It has! and its great! Featuring Entire Cities, Jenny Omnichord, The Burning Hell, The Mahones, and many more bands along with dancers, crafts, puppet shows, its gonna be a weekend full of awesome. Oh, and its free. So, so good. For the full line up and more details check out their website.

the gorgeous show poster is by Benjamin Nelson.

I don’t know how this escaped the attention of my Show Listing editor (that’s going to be one fired webmonkey, that’s all I have to say) but what is undoubtedly going to be the most raucous, amazing, bewildering, sweaty, dancey show of the year is happening this Saturday. Woodhands, joined by Magic Jordan, are going to invade The Artel on Saturday, May 10th, and if you have any sense you will get yourself there (and get there early ’cause space is limited).

I’ve been listening to Woodhands’ new album “Heart Attack” a great deal lately and it is filled top to bottom with stompers. While the lead track Dancer is an absolute stunner - with its sultry female vocals juxtaposed with the gritty shouted lead - and has been pretty much on repeat at my place for the past couple of weeks, the entire album is excellent. Dan Werb rocks the keytar like his life depended on it and Paul Banwatt proves very well might be the best drummer around. The beats are hefty, the synth riffs energizing, the vocals swing from melodic to gritty. I know we’re prone to hyperbole here on the interwebs, but I think stating that “Heart Attack” is going to be one of the albums of the year is a pretty safe bet.
This show is going to be HOTTTTTTT.

(and i’m going to be out of town. fuck.)

Here are a few tracks to so you can get your dance on tonight before you get it on tommorrow:

* Dancer
* Be Back Soon

Be sure to pick up the album through Paper Bag and/or Zunior.

And you can get a Magic Jordan track on the Friends of Skeleton Park album which is superb. Its out on Apple Crisp Records and can be bought around town.

Katie Stelmanis is celebrating her new album “Join Us” (released by Blocks Recording Club) by holding not one, but two cd release parties with the absolutely amazing Luyas. They are going to be in Kingston on January 12th at The Artel and I highly recommend you check it out. I saw Stelmanis opening for Miracle Fortress in September (sadly, I didn’t record her set) and she blew me away with her powerful, dramatic voice. Her songs are brooding, passionate, and, when at their climax, are absolutely thunderous.

Here are a few songs from her website:
* In My Favour

* Natural Woman (yes, ‘that’ Natural Woman, but covered like never before).

Here are a few dates:

Jan.11 - Silver Dollar w/ the Luyas, the Torrent, and Emma McKenna
Jan. 12 - Kingston - Artel Series w/ the Luyas
Jan. 27 - Waterloo - the Grist Mill w/ Picastro and Nadja
Jan. 31 - Guelph - KAZOO at the E-bar w/ Bruce Peninsula

Go see her live if you can and be sure to get the album when its available - I expect it will be available at The Blue House and digitally at Zunior.

***
Don’t forget - the Nicole Atkins contest closes tomorrow at noon so get your entries in now.

photo by WaterCoolerGossip, taken at the Bowery Ballroom, 14 July 2006

Nicole Atkins produces lush, soulful pop which hearkens back to times we think must have been simpler but, in reality, were undoubtedly as fraught as the present with the heartbreak, intrigue, and drama Atkins sings about. Rich orchestration, courtesy of her band The Sea, propels the songs - with strings and horns and warbley guitars all the things we like - but it is Atkins’ extraordinary voice that so memorable. It is a voice that can fill a room. Warm, but melancholic, it is eminently suited to her songs of lost love and tragic circumstances, her vocals alternating between tearing your heart apart and comforting you. The swell of the string section is easily outmatched by Atkins, whose voice moves from sensual crooning to passionately belting out her lyrics. She is equally comfortable with steamy, slow-boiling numbers to the positively rollicking tunes. The full-length “Neptune City” shows Atkins capable of incorporating a number of genres into her sound - from blue-eyed soul, blues, folk, and pop - without it ever seeming forced. Heres a couple to tracks to sample:

* The Way It Is
* Party’s Over

And be sure to check out her performance next Monday, Jan. 7th, on Late Night with Conan O’Brien .

To ring in the New Year and to celebrate the two-year anniversary B(oot)log (ok, not really, but I can pretend that I’m that important, can’t I?), I have a couple of copies of Nicole Atkins’ “Neptune City” to give away courtesy of SonyBMG Music Canada. Just send me an email with “Nicole Atkins contest” in the subject line and your mailing address in the body to gimmestuff.bootlog@gmail.com and I will chose the winners at random. The contest closes January 11th at noon (EST) and I will announce the winners shortly thereafter. Best of luck.

photo taken at Baba’s in Charlottetown, August 11, 2007.

While this is not “news” by any means - others have beaten me to this by months - it is both timely and interesting.

Rich Aucoin had an inspired idea. Take a Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and alter it. He did not redraw or reedit, but rather created a new soundtrack, changing the meaning of the images; infusing the beloved film with new life.This took time, patience, creativity, ingenuity, but I think you will agree that it was worth the effort as his album “Personal Publication” becomes intertwined with the hallucinogenic world of the Grinch. His lush orchestrations, featuring upwards of 25 instruments all played by Aucoin, pour over you relentlessly as the images are made strange(r).

Rich Aucoin had another inspired idea. Take a a bicycle and tour coast-to-coast raising money for a children’s cancer charity all the while. This took time, persistence, strength, courage, and a touch of audacity. Not many bands make true cost-to-coast tours in Canada: the distance is too daunting. I imagine no one else has attempted to do it on a bicycle. You can read about his tour, in Aucoin’s own words.

Here are some things for you to do:

Visit YouTube to watch the synch of Personal Publication/How The Grinch Stole Christmas (sorry I can’t seem to embed the youtube video in my post).

Donate to The Childhood Cancer Foundation Candlelighters Canada.

Listen to a couple of songs:

* At War With the Cynics (An Opening)

* Behold the Lamb! (Muffled by the Noisy City) (An Offering)

Listen to a couple more on his myspace - especially the xmassy “Oh My God, My Love” which you can download for your very own xmas mixtape.

Buy the album for yourself.

***

Congratulations to Ammie who is the winner of the Buck65 contest. My thanks to all who entered.

Last year, courtesy of the fine gents at IGIF, I was introduced to a few songs off the self-released album Q&A from Chicago’s Office. Their feels like it should be a guilty pleasure. On paper, I just don’t think it is something I should like. However, it is just too infections, too fun, too gloriously poppy for me to deny. Songs by the Office soon after found themselves on my summer mix tapes, never failing to inject the mixes with something upbeat and fun. There are is more than a touch of retro ’80s sound in their work but they use it without being cheesy. They fill their songs with hooks, wonderful vocal harmonies, and electro flourishes, making sure they stick in your head without becoming tiresome. Office have finally been picked up by a label and are going to be releasing “A Night at the Ritz” on September 25th on Scratchie/New Line Records. The album features a number of previously released songs which have been rerecorded and given even more polish. To celebrate the release of their new album, Office will be touring, including a few dates in Canada - their hitting Vancouver on Sept. 29th, Toronto on October 5th, and Montreal on October 6th - so mark your calendars. Full dates can be found here. And here are two pop-tacular songs from the new album.

* Office - The Ritz

* Office - Wound Up

**

Our second featured artist this week occupies a different part of the rock spectrum than the Office. Jonny Stevens, who might be familiar from his work with the now defunct Halifax punk band The New Breed, released a self-titled album this year featuring rock songs tinged with strains of singer-songwriter folk and informed by his punk past. On his album, Stevens is equally comfortable performing stomping anthems as he is delivering heart-felt ballads. His eminently honest lyrics are delivered without pretence, as Stevens lays it all out for you. Excellent organ work by Ian Mosher and great backing vocals throughout the album give the songs a full, rich sound. The album was released on Racket Records earlier this year and you can pick yourself up a copy here or digitally through Zunior. OR you can now download the entire album FREE from Stevens here. So, check it out and go see Stevens play if he swings through your town (he’ll be playing Fredericton tomorrow, August 31st, at Dal in Halifax on Sept. 12, and in Mount Stewart PEI, on October 5th, check his myspace for more dates as they get announced).

* You Can’t Take Me

* Fire From the Sky

* Coming Down

Occasionally, folks are kind enough to send music my way and I have been rather ungrateful taking way too long to talk about it here. I am going to try to make up for it starting today, by posting some short reviews with songs for you to check out.

Frenzied is not an apt description of the music of A Fine Frenzy. While it is a perfectly fine band name, the songs of Alison Sudol are calm, lovely, delicate and seductive. In “Almost Lover” (see below), a song of relationship that was not to be, she is sensitive but not vulnerable, as her confidence flows throughout. There is heartbreak but not desperation, as she realizes that the relationship she hoped for is over. There is a tinge of resignation and the vow to move on - a bit bruised by not broken. The vocals are clear, powerful, and stunningly beautiful. Accompanied by the piano and some soft orchestration which rides throughout just below, never detracting from the powerful vocals. This is one of the most gorgeous songs I have heard in a long time.

Check out the video for Almost Lover and here is her performing a couple of songs on MPR’s The Current from back in May.

Come On, Come Out

Almost Lover

A Fine Frenzy’s album “One Cell in the Sea” was released on July 17th and you can pick it up pretty much everywhere - I suggest buying it through Amazon in support of MPR.

***

Nothing makes for a great summer jam like some blazing horns behind soulful vocals. Add some organ and chances are I’m hooked. Case in point is “Pretty Girl” by Nees and Vos, who tick all the boxes on their disc “Extended Play”. Nees and Vos are the duo of Chris Vos, who provides vocals and guitar, and Andrew Neesley who gives us the the trumpets, keyboards and production. They combine jazz and soul with subtle but effective electronic flourishes. All six songs are strong, with the aformentioned “Pretty Girl” being my favourite on the disc. Another standout is their take on the classic Bill Withers tune “Ain’t No Sunshine” - they do justice to the standard version with the extremely soulful vocals, but add electronic beats and a killer trumpet solo making it their own.

This ep would be a great soundtrack for summer nights. I recommend that for the upcoming long weekend you find a porch, open a cold beverage, put on this album and you will be all set.

Here are a couple of tracks for you to check out:

Pretty Girl

Ain’t No Sunshine

And be sure to pick up the full album for yourself here.

Congratulations to Lukas and Jessie who each have won a copy of Woolly Leaves’ album “Quiet Water.” Thanks to those who entered. If you didn’t win don’t fret, Zunior can hook you up in ways that I can’t match. Go there. Download. Be happy. Or see Woolly Leaves in person Saturday, February 10th with Chris Brown and Apostle of Hustle at the Grad Club and get the album in person.

***

If you are going to be in or around Kingston this week you should be pretty busy with all the concerts and stuff going on. Here’s a quick rundown: as mentioned before, Tokyo Police Club is tonight Feb. 6 at Alfies and on the 10th there is AoH, and I’m sure you already have your tickets for that.

Also tonight, at the Grad Club is Velvet Claws, PS I Love You, MCs from Slaves of Spanky, the Backyard Sex Band, & Stunlock Build, who are playing as part of the CFRC fundraiser.

Be sure to check out 1-Speed Bike tomorrow at Clark, a CFRC fundraising dance-stravaganza.

And speaking of the CFRC Fundraiser - DONATE! - you can get cds and all kinds of great stuff. One of the cds I got when made my donation was the Yoko Casiono’s “These are the New Old Times” who are playing with Major Grange the Golden Dogs at the Grad Club on February 9th. It is going to be power-pop-tastic, I guarantee. Don’t want to take my word for it? Frank at Chromewaves saw them at their Toronto show and has this to say about Yoko Casionos: “Their power pop was tight, punchy and impressive with a handful of really catchy, standout songs,” and this about Golden Dogs: “if The Golden Dogs come through your town anytime soon, you should check them out - they play pop-rock music and are a lot of fun.” So there. Listen to Frank. Check them out. And check out this song, which has been pretty much on repeat in my car stereo since friday:

* Yoko Casionos, Cameras On.mp3

One more show that you should make note of is The Sweet Homewreckers who are playing at Clark Hall Pub on Feb. 8th (with Charlemagne). This group from Peterborough is known for its mid-90’s Halifax-style power pop. It features not one but two trumpets and that, in my books, is pretty fantastic. What I have heard is fun and poppy and catchy as all get-out. Definitely should be a show worth checking out. Visit their myspace and their NMC page to stream a whack of tracks. Here are two songs off their album “From the Letdown to the Comearound” that you can take home and cherish:

* The Sweet Homewreckers, Wild America.mp3

* The Sweet Homewreckers, Amplification.mp3

All right Kingstonians. Keep on rawking and check back on the weekend for your regularly scheduled dose of live music.

Today marks the start of the annual funding drive of the Queen’s University/Kingston Community radio station CFRC, . You should open your hearts (and your wallets) and give, give, give. Not only will you be supporting what is, in my humble opinion, the best radio station around, but you will also be able to pick up some really great swag or tax receipts. For as little as $15 you can get a cd and larger donations will get you gift certificates to resturaunts, via rail, Goodlife etc. etc. and for every $10 you get entered to win plane tickets to anywhere in Canada.

Between now and Februrary 11th you can call to pledge @ 613-533-CFRC (2372), online here, or in person at the station in Lower Carruthers Hall (beside the bookstore). They are hosting all kinds of cool events, so you can donate there, too:

Fri Feb 2- Community Skate, Market Square, 5-8pm. Featuring CFRC DJs of Exploding Plastic Inevitable and Illogical Progressions

Sat Feb 3- Belly-dancing Classes at the John Orr Rm in the JDUC, 2-3 & 3-4pm with CFRC’s DJ Zanzi (All Leather Interior), $5 suggested donation (cfrc[at]ams.queensu.ca to secure a spot)

Sun Feb 4- Curry Off, 6pm at the University Club (168 Stuart St). $7 all-you-can-eat or free if you bring curry to share. Children under 10 eat for free. Curry Original gift certificate to the winning chef!

Mon Feb 5- Poetry and Spoken Word Open Mic night at the Sleepless Goat, 7pm, free. (cfrcbusiness [at] ams.queensu.ca if you’d like to perform)

Tues Feb 6- Live Music Night at the Grad Club (162 Barrie St) featuring Velvet Claws, PS I Love You, MCs from Slaves of Spanky, the Backyard Sex Band, & Stunlock Build, $5 at the door.

Wed Feb 7- 1-Speed Bike (ft Aiden Girt of Godspeed You! Black Emperor) at Clark Hall Pub (Queen’s campus) w CFRC DJs Anomaly (Radio Gnosis) and Sta Free (Testarossa Overdrive, Fridays at Alfies). $5 at the door. Breakbeat, hip-hop, & electro. Bring yer dancin’ shoes!

Thurs Feb 8- DJs in the Lower Ceilidh of the JDUC, 10am-4pm, including Lauren of Unknown Pleasures.

Sat Feb 10- Morning Bottle Drive 9-12pm; CFRC at the Grad Club for the last night of the Apostle of Hustle Residency, 10pm, $10

Sun Feb 11- CFRC Does Sweet Folk All at the RCHA Brigade Assoc. (3rd Fl, 193 Ontario St), 7:30pm, free!

So come out and show your support and give what you can.

Here is a little treat from our friends at CFRC - Jill Barber recorded live in their studios:

* Jill Barber, When I’m Making Love to You (live at CFRC).mp3

Following up on the As the Poets Affirm post from last weekend, I wanted to talk a bit about the headliner for the second day (this saturday) of MockingMusic Weekend Showcase: Rock Plaza Central.

When a copy of their new album “Are We Not Horses” fell into my hands I didn’t really know anything about Rock Plaza Central. Upon the first listen, I was confused (robot horses???Whaa???) but hooked nevertheless. It took a while to figure out what they are going on about (a post-apocalyptic future where robotic horses, who think they are real, are victorious in a battle against angels…or something along those lines) so thankfully this is a record that lends itself to repeat listens. The music is as complex and wonderful as the lyrics. While the subject matter is science fiction the sound is Americana (Canadiana? they are from Toronto, after all). But this is not your standard country-folk: along with guitar, banjo, mandolin and the other usual suspects, the sound is filled out with xylophone and shakers and a grade 3 choir and horns, amazing horns, which serve to build and build and then blast out in emphasis. The record is almost bipolar in tone, moving from moments of defeat and exasperation, found in lines like “…should tonight we die tonight, dear, there will be nothing left” (on “How Shall I To Heaven Aspire?”), to defiant jubilation with “Be joyful/My children be joyful!” a moment later. An album that deals with existential crises of robot horses (see the title track) is certainly a rare thing and if the theme sounds a bit odd or confusing don’t let it be off-putting. Rock Plaza Central has created an dazzling soundtrack to their unique, finely crafted fantasy world.

They are on the road for the next month or so, so be sure to check them out if you can here:

Saturday, Jan 13, 2007
Ottawa at Zaphod’s w/ As the Poets Affirm and My Dad vs Yours

Thursday, Jan 18, 2007
Guelph at E-Bar w/ The Constantines

Saturday, Jan 27, 2007
Montreal at Main Hall (5390 St. Laurent) w/ Oxford Collapse

Sunday, Jan 28, 2007
Toronto at Lee’s Palace w/ Oxford Collapse and Thunderbirds Are Now

Feb 17, 2007
NYC at The Glasslands (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) w/ Oxford Collapse and Meneguar

Of course I can’t leave you without posting a few tracks. These come from RPC’s visit to Irene’s Pub in Ottawa, with my thanks to MockingMusic.

* 08/14/03 & Our Hearts Will Not Rust.mp3

* When We Go, How We Go (Part II).mp3

* Anthem For the Alread Defeated.mp3

and of course, courtesy of CokeMachineGlow, via Pitchfork

* SexyBack(JT cover).mp3

Find more music here and here. Buy this fantastic record from Zunior or go to Outside Music for a physical copy.

I am loving the posters for the MM shows: