Threat Shark A/V: 1 and 1 #6

A bit of a taste of Asia this week, including a bonus track (which you’ve probably seen). Gonna keep it short this time.

 

I think MIA is awesome. Just going to put that out there. Also, it takes a lot to offend me or disturb me, when it comes to fictional depictions on screen. Born Free is not a friendly video to watch with your kids. It’s pretty dramatic, but it makes an excellent point. I have to add that, stylistically, this is right my alley. The muted colours, the not-too-shakey-but-still-mobile camera work, that’s all stuff I like. And, of course, a political message I agree with (no, it’s not saying go beat up gingers, it’s anti-genocide, you nit).

 

A forward to the next two videos. They are from Korea. However, that cultural region has been split up for awhile, so one is from north, and one is from south. See if you can guess which is which.

____________________________

 

Yeah, ok, so the second one blew up this year summer, after I had originally picked it, but the craziness is pretty awesome. And when comparing it to the North Korean one, the cultural differences caused by the political systems each is a part of is pretty apparent. The girl in the the North Korean one (No, I won’t refer to it by it’s proper name until it actually is democratic) was rumoured to be going out with the leader of dear nation. Yep, she’s a top end celebrity there, singing about the duties of…laundry folding? I’m not usually so uppity when it comes to other cultures, but while the Kims lead North Korea, it’s lacking.

Buu-bye,
Brendan

Threat Shark A/V: 1 and 1 #4

This week it seems to be a comparison of trying to hard and just being naturally clever. Some people just have it. Others choose pop stardom, since critical success isn’t in their bag of future achievements.

Ok, there was going to be a Cat Empire video eventually. This is actually the first song of their’s I heard, since it was a music video. Much More Music used to do a clip show called Clip Trips or something like that which featured songs from outside Canada and the US. Unfortunately it appears to have disappeared. On the upside, this piece of wit in the form of a Psychoanalytical Basketball Association game is still around. Of particular note, the total lack of respect for normal basketball rules and physics, and the great mouthing. Yes, we now they aren’t singing, but they do a damn fine job of keeping it on time.

A great source for strange music videos is metal. This one isn’t awful, it’s just…not what you’d ever expect. That’s the Swedish Women’s Curling Team from a few years ago. The song itself isn’t actually horrible, although this isn’t a great version.  A little overly dramatic, but that’s tempered by the guitar solo on the button. This video does seem to continue the stereotype of Swedish blonds though.

Tah,
Kergin

Threat Shark A/V: 1 and 1 #3

Today we’re going to take a look at a salute to originality and independence and the exact opposite.

A slight lead up to this first one. I lived in Germany for a little while, and the Beatsteaks were one of my favourite discoveries. On top of them being great, they’re fans of Joe Strummer, a great man. He passed away a few years ago, and a few punk bands have done tributes. This is one of them, with a sweet video, in both uses of the term.

With the first couple of strums reminiscent of London Calling and many other hidden references in a tribute song, these guys are layer on the tribute here. On top of that, the video has a good-vs-evil plot, which I’m always a fan of, with a great lead character. And he’s dressed like a pirate and there may be a sword fight.

Then there’s things like this out there:

Nothing here is authentic or original or anything less then planned out by a marketing team. Ok, so it may be intended to be an ad, but it cloaks itself in a music video, and therefore, I’m using it. If nothing else this shows how corporations mimic culture in order to sell people products or concepts. The song is from some corporate ad library and the band was put together by marketers as a way to give the song authenticity. They don’t actually play the song, they just learned it so they could act it as a band on TV. Hope it was a good pay cheque.

Bye, Kergin

Threat Shark A/V: 1 and 1 #2

Ok, so here we go with the second 1 and 1. For the good one, it’s another indie band, but a bigger name. You may have seen it, but I doubt it. And it’s brilliant. For the bad, we have a relatively famous one, but if you haven’t seen it, well, then here’s a what-not-to-do. So many mistakes made.

For the good we have:

While watching this you should try to remember the era it was being made in. 2006 was Bush-era, multi-war America. The move into examining the politics of the time using a high school UN club isn’t a huge lead, but this is executed really well. The outsider turning to music after being shunned, the font being used, the band members (who are in their late-20s, early 30s here it looks like) playing high school students, the parodying of political action in a high school setting; it’s all dead-on in an off beat way. Also, that prof is awesome.

As for the…other:

NOT FOR SINGING ALONG WITH! Ok, first I’m going to jump on the music and vocals. Music – sounds canned. Vocals – I wish they used autotune, and I hate autotuned vocals.
As for the video, I feel kinda bad slamming this one, since it’s low budget and all, but I’ve done student projects for free that’ve looked much better than this. While they apparently hired a guy and had a $300 shooting budget, it looks like they took their mom’s camcorder from ’98 and recorded it in an afternoon. As for the “D”, that’s Detroit. It hit such viral fame at one time it got a “Know Your Meme” spot:
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/its-so-cold-in-the-d

Hope you enjoyed that,
Kergin

Threat Shark A/V: 1 and 1 #1

Ok, so this is going to be a new series in our Threat Shark Blog. As a big fan of short form videos I watch a lot of them. I’d like to share them with you. I’ll be pulling from around the globe and around the genres. There will be two categories. There will be videos I like a lot and think have a great execution or concept worthy of note (coupled with a song I at least respect). And there will be…other ones. Ones that are, insane or horrible, or laughable in someway that wasn’t necessarily intended by the producers. Sometimes they might just be odd ball.

In short, one good and one WTF?! That’ll give you the option of watching one or both, depending on mood or time limit.

Oh, and I’ll try to pull videos I don’t think people have seen, just a heads up in case you’re wondering where greats like Thriller, and flops like Friday, are.

So for the first week I’m going with:

Cuff the Duke’s “The Ballad of Poor John Henry”

Ok, so this is a bit of a hipster vid, but it’s a gem as well. I’m a fan of the sepia and old fashioned look, especially since it kinda fits the old-timey sound the band has with that twang in he guitar. The other reason I chose to share this is the competition. If you haven’t reached that part of the show, I won’t spoil it, but the cheesey acting and feel good nature mixed with this down-on-their-luck couple makes it a one of those little winner, imo.

And now for something completely different:

Nothing will prepare your brain for this, and I’m not sure if I can do much more than let you hit play…
The first 30 seconds are just brightly coloured. Wait until the chorus drops. There is no way to even begin to list all the bizarre things going on here, but I think the most disturbing for me is the one faceless back-up dancer. When you see it, you’ll know.

OK, I hope you won’t doing anything important, ’cause that second one may have caused permanent brain damage. If anyone can translate what she’s singing there, that might help? But I doubt it.

G’night,
Kergin

Threat Shark Summer 2012 Playlist #30 – The Final

Ok, here we go. Formatting this was a pain, but I had good music to listen to. I’m going to try to write something for each of these, but there are 50! Seriously, this is actually an awesome playlist. Kick-ass. Spectacular. All that stuff and a basket of fun.

I did try and put it in some sort of order. Unlike Rocca, I have no idea when some of these songs were part of my list, but I do know they all were. I think there are a couple which double up with his list to, but it just means that was a really good song.

THE END IS OVER HERE! I MEAN, CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC!

1. Owen Pallett For, Many Lives for 49 MP from the album He Poos Clouds
   I start off with a pair from Pallett, since he’s unique and seriously awesome. For some reason the classy string quartet sound of this one balanced with the shouting is perfect to me. I’m a huge fan of strings in pop music arrangements, and of songs which build from quiet to a peak.
2. Owen Pallett He Poos Clouds from the album He Poos Clouds
   I think this is actually a better combination of indie and the string quartet sound, with his vocals and the drums, and just the melody overall. Also “Gotta find and kill my shadow self…”
3. Kathleen Edwards Chameleon/Comedian from the album Voyageur
   I think this is one of the double up songs that Taylor and I both chose. It also was all over the R3-30 countdown, and I think she’s up for the Polaris Prize this year still, making the short list. Sold?
4. Destroyer Poor in Love from the album Kaputt
   “I was poor in love, I was poor in wealth, I was alright in everything else.” First lines of this song and it could be my twitter profile.
5. City and Colour Coming Home from the album Sometimes
   I know it was pretty mainstream, and for some that means it should be disregarded. They are wrong.
6. Great Lake Swimmers Your Rocky Spine from the album Ongiara
   What I’m trying to dub prairie folk or prairie country with a perfectly wilty voice describing our nation, filling out to a simple love long to Canada.
7. Current Swell Too Cold from the album Long Time Ago
   A west coast flavour from some home town heroes to Victoria. Yep, I mentioned Vic. It melds the clap along with a thoughtful, almost melancholy  song, but shies away from getting too down.
8. Elliott BROOD Oh, Alberta from the album Tin Type
   I’ll be honest, Alberta is not my favourite province. Sorry guys. But this throwback bluegrass style piece is a great ditty touching on many of the provinces and prairies.
9. The Barr Brothers Old Mythologies from the album The Barr Brothers
   A soft piece with perfect harmonies. Reminds me of something and I can’t quite place it. If you know another band that has a song or two like this, let me know, it’s killing me, I want to rediscover what that is.
10. Aidan Knight Jasper from the album Versicolour
    A bit of a bluesy/folksy sound to Knights work here. A great solo artist. Part of what makes this great isn’t just the fantastic guitar work, but how happy he is. Also, this is one of those songs that really builds into a fuller piece.
11. Stella Ella Ola Peter Sellers from the album Stella Ella Ola EP
    Ok, we’re out of the folksy/country/softer work here, moving into some low-fi post punk and indie pop gems or what have you. Super simple here and a little dirty. Try not to bop. 
12. The Wellits Fort McMurray from the album The Wellits
    I went to Fort McMurray. In fact, I’m there right now. Unfortunately, this song misses me on almost every lyric, but I like the sentiment.
13. cub New York City from the album Come Out Come Out
    I wish these guys were still around. If I made high school John Hughes films, these would totally be used.
14. Vancougar Distance from the album 7″
    To me they sound a bit like an updated, more serious cub. Less bop, a little more attitude.
15. Immaculate Machine Dear Confessor from the album Fables
    Ok, not sure the term for it, but the way the vocals intertwine in here is great for what starts off sounding like another relatively simple, though fun, song. And of course, another weakness for me is a dual vocal, male/female, team. The harmonies aren’t as bang on, but the juxtaposition and complexities it can add are fantastic.
16. Acres Of Lions Reaction
    I mentioned those simple little fun pop-indie gems? This is right at the top of the pile.
17. Jon and Roy Little bit of Love
    Stripped down to the most basic elements of modern music, I cant believe there aren’t more songs like this sometimes.
18. Hollerado Good Day At The Races from the album Margaritaville 2: The Reckoning
    Hopefully it’s become obvious at this point what section you’re in in this playlist. Indie-pop for everyone. While the music is modern-rock-indie-pop, the lyrics, while direct, are beefier and relatable. 
19. Yukon Blonde Stairway from the album Tiger Talk
    For some reason I just feel like this should be used for a baseball advertisement.
20. The Slakadeliqs Call Me Your Friend (feat. Sandie Black) from the album The Other Side of Tomorrow
    And this one would be perfect for a phone or Volkswagen commercial.
21. Plants and Animals The Mama Papa from the album La La Land
    An older piece from a very good band. It might not be cutting edge this summer, but respect some of those great tracks from a year or two ago that get forgotten by the buzz bands and trendsetters. 
22. Great Lake Swimmers Easy Come Easy Go from the album New Wild Everywhere
    Another piece from GLS, go out on the patio with a growler of beer and a friend and don’t come in until the growler is done.
23. Jason Collett I’ll Bring the Sun from the album Idols of Exile
    See, now that you’re on the patio this is the perfect follow up track. Also, is anyone surprised Collett ended up on my list?
24. Andrew Vincent Canadian Dream from the album Rotten Pear
    Probably my favorite discovery of the summer. Most of these bands I knew to some extent before embarking on this playlist project. Such Canadian lyrics. I have another soft spot for songs about things I can relate too on a daily basis and mention specific, real word things. It doesn’t have to be bland monotonous activities or emotions being sung about, but still something a normal person is likely to experience.
25. Mother Mother Dirty Town from the album Touch Up
    My favourite piece from one of the most popular outfits in Canadian indie right now. It might be one of the older ones, but the harmonies and onomatopoeia catch me. Also, high tempo, rhythm heavy, catchy, all well played.
26. Rococode Empire from the album Guns, Sex & Glory
    Heavy on the electronic sounds here, a simple melodic song with some fun keyboards. Also, for some reason the use of an extended note rising at the end, I like that.
27. Jets Overhead Boredom And Joy from the album Boredom and Joy
    Recently highlighted by Rolling Stone magazine as their download of the day.
28. The Weakerthans Plea From A Cat Named Virtute from the album Reconstruction Site
    One of my favourite lyrical concepts ever. POV: Cat.
29. Arcade Fire We Used to Wait from the album The Suburbs
    When they broke out with Funerals everyone knew these guys had talent if the could keep the ego in check. It’s going to be hard for them to beat Suburbs. This song is relatable on a basic level, and that driving piano really allows some great material to be built around it.
30. Broken Social Scene Meet Me In The Basement from the album Forgiveness Rock Record
    Strings, upbeat positive sound, builds to a crescendo. Right in my zone.
31. New Pornographers My Rights, Versus Yours from the album Challengers
    For some reason I find this song just brilliant, but I don’t think I’m the only one.
32. Rocky Mountain Rebel Music Light it up from the album Rocky Mountain Rebel Music
    One of the bands I’ve seen live a few times, as their based (at least used to be) in Victoria. And I still would go see a show at any opportunity.
33. The Stanfields Ship to Shore from the album Vanguard of the Young & Reckless
    As a huge fan of celtic punk (seen Flogging Molly, the Streetdogs and the Dropkick Murphys all live), when I first found the East Coast’s Stanfields I listened to everything they had online a few times. Subject matter matches perfect to the sound.
34. Bruce Peninsula Crabapples from the album A Mountain is A Mouth
    Percussive and tribal mixed, but with a modern take.
35. Fucked Up No Epiphany from the album The Chemistry of Common Life
    The juxtaposition here of a strong rock song and epic vocals is unique for some reason. IT realy sounds like something that should have happened before, but for some reason hasn’t.
36. The Pack A.D. Sirens from the album Unpersons
    These girls brought the rock. And the rock star attitude.
37. Duchess Says Narcisse from the album In A Fung Day T!
    Some space rock here with squeaky guitar and an attack right around the 2 minute mark.
38. Dearly Beloved Living Proof from the album Hawk vs Pigeon
    We’re into the party rock now and I have a feeling this would be a great live track in a small/mid-sized venue.
39. You Say Party Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule! from the album Lose All Time
    The first of two You Say Party! songs, the shouty female vocals over the disco-punk really lends credence to the You Say Party! part of the name.
40. Controller.Controller PF from the album x-amounts
    What? I like the shouty girl vocals over disco-punk.
41. You Say Party Like I Give a Care from the album Lose All Time
    Do I need to repeat myself? Actually, I will expand here. SO CATCHY!
42. Japandroids The House That Heaven Built from the album Celebration Rock
    Big buzz when this band released there most recent tracks this summer. Shout out anthem here. I haven’t looked at what this song is actually about, but from listening to it just feels like it’s from a big city, at night, with city lights reflecting off windows and walking into a concert where these guys are playing.
43. Death from Above 1979 Blood On Our Hands from the album You’re A Woman I’m a Machine
    A buzz band from a few years ago, I’m still partial to them and the one album the put out. Just a bass and drums for these sounds, at least until they got ahold of a sound board and warped the hell out of the bass.
44. Buck 65 Zombie Delight (Buddy Peace Remix)
    It’s about Zombies. No exposition on to some social ill or emotional state. It’s about zombies, what they do, and how to deal with them.
45. Cadence Weapon ’88 (Prod. Grimes)
    Probably my top artist in the whole hip hop/rap genre right now, up against Buck 65. Roland knows english.
46. Buck 65 Blood of a Young Wolf from the album Secret House Against the World
    Favourite Buck 65 song all time, one of my favourite songs all time. I’d quote my favourite lyrics, but thats most of the song, and you don’t want me to write favourite again.
47. Death from Above 1979 Black History Month (Josh Homme Remix) from the album Romance Bloody Romance
    A stripped down remix, I’m not sure what the instrument is, maybe a xylophone run through something? Anyways so foreboding, and awesome.
48. Caribou Odessa from the album Swim
    Moving to the end nearly, more of an electro feel now. Just a classy sounding song.
49. A Tribe Called Red Electric Pow Wow Drum
    A bit of a break out this year from these guys this summer with this mixing of traditional First Nations beat and singing with modern electronica. Really interesting, unique mix.
50. Bruce Peninsula Satisfied from the album A Mountain is A Mouth
    I had no idea where to stick this song, so it got the end. Short and percussive. Satisfied?

Ok, that’s it folks. No playlists for awhile, but we’ve got hundreds of songs lined up for you with these playlists and CBC Music has a bunch more. Thanks for reading and I hope you guys keep checking out this site, since we will be continuing on with various other projects. The radio show should be coming back, and I’m going to be trying out a new series here. And since I’m Arts and Entertainment editor for the Omega at TRU again this year, expect a few reviews of concerts and albums here as well.

Good night,

Kergin

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist PAYDAY

Technically this is playlist #29, but considering the circumstance, I had to amp things up a bit. Hence we have Playlist PAYDAY. Boom.

First off, huge thanks to Mr. Kergs for covering for me last week. I was wrapping up my last week in Toronto and between packing things up and tying up loose ends, I was doing my best to see a few sites last minute. This marks the third new location that I have published a Threat Shark Summer playlist from. Previously, I had fired things up from New College on the U of T campus. A quick move down the street brought me to Whitney Hall on U of T campus. Right now, I’m pitstopping in Calgary at my parents’ place before heading on to Castlegar for a wedding and finally Kamloops for the start of (what will hopefully be) my last year of school.

For this week, Brendan and I decided we wanted to wrap things up with a recap of our favourite tunes of the summer.

For you, I have 48 tracks compiled from my previous playlists as well as two brand-spanking new tunes that have yet to appear this summer. Hope you enjoy!

Musicschmuzick

1. Make A New Dance Up by Hey Ocean! – May 22
2. Lose It by Austra – May 22
3. My 5 by Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party – May 22
4. Out on the Shield by Said the Whale – May 22
5. Darling, Darling, Darling by Corey Isenor – May 29
6. Grab Me By the Lapel by The North Lakes – May 29
7. How Darwinian by Dan Mangan – May 29
8. No Common Ground by Gabrielle Papillon – May 29
9. The Sheriff by The Strumbellas – June 5
10. Hondo by Beta Frontiers ft. Becky Ninkovic – June 5
11. Ciao Monday by Emm Gryner – June 5
12. If I Get Old by Elliott Brood – June 5
13. In Came the Flood by Wintersleep – June 12
14. Bloodlines by Arkells – June 12
15. Echoists by Young Liars – June 12
16. Oceans by Topanga – June 12
17. Fisticuffs & Affidavits by Parlovr – June 19
18. Come On Out by The Elwins – June 19
19. Hallways by Islands – June 19
20. Americanarama by Hollerado – June 19
21. Pool Hoppin’ by Octoberman – June 26
22. Two Feet Stand Up by Cookie Duster – June 26
23. Ropes That Way by Dirty Ghosts – June 26
24. One Shot by Bend Sinister – June 26
25. Last Parade by Matthew Good – July 10
26. Who Do We Care For? by Sebastien Granger and the Mountains – July 10
27. What Are You Waiting For? by Hexes and Ohs – July 10
28. Arms Tonight by Mother Mother – July 10
29. Chameleon/Comedian by Kathleen Edwards – July 17
30. Queen of Hearts by F*cked Up – July 17
31. Vowels = Space and Time by Grimes – July 17
32. Hoshi Neko by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – July 17
33. Chit Chat by Hannah Georgas – July 24
34. All My Friends by Lindi Ortega – July 24
35. Life on Earth by Dala – July 24
36. Quelque Part by Caracol – July 24
37. Florentine by Cinderpop – July 31
38. Edmonton By The Rural Alberta Advantage – July 31
39. I Don’t Know by The Sheepdogs – July 31
40. Scar That Never Heals by Jeremy Fisher – July 31
41. I’m Just Me by Diamond Rings – August 7
42. What Do You Wanna Do? by Louise Burns – August 7
43. When I Write My Master’s Thesis by John K. Samson – August 7
44. Favourite Kisses by Henri Faberge and the Adorables – August 7
45. Ontario by Will Currie and the Country French – August 14
46. Hallelujah Halifax! by Audio/Rocketry – August 14
47. West Simcoe County by Dinner Belles – August 14
48. I Drove the Coquihalla by Chixdiggit! – August 14
49. Waikiki by Belle Plaine – August 28
50. The Discocalypse by Tupper Ware Remix Party – August 28

Kergin will hit you with another phatty playlist on Thursday. After that, we hope to be hearing you listening to us on the airwaves back in Kamloops on X 92.5FM!

Cheers to the few remaining days of summer! Make the most of ’em!

-T

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist 28

Ok, since this one is the second I’m doing this week and I’m ramping up for school I’m gonna keep it short. My time up in Fort McMurray is coming to a close, school starts in about two weeks and it actually takes a little bit of effort to put this together each week, to be honest.

With that in mind…this playlist has nothing to do with any of that. In fact, no theme. So let’s jump in.

WELCOME! To Jurrasic Pa-…er, THREAT SHARK 28!

1. Inlet Sound Thanks Sally from the album Demo EP
   A newer band I don’t really know a lot about, these guys are in the midst of releasing their first full length album. It should be out in October, and it should be interesting to see what they can produce with some proper time and production behind them. While the track Magnetic North is getting a little more attention I like the softer side represented here.
2. Plants and Animals Lightshow from the album The End of That
   I’m a little surprised we haven’t played more Plants and Animals. Definitely a talented band in the top echelon of Candian indie in my opinion, these guys put on a great show. As one of the many English language groups from Montreal’s scene right now I think we can safely call the city a hot bed of talent.
3. Jeremy Fisher On My Mind from the album Mint Juleps
   Fisher seems to be siting right on the cusp of something. I find some of his songs bland, but others break through to something more, and most are fun. He’s got a couple brilliant music videos as well. This is off his 5th album, Mint Juleps.
4. Mike O’Neill She Believes In Me from the album The Owl
   Fellow Fort Mac Todayian Trevor Howlett passed this guy on to me. The multi-talented O’Neil is apparently a fairly respected guy on the east coast, and it’s times like this I wish there was a better exchange of music across the country. I’d never heard of him, and only barely recognized his former band, the Inbreds, a big band in Canada’s 90’s indie scene. You may know him better as Thomas Collins (Tom Collins?) white trash super show The Trailer Park Boys.
5. The Inbreds White Caps from the album Winning Hearts
   And this would be the crew O’Neil helped flounder, the Inbreds, a couple buoys who started off in Ontario and then went east to Halifax. For those a little foggy with white caps, that’s an ocean-y term for some rougher waves, capped with white sea foam (which always boathered me, since the colour “sea foam” isn’t the colour I remember sea foam being). But that’s not important, what’s masterful is the freighter full of maritime language in this shanty. Just like this entry.
6. Rococode Death Of A Payphone from the album Guns, Sex & Glory
   A little more Rococode.. Maybe if I write about them enough they’ll pop up to Kamloops. Anywho, a great song which includes plenty about a subject slowly disappearing, pay phones. What do they even cost anymore?
7. The Slakadeliqs Call Me Your Friend (feat. Sandie Black) from the album The Other Side of Tomorrow
   This has to be a part of a commercial right now. It’s got that catchy beat perfect for a 30 second spot selling me a Camry or something. Maybe a phone company, the sing “call me” a lot. A perfect summer song for the patios as we watch the sun get lazy.
8. Dearly Beloved Living Proof from the album Hawk vs Pigeon
   Ok, so we’re really bringing the energy here. I have to figure this would be a great song to see live in a mid-size venue, like Sugar in Victoria (I know I’m being island-centric with that statement, but I’m not sure of similar venues outside of Vic).
9. You Say Party Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule! from the album Lose All Time
   And right after Dearly Beloved play, You Say Party can take the stage. Great cardio after that show. These guys are just a great party band, so much energy.
10. Kinnie Starr Superclever from the album Sun Again
    A genre we haven’t hit much, mostly because it’s fairly small, is female hip hop. Kinnie Starr is a star of the genre, especially in Canada. Outspoken and an interesting person, she’s got a unique voice in the industry, which is greatly needed.

Ok, short this week, probably next week as well, but change is in the air, along with plenty of commas, if you’re ok with that, though it doesn’t really matter since it’s our blog.

Later,
Kergin

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #27

I’m doing an odd number this week! Taylor will return next week, but he’s taking this week off. I’m not sure of all the details, but I’m going to assume it’s because he’s some big shot hockey reporter now. He’s probably replacing PJ Stock on HNIC (I just don’t really like that guy).

Anywho, to keep the spirit of Rocca on Tuesday I’ve gone through the songs he’s picked through out the summer and made a mega mix. Yes, you heard right. MEGAMIX.

Ok, so that just means 15 songs, cause I couldn’t choose 10. Looking back at all the songs we’ve featured, you try to choose 10, it’s brutal.

Since we’ll be taking a larger chunk of your time this week, let’s jump to it.

1. Gabrielle Papillon No Common Ground from the album The Currency of Poetry
   This Nova Scotian caught me with that chorus and melody. Something about the way she tosses out “I heard Rome was burning, and this was all they found,” I just really like the way it sounds. Simple. Nothing cerebral or critical. It just sounds pleasing.
2. Coeur de pirate Adieu from the album Blonde
   To continue with the softer female vocalists, Montreal’s Couer de pirate. Like Taylor said, I have nothing against the French speaking part of our nation, I just don’t understand the language. It’s the reason I don’t choose more Fracophone songs for Threat Shark, I’m not sure what they’re talking about. However, that being said, there is some astounding material coming out of that cultural niche. This sounds like it fits in with other Canadian indie music, yet still retains something that sets apart because of the language. Ideal.
3. Amy Millan Towers from the album Masters of the Burial
   Amy Millan is one of the busiest musicians in Canada, you gotta figure. Stars is releasing a new album, which she is a part of, which is great, but I really enjoy her solo material as well, and kinda hope she’ll work on a new album now, though she’l probably be touring with Stars for a little to support their new piece. I’ll forgive her for the delay if they make it into the Okanagan.
4. AUSTRA Lose It from the album Feel It Break
   The only reason I didn’t put this on one of my lists is because he beat me to it. I think this is off the first  summer playlist, and it killed to see he’d snuck in with it right away. A really interesting direction of Canadian music is developing with some strong vocalists working over some more digital or synthesized sound landscapes. Here, we hear one of the more unique voices, and talented. Right around 3:10, yeah, that’s just great.
5. Grimes Vowels = space and time from the album Visions
   A bit of a buzz has come from media around this young woman. As much as Austra is recognizable, Grimes is off in her own category in a lot of ways. Here we get some of that skitchy-techno rhythm with a spacey synth and her voice just lightly over top. Again, lots of layering of vocals.
6. Diamond Rings I’m Just Me
   Something a little more aggressive now. It’s a bit of a slow burner. It seems fairly tame for the first and then really comes alive at the minute mark. The band apparently was taken too serious at first, by those in their seen, but hearing them without any foreknowledge, it sounds like this is a pretty together group, fitting nicely into that modern electro-pop sound. Lead singer John O has got a great voice for it.
7. Rah Rah Little Poems from the album Little Poems
   Switching directions a little bit here, this is totally reminding me of some of the new My Morning Jacket or others playing with that new found twang. It’s developed separately from the “New Country” garbage on the radio, and this song, and many others are reaching into the past for inspiration. I’ve never liked country, but that was because the few times I heard the current crap it was Alan Jackson or Shania. While my Dad introduced me to stuff like Gram Parsons and similar artists, my generation wasn’t producing anything worth while in that arena. Now, we seem to be seeing a rediscovery from the indie scenes and new bands influenced by the past folk, country and folk rock greats like the Band, CCR and old Dylan, which in turn is bringing us something country flavoured in it’s own way.
8. Audio/Rocketry Stompin’ & Strummin’ from the album Buskin’ Songs with Audio/Rocketry
   These guys also play a bit with that prairie country sound I’m talking about, but also use some of the acoustic punk (from bands like Against Me) to infuse a bunch more energy through the vocals. I can totally see these guys sitting on some crates playing at some small town pub playing songs like this. Just some acoustic guitars, a harmonica and a bunch of energy coming from the voice.
9. Cuff the Duke Count On Me from the album Morning Comes
   I’m a bit of a Cuff the Duke fan, and again, we’re hearing some of what I’m dubbing prairie country. It’s not that southern rock, or pop country, or traditional/blue grass. There’s definitely indie rock, it’s a border genre, with themes of the land, unity and trying hard. Anyways, Cuff the Duke haven’t quite become a big name, but they’ve been playing for a few years now and are slowly building up fans and awareness. I think they’re playing TO just as TR leaves.
10. Andrew Vincent Cover It Up from the album I Love the Modern Way
    This guy might have the most Canadian lyrics ever. He’s singing about stuff that happens to everyone. Here, it’s the season’s and how you look. The Alberta Wheat Board and Much Music make appearances. How much more Canadian can you be? He adds some humour at the end, singing about his street.
11. The Rural Alberta Advantage Frank, AB from the album Hometowns
    If you don’t know about the Frank Slide, that’s essential to the lyrical portion of this song, so we’ll just wait a second while you go wikipedia that shiznit. Go ahead. Threat Shark will wait. Fine I’ll do it for you. Ok, with you now informed, listen to the song. I always have a soft spot for songs that go back to almost forgotten historical events and pen a song on it. Often these events were incredibly important to a lot of people and may have altered societies, on a local level at least. As time marches on, the impact of the events can be forgotten, and people can lose touch with the fact people experienced something then and there. So yeah, I’ll just get down from this high horse now.
12. Said The Whale Holly, Ontario from the album Islands Disappear
    Ok, so Said the Whale has become a staple in the Threat Shark diet. It’s kinda strange, since I saw them a few years ago, just after Camilo came out, and I found them rather bland. But the studio work they’ve put out is actually pretty strong. This is off the same album as Camilo, and I really enjoy it, so there’s hope, and maybe they’re excellent live now.
13. Dan Mangan Post-War Blues from the album Oh Fortune
    I don’t know exactly what it is about this song, but I really enjoy it. The war imagery diluted by the Vampire Weekend-esque guitar. The driving beat and big sound coming from a guy I don’t really expect it from? SOmething clicks every time I hear it though.
14. John K. Samson When I Write My Master’s Thesis from the album Provincial
    One of the first songs I heard when I got back into CBC R3 (back when hat was a thing) was this song, and I had no idea it was the guy from Weakerthans. It’s a song I think a lot of university students can get behind, especially my age. While I can’t speak to the master’s part of it, there’s a lot I do get intuitively. It just seems to capture the lifestyle really well, in an honest way.
15. cub My Chinchilla from the album Betti-Cola
    These women should reunite and write lots of new songs. That is all.

C ye,
Kergin

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #26

Happy Birthday Dad! There’s a card in the mail.

With that being said, here’s another Threat Shark PLaylist! Like Taylor’s on Tuesday, this is a very Canadian list. Yes, they almost all are here, but we’re doing some location themed stuff today.

Putting together this list, two things happened. One – I over researched. If you want to hear an even longer play list, try Canada 2 on my CBC Music playlist. 30 songs, all about our country, mostly positive. Two – Prairie boys like singing about their home towns. While I don’t have a bunch on this list, there were a lot of songs to do with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, an inordinate amount. Surprisingly, the Maritimes were the least common. BC and Ontario were about as I expected. To be fair, I haven’t gotten around to listening to, and dissecting, every song on the web.

Also this week I tried to put together a more cohesive listening experience, so no Classified, Kardinal Offishall or Corb Lund. They’re all on the extended list though, if you wish.

So, with that being said, I’ve put together a group of 10 indie rock songs of some variant or another which mention and/or evoke a certain location.

The music’s over here, eh!

1. Said The Whale B.C. Orienteering from the album Islands Disappear
   For those who grew up on the coast, this song can probably pull out some memories. Well, it’s pretty childhood-centric, but some of the descriptors are definitely BC. As we’ve played this Vancouver Group pretty regularly, I won’t go into them to much, other than to say this is just one of the BC-based songs they played.
2. Elliott BROOD Oh, Alberta from the album Tin Type
   Elliot Brood (a band, not a solo artist) breaks out some of that twangy-Alberta spirit, but quickly bounces around our big country, shouting out a few provinces and territories. I get the feeling this is a great song to play on Canadian tours, since pretty much everyone will have a chance to shout at their shout out. But not BC. 😦
3. Greg MacPherson West St. James from the album Balanced On A Pin
   A simple, thoughtful piece as a man flies over the country imagining how life is simpler in different parts of the country. As someone who has made that trip over the country a couple times before, Canada is really big, but there are so many little communities that, while over the prairies, you can often spot little towns below you, and imagine the lives of the little people below.
4. The Weakerthans One Great City from the album Reconstruction Site
   Winnipeg. Is it a great town, or not? For Samson and the Weakerthans, their hometown sounds pretty boring at first, and the repeated “I hate Winnipeg” doesn’t give the warm, friendly feeling many have for their hometown. But be honest, sometimes you HATE your hometown, especially if you’ve lived there for years. You know all the pain-in-the-ass habits of the citizens, all the notorious intersections, all the crappy niches NOT filled by stores. In that way, this is a very positive song about WInnipeg.
5. Great Lake Swimmers Your Rocky Spine from the album Ongiara
   While looking for songs for this list this was the first song I came across multiple times. This isn’t about a specific community, but Canadian geography. Travel this country folks. There’s a lot here that people never made, but still offer spectacular scenes or experiences. And have we not mentioned the super talented Great Lake Swimmers before? ‘Cause they should be some regular listening if you like this one.
6. Harlan Pepper Great Lakes from the album Young and Old
   As much as this guy sounds like Adam Sandler, he’s not. Though he’s got the same skill in rhyming, with each of the Great Lakes getting a couplet of sorts. I’d love to see an extended edition with more of our lakes. Great Bear? Kootenay? Plenty of rhyming opportunities in our countries waters.
7. Andrew Vincent Ambassador Bridge from the album Keep it that way (e.p.)
   Looking at the list of music Vincent has uploaded to CBC Music gives you the feeling he really likes this country. And then, of course, there’s this song, which may be the most Canadian thing ever. What’s more Canadian than talking about our southern neighbours? And singing about one of the most famous bridges in North America (at least for us) and visa papers on a fridge just completes it.
8. Jason Collett Charlyn, Angel of Kensington from the album Here’s to Being Here
   Yes, more Collett. For those who haven’t wandered Toronto, Kensington is a neighbourhood with a youthful, bohemian vibe (IMO, I’ll probably be told otherwise now). Charlyn is the angel of this place apparently, and Collett puts the places in TO to a beat following said angel’s life. And is it me, or does something sound like car horns at times?
9. Joel Plaskett Down at the Khyber from the album Down at the Khyber
   According to a few folk, Plaskett is a very Patriotic man. With a variety of songs telling the stories of different places or Canadian experiences (True Patriot Love mentions CBC’s habit of playing our anthem late at night, Love This Town is…about a small town he loves). I went with this one mostly due to the breadth of his references. And also that wicked percussion break.
10. City and Colour Coming Home from the album Sometimes
    Ok, many Canadian kids will remember this song, and how it referenced a couple Canadian cities AND was a single that made it onto a fair number of radio stations. This isn’t a hidden gem, it’s more widely known. Which is great, that artists can use Canadian references and not worry about that limiting their market to Canada. I like the idea that Canada can have a music scene that isn’t barely scraping by and doesn’t rely on the US for financial support. Yeah, Dallas Green has probably made some money in the states, but I’m guessing he’d live comfortably just off his $CDN.

Apologizes (kinda) to Lincoln, Nebraska and North Dakota, who both get slammed in this list.

Be seein’ ya,
Kergin