Foley and Land of Talk's Lizzy Powell were cast on to the stage together and fans were the first to hear the latest on Sue Foley's book on women and guitar, they got to see Danny Michel, covering Peter Gabriel and improvised Pong and Asteroid sounds to David's bass playing - all part of an impromptu 80's music debate, while Liz and Sue traded guitar leads . Good Brothers, Roxanne Potvin and Jason Colett Sunday morning, followed by Bell Orchestre (Arcade Fire and friends),   Plants and Animals, Culture Rejects, The Acorn, Mandibles and more on the Island Stage. While on the Lake Stage, The Akron Family, Burning Hell and an unplanned IndieCan Joe on percussion and back ground vocals, Jenn Grant and unbilled friends (hear Jenn and Kinley on Episode 95 of IndieCan Radio), Justin KIDS KORNER IndieCan's Little Drummer Girl, Jazmine Hurmuses reports on Hillside from her own vantage point of the Rainbow Stage and the rest of the kids area, kite flying, music, swimming and more fun than grown ups could know. Full Youth Reporter report, pictures and such RIGHT HERE Rutledge. who finished his set by dismissing his band and climbing up onto a picnic table in the middle of the audience and shouting out the words for the audience to sing along  - which they did with great enthusiasm and it all ended on the Lake Stage with The Sadies and Po' Girl doing originals and Johnny Cash Sunday night. Twenty five years of Hillside represents an entire generation and this year we celebrated two-generation families as did organizers. Margaret and Bruce Good (The Good Brothers) gave birth to two of The Sadies (pictured below) and throughout the weekend these two acts performed separately and together. Hey Gayle, thanks for introducing me to Margaret, what a celebrated career she has had and it looks like she has left a noble legacy. IndieCan will talk to Margaret Good about her musical life for a show coming to you soon. David Woodhead not only has he given Canada and the world his contribution to 150 records as a performer, engineer and producer, he is father to one half of Spiral Beach, brothers Airick and Daniel. David not only performed solo and a la workshop, he was Hillsiding as a fan right to the end, delighting in sharing his artsy photos of Broken Social Scene that he was taking from back stage. Another Gayle Hurmuses introduction, Derek Andrews, Executive Director or The Guelph Jazz Festival, talked to us about a new World Music conference that will kick off in the fall of 2009 in Toronto. We'll be sharing that interview with you on an upcoming IndieCan Radio show. IndieCan Radio will be featuring some Hillside on Episode 94 and 95 and more commentary will be coming soon. Listen to 94 now if you like. Jenn Grant will be live at IndieCan for 95 along with artist and organizer interviews. Radio page for more....

BLUES FEST OTTAWA 2008 July 3rd to 13th is the real Nations Capital Marathon for music fans. BluesfestOttawa brings 300,000 music fans and about $22 Mil which may make this music festival only second to Government spending as a stimulant to the City of Ottawa. This is one of North America's biggest music festivals and don't let the name "Blues" fool you. The true-blue were here to play like Johnny Winter, but welcome Snoop Dog and Don Maclean to the main stage as well. For this assignment, IndieCan goes with a veteran and goes commando - no greasing palms or all-access gala life, Jenn Martin greace the elbows and intertwined with her wrist-band peers to bring the 'real' fan's perspective: The 2008 Ottawa Bluesfest just wrapped up from a whirlwind eleven days jam packed with stellar music for every interest, tasty eats, gorgeous weather (mostly), and an overall great vibe. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the festival and the line up of acts kept me stage hopping constantly. So much to see, hear and experience I wanted to split myself in seven pieces - one for each stage, and one for food and socializing. I did my best to take in as much as humanly possible, by careful co-ordination of the start times for each performer and some fancy manoeuvring, I even found time to grab some good grub before having to run again. I love the variety of food options Bluesfest always offers and try as much as possible, but have a hard time not having the same meal a few times once I've found my favourites - hence the case with the Pad Thai and Indian butter chicken with rice. For quick cheap munchies, there were samosas, Jamaican patties, pizza and the like, but the doughnuts and caramel corn were sinful treats as well as the ice cream that was always so convenient along the pathways. There were plenty of choices to keep my stamina up for sure. When all was said and done I managed to catch 113 acts at the festival that I was able to listen to and photograph, and another ten or so I only got there in enough time to catch the end of their last song. Other than some futile crowd surfing attempts that were quickly thwarted by security, every crowd I was a part of was polite, controlled and very accommodating in my pursuit of great photos from the front of the stage, no matter what time during the set I was squeezing in. The few less than pleasant responses surprisingly came from people in an older age bracket, which was contrary to what I was expecting. Akon's set was outstandingly intense with the younger audience crammed in tighter than sardines, jumping, bouncing and swaying to his beats as a unified crowd, but was assisted on my journey to the front with nothing but smiles and a few followers who figured they'd tag along behind me because they knew where I was headed with my camera in hand... Top: Elliott Brood, Guitar Shorty, Fergie Bottom: Great Big Sea, Don MacLean, Stars   ...With so much seen (with as wide musical interests as myself), it's hard to pick just one favourite, or even ten for that matter. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I saw from the local indie acts right up to the big name performers, with the exception of Brian Wilson only for the fact that he appeared little more than comatose. There are so many that stood out in each genre, where to begin? I'm a blues girl at heart so I'll start there...I took in some amazing blues greats with Keb' Mo', The Blind Boys of Alabama, Boz Scaggs, Bernard Allison, and Taj Mahal. Guitar Shorty and Otis Taylor got up close and personal with their audience involvement by disappearing off stage and re-appearing in the thick of the crowds. The Wailers stole the show the first Sunday drawing a larger crowd than I think any of the planners were expecting, and while Johnny Winter is a fraction of his former self, laid down some licks on axe like only he could, and managed to give The Wailers some fierce competition. Despite the humidity, I got covered by goose bumps from the power of Shakura S'Aida's voice; and Lucinda Williams, Shelby Lynne, Bettye Lavette, Kathleen Edwards, Becky Abbott, Amanda Reahume, Jully Black, Feist, Fergie, Joan Armatrading, and Donna Summer all owned the stage adding some dynamic, estrogen fuelled performances. There were so many entertaining acts - I rawked out with The Plain White T's, Wintersleep, Weatherthans, Tokyo Police Club, Metric, Primus, Three Days Grace, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Matthew Good, Sam Roberts, The Tragically Hip, Zappa Plays Zappa, and The Black Crowes. I danced my heart out to Elliot Brood, United Steel Workers of Montreal, Balkan Beat Box, Mr Something Something, Eli Paperboy Reed, and JJ Grey & Mofro - where my friend and I claimed a space for bustin' some moves. I got my fix of harmonica for the next little while; it appeared randomly in some sets, but I needed more, so made sure to see Jason Ricci and Steve Marriner, which although different styles, I'm mesmerized by the sound of harp. Michael Franti put on a great performance and had the whole audience feeling fellowship and love while singing along with Hey World and Say Hey. Great Big Sea definitely had tremendous sized kitchen party and satisfied my taste for down home Celtic music. What else? There was Steely Dan, Don MacLean, Stars, Widespread Panic, James Taylor, The Cooper Brothers, Canned Heat, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg - the list goes on and on, something for every taste, even some gospel shows on the second last day to make up for hedonistic Bluesfest living leading up to that point. Then, if a full day or evening at the very least wasn't enough music to experience, there were the after parties held at Ottawa's Legendary Rainbow Bistro, which featured some of the Bluesfest artists - but for a longer performance to enjoy. This was my time to put the camera down and tear up the dance floor! I had to catch Jason Ricci again, and grooved to MonkeyJunk, Lil' Dave Thompson, and The Bluesrunners although some of my die hard friends made it there every night. All in all, a terrific Bluesfest experience which I like many others are going through withdrawal from now, and the only regret is that I didn't pitch a tent down by the river to be able to see absolutely everything and still get some sleep. Ah well, it's an idea for next year. See What Jenn Martin saw: FIRST 117 PICS

The Toronto Pride Stage was host To Hunter Valentine, Jully Black and Shitt Hottt from T.Dot, Saskatchewan's Jeffery Straker and Montreal's Mad June to name a few. Hear from Pride artist's as part of Episode 91 of INDIECAN Radio

Toronto Pride Fans Welcome Melanie C (no relation to our own Joe C despite the name sake). Melanie C was finishing up her Canadian tour . Soon we'll have more artists and Jenn and Wendy's "photo-journalism" of what over 1 Million flocked down town to see; the 2008 Toronto PRIDE Parade unabashed and in all it's glory.

Jenn's musical coverage includes Mad June, Jeffery Straker and more  HERE

Wendy's musical coverage includes Shitt Hottt, Jully Black and more  HERE

Pride Parade Part I  HERE    Pride Parade Part II  HERE

 

North By North East, June 2008 in Toronto

Hearing all about NXNE on IndieCan Radio: Episode 91, Vancouver's THE PAINTED BIRDS live at IndieCan Episode 90 God Made Me Funky, Public, Hello Beautiful, The Pack AD Episode 89 Dan Mangan "live at IndieCan" Said The Whale, Rebekah Higgs, The Blood Lines, Carole Pope, Episode 86, Julie Doiron, Ember Swift, Tin Bangs, Mad Staring Eyes

North by Northeast 14 struck Toronto June 12-15, 2008. For four days 100,000 frolicked in the humidity and rain to be entertained by some of the worlds best emerging artists and some legends in music. Five hundred erformers on stages at 40 of the city's coolest clubs + in store performances, park performances, B.B.Q performances and random jams in The Holiday Inn and Toronto speak-easys. The Film Festival screened the year's best music-related cinema. The Conference brought music celebs to Toronto for in-depth interview sessions in hope of the future of the music business revealing itself to us.

 

 

  

Picture Gallery from Jenn Martin Random Picture Gallery on NXNE 2008 IndieCan Wendy Thursday IndieCan Gayle Gallery Thursday IndieCan Gayle Gallery Friday IndieCan Gayle Gallery Saturday

Getting Wet For North By Northeast And so it begins: Who didn't get wet if you were doing the club-to-club NXNE routine this week? IndieCan has a broad collection of Alice Cooper - wet T-shirt contest pics of delegates and wrist-band holders but we'll spare the innocent. We remember the great-white north of CMW 2008 and for North By, Mr. Weatherman (Rebekah Higgs reference) had to get into the act again with lightning and torrential rain. Wednesday night kicks off the summer festival at Palais Royale with a media and insider starting gun for schmooze-a-thon 2008. Fun enough I suppose - no rain anyway; caught us with a few conversations on our "things to do" list. Enough of that; on to the music.... (continued)

above: Hello Beautiful (top left) Rock 'n' Roll on the Road Saunders/Pope (top right), Pontificating on the future 101 (bottom left), How many Larua Barrett appearances were there? (bottom right)

above: Fox Jaw, Tina Lina, Dave Acari, Blood Lines

Vancouver's Hey Ocean was at The Riv with Jon and Roy of Victoria so I thought IndieCan kicked off the Left-coast slanted festival there. Jon and Roy is a two-some with a mandolin and bass playing side-kick that helps out with a few tunes. Is there now a White-Stripes-genre? I know there was Death From Above before hand and maybe others I am omitting. From Folk to Garage-punk, a few that I know are Jon and Roy, Julie Doiron and Dick Morello which, depending on who's behind the kit might be called Dou or Blue Heeler, Halifax's The Superfantastics - a pop duo, and Vancouver's The Pack AD, Becky Black (Guitar/Vox) and Maya Miller (Drums) with their 70's jam-band sound. It really makes sense as a traveling band. Two bands - one van, limited backline - very practical. Anyway, Jon and Roy are compelling and a packed house loved them.

Hey Ocean is a band I learned about on my first trip to Vancouver to record our podcast - the first ever "Vancouver Indie Scene." Here's the chronology - NXNE 2006 I meet Dan Mangan who say's "I wish we had something like this (IndieCan) in Van, man." I say, "Oh really - just how much do you wish you had something like this in Vancouver?" "Lots" he replies. "OK," I say, "Find me someone who will put me up in a studio to do an interview or two and record a band live off the floor. I'll fly out, and we'll get it started and then the music community in Van can keep it going." That's how episodes 20 and 21 came to be. The Flairs were the first Van-band we recorded in Toronto and guitarist Ginger Flair was to co-host and set up a lively band for us to record. Our first ever Toronto Indie Scene show had industry insider Moe Berg (Indie Hall of Fame, author, Pursuit of Happiness, producer) and to kick off Vancouver I wanted 54-40's Neil Osborne. So I called then True North publicist, Sue McCallum and she got me the interview and some 54-40 tickets at the Commodore Ballroom. I toured local haunts like the Roxy and Backstage and made contact with some myspace friends and I had amassed a good collection of CDs. Tom Dobrzanski keyboard player for Lotus Child engineered our show(s) out of his studio Vertical Studio and I asked him if he had any CDs hanging around. Hey Ocean had been in his studio and this song "Eskimo Kisses" ended up on one of those first Van-shows.

So, this was my first time to see them live and I liked it so much I decided to have them in studio for a "live at IndieCan" session - coming soon. Choclair came up and jammed out a tune with the band. I think we appears on their latest record. Hey Ocean deserves to be a buzz-band - no soft spots in terms of singing or musicianship. A good attitude and some strong songs are going to take them a long way. There isn't much of a thought out performance, but they are a good looking 3-guy, one gal troop with good hair - maybe that's enough. If it's all about the song, no problem. I loved the show. If they want to reach out for what is cheaply bandied around here as "the next level," Hey Ocean songs scream out to be delivered in an animated and creative way. I would love to see what Tom Jackson could do with this band. Anyway, it's worth the money - go see them.

A Goldie Locks tale of Venue mis-matches at NXNE - this one is too big, this one is too small, this one is just right!

Pictured Above is 1/2 of the 2008 Town Hall Learned panellists. This event is a think-tank of the hottest and sharpest North-By-Delegates.

Alexisonfire's George Pettit moderated. Allison Outhit, Exclaim!, Jenna Miles, Punkradiocast.com, Gord Lewis, Teenage Head, Mope Dean , Promoter, Nanci Malek, Publicist, Sid McCain, EMI Music, Steve Jordan, Polaris Music Award, Eric Alper, Koch Entertainment, Shauna deCartier, Six Shooter Records, Chris Budd, Indiemusicfilter.com, Alan Cross, Edge 102.1, Cam Carpenter, Cool Planet Entertainment, Brian Hetherman, Curve Music, Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, Damian Abraham, Fucked Up, Jay Malinowski, Bedouin Soundclash, Joel Carriere, Bedlam, Grant Lawrence, CBC Radio, David O'Coy, Fused Magazine, Kevin Wierzbicki, Rocknworld.com, Evelyn McDonnell, Freelance Writer, Jason Scott Buhrmester, Inked Magazine, Michael Mollura, Music Collection Magazine, Caspar Llewellyn-Smith, Observer Music Monthly, Ben Conoley, Punknews.org, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Artist, Chris Stevenson, Soundproof Magazine

Last year it was standing-room only for the marathon of much wisdom which was held at Much Music studios, walking distance from the conference Hotel, Holiday Inn on King. This year it was CTV's turn to host and it was held at the beautiful Masonic Temple on Yonge and Davenport. There were barely more audience members than panellists. And get this - there was free food! Even "feed them and they will come" is no defence against Location, Location, Location. The information was great. For those who attended it was informative and more personal than ever. It's like having a panellist for every 1.5 attendees. The questions were good. Maybe it's better to inspire one than entertain 10,000 but you can't escape the fact that this event was a bust.

Another case of misplaced crowd planning was the Thursday night Rough Trade, Hidden Cameras and Ember Swift Show. IndieCan touched on that on our index page, but more people deserved to see this show and the performers, for the first-class show they put on, deserved the buzz of a sell-out. For all the line-ups around the Horseshoe Tavern and the bust which was NXNE at The Phoenix this year, it begs the question - if the Horseshoe line-up and Phoenix line-ups been reversed, what would the outcome be? Who if anyone is to blame for left waiting in the rain Horseshoe crowds and the house party-size crowds at The Phoenix this year. 200 fit in The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern. 1,000 fit in The Phoenix. Things that make you go.... Hmmmmnn.

The other odd-ball was Kathedral and Holy Joe's of the corner of Bathurst and Queen. The crowd at The Reverb on the second floor always seemed just right. First floor Kathedral was almost like a Bingo hall right after no-smoking legislation hits town and Holy Joe's on the third floor was sometimes so packed I couldn't see who was performing. Lost opportunities for sure - but I am glad it isn't my job.

HELLO FROM JOE @ NORTH BY :

This year's greatest accomplishment: In one day (Friday) I was able to record three great Vancouver acts without so much as spending a single carbon tip-toe on planet earth. Dan Mangan, The Painted Birds and Hey Ocean will all be "live at IndieCan" soon.

This years greatest find: The Pack AD and Said The Whale from Vancouver and Hidden Cameras (it's true - I am the only known Canadian indie fan who has never seen The Hidden Cameras... I have made my amends).

My favourite bands to share with listeners and friends: Mad Staring Eyes, The Brown Hornets, Black Mountain Bay (Krief), God Made Me Funky, The Painted Birds, Hey Ocean, Dan Mangan, Hello Beautiful, Public, Tin Bangs, The Stand, Big Rude Jake, Modern Boys Modern Girls, The Cockroaches.

Best music advice all weekend: I was at the Town Hall and I found a few gems of information. I was at several panels - some fair, some pointless. Too often I see a treasure-chest of expertise assembled and the wisdom they could share is high-jacked by the panel topic - something to do with pontificating about what the future might be or should be. I can get that from a bar tender or cab driver with the same blind-dart-throw chance of accuracy. For my money, when we assemble 50 to 100 years of collective experience together, lets get them talking about what they know - not what they think or speculate. I will take real life examples over "what if" scenarios any day. Especially if I am getting up before noon, after going to bed at 8 AM. So the best career-building advice came from another left-coast new friend, Adaline. She was telling me that if she is going to panels to network and wants to make an impression with a particular industry personality, she contacts them ahead of time to introduce herself, let them know that she will be attending their presentation and invite them and she may invite them out for coffee afterwards. This sets her apart from all the others that just show up and push a business card or CD in their face afterwards. Profound, and simple - I wonder if that was a carefully protected competitive advantage. Oh well, Adaline, if I have just given away your dearest secret, my replacement advice is show caution to whom you chat with at illegal booze cans at 6:00 AM during music festivals.

See More GOD MADE ME FUNKY form Episode 9o of IndieCan Radio

HILLSIDE brings their brand of Summer of Love Inside February 2nd 2008         Pictures  Gallery 1 Gallery 2 Gallery 3 A Shout Out Out Out Out for Hillside Inside! By: Jesse Beatson Typically a summer festival outdoors, Hillside is known widely for presenting a great pool of talent from indie and small label bands from all over the world. Long-time Artistic Director, Sam Baijal, says "This event will encompass not only the successful mosaic of the music that has made our annual festival so popular, it will also present an exciting new format that involves the creative transformation of an arena into a warm and inviting festival like environment." Transformation it was, featuring two alternating stages and a unique seating layout that allowed all reserved seats access to the general admission floor area, enjoy the Hillside Market and roam freely. Thousands of music fans of all stripes congregated here to spent 10 hours together in a converted hockey arena with two stages, 13 bands, refillable mugs - all of it happening on top of still-frozen ice covered with green mats which were apparently "grass" (the theme at Hillside Inside is "outside"). There were people dancing, people sitting on the rink-floor, playing leap frog, standing in motionless crowds or valiantly bobbing heads like the concert-going aficionados they were and a wee bit of crowd surfing from time-to-time. Some of the highlights of the event include the Weakerthans, Cuff the Duke, Tokyo Police Club, Shout Out Out Out, Wintersleep, City and Colour, and Xavier Rudd. Few of these bands shared more than the stage with the others. They were all good, but very different, with stylings from 'new grass' to alt-country' to 'electronica-newwave' to 'blues-jazz-soul' to 'indie rock' and even '"hip hop"'. A definite highlight of the show was The Weakerthans who hit the stage first with their unique brand of alt-Winnipeg. Deeply lyrical and introspective, chords were struck which rang through and across the crowd. Talking to the lead singer John K Samson shortly after the set, a soft-spoken guy unexpectedly shy after his deftly command of the audience just moments before, he shared "We [The Weakerthans] write the only songs we know how to write: songs that reflect the place we come from, musically and geographically, the community we live in, and the struggle for any one person to connect with another in a meaningful way." The Final act of the night, Xavier Rudd, the Australian singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, also deserves special mention for his electric performance. Between himself and another drummer, an extraordinary and mellifluous assortment of sounds were created with such worldly instruments as didgeridoos, harmonica, strumpets, slide guitars, shakers, gongs, and Aztec drums. He his music is not just viscerally-interesting, but also carries some profound social messages about the environment and the rights of Aboriginals. Overall, this event was a huge success and could very likely become as regular a festivity as Hillside's summer music festivals. Hillside 2008 will be the 25 year anniversary of the festival. Be sure to check in at the Hillside web site for details or listen to IndieCan Radio Episode 72 to hear about line-up and ticket information from Sam Baijal.  photos: Wendy L Rombough

October 16th to 20th 2007 by Joe Chishom

Darryl Hurs of Indie Week photo: Wendy L Rombough

The 4th Annual Indie Week saw suspense building as we waited to see who this years big winners will be. Here's a quick look at some of what's gone on in the first days.  CLICK HERE FOR DAYS 1 & 2 CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY PICS

 

IndieCan Music visits the Vancouver Indie Scene October 2006 Elias at the Backstage with Lotus Child Superbeing at the Roxy with Sweetheart Jared of Marble Ryeand Mark of Ant Hill Most of the people I know in Vancouver are friends that have moved out there from Manic-ville Ontario. Toronto could be the most culturally integrated city in the world. People blend like patterns in a quilt here. I have the impression that as multi-cultural as Vancouver is, people keep to their own community more. Even the central-Canadians in Vancouver hang with each other. For a maniacal over achieving Torontonian, the lotus land life is traumatic and only the community of the fellow overwhelmed can bring the sense of security they need. Preparing for this trip was no different than any - too much to do to prepare without enough time to do it in. Sleep is the first casualty, then it�s the �Sophie�s Choice� of what must-do-items would and would not get done and if you are like �us� you bring 10 hours of work for your 5 hour flight. How did this trip come together? IndieCan never meant to be �Toronto-centric� even though our first major effort is our internet radio show, THE TORONTO INDIE SCENE has almost been all consuming, we look forward to spinning tunes from coast-to-coast and we love getting bands into the Toronto studio as they pass through T.Dot. We envision programming from as many places as can possibly sustain periodic shows. Vancouver and Montreal (you too, Halifax) are naturally on the things-to-do list � it was just a matter of how and when. At NXNE this year I met a Vancouver singer-songwriter, Dan Mangen, who after chatting for a while, offered me his CD. I played a song from his CD in our NXNE Episode of our radio show. Dan contacted me and thanked me for giving him a spin and we chatted a bit about the Vancouver scene. I put the bug in his ear that we would love to come to his hood if we could find an eager studio owner out there that would have us. Dan called Tom Dobrzanski who built Vertical Productions Studio. Tom emailed me, I Emailed him and an agreement in principal happened quickly. IndieCan was coming to Vancouver. In July, when we were picking dates, I thought September should be a nice quiet time for me. As it turned out, September was THE TORONTO INDIE SCENE�s launch to college radio. First Durham College�s www.thefreq.ca, then CKLU, 96.7 FM in Sudbury and then Thunder Bay�s CILU, 102.7 FM � so what was I thinking. I could launch three new radio slots for our show and have a nice little holiday. It turns out �no� is the answer to that question so the Van-plan had to be moved to October. Tom was cool with that. I had so enjoyed having Vancouver�s The Flairs in as our guests in TO for Episode 10 that I contacted them about helping steer me to some good venues and good bands. I was also looking for a co-host with some street cred in Van-land. Ginger Flair was the first to get back to me. And in the spirit of there is a plan and there is what happens, the co-hosting thing never happened but Ginger did direct me to Vancouver punk rock band The Smears who would be the musical �live from IndieCan studio� guests for the first ever Vancouver Indie Scene. Joe C. and Ginger Flair Neil Osborne on Show 20 Justin, Angie, Rene and Squid of The Smears The first industry insider for THE TORONTO INDIE SCENE was Moe Berg. As front man for Toronto Indie legends The Pursuit of Happiness and producer to an ever increasing resume of kick-ass indie bands, Mr. Berg had the no-bullshit-in-his-own-words perspective that I wanted for Episode 1. To match the task for Vancouver�s inaugural episode, I had my eye on one man, and one man only � 54-40�s Neil Osborne. As a 20+ year veteran of the Canadian music scene and having done a smokin' job of producing indie artists, Jets Overhead, Neil was the man I wanted. It was only fitting that 54-40 had returned to their own indie roots and having spent time with both Warner and Sony they had �come home� to boutique indie label True North Records. So I built the trip around the annual 54-40 Commodore Ballroom show confident that this interview was meant to be and everything else would just fall into place. With the help of Sue McCallum at True North and Lara in the Vancouver 54-40 camp, things came together. We were confirmed for 1 PM Saturday October 21st. With plans ? made, for the rest of the visit, I flew into Vancouver early in the morning of the 20th. My first public appearance was The Back Stage Lounge that night for a show case which included Tom Howie, Lotus Child and Elias. I had put the myspace word out that I was coming and invited other indie artists to show up and say �hello.� Lotus Child I knew. This was Tom Dobrzanski�s band and I had already bonded with their CD and featured a tune of theirs on the show. Mark Osachoff�s band Ant Hill had earned a spin on our show too, as they had won �Best Out of Area Band� at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. Mark and I had already planned to meet up at The Back Stage. I hadn�t met Tom Dobrzanski yet, but when I sprung on him that at 1 PM, the day after he had a show to do, we had our first guest showing up at his studio he said, �OK, I will have everything ready at noon,� I knew we were going to get along great. As I got to The Back Stage Mark was the first to recognize me. He was sitting with Elias band mates Brian, Robert, Jon and Dom who I chatted with before the show started. TV Heart Attack band mates were there for the show too. They share drummer, Dominic Coletta with Elias. How about that � Vancouver has the same �open relationship� policy that you find in T.Dot. Dom is clearly a fixture in the Van scene. He use to play with Mongoose who I would later see and he has an impressive resume that goes on from there. There aren�t that many people who are devoted to a career in music that can devote them selves to just one indie act and make a living. Jared of Marble Rye (is that a multi-cultural metaphor, Jared?) and gave me a copy of their EP, Tight Pants � Wide Stance. Jared, Mark and I talked shop quite a bit between sets. The trio of Tom Howie got the crowd going and everyone in the crowd seemed ready for good music. Lotus Child took the stage and I jumped to the obvious conclusion that the guy setting up his keyboard must be Tom Dobrzanski and I introduced myself. Damn, was that a nice set. Later, Tom introduced me to Josh McNorton of Feldman and Associates and after talking for a few minutes I immediately got the idea of doing a second show with Lotus Child and Josh. Elias took the stage and fans loved their set. I wonder if they get Cold Play comparisons in the press. Elias is another band that has had a serious impact on the indie scene all across Western Canada. Day 2 was a day to remember. Being one of my song-writing influences, the Neil Osborne interview was something that I was really looking forward to. Long before all of this was confirmed, I had tracked down 54-40 tickets from life long fan Leslie, who I met on Myspace. Lara of 54-40 hooked me up with a couple of comp tickets so I was able to give Tom and his girlfriend tickets for the show, too. I got to Tom�s studio early, got the penny tour and talked about the week ahead before Neil arrived. Neil Osborne was a delight to interview. Listeners should really appreciate this segment of our show and might want to go back to it from time to time. He couldn�t have been more generous with his time. There wasn�t a clich� to be found in a single answer to any of my questions and despite several buzzes from his cell phone, he patiently engaged Tom and I until I was out of questions. One of the great joys of my job how genuine all of the artists I deal with have been. They love the craft of music making and generously offer themselves to those with a sincere interest in their work. Neil was as genuine as I could have asked for. He displayed a healthy disconnect between himself and his work, acknowledging that it was the place his band comes from that has drawn such fanfare through the years and not him personally. Having gone from indie artist, to two major labels and now finding a home with Canadian indie label True North, having grown up musically as Much Music darlings, no one would begrudge this man a wee bit of obnoxious self-indulgence or a twinge of bitterness � but I saw no temptation for him to play either of these cards. As a student of the music business you will find how he balances �careering and craft� insightful. As a fan you will be stoked to hear about his current �100 new song project� is 24/100th of the way there. Lara  the human face of the 54-40 front office came out to greet meet me when I arrived at The Commodore. Blackie and The Rodeo Kings She was caught off-guard that I arrived with camera equipment (Hey me too. I borrowed it all only hours before!) but jumped in to get me a photo/press pass that would keep both me and The House of Blues management happy. Lara also works with True North�s Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, so I am sure we will have Lara to thank for something again soon I had a techno-black cloud following me for a week. Once I was in the �photographers row, I had a film camera that wouldn�t load, a high end digital that lost it�s charge every picture I took and most of these pictures that I did capture were from a consumer special point and click digital. May we live in interesting times has been the curse or challenge of my life. Anyway, I digress - with all the photographers I know either in Ontario or double booked in Vancouver, I did what I could and it is what it is. Neil threw me a smile from the stage. Either he was surprised that I didn�t have enough of him for the hour we were in the studio or I was the only one in the photo-pit that was singing along to "Easy to Love" - one of the opening three tunes. And no � that picture, annals-of-time as it would have been, didn�t turn out. After a few songs, I called it a day and went back to being a music fan. I have seen 54-40 in Toronto and it was a show to remember, but to see them in the room they could only hope for in their youth, now that felt like being a part of history. Being on that dance floor for Ocean Pearl was so much more engaging than hearing it from my perch behind the sound board back in Lee�s Palace in T. Dot. I found Tom and his girl friend. Tom didn't grow up a 54-40 fan. Tom had an eclectic, non-commercial music background that we will leave for another day. But having sat with Neil and me, engineering the interview in his studio, Tom found the whole thing compelling and couldn�t be more grateful to be at the show, likely imagining and hoping the way Neil Osborne had done 30 years earlier watching his hometown crowd fawn over The Talking Heads, Blondie and other �next big things� of the day. TV Heart Attack was the opening act, Dom on the drums for my second night in a row. Songs like Bang, Bang, Bang, featured on Episode 20 of THE INDIE SCENE are clever and infectious. I liked their set. It doesn�t hurt anyone�s to include a gig like this. It�s a currency. I would like to hear if the exposure translates to a significant increase in fans or just a peak experience. Sunday and Monday were prep and organizional days. What we call in Toronto, days off. Tuesday I got caught up on 5 new pages of new friend requests on IndieCan�s myspace. Tuesday night I had committed to come see Superbeing (Episode 19 of THE TORONTO INDIE SCENE at the Roxxy who were opening for Sweethearts CD release party. I am guessing that Tuesdays are Vancouvers The Fox 99.3 FMs Indie night. The night was emceed by The Fox personality, Lana. She did a great job of treating the crowd, the bands and the music right. It was great to see Superbeing in their natural environment. I got to meet the whole band before the set and some of their fans. Jason did a rare acoustic set for us in Toronto and it made for a well-received show. Jason is a great ambassador of indie music. He always makes a point of thanking the audience for supporting live music and reminding them, in so many words that culture is our humanity. http://www.myspace.com/superbeingmusic Thank you Matt, Marty, Sam and Ian who are Sweethearts. I was graced with a cool story about a booking agent in Calgary that liked them so much they put them on a bill with The Trews. I picked up a copy of Map of the Human Heart, their CD and slapped Shout It on Episode 20. They are good showmen. They give some thought to image and involving the audience in their show. http://www.myspace.com/iheartsweetheart Tom, manager of Vertical Productions did a stellar job of recording The Smears and Lotus Child and helping me put two great episodes together. They sound great. Talking with The Smears, Lotus Child, Josh McNorton and other artists, you hear some recurring themes in the Vancouver Indie Scene. Artists wish there were more venues and more devotion in the city to showcasing indie talent. I saw 11 live performances without a �wish I could have been elsewhere� moment. The depth of creativity and talent is rich in Vancouver. To compound the lack of local support, the drive to the next sizable gig is not only long, but treacherous for about 200 of the 365 days of the year. For many a band, a 10 to 12 stop tour involves three time zones. I finally caught up with Ginger Flair, guitar player for The Flairs (Episode 10 of THE TORONTO INDIE SCENE) at the Lamplighter Pub Friday night. This was cause for a party, for sure. Hot Little Rocket from Calgary opened. The Smears, Mongoose and The Manvils followed. It was a Halloween party. It also celebrated some guy in attendance that skateboarded from Halifax to Vancity over 6 months to raise money for breast cancer research. Both the bands and audience were good sports. Almost everyone on stage and in the audience was in costume. Rene of the Smears was a dead bride (something to do with her well known commitment disorder, I guess). Dustin, I am guessing was the creature from the Blue Lagoon, Squid was Frankenstein and Ange on drums � she had this elaborate skeleton costume � Holy sweaty down to the bones after a long set, Batman. The music was, again, fabulous. I picked up a Mongoose CD and I will share that with Indie Scene listeners soon. It was great to hang with Gillian-Ginger Flair for a while. She would have co-hosted an episode with me, but it was one of those weeks for her. I was anxious to here how their North American tour went after they left us in Toronto. It was cool to hear about playing before 70,000 in an outdoor event in Indonesia. Then there was the big news with the Flairs � some personal (we�ll leave it that way) and some professional. It seems Ontario may enjoy an extended stay in our fair province within the next 6 months. Luck for us. It�s all in an interview I did with Ginger. I think the west coast scene is vibrant. The only threat to this emerging scene is apathy and complacency. If the city continues to embrace the local talent and the existing infrastructure does just a little bit more, the city could enjoy a world-class wealth of emerging talent for years to come. Thank you one and all for the hospitality you showed me. It�s a big country, but with the wonders of modern technology, I think we can build a world class music community. Let�s not forget that we�re all in this together. See you soon Vancouver. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Silver: Indie Culture Shop is excited to announce the addition of the 25th cd to our store, Street Legal Aliens by up-and-coming Birmingham, UK pop-rock band Aquila (pronounced Ahk-will-ah). This talented trio - Rich, Ford and Dan Aquila - have received rave reviews for their melodically heartfelt and sensual music, and performed to packed houses full of swooning girls all over the UK. With diverse influences such as Nick Cave, Led Zeppelin and Tom Waits, they describe their sound as, the songs playing in your head during the best sex you ever had, or the soundtrack to the end of a beautiful relationship. You choose. Being a three track EP, Street Legal Aliens is a mere sampling of what is to come from these lads, as they are currently working on a full length cd (to be called No More Your Lover) that will also be welcomed into Silver once it is completed. So come to the store and grab one of their cds while you can! Some of the other indie cds that we have in store are from: acclaimed local metal band Scarlet Sins; gifted Toronto alt-country singer/songwriter Amer Diab; nxne 2006 local punk performers Bukkake Katholik; up-and-coming Toronto industrial act Lye; well-known local alternative-rock band, Jemo; Halifax, NS experimental-folk musician Clumsy (aka Kev Corbett); prominent Victoria, BC industrial band Tribal Machine; and Atlanta, GAs retro experimental band, VieTNam. One of our goals here at Silver is to become THE place in Toronto where people go for independent music, local or international, so we are always welcoming musicians who want their cds and/or band merchandise to be sold in the store. For more information, please contact owner Carlin Joie Belof at 647 439 5464, Tuesdays to Sundays 11 AM to 8 PM, or email her at carlinbelof@rogers.com. Silver: Indie Culture Shop * 703 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON, M6J 1E6 * 647 439 5464 http://www.freewebs.com/silverindieshop * carlinbelof@rogers.com

Canada Day Concert - Downsview Park July 1, 2006

Eden Ants

EYE Weekly, Cool Planet Entertainment, IndieCan, Steve's Music and PM5 Records Rocked Downsview Park with Eden Ants, The Chris Graham Band, Tomorrow's Excuse, Abandoned Souls, Danielle McKee, 68pornomags, Dayvid, Scarlet Sins, Aria Coma, R.O.A., The Philosopher Kings, Hedley and more. For a pictorial review of the day click here