Vancouver gets Feisty

Feist live @ Deer Lake Park, Vancouver, B.C. August 5th 2008
(Words by Suzy Sabla / Photos by Meg Bourne)

As a performer, it is really hard to find a fine balance between delivering what a crowd wants to hear all while sharing with them a unique performance beyond their expectations. Tuesday evening at Deer Lake Park, Feist gave everyone the best of both worlds. A healthy mix of I-pod anthems, heart-tugging love songs, and covers unfamiliar to most was paired with an aweing live shadow show projected behind the performance throughout the night.

Feist, skipped her way onto stage in a cute and dainty little white dress with neon coloured accents, a straight fringe cut right across her forehead, and a keen smile on her face. Backing her up was a full band (piano, percussion, drums, bass, and guitar) all dressed head-to-toe in white.The night began with a handful of hits, including Mushaboom, from her debut album, Let It Die, and, My Moon My Man, during which a camera zoomed right in on the song’s selling point, right up close to the jumpy keys during a hooky and jazzy piano riff.

Feist’s energy is high, and her love for song is obvious in her excitement and interaction with her audiences. She brings to the stage not only the immaculate nature of her craft as a songwriter, but also the charisma of her character. Calling the crowd a nautical people, as she stood before the setting sun behind the lake, Feist directed the mermen and women of the crowd into vocal harmony, whilst joining in with the words of Honey Honey, an eerie, trance-like ballad.

This year has left Feist with a great deal of success under her belt. She has much to be proud of; a Juno award for pop album of the year, a Grammy nomination, and the impossible-to-miss I-pod commercial featuring the catchy sing-a-long single, 1234. It is without surprise then, that when Feist uttered the magic numbers everyone applauded with animated approval. Her vocals during this track channeled the eclectic New York songstress, Regina Spektor, another artist whose performances give an ode to experimentation, one performance and the next never the same.The night hit a climax during the final pre-encore song, Sea Lion Woman, which blended extended instrumentation, clap-along stature, and beautiful vocals distorted and faded like you were listening through your grandpa’s gramophone. And lost among the beautiful chaos, Feist disappeared behind the stage as we all waited for the inevitable.

It was not long before she re-appeared, lantern in hand, thanking us all for inviting her back out. Three more songs were delivered, including an intimate performance of The Water. Feist hid behind a screen, a stunning silhouette a la Alice in Wonderland, growing and shrinking as her stage hands moved the flames of the lantern farther and closer away to match the rhythm of her piano playing.The final song of the night was best described by the melodious performer herself as, “leaving a little puddle of sadness at the bottom of [our] hearts.” Let It Die, a song that could bring any estrogen-packed being to tears, sang honest lyrics, “The saddest part of a broken heart, isn’t the ending as much as the start.” And then, she was gone once again, breaking our hearts for good.

Feist - "1234" . MP3 (zshare)
Feist - "1234" (My!Gay!Husband! Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

Posted by Suzy Sabla

Like A Martyr Takes Us To The North

Like A Martyr puts the image of 70s rock and giving 'er into my brain.

I have to admit that I don't listen to the radio so I can't make any modern references, but part of me thought that they sounded similar to very old My Chemical Romance (only with a more rock'n'roll gung-ho-guitar-solos like flavor to the sound, and no emo tears) crossed with 80s power rock.

The lyrics suited the guitar riffs, and the songs flowed well with each other. I was surprised that the recording was so clear since with indie bands the quality of the sound usually suffers; but not with L.A.M.

This band's sound is radio friendly, and it probably won't be long before they're invading the airwaves. I have to admit that rock is not my natural forté, but I can appreciate that this will be appealing to a lot of people. Check out their new disc "The North" when it spins its way near you.

Spread the word, Like A Martyr is coming for you!



Like A Martyr Myspace
Like A Martyr Facebook Fan Page
Like A Martyr Official Site

Posted by Victoria Potter

Pemberton gains recognition

Pemberton Festival 2008, July 25th - 27th
(Words by Sarah Fischer / Photos by Roksan Yazman)

On Friday, July 25th fifty thousand excited festival-goers packed themselves into cars and onto busses all headed towards the small, and to many previously unknown, town of Pemberton BC. Some were on their way to dance and drink in the Bacardi B-Live tent to such unforgettable acts as Chromeo, MSTRKRFT and The Crystal Method, others were strictly indie fans and spent all their time at the Lillooet stage enjoying Black Mountain, The Fiery Furnaces, Buck 65, and other bands of the like. The majority of the crowd hung around the main stage all weekend, but who could blame them? The Mount Currie stage was firing out huge names one after the other for three days of intense musical education. From Nine Inch Nails to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, from Jay-Z to Coldplay, every band gave a performance to blow minds.The first day was scorching hot, and getting to the actual festival grounds was no picnic. Thousands upon thousands of people lined up along the tarmac at the local airport with their gear, all waiting to be herded and crammed onto small and sticky yellow school busses. The security was far less than organized, changing the plan every hour and yelling at anyone that misunderstood. Honestly, it’s surprising that more people didn’t drop from heat exhaustion since there were no vendors at the airport and therefore no way to get water or food.The campgrounds were insane, tents as far as you could see in any direction, their inhabitants swarming around looking to party like ants in search of food. It was so hot and so dry that the ground (which was comprised of mainly straw and dirt) soon became a looming dust cloud which filled everyone’s lungs and hung menacingly over the crowd. Within hours every body was covered in a thick film of sweat which the dust clung to creating a grayish hue. Oddly enough the filthy conditions became part of it all, and the little clothing kiosks sold out of all their scarves and bandannas within the day.By the last day of the festival it was raining, but nobody let that dampen their spirits. People were breaking down their tents and lining up to shuttle their things back to their car in preparation for a speedy departure that night. Clean up was hectic, and many resorted to hitch-hiking for the tenth time that weekend in order to avoid the chaos of the shuttles. Everyone returned to the festival flustered but contented to know that they were all ready to go at a moments notice. Once Coldplay took the stage everything else seemed to melt away and was replaced by the ultimate fond farewell. Many new friends and faces would never be seen again, and that unique festival feeling would have to be stored away until next year.

Posted by Sarah Fischer

Metronomy breaks hearts

Ever since I heard their first new single, "Holiday", I've been awaiting the day when I would get to hear more from their upcoming/new/leaked album, 'Nights Out'...
Well, I've listened to the whole album now (about a million times) and it's becoming one of the best albums I've heard all year.

That's all I have to say. You can judge for yourself... here's one of my favorite tracks from 'Nights Out':

Metronomy - "Heartbreaker" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

I'd kiss Katy Perry

And I'd like it.

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" . MP3 (zshare)

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (MR GASPAR Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (Dr. Luke & Benny Blanco Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (Kosovo Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

"My Drive Thru" music video

Click here for more info, plus the MP3.

Posted by Meg Bourne

Cute songs about cute things

It's around this time every year that Brendan Benson's songs get stuck in my head. He has a way of making the perfect summer songs, there's just something about them.... I guess witty lyrics and cute melodies never get old.

Brendan Benson - "What I'm Looking For" . MP3 (zshare)

Brendan Benson - "You're Quite" . MP3 (zshare)

Brendan Benson - "Alternative To Love" . MP3 (zshare)

Brendan Benson - "Sittin' Pretty" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

myspace.com/brendanbenson

Posted by Meg Bourne

Albert Hammond, Jr. gives us Spanish lessons

Albert Hammond, Jr. is stepping up his game. The Strokes guitarist is releasing his second solo album, ¿Cómo Te Llama? (which means "What's your name?" in Spanish), on July 8th and seems to have snagged himself yet another blonde supermodel girlfriend. But all of this makes me wonder; what about the rumored 4th Strokes album? Weren't they all supposedly in the studio? Albert's solo career is taking off, I don't blame him for wanting his own 15 minutes of fame. Plus, with Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture also doing his own solo project, cleverly titled Nickel Eye, I'm betting this so-called 4th album will be postponed. Unfortunately.

With all of that said, I really like Albert's new stuff and I'm excited for the release of ¿Cómo Te Llama?. But, is it worth postponing a Strokes album for? What do you think?

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "Bargain Of A Century" . MP3 (zshare)

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "Lisa" . MP3 (zshare)

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "GfC" . MP3 (zshare)

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "You Won't Be Fooled By This" (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

WE♥GIRLS

An all-girl summer mixtape!

Featuring some of our favorite female artists and remixes - new and old! Download ConsumableAudio's "weheartgirls" mixtape for free:

"weheartgirls" . MP3 (zshare) (40:14 | 36.8MB)

1. Roxy Cottontail - "You Don't See NYC"
2. Lykke Li - "I'm Good, I'm gone (Fred Falke Remix)"
3. Yelle - "Je veux te voir"
4. Roisin Murphy - "Cry Baby"
5. April March - "Chick Habit (Osymyso Relapse)"
6. Estelle - "American Boy (feat. Kanye West) (Kill The Noise Remix)"
7. Madonna - "Nobody Knows Me (Mount Sims Italo Kiss Mix)"
8. Bonde do Role - "Quero Te Amar (Douster remix)"

Posted by Meg Bourne

Goodbye M.I.A.?

Many sites and blogs are reporting that M.I.A. announced that Bonnaroo Festival would be her last show...ever! She announced her retirement three times during her Friday night set at the Tennessee festival...

"“This is my last show,” the rapper told fans at least three times from the stage of That Tent, “and I’m glad I’m spending it with all my hippies.""
-------------------------------------------------------------
"“Thanks for coming to my last gig,” she said, amid noise that continued well after she was gone."
-The New York Times

She's probably just kidding - but if she isn't, she just made a really bad career move!
Her sophomore album, "Kala", was one of the most original/one of the best albums to drop in 07. Maybe she's just a strong believer in the saying "Quit while you're ahead"...I mean, she is engaged to a billionaire now... But the line should be drawn somewhere - dontcha' think??

M.I.A. - "Jimmy" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

This is how you make 'low-budget' look good...

Metronomy's new single "Holiday" drops on July 7th.

Posted by Meg Bourne

Santogold + The Strokes + N.E.R.D. = "My Drive Thru"

As we mentioned earlier; Santogold, Julian Casablancas and Pharrell are teaming up to do a song about converse...

Well, it's finally been released!

N.E.R.D. ft. Santogold & Julian Casablancas - "My Drive Thru" . MP3 (zshare)

"The Strokes singer, Julian Casablancas, Santogold, and Pharrell Williams from N.E.R.D. have joined forces in a new Converse ad to coincide the centennial anniversary of the shoe company. The ad campaign will be called, Three Artists, One Song. The One Song is entitled “My Drive Thru” and has Pharrell on the production wheels as Santi and Julian take the backseat trading verses as the song riffs along. "My Drive Thru" will be released for free download June 10th at the Converse website."
-CosbyKid

Thoughts?Thoughts?Thoughts?

www.converse.com

Posted by Meg Bourne

Crystal Castles...fail!

CRYSTAL CASTLES live @ Richards on Richards, Vancouver, B.C. June 6th 2008
(Words by Sarah Fischer / Photo by Meg Bourne)

It was with great excitement and anticipation that people filed into Richards on Richards this Friday and brought the bar to capacity. Tons of fans were denied access at the door and even some of those on the guest list got turned away. The last time Crystal Castles were supposed to play in town the show was cancelled due to a car accident, so it was a sort of make up gig and everyone was expecting the best. Now, the band was originally scheduled for 10pm, but due to some complications they were pushed back to midnight. The fans stood there enjoying their drinks, emptying their wallets at the merch table and enduring the sticky heat that was being generated by all the bodies packed together for an extra two hours longer than scheduled. By the time the band finally took the stage another half hour had passed, and people had even begun to boo. Dressed in an oversized Leonardo DiCaprio t-shirt, stretchy black skirt with blue leggings and some ratty pink converse, the vocalist, Alice Glass, looked fresh out of junior high. The whole thing was so young, so rehearsed, so…boring. The vocals were too quiet, the lights were too dim, and the energy was non-existent. After making the crowd wait four and a half hours after doors, two and a half hours late, Crystal Castles only played for half an hour. I left the show angry, uncomfortable and utterly unimpressed…I would liken the whole experience to the first time I had alcohol poisoning.


Crystal Castles - "Vanished" . MP3 (zshare)

Crystal Castles VS Health - "Crimewave" . MP3 (zshare)

Crystal Castles Myspace

More Crystal Castles photos by Meg Bourne

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Sarah Fischer

Vancouver goes Blonde

THE LONG BLONDES live @ Richards on Richards, Vancouver, B.C. May 30th 2008
(Words by Michelle Swami / Photos by Kris Krüg)

The Long Blondes. If you have lived or been to the UK in the last three years you have probably heard of them. They were labelled the “next big thing” and their first CD “Someone to Drive You Home” was a hit in their native UK with the song, “Once and Never Again” all over the radio. But unlike their British contemporaries, this band was a mixed gender band with incredible chemistry. Also, they inspired the next generation of British teenagers/hipsters to raid their grandmothers closets and thrift stores.

After cancelling their last Vancouver appearance for undisclosed reasons, The Long Blondes were in town to support their new, darker album, “Couples”. Kicking off their set with their first single and first track off their new CD, “Century”, they showed that they can play darker songs, while not entirely changing their style. Singer Kate Jackson showed that she deserved that number seven spot on NME’s annual “Cool List” by coming out wearing a black and white striped t shirt, short high waisted shorts, nylons that resembled bricks which matched the brick wall décor of Richards On Richards and looking like she was ready to rock the crowd of under ninety people. Throughout the set, The Long Blondes went back and forth from their darker, slower new songs to their older pop-punk songs. The crowd was not really feeling their darker, melancholy music and were too busy drinking their Stella’s and talking to each other until the middle of their set when the band decided to play, “Once and Never Again”. This fast number hyped up the crowd and made them gravitate towards the stage. Soon after that song was played, the crowd got more and more energized while the band played more of their older and faster songs. Kate & co. decided to shake things up on stage as well by moving around and dancing which they didn’t do during their new songs. In between their songs thereafter, an older forty-something year old man who was right up-front and centre, decided it would be a good idea to hoot and holler and yell things such as, “shake it!”, “move that ass!” and “sexy!” when the Seth Rogen look-alike drummer, Screech Louder decided to throw a drum stick at him, which actually hit him square on the forehead -- good aim. Unfortunately, even with that little bump on the head, it didn’t stop him from yelling obnoxious things during the set.Closing their short set with an older song “Giddy Stratospheres”, they ended their show with a bang and made the crowd scream for more and did just that with a one song encore of, “Lust in the Movies” which name checks legendary movie actresses, Edie Sedgwick, Arlene Dahl and Anna Karina. By this point, the crowd was pumped and boys and girls alike chanted along to the songs main chorus of, “I just want to be a sweetheart”. It was really a great end to a show that didn’t start out so powerful.

The Long Blondes - "Century" . MP3 (zshare)

The Long Blondes - "Lust In The Movies" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Kris Krüg

We Heart Obama party!

It doesn't matter that we live in Canada...

Senator Barack Obama made history by clinching the Democratic nomination Tuesday night... and we're gonna celebrate!!

THURSDAY JUNE 19TH

BLASTRAMP
presents
WEHEARTOBAMA

with BLASTRAMP deejays
MY!GAY!HUSBAND!+IAN WYATT+BENJAMIN

with special guests
FRIENDSHIP deejays
JUSTIN ASHLEY + MAREK

THE BOURBON
50 WEST CORDOVA

DOORS AT 10PM
PARTY TILL 2AM

$3.75 BEER
$4.50 DOUBLE HI BALLS
$10.25 PITCHERS

PLUS PLUS PLUS PLUS

WEheartOBAMA is the release party for the limited edition Blastramp Barack Obama Tshirt designed by Logan!
We will have the t-shirts on sale for $15.

! ! ! CLICK HERE TO RSVP ! ! !

Posted by Meg Bourne