Show Review: The Got To Get Got

July 29th went to Mavericks to see three bands/musicians.
They were:
Kris Ward

Germans

The Got To Get Got

This was the second time that I got to see The Got To Get Got.
While the other two were my first time seeing them.
Mix of acoustic pop and indie rock pop.

The Wooden Sky – Bedrooms and Backstreets Tour EP

The lovely people at the Musebox asked me to check out The Wooden Sky’s new EP.
Tracklisting:

1. I Am A Raw Youth
2. Write Them Down (Demo)
3. Colorado Girl
4. Bring Water
5. Bloodshot to Blue

They played in Ottawa on August 17th at Canteen.

The Ghost Is Dancing (CD Review)

I am going to do a full review for this album which I feel is going to go unnoticed for 2009.
I have to say has to be one of those great albums of 2009.
So you should buy or whatever to get this album.
Its Battles On by The Ghost Is Dancing.
After seeing them for the first time in Ottawa.
Popped the CD into my iPod and was totally blown away to how great this album is.
I can’t stop listening to the whole album.
Something about every track is worthwhile to listen to.
Then seeing them the second time which was in Toronto.
Where all the guys minus the girl of the band infamously take over their shirts and pants on the stage.
Point being, they are a great band to see live.
Now on to the album.

Show review: Clues, Witchies and Gambletron

July 27th it was another night of experimental live music and everything that is Montreal.
Well make that one experimental while the other two was indie rock-pop music.
To my surprise there was a venue change from upstairs at Cafe Dekcuf to downstairs being at Mavericks.
Bands that were playing were:
Gambletron
Witchies
Clues
It was a alright turnout on a Monday night.

Show review: Normal Love and Kingdom Shore

July 26th I went to Sounds Unlikely and it was a experimental music night.
I haven’t been to a Sounds Unlikely show since the Acorn did their album release show back in 2007.
The two bands that played at the store:
Kingdom Shore from Ottawa
Normal Love from Philadelphia/Brooklyn.
Click here for this five minute interview I did with Amnon the guitarist of the Normal Love.

Arietta: Interview + Show Review

July 25th I decided to see the Toronto band Arietta for the second time in Ottawa.
This time they played at Zaphods and was suppose to open up with the band Black Diamond Bay.
But due to the drummer of Black Diamond Bay, it was a solo show for Arietta.
Before the show I decided to do a interview with Arietta.
Went up to the Heart & Crown and have the interview there.
Just letting you know that the audio interview is 20 minutes and you will hear the waitress kind of interrupting us about what to drink.
I could transcript this but I just upload the whole interview. Its very funny and informative.
Click here to check out the audio interview.
If you don’t know, the members consist of:
Tyler Johnston
Sean Ramesbottom
Brian Craig
Patrick McCormack
Kyle Smith
Shehzaad Jiwani

Snowblink: Interview

Finally my interview with Snowblink.
They are a husband and wife duo of:
Daniela Gesundheit

Dan Goldman

Both hailing from Toronto and Daniela is in the band Bruce Peninsula.
Click here for the audio interview.

In case you needed to know, questions I asked were:
Describing their music
Who are their influences?
Both said Dolly Parton
Songs that best represents them?
Favorite song to cover?
Who does the songwriting?
Favorite instrument?
Which Dan mentioned something about this organ piano.
What’s next for the band?
Mentioned about Daytrotter show.

Bear Claps: Interview

The second interview I did on July 23rd was Ottawa band Bear Claps.
The members consist of:
Derek Ledoux

Jenna Johnson

Tyson Everitt

I interview them at the chinese restuarant Imperial Palace on Dalhousie St.
Audio interview click here (unedited)
How would you describe Bear Claps music for first time listeners?
Derek: Pop music, more nitty gritty which is more electronic music and pull in folk and rock
Who are your influences?
Derek: Radiohead, Pavement, Modest Mouse
Jenna: Blur
Tyson: Brian Eno, Boards of Canada, My Bloody Valentine
Favorite venues in Ottawa?
All three:Babylon
Derek: Blacksheep Inn
Tyson: Dekcuf used to do webcast shows.
Who have you played with local or out of town musicians?
Locally: New Teeth, Silver Birch Society, Ennuie, Adam Saikaley
Out of town: Mina May, Bruce Peninsula
What’s coming up for Bear Claps?
Going into the studio to make an official EP

Bruce Peninsula: Interview

Lately I bought this digital recorder and try to get my hands into interviewing musicians/bands.
Bruce Peninsula interview
My first try was interviewing the members of Bruce Peninsula.
Interviewed them on July 23rd where they played a show at Cafe Dekcuf.
I talked to them after their sound check and did it at the corner of Rideau and Cumberland St.
Members I interviewed were:
Neil Haverty
Matt Cully
Misha Bower
Andrew Barker
Steven McKay
Kari Peddle
Daniel Geshundheit
I was thinking of typing it down but here is the audio part.
Questions I asked them were:
How was 2009 treated you?
What happened after doing CBC’s Q?
Favorite part was when Neil joked that Jian and Steven had a thing and got married. That was too funny.
Which city was the toughest to play?
Mischa said that playing Calgary was tough because it was during Stampede time.
They played Lethbridge and the venue they played had 20 people which it holds 400 people.
How excited were you for the Polaris Long List?
How was the recording processing go for the CD?
A song that best represents Bruce Peninsula?
Neil sidetrack mentioning a 80s song
Kari said Crabapples
Songs that was left out from the album and would be used as a b-side?
How supportive is the Toronto music scene?
What’s coming up for Bruce Peninsula?
Neil said going back home and sleeping. The band will be recording a new album very soon.

Sometime in October the band will be back in Ottawa.
Click here for the full audio interview.
Bruce Peninsula interview

Show Review: Snowblink, Bear Claps and Bruce Peninsula

After doing Bluesfest, things are back to normal.
On July 23rd went to Cafe Dekcuf to see three great acts.
One being my fourth time seeing them
Playing were:
Snowblink
Bear Claps
Bruce Peninsula