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I don’t have a lot of nice things. Not a lot of people I know do. I mean, they have things that cost a lot of money, as well as things they hold dear to them, but I don’t know a lot of people with NICE things. When I say nice, I mean something that will be forever lost if it was incinerated in a fire, at great personal cost to you.

I have no precious works of art, or custom made sofas. I have no wine collection or 75 year-old bonsai trees. I did not think I had any reason to need tenants insurance until I saw a terrifying picture of someone’s copy of ‘All Things Must Past’ smouldering in to oblivion. I realize now that I need to protect my investment, I need to be proactive. I must insure my record collection against fire, theft and water damage by any means necessary, or at least using the proper channels and a licensed broker.

There are no receipts for 90% of the records I have purchased. That 40ish guy at the garage-sale in Airdrie who sold me mint copies of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band‘, ‘The Wall‘, ‘Dark Side of the Moon‘ & ‘Wish You Were Here‘ for $40 total is pretty glad there is no receipt because it would ultimately show what a terrible business man he is. Additionally, I can’t very well approach an ex-lover and ask her to validate the claim to an insurance adjuster that I lost a record in a fire that had once belonged to her, but she thought I should have it because I’d ‘Appreciate it more’.

So now my lofty goal is to catalogue all of my records & maybe my CDs if I don’t drive myself crazy in the mean time.

PURITY RING (via Beatroute AB)

This was a bit of a challenging article artistically, and logistically. The label/PR people pulled a choke job getting the album to me so I could listen. Their dumb anti-piracy tactics made it really difficult to hear the album. I couldn’t put it on my iPod or burn it to a CD for listening, I had to stream it through my computer. To make matters worse, the stream expired and I had to ask the label to resend access, which took way longer than it should have.

Honestly, crap like this makes me want to give up on writing for music. How can I give an accurate review of music that I have to jump through hoops to listen to? Even when I do get to listen to it, I have to either listen on tinny laptop speakers or hook it up to my stereo. Neither are all that fun, and so this review has a more conceptual tone that I gleamed from listening to the singles that have been made available.

I have the LP on preorder, coloured vinyl and all that. Pretty excited to hear the album in decent fidelity. Continue reading

DIGGIN' THE CRATE: August 2012 | FREQ Magazine.

This was credited to Jaron Jones in the magazine. That’s pretty cool right?

“How do you know what records to buy?” is a question I have been asked a few times before. Folks who are new to collecting sometimes see really expensive records on one side and dollar bin junk on the other. As a music fan, I’ve given up on “collecting” records for the sake of having records. I don’t particularly care about first pressings or imports, and as someone who is known to DJ, I’d prefer if my records weren’t worth thousands of dollar each. I want to listen, have fun and play tunes for my friends.

In reality, all I care about is a good track on a record that’s in good condition. I guess this is why I buy so many compilations. They are never expensive, but I regularly get remarks from other collectors for buying “trash” who know that the value of the compilation record has nowhere to go but down.

For me, I know enough about popular music to know that a certain number of the tracks on mass-produced compilations are going to be trash and that’s the beauty of it. Throw on #1 Hits of the 1970s and listen to the endless number of songs that you’ve heard ad nauseum on the radio and you’ll eventually tune out. However, it’s the tracks that pop out at you, the ones you don’t really remember getting bashed over the head with, those are the tracks you’re looking for when you head out looking for new records.

Now that you’ve found your favourite song on that compilation, you have a new artist to check out. Put the 45rpm or 12” single of that track on to your “Must Have List,” do some research online and you may have found a new band to obsess over. Lather, rinse, repeat and the next thing you know, you’ve got a record collection that you actually want to be listening to.

Alternative to this approach, a really good compilation or DJ mix can enable you with the same ammunition for your crate digging. Your favourite DJ has pretty good taste, and they’ve already done the legwork, so just keep an eye out for familiar names while thumbing through records and add some of those obscure tracks to your collection.

On a recent trip to Vancouver, I decided to pick up the 2 LP compilation set called ‘New York Noise vol. 2’. Released by the ever-amazing London, England label, Soul Jazz Records, the compilation is an extremely interesting look at New York’s underground in the late 1970s through early 80s. If I hadn’t already had my eye on this, and it’s predecessor, I would’ve bought it for the artists I knew, and then spent hours obsessing over all of the artists I didn’t.

While I’m not recommending buying every single shit compilation you come across, or even spending hundreds getting all the Soul Jazz compilations, I do suggest checking some out. When you’re digging, you have to dig through the records you purchase just as much as the crates their held in.

Words by Jaron James

Brilliant beyond compare Dan Snaith, AKA Manitoba AKA Caribou AKA Daphni makes music that always takes me to new places. While drawing heavily from other genres, Snaith has always pushed the envelope under his moniker Caribou. Now after remixing and being remixed for the clubs Dan Snaith releases this gem that’s rightly planted in the middle of a dancefloor.

From where I stand, I’m not sure what dance floor I’ll be hearing this tune on (dance music is a fickle thing in Calgary), but if I have anything to do with it it may be coming to a party near you.

Check your local listings

Daphni – Ye Ye – YouTube

Animal Collective

Spent the morning listening to Animal Collective and excited to hear they are releasing a new album. Merriweather Post Pavilion was one of my favourite albums of theirs, and it’ll be good to hear the follow up. They’ve become a lot more poppy and palatable since Feels without leaving too much weird behind.

Todd Barry on Conan O’Brien

I wrote a piece about Todd Barry for Beatroute and the article should be out in June. Todd Barry is a funny guy, and sadly I wasn’t able to do a phone interview. He still gave me some decent answers and my editor told me the entire section on comedy turned out well. I guess we’ll see how well when the Sled Island edition of Beatroute comes out early June. Todd Barry is really funny, and to honour his craft I’ve decided to make a Todd Barry Pinterest board. I am hoping it will become the #1 place on the internet ladies will get their Todd Barry Pinterest fix.

Ryan Kukec

Kukec is such a butt face, but he’s such a gem at the same time. While attempting to interview him for my comedy series (he’s hosting the show) he kept wondering why anyone cared about what he had to say. This caused him to be a huge goof and eventually send me a picture of a penis I could only assume was his. Otherwise he’s that guy that goes looking on the internet for pictures of penis to send to his friends. I met Kukec during Sled Island last year and he was the dude that got me in to Stand-up.

Nick Flanagan

Is another comedian I interviewed that is coming down to Sled Island. I guess I could have tried to interview Tim Hiedecker or Hannibal Buress, or that guy from Vice, but I passed. Really and truly, I decided to play favourites and harass one of my twitter friends/fellow FOT in to giving me an interview. Thinking it over, what’s a good music festival review without favouritism? I’ve never met Nick, but any Friend of Tom is a friend of mine.

Ok, so I didn’t buy any Beatles LPs or singles. While I’m a big fan, and I have Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club on vinyl, I’ve never been one to chase after grail records. The Beatles, along with Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd are all bands that attract the worst type of record collector. Obsessive types who want to find specific rare pressings and drive even the crummiest of LP by the Beatles, Zep or Floyd in to the $30+ range. This is not an unacceptable price to pay for a record, but I’m a little more concerned with discovering music I haven’t heard yet. In the case of singles, I’m looking for great tracks that haven’t already been beat in to the ground by radio, stuff that will make people dance.

Wings – Back to the Egg
I was warned that I wouldn’t be ready for Back to the Egg, but I’ve purchased it in preparation.

Paul & Linda McCartney – Too Many People b/w Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
RAM blows my mind every time, and there are two of the best tracks on one 45!

Paul McCartney – Press
Not really familiar with this single, but it was a McCartney related picture sleeve for just  a couple of dollars.

George Harrison – Got My Mind Set On You
This track came off of Harrison’s Cloud Nine LP and is a collaboration with ELO’s Jeff Lynne. Harrison and Lynne later went on to collaborate as a part of the Traveling Wilburys.

Traveling Wilburys – End of the Line b/w Congratulations
In addition to being a huge nostalgia trip for me, the Wilburys are a super group featuring one of the Beatles (George).

Your humble narrator.

A small snapshot of the scene at about 10:30 am

Elton Motello – The price tag had me, ‘buy it and thank me later’. I really like the track Jet boy, Jet Girl so I bought both of the records he had by Elton.

There’s something twisted and cool about this art.

I was really thankful to find this in a box of 3 for $10. I’m sure this would have gotten snagged really quickly, and then resold. Such a good single, with Paul Revere on the flipside.

Some more classic hip-hop from the same box of 45s.

Public Image LTD. – Public Image b/w Cowboy Song
Heard this track on a compilation and grabbed it with two other P.I.L 45s. The B-side is intense and has a looping run-off groove that has some weird sounds in it.

Public Image LTD. – Disappointed picture sleve

Public Image LTD. – Warrior picture sleeve (got all 3 of $10)

New Order – Power, Corruption and Lies
Great sounding classic record. I was really happy to find this at the end of the show. I guess there weren’t a ton of people who collect New Wave at the show.

New Order – True Faith  b/w 1963
Not my favourite New Order songs, but a solid release from Factory.

Adam and the Ants – Kings of the Wild Frontier
I feel like I’ve heard so much about Adam and the Ants and I’ve never really gotten in to them. It has some ring wear, but it sounds pretty good and was about 1/4 the price I saw it elsewhere for sale.

The B-52′s – Love Shack  b/w Channel Z
Couldn’t  resist this classic in the 3 for $10 box.

The Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian
Another classic I couldn’t turn down.

Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
I didn’t know this track, or Kate Bush in general but I heard the Chromatics version of this song and really liked it. I realized I did know this song, and I do know Kate Bush but I didn’t know it!

Dub Rifles – No Town EP
Wow, got this 7″ for a buck and it’s great. I was told it was a band from Winnipeg that wasn’t quite ska, not quite punk and I was sold. For a dollar, it’s really easy and fun to gamble on 7″ records. I’d categorize this as ska, but I know that opens a huge can of worms with it’s own wave categorization. I’m not going to pin this in to a wave, but it’s classic.

The Shadows – Shadoogie EP
I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with this disc. The sleeve is beat up, and it doesn’t seem to match the actual record. Also, the small hole adapter is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Both the tracks are great, and I hope this is just the first of many The Shadows records I bring in to my collection

Cliff Richard – Rock and Roll Juvenile
The vendor who sold me the Shadows record got me excited about this because it was related. This is not nearly as good, and I was really looking forward to some surf music.

Michael Jackson – The Way You Make Me Feel
Obligatory MJ grippage for nostalgia. This track was on a tape that came with our mid-90s Dodge Caravan when I was younger.

The Hollies – Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
A classic tune re-issued in 1972.

David Bowie – Modern Love
I’m a big Bowie fan. I don’t have all of his albums yet, but I am excited every time I find a single kicking around.

Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
I already have this on 12″, why did I buy this? Oh yeah 3 for $10

Iggy Pop – Real Wild Child (Wild One)
Who is norm? He had pretty decent taste in music.

Underworld – Underneath the Radar
This guy had a big bin full of $1 12″ singles. I was tempted when he told me to make him an offer on the whole bin. A lot of sealed singles, but barely anything to note. I grabbed this Underworld 12″ just because I could.

Depeche Mode – Strange Love
This was in the box of cheap 12″s but I am a bigger fan of Depeche Mode than Underworld. Hopefully this is worth the dollar (likely).

1. Purity Ring – Obedear

Similar to my love for Grimes from the last top 5, here is a new track from another Canadian electro songbirds. This time it’s duo Purity Ring, who have only been a real band since last Sled Island (less than a year) and already have a set at Sasquatch. Coming from the same scene that is producing some of the best music in Canada like Born Gold, Ghibli, Happy Trendy, Shout Out Out Out Out, and Cygnets. Purity Ring has announced tour dates with the Dirty Projectors, no Alberta dates are scheduled at this time.

2. Sharon Redd – Sweet Sensation (Cyclist Dub Edit)

Cyclist is holding down Vancouver disco, producing edits and working hard crafting his own material and some big name remixes. Him and Pat Lok won the Rapture remix contest for ‘How Deep is Your Love’ and we can expect a lot more from him in the future.

3. Parks and Recreation

Spawned from the ashes of what is left of the American version of the Office, one of my favourite “little shows that could” is Parks and Recreation. Like the Office, Parks has an ensemble cast of relatively unheard of comic actors anchored by a key comedic force. Comedic powerhouse/UCB co-founder Amy Poehler takes the roll of Leslie Knope, who mirrors Carell’s enthusiasm for a terribly boring job, but unlike Michael Scott’s bumbling idiot persona, Knope is good at her job. In fact, Leslie Knope is one of the only people who cares about their job in the whole show. At the moment, the show is in it’s 3rd season and it seems to be humming along well. Leslie is running for city council and the resulting hi-jinx make for a great show. For me, the show does a good job of being both funnier and more entertaining than the Office and being a little more conservative than my other sit-com favourite Community. To me the show feels balanced, and while I initially didn’t know any of the cast (except Pohler and comedian Aziz Ansari), I have grown to love and adore them.

4. Jordan, Jesse, Go! – Episode 217 – 221

I mentioned Bullseye in the last Top 5, and somewhat regret not pointing out specific episodes to check out. They are all good, but getting in to a podcast can take a big name guest or great episode to get in to. Luckily for all of us, JJGO! is non-stop funny, and the idea of a bad guest is unheard of. Jordan Morris and Jesse Thorn do a really good job of the ‘afternoon chat’ style of podcast, keeping me interested and making relevant and hilarious jokes that keep me downloading the podcast every single week.

5. Fake Pinterest

Even with a very slight understanding of what Pinterest is, you should get a kick out of these very odd, fake posts. Jabbing at the social-network’s demographic of housewives and other helplessly domesticated users. Fake Twitter accounts are now my favourite use of Twitter and I would like any readers who have made it this far, to suggest some of their favourites. Another great is @JADEDPUNKHULK who does a great job of parodying both punk music and the original Drunk Hulk twitter handle.

As it turns out, controversy that was stirred up last week around bands using the social funding website ‘Kickstarter’ has spilled over in to the super-festival sphere of influence. After festival organizers had troubles securing enough sponsors to fit the bill for the initial round of deposits and artist payments, they went to Kickstarter in an attempt to raise the money through social media. The dreams were dashed however when the project failed to raise the $800,000 dollar needed to keep the festival alive. While support for the fund were steady at first, they grinded to a halt after it was revealed that festival tickets would still be in excess of $200 even for those fans who donated. Music fans were not happy that they were paying $100 each (before purchasing the tickets), and that their contribution only afforded them a meet’n'greet event with Dallas Green (who festival fans noted isn’t that hard to meet, as he normally found outside after his shows, shaming people for smoking cigarettes).

The organizers say they will try again next year. Their hope is to begin planning now, instead of just throwing everything together in the last minute. The organizers have gone on record as saying “Get your pillows ready, if 2012 doesn’t kill us, Fall Asleep Fest 2013 is somewhat likely! Also, we’ll totally have a hologram”. While their promise for 2013 seems vaguely plausible, it’s not know what the fate of Bonnaventure James will be. The local pop-musician and producer was announced as the first local headliner of the festival, and is quoted as being “Super Bummed” at the news the only festival he’d been asked to play was cancelled. For more information on the Calgary Electro-pop Artist Bonnaventure James, check him out online.

Festival season is reaching a fever pitch. Between North American super festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo and Sasquatch, and the Calgary favourites like Sled Island and Folk Fest, social media is popping with artist announcements and other festival related buzz. Who’s going where? What big name band is reuniting? What to wear?

Inspired by Boonstock, the Dubstep/NuMetal festival north of Edmonton, a new group of musical entrepreneurs has pooled their resources to throw a festival with world class artists.

“We noticed that Boonstock had booked artists known for being really loud. Bands like Korn are known for their heavy guitars and screaming vocals, while DJs like Knife Party and Kill the Noise are known for their hatred of dancing and the way they make computers make scream-like sounds” said Steven Glass, co-founder of the festival. While Boonstock heads north of Edmonton, FAF will be heading south of Calgary to the community of Stavely. While the mayor of Stavely was unable to comment due to his lack of telephone, computer or teeth, a spokesperson from the community said that they were very happy to work with the festival’s organizers.

Hand curated by Glass and his business partner John Sealy, the festival has some big names in indie rock, which is exactly what Sealy and Glass were going for.

“We wanted music that wasn’t too in your face. Soft beards, flannel, harmonies, we want to hear music that will really put people at ease. We aren’t looking for a Woodstock situation.” said Sealy, mentioning the ruckus and rioting that occured at all 3 Woodstocks. His vision is for a music festival where people can lay in the grass, and have a singer-songwriter serenade them, without having to worry about mosh pits, bass drops or electric instruments. Mr. Sealy was hesitant to comment about the intentions of his festival, it’s no secret that John Sealy has ties to the mattress manufacturer. More than one music journalist has asked if this festival isn’t another in a long line of attempts by large corporations to exploit impressionable youth. Sealy did note that corporate sponsorship will be present but won’t interfere with the music.

Headliners:

• Portugal, The Man
• Beirut
• Bon Iver
• Mumford and Sons
• Fleet Foxes
• Jack Johnson

In addition to these big names in soft-rock, Sealy and Glass have been hinting at special guests to be announced closer to the event, which is scheduled for late September. Early rumours have Dallas Green playing John Cage’s famous 4′33″ as many times as his ego will allow, and a revolutionary performance by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young who are reforming for one night in hopes they will finally figure out what Twitter is.