My Notes on Reel world film festival

Opening Night film Snow by Rohan Fernadao .
Plot: Immigrant story about coming to Canada after a natural devastating loss and having to pick up the Pieces of ones life and what the struggle one must go through to survive.
Principal cast  : Achala Hewarrachi
Himaly Fernando
Pardis Parker
Sobaz Benjamin
Alicia Orr MacDonald
Pah’s analysis  there was some make up/ tech issues but the story line was good and solid and gave the audiences a different perspective on Immigration, grief, addiction and the struggle the female lead goes through to gain acceptance in a foreign land.
Snow Trailer  
www.snowthefilm.com 

This movie is a slice of Canadian and east meets west immigration story with a tragic natural disaster thrown in.

My only quibble is make up continuity full make up while taking a shower or when in bed sleeping is not realistic less make up is better and no make up is real.

Closing night film was I will follow by Ava Dunernay  a film about cancer and death and how black community handles death.
Story about putting ones life on hold to take care of dying family members and how does one start over again with this new found freedom?
www.DVAHQ.com 

Winner of Outstanding International feature  Baghdad Texas by David H. Hickey drama/comedy was well deserved award. This comedy touches on the Ironic absurdities of racism and the typical or not so typical stereotypes we all have about race relations in the USA. www.LOUDHOUSEMUSIC.com

Make A Movie Like Spike by Jamil Walker Smith, this documentary/mockumentry  self portrait had so much promise at the very beginning and then seams to lose its way near the middle and end of the film right at the climax of the film. The title is a bit misleading unless they mean early spike lee who made she’s got to have it and not the one who made miracle on st Anna street.

www.LITTLEPLOWFILMS.com  

You want to see a very raw documentary about the relationship between mothers and daughters then try and find Gang Girl  A
Mother’s  Journey to Save her daughter, by Valerie Goodloe.
This doc explores Raw truths why girls are joining gangs in America. Valarie takes you into her and her daughters life that is an emotional roller coaster in truth.  
COVERUP@ca.RR.com



Not Just A game : Power, Politics and American sports  by Jeremy Earp an interesting essay on athletes and politics mix and don’t mix, most of the references are from the past not to much from this century which begs the question is this generation of athletes all about $$ and nothing else? Plus having no Canadian references made the film a bit American centric and not including hockey on the list of sports tells me the writer of the book and filmmakers is playing into the stereo type we have about each other.
www.mediaed.org 

Two Indian’s talking  by Sara McIntyre what it means to be native on reserve vs off the reserve. This movie is no Blackstone TV show but it does a nice job glossing over the big stuff. it’s like a   the play waiting for Godot were the focus is on 2 of the main characters in the movie simultaneously educate aggravate and challenge each other and  our perceptions of aboriginals as well. Great precursor to get the discussion ball going on native rights.
kissdustpictures.com

Shorts This year were Hodge podge collection of movies that will hit any ones  fancy . Birthday by Villing Chong is about rape and short term memory  so it’s a spoiler alert. stranger in the night  very  dramatic the music helps to keep the story interesting.  villingchong@yahoo.co.uk

Outstanding International short winner Dirty laundry by Stephen Abbott. Location and the exaggerated scenarios make this short stand out the fact that so many stories are told  in 15 min is amazing feet of writing. www.stealthdonkey.com

If you are into musicals then I’m in the Mood for Love by  Jason Karman  is for you it should not matter that the love interest is about two male gay couples, Love is great no matter what the package it comes in.  www.rosettaenertainment.com


Canada’s outstanding short is Savage by Lisa jackson it is the short history on Canada’s residential school system. I wanted more and can’t wait till someone does a full length of this film.  http//lisa.jackson.ca   

I saw another short that made this budding film maker jealous since I did not think of the story my self,  Subway Harmonies by Leah Cameron Don't’ you  ever wish you could jam with the subway buskers singing in the subway corridors that’s What a character does in this ingenious 8 min short. alexandermolenaar@hotmail.com  


Sven by David Randall is everything you need to learn about high-school these days and the fact that sounds of Drake AKA Aubrey Graham’s  music performance make this short quite hip.  www.bobbydelrio.com 

The last of shorts is The Authority/La Autoridad by Xavi Sala international film about what would happen if you were in  driving in a foreign country and was stooped by the Police? Scary 10 min comedy. http//promofest.org  

The one  form of torture for me is the Official Music video night,  11 
years and still waiting for the torture to end. Only 2 video’s
sparked my interest and matched the songs Oh Canada! by Cazhmere  and 4 Tha Ghetto by Jron again directed by Cazhmere she is one talented female director can’t wait to see what  she can do with making films, move over Spike Jonze.

 

Reel world 2011 ended with some great emerging Canadian Talent and Tony Lee Williams  Founder and Executive Director is our hidden treasure  just like Norman Jewision and the work being done at CFC How do we get her on Canada's walk of fame?


 

timthays 11 dj mixes of 2011

TIMTHAYS 11 MIXES OF 2011
Please note my biased towards Toronto based artist, on one hand it’s what I generally listen to when friends and friends of friends shout at me, and on the other hand, damn mother fuckers from the 416 got crunk like a 19 year old student on mdma, living in Guelph.

MORE PROOF-FOUR ON THE FLOOR MIX/JANUARY
The mix by Toronto most notorious party starters unofficially marks the dissolution of the DJ collective we all have known to love. At under an hour, this mix of both exclusive and forward thinking tracks embody the true spirit of DJing by portraying a timeless and fun vibe, ignoring trends and genres.

RYNECOLOGIST-STILL THINKING PART 3 MUCK MIX 3/ APRIL
With dynamic stand out tracks such as the “ZZT” GESEFFELSTEIN REMIX AND “STEEL BROTHERS” this mix is also very clinical in the placement of songs and flow, between warm up vibes, to all out streakiness. Ryne’s signature audio excerpts are icing to the cake as this mix marks a new era as the Toronto veteran becomes a worldwide force to be reckoned with.

KEVIN MCPHEE-FUTURE PROOFING /APRIL
Paired with an in-depth interview with Fact Mag/RA writer Andrew Ryce; Kevin Mcphee brings to the table an array of exclusives and a powerful concept. Mixing garage, bass, soul and what have you all to bring an emotional and sometimes spooky vibe.

CADENCE WEAPON-FINGERS ON BLAST 20/OCTOBER
The Fingers on Blast mix series and blog have been operating since early 2011, the weekly mix series has featured a variety of different DJs from all spectrums of electronic dance music. Roland Pemberton takes his mix through many genres, subgenres and rap remixes; making this mix a confused hipster’s wet dream.

JAWS DA JORMUNGUND-RETURN TO DA PUSSY HOLE/MARCH
The notorious hypbeast pirate comes full force and defines a fresh sound in just under an hour. Tracks like the “LIGHT UP” MISTAMEN REMIX and BRENMARS “PAPER RUNNING” portray the balance between, grime, and deep-post-bass music/what have you. There’s a “Return to da pussyhole 2” I think.

ELITE GYMNASTICS-ALL WE FUCKING CARE ABOUT IS KPOP AND OUR CATS/DECEMBER
This mix is lolz. Korean girls are hot though.

JAY FOWLER-MIX 011/OCTOBER
A perfect slow burning mix that makes you want to quit your day job and make snow angels for a living.

SOUL CLAP-ESSENTIAL MIX FOR BBC RADIO 1/MARCH
All vinyl, all one take. It even includes some corny bio story and explanation by the two chill jews that we all love to hate.

RON HIGHTOWER-HIGH LIKE ME+IMPLICATIONS
The more than notorious party monster brings puts together a mix that even yo mama can vibe out to. Both mixes are genuine and perfect in every way.

TALE OF US-RA283 /OCTOBER
At under an hour, the breakout duo defines a deep sound but skips the hormones and brings forth emotions and storytelling to the table.

JACK OF FRIENDLY FIRES-BOILER ROOM TV #73/DECEMBER

FRIENDLY FIRES may as well be one of the most important bands of my generation, individually everyone in the band actually has great DJing skills, they had these mixes only available to listen to on their official site. Single handily one of the greatest listening experiences of my life

(Obvious) Notables

“MIX 1/PAST DUE” by DAVID PATTERSON (WENZELL) – With no track list I didn’t even want to bother listening to this mix, I would just get furious that I don’t know these tracks.

“February More Proof mix” by GINGY - This mix marked the pending world domination of everyone’s favourite china boy.

“White Light 49” by THE SLOW WAVES – A breathe taking hour long original composition that will surely lower your heart rate and make you fall in love with your cat.

“FABRICLIVE x Jack Beats Loves Mix” by NEOTERIC - NEOTERIC shows us why he’s one of the most hard working fellas on the grind. A great rendition; of a deep house warm up to an uplifting elitist techno set.

“Live from the Hoxton 11.24.11 “by MEECH – “FREE” by THE YOUNG LOVERS is just one of many stand out tracks, great after hours vibes from da shorty.

“FINGERS ON BLAST 1” by YAHOYAH - My homie nailed it when just dropping tracks way before they became BPM TV “it tracks” much love.

“Pianist Envy” by CHILLY GONZALES

“Andean Ocean Mixtape” by JAVELIN

“Life Laughter Death” by JOKERS OF THE SCENE

Clothes Make The Man Giveaway!

On November 11th Clothes Make The Man EP release party "Control" will be held at The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto with friends By Divine Right, Teenage Kicks and Colin Moore.
Here is your chance to win 2 free tickets and EP. All you have to do is follow us on Twitter @nxew for your chance to win. The 5th person to re-tweet 'I love Clothes Make The Man' wins. OK GO!

TORONTO'S CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN RELEASE CONTROL EP NOVEMBER 2ND AND ANNOUNCE EAST COAST TOUR

Toronto rock n roller's Clothes Make the Man are releasing a teaser to their full-length album, the Control EP available off-stage and digitally on November 2nd, 2010. The release of their LP Distance has now been pushed back to early 2011. Control EP will feature 4 tracks off the forthcoming Distance.

The band recorded the tracks with producer Julius "Juice" Butty (Alexisonfire, Protest The Hero). The fall will see Clothes Make the Man touring the east coast and Ontario extensively to support the release including an epic trek out to Newfoundland and back. They will celebrate the release of the Control EP with a Toronto release party Npvember 11th at The Horseshoe Tavern (with opening bands By Divine Right and Teenage Kicks) and an Ottawa release party on November 12th at Mavericks (will opening bands Dinosaur Bones and Sandman Viper Command).

Single off the EP "Dreamless Nights" was recently featured on the hit TV show Degrassi. This feature has garnered even more attention for the promising Ontario band. The band has posted a free download of "Dreamless Nights" on their myspace. Fans can enter their email address for the mailing list and in exchange will receive a free mp3 of the track.

In the past Clothes Make the Man have played alongside Moneen, Cancer Bats, Malajube, Attack in Black, Teenage Head, Titus Andronicus, and many more! They have been handpicked to play festivals such as EdgeFest, Virgin Festival, North by Northeast, Canadian Music Fest, and more. Bio and tour dates below.

BIO
Clothes Make the Man is like a group of loud mouthed kids yelling into microphones alongside cranked up amplifiers and pounding drums... except with beards and deeper voices. The band manages to maintain the same level of wide eyed enthusiasm with every set they play, so each audience member feels as they did the first time they ate sushi on a yacht made of diamonds.

Rest assured, CMTM are not a metal or hardcore band and lack the immature essence kids often bestow. CMTM are masterful songwriters, almost unbeknown to themselves. In dark bars, parties, or bright festival stages CMTM transform into raucous punk rock and rollers, yelling about the economy and its endless digression, schizophrenia, alcohol and of course, girls. Fist pumping in the form of group sing-a-longs so huge and juicy it could make you sick. And yet, in the midst of all this aggression and rage, emerges some of the biggest heart-ed songs this culturally confused city of Toronto could bear to emit. In between the dripping sweat and guitar heavy choruses, the band opens their collective 8 arms and hugs the audience with their vicious wall of sound. And whether you like it or not, you're getting a big wet one!

Front man Ryan McLennan's charismatic vocals make him one of Canada's most recognizable vocalists. Paired with drummer Phil "WiFi" Wilson, guitarist Scott "Meez" Henry, and bassist Ross "Jus de Papillon" Machon and screw fantasy baseball, you have your fantasy rock band. Their raging rock anthems on their debut self titled release brought them to venues across the country, sharing stages with Cancer Bats, Moneen, The Dears, Malajube, Attack in Black, and Hey Rosetta! with festival stops at Virginfest, Edgefest, Halifax Pop Explosion, CMW and NXNE. 2011 will mark the release of their new album Distance, packed with their most honest and strongest songs to date. Produced by Julius "Juice" Butty (Alexisonfire, Protest the Hero, City and Colour) at the legendary Metalworks studios, the band have laid down some enormous and catchy folk rock anthems, that will whet the appetite of any indie kid or serious rock and roller. If you can take the full frontal assault and monstrous hooks, then maybe you're ready not ready, but CMTM are ready for you.

TOUR DATES
Oct. 28 @ Whelans Gate, CORNER BROOK
Oct. 29 @ Distortion, ST. JOHN'S
Oct. 30 @ Distortion, ST. JOHN'S
Nov. 3 @ Gus' Pub, HALIFAX
Nov. 4 @ Paramount Lounge, MONCTON
Nov. 6 @ L'Absynthe, MONTREAL
Nov. 11 @ Horseshoe Tavern, TORONTO (**CD Release w/ Teenage Kicks)
Nov. 12 @ Maverick's, OTTAWA (**CD Release w/ Dinosaur Bones, Sandman Viper Command)
Nov. 17 @ Casbah, HAMILTON
Nov. 18 @ Jimmy Jazz, GUELPH

LINKS
http://clothesmaketheman.org
http://myspace.com/clothesmaketheman

Dan Mangan and The Crackling, Harbourcoats (Trinity St.Paul's Church, Toronto Oct. 28)

There's something about that Dan Mangan. An unmistakable likability, the way he can warm a room with his presence, charm a crowd with a flicker of a smile. Last night he proved that this can extend to hundreds of people at a time as he wowed an assembly of followers in the Church of Mangan. (Sacrilegious? It was actually held in Toronto's Trinity-St.Paul's Church.)

From the line snaking down Bloor West full of devotees rushing for front-pew seating (including me - success!) or procrastinating fans desperately hoping for a ticket at the door (was that Will Currie and TPC's Graham Wright I saw?), it was clear excitement was riding high for this show.

Before Dan could take the stage a few additional treats were bestowed upon the crowd that quickly filled up the small lower lever, before lining the benches in the larger upper auditorium. The Crackling came first and did a rather impressive job as a three piece making some 'beautiful music' (Dan's words, though I'll agree) sans drummer. The lack of drumming makes sense as the band is actually fronted by the drummer from Dan's band, Kenton, now manning an acoustic guitar, who is flanked by the guitarist and fretless bass player, in their usual roles. Using both their vocals, sometimes in harmony, and their instruments, they really did create great music and knew how to add emphasis - primarily via footstomp.

A respected Canadian indie rocker turned singer-songwriter followed this up. Bry Webb under the guise of Harbourcoats did a set of purely acoustic songs which allowed his raw talent to show through. It is obvious but can't go without saying that his distinctive voice, made famous through his role fronting The Constantines, really sets him apart.

Finally it was time for Dan Mangan - though by finally I don't mean it, as it was only 9pm, and secondly he had already made an appearance as humble guest drummer for The Crackling's singalong, "I hear what you're saying". (Taking his spot at the drumset and wise-assing "So Stayin' Alive in B?")

The music may all fall under the solo heading 'Dan Mangan' but nine people took the stage for this performance, and though members came and left throughout various points of the evening, when the crash of nine instruments hit, it really made a thunderous impression. (Stand-up bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keys/trumpet, trombone, drums, 2 violins, cello) Right from the start they gave us a taste of what they could do with a version of Sold that sucked in the audience and had a clap-along from song one.
It was actually a miscue during the second song that set the mood for the evening. Partway through You Silly Git Dan accidentally bumped his mic stand sending it oscillating in front of him, but in a mere moment, while sauntering back and forth with it, he hurriedly snuck in "..and the next line couldn't be more topical" before singing "I'm not as clever as I look". This was heartily received and from here out the evening's mood was good-natured and intimate, despite the size of the crowd.
Paring down to five members for Road Regrets they maintained the smaller line-up and went acoustic for The Indie Queens are Waiting. However this version required a pre-apology from Dan, "you'll see why". During the chorus band members would echo the lyrics, Veda Hille's recorded part, in near-falsetto voices which not only had the audience members in hysterics, but also got Dan going too with one glimpse of his bass player's scrunched up singing face. A normally sentimental song was given over to comedy but it was well worth it!
Also showcased this evening were a number of new songs. Showing promise from the very first, Post War Blues, it was a rocking song that began with military-like drums and ended up roaring as-much-as, or more than, any other Dan Mangan song released to date.
Tina`s Glorious Comeback saw the members forgo a drumset in exchange for tapping drumsticks and the shaking of a tambourine - complimented by hearty footstomping.
With only two guitars, bass and drums the core group introduced another as-yet unreleased song, Oh Fortune, which had ambient string scratching and cymbal rubbing.
The most stunning song of the night may very well have been a heartfelt version of Basket, introduced as an ode to his grandfather. Beginning with Dan alone he sang emotively while picking his guitar. With everyone fully drawn in, the bass joined, then the violins and the song built to crescendo, before returning to bare guitar and voice. Incredible.
The only way to follow this was with Fair Verona which had a similar structure of quiet, working up to huge heights before coming down again.
Having been treated to a few lush, layered songs it was time for a change of pace. As everyone but Dan exited the stage we were told we were about to witness the first ever playing of this song for any audience - not even the band had heard it. What followed was a courageous song, one that asked many questions ranging from anger to sorrow and absolutely hit its mark.
To add yet another dynamic to this already impressive show the band, minus violins and cello, returned for a cover song - Elliott Smith`s I`m Gonna Love You Anyhow. R.I.P.
A pick-me-up was offered in the form of Some People. The improvised instrumental interlude showed the band`s chops and sounded pretty great, before bringing it back around to finish off the tune.
In finale, perhaps predictable but no less appreciated, they burned into Robots. The silly song that everyone loves to sing along with. And boy did we sing, as Dan leapt from the stage into the aisles we leapt to our feet, and as he climbed onto the back of a pew our voices climbed to the rafters. It was an uplifting experience, one might say magical or even holy considering the appropriate setting.
With looks of genuine appreciation, mixed with charming humility, Dan smiled and waved as he left the stage met by our natural standing ovation that carried on from the close of the set.
Just as naturally the five main members (keys included) returned for an absolutely necessary encore. In a bit of a twist they played another new song, inspired by the movie Stand By Me, that was excellent and seemed to have the quintessential 'Dan Mangan' feel.
Joined by everyone on stage, and from the sounds of the angelic voices, everyone in the church, the closer was So Much For Everyone. A beautiful song in its own right it is brought to a whole new level fully unplugged. As Dan's guitar & voice intro works up to the song's breakout and he is joined by the better part of one thousand voices united in the love for his music, it sends chills. Euphoric!

NEW VIDEO : You Say Party - Lonely's Lunch

This. Is. AWESOME.

Vancouver/Abbotsford-based band You Say Party has debuted their latest video for "Lonely's Lunch" on Pitchfork. It's set in India. Watch it!

Diamond Rings : Canada's prince of pop

"Wow" is a term that Toronto's Diamond Rings should be used to hearing by now. That was the first word that stumbled out of my mouth when I first heard John O'Regan's head-turning solo project (he's also the frontman of The D'Urbervilles), namely the infectious electro-pop track "Wait & See." Butting heads with Sony/BMG for an unwarranted pull-down of his low-budget first video for "All Yr Songs" garnered shock and lots of grassroots support, eventually resulting in an apology.

Another surprise was in order when I first saw his press shots and music videos. O'Regan's voice is a soothing baritone which stands in refreshing and stark contrast to the synth blips and tricks that are pervasive in his singles. Unexpectedly, his persona, which is captured in its nascent stages in the aforementioned "All Yr Songs" video, is one of unabashed and colourfully exuberant androgyny. In a culture where androgyny is often portrayed as sex-less and dominated by masculine females, the lanky O'Regan dances confidently with both the guys and gals, looking every bit as comfortable in a basketball jersey or a pair of zebra print tights. The "Baby One More Time"-esque dance moves in "Show Me Your Stuff" warrants viewing in contemporary gender studies classes for its unashamed celebration of the kinetic male body. Again, wow.

After a series of EPs and singles, Diamond Rings has released his debut Special Affections via Secret City Records on Tuesday, October 26, which is streaming in full below. He will be stopping by Vancouver on November 20 at Biltmore Cabaret. Hope to see you there! (Full tour dates below as well)

10/28/10 London Alex P. Keaton Canada
w/ PS I Love You
10/29/10 Ottawa Raw Sugar Cafe Canada
w/ PS I Love You
10/30/10 Kingston The Mansion Canada
w/ PS I Love You
10/31/10 Montreal Il Motore Canada
w/ PS I Love You
11/01/10 Guelph Ebar Canada
w/ PS I Love You
11/18/10 Edmonton Pawn Shop Canada
11/19/10 Calgary Broken City Canada
11/20/10 Vancouver The Biltmore Cabaret Canada
w/ Teen Daze, Dbl Dragon

Interview: Violent Kin

On Tuesday Saskatoon's Violent Kin released their new EP "Velvet Hideout". The four song release showcases an even split of songs featuring the vocals of siblings Maygen and S.J. Kardash and forges ahead in the Electro Rock vein of 2009's "Bitter Blood" with songs "Wolf, "Keep Your Balance", and "Good Girl". However, while "Call You Out" from "Bitter Blood" hinted at a larger, more cinematic scope, things are blown wide open right from the start by the epic title track on this EP.

In the midst of a week with the new release and making preparations for an imminent cross-Canada tour beginning October 22nd at BreakOut West Festival in Kelowna, BC, and all the 93 other jobs he has as part of Violent Kin, S.J. took time out to answer some Q's for NxEW.

Q: Why an EP and not an LP? Or Double Album?
A: We’ve actually talked about a double album, so don’t tempt us. With the EP, we wanted to briefly introduce our music to people who hadn’t heard us before. We liked the way these four songs fit together, so we thought this would be a good way to get people ready for another full length release in 2011.

Q: How long were these 4 songs around before you recorded them and did you record any others?

A; We started working on new music last winter as soon as we got back from our Bitter Blood tours. One of the songs we came across was Velvet Hideout, but the other three didn’t come until later. We ditched a few songs and I’m sure we’ll be revisiting others for future releases. Believe it or not, this is the slowest we’ve worked. Usually our songs go from written to released within a couple of months, but our publicist is doing a good job of keeping our trigger fingers at bay this time.

Q: The song Velvet Hideout has an epic build from start to finish. Starts "So Soft" and builds to that huge guitar part and Maygen's voice blowing up like a possessed Shirley Bassey or Eartha Kitt. Am I way off base here or is this a perfect James Bond villain theme? Are you two scoring the next Bond film and haven't told any of us yet?
A: I’d sign on for that in a heartbeat. Maybe we can be a third and fourth wheel for Jack White and Alicia Keys next time.

Q: Speaking of which, the heavy guitar sections in "Velvet Hideout" and "Keep Your Balance" sound amazing. What was the gear setup like for those? Guitar? Amp? Mic?

A: Thanks! I use a Fender Baritone through a Musicman head and a 2x15 bass cab. Then, I mic it with a vintage Sennheiser 409 and Shure 57. I basically just plug in and hit record. Although on the heavy section of Velvet Hideout I also added a couple of tracks plugged direct into the board for that really tight fuzzed out sound. Thanks for asking by the way. Maygen hates gear so I never get to talk about it. I feel a weight off my chest.

Q: Fender Jaguar Baritone. Made in Japan? How did you end up with that?

A: The Japanese do good work! I actually just special ordered it from a music store here in Saskatoon. I like playing bass and I like playing guitar, so I figured I should get something half way between.

Q: 2 x 15 cabinet? Sounds great! Do you use the same cabinet for bass or go D.I.?

A: Yeah, I use the exact same rig for bass, so recording involves very little setup. Switch the mics and plug in my bass. Although I do insert a DI in the chain for bass as well.

Q: Did you two listen to any particular artists for inspiration for any of the songs on Velvet Hideout? For songwriting? For production? And, generally speaking, who are the big influences? Feel free to say Bieber, I'm not here to judge.
A: On the recording side of things, I find myself listening to production with a discerning ear all the time. I love MGMT’s organic lo-fi growl, and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s disco fuzz, but I can also really appreciate a good clean, punchy radio mix. I love when everything has its place in the mix and there’s always something to focus on. If a guitar part is coming in, you have to shine the spotlight on it. The Beatles were always great with this.

As for songwriting, we had definitely been listening to a lot of our childhood favorites like Genesis, Peter Gabriel and Michael Jackson during the making of the EP. Right now, Maygen’s on a Hall & Oates kick though, so watch out. And, I’m gonna have to check out this “Bieber” you speak of.

Q: Amigos has the best Nachos. Yes or no?
A; So good that I always get them stuck in my throat trying to eat them too fast.. it’s kind of embarrassing.

Q: Do you write together or separately? You've been doing it for a while now so it's a pretty straightforward operation?
A: Usually one of us brings an idea to the studio and we work out the arrangement and instrumentation together. With Good Girl I had the basic song written and recorded with a place-holder synth and drum machine as the accompaniment, and we worked the arrangement around that. Maygen added the Bruce Hornsby piano and airy synth, Tallus added drums, I added the slide and rhythm guitars and bass, then we removed the placeholders and redid the vocal. It’s a lot like building a mold first and we don’t really know how it’s going to turn out until it’s done.

Q: I keep going back and forth on my favourite song between "Velvet Hideout" and "Keep Your Balance", though the other two are very close in this competition. Do you have a favourite song on the EP?
A: Honestly, I like them all.

Q: Violent Kin seems like a big DIY operation, writing, recording, making videos, violentkin.com. Obviously, that's a lot of work. Do you take time off between projects and tours? Vacation in Hawaii? Caribbean cruise? Trekking in Djibouti? What's your escape from music?
A: I rarely take time off. I went to the lake a couple of times this summer, but it’s such a full-time job that it actually takes a lot of effort to relax. Music is my escape from the music business.

Q: You're off on a Canadian tour shortly. How much are you looking forward to playing these songs live? Have you already played them live? Any particular challenges translating it all to the stage?
A: We’ve had one rehearsal with our band and I can already say this is the best all of our songs have sounded. We’ve got Brandon Tenold coming along to fill in on bass and keys and Tallus Scott is always the drummer king. We’ve played the songs from the EP a few times live as a three piece, and that can definitely be a challenge. It works, but it’s been hard to cover all the parts, so I’m really looking forward to heading out as a four piece this time.

Q: Any chance of another New York residency any time soon? And if so do you switch allegiance to the Jets or Giants or is it Roughriders forever?
A: Oh no, a sports question.. Ask Maygen - she’s the one with the Roughriders license plate! Seriously.

"Velvet Hideout" is available now from iTunes and MapleMusic. Updated news and tour information can be found at violentkin.com.

(Photo by Scott Bell)

Square Root of Margaret launch new CD, WYSiWYG, in Windsor this Friday!

Chatham, Ontario is not exactly known as being a musical mecca in Canada. It probably wouldn’t get a mention even in Ontario’s Top 10. But one of Canada’s finest purveyors of psychedelic pop music over the past 18 years, Square Root of Margaret, have steadfastly called the small agricultural and automotive city home-base since their inception, with no foreseeable plan of relocating to any of the Torontos or Montreals of their home country.

Born out of Chatham’s notorious House of Bleen (also briefly known as the Briscotheque), a house that bore many of Chatham’s finest bands out of the early 1990′s, SROM began as an instrumental jam band, but a succession of new members quickly turned them into one of the area’s finest psychedelic pop bands, lead by the songwriting eccentricities of Po Kadot and his band of merry men, bassist Dennis Reissner, guitaristJoshua Brisco, keyboardist Jason McFadden and drummer Todd Clarke, SROM carved out an extensive catalogue of self-made cassettes, full length CDs, cross country tours and not one, not two, but three box sets featuring even more unreleased goodness.

Following the release of 2007′s Teragram Photeur (which was initially written and recorded as a solo album by Po Kadot, but then repackaged last minute as the next SROM album), SROM’s evolution continued and long time members McFadden and Clarke left the family, replaced by Chatham indie musician and producer Ben Srokosz on drums and former Chathamite (and Windsor music scene favourite) Eric Welton on keyboards. The new collective began working on new material and on October 15^th at Phog Lounge, they will unveil the fruits of their labour, with the release of WYSiWYG, their strongest and most encompassing release yet.

SROM has managed to do something that not many bands have ever managed to encapsulate – evoke every great musical format from the 1960′s (and to a degree the 1970′s) and combine them together into a sensory overload akin to taking a particularly pleasing hallucinogenic drug for the first time. It’s like King Crimson meets The Flaming Lips, a band that would have been just as comfortable playing at Annette Funicello’s Beach Blanket Bingo as they would have Andy Warhol’s Factory. Just last month I was in attendance at their hometown Chatham launch for the CD at the Elephant’s Nest, and the floor was littered with dancers of all ilk and appreciation, twirling in varying combinations of the Twist and the Go-Go, their sweaty delight impossible to withhold. A similar experience followed during their limited set at this year’s Harvesting The FAM Festival in Windsor, and I’m sure their showcase Friday October 15^th at Windsor’s Phog Lounge will be nothing short of a the year’s most inspired dance parties.

WYSiWYG, produced (like most of their releases) by SROM themselves, opens with it’s title track, a nearly ten-minute jam opus that harkens back to their early days of inception, while still looking far enough ahead to realize that they are the sum of the parts of who they are now. It doesn’t feel old or sound old. It’s a jam instrumental that thunders along with gorgeous keyboard melodies over-top heavy guitar riffs, beautiful breakdowns and head-bobbing rhythms, like the soundtrack to a 60′s spy movie. “WYSiWYG” (which for the unknowning stands for “What You See Is What You Get”) segways into the first pop gem of the album, “Hallucinate Your Holiday”, an infectious rock-diddy that speeds up and slows down in perfect time to pogo and sway under the neon lights. Don’t let the Flaming Lips ambitious title of the third track, “Attack of the Giant Problem vs. The Creature from the Planet of the Incredible Shrinking Solution” scare you away from the music it represents. One of their live favourites right now, “Attack…” is another (mostly) instrumental jam session that is more structured than your average jam. This is more Gary Numan than Allman Brothers, that’s for sure. Intelligently laid out like a Lewis Carroll lullaby, “Attack…” is the centre point of the album. “Deep Dark Atmosphere” follows “Attack..” perfectly, with an almost Grapes of Wrath meets Secret Machines air about it that soothes, despite its agitated poppiness (not that that’s a bad thing). “So Far Gone”, the simplest and perhaps most beautiful song on the record, was recorded solely by Po in his bedroom…but it’s limited production works well and is a great piece of (slight) downtime amidst the beautiful chaos of the entire album. “Turn It On Tonight” is another spacey pop gem – picture Brian Molko from Placebo fronting The Cars. The closer, “The Cream of Dreams” is like the third part to a psychedelic prog opera that began with “WYSiWYG” and continued through “Attack…” – it clocks just over eight minutes but never feels prolonged on purpose. Every point and counterpoint has been thoroughly thought out and inserted for full maximum effect. An effect that is pulled off with the usual SROM master precision.

In this internet day and age where many bands will spend a lifetime trying to craft a perfect pop song and neglect the rest of the album with filler or half completions, it’s refreshing to see that SROM has held steady to the mandate of creating an album that stands on its own as, well, an album. From start to finish,WYSiWYG is a perfect family trip. It gets rocky at times, but by the end, you’re glad for every bump on the road of the journey. In fact, you can’t wait to go on another one.