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The Blinding Force

May 11, 2010 by morningaftershow

I biked downtown today to pick up a copy of The National’s High Violet on vinyl.  It is a very pretty record.  When I got to Ditch at noon, they had already sold out of their first box and I was a sad panda till Longshanks said, “wait, it might be in this parcel that arrived today.”  Sure enough, it was.

Fingers crossed, my record player acts like a well adjusted machine and spins the platter all proper like and I’ll get the chance to dive into all four sides of deep brooding guitar driven indie-awesome.

I was staring at the record package before a meeting today at The Canoe Club.  My waitress had never heard of the National, so I did my boy-scout deed of the day and gave her the MP3 download card that comes with better LP purchases.

The cover art of High Violet is a sculpture by an artist named Mark Fox.  The sculpture is called The Blinding Force.  It was neat to see the original on the web, but I picture of a sculpture doesn’t seem to do it justice.  I’d have to see it in a gallery I think, to fully appreciate.

The sculpture has a bunch of hand written words blasting out of that wood base.  On the record cover it is hard to make the them all out and I don’t really understand their meaning or theme right now.  I think that is why I’d need to see it in person, to make out more of the words… maybe drink a box of wine with the artist and listen to his ideas.

And then, why did The National chose this piece of art over all the others pieces they could or would have seen in New York City?

I am now pretty sad I’m not going to Sasquatch to see The National in May.  I just got my email approving my media pass.  c’est dommage.

They play in Vancouver in September ( a day I likely won’t be able to swing) and then in Redmond, Washington the next night (an easier date for me).

***

Coral bought me a present yesterday… new Jamie Oliver cookbook.  Does it have a chapter of food inspired by the desert of Arizona?  Why yes it does, thank you for asking.

***

Go with yourself.

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Interview:: Dan Mangan // Northern Soul

May 10, 2010 by morningaftershow

Vancouver based singer-bearded type, Dan Mangan came by the Zone Afternoon show last week before his show at Sugar Nightclub.

I am growing a bit of a semi for his record Nice, Nice, Very Nice.  For Mother’s Day, we packed up the family in the ole Jeep and headed up to Parksville.  On the trek, Coral’s sister Alyx brought along her copy of the album and we must have listened the CD twice through.  It was pretty amazing to hear.  I was pulling out elements of Damian Rice or The Frames; two artists that I also love.  I was forced to hit stop only when the Canucks came on the AM radio for the drive back.

Which leads me to this: does the programmer of CFAX huff glue?  After the game Alain is giving a post-game summery and interview and they cut him off to roll into commercials.  What could possibly be more important than Alain Vigneault debriefing such a clutch win? What could CFAX have to air on a Sunday night after a 4-1 romp of the Mighty Hawks?  Give your head a shake.  I was forced to punch up the Team till it got too fuzzy.  Respect the Alain… now I may never know the true nature of Sami’s testicle.

Right, Dan Mangan.

He came on the radio last Friday for an interview and live performance and clicking below will unleash that for you.  We talk about fun things like Stand-Up Bass players; try to launch a beef with The Reverend Horton Heat; laugh at some really Jason Lamb-esque jokes; Dan talk about the future; a shout out to Tamara Stanners at the Peak; then he plays “Sold.” Then I gush some more about that stand-up bass!

Click to listen: Dan Mangan on The ZAS

Download or get you some Nice, Nice, Very Nice… its a mighty good record and I’ll give it a firm thumb up.

***
I am just a handful of chapters from finishing Juliet, Naked.  The book is very enjoyable and is scratching a lot of itches that rattle around my head.

There is a brief moment of the book where Annie ends up meeting a couple gentlemen in a pub in Gooleness (which I think is a fake town?  There is a city or town or whatever in England called Goole… which is similar but not the town talked about in the book).  Annie meets these guys and they go on to display some crazy old-guy type dance and explain that they are into Northern Soul culture.  They then take Annie to a community hall where a bunch of old timers are milling about remembering the “good old days.”

I had read a review many moons ago about a Northern Soul compilation record, so I thought I’d check out what the music sounded like to put the scene in context for me.

Northern Soul basically was a Motown type movement going on in England in the 60s and 70s BUT they seemed like they went out of the way to find rarities, indie, b-sides and generally obtuse American R&B records.  I was instantly hooked.

Listen to some Northern Soul music

I downloaded something like 60 songs on Saturday and punched them up at the lounge.  I was losing my shit (the audience… well they weren’t going crazy like when I play more mainstream Motown, but I could see the style worked in the environment).

It was a lot of new music for me.  My easy read of what Northern Soul is led me to a couple books I’ll need to track down if I can.

01) Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton
02) Northern Soul: Music, Drugs and Subcultural Identity by Andrew Wilson

and for shits and giggles maybe Buyology by Martin Lindstrom.  Some crazy nerd words about fucking with your mind using the power of sound to sell stuff.

Basically Northern Soul sounds like music you’re familiar with, but you can’t place.  I think it’ll end up being worked in with more standard Motown classic to flesh out the sets and keep it from getting stale.  Plus, well anything new to me is exciting so it is fun trying to find and dig up the music of Northern England in the late 60s and 70s.

That’s all I got right now.  Tomorrow, the new National record comes out.  I have a meeting downtown so I’ll stop by Ditch and get the LP.  Can’t wait.  One.more.sleep.

Go with yourself.

Posted in Dave Babych, music, radio | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

United Record Pressing

May 6, 2010 by morningaftershow

I want to go to there.  United Record Pressing, Nashville USA.

Posted in music | Tagged | 3 Comments »

You and Your Perfect Life

May 6, 2010 by morningaftershow

I am about 80% confident my scooter will sell this weekend.  But I don’t have the cash in bank account yet, so this baby is still up for offer.

If you’re thinking about it, think faster!

BUY: my 2006 Honda Jazz scooter

Thank you, my scooter is now sold.  I appreciate all the interest.

Should it sell tomorrow (fingers crossed) then I’ll be able to get my hands on a bicycle.  I went down to Horus Bicycle Works today to have a look and William is likely going to set me up with a brand called Stevens.  It is new to Canada.  I think the model I’ll be commuting on is the Strada 600.  He’ll set it up with fenders, lights and a rack on the back so I can attach bags if I need.  Future plans call for getting Coral a bike and a trailer to tow Mads. And maybe another trailer like the ones homeless biker people have… cargo trailers.  I could pack my DJ rig about on a bike!

So scooter sells, I’ll be a biker like my friend Dave and I’ll be able to pay down even more debt.  Huzzah.  The scooter doesn’t cost much to operate but I’ll also see a little savings every month on what little it did need (about $35/month… so like half a cell phone bill).

***

I was reading the Bob Lefsetz email the other day and he was talking about the book Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby.  I love music and one of the few things I like more than listening to music, or making out while listening to music, is reading about music (while listening to music).

Nick Hornby wrote High Fidelity.  I never read that but I’m sure its pretty good.  Juliet, Naked is getting some good reviews and positive buzz, I like Bob’s emails… so I bought it.  I don’t read a ton of Fiction… which is odd, because when i read a book that I like, I really like it.  So I thought its time to dive into some make-believe for a change (that and my books about Quadra and Money are interesting; but also kinda boring and are taking me forever, so time for a break).

I’m only on chapter two but so far I like it.  Nick tells the story of Duncan and Annie and Tucker Crowe but he also talks about music.  About listing to music; being a fan; being a casual listeners; what it means; what it does for each of us.  Duncan is a super obsessed music fan.  His nerddom shames me.  His life partner Annie is his suffering side-kick.  In Chapter one they travel to America from their home in the UK to go on a pilgrimage of sites for Duncan’s favourite musician  Tucker Crowe.  Chapter two has them at home in the UK and Annie is starting to feel like Duncan is not the man for him and a little depressed at some of her life choices and how boring it all is.  Duncan thinks Annie is an idiot.  Then a CD arrive sin the mail and…. god dammit MADELYN GO TO BED.

“One thing about great art,” Duncan thinks after his first listen to Juliet, Naked, “it makes you love people more, forgive them their petty transgressions. It worked in the way that religion was supposed to, if you thought about it.”

I’ll have to tuck into more tonight after I  get home from DJing at The Clubhouse.  If you’re going out, maybe I’ll see you there for drinks and music and friendship… if not… go with yourself.

Posted in life or something like it, music | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

3 interviews and a baby

May 5, 2010 by morningaftershow

Yesterday on the Zone Afternoon Show I was swarmed by rock and roll.  I had the opportunity to interview and hear a live performance from the groups Plants and Animals, Hollerado and Said the Whale.  here we go!

Montreal’s Plants and Animals were the first band to stop by. We talked about May the Forth Be With You;  how much their first record Parc Avenue ripped and came in second place a bunch when it was nominated for Junos and other prestigious things;  how much they crush live; the sonic differences between Parc Avenue and La La Land (their new album);  Adam Lambert and cruise ships; Tea; then they perform “Game Shows.”  Fun.

Download: Plants and Animals on the ZAS

Ontario’s Hollerado came by next.  They were playing at Lucky Bar that night and their show was fantastic.

Hollerado are from a small town outside Ottawa… but are they Sens fans, or do they cheer the Canadiens?

We talk puck; how they live in a van; how much they have traveled; London, Ontario totally sucks and Brazil totally rules; Record in a Bag is their album… but does it actually come in a back?; Juliet is the name of Hollerado’s hit song, but the video is a real trip.  In the video, the old lady is played by non-other than Ms. Margot Kidder aka Lois Lane in Superman!  believe that; They drank with her and those times they shared were special; they talk about Global Warming (but don’t worry I set them straight on the MYTH of global warming) and then they play “Americanarama.”

Download: Hollerado on The ZAS

The show ends with a return visit by everyone’s favourite magician singing band, Said the Whale.

STW lead singer Tyler sat on an airplane with Canadian indie rock royalty Emily Hanes, but does he spill the beans?; Said the Whale talks about the song “The Light is You.”  Wait an minute, I know that song?  But from where?  Turns out it is used in a Sun-Rype commercial!  Funny story about Sun-Rype… owned by Jim Pattison, the SAME local billionaire that owns the Zone… whoa.

Pretty song, fun interview.

Download:  Said the Whale on The ZAS

That’s all I got, go read a book.  And go with yourself, always.

oh and a baby.

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Sasquatch was a good idea at the time

May 4, 2010 by morningaftershow

Inspired by my friend Dave Sawchuk and a new afternoon show sponsor, Horus Bikes… I think I wanna get a bike to commute to work everyday!

So that means I am selling my Honda Jazz scooter.  Which I love, but sadly I fear that if I bike to work everyday, the poor scooter will be neglected.  I’d rather it went to a good home.

As you know from reading my blog (I hope), I LOVE scooter riding.  If you think you might, or know someone who does, please have a look or share my Used Victoria ad with them.

Link: Honda Jazz 2006 $1,800

***

Just got back from a quick trip to Coquitlam to visit my family and celebrate my brother Matt’s 27th birthday.  Ran into some some old friends from High School which was kinda random.  Its not like metro Vancouver is a small town or anything.  Saw a friend named Lisa and her little 5 month old girl at Metrotown and ran into Jen on a first date!

***

In other less exciting news…

No more Sasquatch trip for  me because I’m an idiot and did this:


ugh.  So ignorant.  Generally I feel Coral is the crazier driver and I am the zen one.  Coral stresses in traffic, speeds, tails people.  I always figured she’d be the one totaling the Jeep.  But ah, Murphy’s Law, the guy that scooters to work in the sun/rain/sleet/hail/wind everyday… takes the Jeep out on a Friday morning for some errands (dry cleaning FYI), backing up and run into a cement barrier.

It smashed into the side/rear of the jeep above and beside the bumper.  I don’t know if the Jeep is made of out of paper mache, but it sounded like an IED went off as I gingerly backed into the metal capped cement corner.  I thought I was in Afghanistan briefly.  As I didn’t see the barrier at all and the parking lot was empty, it was a mighty surprise.

“what the fuck was that?!?”

I fly outta the Jeep and… oh, right… the giant cement barrier.  Since I missed the bumper, the cement barrier cut into the Jeep like a Spartans spear and did some serious damage.

So I have to make a claim to ICBC and that little “uh-oh I forgot” will cost me $500.  About what I planned on spending on booze/food in Washington.  Assuming I could get a media pass.  If I had to buy scalper tickets more.  So instead I canceled my holiday and will stay home to DJ and make up the $500.  Lame.

That’s all I got.  Go with yourself.

Posted in life or something like it | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments »

I’m on the dancefloor/watching you kiss her/in the corner

April 29, 2010 by morningaftershow

Zone Music Director have an ultra violet light blasted into his mouth. Whiteness ensues.

Interpol is one of my favourite bands.   No getting around that fact.  Something surprising for me personally; I usually don’t “get” an Interpol record right away.  It sometimes takes a moment to percolate in my head.   I am only now, just getting into  “Our Love to Admire” and the record came out in what?  2007?  I think that is why I love Interpol, they’re a grower, not a show-er.

Interpol was supposed to have a record out in early 2010, but I dunno…. they got sidetracked?  But now they do have a brand new song for free download.

Trade an email address for a song: Interpol – “Lights”

The song is great.  Reminds me of Turn on the Bright Lights era Interpol. Its 5 minutes +, moody, jangly, epic and sexy.

“The new record falls back towards the first. In trying to move forward, there was an unspoken realization that you can’t let go of your sonic-defining tag. There was an effort in Daniel [Kessler]’s guitar tone; he rediscovered it playing in his loft space for a year without anybody. The quality of that tone, played in a big room, is just beautiful. It creates an atmosphere … That big wash of reverb? It’s back.” – Interpol drummer Sam Forgarino on the sonic tag of the upcoming record.

***

Speaking of slow grows and free downloads… I am already thinking about my next mix and I think it’ll be built around Pallers and their song “The Kiss.”

Download: Pallers – “The Kiss”

Seriously, download this song and then try to ‘splain to me why you don’t immediately want to make out.

***

I better get ready to go on the radio… but before I do, I am wondering about BBQ Smokers.  I kinda want to make one.  I found some plans online and I like this one.  The Big Baby.

Cassie has volunteered to help construct but we’ll need a place to build it… then i thought, others might want in, so I might make a Facebook group so we can get together, decide the plan of attack, then get building.

Big Baby is a sculpture in basic black, a life-style statement, a conversation piece, a badge of honor, and a joy forever. And on a hot summer day, even when you’re not cooking anything, it still smells like barbecue.

Amazing.

Go with yourself.

Posted in food, music | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments »

MIX: two types

April 28, 2010 by morningaftershow

As I’ve blogged about before I have had a minor obsession with the desert of the American southwest, The Good The Bad and The Ugly, and what it might have been like growing up in a suburb of Phoenix. Here is the soundtrack to those thoughts swirling around the grey matter of my brain.

My song selection feels on-point for the mood and story I want to tell save for the Ennio cut off the top which my be a challenge for some listeners, and breaks my golden rule of not staring off with a punch or a song more representative of the set. No worries… I needed this song to get me fired up on the mix.

The mix between Caribou and FM Belfast is rather tragic.  Sorry for that.  I have grappled with this list for a couple weeks and have scrapped a few attempts… I had to settle for allowing some mistakes or I’d never get it done.

The FM Belfast song is quirky… but I like it because it is all about the suburbs and being a teenager, which flows into College’s song so nicely.

“its so sexy… to be… living in America… baby, we’re living in America.”  Well done DOM.

The Crystal Castles song I added just this week after hearing it. I just like it, but it doesn’t really conjure any of the emotions or thoughts listed above. Just thought the sound fitted in.

Listen to: MIX two types

***

DJ Notes

Clint Eastwood :: Two Types Of People In This World 1 Ennio Morricone – Il Triello 2 John Talabot – Sunshine (Delorean Remix) 3 Delorean – Infinite Desert 4 Caribou – Sun 5 Fm Belfast – Underwear 6 College – Teenage Color 7 Dom – Living In America 8 Crystal Castles – Celestica 9 Health – Usa Boys. 10 Phoenix – Love Like A Sunset (Part 1) 11

***
Did you know it snows in the desert sometimes?  weird.

Go with yourself.

Posted in music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Expo ’86

April 27, 2010 by morningaftershow

Add this album to my list of “looking forwards to…”  The new Wolf Parade album will be out in June (or maybe July from Sub Pop) and is named after one of my earliest memories growing up, Expo ’86.

Anyone in my age bracket or older that lived in British Columbia in 1986 likely has some fond memories of the World’s Fair that dominated Vancouver.  Every time you ride the Expo line of the Skytrain or take in a IMAX film at science world, you’re basking in the legacy.  I thought it was pretty neat when I read an interview with WP’s Dan Boeckner about why they chose Expo ’86 as the title for their new record:

Pitchfork: Do you have a title for the album yet?

DB: The title for the record, as far as we know now, is– unless we get sued for using it– Expo 86.

Expo 86 was a World’s Fair that happened in Vancouver in 1986. It’s been this thing we all talked about as a band. We all grew up in British Columbia, and we were all at Expo, which lasted about three or four days. It’s a weird little thought experiment– basically, we were all young children at the same big event. I remember Expo 86 was as big as the Olympics were this year in Vancouver. They completely reorganized part of the downtown core, and they built this giant geodesic dome called “Science World”. Now it looks completely, totally dated and a product of its time. They built monuments, built rides. It was something I don’t think we’re going to see in Canada ever again because World’s Fairs have fallen out of favor, at least for the Western World.

Pitchfork: Do you have any particular memories of going to Expo 86?

DB: I remember going to the German Pavilion, which was totally terrifying. Each country had a pavilion showing off their prime exports or a little bit of the culture, and the German Pavilion was this super austere, really cold Bauhaus-style minimalist building. It freaked me out as a child.

I remember the UFO HTO water park, Expo Ernie! and MFing Rainbow War.  I still have a an Expo ’86 t-shirt that is wearable… not that I wear it much, it’s been co-opted by Ms. Coral Crawford.

Fun fact: The above cover for the new Wolf Parade album features some greasy looking youngsters about to fuck some ship up… those kids are actual family members of Wolf Parade’s Dante DeCaro.  Wait an minute?  the same Dante that used to be in Victoria favourite sons Hot Hot Heat?  yes, the same one!

And one more degree of Kevin Bacon; Expo ’86 had a chief operating officer named Jim Pattison.  He now owns The Zone @ 91-3!  Believe that.

That’s it…  Go with yourself.

Me, Expo Ernie, and my brothers CJ and Matt: May 1986

Posted in history 101, music | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Its good to be back

April 26, 2010 by morningaftershow

Back from a whirlwind trip to Vancouver to see my buddy Bob and bring Maddy to see Grandma and Grandpa.

Watched some hockey(go Nucks!), ate a mondo Tuna taco on Lonsdale and rolled into the Zone to a few interesting developments.

one.  New music from Tokyo Police Club.  They have a new single on the radio called “Wait Up (Boots of Danger).” and I found a song on their website from the upcoming record Champ (June 8th) that is a free download if you give your email address to them.

Stream: “Wait Up (Boots of Danger”
Download: “Breakneck Speed“

two. Maybe because it is a Monday… this video hit the spot.  Warning, the new M.I.A. music video for “Born Free” is SAVAGE with extreme violence.

That said, a great film.

Watch: M.I.A. – “Born Free”

It has a style that reminds me of the film “Children of Men.”  It is telling the story of maybe a near future fascist America that has decided they won’t tolerate anymore of a certain type of person… and how they deal with their “problem” group of humans is well… we’ve seen it in histry before, and we’ll see it again.  Like I said, the video is not for the faint of heart.  Very graphic.

***
Interview with Tokyo Police Club is coming up and I’ll have a new mix on Mixcloud tonight or tomorrow.

Go with yourself.

Posted in music | Tagged , | 6 Comments »

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