[Update Nov 12: Now the video has been pulled from StreetCarnage.com. This is all that is left (above).]

Our good friend Pinky of TV Carnage directed the video for Crystal Castles‘ latest hit Vanished. Well it seems the video for Vanished is about to vanish along with apparently a ton of other Crystal Castles “official” music videos.

The only word I’ve heard as to why the video is being pulled is that it has something to do with a “long shitty story…all their management [are] suing each other.”

As much as I want to name drop here and talk about who said what, it’s a rumor so I’m not about to attach credibility to the post by putting official names. But the point remains that the video for Vanished has been forcibly pulled from TransCanadaRadio, and will soon be pulled from the director’s site StreetCarnage.com. Crystal Castles should really let the video continue because Pinky is incredibly talented and with a bigger budget, time and resources, could pull something epic together.

Feel free to comment your support for Pinky’s video and we’ll hopefully send a message to the band and get the video back up. Thanks for the link love Pitchfork!

GOTSOUL RECORDS AND THERAPY PRESENT THE FIRST ANNUAL
MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Leave it JojoFlores and the good people from GotSoul and Therapy to give House lovers the respect of a festival. Closing down the summer could never feel so good. If you don’t believe me check out this House giant all star
THURSDAY AUGUST 28th GOTSOUL SESSIONS at SEGAFREDO
ABICAH SOUL, MIKE FRESCO & LUKE NATIVE

FRIDAY AUGUST 29th SOUL NATION at TIME SUPPERCLUB
KARIZMA, PAT BOOGIE & CHRISTIAN PRONOVOST

FRIDAY AUGUST 29th DANNY BUDDAH MORALES at CHERRY

SATURDAY AUGUST 30th CLASSICS at CHERRY
ANGEL MORAES, JOJOFLORES & SIMON B.

SUNDAY AUGUST 31st THERAPY 9 YR ANNIVERSARY at CHERRY
KENNY BOBIEN, JOE DIPADOVA, MISAYO, JABIG, MIKE FRESCO & TAZZ
Hosted by: Bic, Claudy, Inobe, Stephen Nelson & Metrotalent

Like any respectable DJ worth their weight in vinyl, Vivie-Ann really knows how to work a room. Along with the taste-making mixes she drops nightly on dance floors across the world, the 23-year-old Montreal DJ carries a reputation for orchestrating a spectacular fusion of mischief, music and mayhem. Glitter pranks, moustache parties and bananas that double as phone devices. Even pepperoni pizzas perfectly matched on turntables. Nothing is sacred – except the music. Although she hides her seriousness about the industry fairly well, the girl gets down behind the booth and more recently in the studio.

A six-year student of conservatory piano and a graduate of McGill University’s computer science program, she has the musical education of a mathematically-inclined composer hell-bent on moving mountains in dance music. Her sets cover everything house with a hint of ping or pong – anything that makes hands fly in the air or bouncing to the beat with a perma-smile. She’ll very likely surprise you with her choice of classics. When asked to describe her sound, Vivie-Ann rattles off the description “bump in the night with a little dynamite,” a twinkle in her eye, adding that her sets could also be called “morally immoral.”

With a list of star-studded gigs, appearances and guest spots under her belt, including clients like Cirque du Soleil, Budapest Love Parade and MTV Europe, she currently holds residencies at some of the most celebrated hotspots across the globe, including (but not limited to) Palladium in Acapulco, Hulala in Rome Mokai in Miami, and last year in Ibiza @ Penelope.

The former prom queen has lent her sexy blend of house music to the Fuck Me I’m Famous Party with David Guetta and Bob Sinclair, the Brahma Beer Tour, the Toronto Film Fest and an unlikely collaboration with the Metro 7 clothing line launch for Wal-Mart® that resulted in a massive amount of dirty dancing in the discount superstore’s Miami Beach location.

She has also worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, but we won’t bore you with the laundry list of who’s who. We will tell you about her upcoming releases so you can support them. In October 2006, her first major remix release, an amped-up version of Kobbe & Austin Leed’s “Bodyshaker,” produced alongside witty studio partner Maher KD, was released on Peter Rauhofer’s Star69 Record Label. Other releases are due out on Pure Substance and Mile End Records in early 2007. In the mean time look out for her quirky edits.

Most recently, Vivie-Ann is concentrating on a production journey with her partner, DJ Kevin Barnett for their DJ collective, 02music, and the launch of their new DJ-inclined clothing line, ADD (Addicted DJ Designs).

For Vivie-Ann, it’s a natural progression. She lives for the moment when she converts yet another dance floor, another listener or another participant in this journey we call house.

Upcoming shows:
1 Aug 2008 8:00 dj dj dj @ Moscow
4 Aug 2008 8:00 @ Mykonos
8 Aug 2008 8:00 Circus @ Montreal
9 Aug 2008 8:00 BLOND:ISH@ Circa @ Toronto
13 Aug 2008 8:00 BLOND:ISH @ Cherry @ Montreal
17 Aug 2008 8:00 Ibiza Beach Club @ Montreal

July 12th, 2008 Fame and Therapy launched the Album Release of MIAMI SUNSET SESSIONS featuring Jojoflores from Gotsoul Records & HALO from City Deep Music. Jojoflores is a celebrated Montreal DJ with a signature sound that resonates sweet, soulful melodies and a profound jazzy vibe. He is also highly respected for his rare underground garage house. Jojoflores maintains regular residencies at Cherry (MTL) and Cielo (NYC).

Jojoflores was joined by Toronto DJ, Mat Chrysdale. The CD release took place at Toronto King St. West resto/bar Brassaii.

Purchase MIAMI SUNSET SESSIONS today! Or better yet, hit up the next CD Release party at Tribe Hyper Club (MTL) 10pm Friday July 18th. Jojoflores will be joined by Mike “FU” Fresco.

Amon Tobin is no doubt my favorite producer of all time. From sick futuristic industrial beats to movie sound tracks to video game soundtracks. He’s done it all. I wanted to share with you a little something about Amon’s online store. There’s freebies!!. Full sets pod cast style, all up for grabs!!

Older video entitled Proper Hoodidge from the album Out From Out Where

Over the past decade Amon Tobin has been a lead innovator in his field. He’s a King contributer to the Label “Ninja Tune” and is an ambassador for Montreal music known world wide.

Balkan Beat Box lead members include Tamir Muskat and Ori Kaplan along with a Multiethnic group of musicians Tomer Yosef, Itamar Ziegler, Uri Kinrot (Who I had the fortune to see Jan. 2006 at the Mercury Lounge with an amazing Klezmer band, Boom Pam), Ben Handler, Jeremiah Lockwood, Eyal Talmudi and Peter Hess. Balkan Beat Box also collaborate with a long list of musicians from Bulgaria, Morocco, Spain, Israel, and Palestine. Balkan Beat Box’s diverse membership make for a vast array of classical music styles mixed with dub and electronic . Their high energy, carnival sound played Ottawa Bluesfest Friday July 11th at 7:00 pm on the Bank of America Stage right before heading on their European Tour.

The crowd was mixed. True, strong lovers of the eclectic sound of Balkan Beat Box and early birds wanting a good seat for the 9pm show of Canadian favorites, Great Big Sea. Either way the Balkan Beat Box fans took over!
The front of the crowd was dancing, waving and singing with every song. While the seated folk clapped along in glee!

My favorite parts of the Balkan Beat Box show was their recorded hit songs from their album NU MED from JDUB Records, remixed to high energy dance style mixes. Tomer Yosef (MC, percussion, vocals and sampler) was on fire! Leaping from bass bin speakers, dancing with the crowd playing percussions and mixing live. It was unbelievable! I was not expecting such an innovative performance with a highly cultural sound.

Secondary highlight was meeting the band and having them sign my album! Sweet!!!

Julie Doiron has been one of my favourite Canadian musicians for at least 15 years now. “The Best Thing For Me” is still on every mp3 playlist I ever create. She’s got a very unique voice and I’m super excited to see her play at NXNE next week! This will be the first time I’ve ever seen her perform live – I’ll be sure to give a full report on my girlish-glee filled experience.

Julie Doiron began her career in music in 1990 at the age of 18 in Moncton, New Brunswick playing bass in Eric’s Trip, (name from a Sonic Youth song title) a folky yet psychedelic band that was to become the undisputed underground darling of Canadian Music. Eric’s trip were the first of many maritime Canadians signed to Sub Pop and found international recognition releasing several albums and touring widely. Following 1996’s Purple Blue, Eric’s Trip announced their break-up.

She began to write more of her own songs in 1993 which she released on 7″ and performed solo while still in Eric’s trip. In 1996 as Eric’s Trip found it’s end she released her first solo album titled Broken Girl a temporary moniker Julie adopted to express her feelings at the time. The record was released on her own label Sappy Records. Broken Girl is an intimate record that gave the listener a fuller sense of Julie’s personality and vocal style than Eric’s Trip did. Following Broken Girl, Julie toured on and off throughout Canada for the remainder of the year.

Back at home, she released records by Moonsocket, Orange Glass, Snailhouse, and Elevator to Hell on Sappy. For her second album, “Loneliest in the morning” Julie decided to drop the moniker Broken Girl, as she began a stronger solo career. She recorded “loneliest” in Memphis with Dave Shouse (Grifters), Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), Doug Easley, and Davis McCain. Julie used a variety of new instruments on the record, but maintained her earlier sparse arrangements. The record was released in 1997 on Sub Pop.

Today, Julie Doiron and her husband, artist and painter Jon Claytor moved with their two children from New Brunswick to Montreal Quebec and Julie signed to Tree records in the US. Back in Canada, she maintained her label Sappy and in 1999 she released her EP Will you Still Love Me? which gained much praise for a new maturity. The album featured contributions from her friends from Ottawa’s the Wooden Stars . In March and April of 1999 Julie recorded three vocal tracks for The Wooden Stars The Moon full-length on Matlock Records and photographed the cover artwork. Everything Julie Doiron has done in the past came together on her Fall of 1999 Sappy Records full-length Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars. It is the first album she has recorded with a band since her days with Eric’s Trip. The delicately powerful effect of the Wooden Stars has given Julie’s songs an intensity and vibrancy that was previously only hinted at. On March 12, 2000 Julie won a Juno for Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars and in January the album was released on Tree in the US and in Europe.

In late 1999 Julie published a book of her photographs with New Brunswick’s Broken Jaw Press entitled The Longest Winter with words by Ottawa writer Ian Roy. Julie has long been an avid photographer studying photography at Mount Allison University in Sackville NB, Julie often does and has done her own promotional photos and cover artwork along with her husband, painter Jon Claytor. Jon also wrote and directed Julie’s new video for “Dance Music”. In 2000 Julie has toured Europe, the US and Canada, and recorded three tracks on the latest Tragically Hip record Music@Work as well as working with Hip front man Gord Downie on his solo record Coke Machine Glow. Julie also has three songs on the Shanti projects collection 2 on Badman records.

Be sure to join TransCanadaRadio at the Julie Doiron show!

June 13th 11:00pm The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON

Amy Honey is a Canadian singer/songwriter/rocker/honky-tonk heroine. Born and raised in the wilds of rural Nova Scotia (West Chezzetcook, to be specific), she moved to Vancouver in 1996, and set about turning the town on it’s ear.

In 1998, she joined the ladyrockin’ band, Clover Honey, and together they won CiTR’s 1999 Shindig battle of the bands competition, put out their critically acclaimed Go Horse Go album and toured the length and breadth of Canada several times. Asses were kicked, names were taken, and Amy’s reputation as an entertaining live performer was born.

With the demise of Clover Honey, earlier this century, Amy decided it was time to step out on her own and start calling the tunes herself. In May 2002, she and her partner founded Red Cat Records (a CD store and label), and soon thereafter, she put our her self-titled album. Recorded by Scott Henderson (Atlas Strategic / Nomeansno) at SOS Studios, it featured the additional talents of such musical luminaries as Carolyn Mark, Keith Rose (Hard Rock Miners / Royal Grand Prix) and Garth Johnson (Carolyn Mark & Her Roommates / Beach Mutants). This album saw Amy stepping away somewhat (but not entirely) from her Lady Rockin’ persona and, instead, exploring the Canadian Roots music themes that she grew up with. The Folkpop homage to her misspent youth, Dirtbikin’, received high rotation on CBC radio, and the album was a hit on the Canadian college radio charts.

After much touring… and having appeared on stage with the likes of Howe Gelb, Feist and Mr. Airplane Man, in 2007 Amy released her second album, Pioneer Woman on Self Righteous Records. Recorded by Tolan McNeil (Frog Eyes / Destroyer) at Lucky Mouse Studios, this time she once again brought along good pal Carolyn Mark, in addition to teeing up the multi-talented Gregory Macdonald (Sloan / Peppersands), Diona Davis (Po’ Girl / ESL) and Cal Dick (Neckbeard / Fracas). Delving further into the Country/Folk Noir vibe that infects many artists who live in B.C.’s deep dark rainforest, Pioneer Woman was once again a critic’s favourite, and became a staple on CBC and college radio. Old Reliable Death was selected by CBC Radio 3 as the ideal track to put a stamp on the end of 2007 on New Years Eve, and Pioneer Woman made the top 10 list of albums on CiTR radio.

Buy an album! DO IT!

21 May 2008 21:00 Czehoski w/ Selina Martin Toronto, Ontario
23 May 2008 21:00 Irene’s Pub w/ Slo Tom (from Furnaceface) Ottawa, Ontario

After a highly successful 17 date tour throughout Germany, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland in support of Wishbone Ash in January/February 2008, David has returned to Europe and is currently midway through a string of headline shows that kicked off in March. Not one to rest on his laurels, David has been tearing it up night in and night out, introducing European audiences to his fiery brand of blues/rock that Dutch journalist Barbara van Geffen from Blues Rock Pagina called “absolutely fantastic…one of the best shows we’ve heard this year!

As word continues to spread about the 2007 Juno-nominated guitarist, David continues to work hard in support of the European release of his latest electric CD VIBE on Dixiefrog Records/Cordova Bay Records. The album has received rave reviews, particularly in Germany where it was featured nationally on N-TV, the German equivalent of CNN, alongside Ringo Starr, Chris Rea and J.J. Cale. David was also showcased on German national television as part of a Wishbone Ash special filmed in Hamburg for KUNO’s (the former owner of the famous Star Club, where The Beatles used to play) well watched program. “Something Ain’t Right”, the first single in Germany, was added to mainstream radio throughout the country and lead to a wealth of interviews and live acoustic appearances for David throughout the tour. David will also be featured in the May 2008 issue of Guitar magazine in Germany

Success breeds success and as a result, David has been invited to return to Germany to perform as support for world renowned UK guitar legend, Robin Trower, whom David has been a fan of for many years. The tour sees David revisit a number of the venues he performed with Wishbone Ash and gives his many new fans the chance to see him perform again. For specific dates and venues, see below!

May 5 – 9 Hornby Island Blues Camp Hornby Island, BC
May 31 Vancouver Community College Vancouver, BC
June 27 & 28 The Blue Grotto Kamloops, BC
August 8 L’ille En Blues Festival St-Laurent de L’ille D’Orleans, QC

Serena Ryder is just 24. But her voice, a deep, bluesy, soulful instrument that has drawn comparisons to Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin, makes her sound much older. She also appears wise beyond her years, blessed with an intelligence and confidence that came across in her songs on Unlikely Emergency, her critically acclaimed independent album. She’s definitely an old soul. Ryder’s extraordinary major-label debut, If Your Memory Serves You Well, involves no time-traveling or reincarnation. But it does feature the native of Millbrook, Ontario covering vintage Canadian songs-some of them written more than 70 years before she was born-with remarkable authority. From Shelton Brooks’ “Some of These Days,” recorded by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday,” to Percy Faiths’ “My Heart Cries for You,” previously recorded by Ray Charles and Ben E. King, Ryder sings with enough passion and conviction to make them her own. She delivers a stunning rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Sisters of Mercy” and a scorching version of “This Wheel’s on Fire,” which Bob Dylan co-wrote with The Band’s Rick Danko.

If Your Memory Serves You Well is as much a testament to Ryder’s talent as it is a tribute to the enduring strength of these songs. She takes “Boo Hoo,” a playful 1937 number co-written by Guy Lombardo’s brother Carmen, and turns it into a funky romp that is both campy and highly contemporary. And she makes “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream,” Ed McCurdy’s 1949 anti-war anthem sound as relevant and emotionally vital as the day it was written. One of the album’s most buoyant numbers is “Good Morning Starshine,” Galt MacDermott’s joyous anthem from the 1967 hippie musical Hair, co-written with the show’s creators, which Ryder captures in all its feel-good glory. “It’s amazing how much this material makes more sense the older it gets,” says Ryder. “A lot of the songs speak to the political time in which they were written, but they also resonate with what’s going on today. That’s the mark of a great song.” Ryder had no reservations about tackling material by other artists, even though she’s a songwriter herself. For her, it’s “all about beginnings.” She points out that “Morning Dew,” the apocalyptic vision made famous by Rod Stewart and The Grateful Dead, was the first song ever written by a young Toronto folksinger named Bonnie Dobson. Similarly, “You Were On My Mind” marked Sylvia Tyson’s debut as a songwriter. “A lot of performers wait until later in their careers to pay homage to other composers,” says Ryder. “Why should you have to wait? Why not start with songs that have stood the test of time and are so awe-inspiring? I’m at the beginning of my career and I want to learn from the best of them.”

The genesis of If Your Memory Serves You Well can be traced to legendary Canadian music publisher Frank Davies, who founded the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Ryder was one of the artists that was asked to perform at the CSHF 2005 press conference to announce the following year’s inductees. Davies was so impressed by Ryder’s musical gifts that he suggested she record a collection of Canadian gems-some inducted, others Hall of Fame-worthy. Working with producer Steve Mackinnon, they considered about 500 songs before narrowing the list down to 45 and settling on 12 for the album. Ultimately, there was little disagreement. “With only a couple of exceptions, Frank, Steve and I all chose the same dozen songs,” says Ryder, adding “some things really are just meant to happen.” Since the album is all about beginnings, If Your Memory Serves You Well also features three of Ryder’s earliest and most important songs, all produced by Rhys Fulber. “Just Another Day,” a powerful declaration of self-determination, was first recorded on Unlikely Emergency, while “Weak at the Knees” is a more recent heart-wrenching confessional number. As for “Out of the Blue,” it’s an infectious love song that Ryder co-wrote with Canadian iconic rocker Randy Bachman. Taking Ryder’s musical story right back to its start, the album also includes a recording she made of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day” when she was seven. Even at that early age, the power of her voice is readily apparent.

Ryder comes from strong musical roots. Her Canadian mother was a touring backup singer and go-go dancer, while her Trinidadian father was a percussionist and guitarist with the Caribbean folk outfit The Tradewinds. After recording a live EP in 2002 at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec, Ryder was discovered when Canadian pop iconoclast Hawksley Workman heard her on CBC Radio and immediately contacted her. Workman signed her to his Isadora Records label and issued 2004’s Unlikely Emergency, which quickly garnered rave reviews as Ryder toured music festivals across North America and as far away as Down Under. The Boston Globe was impressed by her “outstanding” vocal range and predicted she’d become a “major force,” while Australia’s Brisbane Mail Courier credited her “maturity” and her three-octave voice that “sometimes soars, growls and then curls up around the notes like a lazy cat.” If Your Memory Serves You Well will expose Ryder’s talent to an even wider audience. “Doing this record is a really important step for me in my career because I’m learning so much from performing this material,” says Ryder, who adds that covering songs like Zal Yanovsky’s Lovin’ Spoonful nugget “Coconut Grove” and Paul Anka’s “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” struck strong personal chords. “This music feels very natural to me,” she says. “When I sing these songs, I’m really singing what I need to be singing right now.” Clearly, the songs have inspired Ryder, but she, in turn, has breathed new life into these timeless Canadian classics.

“Weak In The Knees”

If you’re in the neighbourhood, she’s definitely worth checking out!
June 12 – 15 Bonaroo Manchester, TN
July 19 & 20 MHM Fest Denver, CO
July 26 Winspear – Leonard Cohen Tribute Edmonton, AB
August 8 - 10 Edmonton Folk Festival Edmonton, AB