Show Review: Ennuie, Relief Maps and Politique at Zaphods

The day after the bus strike ended.
Wanted to go out and have some fun. Glad that I got a friend who wanted to check out this show and got a ride with it that.
At Zaphod Beeblebrox there was three great Ottawa bands playing tonight.
It seems to be this time of month that alot of shows are happening in Ottawa.
Photos are here.

A long-list for Canadian Venues for CBC Radio 3’s Searchlight

I am listening to CBC Radio 3 right now
They are doing the Searchlight Contest for the best Canadian Venues.
Right now they have their long list.  So vote for which venue you want to be on the short list.
I am surprised by the long list for the Ontario venues.
More like all the Ottawa venues has been mention except for Capital Music Hall, even The Bronson Centre is in this long list! 
Click here (you have to sign up and register to vote just to let you people know)

I am voting for Zaphod Beeblebrox and The Black Sheep Inn.
Vote before Wednesday, February 11: Top 20 will be announced
Vote before Wednesday, February 18: Top 10 will be announced
Vote before Wednesday, February 25: Final winner will be announced

Dan Mangan – Postcards And Daydreaming (Review)

Finally got a chance to listen to this lovely album by Dan Mangan.
I didn’t get to see him play in Ottawa during the summer because it was the same night as The Stills.
So my brother took my place and see him with Said The Whale.

Dan Mangan is a Indie folk rock singer-songwriter from Vancouver, BC.
Here is my review on this album
Listening to Postcards And Daydreaming and I am blown away by the whole album.
Not to compare other artist, he sounds like a mix between Damien Rice and Hayden.
So haunting and lots of raw emotions.
His singing is so moving and got alot of emotion/feelings.
There are some tracks that are very epic in length.

Favorite tracks:

• Not What You Think It Is
• Journal Of A Narcoleptic
• Don’t Listen
• So Much For Everyone
• Come Down
• Reason To Think Aloud

What an amazing album.

Videotape – My Favourite Thing free to download online

The Ottawa/Toronto band Videotape is giving away their 2008 album “My Favorite Thing” free online.
Which I listened to the album again and I think was great in 2008. 

I am surprised about it since I bought their album from their CD-Release show in the fall. 
Heck freebies is good publicity. 

If you don’t know who this band is (Since I put them on my list for 2008 or photographed them at shows).
The members are Adam Saikaley, Ryan Patterson and Nathan Gara.
I was told that three of the members used to be in a band called “As The Poet Affirm”. 

The album is very indie alternative driven.

Favorite tracks:

• Night Lights
• Underwater
• Visions
• He The Moon
• Where Do We Go
• My Favorite Thing

Depending where you are in your area, go see them live.

Leif Vollebekk – Inlands (Review)

The past two nights which I saw Basia Bulat.
The opener is from Ottawa native Leif Vollebekk.
What is interesting enough is that I met Leif around 2002 or 2003 at a friend’s house party. Not knowing enough that he is a musician.
But you know when you are at a house party, you just want to have fun and get drunk.
Wasn’t until 2008 that I saw him singing at shows.
First being at the Blacksheep Inn back in the summer of 2008.
Anyways I am going to review his album called Inlands
Now the records is being released on Nevado Records.
Which is great for him now and getting wide spread notoriety.

Show Review: Basia Bulat at The Blacksheep Inn

Just got back from my second night of seeing Basia Bulat.
This time she played at the lovely Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield.
It was packed with alot people. I guess she has a great Ottawa fanbase or great word of mouth.
Yes I am a truly dedicated Basia fan. I guess you can call me a “Basia-fanatic”

Basia Bulat photos

Photos of the show that Basia Bulat did in Ottawa

• Photos from the Ottawa U show
• Photos from the Black Sheep Inn show

Show Review: Basia Bulat at Ottawa U

I am glad to be out of the house due to the OC Transpo strike.
Haven’t gone out since December and here is my first show review for 2009.
This is my first of two nights to see Basia Bulat.
Photos are up.
It was amazing to see her again.

Pre-ordered It’s Not Me, It’s You by Lily Allen

I decided to pre-order Lily Allen’s second album It’s Not Me, It’s You on iTunes.
With the pre-order I get 2 bonus tracks which are the acoustic tracks of The Fear and He Wasn’t There.
The album drops on Feb 10, 2009
Already loving her song The Fear.
Heard the previews on iTunes and I liking tracks which are “Everyone’s At It”, “I Could Say”, “Back To The Start”, “F**k You (I kind of giggled hearing it)”

Hearing bits and pieces it has that poppy dance to it.
Not sure if expectations are high after Alright, Still, considering its her second album.
With the second album there is the sophomore curse.
For me I don’t really care just as long the music is good and her fanbase isn’t turning their backs on her.
I find the British public can be abit harsh, its like they want you to succeed and while you are successful they will take you down.
Its different with Canada and the USA, they want you to go for the top.
Heck she is on the cover of SPIN magazine. 

Anyways I can’t wait for the album.

Single review: U2 – Get On Your Boots

I was checking on iTunes and they have the pre-order for the upcoming U2 album No Line On The Horizon which drops on March 3, 2009
Today I decided to pre-order the “Deluxe Edition” because I wanted to get the Anton Corbijn’s film Linear.

OK I got the single Get On Your Boots.
Its very wild kind of song.
Reminds me of the song Fast Cars which was on the UK bonus track for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
It will take me a few more listen to actually say “Wow I love it now”.
Also there is a little controversy with the album cover.
The cover is…
Hope this new album will live up to the hype that its been carrying.
I miss the old U2 from the Achtung Baby and Zooropa and abit of POP days.