Archive for the ‘Video’ Category
An Interview with Phoenix
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Although it took them nearly ten years, the record-buying public finally woke up and realized the greatness of Parisian pop outfit Phoenix. It shouldn’t have taken so long, but if one of their four albums was destined to make a difference it was 2009’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. One of the most acclaimed albums of last year, WAP oozed bubbly rave-ups like “1901” and “Lisztomania,” but also an intricate two-part, (mostly) instrumental prog number called “Love Like A Sunset.”
When the band came to Toronto they played the Phoenix, which was obviously a good icebreaker. But we quickly learned that they have a rather diastrous relationship with the city - they almost collectively died here a few years back. Imagine that: we wouldn’t have ever heard Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and they wouldn’t have shown us that bands can sound good on Saturday Night Live.
Anyhoo, here is our conversation with Deck D’Arcy and Christian Mazzalai.
Part 3: On how unexpected their SNL performance was and why they’re such a fantastic live band now.
- Cam Lindsay
Tags: 1901, Lisztomania, phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
An interview with The Raveonettes
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
For seven years now The Raveonettes have been making some of the most beguiling, sun-kissed pop music ever to come out of Denmark, or anywhere really. With a sound that’s as much a product of ‘50 surf, ’60s girl groups and ’80s noise pop, as it was the rock revolution from the beginning of the decade, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo have remained such a productive team because of their desire to keep moving forward.
Their latest album, In and Out of Control, documents another phase in the band’s colourful canon, presenting the most varied selection of songs to date.
The reticent Danes met up with me at local Toronto shop Magic Pony on their tour stop to discuss among other things parenthood, the seriousness of their lyrics and bubbles!
- Cam Lindsay
Tags: In and Out of Control, Raveonettes, Sharin Foo, Sune Rose Wagner
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
An interview with Gossip
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
When it comes to personalities they don’t get any bigger than Beth Ditto. The frontwoman for The Gossip has been labelled as an outspoken supporter of gay rights, a fervent performer and a magnet for controversy. And while the magnifying glass has been aimed solely on her, Beth has managed to re-direct all of this attention towards her band. With their deep-rooted DIY principles and raw, explosive energy, in just a couple of years, Gossip have risen from the underground to become a mainstream sensation.
Through all of the sensationalist coverage (a cover of the Enquirer wrongfully quoted her as saying her diet consisted of “a bucket of chicken and two cartons of ice cream”), Beth showed herself to be completely down to earth and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever interviewed.
During their stop in Toronto to play a sold-out show at the Opera House, Beth, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie discussed their jump from the comforts of the independent scene to the unfamiliar mainstream, working with one of the world’s biggest producers on their new album, Music For Men, and how easily rumours can start from something as simple as a desire to stay clean.
- Cam Lindsay
Interview Part 2: On working with Rick Rubin, the band’s message and the energy of their music.
Interview Part 3: On the media’s obsession with Beth Ditto, the tabloids and their past times.
Tags: Beth Ditto, Gossip
Posted in The New Music, Video | 1 Comment »
An interview with The Swell Season
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
The Swell Season is already one of my favorite musical stories in a very long time. Everything about Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s story that brought them together to make music, then to make a movie (Once) and then win an Oscar (”Falling Slowly”) is the ultimate independent artist’s dream. I rarely recall a time I have been so excited for an artist to release new music and I nearly jumped out of my seat when they won the Oscar for best original song back in 2008. What can I say, I’m a fan.
However, I have come to realize that interviewing someone who I am a fan of is not always a good thing because on more than one occasion an interview has ruined my perception of a person, if that person turns out to be… well back home in Newfoundland we’d say “an arsehole” -and I have encountered a few arsehole’s whom my hours and sometimes days of research and preperation for has often just become time I wish I could get back (it’s a small percentage but it has happened).
Luckily for me, Glen and Marketa were totally cool and I can say without question in my seven years of interviewing actors and musicians this was my favorite interview. Not just because I am a fan but because it was just a really enjoyable conversation about music and a glimpse into how humble and greatful these two are by the success that they have had.
Our chat spanned everything from U2 and the Oscars to homecomings and the idea of musical genius. The new album is called Strict Joy, go get it now.
- Matt Wells
Tags: Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, Strict Joy, The Swell Season
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
An interview with Grizzly Bear
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
News that Grizzly Bear had made one of the year’s best albums in Veckatimest came months before its actual release date, thanks to a premature leak that made headlines all over the blogosphere. But the poor quality MP3s that found their way onto the computers of overexcited fans didn’t stop the band from reaching the Billboard’s top ten in album sales, a true testament to the rich, gorgeous songs found on Veckatimest, not to mention the growing interest in the band (Jay-Z and Beyonce!?).
On a tour stop in Toronto, members Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen spoke with Much about the album’s success, their freaky video for “Two Weeks,” cookies, Muppets and Droste’s link to the Hooters fortune.
- Cam Lindsay
Interview Part 1: On Veckatimest charting in the Billboard Top Ten and cookies…
Tags: cookie, Daniel Rossen, Ed Droste, grizzly bear, Hooters, Muppets, veckatimest
Posted in The New Music, Video | 1 Comment »
Eminem ‘We Made You’
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
By Emmanuel Groneveldt
Eminem is up to his old tricks again with his new single and video ‘We Made You’. I’m not feeling the song or the video but you never know, I’m pretty sure ‘Without Me’ grew on me eventually. I think the problem I’m having with this video is that he’s done this type of video bunch of times already. I don’t mind crazy/zany Eminem once in a while but I love dark
Eminem better.
Tags: brett micheals, eminem, kim kardashian, poison, spoof, we made you
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
PEEP THIS VID: JOIN US!
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Alright how do I describe Katie Stelmanis - I can present long winded and contorted descriptions of how I think she sounds;
- emerging from a cocoon, dripping with electric tentacles
- lilting villain armed with operatic weaponry
- a digging decibel pulsating in a shimmering landscape of symphonic synthesis
GAH, all the above are true but simply put she’s good; talented, witty and her music promises to take you on an audible adventure. I like!
I especially like her video for JOIN US from her acclaimed record of the same name.
I caught up with the Toronto songstress to discuss her future plans and pasta!
Ok lots of spaghetti imagery in vid…what’s your favorite pasta recipe and why?
My favorite pasta dish is the standard spaghetti and tomato sauce. Fresh tomatoes, salt, basil and oil create the most divine food combination and also my most cherished comfort food.
Why do you think music videos are still important, maybe you don’t so why or why not?
I think music videos are super important. They create a visual image a person can pair with your music to helps them understand the context of a piece. The creative capabilities are HUGE, especially because you can entertain people with a story, visual effects, and music. Coming from a background in theatre, using all of these elements at once has always appeared to me to as ultimate artistic experience. However, I think that generally the importance of music videos is pretty underrated - but I believe those who take the time to make stimulating visual translations always reap the benefits!
You’re about to embark on a tour of europe what are you most looking forward to - any survival tips while on the road out there?
I am looking forward to eating quiche in France and buying clothes in Copenhagen. However, this contradicts my survival tips which are: don’t tour france (you will lose all your money on highway tolls) and don’t shop in Copenhagen (you will lose all your money on clothing partly because the currency is incomprehensible).
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on album #2 and am trying to find the funds to fund it! This will be difficult as I am taking my empty pockets to Europe this weekend but my birthday is in May so heres hoping.
What current music are you excited about?
I’m excited about the music my friends are making in Toronto, I am excited about Lykke Li and Fever Ray.
Tags: interview, Katie Stelmanis, new
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
PEEP THIS VID PICK: WHO DO YOU CARE FOR?
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Boys and their explosives. In this new video from Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains, Grainger braves the cold while frolicing amongst the popping embers of fireworks and burning toilet paper? I briefly chatted with Grainger to get his scoop on touring and his advice on how to stay warm.
In your new video it looks like it was freezing, frigid, death inducing - other than lighting things on fire what’s your favourite method for keeping warm during our Canadian winters?
When it comes to keeping warm i’m an old fashioned guy. Whiskey, long-johns and sexy hugs.
You recently finished a European tour, does any moment in particular stand out as a highlight?
During our third london show i said a lot of outrageous things to the audience. There was some kid heckling me and i cut him up so hard he left. You gotta bring your A game if you wanna tango with a verbal terrorist in the heat of the night when things aren’t going the way they should and we got problems over in Africa, you know?
What is up and coming for you…I hear you’re hitting the road again for a bizzillion months…do you look forward to touring?
When there are lots of dates on the calendar it seems a little daunting, but once you hit the road it feels great. Having the opportunity to play music everyday is not something i take for granted. Also, it seems to be getting better and better and that’s rewarding. If i felt like i wasn’t making any progress i’d be super depressed.
Since we’re featuring your new video do you have any favourite music videos?
I absolutely love the new Yeah Yeah Yeah’s video for “ZERO”. It’s super fun.
Tags: interviews, sebastien grainger, sebastien grainger and the mountains, videos
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
Get Animated!
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Check out these animated marvels by Toronto video artist Jesi the Elder. Her brand of wittied provocation kind of makes you feel like your looking at life through the eyes of an outrageusly cool but messed up grade 4 student.
Check out her videos for:
Final Fantasy’s - The Butcher
Katie Stelmanis’ - Join Us
DD/MM/YY - Infinity Skull Cube
Tags: animation, DD/MM/YY, final fantasy, jesi the elder, Katie Stelmanis, music videos
Posted in The New Music, Video | No Comments »
Videos For Your Face
Friday, March 20th, 2009
I’m back with some fresh new videos for your face.
If u seek Amy! Britney’s got another controversial HIT song on her hands. But before you go looking for Amy, I challenge you to find Brit Brit’s nipples first. Holy gravity Batman!
While I’ve got you thinking about Britney I may as well pass this gem on to you. A Static Lullaby have covered her hit “Toxic” and it doesn’t totally suck. It just sucks a bit. Wait for the screamo dude that looks like he overdosed on flinstone tablets as a kid. No wait, I’m the kid that overdosed on flinstone tablets as a kid. Just wait for it…
On a more positive note. Got videos by two bands that both front hot lead singers. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs highly anticipated new album It’s Blitz! first single “Zero”. And for your rare dose of cancon (that’s short for ‘canadian content’ all you crazy 11-year-olds out there) Metric’s “Gimme Sympathy”, which is their first single off Fantasies.
Tags: a static lullaby, britney, metric, videos, yeah yeah yeahs
Posted in Video | No Comments »
