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A look back at Iceland Airwaves 2015
Reykjavik, Iceland - November 4-8, 2015
Participating in Iceland Airwaves as a Canadian is sort of like stumbling into a house party full of someone else's tight social circle—except everyone is excited and glad you came and there are one thousand other people who accidentally stumbled into the party too and now you're all friends. It is the kind of festival were almost every shop, café and hostel along the main downtown strip doubles as a venue throughout the week creating space for the "off-venue" no wrist-band-required shows—hugely accessible to people officially participating in the festival as well as people who do not purchase passes.
Most local musicians play several shows over the course of the five day festival, creating an atmosphere of adrenaline-fuelled energy that ensures the word on must-see acts spreads quickly. Say you miss an excellent show Friday afternoon because you are daring to eat (urine soaked) fermented shark in a dark restaurant. Chances are, you will be able to catch that band eight more times throughout the festival, perhaps in the giant hall of the Reykjavik Art Museum, or maybe in a tiny mitten shop off the main street.
The festival is perfectly curated so people who are new to the Iceland party have a chance to figure out what's good and then ample opportunity to catch those acts.
Here are some of the artists who's live shows surpassed their buzz:
QT (United States)
QT is an otherworldly, super-pop singer/product of the mysterious PC Music crew. Her performance was minimal yet energetic. She barely let a smile slip through her Barbie-like plastic persona.
My friend and I had an unusual view of this performance. We managed to grab a spot at the side of the stage, where we were able to see QT from the waist down (a view that was obscured to the rest of the audience by a black table cloth). From this perspective we were able to verify that this otherwise alien-like performer was truly a real person with paint-flecked boyfriend style jeans and flats.
I recommend watching the music video for QT on repeat then checking out the Diplo remix of that same track on Spotify and playing it at your next dance party.
Weaves (Canada)
High-energy, sweaty pop rock group that got everyone dancing. I was eager to see my Canadian friends, Weaves, play in the Kex Hostel as a part of Seattle's KEXP programming. The show felt very much like a house party, being staged in the hostel's common room, but the setting worked flawlessly with the feel of the festival (see the introduction to this piece). Weaves' rocking set was familiar and friendly. Everyone danced.
I recommend catching this band next time you are in Toronto or they are in Montreal as it's difficult to guess how much longer you will have to catch them in a small venue.
Milkywhale (Iceland)
This is a power pop ballad loving artist who flawlessly performed epic dance choreography while showing off her beautiful and strong vocal skills. Milkywhale is one of the acts that I didn't realize I loved immediately. The singer's happy, high-energy tunes are undeniably catchy and have the capacity to stick with you much longer than you expect. Milkywhale is an artist worth checking out online as well. Despite having a scarce internet presence the work that she has out there is warm and fun.
I recommend starting every day for the rest of your life by dancing along to Milkywhale's "Birds of Paradise" music video.
Dream Wife (Iceland/UK)
The musicians in Dream Wife admitted to me that they started a band because they wanted to come to Canada but could not justify travelling here without a mission and thus the band was formed. They played their first shows here in Montreal and have since been on a whirlwind of performances and creation, gaining esteem from many along the way. This band was one of the toughest to catch as every show they played was packed with people who knew that their shows were a must see.
I recommend keeping your eyes peeled for their first EP that I was told has been recorded and is going to be available very soon.
--Christina Bell is CJLO's Volunteer Coordinator extraordinaire. Interested in joining the CJLO Crew? Drop her an email at volunteer [at ] cjlo [dot] com.
Kamelot + Dragonforce @ The Imperial Bell
Presented by KMI Entertainment and First Row Talent
I had the pleasure of attending a concert featuring Kamelot and Dragonforce at the Imperial Bell in Quebec City on Sunday, November 22.
The show began on time and opened with Dragonforce. For those of you unfamiliar, Dragonforce are a power metal band from Britain. They are famed for their long guitar solos and outrageously fast music. For context, their song "Through the Fire and Flames" is used for the most difficult level of Guitar Hero 3. Trust me when I say that with expectations of constant prestissimo and impressive solos, they did not disappoint. Dragonforce were enthusiastic and engaging, and although it was clear that their songs were well rehearsed, they left the impression that their performance was partially choreographed and partially them just winging it.
The only time the two guitarists and bassist were ever stationary was when they had to sing harmonies, which were quite lovely and at times involved each band member. When they were not singing, the band constantly jumped around the entire stage, spinning in unison off of the platform in the centre of the stage and just generally being awesome. Even their keyboard player came and joined the fray on keytar. The drummer did not let confinement to his kit limit his performance value either. He had a fan pointed at him so his hair was constantly being blown back majestically and he would throw his sticks about 30 feet into their air and catch them every time without missing a beat. It was really impressive. Another impressive thing they did was with the three guitarists and the keytar player on a guitar. They stood facing each other in a square/circle, strummed/picked their own guitars and played the neck of the guitar next to them. The only thing that made the stuck-up, classically trained side of me cringe was the questionable guitar technique of some of the musicians. I suppose I can understand playing the fretboard from over the top of the neck, if you insist, but why would anyone ever need to lick their guitar?
Kamelot was a much different experience. They are a power metal band with musicians from Sweden, Germany, and the US that has been around since the early '90s. Each musician is incredibly gifted. Seeing them perform together, you can feel their connection and understanding of one another musically. The structure of their performance was dramatic and visually engaging. The light show that accompanied their music brought the entire performance to a higher level, and it was clear that the placement of everyone on stage and the appearance of the musicians and instruments was meticulously planned. The keyboard stood on a single artistically crooked pedestal and made the instrument look almost organic. The drummer resided in a cage with a plethora of cymbals hanging before him, two kick drums and a garden of other drums surrounding him. Where the other musicians stood and moved to created levels, balance and different dimensions throughout the show.
The showmanship was excellent, and the skill of each performer was outstanding. Their selection of songs was a perfect collection of new songs and old favourites, including at least one track from every album dating back to 2001 (Karma). Lead vocalist Tommy Karevik has one of the most versatile, beautiful voices that I have ever heard, and his distinct sound creates an atmosphere that is unique and captivating. He doesn't just sing songs, he takes you on a journey to distant lands and far away worlds. You can listen to his voice and forget where you are. It is a gift.
Drummer Casey Grillo brought as much power to the band as Tommy. His solo was a hypnotizing, intense journey. Thomas Youngblood, guitarist and co-founder, had hands that danced along his instrument with profound grace, and Sean Tibbetts on bass brought the Earth up from beneath our feet. Oliver Paloiat, on keyboards, provided an astonishing amount of texture. You need only close your eyes to imagine that an entire orchestra filled the stage in their place. Kobra Paige, the guest female vocalist, brought balance and breathtaking beauty to the band. Together they were a force to be reckoned with and they created a night to remember. If you ever have the chance to see them perform, take it.
--Classical music is for everyone! Tune in to The F Hole with Erica Bridgeman, every Monday at 12 PM on CJLO 1690AM.
News for November 27th, 2015
Hosted by: Ellen Smallwood
Stories by: Pauline Nesbitt, Alexa Everett, Patricia Petit Laing
Prodiced by Emeline Vidal
LOCAL
by Pauline Nesbitt
The City of Montreal announced a new city wide snow removal policy that guarantees that the same service will be delivered in all boroughs, on Thursday.
According to CBC News, Montreal will order the start of snow clearing operations after ten centimetres of accumulation and gives the boroughs 36 hours to clear all main arteries.
Anie Samson, the city’s executive committee member responsible for snow removal operations, said boroughs that do not comply with this ruling will face budget cuts.
In addition, improvements in its Info-Neige and Vélo 4 Saisons applications were announced.
by Alexa Everett
Municipal governments are scrambling for money to accommodate the housing needs of incoming refugees.
by Patricia Petit Liang
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been offered sensitivity training after mocking a disabled reporter.
According to the Globe and Mail, Trump mocked a congenital condition affecting reporter Serge Kovaleski’s mobility.
The presidential candidate also claimed that Kovaleski had once reported that thousands of Muslims were celebrating the 9-11 attacks in New Jersey.
However, Kovaleski had originally written in 2001 that there were “a number of people who were allegedly seen celebrating the attacks.”
Trump stated that he did not remember his previous statements regarding the attacks.
Today on Dirty Work: L.A. Foster Interview @ 5pm
Coming up today on Dirty Work, we will chat with L.A Foster at 5pm! L.A. Foster will launch her debut EP "SAUDADE" this Saturday at The Emerald / bar sans nom (5295 Parc)- with special friends John Shape (Beaver Sheppard), dancer Sabine Lawless, and Toronto's Scott Hardware (fka KEN PARK). This show is an L.A. Foster / Beaver Sheppard/ Pop Montreal co-presentation! Admission is $10 which includes a pending postcard, coming soon to your inbox with a digital download code for the new EP!
This night will double as L.A Foster's Goodbye Montreal party: "In my ten years here, I have partied, loved, lost, studied, worked, failed and ultimately succeeded, all that leading me to create L.A. FOSTER. It's now time for me to move on and in hopes of returning and showing the city how I've grown from all the real love and wisdom it's imparted on me." -L.A. Foster
Tune into hear from L.A Foster herself and to hear some tracks from her EP "SAUDADE", all going down today at 5pm! Dirty Work kicks off at 4pm and is your weekly destination for great tunes and entertainment, featuring brand new and classic jams! Blogger Paul Lafond from A Good Day For Airplay will join in studio, and keep the party going for Hooked on Sonics- 4-8pm friends!
News for November 26th, 2015
LOCAL
By Saturn De Los Angeles
Ubisoft is launching a program to encourage young people to stay in school.
According to the Montreal Gazette, the widely acclaimed video game maker known for series such as Assassins Creed will be spending 8 million dollars over five years to spark interest in learning technology and video game development.
The plan includes pairing at-risk youth with game developers, launching internships, working with non-profit organizations, and encouraging competition among gaming labs.
The plan is also intended to help fix Quebec's high school drop out rate, which is currently around 15 per cent.
By Emeline Vidal
According to CTV News, Manitoba has had the highest homicide rate for 8 consecutive years, while Thunder Bay, Ont. is considered Canada's "murder capital".
Though they only comprise 5 per cent of the population, Aboriginals made up one-quarter of homicide victims in 2014, and were found to be 6 to 7 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-aboriginal people.
This is the first time Statistics Canada has reported all Aboriginal identity data.
Thursday, November 26th, 2015
Hosted by: Catlin Spencer
Stories by: Saturn De Los Angeles, Emeline Vidal & Julia Bryant
Produced by: Julia Bryant
3 DAYS LEFT to apply to our World Music Artist Residency!! [Due Nov 27 @ 11h59pm]
-3 DAYS LEFT to apply-
We are currently looking for WORLD MUSIC Artists!
Under the guidance of our CJLO team, you and your band will have the opportunity to record and produce an EP in CJLO's studio / host a radio special, and organize / promote a show. The residency will also offer various workshops related to the fundamentals of "behind-the-scenes" within the music industry, such as PR, Management and Touring, to name a few.
World Music? Music influenced by beats & roots from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central/South America and First Nations.
Residency Schedule: 3-month band in-residency programs!
Recording Time: Must be available between 7-17 Dec & 6-16 Jan
Mixing and Mastering Time: 16 Jan - 16 Feb
Workshops: Jan, Feb. Date TBA.
Show Launch : Early to Mid March 2016
Required
-Application Forms
-Letter of Intent
-200 words Bio
-Demo or Releases / Live Video / Audio (SoundCloud, YouTube, Bandcamp)
-Photos or Posters
If you have any further questions feel free to contact: onrotation@cjlo.com. You will find the application forms and more information about the details of our residency below.
All this is possible thanks to the generosity of the Community Radio Fund of Canada's Radiometres grant!
Application Deadline: November 27th at 11:59pm
-Il ne reste que 3 JOURS pour postuler-
Nous somme présentement à la recherche d'Artistes des Musiques du Monde!
Durant l'année 2015/2016, CJLO accueillera dans le cadre d'un nouveau programme de résidences d'artistes, une multitude d'artistes de styles musicaux différents. Ces résidences sont un tremplin vers de nouvelles possibilités d'enregistrements et mentorats pour ceux qui seront sélectionnés.
Grâce à la générosité des Fonds canadien de la radio communautaire, CJLO 1690 à la possibilité d'enregistrer et de produire un Ep, et d'offire un service de duplication et pressage (100 CDs). Le tout sera envoyé à plusieurs stations de radio collégiales à travers le Canada. Le programme comprendra également divers ateliers traitant de l'importance des communications, des relations publiques, et de la gestion dans l'industrie de la musique. Finalement, chaque résidences se conclura avec un lancement officiel.
Musiques du Monde? Musique influencée par des sonorités venant de l'Afrique, de l'Asie, des Caraïbes, d'Europe, d'Amérique Centrale et du Sud et des Premières Nations.
Votre portfolio doit contenir
- Une lettre d'intention
- Bio (200 mots)
- Formulaires CJLO (enligne)
- Video / Audio / Demo (SoundCloud, YouTube, Bandcamp)
- Photos ou Posters
Si vous avez d'autres questions hésitez pas à contacter: onrotation@cjlo.com
Vous trouverez les formulaires et lignes directrices de notre programe ci-dessous.
Date limite: 27 novembre 2015 à 11:59pm
On Rotation Guideline & Application form
*Interested candidates should send all the required documents to onrotation (at) cjlo (dot) com.*
News for November 25th 2015
LOCAL
By Saturn De Los Angeles
According to CBC News, the 1700-page report confirms that organized crime has long been infiltrating the industry, and it is backed by testimony from almost 300 witnesses.
With over 60 recommendations that include protection for whistle-blowers, penalties for firms who break the law, and the creation of a neutral entity to oversee public contracts; Commissioner France Charbonneau points out that immediate action must be done to maintain the morality of the industry, or else it will suffer in the long term.
In response, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says his government will carefully study the recommendations.
He added that the construction problem goes way beyond his own political party, and that he will continue to fight corruption.
by Catlin Spencer
According to CTV News, the Liberals expect 10,00 refugees to arrive by December 31st and an additional 15,000 through January and February.
Immigration and Refugees Minister John McCallum says the delay is due to the time it takes to preform proper screening procedures- something many Canadians across the country have been asking for.
McCullum says the government will also encourage private sponsorship for at least 10,000 more refugees later in 2016.
According to BBC, the flaw could allow attackers access to personal data such as user names, passwords and bank details.
As of Tuesday Dell says it pushed a software update to check for the software and remove it, adding that the flawed certificate will be removed from future systems.
The company says the certificate was originally implemented as part of a support tool intended to make it faster and easier for customers to service their system.
RJD2 @ The Fairmount Theatre
Presented by I Love Neon, SJU, & M for Montreal
November 21, 2015: I arrived at the Fairmount Theatre about thirty minutes before the show by bike. The trip was a lengthy one, and my ears were sore from the cold bike ride. I decided to kill some time and warm up a bit by dipping into the neighbouring grocery store in search of something to warm the blood. After buying some cheap gross box wine, I was lucky enough to find a nice little enclave between two adjoining apartment buildings close-by where I could down the stuff while listening to some of my favourite RJD2 tracks. I've been a fan of the man who started as an associated act of DJ Shadow for a long time, and he has since become a renowned DJ and producer the world over. Releasing nine studio albums, RJD2 is a force in underground hip hop, collaborating with many notable figures—including cats like MF Doom, Slug, and Aesop Rock—over a career that has spanned over two decades. The dude's made some good shit.
The event began at 10:00 PM with Montreal DJs Khalil and Don Mescal performing impressive sets before and after RJD2 took the stage. The openers brought with them an eclectic mix of hip hop-style sounds that complemented RJD2's very well, and set a good mood for the headliner when he took the stage. The venue was pretty tight too. The Fairmount is essentially a sprawling lounge that orbits around a medium-sized stage that backs onto a large projection screen and a light/video show to match.
The packed crowd was a mix of older and younger, with the former perhaps slightly outnumbering the latter. At any rate, the mood seemed one of loose inhibition. The drinks were flowing like the Nile, and those present appeared under the possession of miscellaneous forces, including the sonic elixir of pulse-setting sounds coming from the stage.
RJD2 made his way to the stage sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 AM and was greeted by a pulsating cheer from the excited crowd who were whipped into a dancing frenzy by the opening acts. I positioned myself to the side of the stage where I could really get a good look at the artist while he did his thing; and that thing was done with the use of three turntables, a stack of vinyl, an MPC, and a Maschine.
RJD2 kept the crowd moving through the entire set, while he himself seemed locked in a state of motion; going back and forth, almost frantically, between the MPC, turntables, and Maschine. Special cheers rose from the crowd when he performed classic hits like "Smoke and Mirrors" and "Ghostwriter".
Indeed the crowd was spellbound, and a circle of younger women formed around the platform trying to grasp the attention of the mix master, while around them grouped a semi-circle of creepy-looking men equally trying to grasp the attention of the women. Hedonism seemed to be the order of the night.
The set finished rather abruptly without much of an encore, but to the pleasure of the crowd the two DJs who opened the event took the stage once again and picked up where RJD2 left off. A cool Bruce Lee video montage appeared on the large screen behind the stage, which pleased me greatly, as I adore the late Kung Fu sage. Yeah, all and all it was a good show and I enjoyed himself.
News for November 24th 2015
LOCAL
by Pauline Nesbitt
Montreal’s Inspector-General issued a report on Monday confirming that corruption and collusion exists in the city's snow-clearing business.
According to the Montreal Gazette, Denis Gallant investigated the contracts awarded between 2002 and 2015 after the auditor general raised the alarm two years ago over price-fixing and elevated costs in the industry.
Gallant reports some contractors would not bid in sectors belonging to others due to fears of being attacked and possibly losing their own sectors in retaliation.
by Catlin Spencer
by Julian McKenzie
Belgian police have asked residents to not tweet about any police action they see in the streets while the city remains in lockdown.
According to the CBC, Belgians have tweeted photos and GIFs of cats sleeping, drinking beer, and being trapped in containers, as well as photoshopped in hats, cats as hovercrafts and Darth Vader, and as gunmen and bombers.
Some photos even reference Belgium surrealism, a cultural movement that has been in Belgium since the 1920s.
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