DevO

I still can't find my tickets, going into panic mode now... Fuaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! I've checked my drawers, books, tables, under couches, everywhere. I will be looking again tonight. Fingers crossed.

This sounds amazing. KevO Lanois to premiere new Neil Young songs at Nuit Blanche http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/article/838907--lanois-to-premiere-new-neil-young-songs-at-nuit-blanche Daniel Lanois's planned premiere at Nuit Blanche certainly doesn't lack for ambition. With his project “Later That Night at the Drive-In,†the Grammy-winning producer plans to convert Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square into a "forest of speakers," where the open space will be littered with sound and picture pods onto which Lanois will project experimental sound clips and short films. If that all sounds a bit too heady, though, the Quebec-born, Hamilton-raised music producer has an accessible ace up his sleeve for the Oct. 2 festival: He'll also premiere some tunes from the upcoming Neil Young album, which he's producing. "At the strike of midnight, we will premiere four tracks from the Neil Young record, visually and sonically," Lanois said in a telephone interview this week. "Lucky for us, we've been filming him as well as recording him. So the performances on the record are captured on film, and we will premiere that on the night of Nuit Blanche." Lanois's contribution is one of 130-plus projects planned for the fifth instalment of the annual festival, during which the streets and open spaces of Toronto are converted into a vast canvas for a variety of ambitious art projects. A couple literal highlights? Bay subway station will be brightened by Daan Roosegaarde's installation "Interactive Landscape Dune," Kim Adams will install a sculptural lighthouse at the intersection of Yonge and Queen streets, while American artist Dan Graham's reflective pavilion atop City Hall promises to produce effects "reminiscent of the optical effects of rock shows." Elsewhere, Julia Loktev's video installation "I Cried For You" will feature actors crying on cue, Mark Laliberte's "False Kraftwerk" will be a human puppet show inspired by the influential German electronic outfit, and Davide Balula's performance art piece "The Endless Pace" will involve 60 dancers mimicking the movement of a clock over a 12-hour period. Lanois said his piece, meanwhile, was devised by his son, Simon. Daniel Lanois, who's recuperating from a serious motorcycle accident that left him with a fractured collarbone, pelvis and six broken ribs, will spend September in Toronto at a workshop preparing his piece. The feature will be largely instrumental, with Lanois layering scored pieces with some live performance. Argentine dancer Carolina Cerisola will make the trip to join the production, and she'll move alongside a local dancer, Lanois said. The musical pieces will score experimental films being beamed to screens scattered across the square. Those will include a film created by Lanois himself, and one by his brother, Bob, along with contributions from other artists. "Some of it will be revisiting the silent-movie era, where a piano player or an organist would score the film as people watched it, so some will be scored as we watch," he said. He plans to have cameras positioned to film the performances as they're happening and beam close-up shots of the musicians in action out to the audience. And he said it won't matter where an audience member is in the square, because the sound will be crystal clear throughout. "That's something I've been enjoying for the last few years, exposing the details of performance to the audience via screen," he said. "So even if you're in the front row, you might not see the dancing fingers of a musician across an instrument, but magnification on a screen will allow you to see the details."

The weekend approaches.. And I have no f'n CLUE where I put my tickets. FACK!! Time to search my apartment once again. Latest news: Finley Quaye (sp?) canceled eh.

The Spades Sat July 24 GRACIE O'MALLEY'S EAST Ottawa, ON FYI. I haven't seen these guys in years! (hoping for a Toronto date some day)

WOW, that's pretty special! Did you write about it? Where can I read more about this?

I kinda like it.

I wish I could go - I've got a stag & doe to go to.

Made you look?? The Sadies seem to be updating their Facebook page right now. Other interesting things coming in: Fri Aug 13 @ Casbah, Hamilton Sat Aug 14 @ Toronto Island with Arcade Fire

An Evening With The Sadies with Special Guests: Garth Hudson Maud Hudson (back up singer for Albert Collins and The Band) Chicken Snake @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=127213217306050&ref=nf NICE!

I'll be curious to hear about this show, as he's opening for Blue Rodeo at the Molson Amp next month (and I'm going). I haven't gotten around to listening to Escoveda just yet. Damn, this year's Bluesfest is rammed with wicked tunes!! I'm jealous.

Yeah Jakis, saw Corb Lund a few years ago at The Phoenix and definitely wouldn't hesitate to do it again! Here's a note that came through on the Facebook site for the festival: Things To Know In Advance Of Hillside 2010 One of the great things about Hillside is how we are always changing and growing, working to become the best festival we can be for volunteers, patrons, performers and the Guelph community. There are a few different news items and things to keep in mind for this year, the 27th Hillside. So what's new? What's different? Please read on to find out! Operation Neptune: This year for the first time performers will be shuttled via pontoon boat from the mainland to the island. In the past, the traffic of performers' vehicles and Red Car service has been troubling to our patrons, volunteers and risk-management people. Trying to squeeze through crowds is not only tiresome and bothersome, but it's also dangerous. So, this year we are taking advantage of beautiful Guelph Lake and the service of the Guelph Rowing Club's pontoon boat to get our performers where they need to be. It's faster, more efficient, and even a little romantic. Shazam! Last year's close encounters with lightning bolts have become the stuff of legend. This year, we have installed lightning rods on the main green-roofed stage and the food pavilion, the only two permanent structures on the island. Thanks to Lloyd Grinham for helping to push this initiative forward! Volunteer Software: We've gone paperless this year! Jessie O'Donnell, our Volunteer Manager, now does most of her work on-line. The link is on our website at www.hillsidefestival.ca You can upload your resume and references and list the activities in which you are interested. Jessie then places each and every volunteer according to their chosen activities, their skill sets and the spaces available in the different areas. Volunteers and their Coordinators can then communicate with each other and create work schedules. So far, it’s working beautifully! Rainbow Shift: We’ve moved the Children’s Area from the treed space between Island Stage and the Food Pavilion over to the more open spot near Access Support. We are hoping this obviates the sound bleed from the Island Stage and gives children more room in which to stretch and run. Let the Children’s Area volunteers know what you think by filling out a survey. Experimental Corn Plastic Beer Mugs: We aren’t selling these this year; we’re just trying them out. If you head over to the Green Team, you may be lucky enough to get one before they run out. They are 100% compostable. They are only for cold drinks, though, as heat of any kind (coffee, dishwashers, hot car on a July day) will make them pliable. If you get a mug, be sure to leave your name and email address with us so we can poll you later for your opinion. It Gets Better With Age: This year, weekend passes to Hillside are half off for senior citizens. Regular day passes are still available for everyone, but the first 500 seniors can still enjoy the entire Hillside weekend for just $49.50. These passes are available at all Hillside ticket outlets, so go get yours today. Kick Off the Festival and Kick Out the Jams: Friday night passes are still available, and are only $49! Join us and bask in wonderful performances by Minotaurs, Flashlight Radio, First Rate People, Laura Marling, The Hidden Cameras, Calexico and more for what is sure to be a spectacular way to ring in Hillside 2010! Tickets are available from Gound Floor Music (Guelph), Encore Records (Kitchener), and Soundscapes (Toronto), or online at ticketpro.ca Welcome to the Hillside Family: With the recent leaving of Paula Perri from the position of Office Manager, Hillside has brought on Jason Timmins and Andrew Townsend in the roles of Event and Office Assistants, Artistic Administration and Marketing & Communications respectively. We offer them a hearty welcome, best of luck, and look forward to working with them to make this year’s Hillside great! Treasure Maps: With less than two weeks left to go, all of the schedules for Hillside’s acclaimed workshops and performances are finalized a ready to share! Check out hillsidefestival.ca for the right stages, times or tents so that you don’t miss out on anything! Use these schedules to plan your perfect Hillside before the festival, because it’s never too early to get excited! Celebrate Ontario: Hillside is thankful for receiving a Celebrate Ontario grant from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism to help transform Hillside Inside into a multi-venue, community minded winter event. Keep checking hillsidefestival.ca for more information about this revamped and re-imagined event this winter. License to Park: All volunteers are given complimentary mainland parking passes. These will be handed out when you receive your volunteer wristband at the gate, but if you want to avoid the lines there is the option to pick them up at the Hillside Office ahead of time. We also encourage volunteers to carpool, take the shuttle bus or ride your bike.

And looks mighty fine! What do you think? http://www.hillsidefestival.com/#/performers/2010_lineup/music_performer_schedule - The Colossal Jam on Saturday afternoon looks like a winner: Los Lobos, Calexico, Sarah Harmer, Jason Collett and Emma Bortolon-Vettor. - I'm praying for The Sadies to be added to this year's lineup - The Beauties at 9pm on Saturday is going to be the bomb - Julie Doiron + Gord Downie will be pretty - I'm looking forward to seeing Charlotte Cornfield again. She was great at the Ottawa Folk Festival last summer in the various workshops that I saw her in. Also looking forward to checking out a lot of bands I am unfamiliar with. Any recommendations?

I'm impressed with the marketing wizardry. Seriously, Old Spice has some smart folks on their team these days.

Thanks Pat. That was the link I was referring to, but before it led to a dead download link. They've updated it now. As long as it's still working when I get home tonight!

Looks awesome, but the download link that this leads to is now dead. Anyone know where I can grab this from now?

Did anyone see The Sadies on Sunday? I am liking the new album, wondering if they are playing much of that. Also how was Gord Downey? I read recently that The Sadies have recently recorded with Gord Downey as his backing band (or maybe its still happening).. Just waiting to see when this will translate to the live stage. Hopefully at Hillside.

Furthur Festival 1996?

From Carl Wilson's blog: (http://www.zoilus.com/) "Announced half an hour ago, the candidates to win $20,000 for Canadian album of the year at the gala this September are: The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record Caribou, Swim Karkwa, Les Chemins De Verre Dan Mangan, Nice, Nice, Very Nice Owen Pallett, Heartland Radio Radio, Belmundo Regal The Sadies, Darker Circles Shad, TSOL Tegan and Sara, Sainthood A solid list with some surprises. Not thrilling - the voting process mitigates against that - but very worthy. Most noteworthy, aside from the omission of my #1 vote, Frog Eyes (sigh), is the presence of two francophone acts (Karkwa, Radio Radio), as well as two hip-hop records (Shad, Radio Radio). The only French-language records nominated before have been by one band, Malajube; and while there’ve been double-rap lists before, it was only if one of those albums was by K’naan. Otherwise with, I think, five Ontario acts, regional conspiracy theorists may continue their deliberations. Good that records weren’t shut out by previous-winner stigma (Owen Pallett, Caribou), long-time-veteran status (Sadies) or kinda-uncoolness (Tegan & Sara). Personally I see only a couple of records on that list I’d be unhappy to have win. Anything could happen."

I saw this guy doing repeated head-on collisions with the cop car on Queen St -- him on his bike, going full throttle towards the cop car and then just smashing into in. Looked pretty painful!

Definitely hard to believe! He played 2 nights at The Silver Dollar Room 5 or 6 years ago or so.

Anything exciting happening in Ottawa this coming Saturday?? Jazz fest? I might be in town.

Hey! Not much time to add to this but wanted to check in to say that this was an excellent night of music. I was suprised too with the very small amount of songs off of Dirt Farmer. I'm not very familiar with Electric Dirt thus far, so not sure about what was played from it (except Jed). Levon's 12-piece band (5 piece brass) was a treat. Songs I can recall: Tennessee Jed Deep Elem Blues (with Levon on mando, hamming it up at centre stage, did a jig, humped his mandolin kinda) Ophelia Look Out, Cleveland Chest Fever (Larry Campbell with a great job doing Genetic Method on guitar) The Weight (with John Hiatt) E: I Shall Be Released (w/ Hiatt) Levon commented a few times: "It's great to be here in TO!!!" which always got the crowd going. Also something along the lines of "It's about time, not since 195__!" (can't remember what year he said). That's it for now. PS - I really enjoyed John Hiatt!

BUMP! These tickets will be in Toronto today, and are offered at 50% of face value. Call the above # if interested.

Happy birthday from one duder to another!

Kelly Jefferson - Saxophones Kevin Breit - Guitar David Braid - Piano & Rhodes Pat Kilbride - Bass Mark McLean - Drums & Cymbals David Braid is a huge piano player. Great lineup!