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SXSW - Lights, Camera, Dancin' (Pt.2)
Friday, March 16th
Call me a hipster, but every year I attend South by Southwest I find myself at Urban Outfitters backyard not only for the free drinks and giveaways, but for their excellent live music. These fashionable dudes and dudettes have had musicians such as MGMT, Chairlift, and Local Natives play in their small, impromptu-looking outdoor venue. UO has a different theme for every year during SXSW. This year the theme was “Live Girls & Guys,” but I think my favourite was the 2009 theme, “Drugs Roll & Sex Rock”. The themes are printed on their t-shirts, bags and poster giveaways, which in my imagination will eventually become a collector set worth the big bucks 20 years from now. Urban Outfitters is located in the West Campus area of University of Texas off of the “Drag” known for the “drag-rats” (the homeless people that live in this area), and but also known for other things such as Daniel Johnston’s “Hi, How Are You?” mural. You can say this area has its own “je ne sais quoi.”
Blondes @ Urban Outfitters Backyard
This year Urban had artists such as Craft Spells, Best Coast, Bear in Heaven, Nite Jewel, and Grimes (from our very own Montreal). I was lucky to catch Blondes, and Bear in Heaven rock the fancy socks off this apparel store. Zach Steinman and Sam Haar of Blondes make you feel like you’re in an '80s electronic dance club. The way they move their bodies and dive into their sounds they make with their electro instruments can be compared to the visuals of Animal Collective’s “My Girl” music video.
Bear in Heaven @ Urban Outfitters Backyard
Next on the stage was Bear in Heaven, an indie-electronic band. It was hard for me to focus on BIH post-Blondes show. The energy levels were completely different; it was like going to see Queen open for Johnny Cash, they're both great artists but you just can’t turn the BPM down that many notches. John Philpot’s vocals are amazing and the sound was pretty good overall, but I wanted the party that was going on to continue. Nonetheless, I’d see them again if I could, let’s just hope that someone does the booking a bit better next time.
These are a couple of bands that make me realize the Brooklyn breakout music era is not dead. But let’s face it New York, it's time to welcome your successor: Montreal. Us Canadian folk couldn’t have shown what we’ve got in the music scene (Grimes, Doldrums, Purity Ring) if it weren’t for venues like Urban and most importantly, SXSW, and for this we are grateful!
Saturday, March 17th
On every Saturday of the South by Southwest music portion of the festival, you begin to realize things are starting to slow down. Bands that have already played showcases that week are starting to pack up and move and fans are exhausted, hung over, and broke from going out the past few nights in a row. Only the few, the proud, and the brave continue on through the magic. This night I decided to check out some street music and entertainment before heading anywhere else, proving that you can have a good time for free on the streets of SXSW. There was music ranging from a cappella, to indie rock, to jazz, to smelly hippie drum circles, to a preacher giving a sermon on a stool with a voice amplifier telling us we’re all going to hell.
Each Other @ Spill Bar
I navigated myself back to Spill, walking in just in time to catch Each Other as they were beginning their set. Once again, couldn’t have been more proud to be a Canadian, damn good music. They have a sort of new-day beach rock sound to them due to their soft harmonies and "pause, guitar-rift, start play" technique. I’ve listened to Each Other a bit more at home and as much as I could say they were better in the studio, they just seemed tired. The band consists of two old members from Halifax’s Long Long Long band. When I went to go and purchase Each Other’s digital album Taking Trips that was released earlier this year, I was happy to find it was a “name your own price” buy. For those of you who drive around in an old car or kept your Walkman in good condition, may I suggest their five-dollar cassette?
Doldrums @ Spill Bar
I found my new favourite jam, Doldrums! This was the best show I saw over the festival. As soon as these guys started playing, everyone in the bar (including the bartenders) turned their bodies toward stage. With the stage presence of John Maus himself, Airick Woodhead gets you lost in translation with his almost creepy sounding voice and hand gestures. Due to my lethargy I was sitting down at the beginning of the performance, but within the first 30 seconds I was on the edge of my seat and I have not been able to stop listening to them since. I haven’t heard samples used this well since The Avalanches. Doldrums is continuing their worldwide tour now with fellow Montrealer, Grimes. My guess is that Doldrums, Purity Ring, and Grimes are going to be the North American bands of 2012 or, at the latest, 2013.
Sunday, March 18th
We Paint The Town @ Beale Street Tavern
We Paint The Town is a pop-punk band based out of Austin, Texas. Frontwoman Erin Leff managed to keep the crowd cheering even during the last night of South by Southwest, which is hard to accomplish because everyone is exhausted at this point. I don’t think there was one person in that room who didn’t leave with a crush on Leff. She is like the girl next door who went hardcore on your ass! Much like a sour patch kid, We Paint The Town started out sour and in your face, then took a break and went sweet when Leff and guitarist, Cory Crummel did a couple acoustic songs. This was my favourite part of the show considering it was a chance for Leff to show off her amazing voice. Everything is placed perfectly for this band: the music, timing, and dedication, it’s all there. If you’re a fan of Tennessee's Paramore, you would love WPTT.
Later on I hit up Spider House Café’s 29th street Ballroom for their World Go Go Championship with live DJs and dollar Lone Stars. Hey, what’s a better way to end your last night in such a beautiful place?
South by Southwest 2012 was by far the best I’ve seen. Each year is new and improved, and expands more and more. Without SXSW inc., and the local people and businesses, none of this would be possible. Until next time, SX!
-Eileen English
Film Review - Hunger Games
Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit, Big) directs Suzanne Collins’ adaptation of The Hunger Games. There is a lot of buzz around this film and when I exited the theater, I knew why it's making audiences excited about cinema again. Ross made my adrenaline rush and my eyes widen with intense concern for his characters’ survival.
The story takes place at the Capitol in the nation of Panem, the North American ruins; each district within Panem must send one teenage boy and one teenage girl to fight in The Hunger Games, a nationally televised event where they must fight to the death until one survivor remains. Fight to the death? Seems a little dark n’est-ce pas? Well, the reason for this horrific idea is that it is a punishment against a past uprising; it's the government’s idea of intimidation tactics. Let the games begin!
Our lovely protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers for The Hunger Games because her sister’s name was drawn and she is far too weak to compete for her life, compared to the older, stronger Katniss herself who possesses a set of skills useful in the Games. A former Hunger Games winner who is also a drunk mentors her; his name is Haymitch Abernathy, and he's quite the character. If Katniss ever wants to go home, she must destroy all the other 24 competitors. Intense, to say the least.
The characters are wonderfully developed and are played well by a diverse cast such as Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and Josh Hutcherson. The costumes were very colourful and set the futuristic era in a very interesting way. The costume designer was Judianna Makovsky; she worked on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, so you know she has an attention to detail.
Gary Ross does a great job directing his actors. The emotional decisions they make during the fight for their lives are dark and can be a little disturbing. A child fighting to the death seems like a disturbing idea in itself, but Battle Royale was a huge success and remains one of my favorite films of all time. Pushing the limits of what is right and wrong is necessary in cinema because almost everything has been said and done before. Filmmakers need to shock and provoke audiences just as much as needing to make them laugh and cry. Successful cinema evokes vivid and complicated emotions from its audience, it needs to! Without that, the filmmaker has no chance of portraying the message and the symbolism of the film. The Hunger Games made me feel all kinds of emotions, and they are memorable enough to make me want to tell you to go see the film. You will definitely be thinking about how you would survive if you were ever part of an uprising that lead to a bloody and life changing competitive tournament of death!
4 out of 5
-Andrea Boulet
News March 30th 2012
Read by Shaun Malley
Produced by Erica Bridgeman
Stories written by Tara Brockwell, Danny Aubry, Judy-Ann Mitchell-Trudel
2012 Conservative budget highlights
The Conservative government released its 2012 budget yesterday.
According to the Canadian Press over nineteen thousand jobs will be cut from the public service. The Department of National Defence will be one of the hardest hit.
Eligibility for old age security will rise from sixty-five to sixty-seven come 2023 and the CBC will lose ten per cent of its annual funding.
Research and development will get a billion dollar boost while 50 million will be put towards job skills training for youth.
Canadians will see no tax cuts or hikes. Finally the production of the penny will cease.
Gauthier fired by Habs
Pierre Gauthier was dismissed from his duties as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
According to CBC News Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson has stated that there is a deadline to hire a new general manager.
Molson has not revealed any potential candidates for the GM position, but rumours speculate that Patrick Roy is a potential candidate.
Molson explained that his reason for firing Gauthier was that the Habs did not win enough games under Gauthier`s management.
He also expressed his opinion on how the Habs have to be a winning team in order to keep the fans satisfied.
March 29th, 2012
Read by: Katie McGroarty
Stories by: Joel Ashak, Dominique Daoust, Luciana Gravotta and Sabrina Daniel
Produced by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi
Student protesters get more creative
Student protesters are not just intensifying the movement against tuition hikes. They are also coming up with creative ways to make the life in the city more difficult.
According to the CBC, hundreds of protesters were playing cat and mouse with the Montreal police on Wednesday.
Leading the march with a route that was kept secret, the students kept changing directions at the corner of every block. The Montreal police could only try to catch up with the protesters.
Earlier that day, 300 students attempted to block the entrance of the Port of Montreal. The police met them with pepper-spray and sound grenades. The students were eventually dispersed toward the ongoing march in downtown Montreal.
Later at night, dozens of students protested in front of Quebec Premier Jean Charest’s residence in Westmount.
These protests are all part of an effort by student organizations to radicalize the movement against tuition hikes. Student leaders promised more actions that will disturb the economy of the province.
Photo: Joel Ashak
Father of Toulouse gunman said to sue France
The father of Toulouse gunman Mohamed Merah is looking to sue the French police after his son's death.
Merah killed seven people last week, including three children and a teacher at a Jewish school.
He was later shot by police after they raided his apartment. Merah was 23.
His father hired an Algerian lawyer to sue the special police because he considers his son a murder victim, BBC News reported.
He says French special forces did not follow proper procedure at the time of his son's arrest.
His plan to sue the state was met with heavy criticism.
Merah allegedly told police that he was avenging Palestinian kids and targetting the French army because of its foreign intervention.
His half-brother says Merah had no ties to Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist group.
Monkland Village restaurant catches fire
A fire broke out at Lucille’s Oyster Dive in the early afternoon on Wednesday. The fire on Monkland Avenue was brought under control after ninety firefighters fought it for three hours. Ten people were forced out of their homes once the fire started in the restaurant’s kitchen.
A cobbler and a jeweller on the building’s first floor as well as some apartments on the second floor were damaged. No injuries were reported and tenants were not allowed to re-enter their apartments.
Lucille’s Oyster Dive opened three years ago and is well-known in the Monkland Village.
New budget cuts for Canada
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will present the new federal budget on Thursday. According to the CBC, he says cuts will go nowhere near health care, education, or social services. The cuts are estimated to be around 4-billion dollars, or 5 percent of spending.
The new budget will show how much each department will need to cut but it will not specify which services will be affected. This means that the specifics of the budget will remain unclear for the next several months.
Liberal and NDP leaders are predicting cuts in services, pensions, and environmental research.
A Carleton University business professor speculates that the government will make sure cuts aren’t felt by Canadians. He says they will mostly target administrative and policy staff such as government real estate.
The cuts are expected to be fully in place by 2014-15.
Photo: Carissa Rogers, Flikr
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