Free Downloads and New Website from Hot Panda

Edmonton's Hot Panda has been compared to everyone from the Talking Heads, to Daniel Johnson, Roxy Music and the Flaming Lips. In truth most writers simply get confused trying to describe the sound. This is probably because the band "...have yet to sit down and have the discussion that goes: "So, what should we sound like?"." Fortunately you don't have to read a bunch of reviews to find out what they sound like.

I'm very happy to announce that Hot Panda has added two songs to the podsafe download section of this site that means that you can download them, listen to them, share them with friends, podcast them and decide for yourself what bands to compare them to, or not.

I'm also happy to announce, on a closely related note, that Hot Panda's new website at HotPanda.ca is now up and running. Their new album, 'Volcano...Bloody Volcano' will officially be released on tomorrow (Feb. 10) and has won wide critical acclaim from MusicOHM, Herohill, Bumpershine, Altsounds and many others.

If you're in or around Edmonton, Alberta on Vanlentines day make sure you catch the 'Volcano...Bloody Volcano' CD Release party with guests the Whitsundays and Rah Rah! The Facebook Event Page is Here!

2009 Should Be Hot Panda's Year

One of last year's most talked about bands was Edmonton's Hot Panda. For example:

"Hot Panda is a lot of fun, easy to dance to and just might be the latest big thing, which Edmonton seems to have an endless supply of." - Jam

"Really, Whale Headed Girl is a starter album for a band looking to dig their heels into something firmer but by golly, is it ever a good way to kick things off." - Exclaim

"Comment:Hot Panda may be unsigned for now, but that won't last long. Their particular brand of off-kilter rock 'n' roll that blends elements of early, pre-Epic Modest Mouse, Talking Heads and, dare I say it, Pavement. Those are somewhat generic touchstones, but all very apt. They've already garnered a heap of accolades out west, and it won't be long before Hot Panda fever reaches the rest of the country." - Chartattack

and on and on and on and on.

And all of this is on the strength of an EP.

Now Hot Panda is coming back with the support of a label and with a full album to show off.

"It's amazing how the band can produce so much energy, but not rely on it. Usually bands need time together to find the right recipe and more importantly, time on the road to make sure the recipe is right for them. Hot Panda has already been coast to coast, watching the odometer turn (they are playing here at Gus' Pub on April 24th) and if Volcano... Bloody Volcano is any indication of what’s in store, I don’t see any signs of them becoming dormant." - Herohill

Volcano...Bloody Volcano will officially be available on Feb 10 but the send off for the album will be at the Pawn Shop in Edmonton on Valentines Day. (Regina's Rah Rah will be backing them up, doors at 9 - facebook event page here.) There are also Hot Panda dates coming up at Canadian Music Week, SXSW and a major tour is expected later in the year.

Keep up to date at their Facebook Page, Facebook Group or Myspace.

An Early Xmas Gift for Everyone from Mint Records

From CBC Radio 3 comes word that Mint Records has conjured up a free 7 song sampler featuring The Pack A.D., Kellarissa, the Buttless Chaps, the Awkward Stage, Vancougar, Novillero and Hot Panda. The only catch is that you have to have an eMusic account to access it - but the e-Music account is free so hop over to http://www.emusic.com/album/Various-Artists-Mint-Records-Mint-Records-Ridiculously-Late-eMusic-Sampler-MP3-Download/11332198.html and grab your 'Rediculously Late eMusic Samler'!

Also, if you are in the Vancouver area don't forget that Rediculously Early Xmas Party happens December 5th and 6th!

The Bicycles and Hot Panda in the West

If you're in Vancouver, Victoria, Cumberland, Kelowna or Calgary you have plans. Toronto's the Bicycles are headed your way, promoting their new CD "Oh No, It's Love" along with Edmonton's Hot Panda. Both of these bands are amazing and completely fun. Go, drink, dance and buy CDs!

Saturday November 15, 2008 Di'Metric Studios (also playing Women, The Clips, and Gang Violence) - Vancouver, BC, Canada

Sunday November 16, 2008 CAMAS - Victoria, BC, Canada

Tuesday November 18, 2008 The Waverly - Cumberland, BC, Canada

Wednesday November 19, 2008 Habitat - Kelowna, BC, Canada

Thursday November 20, 2008 Broken City - Calgary, AB, Canada

Happy Birthday to Hot Panda

One of my favorite bands from the rapidly emerging Edmonton music scene, Hot Panda are now officially two years old. If you're on Facebook, join their group and wish them a happy bday! Also, they are struggling through the terrible twos on tour:

8 Oct The Grittsmill w/Awkward Stage Waterloo
9 Oct Call The Office w/Young and Sexy, Awkward Stage London
10 Oct The Ford Plant w/Awkward Stage Brantford
11 Oct Phog Lounge *early all ages show* w/Awkward Stage Windsor
11 Oct Phog Lounge *Late Show* w/Awkward Stage Windsor
12 Oct Merchant Ale House w/Awkward Stage St. Catharines
13 Oct The Casbah w/Awkward Stage Hamilton
14 Oct Albion w/Awkward Stage Guelph
15 Oct Montreal House w/Awkward Stage Peterborough
16 Oct The Artel w/Awkward Stage Kingston
17 Oct Irene’s w/ Awkward Stage Ottawa
19 Oct Zoobizarre w/Awkward Stage and Vancougar Montreal
21 Oct Horseshoe Tavern Toronto
24 Oct CMJ @ Fat Baby (Mint Records Showcase) New York
20 Nov Broken City w. Bicycles Calgary

Hot Panda

Mint Records Signs Hot Panda

Just days after signing Kellarissa Vancouver's Mint Records has scored another major coup - adding Edmonton's Hot Panda to the Mint roster.

Mint's latest addtions are, by far, the hottest pandas in all of Edmonton.

"When you get compared, in the same breath, to everything from Daniel Johnson to the Talking Heads, you know you have a sound that's hard to pin down. Since their formation during the particularly chilly winter of 2006, the members of Hot Panda (Maghan Campbell, Keith Olsen, Chris Connelly, and Heath Parsons) have yet to sit down and have the discussion that goes: "So, what should we sound like?". The result is a swath of tunes that sound like anything and everything. Brit pop, gypsy swing, opera solos, Robert Pollard style lo-fi jangles, glammy Roxy Music keyboards, and "melodies that will be impossible to dislodge from your temporal cortex" (ChartAttack), all find their home in the music of Hot Panda... sometimes all in the same song!"

You can, if you haven't already, give them a listen on Myspace or New Music Canada.