Chris Garneau

I was less than happy today when the second lag of my flight home was delayed 3 hours in the Detroit airport. Since I was flying on only 1.5 hour of sleep from the last of my nights in Miami (5 am car pick up time) I was more than exhausted. Needless to say, I promptly passed out in a what we'll downgrade to an 'awkward position' in the airport chairs, yes the ones with the separators preventing you to lay down; however, I did manage to sprawl myself over 2 chairs and to fall into the dream world pretty quickly. Now for those of you that know me, you know you don't rustle an overtired, sleeping bear and you would also know that my father still refers to me as Bear because I was obsessed with my teddy bear when I was younger, and he thought it would bother me and that I'd stop bringing it everywhere, au contraire father, au contraire, but I digress. I was woken up to the only other person at the gate, and i'm talking 4 rows of empty seats here, who decided that the best seat in the house looked like the one where my feet were. And so he sat. And so I woke up to a newly close (in proximity) neighbour. The purpose of this story is to intro this song. My ipod was on shuffle during my nap and this golden piece of melody was rolling into my ears and calmed the steam down to a light simmer as I turned my back to my new friend and fell back asleep. this line was a big contributor 'I didn't go to see the city, I went to see it around you.' ah romance in words, although the rest of the song is pretty much about his empty heart.

Two Door Cinema Club

I can't get enough of these guys. They are currently on all of my playlist - yes, even my sleepytime even though they do nothing but get me pumped up. They are honestly the perfect summer soundtrack. You hid there last time, you know we're going to find you....

Robyn Vs. ACDC

I love myself a good versus – so why not the mashup of Robyn and AC DC to rock your ears this afternoon. So you too can be Dancing on Your Own All Night Long. Check it:

Sleigh Bells

A two person band of glory, Sleigh Bells, is made up of Derek on guitars (who is also responsible for those catchy beats & songwriting) and Miss Alexis Krauss' voice. Last year CMJ named them one of the 'undeniable breakout groups of the year' and their tunes have totally infected my brain. Their first official single, 'Tell Em, , is part of their May 11th debut album, Treats, which is being released by none other than MIA's label NEET. They've been hitting the festival scene hard this year, with Coachella under their belt & Pitchfork festival coming up. Make sure to watch for their LP with the most open of ears.

In the mean time, you can also get to downloading 4 of their tracks now via Stereogum because believe me, you'll want on this train - its a dance-duo of amazingness.

Lissie

I love me a good cover that makes you hear a song in a completely new light. Here's the daily dose...



which lead me to totally falling in love with this Mississippi (is it weird everytime I spell 'mississippi' i say the crooked-letter chant out loud out of pure pleasure?) alt-rock beauty, Lissie, who is often compared to a new-wave Stevie Nicks. She's pretty fresh on the the scene, having just played SXSW, but her Gaga cover is the talk of the town. Here's her original single, In Sleep:

Check it:

Dionne Bromfield

Dionne Bromfield, hailing from the UK, broke into the music scene late last year at the ripe age of 13. She's had close (musical) guidance from her Godmother, who is none other than the bee-hive wearing, Blake lovin, soulful wonder that is Amy Winehouse, who gushes about Bromfield's talent, saying how much more talented she is than Amy ever was at 13.

Bromfield's album covers off Motown classics like Aint No Mountain High Enough, and this little diddy below, The Shirelle's Foolish Little Girl.

Have a listen.

M.I.A.

This is the most disturbing music video I've ever seen, bar none. I wasnt fully prepared as I sat quietly at my desk this Monday morning for what my eyes were about to see. My morning coffee-internet-surf has never made me feel so ill. Maya is always one for making a statement and to speak up against war, and this certainly does both of those things by exposing how stupid prejudice can be and by reminding us how violent war actually is. Can you stomach it? MIA

Florence and the Machine

Did Florence round 2 last night. She had originally scheduled at the Phoenix (a mid sized venue, bigger than MOD club where she performed the first time around) but the tickets sold out so quickly, she upgraded to the Kool Haus. Its crazy the venue size jump she was able to sell out in only 5 months difference. I've seen a lot of bands have such a hard time performing in that space in regards to engaging the audience since its such a huge stand-only type venue, but I am still in awe with how she was able to be so captivating in it.

Florence, along with her machine, are definitely one of those must see live bands, because even though their cd is so amazing, the live show brings a whole new life to the music. Its as theatrical as it is musical, and it truly consumes you. All I have to say is if I had her voice, I don't think I would ever speak. All communications would be only in song. The fashion on her (and in the crowd) is a whole other experience in itself - Flo was sporting a black cape, black leather shorts and a black mesh longsleeve, with leather accents. The set list one upped itself song, after song, even though Swimming & the Bird Song where noticeable missing (and her cover of Cold War Kid's Hospital Beds which she performed @ Mod Club). I guess a girl can't ask for it all. For me, the show stealers were Dog Days Are Over, Between Two Lungs & the Drumming Song. On a scale of 1 - 5 I'd give this show an 'amazeballs'.






SET LIST
Howl
Kiss With a Fist
Hurricane Drunk
My Boy Builds Coffins
Between Two Lungs
Hardest of Hearts
Drumming Song
Cosmic Love
Blinding
I’m Not Calling You A Liar
Dog Days Are Over

ENCORE:
You’ve Got the Love
Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)

Covers

some old and new (er)

An Ode to the Boss

I just can't get enough of the Essential Bruce Spingsteen album lately - its 3 discs rolled up into one huge ode to the Boss. Ive been playing it every morning this week... he just has a way of making you a little more excited about getting out of bed. You can't tell me that his hits dont get you going and if you do, you must be a liar.

Seriously classic videos alert:

Bon Iver

If beauty was made into a sound, you’d be listening to it. I’ve been a fan of Bon Iver for awhile now, but I honestly can’t get enough of his sound. Read the bio below, pulled from his myspace while listening to some videos and you can’t tell me you don’t have chills [and maybe a few tears?]







“it wasn't planned. The goal was to hibernate.

Justin Vernon moved to a remote cabin in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin at the onset of winter. Tailing from the swirling breakup of his long time band, he escaped to the property and surrounded himself with simple work, quiet, and space. He lived there alone for three months, filling his days with wood splitting and other chores around the land. This special time slowly began feeding a bold, uninhibited new musical focus.

This slowly evolved into days filled with twelve-hour recording blocks, breaking only for trips on the tractor into the pines to saw and haul firewood, or for frozen sunrises high up a deer stand. All of his personal trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss and guilt that had been stock piled over the course of the past six years, was suddenly purged into the form of song. The end result is, For Emma, Forever Ago, a nine-song album comprised of what's been dubbed a striking debut by critics and fans alike.

Bon Iver (pronounced: bohn eevair; French for "good winter" and spelled wrong on purpose) is a greeting, a celebration and a sentiment. It is a new statement of an artist moving on and establishing the groundwork for a lasting career. For Emma, Forever Ago is the debut of this lineage of songs. As a whole, the record is entirely cohesive throughout and remains centered around a particular aesthetic, prompted by the time and place for which it was recorded. Vernon seems to have tested his boundaries to the utmost, and in doing so has managed to break free form any pre-cursing or finished forms.

For Emma's tracks consist of thick layers draped in lush choral walls, with rarely more than an ancient acoustic guitar or the occasional bass drum providing structure. Vernon sings the majority of the record in falsetto, which painfully expresses the meanings behind its overt, yet strangely entangled words. This newfound vocal path acts as each song's main character and source of melody.

Despite its complexity, the record was created entirely by Vernon with nothing more than a few microphones and some aged recording equipment. This homemade aspect shows itself in sections as creaks and accidentals are exposed in the folds of the songs, but is hidden well by the highly impressive and almost orchestral sound that Vernon managed to produce by his lonesome, within the creaky skeleton of his father's cabin.”

Remake: I Gotta Feelin'

Although this song is severely overplayed, it does have a place on my playlist and already holds some great memories from predrinks and parties alike.

Really cool take on this song. Loving how this guy is producing all of these sounds, single handedly. Watch him on the top right in the green shirt, hilarious how nonchalant he is.

Playlist

A playlist to get your long weekend going, and to keep it going right:

Thunderheist - Jerk It
Rye Rye ft. MIA – Bang
Late Of the Pier – Bathroom Gurgle
Friendly Fires – Jump In the Pool
Empire of the Sun – Walking On A Dream
The Gossip – Heavy Cross
Kid Cudi ft. Common, Kanye & Lady Gaga- Make Her Say
Lioness - You’re My Heart


Also, for those heading to the east coast for a kitchen party this weekend (and of course making a stop at Lower Deck for a lil' Signall Hill) this one's for you:
Trews- Poor Old Broken Hearted Me
John Denver - Country Roads Take Me Home
Dubliner's - Finnagan's Wake
Paul McCartney - Band on the Run
Stealers Wheel - Stuck in the Middle With You
Signal Hill - Barrett's Privateers