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Joel Plaskett Emergency at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Recently Canadian heartthrob and rock balladeer Joel Plaskett committed himself to recording and delivering a song a week. He would go into the studio, record a song, mix and master it, and then send it off to the CBC where it would premiere the next day, and then be available for purchase on iTunes. This is Scrappy Happiness the latest Joel Plaskett Emergency record. For those unaware, The Joel Plaskett Emergency is Chris Pennell, Dave Marsh, and of course, Joel Plaskett. Plaskett has released seven albums since 1999 and penned some truly classic Canadian songs. In Need of Medical Attention, Joel Plaskett (1999) Down At The Khyber, The Joel Plaskett… Read More »Joel Plaskett Emergency at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

#EV12 Day Nine

I started my final day in Berlin by heading up near the zoo to join a walking tour of Sachsenhausen, the concentration camp nearest to the city. I couldn’t find the meeting point, so I was sitting on the side of the street observing Berlin life and listening to Chemical Chords by Stereolab. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9LwpTYLJvY&w=450] At that point a woman came up to me and said, “sorry, I noticed your Apple jacket I was wondering if you could help us with our iPad?” seeing as she introduced me to the fact that Berlin’s Starbucks have wifi, I was more than happy to help out this older couple. I learned that Skype for iOS really sucks… Read More »#EV12 Day Nine

Magnetic Fields at The Sound Academy

Did you know that security sucks at the Sound Academy? For those unaware, The Sound Academy is the worst venue in Toronto. Situated at the foot of Cherry Street, The Sound Academy is a large warehouse with bars, shitty sound and worse sightlines. After seeing Belle & Sebastian there1 I vowed never to return. However, I knew I would break that for three bands, Belle & Sebastian, The Magnetic Fields, and The Beatles. Fortunately, Belle & Sebastian felt they needed to apologize to their fans for having played there before, so I don’t imagine they will play there again. Unfortunately The Beatles aren’t touring. However, The Magnetic Fields are touring,… Read More »Magnetic Fields at The Sound Academy

CMW at Sonic Boom

It’s Canadian Music Week time, once again. And once again, there’s not much that interests me. Sonic Boom, however is hosting days of afternoon and evening shows. There wasn’t much that interested me about yesterdays shows, except Martha Wainwright. When Wainwright released her first EP Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole, an ode to her father1 I was excited. It had some good songs. However, now, years later, I can’t remember the last time I listened to her music. It was shortly after that she released a full length album simply titled Martha Wainwright. I’ve always wanted to like her more than I actually do, to the point that I then purchased… Read More »CMW at Sonic Boom

Mike O’Neill @ Soundscapes

One of the disadvantages to going to a small show, without a stage, where you can see the set list, is the disappointment when Mike O’Neill doesn’t play “Andy” or “Camera Shy,” two of your favourite songs from his debut solo record What Happens Now? He did play “Alsatian” and “Are We Waiting,” however, so better than nothing. Mike O’Neill might be known to many of you as the bass player/songwriter from the bass and drum combo The Inbreds. Since the Inbreds break in the late ’90s, O’Neill has spent most of his time working in film, but he has released three records, What Happens Now?, The Owl, and Wild Lines.… Read More »Mike O’Neill @ Soundscapes

Ottawa Playlist 2

When the Open Road Is Closing In ((Disclaimer, I’m writing this at 4:04am, in a hotel room with three others. They are fast asleep, and I have the sound off on my computer, so if any of the links aren’t playing any of the songs. I’m sorry.)) by The Magnetic Fields I was originally thinking of opening the road trip with this song, but the previous choice was much better for obvious reasons. This song begins with the lyric “Time; measured in dotted yellow lines has passed you by.” Merritt paints a brilliant picture of the feeling of a long drive on highways of emptiness. Merritt’s lyrics are in top form.… Read More »Ottawa Playlist 2

An apology to Helen

First I’m going to start with an apology to Helen. When it was suggest that four of us share two beds in a single hotel room, I had a bit of a sense of dread, but I bottled it up, because “WOO! OTTAWA ROAD TRIP!” Now here I am, 3:30 am on Sunday morning. I only got an hour or two of sleep the previous night, if that. This night, I was smart enough to stay in when Emily, Joseph and Helen went to meet a friend of Helen’s. I spent most of that time editing the video (except for the footage that has yet to be shot) that will hopefully… Read More »An apology to Helen

Send someone to fetch us, we’re in saskatchewan

On Friday after work, Joseph, Helen, Emily and I all piled into Caroline (my car), and headed east along to 401. From Toronto to Ottawa. Since Ottawa is approximately five hours away (though that’s not counting rush hour traffic), I divided that in four, and we each had 75 minutes to fill with music. Each way… here’s my play list for going east. Movin’ Right Along – The Muppets Had to start with this as soon as I saw it. Nothing says “road trip” better than this song. Maybellene – Chuck Berry Catchy, popular, and a song about driving a car. Thought this to be appropriate. Doris Daytheearthstoodstill – Future… Read More »Send someone to fetch us, we’re in saskatchewan

Worst Oscar Upset, ever

One more Oscar post. This was definitely the worst mistake the Academy ever made in its history. Choosing Celine Dion over Elliott Smith… [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PcJO81ubI8&w=450&h=335]