Free Olympic Concerts!

In Vancouver, they are holding Live City Vancouver which you should check out and visit to listen to some of the great acts playing!

Surrey is also holding the same, Surrey 2010 Celebration.

Click the links for more details and show times, etc, etc, etc.

Interview with Tim, of Wintersleep

Let’s start things off by asking how things are going?

Things are going great, exciting times for us… We are finished tracking our new record and we’re going to mix the record in Glasgow, Scotland at Castle of Doom studios starting on Jan 10^th. We’re playing some free shows in and around Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games, which is going to be insane. Hopefully we’ll be able to catch a hockey game…

Who are some of your musical influences? What about local bands?

We have tons of different musical influences, too many to name. As for local bands that I used to go see a lot in Halifax, The Burdocks/Dog Day (Seth is an amazing songwriter), North of America/The Plan/The Motes, Elevator to Hell, Burnt Black, Thrush Hermit, Julie Doiron, The Guthries, Made in the World, Jon Epworth/Dean Malenkos…

What got you into music?

I’m not sure exactly what got me into music. I’ve always been into music as far as I can remember. Nirvana probably was the first band that made me want to buy a guitar and learn how to play it though.

Outside of music, what are some things you enjoy doing?

I enjoy watching and playing (occasionally) hockey, skating outside in random parks in Montreal, Ping Pong, making fun of Jon for supporting the Maple Leafs (we’re all Habs fans except Jon…).

What’s been your weirdest band related experience?

Probably walking down red carpets at awards shows like the Juno’s or MMVA’s. Everyone is looking at us saying who in the hell are these dishevelled awkward dudes.

You guys toured a bit with the Aussie band, An Horse, what was that like?

An Horse are a great band and super nice people. I learned that Australian dollar bills are impossible to rip because they are made of some super strong fibre plastic(y) stuff.

What were some of the bands you first got really into and were like, wow, this is actually some good stuff?

I guess I was quite into the whole grunge thing when I was first getting in to rock music, so bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, The Melvins, Kyuss, Tool. I don’t really listen to that much anymore but if someone throws it on, I still like it… a lot. J

What inspires you to make music?

I have no idea really….it just happens.

If you never got into making music, what would you be doing instead?

I would probably still be trying to figure that out…

What was it like when you first saw a Wintersleep CD in a store like HMV?

It was secretly awesome. As in, I didn’t want anyone to see me looking to see if our CD was stocked yet but I did it every Tuesday until it finally showed up.

Being a band from Canada, and from a smaller province like Nova Scotia, did you find it harder to break out into the music scene? What about the USA and UK, was it harder to break out in those scenes then here in Canada?

I guess with NS and the rest of the Maritimes being so far away from the rest of the Continent, it is definitely a little more difficult to get out there and tour because of that god forsaken 12 hour drive from Halifax to Montreal. It also kind of works to your advantage in that you can play the shit out of Atlantic Canada and develop a strong following back home(and hone your live skills) and then tackle the rest of Canada, the USA, Europe.

In the next 5-10 years, where do you see Wintersleep?

Hopefully with a few more albums and tours under our belt(s).

What is it like to know that you will be part of some Olympic events, like LiveCity Vancouver and the Surrey 2010 Celebration?

It’s great and it’s an honour to be asked to do this type of thing. We said yes immediately, and asked for Hockey tickets, but I doubt we’ll get them…

What advice do you have for bands trying to make it in the music scene?

Keep touring!

What bands are you currently into?

Lately I’ve been listening to Spoon’s new EP Got Nuffin’, Dog Day’s Elder Schoolhouse (that they recorded with Rick White!), Smog/Bill Callahan, The Maccabees, Kurt Vile, Hot Snakes/Obits, and many more….

What would one thing you would change about the music industry?

Remove Simon Cowell from anything to do with the music industry.

When you do interviews, what do you hope the interviewer never asks?

What certain lyrics mean…

Any last words?

Gosh Yeis…

Anyone you want to thank?

Just you, Ryan. Take care.

Thanks,

Ryan Rose!

January 5th, 2010 - Tegan and Sara Show Review

Well, January 5th was two nights ago. It was also the night that Tegan and Sara kicked off their North American headlining tour with the first, of two shows at the Orpheum Theatre, which is beautiful by the way, in Vancouver, BC. This night was also the night that I got to tick off a goal on my to-do list before I die list. That was photographing Tegan and Sara! I do not know why that has been a goal of mine for awhile, but it was and I got to complete it, finally!

Now, the night started off with my waiting for the doors to open around 7:00 to get into the seated area. I say this, because we had to wait inside the Orpheum from the time the doors opened to get inside the building, but we couldn't actually go to out seats. Now, around 7:45, the first opening act went on stage. He was, Astronautalis, who is a one man hip hop/rap artist who is originally from Florida. His set was short, but was filled with greatness. Definitely recommend anyone to check him out.

Next up after him, was a two piece band based out of Australia. They were An Horse, whom are a huge up and coming band that are hitting the scene hard, with help from Tegan and Sara. Their set was a bit longer then the previous one from Astronautalis, but again it was very good from only a two piece band with Damon on drums/back up vocals and Kate on guitar and lead vocals. They are also touring with Tegan and Sara for the rest of the Canadian part of the tour, and if you are attending any of those shows, you have a lot to look forward too!

Now, Tegan and Sara were up, and finally playing their own headlining show at the Orpheum compared to the year before(well actually less, as it was in February), where they co-headlined with Broken Social Scene for the Cultural Olympiad. They started their 27 song set list, with a song from their new album, Sainthood, which was Arrow. The crowd was way into it, despite not standing up(I always feel weird sitting down at a concert). Tegan and Sara have come along way since they started, till now. Their set-list flew by, which was around 2 hours long. They then, played an encore which comprised of acoustic songs, except for the last one. They even played an acoustic version of Feel it in my Bones, which they made with Tiesto.

Full set list from Tegan and Sara's set:
Arrow
Don't Rush
The Ocean
Walking with a Ghost
I bet it Stung
Burn Your Life Down
Where Does the Good Go
Speak Slow
On Directing
Red Belt
The Cure
Paperback Head
Nightwatch
Soil, Soil
Knife Going In
So Jealous
Nineteen
Northshore
Alligator
Hell
Sentimental Tune
Someday
The Con

Encore:
Back in your Head (acoustic)
Feel it in your Bone (acoustic)
Call it Off (Acoustic)
Living Room

Here is a youtube video of Feel It In My Bones done from the show:



Now photos!











An Horse Photos:







Click them for bigger!

Peep my flickr for the rest!

Thanks for reading,
Ryan!

New Year!

Well, Happy New Years! It's finally 2010, and hopefully things will start to get a rockin' for my blog. With this, I shall finish this post with a great song that is relevant to this year.