Vacation but first Bob Wiseman and the Diskettes

I'm going to be away for a bit, off to the cottage until next Wednesday and unless I find a wi-fi spot on the little island in North Eastern Georgian Bay I won't be posting much (though I will try to check email and facebook occasionally via phone). Some of the other writers for the site may have a few things to say though so I will leave you in their hands along with those of the Diskettes and Bob Wiseman.

The Diskettes I only found recently when their lovely song 12345 started getting airplay on Radio 3. Though I apparently should have known much, much sooner Said the Gramophone

"In the history of Said the Gramophone, we have posted seven songs by The Diskettes. I think this is a record. Are they Said the Gramophone's dearest band? Perhaps. They play a doowop that's sunnier than the beach, an indie pop that's cooler than the sea, a bossanova that makes me think of cute girls in sweaters and neat shoes. Dave, Emily and Maggie aren't just great musicians - they're friends. And so even though Dave B has become an official fixture at Popsheep, after months of prodding he is finally poking his head in here, to share some records that make him glad."

The Diskettes now have 3 songs in the podsafe downloads including this one.

The Diskettes - 12345



Bob Wiseman needs no introduction, or shouldn't. He has been a member of Blue Rodeo, the Hidden Cameras, released numerous solo recordings, played on albums with or toured with almost everyone, provided music for the Rat King Rock Opera, pitched in on the Pee Wee Picture Show, made great funny videos with great, funny people and has generally been involved with at least half of anything cool in Toronto for many years now. He has also had a page in the downloads area for awhile now, and he's just added 4 more songs to it.

Now, I'm off for some rest. Back soon!

Coming Up in Toronto

This is a bit early this week, but I'm off to the cottage for a bit and won't be around until mid next week.

Cheers!
J

Thursday, June 26
The MBMG "I Might As Well Break It" CD Release Party
Facebook Event Page

ZYGIELLA V Burn Planetarium, Oh No Forest Fires and Hot Panda!!
Facebook Event Page

Suoni per il Toronto feat. Evan Parker Trio, Feuermusik, Neptune, more
Facebook Event Page

Portable Inspiration:Film,Art and Music show.
Facebook Event Page

Afueras by Rosana Simonassi Opening Reception at Gallery TPW
Facebook Event Page

Friday, June 27
Jill Barber Plays Harbourfront
Facebook Event Page

Pillow Fight League at a Blue Jays Game
Facebook Event Page

TWM: Clouds That Look Like Things, Lovely Killbots, Obscenery & Donnie Ivey
Facebook Event Page

Live at The Bovine Sex Club The State of Things with picturesound!
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, June 28
Karen Kosowski @ The Central, Toronto
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, June 29
!-Boat Cruise To Help Fight Breast Cancer-!
Facebook Event Page

Monday, June 30
TWM Presents: The Miles, Brave Radar, Dirty Beaches, 123Ten!!!
Facebook Event Page

Wednesday, July 2
Sara Hennessey Time
Facebook Event Page

PWYC Weds w/ Deadbeat Dads, St. Clair & Ireek Sofakia and friends!
Facebook Event Page

The Son of The Man A tale of schemes, survival, and satisfaction (July 2 - 12)
Facebook Event Page

A Brief History of Petty Crime
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 3
NO SHAME : Laura Barrett / Ghost Bees / Fall Horsie @ Rancho
Facebook Event Page

Fuse Magazine Summer Issue Launch and Dance Party
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 4
Confidential Records 10th Anniversary Showcase: A Tribute to Dead Formats
Facebook Event Page

Monette ‡ la Francoforce
Facebook Event Page

TWM 19: The Craft Economy, the Hots, Karma Controllers
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 5
NO SHAME : The Superstitions / Invasions / Bellevue @ Drake
Facebook Event Page

Widespread Panic at Sound Academy
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, July 6
Shawn Clarke and Kaya Fraser at Smiling Buddha
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 10
Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
Facebook Event Page

mission 60: fps vs. lee's palace (part v) featuring the apollo effect & left of zero
Facebook Event Page

NO SHAME : The RAA / Jon McKiel / Mandibles @ Rancho Relaxo
Facebook Event Page

Late Fragment -- TORONTO DVD RELEASE PARTAY!
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 11
Phresha Le VandalÈ - A Solo Exhibit
Facebook Event Page

2008 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Facebook Event Page

THE FREE PRESS CD Release Party!!
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 19
Humber College Songwriting Workshop ( VIP Prize Draw)
Facebook Event Page

1001 NIGHTS BOAT CRUISE
Facebook Event Page

Monday, July 21
MATMOS return to the Music Gallery!!
Facebook Event Page

Monday, September 22
Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, October 4
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, October 19
2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, October 30
Flourish A Brighter Future Through Culture
Facebook Event Page

Friday, November 14
Art Gallery of Ontario public opening
Facebook Event Page

Imponderables: Histories Greatest Pervs

From Toronto Sketch Comedy Troupe the Imponderables comes "An ill fated PBS series entitled Histories Greatest Pervs; canceled after only 5 episodes." Here are the first three of those.

Episode 1: Henry VIII (should especially appeal to Tudors fans.)



Episode 2: Lord Byron



Episode 3: of Emperor Elagabalus (Heliogabalus)

Video Tour Diary: Will Currie and the Country French

If you're one of the few people that really think Canadian musicians ride around in limos, eat at 4 star restaraunts and shop at expensive boutiques, there is evidence to the contrary. Thanks to inexpensive easy to use digital video, there is a growing collection of video documentary that shows the reality: 7 people sleeping in a hotel room, eating sandwiches in the van and shopping at army surplus stores.

If you read this blog on any kind of regular basis you already know about the Superfantastics Video Blog (or you should). Now Will Currie and the Country French have started their own video blog, or vLog if you will, you can follow all of the 'action' (such as it is) on YouTube or Facebook.

It sometimes looks like this:

Load Up on Free Summer Music (compliments of CBC Radio 3)

I'm going to head off on the first of my summer getaways in a few days, but before I go I thought I would drop you a tip (for those of you who don't already know). If you want to load up your laptop, MP3 player..burn some CDs ... whatever with some really cool stuff for summer. Don't forget about the CBC Radio 3 Sessions - free podcasts, each one featuring an in studio session with some of Canada's most talented musicians, live, in studio and exclusive (you won't find these recordings anywhere else). For easy reference I've compiled a list of what's available so far. (I highly recommend you head over to the site and subscribe so you can keep up with the new stuff.) Currently available:

Tokyo Police Club

The D'Urbervilles

the Germans

C'mon

The Mohawk Lodge

DD/MM/YYYY

Paper Moon

Holy F*ck

The Cape May

Matthew Barber

The Russian Futurists

The Sunday Sinners

Corb Lund

Forest City Lovers

André Ethier

Sunparlour Players

Grand Analog

Royal Wood

Ultimate Power Duo

The Paperbacks

The United Steel Workers of Montreal

Dog Day

Ladyhawk

The Buttless Chaps

Christine Fellows

The Golden Dogs

Shapes & Sizes

Fembots

The Black Halos

Dragon Fli Empire

The Acorn

Raising the Fawn

The Sadies

Wintersleep

Shout Out Out Out Out

Malajube

Immaculate Machine

Hot Hot Heat

Matt Mays

Free downloads from the D'urbervilles

A few months back I was lucky enough to get Habitat, the Sylvie Smith, John O'Regan collaboration from Guelph on the site. Today I'm pretty happy to announce that John O'Reagan's main project D'urbervilles has also put up a few songs for your listening pleasure. D'urbervilles have been getting a respectable amount of buzz lately. For example:

“The D’Urbervilles’ debut album is anthemic rock music for smart people. It constantly surprises.” – Chart Attack

“When the shouts and calls, crashing drums and tight, layered guitars are going full steam ahead it’s akin to the immediacy of early Constantines. These young musicians have an instinctive feel about how to make a maximum impact and then get the hell out. Some magical musical amphetamines.” – Exclaim!

So, if you don't know them you should (people will expect it) and if you do know them..did I mention that it's free?

Free Dirty Penny Downloads

According to Now Magazine Toronto's Dirty Penny sounds a bit like this:

"If Cake ever teamed up with Ween, Toronto's Dirty Penny would need to search for a new sound. The band combines Cake's rock raps with Ween's eccentric lyrics, creating a curious record that's completely obnoxious but fascinating at the same time."

Personally I can think of alot of other comparisons that might work. On Bomb Ardier, for example, there are definite traces of Lou Reed. Coincidentally enough, they list amoung their influences the Velvet Underground, Ween and Bauhaus. Now you can decide for yourself. Dirty Penny has put an entire album's worth of music in the podsafe downloads - so, once you're done watching the video, go and grab some.

2 New Canadian Labels

Canadian Music is stronger than it has ever been. I don't even add 'arguably' to that statement anymore. Yet every time there is a big 'industry' event like NXNE or a new piece of legislation like the new Copyright Bill recording industry brass rush to their nearest podium to lament the impending death of the 'music industry'. At the same time all over Canada new labels are cropping up. According to CBC Radio 3 both Joel Plaskett and Two Hours Traffic have recently launched new record labels.

Halifax rocker Joel Plaskett announced today the launch of his very own New Scotland Records. The first release will be the debut solo album by his good friend Dave Marsh, drummer for the Joel Plaskett Emergency and Super Friendz. The True Love Rules will be released on July 29. Other releases on New Scotland will likely be on both CD and 7" vinyl, and will include other Plaskett pals like Peter Elkas and Al Tuck.

Across the Northumberland Strait on Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown band Two Hours Traffic have also launched their own label called Collagen Rock Records. The label roster so far features bands only from Maritime islands: PEI's Two Hours Traffic, the Danks and Smothered in Hugs, and from Cape Breton, Mardeen.

This comes hot on the heels of Sloan relaunching Murder Records. You would think that if the industry was dying, that people wouldn't be rushing in to join it. Do you ever think that maybe, just maybe artists and fans know something that the MBAs of the world haven't figured out yet?

From Book Fairs to British Columbia

Crossposted from On the DEWLine:

Well, It's a bit of chaos at the moment. One of my extended family's getting married this week, so I'm haring off to Vancouver Island to attend the ceremonies and whatnot. It's a rare chance to actually do this without too much fiscal chaos, so I'm taking advantage of it. There's kin out that way I haven't seen in person in literally decades and others I've had occasional phone chatter and e-mails with, all of whom I want to get it touch with. And there's the friends and friendly acquaintances I've made online over the years I've never - or rarely - met...

One question I'd like to pose for anyone able to answer: do you know of any coffee-houses, restaurants, etc. in Nanaimo that offer the same combination of food menus(particularly the fair trade angle) and wi-fi service as Bridgehead here in Ottawa?

Something I'd like to see when I get there is the KRAZY! pop culture exhibit in Vancouver.

As to the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair yesterday, it was orderly, lively, busy...and not so oddly, the most fun I had while I was working the table was drawing sketches of hockey and Canadian-rules football players for local kids. Give-away sketches all, no charge on any of them. It didn't seem fair, especially as I'd shown up without even a single age-appropriate piece of merchandise at hand to sell to them. I simply hadn't thought it through far enough to expect anyone under age ten to show up for the Book Fair. I'm not sure if anyone else had either, but that could be chalked up to first-hand experience with past editions of the Fair. It's all too easy for past experience to guide future expectations into tripping you up, after all. I'm filing that under "Notes to Self re: future book fairs"...just in case.

It doesn't take away from the fun of doing the sketches, though. Those kids asked questions, on-point questions, about the work and I got a bit of practice on my spoken French, too. Something that happens all too rarely for me, which seems ridiculous given where I live right now. When I get back home again in about two weeks, that's...likely to stay on my "to do" list.

Kids, if you or your parents are reading this entry? Thank you! Merci!

More as I think of it...or if you think of it first.

Sara Hennessey Time @ Fringe!

The 20th Anniversary of the Toronto Fringe Festival is nearly upon us. In case you don't know, quick background:

"The Fringe is Toronto 's largest theatre festival. In 2008 it will host over 800 artists from Ontario , Canada and around the world, with over 135 unique productions in more than 25 venues. Productions range from dramas to musical extravaganzas to improv and take place in local theatres as well as in unusual spots: playgrounds, parking lots and more. A KidsVenue hosts eight plays exclusively for children and families. The festival also hosts a beer tent, two outdoor patios and a free nightly Cabaret. unjuried, unexpected, unforgettable"

One of the performers at this year's fringe one of the performers at this year's fringe is very funny Toronotonian Sara Hennessey in the appropriately titled Sara Hennessey Time. If history is any indicator, I suspect Sara's show might go something like this.



So, now that you're convinced you can go here for showtimes (For F ringe and other Sara Hennessey appearances) and then here for tickets (to Sarah Hennessey Time and other Fringe shows. More info about the Toronto Fringe Festival is available at fringetoronto.com and more information about Sarah Hennessey is available at sarahennessey.com more information about sausage is availabe at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage

No sausages were harmed in the making of this video

Is Stephen Harper Really Canadian?

Back in February the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage made some recommendations for the future of the CBC. Among them

Increased funding

Fewer commercials

Increased Canadian content

More regional programming

More online programming

Increased partnerships with other Canadian cultural instutions

Today according to Inside the CBC the report was completely rejected by the Harper Government.

"The CBC, needless to say, isn’t thrilled. “We are disappointed that the Government has not endorsed the Committee’s unanimous recommendations, said Hubert T. Lacroix, President of CBC/Radio-Canada. “The report is a blueprint for developing the future goals of public broadcasting in Canada.”..."The CBC noted that, given its current resources, the Corporation is facing some “critical choices” about its future directions."

Based on the actions of this government I can come to no other conclusion that they are, in fact, anti-Canadian.

They want to stifle the CBC, censor film, decide what kinds of medicines you can have, and pass a law that would make most Canadians into criminals. Harper has also made drastic cuts to most arts and culture programs in the country. This government doesn't get art, they don't like art and they don't see why we need it. The same can basically be said for the environment.

Surely the government must have some allies, I mean anyone who wants to stay in power has to do something for someone right? Well, the Harper government does do things for those it was elected to represent gun owners, polluters, the military (our military should no doubt be supported, but it doesn't need to be large) and the United States.

We won't even get into the corruption and secrecy of this Government. Just a simple math equation. Does someone who loves big business, polluters, guns, a big military and George Bush but evidently hates nature, the environment, art, culture, free speech and the CBC really represent any significant part of Canada?

Said the Whale and Hey Ocean Tour Video

Said the Whale and Hey Ocean! have been touring about together recently and put this little video together so you can get an idea of the grueling work that touring is.



You Can Catch Said the Whale at

The Slice in Lethbridge Alberta June 21

The Virgin Festival in Calgary June 22

the Canmore Hotel (with Hey Ocean) in Canmore, Alberta June 25

the Roadhouse Tavern (with Hey Ocean) in Golden, B.C. on June 26

Doc Willoughby's (with the Hermit) in Kelowna, B.C. June 27

Golden Spike Days (Mainstage) in Port Moody British Columbia on June 28

the Jericho Sailing Centre in Vancouver, BC on July 12

You Can Catch Hey Ocean! at

the Virgin Festival - Fort Calgary in Calgary on June 21

The Canmore Hotel (with Said the Whale) in Canmore, AB on June 25

The Roadhouse (with Said the Whale) in Golden, BC on June 26

The Silver Buckle in Medicine Hat, AB on June 27

The Saskatoon Jazz Festival @ Lydia’s in Saskatoon, SK on June 28

The Slice in Lethbridge, AB on June 30

Doc Willoughby’s in Kelowna, BC on July 1

Element in Victoria, BC on July 3

(ALL AGES) St. James Hall in Vancouver, British Columbia on July 6

Richards on Richards in Vancouver B.C. on July 11

GLC in Whistler B.C. on July 12

Also, as a reward for reading to the end - you can get a free download of the new Said the Whale single "This City's A Mess" on their Myspace right now.

L'Brondelle Solves Problems of Religion and Racism

L'Brondelle's Universe solves the long perplexing problems of religion and racism and that's just in the pilot. "L'Brondelle's universe, in which the creator of the universe explains the facts to you. This episode covers religion, racism, and animal rights." L'Brondelle, by the way, may bear some resemblance to PDF Format (the Band) and David Dineen-Porter. Don't let that bother you.

Part 1



Part 2

Toronto: Save Our Net Events

In addition to the Government trying to kill Canadian film and trying to force you to support major record labels (whether you listen to their music or not) - Canada's monopoly Internet Service Providers have taken it upon themselves to govern what you can do online, what sites you can visit and when.

There are two Net Neutrality related events coming up in Toronto which your are more than welcome to attend (strongly encouraged to attend would be more appropriate).

Both are SaveOurNet.ca events (if you haven't joined the site yet, go there and do that!) This Sunday, June 22 from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Windward Coop 34 Little Norway Crescent Lake-view room (go one block west of Queen's Quay and Bathurst Street and turn south; it's just west of the Island Airport terminal). This will be a strategy and support discussion led by Steve Anderson from the SaveOurnet.ca Coalition and Campaign for Democratic Media. You can download the flyer for the event at http://saveournet.ca/sites/default/files/SON_party_poster.pdf.

The Second event is a "An Open Forum for Toronto's Web/Tech/Media Communities" from 6-9:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24 at Fion MacCools - 181 University Avenue (University/Adelaide). If you want to attend this second event you are encouraged to register at http://saveournetjune24.eventbrite.com/.

The taxpayer funded monopolies that are Canada's Internet Service Providers will not change on their own. If you believe in free speech and an open internet you have to get involved one way or another. If you're in Toronto please consider attending one of these events and whether you are in Toronto or not please join Save Our Net and find out what you can do.

A Few Media Stories:

From Michael Geist comes news that the Conservaitve's Copyright Bill enjoys almost no support at all:

" • 76 percent agree with the statement that the proposed amendments "are being introduced as a result of lobbying by the North American music market"
• 63 percent agree with the statement that the proposed amendments "will expose millions of Canadians to lawsuits by copyright holders"
• 66 percent agree with the statement that the are symbolic that "the government will not be able to enforce the new law""

According to Inside the CBC a new poll from Harris/Decima shows that most Canadians support the CBC's decision on the Hockey Night in Canada theme song:

" (27% of people think the Corp should have shelled out.)
Among hockey fans, the support fell to 52%, but still enough to counter the 40% of these people who opposed the CBC’s decision.
Perhaps demonstrating the quintessential Canadian “middle of the fence” opinion (pronounced “meh…”), 59% of Canadians said they weren’t really moved by the CBC’s loss of the song.
Less than 15% surveyed believed the CBC would lose Hockey Night in Canada viewers because it lost the theme song."

In case you ever doubt that the public owns the telecom companies and can bring them to heel, the Toronto Sun reportsthat in Toronto alone citizens forked out 134 million dollars in the last 6 years for repairs to Bell and Rogers infrastructure.

"Toronto taxpayers have shovelled $134 million into the profits of telecommunications companies, Councillor Howard Moscoe charges.
That's what it has cost city ratepayers over the past six years to maintain and repair local roads dug up by the companies to lay down a web of communication networks, he said."

Upcoming Events in Toronto

Hi All,

I'm going to be away at the cottage next weekend (Thursday to Tuesday actuallY) So the next one of these will come on Wed. not Thurs. - if you have events you want listed please get them to me a little earlier.

Cheers!
Justin

p.s.
If you like getting these updates and want to find still more Events (particularly Toronto indie music gigs) you should consider joining the HistoryJen Facebook Group you can also get the same updates via the Google Group

Gareth Bate "Lament" Painting Show (Through May 24 - June 21)
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, June 19

Makeda Taylor's Songwriting Showcase
Facebook Event Page

Opening Reception for Toronto Free Library
Facebook Event Page

Queen's Players Toronto Presents: "The SuperReal Life
Facebook Event Page

Friday, June 20
Central Tech Art Centre Reunion 2008
Facebook Event Page

TWM 18: Gravity Wave, Pete Samples & The Paint Movement
Facebook Event Page

Hard Liquor Zine Burlesque Bash
Facebook Event Page

1001 NIGHTS - The Official MYBINDI COMEDY NIGHT AFTERPARTY!!
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, June 21
RUTH MINNIKIN & BOB WISEMAN
Facebook Event Page

Celebrity Lezbian Fist by P.G. THING CO
Facebook Event Page

LIVE @ THE KATHEDRAL!!!
Facebook Event Page

WILDsound JUNE 21-22 Film and Screenplay Festival
Facebook Event Page

1st Annual Solstice MANHUNT + CAPTURE THE FLAG
Facebook Event Page

TWM Presents: Sitcom, Cheap Speakers, Diamond Teeth and TBA
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, June 22
Exclusive Screening of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY
Facebook Event Page

SaveOurNet.ca Party - Toronto
Facebook Event Page

Ruby Coast Play Wavelength w. Shapes and Sizes & Weird Weeds
Facebook Event Page

Tuesday, June 24
SaveOurNet.ca
Facebook Event Page

Second Pass Live at Lee's Palace
Facebook Event Page

Wednesday, June 25
Feuermusik In-Store Performance
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, June 26
ZYGIELLA V Burn Planetarium, Oh No Forest Fires and Hot Panda!!
Facebook Event Page

Suoni per il Toronto feat. Evan Parker Trio, Feuermusik, Neptune, more
Facebook Event Page

Portable Inspiration:Film,Art and Music show.
Facebook Event Page

Afueras by Rosana Simonassi Opening Reception at Gallery TPW
Facebook Event Page

Friday, June 27
Pillow Fight League at a Blue Jays Game
Facebook Event Page

TWM: Clouds That Look Like Things, Lovely Killbots, Obscenery & Donnie Ivey
Facebook Event Page
Saturday, June 28
Karen Kosowski @ The Central, Toronto
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, June 29
!-Boat Cruise To Help Fight Breast Cancer-!
Facebook Event Page

Wednesday, July 2
The Son of The Man A tale of schemes, survival, and satisfaction (July 2 - 12)
Facebook Event Page

A Brief History of Petty Crime
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 3
NO SHAME : Laura Barrett / Ghost Bees / Fall Horsie @ Rancho
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, July 4
Confidential Records 10th Anniversary Showcase: A Tribute to Dead Formats
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, July 10
Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
Facebook Event Page

mission 60: fps vs. lee's palace (part v) featuring the apollo effect & left of zero
Facebook Event Page

Friday, July 11
Phresha Le VandalÈ - A Solo Exhibit
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, July 19
Humber College Songwriting Workshop ( VIP Prize Draw)
Facebook Event Page

Monday, July 21
MATMOS return to the Music Gallery!!
Facebook Event Page

Monday, September 22
Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
Facebook Event Page

Saturday, October 4
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
Facebook Event Page

Sunday, October 19
2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
Facebook Event Page

Thursday, October 30
Flourish A Brighter Future Through Culture
Facebook Event Page

Friday, November 14
Art Gallery of Ontario public opening
Facebook Event Page

CBC, Copyright and Candy Bars

CBC Radio 3 did a show on the Conservative Copyright Bill today. You can read the comments here at that link you can also listen to an interview with Jeremy de Beer (University of Ottawa Law Professor). You'll be happy to know that 94% of respondents to Radio 3 oppose the bill, though the vast majority also said they bought alot of music and believed in supporting artists.

One of my personal comments to the blog was mentioned on the air, but misunderstood. I pointed out that according to the Toronto Star:

"In 2007 more than 750,000 albums were released worldwide (by mostly independent artists via the Internet), compared to 38,000 in 2002."

That means that almost 20x the number of (different) CDs were produced in 2007 as in 2002 and I made the following analogy.

"Now let's say you have the only store in town that sells candy bars and, even though you have some problems with shoplifters, you sell 100% of the candy bars sold in town.

5 Years later there are 20 stores selling candy bars (roughly the same as 38,000 compeared to 75,000) - chances are you are selling substantially less than 100% of the Candy Bars. But since you can't think of a way to force the other 19 stores to stop selling candy bars you go after the shoplifters with a vengaence - trying to recoup all of the money you lost from them (even though they are not really the problem). "

In 2008 comsumers have 20 times the choice that they did in 2002. Even though the major labels are producing fewer CDs every year small labels and independent artists are producing far, far more. So I would hold that it is not downloading that is killing the 'music industry' - by which I mean the huge mega labels. It is simply that their share of the market is declining every year. For example, sales of Canadian music in Canada are exploding - for most of the 2000s Canada has enjoyed what I believe is the most diverse, vibrant and talented music scene on the planet. This is a sharp contrast to a few decades ago when most of the music purchased in Canada came from the U.S. or U.K. In fact many independent Canadian acts are selling well around the world. Does anyone really imagine that the big labels (who have few Canadian acts on their rosters) don't feel that?

File sharing, after all, has been around for decades (at least since the invention of the cassette tape). It was only with the creation of inexpensive recording technology, technology that allowed virtually anyone who wanted to, to record their own music that the big labels started to falter.

But they can't come up with a way to convince the government to stop independent artists and small labels from producing music, so instead they are going after the fans - trying to 'recoup' money that they lost - not to downloading but to an inability to compete in an open market.

Speaking of Radio 3, check out Gravity Wave on this week's Radio 3 "School of Rock" podcast. (Don't worry, it's still safe - you won't get arrested.)

Tokyo Police Club Joins the Copyfight

On their Tokyo Police Club has called on Canadians to fight the Conservative Copyright Bill, the band claims amoung other things that the bill is bad for both artists and fans. If all of the thousands of other people screaming about this bill that would make most Canadians into criminals has not convinced you to act, perhaps these guys will.
The blog post in it's entirety is below.

"Hey Friends,

Specifically, this is targeted at our Canadian friends. Not that we don't love the rest of you, because we do, but I wanted to talk about something thats of importance to Canadians. Its the new Copyright bill that was just tabled in Parliament. You may well have heard about it on the news or in the papers or on this fancy pants new "world wide web" that I keep hearing so much about. I can't explain it all that well myself because I'm not all that smart, but if you mosey on over to Michael Geist's informative and well written blog post on the subject you'll be able to read all about it.



Obviously, the bill is meant to protect people who make their money from intellectual property. As musicians, we're among those people. But I think it should be obvious to anyone that this is a law that would work in nobodies favour. I've talked before about the problems posed to us by illegal downloading, and I do think that theres a solution out there to that problem. But this legislation *is not* that solution. Its a big step backwards and will no doubt create more problems than it solves: its a law thats so seriously flawed and obviously ridiculous that it could well drive people to ignore copyright altogether, which would have a very negative result for everyone.



I know that its sort of a foreign concept for people around my age (or younger) to get involved in politics on this level. I've certainly never written to my MP about anything before. But this is a bill that, if passed, is going to cause a lot of problems for you and me, and I think its important that we stand up and make our opinion known. Mr. Geist outlines the actions that you should take and I would strongly urge you to take them. I know I'm going to.



And spread the word. This is being spun as a simple attempt to go after "pirates" and illegal downloaders, but its important that people realize the more sinister parts of this before its too late.



So yeah, thats me expounding about politics, even though I'm just a stupid musician. But its the musicians and the fans that are going to suffer from this! It is a big deal, and every voice counts!



Oh yeah, we also do music. And we're going to keep doing music and playing shows and stuff, so we'll see you soon.



xoxoxo

Graham"

Tokyo Police Club - Citizens of Tomorrow

Sunparlour Players Hit the Road

Toronto's Sunparlour Players are going west, and will be joining forces along the way with Rock Plaza Central and Woodpigeon the dates are below, if you miss these guys your friends will never le

June 20 - Loplops - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
June 21 - The Apollo - Thunder Bay, ON
*Jun 23 - The Slice - Lethbridge, AB
*Jun 24 - The Velvet Lounge - Edmonton, AB
Jun 26 - Sled Island Music Festival - Calgary, AB
+Jun 27 - Little Slocan Lodge - Slocan, BC
*Jun 30 - Amigo’s - Saskatoon, SK
*Jul 1 - Lo Pub - Winnipeg, MB
Jul 5 - Mississauga City Centre - Mississauga, ON

* denotes dates with Rock Plaza Central and Woodpigeon
+denotes dates with Rock Plaza Central

New Podcasts and Band Blogs

Due to some technical difficulties yesterday I was unable to post to the blog, but today I'm back up (I think) and have added some new stuff. Edmonton's Jam Union Podcast and Snowsuit Sounds have been added to the Cancasts (which for those of you who don't know acts kind of like a TV guide channel for Canadian podcasts).

The Jam Union Podcast will bring you (according to Facebook:

"An interactive show featuring the very best of music, arts and current events in the city of champions."

The Snowsuit Sounds podcast, also according to it's Facebook Group is:

"Snowsuit Sounds is a video podcast dedicated to showcasing the up and coming talent of the blooming Canadian music scene. The podcast is created by Darrin Andringa and Colin Medley, who love music and love working hard to bring you exclusive unique videos."

Personally I believe that they are being extremely humble when they say "blooming Canadian Music scene". I believe that the Canadian music scene is currently the best in the world bar none. A partial list of some of the many current Canadian acts can be found in the Band Blogs and Band Blogs Too (bearing in mind that some bands are omitted because they don't use their Myspace blogs or have another one.) Still more are listed in the Music Links and, of course, there are free, podsafe downloads from some of them over here.

In addition to the new podcasts there are some additions to the Band Blogs Too today. They are:
Dinosaur Bones
Grand Analog
Hot Springs
Jon and Roy
PDF Format (the band)
Ruby Coast
Run With the Kittens
Shotgun Jimmy
the Sunparlour Players and
Woodpigeon

The NXNE Thread

This list is not going to be limited to 'Official North By Northeast' events just what I know about that is going on around town this weekend. If you want to add stuff to it leave me a comment and or send an email via this thingy. I've post-dated this post so it stays at the top until Sunday.

Please also feel free to leave comments about stuff you've seen and done during the 2008 NXNE.

THURSDAY JUNE 12

THE TRANZAC (Better Reasons Festival A fundraiser for SKETCH, an artist studio for homeless and street-involved youth)

Forest City Lovers, The Magic, Evening Hymns

THE BOVINE SEX CLUB

9pm the Naam, 10pm Machetes, 11pm Hell yeah Fuck yeah, 12am Brown Hornets, 1am Tracii Guns, 2am Monotonix

SNEAKY DEE'S (Myspace NXNE Showcase)

9pm Andre Charles Theriault, 10pm Gregory Pepper and his Problems, 11pm Amit, 12pm Young Rival, 1am The Darcys

LEE'S PALACE

BBC Radio 2 recorded and broadcast on "Live from Toronto" with Bob Harris on Saturday, Bob harris who is doing the keynote speech as well.

9pm Kendel Carson & Outlaw Social 10pm Dave Gunning, 11pm The Wailin Jennys, 12am The Trews, 1am TBA

THE HORSESHOE

9:00pm The Coast, 10:00pm The Wet Secrets, 11:00pm Small Sins, 12:00am Money Mark, 1:00am Flash Lightnin

EL MACAMBO(Downstairs)

8pm KAPOW!, 9pm The Mercy Now, 10pm The Vibrants, 11pm Chin Injeti, 12am New Odds, 1am Major Maker

EL MACAMBO (Upstairs)

9pm The Dress Whites, 10pm Spirits of the Dead, 11pm TBA, 12pm Sylvie, 1pm TBA

SUNRISE RECORDS (Free In-store performances)

1pm The Vibrants, 2pm The Vicious Guns, 3pm keein6, 4pm Sabrina Korva, 5pm Stand, 6pm David Martel

CRIMINAL RECORDS (Free In-store performances)

6pm The John Henrys

FRIDAY JUNE 13

SNEAKY DEE'S Mint Records Showcase

11:00pm Young and Sexy 12:00pm - The Pack AD

GLOBAL VILLAGE BACKPACKERS

12:30pm Lorrie Matheson, 1:05pm The Summerlad, 1:40pm Andrew Vincent, 2:15pm Andy Swan, 2:50pm Junior Pantherz, 3:25pm Rhume, 4pm Ultimate Power Duo, 4:35pm The Violet Archers, 5:10pm Camp Radio, 5:45pm Hilotrons, 6:20pm The Blood Lines

THE TRANZAC(Better Reasons Festival A fundraiser for SKETCH, an artist studio for homeless and street-involved youth)

Lily Frost, Prairie Cat (backed by The Bicycles), Scraps from Boil Street: Puppet Shorts by Juliann Wilding and Henry Fletcher, Laura Barrett, Peter Project

DRAKE UNDERGROUND

Tens Kens, Winter Gloves, Ruby Coast, Will Currie and the Country French

THE SILVER DOLLAR ROOM

Bird Week, The Hoa Hoas, Action Makes, The Mark Inside, Oholics, The Diableros

THE REVERB
9pm The Priddle Concern, 10pm Great Lake Swimmers, 11pm Laura Barrett, 12am The Meligrove Band, 1am Justin Rutledge

THE HORSESHOE
9pm Shawn Hewitt, 10pm TBA, 11pm Julie Doiron, 12am Evan Dando, 1am Crush Luther

2:15am - The Pack AD

LEE'S PALACE

9pm TBA, 10pm Uncut, 11pm TBA, 12am The Besnard lakes, 1 am Swervedriver

EL MACAMBO (Downstairs)

9pm Empire Air, 10pm Special Guest, 11pm Pride Tiger, 12am Brant Bjork. 1am TBA, 2am TBA

EL MACAMBO(Upstairs)

9pm songs from a room, 10pm Casey Baker and the Buffalo Sins, 11pm moneen, 12 am Black Lungs, 1am Bedouin Soundclash

SUNRISE RECORDS (Free In-store performances)

1pm David Martel, 2pm Miss Derringer, 3pm Triple Cobra, 4pm Trigger Effect 5pm This Is Radio Freedom, 6pm

CRIMINAL RECORDS (Free In-store performances)

5pm Calm Down It's Monday, Old Man Luedecke, Shotgun Jimmie feat. Attack in Black, The Superfantastics, and Mardeen (in-store)

SONIC BOOM (Free In-store performances)

6:30pm Hot Springs, 7pm Two Hours Traffic, 7:30pm The Two Koreas

SATURDAY JUNE 14

SCOTIABANK THEATRE
5 PM YOUNG PEOPLE F**KING and talkback
A public discussion about the movie, the impending Bill C-10 and the social implications it proposes will follow a matinee screening on June 14th
5pm Screening, Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto.

Panelists in Toronto will include: Martin Gero (director), Aaron Abrams (co-writer/producer/star), Brad Pelman (distributor) and Richard Crouse (Moderator). More panel guests TBA.

THE TRANZAC (Better Reasons Festival A fundraiser for SKETCH, an artist studio for homeless and street-involved youth)

Doors at 8 PM
Kids on TV, Nif-D , The Phonemes, Tradition, Matias Rozenberg

Doors at 5 PM
There is a BBQ feast that begins at 5.

THE BLACK BULL

1 am Emily Weedon and Delta

THE HORSESHOE
9pm Rebekah Higgs, 10pm Spiral Beach, 11pm Hey Rosetta, 12am Matt Mays & El Torpedo, 1am The D'Urbervilles, 2am Ladyhawk, 3:15am Hilotrons
LEE'S PALACE

9pm Danny Echo, 10pm Starvin Hungry, 11pm Hollerado, 12am Miss Derringer, 1am Redd Kross

Rancho Relaxo NXNE Australian Export Showcase

Doors at 8pm

Tiger and Me, The Re-Mains, Aleks & the Ramps, The Satellite Nation, City Riots

EL MACAMBO(Downstairs)

8pm The Paper Lions, 9pm KAKKMADDAFAKKA, 10pm The I Spies, 11pm The Two Koreas, 12am The High Dials, 1am We are Wolves, 2am Black Diamond Bay (Krief)

SUNDAY JUNE 15

Rancho Relaxo Officially Unofficial NXNE After Party (free with wristband)
Doors at 9
Dinosaur Bones, Grand Analog, The Superfantastics, Hollerado

SONIC BOOM (Free In-store performances)

3pm Monotonix, 4pm Mannequin Men, 5pm Starvin Hungry

CRIMINAL RECORDS (Free In-store performances)

6pm The Pack A.D.

SNEAKY DEE'S

10pm Fraser Gielen, 11pm - Hooded Fang, 12am - $100


EDIT 1: ADDED A BUNCH OF FREE IN STORE PERFORMANCES COMPLIMENTS OF HISTORYJEN AND THE THURSDAY MYSPACE SHOWCASE FROM JANE AT MYSPACE CANADA

EDIT 2: AN ANONYMOUS COMMENTER WANTED YOU TO KNOW ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN EXPORT SHOWCASE AT RANCHO RELAXO ON SATURDAY

Copyright Backlash Begins

Michael Geist has another great post today on the Conservative's proposed U.S. sponsored Copyright bill:

"The events of the past six months have demonstrated conclusively that Canadians care about balanced copyright even if the Industry Minister does not.  Over the coming months, I firmly believe that we will see the fair copyright movement expand well beyond what has been just built.  We will see Canadian musicians, songwriters, artists, and filmmakers speak out against this legislation.  We will see companies of all sizes and all sectors speak out against this legislation.  We will see the privacy groups, education groups, and consumer rights groups speak out against this legislation.  We will see the NDP speak out against this legislation.  We will see the Liberals - who are already focusing on the lack of consultation and the prospect of a police state - ultimately identify their Bill C-60 as a better approach and speak out against this legislation.  We will see Conservative MPs from coast to coast (including the Conservative candidate from the forthcoming Guelph by-election) wonder why their party has introduced a bill that runs counter to their own policies and (quietly) speak out against this legislation."

Geist also has links to numerous editorials out today against this bill from newspapers across the country as well as the Canadian Library Assocation, Canadian Music Creators Coalition, Documentary Organization of Canada, and many, many others.

Also with a good blog post (last night) CBC Radio 3's Lisa Christiansen on some of the other reasons why the 'Music Industry' is losing money..:

"Now that you're filled up with talk of the best music in Canada, it's time to remind you that the future of the music business is 15 pop band ... and none of them made the Polaris long list."..."This last point is just to prove that good music will eventually prevail, no matter what the strange people running large companies think. But then they march to the beat of dollar signs, and that really doesn't move me at all."

Finally there is one (also from Radio 3) from Grant Lawrence about the industry's collective tantrum last night.

"Like many of these discussions, it quickly devolved into a bitch-fest of "when I was young" pontificating, most bemoaning being held hostage by music fans taking it for free, and wondering how on earth they'll earn their next paycheque. At one point, a very angry panelist (who is a Toronto punk promoter) grabbed the mic and screamed at the rest of the panel "you people make me wanna puke!" then ranted for five minutes about exactly what everyone else was bitching about."

Imagine if you will a football game, with seconds to go your team is down by 5 points. Your quarterback's pass is intercepted but the guy on the other team who intercepted it starts running the wrong way. With his own baffled teammates looking on and unable to catch him, he is nearing your end zone, about to give your team a free touchdown and the win. Then one of your wide receivers comes out of nowhere and tackles him at the one yard line just as the clock hits 00:00.

That wide receiver is symbolic of the way that large media has handled the internet. They took what should have been the best, easiest business model in the history of business and turned it into one of the great shipwrecks in business history.

The approach being proposed by the Conservatives in Canada is almost identical to the approach taken in the U.S. (no surprise there, it was the US that told the Conservatives to do it.) But the approach in the US has failed. In the States, while pursuing policies that have turned their customers and fans into enemies and resulted in countless lawsuits that the US industry has ultimately lost money on - illegal downloads in the US haven't changed. If anything it's more prevalent than it was when these laws were first enacted. This is no doubt one of the consequences of establishing an adversarial relationship with your customers.

While I urge everyone to keep speaking up, and yelling and screaming and shouting about this - given the almost universal nationwide opposition I am confident that this bill can be defeated. However, if it were to pass Canadian media would almost certainly be in worse shape for it - not only for the reasons listed above but because there would be no more reason to have levies on media (CDs, DVDs etc., etc.,) - they were put in place originally to compensate content creators for piracy. If these new copyright laws (complete with their large fines) were to pass those levies would certainly have to be done away with.

Reminder Young People Fucking and Pillow Talk on Saturday

Saturday, at 5 pm, at the Scotiabank Theater (259 Richmond St. West) in Toronto the First Weekend Club will present, following a screening of Young People Fucking "Pillow Talk":

"The Pillow Talk event will be a public discussion and panel about the movie, the impending Bill C-10 and the social implications it imposes should it be passed.  Speak your mind.  What do you think about Bill C-10 or the "Bill of Censorship"?  What happens if we allow our art, any art, to be censored by the government?
 
Hear what our panel has to say about Young People Fucking and their take on the Bill.  Ask them questions, argue your point of view, cheer, boo, clap.  Get engaged. 
 
Our Panelists are:  Martin Gero (YPF director), Aaron Abrams (YPF co-writer/producer/star), Brad Pelman (YPF distributor), Richard Crouse (moderator), with additional guests to join panel."

Young & Sexy, the Pack AD and other Mint Stuff at NXNE

As some of you know I sometimes work with Vancouver's Mint Records. The people, not to mention the artists, are all awesome. So tonight, in spite of being pulled in a dozen different directions, I'm headed to the mint showcase at Sneaky Dee's.

If any of you want to join me, Young and Sexy is on at 11pm and the Pack A.D. is on at midnight! In case you don't know the band, the Pack A.D. is getting alot of good press lately.

From the Toronto Star:

"Lord almighty, do they rock – in a gritty, unhinged, kind-of frightening manner that's no doubt tightened up another few notches and grown more daunting since the band left several SXSW crowds feeling somewhat seared back in March."

From the Globe and Mail:

"Darker duo alt-blues than the Black Keys or the White Stripes - colour these rugged Vancouver chicks dangerous."

If you'd like to catch the Pack A.D. but can't make tonight's showcase they are also playing at 2:15 am at the Horseshoe, and on Saturday there is a free in-store performance at Criminal Records.

The Pack A.D. - What's Up There (live at the Apollo Bar, Thunder Bay, Ontario)




Young & Sexy - Curious Organ



Also, if you're out and about in Toronto keep your eyes out for "Fresh Breath of Mint", Mint Records free magazine. This issue contains Interviews with Feist and Iggy Pop (by Narduwar), Immaculate Machine's Euro Blog, Mint Family BBQ recipes, Pack A.D. tour pic and stories, comics, and lots of info on what's coming up for Mint.

You can find a copy (as pictured above) at Criminal Records, Sneaky Dee's, the Horseshoe Tavern, She Said Boom (both locations), the Cafe Diplomatico, Rotate This, Mitzi's Sister, and numerous other locations in and around downtown Toronto.

The Better Reasons Festival (On Now)

Running alongside NXNE is the Better Reasons Festival. I don't know the story behind the name but if I was going to guess, or make something up, I'd say that it has something to do with having a festival for a reason other than promotion and tourism. The Better Reasons Festival is a fundraiser for Sketch "a Toronto based organization which creates art making opportunities for young people who live street-involved and homeless or who are considered to be at risk."

All of the shows are at the Tranzac and all are pay what you can. The lineup looks alot like this:

Thursday June 12th - Out of this Spark presents :

Forest City Lovers

The Magic

Evening Hymns
 
 
Bike Pirates - will be setting up 3 stations outside the Tranzac for the night offering FREE tune-ups for your two wheeled buddy! - any donations made will be forwarded to SKETCH.)

Doors at 8 PM
_____________________________________________
Friday June 13th - Fuzzy Logic Recordings presents :

Prairie Cat (backed by The Bicycles)

Scraps from Boil Street:
Puppet Shorts by Juliann Wilding and Henry Fletcher (see details below)

Peter Project
 
Lily Frost
 
Laura Barrett


Doors at 8 PM   (stick around for fireworks after the show!!! ...shhhh)
_____________________________________________
Saturday June 14th - Blocks Recording Club presents:

Kids on TV

Nif-D

The Phonemes

Tradition

Matias Rozenberg

Doors at 5 PM
There is a BBQ feast that begins at 5.

Scraps From Boil Street (as described by Juliann Wilding)

Boil Street: Largely considered to be a ghetto. Many sites left vacant by demolition during the 1970s were never redeveloped, leaving the area with a patchwork of vacant lots, parking lots and a few buildings that escaped demolition: the prison, the peep shows. Boil Street the grey area, tolerated but ignored.

But someone lives there - there's a liquor store, and loads of garbage, and if you hang out long enough, a bunch of freaks start to emerge from the muck...

Scraps From Boil Street are short productions serving as prequel to a full-length puppet musical currently in development, Don't Go Down to Boil Street, by Juliann Wilding and Henry Fletcher, starring Lil' Scurvy, Crups, The Crapper, and more ...

Coming Up in Toronto

From the Events Toronto Facebook Group

Happy NXNE!

Although some events are listed seperately, check out the NXNE thread on publicbroadcasting.ca for a huge list of goings on this weekend

http://www.publicbroadcasting.ca/2008/06/nxne-thread.html

Gareth Bate "Lament" Painting Show (Through May 24 - June 21)
Facebook Event page

Thursday, June 12
Better Reasons Festival (June 12 - 15)
A fundraiser for SKETCH, an artist studio for homeless and street-involved youth
Facebook Event page

NXNE (North By North East) June 12 - 15
Facebook Event page

Machetes play NXNE @ The Bovine
Facebook Event page

Show & Tell Gallery Launch Party
Facebook Event page

Sabrina Korva at the Hard Rock Cafe
Facebook Event page

picturesound plays NXNE
Facebook Event page

EMPIRE PRESENTS MIAMI THURSDAYS IN YORKVILLE
Facebook Event page

Friday, June 13
Mint Records at NXNE
Facebook Event page

THE MARK INSIDE + THE DIABLEROS + THE OHOLIKS (from SWE)
The ghost of Lou Reed. What? He's still alive? Seriously? Fuck.
Facebook Event page

Aspiring Filmmakers Bootcamp (June 13 - 15)
Facebook Event page

Emily Weedon & Delta NXNE showcase
Facebook Event page

Will Currie and the Country French play NXNE
Facebook Event page

The Outside Music Label at NXNE
Facebook Event page

Saturday, June 14
"Young People F**king" Pillow Talk
Toronto TalkBack with Director, Production Team and Special Guests
Facebook Event page

We Are Wolves – (Redpipe presents Musebox @ NXNE)
Facebook Event page

Donovan Davis "Deconstruction"
Facebook Event page

FACE2FACE
Facebook Event page

Sunday, June 15
Bike Union Social Ride and BBQ
Facebook Event page

Burning Effigy Press Spring 2008 Launch Party
Facebook Event page

Drama Prize Screening at the Worldwide Short Film Festival
Facebook Event page

The Mod Parker - Hang the DJ
Facebook Event page

Officially Unofficial NXNE After Party (free with wristband)
Dinosaur Bones, Grand Analog, Superfantastics, and Hollerado!
Facebook Event page

Wavelength 417 - $100|Hooded Fang|Fraser Gielen
Facebook Event page

Wednesday, June 18
SEXY PRIDE - YOUR XXX HEADQUARTERS FOR PRIDE
Facebook Event page

The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra
Facebook Event page

Friday, June 20
Central Tech Art Centre Reunion 2008
Facebook Event page

TWM 18: Gravity Wave, Pete Samples & The Paint Movement
Facebook Event page

1001 NIGHTS - The Official MYBINDI COMEDY NIGHT AFTERPARTY!!
Facebook Event page

Saturday, June 21
RUTH MINNIKIN & BOB WISEMAN
Facebook Event page

Celebrity Lezbian Fist by P.G. THING CO
Facebook Event page

LIVE @ THE KATHEDRAL!!!
Facebook Event page

Sunday, June 22
Exclusive Screening of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY
Facebook Event page

Tuesday, June 24
Second Pass Live at Lee's Palace
Facebook Event page

Wednesday, June 25
Feuermusik In-Store Performance
Facebook Event page

Thursday, June 26
Suoni per il Toronto feat. Evan Parker Trio, Feuermusik, Neptune, more
Facebook Event page

Portable Inspiration:Film,Art and Music show.
Facebook Event page

Sunday, June 29
!-Boat Cruise To Help Fight Breast Cancer-!
Facebook Event page

Wednesday, July 2
The Son of The Man A tale of schemes, survival, and satisfaction (July 2 - 12)
Facebook Event page

Sunday, July 4
Confidential Records 10th Anniversary Showcase: A Tribute to Dead Formats
Facebook Event page

Thursday, July 10
Brooke Gallupe Solo @ Toronto, ON
Facebook Event page

mission 60: fps vs. lee's palace (part v) featuring the apollo effect & left of zero
Facebook Event page

Saturday, July 19
Humber College Songwriting Workshop ( VIP Prize Draw)
Facebook Event page

Monday, July 21
MATMOS return to the Music Gallery!!
Facebook Event page

Monday, September 22
Spacing presents thinkTORONTO
Facebook Event page

Saturday, October 4
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008
Facebook Event page

Sunday, October 19
2008 Toronto Zombie Walk
Facebook Event page

Thursday, October 30
Flourish A Brighter Future Through Culture
Facebook Event page

Friday, November 14
Art Gallery of Ontario public opening
Facebook Event page

Polaris Long List Announced

The Long List for this year's Polaris Music Prize have been announced. These full length albums were all released between June 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008 and were selected by the Polaris jury. This list will be whittled down to 10 (the Short List) between now and July 7 when the finalists will be announced at the Drake Hotel.

2008 Polaris Music Prize Long List
(alphabetical)

The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain
Attack In Black - Marriage
Black Mountain - In The Future
Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow and Blue
Buck 65 - Situation
Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling
Cadence Weapon - Afterparty Babies
Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer
Caribou - Andorra
City And Colour - Bring Me Your Love
Constantines - Kensington Heights
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Destroyer - Trouble In Dreams
Fred Eaglesmith - Tinderbox
Kathleen Edwards - Asking For Flowers
Christine Fellows - Nevertheless
Gatineau - Gatineau
Hayden - In Field And Town
Veda Hille - This Riot Life
HILOTRONS - Happymatic
Holy Fuck - LP
Islands - Arm's Way
Karkwa - Le volume du vent
Corb Lund - Horse Solider! Horse Soldier!
The New Pornographers - Challengers
Pas Chic Chic - Au Contraire
Sandro Perri - Tiny Mirrors
Plants And Animals - Parc Avenue
Ghislain Poirier - No Ground Under
Protest The Hero - Fortress
Justin Rutledge - Man Descending
Sadies - New Seasons
Shad - The Old Prince
Socalled - Ghetto Blaster
Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War
Tegan And Sara - The Con
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band – 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
Two Hours Traffic - Little Jabs
The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
Wintersleep - Welcome To The Night Sky

Help Stop (Un)Canadian Copyright Bill

Today the Conservative Government officially introduced what may be their worst bill to date and with this government that is quite a statment.

"The federal government has introduced a controversial bill it says balances the rights of copyright holders and consumers — but it opens millions of Canadians to huge lawsuits, prompting critics to warn it will create a "police state."

This is the same bill the Tories toyed with before being resoundingly slapped down. They have still not consulted the public, nor have they consulted the media organizations and content producers of Canada. Most of whom oppose the bill. So who did they consult? Primarily american and other multinational media companies and the US Government.

Michael Geist does an excellent job of summarizing the major points and the fine print of this particular bill. The primary things it does though is make it more difficult for you to use the media you buy (movies, music, etc) and open up Canadians to the kind of ridiculous, frivolous, counter productive lawsuits that we have seen in the US for over a decade now. This bill and this government must go.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Definitely write your MP, let them know what you think

There is a Facebook group here with over 40,000 members and links to local chapters

Michael Geist has another 30 suggestions over here.

Stephen Colbert Licenses The Hockey Theme

A number of GM workers were laid off in Oshawa. Our Canadian soldiers are risking their lives in Afghanistan. Gas prices are still rising.

Yet, all we seem to care about is the hockey theme; a 60-second jingle that opened up hockey broadcasts.

Seriously, what's wrong with all of us?

I agree with Justin, Dwight and Adrian. I am happy Ms. Claman can finally have some closure. However, I still think CTV is full of crap. They don't care about Ms. Claman or the "legacy" of the hockey theme. All they care about is the millions they're going to make off the jingle.

You know what we all need? Stephen Colbert:

RVT: Ghislain Poirier - Hit & Red

New Video from Montreal's Ghislain Poirier for the song 'Hit & Red'.

Free Copyright Comic Book

Thanks to Dr. Michael Geist for pointing this out: Appropriation Art a coalition of "over 600 artists, curators, directors, educators, writers, associations and organizations from the art sector. All have come together to express their concern over the state of copyright policy for artists and the future of ‘Appropriation Art’."

The coalition has put together this comic book [2.8 MB - PDF]. The comic book, in addition to delivering it's message contains numerous links to resources and source material. Virtually every line of the comic book links to the source it is referenced from or to other supporting material. Oh..and obviously it's free!



P.S. Appropriation Art's Blog has been added to the Arts Blogs on this site.

The Hockey Night Theme Music: A Dissenting Opinion

This is just one of many opinions already voiced in disagreement with Justin - and many others for as many reasons, not all of which agree with his own thinking - on this subject.

I spoke of this earlier at one of my own blogs, before the word got out about CTV's efforts. Then, as now, I find the current state of affairs with regards to the Hockey Night in Canada theme music unacceptable. My reasons are largely not grounded in much logic of any kind. Certainly they're not grounded well in good business practice, past student of business administration that I've been.

My opinions of the three key parties in this...I don't know quite what to call it without jumping head-first into name-calling here...are just as ill-grounded in reason. CTV, CBC Sports, even Dolores Claman and her representatives...I am tempted to find fault with them all. Even knowing the pressures involved - or some of them - I am tempted. The logic for casting that kind of blame on each of them in turn would be easy to find.

Too easy.

But that would net me nothing I want. And what I want, with no more reason than selfish nostalgia, patriotic sentiments, whatever you like to call it, is to see that music restored to what my entire life from childhood onward tells me is its proper place: at the opening of HNiC.

It's reason enough.

I don't know how to act on it yet. But I hope to find the best way to that end.