Heart Attack Club

Monday Re up #13: Owen Pallet Fantasy Edition

2008-11-10T18:50:00.005-05:00

The weekend in this city can be best described by two songs. LCD Soundsystem's New York I love you but you're bringing me down and This is the dream of wine and regine by Final Fantasy.

First of all, Montreal I love you, but you're freaking me out.

and,

Montreal might eat it's young but Montreal won't bring us down.

Final Fantasy - This Lamb Sells Condos (zshare)

Final Fantasy - This is the Dream of Wine and Regine (zshare)

Felix Da Housecat is Ready 2 Wear

2008-11-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

So this cat just played at Club Opera on Sunday. Unfortunately Opera is one of those venues I refuse to go to even if they're featuring an act I really like. Felix Da Housecat is one such act. Anyways, let's hope he plays the SAT or something next time like he did last year. In the meantime, Ready 2 Wear is one my favourites.

Felix Da Housecat - Ready 2 Wear (zshare)

Kanye West Features Kid Cudi? Yes He Can.

2008-11-05T13:52:00.004-05:00

We feature Kid Cudi on his stop in Montreal and a month later Kanye West leaks a song from 808's and Heartbreak featuring Kid Cudi? The only reasonable conclusion I can reach is...Kanye West reads this blog. Cheers K-West.

Aren't you glad you read this blog and were ahead on the Kid Cudi vibe? We kind of liked Kid Cudi when he was a poorly kept Fool's Gold secret, but we're happy that Kanye is taking him for a ride into the mainstream. He's earned it. Anyways, here's the track called Anyway.

Kanye West - Anyway [Feat. Kid Cudi] (zshare)

Monday Re up #12: Japanese Psuedo Celebrity Edition

2008-11-03T11:10:00.002-05:00

Hate all you want on the man, Steve Aoki knows how to throw a party. That seems to be where most people have settled over the ongoing debate over his legitimacy. Throughout ridiculous tales of stolen laptops and hotel parties, it's pretty easy to dismiss Steve as vapid celebrity. This publication, will officially stand behind Aoki in an effort not to take ourselves too seriously. I think Steve understands that. Anyways, here's a remix of control by Metro Station he did not too long ago. Show up. Dance. Don't hate.

HGHLY TGGBL Presents
Steve Aoki
Duvall
8$ before midnight
2$ vodka drinks b4 midnight

Metro Station - Control [Steve Aoki Remix] (zshare)

Biz Markie Is Just a Friend

2008-10-28T12:40:00.003-04:00

I dug through some older tidbits from my collection and found this classic Biz Markie track that is some of you probably love but don't have. Enjoy the artifact kids.

Biz Markie - Just a Friend (zshare)

Monday Re up #11: The Art of Storytelling

2008-10-27T10:20:00.004-04:00

DavidChoe

This week I spent a lot of time at work digging through streaming mixtapes for something fresh. I ended up on the Mad Decent blog listening to The Heatwave on Kiss and instead I found some older Outkast track that seems to be very under hyped and under appreciated. Don't worry I also have something new, but sorry nothing blue. Of course, its a Kanye West track. He doesn't seem to be able to resist leaking a new song every week. Here is a very 80's very auto tuned Robocop. The track listing for 808's and Heartbreak is also out.

1. “Welcome to Heartbreak”
2. “Heartless” - 3:30
3. “Love Lockdown” - 4:31
4. “Robocop” - 3:53
5. “Anyway”
6. “Streetlights”
7. “Say You Will”
8. “Real Bad News”
9. “Amazing” (featuring Young Jeezy)
10. “Tell Everybody That You Know” (featuring Lil Wayne)
11. “Coldest Winter” - 2:48

Outkast - The Art of Storytelling Pt 4 (zshare)

Kanye West- Robocop (zshare) via EastofLA

Firekites save the day

2008-10-24T10:44:00.003-04:00

You might call me a wet blanket for posting some acoustic songs on Friday. You might even call me an asshole. I bet though that once you've heard the
Firekites you might reconsider your harsh words, shake my hand and buy me a beer.

Firekites - Same Suburb Different Park (zshare)

Firekites - Autumn Story (zshare)

Royal Rumble @ Coda Club this Friday

2008-10-21T10:20:00.001-04:00

So, I have two mid-terms today. Just listen to this, the latest from L.A.'s Royal Rumble. They're hitting Coda Club this Friday, again from our friends HGHLY TGGBLE. Here's the event on the book.

CODA CLUB
4119 St Lo
Royal Rumble +132 BPM & La Débauche (Knightriders)+ Duvall
5$
10:30pm

Royal Rumble - Teenagers in Tokyo Rmx (zshare)

Monday Re up #10: 100th post extravaganza

2008-10-20T10:15:00.007-04:00

This week's Monday Re up marks the 100th post in this blog's history and as a result ya'll are being treated to an extra large portion of songs to keep your toes tapping and fingers snapping throughout the week.

First of I came across this Lykke Li video of her performing Dance Dance Dance with none other than Bon Iver. Watch her shake her accessories about and flail around in the most memorizing of ways. The footage is shot in a kind of purposefully erratic way which for whatever reason ends up working wonderfully.

Also this week we've got the best Love Lockdown remix of the hundreds that surfaced from Kanye's stem experiment and an old (but great) kick push remix that I've been listening to lately. Enjoy the week.

Kanye West vs. Radiohead - Reckoner Lockdown [DJ Earworm Remix] (zshare)

Lykke Li - Breaking it up (zshare)

Lupe Fiasco - Kick Push [Estaw Remix] (zshare)

Kanye Calls Us Heartless

2008-10-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

I haven't addressed this Kanye West situation yet. Mostly due to the astonishing proliferation of Love Lockdown and in part because I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I'm still not sure, but this new single from the upcoming 808's and Heartbreak has gotten me a little more comfortable with this auto tune direction Kanye seems to be heading down. It seems to me the meticulous workings of a man with a plan. He seems set on diversifying out of the straight hip hop genre, and so far it's working. I guess?

Kanye West - Heartless (zshare)

Flosstradamus This Friday... getchasome

2008-10-15T10:47:00.002-04:00

This friday Coda Club is hosting an old Chi town favourite for ya'll. Flosstradamus hasn't been around our city since the last time they played Coda. One of the select few acts that have kept me at a bar until closing. They know how to throw a party, so don't miss it. It's being hosted by HGHLY TGGBL and here's the event on the book. For those of you who - gasp - don't plan your social life that way,

Friday Oct 18
Coda Club 4119 st lo
Flosstradamus
Duval
8$ before midnight more after

Bloc Party - Mercury [Flosstradamus Remix] (zshare)

Monday Re up #9: Unplugged

2008-10-14T09:15:00.000-04:00

Like good Canadian pilgrims, we've deferred the monday re-up till tuesday this week. Give thanks we didn't skip it all together, okay? This week I'm bringing to attention some old favourites, being my two favourite tracks from Jay-Z's 2001 Unplugged album.

If this is news to you don't feel too bad. Your now the well informed individual you thought you were. Just keep reading.

Jay Z - Heart of the City [unplugged] (zshare)

Jay-Z - Girls, Girls, Girls [unplugged] (zshare)

More New Lupe Fiasco

2008-10-02T12:02:00.003-04:00

Starving you of my commentary today. Too many deadlines. Enjoy!

Lupe Fiasco - Superstar [Feat. Young Jeezy & T.I.] (mp3) (zshare)

Hot Chip Keeps Me Company

2008-09-30T12:52:00.005-04:00

At the last minute, my super friends at Snap! Magazine have bestowed upon me a free ticket to the Hot Chip show tomorrow night. As the Pop Montreal festivities kick off, I'll be right in the thick of things. There's only one problem... No one seems to be going!

Literally no one I know is going and I realize the world may not revolve around me, but the facebook group, which is usually a okay, albeit lame barometer for event attendance, is literally barren. Anyways, I'm going regardless of whether I have anyone to go with. That's the sad story of my life folks.

Hot Chip - Sexual Healing [Marvin Gaye Cover] (mp3) (zshare)

Monday Re up #8 Kid Cudi Edition

2008-09-29T11:05:00.005-04:00

Last Friday at Coda club, the peer pressure weekly featured some very real Hip Hop through the performances of Hollywood Holt and Kid Cudi. Ever since Kid Cudi dropped Day 'N' Nite which we featured in the very first edition of Monday Re up, we've been following his tracks with utmost attention.

Kid Cudi's set was in a few words a hip hop extravaganza. In a few more words, I've admittedly not been to as many hip hop shows as I'd like to say I have, but that's mostly due to Montreal's general lack of Hip Hop shows. On that note, I don't have anything to complain about in the coming weeks as Common and N.E.R.D. are actually here in a few days at Metropolis.

I'm trying to build up the courage to spend 42.50$ plus taxes to go see them, but haven't quite made it yet. Let alone convince some other poor soul to come with me.

The interaction with the audience really set Kid Cudi apart from the other acts I've seen. I was especially pleased when he did a freestyle over flashing lights and spit a line dissing the girls in the front ie the drunk bitches dancing near the stage trying to get even a foot on the stage to be a little closer to pseudo fame. Agreed, Mr Cudi.

See below a meticulously compiled list of tracks designed to both mock the people who missed the show and appease those who did. Included is Maui Wowie, one of the most fun live songs in his set and his take on our own A Trak's Mastered originally featuring Lupe Fiasco I believe.

Kid Cudi - Maui Wowie (mp3) (zshare)

Kid Cudi - Love Stoned Freestyle (mp3) (zshare)

A Trak - Mastered [ft. Kid Cudi] (mp3) (zshare)

The Remixes: Vol I

2008-09-26T12:30:00.003-04:00

So I'm going to try something new today and y'all can tell me what you think however you like. This is it folks, when the Club gives back to you, the loyal reader.

In one corner (above) we have the great, The Notorious B.I.G.

In the other (below) we have indie pop couple Mates of State.

We married the earnest track Juicy to the instrumentals of You Are Free, this was the result of both the shotgun wedding and the honeymoon.

HeartAttackClub - Juicy Free [Notorious B.I.G. vs Mates of State Heart Attack Remix] (mp3) (zshare)

The Dodos @ Sala Rosa Montreal Oct 4. 2008

2008-09-25T18:38:00.003-04:00

The madness otherwise known as Pop Montreal kicks off next wednesday and is largely the reason why the upcoming events section is so huge these days. The Dodos are playing that saturday at Sala Rossa and as much as I wanted to go, I'm opting to go see A-trak (again) instead. Why? I went last year.

When I first heard The Dodos I didn't really understand what all the fuss is about, which explains the lateness of this post in terms of everything else that's going on, but the more I listened, the more it grew on me.

The Dodos - Red and Purple (mp3) (zshare)

The Dodos - Ashley (mp3) (zshare)

New Paris, Tokyo feat. Pharrell

2008-09-24T09:43:00.006-04:00

Chi city wizard Lupe Fiasco has dropped an all new version of the hit Paris, Tokyo from his latest album The Cool. It features none other than Pharrell, Q Tip and Sarah Green. You may know Pharrell from The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. and if you don't you should. The video for the original Paris, Tokyo is here too, the concept has Lupe Fiasco dressed up in all sorts of gentlemanly attire. So get a passport and check the track out.

Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo [Feat. Pharrel, Q Tip, Sarah Green] (zshare) (mp3)

Toe Jammin' Nudity

2008-09-23T12:52:00.006-04:00

Anything Dizzee Rascal related is likely worth posting, The BPA must know that. Throw in a smattering of nudity, video game references and humor, and you've got the masterpiece that is the Toe Jam video.

For the less enlightened masses, the BPA stands for brighton port authority, and alias for musician and instigator Fatboy Slim. Here's the mp3 as well, but the song does lose much of its appeal without its poignant visual element.

Toe Jam (Featuring David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal) - The BPA (mp3)

Adrian Lux mashup feat. Rye Rye

2008-09-19T13:55:00.005-04:00

Every now and then (today) I get a song in my Inbox (this one) so good (really good)that I have to stop everything (working) so that I can tell all you about it (appreciate).

This is a rap mash up of Adrian Lux's single Strawberry the likes of B More hero Rye Rye and fellow Stockholm dwellers Alexis Weak.

Adrian Lux - Strawberry [Rapclash remix feat. Rye Rye, Lorentz, M. Sakarias & Alexis Weak] (mp3)

Motown Remixed

2008-09-17T11:12:00.003-04:00

OutwithMe

Motown is back, but it was never gone. There are a couple of these remix albums around. Some of the tracks, like this remix of ABC, are gems. Others fall into more of the easy listening category. Either way. Its worth a listen and that is why you're hearing about it.

Jackson 5 - ABC [Salaam Remi Crunk-a-Delic Party Mix] (mp3)

New Twelves Singles

2008-09-16T12:28:00.011-04:00

Brazil's Twelves have released two singles in the last while and I've finally decided to post about them. Works for Me especially strikes me as a particularly affable stroke of genius. Thanks to Twelves taking the collective conscious down a notch and writing a love song for the rest of us.

When you make out with the girls at the door, I think it works for me. When you pass out on the bathroom floor, i think it works for me

I read a Chuck Klosterman essay one time that insisted that Coldplay is wholly responsible for unrealistically raising women's collective expectations of relationships. In that spirit, I think Chuck would appreciate this song.

Twelves - Works for Me (mp3)

Twelves - When You Talk (mp3)

Better Late then Never

2008-09-15T02:15:00.006-04:00

Justice - Planisphere [Part 1] (mp3)

Justice - Planisphere [Part 2] (mp3)

Justice - Planisphere [Part 3] (mp3)

Justice - Planisphere [Final] (mp3)

Bluegrass Covers: The Strokes edition

2008-09-09T12:03:00.003-04:00

Should contemporary bluegrass counterculture become a new category on this website? Let me know. Here's some Strokes covers by a bluegrass band called Sidekicks featured on a comp cd of bluegrass covers to help you make your mind up.

Sidekicks - 12:51 [The Strokes Cover] (zshare)

Sidekicks - Someday [The Strokes Cover] (zshare)

Klaxons Cover Blackstreet

2008-09-02T13:24:00.005-04:00

This Blackstreet cover by The Klaxons has been circulating around the usual suspects - shout out missing toof - and I can't get enough of it. First Greg Gillis mixes blackstreet over the flashing lights instrumentals and now this!

The Klaxons - No Diggity [Blackstreet Cover] (zshare)

The Wackness Purple Mixtape

2008-08-29T09:41:00.004-04:00

The Wackness is a movie about a kid named Luke Shapiro living in New York city during the 90's. The soundtrack - and in my opinion the movie - is great. Apparently everyone in the audience for the Los Angeles premier was given a purple mix tape. Fortunately, its up for download!

Here's the track list:

THE A SIDE
1. The Notorious B.I.G. "Party And Bullshit"
2. Boogie Down Productions "Duck Down"
3. Brand Nubian "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down"
4. GZA & Method Man "Shadowboxin’"
5. Gangstarr "Take It Personal"
6. Diamond D "Fuck What U Heard"
7. Intro "Love Thang"
8. Mobb Deep "Give Up The Goods"
9. Redman "Can’t Wait"
10. Faith Evans "You Used Love Me (Remix)
11. UMCs "One To Grow On"
12. Eric B. & Rakim "Know The Ledge"
13. Ultramagnetic MCs "Raise It Up"
14. Keith Murray "The Most Beautifulest Thing In This World"
15. Mary J. Blige & Smif-N-Wessun "I Love You (Remix)"
16. Group Home "Suspended In Time (Remix)"

THE B SIDE
1. Onyx "Throw Your Gunz In The Air"
2. Black Moon "I Gotcha Open (Remix)"
3. Ol Dirty Bastard "Brooklyn Zoo (Remix)"
4. EPMD "Headbanger"
5. Das EFX "They Want EFX (Remix"
6. Nas "Represent"
7. Total & Keith Murray "Can’t You See (Remix)"
8. Main Source "Fakin’ The Funk"
9. Fu Schnickens "La Schmoove"
10. Nice & Smooth "Old To The New"
11. Wu-Tang Clan "Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothin’ To F’ Wit"
12. Chef Raekwon "Glaciers Of Ice"
13. A Tribe Called Quest "Electric Relaxation"
14. Method Man "Bring The Pain (Remix)"
15. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Good Life"
16. Jeru The Damaja "D. Original"
17. Lords Of The Underground "Chief Rocka (Remix)"
18. Jodecei & Raekwon and Ghostface Killah "Freekin’ U (Remix)"
19. Run DMC, Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Down With The King

If that isn't 90's Hip Hop, I don't know what is.

A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation (zshare)

Group Home - Suspended in Time [Remix] (zshare)

Keith Murray - The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World (zshare)

Of Montreal Release: Skeletal Lamping

2008-08-28T10:23:00.005-04:00

Athens based Of Montreal is allegedly named after our city because of a Montreal girl the singer used to be in love with. What can be learned from this? Things we already knew, Montreal has all the cute alt girls.

They're new album Skeletal Lamping is chock-full of the requisite quirk and grandeur the band is known for and die hard fans won't be disappointed. That being said, if you didn't like Of Montreal before, you still won't like them. They're on tour in support of the new album and will be here on October 29th at Metropolis. I caught them last time they were in the city and was thoroughly impressed. I've never seen so many over the top costumes and props in any bands live show before. A spectacle to say the least.

The first stand out track, for me was St.Exquisite's Confessions; the first line really jumped out at me.

I'm so sick of sucking the dick of this, cruel cruel city

~~Of Montreal - St.Exquisite's Confessions~~
Of Montreal - ID Engager

Cobra Krames This Saturday @ Coda Club

2008-08-25T10:10:00.003-04:00

The success of his Cracker Jackin' mix album has been more than apparent around the hype machine circuit and now Cobra Krames is being brought to your front door step. Assuming you live outside Coda Club at 4119 St Lo that is. If not, make the trip won't you?

Click the banner on the right side for d33ts and the facebook event.

If you don't know who Cobra Krames is, then be enlightened and invigorated with a blend of old and new with these, the hottest Krames tracks of the last few months.

Cobra Krames - Choose You (zshare)

Cobra Krames feat. Rye Rye - Get Familiar [Start the Violence! Remix] (zshare)

New TV On The Radio Single

2008-08-21T10:45:00.002-04:00

Streaming on their website. Their upcoming album Dear Science will be coming out on the 23 of September and will likely be accompanied by tour dates. The BBC's Zane Lowe also featured the new single Golden Age on his Hottest Record in the World Right Now feature.

New tracks will be posted as they become available, for now here's a live track of an old favourite, Wolf Like Me.

TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me [Live] (zshare)

L.A. Riots Remix Ting Tings

2008-08-20T13:19:00.002-04:00

Vowel vacant RCRD LBL has dropped a LA Riots remix of the, admittedly already over remixed,Ting Tings single That's Not My Name.

It proves that everything they touch turns to gold no matter how old...

Ting Tings - That's Not My Name [LA Riots Remix] (RCRD LBL)

Lykke Li and My New Apartment

2008-08-15T09:55:00.002-04:00

Some explanation is in order. Here it is. I've been living in the dark ages for a couple weeks now while moving into a new apartment and hence have been without -gasp- blogger. Until now. My inbox is full of tasty treats for me to share with ya'll so expect the posts to be harder, better, faster AND stronger from now on.

To start you off, here's a live video of Lykke Li i was sent from this website called Baeble Music which streams live video's all sorts of good bands. Fair concept, worth checking out.

Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance (zshare)

The Things We Think But Never Say

2008-07-30T09:49:00.003-04:00

archann

Today's theme could be dreams. Tomorrow's? Something different. Each Year has something it's own Notorious Lightning we must avoid or be destroyed.

These songs might clear that all up.

Ra Ra Ra Riot - Each Year (zshare)

Destroyer - Notorious Lightning (zshare)

Wale meets Mr Carter

2008-07-23T10:35:00.003-04:00

Lil Wayne's Mr Carter instrumentals featuring Wale's wonderful personal brand of hip hop.

Wale - Mr. Carter (zshare)

DJ Ayres This Friday

2008-07-22T13:12:00.003-04:00

The Fix at Coda Club will be in the more than capable hands of DJ Ayres this Friday and you won't want to miss it. Ayres is part of the NYC crew that takes care of The Rub compilations and parties, legendary in their own right. Details can be found on the facebook event. If these songs don't convince you to come you're neither man, woman or beast.

DJ Ayres - Mobb Deep - Got It Twisted / Ghostbusters (zshare)

DJ Ayres - Broke Ass Home (zshare)

CSS; Donkey shows Brazilians have more fun

2008-07-21T13:53:00.003-04:00

Cansei de Ser Sexy's new album Donkey had to do more than a few things. It had to show the world (more specifically CSS's audience) that these Brazilians were not a one trick pony with an ipod touch commercial.

Between their debut album and Donkey, rumors of a collective nervous breakdown and the resulting departure of bassist Ira Trevisan. Ira's post-css plans include everything from fashion design to saving the environment!

If you can dig Post-Ira CSS, then buy their album.

CSS - Left Behind (zshare)

CSS - Rat is Dead [Rage] (zshare)

Fonzworth Video feat. Andre 3K and Kanye West

2008-07-21T10:06:00.003-04:00

Presenting Cool Outrageous Lovers Of Uniquely Raw Style... Former manservant for P Diddy Fonzworth Bentley is giving a solo career a try with alittle help from his friends in the industry, the result is C.O.L.O.U.R.S.

extra props for the Canadian spelling.

Fonzworth Bentley - C.O.L.O.U.R.S. [feat Lil Wayne, Pimp C] (zshare)

Fonzworth Bentley - Everybody [feat Kanye West, Andre 3000 & Sa Ra] (zshare)

Hpstr Lost & Found

2008-07-18T19:15:00.004-04:00

TheCobraSnake

There are certain times in everyone's life when one may feel lost, discarded or disoriented. Take this young lady for example; the dirt encrusted white canvas vans shoes say, I'm not afraid to swallow my pride and shop at urban outfitters, the pink leggings? I want to party like a slut, without actually being one, the downcast look, This show isn't as cool as it's supposed to be...Where's the cobrasnake?

When I feel lost I tend to cling to the familiar, the classics, the songs you know you'll love regardless of how many times you hear them.

From Cobra Snake to Cobra Krames, a fresh twist on an old favorite, a One More Time remix worth reminiscing about.

Daft Punk - One more Time [Cobra Krames What Mix] (zshare)

Black Kid's Partie Traumatic

2008-07-18T11:20:00.003-04:00

Jacksonville's Black Kids debut LP release Partie Traumatic has begun its inaugural lap around the internet. For me personally this will be a testament to see if the young band can fill the very large shoes the success of their singles I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You and Hurricane Jane have cobbled for them.

Their success also signals a new echelon in the music industry. They represent the possibility of that temporal myspace generation of bands and solidify the music blog and streaming websites as a viable if not preferential marketing strategy for said bands.

Check out some of the new tracks and tell me what you think.

Black Kids - Love Me Already (zshare)

Black Kids - Partie Traumatic (zshare)

The Weekend, Work For It

2008-07-18T10:48:00.004-04:00

Because this is probably the first Friday I've ever had time to make a post, because this weekend - for me - promises to be a real barn burner, because its pretty much the middle of the summer and everyone else should be having fun and because everybody's working for the weekend.

Loverboy - Everybody's Working For the Weekend (zshare)

More Bikini!

2008-07-17T10:51:00.002-04:00

Bikini - I Remember Being Young (mp3) (zshare)

Feist Does Sesame Street

2008-07-17T09:13:00.003-04:00

Feist does her part to keep the kids counting on Sesame Street's 39th Season.

Feist - 1,2,3,4 [Sesame Street Version] (ysi) (zshare)

RJD2 Shows Us What's Left

2008-07-16T14:08:00.005-04:00

RJD2 - Here's What's Left (zshare)

Bikini covers Feist; Gives Away Music

2008-07-15T20:14:00.006-04:00

Apparently one of Montreal's best kept secrets, Bikini is giving away their new EP, Concerning The Number 7 and Your Love on a pay what you can basis.

I'm also informed by their website that those paying more than 10$ for the album will receive a free Mercedes; A promise which has yet to be confirmed.

In true Montreal style, their singles "I Remember Being Young" and "1234" have been in heavy rotation on American Apparel's Viva radio, playing in 160 countries and hundreds of their stores worldwide.

Check out their Feist cover and then immediately download the full album!

Bikini - 1,2,3,4 [Feist Cover] (zshare)

Gym Class Heroes Keep Our Hands in Their Cookie Jar

2008-07-08T14:49:00.006-04:00

Alt rappers Gym Class Heroes are stirring up quite the Brouhaha since their last album the papercut chronicles and have dropped a new single entitled Cookie Jar. It features vocals from The Dream and is my guilty pleasure of the week.

These kids are no pushovers - On the St Louis stop of the Vans Warped Tour, Travis from GCH was allegedly taunted by racial slurs by someone in the audience. Travis then "invited him onstage with the intent of calling him out in front of the crowd, with absolutely no intention of a physical altercation."
However intent or not a scuffle between the two broke out as Travis was "helping" the young man on stage.
-source Crush Management press release-

If your like me the real news is that anyone still goes to Vans Warped Tour. Apparently its full of racists anyways!

Gym Class Heroes - Cookie Jar (mediafire)

New Bloc Party Single

2008-07-07T16:03:00.003-04:00

A new Bloc Party single titled Mercury debuted on BBC's Zane Lowe show, and it looks like they're making a concentrated effort to keep their formula fresh. No mp3 yet, but you can listen to it on their website.

Also, a video of Kele in the BBC studios.

Girl Talk Feeds the Animals

2008-06-24T11:57:00.002-04:00

Gregg Gillis has fed the animals, and my appetite for an unreasonably fun, insurmountably catchy summer mashup album. I doubt I was alone in holding my breath in anticipation of a new Girltalk album. Surely it would fall short to the high standards Night Ripper set... After listening to the album about 10 times through over the last two days, I'm prepared to say that it is every bit as catchy and well though out as Night Ripper. In fact I'm prepared to say it's even better.

Taking a page from the book of Radiohead, Feed the Animals is available online on a pay what you can basis. Paying less than 5$ will get you the album in mp3 format, paying 5$ or more will get you the mp3's, the FLAC files and a single mp3 with the whole album mixed. Paying 10$ or more will get you all that and a physical copy of the CD once it comes out. Download it here.

Girl Talk - Shut the Club Down (zshare)

Girl Talk - Still Here (zshare)

Them Jeans remixes Falcon Jab

2008-06-23T11:13:00.003-04:00

So before the upcoming Ratatat album LP3 has even been released, we've been graced with a remix of Falcon Jab by LA's Them Jeans. hit it.

Ratatat - Falcon Jab [Them Jeans Remix] (zshare)

Monday Re up #7

2008-06-09T09:16:00.006-04:00

So the Monday Re Up is back, from popular demand and also because I finally got photoshop back on my new computer. What mattered to me this week was like most the new Ratatat, but also Kaki King, Lykke Li doing the vocals over a Kleerup track and Bishop Allen. Start your week off right.

Ratatat - Shempi (zshare)

Kaki King - Life Being What It Is (zshare)

Kleerup - Until We Bleed (feat. Lykke Li) cello version (zshare)

Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click (zshare)

Weezer Might Still Be Cool

2008-06-06T08:48:00.005-04:00

Few bands have enjoyed the kind of longevity that Weezer has. I think everyone was kind of disappointed with the last album, making this, the red album, all the more crucial if they want to continue to be relevant. Pitchfork certainly seems to think that its time to to lay the band's legacy to rest before they run out of colors to name their albums after. What do you think?

Weezer - Heart Songs (zshare)

Wale Drops Mixtape About Nothing

2008-06-05T15:54:00.004-04:00

New Wale mixtape? I'm already interested, 100 Miles and Running was tight. Wait, its called the Mixtape About Nothing? A Seinfeld tribute mixtape?? Blended with memorable quotes from the show?? And with guest commentary from some of the cast??

Let me catch my breath.

Get it. Got it? Good.

MGMT Remix Roundup

2008-06-05T09:42:00.006-04:00

There have been a whole heap of MGMT remixes circulating lately and needless to say, they aren't all gems. My picks include - of course - the Justice Electric Feel remix along with a few more experimental mix courtesy of Immuzikation and a Hip Hop mashup that's been around for awhile via DJ Topcat.

MGMT - Electric Feel [Justice Remix] (zshare)

MGMT - One more Time to Pretend [Daft Punk vs MGMT Immuzikation Remix](zshare)

MGMT - Time to Listen [Talib Kweli vs MGMT DJ Topcat Remix](zshare)

Man Man teach me Rabbit Habits

2008-06-04T17:12:00.007-04:00

Need a reason to go to Philadelphia aside from artery clogging cheese steaks? Man Man has you covered with their chaotic new album Rabbit Habits. The songs are jumbled and meandering but once you get the idea you start to think there's a design behind it all. These were my picks.

Man Man - Hurly Burly (zshare)

Man Man - Mister Jung Stuffed (mp3)

New Islands Tracks

2008-06-04T11:02:00.008-04:00

What with so many new records dropping in the last few weeks, I haven't yet had time to talk about the new Islands record, Arm's Way. Well this is one of many forthcoming obligatory posts on the subject. Pitchfork had sour grapes on account to it wasn't as awesome as Return to the Sea. I haven't made up my mind yet, and like all new records it will take some time for this one to grow on me in any meaningful way. Let the locals grow on you.

Islands - Creeper (zshare)

Islands - Pieces of You (zshare)

New Ratatat Tracks

2008-06-03T11:32:00.011-04:00

Ratatat's new album is now floating around the internets everywhere... we were all titalated by the Shiller leak a few weeks ago, and now that I've had a chance to hear the whole album I have to say Shiller doesn't even skim the surface of how accomplished LP3 really is. Here are some new tracks from the yet to be released album, Enjoy!

Ratatat - Falcon Jab (zshare)

Ratatat - Mumtaz Khan (zshare)

Mates of State Re-Arrange Us

2008-06-03T09:49:00.010-04:00

Another chapter in the story of Indie growing up is found as Mates of State, join the likes of the Handsome Furs as married Indie duos. While not as serious as their Canadian counterparts, Mates of State stays well within the realm of legitimate pop rock frivolity. They're latest album Re-Arrange Us is just plain catchy, with enough maturity and musical flourishes to keep you listening over and over and over. Get over your fear of commitment and pick this album up!

Fabric Live: Diplo

2008-06-02T10:09:00.003-04:00

I stumbled upon Diplo's Fabric live set at a friend's house the other night and as I've been informed this set put Diplo on the map way back when. If you don't know already, Fabric is a club in London famous for its legendary shows and limited releases of the sets played there. These are some track's from Diplo's Fabric Live 24 set, enjoy.

Diplo - Cybotron - Clear (zshare)

Diplo - Outkast - B.O.B. (zshare)

Diplo - Debbie Deb - When I Hear Music (zshare)

New Summer Records

2008-05-27T10:39:00.004-04:00

Washington's the kora records have recently released two new records for you to spend your summer months. When your feet are tired from dance dance dancing to Kid Color's new mix, hit the hammock to Gregor Samsa or The Fairline Parkway. Rest and A Memory of Open Spaces respectively are the latest offerings by each of these artists both have a wide open full sound that help time slow down.

The Fairline Parkway - Homesteaders (mp3)

Gregor Samsa - Jereoen Van Aken (mp3)

Kid Color is Carded and Discarded

2008-05-21T12:23:00.004-04:00

Just in time to remind us what summer is really about, Kid Color has dropped his new mix "Carded and Discarded". A few months ago, I jawed about his Bangers and Cash / Daft Punk remixes, and since then we've kept in touch over the internets.

He's also most likely going to be swinging through Canada this summer on a tour which will hopefully hit our city.

Get the mix.

Allow me to let the tracklist speak for itself,

1. Animal Collective – For Reverend Green (Kid Color edit)
2. Ghostface Killah – Charlie Brown (Yuksek Remix)
3. The Black Ghosts – Face (Philipe De Boyar Remix)
4. Simian Mobile Disco – Hot Dog
5. Bobmo – To The Bobmobile
6. The Count & Sinden feat. Kid Sister – Beeper (A-Trak Remix)
7. Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Weird Science
8. Kid Color – Yo ZongaMajesty!
9. Kid Color – Phoenix B-O-O-T-A-Y
10. Chromeo – Fancy Footwork (Guns N Bombs Remix)
11. Junkie XL – Booming Right At You
12. Timbaland – Miscommunication (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)
13. Them Jeans – Lloyd vs. Yuksek (Them Jeans Blend)
14. D.I.M. – Is You (JFK Remix)
15. Kid Sister – Pro Nails (Bag Raiders Remix)
16. Kid Color – Digital Pu$$y
17. Daft Punk – Digital Love (Red Foxx's Bmore Surprise Mix)
18. Justice – D.V.N.O. (LA Riots Bootleg Remix)
19. Klaxons – Golden Skans (Switch Remix)
20. Death From Above 1979 – Sexy Results (MSTRKRFT Remix)
21. Death From Above 1979 – Sexy Results (Blake Miller Is Ruthless edit)
22. The Avalanches – Ray of Zdarlight
23. Sebastian – Ross Ross Ross
24. Kid Color – Throw Some Data On That Mix
25. MSTRKRFT – Street Justice (MSTRKRFT remix)
26. Herve & Yo Majesty – Get Low Club Action (Scattermish Timid Fuckup edit)
27. Cut Copy – Lights & Music (Boys Noize Happy Birthday Remix)

Caroline Keating make us go, "wa oh, wa oh"

2008-05-19T10:12:00.004-04:00

Richmond Lam photography

I learned about Caroline Keating by watching her act in short film at Parc Cinema a few weeks ago. In it she played her song "The Honey and the Shimmy" and I was intrigued enough to pay attention to the credits and remember her myspace. She's a Montreal artist and she's taking part in pop Montreal's Pop Off tour this summer. If your around Montreal, Quebec, Toronto or Ottawa this summer I recommend checking her out. Actually decide for yourself.

Pop off Tour
June 11, 08 Le Cercle Québec, Quebec
June 12, 08 Parc des Amériques (Fringe Pop) Montréal, Quebec
June 13, 08 End Hits Ottawa, Ontario
June 14, 08 Silver Dollar Toronto, Ontario

Caroline Keating - The Hunny and the Shimmy (mp3)

Caroline Keating - So long, solange (mp3)

Lykke Li Spreads Stockholm Sydrome

2008-05-16T11:22:00.006-04:00

Photo: Andreas Öhlund

If Lykke Li was holding me captive, I can assure you that Stockholm syndrome would take effect in an inappropriately short amount of time. If you have heard her blog hit Little bit yet, here's your chance, its catchy as hell. She's even been remixed by Black Kids. Yes, apparently they do remixes now.

This is the video for an acoustic live version of "I'm Good, I'm Gone" with guests: Robyn, Adam & Bebban (Shout Out Louds), Daniel (The Concretes), Lars (Laakso) and Mikael (Hjalmar).

Lykke Li - Little Bit (mp3)

Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm gone (mp3)

Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm gone [Black Kids Remix] (mp3)

Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm gone [Fred Falke Remix] (mp3)

Mobius Band Loves You

2008-05-14T20:50:00.004-04:00

As you may have guessed, after being thoroughly impressed by Mobius Band last weekend at their show with Cut Copy, they're getting a post to call their own. As if they even needed to impress me more, I came upon an album of covers they did called Love Will Reign Supreme. In it they masterfully cover and re interpret songs like "True love will find you in the end" by Daniel Johnston and "Digital Love" by Daft Punk. Like good 21st century rockers, they've made that album available for download for free.

I never really appreciated their "hit" friends like these until I saw them play it live and after listening to both albums I could find, Heaven and The Loving Sounds of Static, I was won over. This is me giving them a shot at doing the same for you.

Mobius Band - Friends Like These (mp3)

Mobius Band - Under Sand (mp3)

Cut Copy & Mobius Band @ Cabaret Just for Laughs May 10th, 08

2008-05-12T11:17:00.004-04:00

With or without Black Kids, I knew that Cut Copy and Mobius Band would be a great show. What I wasn't counting on was Mobius Band being as good as they were. They're live show was unlike anything I've ever seen before; it struck me as definitively original and inventive. Watch out for these kids in the future, they are very worth seeing live. Cut Copy was great too, but my expectations were already high so I wasn't surprised or disappointed. I took some pictures, check them out.

Local man becomes overwhelmingly Gonzpired

2008-05-11T21:12:00.004-04:00

I was lucky enough to sit down for an interview with the man himself, Jason Beck aka Chilly Gonzales aka The one eye'd Jew. The interview was for a feature which will appear in the July/August issue of Snap! Magazine. Right from the soundcheck, to the interview, to the show itself, i knew was in for something else. The show was a seamless blend of power pop grandeur, classical solo's, comedy and rap. That's right i said seamless. The above video is one of his piano solo's in a video i took while i was there, sorry its so far away, i couldn't figure out the zoom on the camera until a few minutes later.

Cut Copy Brings Ghost Colors to Montreal

2008-05-08T09:32:00.003-04:00

Let's take a moment and be glad that a dingo in fact did not eat any members of Cut Copy, when they were babies. Seinfeld references aside, these synth rockers from down under have been around for quite some time, and the new album In Ghost Colours proves why. Each track has its own distinct but familiar feel and their upcoming show this Saturday with Mobius Band is obviously worth checking out. Much controversy over Jacksonville's Black Kids dropping out of the bill, which was disappointing but I got over it...you should too.

Cut Copy - Lights and Music (mp3)

Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (mp3)

Gonzpiration hits the City

2008-05-06T10:43:00.004-04:00

You may remember my two cents on Gonzales back in march. Now for substantially more than two cents, (around 20$) you can see the man himself at Le National on Thursday.

The self proclaimed "President of the Berlin Underground" will be playing in support of his new album, entitled Soft Power. You've heard the Boys Noize remix, you've heard the Daft Punk cover, now hear some of my favorite tracks from the album.

Gonzales - Let's Ride (mp3)

Gonzales - Slow Down (mp3)

Bon Iver makes quirk cool again

2008-04-14T12:42:00.004-04:00

Remember when being weird was cool? Remember what the stranger and more off key vocals could get, the better? remember Alice in Chains? Well i do. I also remember when that trend was taken too far and it wasn't even about the music anymore. Keeping in theme with my last post about Fuck Buttons. Bon Iver has convinced me that quirky is cool once again.

Bon Iver - Skinny love (mp3)

Bon Iver - The Wolves [Part i and ii] (mp3)

Bon Iver - Creature Fear (mp3)

Fuck Buttons

2008-04-09T21:29:00.008-04:00

The Buttons

At some point in everyone's life, however temporarily, you just can't listen to anymore fucking dance music. This occurred collectively after the mid to late 90's rush of dance hits whose demise was signaled by the wide acceptance of films like "A night at the Roxbury" as a mainstream hit.

There was just so many times the public could hear "What is love?" before all the "Baby don't hurt me"'s in the world couldn't stifle the average citizen's urge to indeed hurt him, and in away that incapacitates his ability to make infectious bad dance music.

We may just be approaching such a collective awakening ourselves, and the UK's Fuck Buttons may just be on to something.

Here they are at SXSW performing Sweet Love For Planet Earth.

Officially recorded as an "experimental noise" group, Fuck Buttons are gaining perhaps surprising popularity internationally and are touring in support of their album Street Horrrsing. I can't help but wonder what Fuck Buttons show is like, given most of the music has a slow, listen at home alone kind of feel. Give it a listen. Broaden those fucking horizon's.

Fuck Buttons - Sweet Love For Planet Earth (mp3)

Fuck Buttons - Bright Tomorrow (mp3)

Monday Re-up #6

2008-03-31T20:23:00.007-04:00

Can you keep a secret? Yes? Good. I can't. But somebody kept Le Matos a secret from me until recently. They're a group of three guys, who might even be cousins, and are based in Montreal. I'm guessing they're new because I've never fucking heard of them, never seen them on bill for a show, on a poster or a blog. They have a facebook artist page though so i KNOW its legit. They do a tight Omnikrom remix of Prend une photo avec moi and even have some pretty fly instrumentals. Now before i run out of late 90's french prince of bel air inspired adjectives like tight and fly, let met just stop and let the music speak for itself.

Le Matos - Like Perfume on a Pig (mp3)

Omnikrom - Prend une photo avec moi [Le Matos remix] (mp3)

Plimsouls promise salvation, or just great instrumentals

2008-03-27T16:45:00.005-04:00

If the salvation of our collective souls was based on the relative availability of catchy and inventive instrumental electronic music, then Plimsouls would be responsible for a lot of soul saving.

These British House Djs sealed the deal for me by remixing fellow Brit Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and well at that. Remixing an acoustic artist well is no small feat and save Van She Technologic's epic Feist Remix of 1 2 3 4, most DJs tend to stay away from that territory. Check it out.

Plimsouls - Contact (mp3)

Plimsouls - Plimsouls Theme (mp3)

Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - Find the Time [Plimsouls Remix] (mp3)

Crystal Castles @ Studio Just for Laughs this Thursday

2008-03-25T15:15:00.006-04:00

The first time I saw Toronto's Crystal Castles was this New Years with Guns N Bombs at the SAT. As impaired as my judgement may have been, I recall them being great, the girl who does vocals got really into the performance and ripped off some of her clothes. Not in a attention seeking Uffie kind of way, there was no nipple in sight, the way it should be done, the Crystal Castles way.

This Thursday they hit Studio Just for Laughs with LA's Health, who in a way are responsible for the popularization of Crystal Castles, with their hit remix Crimewave. The Castles dropped some new tracks a few weeks ago, here are some originals to check out.

Crystal Castles - Magic Spells (mp3)

Crystal Castles - Courtship Date (mp3)

Monday Re-up #5 MSTRKRFT edition

2008-03-24T19:54:00.005-04:00

MSTRKRFT and Boys Noize on Saturday night banged Metropolis for all it was worth and it showed. When I walked out of the show and headed toward St Lo a handful of riot police equipped with shields and batons were blocking the street. Apparently some kind of reggaeton show at Club Soda sold out and people got violent trying to get in. That's true dedication, I wonder if that would ever happen at an electro show.

Now these incidents are not necessarily related but anyone who attended the show will agree that both a riot shield and baton would have come in handy on the floor. Way too many people, but expected. Altogether a great show, we shot some footage there and threw it up on youtube. Enjoy.

Your Song is Good

2008-03-20T10:10:00.006-04:00

A few years ago I walked into an HMV in Tokyo, convinced that i was going to walk out with some legitimately Japanese music. After twenty minutes of rifling through pseudo japanese western imitations, I came across a small rack of cds and vinyl in the back underneath a sign with Japanese characters that must have read something along the lines of Indie Japan. Just what I was looking for. I knew not much critical analysis was going to go into any of this since I had no idea what any of the bands were called or what genre they might be save what the album art may suggest, so I picked based on that.

What I walked out with was Your Song is Good, a Japanese ska band that didn't disappoint me in any way shape or form. Most of their tunes were instrumental with some shouting in basic english or Japanese. I've long been convinced that ska is a dead genre - and it really still is - but these guys are so unabashed about being a Japanese ska-jazz-fusion band that you can't help enjoy it.

They even did a cover of the little mermaid song that got put on Disney cover CD called Mosh Pit on Disney. Check out the video for the song Good - Bye Bye. I think the only lyrics in the whole song is the word Good-bye.

Here are some of the stand out tracks off the Album i bought, if you like it, try and catch a show or buy a disc.

Your Song is Good - "2,4,6,6,1,64" Number (m4a)

Your Song is Good - Good Lookin' (m4a)

Your Song is Good - Locomotion (m4a)

Monday Re-up #4

2008-03-17T21:29:00.004-04:00

This week i'm going to behold upon the internet the lost art of the DJ mix set. We've got two gems of internet booty for you in Treasure Fingers mix 40 minutes in the Champagne Room and 30 minutes of the the Twelves.

Fools Gold Atlanta DJ Treasure Fingers kills this mix, its probably the first 40 minute set that I've actually listened to in entirety, so free up some hard drive space and right click this bad boy.

Treasure Fingers - 40 minutes in the Champagne Room (mp3)

Brazilian duo The Twelves are enjoying the fame of the internets over their highly bloggable Black Kid's remix I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you. Their set proves they aren't just a one trick pony and are definitely worth checking out if they stop by your hometown.

The Twelves - 30 Mins of the Twelves (mp3)

March Fucking Madness

2008-03-13T09:56:00.006-04:00

www.nhrb.co.uk

This upcoming week is going to leave you, me, her, him and them, universally all fucked up. In a good way. That is, in the span of seven days your feet, eyes and ears will be taken advantage of by five huge dance behemoths. The assault will be opened by parisian electro juggernauts Justice on Sunday at Cepsum, followed by a Justice afterparty at Coda Club with Busy P and So-Me - the Ed Banger visual artist - which looks like it might bring about a line to get in to rival the Steve Aoki / Uffie blowout of early 08' fame. So get there early or you might cry frozen hipster tears.

After Justice bangs you harder, better, faster and stronger than your boyfriend or girlfriend ever could, you get monday to wednesday to recover, but only to prepare you for Chromeo at Le National on Thursday, Digitalism at Club Soda on monday, and MSTRKRFT and Boys Noize at Metropolis on Saturday. What the fuck. Shit will get real serious.

So drink your vitamin water, take extra naps, aggregate prescription drugs and stock up on bulk units of alcohol, because along with St Pattys day, sobriety will become a rarity among Montreal banger kids.

Justice - DVNO [Surkin Remix] (mp3)

Chromeo - Tenderoni [MSTRKRFT Remix] (mp3)

Digitalism - Pogo [Shinichi Osawa Remix] (mp3)

Boys Noize - & down [Siriusmo vs Boys Noize Remix] (mp3)

Twelves remix Black Kids and LA Riots are ready for the floor

2008-03-12T15:15:00.003-04:00

Brazil is more than just an Arcade Fire song. It's also home to CSS of ipod fame and the reason for today's post, The Twelves. A few weeks ago we posted some tracks by Jacksonville's Black Kids and just recently The Twelves have dropped a remix of the hit song from the Black Kid's EP Wizard of Ahhhs I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you. check it.

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You [The Twelves Remix] (mp3)

In addition LA Riots and Villians have teamed up to produce a Ready for the Floor remix actually worth blogging about. This Hot Chip track has already been remixed to death but trust me when i say this one is worth checking out.

Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor [LA Riots & Villains remix] (mp3)

Aphex Twin, Venetian Snares and Prairie Hate

2008-03-11T22:23:00.006-04:00

One week till St. Patrick's Day, so let's celebrate our Irish heritage with some classic electronica from 1999 and one of the sexiest, freakiest, most awesome video of ever:

Window Licker by Aphex Twin.

To be honest, fabulous honeys shaking their booties in slow motion doesn't do much for me; back-up dancers and stretch SUVs leave me equally uninspired. But this 10:35-long video gives those tired, painfully overused elements the respect they deserve…those fine sugars in those white bikinis getting their sumptuous asses doused in champagne? Damn, son.
It doesn't even matter that they all have Limerick-born Richard David James' permanently grinning, bearded face (so brilliant/self-indulgent). And when the girl turns around? It's like when that homeless guy pops out from behind the dumpster in Mulholland Dr.

Amazing. (edited to get straight to the music)

Something very interesting about the track is that when viewed with your spectrum analyzer (an "instrument used to display the frequency domain of a waveform plotting amplitude against frequency"), at 5:27, you see the image of a face, his presumably.

Another hugely innovative electronic artist that likewise hides spectral images in their work is Aaron Funk aka Venetian Snares, who embedded pictures of his cats in the track "Look" off the 2001 album, "Songs About My Cats".

True story: one afternoon, chilling at the Irish Embassy Pub after a long, hard day of testing video games last summer, the waitress asked me where I was from while I ordered a beer. I said Winnipeg, and it was like BAM. Total change. She went from a nice girl who serves business men expensive pints and Pachos (fucking $12, goddamit) to nice girl who probably gets fucked up on mad drugs and goes to underground breakcore shows every weekend.
She then proceeded to tell me about Venetian Snares, who is also from the lovely Manitoba city. She called him a genius, comparing him to Mozart even. So much passion....

I can see it when listening to the song 'Hajnal' (Hungarian for dawn) from the album 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Szuletett', which is really beautiful - classical, anxious, tragic – then breaks into drums and bass. Another song off the album is based on Rezső Seress's 'Szomorú Vasárnap' aka 'Gloomy Sunday' aka The Hungarian Suicide Song. Urban legend has it that it inspired multiple suicides, including a boy who jumped off a bridge after hearing a passerby whistling the tune lol. Or more like song of death out loud. I'm listening to it now, and really, it's pretty much the opposite of the other music blogged here. Got to know your roots, baby. If you're Hungarian-Manitoban-Irish, it seems…

Back to Venetian Snares, I've got to talk about the album he released earlier that year of 2005, "Winnipeg Is A Frozen Shithole." Chances are you'll hate this album; I found it mostly unlistenable and I like abrasive, erratic jungle. However, I share his disdain for the frozen wasteland, and this album lays an incoherent hating down, with tracks like "Winnipeg as Mandatory Scat Feed", "Winnipeg is Steven Stapleton's Armpit", and "Winnipeg is Fucking Over". If you don't know anything about the city, you're probably thinking that it can't be bad enough to warrant nine tracks of unbridled abhorrance. In that case I suggest the song "Winnipeg is a Boiling Pot of Cranberries", which gives you a little explanation, or if you want something prettier, there's always the Weakerthans, "I Hate Winnipeg". At a (hockey) party this winter, I played some Tones on Tail, promptly to have it deemed as "too weird" and turned back to the Toby Keith classic, "I Love This Bar." Vomit.

To end on the St. Patrick's Day note, Steven Stapleton currently is living in County Clare, Ireland, on a piece of land with houses and caravans he hand-built and decorated.

Article written by contributing writer: CM Foxcroft

Monday Re-up #3

2008-03-10T18:31:00.004-04:00

REMIX ALBUMS REMIX ALBUMS REMIX ALBUMS. yes i'm talking Boys Noize, I'm talking Oi Oi Oi remixed which is dropping march 25 and will without a doubt be as hot as the album itself. The last remix vinyl i bought was Bloc Party's Silent Alarm remixed and since then the practice has become pretty popular. Reason to be even more anticipatory of the album is that on the album will be a remix of Oh! by Montreal's A-Trak. And if that's still not enough, we have that very remix here for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Boys Noize - Oh! [A-trak remix] (mp3)

Dj Topcat - Time to listen [Talib Kweli vs MGMT] (mp3)

Fiest - Well it's Time [Feat. Kanye West] (mp3)

Omnikrom this Saturday

2008-03-06T09:46:00.005-05:00

Not much can be said about Montreal’s very own Omnikrom that wouldn’t be better articulated by the first few lines of their hit song “Danse la poutine”. Any electro group with the intrepidity to make a song purely about cooking poutine and pull it off deserves every shred of Montreal street cred coming their way. Omnikrom has built an entire career on mixing dance beats with their own unique brand of unabashed French Canadian rap lyrics and are showing no signs of letting up.

Settled on Montreal record label Saboteur along with their partners in dance floor crime Numero, Omnikrom consists of MC’s Jeanbart & Linso Gabbo and DJ Figure8. There is definite sense that they have carved themselves out a distinct community; through their shows which they tend to share mostly French DJs, through Off the Hook who sells Omnikrom T shirts and tickets for their shows and through a healthy overseas relationship with Djs from France.

Their February 23 show with Teki Latex at Le National sold out so quickly that they have scheduled a follow up show this Friday March 8th with Cuizinier and DJ Orgasmic of France. Tickets are 15$ and can be bought at Off the Hook (Saint Catherine & Peel) or admission.

Following their second Montreal date, Omnikrom continues to show a commitment to their home province hitting smaller towns in Quebec where I imagine touring electro acts are normally few and far between. They’re even playing a high school in L’Assomption at the end of May. I think I went to high school in the wrong province. Whether you’re anglo, franco or any other phone, I recommend you give Omnikrom and their European counterparts the chance to, regardless of your stance on bill 101, have you dance all night long to fried food recipes.

Gonzales and Boys Noise, "Working Together"

2008-03-04T21:21:00.011-05:00

The only thing cooler than a french canadian concert pianist, is one who covers Daft Punk, gets remixed by Boys Noize and collaborates with Teki Latex. Self described bohemian oppertunist Gonzales is one such concert pianist, who amuses me with his oddball photo's as much as he impresses me with his collaborative creativity.

In an interview with Palms Out, Gonzales dropped this little gem,

"Canada has no culture beyond bearded indie-rock so I left."

I can't help but know what Gonzales means by this, but still I won't defend it in the interest of avoiding a tiresome and mostly pointless debate. Did I mention he remixed some Feist tracks awhile back? No? He did. He's been all over the place lately drumming up some attention for his upcoming album Soft Power and will be touring extensively in support of it. If you'd like to prove to Gonzales himself that here is room in Canadian culture beyond bearded indie-rock, show up to his May 8th show at Le National and tell him yourself.

Gonzales - Too Long [Daft Punk Cover] (mp3)

Gonzales - Working Together [Boys Noize Remix] (mp3)

Gonzales - Slow Down Remix Ft. Teki Latex (mp3)

Monday Re-up #2

2008-03-03T00:16:00.006-05:00

As hectic as this week was, as we know all to well, remixes seldom - if never - sleep. This week i discovered a parisian electro group who remixed an upbeat disco song featuring the chorus chants of small children.

Allow me to duck any cries of disbelief you may currently be thinking of uttering / have uttered and tell you I'm not talking about Justice or D.A.N.C.E. (hard to believe?)

But i lead you to believe that i was.

See how i did that?

Yea.

You might respond with: So what? tell us who the fuck you are talking about already.

I'm talking about Breakbot.

asshole.

More specifically, I was talking about Breakbot's remix of PNAU's track Baby. It's fucking easy listening, anybody can do it, teaming with naivety and i love it. check it out:

PNAU - Baby [Breakbot Remix] (mp3)

Next and in keeping with the more laid back mood, i've got a track from the now ubiquitous Hot Chip.

This track shows that these brits aren't always quite "ready for the floor" and sometimes -like all of us - they just like to bitch about things and be nostalgic.

I can't help but wonder if the lyrics are about some kind of family gathering gone wrong with lines like,

"All the people that i love are here
All the people i love are drunk"

Hot Chip - Crap Kraft Dinner (mp3)

So you might by now be thinking, these pansy ass Heart Attack bitches have gone soft, i want a song i can down a 40 and cause mischief too, none of this babysittin-cooning bullshit.

Hold the shiticane, Treasure Fingers (incidentaly playing our launch party april 10th) has come to your rescue with this epic banger.
This Atlantanite, upon the condition that "you aint got no money", would like to urge you to "take your broke ass home". Frivolity can only result from this Fergie fingering track.

Fergie - Glamorous [Treasure Fingers remix] (mp3)

We Take Names

2008-03-02T21:50:00.008-05:00

We were all figuratively on crack this week, setting up a regime of Facebook friend adding and group creating that could make Raoul Castro blush. First and foremost we are finishing details on throwing a blog launch party to commemorate our entrance into - ideally - public life. More details, posters and a facebook event will soon follow, but for now here is what you have to look forward to:

Thursday April 10th

Treasure Fingers (Atlanta Fool's Gold)

Kill the Noise (NYC)

+ local guests TBA

@ Coda Club

Yours truly will be there, undoubtedly hella crunk, but not so hella crunk that you should fear approaching either one of us and saying hello. So feel free.

Make us happy campers right now by doing the following;

Join the facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10973796843

Add us as a friend:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1137237430

Stay tuned.

Big Things Hatchin!

2008-02-29T13:31:00.014-05:00

Chocolate eggs are everywhere, and Montreal's Hatchmatik has blessed the interweb with an early spring surprise:

Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin [Hatchmatik remix ft Teki Latex] (mp3)

Working with Teki Latex who drops a bilingual verse, Hatch bangs Chromeo's Bonafied Lovin for the dancefloors. With bilingual verses, a Montreal based remixer and a Montreal/NYC based band, you can be happy getting your civic pride on while you tear up the dancefloor.

Speaking of torn-up dancefloors, the afore-mentioned Hatch will be killing it tonight with the Peer Pressure crew in celebration of A-rock's seventh birthday (check your calendars and do the math) at Coda.

So gird your loins, raise a cup and celebrate the craziest seventh birthday party you've ever been too.

To get you in the mood, we've got A-rock's "Day Of The Rent" below. Turn those PC speakers up to 11.

A-rock - Day of the Rent (mp3)

Click tracklist to download

Banger!!

2008-02-29T12:43:00.012-05:00

As anyone with a pulse in Montreal is already aware Justice and the Ed Banger crew are stirring things up at Cepsum (see info to the right) on March 16th.
Busy P recently did some work for Arkitip magazine and they have a nice little interview about the Ed Banger Records "philosophy."

For those that don't know, Busy P started as Daft Punk's manager before starting Ed Banger, signing Justice and generally ripping music a new one.

On Brit Rock Renaissance

2008-02-28T09:44:00.009-05:00

Remember 2007? A simpler time, a time when one couldn't turn on a TV, read a magazine or much less open a web browser with the best or worst of intentions without hearing something about UK indie rock dream team Bloc Party. Lately though, apart from the release of that Flux single that got remixed by everybody with a macbook and a pirated copy of ableton, Bloc Party has been relatively quiet and that has had some consequences.

Springing forth from obscurity via this lull in the Bloc Party machine were, in my eyes three big UK bands to watch.

In no particular order, first off we have Cut Off Your Hands. Let me stop you right there. This is not an emo band, the name might be misleading. This Auckland band is currently fervently touring the UK with remixers Does it Offend You, Yeah? and if your lucky enough to catch that tour, fuck you because I'm not. Check out what your missing.

My next hand picked up and comers are Londonites Bombay Bicycle Club, who like Cut off Your Hands are still milling about the UK but i expect will be going international anytime now. Especially after being praised by a certain prestigious Canadian Blog...right.

Releasing two EP's in 2007 these kids have been busy as fuck, scroll down for my picks from those albums.

Finally, and probably the least up and coming of these up and comers, Wakefield kids The Cribs, who some might argue have already uped and came... I saw these kids back in 2005 on their North America Tour with Death Cab for Cutie. Since then they've continued plugging away and releasing consistently great music. They're last album Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever was produced by Franz Fredinand's Alex Kapranos. It showed some maturity and felt only marginally more serious than their previous releases and thats a good thing.

What am i trying to accomplish by all this? Make Bloc Party's Kelee nervous? Maybe a little. Shamelessly plug these bands? Of course, i like them. Kill the time between now and later? Definitely.

Here are my picks from these three bands, Enjoy:

Cut Off Your Hands - Still Fond (mp3)

Bombay Bicycle Club - Pedestal (mp3)

The Cribs - Girls like Mystery (mp3)

Monday Re-Up #1

2008-02-26T00:13:00.009-05:00

Whats that? Your Monday has so far has had too much to do with responsibility and not enough to to with frivolity? You wish you had never woken up this morning? You straight up can't read?

Well your Monday just got alot better because from now on I'm bringing you Re-up Monday each and every Monday. Yes i realize that I was twenty minutes late on my first post - not a good way to start - but nevertheless, the tracks you are about to hear will keep a curiously devilish smile on your face with a potency guaranteed to last until next Monday.

First up we've got a Daft Punk remix of Michael Jackson i dug up off their very hard to find 2003 remix vinyl. Ever wondered what the fuck Justice is talking about in D.A.N.C.E. when they say P.Y.T.? Here's your answer.

Michael Jackon - Pretty Young Thing [Daft Punk Remix] (mp3)

Kid Cudi dropped the single Day N Nite last week along with Fool's Gold colleague's Jokers of the Scene.

Kid Cudi - Day 'N' Nite (mp3)

If you didn't know that "epic bangers" come from only one place: Brooklyn... Then Neon Coyote is here to remind you with this Mr. Me Too remix.

Clipse - Mr. Me Too [Neon Coyote Remix] (mp3)

On Kid Color Remixes

2008-02-21T14:54:00.006-05:00

I have a new best friend and his name is Kid Color; How did he surpass the rigors which normally encompass the road to such an achievement? He's remixing all of Spank Rock and Benny Blanco are Bangers and Cash over Daft Punk instrumentals. Probably the best idea ever.
Enjoy the first two remixes and anxiously await the rest.

Kid Color - Digital Pussy (mp3)

Kid Color - Pheonix B-O-O-T-A-Y (mp3)

On Omnikrom Saturday @ Le National

2008-02-20T14:58:00.009-05:00

Any artist that can make electronic dance songs about cooking poutine successfully is seriously on to something. Omnikrom's unabashedly French Canadian style and content is fresher than the ingredients they sing about and has established them among Numero and Teki Latex - with whom they frequently collaborate with - as the Montreal's top French Dj's who just don't give a fuck.

Omnikrom and Teki hit Le National this Saturday so check it out and if you fuck up and miss them Omnikrom is nice enough to come back march 8th.

Omnikrom - Danse La Poutine [Figure 8 remix] (mp3)

Numbero feat. Omnikrom - Chewing Gum Fraise (mp3)

Teki Latex - Go Go Go (to the disco) (mp3)

Click Read More for Omnikrom Quebec 2008 Tour Schedule

20 Feb 2008 21:00 Omnikrom & Teki Latex (TTC) @ D’Artagnan’s Trois-Rivieres, Quebec

21 Feb 2008 19:00 Omnikrom & Teki Latex (TTC) @ L’Imperial Quebec, Quebec

22 Feb 2008 21:00 Omnikrom & Teki Latex (TTC) @ L’Azile Joliette, Quebec

23 Feb 2008 21:00 Omnikrom & Teki Latex (TTC) & Payz Play @ National Montreal

24 Feb 2008 20:00 Omnikrom & Teki Latex (TTC) @ Cabaret Box Office Drummondville, Quebec

7 Mar 2008 20:00 Omnikrom & Imposs @ Cabaret de Granby Granby, Quebec

8 Mar 2008 21:00 Omnikrom & Cuizinier (TTC) & Jeune Chilly Chill @ National Montreal, Quebec

5 Apr 2008 20:00 Omnikrom @ Le Trash St-Hyacinthe, Quebec

18 Apr 2008 20:00 Omnikrom @ Cegep Lionel-Groulx St-Therese, Quebec

26 Apr 2008 20:00 Omnikrom @ L’Etoile Brossard, Quebec

15 May 2008 22:00 Omnikrom @ Chasse-galerie Lavaltrie, Quebec

31 May 2008 19:00 Omnikrom & Numero @ École secondaire Paul-Arsenault L’Assomption, Quebec

On Black Kids

2008-02-15T13:03:00.017-05:00

Indie bands come from Jacksonville?
No...
well...
fuck
they do now.

My train of thought whilst i was checking out Black Kids on myspace. These guys and girls have some seriously catchy indie-synth-rock songs with a clear and unique personality to them. They're debut EP Wizard of Ahhhs came out in august and can be downloaded in its entirety for free from their website. Right now they appear to be in the UK touring to promote said EP. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for these kids inevitable arrival in Montreal. Although the song "I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you" has been widely blogged about - even bringing about a cover by Kate Nash - it's not my favorite. Which is you ask? i'm so glad you did.

Black Kids - Hurricane Jane (mp3)

Black Kids - Hit the Heartbrakes (mp3)

Kate Nash - I'm not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You [Black Kids Cover] (mp3)

On Islands Comeback

2008-02-13T18:50:00.013-05:00

After a period of relative inactivity, it seems Montreal's very own Islands are out to prove that the rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. Free acoustic show tonight at drawn and quarterly comic book store, followed by a show at Lambi on Saturday.

No official word of a new album yet, but a post-return to the sea song has been added their myspace, here it is

Islands - The Arm (mp3)

For upcoming Tour dates click Read More:

Islands 2008 Tour

16 Feb 2008 20:30 Lambi Montreal
18 Feb 2008 20:00 Whelan’s Dublin
19 Feb 2008 20:00 Speakeasy Belfast
20 Feb 2008 20:00 Night and Day Manchester
21 Feb 2008 20:00 Thekla Bristol
23 Feb 2008 20:00 Liar’s Club Nottingham
24 Feb 2008 20:00 Barfly Brighton
25 Feb 2008 20:00 Barfly Cambridge
26 Feb 2008 20:00 Hoxton Bar London
27 Feb 2008 20:00 Point FMR Paris
28 Feb 2008 20:00 Rotown Rotterdam
29 Feb 2008 20:00 Merelyn Nijmegen
1 Mar 2008 20:00 Paradiso Amsterdam
2 Mar 2008 20:00 Botanique Bruxelles
3 Mar 2008 20:00 Tivoli Utrecht
26 Apr 2008 20:00 Coachella Coachella City, California