Steve Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the Polaris Music Prize, today revealed the Short List of 10 Canadian albums eligible for the fourth annual $20,000 award.

Continue reading "2009 Polaris Prize nominees "

photos by Rae Holtsabum

I scurried over to the sold-out The Grand Theatre to catch most of RZA's set. The Wu-Tang Clan producer/MC performed as his Bobby Digital alter-ego and controlled the crowd with "Long Time Coming" and "Booby Trap" from the just-released Digi Snacks LP. The set was dominated by material from that album, and RZA turned the gig into a kick-ass block party.

Near the end, he broke out older classics "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit," "Reunited" and "Shame On A Nigga" near the end. They all made the crowd of mostly college kids go absolutely ape-shit, and it was a perfect way to close out my coverage of the fest. [Chart Attack]

Other artists Rae caught on day three (June 27, 2008) of the Sled Island Festival in Calgary included Broken Social Scene, Tegan and Sara, and Yo La Tengo. The rest of the pics from that day below....

Continue reading "Sled Island 2008 day three - RZA, Yo La, Tegan & other pics"

photos by Rae Holtsabum

DOWNLOAD: Elliott Brood - Second Son (MP3)

Unlike Wednesday night's Grizzly Bear show, very few people left their seats during the changeover. Okkervil River took the stage to deafening applause and immediately played "The President's Dead" and "A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene," a pair of rockers that got the crowd going.

Decked out in a black and white suit and glasses, singer/guitarist Will Sheff paused briefly after the third tune to address the audience.

"I didn't know we were playing in a church and I thought this might go against my Catholic upbringing," he joked. "But then I saw the flat screen TV and thought this might turn out alright." [Chart Attack]

Some of the other artists that played Sled Island on Thursday night (June 26, 2008) were Jonathan Richman, Extra Golden, Blitzen Trapper (again), Crookers, Chad VanGaalen, Langhorne Slim and Elliott Brood. Rae caught the last two downstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion #1 after the Okkervil show.

Langhorne Slim has a concert streaming at NPR. Elliott Brood is the name of a three piece band from Toronto. The rest of the pictures are below....

Continue reading "Sled Island 2008 day two (Okkervil River, Langhorne Slim & Elliott Brood), Calgary, Alberta, Canada - pics"