SoundCheck.

Mumford & Sons

2011-07-12T14:47:00.002-04:00

Today has been brought to you by this:
Mumford & Sons - "Home/Untitled" (Live on KBCO) by TwentyFourBit.com

Greg Laswell

2011-07-07T16:07:00.004-04:00

I need to admit something in order to properly introduce this, here goes, and feel free to judge away.... I like to tell myself normal people watch tv with their feet up, relaxed on a couch with a notepad and pen in their hand so they can frantically jot down any glimpse of lyric they want to hear the whole song to - new or old. That way, I would be completely normal, as there are a million notes to self scattered throughout my desk,apartment and life in general with just parts of lyrics I hear, not just via tv, but throughout the day that I want to follow up on. Clearly, normal human behavior. I dont think I've come to terms with exactly how normal I am, because if I'm with someone when my ears perk up to a song, I'll revert to my phone and write myself emails to mask this normalcy. Needles to say, my inbox is currently clogged, and I have happy butterflies thinking about it. Nothing is more exciting to me than reviewing my notes to self.

So, I was watching the audition episodes of SYTYCD (Canada version) this week, and like the completely normal person I am, I wrote down all the songs I wanted to look up/add to certain playlists. There were 12, fyi. One in particular was a cover of This Woman's Work, not because I liked it better/less than the Maxwell or Kate Bush versions, but simply because its such a beautiful song and I hadnt heard this version before ....After a brief youtube search, enter Greg Laswell. Be prepared to want to take a long drive on a warm night, with a clear sky and the windows open on a country road when you hear his voice. (another favorite passtime of mine. Imagine the paper/email lyrics that come out of such activity! the wealth!!!) Also very reminscent of something you'd hear on Grey's Anatomy, probably because his songs have been. See how normal people are also good detectives?

Let your ears breath this in:

RumorVille

2011-06-30T11:17:00.008-04:00

shut the front door. the JayZ/Kanye album is rumored to drop this weekend?! via Rolling Stone

If you need me, i'll be at home crossing my fingers, wearing this tshirt

and blaring this

Of Monsters and Men

2011-06-24T11:18:00.005-04:00

The inspiration for my day: Of Monsters and Men. The first tune I heard from this Icelandic band, Little Talks, is very reminiscent of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero's Home. I think its safe to say that since the father/daughter rendition of Home, its nestled into the softest parts of our hearts....so, what better way to intro this band than with that comparison:

The more I listen to their acoustic folky tunes, the deeper I fall. Their lyrics are charming, and thematically stay true to their genre, as most of their songs seem to tell a story. What's not to love love love?

Check out more on their myspace, as we all patiently await their debut album (which they're currently in the studio recording): http://www.myspace.com/ofmonstersandmenmusic

Robyn

2011-06-02T12:22:00.005-04:00

I've been waiting for this video because I love how much a shit disturber she is in this song, which is a step away from her usual heartbreak lyrics. She's still got an epic dance beat to offer, and yes, she is (still) dancing on her own, but this time in a big fat empty warehouse with lights...which is now all I can think about doing all day. Dreams can come true, right?

Full screen this shiz.

David Gray

2011-05-29T15:18:00.005-04:00

sound of the day is this David Gray beauty. Its one of my favourite heart-string-playing songs of all time and wanted to post because i'm in that sort of mood.

My Edible Advice

2011-05-26T10:54:00.004-04:00

I recently joined forces with the talented and beautiful Miss Jennifer Trecartin of My Edible Advice (who happens to be one of my bestest and closest) to put together a menu & playlist to last you through the long weekend. I know I'm a little late to post as I was away for the weekend, but I swear it'll carry you through your next couple of picnics and bbqs. For those of you in the Vancouver area or otherwise who are looking to get a jump on your summer bod or overall health improvement, she's your girl. She brings an insane amount of knowledge to the table, but makes it easy to adopt. Promise.

Common, who doesnt love some strawberry bruschetta, apple fennel slaw and orange infused chicken quinoa salad on the menu mixed with some summer tunes?

Follow My Edible Advice

Lady Gaga

2011-05-25T15:56:00.006-04:00

Oh.My.Gaga. Her new album has dance-tron written all over it. I swear, its on the cover. Well maybe that much isnt true, but she does win my heart over again with this album. Its nothing short of 80s, electronic infused, dance tune after dance tune with tons of bad assness in her lyrics.

This is what you can expect:
Bad Kids, for one, makes me want to go around on a motorcycle and kick things, and Highway Unicorn was clearly written with me in mind - "With blonde hair and a gun smoking under her toes". Thanks for thinking of me Gaga, you're a real gem. Edge of Glory has already been megaly compared to the She-Ra opening. Again, thanks for this love of a throw back, love me a good she ra inspiration. She also has a lot of religious undertones.. yes folks, it didnt stop at Judas..it continues with Black Jesus + Amen Fashion and Bloody Mary... which I'm curious to see if there is any backlash from.

Then there's this song - You and I. Its has a total country flare and to me is disconnected from the rest of the album, but for some reason it has me hooked.
Its been filling up my ears all day and is starting to beat this black heart red.

My paws are certainly up and praising the mother monster.

Chris Garneau

2011-05-23T23:13:00.006-04:00

I was less than happy today when the second lag of my flight home was delayed 3 hours in the Detroit airport. Since I was flying on only 1.5 hour of sleep from the last of my nights in Miami (5 am car pick up time) I was more than exhausted. Needless to say, I promptly passed out in a what we'll downgrade to an 'awkward position' in the airport chairs, yes the ones with the separators preventing you to lay down; however, I did manage to sprawl myself over 2 chairs and to fall into the dream world pretty quickly. Now for those of you that know me, you know you don't rustle an overtired, sleeping bear and you would also know that my father still refers to me as Bear because I was obsessed with my teddy bear when I was younger, and he thought it would bother me and that I'd stop bringing it everywhere, au contraire father, au contraire, but I digress. I was woken up to the only other person at the gate, and i'm talking 4 rows of empty seats here, who decided that the best seat in the house looked like the one where my feet were. And so he sat. And so I woke up to a newly close (in proximity) neighbour. The purpose of this story is to intro this song. My ipod was on shuffle during my nap and this golden piece of melody was rolling into my ears and calmed the steam down to a light simmer as I turned my back to my new friend and fell back asleep. this line was a big contributor 'I didn't go to see the city, I went to see it around you.' ah romance in words, although the rest of the song is pretty much about his empty heart.

Friendly Fires

2011-05-13T15:37:00.004-04:00

I was so ready to put some fire back into my step. Honestly, if you havent gotten hooked on these guys yet, you need to. Not only are their songs dancy and upbeat, but they boast for one of the most fun live gigs I've been to in awhile. (think Mic Jagger dance styles) They're swinging back through town to Toronto in a couple of weeks. Get on that.

Take a listen to their latest album before it drops:

Sloan

2011-05-10T09:56:00.001-04:00

How did you first hear Sloan?

XX "First Heard Sloan" from Sloan Music. on Vimeo.

Julia and Angus Stone

2011-05-09T17:24:00.003-04:00

Ready for your summer soundtrack stars to align? This sibling duo from Australia have been all over my playlist these days (thanks for the reco Megs) with their relaxed, folkish tunes. They're the perfect soundtrack to these warm patio days, where theres nothing to worry about safe the corona and watermelon in hand. Throw on those raybans, kick up your feet and let the day melt away.

Destiny's Child

2011-05-07T18:33:00.004-04:00

Remember before they settled on just Michelle? Trifling.

Stateless

2011-04-30T14:43:00.001-04:00

i think i might have inhaled you.

Amazing

2011-04-29T12:19:00.002-04:00

This, believe it or not, is a blind sight read where Tom filled in the blanks...

Via the Youtube comments:
Yes, this is his first time seeing or hearing the music.

I've had countless requests to give Tom music from the Zelda series, but there is no ragtime in it as far as I know (having never played the games). However, I was informed of a couple tunes that could translate into ragtime. This sort of bluegrass fiddle tune translates the best.

The arrangement I was shown comes from a songbook published in Japan. The arrangements in there are way oversimplified. They don't even do the right bass notes, and the melodies are in single notes. You'll notice on the score here a few penned-in corrections that I had thrown in.

But the simplified score meant that Tom was more free to fill it in his own way, much like the popular video of him riffing off the Birabuto Kingdom theme.

The result is a great big yee-haw romp!

Cinematic Orchestra

2011-04-28T16:46:00.002-04:00

A beautiful song by Cinematic Orchestra, with vocals by Patrick Watson has resurfaced from its 2007 release and is included in the Another Earth movie trailer. Check the song & trailer below.

Playlist

2011-04-27T11:11:00.003-04:00

My shuffle playlist this morning. Click here to stream, or check some videos below.

Lollapalooza

2011-04-26T23:02:00.002-04:00

The Lolla lineup was announced today and the reaction seemed to be pretty meh. It must be because the festival is so late in the year and the artists announced are pretty much hitting every festival this summer. So, in all no surprises, even though there are some really amazing bands playing. Heres my little Lolla playlist of some of my favorite songs from these artists....

this song makes my hopeful heart smile. One day.

To be continued.

Coachella live stream

2011-04-17T23:23:00.003-04:00

The second best thing to being there - being able to stream the whole thing live as it happens. Ive been obsessed with this all weekend long. 3 channels of pure music festival bliss.

http://www.youtube.com/user/coachella#p///s/YUuOve_3hWs

Covers: Mumford & Sons

2011-04-17T22:44:00.008-04:00

I found this cover on a friend's twitter feed today. Ready to flow some beauty into your ears? Kate actually gives me chills on this White Page Blank cover that she spills out in the bathroom...and can you blame a girl? We all know bathroom acoustics are where its at. This song has nestled in comfortably as my number 2 favourite on Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More, behind Awake My Soul.

The lyrics in themselves are something that pump goosebumps into this heart of mine.

Can you lie next to her, and give her your heart as well as your body?
Can you lie next to her and give her your love as well as your folly?
Can you kneel before the King and say 'I'm clean'?
but tell me now, where was my fault, in loving you with my whole heart?

Mumford & Sons Book Shop Session

Jessie J

2011-04-16T09:48:00.001-04:00

I can't wait for you to visit me at work next week. 6 song set? Yes please. April 25th please come quickly.

Little Wings & Feist

2011-04-10T23:13:00.001-04:00

A Sunday night lullaby. Sweet dreams.

K-Os

2011-04-03T10:54:00.010-04:00

Last week I went to a special taping of MuchPresents K-OS, which was our Canadian answer to MTV Unplugged. He was indeed not plugged in, and joined on stage by Emily Haines of Metric and Lights for duets of his own hits, Ben from Billy Talent to cover Weezer's Say It Ain't So and the show stopper, in my opinion, Shad, who's performance included a nice freestyle battle. It was a pretty cool experience in the legendary Masonic Temple. The expected 90min set turned into well over 2.5 hours of hilarious charm as he kept stopping his band and forgetting his words...lets just say that Kos and I could be good friends because he clearly likes to hit the wine as much as I do.

The whole show is going to be packaged and released in a couple of months as a dvd and LP so watch for it.

Look forward to an acoustic version of 4 3 2 1, featuring Lights and one of these magnificent pianos.

We Are Hunted

2011-04-02T11:08:00.006-04:00

So, I'm about to share my secret...We are Hunted. This site is my bible for music discovery. If you haven't checked it out you must - its a rotating live chart that streams the coolest tunes right now. Here are my current top two newbies from this a.m.:

The Five One - Closing Time

Nothing like bringing something old out from the back of the closet (or bottom of the itunes bin) shining it up, giving it an accent and adding some beats. Try this on for size, weekend....

Dominent Legs - Young at Love and Life

My theme that will be getting me through today. Download it free here

Junos 2011

2011-03-29T22:11:00.006-04:00

My heart hasnt been this full in a long time, and thats all thanks to the amazing Juno weekend that just stormed through Toronto. With 40 years under its belt, this year was truly one to celebrate - its the year Neil Young graced the Juno stage after almost 30 years to receive the Allan Walters Humanitarian Award, won 2 Junos including artist of the year, and I also watched as Daniel Lanois called him up on stage to share his Juno Gala Producer of the Year spotlight; the year that Arcade Fire is an internally celebrated band; the year that Drake hosted the event and opened with skype-singing "I Will Remember You" with Bieber; the year Shania Twain was inducted into the Hall of Fame via Bryan Adams; and the year the performances included a collaboration of City & Colour, Jim Cuddy & Sarah Harmer, to name a few, for a "Love Letter To Toronto" tribute, Broken Social Scene, Tokio Police Club, Down With Webster and Hedley....and finally, the year old money become the new dolla dolla bills.

Like I said, my heart is full, because especially this year Canadian music has been celebrated internationally, and this past weekend proved that there is not better way to do so properly than on home turf.