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Lizzy & the Fanatics Invite Us into their ‘Perfect World’ on New EP
After playing in and around Montreal for the past three years, Lizzy & the Fanatics released their new EP Perfect World, a bilingual dreamy indie-pop EP, on the first day of summer 2020. The release date was appropriate, as the six songs on the EP conjure the nostalgia of summers past, when everything felt possible. While a quartet on the stage, Lizzy & the Fanatics is the brainchild of Lysanne Picard (Lizzy). CJLO interviewed Picard about the new EP, feel-good pop songs in these hectic times, and making playlists for her friends.
The songs of Perfect World “explore escapism and the different ways we long for a better place either physically or mentally, in the past or in the future.” Do you feel pop music is more important than ever in helping us cope with the utterly crazy year we’ve had so far? What role do you think pop music in general should play in more difficult times like this?
It's so necessary. I think pop music should be prescribed to everyone right now - wash your hands, wear a mask and listen to a pop song ;). For me, going into my “perfect world,” my “safe space” mentally is vital when facing hard times. Lighthearted, feel-good pop music allows me to go there. I think a good pop song should feel like a mini-vacation. For real though, I believe escapist media, in general, can give you a temporary break from reality, which allows you to come back and take a better look at the hard stuff. During the last couple of months, on one hand, I've watched the most reality TV, streamed Carly Rae Jepsen on loop, and watched way too many purposeless TikTok videos; on the other hand, I've never thought, learned and felt as compelled to challenge socio-political issues that need to be addressed in our country and city. I think there is a connection there – you need to “get away” sometimes to be able to “get real” with the difficult stuff, show up and keep going. So yeah, I believe temporary escapism through pop songs can help us not only get through, but I guess be better humans during this crazy year.
Perfect World is full of songs that evoke the best qualities of pop music. At its core, what is it that makes a perfect pop song to you?
Thanks so much for saying that! I find this is a huge question but I think for me, it's all about relatability. All my favourite pop songs contain something familiar; either the lyrics, melodies, or emotion reference something I know and I feel connected. I find that pop music is about sameness, connection and familiarity, not about difference, complexity or otherness; which can be interesting in music, but does not make for a good pop song. When I'm writing songs, an indicator for me that I've found a good melody is when it sounds familiar. We like to hear something we can recognize; it's comforting, it's uniting. That's what good pop songs do, in my opinion.
As someone who is not only a musician, but a visual artist who also draws a lot, how do you find the two fields interacting with each other during the creative process for Perfect World?
I always found that my drawing work is more cerebral and the music I make is more emotional. To find drawing inspiration, I listen to podcasts and read about specific topics. My inspiration when writing a song is so much more internal, I go deep in my feelings. I find a balance that way. Recently in my drawings, I've been interested in the idea of safe spaces and I've been drawing utopian landscapes. I didn't realize that I was also actually writing songs about my experiences with these ideas until after I finished writing the EP. I was drawing in my studio one day and I was like, “wow, all of my songs are sort of also about this as well. Maybe I should call the EP Perfect World.”
There are a couple of songs in French on Perfect World, and you’ve described yourself as having a “very bilingual lifestyle.” Is it a conscious choice to write certain songs in French, or is it more spontaneous and natural of a choice? Do you find you approach the lyric-writing process differently depending on the language?
It's definitely spontaneous and natural. I had made up my mind a couple of years back that I would only write in English to be more consistent. Then one day I was riding my bike and the song “Les Fleurs Mortes” came to me quite suddenly and spontaneously. I wrote most of all the lyrics and could hear all the production sounds and ideas in that same bike ride. I just went with it because it's probably one of my favourite songs I've ever written. In the last few months, I've been writing a lot in French - it just feels real to me right now, I can't explain why. I try to write lyrics in French the same way I would write in English. I use simple words and just say things as they are.
Like many artists these days, you recently did a livestream launch show for Perfect World to make up for live shows being a no-go for the foreseeable future. Instead of focusing on the negatives, what do you find are some of the positive things about livestreamed shows? Is there anything that a show online is better at achieving than a live show?
There are so many positive things. First off, during our livestream, there was someone watching from every continent! Just friends and family of Amélie's (who plays keys with me) and I who live around the world: Mexico, New Zealand, Tchad, China, France, etc. Secondly, the interactive aspect of a livestream is unique. We get to read people's specific reactions to the songs as we play. Thirdly, the fact that you can get comfortable is probably the best thing. One of our friends was watching in her hammock in the park. That's ultimately 100 times better than standing in a crowd at a festival on a hot day.
In general, is there any music or non-music related trend popularized by COVID-19 that you hope continues once this is all over?
Maybe this isn't a trend and is on a more serious level, but I really hope we learn and change working conditions and habits. We know now that the least paying jobs in our society are the most needed ones. I really hope we can rethink our world through this idea because of the pandemic.
To end on a lighter note, I read that you love making playlists for your friends! What’s your process for making the perfect playlist for a friend?
I love this question. When making a playlist for somebody else, I try to put myself in that person's shoes. What kind of music do they like? What are their emotional needs? What mood is good for this person? I try answering these questions, then I find my favourite songs that fit with the answers and build on that. So, making a playlist for someone is a good exercise in empathy. Also, if you nail it, it's a beautiful way of saying I see you and I get you and we all need more of that too during this crazy year.
Perfect World is out now (Independent).
Alex Viger-Collins is the host of Ashes to Ashes, your weekly dose of modern pop, every Tuesday at 8:00 PM EST.
Vigil for young victim of police shooting, COVID-19 lasts longer than we thought, Kahnawake publisher publishes books for kids in Mohawk
Reporter: Shanellie Marie
Stories: Luca Caruso-Moro
Vigil for young victim of police shooting
People gathered to remember Riley Fairholm on Saturday at the SQ detachment in Dunham, a small town 50 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
Two years ago, Fairholm was shot by police for having a BB gun, he was just 17 years old.
Police shot him within 60 seconds of arriving at the scene.... Now, his mother wants change.
She’s calling for new training in the SQ to deal with people in distress, and for officers to wear body cams.
COVID-19 lasts longer than we thought
Health officials say about a third of COVID-19 patients have symptoms for weeks.
That’s in conflict with many previous estimates that the disease usually lasts for a maximum 14 days.
While prolonged effects of the virus are more common in older people, young people with healthy immune systems have also reported being sick for weeks.
Kahnawake publisher publishes books for kids in Mohawk
A new publisher in Kahnawake has published three books for kids, and they’re all in Mohawk.
The books provide translation of classic nursery rhymes in Kanien'keha, released by Front Porch Publishing.
The books were made with the intention of getting kids more comfortable with their traditional language.
Flashback Friday: SXSW 2020 Preview
Photo Credit: SXSW
Due to COVID-19, SXSW was cancelled along with a multitude of festivals and shows. But that doesn’t mean we can’t reminisce on what could have been.
Well, here we are a four months from when SXSW in Austin Texas was supposed to happen. Here's a fun fact about this article. Mere hours before all official events were cancelled, a full write up of shows that were loud related were written up and sent in to be published. Of course that became an outdated article immediately, but at the time, the unoffical portion of the article was still valid, so I did some edits of those and, as the days continued to go on, more and more events were cancelled. So this left a bit of a dilemma: do I just scrap the whole thing, or do I do yet another edit of the article and get that out?
Ultimately, even though the bands in question wouldn't be playing, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be highlighted and who knows what they might do in this time when we're all trapped in here. Plus, I agreed to do an article for this, and I am a man of my word. So though the events that would have happened are all cut out, here's some highlights of artists that were interesting enough to catch my eye with a brief description so you can look them up if you so choose:
Primo - Possibly doing a Poppy scenario of maybe being an alien or something... doesn't matter, the point is, ithe songs are like lost 80s movie soundtracks tracks that are AMAZING.
Bones UK - Rock / electro duo who are pretty killer live, so you should definitely not miss them.
Martin Atkins - Pigface's main songwriter, and I don't need to write more.
Portrait XO
The Ansible - If Emarosa threw in djenty parts to their songs occasionally.
Blivet - A more garage and stripped down version of The Bronx with occasional shoegaze thrown in for good measure.
Fee Lion - Dark electro that could be an evil Zola Jesus.
Dead Posey - This could not scream "LA Rock band" any harder if it tried. You have probably heard them on a random soundtrack or while watching a show.
The Struts - Look out The Darkness, a new challenger has entered the game, and they too are from England.
Wings Denied - Washington, DC's answer to Protest the Hero with a tinge of Coheed and Cambria vocals. It rips hard.
Dread Risks - Wumpscut mixed with Skinny Puppy industrial, and it might be the only band like that at all of SXSW.
Guidestones - Vaguely alt/pop country tinged indie rock from Montreal. I'm as shocked as you are that this is here
We are Band Nerds - Though most would call this nu metal, it's more like "trap metal" with choruses of Linkin Park and like... that's pretty new.
Ben Katzman's DeGreaser - Pretty rockin' stuff that puts the attitude of punk next to guitar riffs from KISS.
Erika de Casier - RnB that oscillates between today's sensibilities and those from the mid 90s.
Fiddlehead - That punk sensibilities that is present in a lot of Bridge Nine releases. RIYL: Bridge and Tunnel, Polar Bear Club
Casii Stephan - Oklahoma has their own answer to Florence and the Machine with the Americana influences you might expect from a Oklahoma native.
Color Candy - This could easily be time travelers from the 90s indie scene. If not, they should prove they AREN’T
Heart Bones - Dancy, sugary electro that reminds of Kimya Dawson on Pixie Sticks
Portrayal of Guilt - Blackened post-hardcore.
MC Chris and MC Frontalot - Do I really need a further description of some of the inventors of nerdcore?
CVLTE - Japanese psuedo emo stuff like a better Sleeping With Sirens.
Dead Poet Society - A more electronic Royal Blood, and that should be all I need to say.
Feralcat and the Wild - Saxophone over noodly guitar work.
VOLK - Country with a distinct crunch to it.
HEADCRUSHER - Black thrash from Austin based South American transplants.
miesha & the spanks
Curse Mackey
HMLTD - Dark indie dance with a country undertone to it.
Housecall - Upbeat dance rock that hasn't really been represented since Capital Cities faded away
Inferzenal - Mexican metal that is incorporating jazz, funk, and other tasty stuff into their stuff.
MORIS BLAK - Aggressive dark wave that is just superb.
Neck of the Woods - Canadian prog metal that sounds like some more southern influenced older Toothgrinder.
Night Dreamer - Jeff Schroeder (from the Smashing Pumpkins) and Mindy Song team up to put out some dark noise pop. Would pair well with How to Destroy Angels
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - No typo... that's the name. This weird British outfit is doing heavy psych rock that you should check out if you enjoyed the last King Gizzard and Lizard Wizard record.
REIGN - All the yelly hardcore over djenty guitars you could want from Austin.
打首獄門同好会 (UCHIKUBIGOKUMON-DOUKOUKAI) - Hard rock from Japan that... makes music... about things? To be honest I have no idea what any of this is about, but it sounds good.
Wire Spine - Sounding like it came from the darkest part of 80s new wave / goth, this is some heavy electronic based stuff
Andrew Wieler, aka Andrew Wixq, is CJLOs Metal Music Director and hosts Grade A Explosives every Sunday at 4pm.
Sleep Token Sundowning Deluxe Review
Photo Credit: Louder
It will probably surprise no one that I am a fan of bands with gimmicks. I firmly believe that having a gimmick can bring an overlooked aspect to bands, that being "theatrics". For so long, bands like KISS, Slipknot, and even Babymetal have been utilizing the power of their gimmicks to justify adding non-music elements to shows and giving fans an interesting other aspect to explore.
Such is the case with UK based collective Sleep Token, who you may have noticed topped my "Best of" list for 2019.
I have been extremely interested to see that not many people have been talking about this record, and, for the life of me, I cannot understand why. Of the incredibly sparse reviews I've seen, many have given it a "meh", and I have been left to sit here and tell you nothing since it's well outside the "review period" for the record.
So, imagine my surprise and delight when the band releases a deluxe edition of their 2019 record Sundowning with bonus tracks, and thus give me an ample opportunity to discuss them and tell you why everyone else is wrong for not already knowing this band inside and out.
Now what do you need to know about Sleep Token going in? Well, Sundowning is their third release after two eps titled One and Two respectively, so obvious big points on originality there. They are signed to Spinefarm records. Each one of their songs seem to be represented by a symbol that has a meaning... I suppose. They have an unclear backstory about how their "collective" is made up of members who worship a god which can most closely be associated with the human term of "Sleep". They also wear slightly horrifying masks along with hoods and are fronted by a lead singer known only as Vessel, further adding to the culty vibe.
At this point, I hear what you're saying, "Andrew, this is all basic band stuff. If I had a nickel for every band that is fronted by horrifying mask cultists, why I'd be rich. Why even bring it up?" I'm simply painting a picture about the unconventional nature of the band. For instance, I could also mention how they released their album one song at a time starting at the Summer Solstice in 2019 and releasing a track at sundown Greenwich Mean Time every two weeks leading up to the album release date. This makes for a slightly confusing Spotify entry, but an interesting way to do a release. Now why would they do this? I don't know and since they barely do interviews, no one has really been able to ask them.
But now that I've described the look, let's talk about the music. So what does this cult-like band with weird masks sound like? Surely some doom subgroup, especially with all this talk about "Sleep", right?
Well, you'd be real wrong, cowboy.
Overall, the record does have a vaguely sinister, foreboding feel but a sort of genre blending that is missing from most bands and releases. It's an interesting combo of muted metal guitars overtop of some soaring pop R&B-esque vocals, and a nice array of soothing piano parts with all kinds of other genres thrown in between.
For example, the album never fully goes into a super heavy territory. But, does tip its toes into the pool at times, such as interspersed through the "The Offering" or the kick off of "Gods" that almost gets downright djenty. Some songs are lighter, more mellow affairs, such as "Levitate" or "Drag Me Under". It even jumps into some trip hop parts with tracks like "Dark Signs" or "Give".
I did mention some new tracks on the deluxe edition, so what are those about? Well, honestly they're really just some add ons to this. All recorded, as they state "from the room below", they are all piano and vocal tracks, one being "Blood Sport" from the record, one original song, "Shelter", and two covers, one of Billie Ellish's "When the Party's Over" and oddly a Tina Turner classic "I Want to Dance With Somebody."
While these are interesting additions to this version of the record, they're obviously different production and stripped down nature make them feel like an additional EP. These songs feel as though they have been tacked on to the record, rather than a more natural set of songs that compliment what's already there. Still, they do give an interesting idea of how these songs may have originally been written and highlight the piano ability of Vessel, so it's not like they're totally out of place.
So, if you're looking for a good mix of genres coming together to make a wholly interesting mix of tracks, you can't really go wrong with Sundowning. It definitely adds a much needed breath of fresh air to metal, and if nothing else that’s worth your listen.
Andrew Wieler, aka Andrew Wixq, is CJLOs Metal Music Director and hosts Grade A Explosives every Sunday at 4pm.
CSU calls on sexual assault policy overhaul, Hundreds gather denouncing sexual assault, We could already be in a COVID-19 second wave
Shanellie Marie
Luca Caruso Moro
CSU calls on sexual assault policy overhaul
The CSU has joined the Human Rights Commission calling on Concordia to change how it handles allegations of sexual assault.
The Human Rights Commission called the system overly rigid, limiting victim’s access to justice.
The CSU published a list of recommendations for the university, including an overhaul of how complaints are received,
as well as improved access to mental health services for victims.
Hundreds gather denouncing sexual assault
Hundreds of protestors gathered in downtown Montreal calling for action against sexual assaulters.
This after a wave of allegations of assault and harassment in Quebec’s music and tattoo industries, as well as towards the leader of the Bloc Quebecois.
Yves-Francois Blanchet has denied accusations that he assaulted a woman in a bar in the late 90’s.
We could already be in a COVID-19 second wave
Quebec saw a monthly record in new COVID-19 cases this weekend.
Coronavirus cases have been on the rise since the beginning of July.
Experts blame the uptick on recent house parties and the opening of bars.
On Saturday, the province introduced new rules making masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
Calls to increase testing, BLM painting downtown, BLM painting downtown
Hadassah Alencar
Sasha Teman
Luca Caruso-Moro
________________________________________________________________
Calls to increase testing
Montreal public health officials are calling for more testing.
This after a spike in positive cases as bars open their doors across the city.
The provincial target is 14000 tests every day. But Quebec has fallen short in recent weeks.
BLM painting downtown
Paint hit St. Catherine street this week.
With a large Black Lives Matter mural stretching a whole city block, between St. Hubert and St. Andree.
Artists came together to paint the road in both English and French.
This artist goes by the name AXL, they say it’s one good step, in a marathon to equality under the law.
“We can use this as a tool of pressure,” they said. “Not just this mural, there’s going to need to be a lot more tools.”
Floyd family launches civil lawsuit against Minneapolis
George Floyds family filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis on Wednesday, as well as the four police officers arrested for Floyd’s death.
His family says the police violated his rights when they restrained him.
The four officers are awaiting trial on charges of murder.
Woodnote in advanced stages, Masks mandatory on public transit, Oka Crisis 30 years later
Reporter: Shanellie Marie
Stories: Luca Caruso Moro
Woodnote in advanced stages
The CSU says the Woodnote housing project is almost finished.
Several units are expected to become available by the end of the summer, leased at 10-20 per cent below market value.
Applications are still open to live in the building, located across from Parc Lafontaine.
Masks mandatory on public transit
In Montreal news, masks are mandatory on all public transit as of Monday.
According to estimates reported by CTV News, only one in two people are wearing masks on their commute.
How the new rule will be enforced is still to be decided, after the bus drivers’ union said their members shouldn’t be expected to police people.
Oka Crisis 30 years later
Parades of vehicles slowed traffic around the Mohawk communities Kahnawake and Kanesatake Saturday morning.
The demonstration was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Oka crisis.
On January 11, 1990, people from Kanesatake defended their traditional territory from an expansion of an Oka golf course, which would’ve uprooted a burial ground.
The SQ, RCMP, and Canadian military advanced through barricades set up by Mohawk Land Defenders.
The project was cancelled in the end, with the federal government purchasing the contested land.
However, it was never established as a part of the Kanesatake reserve territory, and remains contested to this day.
Atlantic bubble booms with travellers, Experts concerned with incoming flu season, Sex workers demand consideration during COVID
Stories: Luca Caruso Moro
Reporter: Shanellie Marie
Atlantic bubble booms with travellers
The so-called Atlantic Bubble rules have arrived, allowing people in the eastern provinces to travel freely throughout the region without self-isolating.
Travel has been heavy across provincial borders, with reports of extended wait times between checkpoints.
But, since the travelling restrictions lifted, PEI has reported three new cases, the first cases of infection since late april.
Experts concerned with incoming flu season
In other coronavirus news,
Quebec health authorities have ordered 400 thousand extra flu vaccines to combat a potential collision between Covid and Influenza.
Experts say they’re nervous the flu season could crowd much needed hospital space.
People with compromised immune systems could face even higher risks of infection as the Coronavirus continues to smoulder through the city.
Sex workers demand consideration during COVID
In our final story,
Sex work advocates are calling on the governement to put a moratorium on prostitution laws during the pandemic.
They say sex work is exempt from other labour protocols put in place because of the coronavirus.
This includes access to personal protective equipment, and eligibility for CERB.
Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur 2020
- Dancer Sophie Breton performing choreography by Virginie Brunelle; accompanied by Marcelle Mallette on violin, playing from a score composed by Roozbeh Tabandeh.
- Choreographer/dancer Vanesa G.R. Montoya performing original choreography; accompanied by Mélanie Harel on English horn, playing from a score composed by François-Hugues Leclair.
- Choreographer/dancer Margie Gillis performing original choreography; accompanied by Elvira Misbakhova on violin, playing from a score composed by Marie-Pierre Brasset.
- Choreographer/dancer Eva Kolarova performing original choreography; accompanied by Louis-Philippe Marsolais on the horn, playing from a score composed by Maggie Ayotte.
- Choreographer/dancer Andrew Skeels performing original choreography; accompanied by Stéphane Beaulac on trumpet, playing from a score composed by Isabelle Panneton.
- Choreographer/dancer Daina Ashbee performing original choreography; accompanied by Caroline Séguin on flute, playing from a score composed by Alejandra Odgers.
- Dancer Valeria Gallucio performing choreography by Marie Chouinard; accompanied by Alexandre Lavoie on percussion, playing from a score composed by Louis Dufort.
- Choreographer/dancer Guillaume Côté performing original choreography; accompanied by Yannick Nézet-Séguin on piano, playing from a score composed by Éric Champagne.
- Choreographer/dancer Anne Plamondon performing original choreography; accompanied by Patrice Richer on trombone, playing from a score composed by Cléo Palacio-Quintin.
- Choreographer/dancer Crazy Smooth performing original choreography; accompanied by Simon Aldrich on clarinet, playing from a score composed by Marc Hyland.
Resonating Reconciliation Broadcast: July 1st, 2020
In honour of tomorrow’s Canada Day 153 celebration, CJLO will be airing documentaries from the National Campus and Community Radio Association’s Resonating Reconciliation, a project that engages community radio to help reconcile all Canadians with the history of Indian Residential Schools. The broadcast will take place tomorrow, July 1st from 11 AM until 5 PM EST. The full schedule is posted below.
“If you’re a conscious Canadian living in this country, you shouldn’t be supporting Canada [153]; you can be proud to be a Canadian and live in this country, but you have to acknowledge the present day plight of indigenous people – as well as the past history – and not just sweep it under the rug.” - Jay Soule
This audio was originally broadcast on CJLO on June 30th, 2017, in response to the Canada 150 Celebration.
11 AM - Law, Land, Language: Resonating Reconciliation in Secwepemculecw, produced by CFBX in Kamloops, British Columbia
In collaboration with Secwepemc Radio, this radio documentary focuses on the ways that law, land, and language have been impacted by the Indian Residential Schools.
12 PM - Adoption and the ’60s Scoop, produced by CFRC in Kingston, Ontario
This documentary follows the life of its producer and includes interviews with others on how the ‘60s scoop continues to impact families, communities, and individuals.
1 PM - What it means to be Indigenous in Canada today with the ongoing impact of Indian Residential Schools, produced by CJAM in Windsor, Ontario
This is an intimate documentary where the producer Andrea describes herself, her story, and the story of her family, friends and community.
1:30 PM - Why can't the past be the past? Produced by CiTR in Vancouver, British Columbia
This documentary aims to educate the listener (who is most likely not Indigenous) about common misconceptions and about the history of Indian Residential Schools not often taught in schools. This documentary provides a safe place for people to learn and find answers to their questions regarding Indian Residential Schools in an open and accessible way.
2 PM - Forgotten Voices, produced by CKUT in Montreal, Quebec
A collection of stories shared at the TRC event in Montréal, Québec.
2:30 PM - Healing through Art, produced by CKUT in Montreal, Quebec
This documentary highlights the effect art can have as it reflects the reality of Indigenous artists
3 PM - Education and Indian Residential Schools, produced by CJSW in Calgary, Alberta
This documentary focuses on education and its role in Indian Residential Schools, and its continuing impact on Indigenous people and Canadians. It also details how the education Jesse's father received in Indian Residential School has impacted his father's perspective towards education and how this has played a role in Jesse's life and family.
3:30 PM - Understanding Truth and Reconciliation: Exploring Reconciliation, Intergenerational Trauma and Indigenous Resistance, produced by CJSR in Edmonton, Alberta
Part one: Dr. James Daschuk talks about his research on the history of the health of indigenous peoples, particularly the effect of starvation. Dr. Ian Mosby continues the discussion by focusing on how starvation and medical experimentation were utilized at the residential school level to further colonial oppression.
Part two: TRC Commissioner Littlechild recounts his personal experience at a residential school in Ermineskin, Alberta.
Part three: Different perspectives from an aboriginal and settler perspective about reconciliation and what the aboriginal-settler relationship means going into the future.
Part four: How indigenous peoples have resisted and survived over history, and identifies the cultural pillars that continue to ensure indigenous survival.
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