2009 Round-Up ft. Japandroids, Peaches, and Rae Spoon

As 2009 comes to a close one can't help but look over the past year and remember its most memorable moments. Best-of lists are abundant, especially considering we are exiting yet another decade, and while listening to CBC Radio 3 today, the topic of best live shows came up. As such, I thought I would feature the three best acts I had the chance to see this year. Unintentionally, they are all Canadian, and that is a realization puts a big smile on my face.

First up, Rae Spoon. I caught Rae's performance at the Solstice Cafe in Victoria, BC at the very beginning of the year. The tiny cafe was packed with people, and as I sat on top of a friend on the floor beside the bathroom, watching the praries-born singer songwriter through the legs of a chair in front of me, I swiftly fell in love. Rae sings songs inpired by his regard for the vast Canadian landscape, from the Yukon to the Great Lakes, in addition to ongoing issues of colonialism and his experiences as one of the few transgendered musicians to tour North America, Europe, and Australia.

His latest album Superioryouareinferior is available on iTunes and in your local Canadian record shop.

Here is one of my favorite Rae Spoon songs, "We become our own wolves." That evening at Solstice Rae had the whole audience howling like wolves at one point - one of those magical moments you won't soon forget.



Rae Spoon MySpace

The next show on my short list (I've decided right now to make it a top-three) is the one and only Peaches at the Commodore Ballroom just a couple weeks ago. Always a big fan of her music, and inspired by her uninhibited presentation of taboo topics, I had the chance to see her show in support of her latest album "I Feel Cream."

As expected it was awesome. There was crowd-surfing, (and walking - shortly after she announced that "Jesus walks on water, Peaches walks on you"), there were uncheesy costume changes, there were hilarious on stage antics, and by the end of the show there were few people with their shirts left on.

Below is a Peaches classic and one of my favorites. If you ever get a chance to see her live, jump!



Peaches MySpace

The final greatest gig of 2009 on my list would have to be Japandroids at the Biltmore just last week. I went to review it, and left with my mouth hanging wide open and one of the greatest live shows I have ever seen etched into my brain.

The east-Vancouver garage-rockers who have found a considerable amount of success as of late, with critical aclaim from media outlets such as Pitchfork and Rolling Stone magazine, had just returned from an extensive North American tour. Playing songs from their universally acclaimed album "Post-Nothing," the venue was packed and the atmosphere triumphant as Brian and Dave rocked out with every last ounce of energy they had. I would elaborate, but a review will be out shortly, and I will be sure to post it. Just know that this two-piece band has a lot of heart and a huge career ahead of them.

Japandroids // Heart Sweats from Ray Concepcioñ on Vimeo.

Japandroids MySpace

Rifflandia Day 3 & 4 and Matthew Good

It has been a busy month, and I have neglected this blog. Time for some catch up.

The final Rifflandia reviews have been up for a while. Day 3 & 4 included performances from Buck 65, Hey Rossetta!, Holy Fuck, Char2d2, Brendan Canning, Mother Mother and much more. Photos were taken by Aretha Munro. I also covered Matt Good at the Centre for Performing Arts a while ago, with photos by Will McClary. Check them out and the rest of Ronatron.net when you get a chance.

Rifflandia Day 3

Rifflandia Day 4

Matthew Good at the Centre

Aidan Knight

Back at the end of September when I was in Victoria for the Rifflandia Music Festival I had the great privilege of catching Victoria's Aidan Knight perform an opening set for Tegan and Sara. I will simply say that it was jaw-dropping. Some of the best songwriting I have heard in a while. Atmospheric, hopeful, sad, funny...no one should miss it.

That Old Pear Tree from Aidan Knight on Vimeo.

Aidan Knight MySpace

Rifflandia 2009 Reviews (Day 1 & 2)

Rifflandia Day 1 Review at Ronatron.net

Rifflandia Day 2 Review at Ronatron.net

Day 3 & 4 are on their way! All photos taken by Aretha Munro.

Fucked Up

The Polaris Music Prize (Canada's equivalent to the Mercury Prize in the UK) was handed out tonight and Toronto band Fucked Up took home the prize for their album "The Chemistry of Common Life," with vocalist Damian Abraham accepting the award and then proceeding to take his shirt off and then land a wet one on the presenter. I would expect nothing less.

On another note, I will be heading over to Victoria for the Rifflandia Music Festival this weekend

and if you're in the area I encourage you to check it out. The festival has a ridiculously amazing offering again this year and you can still pick up a wristband for the weekend...it's not too late! Highlights include Tegan and Sara, Beach House, K-Os, The Pink Mountaintops and much much more. Just head over to the Rifflandia website for the lineup, ticket info, and more.

Fucked Up MySpace

Fucked Up Website

Some country and some AC/DC

Now I will admit, that I used to be one of those people who would say "I like every type of music except country." Finally I have come to realize that this was a statement simply born out of ignorance. Lately I've been listening to a whole lotta country. And a whole lotta dirty southern blues. And it sounds oh so good.

This Sunday, September 13th, the Canadian Country Music Awards are taking place a GM Place here in Vancouver. I believe there are still tickets available through ticketmaster.

In the spirit of the CCMAs I thought I would post a favorite of mine from John Doe and Canada's very own Kathleen Edwards.

On a completely different and slightly self-indulgent note, I was very lucky to be sent to review the AC/DC show at BC Place last week. Below is a photo by Anil Sharma and a link my review. While you're at it don't hesitate to check out the rest of the Ronatron website and learn a lot about local music in Vancouver.

On Saturday, August 29th, the city of Vancouver was buzzing. As I stepped on to an unusually crowded sea bus I could feel a stinging energy in the air. That energy was energy that could only be caused by one thing, a true rock show. The famous Australian rockers that go by the name ofAC/DC were in town and this was something that could not go unnoticed....more

Black Cab Sessions

In an earlier post I spoke about La Blogotheque and how it is one of the best resources when trying to navigate the indie music scene throughout the globe. Another great resourse is the Black Cab Sessions. Exactly as it sounds, it started with the great people of BCS catching bands after performances, getting them to hop in a London black cab, and play a song for film. Now the video blog has a huge repetoire of big names, from Brian Wilson to Peter Bjorn and John, and has recieved a great deal of attention from both the public, the media, and musicians alike. I suggest you take a look for yourself. You'll be busy for days...

Black Cab Sessions

Here is the first ever session and one my personal favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7-e9DFQb6M

Noah and the Whale

I've been mildly obsessed with this band for some time. The UK-based new-folk group is well known for their musical collaborations with Laura Marling and are doing brilliantly in their home country. Here in North America, I'm not so sure...but I have this feeling that they're going to have a major breakthrough here soon. And if their forthcoming album is any indication, I have no doubt. The First Days of Spring is due out on August 31st and I will admit I have heard the album and it is flippin' brilliant. The lyrics and tone are fairly melancholy...to a point that its a bit spooky...but it has great effect. Definitely something I recommend listening to through your headphones...start to finish.

Below is the trailer, accompanied by their first single Blue Skies, to a short film the group made to accompany the album. I highly recommend checking it out and picking up their album on the 31st...you will not regret it.

Noah and the Whale MySpace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj7o45lmZWI

La Blogotheque

If you haven't heard of La Blogotheque, I suggest you check it out for yourself. Best known for their Take Away Shows (Concert a Emporter) filmed by Vincent Moon, where a band plays a song or two in different locations around Paris, the library is a gateway to the global indie music scene and if you do one thing today, I suggest it be visiting La Blogotheque. Below are a few of my favorite take away shows. You'll be hooked, I promise.

La Blogotheque

La Blogotheque youtube channel

#41 - Arcade Fire - Neon Bible & Wake Up
by lablogotheque

#95.1 Man Man - Warmup 1 - The Boombox
by lablogotheque

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Paloma Faith

So we have all noticed an influx of new soul artists coming out of the UK, with musicians like Amy Winehouse and Duffy finding global success and recognition. Paloma Faith is next in line. With creativity that reminds me of fellow UK musical acts Florence and the Machine and Bat for Lashes, Paloma Faith has a wicked voice and promising career ahead. Her debut album Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful will be released on September 28 and you can pre-order it here.

Paloma Faith MySpace

Paloma Faith - Live At Standon Calling Festival from rich on Vimeo.

Wild Beasts and Blue Roses

About 6 months ago I was introduced to Wild Beasts and I was immediately intrigued. I find it a real treat when I hear something I haven't heard before, and these guys definitely fall into that category. I would spend time describing, but better you just listen I think.

Free Download

Wild Beasts MySpace

A while back I fell upon a music video-blog of sorts call Welcome To Our TV Show where a bunch of friends,

including Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, and Emmy the Great convened in a living room and played some songs over

a series of episodes. From this I found Laura Groves. Her voice is enthralling. Blue Roses is her latest project and I

encourage you to take a listen.

Blue Roses MySpace

January 2008 (Laura Groves complete performance)

First Post - Said the Whale

Do you listen to your classical records any more?
Or do you let them sleep in their sleeves, where they be?
Do you suffer through those records that you turned around?
Or do you make them sleep in their sleeves where they weep?

I know tears

I had a line but I don't remember
I had a time but I don't remember
I had a line but I don't remember
anything

Department of Eagles - Classical Records

Yet another music blog. In all honesty, there can never be enough for me. And this one is born purely out of a need to release overflowing enthusiasm, excitement, obsession for music, new and old. If I can't introduce you to unfamiliar creations, at the very least I hope to re-kindle past flings.

Let the festivities begin!

___________________________________________

I can't even begin to stress the importance of local music. I currently write reviews for Ronatron Music Reviews and through this I have had the privilege of experiencing a lot of what the Vancouver and Victoria music scenes have to offer. In the spirit of supporting local music I will post one of my favorites from Vancouver's Said the Whale.

Formed in 2006 by Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft, the band is undoubtedly a gem of the Vancouver music scene. With storytelling lyrics that never fail to make me smile, Said the Whale is a diverse musical act that has a mighty future ahead of them.

Said the Whale MySpace