Painting Over Silence - A Winnipeg Music Blog

Evening Headlines: New Country Rehab @ The Park; Jezables @ The WECC

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Folk act New Country Rehab (above) will appear at the Park Theatre on March 15th.

Australian rockers The Jezabels have recently announced a Canadian tour, a trek that includes a stop at the WECC on April 23rd. Also on the bill is Benjamin Francis Leftwich.

Add indie-rockers Library Voices to the Yukon Blonde show going down at the WECC on March 24th.

And finally, Don Ross & Brooke Miller are at the Park Theatre on February 12.

Kathleen Edwards to play The Garrick

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

One more show announcement to pass along...

Treasured singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards has booked a show at The Garrick on Saturday, April 14th. Ticket sales get underway on Friday, January 27th @ 10 with tickets running $27.50 plus fees, etc.

Lunch Headlines: Said The Whale @ The Park; The Choose Your Charity concert series

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Photo by Jonathan Taggart

First up, Vancouver-rooted quirk-pop act Said The Whale return to Winnipeg for a gig at the Park Theatre on April 21st, touring in support of their new record, Little Mountain (street date: March 6th).

Red Moon Road release their self-titled debut at the WECC on Saturday, March 17th alongside Bog River.

Octoberman is at the Lo Pub on March 23rd.

The Rock & Soul event featuring The Perms and The Noble Thiefs goes down at the Park Theatre on February 3rd.

And finally, kickstarted by James Struthers, a plethora of Manitoba artists have banded together to start a "Choose Your Charity" concert series event, scheduled to take place every Thursday night at the Free Press Cafe. The lineup for the new few months is as follows:

Thurs. Jan. 26 @ 7 p.m. - JD Edwards (charity: Manitoba Mutts)
Thurs. Feb. 2 @ 7 p.m. - Katie Murphy (charity: Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada)
Thurs. Feb. 9 @ 7 p.m. - Keri Latimer (charity: West Central Women's Resource Centre)
Thurs. Feb. 16 @ 7 p.m. - Don Amero (charity: Agape Table)
(Reading Week – series intermission)
Thurs. Mar. 1 @ 7 p.m. - Flo (charity: World Vision)
Thurs. Mar. 8 @ 7 p.m. - Thrift Store Love (charity: CancerCare Manitoba Foundation)
Thurs. Mar. 15 @ 7 p.m. - Hayley Gene (charity: W.I.S.H. Inc.)
Thurs. Mar. 22 @ 7 p.m. - James Struthers (charity: Winnipeg Harvest)

Beirut announces a string of summer dates...and Winnipeg is on it!

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000

Update: according to reader Meric S, the presale starts tomorrow at 10, the code is wff, and tickets go for $35 + taxes + fees.

This summer Beirut hits the Trans Canada Highway for a Canadian trek that spans from Montreal to Vancouver. And fortunately for Winnipeg fans, the tour itinerary includes a stop in these parts on July 23rd for a date at the Burton Cummings Theatre.

Speaking of the Burt, veteran rock act Social Distortion is there on April 23rd. Along for the night is The Toadies.

Islands coming to town

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Modernist pop band Islands return to Winnipeg for a March 3rd date at the WECC. Look for their new record, A Sleep & A Forgetting, when it drops on February 14th.

Lunch Headlines: Black Keys return to Winnipeg; Amelia Curran does as well

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Award-winning blues-rock pairing the Black Keys return to Winnipeg for a date at the MTS Centre on May 14th with ticket sales commencing on Friday. And they're bringing along a pretty fantastic opener: Arctic Monkeys!

Meanwhile, over at the WECC, Great Lake Swimmers drop by on May 4th w/ Cold Specks.

And finally, singer-songwriter Amelia Curran performs at the Park Theatre on March 6th.

Thanks for anon for the last tip!

Evening Headlines: Scissor Kicks and Album Release Parties

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:38:00 +0000

Happy New Year, Dear Readers!

Lots of concert doin's a transpirin' around Winnipeg these days, so let's dive right on in:

Chart-topping, Rock and Rock Hall of Fame act Van Halen (Eddie, Alex, Wolfgang, and David) is scheduled to rock the MTS Centre for the first time on May 17th. Look for their new record, A Different Kind of Truth, on February 7th if ya feel like scissor kicking.

Lucy Rose as well as The Darcys are supporting Bombay Bicycle Club at the WECC on February 25th.

Speaking of the WECC, Montreal-based Jazz act Yves Leveille Quartet is there on February 9th.

Resident singer-songwriter Jenny Berkel is releasing her debut full-length, Here on a Wire, at the Exchange Community Church on Saturday, January 14th. The Crooked Brothers are also part of the whole soiree.

Speaking of local musical talent, Demetra Penner is holding her cd release party at Cinematheque on January 25th w/ Keri Latimer.

Joel Plaskett returns to Peg City for a gig at the Garrick Centre on April 21st. Frank Turner is also on the bill.

Raizen Band, Phlegm Fatale, and Vav Jungle make up a triple-bill at the Park Theatre going down on January 14th.

On Saturday, February 18th, Nathan Rogers sings the songs of his late father, Stan, at the WECC.

And finally, Whitehorse-via-Sweden singer-songwriters Sarah MacDougall has three Winnipeg dates on the horizon: February 17th at the Kings Head; and February 18-19 at Festival Du Voyageur.

My Favourite Songs of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:35:00 +0000

My favourite, must-hear songs over the past 365, in playlist order are:

1. M83 – Intro
2. Austra – Lose It
3. Cults – Oh My God
4. Destroyer – Kaputt
5. Florence and the Machine – Shake It Out
6. Gillian Welch – Hard Times
7. Lykke Li – Unrequited Love
8. Peter Bjorn and John – I Know You Don’t Love Me
9. Braids – Lemonade
10. Death Cab For Cutie – Monday Morning
11. Dodos – Black Night
12. Louise Burns – What Do You Wanna Do?
13. Imaginary Cities – Don’t Cry
14. The Weather Station – Everything I Saw
15. Young Galaxy – Peripheral Visionaries
16. Fucked Up – The Other Shoe

What are some of your favourite tracks from 2011?

My Top Shows of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:48:00 +0000

John O'Regan aka Diamond Rings @ The Lo Pub (Photo by Sarah Gofflot)

Top five Winnipeg shows...

1. Shad @ The Pyramid
2. Ohbijou @ The WECC
3. Diamond Rings, PS I Love You @ The Lo Pub, Winnipeg, MB
4. Austra w/ Young Galaxy, Tasseomancy @ The WECC, Winnipeg, MB
5. Dodos @ The WECC, Winnipeg, MB

A very hairy and very sweaty Damien Abraham @ The Converse Pavilion in Halifax

Top five from my travelling adventures...

1. Bjork @ Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland
2. Fucked Up @ The Converse Pavilion , Halifax, NS
3. Olafur Arnalds @ Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland
4. Peter Bjorn and John @ First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
5. The Weather Station @ The Company House, Halifax, NS

Local shows I regret missing...
- Destroyer @ The WECC
- Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers @ Pantages
- The Black Keys @ The MTS Centre
- Prince @ The MTS Centre

What say you? Favourite local shows? Elsewhere? Biggest regrets?

My Top Ten Records of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:25:00 +0000

1. M83 - Hurry Up, Were Dreaming

2. Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting

3. Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest

4. Dodos - No Color

5. The Weather Station - All of It Was Mine

6. Austra - Feel It Break

7. Cults - Cults

8. Cut Copy - Zonoscope

9. Braids - Native Speaker

10. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

The Top Ten Records of 2011, As Voted Upon by Painting Over Silence Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:08:00 +0000

First up, many thanks to all Painting over Silence readers who barred their musical souls and submitted lists for judgment this year. They were a pleasure to read, and I’m happy to say I checked out a few albums I overlooked or simply missed.

Second, the winning album completely and utterly obliterated (we’re talking Wings-over-Jets-style) the rest of the competition, with the Grammy-nominated act (hint hint) appearing on around half of the lists while also earning the most first place votes.

Third, there was very little love for Nickelback’s latest album, a record which I’m told is very, er, consistent. Oh, and by very little, I mean none.

Fourth, as with previous years, my personal list was not included in the final tally. That will be revealed tomorrow afternoon and is, now that I think about it, completely different from the one below. In past years, there’s been plenty of overlap, so I’m head-scratchingly surprised.

Fifth, I will not be publishing individual lists; however, please feel free to post your personal top ten under the comments.

And finally, it’s been a banner year at Painting over Silence, and I’d like to thank all the good folk out there for reading and for helping my site place in the top 30 during CBC Radio 3’s Searchlight competition for “Canada’s Best Music Website” earlier this year. You seriously rock the party.

Without further adieu, I present the 2011 Painting over Silence Blog Readers’ poll results, in descending order:

10. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing

9. Wilco - The Whole Love

7. The Black Keys - El Camino (tie)

7. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues (tie)

6. Imaginary Cities - Temporary Resident

5. The Decemberists - The King is Dead

4. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

3. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

2. Destroyer - Kaputt

1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Afternoon Headlines: More Concert Rumblings at the WECC

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:25:00 +0000

The early 2012 concert season at the WECC continues to fill up swimmingly, and here's two more:

Folk/Country act The Wooden Sky is touring in support of their third record, Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun, and drop by the joint on March 29th. Look for Every Child when it hits shelves on February 28th.

Chic Gamine is booked to perform there on February 10th with ticket sales commencing on December 19th.

The Painting Over Silence Blog Readers' Poll - 2K11 Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:38:00 +0000

It’s that time again, Dear Readers.

Time for this blogger to start compiling and listening to the plethora of 2011 releases I've amassed over the past 365 or so days, then whittling down the albums into a definite, all-mighty, and conversation-starting "Top Ten Records of 2K11 List". And maybe even pen a few comments about why I simply lived for each pick.

Like years past, I invite you to take part in all the maniacal, exhibitionist fun that comes with list constructing.

Here’s how it’ll work:

Email me, by Wednesday, December 21st @ noon CST, a list of your favourite records released between January 1, 2011 and now. I will compile all the results and, on December 23rd, publish the "Top 10 Albums of the Year…as Voted by Painting Over Silence Blog Readers" final results.

And if the gleeful, unbridled bliss that comes with year-end list-making isn’t enough incentive, I’ve got further encouragement: those who submit a top-ten list to me will be entered to win $20 worth of gift certificates to our local music shop Music Trader.

A few things:

1. I realize not everyone will have ten favourite records released in 2011. That’s okay. The minimum number is one and the maximum is, of course, ten. So, if Nickelback's Here and Now is the only album you really liked this year, you may still email it in to me should you wish to admit such a thing.

2. Order matters…to an extent. The top album on your list gets three points; the second best two; 3-10 are awarded one point. If you only liked one album this year, it gets three points.

3. Please do not send attachments. Simply paste your list and the optional comments in the body of an email.

4. EPs may be included.

5. No re-released/re-mastered/re-packaged/re-imagined albums.

6. I won't be publishing individual lists, but please feel free to post yours on December 23rd under the comments section.

6. My email is on the right side, under “About Me.”

Happy list cobblin’!

Oh, and for last year's results click here.

Afternoon Headlines: New shows at the WECC - John K; Yukon Blonde

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Resident troubadour John K. Samson announced a Canadian tour in support of his first-ever solo outing, Provincial (street date: January 24th). He'll be performing songs at the WECC on Tuesday, March 27th.

Indie-rock road warriors Yukon Blonde plays The WECC on March 24th.

And finally, The Cat Empire drops by the Garrick on April 4th.

11 Questions...w/ The Magnificent 7s

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:45:00 +0000

On Thursday, December 15th, local act The Magnificent 7s are dropping their sophomore album, All Kinds of Mean, at the West End Cultural Centre. On this new release, these ascending road warriors -- comprised of David Nishikawa (banjo/dobro), Ida Sawabe (bass fiddle/vocals), TJ Blair (guitar, banjo and vocals), Matt Magura (guitar/vocals) and Andy Bart (fiddle) -- seamlessly and judiciously weave together elements of bluegrass, folk, country, and punk into a fully-realized, distinguishable, and galvanizing sound.

I recently tracked down most of the band members recently and threw 11 questions their way. Here's what they had to say...

1. Where is the best venue to catch a show in our fair town?

Ida - the late Albert
Matt - the late Studio 54, The Standard*, WECC on December 15th, 2011
*with Pinball
Dave - on the street

2. Who is the most underrated Winnipeg-based band?

Ida - 77 Guns, Andrew Neville and the Poor Choices, The Lonely Vulcans, The F-Holes
Matt - Ultra-Mega, can’t wait for the new record.
Dave - Big Dave McLean

3. Where is the best place in town to catch a bite?

Matt - Spring Roll (1142 Notre Dame), Deep fried Plantains from Bueno Bros (Isabel and McDermot), with Ice Cream.

Dave - Mondragon: If only they'd use real cream in the vegan coffee

4. Where do you shop for music?

Ida - Pawn shops, thrift stores, my parents record collection, Into the Music
Matt - Shows. I don’t own many records. I’m not into downloading music, or against it for that matter, but there is enough live music.
going on to keep my ears busy.
Dave - Thrift store bargain bins

5. How many Jets games are you attending this year?

We’re not really into badminton

Some hodgepodge…

6. Of the records you own, which has the best album art?

Ida - Osama Kitajima - "Benzaiten"

T.J. - http://www.stevecarter.com/albumcovers.htm

Matt - to pick from something I do own: photographs and paintings over the years on each of Propagandhi’s albums. Also Paul Robles’ paperworks on each of the Crooked Brothers albums. And Evil Survives!

Dave - Spinal Tap (Smell the Glove-alternate cover) and The Beatles (white Album)

7. What are some albums that completely changed your life?

Ida -
Tiffany(self-titled)
Madonna(self-titled)
Aretha Franklin-"Aretha's Gold,"
Loretta Lynn's Greatest Hits I & II,
Black Sabbath-"Paranoid,"
Van Halen-(self-titled) & 1984,
Patsy Cline-"The Patsy Cline Story,"
Lee Aaron-"Metal Queen" & "Bodyrock,"
Squareheads-"Persona Non Grata"

Matt -
Tom Waits (Rain Dogs)
I-Spy (Revenge of the Little Shits)
Queen (‘Live’ Killers)
Roger Miller (the Genius of Roger Miller)
Dirty Three (Ocean Songs via Paul Guillas)
Bruce Springsteen (Born in the USA)
Wax Mannequin (Saxon)
Stereolab (Emperor Tomato Ketchup) R.I.P. Mary Hansen

Dave -
Tony Trishka (A Robot Plane Flies over Arkansas)

8. What books are you currently reading?

Ida - "Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living"

Matt - Ida reads. We listen.

Dave - Book of the Dead, Men's Fitness

9. What are some of your favourite tv shows at the moment?

Ida - Flight of the Conchords, South Park
Matt - Samurai Pizza Cats, Walking Dead, Dancing with the Zombie-Hoarder-Celebrity-Matchmakers,
post-Bridalplasty in the Dragons Den
Dave - All in the Family (Youtube)

10. Blackberry or iPhone?

Ida - Payphones
Matt - Had a Blackberry for a while, ended up in a world of debt.
Dave - Phone-e

11. And finally, back to Winnipeg…what’s the worst bus route in the city?

Matt - As a cyclist, Graham Avenue.
Dave - Any, during winter. Build a subway

Evening Headlines: Neon Indian Returns; Salinas EP Release @ The WECC

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Couple of quick show announcements to pass along this evening:

Chillwave maker Neon Indian returns to Winnipeg for a date at the Pyramid on May 3rd, continuing his tour in support of sophomore release, Era Extrana.

Local act Salinas is releasing its new EP, All These Choices, at the WECC on January 20th with guests Heartbeat City.

Evening Headlines: Bombay Bicycle Club to play the WECC; John K Samson to release first solo effort

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:09:00 +0000

First up, a pair of stellar shows going down at the WECC in the new year…

London (UK) indie-rock exports Bombay Bicycle Club is there on Saturday, February 25th.

Montreal trio Plants and Animals returns to town for a date there on March 30th w/ Little Scream.

May 9th brings Ron Sexsmith to town for a gig at the Westminster United Church.

Meanwhile, transgendered indie-electronic artist Rae Spoon plays Gio’s on February 24th.

And finally, a pair of local artists are releasing new recording in 2012:

Folk artist Demetra releases Lone Migration on January 17th via Head in the Sand.

Weakerthans frontman John K. Samson drops his first full length solo outing, Provincial, on January 24th via Epitaph.

Contest: Enter to win two tickets to The Magnificent 7s' Album Release @ The WECC

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:35:00 +0000

Courtesy of our Santa-like pals over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for The Magnificent 7s "All Kinds of Mean" album release taking place on Thursday, December 15th.

If you're interested in checking out this treasured, genre-blurring local act, fire me off an email (on the right hand side) by Friday, December 9th @ noon CST with the subject line "Magnificent 7s Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

As always, one entry per person please!

Album/DVD Review: Sigur Rós - Inni

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Rating 4/5

Those lucky enough to have seen Sigur Rós live are known to bandy about some high-priced adjectives while extolling the life-altering virtues of the Sigur Rós concert experience. Words such as surreal, transcendent, and otherworldly tend to populate most live reviews and while the band’s latest release, the DVD/2xCD Inni, doesn’t quite match the visceral intensity of its show, it serves as a fitting substitute. Chronicling the band's 2008 concert in London prior to its three-year hiatus, Inni is beautifully shot in grainy black-and-white by director Vincent Morisset and judiciously edited, with archival band footage spliced in between songs. Inni ends with the previously unreleased Lúppulagi›, an arresting piano number that serves as a sort of teaser trailer. After all, is it a coincidence that in the same month Inni dropped, the band announced its return to the studio?

Republished with permission from Uptown.

Evening Headlines: Damo Suzuki to play the WECC; Chad VanGaalen rescheduled

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Just a couple of quick notes this evening:

Iconic ex-Can frontman Damo Suzuki will appear at the West End Cultural Centre on March 22nd.

Tonight's Chad VanGaalen gig at the WECC has been cancelled due to inclement weather; however, the show has already been rescheduled for Friday, January 13th.

Evening Headlines: The Details @ The Park Theatre; Imaginary Cities Nominated for Best New Artist on CBC Radio 3

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:11:00 +0000

Winnipeg’s The Details is playing a gig at the Park Theatre on December 22 w/ Goldenboy.

From the I-didn’t-realize-they-still-exist files …German industrial rock act Rammstein is coming to town for a show at the MTS Centre on Thursday, May 10th. I’m setting the over/under on this at 5000. What say you?

CBC Radio 3 announced its annual Bucky Awards nominations yesterday and our very own indie-pop twosome Imaginary Cities got a “Best New Artist” nom. The competition? Austra, Barr Brothers, Louise Burns, Braids, Little Scream, and Shimmering Stars.

And finally, for a good time, try roots/country/bluegrass melders The Magnificent Sevens’ cd release at the WECC on December 15th.

Contest: Enter to win two tickets to see Austra/Young Galaxy @ The WECC!

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Courtesy of our good pals over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for The Austra/Young Galaxy/Tasseomancy super show going down there on Thursday, November 24th.

If you're interested in checking out this fine triple-feature, it's business as usual: fire me off an email (on the right hand side) by Friday, November 18th @ noon CST with the subject line "Austra Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

As always, one entry per person please!

Morning Headlines: Holiday Shows; James Struthers' New Vid

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:04:00 +0000

First up some annual holiday show news to pass along:

The JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday show takes place on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th at the Park Theatre.

Meanwhile...Quinzmas! (Featuring Quinzy, natch) is changing venues and will be held at the Burt this year on December 16th.

Waaaaaaay into the future: George Thorogood and the Destroyers will be at the Centennial Concert Hall on May 28th.

Add Snowblink to the Ohbijou show going down this Saturday night at the WECC.

And finally, resident singer-songwriter James Struthers has both a gig at the FreeP cafe on November 27th w/ Tyler Del Pino and a brand spankin' new video for his song "What Are We Waiting For." See below.

Afternoon Headlines: Prince to play the MTS Centre; The Meaghan Smith Holiday Concert @ The WECC

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:34:00 +0000

By the whiskers of Kurvi-Tasch! Prince is coming to Winnipeg. The larger-than-life rock legend is slated to bedazzle the MTS Centre on Thursday, December 8th. Tickets go on sale on November 4th with pricing TBA.

St. John's folk act The Once play the Folk Exchange on November 16th and 17th.

Alt-rockers Zerbin drop by the Ellice Theatre on November 2nd.

And finally, The Meaghan Smith holiday concert goes down at the WECC on December 4th.

Contest: Enter to win two tickets to Ohbijou @ The WECC

noreply@blogger.com (Mykael) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:59:00 +0000

Photo by Reynard Li

Courtesy of the fab folks at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for Ohbijou's show going down there on Saturday, November 12th.

If you're interested in checking out the indie-poppers (who deeply impressed me last week at Halifax Pop X; new material sounded great), fire me off an email (on the right hand side) by Monday, November 7th @ noon CST with the subject line "Ohbijou ticket giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter. As always, one entry per person please!