Hushreality

Socalled at Hot Docs!

2010-03-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

Watch the Socalled Movie (Trailer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt6iNTm-TIE

reFrame Films and the NFB are very proud to announce the Socalled Movies Canadian premiere this May at Hot Docs in Toronto, one of the the most coveted doc festivals in the world. The film screens May 2nd and 4th.

Tickets and passes available at: http://www.hotdocs.ca/film/title/the_socalled_movie

Sun, May 02 9:15 pm at Bloor Cinema.
Tue, May 04 11:30 am at The ROM Theatre.

Synopsis

Meet Socalled. A pianist, singer, arranger, rapper, producer and composer (and also a magician, filmmaker and visual artist), he’s blasting through the boundaries that separate music from different cultures, eras, and generations.

Socalled is a musical alchemist, always looking for the next old thing to make new again. The Socalled Movie shows him introducing funk trombone legend Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) to klezmer music, while wowing Wesley with his knowledge of funk. When Dolgin comes across LPs from the 1950s by lounge pianist Irving Fields, he looks up 94-year-old Fields and inspires him to pen a new hit song.

Shot in Socalled’s Montreal neighbourhood where Hasidic Jews and hipsters crowd the sidewalks, and in New York, France and the Ukraine, The Socalled Movie is a cinematic multi-faceted depiction of inspiration, collaboration and transformation.

Socalled defies category and refuses limitation. The Socalled Movie examines his energy from all angles and transmits the urgent creative spark to everyone watching: now’s your chance – go out there and make something!

http://www.nfb.ca/socalled
http://www.youtube.com/socalledmovie
http://www.myspace.com/socalled

Festival du Nouveau Cinema

2009-10-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

Festival du Nouveau Cinema announed their 10 days of conferences, live action art and over-the-top projections.

We're most looking forward to these three events:

Taking Back the Archival Image: Speaker Rick Prelinger (USA, archive.org) talks about The Archive We Don't Know, a light-hearted, purposeful expose of why ephemera from the past are increasingly important. October 9th at 5 p.m.
Taking Back the Film Industry. New business models, new ways to write scripts, new languages, new production modes... Participatory Production (October 10) and Interactive Scriptwriting and New Production Modes (Frank Boyd, UK), October 16, bring us up to speed.
John Scheele (USA), long-time SFX artist (Tron, Blade Runner), will give us an inside look at what the new digital equipment and cameras are likely to do to every level of the film industry, Friday, October 16 at 3 p.m.

2012 trailer sans-special effects

2009-10-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a trailer David Shaw, artist and disco hustling DJ of Loose Joints fame put together to highlight some of the meaty performances in the recent 5 minute clip of 2012. Shaw, "thinks you'll agree the CGI effects scenes were fairly distracting in the original, so they have been removed."

Brilliant.

Carol & Snowy Red

2009-09-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

MP3: Carol and Snowy Red - Breakdown.mp3 Snowy Red was the one-man electronic band of the former Chainsaw guitarist, Micky Mike. Troughout the eighties, Snowy Red lead the Belgian electronic scene becoming a master in minimal wave and well-known through the Flexi pop scene. Snowy Red was one of the first "New Beat" artists releasing albums through the Antler-Subway label. Many Europeans considered New Beat as a forerunner of Euro House. Others, consider that "New Beat" was the first true European dance music style, without any Euro disco (Italo Disco - Eurobeat) influences.

Royksopp

2009-09-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

MP3: Royksopp - Royksopp Forever.mp3 This is going to sound even better when it's minus 30.

Bits & Pieces

2009-09-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

MP3: Bits and Pieces - Don't Stop the Music.mp3

"I just want to rock you girl all night long"

Klute

2009-09-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing can beat the tagline: "One man is missing. Two girls lie dead. ...and someone breathing on the other end of the phone." This is perhaps the best stalker movie of all time.

Director Alan J. Pakula kicked off his "paranoia trilogy" with this 1971 thriller about a jaded call girl (Jane Fonda, who won an Oscar for her work) who works with a private investigator (Donald Sutherland) to catch a killer who's been targeting ladies of the evening. "Lots of guys swing with a call girl like Bree -- one guy just wants to kill her," cooed the poster, and that's pretty much Klute in a nutshell; there wasn't anything particularly innovative or unexpected about Andy and Dave Lewis' screenplay, and neither was Pakula's direction the film's main selling point (Roger Greenspun of the New York Times described it as "a tepid, rather tasteless mush").

Its real strength was the interplay between Sutherland and Fonda, both of whom drew raves from critics. Roger Ebert was one of the duly impressed, writing, "with Fonda and Sutherland, you have actors who understand and sympathize with their characters, and you have a vehicle worthy of that sort of intelligence. So the fact that the thriller stuff doesn't always work isn't so important."

Bravo!FACT Shorts

2009-08-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the week we saw director Patricia Chica's short film unfold like a teaser trailer to a feature length film. The story, Day Before Yesterday follows the story of a young woman who is found unconscious in the heart of downtown Montreal, suffering total memory loss, and searching for a way out of her life predicament. Starring Michelle Boback and celebrated Quebec actors Jacques Godin and Richard Robitaille. Featuring an original score by Courtney Wing (Myspace). This short is sure to be a hit with festivals around the world.

Vengeance also stood out for us, directed by Lanan Adcock this short tells the story of a young woman who meets a crab with supernatural powers while walking on the beach, which leads her into a whirlwind seaside adventure. Starring Laura Wills and featuring a puppet by Clyde Henry Productions. With songs from The King Khan & BBQ Show.

I Spit on Your Grave

2009-08-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is basically over we decided to get digital cable with an insane amount of movie channels.

Last night I saw one of my favorite revenge films of all time, "I Spit on Your Grave" (trailer), staring Camille Keaton. The first half of the movie is the equivalent to a snuff film where the viewer is forced to watch Keaton get repeatedly sexually assaulted by three men. It ends with Keaton getting back at her attackers, in equally graphical and squirmish ways.

Film critic Roger Ebert wrote that this was the worst film he had ever seen, referring to it as "a vile bag of garbage...without a shred of artistic distinction," adding that "Attending it was one of the most depressing experiences of my life."

So that means you should watch it.

P-Star (Rising) & Pop Montreal 2009

2009-08-30T01:12:00.000-07:00

P-Star Rising featuring Priscilla Star Diaz (P-Star) will be part of Film Pop 2009 in Montreal. Wouldn't it be great if P-Star herself came to Montreal for the film and performed at Kids Pop? We can only hope...

VIDEO: P-Star Rising Trailer

Also Pop Montreal is attempting to raise $5,000 by Sept. 21 so they can create the ultimate music room, consisting of 16 theramins!

Used famously on old sci-fi movie soundtracks such as The Day The Earth Stood Still and Spellbound, the Russian designed instrument features an antenna that picks up hand gestures and then translates them into eerie music.

"A Community Curated, Built & Performed Musico Art Project: A Colossal Theremin Room, brought to us by Art Pop and the Pop Montreal Symposium," is the brainchild of live music avant-gardists David Beaulieu and Christian Pelletier, whose previous work includes the snakelike portable speakers used by Patrick Watson during their prop-heavy free Jazz Fest show in July.

It won't house the homeless or feed the hungry, but a large theremin room open to the public from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 at Espace Reunion might be something worth philanthropism. There are some pretty unique prizes available to generous benefactors, including a Pop Montreal VIP pass, a musical performed in your honour by Pop Montreal, your very own Patrick Watson portable speaker suit, or an exclusive track by Gentleman Reg or Dishwasher.

For more info on making a pledge before the Sept. 21 deadline, visit here.

Jeremy Jay

2008-08-29T02:37:00.001-07:00

Jeremy Jay resides in Angel town, next to Larchmont where he hang out. He writes and plays piano and guitar. He says one of his favorite things to do is drive around with the moonroof open and listen to music with his friends. It seems that hes both a small town boy and a big city boy in one.

Montreal was treated to an intimate performance last month at Zoobizarre. There's just something about Jeremy Jay that we can't put our finger on. It could be his young Moz stage charm, his remarkably stylish wardrobe, or the deliverance of perfect pop serenading lyrics.

Zoobizarre felt like the 4th of June 1976 at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall. The crowd walked away feeling inspired, like the live show was reborn.

MP3: Jeremy Jay - Alpha Rhythm.mp3

(Courtesy of Pitchforkmedia)

Jeremy Spencer

2008-08-29T01:27:00.001-07:00

Jeremy Spencer joined Fleetwood Mac in July 1967. He remained with the band until February 1971, when he suddenly departed to help recruit for the religious movement called the Children of God (now recognized as the The Family International). For the next eight years, Spencer would release two solo albums "Jeremy Spencer & the Children" and "Flee".

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 for his work as part of Fleetwood Mac.

What Moves You Miami

2006-05-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

“What Moves You Miami” started last week. It’s a three week-long series of DIY workshops, DJ sets and live performances in South Beach, Florida.

All the artists are from around the world showcasing their talent. Jamil GS who’s photo you can see on the current cover of Vibe, the Inkheads (who consist of 6 artists locally from Miami and from other parts of the world), Maya Hayuk, a truly brilliant artist from Williamsburg, and a ton of others. Mayday who just got written up in NY Times dj’d on Saturday as did DFA’s The Juan Maclean, and The Scratch Academy along with DMC champions DJ Craze and DJ Swamp (Beck’s dj) will be there for the finale weekend.

People can go down to the art space and learn how to silk-screen, beat match, and tons of other workshops that you wouldn’t have a chance to learn anywhere else. We’re just trying to spread the word as this is a FREE event, you can take a photo and get a free t-shirt made right there. It’s inventive, creative and it’s all about self expression.

If you’re curious about what else is going on visit http://www.whatmovesyoumiami.com

the Futureheads

2006-05-11T02:48:00.000-07:00

Check out this e-card!!!

http://www.vagrant.com/newsandtributes

"NEWS AND TRIBUTES" the 2nd full length from the Futureheads is out June
13th on Vagrant/StarTime!

Euphoria

2006-04-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

Euphoria

On this third Euphoria project Ramm worked with drummer/producer Steve Sidelnyk (Massive Attack, Madonna) and with Sean Spuehler (Madonna, Missy Elliot). This critically acclaimed foray into Guitronica, the new genre defining moment with slide guitar, ebow and gorgeous vocals by Tina Dico and Tracy Bonham, will be on everyone's MUST BUY lists for

Hekc, I love it ever since I heard it was featured on CSI.

Download :: Euphoria - Back Against the Wall

Click here to buy it from Amazon.com

The Celebrity Pilots

2005-12-03T03:32:00.000-08:00

The Celebrity Pilots is the nom de plume for Chris Sheehan, co founder of The All Golden and former member of The Witch Hazel Sound. Using chiming guitars, analog keys and bent circuitry, Sheehan searches for lush, warped soundscapes to perch his Anglocentric by way of Ohio skewed pop visions. "Beneath Pavement, the Beach" is the debut album from The Celebrity Pilots (released on Sunken Treasure Records 9/13/05). Recorded at Waterloo Sound Recording in Kent, Ohio with the eccentric Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Gem), the album stretches from taut post-punk sing along anthems to longer atmospheric offerings. Rounding out the line up is a group of incredibly talented musicians: Jess Faller on keys (Tiara, Chris McCoy), Adam Dowell on bass (The Moving Parts) and Dan Gerken on drums and vocals(Miranda Sound). In addition to finishing the most recent offering from The All Golden, Sheehan has played on Robert Pollard's 'Fiction Man' and 'From a Compound Eye' as well as rhythm guitar and keys with Doug Gillard on the road.

The Celebrity Pilots first album is simply superb. The atmosphere of the poppy synthesizers and rough guitars will cheer you up whether you dig dance songs or slow songs - the hooks will grab you and refuse to let go.

Download :: The Celebrity Pilots - Lemons from lemonade.mp3

Click here to visit Sunken Treasure Records

Love is All

2005-12-01T03:42:00.000-08:00

Review by J. Edward Keyes:

I don't like to overstate these things, but every so often I get to have an "I Was There!" moment and last night, at a small bunker in Brooklyn that reminded me of nothing so much as the late, lamented Philly punk club Stalag 13, I had my first in a long time. Swedish band Love is All has been driving me bananas since maura first played their not-out-yet debut in our apartment. It's a shot of pure joy: unself-conscious, unpolished, raucous, fucked-up, dirty and ecstatic. It reminds me of everything I loved about Delta 5 and The Raincoats, music that clunks along on square wheels at silly, impossible velocity.

When they played last night I thought the whole room would shoot up through the roof in some sort of colossal musical rapture. Pint-sized cutie-pie singer kept pogoing into the audience, and no one could seem to stop jumping for more than a few seconds. This is what indie-pop was supposed to do, before it got so fucking polite: deliver pure pop charge with dirt under the nails and a proper punk pout. Nothing was overthunk or second guessed, and for once you could feel the pure thrill that comes from hundreds of people all at once not caring if they look like idiots. The sound sucked and the songs sounded great, elastic chords and hard, honking sax. I kept thinking over and over: "Holy fuck, I'm seeing The Slits in Don Letts' loft." It's not coming out till 2006, but 9 Times That Same Song is the best record of the year.

Download :: Love is All - Turn the Radio Off.mp3

Click here to visit Love is All's site

Belaire

2005-11-26T03:49:00.000-08:00

What the press are saying:

“Their recordings are a delicious mélange of tandem synthesizers and delicate guitar riffs, anchored by subdued drum beats and airy harmonies - exactly the sort of pop music meant to accompany a summer's evening spent with friends on one's balcony.” – The Austinist

“Having released an amazing and instantly addictive self-titled debut full-length the band received immediate attention from college radio and music press. They are currently playing some of the funnest sets in Austin and touring to spread their sound across the US. Together, the band mixes genres at will floating from Brazil funk to Italian movie scores to Carnival music to New Wave to Italo Disco and back again to form a cohesive sound all their own.” – Study Breaks

“This cd starts out with a harmony of “da da da da da da,” and while the words change, that sentiment never does. Between the harmonies come happy synth melodies on top of poppy beats that make you want to pop the cd in and dance around in your underwear.” - Stage Scene

What we say:

Best band of the day, week, month, year, ever!

Make sure to check out their Myspace page! http://www.myspace.com/belaire for more info!

Click here to visit Belaire's website

The Hives DVD

2005-11-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

The Hives got a new DVD coming out, ‘Tussels in Brussels,’ next Tuesday, 11/22. It’s got a cool new documentary on the band entitled ‘DW Johnson’s The Hives, Hinduism & Me’ as well as their full 2005 live show in Brussels, Belgium! There’s also a bunch of their music videos and television performances on there for you to watch over and over again.

Check out the nifty e-card for the DVD complete with bouncing Hives members.
http://www.bandbuilder.com/hivesdvd/index.php?ref_code=D74889

We'll see if we can get some promo copies to give away!

Jarvis Cocker

2005-11-15T15:20:00.000-08:00

Jarvis, what are you doing on the new Harry Potter soundtrack? I wonder if Pulp fans are embracing this song, or vomiting right now. Other such noteable guests on the soundtrack are Jonny Greenwood, Phil Selway, Steve Mackey, Jason Buckle, and Steve Claydon.

Hopefully this song will "capture the magic" to Harry Potter fans. I think i'd like the song more if I didn't know it's primary source.

Download :: Jarvis Cocker - This Is The Night.mp3

Click here to buy the HP soundtrack

Telefauna

2005-11-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

Freshly hatched, somewhere in the spiral stair forest of Montréal, a feathery mess of colour called Telefauna is hustling something fresh. Since their stage debut at 2004's Pop Montréal International Music Festival, and after a year of persistent writhing and squealing, they have developed a reputation for their high energy live show, always chock-full of surprises and derrières shaken to their breaking points. Now, with the much anticipated release of their home-recorded debut entitled, "Their First EP," a new glorious flight path seems inevitable for Telefauna, and the weather looks dandy.

Download :: Telefauna - Turbulence.mp3

Click here to visit Telefauna's site

The Other Side

2005-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

The Other Side DualDisc is a premier cool guide that features a walking tour by reknowned DJs to hot spots in cities throughout the world, and includes a mixed cd compiled by a native audio pioneer of that city. Look forward to uncovering spots in New York, Paris and London.

The Other Side of Paris CD is compiled and mixed by Black Strobe, whose dark, twisted but always funky sounds perfectly encapsulate Paris's underground disco vibe. It features tracks from Bauhaus, Front 242, Black Strobe and many more. On the DVD, Black Strobe gives you a personal guided tour of underground hot spots, including restaurants, bars, shops and clubs.

The Other Side of London CD is compiled and mixed by Damian Lazarus, recently named one of the world's most exciting DJs by Rolling Stone. Lazarus takes you on an exhilarating ride thorough his musical past, present and future, including tracks from The Magic Numbers, Squarepusher, Yazoo and many others. The DVD features an array of clips from London's underground hot spots, including restaurants, bars, shops and clubs.

The DVD's are out now! Six editions of The Other Side will be released annually, three every six months.

2005-10-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Away on vacation until Nov 1. Regular updates will resume then!

The Winks

2005-10-18T00:54:00.000-07:00

Those adorable little Vancouverites released a split w/the Tights a few months back, and I forgot to mention it. There's still a few copies left, so if you want to listen to a few bands that are experimental as Sonic Youth, and as catchy as Arcade Fire - pick it up!

Download :: The Winks - Castle in the Clouds.mp3

Click here to visit the Winks site

Francoiz Breut

2005-10-15T00:38:00.000-07:00

The ‘90s, singer Francoiz Breut established herself as an important player on the French music scene. Breut, who is known for melancholy, introspective lyrics and a smoky, jazz-tinged approach to pop-rock, has inspired a variety of comparisons. She has been compared to the influential ‘60s ye-ye icon Françoise Hardy--which is perhaps a comparison that comes too easily--as well as German singer Nico. Other comparisons have ranged from Marianne Faithfull and Suzanne Vega to Tom Waits, Sting and Nick Cave, but unlike those artists, Breut sings in French more often than not. (Source: Alex Henderson @ Allmusic.com)

Download :: Francoiz Breut - La Certitude.mp3

Click here to visit an unofficial fan-site