we are northernly
September 1st, 2010

New Canadiana :: Bronze Leaf – Bread Crumbs

Bronze Leaf
Bread Crumbs
(Champion City Records)
Edmonton, AB // Montreal, QC
::web/sounds::


From the bronzed text of Aaron Levin:
From the wispy ashes of guitar soli’s earthic remains, Bronze Leaf’s lysergic embers warm our minds to the emerging angles within acid folk. Rooms fall silent as she conjures gentle finger-picked reverberations; lofty vocals hovering like ghosts above stretched hallways and vacant beaches. Armed with guitars, delay pedals, and looping mechanicals, Bronze Leaf joins the new wave of psychedelic folk artists transcending Canada into the bewildering nether-zone of fringe success. Catch her now while she remains within our ether!

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Bronze Leaf – Mindfield

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Bronze Leaf – Anatomy

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Categoria!! New Canadiana :: alberta :: cassette :: quebec | No Comments »

August 25th, 2010

Departures :: King-Beezz – Found and Lost b/w Now

King-Beezz
Found and Lost b/w Now
(Quality)
Edmonton, AB
Originally Released: 1966


From the Lost and Found of Aaron Levin:
The King-Beezz’s third single is the toughest polyvinyl artifact from Edmonton. “Now”‘s snarling, wrangled guitar leads, put-me-down harmonies, and screaming, postured ad-libs trash every punk archetype in the purest teenage pursuit of attitude. On the A-Side, “Found and Lost”‘s jangly, loner lament, bass-walkery and bedroom percussion craft a brilliant bizarro pop-psych excursion into the recesses of vintage fringe culture. Just ridiculous stuff. ‘Twas the bees-knees (!) finding a copy complete with the glorious Quality company sleeve. A full history of the King-Beezz can be found here.

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King-Beezz – Found and Lost

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King-Beezz – Now

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Categoria!! 7" :: Departures Revisited :: alberta | 1 Comment »

August 17th, 2010

New Canadiana :: Jom Comyn – Balcony

Jom Comyn
Balcony
(Champion City Records)
Edmonton, AB
::web/sounds::


From the comyn-spiced balconies of James Goddard:
This EP from Edmonton’s Jom Comyn (sometimes Jim Cumming) speaks to the concerns of young adults in the 21st Century – I mean actual young adults, not the browsers of Gordon Korman – unemployment, cigarettes, sloppy romances, late-nights, and (of course) almost condemned balconies. The guitars carry the tunes lethargically; apathetic tones, sketchy feedback, and non-committal fuzz over dusty, stilted drumming. Jom’s vocals shine through the nest like a retired lounge singer; an odd, weathered voice spouting the words of a quarter-life savant. “You don’t know what you are doing until years after it’s through.” On Sunday morning, in a hungover haze, it all sounds like it might be the truth.

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Jom Comyn – New Raincoat

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Jom Comyn – Roomie

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Categoria!! New Canadiana :: alberta :: compact disc | 5 Comments »

August 9th, 2010

SONDE :: GOBBLE GOBBLE – Lawn Knives b/w End of Days

GOBBLE GOBBLE
Lawn Knives b/w End of Days
(Royal Rhino Flying Records)
Edmonton, AB
::web/sounds::


From the vibronic brain of Aaron Levin:
The space-time fluctuations between GOBBLE GOBBLE’s last hermetic flu-gaze sacrifice has eclipsed the infinitely-many quantum mechanical predictions. The 8-bit pop peculiarity has transcended into a neo-audible movement of Masonic proportions. On top of a dazzling live show, main songwriter Cecil Frena’s ability to funnel radio-pop insanity through a gnarled nozzle of chromatic-pop has aggrandized; jarring cut-ups, blasted synth workouts, and the crunchiest pop-riddums you’ve ever heard. A♥♥♥♥♥♥

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GOBBLE GOBBLE – Lawn Knives

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GOBBLE GOBBLE – End of Days

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August 5th, 2010

SONDE :: Outdoor Miners – Disgust

Outdoor Miners
Disgust
(Pop Echo Records)
Edmonton, AB
::web/sounds::


From the disgusted mind of Aaron Levin:
The latest diamond-tip offering from Edmonton’s autarchic trio is a convergence of the varied streams binding their sound. Their wilding drummer grips the mic for “Bent Brain,” a searing foray into classic punk riffery (complete with anthemic, pit-grinding chorus), while the scalding mellowness of bass-face Sagar pierces through “Friends With Money.” The whole spectrum is collected in “Disgust,” which just happens to contain an over-the-top classique rock solo. Another brilliant travelogue into the adjective-rock cosmos. ?GRIP(to infinity).

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Outdoor Miners – Bent Brain

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Outdoor Miners – Friends With Money

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Categoria!! 7" :: New Canadiana :: alberta | 5 Comments »

July 28th, 2010

Music :: Gyre Spire & Spindle – Nuggets

Gyre Spire & Spindle
Nuggets
(Bart Records)
Edmonton, AB
::web/sounds::


From the spindly gyrations of James Goddard:
While we’re on the topic of Bart Records, can I mention the tragically short-lived Gyre, Spire & Spindle? Technically savvy and hyper-literate, they’re a fitting realization of the fables their name conjures. The recipe was simple: one folkie turned post-hardcore screamstress, several journey-men Edmonton musicians, and a penchant for pairing words. Simmer in a large, black, cauldron. Serves up one brain-melting five-song cassette. Nuggets is proof that once upon a time there was Gyre, Spire & Spindle. Grip it while it lasts.

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Gyre, Spyre & Spindle – Wishy Washy

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Gyre Spyre & Spindle – Splishy Splashy

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Categoria!! New Canadiana :: alberta :: cassette | No Comments »

July 16th, 2010

Review :: Fuck The Tundra – Grin Diesel

Fuck The Tundra
Grin Diesel
(Bart Records)
Edmonton, AB
::web/sounds::


From the teen steamings of Jesse Locke:
Midway through their final set at the Bart Records showcase for Sled Island 2010, Fuck the Tundra’s hyperactive frontman pushed the crowd back, tucked to his toes and hucked a massive flat ground back flip. That gymnastic feat was impressive enough, yet it was still overshadowed by a pitch-perfect performance of all six songs from their debut cassette, one of this year’s most jaw dropping releases. Throughout Grin Diesel’s succinct 16 minutes, the quartet tears into 31G-style post-hardcore with pulse quickening drum fills, spidery dueling guitars and mathematical change-ups, all peppered with their bizarre sense of humor. Most surprising is the serenely summery yet still mathy instrumental “Eliminator Boat Duel,” an ear-pleasing interlude amidst the chronicles of ridiculous.

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Fuck The Tundra – Gintro

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Fuck The Tundra – Eliminator Boat Duel

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Categoria!! New Canadiana :: alberta :: cassette | 2 Comments »

July 9th, 2010

Review :: Fist City – Queen of the Slugs b/w Crime Spree

Fist City
Queen of the Slugs b/w Crime Spree
(Pop Echo Records)
Lethbridge, AB
::web/sounds::


From the crime sprees of Aaron Levin:
Southern Alberta’s hilly wasteland continues to explode with Fist City’s anamorphosis from the pop spectrum. Their twin-shriek phenomenon bludgeons us with searing, distorted leads, rolling bass lines, and a bewildering catchiness that has become their harmonic core. Fist City’s debut single is a brilliant sortie from the disempowered rurality of Alberta, charging forward into instant hit and pop satisfaction. Limited to 99-copies and available to Wyrd Alberta patrons exclusively, the 7″ will luckily be rereleased owing to an epic pressing flaw on the b-side. Recommended grippage.

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Fist City – Queen of the Slugs

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Categoria!! 7" :: New Canadiana :: alberta | 2 Comments »

July 1st, 2010

Departure :: Jack Hennig and The Breaking Point Group – Busy People b/w Maybe Tomorrow

Jack Hennig and The Breaking Point Group
Busy People b/w Maybe Tomorrow
(Cupid Records)
Edmonton, AB
Originally Released: 196?


From the breaking point of Aaron Levin:
Obscure lyrsergic artifact from the totally unpsychedelic pastures of 60s Edmonton, Alberta. Jack Hennig’s second foray into the world of self-released 7″ obscurity left us with two syrupy, drug-induced pop-psych laments. Maybe Tomorrow‘s classic garage-punk woes pull the untamed ears to oblivion while the faux-sitar and pop harmonies on Busy People win me over with vintage diy conviction. Jack Hennig would go on to be a country singer of national renown and now resides in Edmonton having forgotten almost everything about his hip-trip maneuvers with The Breaking Point Group.

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Jack Hennig and The Breaking Point Group – Maybe Tomorrow

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Jack Hennig and The Breaking Point Group – Busy People

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Categoria!! 7" :: Departures Revisited :: alberta | 1 Comment »

June 30th, 2010

Festival :: Sled Island 2010

Sled Island
2010
(Zak Pashak)
Calgary, AB
::web/sounds::

Sled Island 2010 is upon us. Calgary’s premiere indie music, video, and art festival is a treasure trove of exploratory stimulus. It’s the largest concentration of insanity west of everywhere (in Canada). Weird Canada and Texture Magazine will be presenting the SHRED ISLAND BBQ (x2), a free all-ages afternoon showcase on Thursday and Saturday at Tubby Dog (w/ Dropping Out, Fist City, Mount Analog, Feral Children, JAZZ, Sans AIDS, Puberty, GOBBLE GOBBLE, and (hopefully) Famines).

However, there is so much more than just our wonderful little showcase (obviously). With over 150 bands, there’s a lot to chose from, so I thought I’d filter the complete list of performers down to a “Weird Canada Selection.” The below list includes all Canadian bands that I have reviewed or seen. I have left off American bands I’m stoked about, as well as bands I’m stoked about but haven’t heard yet. I may have also forgotten one or two shows. I’m just one boy and it’s really late…

Have fun! I hope to see you there!

Hearts,

Aaron Levin
Weird Canada / Cantor Records

PRINTABLE GUIDE
(w/ additional practical info)

WEDNESDAY :: June 30

8:00 PM Seizure Salad Republik Calgary, AB
9:00 PM Bikeland Republik Calgary, AB
9:00 PM The Throwaways Local 522 Calgary, AB
10:00 PM B-Lines Broken City Vancouver, BC
10:00 PM Mount Analogue Local 522 Calgary, AB
10:30 PM Tension Slips The Republik Calgary, AB
11:00 PM The Nymphets Broken City Montreal, QC
11:00 PM Monkey Bamboo Lounge Calgary, AB
11:15 PM BRAIDS Arrata Montreal, QC
12:00 AM Myelin Sheaths Verns Lethbridge, AB
12:30 AM Nü Sensae Republik Vancouver, BC
1:00 AM Sharp Ends Local 522 Calgary, AB

THURSDAY :: July 1

1:00 PM Makeout Videotape Republik Vancouver, BC
3:00 PM Dropping Out Tubby Dog Edmonton, AB
3:00 PM Radians Local 510 Lethbridge, AB
4:00 PM Fist City Tubby Dog Lehtbridge, AB
5:00 PM Mount Analogue Tubby Dog Calgary, AB
6:00 PM Feral Children Tubby Dog Saskatoon, SK
8:00 PM Brazilian Money Bamboo Lounge Edmonton, AB
8:00 PM Friendo Dickens Pub Calgary, AB
9:00 PM Cousins Tubby Dog Halifax, NS
10:30 PM Women The Republik Calgary, AB
11:00 PM Topless Mongos Legion No. 1 Calgary, AB
12:00 AM JAZZ Tubby Dog Edmonton, AB

FRIDAY :: July 2

9:00 PM The Jolts Tubby Dog Vancouver, BC
9:00 PM North of America The Distillery Halifax, NS
10:00 PM Bonnaventure James Verns Calgary, AB
10:00 PM MYTHS Dickens Pub Vancouver, BC

SATURDAY :: July 3

1:00 PM Grown-Ups Broken City Calgary, AB
3:00 PM JAZZ Tubby Dog Edmonton, AB
4:00 PM Sans AIDS Tubby Dog Edmonton, AB
5:00 PM Puberty Tubby Dog Calgary, AB
6:00 PM GOBBLE GOBBLE Tubby Dog Edmonton, AB
7:00 PM The Famines Tubby Dog Edmonton, AB
8:00 PM Stalwart Sons Marquee Room Calgary, AB
9:30 PM The Bash Brothers Tubby Dog Victoria, BC
9:30 PM Hunter-Gatherer Legion No. 1 Calgary, AB
10:00 PM Gyre, Spire & Spindle Marquee Room Edmonton, AB
10:00 PM Slam Dunk Dickens Pub Victoria, BC
10:30 PM Peace Legion No. 1 Vancouver, BC
11:00 PM Outdoor Miners Broken City Edmonton, AB
11:00 PM Shout Out Out Out Out Wyckham House Edmonton, AB
11:30 PM Fist City Legion No. 1 Lethbridge, AB
12:00 AM KRANG Broken City Edmonton, AB
1:00 AM North of America Marquee Room Halifax, NS
1:15 AM Fucked Up Legion No. 1 Toronto, ON

File under: // // // //
Categoria!! Promotions :: alberta | 5 Comments »

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