Live Blogging Olympic Music : Hey Ocean! & First Canadian Medal!

February 13 marks the first Canadian medal - a silver - in the 2010 Olympic Games. Jennifer Heil won it for women's moguls skiing. Congratulations! When the medal was announced, a loud sustained roar rang throughout the O Zone, briefly confusing Hey Ocean! on stage.

Onto the music; Vancouver's own Hey Ocean! braved the pelting rain and wind, playing to a massive crowd at the Richmond O Zone. They were opening for Bedouin Soundclash. As the Dutch filtered out from the Holland Heineken House (ridiculously full), HO! saw their crowd size swell throughout the set. Not to say that they didn't draw a sizable crowd of their own; it was clear from the adolescent crowd that many had ventured from Richmond and nearby Vancouver and its suburbs to see this young and energetic band put on their famed live shows. And although they weren't able to bring out the sunshine in actuality, they sure kept the crowd warm with spirited pop songs guaranteed to move feet and shuffle bodies.

Hey Ocean! played a long set which featured a large amount of new songs, including the delightful "Bicycle Song" and "Uh Oh" which they had previously played live, as well as other ones that were brand new to me. And of course, they played mainstay favourites such as "Beatboxer (Who Broke My Heart)," "Alleyway" -- which inspired the obligatory lighter-waving -- and "A Song About California."

They even busted out a very enjoyable cover of The Cardigans' "Love Fool," which was very apt for the eve of Valentine's Day. If the crowd around me is any indication, many boys were smitten by Ashleigh Ball, who oozed her characteristic unassuming sex appeal, which was especially evident during this cover.

They also took the time to introduce Adam Cormier, their new drummer. Adam won over the crowd with an extended drum solo which ended with him doing a somersault. I assure you, with his afro-like mass of hair, it was very endearing.

Hey Ocean!, as one may have guessed by the sheer amount of new material, are in the process of releasing a new album, likely sometime in later in 2010. Until then, you can hear them in one of the two other Olympic shows they're playing-- February 19th at Robson Square, or Feb. 20th at Surrey 2010 Celebration Stage.

As for those of you wondering about Bedouin Soundclash, sorry to disappoint. I had to leave the crowd after HO!'s set because when you mix teenagers with alcohol, you get another different beast altogether-- a really annoying one.

Daily Music Blogging from Vancouver 2010 Olympics

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver is set to start with the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow night (Friday Feb 12). And with the blow of the whistle, so begins a relentless two weeks of Canadian (and international) musical talent as well. I'll be bringing you a short show recap, hopefully everyday, of the shows that are flowing through this fair city.

If you have yet to check out the list of handy handouts I've made of the upcoming two weeks of concerts, make sure to check it out here. If you want to track the highlighted shows I'll be covering, check out this schedule.

This upcoming weekend (all shows are free):

Friday: Montreal's Malajube will be playing at la Place de la Francophonie at Granville Island at 9:00 pm. Come see what these twice-Polaris-nominated rockers have to offer.

Saturday: Toronto-based Bedouin Soundclash headlines the Richmond O Zone, with openers Hey Ocean! from Vancouver. Guaranteed to be a sun-soaked (-sounding), Caribbean/raggae-inspired dance-off.

Sunday: Hopping venues-- Vancouver's Mother Mother play LiveCity Yaletown at 8:00pm, and Toronto's Elliott BROOD are at LiveCity Downtown at 9:00pm. Expect to be hit by walls of sound; first by MM's three-part harmonies and surprising compositions, then by EB's rousing, foot-stomping pots & pans rock.

Make sure to follow my tweets for up to the minute show updates!

New Video : Hey Ocean - Fish

Once again, what an attractive band, and what a definition of west coast!

Hey Ocean! at Telus Studio Theatre

Tonight (September 17), Hey Ocean! played at the Telus Studio Theatre at University of British Columbia's Chan Centre. The show was phenomenal as per usual.

More polished than the 3-4 previous times I've seen them... as the set was being recorded by CBC Radio 2; The beautiful albeit somewhat formal setting of the theatre must've helped as well.

The mood was somewhat subdued compared to other shows of theirs. The amount of dancing was about 87.43% less (approximately) and the cat-calls as well. Except for of course, me, who should really be carted around from show to show to make loud noises when it is lacking.

David Beckingham, the guitarist, even mentioned that it was a huge change from playing bars on their tour, to a quiet (but really appreciative) audience in their hometown.

Ashleigh Ball was in top form tonight, lilting her playful voice high and low, spitting rhymes interspersed in their West Coast-inspired set harder, better, faster, stronger. (thought I'd use a more positive Kanye reference.) Her family was in the audience cheering her along, as well as at least one member of local band Said The Whale, whom can be expected to be at any given show in Vancouver.

Hey Ocean! played hits from both their debut Stop Looking Like Music and their sophomore album It's Easier To Be Somebody Else. Their set was also interspersed with new material for their upcoming album, which is still in the process of being written.

Particular favourites from the set for myself included Uh Oh, a new song which I've heard live a couple of times, which is a catchy tune that references hipsters and the infamous Adbusters article about them (or us?). 15 Words is great when Beckingham is sober enough to get the riff right, which was the case tonight. Bicycle is a stripped down little ditty about love and love lost. Beatboxer is always fun and infectious, and Jolene had fantastic harmonies. (Is this the same Jolene who also haunts Jeremy Fisher?)

Another point of note is the new drummer. They've got one, at least temporarily. The last time I spoke with bassist Dave Vertesi (also of local band Topless Gay Love Tekno Party) he had mentioned that this one has promise, and is currently their touring drummer. Unfortunately, I didn't catch his name, but he seemed quite in sync with the rest of the members. After showing off his chops in an extended drum solo, he also proved that he can match the rest of the formidable band in terms of musical skill. This is important, as the biggest draw to Hey Ocean!, besides Ashleigh Ball's captivating presence and singular voice, is the driving and diverse rhythms that compels shoulders to sway and feet to dance. Here's hoping the band will find that percussive match soon, if they have not already found it in this current drummer.

Hey Ocean! is coming to a city near you! Below are some upcoming tour dates, including a stint in the United States. (Playing with Joel Plaskett in Pop Montreal?! Nicely done! Stacked show.)

18 Sep 2009 21:00	The Gateway	Calgary, AB
19 Sep 2009 21:00	Louis’ Pub	Saskatoon, SK
20 Sep 2009 20:00	WCMA Awards	Brandon, MB
23 Sep 2009 20:00	Phog Lounge	Windsor, ON
24 Sep 2009 20:00	Call the Office (All Ages)	London, ON
25 Sep 2009 20:00	The Bombshelter Pub - U of W	Waterloo, ON
26 Sep 2009 20:00	Paddy Flaherty’s	Sarnia, ON
29 Sep 2009 20:00	Algonquin College	Ottawa, ON
30 Sep 2009 20:00	The Ale House w/ Joel Plaskett	Kingston, ON
1 Oct 2009 20:00	Club Soda w/ Joel Plaskett (Pop Montreal)	Montreal, QC
2 Oct 2009 20:00	Blacksheep Inn	Wakefield, QC
3 Oct 2009 21:00	Montreal House	Peterborough, ON
7 Oct 2009 20:00	M Room (Manhattan Room)	Philadelphia, PA
8 Oct 2009 20:00	Piano’s (10 PM)	New York, NY
14 Oct 2009 20:00	M Room	Philadelphia, PA
15 Oct 2009 22:00	Piano’s	New York, NY
17 Oct 2009 20:00	The Rivoli	Toronto, ON
21 Oct 2009 20:00	M Room	Philadelphia, PA
26 Oct 2009 20:00	Uptown Bar	Minneapolis, MN
7 Nov 2009 20:00	NACA West	Portland, OR

Dan Mangan at the Cultch

Dan Mangan took to the Cultch in East Vancouver for the CD release for his latest Nice, Nice, Very Nice. He played 2 nights; these are some shots from the Friday night show.

Mangan's album title makes reviewing the show easy, easy, very easy. There's a certain magic and energy that is inadequately captured on the disk, but comes tumbling through in vaults when playing live. His phenomenal three-piece band were my surprise gem of the evening, providing tight harmonies, and injecting new dynamics into the songs.

The Cultch is a newly renovated venue, and the acoustics and lighting were phenomenal. Judge for yourself (lighting-wise) below.

Aidan Knight (Victoria, BC) opened Friday night, with his band the Darlings

Dan Mangan and his very talented band made Nice, Nice, Very Nice come to life.

Special guest Shane Koyczan joins Dan on stage for some spoken word on the song Fair Verona.

Dan invites his friends on stage for the encore-- Ashleigh Ball of Hey Ocean!, Hannah Georgas, members of Said the Whale, Aidan Knight and the Darlings.

For more shots of Friday evening, visit my Flickr.

Hey Ocean! - Alleyways

Watch this video and see why Vancouver's Hey Ocean! is nominated for WCMA's best pop album of the year.

And how joyful music can be, when made with friends. (and love.)



15 Sept - Victoria, BC - Element
16 Sept - Nanaimo, BC - Queen’s Hotel
17 Sept - Vancouver, BC - Chan Centre (All Ages)
18 Sept - Calgary, AB - The Gateway
19 Sept - Saskatoon, SK - Louis’ Pub
20 Sept - Brandon, MB - WCMA Awards
23 Sept - Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
24 Sept - London, ON - Call the Office (All Ages)
25 Sept - Waterloo, ON - The Bombshelter Pub @ U of W
29 Sept - Ottawa, ON - Algonquin College (Students Only)
1 Oct - Montreal, QC - Club Soda w/ Joel Plaskett (Pop Montreal)
2 Oct - Wakefield, QC - Blacksheep Inn
3 Oct - Peterborough, ON - Montreal House
7 Oct - Philadelphia, PA - M Room (Manhattan Room)
8 Oct - New York, NY - Piano’s
14 Oct - Philadelphia, PA - M Room (Manhattan Room)
17 Oct - Toronto, ON - The Rivoli
21 Oct - Philadelphia, PA - M Room (Manhattan Room)
26 Oct - Minneapolis, MN - Uptown Bar

WCMA 2009 Nominees

The Westrn Canadian Music Awards, which will take place in Brandon MB, have announced their nominees for 2009. The following is a selection of categories and those nominated, and personal notables are italicized.

Blues Recording of the Year
The Twisters - Come Out Swingin' (BC)
Big Dave McLean - Acoustic Blues-Got 'Em From the Bottom (MB)
John Lee Sanders - Bucket Full of Blues (BC)
Amos Garrett - Get Way Back - A Tribute to Percy Mayfield (AB)
Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir - Ten Thousand (AB)

Independent Album of the Year
The Waking Eyes - Holding On To Whatever It Is (MB)
Shout Out Out Out Out - Reintegration Time (AB)
Hot Panda - Volcano… Bloody Volcano (AB)
Library Voices - Hunting Ghosts (and other collected shorts) (SK)
the Sheepdogs - The Sheepdogs' Big Stand (SK)

Pop Recording of the Year
Marianas Trench - Masterpiece Theatre (BC)
Hey Ocean - It's Easier to be Somebody Else (BC)
The Awkward Stage - Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights (BC)
JP Hoe -The Dear John Letters (MB)
Carly Rae Jepsen - Tug Of War (BC)
Record of the Week Club - Record of the Week Club (MB)

Rap and Hip Hop Album
Moka Only - Carrots and Eggs (BC)
Grand Analog - Touch Your Toes (MB)
Sweatshop Union - Water Street (BC)
Dragon Fli Empire – Redefine (AB)
The Mavericks Team - Election Year (AB)

Rock Recording of the Year
The Waking Eyes - Holding On To Whatever It Is (MB)
Theory of a Deadman - Scars and Souvenirs (BC)
Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane (AB)
54-40 - Northern Soul (BC)
The Pack A.D. - Funeral Mix Tape (BC)

Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year
Chic Gamine - Chic Gamine (MB)
The Deep Dark Woods - Winter Hours (SK)
The Duhks - Fast Paced world (MB)
Scott Nolan - Receiver/Reflector (MB)
Oh My Darling - Oh My Darling (MB)

Roots Solo Recording of the Year
Steve Dawson - Waiting For The Lights To Come Up (BC)
Dan Mangan – Roboteering (BC)
Romi Mayes - Achin In Yer Bones (MB)
Geoff Berner - Klezmer Mongrels (BC)
Ndidi Onukwulu - The Contradictor (BC)

Songwriter of the Year
Romi Mayes - Achin In Yer Bones (MB)
The Duhks - Fast Paced World (MB)
Scott Nolan - Receiver/Reflector (MB)
Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane (AB)
JP Hoe - The Dear John Letters (MB)

Musical updates!

Firstly, "Everything sounds better autotuned"



Indeed we are on very thin ice, since it's...

Summer! Bright lights, warm breezes, long days. That means a couple of things...

Festival season -- In Vancouver, we have the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. It's happening July 17-19 at Jericho Beach. After a long string of years of being really boring and mundane with the performers' lineup, this year we're seeing a change after a change in I believe the musical director. A short sample of artists I'm excited about:
Basia Bulat, The Weakerthans, Dan Mangan, Great Lake Swimmers, Rock Plaza Central, Steven Page (of ex-BNL fame), Iron & Wine, The Proclaimers...
Early bird tickets are available until June 12th.

In Edmonton, their folk fest has an incredibly enviably awesome lineup. If anyone reading this from the Metro Vancouver region is interested in going, holler at your girl!
Short list: Jill Barber, Neko Case, Joel Plaskett, Kathleen Edwards, Danny Michel..., also many of the artists from the VanFolkFest. Complete list here. Tickets go on sale June 1st.

And in Calgary, it's just nuts. Sled Island Festival is selling out before the schedule is even announced. Now that's good reputation.

In other news,

the wonderful Arkells got banned FOR LIFE (4 lyfe?!) from a club from their hometown Hamilton for trying to get in through the back door. Related news, club in Hamilton has bad business sense.

also, they would like you to know that "Unlike Billy Bob, we were very polite when we went on CBC radio program Q with Jian Ghomeshi."



"I've yet to witness much forgiveness in this business" -- indeed.

Joel Plaskett and Peter Elkas make beautiful music together. Sigh. Dreamy. The single is called "Poor Young Things." To be fair, I haven't heard it yet and cannot yet vouch for its degree of dreaminess.

Speaking of Joel Plaskett, three reviews of his Three tour on NxEW. Mine, Amanda Putz's, and Rockstar Aimz's. Overwhelmingly positive.

Hey Ocean! wants you to design a T-shirt for them!

Shad, Brasstronaut and Twin Castles play benefit show for funding community arts programs in East Vancouver. $1 parking lot BBQ!

Weekly-ish recommendations #2

My iPod is overflowing with musical goodness! My 2G hasn't had any spare space for over a month. Which means I haven't nearly enough time to catch up with the back stock of podcasts and free MP3s that artists have been offering up. Perhaps I'll need to upgrade to a 4G next time.

1. Metric - gosh, any off their latest. Entire CD streaming here. Emily Haines of Metric and Ashleigh Ball of Hey Ocean! have singlehandedly changed my mind about frontwomen in bands being dull.

2. Revival Dear - new band I discovered by them offering their album for free off their website. (That was for their birthday and is no longer available.) Folksy, country twang, beautiful harmonies between the 2 singers; totally unexpected due to how badass those 2 look in their leather jacket and vest. Hot damn, I want my badass leather jacket.

3. Dan Mangan - Robots
I first heard this song months ago on The Peak and finally found out the name (pretty duh) and artist a little while ago on CBC Radio 3. Loved it since the first time it hit my ear drums. I dare you to try not singing along near the end of the song.
"Robots need love too, they want to be loved by you, they want to be loved by you." Everybody now!

4. Andre Ethier - Infant King
If this is a song about Jesus, which I'd be darned if it wasn't, it'd be among my favorite Canadian secular Christian songs (is that an oxymoron? yes, yes it is) along with Wintersleep's version of We Three Kings.

5. Mother Mother - Body of Years
I might have found you a free download of this amazing song by a Vancouver band that's been getting critical acclaim up the wazoo. They were the darlings at SxSW. The only downside to seeing Joel Plaskett next weekend is having to miss their show, which is on the same night.

Weekly-ish recommendations

Ok, so this is where I'm going to list a couple of songs that have really touched me in the past little while, kind of like an evolving musical diary of what I'm currently listening to.

Why? Well, I've been thinking. The music you listen to really becomes a background track of your daily living; the music that speak into your situations will dig just a little deeper into your eardrums and stay a little longer in your temporal lobes. Reciprocally, those songs will inform the lens in which you view your life events as they come up.

They won't always be new songs; in fact, since I'm just starting out, there'll likely be a few from the archives. I will try to link to the mp3 wherever possible.

And please buy music! =)

Here we go. Week 1.

1. The Weakerthans - Night Windows
The Weakerthans has a wonderful way with words, of turning the mundane into something beautiful. From the haunting echoes of the intro, reminiscent of ticking clocks of the time that crawls by, to the "Remember how... I'm sorry that... I miss the way... Could we?" pleadings of someone who has recently loved and lost. This song speaks in quiet replayed never-to-be-had conversations.

2. Joel Plaskett - All The Way Down The Line
This song from disk 3 of his latest sent shivers down my spine when I first heard it. A lovely melody with an equally lovely ode to a quietly vibrant love. The complementary harmonies in the bridge entwine and emerge as something envious, something divine.

3. Hey Ocean! - Alright
"'Cause you're alright in my eyes, I would forgive you anything. And I will never ever think differently 'bout you babe... no no way... no no way." =)

In case the link doesn't work, and because Hey Ocean!'s strength is in their live performances:


4. Metric - Gimme Sympathy
"Oh, seriously. You're gonna make mistakes, you're young." Looking forward to buying this addictive (so far) album at their show on Thursday!



5. Kathleen Edwards - Sure As Shit
This is a ditty to love, both restrained and free, hopeful yet careful. But it's definitely not vague in its honesty. Indeed, people cuss both offhandedly and to make a point, and this song captures that dichotomy.

I want you, I don't want your photograph...

... I'll never forget your face, I don't need a picture

A tribute to Matt Mays & El Torpedo who sadly cancelled their appearance at JunoFest. However, if they hadn't, I wouldn't have had the pleasure of hearing Arkells live!

JunoFest weekend photo album (don't mind the blurriness, Arkells and The Trews shows were taken with a cellphone camera.)

Arkells

The Trews

Matthew Barber

Hey Ocean!

P.S. On a completely unrelated note -- 2 companies I would never want to do business with again: LG (the LG Chocolate is the worst POS I've ever possessed) and AcomData (they sell external HDs).

Juno weekend review (proper)

Thursday night:
Caught last song in Hey Rosetta!'s set. They sounded good, had a cellist and a violinist which sounded fantastic.

Friday: (aka. Rock night)
Worked at merch table at main tent, where the Beat showcase was happening. Overheard performances by Kay & Ace (sp?), Divine Brown and Elise Estrada. When I asked who the last person was I got a "omg, you loser" look from one of my co-volunteers. why should I know? all she did was plug Parasuco repeatedly over the course of an hour. Divine Brown has a great voice and sounded very polished, but nothing new. Like a Canadian attempted answer to Beyonce or something.
Snuck into the Fox Showcase (sold out) with a co-volunteer after our shift with our volunteer shirts on. Security guy recognized me and that made things extremely easy.. we felt like such rebels!
Sets--
Incura: winner of Fox's seeds competition. wasn't too much into their style. almost screamo. front man very acrobatically gyrating, very amusing. realized during this set that black skinny jeans = certification for rockers.
Arkells: PHENOMENAL. I broke my no-music-buying Lent rule for their CD... which is a downer. but they were so good. anthemic stadium rock. brought out Zaki Ibrahim and another female singer to sing backup for a couple of songs. Did a rendition of "Ain't too proud to beg" which had everyone singing along. No Champagne Socialist sounded so good live...
Daniel Wesley Band: a more offensive Jack Johnson. I can't believe people moshed to this. Alcohol is a strange substance.
The Trews: SO GOOD. They were visibly confident because they were good and they knew it. Wow, they brought down the tent. I was barely standing.

Saturday: (aka. folk/funk night)
Got up at 6-ish because I was presenting research at a psych conference at 8... gosh. Closest thing to a hangover I'll ever get. Mysterious bruises, groggy, half mute and deaf and head wobbly. Poster presentations went well though, I didn't fall over once! Although I did fall asleep in the talks so I just didnt go after a couple.
Got home, Tim and I went to Cheryl's, the three of us set off to have our musical adventures for that night.
Sets--
Matthew Barber: if I didn't love him, his set would've been only ok. Doolin's was really dingy. a new friend and i went up to the front. we were probably the only 2 in vancouver that knew his music. we were requesting songs and chatting with him haha. guitar + harmonica, charming and good with banter, forgot some of his own lyrics. met Alex, a fellow fan of CBC R3 which was awesome! Also talked with Grant Lawrence (CBCR3 host) and Jill Barber (Matt's also very talented sister). Got a picture with Mr. Barber.
Hey Ocean!: The always talented and fun Vancouver band. Party central! We were very glad to get into Media Club. Missed the first 2 songs of their set but they played for a good hour and 20 minutes or so. their music is catchier than herpes. you can't not dance, it's a physical impossibility. :)

Sunday:
So sleep deprived. Lost voice so couldn't sing at church haha. Kept hoping that the worship band would burst into Caribbean rhythms but alas, t'was not so.
Juno ceremony-- (aka. low point of my weekend)
seat filler. got into GM place after about an hour and 45 minutes. got actually seat filling about another hour after that. Gordon Campbell was right in front of me, as was the bassist from Hey Ocean!. I think they're quite acquainted with each other actually. curious. Gregor Robertson front right. 2 of the judges from so you think you can dance canada (the pretty black lady and the french dude) and Nico (one of the previous winners?) right behind me. Nickelback were about a section over to my right. pondered the likelihood of self getting hurt in a targeted air raid one section over to the right. all that having been said, the only person I wanted to talk to was the Hey Ocean bassist.
Highlights--
Sam Roberts Band: artist of the year, their performance of Them Kids, bassist wearing a poncho
The Stills: performance. unfortunately was blocked off to where i was sitting
Kathleen Edwards & Bryan Adams: KE on violin; did a nice duet where they looked into each others eyes instead of audience. very sizzling and beautiful
City & Colour w. Gord Downie: did Sleeping Sickness, sounded way more upbeat than studio version which is appreciated
Great Big Sea & Hawksley Workman & members of Eccodeck: wrapped up the show with a rollicking finish beyond the credits.
Lights: acceptance speech was good. she's a cutie-patooty. mentioned how it's fantastic to be recognized as a independent musician in a large institution. a small crack in the gloomy clouds, she was.
Lowlights--
Nickelback: DON'T NEED MORE AWARDS. NEED TALENT AND RESPECT FOR WOMEN. they beat Feist for fan favorite (what) and The Trews and Tokyo Police Club for group of the year (WHAT.) album of the year category had really awful nominees so it was no loss. honestly, I felt sick. the whole stadium was roaring. I have never felt so disillusioned about music, nor musically lonely in a sea of people.
Simple Plan: meh.
MCs: Russell Peters was "about as funny as a kick in the nuts," to quote another blogger. The gay guy from video on trial was about as funny as a violent karate session to the nuts then. I'm glad he wasn't in the broadcast.