by BrooklynVegan Mike

The time has arrived to crown another Polaris Music Prize winner. Last year's Canadian award was met with mixed response as relative unknowns (outside of Canada) Patrick Watson beat Arcade Fire, Feist (my pick to win), and seven others for the top spot.

This is the most open field in the brief history of the award. There are no big acts, though Stars certainly has a large following. Most of the artists on the shortlist have been playing since the beginning of the decade or longer. Coincidently or otherwise, the two youngest artists on the shortlist, Shad (27) and Basia Bulat (24), are two of the favorites this year. With that said, there will be no real "upsets." I can see any of the nominees walking away with the prize. It seems the award has positioned itself more to elevate someone then legitimize a popular artist's success (past losers include the aforementioned Arcade Fire along with Broken Social Scene, and Wolf Parade).

Like last year, I will go over the ten nominees in order of who I think has the best chance of picking up the prize on the 29th. We start with who I think has the least chance...

Continue reading "The 2008 Polaris Music Prize is about to be awarded"

Ed Droste @ Lollapalooza 2008 (by Bao Nguyen) (Zach shot them too)

Currently on tour with Radiohead, Grizzly Bear's next NYC-area shows are this Friday at the All Points West Festival and the very next night at Music Hall of Williamsburg. I sent Grizzly Bear frontman Ed Droste a few quick questions to see how he was doing....

---

How is the Radiohead tour going? How was Lollapalooza? Any good stories?

Ed: It's been so amazing. It's definitely an entirely new experience for us, we aren't used to, and will likely never play spaces this big again, and we're still getting our festival legs. As many people might imagine our sound isn't exactly catered to a massive outdoor setting, but we are giving it our best. Playing Montreal was insane, the biggest crowd we've ever played for, about 30K people actually in the pouring rain, just incredibly amped up for Radiohead. It was extremely surreal. A rainbow came out as well at one point.

Paul Simon or Radiohead?...

Continue reading "an(other) interview w/ Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste "

by Black Bubblegum

When was the last time you saw these two in the same room together?

So is Fucked Up really fucked up?
Fucked Up: Great question, you are off to a fantastic start.

......

Did you see my mother's uncel? my grandma said he lives in canada but i think he is just a polish.
Good question - is he lost?

Is feist a real person or it's just Chan Marshall singing in canadian?
She is real - we have met her. She used to crash at our roadies apartment before she was famous. She was also in a punk band (see above, number 7). We are on the same label as Chan Marshall but the boss said we are not allowed to ever meet her because she is crazy.

......

I also heard you're christmas ep. I have some questions about that:

A/1 how does Nelly Furtado smell?
She did her vocal track for that session in an isolation booth and came too and from the studio in an airplane, and a limo dropped her right into the booth. So we could see her and give her instructions, but we could not smell her or really talk to her, only through a microphone.

A/2 does she snort cocain? She looks like she not but i have this idea that stars are taking all kind of drugs and drinks behind the cameras and papers just because it's so evil to con their catholic fans. I mean i bet homer simpson is a drunk child beater when the cameras don't roll.
Again, we don't know, but I could ask her next time I see her.

When Fucked Up isn't releasing an album, talking about Feist, Cat Power & Nelly Furtado, or doing interviews slagging their former label, the band is scheduling tours... like the one for this fall in the northeast and parts of the midwest. That tour includes a two night stand in NYC with Vivian Girls. The first show is October 15th at Bowery Ballroom (also with Mind Eraser) (on sale 8/8 at noon). The next one is the next night at "Harket Motel".

And in keeping with the F*** theme, F***ed up noted that they'll be traveling (on at least part of the tour) in the same vegetable oil-powered bus that the F*** Yeah Tour used on their month-long trek. F***ed Up are also playing the F*** Yeah Fest in LA. All tour dates below.

Fucked Up's new album, The Chemistry Of Common Life is due on October 7th. Pre-order it here. This is what the cover looks like...

Continue reading "Fucked Up - 2008 Tour Dates, label drama, Feist & Chan"

photos by Chris La Putt

Britt Daniel, frontman for Spoon, is a noted Feist fan.

"First time I saw her, we got thrown on a bill, I'd never heard her," he says. "She came on and I thought 'Who is this person?' She blew me away. In terms of a charisma and connecting with the audience, I rank her up there with Prince. Plus, she has one of the great, intriguing voices of today." [Chicago Tribune]

Continue reading "Spoon, Jay Reatard & White Rabbits @ Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY - pics"

Continue reading "Feist - 1 2 3 4 on Sesame Street (video)"

photos by Chris La Putt

DOWNLOAD: Juana Molina - Micael (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Feist - Mushaboom (Postal Service Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Jimmy Flemion (the Frogs) - Too Many People Love The Rain (MP3)

Juana Molina and Feist played a not-free sold-out show at the Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn last night (July 9, 2008). More pictures from that below...

Continue reading "Feist & Juana Molina @ Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY - pics"

"Un Dia, the fourth release on Domino Records from Argentinean artist Juana Molina is set to be released on Oct 7, 2008. While the record is a brave departure from her previous work (with pronounced rhythms and bold low end) it is every bit a Juana record, as personal and intimate as always."

Continue reading "Juana Molina - new Domino album, 2008 Tour Dates (Feist)"

this is pretty cool....

For his final project as an undergrad at England's Huddersfield University, Miller came up with Colour It (Red), a book/compilation combo inspired by his favorite indie rock jams and the (Red) organization, which raises money for the AIDS/HIV-battling Global Fund.

Taking a cue from such indie megahits as LCD Soundsystem's "All My Friends", Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica", and Joanna Newsom's "Peach, Plum, Pear", Miller crafted a coloring/activity book sure to tickle pink-- er, make that red-- even the most hardened, poker-faced, arms-crossing indie music fiend.

Can you "help James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem find all his friends" by completing a maze? Care to "make Beirut's carousel pretty by colouring it"? Are you man or woman enough to "find the grizzly bear that does not fit"?? [Pitchfork]

Feist @ Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC (more by Bao Nguyen)

Continue reading "Feist & other Good Morning America show this summer"

Feist @ Hammerstein - April 30, 2008

Feist (in white) played her second of two shows at NYC's Hammerstein Ballroom last night (April 30, 2008). She also appeared (in red) on Conan O'Brien the same night. Pictures from night one of Hammerstein HERE. More pics from night two @ Dese'Rae L. Stage's Flickr. Video from Conan below....

Continue reading "Feist played Hammerstein Ballroom again & Conan (video)"

photos by Bao Nguyen

Feist played her first of two shows at the very large Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC last night (April 29, 2008). At one point Feist asked the crowd, "I thought i was suppose to play two nights at the Living Room. Are we at the Living Room?" She thought wrong obviously.

Propelled by the popularity of her hit single "1234" (otherwise known as "The song from the iPod ad"), the album sold about a million copies worldwide.

"I've sung '1234' so many times, it's like hypnotizing myself," says Feist, who goes by just her last name. "But I love playing it live, and I made a music video that was physical and simple."

The colorful choreography was shot in one take. "It's a pinpoint of light fleshing out the constellation of the whole album, but the song itself could lean a degree too close to cutesy."

For fans who happen to like cutesy, Feist, 28, recently performed with Kermit, Elmo and friends on "Sesame Street." [NY POST]

Continue reading "Feist @ Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC - pics, Sesame Street"

Feist begins her 2-night run at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC tonight. She (Feist, Ms Feist, Leslie or whatever you want to call her) also has upcoming shows at Carnegie Hall and in Prospect Park. Last night she was the guest of Stephen Colbert on TV. Videos from that below....

Continue reading "Feist - on Colbert Report (video), in NYC tonight/tomorrow"

Constantines @ Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY - Apr 19, 2008 (Jason Bergman)

The Constantines played their 2nd of two NYC shows at Southpaw in Brooklyn on Saturday night. Jason has a few more pics at his Flickr.

More interesting: the cover the Constantines recorded with Feist of Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton's hit song "Islands in the Stream". You can listen to it at MySpace, or HERE.

As previously mentioned, the Constantines next NYC show will be in Prospect Park with Spoon, and tickets are on sale. All dates below...

Continue reading "Constantines - played Southpaw, sang w/ Feist, tour dates "

1 2 3 4 (via)

May 8th @ Carnegie Hall.....

Continue reading "2008 Rainforest Benefit @ Carnegie Hall - Feist, Brian Wilson, Billy Joel, Sting, etc...."

A presale is now underway for the new Feist dates. More pics from Sunday's Juno Awards below.....

Continue reading "Feist presale (for Brooklyn & elsewhere)"

Performer Feist holds five Juno awards during the Juno Awards in Calgary Sunday, April 6, 2008. Feist won five awards including Album of the Year.

Continue reading "Feist wins 5 Juno Awards ++2008 Tour Dates (Prospect Park)"

Feist paper doll (sally grosart)

concerts scheduled in Prospect Park, Brooklyn (2008) (most free)
Jun 12 - Isaac Hayes (first show of the season)
Jun 19 - Medeski Martin and Wood, Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog (DEFINITELY FREE)
Jun 22 - Salif Keita
Jun 24 - Gilberto Gil (tix)
Jun 26 - Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dixie Hummingbirds
Jun 27 - Cold War Kids (info)
Jun 28 - LYRICIST LOUNGE: CROOKLYN DODGERS REUNION (info)
July 11 - Brazilian Girls (info)
July 12 - Beth Orton, Matt Munisteri (info)
July 17 - Jerry Douglas Band, The Holmes Brothers
July 18 - Deerhoof, Metropolis Ensemble (info)
July 25 - Philip Glass, Marta Topferova
Aug 01 - The Knights, Christina Courtin
Aug 02 - The Sippy Cups, Ariane Bass Bass Bass
Aug 03 - Daby Toure

ALSO from the NY TIMES:

Celebrate Brooklyn will open its 30th season on June 12 with a performance by Isaac Hayes. This summer's lineup for the free concert series at the Prospect Park band shell includes Miriam Makeba; Beth Orton; a screening of the Bruce Lee movie "Enter the Dragon," with live accompaniment by Karsh Kale; a tribute to the R&B singer Bill Withers; and a benefit by Feist.

Feist is about to leave on a tour that also has her playing two shows at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC at the end of April.

Many of the Central Park Summerstage shows have also leaked out, not to mention some stuff happening at McCarren Pool.

This will be "Celebrate Brooklyn"'s 30th year of concerts in Prospect Park. Check out the multi-artist birthday video below.....

Continue reading "2008 Prospect Park bandshell concerts - Feist & others confirmed so far (Beth Orton, Medeski Martin & Wood....)"

DOWNLOAD: Deer Tick - Beautiful Girls (Sean Kingston Cover) (MP3)

As each day goes by, I keep falling more and more in love with Deer Tick. Check out the non-album cover of a Sean Kingston song above. Check out Deer Tick with Doveman (who I also love) TONIGHT (Feb 15, 2008) @ Southpaw in Brooklyn (A Zombieville party). You can run back and forth between Southpaw and Union Hall where the Forms are playing (a Gothamist party).

I've got two pairs of tickets to give away to the Southpaw show tonight. To win, e-mail BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: Dove Tick). Include your first and last name in the email. Two winners will be contacted soon.

Doveman is also playing Saturday night (Feb 16th) at the Stone (or so says his website anyway).

Deer Tick is also playing Glasslands on February 28th, and my official SXSW showcase in Austin.

Doveman also listed some of his favorite things in 2007, and I accidentaly never posted it. The abridged version is below....

Continue reading "Doveman, tonight, Deer Tick, an MP3, a contest & stuff"

nobody loves Kanye like Kanye

finally posing with someone more her size *

* that dude doesn't count

Continue reading "Kanye West - updated 2008 Tour Dates, new videos, Feist"

aka Feist's Grammy performance was kind of boring

Feist & Mocky @ the Grammys - Feb 10, 2008

More photos below......

Continue reading "they should have done a live Cirque Du Soleil version of the "1234" video instead"

Tom Araya of Slayer arrives w/ family @ The Grammys - Feb 10, 2008

Les Savy Fav @ McCarren Pool, July 2006 (Jonny Leather)

Slip n Slide @ McCarren Pool, August 2007 (Brunocerous)

Deerhoof @ McCarren Pool, August 2006 (Paul Bachmann)

As Gothamist and Curbed have pointed out, McCarren Park Pool will be back for at least one more summer of concerts in 2008. After that? Other stuff.

Some videos from past pool shows below...

Continue reading "McCarren Park Pool will have concerts this summer"

Cat Power live on WNYC

I mentioned seven posts ago about how Thao Nguyen ran into Cat Power at a radio station, and then in the last post I posted Thao's radio broadcast, and now here's Cat Power's. Cat Power (Chan Marshall) was also recently seen watching Radiohead with Feist and Mary J Blige.....

Continue reading "Cat Power on WNYC & enjoying Radiohead on Jools Holland"

Canadian singer Leslie Feist is the winner of the Seventh Annual Shortlist Music Prize for her album The Reminder. Feist is the second female artist to win the prize, following Cat Power who won the award last year.

Feist is the first Canadian winner of the Shortlist Music Prize, joining Irish singer Damien Rice and Icelandic band Sigur Ros as Shortlist winners who hail from outside the US. Previous winners also include American artists Sufjan Stevens, N*E*R*D and TV on the Radio.

Cat Power (Chan Marshall) recently visited India, and visits NYC this Wednesday.

1 2 3 4 (CRED)

Blah, Hammerstein Ballrooom. Two dates there in April. Presale (username: feist, password: tickets). Catch her on the Grammys on Sunday. All dates below..

Continue reading "Feist - 2008 Tour Dates, presale (Hammerstein Ballroom)"