For Chaz Bundick, known by his stage name Toro Y Moi, “being creative is the best solution for an unfulfilled life.”
Like most musicians nowadays, Bundick had an early start on the music scene; he began playing piano at the tender age of eight and composing his own music when he was 15. Bundwick also played in an indie rock band in his high school years.
“I was writing stuff that sounded like Weezer and the Pixies,” said Bundick.
Toro Y Moi – Anything in Return. Toro Y Moi plays Club Soda Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. with Dog Bite and Wild Belle.
Obviously, his older material is a sound that differs very largely from the chillwave movement that Toro Y Moi is now associated with.
Chillwave, which is a musical genre characterized by an ambient, electro-pop and post-punk-revival feel, has been gaining much appeal and attention lately with acts like Toro Y Moi and Neon Indian firing up music blogs. However, Bundick refuses to confine his music to one specific label.
“I don’t like defining my sound,” he said, “but the easiest way to characterize my music is pop.”
Bundick’s debut album Causers of This, released in 2010 on Carpark Records, received overall positive and promising feedback from major music reviewers. It was described by NME as “a woozy kaleidoscopic voyage, sending you in and out of consciousness with each splendidly shoddy lo-fi recording.”
His sophomore album, Underneath the Pine, which was released in 2011, saw similar praise. According to Pitchfork, the album “[imbues] pastoral, acoustic plucks and synth drones with rhythmic purpose, and making retro chic somehow still sound futuristic.”
Currently on tour in Europe, Bundick’s third and latest album, Anything in Return, was released in January. Bundick admits there isn’t much difference between his latest record and his two others, except for the fact that Anything in Return was the first album to be recorded in a studio.
Though his songs are original and fairly intricate, Bundick says he doesn’t have a set writing process.
“My writing process is completely random,” he explained. “I like working from home the most. The easiest and best thing to write about is your life at that very moment.”
When asked what the fan reaction has been on tour so far, Bundick was hesitant to find the right words.
“Playing new stuff live is bittersweet,” he said. “It’s nice to play something new on stage but then again it’s stuff people don’t know and they aren’t familiar with […] so that can end in several ways.”
Despite his success in the musical world, Bundick said that his music career “just happened,” as if out of thin air. Bundick graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, but fell into music.
“This is a dream job,” he said. “I was aware that this path may very well not happen.” But, thankfully, it did.
Trial Track: “So Many Details”
Toro Y Moi plays Club Soda Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. with Dog Bite and Wild Belle.
Famous for their lead singer Julian Casablancas’ eccentric style, cryptic lyrics and their signature “futuristic” yet catchy rock/electronic sounds, The Strokes are back with a kickin’ single that has fans hyperventilating in anticipation for the band’s upcoming fifth album. Since the release of their fourth studio album Angles in 2011, The Strokes have been teasing fans with the possibility of new material being available in the coming year. Although rumors were flying regarding the new album, the band only started recording it in April 2012. On Jan. 25, fans got a taste of what they should be expecting with the new album when the band posted “One Way Trigger” onto their website. The new evocative single features Casablancas with newfound falsetto pipes and solidifies the band’s steady digression from the older and grungier New York-based sound that brought them to fame with “Is This It?” and “Room on Fire.” You can listen to “One Way Trigger” and download it for free on the band’s website, www.thestrokes.com.
Paul Banks, the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Interpol, has recently released a hip hop mixtape. The mixtape, which has apparently been in the works for the past nine months, was originally intended to be a promotional tactic for the release of his first solo studio album Banks, released last October. Although Banks received great reviews and media support, Everybody On My Dick Like They Supposed To Be may not. For now, though, it is too soon to speculate what critics might have to say. Banks’ new form of musical expression may be a sign of reinvention or, most probably, boredom. Interpol’s eponymous fourth album released in 2010 saw them on tour with U2 but, since 2011, the band has been on hiatus. Although Banks’ mixtape offers something new and unexpected from such an important indie-rock artist, fans will most likely not forget their longing for the Interpol of yore.
3. “Full of Fire” by The Knife
Swedish musicians Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, also known as the electronic duo The Knife, have released a 10-minute-long theatrical music video for their latest song “Full of Fire.” Directed by feminist porn creator Marit Osterberg (a paradox if there ever was one), the provocative video stars brother and sister Karin and Olof in what Pitchfork Media describes as “a short film, with an ominous Euro aesthetic and a plot filled with gender-bending, bondage, a demonic house-cleaning session, motorcycle rides, um, a woman pissing in the street, and a lot more.” Although the video has been temporarily taken down due to copyright issues, it is sure to resurface long before The Knife’s newest studio album, Shaking The Habitual, will be released this year.
Montreal natives Suuns have recently signed on with City Records to release their first album, Images du Futur out in March. Their heavy electronica sound mixed with scratchy guitars will be featured while on tour this spring.
Trial Track: “Armed For Peace”
9. The Lumineers
Nominated for two Grammys, 2013 is sure to be a big year for The Lumineers, a folk-pop band from Denver, CO. Their catchy, sing-along tunes are firing up all around the world with tour dates planned in the U.K., Europe, Japan and Australia.
Trial Track: “Slow It Down”
8. Single Mothers
It’s hard to find a good, unapologetic punk-rock band nowadays. Fortunately, Single Mothers, the newest addition to Dine Alone Records, is making that search a lot easier. Their sound is a raw mash up of hard guitar and drums and incomprehensible vocals that are completely irresistible.
Trial Track: “Christian Girls”
7. Kitten
The L.A. electronica quartet known as Kitten opened up for No Doubt last December and just signed with Elektra Records. Although they’ve already released their EP Cut It Out, this band is just starting to catch the major attention of music aficionados and media worldwide.
Trial Track: “G#”
6. Laura Marling
Brit singer-songwriter Laura Marling is known for her poetic lyrics and captivating vocals. Marling’s fourth album, due out in February, will hopefully make her one of the most talked about female artists of 2013.
Trial Track: “Salinas”
5. Kandle
Originally from Victoria, B.C. but now based in Montreal, Kandle is quickly becoming the Canadian star to watch out for in 2013. Her haunting and sultry vocals and pensive lyrics are sure to impress anyone looking for an original yet easy sound to brighten up their winter blues.
Trial Track: “Small”
4. Chvrches
With catchy synth-pop tunes it’s easy to see why these Glasgow natives are catching the hearts and ears of music lovers worldwide. Fresh off tour with Passion Pit, Chvrches are planning on releasing their debut album sometime in 2013.
Trial Track: “The Mother We Share”
3. How To Destroy Angels
Comprised of Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and his wife Mariqueen Maandig, How to Destroy Angels is an electronica/post-industrial quartet offering a refreshing take on the haunting tunes of the NIN glory days. Their debut full-length album, Welcome Oblivion, is due out in March.
Trial Track: “The Loop Closes”
2. Peace
Hailing from Birmingham, England, this group of four indie-rockers is releasing their first full-length album this coming March. Their fun, upbeat songs are sure to please fans of bands like Foals and Vampire Weekend.
Trial Track: “Wraith”
1. Atoms for Peace
Consisting of the wonderful Thom Yorke from Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Atoms for Peace will be the band to watch out for in 2013. Little to no news has been offered with regards to the content of the upcoming album, Amok, but with a mastermind like Yorke at the helm, Atoms for Peace are sure to conquer 2013.
The beginning of a new year means resolutions, nightly parties, endless drinking and most importantly, great music to highlight all the moments you never want to forget. Unfortunately, we are now back to the gruesome grind that is school. Our moments of festivities are few and far between as we contemplate our impending future filled with work and study. Thankfully, there’s always music out there to help you cope with the newfound loss of your sweet freedom. Side A of this mixtape includes songs to help you embrace and celebrate the excitement of the new year and Side B includes mellow songs to lessen the blow of going back to school.
SIDE A: Celebrating
1. “Cassius” – Foals – Antidote
2. “Wraith” – Peace – Single
3. “Set It Off” – Girl Talk – Feed the Animals
4. “All Black (White Tie Affair Remix)” – Good Charlotte feat. Mat Devine – Greatest Remixes
5. “Free” – Graffiti6 – Colours
6. “Young Americans” – The Cure – Single
7. “Empathy” – Crystal Castles – (II)
8. “20 Dollar” – M.I.A. – Kala
9. “Machine Gun” – Portishead – Third
10. “Tighten Up” – Black Keys – Brothers
SIDE B: Mellowing out
11. “Between Two Points” – The Glitch Mob feat. Swan – Single
12. “Lay Your Cards Out” – POLIÇA – Give You The Ghost
13. “Heroes” – David Bowie – Low
14. “Tessellate” – Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
15. “Never Fade Away” – Spector – Enjoy It While It Lasts
16. “Sometimes” – My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
17. ”Music To Walk Home By” – Tame Impala – Lonerism
18. “Tangled Up In Blue” – Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks
19. “You and Whose Army?” – Radiohead – Amnesiac
20. “Girls Like You” – The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You
Not the worst, but definitely the most disappointing album of 2012. Unfortunately Mumford failed to live up to fans’ expectations. Only a handful of songs stand out on this album and very little progress was made from their hit debut, Sigh No More.
9. Muse – 2nd Law
Muse’s dubstep feel on this album was quite disappointing. They kept some of their original space rock/new prog sound that fans loved on Black Holes and Revelations but 2nd Law had many fans crying out “WHY Matt Bellamy, why???”
8. The Killers – Battle Born
Battle Born was a big upset compared to Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town. Singer Brandon Flower’s vocals have turned from soft and enchanting to lackluster. The band’s overall new sound was unimpressive.
7. Lana Del Rey – Born To Die
Del Rey’s whiny vocals and moody lyrics make this album seem more forced than effortless or natural. Her album overall was uninspired and unimpressive and lacked the follow-through needed to deliver a true hit.
6. Fun. – Some Nights
We all loved their single “We Are Young” but after 20 listens we all got higher than the Empire State and forgot that we knew the whole song by heart. Aside from the fact that the lead singer looks like a Who from Whoville, the band’s talent and image feels stale and rehashed.
5. Cannibal Corpse – Torture
Anything by Cannibal Corpse is a definite miss. With disgusting lyrics, terrible music and frightening album covers, this band uses the same shock tactics from its last album to the point where critics throw their hands up in air and say “Next!”
4. Maroon 5 – Overexposed
With “Moves Like Jagger” Maroon 5 took a page out of Ke$ha’s book when it comes to referencing and exploiting musicians their audience base doesn’t know or care about. At this point, the band’s only redeeming quality is lead singer Adam Levine’s striking good looks.
3. Carly Rae Jepsen – Kiss
It’s impossible not to include this artist when looking back at the worst of 2012. We all suffered brutal torture when “Call Me Maybe” went viral and was played over and over again until our ears were bleeding. Jepsen’s tunes are generic, overused and have no real creativity or lasting power.
2. Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Minaj’s sophomore album featured a slew of irritating hip-hop/dance-pop anthems and shallow collaborations. As proved at this year’s American Music Awards, Minaj’s talent as a rap artist is indisputable. Unfortunately this album does not showcase her true talents, especially with songs like “Stupid Hoe”.
1. Madonna – MDNA
Madonna’s relevance as a musician expired a while ago — three albums ago to be exact. With songs like “Girls Gone Wild”, “ Gang Bang” and “I’m a Sinner”, Madonna has moved past the point of being provocative and entered the realm of “OMG, please shut up.”
Talent, dedication and friendship are what make Montreal’s Human Human a band to look out for in 2013. With their eponymous EP released just a month ago and an appearance at this year’s M for Montreal festival, Human Human wowed the city with a sound reminiscent of ‘80s pop.
Full of promise and talent, Human Human, which is comprised of lead singer and songwriter Félix Roy, drummer Olivier Larouche, bassist Maxime St-Jean and guitarist and keyboardist Louis Lupien, have been playing together since their early teens when they were just high school students in St-Bruno.
“We’ve been rehearsing in Lupien’s parents’ basement for a long time,” said Larouche. “For a couple of years we were just playing for fun.” The band’s earliest performances included Battle of the Bands and high school awards ceremonies.
Now in their early 20s, the quartet ditched their old name GIRL when they recorded their EP last winter. The band agreed that the name change was necessary.
“We ended up with an album that was totally different: the sound, the feeling, the concept,” said Roy.
Influenced by some of the most infamous acts of all time, including The Cure, The Smiths and Coldplay, Human Human feels that their sound is true to the organic indie-pop sounds that shaped their youth.
“Our album talks a lot about our youth,” said Roy. “Like when we were young and going to high school. Just four really close friends, playing around.”
Though the band writes their music together, Roy writes the lyrics. When asked about songwriting, Larouche said: “Our songwriting process is really natural, we jam from hard rock to jazz, we just have fun.” Eventually, the songs come together to fit their vision.
“I would love to be poetic,” said Roy. “But our lyrics are very grounded. Morrissey has always influenced me. When you read his lyrics, it’s poetic but grounded at the same time, you can understand what he means.”
Despite being francophone, the band doesn’t have any worries about singing in English. “It wasn’t a choice to sing in English,” said Larouche. “It just came out that way. We always listened to Brit and American bands.” Roy added, “We tried singing in French but it just didn’t work with our sound.”
Though they’ve played in Montreal since they were teenagers, the band still feels like they don’t fit into the city’s music scene. “We don’t fit into the indie-hipster crew of Montreal,” said Larouche. “It’s hard to fit somewhere, but we have a really nice following of fans in Montreal.”
Human Human revealed that their full-length album, produced by Jace Lasek, who worked with Patrick Watson and Wolf Parade, should be released next fall.
Visit Human Human’s Bandcamp to download their latest EP and like them on Facebook for info on upcoming shows.
Two years after their sophomore album (II), Alice Glass and Ethan Kath, the Toronto electronic duo known as Crystal Castles, have returned with a 12-track album of pure, haunting melancholy.
Crystal Castle’s signature upbeat yet simultaneously somber synths and melodies caress the ear like the sounds of a beautiful car crash and bring listeners into an ethereal realm of chaos. Titles and lyrics of tracks like “Affection,” “Kerosene” and “Child I Will Hurt You” ring true and deep in the tradition of poets like Sylvia Plath. Singer Glass’ haunting, echoey vocals and Kath’s choppy, moving synths make (III) the perfect background album for any occasion— whether it’s weekend study sessions, a late night drive or a rave tucked into a secluded part of town.
Trial track: “Child I Will Hurt You”
Rating: 8.5/10
– Andria Caputo
Christina Aguilera – Lotus (2012; RCA)
Christina Aguilera’s latest album Lotus provides one or two catchy hits but fails to deliver any real substance. This 57-minute long “deluxe album” has 17 tracks, each showcasing Aguilera experimenting with a new sound. Packed with power ballads, club hits and summer anthems, this album is a constant search for a new, specific style.
“Your Body” screams classic Aguilera, with infectious beats and provocative lyrics like “So don’t even tell me your name/All I need to know is whose place”. It is sure to please lifelong fans as well as new ones. But unlike last year’s single “Moves Like Jagger” with Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, this year’s collaborations with fellow The Voice judges Cee-Lo Green and Blake Shelton do not provide the same wow factor. The album’s first single and title track seems equally unimpressive and drenched in auto-tune. Aguilera’s attempt at being “of the moment” fails in a repetitive first track and Lotus as a whole.
Trial track: “Let There Be Love”
Rating: 5/10
– Selina Gard
The Soupcans – Good Feelings (2012; Telephone Explosion Records)
Recorded in a bike shop, Good Feelings sports a live feel, with very little done in the way of music production. The lyrics are guttural, the drums pounding and the heavily distorted guitars cutting, making for a visceral experience.
While the Toronto born post-punk rockers provide an aggressive and thoroughly authentic punk album, it’s unfortunately at the expense of interesting musicianship — because every song, every second is just a collection of bleeding guitars and vocal shrieks. In the end, it sounds like someone found a way to make music from the dial-up and fax machine warbles we used to hear in the 90s.
Even though the album clocks in at twenty-two minutes long, it’s too long for most listeners, draining even the most patient. That being said, fans of genuine punk may enjoy the screeches of the eleven track Soupcans debut.
10. “Love Calls You By Your Name” : The smooth, carefully-plucked guitar chords heard at the beginning of this song draw listeners into its heavy and emotionally-charged lyrics. Calm and poetic, Cohen’s lines are sung like a narrative; each verse jumping from one allegorical image to the next.
9. “Coming Back To You” : A song of regret and longing, Cohen’s voice and lyrics make this song the ultimate breakup anthem for all romantics.
8. “Take This Waltz” : Romantic and elegant, this song invites listeners to dream of Vienna in the 1920s. “Take This Waltz” is actually a loose translation of a poem by the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, who is reportedly one of Cohen’s favorite writers.
7. “Joan of Arc” : In the final song of his third album, Songs of Love and Hate, Cohen retells the melancholic story of one of history’s greatest heroines, Joan of Arc. Cohen’s poetic story telling techniques shine through and captivate listeners with lines like “I long for love and light / but must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?”
6. “So Long, Marianne” : Known as one of his most romantic songs, “So Long, Marianne” is laced with nostalgia and romanticism. The song was written for his lover Marianne, whom he describes as the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
5. “Famous Blue Raincoat” : From the start of the song, Cohen draws you in with his raw and honest confessions. Listeners cannot resist this soft-spoken, guitar-accompanied beauty.
4. “I’m Your Man” : Layered with soothing and dark synths, “I’m Your Man” features Cohen’s signature deep vocals and brooding lyrics. The lyrics read like a love poem, where Cohen croons and seduces listeners with lines like “I’d fall at your feet / and I’d howl at your beauty / like a dog in heat”.
3. “Everybody Knows” : Fun music and dark lyrics make “Everybody Knows” the perfect song to sing and sway to when things just aren’t going your way. It is filled with social commentary, like “the poor stay poor, the rich get rich”. Cohen sardonically calls out to his unfaithful lover, telling her that everyone knows she loves him, but is also cheating on him.
2. “Hallelujah” :Cohen’s most famous song, “Hallelujah” is filled with biblical imagery — like the stories of King David and Bathsheba and the betrayal between Samson and Delilah. Many musicians, including Rufus Wainwright and K.D. Lang, have covered this little gem.
1. “Suzanne” : Cohen’s ultimate love song. Accompanied by female backup vocals, Cohen sings of the mystique and beauty of a young woman named Suzanne, who he later revealed was the former wife of Quebec artist Armand Vaillancourt. With lyrics like “you want to travel with him / and you want to travel blind / and you think maybe you’ll trust him / for he’s touched your perfect body with his mind”, it’s easy to see how this song captivates listeners of any generation.
Noah Richler's What We Talk About When We Talk About War was nominated for a 2012 Governor General’s literary award. Photo by Madelayne Hajek.
Noah Richler’s What We Talk About When We Talk About War was nominated for a 2012 Governor General’s literary award. Photo by Madelayne Hajek.
For Canadian writer and journalist Noah Richler, maintaining a critical view of your country and its politics is paramount.
Born in Montreal, Richler studied classics and archeology at McGill and then moved on to study politics and economics at Balliol College at Oxford University in England. Subsequently, he worked for BBC Radio and then returned to Canada in 1998 to work at the National Post as the paper’s books editor. Richler’s first book, This Is My Country, What’s Yours, won the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction in 2007.
Although Richler has lived a great part of his life in England, he still feels very attached to his home country of Canada. “Going back and forth between Canada and Britain affected my outlook a lot,” he said, “because I feel very Canadian.”
Richler is no stranger to the Canadian literary world. His father, Mordecai Richler, Concordia’s most famous dropout, is one of Montreal and Canada’s most celebrated writers. Unlike his father, Richler sticks to non-fiction when it comes to his writing. “I think of myself as an essayist,” he said.
Like every other writer, Richler dedicates a lot of himself to his work. “I try to work at least five days a week,” he said. “I try to write everyday to remind myself that that’s what I do.”
When asked about his writing process Richler said, “when you find a book, or a book finds you, it determines its own rhythm. You work like mad and everything you see in the world around you has to do with the idea that you’ve chosen.”
Mainly preoccupied with Canadian identity Richler’s newest book, What We Talk About When We Talk About War, which was nominated for this year’s Governor General’s literary award for non-fiction, takes a critical look at the country Canada has become after multiple international wars.
Richler says he was inspired to write the book when he saw an interview between CBC’s Shelagh Rogers and Master Cpl. Paul Franklin, a soldier who was wounded in the Afghan war. In the interview, Franklin’s wife said that if Canada had pulled out of the war, her husband would have lost his legs for nothing. “That’s true,” said Richler, “but it’s also not an argument for staying.”
Richler addresses many issues in his new book, like the way politicians and the military use language to convince Canadians that we are a warrior nation.
“I was very upset at the language that was being used,” he said. When asked about the impact he would like his book to have on his readers, Richler said, “My book will be successful if it brings people’s attentions to the way we use language to permit different things.”
Richler often speaks in high schools because he understands the importance of reading. “I like speaking at schools,” he said, “it’s a very good discipline for me.” Richler recounts what it was like as a child to pick up a book, not like it and feel guilty about it. “You don’t like a book, don’t worry about it,” he said, “It’s not your fault. Just don’t stop reading because of it.”
Writing a book on war is a sombre topic and Richler hopes that his book will incite readers to take a more serious outlook on war. “When we go to war,” he said, “we should do it with gravity and lament. It’s a serious thing. We should really regret having to do it.”
With the recent success of What We Talk About When We Talk About War, which was published last April, one would expect Richler to sit back and enjoy the attention. However, writers are restless souls and he is already planning a new book.
What We Talk About When We Talk About War retails for $24.95 and is available from Chapters Indigo and Amazon.ca.
Foals are back, and they have a louder and more aggressive sound that will surely please fans and those who still haven’t yet had the pleasure of discovering them. Yannis Philippakis, the band’s lead singer, told NME that their new sound is “swampy” and that their new album, Holy Fire, would have some “heavier” and “dirtier” tracks. The band is known for their musical evolution — 2010’s Total Life Forever differed largely from 2008’s Antidotes. Philippakis’ resulting voice in “Inhaler” is a mixture of his distinct calm vocals and the band’s new ‘dirty’ sound. Paired with edgy guitar riffs and bass lines, “Inhaler” sounds like a trippy hybrid of their popular hits “Cassius” and “Spanish Sahara”. The track’s music video itself can be considered a separate work of art, featuring spasmodic synchronized dancing, bike stunts and graffiti. Known for their artsy videos, which include everything from singing in open fields to swinging around animal hearts, fans will be happy to see that Foals is always bringing their work to another level. You can purchase “Inhaler” on iTunes now and pre-order Holy Fire, which will be released in Feb. 2013.
Kitten, an electronica quartet hailing from Los Angeles, has been gaining some well-deserved attention in the music world lately. Lead singer Chloe Chaidez may only be 17 years old, but she and the band have already been featured on Nylonmag.com, had their single “G#” featured on the FIFA 13 video game and will be opening for No Doubt in L.A. on Dec 4. Their six-song EP, Cut It Out, includes their next single, “Japanese Eyes”. In the video, Chaidez dramatically dances around her band mates, impressing listeners with her stunning vocals. Songs like “Sugar” and “Cut It Out” will mesmerize and draw you into obsession. You can buy Cut It Out on iTunes or visit their website to download “Sugar” and “Cut It Out” for free.
For those of you who missed Sigur Rós this summer at Osheaga, here’s a special treat for you. Pitchfork media reported that this weekend the internationally acclaimed band debuted some new material when they played the Iceland Airwaves Festival. The Icelandic band’s signature dream-pop/ambient sound is slightly altered in this new video. The new song’s sound is obviously heavier and gloomier. The band performed the new song “Brennisteinn” with alien-esque green lights and black shadows in the background, which added to the somewhat gloomy feel of the song. However, cheers from the crowd overheard at the end of the eight-minute video suggest that the band’s slight mood shift is warmly welcomed. One thing is for sure; the video is the perfect mind-break listeners will be looking for as the weather gets colder and the skies get darker. Visit Pitchfork.com to watch “Brennisteinn” and experience their ethereal sound with a new twist.
The Gala alternatif de la musique indépendante du Québec has announced its nominees for 2012. The GAMIQ awards include six categories, which feature a slew of talented anglophone and francophone musicians all based in Quebec. Voting was open to the public and the winners of each category will be announced Nov.11 at Theatre Plaza. Tickets to the gala are $18.
Grimes
Grimes, aka Claire Boucher, is a Vancouver singer-songwriter based in Montreal. Grimes has recently garnered a lot of attention with her latest album, Visions (Arbutus; 2012), which reached 98 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album’s signature dream pop and electronica sound has charmed and wowed music lovers from across the globe. Grimes is the sole producer of Visions, which was recorded entirely on Garageband. Her newest single and music video “Oblivion” has already received 3 million YouTube views, giving the talented singer some well-deserved attention.
Trial track: “Genesis”
Nominated for: Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Video Of The Year
Half Moon Run
Half Moon Run, an indie rock trio made up of Ottawa and B.C. natives has been together for less than two years but has already toured Europe, the U.K. and Canada.
Their debut album, Dark Eyes, featuring their first single “Full Circle” is causing buzz, having earned them a spot at last August’s Osheaga Music Festival. If their Radiohead-esque sound satisfies, you can catch them in concert at Le National on Dec. 7.
Trial track: “She Wants To Know”
Nominated for: Show Of The Year, Song of The Year, and Breakthrough Artist of The Year
Kandle
Singer and guitaristKandleOsborne is a 21-year-old from Vancouver, now based in Montreal, who, as of yet, remains unsigned to any record label. Her debut EP Kandle has given her a leg up on the Montréal music scene and her promising talent might one day give celebrated musicians Emily Haines and Coeur de pirate a run for their money. Kandle will be opening up for Half Moon Run on Dec. 7 at Le National. Visit her website (kandlemusic.com) to get a free download of her song “Small.”
Trial track: “Know My Name”
Nominated for: New Artist With The Most Potential
Lisa LeBlanc
Lisa LeBlanc is a francophone Acadian-Canadian singer, whose folky sound is eerily reminiscent of La Bolduc and Regina Spektor. Her self-titled and only album is certified gold in Canada, having already sold more than 40,000 copies. LeBlanc’s talent is indisputable; her songs are refreshing, different and daring. LeBlanc will be performing her self-described “trash-folk” tunes on tour this fall and winter across Canada, with a stop in Montreal on Jan. 23 at Olympia.
Trial track: “Aujourd’hui, ma vie c’est d’la marde”
Nominated for: Artist Of The Year, Show Of The Year, Song Of the Year, and Breakthrough Artist Of The Year
Philippe B
Philippe B is a folk-pop francophone singer from Montreal who released his first album in 2006. Philippe B has already worked with Pierre Lapointe, and opened for Andrew Bird in Montreal last July during Osheaga. The 2011 release of Variations Fantomes, his latest album, is giving this talented singer and guitarist his chance to shine on the Quebec music scene. Philippe B will be in Montreal, at Café Campus on Nov. 17.
Trial track: “Nocturne #632”
Nominated for: Artist Of The Year, Show Of The Year, and Video Of The Year.
Alaclair Ensemble
Alaclair Ensemble is a francophone hip-hop/rap troupe, whose signature self-described style of “postrigodon” and ‘babouinerie jouale’ has set them apart from other more traditional Quebec hip-hop acts. Mixing their beats with French and English lyrics, their latest album, Le roé c’est moé, will be released Jan. 1, 2013, but you can stream it for free on their bandcamp site. Alaclair Ensemble will be playing at Montreal’s Museum of Contemporary Art on Dec. 7.
Trial track: “Moi chu down”
Nominated for: Artist Of The Year, Show Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Video Of The Year.
Avec pas d’casque
Avec pas d’casque is a francophone folk-country quartet based in Montreal. Their latest album Astronomie was long-listed for this year’s Polaris Music Prize. Their nine-track album, which you can purchase on their bandcamp website, was mixed by Mark Lawson, who has already worked with Timber Timbre and Arcade Fire. Avec pas d’casque are currently on tour and will be playing Montreal’s Sala Rossa on Nov. 22.
Trial track: “La journée qui s’en vient est flambant neuve”
Nominated for: Artist Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
Canailles
Canailles isa francophone bluegrass-folk band from Montreal whose eight members released their first EP in 2010. Their latest album, Manger du bois, features the voices of various band members and an old-school mix of banjos, accordions, mandolins and drums. They have already played Quebec’s Francouvertes and FrancoFolies and will be featured in this year’s M For Montreal and the Festival International de Louisiane.
Trial track: “Parle Moi”
Nominated For: Show For The Year and Breakthrough Artist Of The Year.
Kaytradamus
Kaytradamus, aka Kevin Celestin, is a Haitian born, Montreal based hip-hop/electronica solo musician. Influenced by the likes of Justice and Michael Jackson, Kaytradamus has released and self-produced his newest album entitled Kaytrap. Kaytradamus is unsigned, but you can listen to his music or buy his albums on his bandcamp page.
Trial track: “Sellout”
Nominated for: Breakthrough Artist of The Year
Ponctuation
Ponctuation, is a garage rock/punk band from Quebec. Their sound can easily be described as the future Franco Sex Pistols of the 21st century. Their 2011 EP Lèche-Vitrine features four songs of pure fun and uncomplicated punk music.
We all have our favourite children’s books and, for many of us we have that one book in particular that we loved the most.
Whether that book was Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are or Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, children’s books have marked us in a significant way. Although we’ve outgrown the cradle, kids books can still be relevant in our adult lives because they offer a different and a more hopeful perspective on things we seem to lose sight of as we grow older.
Today’s literature is slowly but surely giving classic kids books a run for their money. A great example of this is Kyo Maclear’s Virginia Wolf. Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault (who is nominated for a Governor General’s literary award), the book tells the story of two sisters; Vanessa and Virginia, an obvious allusion to writer Virginia Woolf, and painter Vanessa Bell, her sister. In the book, Vanessa’s sister is feeling “wolfish” and Vanessa, wanting to help her sister, decides to paint a whole mural of her sister’s perfect imaginary place called Bloomsberry. Virginia is instantly cheered up.
The real lives of Virginia and Vanessa are rather melancholic, but Maclear and Arsenault take simple words and stunning illustrations and turn a tale of sisterhood into a beautiful children’s story about overcoming fears and doing something beautiful for someone you love. Virginia Wolf is the perfect example of a children’s story that takes real life adult events and turns them into a more hopeful situation. This is exactly what we need as adults, since our sometimes cynical views tend to make use lose sight of the bigger picture.
Judd Palmer’s The Umbrella, also nominated for a Governor General’s award, is about a black umbrella which is a man’s sole companion. When the umbrella gets ruined, a sinister crow tells the umbrella that the man will no longer love him. However, the man continues to love his umbrella. This story demonstrates the purity of love and how “true love is always returned.”
The crow represents the many challenges and people we face that force us to doubt ourselves and the ones we love. Palmer’s metaphors make this book and its message easily relatable to adults.
One thing people tend to forget about kids books is that they are written and illustrated by adults. Even though their target audiences are children under the ages of eight, anyone, whether you’re 18 or 80, can enjoy them.
Chloé Beaudet-Centomo, a second-year political science student at Université de Montréal said she feels that “kids books present the facts of life in a way that a child can easily comprehend.” Although the message in children’s books is somewhat simple, Beaudet-Centomo thinks a simple message is often better, even for adults.
“Kids books use imagery to represent situations we deal with in real life, and most importantly, kids literature is inherently hopeful,” she said.
Katherine Beauséjour, a second-year administration student at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business said she thinks that, although kids books consist mostly of bright and colorful images, they still have significant storylines.
“They convey strong messages,” said Beauséjour. “People should keep reading kids books because they remind you of the small, important stuff in life that one should enjoy.”
Books like Virginia Wolf and The Umbrella, do just that. They have beautiful images and easy to follow, yet entertaining storylines. Children’s literature can still be significant in your adult life, if you’re willing to read between the lines and enjoy a simple, yet meaningful story.
As C.S. Lewis once said, “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”
