03.20.2010 Postdata / Julie Fader / Clinton St. John

I've always loved seeing a show at the Media Club. Even back when it was the Green Room, it always had that small intimate charm to it. Recently, the owners made the venue even better with a couple of improvements. The soundboard had been moved back to the to where the merch booth had once been and some of the tables were replace with... wooden blocks. Anyway, place is now a perfect spot to catch a couple of great singer song writers.

Clinton St. John opened the set. Apparently he's opened for Wintersleep in the past. He sung very well and didn't seem as rusty at performing as he made himself out to be. Almost remarkable was the fact that the audience was quite attentive and there was a distinct lack of talk, especially for an opening band.

Julie Fader filled in the middle slot of the show with her blend of acoustic guitar driven. She was accompanied by Jonathan Anderson, who I believe if I did my research correctly, also goes by the moniker, Jonathan Inc. He has a very nice Guild Starfire VI. In retrospect, I'm really starting to appreciate the fact that Canada has a lot of great female (and male for that matter) singer/songwriters. The best thing is that they're all a little different. Julie Fader included. I suppose the best way to describe her sound is very introspective with a hint of melancholy. Tim and Paul from Postdata even jumped in for a couple of her songs.



Postdata, who are essentially Tim and Paul from Wintersleep (Paul's brother is actually in the band instead of Tim, but couldn't tour due to school), closed the show to a much larger crowd than I expected. It'd be simple to say that Postdata is just Wintersleep acoustic, but it's really much more than that. The song writing is quite stripped down and the overall mood is much more personal and for lack of better word raw. They played most of the songs off of their self-titled album then filled the rest of the setlist with I suppose 'new songs', but who knows when they were written. "River run" was probably the most interesting of the new songs as it carried a sampled drum beat. Returning the favour, Julie Fader even added some backing vocals on a couple of songs. The show ended with Kristen Cudmore from local band Language Arts lending some vocals on "Warning". Actually it ended well before 10 pm.

03.19.2010 Immaculate Machine / Sun Wizard / A Pale Blue

Wasn't really a fan of the first band, A Pale Blue. Might have been a case of not digging their alt-country-ish sound. In fact for me it was very forgettable. Some people actually described the singer as Tom Petty-esque. Fans of the genre may disagree.

Sun Wizard, has a pretty cool name. When I was watching their set, I was reminded of that mid 90s band Soul Asylum. Crowd seemed to dig them. In fact, I do believe that a large portion of the crowd came out to see them. There was a couple in the front who made use of the empty stage lip area and really tore up the dance floor.

Tonights show was a little bit special because long time members Kathryn Calder and Luke Kozlowski would be performing after being on hiatus. Kathryn's been dealing with an ill family member while I believe Luke hasn't even been in the band for a while now. I figured if I was going to see an IM show, this might as well be it. The band started their a little over an hour set with "Only Love You For Your Car", from their new album. I knew my prayers for older songs would be answered when they followed up a few songs later with "C'mon Sea Legs" and then "Dear Confessor".. I've never seen the band before, but I'm sure most people will admit that the band is better with Kathryn and even Luke in the lineup. There were many old favourites played. The crowd ate up older songs like "Jarhand" and "There's No Such Thing as the Future". Luke's drumming was solid. I was pretty impressed by their other guitarist Jordan as well. Having seen the New Pornographers a few times, I was already a fan of Kathryn Calder's voice. It's really unfortunate she hasn't been able to play with the band recently. She has a really beautiful voice. Without trying to be insulting, it'd be hard to imagine seeing this band again without her. As teased in their twitter, they also threw in a cover of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac, which I noticed gets covered by a lot of Canadian bands. Highlight of the night was the main set closing "Neighbours Don't Mind," which had Brooke screaming at the end.

Interview: Parlour Steps (March 2010)

This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted via email with a bunch of Vancouver/Victoria/BC bands who played this year's SXSW (South By South West Festival in Austin). They were selected to play at SXSW by applying via their Sonicbids account. Her current video has her without her glasses. wow.



Please identify yourself(ves) for those reading, what you do in the band and who else plays in the band

Hi, there cyberlovers! This is Caleb from Vancouver band Parlour Steps. I'm the singer, along with Julie, Rees, Rob, and Alison.


Tell us a little about the history of the band

We started playing trippy soundscape experiments for new theatre pieces. From there we shortened the song lengths and found poplove.


How would you describe your sound

Lately we've been telling people to imagine Black Francis and Peggy Lee starting a band together backed by Motown's Funk Brothers.


Are there any emerging local bands that you really like?

We're huge Mother Mother fans. We also adore Dan Mangan, Language Arts, Portico... it is a really hot time for Vancouver music right now.


Any good SXSW stories?

We did an interview in a moving mobile internet truck, built with glass walls. We sang a few songs and spat out half-cut answers as we drove around twon, seat-belted in. People were hooting and hollaring as we drove by. Quite strange, really.


Where and what was the best thing you ate while there?

The tex-mex food was excellent. We dug Austin's thriving whole food/ organic/ local-sourced food revolution. We're also big fans of the American free-pour method of drink making. In Canada bartenders can be stingy with the drinks, so we're all about the "generous" nature of their American counterparts.


What's a song from the 80's that you really like?

We still listen frequently to Paul Simon's masterful Graceland album. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes is just one of the many off that amazing album.


What's the coolest thing you've ever bought?

Hard question in many ways. I'd say this little percussion shaker in the shape of an Avacado that our guitar player, Rees, bought. It's the best sounding shaker I know of, never found anything better, and it's been recorded on our albums countless times.


What are your near-future plans band-wise?

We're touring down the westcoast of the U.S. in June, then some local and regional shows through the summer. We've had a very busy fall and winter, so this summer we want to enjoy this beautiful part of the world we live in.


Thanks for doing the interview, you have the last word, say what you want to say

It is a supreme pleasure to be a part of this awesome Canadian music scene. This polite little country of ours is birthing some of the most exciting new music of this present moment. It is both exciting and humbling to be a small part of that. Thank you for listening.



http://www.parloursteps.com
www.myspace.com/parloursteps

Interview: Billy The Kid (March 2010)

Photo Credit: Tommy Au


This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted via email with a bunch of Vancouver/Victoria/BC bands who played this year's SXSW (South By South West Festival in Austin). They were selected to play at SXSW by applying via their Sonicbids account. Her current video has her without her glasses. wow.



Please identify yourself(ves) for those reading, what you do in the band and who else plays in the band

Me! That's it!!!


Tell us a little about the history of the band

My punk rock band started demanding things like food, and water, so I packed up in an '87 Volkswagon Golf and the rest is history!


How would you describe your sound

Boring. Really, reeeally boring. You should porbably avoid it at all costs...it's so boring that Garth Hudson from The Band fell asleep while we were recording together. True story!


Are there any emerging local bands that you really like?

A million! Check out Acres of Lions for sure.


Any good SXSW stories?

How 'bout that time I never even applied for SXSW cause I didn't think I would get accepted but now I'm playing 7 times?


Where and what was the best thing you ate while there?

The alcohol was delicious


What's a song from the 80's that you really like?

I LOVE Lovers In A Dangerous Time. I crank it whenever it is on.


What's the coolest thing you've ever bought?

money. I like to trade money for different looking money. It doesn't make a lot of sense but it happens in a different city every day I'm sure.


What are your near-future plans band-wise?

I have about 3 weeks to finish my record then I'm writing for some film and TV stuff then back out on the road!


Thanks for doing the interview, you have the last word, say what you want to say

If you hate major labels as much as I do you should probably go to my website and download a free track http://www.billythekidonline.com



http://www.billythekidonline.com
http://www.myspace.com/billythekid

Interview: Yukon Blonde (March 2010)

Photo Credit: Coreena Lewis


This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted via email with a bunch of Vancouver/Victoria/BC bands who played this year's SXSW (South By South West Festival in Austin). They were selected to play at SXSW by applying via their Sonicbids account. I wonder if they were backing JRF at that GLS show I went to...



Please identify yourself(ves) for those reading, what you do in the band and who else plays in the band

I'm Jeffrey Innes and I sing and play guitar and so does Brandon Scott. Graham Jones plays drums and sings, and we have a good friend with us right now named Andy Bishop from a band called Red Cedar playing bass and singing.


Tell us a little about the history of the band

We used to be called AlphaBaby. We played a lot of shows, cut very few records and held onto our silly name forever. We had been touring with Jon Rae Fletcher as his backup band as well as playing our own set and he constantly reminded of how bogus our name was. It because apparent when several agencies refused to check us out because of our name. We also had terrible luck on our last tour, (crashed our van, lost our homes, keyboardist quit etc.,) so we dropped everything, changed our name and moved.


How would you describe your sound

Very modern and new.


Are there any emerging local bands that you really like?

Hell yes. There's a band we've recently become friends with called the Orpheans and they are soo amazing. Red Cedar are our best friends and play with us once in awhile, Treelines Ladyhawk, Sun Wizard, Minto, Said The Whale, Hannah Georgas, Aidan Knight, Bend Sinister, We Are The City, Kingdom Cloud, Dan Mangan, Buffalo Swans, Black Mountain and company, and Sports are some of our friends bands we really like too.
Also, they sort of live in Van, but Rah Rah is one of the greatest bands ever.


Any good SXSW stories?

Well, so far on our first day, we all got pretty sunburnt and crazy dehydrated. Yesterday we started drinking and playing/ watching shows at 11 am and didn't stop until 1 am. We met The Besnard Lakes which is my favorite band right now and found out today that they're staying in the same hotel as us. I feel like a stalker sorta.


Where and what was the best thing you ate while there?

Homeslice pizza. I feel like i'm doing a pizza tour right now instead of touring the record. I've tried pizza in every town (including NY, Chicago and Boston), and the only pie that remotely compares to home pizza is that of Austin. Good work


What's a song from the 80's that you really like?

Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World". That's #1 right now.. but there's a million good songs from the 80's.


What's the coolest thing you've ever bought?

I think the "coolest" thing I ever bought was those Nike Airs in 96. I felt really lame in them, but they we're the coolest shoes at the time. I took them off once in the field at school to go run after girls and they got swiped. I've never gone out of my way to buy cool shit since. I had the exact same thing happen with my Macbook with all my music on it, except I loved it, and it wasn't a field but rather a coffee shop in Kelowna where I knew everyone. Asshole just got by us all...


What are your near-future plans band-wise?

Tour as much as possible. We have some new songs that we'll hopefully record by December, but until then it's the dusty trail.


Thanks for doing the interview, you have the last word, say what you want to say

I'd just like to say that with a list of bands as big as the one I listed, there could easily one or two close friends bands that I love but am forgetting. I'd like to apologize in advance for the unfair exclusion.

Thanks for the interview!



http://www.yukonblonde.com
http://www.myspace.com/yukonblondeband

Interview: Sex With Strangers (March 2010)

This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted via email with a bunch of Vancouver/Victoria bands who played this year's SXSW (South By South West Festival in Austin). They were selected to play at SXSW by applying via their Sonicbids account. Their official website isn't the usual bandname.com, I checked.



Please identify yourself(ves) for those reading, what you do in the band and who else plays in the band

My name is Hatch Benedict and I am the lead singer for the band, Sex With Strangers. Alongside me we have Magnus Magnum on bass, Wedge Beavers on Guitar, Bobbie Dunlop on vocals and Dallas Archangel on drums. We also have an iPod that goes everywhre with us...It's name is Jimothy.


Tell us a little about the history of the band

Magnus, Wedge and I have been playing music together, off and on, for nearly 15 years. We started out as a young crust-core, punk band in 1996 called Harvey Switched, then transformed into The Switch. We played and toured together until 2001 or so.

Magnus and I started going in more of an electronic direction in 2003, sporadically writing and recording songs with our prodcuer Mark Henning (Pure, Combine the Victorious). It took us a few years, but we finally put together some new material for an EP in 2006. We posted the stuff on MySpace under the name "Sex With Strangers" and things just rolled from there. The single "Dance Police" started to blow up online and the next thing you knew we were on our way. Wedge, Bobbie and Dallas joined the fold full-time and we've gone on to release two more full albums, "The Modern Seduction" and our new record "The Tokyo Steel".


How would you describe your sound

Robot-rock


Are there any emerging local bands that you really like?

Girlfriends & Boyfriends, Accost, Katastroyka come to mind...Very cool stuff happening in Vancouver right now!


Any good SXSW stories?

The fact that you can go an entire day and not pay for a drink is rather exciting. The whole scene down here is off-the-charts. Imagine the Olympics with way more interesting people and the smell of BBQ everywhere. It's the musical equivalent of Disneyland.

Seeing Cheap Trick getting interviewed up-close was strangely intoxicating as well.


Where and what was the best thing you ate while there?

The brisket at Stubb's. The single best piece of protein I will ever digest.


What's a song from the 80's that you really like?

"It Doesn't Really Matter" - Platinum Blonde


What's the coolest thing you've ever bought?

My first MircoKorg...It continues to be a hit-maker today.


What are your near-future plans band-wise?

One more round of brisket at Stubb's for starters. We're looking forward to the Canadian festival circuit this Summer, shooting a follow-up video to our single "New City Anthem", and then it's off to work on our next album...Which may or may not be about robots.


Thanks for doing the interview, you have the last word, say what you want to say

Bobbie's fond of the word "quagmier". Also, if you're in Vancouver, come check us out at The Shark Club on Saturday, March 27th with TV Heart Attack. I'm smuggling brisket back to share with everyone. Thanks!



http://www.myspace.com/sexwithstrangers