3 Concerts in 3 Days on One Entry – S05E19

Part 3 – November 7, 2009
After two nights at Mavericks Bar, the third concert I went was at Babylon Nightclub. I went to see Ohbijou with Silver Starling and Giant Hand. Before I write about Ohbijou’s performance, I went to Canteen Art Shop + Gallery for another Bands Undone session and it was none other than Silver Starling. In a way, I got see them two times. Silver Starling is a Montreal indie pop/rock band. I got to say that their music style is similar to Arcade Fire and Young Galaxy. After the session, I did not know that some of the members are closely linked to Arcade Fire and one was formerly with Young Galaxy. Oddly enough that Young Galaxy was in town for a concert. As previously mentioned that there’s so many great concerts in November.
All I can say that it was great to see the two Brian’s at Canteen. I couldn’t have been happy to see people around and have fun chatting.
I had the chance to interview two members of Ohbijou for another future airing on my radio show at CKCU-FM. There were a few goof ups during the interview, which will be edited out. Onto their performance, as usual, the crowd was packed and it was even hot (temperture-wise) during their set. Their encore set was excellent as Howie and Rolf of The Acorn helped out.
Overall, great show but the lightning was tough to shoot and I usually don’t use flash a lot.
You can view the photo by clicking to this link.
Now, I can finally rest up after three days of craziness and taxi riding late in the night.
Here is the video I taped when they sang St.Francis.

You Say Party! We Say Die! Interview & Final Funding Drive Show as Guest Host – S05E18

I did not expect to do another solo hosting as guest/fill-in on CKCU-FM. Supposedly, I was going to co-host and then solo host the half hour from 11.00-11.30am. I think it’s my final time to be hosting during the Funding Drive, 2009 edition. It was fun while it lasted. Hopefully, the station’s goal needs to be $109,000 by Sunday.
I hope you will enjoy the interview with Becky Ninkovic of You Say Party! We Say Die! It was done on October 22, 2009 at Sounds Unlikely, a local music store and it was their first live acoustic performance. I made a few goof ups in the interview because I was recovering from my sore throat. It was last minute to check them out because I didn’t know they would be making a stop in Ottawa. In a way, I rushed things for creating the questions. One unaired blooper had me saying, “You Say Party! You Say Die!” I did some further editing using Apple’s Garageband. I can say that I feel pleased that I fixed up the interview and probably one of my favorite interviews, aside from a few goof ups. I’m so hooked on their album, XXXX. Their songs are just catchy. For anyone liking New Wave music, it’s a must for anyone who love the 80s and possibly 90s New Wave genre.
Aside from the interview from the radio show, I played three songs connecting to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the long list nominees for CBC Radio 3’s Bucky Awards, 2009 edition.

Well, here’s the You Say Party! We Say Die! interview.
Press Play or Download it.

Here’s Wednesday’s show, press play to listen.

Don’t forget that the playlist is on http://wildworks.wordpress.com/radio/.

Two Hours Traffic Radio Interview – S05E17

Well, it was a decent radio show for a Monday afternoon. Started off with a silly music, money related, nuff said. There was a bit of a mishap or delay playing a few songs. I tried to talk more and more to get people to donate or pledge. Supposedly, I get another reprieve for CKCU’s Funding Drive as I add another show for Wednesday morning. I will be airing the You Say Party! We Say Die! interview instead of next Monday. This will be crazy because I will be going to the Elliott Brood concert on Thursday, Immaculate Machine concert on Friday and Ohbijou concert on Saturday. I will have the opportunity to interview the three bands.
Here’s the November 2nd edition of my radio show.
Press Play to listen.

Also posted separately is the interview with Two Hours Traffic.
Press Play or Download it.

A Library Fades Into The Loving Machine – S05E16

Happy Halloween!
Friday night, I went to LiVE Lounge to check out three music acts but I did not know there was a fourth act to the list. That was In-Flight Safety. It’s my second time to go to LiVE Lounge. I forgot to mention in my previous post when I first went to LiVE Lounge, I encountered a radio host from LiVE 88.5. At first, I didn’t who she was as I rarely listen to that station. She said I was from CKCU-FM, which surprised me but she was kind to have me stay there and wait until I got to interview Said The Whale. Her name is Chelsea Miller. She seems like an awesome radio host and it’s nice she’s getting to know Canadian indie acts like Said The Whale and Library Voices.
OK, onto the concert. It started off with Julie Fader. Her set was soft, mellow and filled with folk styled music. She was joined by members of In-Flight Safety for some parts of her performance. All I can say is that she’s very talented. If you didn’t know, she’s also with the Great Lake Swimmers. I got a chance to do an interview with Julie Fader which will be airing sometime in November.
After Julie Fader was Ottawa’s The Love Machine. As usual with them, they were always rocking and very energetic. They still had a good crowd for their set.
Lastly, on to Library Voices, they were totally amazing because they kept jumping around, breaking a tambourine, going to the crowds and etc. They were totally crazy and the crowd just loved it. It was awesome when Library Voice got Julie Fader and In-Flight Safety to sing their final song. Even the radio host was probably surprised by their performance. I had an opportunity to do an interview with two of the members and will be aired sometime in November.
The funny thing was that it’s the second time I went to a concert where the bands say that Ottawa is the final concert of their tour. It must be lucky to have bands end in the Nation’s Capital.
Lastly, one funny note before the concert at LiVE Lounge, I saw a couple of members from Library Voices using a MacBook Pro. It’s the one that I currently have, the 13″ model. It’s pretty funny that it’s almost like Apple central.
Check out the photo by clicking here.

Spiral Beach Interview and My First Funding Drive Show – S05E15

Added another radio show for Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Today (Monday) was my 2nd and abbreviated edition of my radio show. It was suppose to be 30 minutes but it got extended a bit longer because the alternating Monday host was running late. My main important thing was airing the Spiral Beach interview.
I made so many blunders for the first funding drive show on CKCU-FM. I will be on for 90 minutes next Monday and if you want make a pledge during my show from 2.30-4pm (Eastern time), please do so! The number to call to make a donation is 613-5203920 and outside of Ottawa is 1-877-5203920. I had the opportunity to meet a few of the CKCU hosts and volunteers as they were taking their own time of the day to answering phone call pledges.
If you want to listen to my condensed show, just press play.

Here’s my interview with Spiral Beach.
Play Play or Download it.

Playlist is already posted up.

Update for Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
I co-hosted on Audio Sensory Resuscitation with Mike for his Funding Drive Show.
Play Play to listen.

You Say Party! We Say Die! at a Record Shop Performance – S05E14

It was unexpected for me to go to Sounds Unlikely (a local music store) at noon to check out You Say Party! We Say Die! Oh boy, I almost got their name wrong because instead of the “We”, I still say the “You.”
It’s another B.C. band who I haven’t got a chance to see them live previously but I was lucky to see them live in an acoustic environment. It’s different when a band performs at a store as it brings an intimate atmosphere. They sang several songs from their previous and current album, XXXX. There was two song from the current album that I can remember from today, one was Make XXXX and the other was Laura Palmer’s Prom. It’s funny how the second song is pop culture related. Twin Peaks anyone?
The last song they sang was Monster from their previous album, Lose All Time. One cute moment was when the lead singer used someone’s mittens and sang during the set. I forgot the song name but it was funny seeing the singer improvise.

I had the opportunity to do an audio interview with the lead singer of YSP!WSD! and it will be on a future broadcast on my radio show at CKCU. Speaking of errors, I found out I will be alternating on Mondays but I will still be on every Mondays but one will be for 30 mins and the following Monday will be 90 mins. I will still deliver interviews from musicians and bands since I got several lined up.
Here are photos I took from the show, click here to view the pictures.

Here is a Youtube clip I took of them doing the song, Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule!
Funny they did a funny puppet show.

Where The Wild Things Are – S05E13

It’s been awhile I have written an entry that doesn’t relate to music. I got to watch Where The Wild Things Are and the Surrogates on cheap Tuesday at South Keys Cineplex Odeon. The slight downer for cheap Tuesday was that it used to be $4.20 (very funny) and it is now $5.26. Supposedly, we were going to watch Where The Wild Things first but my friend was running late and decided to watch Surrogates first and then Where The Wild Things Are.
What did I think of Surrogates? I did not know it’s based on a graphic novel and being a comic reader, I wouldn’t have a clue about it. Overall, I was surprised with the movie since I rarely watch Bruce Willis flicks. What was surprising was that there was no swearing in the film and I usually think of Bruce Willis swearing a lot. Even though, it got mixed reviews, I found the plot gets interesting when Bruce Willis’s character beings an aspect and understanding of humanity.

Onto Where The Wild Things Are. It’s a nice movie for grown-ups who read the book when they were young. Since I heard the book version is short, the director sure made an ambitious way of expanding and introducing the main character. It was nice to see the beast in real form. The way they were shown had a Muppet feel and it was. It felt like it was magical seeing the beasts from book to film. The filming location looked amazing and the effects seemed to be kept to a minimum. There’s a slight criticism with the shakiness of the camera work. I was a bit dizzy having to deal with it.
Would I recommend to younger children? Well, there was one scary scene when the music became dark. It’s best when they are accompanied by parents. Overall, the movie is fun to watch, even though the story felt a bit limited in parts.
As for the music, it’s nice to listen to the music style of Karen O. (of Yeah Yeah Yeahs) throughout the movie. It’s very cheerful having to hear it. I’m still disappointed that Wake Up by Arcade Fire is not on the soundtrack.
One of my regrets to Where The Wild Things Are was that there was the action figures made by McFarlane Toys. They were released in 2000 and I didn’t get to buy any due to the price at that time. They are now difficult to find and probably in high value.

Speaking of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Karen O. related, I’m surprised that CBC Radio 3 used my photo from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert at Ottawa Bluesfest. In a way, I am flattered by it. Thank you, CBC Radio 3. Here’s the link, http://r3.ca/00cP
Enjoy!

My Debut Radio Show With Said The Whale Interview & A Sore Throat – S05E12

It couldn’t happen at a bad time when I get a sore throat on my debut regular radio show on CKCU. That’s right, I am now on from 2.30 to 4pm on Mondays. I replace Horses Spilled Milk and Kristal’s Method as I am still saddened that the hosts aren’t around. I made shoutouts to you all, so you better listen. It’s a daunting task to play good songs. Well, to get excited over the debut show, I aired my interview with Said The Whale (photo above from the concert at LiVE Lounge from Thursday night). It’s my first interview to chatting up with a music band and I hope you will like it. I know I will have mistakes doing an interview and hope I can improve later on. I surprised myself with the audio quality because I used the iPod nano. I had a shakey start to the show because of my sore throat but I hope the songs and the interview were good enough.
Press Play or Download It.

You can also listen to the debut show by pressing play.

Apologies for the sound quality of the broadcast. It wasn’t what I expected. You may have to raise the volume up.
The playlist is now shifted to this link at http://wildworks.wordpress.com/radio/.

A Beach Spiralling While Waiting Two Hours in the Traffic – S05E11

I know the title for this entry sounds weird and I’m being creative with it whenever I can. I’m trying to combine Spiral Beach and Two Hours Traffic together,
Saturday night was frigid at Zaphod Beeblebrox for the Two Hours Traffic and Spiral Beach with The Danks concert. I had the opportunity to get audio interviews with both bands. I am unsure when I will air it because CKCU will be starting their funding drive. Before the concert started, the place was getting smokey and I don’t know what was going on. It might of been the heater. This was when Spiral Beach was on their sound check. I did not know that this concert was the final show of their Canadian tour. It must be nice to finish the tour in the Nation’s Capital.
When The Danks started their set, the building was starting to warm up from the lack of heat. Overall, they played a rocking set and I totally forgot they are from P.E.I. and members are one-half of Two Hours Traffic. There were some people dancing along to their songs.
After The Danks was Toronto’s Spiral Beach. As usual, they brought the crowd to an energetic start. It was a packed crowd and they sure didn’t disappoint. They played their older and the newer songs like Made of Stone and Domino.
Finally, to Two Hours Traffic, they started off with two popular songs, first with Territory from their new album and the second being Nighthawks. They sure know how to keep the crowds happy because it was totally packed and I couldn’t take a lot of photos during their performance. The last song before their encore was Jezebel, another popular song of theirs. When they did their encore before the 11pm curfew, one of the songs I totally forgot was “Backseat Sweetheart.”
I totally enjoyed their concert because it has been awhile I have gone to Zaphods and seeing the packed crowds is just fun to see.
You can click here to view the photos from the Two Hours Traffic, Spiral Beach and The Danks concert.

Live From Ottawa, It’s Said The Whale – S05E10

I know the title almost refers to Saturday Night Live’s famous line. It’s because of the venue I went and it’s sort of fitting in reminding of me SNL. I got to check out Said The Whale at LiVE Lounge and the opening acts were The Red Jets and Hannah Georgas. Said The Whale is on their Canadian tour to mark their release of their new album, Islands Disappear. It was an awesome night because I had the opportunity to do an audio interview with two of the member of Said The Whale. It will be airing on my debut radio show at CKCU on Monday. I think I will be taking over from Kristal’s Method. I hope I did a good job doing the audio interview. The venue was at LiVE Lounge and it’s like the first time to be there and I rarely listen to the station (LiVE 88.5). I wasn’t sure what to expect but the place is pretty nice and they have couches, chairs and tables. It’s a small venue to say the least.
The concert started off with a rocking Ottawa band, The Red Jets. I am not too familiar with this local band since I have gone to concerts in downtown Ottawa infrequently during the Summer and for September. There were good to starting off their set and the show.

Hannah Georgas was amazing with her performance. Her band were members of Said The Whale (minus Ben and Tyler). She played songs like The National (not the Peter Mansbridge one) and The Beat Stuff (her titled album). I got to pick up her CD for $5, which was pretty good. I’ll apologize if I don’t have much words to say about Hannah Georgas.

Onto Said The Whale’s performance. As usual, they brought up an excellent performance. They sang their materials from their new album, Islands Disappear and their previous, Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia. I was surprised to hear some of the crowd sing and danced along to some of their songs. Hannah Georgas joined the band for B.C. Orienteering (from Islands Disappear). One of the songs they performed near the end, confetti was popped in the air. It’s nice that LiVE 88.5 is supporting Said The Whale and Hannah Georgas. Overall, it was a great night and the fans were energetic toward Said The Whale.
You can view the photos by clicking here.