Quick Before it Melts

QBiM Q&A with The Racoon Wedding

Jim — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:30:58 +0000

A couple week’s ago you were introduced to The Racoon Wedding here, and shortly thereafter, Scott Wilson, the band’s multi-talented multi-instrumentalist sat down and scribbled some As to our Qs so that we could get to know the Brantford, Ontario natives a bit better. Scott tells me things are going to be quiet for the band in the next few months, but look for them to be out on the road in late spring.

(photo: Owen Cherry)

QBiM: State your name for the record (and mention your record while you’re at it).

Scott Wilson: My name is Scott Willson. I play the piano/organ/violin, and I sing in The Racoon Wedding.
The Racoon Wedding just recently released their first full length record, called “gather gather bones rattle rattle truth”

QBiM: Where are you from, how did you get here and where are you going next?
SW: I’m from Brantford, Ontario, I’ve been here since I was born, and I think I may die here.

QBiM: Who’s hanging out with you?
SW: Four other men are involved in this band: Tim Ford (guitar/vocals), Andrew Ayerhart (trumpet), Jesse Daniel Shanks (drums), and Tyler Springall (bass/vocals)

QBiM: Coming from small town Ontario, I have an affinity for working class places like Welland and Brantford. What do you like best about your hometown? What’s the worst thing about it?
SW: The best thing about Brantford has to be it’s history. Brantford lead Canada in the late 19th century with it’s potential as an industrial hub, competitively with Montreal, and Toronto. Brantford was wealthy, promising, innovative, and beautiful. The end of the century showed a halt in Brantford’s growth, and later made for the depictions it has today. The worst thing about Brantford, has to be it’s poor planning, and decision making skills. Poor planning and decision making caused Brantford’s downtown core to crumble, and gave reason for industry to move. Sad eh?

QBiM: What’s the story behind The Ford Plant?
SW: The Ford Plant, is a not for profit, all ages, independent music venue / art gallery in the core of Downtown Brantford. The Ford Plant is how The Racoon Wedding met, it houses The Racoon Wedding, and is why we sing about Brantford.

QBiM: What’s the one sound that drives you crazy?
SW: C#.

QBiM: What’s the greatest invention of all time?
SW: The Telephone.

QBiM: Other than music or other artists, what influences you as a musician and songwriter?
SW: Scenery.

QBiM: Favourite breakfast food?
SW: Bacon and Eggs.

QBiM: When was the last time you got in a fight?
SW: Physical 1992, Verbal 2010.

QBiM: What traits or characteristics have you inherited from your parents?
SW: Obsessiveness, and the lack of ability to finish answers to questions.

QBiM: Do you sing in the shower?
SW: Always.

QBiM: Do you listen to your own music in the car?
SW: Always.

QBiM: What’s the one song you wish you’d have written?
SW: “Always.” – Blink 182

QBiM: What’s the last good book/movie/record you read/saw/heard?
SW: Book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Johnathan Safran Foer; Movie: Clueless; Record: A Mountain is a Mouth, Bruce Peninsula.

QBiM: What would be the one moment in time you’d go back and relive or experience?
SW: First day of kindergarten.

QBiM: What’s the worst bit of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
SW: “Try using your feet.”

QBiM: Any vices?
SW: Fireball, and sweets.

QBiM: Is there anything left to explore?
SW: No. Well yes, but no.

QBiM: When was the last time you cried?
SW: 1992.

QBiM: If you didn’t make music what would you be doing with your life?
SW: Accounting.

QBiM: If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?
SW: Make spooky sounds.

QBiM: If you had to play one instrument for the rest of you life what would it be and why?
SW: The kazoo, cause everyone loves the sound of those things.

QBiM: What was the highlight of 2009 for you and the band?
SW: The highlight of 2009 would be the release of our first full length record Gather Gather Bones Rattle Rattle Truth. It was a long awaited record for our listeners, and us.

QBiM: What does 201 have in store for The Racoon Wedding?
SW: The plan for 2010 is to tour all of Canada supporting our first record, and finish off the year with recording our second full length.

MP3: The Racoon Wedding “The Paper Boy”
Mysapce: The Racoon Wedding

4 for the weekend 06•02•10

Jim — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:00:11 +0000

A few years back I did a St. Patrick’s day post a a triple threat of musical talent from Ireland, one of which was Dublin-based Delorentos. A few week’s back, Kieran from the band dropped me a line to let me know that the band has a second LP out, You Can Make Sound, that’s available for all to listen through the Delorentos last.fm page. At the time of my last post, I said that the band is more “rock” than I usually like, but I think that was a something of a back-handed comment on my part. Very often a band like Delorentos, who do what they do well, aren’t taken as seriously as they might be by bloggers and critics who like a lie to find that unpolished gem buried in the rubble of rock’s great cannon. The truth is, that whether you call it “indie”, “pop” or whatever, Delorentos are a tight, well-oiled band who deserve to be heard. Check out the album now, and watch for a world-wide release sometime next month.

Stream: Delorentos You Can Make Sound
Mysapce: Delorentos

Parenthetical Girls don’t shy away from difficult subject matter for their music. “Evelyn McHale” is the name of the woman who jumped from the observation deck of the Empire State Building in May 1947 and was then photographed immediately afterward by Robert Wiles where her body came to rest atop the hood of a car. It’s the first single from teh band’s new LP, Privilege, which is being released as five 12″ EPs. Who said record collecting had to be easy?

MP3: Parenthetical Girls “Evelyn McHale”
Myspace: Parenthetical Girls

I know very little about The Forgotten Fair, except that the one-man-band has a good friend who wants this “overly humble” musicians music heard by many. It’s not rocket science, but there’s a charm to the elctro-pop stylings coming out of South Dakota that I think is worth a listen.

MP3: The Forgotten Fair “8-Bit Appalachians”
MP3: The Forgotten Fair “The Skies Will Call”
Myspace: The Forgotten Fair

NEW MUSiC: Caribou, “Odessa”

Jim — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:30:33 +0000

(image: caribou.fm)

There’s not much more to tell you other than Merge Records has announced that there will be a new album from Polaris winner Caribou on April 20, 2010. Swim is Dan Snaith’s nine-track follow up to Andorra and the first sample of it is available on the band’s site now for the cost of an email address. At the time of writing this, I’ve only listened to “Odessa” a few times, but I’m already loving it. It’s a very different vibe than his last work, much more relaxed, less frenetic and more fluid than the sonic assault that was “Melody Day”.

Snaith is on record as saying, “The most important thing for me with this record was finding my own sonic vocabulary. That’s why I’m proud of this record.” It may be only one track, but so far, I would agree that “Odessa” sounds like the work of someone coming into his own. I wasn’t expecting any news from Caribou at all so this is a very welcomed return. Happy Friday!

MP3: Caribou “Odessa”
Myspace: Caribou
Twitter: Caribou

One day like this

Jim — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:30:04 +0000

When I was working on my Defining A Decade series of post this past Christmas, I had a hard time narrowing my list down to just 10 albums that had shaped the 200s for me. There were so many great records that just weren’t going to make the mark, and a greater number that wrestled and fought with me for their rightful spot. One such record was The Seldom Seen Kid, by Elbow, released in 2008. It stands as one of my favourite albums of that year, and a highlight of Elbow’s career. Besides gracing my top albums of the year list (which is a prize in itself), it also had the honour of winning that year’s Mercury Music Prize in the UK. Though it didn’t make the list of defining records, the grace and beauty of The Seldom Seen Kid has ensured that it’s become a go-to record in my collection, a default choice when I want something familiar and comforting, uplifting and moving.

Apparently, I’m not alone in those sentiments. On January 17, 2009, with only a few days of rehearsal and preparation, Elbow stepped into the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios, joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra and Chantage (BBC Radio 3’s Choir of the Year) for a complete run-through of The Seldom Seen Kid, bolstered by an accompanying score arranged by Nick Ingham. It was only ever intended as a one-off performance, a once-in-a-lifetime event. But now here we are, almost a year later, and the recording of that night’s performance, along with a DVD document of the evening is available domestically in North America (having been released in the UK a number of months back), and Elbow fans on this side of the pond are ever thankful for it. It always was a grand and epic sounding record, but with the sweeping strings and brass of the BBC Concert Orchestra as part of their jam, Elbow have never sounded more beautiful. The album had never been performed live prior (some songs actually having never been played in concert at all), and it never will again, for magic like this can only happen once. I’m just glad that the band and the BBC have allowed those of us who couldn’t be there to experience it live the chance to hear and see this amazing performance.

Video: Elbow with the BBC Concert Orchestra “One Day Like This (live at Abbey Road)”
Mysapce: Elbow

The Stance get the jitters out

Jim — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:30:41 +0000

(photo: myspace.com)

There’s an immedicacy to “Jenny Jitters” from Halifax’s The Stance that can warm the cockles on a cold winter’s day. It’s got a boozy, bluesy swagger too it that can melt permafrost thanks to a near-explosive performance by this tight-sounding quartet. If it’s any indication of what The Stance sound like live, then you can be sure that any gig they play will get you jumping and jiving and begging for more.

The band’s debut LP (following an EP released back in 2005) is called I Left Love Behind a Long Time Ago, and will be released by Just Friends Records on February 23. I haven’t heard the whole album yet, but the ol’ QBiM anticipation meter is quaking and quivering with interest. I love it when a band appears to have all their shit together like The Stance does, they know who they are, they know their place, and they know how to do what they do well. I’ve checked around online and can’t seem to find any news of upcoming shows, but I’m certain they’ll be out on the road soon, so keep your ear to the ground and eyes on these pages for more info soon.

MP3: The Stance “Jenny Jitters”
Myspace: The Stance
Facebook: The Stance

QBiM SPiNS: Hot Chip, One Life Stand

Jim — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:30:27 +0000

Hot Chip fans are an unusual sort. They’re staunch defenders of their favourite band, and quick to point out flawed thinking on the part of johnny-come-latelys like me. Fist off, while The Warning was my introduction to the band, Hot Chip fans are quick to point out that it wasn’t the band’s first release (that would be 2005’s Coming On Strong). Fair enough, but they’ll also be quick to point out that while The Warning may have been a great record that introduced the band to a wider audience, it isn’t the best Hot Chip album (again referring to the debut as that title-holder). I get the sense that the band’s fans feel a motherly sense of protection towards Hot Chip, trying to stop some kind of mass love for the band from taking their precious baby away.

So it’s with a bit of hesitance that I even venture forward to offering some opinion about the band’s latest album, One Life Stand. I got the sense that on 2008’s Made in the Dark, the band were sort of reaching their rebellious teen years and breaking away from their fans smothering adoration. If that’s the case, then One Life Stand sees Hot Chip pack their bags and move out of the house, dead set on making a go it it on their own. It’s a self-assured disc that fully embraces the mellow and melodic electro-pop sound that first made our ears prick up, and consistently moves from track to track.

“Nothing is wasted/life is worth living” sings Alexis Taylor on “I Feel Better” and the feeling goes beyond the lyrics to the music itself. What you get on One Life Stand is an economy of sound and sentiment that’s near flawless. The restraint and reserve of Med in the Dark are dropped liked unlocked shackles, and the liberation and joy that ensues is contagious. How could it not be, when the best elements of Basement Jaxx, and early Depeche Mode come together to make a very current sounding record out of a genre that often sounds dated and staid. By now you’ve probably heard the paean to monogamy that is the title track and the brilliant “Take It In”, both highly indicative of the album as a whole.

Whether or not the album has the legs and stamina to keep us listening for another 11 months remains to be seen, but at this early stage, One Life Stand has what it takes to be a committed life partner for music lovers for a long time to come. Consider this an early warning to get yourself out to the record shops next Tuesday, February 9, to pick it up and take it all in.

Myspace: Hot Chip

The video for “One Night Stand” is directed by Roel Wouters:
Hot Chip – One Life Stand (MySpace Exclusive)

Hot Chip | MySpace Music Videos

The Rest release The Cried Wolf EP/Book

Jim — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:30:31 +0000

I got some fantastic news out of Hamilton last week! The Rest have released their much-anticipated first EP/Book project The Cried Wolf Book/EP, which contains four songs and a gorgeous book that tells the story of the boy who cried wolf as an adult, featuring the brilliant illustrations of MLXNDRSC. You have to see it for yourself, and you can for the price of an email address exchange by going here to check it out.

The Rest are also celebrating the worldwide release of Everyone All At Once on March 15 through Something In Construction records. To mark the moment, the band also have a new video for the track “The Lady Vanishes” which uses the 1938 Hitchcock movie the song’s named after as it’s source. I’m not a big video watcher, but this is a must-see, for music, film and Hitchcock freaks (me!) alike:

The Rest – The Lady Vanishes from The Rest on Vimeo.

4 for the weekend 01•30•10

Jim — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:30:21 +0000

You can always count on Matt at You Ain’t No Picasso to find a sweet bootleg or two, and he’s come through for all Radiohead fans again. He’s got a link to the band’s Haiti benefit show at L.A.’s Music Box last Sunday, and now you have it, too. The setlist spans the band’s career (except for Pablo Honey) and features just a single new track, “Lotus Flower”. Still it’s a great live set, and it was all for a good cause. Cheers to Matt for passing it along, and a big shout-out to “hardlylurkin” from the Ateaseweb.com for posting the gig in the first place. Atease also reports that Radiohead will be covering Peter Gabriel’s “Wallflower” as a return favour for Gabriel’s cover of “Street Spirit” which will be on his forthcoming Scratch My Back album. (photo of the benefit show’s poster by Sung Kim via pitchfork.com)

ZiP: Radiohead live at the Music Box 24 January 2010

You know me, I’ve always been a sucker for exotic music from Scandinavia and Iceland, so this little treat is right up my musical alley. I’ve not had a chance to explore Iceland’s Seabear discography fully yet, but I like what I’m hearing from their sophomore release, We Built a Fire (Out in March on the excellent Morr Music). They’ll be showing their goods off at SXSW in March.

MP3: Seabear “Lion Face Boy”
Myspace: Seabear

NYC’s Ball of Flame Shoot Fire say they love Scott Walker, Harry Nilsson, Tom Waits, and The Residents, and have been opening shows for Yeasayer, Man Man, Grizzly Bear, Ponytail and Here We Go Magic. That’s an impressive pedigree if you ask me. They’re working on new material but sent a couple samples my way to share with you:

MP3: Ball of Flame Shoot Fire “Mugs”
MP3: Ball of Flame Shoot Fire “Patience”
Myspace: Ball of Flame Shoot Fire

Steve Goldberg and the Arch Enemies strike back

Jim — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:00:47 +0000

(photo:Sarah Cass)

I wrote about Steve Goldberg and the Arch Enemies back in September of 2007, and that feels like ages in blog years. Back then I was digging Goldberg & co.’s self-titled debut of elaborately orchestrated pop songs, which grew out of a project of Goldberg’s while attending Carnegie Mellon University School of Music. The band is back with a new EP called Labyrinths, and while not a huge leap forwards from their debut, it solidifies Goldberg’s reputation as a great songwriter. Matt Picasso has given it his thumbs up, saying it “sounds like the Lucksmiths covering Bishop Allen with Beulah’s horn section helping out in the background”. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The band is offering the EP up as a stream or you can download it for a reasonable pay-what-you-want fee by going here. I think it’s noble of the band to offer the music up to anyone for free if they wish not to pay, but I truly believe this is a record worth paying for. Matt’s dead one with his comparison to a band like Bishop Allen, and I hope that sometime soon, some label somewhere gets wind of what Steve and the guys are doing and gives them some proper backing. In the crush of mp3s in my inbox, and countless, “hey man, these guys are great you should check them out” pseudo referrals, finding a band like Steve Goldberg and the Arch Enemies can seem like finding that needle in a haystack, but good music always comes through. By the way, today is also Steve’s 25th birthday, so just like you did when I wanted to wish my friend Krista a happy birthday, why don’t you all leave Steve a nice birthday comment below, too. It’d make his day.

MP3: Steve Goldberg and the Arch Enemies “The Ballad of Cherry Hill”
Mysapce: Steve Goldberg and the Arch Enemies

Keep me on your radar

Jim — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:30:47 +0000

There’s definitely a restraint to the songs on Chris Page’s new solo album, A Date With a Smoke Machine, but don’t take that to mean the songs are in anyway restricted. Page’s work with Camp Radio or The Stand GT may be rooted in punk and rock, but on this solo album he’s let his inner singer-songwriter out for some air, and he’s certainly breathing deeply. The more I listen to this record, the more it reminds me of prime Billy Bragg, like Worker’s Playtime, an album of fierce intensity that doesn’t get loud to get it’s point across. You can feel the tension just bubbling below the surface of songs like “Slideshows” that can clearly rock out if they’re allowed, but Page manages to hold that in and channel the intensity internally, letting the emotions out but not letting them get the better of him. It works amazingly well, especially on the somber and haunting “Quit While I’m Behind”. The 12 songs are over in a flash (just under 40 minutes), and you’ll find yourself wanting to go back and listen again and gain, to catch what you might have missed, and relish in what you loved the first time ’round. It may seem like a cliché but A Date With a Smoke Machine is one of those albums that gives more and more with each listen.

Page will release A Date With a Smoke Machine on February 16 (on Ottawa’s Kelp Records), and is in Sudbury, Ontario on the 13th of the month, and Toronto on the 18th. Camp Radio should have some new music coming out this year, too.

MP3: Chris Page “Two Twenty Twos”
Video: Chris Page “Coax the Ending Day”
Myspace: Chris Page