By Bill Pearis

Absolutely Free

After two songs of sweating onstage, the drummer for Absolutely Free -- who made their live debut last night at Mile End venue La Salla Rossa -- peeled off his flannel shirt to reveal a Neu! t-shirt underneath. But by that point we already got it, though a Can shirt might have been more to the point.

Featuring four fifths of DD/MM/YYYY, as Absolutely Free they still make complex, time signature-shifting music, but this was less manic, less skronky with decidedly groovier rhythms. (For me, that's a definitely an "Oh Yeah.") With no recorded music to hear yet and a short 20-minute set, I don't think we've got a full picture of what these guys are capable of, but it was a very promising first show.

Cadence Weapon

La Salla Rossa, which nests on top of a Spanish restaurant with the same name, was host to the night's showcase co-presented by SXSW. We also got the first taste of Cadence Weapon's new album which is due out in January or February -- his first in about three years. With screwed-ish beats (and a little dub reggae), his set was pretty terrific. Dude is confident and funny and drops lines about Lite Brites and had a song that seemed to be entirely about SXSW day parties, not sure if it was made up for the occasion. Best set of the night.

Young Empires

Headliners of the night were Toronto's Young Empires who some cynical types might dub Friendly Foals* and it wouldn't be too off the mark. Big Hooks, anthemic choruses, extra percussion, all very digestible. Young Empires are also pretty slick (and a little bro-y) but they seem destined to become big, at least in a Naked and The Famous kind of way (whose career path they seem to be modeling). Especially once they get around to putting out their debut, due out in January. (I like them better on record than live.)

Daniel Isiah

Night Two opened with Daniel Isiah who is signed to Secret City (the home of Patrick Watson and Plants & Animals) and has an appealing desert twang to his sound (think Chris Isaak or Springsteen's "I'm on Fire") which you can check out on his most recent album, High Twilight. It was a nice start to the evening.

M for Montreal never lets attendees stand still for too long. In between bands at La Salla Rossa, we hopped across the street to affiliated restaurant/venue Case Del Popolo for two Icelandic bands (Iceland Airways co-presented). First were instrumental quartet For a Minor Reflection whose stirring music would be perfect for an Icelandic remake of Friday Night Lights. You've heard this kind of stuff before but they do it well and clearly love playing it.

Of Monsters and Men

The other Icelandic group, Of Monsters and Men, made more of an impression with their stirring folk rock that was augmented by horns and an especially fancy accordion. (It had LED switches on it.) While also similar to a lot of other sweeping ensembles (fill in your favorite here), the songs were memorable and I did wish their set had been a couple songs longer. So it goes with festivals.

Today I'll be seeing Colin Stetson, The Midway State, Hollerado, Parlovr, Thus: Owls (points for colon use), Doldrums, Bran Van 3000, Misteur Valaire and something called Tonstartsbandht, plus about 10 other groups. Hopefully organizers have budgeted time to eat. Look for reports on tonight and tomorrow's M festivities on Monday. Until then, click through for a few more picks from last night's action...

Continue reading "M for Montreal 2011 -- Night 2 in pics & review (Absolutely Free, Cadence Weapon, Young Empires, Daniel Isiah & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Grimes - "Crystal Ball" (Cadence Weapon Remix) (MP3)

Grimes

Canadian DJ Cadence Weapon (aka Rollie Pemberton) remixed the Grimes track "Crystal Ball" from Grimes' split 12" Darkbloom with d'Eon. You can check out the dancefloor-ready disco house treatment he gave the song by downloading the MP3 above. The video for the original is below.

Grimes will be in NYC this weekend to play Warm Up at MoMA PS1 on Saturday (8/20). They'll be playing with Juan Maclean, Blood Orange, Solange, Pictureplane, and Ford & Lopatin (DJ set). Doors are at 2 PM.

Speaking of Juan Maclean, Nancy Whang, who has played with The Juan Maclean and LCD Soundsystem, DJs Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday night with Workout. Tickets are on sale. Doors are at 11:30 PM. As mentioned in What's Going Friday, she also DJs in NYC tonight (8/19).

In other related news, Juan's DFA labelmate The Rapture coincidentally play a sold out MHOW show on Saturday and there's an afterparty for that at Cameo Gallery at midnight.

Video below...

Continue reading "Cadence Weapon remixed Grimes (who plays PS1 Saturday) --- MP3 premiere"

photos by Ryan Muir

Happy Holidays! I take on more than I can handle. That results in a lot of unposted content. In the name of catching up, while also taking it easy during this final week of the year, here's some of that lost material.

Canadian music writer and rapper Canadian Weapon played Pop Montreal this year. More pictures from his set, below...

Continue reading "Cadence Weapon @ Pop Montreal 2009 - pics "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Salvador Santana - "Keyboard City" f GZA (Dan Deacon Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mando Diao - "Dance With Somebody" (The Hood Internet Remix f GZA & Cadence Weapon) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Lips - "Drop I Hold" featuring GZA (MP3)

GZA & Black Lips at SXSW 2009 (photo by Bill Pearis)

Still no word on a Gucci Mane/Beirut collabo album, but Wu-Tanger GZA has been hard at work rocking remixes and dropping collabos a-plenty. After appearing on a remix of Mando Diao's "Dance With Somebody" w/ Cadence Weapon by The Hood Internet (get that above), GZA has also popped up on another Hood Internet remix, this time of Salvador Santana's "Keyboard City". That remix inspired a second (a re-remix?) this time with Mr Green Skull himself, Dan Deacon.

Originally, GZA was featured over a remix of the song "Keyboard City" done by The Hood Internet. Now, Dan Deacon took that remix and dissected it into this an awesome blend of Vocoder / electro madness.
This collaboration was inspired by the idea of GZA and Dan Deacon working together and Salvador Santana a platform was set for more original material between the two in the future. GZA first caught wind of Dan Deacon earlier this fall and after a connection via their publicist, Dan ended up taking GZA and Salvador's remix and putting his own twist on it.

It's not the first time that the Genius has collabo'd with indie artists (he teamed up with Black Lips at SXSW, dropped mathematics on a Peter Bjorn & John's forthcoming Living Thing remix LP, and played with King Khan at FFF and elsewhere), and it won't be the last. So far we already know that Fucked Up and Devendra Banhart have contributed some original material for GZA, but now comes word that Health have remixed a track, Har Mar Superstar is on board and Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal) has also hooked up some science for GZA which will appear on his new album out in late spring of 2010. Look for it.

GZA also recently popped up on Fucked Up's charity single which is on iTunes now.

GZA appeared on the stupid dope Raekwon album Only Built For Cuban Linx Pt II, and now that the onslaught of praise has died down somewhat, that Staten Island representative is on a short tour to remind the haters why he rules faces. Count on support from Queensbridge representatives Capone n Noreaga (who aim to "blow holes in your Versace") as well as Queen Yonasda. The trio hits Irving Plaza on 12/16, tickets are still on sale.

Ruff Ryder, D-Block member and OB4CL2 contributor Jadakiss has also scheduled a show at Highline Ballroom on 12/22 with Melanie Fiona & special guests. Tickets are on sale. J-A-to-the-mwah dropped The Last Kiss earlier this year.

Make sure not to forget the previously discussed, Method Man / Ghostface appearance as part of the Hip Hop Legends series at BB Kings on Dec 23. The jawdopping lineup contains a veritable who's who of 80s-90s greats including Doug E Fresh, EPMD, Main Source/Large Professor, Onyx, Showbiz & AG, Masta Ace, Ed OG, "+ more TBA". Tickets are still available.

Dig on some videos below, including one of GZA with King Khan, as well as Raekwon tour dates...

Continue reading "Raekwon on tour (dates), GZA likes to collaborate (Dan Deacon, Har Mar, Peter, Bjorn, John, King Khan & more)"

by Bill Pearis

Le Matos

Last year when I went to M for Montreal, I didn't know any of the bands going in, which made it sort of exciting, with no preconceived notions from hype or un-hype. This time, though, I had heard many of the bands at M, as well as having seen a handful of them before. At Friday's sélection officielle at club Just Pour Rire (10/20), I'd seen half of the bands before, and the other half I'd given at least a cursory listen.

The best surprise of the night was electronic trio Le Matos who are kind of Montreal's Simian Mobile Disco, and tore the place up with a blinding set of squelchy techno. I mean blinding literally: surrounded by a ring of versatile "light pillars" (my term) you could barely see the musicians. Most of my pictures were either a giant block of bright color or completely black thanks to the strobes. If you've seen SMD's live set, it was definitely influenced by that but Le Matos took it full circle. While their music feels a little 2007, but in the moment, at maximum volume and with that light show, it was kind of awesome and the crowd was eating it up like so much sugary cereal. They are getting a lot of remix work, so look out for these guys next year.

My favorite non-surprise was probably Parlovr who I caught at CMJ about a month ago and was impressed by then. Even more so now. The band's self-titled, self-released 2008 album does not do them justice, making them sound like a Wolf Parade Jr. Live, Parlovr are way more energetic, fun and melodic -- though it may have also had something to do with a fair amount of new material in their set. Singers Louis Jackson and Alex Cooper semi face each other from opposite sides of the stage rocking back and forth like manic Drinking Birds, flipping their '90s skate rat hair around, while mountain man drummer Jeremy MacCuish holds down the beat. They clearly enjoy playing, and it's a lot of fun to watch too. New album due early next year apparently.

Also impressive live are Toronto's DD/MM/YYYY who have clearly gotten much tighter than the last time I saw them (Don Pedro's, like three years ago). It's proggy-mathy, but bordering on chaos too. I'm not that crazy about their records -- a little too much going on at one time for my poppier tastes -- but I'd go see them again, no question.

The rest of the evening's bands were a little underwhelming. Silly Kissers didn't wear mime makeup this time (like they did at CMJ) which is a definite plus, but I really don't think they are "export ready." Which is not a dis. Their low fi, cutesy (sometimes charming) version of '80s synthpop would be more at home at a house party rather than with the fancy lights at Juste Pour Rire -- though a special appearance from Cadence Weapon (his second of the fest) added cred.

Neither Two Hours Traffic (Weezer-ish power pop) or Silver Starling (who sounded like a more commercially-minded Arcade Fire) did much for me.

The night ended with a "surprise" performance by BEAST, which wasn't that much of a surprise as one of M's organizers is their manager, but it was a welcome finish to Friday. Like Think About Life, seeing BEAST in front of an adoring Montreal crowd is a completely different experience from seeing them in skeptical New York. This was my fourth time seeing them (previously, most recently at the Brooklyn Vegan day party during CMJ), and though their set has pretty much remained the same since this time last year, they do it so well. singer Betti Bonifassi has such magnetism - it's still fun. And the crowd was going crazy for them. They brought down the house.

The previous night's review and pics are HERE. More pictures from night two, and video of Parlovr's performance are below...

Continue reading "M For Montreal 2009 - night 2 in pics & review (Le Matos, Parlovr, DD/MM/YYYY, Silly Kissers, Beast & more) "

by Bill Pearis

The Luyas

M for Montreal is an interesting festival, at times more like a conference or summer camp or one of those all-inclusive resorts -- but with better music. There are about 40 "international delegates" (of which I am one) who basically spend the whole weekend together, going to panel discussions, cocktail hours, dinners and, of course the nightly shows. It's not like SXSW or CMJ where there are 30 shows happening at the same time - we delegates see every band at M for Montreal.

Take opening night's (11.19) Selection Officielle at Juste Pour Rire. The venue is used mainly as a comedy club, but they have shows there too with a great soundsystem and, as You Say Party! We Say Die! singer Krista Leowen noted, "fancy lights" which have made it possible for me to take at least one non-embarrassing picture of each band with my crappy point-and-shoot. (Again, apologies to BV's many awesome real photographers.) Juste Pour Rire has two rooms -- the Bowery-sized Cabaret and the slightly smaller Studio, and while one band was playing in one space, the next band sets up, so there's little or no downtime between bands, apart from the time it takes to herd the audience from one place to the other.

While being industry-oriented, M for Montreal is open to the public and tickets to individual events are cheap. ($12.75 for individual nights.) And the public does come -- the place was packed and going bananas for Think About Life's headlining set. Having seen TAL a bunch of times in New York (including at the BV official CMJ showcase this year), even shows like the fairly off-the-hook one at Arlene's Grocery during CMJ last month -- it just doesn't compare to watching them with a hometown crowd. This line-up is still pretty new. Drummer and founding member Matt Shane left the band in October to go back to school, with Greg Napier taking over. More significantly, the band added a second singer, Caila Thompson-Hannant of Shapes and Sizes, to the fold, and she and Martin Cesar have great chemistry.

The band played almost all of their great new album, Family, which is slowly starting to catch on down here in America. Pitchfork may be going gaga for "Having My Baby", but the Montreal crowd knew there are even better songs on the album. "Johanna," "Young Hearts" and "Set You on Fire" all had the crowd bouncing off the walls, some of which the band trotted out a horn section for, but it was Family's "Sweet Sixteen" that sent them over the edge. Though maybe that had something to do with special guest vocalist Cadence Weapon who clearly knew all the words. Think About Life may or may not make you think about life, but they will make you forget your troubles while they're playing.

continued below...

Continue reading "M For Montreal 2009 - night 1 in pics & review (the Luyas, Miracle Fortress, Think About Life, Rural Alberta & more) "

DOWNLOAD: Born Ruffians - Foxes Mate For Life (MP3)

Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon recently left on a U.S. tour with Canadian band Born Ruffians. They played the last two nights in Massachusets, and they'll play their third show together tonight (March 1st) at Union Hall in Brooklyn. Sunday night they're at Mercury Lounge. They're also playing SXSW, and many other places.

Cadence Weapon's new album 'Afterparty Babies' is out March 4th on Anti/Epitaph. Born Ruffians' new albuum 'Red, Yellow and Blue' is out the same day on Warp. All tour dates below.....

Continue reading "Cadence Weapon & Born Ruffians - new albums & Tour Dates"

(CRED)

Cadence Weapon was just on tour with Final Fantasy. They played Bowery Ballroom in NYC last night....

Candence & Owen @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC - Nov 11, 2007 (CRED)

Owen was good as usual. The opening act was weird, weird, weird. The second act was Cadence Weapon, a rapper, but he was actually pretty enjoyable. Owen came out and did one song with him and it was really good. Then Cadence Weapon came out for one song of Owen's set and that was ok.

Owen finished with the Mariah Carrey Cover, as usual.
[Jeepers Tseepers]

One of the songs they do together is a Destroyer cover, but at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin earlier this month, it became more like a collaboration....

Fun Fun Fun Fun Fest, Nov 3, 2007 (CRED)

Videos - with and without Destroyer in attendance, below....

Continue reading "Cadence Weapon, Final Fantasy, Bowery Ballroom..... Destroyer"

Sea Monstres by Final Fantasy & Cadence Weapon (via)

Cadence Weapon & Final Fantasy are on tour together. They play Maxwell's in Hoboken tonight (Nov 10, 2007), and Bowery Ballroom in NYC tomorrow (Nov 11, 2007).

Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) is also part of Out Magazine's 2007 list of the most "100 Most Influential People in Gay Culture". Too bad he had to play Philly last night (Nov 9) because that means he had to miss the party (partly in) his honor at Cipriani Wall Street. According to a press release, Tori Spelling and Tim Gunn were the hosts, and there was a performance by Chaka Kahn.

DOWNLOAD: Cadence Weapon vs Final Fantasy (vs Andrew Bird) live @ CBC (MP3) (info)

You might remember the above magazine cover from a post I did last year - at the time Cadence Weapon (Rollie Pemberton) & Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett) were up against each other for the 2006 Polaris Music Prize which Final Fantasy ended up winning. A few months later Cadence Weapon came to NYC for CMJ and played a BrooklynVegan party. Between Polaris & CMJ, BrooklynVegan Mike sat down with Rollie Pemberton for an interview which - for whatever reason - I never ended up publishing. In it, they discussed the Polaris Prize, Canadian hip hop, and why Rollie thought Owen won and he didn't.

Tickets are on sale for Cadnece Weapon & Final Fantasy @ Bowery Ballroom on November 11th. All tour dates, and the beginning of that never-before-seen interview, below.....

Continue reading "Final Fantasy VS Cadence Weapon - 2007 Tour Dates, an MP3 & an unpublished interview"

Young Canadian Epitaph-signed rapper Cadence Weapon is in the area....

Continue reading "Cadence Weapon - 2007 Tour Dates (post-Siren)"