I need your help!

Well, that's it. The summer in Stockholm this far has been nothing but rain and cloudy skies. And I am sick and tired of it. I got a great deal on a five day stay so I am off to Paris sunday. I don't mind the weather as much when I am on a city vacation, there's always stuff to do regardless the weather when your in a city like Paris. And I also need your help, I plan on having one or two big nights out in Paris next week (sunday 14th - wednesday 18th, leaving late thursday) so I was hoping that there might be a few Parisian readers who might want to give me some tips on where to go? And also, how do you say "I don't eat meat / I am a vegeterian" in french? Loads of thanks if someone can help me out. Send me an email, post a comment or drop me a line at my infrequently used myspace. And this weeks treat is an old french favourite of mine.

France Gall - Sacre Charlemagne

I just love France Gall. I constantly find her CD Baby Pop streaming out of my speakers at home. If you find it somewhere, buy it! And if you have any tips about anything fun happening next week in Paris and would like to share it with me, don't hesitate, it would make me so happy! Au revoir!

--
Eric

Just Me, Fish and The Sea

Yet again it has been a while since my last contribution. I blame it on the fact that I moved about a thousand miles away from Toronto to the East Coast of Canada, more specifically Halifax, Nova Scotia. The change of scenery, while glaring, has been welcome. It's a beautiful place, with equally beautiful people and a thriving local music scene, which I'll get to next week. For now, on to more important things, mainly my musical introductions for the week.

First, lets begin with the artist who has made my move a little less frenetic with his soft, lofty new record, Close to Paradise. He has quickly become my go-to oasis of musical calm, the eternally serene Patrick Watson.


From Montreal, I got to see Watson perform at the Juno Awards this year in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and an say that his performance was my highlight of the evening trumping all the bigger and wholly mediocre acts like Billy Talent, Three Days Grace and the host herself, Nelly Furtado.

Watson's latest effort, Close to Paradise, is a collection of slow soft music that can add calm to the most hectic days. From the title track opener to the subdued close Bright Shiny Lights, Watson's arrangements never fail to deliver a blend of brilliant layered sound and stunning vocals. While they're world's apart in delivery, his music is haunted by the grey elegance of Jeff Buckley, one of my all time favorite artists.

I've selected four songs of the EP that I think typify the dreamy package that it is in it's entirety. He's playing some Montreal and surrounding area festivals for the month of July and if you're in the area I suggest checking him out to get the full picture of his talent, which really can only be felt in the magnetism of his live show.

Slip Into Your Skin
Luscious Life
Drifters
Man Under The Sea

+ Myspace

Now for something completely different is an amazing little Italian Myspace find, Les Fauves.



On the heels of releasing the full length debut, NALT-1, this four piece delivers a loose and almost mocking version of new wave punk. You're never quite sure if they take their melody seriously. They sound like they soundtrack to a cheesy B movie that you guiltily adore. The closing tag line of their One Pager sums their appeal up best... "It's only rock'n roll, but I like it."

In The Fallout Shelter
Fava Go Go Dancer

+ Myspace

And that brings this week's post to a close. Next week something old and something brand spanking new from Nathan Wiley, and my newest musical girl-crush, Jenn Grant.

ca

They are the mustache. We the cowboys. They set the sun.

Three fellas from Texas addicted to porn and throwing mustache parties, embracing the golden glow of a cowboy sunset whilst having a post- what-they-do-best smoke, is as cool as the fact that their debut album will be produced by Talking Head Jerry Harrison. Right? Right!



The last four years have seen The Black and White Years go through a few names, previously being known as The Trees, Paper Tiger, The Leavers and others apparently too embarrassing to mention. If they feel the need to change their name once more, John Aldridge, Scott Butler and Landon Thompson might have to reconsider their fame as underwear models.

The Spoon runs strong with them but the electronic backbone is something reminiscent of the artists formerly known as The Band of Bees. Throw in some XTC and Summerteeth-period Wilco and you will find plenty to love in many of their songs. See, its when bands take their influences and roll it all into a sound of their own and it all works wonderously together that you would expect that there would be more people pricking up their ears to something really cool.

My favourite track has to be Waking/Dream, an ode to dance punk of the eighties but updated with a nice little !!! strut. I will be sure to play it everywhere I can and you should do the same.

And while Everyone isn't music to make love to your old lady by it is something of a Calexico remixed by Lovage affair... You are a Dragon on the other hand nods to Of Montreal and is most enjoyable complete with cowbell.

According to their blog on MYSPACE, recording will start sometime mid-April and the album to follow sometime in the Fall.
These tracks will just have to tie us over in the meantime.

Waking/Dream
Wetter Sea
+MYSPACE

In their own words:

Black and White will cover the earth, blocking out the sun and rocking the planet with them mad ass dope skillz


- Ri