In Malmö, Sweden, Carl Nordström is a DJ and Producer disguised under the name Affictionados. His latest album, "This is what it is" is an eight-track journey into the mind of a producer who can't make up his mind about what genre he falls into. What artist can, after all, label himself?
The album feels like a film score with its mystic quality and fusing of genres. If I were a director I would want to make Carl's music work in my film. It's so gracious with a very listenable quality that mass audiences would immediately understand. Directors of the world, take note.
Naturally, I have listened to "This is what it is" on repeat like most of Carl's other work which is a great combination of soul, jazz, blues, funk, folk, world and hip hop. All of his work loops and loops in my head, stirring my imagination. Throughout the heavily curated and layered album, Christine Owman makes guest vocal appearances adding a mysterious, slightly haunting element to the whole package.
My favourite track would have to be "My Mind Goes" featuring Swedish hip hop artist Bracey Hansun. It is the most unexpected song on the album but doesn't feel out of place. Bracey Hansun raps about coffee a lot in this song for reasons unbeknownst to me.
For Carl, the intention is not to sound like something specific but rather to make new music without limits and boundaries. If “soundscapes” was ever a genre, then this would be what it is.
Christine Owman in Toronto for Indie Week:
October 13 (tonight) at Nocturne (550 Queen Street West), 11:15pm, $6
October 14 at Free Times Cafe (320 College Street), midnight, $10
October 15 at The Peacok (365 King Street West), 12:45am, $10
That mid-200s mix CD from the person who had a crush on you
All of the songs were good, some were sappy. Other songs were definitely targeted towards you, making you feel powerful instead of vulnerable or like a "victim" of the imagination of your crush. There were enough lo-fi songs on the CD to break your heart and enough hearty jams to make you self-consciously dance in your head. The track list has been uploaded on your iPod; there is no denying that it was a great mix. It will forever be the sound of unrequited love.
Chicks on Speed
Holy riot grrrl in high school. I'll have the anonymous phone number "987 6511" stuck in my forever after hearing the song, "For all the boys in the world". When was the last time you thought about this group? Probably not since that song! File under: Junior Senior, Scissor Sisters, Le Tigre.
Screamo
I had Saetia on repeat as a teenager. I hadn't thought about them in 6+ years until this year when someone bought my copy of their discography from Amazon Marketplace. I still smell the stench of nostalgia in the hardcore/screamo genre on my iPod, but it would be a crime to delete such meaningful moments in my history. Not surprisingly, the hardcore genre holds some of the most underplayed songs on my iPod. I will not touch them with a ten foot pole as they sit there, collecting digital dust, yet I cannot let go of them.
Life before minimalist Deustch techno
What kind of electronic music was I listening to (other than Justice) before I discovered Ellen Allien in 2008? Probably nothing important, and certainly not anything as crucial as Kompakt total series (6, 7, 9, 10 in particular). Minimalist German techno was my 9/11; every day since my discovery of the genre has been September 12. My brain had to adjust for a while, now that shit is like speed.
Arcade fire, pre-Suburbs
I forgot that Arcade Fire released anything else besides "The Suburbs". Remember when they had two other really great albums? Why does it seem like this one matters the most? It was the Grammy, wasn't it?
Lately, I have been listening to shitty rap music. It’s not an ironic thing for me. I genuinely enjoy listening to bad music and feeling good about it.
It started this summer. Once I graduated and was out of a job, I began searching with desperation. During that time, I came across a music video on MTV: “Money to Blow” by Birdman featuring Lil Wayne and Drake.
Drake. Who was this guy and why did I always hear about him? Surely, I was fanatical about Degrassi and I knew he had a pop career, but he only had released a couple of mixtapes, right? The more I heard, the more I became turned on. It was that deep voice of his. I actually started listening to Flow 93.5 in hopes of hearing similar songs. In a world where internet downloading reigns supreme, I am not sure why I did this. It was probably because I drove a lot in the summer and usually forgot my iPod at home.
The other Birdman
Suddenly, I began enjoying songs by Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Usher, Will.I.Am, Rihanna, Taio Cruz, and Chris Brown. There was something so innocent, carefree, and stupid about all of their songs. It was the music of "conformity". Maybe, that was how I needed to feel in such a time of hopelessness. Plus, it was summer, the most relaxed season of all.
The trend of listening to bad music continued on into the winter, and still lives to this day. Friends have shunned me. Other friends think I am trying to be ironic. No one has gone out to da club with me. My boyfriend could have/should have left me at this point. At least I don’t pay to listen to shitty music, I say, except for when I bought that Drake concert ticket.
I have no shame in saying that I genuinely enjoy the music of Drake. De-friend me now.
However, I am still the same person who enjoys quality music. For so many years, I have listened to awesome bands. People ask me for music recommendations, and I am happy to give them. Just look at all the music reviews on this blog. Do I seriously ever review bad music? Does it take up any of my precious time, money, or even dignity? Did you ever see T-Payne up on that shit?
No, I still listen to “indie” and “lo-fi” and probably every esteemed artist ever featured by Pitchfork. I read books by Alex Ross. I know who Captain Beefheart is. I don’t think I’m superior because of it. Because I love and appreciate all sorts of music, obscure or not, I think I am allowed to have a break from the “real world” of “good music”.
Ciara featuring Ludacris, "Ride", was one of my favourite songs of 2010, and one of my favourite videos.
I think I am allowed to listen to popular rap music, no matter how horrendous it may be. I don’t need to prove myself to anyone. I don’t need to list every rock-snob-approved band I’ve ever loved for acceptance. No. I just want to listen to bad music, because bad music is sometimes fun. What's so wrong with that?
1. It is a clear rip-off/reinterpretation of Gaspar Noe's film Enter the Void, a trippy seizure-inducing, pill-popping, sex-having journey through Tokyo.
2. If you didn't watch Enter the Void, you can just watch this video instead and ignore such happy moments like bloody car crashes, abortions, long and gruesome sex scenes, and more!
3. So many fucking fonts in 6 minutes. Love it.
4. Rihanna's outfit.
5. The beginning of the video is beautifully shot in black and white. It reminds me of Chicago? I automatically like it.
6. Kanye is steppin' on some next cop lights. I almost want to go to a dance party with cop light-inspired light-up floors. Or maybe I should get some L.A. Gears.
7. Kid Cudi's awkwardness and strange faces.
8. For a pop video, I got mad respect. Mostly because of the Gaspar Noe reference. And because it's Hype Williams.
Let's face it, 2010 was a pretty shitty year. It was the year I graduated university, and it was the year I traveled least. I did not make a lot of money doing what I loved; it was the year of odd jobs until I scored a few internships in Toronto's film industry - both of which were great, filling me with hope for this quarter-life crisis, post-grad life. Many successes and commitments were achieved - some on my behalf, some not - mostly by Kanye West. I can only hope that 2011 will be filled with tons of surprises for the better.
2010 was the year of ridiculous noteworthy news: the g20 in Toronto this summer caused a lot of suffering; the oil spill was the most depressing, suicide-inflicting news I had heard in a long time; Rob Ford was elected Mayor of Toronto, forever threatening efficient public transport in the city; Paul the Octopus died; MTV canceled the City; tuition fees rose in England from £3,290 to £9,000, and so much more.
Enough about me and the real world, let's look at the media's top moments.
1. BEST FILMS
Black Swan Natalie Portman is chosen to play the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, and the only way she can become a truly fantastic performer is to lose complete control. Her dark side emerges as the bad guy in this striking, stunning and engulfing film.
Waste Land Brazilian artist Vik Muniz documents the largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro where he finds a group of very characteristic recycling pickers. Muniz encourages the pickers to make their own large-scale portraits out of recyclable items from the landfill. The portraits end up in London for an auction at Phillips de Pury, and the recycling community uses the money to change their lives forever. An underrated film that makes us realize how much garbage can say about our identities.
Catfish Ariel Schulman receives paintings of his photographs from a young girl. After communicating with her through email for some time, he falls for her older sister Megan. He decides to visit Megan in her hometown Michigan, despite his suspicions about her. The viewers are in for a shock that is totally out of left field, with blatant commentary on how one can control his/her identity through the internet. Fake or not, a huge lesson is to be learned through this film.
Les Amours Imaginaires 21-year-old Montreal filmmaker Xavier Dolan surprises the hell out of us with his second feature film that follows two hipster friends and their jealous relationship with beckoning newcomer Nico. Beautifully shot and reminiscent of French New Wave and the director Tom Ford, Dolan will make his mark on Canadian film. Plus, the soundtrack features The Knife and Fever Ray. How else can I convince you to see this?
2. BEST MOMENTS IN FASHION
Clean and classic Influenced by Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant and French fashion designer Celine, the year has seen a palette of clean, simple and well-designed clothing, ranging from classic camel-coloured pea coats to flattering straight leg pants and comfortable, well-combed cardigans. Men have started to dress better thanks to stores like Banana Republic and people like John Hamm. Women have started embracing their curves in a-line dresses cinched at the waist, and their lips with deep red lipstick. Thanks Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Christina Hendricks!
Urban Outfitters' AROUND THE WORLD collection This year, Urban Outfitters brought some lesser known designers mainly from Europe to their online store. Designers ranging from Madras by A.P.C., Le Mont St. Michel, and Stolen Girlfriends Club highlighted a new era for Urban Outfitters, with lower-end designer prices and unique looks in cashmere, merino, silk and angora. Scandinavia influenced the collection with designers such as Stine Goya, House of Dagmar, Minimarket, and Wood Wood. It was easy for these designers to stumble and confuse you into using your credit card, because you knew that the quality would be impeccable.
Rag and Bone pre-fall 2011 Aside from Proenza Schouler and Vera Wang, Rag and Bone blew me away with their effortless combination of structure and drape. David Neville and Marcus Wainwright were quoted as saying, "When in doubt, use leather," which is a philosophy that worked extremely well with this lightweight, adaptable collection. A collection for "real girls" in the city, they say.
3. BEST ALBUMS
Caribou - Swim I saw Caribou live this year in Toronto. Two weeks later, I saw him again in Houston. I don't care to see live bands in such a short amount of time, or even twice in their lifespan, but Caribou had converted me with this surreal album that sounded like nothing I had ever heard before. I continue to listen to this album on repeat, having difficulty choosing which track is my favourite.
M.I.A. - MAYA I unexpectedly fell in love with M.I.A.'s latest album. It is annoying as fuck, but not more than her past albums, and that's why I like it. It's the only M.I.A. album on my iPod with all the tracks on it. I want to freak out to this album over and over again. Beat someone up to one song, maybe dance to another, run as fast as I can to the next, and enter a hazy smoke-filled room afterward. Fantastic.
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Honestly, I don't need to talk about why this album is the greatest thing ever. I am blown out of the water, track after track, except for "Blame Game", my least favourite song. Honourable mentions: "Dark Fantasy" (for its haunted muppet-like chorus), "All of the Lights" (because Rihanna is amazing), "Monster" (mainly for Nicki Minaj's verse), and "Lost in the World" (featuring Gil Scott-Heron, need I say more?).
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs An album came out this year, and it was all about my life, my upbringing, my hopes, my dreams, my youth. Lyric after lyric described how I grew up in a boring, bustling suburb. This album is the anthem for all of those kids affected by poor urban planning and malls. Each haunting song reads like a story, making mundane landscapes seem interesting and full of character. The Arcade Fire has perfected pure innocence for that reason.
4. BEST YOUTUBE GEM
Antoine Dodson: Bed Intruder Song
I sang this song way too much this year. I know all of the lyrics, and would be pleased to hear it on New Years Eve. Thanks.
Insane Clown Posse - Miracles
Possibly funnier and more amusing than Antoine Dodson, because it's outwardly and militantly clueless about science. Adults who don't understand how magnets and rainbows work do exist in this world, and they shockingly extend beyond ICP. A true gem in the world of comedy, without trying to be funny at all.
5. BEST REASON TO GET A TWITTER ACCOUNT
whitegrlproblem This mysterious twitter account finally explains the world of people like Kim Kardashian, Lauren Conrad and Miley Cyrus without saying it outright. Oh, and maybe it explains my irrational thoughts a little bit, too. A hilarious read that will make you feel better about yourself.
conanobrien Conan and I are meant to be, and this twitter account illustrates every reason why I could love such a gangly, tall, self-deprecating ginger. Did I mention he's an Aries?
680newstraffic This is the most useful twitter account ever for commuters. Like seriously, this is what twitter is meant for, not #MTV, or #Kraft Dinner. This is twitter put to work, with #real, #hard-ass #information in #small doses. For 2011, #nobodycareswhatyou'redoing, unless you're 680 News.
6. BEST WEBSITES
Tonematrix Make your own music with dots. JUST TRY IT! So much fun!
Variations on Normal A highly creative blog by Dominic Wilcox and all the stuff he creates out of more stuff, without wasting other stuff.
Refinery 29 Refinery 29 is the fashion blog I have been following the most this year, and it's because they have awesome coverage, good style advice and ideas, and lots of fun pictures of fashion collections and street stylish babes. The best part? It's not even boring. Somehow, R29 makes it all seem original and fresh. Plus, they kinda make me wanna do my hair and buy lots of things from Sephora. Writing for 29 = Dream job!
Ignant I can't understand a damn word on this website (it's in German), but it has lots of pretty pictures that I want to emulate. Ignant is totally an inspiration blog for us creative people with so many ideas and not enough time or connections. The clean layout is a major plus.
7. BEST ARTICLES
The End of Men An extremely relevant article written about the rising power of women in the workforce with a clear emphasis on money and the middle class. The article chronicles the (unfortunate) fall of men as well, and how middle class men are unable to keep up with the trend. Women are slowly becoming the main breadwinner in many new families, and this article illustrates the pros and cons of this emerging trend. A well written expose without being pro-feminist or anti-men.
Straight Outta Comp 101 A writer who has never listened to hip hop primarily discovers the genre through reading "The Anthology of Rap" printed by Yale University Press. Fascinating, adorable, and an easy sell to culture junkies (like me).
Interns: Experience or Exploitation? As many new graduates enter this shady workforce, many are encouraged to partake in internships that pay very little or nothing at all, all under the name of "experience". The fact is that many "assistant" full-time jobs are being canceled to accommodate the rise of internships. How much is too much? When will companies that make millions of dollars be legally penalized for hiring on interns, and not even paying for their Metropasses? This Toronto Star article says it all, including legal dilemmas, and perspectives from students who want more from their internship besides filing papers and entering data.
How to Dress for Parties without Freezing Dress Code, my favourite column on Jezebel.com, hit the nail on the head with this article. Time after time, I am disgusted to see fellow women without stockings while peep toe shoes in the dead of winter. Have you no respect for yourself? You can look just as sexy wearing a lot of cashmere, sweater dresses, or boots. Or perhaps fleece-lined tights? Promise they won't make you look bulky!
8. BEST PERSON
James FrancoNew York Magazine recently wrote an 8-page article about enigmatic James Franco. This is why I love him: he is an actor, he has a B.A. from UCLA, he is enrolled in 4 graduate programs (NYU for film, Columbia for writing, Brooklyn for writing, Warren Wilson for poetry), he will have a p.h.D in English from Yale, he takes design courses at Rhode Island, and he is a published author whose work has been featured in an art show in NYC. Basically, James Franco is the dream version of myself in man form. Begin the process of finding out why he is so amazing, and check out the NY Mag article here.
Seeing Winnipeg, according to Weakerthans lyrics by Theo Markou Edited by Erin Pehlivan
When I told my friends and co-workers that I was going to spend my one week ration of summer vacation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, most gave me the same muted glare of disbelief. "Oh...good for you," they would say. What they actually meant was; there is no compelling or rational reason for a tourist to travel to Winnipeg.
The real reason I chose to visit Winnipeg was for my itching desire to experience a city that I feel close through song. John K. Samson, front man of the Winnipeg-based Weakerthans, writes the most evocative and illustrative lyrics that I’ve ever heard. Samson masterfully works emotion, sentimentalism, nostalgia, longing and political commentary into intelligent lyrics, without every becoming trite or obscure.
Listening to the album Fallow transports me to a bitterly cold prairie expanse and a lonesome Winnipeg cityscape. Using lyricism as a form of cartography, Samson maps the city in short vignettes from the chaotic march of investment bankers beneath Portage Avenue to aggressive urban renewal effort in the city’s North end, all the while declaring, "I hate Winnipeg". Scattered across Samson’s lyrics are references to landmarks throughout Winnipeg. My goal was to visit as many sights of lyrical representation in one week with a map. On this adventure, my only sources of direction were the Winnipeg skyline and the vague itinerary presented to me by Weakerthans lyrics.
"The airport [is] always almost empty this time of the year, so let’s go play on a baggage carousel..." - Aside Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YGW): 200 Wellington Ave.
Arriving from Toronto’s Pierson International Airport, it’s only by default that my first official stop would be the baggage carousel mentioned in "Aside". My suitcase was one of the first to come out the shoot and onto the carousel, but I hung back and let it cycle while a throng of people wrestled for the few square feet of space at its curve.
"A spectre [is] haunting Albert Street..." - Pamphleteer 48 Albert Street
Some believe that Samson, in reference to the first sentence of the Communist Manifesto, pays tribute to Winnipeg’s tradition of leftist radicalism, specifically the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. In the last decade or so, Winnipeg’s leftist radical tradition has spawned an overt anarchist tendency which has declared part of Albert Street to be an "autonomous zone". Albert Street is a part of this long and still evolving history. In this sense, a spectre is haunting Albert Street – the spectre of the working class.
"Wellington’s Wednesdays" (song) The St. Charles Hotel: 235 Notre Dam Avenue
Wellington’s is, or perhaps was, a bar located in the basement of the St. Charles Hotel at Notre Dam and Albert Street. Whether or not the bar remains in operation is open for debate; not once did I see any activity on the street to suggest the raucousness described in Samson’s tribute. The lyrics "curtains never open, faces never show" hit upon this. However, the elders of the Winnipeg music scene know that, during the 1980s, Wellington’s was the prairie capitol of goth, punk and new wave; the Cure performed there in August 1981.
Be sure not to miss the vintage advertisements that still remain on many buildings throughout the city; few cities in Canada can claim such a collection of colourful murals. As Winnipeg continues to grow and renew, it seems almost certain that these murals, or the structures that serve as their canvas, will go "missing, like teeth".
"Let’s plant a bomb at city hall..." - Confessions of a Futon Revolutionary Winnipeg City Hall, at the Winnipeg Civic Centre: 510 Main Street
Would-be futon revolutionaries take warning – Winnipeg’s city hall is located directly across from its police headquarters. This and because it’s in Winnipeg makes it a less than ideal target for revolutionary direct action. That’s not to say that the intimidating building wouldn’t benefit from being razed.
"A thousand sharpened elbows in the underground..." - One Great City! Underground concourse: Vicinity of Notre Dam & Main Street
When visiting Winnipeg during its sunny summer days, it’s easy to disregard the unforgiving winter months. Evidence of winter’s treachery can be found in the enclosed footbridges that connect buildings to one another, as well as the hermetically sealed glass bus shelters. Still, the most telling evidence is the underground concourse which begins just on the edge of the Exchange and connects many of the downtown office towers and hotels, mostly for the benefit of those who work within them. During rush hour, it is not difficult to imagine the cramped marble quarters being filled with agitated business people, making their way to lunch or waiting chauffeured cars.
"All-night restaurant North Kildona..." - None of the Above Salisbury House: 759 Pembina Highway
Some years ago I decided that, if I ever found myself in Manitoba, I would make a point of eating at the all-night restaurant mentioned in "None of the Above". In the end, this plan was only partially met. Given the suburban layout of the neighbourhood of North Kildona and the rumoured historic taste of its coffee, the lyrics seem to describe the scene inside of a Salisbury House restaurant.
Salisbury House, or simply Sal’s to the locals, is a regional chain that could best be described to outsiders as a Denny’s-type chain. After a Saturday night performance at Freud’s, the party wasn’t quite over. At 2:30am on the weekend, finding food means leaving downtown Winnipeg and heading to the suburbs for either late-night Chinese or "Sal’s". With eight all-night locations scattered across the city, it’s just a matter of selecting one. But at North Kildona, the pancakes apparently tasted like rubber and the service was really slow. Between this review and that contained in "None of the Above", perhaps the location isn’t worth visiting after all. We ended up a nondescript plaza at the side of the Pembina Highway, which my hosts assured me was more or less identical to the one in North Kildona.
"Out under the Disraeli, with rusty train track tires..." - Fallow 9 Rover Avenue
(Photo from The Uniter: Winnipeg’s Weekly Urban Journal)
"The Disraeli" refers to the Disraeli Freeway and by extension the Disraeli Bridge. Despite warnings from locals that the area wasn’t safe, even in daylight, I studied the incomplete bus route map I grabbed from the airport. Parts of North Winnipeg remind me of a forgotten city where once populated streets abruptly turn desolate and confrontational. The street that I was walking on at around 2pm transitioned from an industrial strip of auto repair shops to a small neighbourhood of older homes.
Judging by the images that I looked up on Google Street View after the fact, the Disraeli Bridge is hulking, rusty and utilitarian; not much of a sight to look at. Yet there is still something charming about it. "It’s the best place in all of Winnipeg to watch the sunset," insists a former co-worker. If you’re more daring than me, you can watch the sunset and then use the cover of night to head south to the train yard that Sampson references. Just don’t go alone.
"I love this place, the enormous sky..."
The best adventures change something about the individual; my changes were both emotional and physical. All of the walking and a largely vegan diet led to some weight loss. When modeling my souvenir t-shirt, my mother commented that she could see my ribs through it. Similar to a lyric in "Aside", all of this wandering wore holes into a brand new pair of shoes that I "got for free" shortly before leaving for Winnipeg. In a short time, I had worked my way into the dialectic of the city’s complex social landscape. While I cannot articulate its specifics, I can appreciate how Samson is able to draw so much inspiration from it.
Winnipeg and the landmarks discussed are tantamount to Graceland for Weakerthans fans. Since visiting Winnipeg, the experience of listening to their recordings has been altered; I now have a more intimate relationship to some of the raw lyrical material. The visions that were once simply the product of my imagination have been replaced by memories of what actually is there, in the endearing city of Winnipeg.
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To contact Theo Markou, email him at cameraninja@gmail.com and be sure to visit his tumblr thisblogcouldbeyourlife. His original Weakerthans Guide to Winnipeg is 25 pages long and deserves to be published in all publications relevant to Canadian and non-Canadian music. This is an edited version only for the purpose of Too Rude Magazine. And if this doesn’t get published elsewhere, I hope the members of the Weakerthans stumble upon it in pride. Thank you for sharing, Theo.
Kanye West might be a self-absorbed auto-tuned-out douche at times, but the 34-minute music video for “Runaway” directed by the man himself is a stunning and beautiful investment worthy of your time.
Kanye is not a man of tightly fastened words, rather he is known for his honesty and bluntness which often gets him in trouble. With the lyrics, “Let’s have a toast for the douche bags”, he is really illustrating his frustration with the music industry including heavy critiques of his turn-on, auto-tune-in, post-college-drop-out album 808 and Heartbreak. This time – judging purely from his new music video – Kanye has taken a step towards positive growth regardless of his blatant bravado.
The reason why I value this music video is because of Kanye’s unpredictability. If nothing else, appreciate the creativity and artistic value of the video, which is unabashedly beautiful and simply stunning. With costumes designed by fashion god Philip Lim (drool) and noted theatre costume designer Martin Izquierdo, we get a taste of Kanye’s high life. Damn, those new loafers must have hurt his pocket, too; wearing brands such as Lanvin in the music video show us that Kanye is putting effort into his image. But he looks better, faster, stronger and sharper than ever in his various get-ups.
Let’s not fail to mention Selita Ebanks, the fallen phoenix (literally) and love interest of Kanye in the video – and the love interest of many men as a former Victoria Secret Angel. Exotic, indeed; as Kanye brings her to his all-black-bourgeois dinner, her “otherness” surprises the guests clad in starch white clothing. She comes from another world free of discrimination and Kanye can't help but fall in love with her wide-eyed fragility and feathers. She watches Kanye perform at the dining hall as ballerinas jut and creep with elegance. This is one of the most original scenes I have seen in a music video in a long time.
Add the colonial references and some nice unpredictable cutie-pie animals like sheep, rabbits and deer, and you have the re-emergence of the importance of music video. Subtract the occasional mindless, hollow dialogue (written by Hype Williams) for a better music video recipe, though.
Taken at face value, the video is an aesthetically beautiful and surreal piece. But given Kanye West’s negative publicity and “the way he rolls”, some of us can’t help but feel this is a vanity project. Maybe he is pulling a Bansky-esque trick on us all? If Kanye truly has taken his career to another level, then sign me up for the new album and a ticket to his next concert, please.
Drake loves his hometown Toronto. He loves it so much that he played last Sunday at the Molson Ampitheatre at his self-created OVO Fest (October's Very Own) in army pants. He brought some friends along, too. Maybe you know them? Their names are Jay-Z and Eminem. Nevermind Rick Ross, Fabulos, and Kardinal Offishall. Jay and Eminem were the stars of the show, even moreso than baby Drake himself.
Drake hasn't entertained Toronto since last August when he was on tour with his "big brother" Lil Wayne. Since then, Drake's ego has grown and he has released a full-length album entitled "Thank me Later" which has collaborations with Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and so many more. It was a sold out show and the assholes at security was in full force. After countless moments of flirting with security guards trying to get to the front row, we settled for the 300 section from our fleshless 400 level seats.
The beginning of the show was boring as hell, even Young Jeezy's meagre 5-song set put us to sleep. Then Drake comes onto the stage and all the girls lost their panties/minds. No bras were thrown, in fact, I couldn't even spot Drake's famous "bra rack" on stage, a collection of bras thrown at him from previous shows.
Jay lookin' a little like Drake?
We had heard rumours all day about Eminem and Jay-Z making a special guest appearance, so we were kept on our toes the entire show. They only made their appearance at the end with songs like "Forever" and "Run this Town" (featuring Kanye West and Rihanna in the recording, yet no ladies were on stage representing). Drake's set mostly consisted of slow songs until he hit us all with "Over" and "Best I Ever Had", in which he mentioned he loves Toronto so much that he could only marry a girl from here. "It would just feel right," he said. He kept talking about Toronto's women as the hottest in the world, and if he "were the type to spend money on women", his number one city would be this one.
Eminem
Speaking of girls, he loooves to pick women from the crowd and bring them onto stage. He warned the girl he picked out that she would get kissed, sucked and licked, but this girl just stood there like a piece of wood. If I was on that stage, I would have worked it and taken full advantage of Drake's sweet Teddy Pendergrass moves. Ultimate performance fail on the girl's behalf, who was just 21 and was equipped with really unflattering booty shorts.
Drake showed a lot of love for his live band which was a huge highlight of the show with their sweet bass lines and under-appreciated guitar solos. He gave shout outs to Lil Wayne often and told the NYPD to fuck off and Free Weezy.
I believe that Drake's fame has gotten to his head. If he still stayed on Degrassi and didn't have his own Virgin Airlines plane with his face plastered on it, I wonder where he'd be now. His flow was weak at times and he missed a few words on stage. His voice wasn't as low and sensual as it is on the recordings. Yet he delivered a memorable show that kept me satisfied for days. I'm excited to see how he evolves as a performer. He is after all only 2 years old in this rap scene. I'd see him live again, maybe in his "second home" Houston.
Wale: Attention Deficit Wale (pronounced WALL-EH) has convinced me that he is an intelligent rapper that is far from obnoxious. After producing 5 mix tapes, he knows what a sick beat sounds like, and has included respectable production into this 2009 LP including songs featuring Lady Gaga (“Chillin”), Gucci Mane (“Pretty Girls”), and oodles of contributions from Jazmine Sullivan, K’Naan and Pharrell. Previously he has been compared to Drake, but he has higher quality writing skills; meanwhile, Drake could use a creative writing class or two (and hey, maybe I can join him...snicker). Wale, you are vivacious as fuck. You make ordinary people love hip hop. DON’T STOP!
Surfer Blood: Astro Coast During NXNE I was dying to see this band for all the hype. On the way to Wrong Bar we ran into these fellas in a cab and they told us to get in even though the cab was full. Yeah, awkward. We get to Wrong Bar and – wrong – we arrived with cash and without passes. The show wasn’t meant to be and the night was not on our side. But after listening to Surfer Blood copiously afterwards, I can say that I already love them. They have hints of Arcade Fire’s charm (“Harmonix”) with sharp doses of Built to Spill and Vampire Weekend. The vocals are a mash-up of Thursday and ATDI; for anyone who is “over” their emo phase, you might dig Surfer Blood for their ability to remind you of your teenage years. Most importantly, Surfer Blood is an updated version of Weezer AKA what Weezer should be sounding like now but instead they sound like crap. It’s the whole “You take your car / I’ll take my board” mentality of this Florida band that I love so much and all those Rivers-esque feel-good oh oh ohh’s. Such good, chill summer music that makes me want to wear cut off jeans and a black t-shirt for the rest of 2010.
Quadron: Self-titled Scandinavia constantly amazes me with its large number of super-catchy 60s soul revival bands. The two kids of Copenhagen’s Quadron are keepin’ it just as real as El Perro and the Concretes with their brand of modern “electro soul” which includes influences from Aaliyah, Missy Elliot and Marvin Gaye among others. Quadron is a band of binaries yet the name means a “quarter” (quadraries?). With half-hand-played instruments and half-technology-based sound, Quadron reveals their interesting sound while ethnically both members are half-Danish and half-mulatto African. If it doesn’t make you cry, it should make you dance.
Paul Kalkbrenner: Berlin Calling My friend Florian in Hamburg told me to check out Paul Kalkbrenner’s “Berlin Calling” album, which is actually the soundtrack of a film by the same name chronicling the “dark side” of Berlin’s drug-induced electric party scene. Kalkbrenner is the only thing playing in Germany right now, other than the World Cup at Brandenburg Gates. "Atzepeng" is devilish and fluteful while the mesmerizing “Sky and Sand” tops charts and dance clubs in Deutschland, only making me wish I was there more than here. Toronto doesn’t love this brand of pulsating house as much as the Germans, sadly, which makes me wonder if Kalkbrenner could survive in a North American market. However, he is multifaceted man specializing in the production of minimalist techno, house, and of course, acting these days.
Sarah Harmer: Oh Little Fire I remember being awaken on a Saturday morning by the acoustic sounds of Sarah Harmer’s latest album “Oh Little Fire” on CBC Radio 2. It absolutely blew my mind. Upon hearing the soft vocals of “New Loneliness”, I thought it was Emily Haines at first. This album is sure to be a classic in my collection – it focuses more on indie and less on country jargon as compared to Harmer’s previous works. It’s her first album in 5 years showcasing her personal era of change. I’m not surprised though; Harmer is a talented and modest woman with a huge passion for the Boreal forest. What’s not to like about her really, truly, and anyways?
Erlend Øye: DJ Kicks I fell in love with Erlend Øye after seeing Kings of Convenience live in Toronto in June. It was the funniest performance ever due to Øye’s awkward Napoleon Dynamite dance moves, plus all those deadpan Norwegian dark jokes that turn me on so much. With Kings of Convenience, it’s very easy to tell which songs were written by Øye – the jigs like “I’d Rather Dance With You” get everyone in the barn hopping. But back to DJ Kicks, have you EVER heard “Poor Leno”? This song makes me shit the bed every single time. A twirl of the Smiths lyrics for “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” combined with remixed Royksopp beats shows Øye’s genius beat-mixing skills. If you’re going to listen to anything today, make it be this song. While you’re at it, give this album a chance x 10.
So much more to come this July! A lot of catch-up to play...
Polish/Italian band embraces avant garde and experimental noise with a touch of NYC's first no-wave scene
One day I received a lovely little email from an experimental group named Nac/Hut Report. Normally bands don’t email me for press, but I really liked their sound and thought they deserved some recognition. They are unlike anything I’ve heard before, or maybe it’s because the obscure genre they associate with, “musique concrete”, is completely alien to me.
The band is influenced by guitar, electronic, and concrete noises. Bored with the conventional sound of pop music and its harmonies, the two members M.A.D.ame Decode and Li/ese/li integrated their archive of strange sound noises, both ready-made and self-created, into their songs with pop tendencies.
It’s something I’ll coin as “freak pop”. The music is influenced by pop but is very much removed and unfamiliar to the genre. Nac/Hut Report describes themselves as “everything mixed up together for no obvious reason, the worst kind of post-modernism”.
From a previous interview with Puke Skywalker, the band is influenced by Glenn Branca’s no-wave guitars, Pierre Schaeffere, Pierre Henry, Luc Ferrari and Jean Tinguely. The list goes on with Cabaret Voltaire’s first recordings, “Twin Infinitives” by Royal Trux, SPK, Einsturzende Neubauten and Die Todliche Doris.
“I’m really into the digital hardcore stuff,” M.A.D.ame Decode states, adding that the use of electronics is the most unconventional and powerful. “Alec Empire is one of the most interesting artists of our time”.
But again, there’s that small ounce of freak pop. The Pastels, Indian Jewellery and Candy Claws have been some of the band’s favourites to listen to. In the song “Not Completely Legal”, you can feel the pop with an eerie no-wave saxophone repeating in the background presumptuously like a siren with tortured guitars for added flavour. The vocals remain soft and dreamy.
Nac/Hut Report stuck out to me the most for defining themselves as Polish/Italian group. M.A.D.ame Decode hails from Poznan, Poland while Li/ese/li is from Reggio Emilio, Italy.
“We met almost 3 years ago in Krakow. After some months, we started living together. [Now] we're living mainly in Italy, but we often move between Italy and Poland if we have enough money,” says Li/ese/li.
According to M.A.D.ame Decode, both European cities lack a “real music scene”. Most bands end up playing generic mainstream rock, a genre far from the band’s style.
“In Italy, the music is really terrible ... [They] didn't discover the music after the 90s,” Li/ese/li stated. “Maybe there's even something good but we just don't follow it”.
As for the band’s name, Nac/Hut Report emerged during a talk about artistic avant garde. “At one point we realized we’re not part of avant garde but we were just using it to explore our artistic possibilities,” says M.A.D.ame Decode.
The band wanted to define their style as the opposite of avant garde (the advanced guard), which in German means "Nachut" or the "rear guard" in English.
“Then we stumbled onto a German porno movie called Nacht Report (Night Report). We just fused the names and it sounded very good to us”.
Unfortunately, Nac/Hut Report does not have any upcoming North American tour dates but they have released some material including an EP for the American label RCP Tapes in 2009. The LP "9th Overflowing...Milky Slaughterhouse...Dream of Incubator" has been spread label-less throughout the internet for free. You can download the LP for free here in .rar format.
Last Saturday I went to see this band at Rancho Relaxo from Toronto called Bravestation. Not only was every band member super-attractive, but they played solid music reminiscent of Muse, Interpol, Editors and Kings of Leon without sounding like a carbon copy. I have to say that I am surprised by these alt-rock radio-friendly dudes in regards to their presence and talent. Where’s George Stroumboulopoulos, NOW Magazine and NXNE? If you’re reading this, GET ON THIS BAND. The Rancho crowd loved them off as the band failed to broadcast any imperfections in their live music. So watchout! Southern Ontario, because you’ve got another thing coming, if you’re brave enough to handle it. And Foals, you better watch out too, because Bravestation could totally open up for you on a UK tour. I’m really impressed by the amount of press these young Brockvillians are getting. Maybe it’s because they are so gosh-darn tight and on top of that, they can make the publicists werrrk for their benefit. Ben Rayner of the Toronto Star even gave them a good review – that’s generally a sign from the music gods that your career is going to be awesome.
Photo by Daina Little
Honourable song mentions include “Roaming through the Capital” and “Southern Company”. Can’t you picture yourself driving/biking to these songs? Possibly with the radio on? Eh? Eh? Listen to the rest here.
Photo by Daina Little
As for Rancho Relaxo (aka Raunchy Relaxo), well, that’s a whole other story. I was glad to see the place packed with all sorts of fun people. Good vibes, good times, and it doesn’t hurt that there was Mexican food downstairs.h
Three years ago today I wrote a livejournal entry on the importance of Sonic Youth. To commemorate this moment in my life, I am reposting it for all to see. It also got published in York University's Excalibur. I submitted it as a joke and it actually went through with some editing. Quality journalism right here, folks.
Cheers!
Sonic Youth is amazing. They are the reason why you listen to music. They are the reason why so many bands exist today. It took me a few years and many tries to get into them. Now that they have grabbed my heart and entangled it into their guitar strings, I can't go back. I feel accomplished for letting them devour my soul with such intensity.
I first bought Goo in grade eleven from an unpolished used CD store on Bloor street, knowing that the album would somehow impact my taste in music. I did this even though I wasn't enthusiastic about them. It was one of the best $7 including tax I ever spent on music.
Sonic Youth owns music. They have influenced a large volume of artists, including your band. Even if you've never listened to Sonic Youth, they have influenced you. Even if your band sucks, they have influenced you. Sonic Youth is so superior that they invade your subconscious.
Sonic Youth has always been one of those "essential" artists, despite what musical genre they are placed in. Sonic Youth overrides grunge and indie and every other musical category. Sonic Youth is better and arguably more essential than Stephen Malkmus' band Pavement. I could list all the bands Sonic Youth is better than, especially from the late 80s to mid-90s, but I would be wasting my time, and yours.
There is a small chance that Sonic Youth might even be better than the Pixies. I'll have to get back to you on this, though.
Plus, Sonic Youth has ubiquitously invaded my childhood cartoon-watching experiences. Remember when Sonic Youth was on the Simpsons? This is clearly one of the top ten best Simpsons episodes ever. Not to mention, who can forget choppy music video clips of Sonic Youth on Beavis and Butthead in the mid-90s? Not me. I bet Daria had a Sonic Youth poster on her wall, too.
Listening to Daydream Nation, Dirty, and even Rather Ripped legitimizes the amazingness that Goo once captivated me with. Years later, I am downloading and purchasing the albums beyond Goo. I know, you're probably like, "What took you so long, poseur?". Dude, I don't care. Now is the best time. Now.
Sometimes the best music you'll discover in your life is almost fifteen years too late. Sometimes the best musicians pick up their instruments before you're born. To see those musicians still impacting music today, whether people realize it or not, is profound and mind-blowing if you really think about it.
I should write an academic thesis on the importance of Sonic Youth in life.
ACHTUNG fans of electro of the Scandinavian, particularly Norwegian variety: get on this album! Annie is redefining electro with her latest album Don't Stop and I clearly can't stop (listening to it). It's got hints of Röyksopp and Robyn with undertones of dancing to fashionable house music at Culture Box in Copenhagen circa 2008. Beginners should start out with the tracks “I Don’t Like Your Band” and “Songs Remind Me of You”. Great poppy vocals, jumpin’ beats, and Ladytron-esque vibes. I LOVE it!
The XX: Self Titled
And now for something completely different, the XX. Why does this album remind me of Sonic Youth with a tinge of R&B? Is it the awkward-kinda-there-Kim Gordon-meets-pop vocals? Anything that reminds me of Sonic Youth is generally amazing; I think it's the combination of vocals and gloomy, calculated guitars. Therefore, this album = yes. Just yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!
Otis Redding: The Very Best of Otis Redding
Not exactly "new" in music, but definitely newly appreciated by me! I just can’t get over the greatness of “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”, one of the greatest songs ever written. I have been listening to this album day in and day out. It warms my winter blues and compliments deceptively sunny days where it's below 0. I love the way he revamps doo-wop songs like “My Girl” into intense soul jams with his killer vocals. Otis is the king of soul. He brings the funk into my life. Not a big deal at all!
Motown: Various Tracks
So, in lieu of Otis Redding (who was actually on Stax Records, not Motown!), Motown has been on my listening list for the past couple of weeks. I am reminded by how great late-50s and 60s music is at a class I'm taking notes for called "The History of R&B, Soul, Funk and Rap". It's the best class I am taking notes for by far. Each week the professor tells us insane stories about the music biz back in the day and how pretty much everyone died (Florence Welch, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell etc) or became really greedy (Record Company owners, Diana Ross). I've only attended lectures after the doo-wop period, but man, I'll never forget sitting there typing out the stories of how Diana Ross was a huge bitch and yet still remains one of the greatest vocalists of the 60s. Growing up listening to Alan Cross's "History of New Music" radio show, I can't help but appreciate and love the history of music and its shaping of music today.
Peter Bjorn & John: Living Thing
If you go back to the very first entry of Too Rude, you will see that I was obsessed with “Nothing to Worry About” by Peter Bjorn & John (AKA Peanut Butter and Jam) off the album “Living Thing”. Now I have this album on repeat. There is something I like about its annoying and repetitive sound. Listen-worthy tracks: "Blue Period Picasso", "I’m Losing My Mind", "It Don't Move Me". The track "Living Thing" reminds me of Africa, so that one's pretty good too.
This month's musical redux goes out to the early winter we have been facing in the Greater Toronto Area this October. Apparently mother nature decided to skip out on autumn and was just like, "Whatevs. Ya'll can start hibernating now". There's nothing that will keep us warmer than the delicious dance tunes of the following people.
Kid Kishore/DJ Hvad is a DJ based out of Copenhagen who is known for his eccentric mixes that incorporate Bollywood, Punjab breakcore, hiphop and nauseating sound effects all into one. A little geometric and a little politically incorrect, he puts on a live show that you kind of have to dance to. Hvad?
Kleerup has my heart. I'm honestly the biggest fan of Kleerup's pop-infused beats that are catchy as hell. He could orchestrate a Coca-Cola commercial with debut track "Hero". Other favourite tracks include "Until We Bleed" featuring Lykke Li, "With Every Heartbeat" featuring Robyn, and "3am" featuring Marit Bergman.
Familjen still brings it. We recently celebrated our one-year anniversary of me purchasing Det Snurrar I Min Skalle (The spinning in my head). I'm surprised he hasn't gained fame in North America yet but that's probably because he sings in Swedish. Oh, and be sure to check out his remix of "If I Had a Heart" by Fever Ray on the Myspace page. Impressed!
The Touch have gotten a little shaky over the years but if you are into electro and possibly Ed Banger then The Touch is worth a listen. I could never find their album because I think they are strictly for da club.
CFCF (aka Mike Silver) is a producer from Montreal who recently came out with the album "Panesian Nights". Funk-infused and a little Chromeo-80s-cheesy, CFCF is a hot piece of joke worthy of your attention. CFCF is for fans of Chromeo, poppin', Crystal Castles remixes, and The Drake Underground. He deserves an honorable mention here as he is the only non-Scandinavian artist featured this month under Scandi redux. Yeah, I cheated a little.
FEVER RAY was the most amazing show I have ever been to. It wasn't even a show, it was a dramatic art performance. Seriously. Karin Dreijer Anderssen incorporated the "shaman" character from the "Seven" video into her live performance; he was in costume along with the rest of the band and their whimsical appearance, and Karin with her rotting organic corpse of a woman which is supposed to be symbolic of something. It was moving as hell. I was like a giddy schoolgirl during the first three songs, after which Karin revealed her blonde hair, painted face and grimly dressed body. A weird and creepy, incredible and talented, foggy and lasered-out show that is going down in my history books. This performance was the definition of too rude. Karin is herself, she doesn't seem to care what others think, and as a result, a masterpiece is born.
(Last pic: Helly from Toronto, dolled up like Karin as seen here)
