The Magnetic Fields have released what’s probably their first video since 1995′s “With Whom To Dance.” It’s for the lead single to their upcoming album Love at the Bottom of the Sea. The description for the video at The Magnetic Fields’ website, The House of Tomorrow says…

Our music video for ‘Andrew in Drag’ premiered today on NPR’s ‘All Songs Considered.’ Watch Claudia and Stephin rotate on a lazy Susan while Darrell Thorne and Stormy Leather transform themselves with lipstick and pomade. Scott Valins directed, and the video is NSFW, if your workplace doesn’t appreciate nudity.

I like that they capitalized “Susan” as now I’m picturing them rotating on a lazy Susan Anway¹.

1. The original vocalist for The Magnetic Fields

I woke up around midnight, and refused to move in the hopes I could fall back asleep, I failed, but by six am I gave up on my goal, and instead grabbed my laptop. There I saw this tweet from Dave Ullrich…

I remember last year debating very hard, should I buy Rick White’s 137? See, I had just purchased it on vinyl, but it didn’t come with a download code. That’s something I’d usually remedy with piracy, but since only one hundred thirty seven people know who Rick White is, I couldn’t find a torrent. I was tempted by the sale price of $4.44, but didn’t buy a second copy of his record.

This year however, I did buy 137, and quite a few other albums for only $4.44. I suggest you head over to Zunior and spend some money, too. Support Canadian music.

I purchased:

All Time Favourites
Al Tuck
I’ve heard Al Tuck’s name floating around since his days on Sloan’s Murderecords, but I had never actually heard his music, unless covered by others. This is, I believe, a “greatest hits” if one could call it that. Not a bad place to start.
Buy on Zunior

Download audio file (12-Big-O-Me.mp3)

B-Sides
The Inbreds
I’ve been an Inbreds fan for quite some time. Went to see them in Toronto when they played their first reunion show. Later I would see them again after a long drive to Kingston where they played another reunion. This is a collection of b-sides, including some covers like “Cathy’s Clown.” Drummer Dave Ullrich is also the same Dave Ullrich who owns Zunior.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (03-Cathys-Clown-Cover.mp3)

Brighter Lives, Darker Side
Dale Murray
I’ve been a fan of Dale Murray’s for quite some time. One of my first times in The Horseshoe Tavern was to see his band, The Guthries, performing. Since then he now plays with Cuff The Duke, and has appeared on countless records playing pedal steel. This is his solo record that I’ve been meaning to purchase for a while.
Buy on Zunior

Download audio file (04-When-Its-Gone.mp3)

City Lights Align
Wayne Petti
This one I’ve already listened to this morning. It’s a Wayne Petti record. If you like Cuff The Duke, the band Petti fronts, you’ll like this record. It’s very simply Wayne Petti.
Buy on Zunior

Download audio file (03-Here-Is-My-Heart.mp3)

Darkness -> Light
Elevator
I’ve never heard this record. it could be brilliant, it could be horrible. Elevator were hit or miss. I don’t expect it to be as brilliant as A Taste of Complete Perspective, but there should be a song or two of brilliance on here.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (01-Youre-a-Deep-Dark-Hole.mp3)

Désormais
Julie Doiron
I have had a semi-complete illegal copy of this album sitting on my computer for years. It’s never been my favourite of Doiron’s records, a bit too fey for my tastes, it’s also in French, which leaves something missing for someone who doesn’t speak the language. What I was missing however was her song “Le Piano”  which I always love when she plays it live. I figured this was an opportunity to rectify my pirating ways.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (05-Le-Piano.mp3)

Food for the Moon
Al Tuck
Once again, I know none of Tuck’s music, but thought, why not? Everyone seems to like him, and he did have the best band name ever back in the 90s… “Al Tuck & No Action.”
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (11-Queen-of-the-Isle.mp3)

Gadzooks
Doctor Ew
Looking through the notes on the record, I discovered that my friend Ruhee plays on the record. This is buy Drew Smith… Drew, get it, Dr. Ew… yeah, not so clever. Drew Smith used to be co-frontman of The Bicycles with Matt Beckett (no relation to the playwright or time traveller). Smith’s songs with the Bicycles were always poppy and fun, so I’m excited to hear this one.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (04-To-Be-Your-Man.mp3)

Hard Feelings
Gabriel Minnikin
I’ve been a fan of Minnikin’s since he joined The Guthries. While I had gone out and purchased all of Ruth Minnikin’s records as she released them, I didn’t even know Gabe had released some solo records until a couple years ago. By then, I wasn’t sure where to start.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (03-Wheres-My-Tea.mp3)

Have Not Been The Same Volume 1: Too Cool to Live, Too Smart to Die
Various
I’ve recently started reading Have Not Been The Same. This is the a tribute album featuring covers of artists like Sloan, Inbreds, Rheostatics, Eric’s Trip, The Tragically Hip, Northern Pikes, Men Without Hats, etc. as covered by Gentleman Reg, The Burning Hell, Great Lake Swimmers, Cuff The Duke, Kevin Drew, etc.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (01-Pop-Goes-the-World-Men-Without-Hats.mp3)

Heart Attack
Woodhands
This was the first records I listened to upon downloading. Why? It was the first in my download queue. Holy shit, it’s fucking amazing. I’ve never owned a Woodhands album, but always liked them. Never seem them live, but liked the snippets I’ve heard here and there. This dancey-fun record is amazing.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (01-Dancer.mp3)

Hooded Fang
Hooded Fang
I’ve heard fantastic things about these guys, to the point that I even bought it for a friend once. About time I buy myself a copy.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (01-Younger-Days.mp3)

A Midautumn Night’s Dream
Dale Murray, Nathan Lawr, Ruth Minnikin, Ryan Bishops & Kate Maki
In front of a tour that Murray, Lawr, Minnikin, Bishops, and Maki  did they recorded an album in a day to sell on the tour. I missed either this or the Midwinter tour, don’t recall, but I never got their of the records. Didn’t think I’d ever get a chance to buy it, but apparently it’s been available on Zunior for some time.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (05-To-Please.mp3)

A Midwinter Night’s Dream
Ruth Minnikin, Dale Murray, Kate Maki, Ryan Bishops, & Nathan Lawr
See above.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (09-Behind-Bars.mp3)

The More We Get Together
Harmony Trowbridge
One of my former coworkers did some work with Trowbridge at some point, and he suggested I check this out. Recalling that, I decided to buy the record. What? It’s $4.44!
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (06-Its-Your-Funeral.mp3)

Proof of Love
Old Man Luedecke
When I was in Fredericton, sharing a pint with former-Guthrie Serge, he suggested that while in Halifax I check out Old Man Luedecke. Timing didn’t seem to match up perfectly, I think I was in Charlottetown the night he was playing in Halifax. I still haven’t heard him, but I’ve heard others speak very highly of him.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (06-Big-Group-Breakfast.mp3)

The Secret Sessions
Various
I’m not a Rheostatics fan… STOP YELLING AT ME! I just never got into them. Sure, I like everything I’ve ever heard of theirs, but I don’t own any of their records. This is a tribute album feature many artists I love like The Inbreds and Local Rabbits performing songs of The Rheostatics, maybe this will kick me in the ass.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (09-Claire.mp3)

Sister
Sister
Sister is a new project by Carla and Lynette Gillis and Ryan Myshrall. The Gillis sisters are probably best known as being in Plumtree back in the ’90s. Their song “Scott Pilgrim” named a series of comic books and feature film. Myshrall is best known as bass player for the Local Rabbits. I was disappointed. The EP didn’t really grab me.
Buy on Zunior

Download audio file (02-Wishbone.mp3)

The Virginian
Neko Case & The Boyfriends
Ahh, Neko. I love Neko. This is her first record. I once took this and Furnace Room Lullabyes up to the cash register at Sam’s and asked, “which should I buy?” I was told to buy Furnace Room, and took his advice. I’ve yet to listen to this one, but I don’t know if I’d be so in love with Neko if I had bought The Virginian. I do notice one of the songs is written by Matt Murphy, so I’m excited.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (1-07-Honky-Tonk-Hiccups.mp3)

Wandering Midnight
Gabriel Minnikin
When it’s so cheap, why not buy two records by your second favourite Minnikin¹?
Buy on Zunior

Download audio file (05-Johnny-Walker.mp3)

Whale Music
Rheostatics
Remember when you all were freaking out that I didn’t own a Rheostatics record? Well, I fixed it… HAPPY?!?!?! Read the book, seen the movie, about time I own the record.
Buy on Zunior

Download audio file (01-Self-Serve-Gas-Station.mp3)

137
RickWhiteAlbum
Rick White double album I already owned on vinyl, nice to have a digital copy.
Buy on Zunior 

Download audio file (11-Cruel-Song.mp3)

1. Note to Gabe: I’m sorry that I had passed over your solo career for so long, it wasn’t mean maliciously.

The second night, however, I did attend. Starting off the show was Bonjay, a three-piece, who were fun, and danceable. I’d definitely go see them again, probably wouldn’t buy the record as it’s not my kind of home music. I was standing at the front with some awesome friends, ex-lovers¹, and some newbies. After the first act, I saw some more people I know up in the balcony. All I could think were 1) OMG! Great vantage point! 2) Leaning on railing would be so much better than standing 3) I could sit if I wanted.

These were all very excellent reasons. So I ended up joining Mechanical Forest Joe, History Jen, and a newbie to my life, but one who I have seen at thousands of Toronto concerts before² I made new friend. It also gave me the opportunity to send creepy tweets like:

and:

Yes I’m a strange man.

So Ohbijou played next. They were better than I remember. Still somewhat boring, but not bad, just not my thing. I think many people would like them… just not me.

Then came a surprise band… well, it was a surprise to me, as no one told me they were playing… yes the RURAL. ALBERTA. ADVANTAGE.

I haven’t seen then in, like, forever!

They were so fucking good. I was dancing like crazy, and singing along, and I was surprised at how well I knew all the new songs. Most importantly, from above, I had a great view to partake in Paul Banwatt’s drumming skills. He’s a fun drummer to watch, and I usually am not too interested in drummers.

Finally we had the headliners. You might have heard of them… Sloan.

They were playing their 1996 album One Chord To Another. Yes, the first album of theirs I ever bought, yes they were playing the complete record in sequence. So of course they started with…

I could list you the full tracklist of the album, but you can find that here… linky.

Sure they kinda fucked up “Autobiography” and “Can’t Face Up” but they also amazed me with nearly everything else. They also had a horn section for their hit “Everything You’ve Done Wrong” and fan-favourite “Take The Bench.”

For the encore they brought out Damian Abraham and then Leslie Feist. It was fucking awesome. Awesome? YES!

I ran into Martina… YES! MartyZ was in Toronto! She told me that  she saw me in the balcony rocking out, and realized that since it was a set completely of 20th century Sloan, it was the perfect show for me. She was totally right.

Thanks Chris, thanks Jay, thanks Patrick, thanks Andrew, also thanks to Greg.

1. Well, okay singular.
2. Number may be exaggerated.

Yay! My 400th post!

Last night, I was watching live videos of Julie Doiron, pretty much non-stop. It’s been a few months since I’ve seen her perform live and I guess I’m itching for another Doiron show¹. Really? Two months is as long as I can go without a Julie Doiron show? I’m spoiled.

This morning, upon continually flipping past songs I didn’t want to hear, I gave up, and then remembered Julie, so I put my Julie Doiron collection on random.

As I arrived at work, this song was playing. I couldn’t turn it off, I sat in the car until it finished.

I long for snow. Soon.

Here is a copy of that beautiful song, for your beautiful ears.

1. Joe should send me a copy of that in-store.

From the opening salvo of drum and guitar, Janet Weiss’ drums pound out a heart thumping beat which actually speeds up my heart as I hear it. Kind of makes me feel slightly sick to my stomach. This didn’t happen with the original 7″ version, but certainly does with the new, faster, album version. Carrie Brownstein’s thumping guitar, and soon comes in Mary Timony’s lead guitar.

It makes me feel slightly ill, but it’s still one of the best songs, ever.

It’s my sister’s birthday on Tuesday, and it was my birthday on Wednesday. Every year our birthdays are six days apart. This causes a single celebration of our birthdays. We ate. Mmm. Shira made cupcakes, they were good.

Then I went home, and changed. I put on a shirt, a sweater vest, a bow tie, and my Scrabble cuff links (thanks Emily), I also wore pants.

I went across the street, and met up with Nat, and we headed to aL’s place. Nat was wearing an excellent scrabble board costume, which had the problem/wonderfulness that everyone had to touch her boobs to play. She seemed to enjoy it. I enjoyed wearing matching cuff links. aL had an amazing costume. It was simply a shirt that said “I <3 Bob” and a name tag that said “Alexandra.” She was a Price is Right contestant!!! Allegra was there, and she was dressed as Jem, again, BORING. Ruhee was there, and dressed as a TTC employee, with an official TTC tie. I played her my TTC door chime ringtone. Dom was there, as an Irish guy, I didn’t inquire further.

The best part was hanging out in the kitchen when the door open and in walks this guy wearing a familiar jacket with elbow patches… perched on his head is a fez. I yell out “fezzes are cool.” He spins around, and replies “Yes they are,” notices my bow tie, and says “and so are bow ties.”

My night was complete.

There are times I feel that concerts are really just an excuse to see a large group of awesome people. That seems to be exactly what happened last night. Marta took my extra ticket, and while I’ve known that cute Polish doctor for probably 5 or 6 years now, we’ve never actually met in person. It was nice to finally meet her, and she brought along her sister Joanna (who I actually hang out with in person frequently), Jon (Jo’s man), and a friend of Jo I had never met before. Seeing as we’re a group of five, we somehow found a chain of seven seats together in the eighth row. We held onto those extra two seats, as I knew many others were going to be there. Eventually we saw Mari and Phil looking for a pair of seats, so I waved them over, and it was an awesome sevensome.

During the first opening act, I got a text from my friend Julie who was also there, a few rows behind me. Between acts I squeezed out and chatted with her in the lobby. Then we noticed the second opener was playing, and I squeezed back through to my seat. I realized at this point, I probably planned poorly by sitting so far in… should’ve taken the aisle seat.

The first opening act was members of Mangan’s band led by his drummer. They played some good songs, but nothing thrilled me. I also noticed at this point that it really hurt to clap my hands and pondered that maybe I should go get an x-ray. It’s been a week.

The second openers were okay. I liked their harmonies, the rest didn’t really thrill me, but it was then I started getting texts from Caity who apparently was also there. Much like Julie, she was able to spot me in the crowd. I know I’m giant, but am I really that easy to spot in a large and somewhat full theatre? I couldn’t find that tiny blonde girl, but between acts she came over and we chatted. She seems to like her new job next door to my current (and her former) place of employment. We made plans for a lunch date or three.

After that I saw Frank of Chromewaves fame. We didn’t have much time left to chat, as the band was just about starting to perform, but I will see him tomorrow at the Blogger Brunch! WOOT!

Dan Mangan played music. His set was comprised mostly of material from his latest album Oh, Fortune and his previous album Nice Nice, Very Nice. While I’ve been liking the new album, it hasn’t really jumped at me like Nice Nice, Very Nice did. The songs work extremely well live and the band were tight.

I was surprised that he leaned so heavily on songs from Nice Nice, Very Nice, but I’m also happy about that, as the songs were so good. The audience was singing along to songs new and old, and at a few points, someone in the audience got ahead of Dan, bring laughs to everyone. Specifically during “Basket.” Mangan seems to be a born entertainer, his charming ways are a perfect frontman’s persona. There really are very few shows as entertaining as a Dan Mangan shows.

Went to see The Dum Dum Girls at Lee’s Palace. I’m glad I didn’t take my camera with me, as both the Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls decided not to use lights, and instead projected patterns of light on stage. Any pic would’ve looked like shit.

When I got there, I found Mechanical Forest Joe ((Joe, I’m calling you this now.)) was there, too, as usual. I had someone to chat with, and it’s someone awesome. The opener came out in a lovely dress, but that was the highlight of the act. She played some shitty drum loops, and played a single heavily distorted chord over it. Then she sang, something.

The came Crocodiles. I only knew them from the fact that one of them duets on The Dum Dum Girls’ first record. It’s a song that came up randomly one day in iTunes, and I thought it was The 6ths, if that gives you an idea of what I thought of the song. So, I was excited to hear them. They were loud and distorted, but good. They had a Velvet Underground charm. Their songs were fun and danceable.

Afterwards, The Dum Dum Girls played a set, comprised mostly of new songs. Sadly Dancing-Guy was getting a bit close to me, but he didn’t take much away from the show. The songs were performed well, and the new record is fun, if not as good as their first. The songs are simplistic, but good old fashioned rock and roll… and the legs! Va-va-va-voom! Better legs than the Dum Dum Boys.

Last night I went to a weird alley in Kensington which in turn led to a staircase up to a strange bar I’ve never been in.  It was a packed house where Rob Benvie of Thrush Hermit fame was to be reading from his new novel. I didn’t quite understand why the place was so packed, but I quickly found Natalia and Tim and hung out with those two for a while. After hanging around for a while, we spotted Val, in the audience, and chatted with her. Turns out she’s in a choir called Choir! Choir! Choir! who were performing that night. In addition, about 70% of the audience were also in Choir! Choir! Choir!

Benvie read a portion of his book, and I still hate being read to. It’s this weird problem I have, nothing against his prose. As he was finishing his reading, Choir! Choir! Choir! made their way up on the stage, and packed it like sardines. Suddenly the bar seemed empty. They performed two songs from the 1990s (when the book is set), one I didn’t recognize, and “Waterfalls” the TLC song, not the Paul McCartney song.

After that Benvie read more from his book, and shortly afterwards, a new band took the stage featuring Matt Murphy of Super Friendz/Flashing Lights fame. They played a handful of songs that were okay, but didn’t sound too tight. There was a large amount of feedback, leaving much of the audience with fingers in their ears. Who goes to club shows without earplugs? It really wasn’t anything special.

From there I had a quick walk up Augusta to College where I went to Rancho Relaxo. Closing the night at Rancho was Different Skeletons, a band featuring three awesome dudes, two of which are named Daniel. Unfortunately there were still two bands playing sets, and they both kinda sucked. So I spent those hours talking with Different Skeletons, their ladies, and other assorted friends.  Most of the time was with Julie and (drummer) Dan¹. I’ve known Juile for years now, and about a year ago, she and Dan had a party at their place. I was chatting with Julie in the hallway, when Jamie walks by. Turns out that Jamie and (guitarist) Daniel’s band Fat City had lost their drummer and now formed Different Skeletons with Dan. It was slightly to weird to see two very distinct aspects of my life merge in an unexpected way, but it made for more opportunities to hang out with friends.

Different Skeletons then set up their gear on the dance floor, and performed a set which was sloppy at first, but got much better as the band went on. Dan’s drums were super loud, being immediately beside the audience, but fortunately ear plugs were invented. At first you couldn’t hear Jamie’s guitar, until about halfway through his songs². The performances got better until their poorly attempted cover of Joel Plaskett’s “Nowhere With You.” All in all a fun set.

After an hour or two of goodbyes, I realized that the TTC was closed, and I didn’t want to cab back home, so I started walking east along College. From there I went to Queen’s Park. The Legislature is beautiful at night. I wandered the grounds of the Legislature and looked at the many statues in Queen’s Park.

From there I continued walking east, until I collapsed in my bed.

1. Julie pops up from time to time in the site header, she’s the cute super-skinny girl.
2. Jamie and Daniel swap guitar and bass, playing one person’s songs, then the other’s.

This month I turn 30. To mark such a remarkable event, I’m spending every day of October drenched in awesome-sauce.

Ahh, Wild Flag. I’ve been waiting for this. This is the one event I was truly waiting for. The other events were/will be okay, but man this was… this was… THIS WAS ROCKTOBER!