The Coast (Doing the Opposite of the Junos)

Now that I've finished explaining why the Junos are outdated and uninspiring I should also mention that Halifax's the Cost has launched their annual Music Reader's Poll and goes about it entirely differently than most music awards. Anyone can vote and there aren't even any nominations.

Each person can vote only once and each of the categories is blank, you write in whoever you want. Now you should bear in mind that the Coast is a Halifax publication, so when they say "Best Local" they mean Halifax: Still if you've been paying attention a long list of Halifax bands should spring immediately to mind. Joel Plaskett? Rebekah Higgs (or her alter-ego Ruby Jean)? Superfantastics, Jenn Grant, In-Flight Safety (or just Daniel Ledwell)? Fall Horsie, Ghost Bees , Old Man Luedecke, Dog Day, Jon McKiel, Wintersleep???

See already as impressive as the Juno list, and that's just Halifax.

I'd worry with a process this wide open that it would just be a popularity contest, but it beats the hell out of the Juno's system. I think some combination of open voting and critics picks would be best. At any rate go vote! You can win an X-Box.

Boost: Rites of Spring 3D Music Video

Yep, you read that right, a 3D music video from the Superfantastics. If you don't happen to have 3D glasses (guessing alot of you don't) you'll just have to imagine, or maybe this will give you the excuse you've been looking for to go get some. Whether you can get the full effect or not, you have to applaud the initiative - to create a 3D music video!

the Superfantastics - Rites of Spring 3D



If you like please pass it on, the link to share it on Facebook is right here. If you want to hear more of the Superfantastics (I highly recommend seeing them live) check out the Facebook Fanpage and grab a few free downloads here.

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Boost: Canadian Music is a Facebook Group that, once a week, asks people to watch a music video on youtube, rate it, comment on it and share it on facebook if they like it. There is frequently a link to a facebook group, page or other source where people who like the music can find more information or keep up with the band. Canadian artists frequently have little or no money for marketing/promotion - this is a small step to try and help them out by putting their video in front of as many eyes as possible.

Breaking Links: A Few Weekend Music Notes

First up, On No Forest Fires, Golden Girls, Skeleton Me (the solo project of Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians), The Bicycles and Tonka and Puma (Hooded Fang side project) completely rocked Rolly's Garage on Ossington in Toronto today! There is a new group on Facebook for daps all-ages concerts! The next show is supposed to be in April, sign up for the group to hear all about it.

Lilly Frost has a new interview and session (interview in French, songs in English) at MK2. (Click for details - video below)

Lily Frost - Interview & live acoustique
by troiscouleurs

Magali Meagher of the Phonemes will be hosting Wombat Wednesdays at the Tranzac in February and promises "many exciting new projects from pals Maggie Macdonald, Nobu Adilman and Afie Jurvanen"

the Superfantastics are working on a new album and video for 2009

Beth in Battle Mode reports that they have finished their new album 'Hot Science' and have scheduled their first show of 2009 on Sat. January 24 at The Velvet Underground (510 Queen St. W)

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:

Superfantasticer!

So do you remember way back on May 31 when I wrote about Julie Dorion and the Superfantastics and the links between them? Sure you do, because you all love me and care about what I think.

Well, tomorrow on Fuse Julie Dorion and the Superfantastics will be playing together:

"Julie Doiron has cris-crossed Canada for years in bands like Eric's Trip and Broken Girl, singing sweet songs with her sad voice and noisy guitar. The Superfantastics have been banging out power-pop for a shorter time, but the buzz about their catchy songs stretches far across the country. Together, Julie Doiron and The Superfantastics create a Fuse of irresistible pop-rock licks, all in front of an adoring audience in Sackville, New Brunswick."

Pretty cool eh? You can catch Fuse Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. (3:30 p.m. NT) on CBC Radio One and Saturdays at 6:00 a.m. ET and 1:00 p.m. ET on Sirius Satellite 137.

You can also, if you're a keener, join the Fuse Facebook Group here or add the Facebook Fan Page here.

Superfantastics Downloads!!!

If you visit this site then you've heard me go on and on and on and on about them. So, I'm very happy and proud to announce that they now have 5 songs in the podsafe downloads.

Representing East Coast Gangsta syle (if the gangstas wore argyle sweaters and rode bikes) - Halifax's version of the White Stripes (if the White Stripes were way, way less angry) go and get some Superfantastics!!!

the Superfantastics - What Will You Do Now?

"The Superfantastics are the Alex P. Keaton of the indie-pop scene. Small in size, big in heart and adorable in a sweater-vest."

Julie Doiron is Everywhere! (Julie Doiron and Superfantastics Tour Info)

A bunch of stuff to tell you about and since it's all interrelated I thought I'd do it in one post. First there is this article from Chart about Julie Doiron's adoption of the Superfantastics.

""It was pretty wonderful," says drummer/vocalist Stephanie D'Entremont. "Julie Doiron is one of my favourite songwriters/drummers/singers and people. Her partner in crime, Dick Morello, who was playing drums with her on tour, is also amazing.

"It's really cool to just be in her presence because Julie is so maternal, I find. This was the first time we'd ever been out in western Canada. It was kind of scary, but as long as Julie was there, everything was OK… She always knows how to get to all the vegan restaurants in the area.""

Now (via Radio 3) it turns out that Julie's band Eric's Trip is getting ready for a bit of a micro tour that goes like this:

Tue June 3 - The Mod Club, Toronto
Mon July 7 - The Warehouse, Calgary
Tue July 8 - Starlite Room, Edmonton
Thu July 10 - Plaza Club, Vancouver
Fri July 11 - Sugar, Victoria
Sat July 12 - Marymoor Park, Redmond WA

And the Superfantastics are getting ready for a bit of a tour themselves like so:

June 5 Halifax, NS @ Gus' Pub w/Slate Pacific and Quiet Parade
June 6 Charlottetown, PEI @ Lyons House w/BA Johnston, The Stolen Minks and The Barnkats (all ages, 7 p.m.)
June 6 Charlottetown, PEI @ Baba's Lounge House w/BA Johnston, The Stolen Minks and The Barnkats (10 p.m.)
June 7 Fredericton, NB @ The Capitol Bar
June 10 Montreal, QC @ Crobar w/The Ease Down
June 11 Ottawa, ON @ Avant Garde
June 12 Peterborough, ON @ The Montreal House w/The Burning Hell and Shotgun Jimmie
June 13 Toronto, ON @ Criminal Records w/Mardeen, Old Man Luedecke, Shotgun Jimmie and Calm Down It's Monday (5 p.m.)
June 13 Toronto, ON @ Clinton's (NXNE)
June 15 Toronto, ON @ Rancho Relaxo
July 26 Antigonish, NS @ Evolve Festival

Now pay special attention to that Criminal Records show on June 13...if you'll notice they're playing with Calm Down It's Monday - I have to point this out because that too is Julie Doiron (and Dick Morello).

Julie Doiron - Darkhorse

Halifax : Thursday, June 5 : Superfantastic!

Don't worry Toronto, the Superfantastics will be in town for North by Northeast (stay tuned for details) but for now they are still at home and next Thursday they are playing at Gus' Pub along with the Beginners, Slate Pacific, and Quiet Parade.

Facebook Event page is here

Enjoy them while you still can Halifax! To be perfectly honest, it's true - Toronto has been trying and will continue to try to steal the Superfantastics and they're visiting us again soon!

Superfantastic Video Blog

I've been negligent. The Superfantastics have actually been Videoblogging again for awhile now and, again, rather than just post them all I've added the feed to the main (front page) publicbroadcasting.ca page.

The Superfantastics - Oh! How You Used to Know Me Well

Superfantastics, Julie Dorion Tour

After dropping by to visit Toronto for Canadian Music Week, the Superfantastics and Julie Dorion are going to stop home for a bit before visiting the West.

In March the Superfantastics at the Seahorse Cafe in Halifax on the 14th (10 pm), then at George's Roadhouse in Sacville on 15th (10 pm) and at the Capital in Fredrickton, NB on the 16th (10 pm)

After that they will be joining Julie Dorion for a Western Tour:

March 26, 8 pm - Edmonton, Alberta at the Velvet Underground

March 27, 8 pm - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at Louis

March 28, 8 pm - Regina, Saskatchewan at the Exchange

April 1, 8 pm - Red Deer, Alberta at the Vat

April 3, 8 pm - Canmore, Alberta at the Canmore Hotel

April 4, 8 pm - Calgary, Alberta location To Be Announced

April 7, 8 pm - Kelowna, British Columbia at Doc Willoughbys

April 8, 7 pm - Vancouver, British Columbia at St. James Hall

April 9, 8 pm - Cumberland, British Columbia at Joe's Garage

April 11, 7 pm - Tofino, British Columbia at the Tofino Legion

Superfantastics - Tonight, Tonite



Superfantastics on Facebook

Julie Dorion - Me and My Friend

New Superfantastics EP Next Saturday

Next Saturday night, February 23 at 10 pm (if you happen to be in Halifax) you can visit Gus' Pub and Grill (2605 Agricola Street) for the release of the new Superfantastics EP "Choose Your Destination", as an added bonus they will be joined by the Just Barelys and Doug Mason.

If you can't be in Halifax this Saturday Night, keep an eye on the Superfantastics web site (thesuperfantastics.com for information on ordering (or pre-ordering) the new EP.

The EP will ONLY be available on Vinyl and in Digital format. It is 10 dollars for the vinyl EP and that comes with a digital download code so you can get the songs in MP3 format as well. You will also be able to order the songs in the (much less fun) MP3 only format - without the Vinyl for $8 through Zunior.com.

the Superfantastics - Tonight Tonite

Superfantactic +

So here's the deal, I told you awhile back about the Superfantastics Video (tour) Blog - the thing is that every time they post a new one, I feel like I should tell you about it again. So, instead of doing that, I'm doing this: For the duration of the tour, I'm including the Superfantastics video blog feed in the main publicbroadcasting.ca feed - so now they will show up automatically and, if you like, you can pretend that I posted something about it. =)

Superfantastic!

The Superfantastics are the Alex P. Keaton of the indie-pop scene. Small in size, big in heart and adorable in a sweater-vest.They are also now in the Bandblogs you can find more from the Superfantastics on their Myspace(which also has free downloads) or their homepage.

You can also find more from them at the following locations provided you are there on the right day and at the right time:

11 Oct 2007 9 pm Trepid House waterloo, Ontario

12 Oct 2007 10 pm The Velvet Elvis Oshawa, Ontario

13 Oct 2007 9 pm Ford Plant Brantford, Ontario

14 Oct 2007 8 pm The Island Grill Wolfe Island, Kingston, Ontario

16 Oct 2007 10 pm The Attic - Halifax Pop Explosion! Halifax, Nova Scotia

19 Oct 2007 7 pm North Nova Education Centre New Glasgow