Monthly Archive for March, 2008

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2008 Winter Music Conference: March 25-29

Published on March 17, 2008 in About Trans Canada Radio. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Big news! Exciting, awesome news! Exclamation marks abound! On March 26th, TransCanada Radio will be headed down to beautiful, sunny Miami, Florida for the 2008 Winter Music Conference! Of course, thanks to the internet I know exactly how awesome this news is, but you, the reader, may not be nearly as excited as I am about this until you learn exactly what exactly WMC is all about! I’ve gone ahead and gathered the information for you so you don’t have to go Googling all over the place, too!

WMC banner

“Winter Music Conference, in its 23rd year, is regarded as the singular networking event in the dance music industry, attracting professionals from over 62 different countries. With its high concentration of top international artists, DJs and industry professionals, WMC permeates the international press and is thereby one of the most publicized events in the business. Every aspect of the industry is represented including the top technological innovators, artists, DJs, producers, radio and video programmers, retailers, distributors, audio manufacturers and many more. There are countless reasons why people from all over the world return year after year for this event, the most outstanding one being that there is nothing else in the world like it. Continue reading ‘2008 Winter Music Conference: March 25-29′

The ElastoCitizens: Big bad heavy groove funk

Published on March 17, 2008 in Live Music. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

ECThe ElastoCitizens were founded in Toronto in the fall of 2004 with one goal: to make people dance.

With theatrical grandeur and ecstatic stage shows, they’ve endeavoured to bring their brand of heavy groove, feel good music to the masses. Their massive, sexy, euphoria-inducing concerts have left legions of fans begging for more.

Their shows are a combination of throwback soul complete with Motown/Shangri-la brand choreography blended with a high-energy punk-funk intensity reminiscent of early Chili Peppers. One song rolls into the next in the style of a 1967 James Brown show, stirring the crowds into a smiling, sweaty, dancing frenzy.

The ElastoCitizens are a total experience that have to be seen to be believed.

So, naturally, here’s an upcoming show for you to check out:

May 10th, 2008 – Lee’s Palace w. The Heavy @ 529 Bloor St. W (Toronto, ON)

Bambi Blue

The Perpetrators: Blues for people who hate blues

Published on March 13, 2008 in Live Music. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Once a not-so-well-kept secret in their hometown of Winnipeg, MThe Perpsanitoba – where they acted as house band for visiting blues legends Hubert Sumlin, Louisiana Red, Paul “Wine” Jones and others – The Perpetrators kicked things up a notch in 2006. A European tour capped off a Juno nomination and a win at the Western Canadian Music Awards. 2007 saw the band continue to expand and grow with the release their third album, Tow Truck – an uncompromising expression of their varied musical influences that never loses sight of their blues roots – followed by the recording of a soon-to-be-released live album and a very successful second European tour which including the recording of live radio specials in Germany and Belgium.

“Blues for people who hate blues,” they distill rock ‘n’ roll, punk and country into their heady house-rockin’ punch. Give them a stage, any stage and they’ll put on the best show they can for whoever’s there. Each one is a seasoned pro on their instrument of choice but, never afraid to take chances, the boys are fond of switching it up in an on-stage game of musical chairs. To quote a much used and abused cliche, The Perpetrators have to be seen to be believed.

Buy their albums!
THE PERPETRATORS: The Gas And The ClutchTHE PERPETRATORS: The PerpetratorsTHE PERPETRATORS: Tow Truck

Now… go see them!

28 Mar 2008 21:00 The Bristol Place London, ON
29 Mar 2008 20:00 The Horseshoe Tavern Support for Luke Doucet’s CD Release Toronto, ON
30 Mar 2008 20:00 The Boathouse Kitchener, ON
4 Apr 2008 22:00 The Bristol Place London, ON
8 Apr 2008 22:00 Pepper Jack Cafe Hamilton, ON
10 Apr 2008 20:00 The Dakota Tavern Toronto, ON
11 Apr 2008 21:00 Loplops Sault Ste. Marie, ON
12 Apr 2008 21:00 The Apollo Thunder Bay, ON
18 Apr 2008 02:00 Ryerson Elementary School Winnipeg, MB
19 Apr 2008 22:00 Brunkild Bar & Grill Brunkild, MB
9 May 2008 20:00 Ozzy’s Winnipeg, MB
10 May 2008 20:00 Ozzy’s Winnipeg, MB
18 May 2008 20:00 Private Party Vancouver, BC
18 May 2008 20:00 Private Party Vancouver, BC
24 May 2008 22:00 Lydia’s Pub Saskatoon, SK
8 Aug 2008 20:00 Trout Forest Music Festival Earfalls, ON
9 Aug 2008 20:00 Trout Forest Music Festival Earfalls, ON
10 Aug 2008 20:00 Trout Forest Music Festival Earfalls, ON

Bambi Blue

Avalon Motel: an evolutionary branch on the jazz tree

Published on March 13, 2008 in Live Music. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Understated, interesting and sensual, Avalon Motel incorporates the influences of traditional and mainstream jazz artists with musical influences of their generation. ThAvalon Motele group represents a branch in the evolution of jazz and a style all their own. Together since 1992, the group has performed in Montreal, Eastern Canada and Alaska at festivals, clubs and concerts as well as engagements as far away as Japan and South Korea. After two successful performances at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal the group followed with numerous television and radio appearances, and invitations to perform at Canada’s premier jazz clubs and other festivals around the country.

Jointly led by vocalist Louise Thibault and seven-string guitarist Jon Gearey, the group also counts as founding member tenor saxophonist, Frank Lozano.
Formerly known as Avalon, their debut CD, The Whispering Breeze , released in January 1997, received very favourable reviews. A special Christmas project entitled, Where Sleigh Bells Swing was released in December 1998 nearly selling out of its initial pressing. Both recordings were released under the group’s previous name, Avalon. A third CD, reflecting the group’s name change and entitled simply Avalon Motel, proved their most popular disque to date.
Avalon Motel’s varied repertoire ranges from updated arrangements of jazz classics, the Brazilian songs of Antonio Carlos Jobim which Louise delivers flawlessly in Portuguese as well as original music composed by the various members of the group.

The group has direction and a maturing sound. Audiences are brought into the music through Louise’s ability to get inside the lyric and convey the mood and meaning of a piece; through the thoughtful arrangements and 7-string guitar work of Jon Gearey and through Frank’s inventive use of reed instruments and his big tenor sound.

A cross-Canada tour is being planned for this summer’s jazz festival season. Check back here for dates in your city.

Bambi Blue

Mocking Shadows: Cue the wah-wah pedal.

Published on March 13, 2008 in Live Music. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

This multi-talented band has been playing all over Calgary since their inception in 1994 and chances are that you’ve heard them in one form or another. They’ve played backup for blues great Long John Baldry, opened for BB King, appeared at the Palace and other Calgary clubs as well as all over Alberta and British Columbia.

The Mocking Shadows

The band is able to play so many venues due to their reluctance to stick to one style. While the guys are always groove-oriented, their sound swings from blues to jazz to pop to ska. The reason for this is their wide-ranging backgrounds, said Rob Phillips, lead singer.

“The horn guys are all classically trained, and so is the organist, and it really helps. It really is an interesting mix,” said Phillips, who also plays guitar and piano. “They call me the pop guy, I’m the one who writes the pop songs.”

Here’s an interesting tidbit for you — Mocking Shadows’ music is used in the documentary series Kink - yet the band members have not actually seen the show. I’m sure the Mocking Shadows never intended to be purveyors of “porn music.”

Bandleader Rob Phillips says they were told Kink was an expose of the Vancouver street scene. The song in question, ‘Part of Me’, was written about “how awful it is to be depressed in a bar,” so it fits, he says. I wonder what he thinks “kink” means, man? The show features some of the ugliest people you’ve ever seen doing disgusting, albeit consensual, things to each other in some of the seediest settings imaginable. Cue the wah-wah pedal. But then this Calgary band pulled off a career move that makes up for hours of wah-wah on potential porn soundtracks – opening for B.B. King.

“We never really wanted to be a blues band,” Phillips says, “We all enjoy the blues so much, but if people don’t like blues and you’re a blues band, then you don’t really have much chance. We wanted to have something for everybody.”

Phillips hints there may be more high-profile opening shots for Mocking Shadows coming up in 2009 including a possible tour across Canada.

So far, no more porn music.

Wanna check them out for yourself? Well, you have a number of options. You can pick up their music: Long Way or Out of the Blue from Amazon.
Or check them out live! Now, no upcoming shows are listed for Mocking Shadows, but stay tuned — when I get them, you’ll get them!

Mercury Lounge Ottawa Friday May 2nd 7-10:30

Bambi Blue

Rise Ashen: A Shift Towards Long Term Thinking

Published on March 13, 2008 in DJ Music and Producers. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Rise AshenMusician, DJ, Remixer, Martial Artist and BBoy Eric Vani (a.k.a. Rise Ashen) has devoted his life to the study of sound and movement. From his early years as a bboy in Montreal in the late 80’s to his studies at Fanshawe College (North America’s Oldest Recording School) and the Banff Centre for the Arts, Eric’s focus has been on applying hi-fi knowhow to underground music. His record collection spans Rai, Ancient Music, Traditional and Popular African, South American and Asian music, with NuJazz as is his primary focus. As a DJ, he blends it all in a worldy mash and is always the sweaty and dynamic life of the party. He has remixed Bebel Gilberto and Duke Ellington, has collaborated with Juno award winner Miguel Graca, Fred Everything, Trevor Walker, Blissom and Teknostep among others and his music has appeared on the compilations of renowned DJs like Rainer Truby and Roger Sanchez, and has been played by the likes of Masters at Work, Gilles Peterson, Maurice Fulton, Bonobo, ODB, Jimpster and Ted Patterson. You can check out his releases on Afroart, Gotsoul, Dub Fu and Defected among many others (he has about 35 12-inches out now and 7 artist CDs, not to mention countless mixed CDs and a few CBC radio shows called A Nu Jazz Order).

He believes music and dance are essential to human culture and that united, artists can lead humanity towards a more enlightened way of living.

Bambi Blue

The Bible All-Stars at Mercury Lounge Ottawa

Published on March 12, 2008 in Live Music. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

These Ottawa players have honed their skills to a sharp edge as members of bands such as Jimmy George , SuperManchu, and the Patsies. Individually they have performed in Canada, the US, New Zealand and the UK and shared billsTBAS with bands including Wesley Willis, the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, 5440, the Grapes of Wrath, Tupelo ChainSex, Tav Falco, and Spirit of the West.

As 2006 drew to a close, singer/guitarist Morgan Friend and bassist Joel Carlson decided it was time to stop procrastinating and work together. They recruited drummer Tim Connolly and with the addition of guitarist Greg Langille, the sarcastically named Bible All-Stars started playing around Ottawa, recording their first full length disc 1 month later.

The Bible All-Stars’ self-titled debut was recorded and produced by the band in Greg’s dank post-modern basement in May and informally released in July to great fan interest. The debut turned out to be an effortless, but addictive, recording. Honest and gritty with a sound that references Country, Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Punk, it manages to defy definition.

For those of you in the Ottawa area, come and check them out. They’ll be playing at the Mercury Lounge on June 17th with Toronto band Little Foot Long Foot. Great venue, great bands — don’t miss them!

Bambi Blue

The Reds: Enemy At The Gates

Published on March 12, 2008 in DJ Music and Live Review. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The Reds Lyrical masters,The Reds, were conceived and founded in early 2006 by Teddy KGB and Boris the Bad Citizen. I got the opportunity to witness these local boys headline at a live show on March 2nd at The Mercury Lounge in Ottawa, and they were truly awesome. The venue’s split floors were completely packed with Reds’ fans and beat enthusiasts. On stage at The Mercury Lounge were both founders as well as Brother Russia (AKA Ikor Vein), KomRadikL the Czar, Red China, Nick Tesla (AKA Nick Delicious), The Black Russian, and DJ Scratch Marx but The Reds are always looking for others to ‘join the party’ — new members, artists, and any support for their cause.

The RedsAs we wait for The Reds to drop their highly anticipated Odd Angle Music debut, Enemy At The Gates, it seems like these harbingers of Ottawa’s hip hop revolution have decided to give some of their loyal fans a little something to whet their appetites. Now, normally I would say that a mixtape’s rarity alone is worth the price of admission, but this one’s really packed with dynamite. Join The Party drops some straight heat over some sweet semi-stripped down ill beats, skilled blending, and some dark samples. A few shout-outs remind the audience that while this isn’t a real album, if we like what we’re hearing, we’ve got lots to look forward to from these crowd captivators.

Enemy At The Gates – the debut release from Teddy KGB’s own Odd Angle Music label, will be released on March 27th at Babylon Nightclub. It’s sure to be a party, so if you plan on being in the area, be sure to check them out!

27 Mar 2008 10:00pm Babylon Nightclub Ottawa, Ontario

Bambi Blue

Nomadic Massive: Inspiration in Tradition

Published on March 7, 2008 in Live Music. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Introducing Nomadic Massive, the energetic Hip Hop crew from Montreal.

Nomadic Massive

Nomadic Massive is a cross cultural experience that gives you a unique take on hip hop music. The crew mixes together Latin American, French, Creole, Arabic and African influences with a solid underground hip hop base. Their Debut album Nomad’s Land is dropping Oct 23rd on PTR, each song is steeped rich in meaningful wordplay layered with ideas about social justice. Head nodding beats are provided by Lou Piensa, Scott C, Butta Beats and Ali Sepu.

Here is what people are saying about Nomad’s Land:
“…a beautifully packaged nine-track LP, superbly polished, kickin’ outta my speakers all crisp like it was made in a million-dollar L.A. studio…” — Ottawa Xpress
“..the nine track EP is a celebration of the limitless reach of hip hop culture..” — Montreal Mirror

Nomadic Massive @ Montreal Jazz Fest 2007

Ask for Nomad’s Land at your local store or check it on the PTR music store: Nomad’s Land

Or check them out live:
14 Mar 2008 9:00pm Studio Sweatshop Montreal, Quebec

Bambi Blue

Pat Boogie: Real. House. Music.

Published on March 7, 2008 in DJ Music and Producers. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

BoogiePat Boogie has been involved with event planning and promotions in Toronto independently for over 10 years. His company, Boogie Inc., specializes in events with the world’s top DJ’s, musicians and producers in the dance music industry. Over the years Pat has organized events at some of Toronto’s finest venues. Boogie’s events have featured live performances and DJ sets from artists such as Kevin Hedge and Josh Milan of BLAZE, Tony Humphries, Roy Davis Jr., jojoflores, Teelo’s Kitchen, Trevor Walker, Stephane Vera, Richard Brooks, Boo Williams, Glenn Underground, Ray Prasad, Plusgroove, Amalia , Patrick Dream, DJ Cartel, G Money, DJ Romain and many others!

Most recently Pat secured a long weekend residency at The Mod Club for his “Legends Series” of events alongside his business partner Andy Roberts, one of Toronto’s top DJ’s and producers, and owner of acclaimed house music label Mixed Signals Music. Pat and Andy also run an ongoing monthly party known as the “Deep End” Series. The Deep End One Year Anniversary is rapidly approaching and the talent line up (to be announced soon) is nothing short of spectacular! Boogie’s most recent Legends Series event at The Mod Club featured Timmy Regisford, owner of the world famous Club Shelter in New York City. The next Legends Series event at The Mod Club on May 18th will feature Grammy Award winning producer, Frankie Knuckles, The Godfather of House Music. Pat Boogie strives to continue producing unique musical experiences and top notch events with the best talent in the industry. The vibe at Boogie Inc. events is second to none and he is sure to keep the dance floors bumping for many years to come…

Bambi Blue