Holiday tunes

I'm not against holiday music, but I always feel like the holiday music hits radio stations too early. Nonetheless, I have a few favourites that I will share with you today. The Simple Plan song should probably be considered a teeny bit embarrassing, but since I don't believe there's such a thing as a "guilty" pleasure, I regret nothing!

Who doesn't want a lifetime supply of Skittles and Slurpees and Eskimo Pies?



Weird Al is always extra special! Not appropriate for small children. LOL



You know it's Christmastime when "Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" takes up residence on the TV.



But my absolute favourite has to be from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". I always wanted a Charlie-in-the-Box. And what's wrong with a cowboy that rides an ostrich?



What are your favourite holiday songs?

The awesomeness of YouTube

The other day, when I should have been doing homework, but found myself unable to concentrate and looking for a distraction, I took a trip to YouTube, that wonderful home for music videos of yesteryear. It started as a search for my favourite 80s videos, and then veered into more Golden Oldies territory (yes, I listen to those, too).

Here's a sampling of what I found. :D

I wish I'd been here:



Look at that hair!



Probably the best part of YouTube is it's ability to preserve history:



Now go forth, and watch some vintage clips on YouTube!

The Winnipeg Music Scene Part 2

More local bands for you to show some love to.

The Watchmen: This band wrote my theme song. End of story. LOL.



Pushing Daisies: The first time I saw this band play was acoustically in front of the olde Shopper's Drug Mart in Garden City Mall (they roll their eyes every time I mention it lol). I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen them since then. I'll go with lots.

The Waking Eyes: I'm a relatively new Waking Eyes fan. I didn't particularly like "Video Sound", but I absolutely LOVE "Holding on to Whatever It Is". And they put on a wicked live show to boot. Check them out at the Pyramid on December 29!

The Details: Another band that I haven't been listening to for long, The Details' "Draw a Distance, Draw a Border" is one of my favourite local CDs, for sure. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I have a bad habit of checking out a band live, even when I don't really know anything about them, and The Details were one of those. 'Twas a great discovery!

Steeple Chaser: It's been so long and my memory has gotten so sketchy that I can't remember if Steeple Chaser or Pushing Daisies came first as far as the local band I started to follow goes, but they're pretty close. I remember hearing "Radio Who" on Power 97's "River City Rawks" show one night while driving home from bowling with my family, and I've been a fan ever since.

Mandatory Twitter post

I confess I'm not a fan of Twitter. I signed up out of curiosity, but I don't use it much except to promote upcoming concerts.

We spent our PR class this afternoon learning more about Twitter and its various usefulnesses (word? It is now!). I understand how it can be useful, but to me it seems like more time spent in front of my computer, and not outside with the sunshine. I keep up with many celebrities and music news sites, but I don't tweet much. Do you really need to know that iTunes crashed my computer again? No, you don't.

Some people that I follow:

@IndieCanRadio - independent Canadian music podcast
@ExploreMusic - self-explanatory, really
@chartattack - since it's no longer a printed magazine, I read up on my fave Canadian artists ici, even though they still owe me money
@manitobamusic - the home of music made in Manitoba



PS - If you know WHY iTunes keeps crashing my computer, please advise.

STP and a suggestion

Stone Temple Pilots invaded the MTS Centre last night. I confess that they are not a band that I would have called myself a fan of prior to the concert; I went to the show out of curiosity. It was very good! So good, in fact, that my wallet feels the impending strain of my intention to buy their discography. This is where pawn shops come in. That’s right, I said PAWN SHOPS not iTUNES. I need CDs, man. Digital files on my hard drive don’t cut it. My sweet speakers are attached to my sweet stereo, NOT my PC.

The “suggestion” part of this blog title is intended for all opening acts and it goes like this:

Dear Opening Acts,

It is imperative that you TELL US YOUR NAME before you ask us to buy your record at the merch table.

Sincerely,

Those that would buy your record at the merch table.

The Winnipeg music scene

It's no secret that I love local music.

Here are just a few of the bands that I will drop everything to go see (and about whom my mom has frequently said "Didn't you just see them?") :

TELE: This band's live show will floor you. If it doesn't, then your ears might be broken. The first time I saw them play was when I walked in halfway through their JunoFest set at the Pyramid waaaay back in 2005. Even squashed at the back of the room where I couldn't see anything, I was awed. I only heard two and a half songs, but it was enough for me to file away a note-to-self to check these guys out again ASAP. Matt Worobec is one of the best singers I've ever heard. TELE is currently hard at work on their next album, so there aren't any upcoming shows, but I'm sure they will be making special appearances at Quinzmas or the JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday show.

Quinzy: Another fantastic live band, Quinzy writes catchy tunes that will make you dance or cry, and sometimes both. They just released their third EP, "Self-Defense", November 7. The gig was a "show-cial"; four acts opened with maybe ten minutes between them for tear-down and set-up (the "show" part) and there was a silent auction (the "social" part). Catch them next at the aforementioned Quinzmas, December 11 & 12 at the West End Cultural Centre.

JP Hoe: Always a good time, JP knows how to entertain a crowd. Whether it's bringing in Fred Penner to read the audience The True Story of Harry & the Hendersons, or throwing them a prom, it's impossible not to have fun. This year's JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday show is going to be awesome.

Sons of York: These guys released their CD "Black and White Summer" November 13 to a crowd ready to dance and clap along with every song. SoY write catchy '60s-inspired ditties that are impossible not to enjoy.

Enjoy Your Pumas: I've only been able to catch these guys once, but they were very, very good. They just re-released their EP on Halloween. I'm sure they'll be announcing more shows soon.

Ray LaMontagne

I could listen to this man sing forever. He's one of those singers that were born for it, you know? "Jolene" is the first song of his that I ever heard, and it is still my favourite. This live version is perfect. Listen, enjoy, cry a little bit, and then go purchase the CD from your retailer of choice.

Fanfiction

To some, this will sound ridiculous, and that's OK. Sometimes, things ARE ridiculous. I remember the exact moment when I realized I loved to write: I was in grade two, and our assignment was to write the first-person perspective of a joey--that's right, a baby kangaroo. I remeber sitting there, staring at my blank paper thinking, "What would a baby kangaroo be thinking about?" For some reason, my answer to this question was, "She'd be wishing she could watch Star Trek instead of doing her homework." Because kangaroos watch Star Trek and get homework.

This new love grew into a stack of half-finished ideas including, but not limited to: Batman meeting the Power Rangers; a couch that ate people; Mulder and Scully capturing Han Solo; and a few short stories about dragons that ultimately defeated the knights in shining armour.

When I was in high school, I used to get really bored in class. I would feign paying attention and writing notes, but in reality I was working on what my grade 10 teacher always referred to as my "Great Canadian Novel" (clearly, he was wise to my act). I never told him, but what I was working on wasn't very Canadian at all. My subject of choice then was usually Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I discovered FanFiction.Net in grade 11. It was a place for average people like me to post my stories and receive feedback from my readers. It was awesome! However, when I started university, my free time and desire to write were crushed by the mountains of essays that came up.

Over this past summer, I rekindled my relationship with my FF.Net profile. I started a Criminal Minds/Supernatural crossover story, which I have recently begun to edit and re-post. I can't lie; it's easier to stay on track when you have 57 strangers telling you they love your story.

So, why fanfic, you may wonder? Well, the answer is simple, actually. It's a lot of fun to play with other people's toys! Tired of the sexual tension between Morgan and Garcia? Fix it! Don't like that your favourite character died? Bring him back to life! Want to read more about your favourite villain? Go for it!

Intrigued? I hope so. Check it out for yourself, and see if you don't get hooked!

(Nathan Fillion photo courtesy of the World Wide Web.)

My life would suck without loud bands in dark rooms

A couple of weeks ago my mom asked me why I like to go to concerts. After of moment of silence as I pondered whether she had really just asked me such a silly question, I attempted to answer her.

This is what I said:

"Well, Mom, I like going to concerts because I love watching bands play their songs. It's like a confirmation that there are real people creating these sounds that regularly flow from my speakers or headphones. It's also important to me to make sure that the lead singer can actually sing. There's nothing more embarrassing than proclaiming a band to be "awesome," only to discover that the dude or dudette behind the mic wails like a bag of mentally disturbed cats."

My mom was not satisfied with this response. She went on to point out how much money I was spending, when I should be saving it for school, bills, gas, etc. "What's so great about having your ears blasted by too-loud noise?" she asked.

"That's why I where earplugs, Mom," I replied. "Besides, asking me why I like going to concerts is like me asking you why you watch movies. It's because you like to be entertained. Well, concerts are my entertainment. When I'm stressed out, I go to a gig. When you're stressed out, you watch 'Jaws'."

She finally sighed and said she still didn't get it. Oh well.

On the schedule:
Nov. 3 - Library Voices and Paper Lions @ Lo Pub
Nov. 4 - The Pack A.D. and Sit Down Tracy @ The Royal Albert
Nov. 7 - Quinzy @ the Academy
Nov. 10 - Melissa McClelland @ the West End Cultural Centre
Nov. 12 - Arkells with The Novaks @ the Pyramid
Nov. 13 - Sons of York @ the Park Theatre
Nov. 14 - Amelia Curran @ the West End Cultural Centre
Nov. 15 - Stone Temple Pilots @ the MTS Centre
Nov. 18 - The Trews @ the West End Cultural Centre
Nov. 21 - Matthew Good @ the Burton Cummings Theatre

Where's the spirit of the season?

So, it's Halloween, the day of the year that I look forward to more than Christmas. That's right, I said Christmas! I spent my day at work (sadly), but when I left at 7:30, I had high hopes of seeing many a haunted house and little ghoulie on my drive home. To my extreme disappointment, the only Jack-o-lantern I saw along Hespeler was a garbage bag full-o-leaves; I only saw a handful of little ghoulies; and there were more Christmas lights and dark houses than haunted ones. In the out-of-context words of Jack Skellington, "What's this?" Where were the hordes of giggly children chasing each other down the sidewalk? Where were the faux-cobwebbed trees and loud creepy noises? Doesn't anyone's dad dress up as Wolfman and run out from behind a tree to scare the snot out of all those little candy-seeking munchkins?

When did everyone get so jaded about Halloween???

Sure, you can blame H1N1 for this year's disappointing kiddie turnout, but really, it started a couple of years ago. Halloween Recession has been taking hold for awhile now. This, to me, is terrible. I still toss around the idea of putting on a costume and just roaming the streets in order to participate, but my drive home made me wonder if this holiday is heading for dinosaur territory...

(Photo courtesy of my friend Holly. She always has the best jack-o-lanterns!)

One episode, and already hooked!

So, it's Tuesday afternoon and I'm sitting in the Agency with some classmates. We're all working on various homework assignments, trying to get the jump on the workload that never seems to end--which I suppose technically means you can't get a jump on it because the pile never really disappears--REGARDLESS, one of my classmates declares that we need to take a break that requires music. Fabulous, I think to myself. I love this thing called music. But wait--what is this? It sounds like "Don't Stop Believing"...but it's not Journey...

This was my introduction to my new favourite TV show, "Glee". As the title of this post suggests, I've only seen one full episode, but thanks to my aforementioned classmates, I've heard every song on the soundtrack. That, and a lot of Miley Cyrus (but that's a different story...). All I really have to say about "Glee" is this: if you're not already watching this show, you'd better start; and I couldn't have thought of a better title myself. "Glee" is one hour of glee every wednesday night, right after Criminal Minds, which provides glee of the Matthew Gray Gubler-type. :D

I'm all for having fun, but...

Why is it that every time I go to a concert, I end up with the widest, tallest, drunkest guy in the bar standing in front of me?

I always go to concerts early, and stand at the front of the stage. I do this so that a) I'm not standing alone at the back of the bar and b) I have a prime spot when the headliner comes on and c) lots of times the opening act is pretty good. Such was the case last night when I went to Silverado's to see Bif Naked. I was standing there, with only one shorter girl in front of me, ready to rock out and let the stress of the past week melt away when SUDDENLY this massive man tried to push past me and squeeze to the front. First off, what are you doing, guy? If you wanted to stand at the front, where were you 15 minutes ago when there was no one else here? Secondly, where do you think you're going to go? We're all sandwiched as it is and you're HUGE. There's nowhere for you to go! And thirdly, no one else is going to see anything if you stand in the front. You take up the space of four people! Grr Argh.

The above scenario happens ot me pretty much every time I go to shows. It gets old pretty fast.

So, to all you tall and or large people, please be considerate of the short people who arrive early in order to see the concert, and not the backs of your heads. Or just your backs.

The crazziest squirrel you'll ever see

When my cousin was in Winnipeg over the summer with her family, we all went to the zoo. This is what we saw:



Awesome.

A pet peeve

I love going to concerts. It's a stress reliever for me. Also, I tend to judge bands by their live show, meaning if the singer can't sing, chances are I won't like them. This love of live music lends itself to disappointment: many an American artist doesn't seem to understand the concept of "cross-Canada" tour. I'd like to put all the U.S.-based tour managers in a room with a map of my great country, and show them, "Here's Vancouver. Here's Montreal. Here's all the cities in between, and beyond." I've compiled this list of American acts that (to my knowledge) have never ever been to Winnipeg in the hopes that they'll find this blog and reach a level of enlightenment AKA come visit me--er...us!

1) The Academy Is... - "Santi" is one of my favourite albums of all time! Come visit me dangit!



2) Something Corporate - OK, so technically these guys are on hiatus while the individual members pursue other projects, so that segues into...

3) Jack's Mannequin - Andrew McMahon's other band that I love just as much as SomeCorp. Come with TAI...! It'll be magical!

4) Ben Folds - You are awesome. The college kids love you. You'll sell out the West End Cultural Centre with the greatest of ease.

5) Linkin Park - You guys are one of the biggest bands in the world, so you can't use "poor record sales" as an excuse. What are you waiting for?

6) Rob Thomas - Yes, Matchbox Twenty was here in...let me check my ticket stub...May 2001, but Rob totally skipped us, even though his website listed a Winnipeg date on his "Something to Be" tour in '06. Well, the new disc just came out, Rob. Please don't skip us again!

7) The Killers - This is the first band that actually HAS played here before, but it was before "Hot Fuss" came out and no one knew who they were. Now that they're ridiculously popular, there's no excuse for avoiding a cross-Canada tour.

8) Jason Mraz - I won't forgive you for making me buy "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" twice until you play me a show. So there.

9) Incubus - Brandon Boyd crush aside...ummm...tour please?

10) 3 Doors Down - The closest they came to Winnipeg was X Fest in Brandon last year. Why these guys have never done a full cross-Canada tour is beyond me. Like Linkin Park, 3DD are one of the biggest bands in the world, and its mind-boggling to me that we've been overlooked.

So there it is. That's my list, anyway. I'm sure you, dear reader, can think of more artists off the top of your head. Feel free to add to this list in the comments section.

How I spent the first week of school

Besides going to class, of course. That one's a given. I skipped Intro Psych once in my first year at the U. of M., but that's another story. I love going to concerts, and I've learned that when indie artists from around the country play a show in your town, you'd better be there 'cause they may never come back (Static in Stereo!), or they may not come back for a couple of years (In-Flight Safety!). So here is the record of my Home-Made Frosh Week.

Monday, August 31: Day One
I spent this evening at Ozzie's. Thankfully it was not Wet T-shirt Night. The Fury and local opening act Living in Red rocked the 10 or so people that showed up. It was clear that most of the attendees had seen The Fury before, but I had not. I went because I friended them on MySpace and the band was kind enough to shoot me a message saying they were playing in my city on their current tour. It was definitely worth it: these guys and girl rock!

Tuesday, September 1: Day Two
Today was reserved for listening to the new Social Code album "Rock 'n' Roll". Love it! (WARNING: The following is a Shameless Show Plug [SSP]:) I can't wait to see them on Sept. 22 @ the Pyramid with Armchair Cynics (HURRAY!) and Rev Theory (I don't even know who this is!)! Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.

Wednesday, September 2: Day Three
FRANZ FERDINAND!!! They played for 1h45, and it felt like 30 minutes. That's how much fun this band is to see live.

Thursday, September 3: Day Four
My first show by The Liptonians. These local boys are fantastic, and you need to go to their next show. Not even the swarms of skeeters at the Gas Station Theatre patio could chase the crowd away.

Friday, September 4: Day Five
Victoria's Acres of Lions was definitely the highlight of my Home-Made Frosh Week. They are tied with Grand Theft Bus (whom I did not see live this week, not because I didn't want to, but because they didn't come visit) for my new favourite band.

Saturday, September 5: Day Six
This day presented me with a choice: go to a house show in a sketchy area of town to see The Rough Sea, or go to Lo Pub for Hot Panda? Lo Pub won, which is a good thing for me because I just learned that unfortunately the Rough Sea show got canceled at the last minute. Hot Panda reminds me of The New Pornographers.

Sunday, September 6: Day Seven
I worked til 8 p.m. on Sunday, but I had it in the back of my mind that I would go see Jicah and The Fast Romantics at the Pyramid. Then I got home and decided I was going to stay there. Then I logged into my MySpace account and saw that Secret Broadcast had updated their status to say that they were loading in at the Pyramid in Winnipeg. Well, guess what? I went to the show afterall. It was a little confusing, what with Jicah NOT playing, and the show starting late even though the bar had to be empty early (?) 'cause it was Sunday...but it was AWESOME. It's a travesty that there weren't more people there.

And thus concluded my Home-Made Frosh Week, but it in no way signals the end of my concert adventures. Tomorrow: The Tragically Hip.