Fortunately, just as that wretched, summer’s-end sickness trickles over campus, Montreal’s fastest growing festival has come to lift our hearts. POP Montreal is perfectly timed to remind us of our vibrant culture, top-notch venues and seemingly endless repertoire of diverse musical talent, before Jack Frost creeps in to dampen our spirits . . . or lawn chairs.
Yes, there will be names, big and small. David Byrne & St. Vincent, Born Ruffians, Gotye and our own Grimes, Stars and Cadence Weapon to name a few. But you’ve gotta’ dip your toes in unfamiliar waters to fully grasp what POP is all about. Over 400 artists will be settling in our city from Sept. 19-23. Now is your chance to try something different.
Let this mixtape serve as your POP sampler; Side A features the homegrown on their way up while Side B welcomes rising stars from afar.
Side A: Export
1. “Don’t Leave It To Me” – Mozart’s Sister – Dear Fear
2. “Cover Your Tracks” – Young Galaxy – Shapeshifting
3. “Queens” – Yamantaka//Sonic Titan – YT//ST
4. “Knight Moves” – Chilly Gonzales – Ivory Tower
5. “Arena” – SUUNS – Zeroes QC
6. “Don’t Go To Klaksvik” – Leif Vollebekk – Inland
7. “Holding on to Something” – Parlovr – Kook Soul
8. “High Twilight” – Daniel Isaiah – High Twilight
9. “Rings of Saturn” – TOPS – Tender Opposites
10. “Prophecy” – Adam & The Amethysts – Flickering Flashlight
Side B: Import
11. “The Blame” – Gonjasufi – MU.ZZ.LE
12. “Now You Like Me How” – Woodpigeon – Treasury Library Canada
13. “Omamori” – Elite Gymnastics – Ruin
14. “Beat And The Pulse” – Austra – Feel It Break
15. “The Weight You Hold” – The Belle Comedians – Autumn Ought To…
16. “I Hate The Kids” – Hot Snakes – Automatic Midnight
17. “Another Year Again” – The Sadies – Darker Circles
18. “Lick the Palm of the Burning Handshake” – Zola Jesus – Conatus
19. “Ashes In” – Railbird – No One
20. “Ambergris” – Snowblink – Long Live