After a solid run through the festival circuit in 2011, the Jay Reatard documentary Better Than Something has announced its first official string of screenings throughout the U.S.

It premiers Friday, March 2 in Brooklyn and then moves into Memphis, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon.

Better Than Something was Music Vice editor Brian Banks’ highlight of last year’s NXNE music festival in Toronto.

Additional screenings will be announced, with details posted on Facebook and Twitter.

03-02 – 03-08 Brooklyn, NY – Nitehawk Cinema
03-02 – 03-08 Memphis, TN - Malco Studio on the Square
03-02 – 03-08 Seattle, WA - Grand Illusion Cinema
03-02 – 03-08 Portland, OR - Clinton Street Theater
03-03 – 03-05 Phoenix, AZ - FilmBar
03-08 – 03-11 Los Angeles, CA - Egyptian Theatre at the American Cinematheque
03-09- 03-10 Bellingham, WA - Pickford Film Center
03-15 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
03-26 Austin, TX - Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
04-11 – 04-12 San Francisco, CA - Roxie Theater

Feuding and brooding… Jim and William Reid of the JAMC

If the world needs anything, it’s more music from dour Scots…

The Jesus And Mary Chain have announced tour dates this March in the United States. Scotland’s most famous musical duelling brothers Jim and William Reid will put their differences aside once again as the JAMC head to Texas to play a handful of dates, including SXSW. In between gigs in Texas, the JAMC will fly to LA for one night at the House of Blues.

Quote from today’s press release:

After playing their last gig in 1998 and breaking up in 1999, The Jesus & Mary Chain reunited in 2007 for a handful of high-profile club and festival dates in the US and Europe which began with a triumphant main stage performance in front of an estimated 10,000 fans at Coachella.

Early Mary Chain gigs were a maelstrom of brilliance, violence and unbelievable arrogance. The band could hardly play, which hardly mattered, as the gigs never lasted more than fifteen minutes. Later gigs saw them as a great live band – still unpredictable, but able to play properly as well – if they felt like it. Then they got bored. Jim and William Reid – never the closest of siblings, decided they hated each other, had a massive punch-up before a paying audience then took early retirement to spend more time with their alcohol and television sets.

The revitalized Jesus And Mary Chain are then something of a miracle – a perfect combination of their earliest incendiary nihilism, and their later musical perfection. Underpinning the Reid brothers’ three-chord assault on these 2012 dates will be (sometimes drummer and guitarist from Pyschocandy line up) John Moore on guitar, Phil King on bass and a drummer to be announced.

Jesus and Mary Chain 2012 Tour Dates:
11 March – Denton 35 Festival, Texas
12 March – New Orleans House Of Blues, LA
13 March – House of Blues, Texas
14 – 18 March – South By Southwest, Texas

Any JAMC fans may also like to check out Five New Scottish bands to hear in 2012.

© Brian Banks,  Editor, Music Vice

Internet link: The Jesus And Mary Chain

Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

Dan Mangan has four nom’s in the 2012 Juno Awards

The nominees have been announced for the 2012 Juno Awards. The Junos are awarded annually to Canadian musicians, with the nominees in most categories determined by record sales, and the winners chosen by members of CARAS, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Leading the pack in 2012 with four nominations apiece are Feist, City and Colour, Dan Mangan, Nickelback and Hedley.

Critically acclaimed Toronto based hardcore punk-rock band Fucked Up received their first Juno nomination in the Alternative Album category for David Comes To Life. Another stand-out nomination is Tim Hecker for Ravedeath, 1972 in the Electronic Album category.

It was also announced today that Canadian icon William Shatner will host CTV’s broadcast of THE 2012 JUNO AWARDS on Sunday, 1 April from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.

Meanwhile, voting in the Fan Choice category begins this Friday, 10 February. Find the full list of Juno nominees below.

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Video of the Year nominees Hollerado with “Good Day At The Races”:

Artist of the year: Drake, Feist, Michael Bublé, City and Colour, Deadmau5.

Album: Goodbye Lullabye, Avril Lavigne; Take Care, Drake; Under the Mistletoe, Justin Bieber; Christmas, Michael Bublé; Here and Now, Nickelback.

Single: Fragile Bird, City and Colour; Invincible, Hedley; Let’s Go Higher, Johnny Reid; When We Stand Together, Nickelback; I Don’t Know, The Sheepdogs.

Group: Arkells, Down With Webster, Hedley, Nickelback, Sam Roberts Band.

International album: 21, Adele; Mylo Zyloto, Coldplay; Born This Way, Lady Gaga; Sorry for Party Rocking, LMFAO; Loud, Rihanna.

New artist: Alyssa Reid, Dan Mangan, Diamond Rings, JRDN and Lindi Ortega.

New group: Braids, Hey Rosetta, Mother Mother, The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Sheepdogs.

Juno fan choice: Arcade Fire, Avril Lavigne, City and Colour, Deadmau5, Drake, Ginette Reno, Hedley, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Nickelback.

Songwriter: Dallas Green, Dan Mangan, Feist, Jim Cuddy, Ron Sexsmith.

Country album: 16 & 1, Doc Walker; High Valley, High Valley; Everything, Jason McCoy; Forget About the World, Jimmy Rankin; Roots and Wings, Terri Clark.

Adult alternative album: Morning Comes, Cuff The Duke; Metals, Feist; Honeymoon Punch, Jenn Grant; Skyscraper Soul, Jim Cuddy; Long Player Late Bloomer, Ron Sexsmith.

Alternative album: Native Speaker, Braids; Oh Fortune, Dan Mangan; Kaputt, Destroyer; David Comes To Life, Fucked Up; Creep On Creepin’ On, Timber Timbre.

Pop album: Goodbye Lullaby, Avril Lavigne; Time To Win Vol. II, Down With Webster; Storms, Hedley; Siberia, Lights; Ever After, Marianas Trench.

Rock album: Michigan Left, Arkells; Lights of Endangered Species, Matthew Good; Collider, Sam Roberts Band; The Double Cross, Sloan; Learn & Burn, The Sheepdogs;

Vocal jazz album: To Brazil With Love, Diana Panton; Two Kites, Fern Lindzon; Le carré de nos amours, Sonia Johnson; In The Moonlight, Sophie Milman; Skin Tight, The Nylons.

Contemporary jazz album: Rest of the Story, Chris Tarry; New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges, Colin Stetson; Idiosyncrasie, François Bourassa Quintet; Cuban Rhapsody, Hilario Duran & Jane Bunnett; Changing Seasons, Phil Dwyer Orchestra feat. Mark Fewer.

Traditional jazz album: Aspects of Oscar, Dave Young Quintet; Verge, David Braid; Deep Shadows, Kirk MacDonald Orchestra; Still Rollin’, Mike Murley Septet; Live In Baden, Oliver Jones.

Instrumental album: Cats & Dogs, Andrew Collins; New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges, Colin Stetson; L’Âge du cuivre, L’Orkestre des Pas Perdus; Télescope, MAZ; Stretch Orchestra, Stretch Orchestra.

Francophone album: Le désert des solitudes, Catherine Major; Blonde, Coeur de Pirate; C’est un monde, Fred Pellerin; Le vrai le faux, Jérôme Minière; La caverne, Malajube.

Children’s album: Connecting the Dots, Bobs & Lolo; Songs, Stories and Friends: Let’s Go Play!, Charlie Hope; Sleepy Sky Lullaby, Eddie Douglas; Everyone, Music with BRIAN; My Butterfly/A Capella Lullabies, Vocal Paint.

Classical album, solo or chamber ensemble: Brahms On Brass, Canadian Brass; Louis Lortie Plays Liszt, Louis Lortie; Liszt Piano Sonata, Marc-André Hamelin; Schubert & Beethoven, New Orford String Quartet; American Flute Masterpieces, Susan Hoeppner.

Classical album, large ensemble or soloist with large ensemble: Daugherty : Fire and Blood, Alexandre Da Costa, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal; Bartók Voilin Concertos, James Ehnes; Vivaldi Cello Concertos, Jean-Guihen Queyras; Bruckner 4, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Orchestre Métropolitain; Florent Schmidt- La tragédie de salomé, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Orchestre Métropolitain.

Classical album, vocal or choral performance: Haydn Arias, Jane Archibald, Orchestre Symphonique Bienne, Thomas Rösner; Handel: Streams of Pleasure, Karina Gauvin, Marie-Nicole Lemieux; Caldara : La Conversione di Clodoveo, Le Nouvel Opéra; Marie-Josée Lord, Marie-Josée Lord, Orchestre Métropolitain, Giuseppe Pietraroia; J.S. Bach: Cantatas 70 & 154; Concerto 1060; Orchestral Suite No. 2, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Daniel Taylor.

Classical composition: Glass Houses #5, Ann Southam; Sepia Fragments, Derek Charke; Piano Concerto No. 2, Heather Schmidt; String Quartet No. 2, Jacques Hétu; Fugitive Colours, Jeffrey Ryan.

Rap recording: Handshakes and Middle Fingers, Classified; Jonestown 2: Jimmy Go Bye Bye, D-Sisive; Take Care, Drake; Anywhere (Ol’ Time Killin’ Part.2), Kardinal Offishall; Daggermouth, Swollen Members.

Dance recording: Brand New Chick, Anjulie; Aural Psynapse, Deadmau5; Barbara Streisand, Duck Sauce; Hello, Martin Solveig & Dragonette; Devotion, Mia Martina.

R&B/Soul recording: IAMJRDN, JRDN; Set it Off ft. Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black; Ghetto Love ft. Kardinal Offishall, Karl Wolf; Gone And Never Coming Back, Melanie Fiona; Pretty Lil’ Heart ft. Lil Wayne, Robin Thicke.

Reggae recording: Seeds of Love & Life ft. Luciano, Dubmatix; Bleaching Shop, Exco Levi; Lover’s Paradise, Jay Douglas; Woman, Steele; Rescue Me, Tanya Mullings.

Aboriginal album: Speakers of Tomorrow, Bruthers of Different Muthers; To Whom It May Concern, Donny Parenteau; One Nation, Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen; Lived & Life Played, Murray Porter; The Gift of Life, Randy Wood.

Roots & Traditional album, solo: Small Source of Comfort, Bruce Cockburn; Floods & Fires, Craig Cardiff; A Tribute To John Allan Cameron, Dave Gunning; Late Edition, David Francey; Little Red Boots, Lindi Ortega.

Roots & Traditional album, group: Let The Rain Fall, Good Lovelies; The Place I Left Behind, The Deep Dark Woods; Row Upon Row Of The People We Know, The Once; Bright Morning Stars, The Wailin’ Jennys; When The Wolves Go Blind, Twilight Hotel.

Blues album: Still Blue, Bill Johnson; Soul Bender, David Gogo; Shame The Devil, Harrison Kennedy; To Behold, MonkeyJunk; Me ‘n’ Mabel, Suzie Vinnick.

Contemporary Christian/Gospel album: On The Altar of Love, Downhere; Crazy Love, Hawk Nelson; Forevermore, Jon Bauer; Imperfections & Directions, Kellie Loder; Don’t Close Your Eyes, Sky Terminal.

World Music album: Afo Gné, Aboulaye Kone et Bolo Kan; Flores, Tambores e Amores, Aline Morales; From Night To The Edge Of Day, Azam Ali; Aam Zameen : common ground, Kiran Ahluwalia; Sleepover, Socalled.

Producer of the year: Bob Rock (Jann Arden); Brian Howes (Hedley, Nickelback); David Foster (Shania Twain, Michael Bublé); k.d. lang (k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang); Noah “40″ Shebib (Drake).

Recording engineer: Chris Shreenan-Dyck (Jim Cuddy); David Travers-Smith (The Wailin’ Jennys, Oh Susanna); George Seara (Michael Kaeshammer, Laila Biali); Jeff Wolpert (Sarah Slean); Michael Phillip Wojewoda (Paisley Jura).

Recording package: Metals, Feist; 12, Dinah Thorpe; Rest of the Story, Chris Tarry; Get Yourself Home, Laura Repo; Creep On Creepin’ On, Timber Timbre.

Video of the year: The Stand, Mother Mother; Rows of Houses, Dan Mangan; North Stamp, The Rural Alberta Advantage; Good Day At The Races, Hollerado; Outside Rumbleseat, The Sadies.

Music DVD: Feist: Look At What The Light Did Now; Tegan and Sara: Get Along; Rush: Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland; Peter Katz: Peter Katz Live At The Music Gallery; David Francey: Burning Bright.

Electronic album: A Little More Than Everything, Arthur Oskan; Feel It Break, Austra; Azari & III, Azari & III; It’s All True, Junior Boys; Ravedeath, 1972, Tim Hecker.

Metal/hard music album: Juggernaut of Justice, Anvil; Burning Fortune, Cauldron; Deconstruction, Devin Townsend; Die Miserable, F–k The Facts; Venerable, KEN mode.

Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

Liz Keith next to her winning image of Flaming Lips flaming lead singer Wayne Coyne

On Thursday night, 2 February, a juried exhibition of concert photography entitled SOUND IMAGE opened at Analogue Gallery on 673 Queen West, Toronto. Analogue Gallery is a small, private gallery which features local and international concert photography. Sound Image, which kicked off on Thursday night and runs till February 9th, represents a selection of the best entries the gallery received in response to an public call for submissions. Music Vice editor Brian Banks and I were in attendance to support fellow Music Vice photojournalist Liz Keith, who traveled in from Montreal after her stunning, surreal image of a smoking Wayne Coyne at Osheaga 2011 (of The Flaming Lips) was chosen for inclusion in the show.

The winner as chosen by the juries was announced around 8 PM: meanwhile, Liz was grabbing eats nearby. When she re-entered the gallery, she was pulled off to the side by the evening’s curator Lucia Graca who informed her that her picture had received the best in show.

The photo of Wayne Coyne represents some of Keith’s music photography at its most brilliant. Other photos in the exhibition featured Crystal Castles, David Bowie, Feist, Drake, Nick Cave, and especially City and Colour as subjects. We are pleased to note that the judges agreed that Liz’s image of  Flaming Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne at Osheaga music festival in Montreal was the obvious stand-out, and our congratulations on the well-deserved win! The judges scored unanimously in her favour, with Liz collecting 5 out 5’s from all four judges, including celebrity music photographer Barrie Wentzell.

Quotes below from Lucia Graca and Brian Banks.

“Sound Image is an open-submission exhibit which we opened up to absolutely anyone, amateurs and professional photographers, there were no restrictions. We had submissions from some very young photographers who are probably still studying and some from older photographers who haven’t photographed bands for a very long time, who dusted off their negatives to be a part of this. The earliest photo in the exhibit is a shot of Davie Bowie in the 70’s. We had a total of 15 finalists. There were a lot of people who applied who missed the deadline, so we will definitely be doing this again next year.

“I love Liz’s submission. I was speaking to her before the show, as originally she had submitted the picture in colour so I asked her why she chose to desaturate it entirely. It’s always interesting to see how people make stylistic choices when it comes to framing and presenting their work. I really like the shot in black and white but I also really liked it in colour. I love the Flaming Lips and I know that going to a Flaming Lips show is something incredible. It’s a full body experience and I think she really captured that. And if you can capture the feeling of a moment then you’ve really done you’re job.” – Analogue Gallery curator Lucia Graca.

“It’s a smoking photo! I remember getting excited about this shot when Liz first emailed me her coverage from Osheaga last year. It’s a fantastic shot, and Liz fully deserved to win. I’ve always put a big emphasis on live photographs as an integral part of our coverage on Music Vice. You know I’m a tough or ‘selective’ critic, but I have been delighted to have Liz onboard since day one. On top of her ability to frame and time a shot, she has a real passion and interest in the musicians that are her subject matter. It really shows in her photographs! – Music Vice editor and founder Brian Banks.

If you live in Toronto, don’t miss your chance to check out the Sound Image exhibit at Analogue Gallery which runs until 9 February.

Liz for the win!

© Natascha Malta, Music Vice

Internet links:
EJK Photography
Analogue Gallery

Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

The Machine Room

Happy Robbie Burns day! In celebration of Scotland’s national literary hero, here are five new bands from my homeland that you need to hear.

Django Django – “Default”. This brand new video was released last week. These guys are fab. Hoping – nay, expecting – to see Django Django on the bill of some top festivals this summer, not least at T in the Park in Scotland.

Olympic Swimmers – “Apples and Pears”. From Glasgow. Find this song on their debut EP at Bandcamp for just ₤3. Olympic Swimmers on Facebook.

Lenzie Moss – “Kelvin British Summetime”. Previously a member of Music and Movement, Teenage Fanclub, BMX Bandits and Speedboat. Lenzie Moss on Bandcamp.

Cleavers – “Casual Box”. Hailing from Elgin, Moray. They are generating a buzz on the DIY hardcore & punk circuit in North Scotland and broke onto BBC earlier this month. Find them on Facebook.

The Machine Room – “Your Head On The Floor Next Door”. Find them on Facebook. If the Smiths were from Edinburgh….

Your Head On The Floor Next Door by the machine room

© Brian Banks,  Editor, Music Vice

 Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

RHCP… by an Oshawa backyard?

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced new dates to their forthcoming I’m With You Tour. The new dates include three stops to Canada, with Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Unfortunately, Oshawa was overlooked – sorry Oshawa, denied, but at least you can be proud that RHCP used your picturesque town for their last photo shoot, above.

RHCP play Toronto 27 April at the ACC, Ottawa on 30 April at Scotiabank Place and Montreal’s Bell Centre 2 May. Tickets go on sale 27 and 28 January next week, depending on the venue.

Dates below, in that pesky MM/DD American format. God save Obama:

04/27  Toronto, ON | Air Canada Centre | On sale 1/27
04/30  Ottawa, ON | Scotiabank Place | On sale 1/27
05/02  Montreal, QC | Bell Centre | On sale 1/28
05/04  Newark, NJ | Prudential Center | On sale 1/28
05/07  Boston, MA | TD Banknorth Garden | On sale 1/27
05/10  Washington, DC | Verizon Center | On sale 1/27
05/11  Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center | On sale 1/27
05/25  St. Louis, MO | Scottrade Center | On sale 1/28
05/26  Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena | On sale 1/27
05/28  Chicago, IL | Allstate Arena | On sale 1/28
05/30  Pittsburgh, PA | Consol Energy Center | On sale 1/27
06/01  Detroit, MI | Joe Louis Arena | On sale 1/27
06/02  Cleveland, OH | Quicken Loans Arena | On sale 1/27
06/04  Columbus, OH | Schottenstein Center | On sale 1/27
06/06  Cincinnati, OH | US Bank Arena | On sale 1/27
06/07  Louisville, KY | KFC Yum Center | On sale 1/28

© R Mutt – News Hound, Music Vice

Internet links: RHCP

Want to work in The Music Industry as a Promoter, Producer, Publicist, Executive, DJ, or Tour Manager?

Music Vice has a new interview series called ‘INDUSTRY INSIDER’, the first of which will be published tomorrow, Saturday 21 January.

Ngawara Madison goes behind closed doors to interview music industry executives and professionals ‘in the know’ to find out what makes them tick, the specifics of their position, and how to grab their attention.

A MUST READ for anyone wanting ‘a foot in the door’!

© Ngawara Madison, Music Vice

Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

Are you an independent artist searching for that next step? The next rung up the ladder? That seemingly intangible ‘break’? That’s you and a million other aspiring artists.

It’s easy get disheartened but here’s an indie success story in the making that may raise your spirits on a dreary winter’s day…

Elgin, Scotland based hardcore punk band Cleavers have made a breakthrough onto BBC Radio Scotland. The band first got played on the BBC Scotland in December. This January Cleavers were included in BBC Scotland’s 35 Scottish Artists to watch in 2012 by DJ Vic Galloway. Given that Cleavers only formed in late April 2011, that’s quick progress.

(Oh… and a month before they made it to the BBC, I featured Cleavers on the Music Vice magazine podcast Radio Wunderbar. Back slaps.)

So, how do you get your band on the BBC within a matter of months? Unless you have an “in” or are sleeping with a DJ, there’s no certain short-cut to getting onto FM radio. Nothing is easy in life or music, and to make it you just have to work your tits and nuts off. I’m no mathematician, but here’s a formula that might help…

TALENT + ENERGY + BEING PROLIFIC AS A MOFO = PROGRESS

Or failing that, just ask yourself ‘What would Black Flag do?’

In their few months of existence, Cleavers have been recording and releasing music prolifically, mostly demos. Armed with a cheap mixer and free recording software, the band wrote and recorded their first EP by May and gave away hundreds of copies of Cleavers wrote and recorded their first EP by May, giving away hundreds of copies on CDR. They have also been playing any show they can, from their small town in Moray, north Scotland to the big cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Led my Danny Crombie, a DIY enthusiast and artists, they have also been promoting themselves over Tumblr by posting demos, videos and artwork.  Cleavers have also been selling their own self-made T-shirts – and I mean actually selling them.

Working hard and making music is the most important thing.

“We properly formed in May and played our first gig two weeks after that, the promoter said we’d only play 3 shows and disappear…. Hmmm.” – Cleavers frontman Danny Crombie, speaking to Music Vice today.

The latest demo from Cleavers is easily one of the best things I’ve heard out of Scotland so far this year – and infinitely more pleasant than the noises being made by Alex Salmond. Download the latest Cleavers demo for free here and check out “Casual Box” below.

And you may not be hearing about Cleavers in the NME anytime soon, but apparently the Highland Times just called them for an interview. Danny Crombie remains grounded. “All this shit is “happening” and yet we still only have 189 Facebook likes”.

And what’s next for the group?

“Mutli-mullion album deal ideally. Or tons more crude t-shirts, more vinyl, more tapes, less CDRs and more adventures around the UK, (and hopefully Europe), in the Deadmobile before it totally packs up.”

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

Who says nothing good ever happens on a Monday? Coachella just announced their line-up for the 2012 festival.

The line-up for Coachella 2012 is confirmed as being the greatest line-up for a music festival since dinosaurs walked the earth. (Or, Jimi Hendrix – whoever came first.)  Radiohead, M83, The Big Pink, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Pulp, The Hives, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Florence + The Machine… did we mention Pulp?!? Pretty much every artist worth talking about is on the bill for Coachella 2012… just look at the poster below.

Coachella 2012 falls on two consecutive weekends this year – the weekends of the 13th to 15th & 20th to 22nd of April – with an identical line-up being repeated on the second weekend to allow more people to attend the festival. Tickets will go on sale this Friday 13 January at 10AM PST, (that’s 1PM EST (Toronto/New York and 6PM GMT (London/Glasgow) at www.coachella.com.

My reaction, in 140 characters or less? HOLYAMAZINGBESTFESTIVALLINEUPOFMYLIFETIME!GODSPEEDYOUBLACKEMPERORRADIOHEADM83PULPARCTICMONKEYSGOTYETHEHIVES!

Get excited! Must go!

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Share and discuss using the links below. Follow Music Vice on Twitter at @MusicVice. Long Live Indie.

I used to waste more time making extensive album of the year lists, then I took an arrow in the knee. FUS RO DAH!

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit” is in contention to be the 2011 UK Christmas Number One

The Military Wives Choir are currently number one at the midweek point in the race to be the number one in the UK single chart on Christmas Day.

“Wherever You Are” by Military Wives Choir with Gareth Malone entered the charts this week and leads the back.  Military Wives Choir are holding off competition from Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” which is at number six in the midweek chart. If Nirvana reach #1 then it would be a similar result to the 2009 Christmas number one when Rage Against The Machine reached number one. Jon Morter, who started the campaign to get RATM’s “Killing In The Name” to number one at Christmas believes Military Wives Choir will finish at the top of the charts.

Other competition in the race for Christmas number one comes from last week’s number one single “Cannonball”, (a dismal Damien Rice cover), by this year’s X Factor winners Little Mix. Little Mix are currently occupying the number two spot. Elsewhere, another donkey is providing competition with Lou Monte’s “Dominic The Donkey” currently at number three.

The Military Wives Choir are the bookies favourites to take number one, at 1/2 (0.5) odds, with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at 7/1.

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Steve Cradock has announced details of an intimate gig at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells

Legendary guitarist Steve Cradock will be playing The Forum in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 18th February 2012.

After becoming a household name with Ocean Colour Scene and joining Paul Weller and his band, Steve has become one of the major faces in british guitar music.

Tickets are on sale now at www.twforum.co.uk

 © Lauren Towner, Music Vice

Download: Radio Wunderbar Episode 33 [AAC podcast. 1 hours 32 minutes (87.9 MB. Right-click and ‘save as’ to download.]

Radio Wunderbar #33 – Speedo special with Welsh bands + music from Scottish band Aereogramme

Gary Speed tribute special featuring music from Welsh bands and a couple of plays of Scottish group Aereogramme, underground alt heroes of the last decade who were once signed to Matador records. There were also football themed song titles including “I’m Not A Substitute” by Jay Reatard and “From A Terrace” by Hey Marseilles.

The inclusion of Aereogramme in this week’s show was quite random, after I recalled the band while telling a story about Funeral For A Friend. I’m grateful for RW listener J.K. for sending me some Aereogramme music live on the show – listener participation, yes!! I still have a strong memory of an intense Aereogramme set in Inverness, Scotland way back in October 2004. Aeorgramme were compelling. Their music features lots of experimentation. I chatted with Craig from the band after the show (see the picture below from the Music Vice archives). Aereogramme’s back catalogue is well worth seeking out – I am happily rediscovering their music myself.

Episode 33 ended with a status update: the first year of doing this show has been great but right now we are looking for help to continue the show. To allow the show to continue and grow to it’s full potential, we are now strongly considering taking things ‘on the road’ with mobile broadcasting from new locations. This means sourcing some equipment and locations. The search begins for possible sponsors or companies who may wish to partner with us so we can make this happen and so that we can continue to bring great new indie music to you!

Thanks for listening! Until next time: Be kind to your mothers and true to your lovers. …And long live indie! – Brian

Radio Wunderbar is a weekly radio show and podcast hosted by Music Vice editor Brian Banks since January 2011. Spinning an eclectic mix of new independent artists from around the world, including lots of new music from the Music Vice mail bag. There are also regular interviews, live guest bands and exclusive first plays. The show Broadcast live online every Sunday from Toronto, Canada on Indie Love Radio and podcasted to the world via Music Vice at RadioWunderbar.com.

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

T in the Park has confirmed The Stone Roses as their first headliner for the festival next summer.

“Following an announcement made by the band earlier this evening, T in the Park organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager are thrilled to confirm that The Stone Roses will headline T in the Park 2012.” – T In The Park statement Monday, 7 November.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after The Stones Roses confirmed their reunion in October.

T in the Park is Scotland’s flagship music festival and one of the biggest events on the UK summer festival circuit with a weekend crowd of over 85,000 people. Next year’s T in the Park will take place on the weekend of 6-8 July at Balado, Scotland, UK. More details at www.tinthepark.com

© James Shearer, Music Vice

Here is a band tour announcement actually worth talking about: Radiohead are touring in 2012. Radiohead have announced initial tour dates for America, starting Monday 27 February 2012 in Miami, Florida.

Today’s announcemnet on Radiohead.com:

“Hi there we are happy to announce the first part of some live shows we will be doing next year, more to follow.  We have a number of tickets available through w.a.s.t.e on Wednesday 9th November.
The shows go on general sale on Saturday 12th November (except for Tampa FL, which is the 19th).”

The dates are as follows:

27 February  2012 – American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
29 February – The St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
1 March – Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
3 March – Toyota Center, Houston, TX
5 March – American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
7 March – Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
9 March – Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO
11 March - Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
13 March – 1stBank Center, Broomfield, CO
15 March – Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ

Further dates are to be confirmed. It seems likely to expect some big stops on the US east and west coast, while here in Canada we will cross our fingers for visits to our big cities.

Happy Monday, Radiohead fans.

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Dub Trio – surfing their way into Toronto this month, playing the Garrison on Friday 4 November

Movember, ahoy! Get your upper lip fuzz in order and take a gander at our guide to this month’s hot concert picks in Toronto. This is the Music Vice pre-screened run-down to the best gigs in Canada’s music capital. This month’s featured artist is Dub Trio; a Brookyln, NY band who have worked with both Mike Patton and Matisyahu, and who just released their new album IV on 25 October. Dub Trio are heavy; forget everything you think know about dub (that it all sucks) and get ready for a mind-bending and neck-straining experience… should be decent. Below is our full A-Z of recommended shows this November:

Boys Noize @ The Hoxton, 24 November, $20
Chromeo and Mayer Hawthorne @ Sound Academy, Wed 2 November, $31.50
Coeur De Pirate @ Mod Club, Friday 11 November (11/11/11!), $21 Ticketweb
Cuff The Duke @ The Horeshoe Tavern, Friday and Saturday night double, 25/26 November, $14 adv, $16 door
The Darcys @ The Horseshoe, Friday 18 November, $8
Deadmau5 with Crystal Castles @ Rogers Centre, Saturday 5 November, $50 (Level 100 G/A Access)
Devon Williams @ The Garrison, Wednesday 30 November, $10.50 adv, $12 door
Dub Trio @ The Garrison, Friday 4 November, $10.50 adv, $12 door
Elliott Brood with One Hundred Dollars @ The Phoenix, Friday 18 November,
The Elwins, Darren Eedens, Graydon James & The Young Novelists and The Maladies of Adam Stokes @ The Garrison, Tuesday 15 November, $6; a folk showcase – preview all 4 bands with this free Mixtape download.
Lykke Li @ Sound Academy, Tuesday 15 November; sold-out
Noah and The Whale @ The Phoenix, Tuesday 8 November $20
M83 @ Lee’s Palace, Friday 18 November sold-out
Teenage Kicks and Fast Romantics @ The Horseshoe Tavern, 4 November, $10
The Rural Alberta Advantage with Parlovr @ The Phoenix, Thursday 17 November, $24.50
Timber Timbre @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Saturday 26 November, $27.50
Trampled By Turtles @ The Horseshoe Tavern, Thursday 10 November, $15 adv, $18 door
Zeus @ Lee’s Palace, Thursday 24 November, $15

Tickets available via Ticketmaster, LiveNation and Ticketweb, depending on the show. Hard tickets at the usual Toronto record stores (RT/SS). All shows are +19 unless noted.

Happy concert going!

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

M83 – “We Own The Sky”:

John Peel – a true hero to music, and champion of so many great bands

It is seven years today – 25 October 2011 – since BBC DJ John Peel died. John Peel was one of the most influential people in music and the greatest radio DJ ever.

I made a tribute video today while sitting in my bedroom in Toronto on a rainy gloomy Tuesday, listening to some of my favourite John Peel bands including The Undertones, Nirvana and Joy Division. Today felt very familiar to me: I grew up listening to John Peel on Radio 1 while sitting in a damp, dank bedroom in a house in North Scotland.  More often than not, the music that John Peel played really brightened up the bedroom.

John Peel introduced myself and millions of other listeners to so many great bands. Peel was also definitely an influence to me in my decision to get into music journalism, go to University, start my own zine (Music Vice, this blog you are reading!) and starting my own radio show. In general I hold Peel partly responsible for the past nine years that I have spent surviving on a tuna & pasta diet while devoting so much of my time to music. This video is a tribute to John Peel and Joy Division – a song by my favourite band, recorded live for my favorite DJ. The song is “Insight”, the second track from Joy Division’s 1986 EP The Peel Sessions.  Happy John Peel day everybody.  I hope you enjoy this video. John – we miss you.

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Joy Division – “Insight” (John Peel Sessions) tribute video.

And yes, that’s me dancing: clips taken on a mobile phone by a friend during a Joy Division tribute night earlier this month in Toronto. – Brian

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds announce new dates for 2012

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have announced details of a forthcoming UK and Ireland tour that is due to take place in February and March 2012. The band will being playing songs from their debut album that is of the same name along side some Noel Gallagher classics.

There will be a pre-sale available to fans that are registered to www.noelgallagher.com that will begin at 9am on  26 October.

The pre-sale for the Belfast and Dublin shows finish at 9am on 27 October and the pre-sale for the rest of the dates will finish on 28 October at 8am.

Then, General Sale for the Belfast and Dublin dates begin at 9am on 27 October while the General Sale for the rest of the dates begin at 9am on 28 October. Tickets are available from www.noelgallagher.com

The dates are as follows:

13 February 2012 – Manchester MEN Arena
16 – Belfast Odyssey Arena
17 – Dublin The O2
23 – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
24 – Glasgow SECC Hall 4
26 – London The O2
1 March – Birmingham NIA

© Lauren Towner, Music Vice

Members of the Barenaked Ladies perform in the rain at Foodstock

The Gig: Foodstock
Where: Honeywood, Ontario, Canada
When: 16 October 2011
In One Word: Inspiring

On a chilly autumn Sunday afternoon in Ontario, Canada while thousands of people continued their peaceful protests at the Occupy Bay Street rallies in downtown Toronto, an altogether different kind of rally was being held on farmland two hours north of the city. Foodstock saw 28,000 people, 100 chefs and musicians including Ron Sexsmith, Hayden, Sarah Harmer and Cuff The Duke unite for the day in a unique event to show solidarity for four farms in Honeywood, Ontario who are refusing to be uprooted from their land and livelihood to make way for a proposed mega quarry. Most of the chefs came from Toronto restaurants, with participants including renowned chef Jamie Kennedy and trendy Queen West eateries Poutini’s and Parts & Labour, with each restaurant setting up shop in tables inside the woodland to provide free food to the journeying protestors.

There was a tremendous sense of community and solidarity at Foodstock. Thousands of people in attendance walked around with camp cutlery as they enjoyed the delicacies on offer before moving on to the stage at the field where the musicians and speakers served up the music and sound bites of the day. Some family members from the four farms of Honeywood made emotional statements as they stressed just how important it was that their land be left untouched. Meanwhile, Faisal Moola, a scientist from the David Suzuki Foundation, explained just how devastating the proposed mega quarry would be to the local environment and ecology. “Go home tonight and stick your head inside your fridge and pull out a third of the food from inside it. That’s how much damage to the ecology this quarry can cause,” said Moola. “We depend on insects like the humble bumble bee to pollenate our crops, the crops that create the food we live on, and if we let some of the best and most fertile farmland in Canada go to waste then you will see the detrimental consequences to the eco-system, the crops and the food you end up seeing in your fridge.”

Foodstock was one of the most inspiring moments I have ever experience in my life. The warmth, energy and sense of community was just incredible. Massive respect to the Foodstock organisers, volunteers and participants but most importantly to the farmers who have stood firm. Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world – let’s keep it that way.

© Brian Banks, Editor, Music Vice

Foodstock photo gallery:

Internet links:
Stop The Quarry

Special note: Before I moved to Canada, I spent a few years during and after my time at University planting trees in Scotland. I found it incredibly rewarding work. I have now recently been appointed the leader of a Forest Restoration project to be run by the not-for-profit group Regenesis. I’m really excited about this project. Currently I am looking for volunteers in Toronto to help me with this project, especially anybody with grant writing experience who can help us generate the funding we need to get started with restoring and creating forests next spring. The first official project is at Glendon at York University. If you have any interest in being involved with this project in any way, please get in touch here or by e-mail to me at: forestry [@] theregenesisproject.com. Cheers, Brian

The Stone Roses announced their reunion today (October 18)

The Stone Roses have confirmed today that they have reunited at a press conference in London, UK this afternoon (October 18)

The original line up that comprises of frontman Ian Brown, bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan “Reni” Wren will perform two special homecoming shows at Manchester’s Heaton Park on the 29th and 30th June 2012. The dates will form part of an extensive world tour and tickets for the shows will go on sale on Friday October 21 at 9:30 am (BST).

Further details about the world tour are yet to be confirmed.

For more information head to the Stone Roses official website http://www.thestoneroses.org/.

The band have also confirmed that they will be writing new material and it will be performed at the Manchester gigs.

© Lauren Towner, Music Vice