Herohill

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

Reviews:: The Wailin' Jennys Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:33:00 +0000

Traveling on the information superhighway, you are often forced to move at an autobahn worthy pace; hands gripping the wheel tight with eyes focused forward looking for potential pitfalls instead of enjoying the view. No matter how much you love a record, you need to find a new one for the next day or you have nothing to write about. Unfortunately, that means you almost never have the chance to reflect on what you see in the rear view or make a return trip to a town you wished you could have stayed in for a few extra days.

For me that town is Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a town I'd never even heard of before August (when I read about this record) and will most likely never actually visit, but that doesn't mean I can't feel the warmth of the refurbished and reconstructed Opera House that Winnipeg treasure The Wailin' Jennys seem to call their home away from home.

Anyone ever lucky enough to see The Wailin' Jennys live knows the experience is one you hold tight, especially when you are consumed by floating three-part harmonies, violin work and spirituals. Obviously, it's no surprise that a perfect recording of one of their shows would be so powerful but I forgot how fantastic the girls (and Jeremy Penner of course) sound. Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House was recorded in 2008 and for many fans, it was the first introduction to the newest member, Heather Masse. Unlike many live albums, it was also an introduction to a plethora of new songs.

The Jennys are one of those acts that appreciate the fact they get to sing for a living. You feel that joy on every track, along with a deep rooted respect for the artists whose songs they cover. Case in point, the wood block beat, hectic violin work and uplifting vocals they offer up on their take on the Lanois/Emmylou classic Deeper Well burns with an intensity that makes you think the band refuses to deliver anything less than their best effort while paying tribute to an artist that inspires them. The same can be said about Gershwin's Summertime, a track that's been covered to death, but sounds terrific when treated with respect by talented musicians.

But the Jennys are more than covers and revisits traditional spirituals. While their beautiful take on Jane Siberry's Calling All Angels or Gillian Welch's One More Dollar are amazing, the set sparkles with several original gems. The loneliness that you feel on the Masse penned Driving and the inspiration you grab from Moody's song for peace (One Voice) show that these talented females can and should be judged on their own merits.

The Wailin' Jennys rest on the more pop friendly, joy filled side of the Roots equation, but the talent they possess is really something. They remind us that life is worth living, and memories are worth saving. More importantly, they remind us that taking your foot off the gas is one of the best decisions you can make and the unexpected joy an unplanned stop can provide is one of life's best gifts.

MP3:: The Wailin' Jennys - Deeper Well
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thewailinjennys
WEB:: http://www.thewailinjennys.com/

Five Funky Stories:: Oh No Forest Fires

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

WHAT!?! The random question machine is back? Oh yes friend, HPX is over, but the random question machine is here to stay. It`s just too fun a feature to put away, and I could say the same thing about this episode with frenetic Torontonians Oh No Forest Fires.

As you might be aware, we did an assload of these 5FS posts in an attempt to preview as many of the bands & shows for last month's HPX, but unfortunately we got this one from ONFF just a little too late, and so we couldn't get it posted in time. But after meeting super-nice Rajiv during the festival, and reading the care and enthusiasm he put into his answers (I'm fairly certain he wrote more than any of the previous 5FS participants), there was no chance I wasn't going to post this. Plus, in preping this post, I found out that ONFF have their acoustic TARA session available for d\l on their myspace (here, specifically), so that's a bonus.

Oh, and ONFF are also pretty great. I can't think of a more exuberant band that I've seen recently, even their acoustic set feels incredibly high-energy. So check out a the Q&A, and then go listen to some Oh No Forest Fires.

Name: Rajiv Thavanathan
Band: Oh No Forest Fires
Web: www.myspace.com/ohnoforestfires

1. If we commissioned you to write a song about herohill, what would the title be?

Our Herohill tribute song would be called "How the Fine Arts of Procrastination and Bafflegab Hobble the People Who Will be Trying to Save You When Things Get Really Bad"

2. What is your favorite venue to play (excluding those in your city of residence)

Hmmm, we have had some great out-of-town experiences. I'd say probably Oscar's in Barrie, ON. One time we were in Sudbury and we got locked in in the parking lot after an all-ages show at the Adanac Ski Hill. That was pretty hilarious. Oh, wait you said "favourite". Hmm, maybe Cafe Dekcuf in Ottawa? Our good friend Matt from iheartmusic has had us up there a bunch of times, and those shows are always super fun!

3. What's your favorite thing to do to pass time on the road?

We have a few.

a) "The Movie Game" - the way we play it, you name an actor, then one by one everyone names a movie that he/she has been in. Some particularly awesome actors to use are Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Cruise. Longer careers = awesome. Brock is probably the best at this game, but Matt's can give him a really good run for his money. I am terrible at it.

b) "Sweatbox" - This is only really fun to play in the summer. You roll up all the windows, and turn the heat on bust. It gets REALLY hot, in fact once we actually kind of broke the heater in my car. Anyways. First person to roll down the window or take off a piece of clothing loses. The best part is, we're all so stubborn that people will try to rig up fancy loopholes instead of just losing- for example, last time Brock rigged up his hoodie so the arms hung down to the floor and he was breathing through that so he could get some "cool air". Pretty awesome.

c) "Hey Brock, would you ever..." - Pretty self-explanatory. Where the ellipsis is, you insert a really really lewd thing. Actually, sometimes it's not even that lewd, it's more about just seeing his reaction to it.

d) "Cartoon TV Theme Songs" - Matt has a folder in his ipod of just cartoon theme songs (sometimes we just do TV theme songs altogether, but the cartoon ones are the BEST) and he'll randomly put them on and whoever guesses the song first wins. This is an awesome game. I particularly love the string intro to Pinky and the Brain, and the bass octaves at the start of Ducktales.

4. Your preferred Neil: Diamond or Young?

Neil Young. Like, hands down. I do love Neil Diamond though. BUT IT'S NEIL YOUNG. I've waited for youuuu winterlong, you seem to be where I belooong, it's all illuuusion anywayyyy. <- That's my favourite Neil Young song.

5. You can ask any musician dead or alive one question, who do you ask?

Hmmmm there's a bunch of musicians that I always wished I could hang out with for a day because they seem so cool/crazy. Among them are Dave Grohl, Chad Van Gaalen, and Paul Westerberg. I think I would just like to meet John Darnielle from The Mountain Goats... I would walk up to him, stammer for a bit, then hug him warmly, hold him tight and ask "are you doing okay?". That's what I would ask.

MP3:: Oh No Forest Fires - It's Not Fun And Games Unless Someone Loses An Eye

MP3:: Oh No Forest Fires - 01 - Who Will Cut Our Hair When Our Hairdresser Is Gone (acoustic)

MP3:: Oh No Forest Fires - New Cove Road Back Home (acoustic)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/ohnoforestfires

Reviews:: A History Of Action In The North Atlantic

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:42:00 +0000

I was chatting with Noyes poster boy (and all around good guy) Chad Peck the other day and mentioned that the bulked up Noyes roster is quickly making the Truro-based label one of the most consistent the hill deals with. Tons of PR firms and smaller labels flood you with emails, promising the next big thing only to disappoint, but when it comes to Noyes and the PR people they work with, they let a simple email and the music speak for itself.

And man, does it speak volumes.

Case in point, the new record from A History Of. I hadn’t heard much from the band leading up to this release, but given their pedigree and the quality releases the Noyes has put out, lately I knew I’d be in to the record. If I was trying to blow you away with catchy phrases and hyperbole, I’d say something like “Action In The North Atlantic is full of riffs that are more angular than Tegan and Sara’s hair and more mathy than the extras from Saved By the Bell” but really, trying that hard cheapens the impact this record makes.

The 10-song, 35-minute tour-de-force assaults you with sing/shouted vocals, heavy drums and huge guitar. From the first notes of Action in the North Atlantic to the last swirling, distorted tone of Position Fixing & Dead Reckoning, the band plays with an intensity that is missing from far too many of today’s bands. The title track – which I can only assume takes it’s name from the WWII book (and Bogart flick) detailing the contributions of the merchant marines – starts with thundering drums and familiar guitars and you can just picture the band freaking out on stage.

The band members are so diverse, that the combination of sounds is pretty unique. Strike it from the Lexicon starts like a post-rock anthem before quickly switching gears and settling into a more DC sound. Munitions Ships is a perfect guitar freak out that builds tension and energy but the song transitions constantly over the 5-minutes, and each tempo change works nicely and sets you up for the spastic burst that is Low Level.

I could go track by track and point out the goodness – the bouncy bassline that contrasts the noise of National Tectonic or the head nodding riff that dominates Dagger Woods - but every song on this record is executed perfectly. Without sounding dated, A History Of reminds you why the angular sounds that dominated the DC scene years ago were so addictive and explosive. Action in the North Atlantic may be a historical tale a horrible time, but with the help of Noyes and bands like A History Of, it’s quickly becoming the mantra for the noise rock scene that is taking over Halifax.

MP3:: A History Of - Action in the North Atlantic

MP3:: A History Of - Low Level

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/ahistoryof
BUY:: Zunior

File Under Amazing:: Daniel, Fred & Julie

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Imagine a scenario where three of the best songwriters in the indie Canadian scene decide to make a record together. Not like a Monsters of Folk, but more haunting and pain filled like a Ghosts of Folk. Dan from Attack in Black showed up in New Brunswick, and presented Julie Doiron and Fred Squire (Calm Down It's Monday, Shotgun & Jaybird) an idea.

The premise is so simple, but so amazing. Lets sit in a garage and bang out some arrangements of classic folk tracks from the 40s, throw in some songs we write once the mood hits us and record it in a garage without any studio magic. Oh, and lets get it done in a couple of days. The record - aptly titled Daniel, Fred & Julie - is ~~probably~~ my favorite record of the year, but I won't get into it just yet. Daniel is working on a little piece explaining the song choices and I'd like his words be the first you read.

That being said, they decided to release the first single today so I can't NOT post it! Runner was written by Daniel but sounds like it was discovered on tattered old sheet music that fell behind the bookcase in an old farmhouse. The weight of the track fits the project perfectly and shows just how talented Daniel really is. Hearing a song about escaping and the need to move is captivating, but wow, when the harmonies kick in it's breathtaking. These aren't the flavor-du-jour harmonies (read - trying to be Fleet Fox-y), meticulously mixed for affect. No they are simple, and as honest as the admissions of a man knowing he's no good for no one.

This record is one that might fly under the radar, but for the lucky people that make the effort to pick it up, the rewards are unbelievable.

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

Quick Hitters:: The Zolas

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:18:00 +0000

A few days ago, Victoria’s Immaculate Machine rolled into town. Normally, the Mint records pop rockers are more than enough reason to get any music fan out on a Wednesday night, but this time they brought some friends along for the ride. Sadly, I had (a) never heard of The Zolas and (b) never bothered to figure out their deal even after someone asked me about them. (A) + (B) = me (C)-ted on my couch, which was a big mistake.

From all accounts, The Zolas are a rollicking two-piece from Vancouver, driven by banged out piano hooks and strong choruses, and more importantly (when it comes to regrets) they are fantastic live. As life would have it, two days after the show, I received a manila envelope stuffed to the brim with one sheets and a copy of The Zolas record, Tic Toc Tic. You might as well get Brother Pele and Sweet Zina to talk about elephants and acrobats my friends. How bizarre!

Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski can write a catchy track, but unlike other famous piano songsters, they never let the songs become sappy ballads or goofy, overly clever nerd anthems. Instead of poking fun at themselves, Zachary and Tom use a critical, darker side to shake free of that Folds-ian “aw shucks” and offer some depth to the listen. Tic Toc Tic finds the band stamping down on the gas on the first track, and rarely letting up.

You’re Too Cool is a scathing look at the Vancouver scene, but it’s cased by such an infectious melody that it’s hard to focus on Gray’s biting pen. The special thing about this song is how the band lets you take a quick breath exactly when you think they song will explode. Instead of a huge booming chorus, Gray drifts into a gentle, restrained falsetto before gunning it one more time. There are countless winners on this record. Body Ash is a quirky romp that fans Mother Mother will enjoy instantly. Cab Drivers surges forward as the band throws some layers over top of the banged out piano chords, but it’s the solo and backing vocals that finish the song that make the whole affair so fun.

The second half of the LP start with I’ve Got Leeches and finds the duo peering into the shadows, but I find the listen does lose some steam on the back side. These Days swirls about, but doesn’t deliver a punch and the horn laced ode to a fellow bus rider (You Better Watch Out) sets the tension but the falsetto filled chorus just doesn’t hook me but they find their stride for a strong finishing kick. The shout filled chorus of No Talking is infectious. The energy of the quick hitting three minutes is contagious, and you can’t help but sing along to the chorus before you even know the song and flows nicely into the rock solid sounds of Queen of Relax.

Considering I had never heard a note from the Vancouver duo a week ago, I’m surprised by how often I have gone back to the record in the last few days. The first few songs are the record morph and challenge you. Throw in some nice backing vocals from Hey Oceans! Ashleigh Ball and I think we have a winner… and they didn’t even have to throw in an ironic rap cover.

MP3:: The Zolas - You're Too Cool
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thezolas

herohill / music nova scotia artist of the month:: acres & acres

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:03:00 +0000

The release of the fantastic new record from Acres and Acres - All Nations (review) - has gone and come, sadly with little fanfare. Even with a coast to coast train tour, Kris Pope and David Scholten still fly under the radar in the city they call home. It's a shame, because the simple premise and recording style of All Nations resulted in a record that knocks you on your ass, but never hits you with a weight that is too much to handle.

Hopefully, the little bump a band gets from being dubbed the herohill / music nova scotia artist of the month will help them sell a few records and get some more bodies in the bars when they play (like they do this weekend in Yarmouth as part of Music Nova Scotia week). All Nations is one of the most honest, engaging roots records to come out of our province this year and one that should be getting much more love.

As a special treat, the band recorded some songs on their journey. The echoes of a Winnipeg train station really work for the band as they play a brand new song - You Never Know - and shows how when you take everything else away, their harmonies and melodies are what grab hold of you like a vice.

Acres & Acres - Money (live courtesy of SouthernSouls.ca)

ACRES AND ACRES - Money from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

MP3:: Acres and Acres - Polar Bear Song
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/acresandacres

Old School Mondays:: Grandmaster Flash Edition

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Unless you're like the Ack, and you boycott any video game that requires you to do anything more complicated than repeatedly mashing one button, you've likely heard of DJ Hero. DJ Hero is exactly what you'd think: a DJ-based take on the Guitar Hero or Rock Band music simulation games that have blown up in the last few years. It looks pretty cool, and I certainly want to try it, but one of the more impressive aspects of the game is the song list.

The makers of the game assembled a track list for the game that features nearly 100 mash-ups of pretty well-known songs, many done by DJ luminaries like Z-Trip, DJ Shadow, the late DJ AM, Jazzy Jeff and the immortal Grandmaster Flash, who also narrates the instructional portions of the game. Flash is an interesting character, he's kind of like hip hop's favorite wacky uncle, except this uncle also just happened to pioneer a DJ-ing technique that became requisite part of the music & culture. I don't know about you, but when I think of Flash, I inevitably think of one thing: The Message. Sublime in every way, the original conscious rap song doesn't actually feature Flash doing his cutting & mixing thing, but it is pure, uncut awesome, and I realized I'd never posted it before, and so the main point of this post is to right that wrong.

But I figured it made sense to post something that also shows flash doing his thing, and there's no better example of that then The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel, which is like five minutes of Flash doing his live "quick-mix" thing. And so you're getting that one too. But once I started listening to these old songs, I couldn't stop, and there's a couple more for you. The Genius Of Love-sampling It's Nasty has always been a favorite of mine, so it's here too. You can't really talk about Flash and the Five without mentioning their first single Superappin', and we've got that one too. To finish, we've got a boombox favorite, New York, New York, which has a classic chorus and much more guitar shredding than I remember.

I say this all the time, but it's really true this time: these are some classic songs. If you aren't familiar with Flash or The Furious Five, school yourself, if you are, just let the memories flow.

MP3:: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message

MP3:: Grandmaster Flash - The Aventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels of Steel

MP3:: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - It's Nasty

MP3:: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - Superappin'

MP3:: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - New York New York

Video:: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message

Video:: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - It's Nasty

Sunday Morning Coffee:: Bird & Bear

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:58:00 +0000

I'm not sure I could have found a better fall EP or a better candidate for the old Sunday Morning Coffee section than the debut from Bird & Bear. This Newfoundland folk duo is built on the crystal clear, traditional folk vocals and guitar work of Jillian Freeman and the drum/banjo/drum machine support of Jon Janes (aka - The Mountain and The Trees).

Bird & Bear are about to release their debut EP - Into the Moon - and the overwhelming sensation you get from the collection of folk songs is warmth. Jillian's voice carries over the strums, keep time drums and banjo picks like a smile that lights up the room. We already know about Jon's talent and unique voice, but he's quite happy to act as a supporting player, laying down drums, subtle loops, organ and some killer accordion (and the occasional banjo line) to bolster Jill's classically trained and perfectly delivered vocals.

Witho all the bands dipping into the classic folk sounds, relying on seamless harmonies and heartache, it's refreshing to hear how Bird & Bear channel classic folk sounds (Old Habits could be stripped from any of your favorite folk records from the last two decades), but use the organ (and every other instrument they can find) and energy to keep the effort sounding fresh. The punchy conclusion to I Won't Go swirls and surges, and floats into the ghostly tones of the accordion driven A Settling of Accounts - a track that lets Jillian show off how effortlessly she jumps into falsetto - but it's the closer that really shows the future of the band.

A Practical Imagination is a seven minute affair that mixes Jillians coffee shop, back porch vibe with a surprising drum machine back beat and barely audible electric guitar that moves in and out of the song nicely. More importantly, it ends the EP on a high that makes you want to listen again. All in all, perfect for a Sunday AM, so do yourself a favor and pick up the EP next week when it comes out.

MP3:: Bird & Bear - Old Habits
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/birdandbearband

Contest:: Win tix to The Wooden Sky in TO

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:50:00 +0000

The Wooden Sky have come out of nowhere to release one of the best roots records of the year. If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone (review) is a slow burner laced with emotion and bar ready sing-alongs. It's also a lock for my Best-of '09 list.

So what does that have to do with you? Well lucky reader, we have two tix to their hometown return show at Lee's Palace in TO on Nov. 13th, and honestly, it would be worth it to see just The Wooden Sky, but with Hooded Fang and Brian Borcherdt on the bill it makes it a can't miss show.

Here are the details:
Who: The Wooden Sky w/ Brian Borcherdt & Hooded Fang
When: November 13th, 8 pm
Where: Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W.

All we need from you is an email with your contact info or just leave a comment with the important info.

The Wooden Sky - A Documentary in Pieces - PART ONE (HD) from Black Box Vimeo on Vimeo.

MP3:: The Wooden Sky - Oh My God (It Still Means A Lot To Me)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thewoodensky

Friday Fun:: Lionelween

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Originally, I was planning to bring back the Friday Showstravagnza today, our weekly rundown of the best weekend shows happening in Halifax, which has been M.I.A. for a while. The was my plan, but instead I spent last night carving this Lionel Ritchie pumpkin:

I think you'll agree that my time was spent wisely. However, there's one show I want to mention: the immortal DJ Jazzy Jeff is coming to town to play something called Haliween '09 with the also (locally) immortal Skratch Bastid. I've always felt that it's somewhat of a cosmic injustice that Will Smith has become a global icon, while Jeff Townes (whose overall contribution to hip hop is likely greater than the other Mr. Smith's) remains a hard-working hip hop lifer who still likely has to scratch and claw to get the recognition he deserves. Because of this, I've always felt a need to mention Jazzy Jeff on the hill, which is exactly what I'm doing now. So if you're looking for a party on Halloween night, I'd check out this JJ/Skratch Basitd function.

So in recognition of Jeff's visit to our fine city, we have some of his better work for you to sample. Of course, being Halloween, we have the Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's horror movie spoof Nightmare On My Street up first. To follow that we have what is unanimously known as the hill's favorite JJ & FP song, Brand New Funk, which, like Nightmare, also appeared on 1988's He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper. Finally, to close, we have something from one of Jeff's albums, Break It Down was on Jeff's 2002 release The Magnificent, and features the excellent J. Live. Enjoy.

MP3:: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Nightmare On My Street

MP3:: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Brand New Funk

MP3:: DJ Jazzy Jeff - Break It Down f. J. Live

Not so fast friend, you thought I'd finish this off without posting the magnum opus of Lionel Ritchie's videos? Think again. Now reveal in the beatific images below:

VIDEO:: Lionel Ritchie - Hello

News:: Vote for Bend Sinister - Peak Performance Project

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:16:00 +0000

The amount of funding being awarded to the independent and small label bands in Canada is pretty impressive. You constantly hear about people like The Swiss (@polarismusicprize) or something like the Verge awards raising cash to help support the arts and in a time where the government is doing the exact opposite, it’s the very tiny silver lining in a very large dark cloud that constantly pours down on musicians.

For BC emerging artists – not exactly sure what that term implies, especially when one of the nominees has been grinding for 10 years – the Peak Performance Project is something that will literally make a band’s career. Twenty bands get hand picked for a week long knowledge session and the top three have the chance to split 275,000 dollars.

Basically, in a nutshell:

The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists. Every year, twenty finalists from BC will receive an intensive, one week training program in the music business, live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. Artists will benefit from mentorships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers. All of these artists will have the chance to perform live in Vancouver on the PEAK Performance Stage. Of these twenty artists, the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year and will share $275,000 in cash for career development. First place receives $150,000; second place receives $75,000; and third place receives $50,000.

Obviously any of the twenty finalists would benefit by cracking the top 3, but I’m pulling for one in particular. Kelowna bred and Vancouver based rock revivalists Bend Sinister take you on nostalgic trip to the 70s, but handle the whole trip with such taste and skill, you can’t help but fall for the sounds. A love of proggy builds, the drama of Queen, the swagger of a young, pre-Disney Elton, the feel good vibe of Boston, and the phrasing and influence of The Beatles all play a huge part in their sound, but every time I listen to their latest record – Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers – I can’t help but picture the boys snapping along before a throw down with the Sharks either.

They fuse that Broadway feel with muscular riffs and banged out piano lines, giving Dan Moxon the perfect support for big, dynamic sing-along ready choruses, but rarely fall in the trap of becoming too showy. Tracks like The News, Brother of Human Kind and the Benny and the Jets inspired Jimmy Brown have been on regular repeat for me lately, and thanks to these Vancouverites ( and the almighty Zeus), 70’s rock is primed to make a triumphant return and hopefully the showmanship the sounds require will be close behind.

Part of the prize is for creative marketing and publicity, and I think the idea of slapping together a free, 8-song get to you know you Greatest Hits for new fans is pretty stellar. All you need to do is head over to their revamped, blog heavy web site and sign up. If you like what you hear, vote for the band. For Bend Sinister, this chance that won’t come along again.

MP3:: Bend Sinister - Jimmy Brown

MP3:: Bend Sinister - Happiness is a Warm Gun

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/bendsinistervancouver
WEB:: http://bendsinisterband.com/

Quick Hitters:: Zoey Van Goey

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:25:00 +0000

This morning I was running on vapors. It’s hard enough to plug away on a keyboard when the music you want to gush about is creative and inspiring, but when the release pile hits the typical year end slump, sifting through the discs is almost like a punishment.

Thankfully, I remembered I still hadn't mentioned Glasgow outfit Zoey Van Goey or their debut full length, The Cage Was Unlocked All Along. The twee-popping trio is a collection of ex-pats (of Canadian, Irish and English descent) that like so many other bands, started by chance at college and the rest as they say, is theirstory.

It almost sounds too typical on the surface – three nerdy kids meeting randomly while looking for the film library on campus – but when you digest the sounds and realize the talent the band exudes, you know you have found something special. I mean, how often would Stuart Murdoch or Paul Savage get involved with a debut record (both worked on the production) or how often do you find a trio of musicians with no real “band” experience playing with some of the most exciting bands in Europe (Frightened Rabbit, God Help the Girl)?

But as much as the trio will be lumped with the people that turned knobs on the record or the musicians they associate with, their take on summery pop for the thick horn rimmed, literary types has a bite. Sure, the beautiful melodies float along warming the hearts of all that hear, but The Cage Was Unlocked All Along is full of random noises and instruments that add that extra depth a lot of twee outfits neglect. Xylophones, ramshackle percussion and banjo add depth to the tracks, but so do the quirky, dark subjects Moore sings about.

Whether it’s a poppy ditty about people afraid to go outside in case some bad happens that they can’t afford or holing up in the basement instead of facing robots that should have taken over the world when the ball dropped on the year 2000, the band consistently offers more than lovesick tales and melancholic reflections. Bottom line, there's a reason the band is already on every critics lips across the pond and the members are being asked to fill the gaps when bands hit the road... they are talented and write songs you can't shake from your head.

MP3:: Zoey Van Goey - We Don't Have That Kind of Bread
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/zoeyvangoey

Video Hits:: Tom Fun, Said The Whale, Octoberman, Little Girls, Classified

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:07:00 +0000

As we make our way through fall out here in Halifax, things are finally getting back to business, or rather posting, as usual. The Polaris is over, HPX is over, and so we're back to bringing you that sweet, sweet can-con, errrr, content. And because it's Thursday, that means one thing, Videos!

As you might imagine since we haven't run an episode of Video Hits in a while, we've got quite a backlog of them. So if you've sent us a vid in the last few weeks, our apologies, but perhaps send us a reminder and we'll try and get it up. So in the interest of backlog clearing, we've got a super-sized edition for you today. Five great videos on deck, so I'll do a quick intro and get out the way (Luda style).

The Tom Fun Orchestra's Bottom of the River somehow got nominated for a UK music video award, and that's pretty awesome, so I figured that deserved a posting. One great animtaed video deserves another, and so Said the Whale's vid for Camilo (The Magician) is up next. STW were one of the many buzz bands to play at the just-concluded HPX, another being Little Girls, and so their vid for Youth Tunes gets a posting. While on the subject of folks playing Halifax, Octoberman are playing Gus' Sunday night, so we've got their clip for Thirty Reasons here as well. I've said this before, but I've always enjoyed Classified's videos, and since he's got a new one for the awesome Can-rap all-star track Quit While You're Ahead, I had to put that up too. Enjoy!

Tom Fun Orchestra - Bottom of the River

MP3:: Tom Fun Orchestra - Watchmaker
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/tomfunorchestra

Said the Whale - Camilo (The Magician)

MP3:: Said The Whale - The Magician (Camilo)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/saidthewhale

Little Girls - Youth Tunes

MP3:: Little Girls - Concepts
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/littlelittlegirls

Octoberman - Thirty Reasons

MP3:: Octoberman - Thirty Reasons
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/octoberman

Classified - Quit While You're Ahead

MP3:: Classified - Up All Night
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/hiphopclassified

Reviews:: OK Cobra - Delirium Tremens

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:30:00 +0000

OK Cobra is a name I'd heard for some years in Canadian hip hop circles, but I must confess that until now I don't think I'd actually heard their music. I was more familiar with the duo because of the presence of frontman Fritz The Cat (aka Ryan Somers), and his near-mythical status in Canadian underground hip hop due to his role as the publisher of the infamous hip hop 'zine In Search Of...Divine Styler.

But this is OK Cobra we're talking about: a duo consisting of producer Recordface and the aforementioned MC Fritz The Cat. Delirium Tremens is their new album - a follow up to their critically acclaimed self-titled effort from 2006. And I'm pleased to report that Delirium Tremens is every bit as great as the pedigree of its creators had me anticipating it would be. It's a mature, very well executed hip hop album that not only re-enforces why so many of us are still very much in love with hip hop, but it also serves as a rebuttal of the strongest order for those who continue to trot out tired hip hop cliches about ho's & guns in a lame gambit to have some cheap laughs at the expense of a truly amazing culture.

I have no idea how old Ryan Somers is, but based on his affection for a golden age icon like Divine Styler, I'd have to guess he's in the same ballpark as myself. Although I like to think that still makes us relatively young men, Somers has clearly done & seen a lot in his time. Wisely he pours these experiences into the songs on Delirium Tremens, and that leaves the listener with a number of interesting narratives (autobiographical and fictional) on a wide-array of subjects. The album opens with Woodwork a pretty honest evaluation of Somers' "day job" as a bartender, and there are other introspective songs on the album, like the writers block-themed Promise, and the tremendously enjoyable Edie Brickell-based I Quit (I Gave Up). These songs might be personal in nature, but I think they cover themes that a lot of people can relate to.

But it doesn't end there, as there's also a painful breakup song (How You Doing?), a song about a nocturnal arsonist (The City Sleeps), some classic bravado-laced battle rap (100,00), and even a solid posse cut (Five Finger Discount). These songs are varied in subject matter and sound, but there's a consistent feel throughout the album, and a lot of credit for that must go to Mr. Recordface. I know nothing about him, but I like the sound of this record a lot. The intro, with its boom bap & scratches shows that Recordface knows from classic hip hop, but he's also un-afraid to experiment - things like the acoustic guitar added to Woodwork, the spacey electro of Camel Clutch, or the dubby feel to the seven minute plus epic The Schwinn Bike show this off.

There are other things I enjoy that deserve a mention: the contrast of the imposing electro sounds on the verses of How You Doing? juxtaposed with the mellow tone of the chorus (which also has a very familiar bassline that I can't quite place). There's also a perfect posse cut beat on Five Finger Discount, aurally interesting, but not overpowering so as to let the MC's take centre stage (also sounds like it uses a didgeridoo for the bassline which, if true, is very awesome). As I mentioned already, I Quit (I Gave Up) appears to be built around Circle from Edie Brickell, which makes it my second favorite Brickell-based hip hop song (rather impressive when you consider what's number one). The simplicity of Beautiful, both its addictive guitar riff and Somers' world-weary, almost Buck65-like flow makes it a favorite (the chorus here also seems vaguely Brickell-related as well).

So then, with all that said, how about we welcome OK Cobra back to the Canadian hip hop fold by giving Delirium Tremens a listen? If you like well-made, thoughtful hip hop, I doubt you'll regret it.

MP3:: OK Cobra - I Quit (I Gave Up)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/okcobra

VIDEO:: OK Cobra - I Quit (I Give Up)

Concerts:: Sunparlour Players, Octoberman, Empire Lights & The Schomberg Fair

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Has any music loving Haligonian actually recovered from another amazing HPX? '09 brought in an embarrassment of National and International talent but the rocking just doesn't stop here in Canada's ocean playground. In the next 10 days, we have some absolutely stellar acts playing shows and the hill wouldn't be doing it's duty if we didn't talk about the bands still willing to make the extra 12-hour trek from Montreal.

The Sunparlour Players are probably one of the best live acts in Canada. That statement is said so often, it's hard to disagree even if it's something that can't be measured (kind of like Hines Ward being the best blocking WR in football). Andrew and the boys are making their first visit since releasing Wave North (review).

Their new record showed incredible growth, but at the end of the day every time the band hits the stage, they absolutely tear it up so Thursday night @ The Company House is fixing to be a rowdy, smile filled evening. Plus, the are bringing some of their homemade jams/mustards for us to purchase, so really, how can you ask for anything more?

Still not sold? Well, take a look at the little tour video the band put together to show how excited they are about being back on the road. How often do you see three dudes sprinting in suits outside of anything matrix related? Never.

MP3:: The Sunparlour Players - Build It Up
MYSPACE:: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=48494366

Sunday night at Gus' showcases another stellar lineup, that includes White Whale records Octoberman and his tour mates Empire Lights. What do these guys have in common? Well, how about a shared member - Tavo fronts Empire Lights and plays in Octoberman. Very Kevin Bacon that is.

Octoberman - aka Marc Morrissette - has been putting out quality records for years, slowly evolving his sound from solo acoustic travel songs to that of a band comfortable with each others skills and preferred sounds. Their latest record - Fortresses (review) - surprised me, but rather than duplicate the review, I'll just quote Frank and say they sound like "Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous fronting a welterweight Crazy Horse."

Empire Lights is new to me and according to Tavo they are just about to get in the studio to record some new material and I know they have a solid cover of The Marquee and the Moon on the new Gooseberry Sloan tribute record, so that's enough to get me to show up early.

MP3:: Octoberman - Thirty Reasons

MP3:: Empire Lights - The Marquee and the Moon
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/octoberman
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/empirelights

photo courtesy of petenema.com

And finally... How about a nice ticket/cd giveaway from a gospel/punk band sure to turn Saturday, November 7th into one to remember. The Schomberg Fair are a three piece speed trio from TO that have been making a big splash with their new record, Gospel (review).

The boys are going to be setting up shop @ Gus' Pub and honestly, they will burn the stage down. Energy, sweat and good times are as guaranteed as cheap people drinking the two-dollar draft and crazy old people playing the lotto machines.

And we want you to be there. We have two guest list spots and a copy of Gospel (that you can pick up at the show) to giveaway, and all you have to do is email us (herohill AT gmail DOT COM) your contact info or leave a comment below. It's that easy, and so worth it.

MP3:: The The Schomberg Fair - Angels Wings
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/theschombergfair

Quick Hitters:: The Slew

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Like any comparable music blog read by tens of people per day, we get a lot of email these days. The simple fact is we're only two fairly disorganized guys, we can't get to it all. And, speaking for myself now, sometimes I read something that looks interesting, but I don't have time to get into the details of it, and I make a (mental) note to go back and check it out later. You can imagine how often that mental note is followed up on.

But sometimes I do, and quite often I'm rewarded for it. The Slew is one such example. Comprised of Montreal DJ extraordinaire Kid Koala, Dylan J. Frombach (aka Dynomite D) as well as Chris Ross and Myles Heskett who are the former rhythm section of Wolfmother, The Slew is a dirty, funky, gritty combo of old school rock & roll and turntablism. Apparently the project was started by Koala and Frombach as a potential soundtrack for a documentary, and they had enlisted mythical Beasties producer Mario C to mix the record for them. Unfortunately, the film was scrapped, but the project had gained too much momentum to abandon, and so they plowed forward.

I have to say, I'm mighty glad they did. In theory, if you handed me this record and said "dude, this is a bluesy, psych-rock record that uses multiple turntables to mix & cut in guitars and vocal samples!", I would have said, "ah, riiight", and added it to the pile of terror on my desk. But man, in reality, this thing is pretty deadly. I've listened to it a lot in the last week or so, and I continue to be impressed by how well put-together it is. The cuts and the riffs just seem to be made for each other.

The addition of Ross and Heskett for the live version of the record is likely just as impressive (Koala and Frombach also rock six turntables between them, which is awesome), and check out the video below, as it looks like they also deploy some kind of strap-on turntable as well - and if you don't think that is hella cool, well we aren't cyber-homies anymore. Apparently the album is going to get a full release on Ninja Tune very shortly, but until Nov. 1st, you can still download the whole thing for free.99 at Koala's site. So, you know, go do that.

MP3:: The Slew - It's All Over

MP3:: The Slew - You Turn Me Cold
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/theslew

VIDEO:: The Slew - It's All Over

Quick Hitters:: Prairie Cat

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:23:00 +0000

If I simply mentioned a creative pop artist from BC that loved the triumphant sounds of rhodes piano, drums, vibes, glockenspiel, hand claps, guitar, bongos and bass, would you be interested? I think we both know the answer to that and I guess that's why I’m always a little surprised that more people don’t sing the praises of Cary Pratt – aka Prairie Cat. His Fuzzy Logic/Catbird (the hand painted jewel cases were top shelf) debut, got lost in the ether that is the music blog world, and to quote the great poet Monie Love, “it’s a shame.”

Hopefully, things change this time around.

Pratt is getting ready to release his follow up (update, I just found out it's pushed until January) and It Began/Ended With Sparks sounds like a tighter version of the pop filled goodness he offered up last time around. He still mixes piano and organ with horns, strings, driving drums and subtle textures, but I think the songs heartbeat comes from his quirky personality and the energy he infuses.

From the first vocals he throws over the piano intro on the opening number Just Cuz (that people might remember from the last effort), Pratt shows his charisma. The terrific booming horns and drums help the track grow, but his slightly skewed vocals control the pace and size of the song and own your ears. Pratt has all the skill of some of the more flamboyant piano men we all love; he just eschews their obsession with drama and theatre (although, We Tried shows he could easily settle into a more standard style).

It’s incredibly easy to settle into Given Up as it builds a warming collage of sounds - making it more tender than you could expect from an indie pop track with booming choruses - but for me, Prairie Cat really finds its niche on (the more organic) Cansecos-like numbers like Never Right and It Began/Ended With Sparks. The mix of synths and fuzz jump start the listen, and give the record a more modern feel but to be fair, Pratt constantly transitions the tone and mood of the record constantly. The swagger of Sun Away gives way to a more Latin feel on Sun Away, but both sides of the coin contrast the sunny disposition he offers up on Get Off, the spacey feel of Meanest Genius or the programmed rhythms of Won’t Change.

There’s not a bad track on this record, every one is instantly accessible and enjoyable, but the subtle layers really make you want to sit down alone with your headphones on, mining the tracks for hidden treasures. Do yourself a favor and take a chance on this artist. You won't be disappointed.

MP3:: Prairie Cat - Never Right
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/prairiecat
LABEL:: http://www.fuzzylogicrecordings.com/prairiecat.html

HPX 09:: The Aftermath

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Well friends, HPX 09 came to an end, and due to our downright busy-ness, we could do the kind of day-by-day recaps we might have liked, but we did capture some of our classic grainy pics (now with 30% more grain, thanks iPhone!) and poorly recorded bootlegs, and so we wanted to share them.

The Ack called it prefectly this AM, as my brain is also "happily existing as musical oatmeal right now", and so there shant be a ton of verbiage here, just some sweet bullets and then the pics and songs. So, some brief HPX 09 highlights from the hill:

- As previously discussed, the herohill showcase was stellar from top to bottom, so thanks to the kind folks at HPX for having us back again

- Yukon Blonde were great: fun, polished set - they seem like they've been playing together for decades

- Dan Mangan's set was way too much fun. Arriving in town after battling the flu all week, the only thing warmer than Dan's temperature was the reception given to him by a packed Company House.

- Cadence Weapon joining Think About Life onstage for a communal version of Sweet Sixteen was pretty crazy, people were pretty hyped.

- Speaking of CW, he and his DJ and easily the most animated MC-DJ combo I've seen in a while - dude was leaving the turntables and busting out some k-razy dance-moves.

- We figured Timber Timbre in St. Matthew's church would be good, but his set, which was equal parts spooky and stirring, exceeded our expectations.

- Here's a hot tip: Oh No Forest Fires are fast & fun live. Oh, and Rajiv is a super-nice fella - but many of you already know this.

- Another nice fella? Ricardo from Old Folks Home who made hill history by asking to get a pic with us (first artist to do so, we were flattered)

- Best dance moves we saw? Perhaps Josh from Little Girls.

- ZEUS, the almighty ZEUS. Nuff said.

UPDATES FROM ACK:
- every band we saw was terrific, but the fest in general had some killer moments (ie - Jenn Grant acting out Ghostbusters????) so hats off to the organizers/bands/volunteers.

- kudos to Dan Mangan for playing "his hardest song" specifically for my wife. We were both happy you did that.

- Zeus. Honestly, not sure there is a better band in Canada right now. They are that good (plus they tear up that Genesis cover).

- The Got to Get Got + energy - burnt hair = a set that won over tons of people

MP3:: Dan Mangan - Sold (Live @ HPX 09)

MP3:: Dan Mangan - Robots (Live @ HPX 09)

MP3:: Timber Timbre - Demon Host (Live @ HPX 09)

MP3:: Yukon Blonde - Wind Blows (Live @ HPX 09)

MP3:: You Say Party! We Say Die! - Lonely's Lunch (Live @ HPX 09)

MP3:: You Say Party! We Say Die! - She's Spoken For (Live @ HPX 09)

Quick Hitters:: Paperweight Snails of April

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:02:00 +0000

After a crushing weekend of amazing Canadian talent – I mean, Dan Mangan, Bruce Peninsula, Timber Timbre, Zeus, YSPWSD, Little Girls, TGTGG, York Redoubt, Cadence Weapon, Think About Life, Yukon Blond, ONFF are just some of the bands WE saw – my brain is happily existing as musical oatmeal right now. I’d say that has to be a sign that HPX09 was off the chain/hook/charts.

Not surprisingly, my neurons aren't firing and the synapses aren't connecting today, which works out perfectly since the lovely dudes from Paperweight write the type of melodic indie rock that you just know is good without having to listen to every subtle texture or clever lyric. No, these Belgium lads seem to know that a terrific melody mixed with a bit of drone and weight is enough to clear your mind and liberate your mind from the daily grind.

Their new record, Snails of April, isn’t pushing any musical boundaries, but that's more than ok with me. Sometimes you just want to hear a record that stays in the pocket and find a band that knows their strengths and plays to them. Blissful melancholy. Shimmering guitar work. Nostalgic, love struck vocals. I could go on and on about any of these, trying to force a connection to hook you but honestly, the band does that on each and every track on the record. They throw in more than their fair share of summery riffs (Failure, the infectious Amy Knows or Summer Ends) perk your mood, but even when Paperweight hits their saddest notes (like Scared or Alone), I think the Belgium lads are smiling and secretly know it’s going to work out alright.

Paperweight - You & I

MP3:: Paperweight - Amy Knows
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/mypaperweight
WEB:: http://www.paperweight.be/

HPX'09:: Arts, Crafts, Paperbags and Six-shooters

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Tonight is the last night of HPX'09, and I dare say it will be tough to top the bliss that perculated around The Company House last night. For a record only a few months old, fans were eager beaver to sing, dance and scream along to Vancouver's newest star, Dan Mangan.

That being said, tonight the hill is going all out, as personal faves Timber Timbre, Jenn Grant, Little Girls, Zeus, YSP!WSD and the god damn Japandroids all play. Throw in the fact that Snailhouse, The Great Bloomers, The Sleepless Nights, Dog Day, and Attack in Black are playing too, and well, you get the idea.

The hill will be settling in at the Paragon after the two sets at St. Mathews Church so if you are in the building, tweet us and say hi. In the meantime, here's some videos of the bands we are seeing tonight.

Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire

Little Girls - Youth Tunes

Little Girls "Youth Tunes" from the album "Concepts" from Paper Bag Records on Vimeo.

You Say Party We Say Die - Monster

You Say Party! We Say Die! 'Monster' from the album 'Lose All Time' from Paper Bag Records on Vimeo.

Timber Timbre - Demon Host