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Love, Loss, and Nostalgia: BAO gets reflective on debut album Perpetual Heartbreak
Those familiar with LA-based electro-pop outfit Ming and Ping may have a particular sonic vision in mind for BAO’s debut album - BAO is the solo venture of Bao Vo, the producer and musical mind behind the duo’s sound. As a producer, Vo has worked with a number of other Asian-American artists, including the aforementioned Ming and Ping and Mariqueen Maandig Reznor, lead vocalist of How To Destroy Angels. Fans of his previous work who come to his solo work expecting the ‘80s new wave-influenced synth productions he’s been known for won’t be disappointed, but they will be asked to expand their horizons.
In his first full-length offering Perpetual Heartbreak, BAO seeks to reach beyond his previous (extensive) production credits, and even beyond genre. The result is a 14-track album that ranges between full-length songs and dreamy, soundscape-inspired short pieces, all tied together by a sense of retro-inspired introspection.
In the blurb for the brand-new album, BAO says he wanted to create something that “showcases the beauty of imperfections”. Perpetual Heartbreak certainly does have a home-produced, personal feel to it. The lyrical subject matter follows suit, telling intimate tales of love, heartbreak, and family, all with a millennial-forlorn feel. Tracks like “We Never Say a Word” explore the intersection of culture and identity, with BAO referencing his Vietnamese heritage in context of his American upbringing. The bulk of the songs on the album weave short, longing stories of fraught relationships and existential angst. BAO’s lyrics float in between waves of synth-pop that does succeed in blending genre boundaries to an extent, but never quite leaves the electro-pop pool.
As the album flows on, alternating longer and shorter pieces, it’s apparent that BAO has stitched together nods to his genre influences throughout the entire tracklist. The opening songs are twinkly and nostalgic. Title track “Perpetual Heartbreak” deserves its headliner status - the tune features flute, harp, dulcimer-like tones and soft, mournful synth beds, showcasing BAO’s considerable chops as a producer. Later on, “Burn It Down” starts with a solid new wave groove and resolves into a sassy danceable blend of R&B, funk, and disco - another testament to production ability. “Heavensent” winds down into lush, full harmonies, drawing on a sonic and lyrical softness and a different kind of emotionality.
The final track on the album, “A Different Story”, ends on a brief and cautiously hopeful note, with BAO repeating “it’s not the end of the world, and you will wake up tomorrow…”. It’s a message of hope amidst loss, longing and chaos, and it speaks to the aim of Perpetual Heartbreak in its entirety. It’s also a reassuring lyric to leave us with as we end the album and venture back out into an extremely uncertain world. Much of Perpetual Heartbreak feels timely in this way. It’s longing for the past while being unsure of the future; but despite everything else, it is still hopeful.
At The Movies Talks With Director Noah Kentis
At The Movies recently got a chance to talk to one of the directors of the film Summerland, Noah Kentis. Summerland is a coming of age teen comedy road trip with some introspective moments. We talk to Noah about the road trip movie to a music festival amidst a pandemic and how Summerland finds its own voice in the genre.
Remi and Danny host At the Movies which features everything new and noteworthy in the world of cinema. The show goes live every Tuesday at 8:00AM.
Throwback Tuesday: Animation Filmmaker Chris Dainty Discusses His New Film "Shannon Amen" with At The Movies Host Remi Caron
For At The Movies Reviews on location Remi was able to chat with Chris Dainty about his short animated feature Shannon Amen being showcased at this year's Festival Du Nouveau Cinéma. Using Animation (2D, Stop motion, and Icemation) along with archival footage, Dainty brings his friend Shannon Jamison’s story along with her art to life. Remi chatted about the animation techniques used to tell the story, as well as Dainty's process of emotions while making the film.
You can now watch the film on the NFB site, click this link!
Remi is the host of At The Movies which features everything new and noteworthy in the world of cinema. The show goes live every Tuesday at 8:00 AM.
Boys wear shirts in protest, Montreal hires an anti-racism watchdog, The Parti Quebecois has a new leader
Reporter: Shanellie Marie
Stories by: Luca Caruso Moro
Boys wear shirts in protest
Boys across the city have been wearing skirts to school in protest.
CBC News reports participating students say they’re trying to call attention to double standards in highschool dress codes.
Many highschools have rules that skirts can be no more than 10 cm above the knee, but there’s no such rule for male uniforms.
Montreal hires an anti-racism watchdog
Montreal has hired an anti-racism commissioner following the recommendations in a report from the city’s consultation office.
The report says large changes are needed to combat systemic racism within municipal departments.
The Parti has a new leader
The Parti Quebecois has a new leader.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has replaced interim leader Pascal Bérubé, beating three other candidates with 56 per cent of the votes in the third ballot.
Plamondon is a lawyer, graduating from McGill law.
He says he hopes to bring more young voters to the sovereigntist party.
At The Movies Interviews Marcel Pinchevsky
At The Movies recently had a chance to interview Marcel Pinchevsky about this years Au Contraire Film Festival, a festival that shines a light on Mental Health. This year's festival taking place from October 5th-24th is a virtual opportunity to watch some films and for more information visit th Au Contraire Film Festival.
Remi and Danny host At the Movies which features everything new and noteworthy in the world of cinema. The show goes live every Tuesday at 8:00AM.
Montreal's new political party, Indigenous leaders meet with Legault, COVID-19 tracking app
Hadassah Alencar
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NDG Mayor forms new political party
There’s a new political party in Montreal.
It's called Équipe Sue Montgomery, made by, of course, Sue Montegormey, mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges—NDG borough in Montreal.
She’s expected to run for mayor again next year under her new party.
Indigenous leaders meet with Legault
Legault is willing to apologize for the racist and inhumane treatment Joyce Echaquan endured at the Joliette hospital before her death.
CBC news reported Legault said he would find the proper way to do so.
Legault said measures will be taken to end racist treatment displayed in the video against Joyce Echaquan.
But when Legault met with Indigenous leaders on Monday, he still didn’t agree systemic racism exists in Quebec.
COVID-19 tracking app available in Quebec
As daily COVID-19 cases mount into the thousands, Legault has announced the national tracking app is available in Quebec.
The province is late in adopting the tracking app. Since July, over 3 million Canadians have already downloaded it.
The app is called the COVID alert app, and is available for both Apple and Android users.
At the Movies talks with Zoé Protat about Festival Du Nouveau Cindema
Remi chats with Zoé Protat about this year's Festival Du Nouveau Cinema happening from October 7th-31st. With the theatres closed this year's festival is online with some other cool activities including some drive in film screenings. More information on the festival, head to the Festival Du Nouveau Cinema site.
Remi and Danny host At the Movies which features everything new and noteworthy in the world of cinema. The show goes live every Tuesday at 8:00AM.
#JusticeforJoyce, Coronavirus update
Luca Caruso-Moro
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#JusticeforJoyce
“Justice for Joyce”
That was the message that brought thousands out onto the street on saturday.
The protest was called following the death of Joyce Echequan, an Atikamekw woman who died in a Joliette hospital after capturing video of nurses insulting her.
Indigenous leaders say it's yet another example of systemic racism against indigenous people.
Quebec’s coroner says they will launch a public inquest into Echequan’s death.
Coronavirus update
Premier Legault says new restrictions could be on the way for the provinces red zones.
The city of Montreal has extended its state of emergency for five more days after the province tallied thousands more cases of coronavirus over the weekend.
Canada’s top doctor is urging people to continue distancing measures even over thanksgiving holidays, especially in Quebec and Ontario.
Stayin' Alive for CJLO's Funding Drive
We’re stoked to announce our annual Funding Drive, Stayin’ Alive.This year's festivities will be available entirely ONLINE, allowing access to people from all over the world.
By donating during our Funding Drive, you’re helping us to provide equipment to your favourite DJ so we can continue producing amazing content and special programming. We ‘ve been supporting our community through our ReStart program which aims to help local businesses increase their visibility during these tough times.
Participate in the festivities from October 22 to October 31, 2020, as CJLO rolls out bold programming, a spooky trivia event on October 27 in collaboration with RIDM and Nightmare on Film Street, ending with a fun DJ night on JQBX on Halloween!
CJLO's annual Funding Drive mission is to help continue to provide community-centred, independent programming for Concordia and the wider community.
Keep coming back for more updates on all the fun things we’ll have going on plus to catch a sneak peak at this year's merch.
At the Movies talks with Director Brea Grant
At the Movies recently had a chance to talk to Director Brea Grant who had her film 12 Hour Shift featured at this year's Fantasia Film Festival. Remi talks to Brea about comedy in horror thrillers, The Future of the horror genre in this decade as well as what it was like working with David Arquette.
Remi and Danny host At the Movies which features everything new and noteworthy in the world of cinema. The show goes live every Tuesday at 8:00AM.
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