Herohill

Friday Showstravaganza:: Wax Mannequin, Rae Spoon, Brian Borcherdt, Julie Fader & ROB BASE

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:44:00 +0000

Its a fine Friday here in Halifax, and if you are here, you are no doubt busy working out your weekend plans in order to take advantage of the lovely weather we seem to have on tap. Well let's see if we can assist with a quick rundown of some events of interest. I say some events, but really, we all know there's only one can't miss show this weekend: Rob Base at The Palace.

I keed, but only slightly. If you know the Ack and I at all, you know very well that the only two things that will make us rush the dance floor at our advanced age is either strong hallucinogens or It Takes Two. In fact I went to see Rob Base play the Palace in the late 90's, so don't think I'm not tempted to see him again, but unfortunately/fortunately, my plans dictate otherwise. But if any of you can brave the douche nozzles that frequent The Palace, go for it. But of course, the real marquee lineup is at the old Marquee, with Wax Mannequin, Rae Spoon, Brian Borcherdt and Julie Fader all playing the Paragon on Saturday night. I dare say, if you make it out to that one, you are going to get your money's worth and then some. Yarmouth native Mr. Borcherdt is pistol-hot right now, having just released a new, free album, but Julie Fader's recent release, Outside In, is a collection of lovely songs that's worth your time.

There are certainly some other solid shows this weekend, which you can check for yourself below, but I'd also like to take a minute to pass on word of a couple of great events taking place next week. Trevor Murphy (Sleepless Nights, Quiet Parade), and his radio show Halifax Is Burning, is presenting a couple of very cool shows that will hopefully help out the Parker Street Food bank, so if you're in town next week, grab yourself a donation and head out to one of these events:

Halifax Is Burning Presents:
If It's Too Loud, Turn It DOWN!

featuring:
Jon McKiel & Klarka Weinwurm (http://www.myspace.com/jonmckiel + http://www.myspace.com/klarkaweinwurm)
Gianna Lauren (http://www.myspace.com/giannalauren)
Quiet Parade (solo) (http://www.myspace.com/quietparade)
Sam Ryan (http://www.myspace.com/samryanband)

Wednesday, November 25th
The University of King's College Chapel - 7:00pm - FREE!

AND

Halifax Is Burning Presents:
If It's Too Loud, Turn It UP!

featuring:

The Establishment (http://www.myspace.com/theestablishmentband)
Kestrels (http://www.myspace.com/kestrelskestrels)
The Bad Arts ((http://www.myspace.com/thebadbadarts)

Thursday, November 26th
Gus' Pub - 10:00pm - $5.00

*At both shows, there will be a donation box for the Parker Street Food Bank so bring any extra non-perishable food you have and make a donation, especially with the holidays coming up. If you make a donation, you are automatically entered into a draw for sweet prizes (details to come)*

Halifax Is Burning airs Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax.

http://halifaxisburning.blogspot.com
http://www.ckdu.ca

MP3:: Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two

MP3:: Brian Borcherdt - Workin For The Weekend

MP3:: Rae Spoon - Come On Forest Fire Burn The Disco Down

MP3:: Shotgun Jimmie - Mind Crumb

MP3:: Jon Mckiel - Fist Fight (Live @ Gus')

M for Montreal:: Silly Kissers

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:29:00 +0000

There are some crazy things happening here in MTL thanks to the good people at M for Montreal. I'll be doing a better dissection of the conference, bands and antics later - honestly, Miracle Fortress fans are in for an (electro) shock and The RAA own every stage they play now - but there are a couple bands that are new to me that I'm super excited to check out.

One band is Silly Kissers. These youngens are all about the shimmering, sunshine-y electro pop that makes you want to dance - the swagger they offer up on Easy Fantasy is impossible to get out of your head and the 80's vibe of Thinking of You is strangely addictive - but the EP showcases the bands darker lyrical preference. I Never Said comes across as the counter point to a Casiotone For the Painfully Alone where vocalist Jane Penny refutes Owen's melancholic heartbreak and longing.

They play tonight @ 9:05 PM and rumor has it that Cadence Weapon and his awesome high-top fade will be hitting the stage with them for a collabo.

MP3:: Silly Kissers - Halloween Summer
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/sillykissersmusic

Quick Hitters:: Pastoralia

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:44:00 +0000

To be honest, I have no idea what to say about the new Mitch Wiebe, Ray Fenwick, Rebecca Young project, Pastoralia. On first listen the songs are visceral, but they have a depth that you only stumble onto the more times the tracks repeat. The trio plays engaging albeit somewhat bizarre, organic electro pop, but I get the impression the method is as important as the madness. It's more than three friends tinkering with programming, bass and guitar throwing silly vocals over top of the mix. These songs have a heartbeat, and considering how cold the medium usually is, the 5-songs have a soul that burns warmly.

Right now the tracks are only in demo form, and honestly, I am surprised by how easily I’ve soaked them in. If you told me I’d be singing, “I’m through with after school specials” to myself over and over again, I would have suggested you switch to coffee before driving home, but the electro tapestries Pastoralia build are inviting and intricate, but also forceful when they need to be (the outro to the addictive Fuschia of Architecture (demo) could turn any indie dance night into a sweaty meld of swirling limbs). Wiebe’s vocals might seem a bit quizzical on first pass, but they hug the melodies like a close friend, moving perfectly in step, around or over depending on what space is available. Basically, I would simply ask you give these songs a chance. You will be shocked what they blossom into.

MP3:: Pastoralia - Fuschia of Architecture (demo)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/pastoraliaband

Video Hits:: k-os, Josh Martinez, Grand Analog, Animal Nation

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:54:00 +0000

All right, the Ack is off gallivanting around Montreal with all the fancy music biz swells at M For Montreal, and yes, that leaves me back in Halifax minding the cyber store. And it also happens to be Thursday, so that means one thing: videos. We've had a couple of jam-packed editions of Video Hits over the last couple of weeks, and I wanted to keep that going, but I'd also been hyped on Canadian hip hop after spending the last week with Ghettosocks new album on repeat. So, guess what you're getting today? Yep, a jumbo CanRap edition of Video Hits.

Although it has been out here in Canada for ages, k-os' latest album, Yes!, was just released in the US this past Tuesday (my talking points post for it went up in March). Perhaps to celebrate this, k-os has just released a new X-produced video for I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman, which features k-os & Big Sox ripping it up Dukes of Hazzard style. I love this jam (Saukrates is awesome) and like any fellow my age, I loved the Dukes back in the day, so this is a no-brainer. We follow that up with another two-man, homage-style vid, this one from Josh Martinez and Moka, with their gonzo Fear & Loathing clip for Underground Pop (another jam I love, from Josh's excellent World Famous Sex Buffet).

Grand Analog's video for Take It Slow (Spaces and Places), is a little more traditional, the ole "let's film ourselves as we play on the back of a truck driving through Toronto", but it's no less enjoyable. Two things people love: animals and those videos where people hold signs with the lyrics on them, so I'm thinking you folks will enjoy the clip for Party Animals from Ugly Duckling-eqsue BC duo Animal Nation. We're gonna wrap up with a video that's been out for a while, but I love it and have been meaning to post for ages: Pop & Chips by More Or Les & Fresh Kils which also features Ghettosocks, Timbuktu & Uncle Fester. Enjoy.

k-os - I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman

MP3:: k-os - Uptown Girl
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/kos

Josh Martinez - Underground Pop

MP3:: Josh Martinez - Going Back To Hali
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thejoshmartinez

Grand Analog - Take It Slow (Spaces and Places)

MP3:: Grand Analog - Electric City f. Shad
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/grandanalog

Animal Nation - Party Animals

MP3:: Animal Nation - Party Animals
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/animalnation

More Or Les & Fresh Kils - Pop & Chips (feat. Ghettosocks, Timbuktu & Uncle Fester)

Reviews:: Ghettosocks - Treat Of The Day

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:31:00 +0000

There's a good chance many of you reading this have not heard of Ghettosocks. That's fine, I mean, after all, that's what we're here for, to try and remedy that situation. But I will says this: if you like classic hip hop (more specifically hip hop & hip hop culture from the early to mid nineties), and you do listen to a Ghettosocks album, I'd be willing to bet my leather Africa medallion that you're going to like it. In fact, we should make the Grand Wizard Ghettosocks required listening for any fan of Golden Age hip hip - perhaps we can talk to KRS about getting such an amendment made to the hip hop constitution he's no doubt been writing for some time.

Despite that intro, I'd like to think that if you are a regular reader of the hill, then you likely have heard of Ghettosocks, as I've mentioned him a number of times previously. This includes fairly-fawning reviews of his last two projects: 2007's Get Some Friends, and his mixtape from last year, I Can Make Your Dog Famous. As you might imagine if you check out either of those reviews, I was eagerly awaiting the chance to hear Socks latest release, Treat Of The Day, and now that I have, you can add a third fawning review to that list.

I've said words to this effect, and I'll say them again, Ghettosocks is easily one of my favorite Canadian MC's, and he would still be even if he didn't happen to live in the city the hill calls home, but rather Conception Harbour, Thunder Bay, Moose Jaw, or some other dual-named locale across this country. Any Ghettosocks project always matches his razor sharp, monotone flow and his mastery of witty one-liners with top notch boom-bapery and the finest in old school samples. The tasty Treat Of The Day is no different. Well it's slightly different, what with the delicious theme that runs through the album and the fact that this time out Socks reached out to a number of his Alpha Flight & Backburner associates to provide the production where previously he'd kept things mostly in-house (I believe he did most or all of the beats on Get Some Friends, while Socks & Jorun handled things on the mixtape). And Socks might be on more of a "killing sucker MC's and taking their chicks/snacks" mission then his last outing, but there is no change in the level of quality, if anything this is his strongest all-around work to date.

That quality comes hard and fast at the album's start as the Dexter Doolittle, saturday morning cartoon-esque beat and the odd, Too Short-sounding chorus sample are the prefect kind of opening song oddness for Socks, and the Big jaz homage that is Dreams Of Hawaiian Sophie is just awesome, thanks in no small part to the fact that it samples one of my favorite KRS songs. The floaty, Jorun produced, Out For treats is now my favorite Halifax food-rap, taking the title from Buck65's Food, which was good, but can't compete with "me & my peeps got hot eats in the grotto, fresh meat in the taco, extra cheese on the nacho". If you're looking for a microcosm of the excellence found on this album, you can listen to Ricochet and go no further. Awesome horn, drum & didgeridoo(?) beat from Bix, braggadocios raps from Socks & the legendary El Da Sensei, and the best of scratched in samples from folks like Redman, Joeski Love, and hill fave Greg Nice. Awesome song.

Pink Lemonade is another soul-drenched winner from Bix, which suits Socks & Apt's laid back lady-slaying raps just perfectly, and it also uses perhaps my favorite Guru line ever ("Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is..."), and so this gets an A+. The snake charmer slink of the Fresh Kils' track on U Ain't This is a perfect foil for the sucker MC mashing raps of T.O. MC's D-Sisive, Rich Kidd & Muneshine who join Socks for this one. D-Sisive + solid posse cut = win. Anything that can bring back dual favorite memories like classic Wu and watching Kung Fu flicks in hill co-founder Shawn Lapaix's basement (he actually owned a VHS copy of Fatal Flying Guillotine) gets an old fashioned THD thumbs up from me, and Guillotine does just that. Just an FYI, when we saw Socks do Take Chains Off when he opened for the GZA, kids freaked the f out, so consider yourself forewarned that The Power mixed with the Mash Out Posse is an explosive musical concoction (as if that wasn't enough, the song finishes with the legendary Bernie Mac speech from House Party 3...RIP B. Mac). Rock The Discotech has an awesome name, fun back & forth rhymes from Socks and Timbuktu, and great samples from BDK and Donald-D/The B-Boys - that's win, win, and win if you're keeping score at home.

So, back to what I was saying at the beginning of this opus, we'd like to help create as many Ghettosocks converts as we can, and so hopefully some little bit of this has tempted a few of you to sample what Socks has on offer. Go ahead and treat yourself to Treat Of The Day.

MP3:: Ghettosocks - Don't Turn Around (Featuring Edgar Allen Floe)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/ghettosocks

Don't Turn Around (Featuring Edgar Allen Floe)

Reviews:: Jon Epworth Turn Off Your Name II

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:13:00 +0000

On his last effort (review), Jon Epworth wanted us all to know it's not the size of the room you play, it's the songs you write. He focused on substance over style, holding onto the fleeting notion that it's not what you sell, it's what you make. Some might call the notion naive, other's idealistic but as the music industry finds more and more cracks in the foundation, it's important to know that the music isn't suffering.

I guess considering Turn Off Your Name II is the second piece to his puzzle, it's not surprising that musical freedom he found dominates the new record. The ten-songs are fragmented, diverse and really only held together by the most tattered of threads (in this case, Jon's voice).

Autograph starts as a simple drone, but explodes into a grungy mess (compliment). Searing guitar notes fly all over the second half of the track, battling through the sludge like Andy escaping Shawshank. The five-minutes are heavy, and gets you ready for a non-stop aural onslaught of guitar solos, noise, and feedback... that doesn't come. Instead, Epworth changes pace and offers up one of the most personal efforts on the record. Drapery Store is an emotional, piano driven confessional from a musician realizing he picked a path that won't end in riches and that he's got no Plan B. Remarkably, as soon as the two minute track ends, he throws another changeup with a sing/spoken, anti-technology rant cased inside a 90's inspired jam.

When it comes to throwing on TOYN II and just letting it run, well, I'm not sure that will happen, but in today's IPOD age these snapshots of Jon's inner thoughts aren't impacted by the schizophrenic track sequencing. Jon knows there is nothing cohesive about the record, and when he admits on the rootsy Names that he is moving in seven different directions and that constant state of change is the exact feeling you get listening to the album.

It's hard to settle into the record, you almost feel like you are flipping through an artist's sketchbook, but those feelings of being lost is one common to most people in today's day in age. That might be why you feel comfortable moving around when he hits you with up-tempo jams like Hold Steady and are so comfortable holding the slow sizzlers tight. Jon's fragmented visions are unique to him, but the thoughts and emotions they evoke are more universal than even he might have imagined. It's not perfect, but neither is he. None of us are.

MP3:: Jon Epworth - Names
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/jonepworth

Quick Hitters:: CFCF

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Pleasant surprises are rare in this day & age, but I have to say, one of the nice things about having one of these nifty music blogs, is that you tend to get pleasantly surprised on a fairly regular basis. This is exactly what happened when I listened to CFCF's Continent for the first time a little while ago. I knew nothing about him, other than that he was a Montreal DJ, and I'd seen his name out there as a remixer, but I was caught a little bit off-guard by how much I liked his full-length debut.

CFCF is otherwise known as Michael Silver, and he's made a name for himself over the last couple years with remixes for the likes of Crystal Castles, Sally Shapiro, HEALTH and The Presets. But Continent is strictly a CFCF project, recorded by Silver in his home studio over the period of time between fall 2008 and this past summer. This somewhat lengthy period obviously allowed him time to tweak and layer sound after lovely sound into his songs - one of the things I like most about the album is that new sounds are constantly being dropped into the mix, but everything still sounds seamless and joyfully melodic.

You Hear Colours is a great example of just that, because it opens with a dark, almost ATCQ-like drum track, but layers of keys, horns, and even guitar are added over the tracks five plus minutes, but it all fits together really well.

The other thing that stands out about Continent for me is the 80's electro sound that runs through it, it just has those really warm, analog synth & drum sounds that I've been drawn to over the last year or so from folks like Eliot Lipp or Dam Funk. The first single from the album, Monolith, is an excellent poster boy for that 80's sound, as its stellar piano & synth lines make it sound like it could have subbed in for Animotion as the intro for Fashion Television (and I mean that as a compliment, as FT and Obsession are a classic bit of 80's Canadiana). But CFCF is far from a one-80's-trick pony, as Big Love sounds like something RJD2 could have done earlier this decade, the lush Letters Home has a lovely dialed-down house sound, and the stuttering Come Closer feels like it was birthed from some UK scene or another.

And as if all this wasn't enough, Silver has recorded an OMC cover for Paper Bag Record's awesome new (free!) covers compilation. I'd been meaning to post on CFCF for a while, but covering what is likely the Ack's favorite New Zealand one hit wonder moves you to the front of the queue. So, to get you up to speed with CFCF's work to date, I've posted a few songs below, but I strongly suggest you check out Continent, as I think it is the kind of album that most people wouldn't normally seek out, but is just a really great album that deserves to be heard.

Update: CFCF and Paper Bag made another track available for d/l today, Big Love, which is a Fleetwood Mac cover. Who knew? Anyway, I've added that song below.

MP3:: CFCF - Big Love

MP3:: CFCF - Monolith

MP3:: CFCF - How Bizarre (OMC cover)

MP3:: Sally Shapiro - Love In July (CFCF Remix)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/cfcf

Old School Mondays:: The (Don't)Stopper Edition

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:17:00 +0000

First off, let me apologize for the lack of OSM-age last week. I hate to skip it, but time was scarce last weekend, and we wanted to ensure we got the awesome Paper Bag vinyl contest posted bright and early (as an aside, if you haven't entered that contest, do so now, as today will likely be the last day for it). But now we're back, and I wanted to return with a jumbo version to make up for last week's absence. But what to post? I was a little stumped for ideas, but then I remembered a song I went hunting for last week after writing one of my posts.

The song is The Stopper by Cutty Ranks. I've certainly said this before, but back at the start of the 90's, if you were into hip hop, chances are you were into some dancehall reggae as well. I certainly was, and to this day hearing any of the big songs from back then will bring a smile to my face. This is exactly what happened when I saw Skratch Bastid and Scratch flipping The Stopper-styled funk while preparing for their new T.O. club show. That got me in a Dancehall reminiscing mood, and so I went looking for some other old favorites.

So, like it or not, that's what you're getting: a "here are some old dancehall songs I enjoy" OSM. I'm actually quite happy because while doing this list I finally remembered a song I'd been trying to think of for a while. It's Mack Daddy by Bobby Konders (with chatting from Mikey Jarret - chatting! I know the lingo friend), and I'd been trying to remember the name of this song for a while so I could find it - although this should have been easier, I forgot it was on Red Alert's Propmaster Radio Show mix which I have a cassette copy of. Anyway, this song is classic, I remember there was a period of a fews months where we'd yell "Mack Daddy....Mack Daddy, Mack Daddy...Mack Daddy!" at random intervals because of this song. Well, at least I would anyway.

To go along with this we've got a couple of other all-time favorites, Typewriter from legendary hardman Louie Rankin (who I've talked about a couple times, but I care not, that album is an all-timer in terms of old school herohill lore), and Ghetto Red Hot from the always awesome Super Cat. To wrap things up we have something for the ladies, the classic Flex from Mad Cobra. I actually found this tape in one of my boxes, and I had to laugh because I honestly couldn't remember one other song on it except for Flex - which suggests I might have bought it mainly for that smoothed out dancehall love jam, and that is comical/horrifying.

So there you have it, enjoy. Oh, and BO!

MP3:: Cutty Ranks - The Stopper

MP3:: Bobby Konders & Massive Sounds - Mack Daddy

MP3:: Super Cat - Ghetto Red Hot

MP3:: Louie Rankin - Typewriter

MP3:: Mad Cobra - Flex

Cutty Ranks - The Stopper

Super Cat - Ghetto Red Hot

Mad Cobra

Quick Hitters:: Hezekiah Jones & White Pines

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:49:00 +0000

We are going to take a trip south of the border today, visiting places that conjure up painful sporting memories. First we have Philadelphia. One of the first Steelers games I ever went to I scalped a ticket and ended up sitting next to the dude that dressed up like the Eagle. People pelted him (and me) with trash and plastic bottles. Not cool.

What is cool however is long time herohill fav and Philly outfit, Hezekiah Jones. Driven by talented front man Raphael Cutrufello, we've been lucky enough to get Raph to record us a cover for the Word on the Beat project as well as giving him the nod for 6th best record in 2006.

Since that time, Raph (and the band) have grown. The songs have slowly become bigger and bolder, but his new EP - Bread of Teeth - finds the band making strides like Randy Moss. Sure, two of the four tracks may be reworkings of tracks from his other band, but the sounds the band introduces are such a progression from the hushed folk Raph started with that you have to sit up and take notice. His familiar relaxed vocals help the listener settle in on the opening number (Iowa Alligator), but it's the rollicking pace and harmonies the band offers up that makes the track sizzle.

The rest of the EP introduces new textures and emotions that not only sound stellar, they really work for the band. The quick, two-minute I Love My Family is as moody a piece as I've ever heard from Raph, but it's Traffic to the Sea that really grabs your ear. Terrific harmonies and dark textures support Raph's voice, but never crowd the confessional. The four and a half minutes flies by, but hits with the weight of a sledge hammer. By the time he closes with another StillWillis cover (Sorry Waltz), my only thought was ... need more. Hopefully this EP is a stop gap for an upcoming 2010 release, but even if he never writes another song, Raph can hang his hat on these four songs, knowing he and the band were in top form.

MP3:: Hezekiah Jones - Iowa Alligator
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/hezekiah11
BUY:: http://yerbird.com/hezekiahjones/bread/index.html

Up next we have Michigan. The land of The Fab Five, the Wolverines, and favorite teams of Mr. Shane Nadeau and to be honest, they've ruined season after season of college football and hoops for me. Thankfully, they are doing their best to make up for it (and them some) musically. Case in point: White Pines. Up until mid last week, they were completely unknown to me and normally, I'd have moved the intro email into my stereotypical Dilbert-esque TO-DO box, but their greeting was impossible to ignore. We keep it Canadian here, but can be swayed by two things - 1) great music and 2) clever emails describing how a band can be loosely tied to Canada.

For White Pines, it was the fact Joseph Scott plays in a band named Canada, toured up here last year, and the simple fact his PR man offered up his love of the Rocky Mountains after driving from Alaska to Michigan. Oh, that and the fact that one of their top Myspace friends (myspace is still cool right?) was in fact... Hezekiah Jones. Apparently, with his other projects in hiatus, Scott moved to Brooklyn and set up a home studio and just started writing. A DIY solo affair quickly became a full fledged band, and sketches of songs became unfolded into lush compositions.

Scott writes songs that are heavy on emotion and imagery, but the folk arrangements are remarkably well thought out. The trusty strums of an acoustic may be the base line of the tracks, but each and every track reveals surprises tucked into the folds or hiding in the shadows. To be honest, these are the kind of songs better heard than discussed, so take a listen to Foot of the Cross and then pick up the EP. You won't be disappointed.

MP3:: White Pines - Foot of the Cross
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/whitepinetrees

Go to the Prom with Mark Berube and Erin Lang

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:53:00 +0000

One of the acts I'm most looking forward to seeing next week at M for Montreal is the nomadic Mark Berube - he's playing the M for Martini showcase on Thursday. He may call Montreal home, but he's traveled the world singing songs, and stock piling anecdotes and observations.

The result is a unique sound built on his spoken word background, accordion and piano prowess and finely tuned travelers eye that are blended together into driving, indie-folk anthems and theatrical live sets filled with surprises and smiles. Whether it's opening with a heartfelt a cappella version of the South African National anthem or closing it by bringing a thirty-piece volunteer brass band on stage with him in a club that holds roughly the same amount of people, Mark's love of music translates into a show that leaves you satisfied and often inspired.

If it wasn't for the other shows at M for Montreal, I'd also be getting gussied up and heading to the Prom with he and Erin Lang. Honestly, how can it NOT be fun? Here are the official deets for anyone hoping to get their Back to the Future on, pick up the phone. IT'S YOUR COUSIN... MARVIN. MARVIN BERRY!

Event: Welcome Winter Prom! with Mark Berube and Erin Lang & The Foundlings
What: "Cats eye glasses and cupcakes, corsages and 50's slow dancing.. "
Start Time: Saturday, November 21 at 9:15pm
End Time: Sunday, November 22 at 12:15am
Where: The Green Room

MP3:: Mark Berube - Flowers on the Stone
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/markberubemusic
WEB:: http://www.markberube.com/

Friday Showstravaganza:: Elliot Brood, Deep Dark Woods, The Gideons & Billy Bragg

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:50:00 +0000

The Friganza returns! It's been a while since we've posted our rundown of the weekend shows here in Halifax, but you'll have to cut us a bit of slack, as we've had a few things going on. But things, schmings, there's a lot going on, so let's get to it.

If the two of us can power through the illness in our bodies and households, you'll find us at the Paragon, taking in a show we've been looking forward to for a while: The Deep Dark Woods & Elliot Brood at The Paragon. I'm sure many of you are familiar with Polaris short listeners Elliot Brood, but if you haven't seen them live, I suggest you do so because although the sets at the Polaris gala were short, EB had the crowd in a tray whacking frenzy by the time theirs was over. The Deep Dark Woods were recently tabbed by CBC Radio 2 listeners to represent Saskatchewan in their SongQuest songwriting contest, but if you'd read the Ack's review of their last album, you wouldn't be surprised. These two excellent outfits will be joined be talented local Laura Merrimen (check our review of her last album), and so this is going to be quite the evening.

That show is far from your only choice though, as Friday night also see release shows from The Gideons and A History Of at The Khyber and Club 1668 respectively. Hill faves Caledonia play The Seahorse Saturday night, or you could see Can-rock icon Gordie Johnson's current band Grady at the Coconut Grove. And to wrap up the weekend, there's a doozy of a show Sunday night at the Cohn, where troubadour extraordinaire Billy Bragg will play with opener The Mountains & The Trees (aka Newfoundland's Jon Janes, who has been getting some attention on the hill as of late).

So there you go, plenty to see, so get out and see something while the weather is still tolerable.

MP3:: Elliot Brood - Write It All Down For You

MP3:: The Deep Dark Woods - All The Money I Had Is Gone

MP3:: A History Of - Action In The North Atlantic

MP3:: The Mountain & The Trees - Up & Down

Reviews:: Daniel, Fred & Julie

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:32:00 +0000

Originally I planned on writing an opus about this record. I was going to try to connect you to the record through my eyes and ears, talking about how the first listen it hit me like no other record this year. Praise the trio for following through on a premise so simple, so pure that you can't help but fall in love with the results.

I mean, three successful, talented song writers revisiting timeless tracks that have been passed down from generation to generation (minus the two originals), recording in a garage with shitty gear in just a few days. The harmonies weren't overdubbed or tweaked, and that's why they sound so real and so honest. Every flaw tells a hundred stories that are normally lost in the remastering and mixing and slowly suck the soul out of a record. Daniel, Fred & Julie is the type of project a blog should get behind; one based on the love of music, singing with the people you love and nothing else.

Admittedly, most of these songs would sound good no matter who arranged or recorded them - that's the beauty of folk music - but when the fingers and tongues of these three Canadian talents get a hold of the material, it takes new life and becomes magical. More importantly, the songs start to speak for themselves - more eloquently than the pen of a critic or in this case, a rabid fan. Undoubtedly, you benefit more from hearing about the origins of the tracks and how they ended up in the form they will forever be documented. So, here's a track by track breakdown courtesy of Daniel Romano.

Oh, an exclusive MP3 to whet your whistle. Enjoy what is undoubtedly, my favorite record of the year.

In July, I called Fred. I said, "hey Fred I have an idea... Let's make a record. I found a bunch of songs and I wrote a couple." He was into the idea. I was away at the time. When I got back, I took a couple books and some guitars and got on the Via train from Montreal to Sackville. It was the over night train. I had a great meal. Worked on some arrangements. Slept like a baby.

I got to Sackville at around noon. I walked from the train station into town. I went to my friend Steve Lambke's house. He lived above Strutt's art gallery at the time. He wasn't there. His Girlfriend Penelope got home soon after I got there, so I hung out with her. Fred and Julie were away playing in Newfoundland. They flew in around three. Fred's Folks were in town, so they picked them up from the bus station and then came by Strutt's and picked me up. We went to the Irving Big Stop for diner. Julie had vegetables. I had a burgie. Fred had a hot turkey sandwich. We went back to Fred's house and spent some time in the garage listening to records. We shared a bunk bed in the spare room where Julie's kids stay when they are there. Fred's folks were in the master bed.

We got up early-ish. Made some coffee and had at it. We moved the quarter inch four track recorder into the garage and tried out multiple microphones. We decided to record it mono with a shitty Audio Technica microphone that, I think, comes with a set of headphones. And once we found our spots we started learning songs. Julie was with us the whole time and she asked if she could sing with us. We said yes.

The Gambler And His Bride is one of many variations on the Frankie and Albert, or Frankie and Johnny story. There were a few of them in the book. We chose the most modern english sounding of the bunch. I wrote the Music for that song while I was at Steve's house the day before. We got rid of a few verses so that it wouldn't be such a bruiser. We ended up getting rid of the verse where Frankie actually kills Albert. That was a mistake. We only realized that after It was recorded.

The next song is Runner. I originally wrote that for City and Color to use. But I don't know if he liked it.. and I guess it doesn't really suit him. I don't know, maybe he'll use it. Probably not, though. So anyway, I decided to use it because it seemed to fit. But I didn't want to sing the lead. So I taught it to Fred. He did a great job. I love his voice. I wish my voice was as perfect as his. That was the first completely fictional song I ever wrote.

I dream of Jeanie... I remember when I was a kid watching a bugs bunny cartoon where Bugs Bunny says, " I am the Genie with light brown hair." He was pretending to be a genie. When I was sifting through the book of folk songs and I saw that, I knew that I had to do it just out of principle. That song was arranged in Montreal before I left as well.

No One Knew My Name was another one arranged in Montreal, from the same book. I liked the story and it was one of the only short ones in the book. Classic story of woman bails man out from the gallows. I hope I can find a woman like that some day. I'm sure I'll need it.

Hallelujah I'm A Bum was arranged in Fred's garage. Fred started playing this finger picking piece he had written a long time ago. I wrote a part to go with it and Julie found the song. She thought it was charming. I found it familiar. I later found out that my grandfather used to play a version of it all the time.

Down By The Weeping Willow was arranged prior And I had been singing the lead line. But much like Runner, I liked the words and the melody so much that I just needed to have Fred sing it so that I would actually be completely satisfied with the finished product. He, once again, did an amazing job.

Bonny Black Bess had a few lives. I was working out a melody for it while Fred and Julie were inside making more coffee. I was jacked on sour candy at the time. It was a very minor progression. Fred came out, sat down, picked up his guitar and I played him what I had been working on. He liked it. But then immediately started playing something else that was much better. He said, "this song is about the best horse in the world. It should be triumphant." I agreed.

Clementine was recorded while Julie was out with the kids at the pool. Fred and I had been talking about how strange of a song it was. So we looked through the books and found it. It was the only song we actually knew the melody to. We tried a take of it. It was okay. Fred then said, "we gotta get Del!" I asked who Del was. He told me about the legend that is Del Wheaton. He is in the New Brunswick Blue Grass hall of fame for playing the bass. He took up playing the fiddle at fifty years old. We rode some bikes up to his house just around the block. We knocked on the door but there was no answer. Fred then realized it was Thursday and there was a concert in the park downtown. We rode down there and ran into his son Darin. He told us that he was just around the corner. Del, at first, didn't recognize Fred because he wasn't wearing his glasses and his hair was grown out, but once he figured out who he was he was into the idea we had proposed. We rode back up to the house and Del met us there in his truck. We sat around the mic and tried a couple passes. Del insisted that we have some Blue Grass style structure. So we chose who would play on which verse. Fred played guitar and sang lead. I played the slide and did my best at back ups. Del is a great man.

Your Love was another one of those songs I had written with City and Color in mind. I decided to use it. That song is the second completely fictional song I ever wrote.

Johnny Sands was the the last song we did. Fred found it and fell in love with the story. He started picking a line while still reading it. He and Julie worked out a harmony for it and I worked out a ridiculous guitar part. Once the record was tracked, we dumped the whole thing down to cassette tape. The tape machine was broken at first. Fred opened it up and moved a bunch of its guts around and got it working in minutes. It was pretty amazing. Steve came over and gave a listen to the songs. I think he liked them. I was super jacked on candy at the time, to the point that I was having trouble seeing. I'm pretty sure he liked it. We had a gig on the last night I was there. It was offered to us a few days earlier. I was going to play drums. We got there that night and Jessie Baird was there. I knew at that point I wasn't going to be playing drums. So bass was my fall back. I borrowed a bass. It had five strings. I borrowed a cable. It was a speaker cable. It sounded horrible. It was a lot of fun. When I got home I took the Tape to Dan Weston. He did a quick master of the record and then it was sent to a pressing plant in Germany. They cut it on a mono lathe. We had Fred's mother take some pictures of us in a field across the street from Fred's house. I had them developed when I got back home. That's the shot I ended up using for the cover of the record. Julie was snapping some pictures too. I used one of hers for the back. I love those guys.

MP3:: Daniel, Fred & Julie - Clementine
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/calmdownitsmonday
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/attackinblack

M for Montreal:: Le Matos

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:15:00 +0000

Next week I’ll be heading up to Montreal to rub elbows with the big names in journalism and help promote the ever growing and successful Montreal scene. As one of the delegates for M For Montreal, basically we roll into the city and get treated to shows and sit down time courtesy of some of the best bands in Montreal (and some extra special guest from other provinces).

Now, if you scan the list of people coming to this event, you might wonder how we are standing on equal ground with Exclaim!, ABC, SXSW, NME and CMJ New Music Report, and to be honest, we aren’t sure. Maybe it’s our dedication to the bands they included (we’ve reviewed roughly 75% of them), the Canadian scene in general, or luck of the draw. Either way, it should be a good time.

Even though we've covered most of the acts already, there are a few bands that we haven’t talked about yet, so the chance to see these bands play quick hitting sets is probably the best type of introduction we could ask for. One that is destined to get the journalistic types moving is Le Matos. The electro duo is headlining a night with some terrific herohill approved acts including Two Hours Traffic (review), Parlovr (review), and Silver Starling (review) - not to mention a special appearance by Cadence Weapon on the 1's and 2's - and their unique ability to create music that makes you want to dance but still hits with the weight of soundscapes tailor made for cinematic decadence is something I look forward to experiencing first hand.

Here's a sneak peak of a jam I hope they play. It's a killer remix of Coeur de Pirate's Comme des Enfants. Enjoy!

MP3:: Comme des Enfants - Coeur de Pirate (Le Matos remix)

MP3:: Comme des Enfants - Coeur de Pirate
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/MYSPACE GOES HERE

Reviews:: wallscenery demos - check this!

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Between the two of us here at your favorite kung fu dude-mascotted music blog, I'd have to say I'm really not the guy you go to for hot new indie music trends. The Ack is certainly the guy to go to for that kind of thing, as he manages to do a rather decent job keeping his incredibly white fingers on the pulse of those things. I'm more the guy to go to when you're wondering which Chubb Rock album was the best (most people will tell you it's The One, but I'll always be partial to And The Winner Is.... That being said, I think I was in the vanguard of those discovering the very hot lo-fi movement when I discovered the wallscenery demos last year.

That last sentence is of course hogwash, as I discovered nothing. The man behind the wallscenery demos, James Hicken, is simply a super-nice dude, and a talented musician, who asked us to take a listen to his album. I did just that, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard. I say surprised because I knew the album was a pastiche of songs that Hicken created and recorded himself from samples, live instruments, electronics, and of course in the infamous lo-fi fuzzed-out vocals, but I was surprised at how cohesive and listenable it was. Well, Hicken and WSD are back with a new release, check this!, and he picks up right where he left off.

check this! certainly has the DIY aesthetic of its predecessor, but I think it feels a bit more melodic this time around - if melodic is even a word one can use to describe a sample & shoegaze-filled lo-fi record. I'll have to go back to the last album and, ahem, check this, for myself, but I think this new album relies a little less on samples & trickery, and leans more on guitar work and the assistance of his musical friends (Hicken has re-located to Brooklyn, at least part-time anyway, but a lot of the TO folks that helped with his first album return for this one) to help lead the way. In some cases, the vocals have also been given more of a chance to shine, like they've fallen down (broken snare mix), which sounds more like a traditional pop song than anything from his last outing.

But Hicken hasn't strayed too far from the formula that I thought served him so well last time out. Most of the time he keeps the vocals fuzzed-out and blended into the track, or down to a hushed warble, like on i'm not around, on which he sounds an awful lot like Halifax's own Thomas/Richard. I know from talking to him that James still has a fond regard for hip hop, and if you couldn't tell that from the hip hop-influenced song titles like i kept it real and bring that shit back, the pairing of big drums & riffs with scratches on raw shit would let you know the deal. There are also still vocal samples aplenty, with the kung fu flick stand off on stephen harper being exactly what the PM ain't: fun.

Despite that diverse array of sounds, Hicken also proves he can write a catchy tune with the best of them on a song like hooked on lame, that would feel at home with a number of genres attached to it. And that's kind of the thing, no matter how you create your music, if it isn't fun or enjoyable to listen to, you've kind of failed. Hicken certainly hasn't failed with his second WSD outing, as its 23 tracks blow by way too fast. If you're at all into the lo-fi sounds being peddled by folks like Little Girls, I think you need to check this! for yourself.

MP3:: wallscenery demos - hooked on lame

MP3:: wallscenery demos - raw shit
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/wallscenery

wallscenery demos - raw shit

Deeper into Music:: Daniel, Fred & Julie

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

When it comes to super groups, for me I'm not sure there is much better out there than Daniel Romano from Attack in Black, Julie Doiron and the all-too-often overlooked insanity and awesomeness that is Fred Squire.

That being said, finding out about their amazing record built on classic on folk songs rearranged in Fred's garage was like waking up on Christmas morning and finding out that not only did Santa exist, but you were his favorite.

Knowing how much of an impact Daniel, Fred & Julie made on me, it seemed obvious we needed to tap into the cranium of the man that started the project for our own selfishness, but also for our readers. Graciously, Daniel gave us a stellar track by track breakdown of how the project came together but also includes tales of Sackville, NB, The Irving Big Stop, bunk beds, town fairs and lots more.

We will be revealing the details over the week, including an exclusive MP3 with our review on Friday, but for now just enjoy reading about how the project got started, and the birth of one of the original tracks Daniel wrote for the record.

In July, I called Fred. I said, "hey Fred I have an idea... Let's make a record. I found a bunch of songs and I wrote a couple." He was into the idea. I was away at the time. When I got back, I took a couple books and some guitars and got on the Via train from Montreal to Sackville. It was the over night train. I had a great meal. Worked on some arrangements. Slept like a baby.

I got to Sackville at around noon. I walked from the train station into town. I went to my friend Steve Lambke's house. He lived above Strutt's art gallery at the time. He wasn't there. His Girlfriend Penelope got home soon after I got there, so I hung out with her. Fred and Julie were away playing in Newfoundland. They flew in around three. Fred's Folks were in town, so they picked them up from the bus station and then came by Strutt's and picked me up. We went to the Irving Big Stop for diner. Julie had vegetables. I had a burgie. Fred had a hot turkey sandwich. We went back to Fred's house and spent some time in the garage listening to records. We shared a bunk bed in the spare room where Julie's kids stay when they are there. Fred's folks were in the master bed.

We got up early-ish. Made some coffee and had at it. We moved the quarter inch four track recorder into the garage and tried out multiple microphones. We decided to record it mono with a shitty Audio Technica microphone that, I think, comes with a set of headphones. And once we found our spots we started learning songs. Julie was with us the whole time and she asked if she could sing with us. We said yes.

The first single is Runner. I originally wrote that for City and Color to use. But I don't know if he liked it.. and I guess it doesn't really suit him. I don't know, maybe he'll use it. Probably not, though. So anyway, I decided to use it because it seemed to fit. But I didn't want to sing the lead. So I taught it to Fred. He did a great job. I love his voice. I wish my voice was as perfect as his. That was the first completely fictional song I ever wrote.

Daniel, Fred & Julie - Runner

MP3:: Daniel, Fred & Julie - Runner
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/calmdownitsmonday
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/attackinblack

Reviews:: Cursed Arrows Telepathic High Five

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

A few years ago, I was sent a record from an young two-piece from Guelph called Arrows. I liked Knives Are Falling From the Sky (review), but thought that they were struggling to find their sound as they sampled from the sounds we all the love (Pixies, Nirvana and Hey Mercedes were three that I heard).

Then they kind of disappeared. It's not unusual for a DIY act to lose steam so when I hadn't heard anything from them in a couple of years I assumed they packed it in. So when an LP from Cursed Arrows showed up in my inbox, it took a few google searches to figure out that Cursed Arrows were in fact Arrows, they just added another word to the mix. It only took a few seconds of their new LP - Telepathic High Five - to figure out that Ryan and Jackie definitely found "their" new sound.

The album opener, Run Forever, comes out swinging like an underdog heavyweight fighter, knowing there is only one chance to grab the spotlight and like Little Mac they shock us all and connect square on the jaw. It's not often I'm left staggered by a band after one song - especially on a sophomore effort - but Ryan and Jackie certainly crush any of your preconceived notions in that first 6-minutes and the LP never lets up.

To be honest though, every note on Telepathic High Five seems denser and crisper than their previous work. Instead of recording a record that sounds like shit on purpose, they took the time to get the sound just right. The kick drum beats through your chest, the sing/screamed vocals make you pump your fist and the sludge filled riffs they loved have been replaced with hard hitting, assaulting tracks that have enough energy to make The Junior Boys seem like an Amish act.

Lyrically the duo attacks some heavy subject matter. Whether it's the most basic of human emotions, terror at the way we treat the environment or the chilling realization that we might actually be alone in this universe, Jackie and Ryan refuse to let the lyrics on these heavy songs come across as an afterthought. Cursed Arrows successfully bridges the gap between the conscious DC punk acts that talked loud and still had something to say and a modern sound that doesn't sound like yet another band aping the past greats.

CURSED ARROWS - Chop You Up from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

MP3:: Cursed Arrows - Run Forever
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/arrowsband
WEB:: http://www.cursedarrows.com/

News:: New Skratch Bastid Kardinal Remix

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:00 +0000

There's a chance you might have gotten this impression if you've been reading my curmudgeon-esque posts for any length of time, but when I lived in Toronto, I was not "up in the club" all that often. Bars, pubs, even the odd tavern - sure, I was in my fair share of those, but attendance at the city's dance-oriented establishments was rather poor. However, were I still in T.O., there's an event coming up this weekend that might have gotten me to go against the grain.

Skratch Bastid Presents: Scratch, Skratch, Scratch goes down this weekend at Revival Bar in Toronto. The show features, of course, Skratch Bastid, who will be joined by the legendary Scratch from The Roots, and Canadian DJ vet Starting from Scratch. The three of them have been working on a number of live routines that blend the the two DJ's scratching & mixing with the beatbox wizardry of Scratch, as they re-work a number of classic beats & breaks. The Stopper. The Screamin' Jay Hawkins sample that biggie made famous. A Spoonie Gee/Run DMC mash-up. If you're a fan of classic hip hop, you'll like think it's awesome stuff, so check the videos of their practice routines below.

Before the videos though, we've got another Skratch Bastid-related treat for you: his new remix of Kardinal's hyper new hit, Clear. It's only right that Canada's hardest working DJ should do a little something with the ever-hustling Kardi, and this Planet Rock-sounding remix is really solid, so enjoy!

MP3:: Kardinal Offishall - Clear (SKRATCH BASTID REMIX)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/skratchbastid

Skratch Bastid & Scratch - The Stopper

Skratch Bastid, Scratch, DJ Starting From Scratch - 'Screamin Jay Hawkins'

Skratch Bastid & Scratch - Spoonie Gee/Run-DMC

Reviews:: Cam Penner Trouble & Mercy

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:41:00 +0000

I absolutely hate it when super blogger Craig Bonnell beats us to the punch on little known roots artists living in the Great White North. Not because he doesn't constantly offer up DIY gems for his readers, but because I like to think we have our finger on the (Canadian) pulse here at the Hill when it comes to an incredible talent like Manitoba's Cam Penner, well, we should have been in the know.

Cam's new record, Trouble & Mercy is devastating. The songs were written on a six month tour across North America and explore the differences between rich and poor, life on the road, love, lust and loss. These songs are the type born in in hotel rooms and grubby couches when the heartache and home sickness of being on the road for months finally wins out over wanderlust. The type of songs when emotions and thoughts float to the surface and surge through your body uncontrollably.

Remarkably even as he delves into these heartfelt emotions, Cam keeps a steady hand on Trouble & Mercy and when you think he might have hit rock bottom, you still get the impression that he knows life will get better. You can hear his heart break countless times on this record, but his need to keep fighting challenges any regret or pity you might feel and really pushes this record along and keeps you listening.

The album opener, All Of, showcases Penner's determined nature. Without shame, he admits he's willing to do whatever it takes to get back to his lover. The beautiful banjo and harmonies thicken the song, but make no mistake, All Of is one man's painful journey. Penner follows with the powerful 13, a tale of a convicted man that uses electric guitar and ominous steel to haunt your thoughts. The echoes of his picked notes and steel the band throws in on If You Love Somebody does the same.

Throughout this 11-song gem, Penner proves he's a fantastic song writer, formidable story teller (Once as a Soldier) and does all of this without trying to spin clever phrases or relying on pretentious word play. Penner speaks to the people as one of us. At one point, that's what we expected from folk artists, but somehow lately it's changed. Today, coffee shop strummers sing about their own life, unconcerned whether or not you can relate. For Cam, each and every lyric comes from the bottom of his heart, but it could be about any of us. If you can't relate to a song like Tired of this Town you've either lived a charmed life or you haven't lived at all.

Cam Penner - 13

Cam Penner - Hour of Need

MP3:: Cam Penner - 13
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thegravelroad
WEB:: http://www.campenner.com/

Contest:: Win a Vinyl Package from Paper Bag Records

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Seeing as how this is merely an average Monday morning in November, I'm guessing many of you weren't overly psyched to greet the day. Well, let us turn that around quick fast: with a simple email to us you could win yourself 6 beautiful vinyl albums from Paper Bag Records. Yes friend, you read that correctly, not 1, not 2, and not even 3, but 6 lovely vinyl albums. And I do mean lovely (and somewhat rare):

All Paper Bag Records vinyl releases are produced in limited quantities on 180 gram vinyl, and feature unique silk screened covers and additional artwork. 300 copies - once they’re gone – they’re gone!

To recap, that's Josh Reichmann Oracle Band - Crazy Power, Little Girls - Concepts, Slim Twig - Contempt!, Winter Gloves - About a Girl, ~~Woodhands - Heart Attack~~ Rock Plaza - Central Are We Not Horses? and YSPWSD - XXXX. That's a whole lot of awesome right there. I mean, we've been fortunate to be able to run quite a few contests on the hill, but I think this one might just take the cake - so huge thanks to the kind folks at Paper Bag for letting us run it (and thanks to Darryl from StageFright for helping to hook it up).

So now, for the important info, how to win this rather excellent prize package. Simply drop us an email (herohill AT gmail DOT COM) with your name, details and the answer to this question: "Name the best thing you could hope to find in a mystery paper bag left on your doorstep" (we had to make you do a little work for a prize this good!). Feel free to leave the pertinent info in the comments as well. What are you waiting for, enter now!

Done! Congrats to Michael Elves and thanks to all who entered.

MP3:: Little Girls - Concepts

MP3:: You Say Party! We Say Die! - Laura Palmer's Prom

MP3:: Woodhands - Electric Ave

MP3:: Winter Gloves - Invisible (ease v Remix)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/paperbagrecords

Contest:: Win 2 Tix to Deep Dark Woods & Elliott Brood

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:01:00 +0000

I'm not sure if a better show will come through Halifax in the few months. Without a doubt, Polaris short lister Alberta's Elliott Brood and criminally overlooked The Deep Dark Woods from SK are going to absolutely burn down The Paragon on November 13th, and we want to give one lucky reader the chance to see both acts for free. Hell, you can even take a guest.

Everyone already knows and loves the Brood - I'd say that there performance at the Polaris gala stole the show - but Halifax, when it comes to amazing roots acts that will blow your mind, it's DDW. Their latest record - Winter Hours (review) - can be described with words like, "devastating", "powerful", and "amazing" but the way they transform when the lights hit is fantastic. Their sound is bigger and more muscular, but they never lose the tight harmonies and precision.

So to win the tix, just drop us an email with your name and details (herohill AT gmail DOT COM) or leave the pertinent info in the comments. Contest closes Wednesday to ensure we get your name on the list, so enter now!

MP3:: The Deep Dark Woods - All The Money I Had is Gone (Live on Hearya) ** Do yourself a favor and d/l this whole set
WEB:: http://thedeepdarkwoods.com/ddw/home.htm

MP3:: The Elliott Brood - Write It All Down For You

News:: Paper Beat Scissors comes home

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:26:00 +0000

A while back, I gushed about Tim Crabtree's newest EP - under the moniker Paper Beat Scissors - and was equally impressed by his live show when he and a huge collection of friends warmed the stage for Caledonia.

For those new to the band's sound, honestly, the picture I've included sums it up perfectly. Warm fuzz, soft focus and incredibly captivating. The Flickr EP is a beautiful mix of acoustic guitar, strings, subtle electronics and tribal percussion, but for anyone in Halifax, seeing these songs take new life in a live setting is something not to miss.

The show is Sunday at Gus' Pub. Gianna Lauren and Josh Dean will be opening proceedings. Doors at 8pm, $7

MP3:: Paper Beat Scissors - Be Patient
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/paperbeatscissors

Quick Hitters:: Slim Twig - Spit It Twig Vol. 2

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:37:00 +0000

I don't know about you folks, but when I think of this dark Toronto rockabilly troubadour, the first thing that comes to mind is mixtapes. Oh, perhaps I should mention that I just listened to Slim's 2nd free mixtape Spit It Twig! Vol. 2, because prior to now, I never would have thought anything of the sort when pondering Mr. Twig.

So Slim Twig loves mixtapes, who knew? Perhaps not what one might expect, but then again, given that he's not your average everyday indie musician, you should likely expect the un-expected. Seeing as how I'm not well versed in Slim's non-mixtape work, it might make sense to hear the mixtape described in his own words:

Spit It Twig Vol. 2 represents my commitment to the free mixtape format I admire so much in artists like Lil Wayne & the Clipse. This time I decided to stretch out my repertoire in directions both more overtly hip hop ('This Night's Untold' & 'More Mercy, Miss Percy'), and even more abstract ('The Pink Room', 'Perfect Pitch'). This mix also features more collaboration than any of my other releases with contributions from Dirty Beaches, Onakabazien, D-Sisive and a (one-sided-career-fullfilling) collab with David Lynch. The diversity of Spit It Twig Vol. 2 was meant to reveal my intention & future direction with tapes which is to periodically expose experiments, and spontaneous ideas to those who are curious... all for a great price.

Oh, and that great price he mentions? You guessed it, free.99. So head on over to paper bag and grab yourself a copy. The sonic collages Slim has pieced together keep you guessing, and are a perfect match for his collection of off-kilter deliveries. Even something that appears to be straight-forward, like the simple drum & chimes beat that opens Black Eldorado is thrown for a loop when Slim adds some electro-fuzz to accompany his vocals. It would be hard to find an MC that would be more at-home in ST's bizarro-noir universe than D-Sisive, and Mr. Christoff does indeed sound quite relaxed. Suggestion for the next mix? A collabo with Taylor Kirk - seems like a pretty natural fit to me.

MP3:: Slim Twig - This Night's Untold feat. D-Sisive
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/slimtwig

Five Funky Stories:: Jon Janes of The Mountains and The Trees + free EP

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:20:00 +0000

For years, whenever I thought of Newfoundland I only thought of Jockey Club beer, Iceberg tracking web sites and Ches' Fish & Chips, but lately more and more talented acts have been coming across our desk. Most people know Polaris Short-listers Hey Rosetta!, but the amount of good music coming from the Rock is insane. For me though, Jon Janes - aka The Mountain & The Trees - is the act I'm keeping my eye on. You know what? I'm not the only one.

Jon is coming to Halifax on Nov. 15th to open for the legendary Billy f&cking Bragg! It's hard to believe he's making waves all over North America on the strength of 4-songs, well, that is until you actually listen to his songs. His arrangements rise and fall like a slow beating heart and every time I throw on Hop, Skip & A Jump, I play it three or four times in a row.

Jon was feeling frisky, so he decided to take on the herohill Random Question Generator, discussing topics like tight pants, favorite instruments and his love for BA Johnston.

He also wanted to thank you the reader by offering up a copy of Hop, Skip & A Jump. I can't recommend it enough - ie. it's high on my Best-of '09 EP list - and it's well worth you leaving a comment with your details or dropping us an email (herohill AT gmail DOT COM).

So, enjoy the track and Jon's responses.

Name: Jon Janes

Band: The Mountains & The Trees

Web: http://www.rockandroots.com

1. Super tight pants on dudes: Yes! or Noooooooooooooooo!

Emphatically no.

2. If you could only keep one instrument from your collection, what would it be?

Definately my guitar. I've been attached to it ever since I found it. Because of the year, it'd also be the hardest to replace. I'd have to put my suitcase as the second instrument for all the same reasons.

3. What was the first moment you considered yourself a 'professional musician'?

During my first tour, at a show in Halifax, at Gus' Pub, with Jon McKiel. After the show, a couple approached me outside and asked if I'd be in Newfoundland the next week, which I was. They took my contact info and got in touch with me when I got back. They were from the Netherlands and bought a handfull of CDs to bring back to their friends. They even got me to autograph them. It felt really weird, but it always stood out as one of those moments.

4. Mr. Dressup or The Friendly Giant? (or neither because you're too young and have no idea who they are)

Mr. Dressup. I was at the CBC museum for the first time in Septemeber and saw the tickle trunk - mind-blowing.

5. Name a Canadian band (past or present) that should be bigger outside this country.

BA Johnston. I'd LOVE to see how his show would go over in other countries!

MP3:: The Mountain & The Trees - Up & Down
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/themountainsandthetrees

Look to the Right --->

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:31:00 +0000

You see that button over on the right? It's hooked up to our bank account in the Cayman's that we use to pay for our mountains of coke. But in all seriousness, we've been running this site for about 8 years, and for the most part we've been doing it for nada but the chance to talk about music we like.

In the last year we added some ads to the site but we have a few music projects we want to start that will need a bit more cash than the herohill account has... so we thought instead of shilling for bands we don't like or compromising the content we serve up, we thought we'd give readers a chance to throw a couple duckets into our cup so to speak. So if you've ever found a band or read a review and thought, "man, I'd rather thank the dudes at herohill and keep the site running than have a latte or two drafts at Gus' Pub", feel free to make with the clicky click.

MP3:: James Mercer - Harvest (Neil Young)

Video Hits:: Dan Mangan, Great Bloomers, Minto, Winter Gloves & Matt Epp

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Ok folks, it's Thursday, and so I'm going to skip the foreplay and get straight to the hot Canadian music video action. Well, not right to it, as it's in the hill's bylaws that we must give some preamble for even the simplest of posts.

I'm sure many of you have already seen the video we're leading off with today, but that's too bad, because if Snoop picked this guy up, he'd immediately drop him, because, you know, he's hot. I speak, of course, of friend of the hill Dan Mangan, who released the video for Robots this past week, and it's a lot of fun. So enjoy if you haven't seen it yet. The Great Bloomers are a hard working young outfit from Toronto whose last album Speak Of Trouble, is highly thought of around these parts, and their fall harvest-inspired video for This Ain't You is rather beautiful. Out west we head next for a heaping slice of fun with Minto, whose 80's instructional video-inspired clip for the infectiously rebellious Burnt Down Trainbridge Blues (Lawyers) should make you smile unless you are a very unhappy person. Why not keep the old school party vibe going with the 60's vibe of Winter Gloves's Party People? There is no reason not to, so we shall. We'll go in the complete opposite direction to wrap things up with Matt Epp's chilling video for the serious-as-a-heart-attack They Won't Find The Bodies. Watch that video once and you'll know you do not mess with Matt Epp. Enjoy!

Dan Mangan - Robots

MP3:: Dan Mangan - Robots (Live @ HPX 09)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/danmangan

Great Bloomers - This Ain't You

MP3:: Great Bloomers - The Young Ones Slept
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/greatbloomers

MINTO - Burnt Down Trainbridge Blues (Lawyers)

MP3:: Minto - Train Bridge Blues
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/mintominto

Winter Gloves - Party People

MP3:: Winter Gloves - Invisible (ease v Remix)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/wintergloves

Matt Epp - They Won't Find The Bodies

MP3:: Matt Epp - This Old House
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/mattepp