Thank God It's Free Range

How It Went Down - January 13, 2012

2012-01-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

Another busy one, jam-packed with talk and tunes. Lyzie Burt brought her keyboard in and played a few tunes from her new record, Marina Endicott talked vaudeville and Chris Sheasgreen and Marvin Kaye talked picking up the pieces after their star died.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Seeker Lover Keeper - "Even Though I'm A Woman" [Spunk Records]
Lyzie Burt - "Find You In Your Sleep" [Live at UMFM]
Lyzie Burt - "The Cash" [Live at UMFM]
Lyzie Burt - "Van Song" [Live at UMFM]
Lyzie Burt - "Cigarettes & You" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Lyzie Burt
Lyzie Burt - "Mr. Elliot" [I'm Trying Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Marina Endicott

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Hands & Teeth - All That Was [Independent]
Interview with Chris Sheasgreen and Marvin Kaye
Jonas Bonnetta - "French Toast" [Shuffling Feet]
Rae Spoon - "I Can't Keep All Of Our Secrets" [Saved By Radio]

_______________________________

Catch you in a couple weeks!

Catching up and looking ahead...

2012-01-11T13:42:00.001-08:00

Wowzers. Totally flaked on keeping on top of things here. There've been five shows since I last wrote a "How It Went Down" so I'll point you in the direction of my showlogs on UMFM's website with a little blurb about each show in a minute.

But first I want to plug this coming Friday's show - it's the 13th of January (inauspicious start to what the Mayans indicated would be our last year). I spoke to Marina Endicott about her novel The Little Shadows - which made the Globe & Mail's Top 100 for 2011 - when she came through town and have yet to find a moment to air it, but I'm finally going to broadcast our feature chat.
Earlier today I spoke with the creators of HBO Canada's Less Than Kind, a show filmed/set here in Winnipeg that enters its third season this Sunday the 15th dealing with the death of its star Maury Chaykin.
And I'll be joined in studio by Lyzie Burt for both an interview and a live performance of material from her new album Cigarettes And You, which gets its release on January 20th at the LO Pub.

Also wanted to give a heads-up that over the next few weeks, my show will be preempted for Bison Hockey broadcasts so there will be no show on January 20th, February 3rd and 10th.

Here's what happened on previous episodes of TGIFR:

Friday December 2nd - my interviews with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, known collectively as Jay & Silent Bob. Mewes is no stranger to Winnipeg as he films Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil here in town, and Smith - being a huge hockey fan - admitted to considering buying Jets season tickets despite living in LA.

Friday December 9th - all about the live music as I was joined for live sessions by three local acts. Metal band Forged In Fire, retro-rockers The Noble Thiefs and roots-rockers The Magnificent 7s.

Friday December 16th - I sat down with historian (and friend) Richard Brignall to talk about his new book, Forgotten Heroes: Winnipeg's Hockey Heritage, and talked on the phone with Adam Dorn, known to music fans as Mocean Worker.

Friday December 23rd was pretty much all talk as I sat down with John Einarson to discuss his latest (and dream) project, a biography of Ian & Sylvia entitled Four Strong Winds, and I also spoke with the award-winning author Ami McKay who followed up The Birth House with The Virgin Cure.

I didn't do a show on the Friday December 30th as I was under the weather.

Friday January 6th was a real treat as Jenny Berkel came in and blew me away with her amazing voice and songwriting. We discussed her new album Here On A Wire, and then I was joined by the organizers of the Big Fun Festival to talk inspiration and line-ups.

How It Went Down - November 25, 2011

2011-11-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

Another wild one this past week. Cheering For The Bad Guy started things off right with a five-song-set live on air. Great stuff from a bunch of great guys. Then we spoke to UMSU VP Matt Hepner about the Brewmaster's Dinner held at Degrees as part of the UMSU Movember campaign, and finally we had jazz musician Paul de Gurse on to discuss exactly why and how he's reworking Talking Heads material for a jazz quintet.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Cheering For The Bad Guy - "Grand Rapids" [Live at UMFM]
Cheering For The Bad Guy - "Train Song" [Live at UMFM]
Cheering For The Bad Guy - "Jesus Murphy" [Live at UMFM]
Cheering For The Bad Guy - "Tires Under The Tree" [Live at UMFM]
Cheering For The Bad Guy - "Jesus Is My Drinking Buddy" [Live at UMFM]
Deer Tick - "Main Street" [Partisan/Dine Alone]
Interview with Cheering For The Bad Guy

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Dum Dum Girls - "Coming Down" [Sub Pop]
The Noble Thiefs - "Trapped Up" [Pipe & Hat]
Interview with Matt Hepner
The JD Edwards Band - "Going Down To Mexico" [Independent]
The Wooden Sky - "Go Straight" [Black Box Recordings]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Paul de Gurse
Talking Heads - "Once In A Lifetime" [Sire]
Raleigh Moncrief - "I Just Saw" [Anticon]
Kate Bush - "Wild Man" [Fish People/Noble & Brite]
Bry Webb - "I Will Give You Everything" [Zunior]

___________________________

This Friday's show is a pretty sweet coup for me. I've got two separate interviews with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith - aka Jay & Silent Bob. The pair are coming to Winnipeg December 11th as part of the Jay & Silent Bob Get Old tour and each managed to accommodate an interview in their busy schedules. Definitely worth tuning in for.

The following week (December 9th) I'll have local metal act Forged In Fire starting the show off with a live set debuting some new tracks (newer than the EP they released earlier this year. I'll also have an interview with Adam Dorn (aka Mocean Worker) discussing his latest record, Candygram for MoWo! and a lot of other talking points, and we'll have the Magnificent 7's capping things off with a live set spotlighting material from their new record, All Kinds Of Mean, which gets its launch at the West End on Thursday, December 15th.

How It Went Down - November 18, 2011

2011-11-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

As we head toward the Christmas holidays, there's all sorts of shows and events going on here in town and thus, TGIFR is jam-packed with guests and interviews from now until the New Year. On the 18th, I had an in-depth conversation with Susanne Tabata, director of the great documentary Bloodied But Unbowed that examines the Vancouver punk scene in the late 70s and early 80s. I also debuted some live songs I recorded with Mark Browning (aka OX) when he came to Winnipeg earlier in the week. And speaking of live, Sweet Alibi came in and performed some songs from their debut LP and answered my questions about the record.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

D-Sisive - "The Unknown (feat. Birdapres & Cadence Weapon)" [Urbnet]
Cannon Bros. - "Out Of Here" [Disintegration Records]
Interview with Susanne Tabata
The Subhumans - "Fuck You" [Bluurg]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Ferriswheel - "Dots and Dreams" [E-Tron Records]
Tycho - "Daydreams" [Ghostly International]
Ox - "Share Gas Drive West" [Live at UMFM]
Ox - "Indie Rock Radio Nation" [Live at UMFM]
Ox - "Trans Canada" [Live at UMFM]
Ox - "Nico" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Sweet Alibi - "The Trial" [Live at UMFM]
Sweet Alibi - "There She Goes" [Live at UMFM]
Sweet Alibi - "Something Good" [Live at UMFM]
Sweet Alibi - "Suddenly" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Sweet Alibi
Sweet Alibi - "Crybaby" [Independent]

______________________________________

Tomorrow, I've got Cheering For The Bad Guy coming in to start the show off live with some brand new songs. We'll be talking to UMSU VP Matt Hepner about the Brewmasters Dinner that Half Pints and Degrees are hosting on Saturday as part of Movember, and we'll speak to local jazz artist Paul De Gurse about his December 1st show re-imagining the Talking Heads. And next week - December 2nd - have I got quite the special show. In advance of their Jay and Silent Bob Get Old show December 11th at the Walker/Burt, I'll be talking to Jason Mewes AND Kevin Smith. Seriously.

How It Went Down - November 11, 2011

2011-11-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

Another barn-burner of a show. This one featured interviews with Mark Browning of OX (who is due to record a live session when he comes to town tomorrow, November 16th), Peter Katz (who is also in town tomorrow, at the West End), Ryan Weber of The Weber Brothers (who played the Park Theatre in support of their new record, Baddest Band In The Land), and Daniel Pangman from the Lonely Vulcans who released their new record, Vulcan Cesspool at the Times Change(d) on Friday night.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Marine Dreams - "We'll Get Her Back In Your Arms" [You've Changed Records]
Crooked Fingers - "The Hatchet" [Merge]
Interview with Ryan Weber
The Weber Brothers - "Stay In The Game" [Independent]
Great Aunt Ida - "Community" [Zunior]
Gospel Music - "I Can't Be A Man If I Don't Have A Woman" [Kill Rock Stars]
Bry Webb - "Zebra" [Idee Fixe]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Daniel Pangman of Lonely Vulcans
Lonely Vulcans - "Lonely Vulcan Cake" [Transistor 66]
Yamantaka//Sonic Titan - "Reverse Crystal//Murder Of A Spider" [Psychic Handshake]
Interview with Peter Katz

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Peter Katz - "Song For Oliver Schroer" [Shape Of A Boy/Tangents]
Interview with Mark Browning (OX)
OX - "Midnight On The Island" [Cosmic Dave's Record Factory]

______________________________

As for this week, I'll definitely be featuring the live session with OX, along with a live session and interview with Sweet Alibi (releasing their self-titled debut this Sunday (Nov 20th) at the Park Theatre. And mark your calendar for the 25th as I'll have Cheering For The Bad Guy debuting some new stuff on live on air.

How It Went Down - November 4, 2011

2011-11-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

Had three guests on Friday, but amazingly it felt relaxed in the booth. First up was Shuyler Jansen who was in town to play Pop Soda's on Saturday, but who we talked with by phone on his way to see Mark Kozelek at the West End. Then, also by phone, was Daniela from Snowblink who are on tour with Ohbijou and will open for them this Saturday (November 12th) at the West End. Finally, I spoke to Curtis Nowosad about his jazz quartet performing Bob Marley's Exodus in its entirety at Aqua Books this Thursday, November 10th.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Lonely Vulcans - "Absinthe Father" [Transistor 66]
Shuyler Jansen - "Kill January" [Scratch Recordings]
Ox - "Indie Rock Radio Nation" [Cosmic Dave's Record Factory]
Kathryn Calder - "Walking In My Sleep" [File Under: Music]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Tim Hoover - "More Napkins (AM Overcast Commoner's Serviette mix)" [Woven Records]
David Braid - "The Way You Look Tonight" [Independent]
Snowblink - "Rut & Nuzzle" [Out Of This Spark]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

DJ Brace - "NH Ten" [Nostomania Records]
Roots Manuva - "Beyond This World" [Big Dada]
Bob Marley - "Exodus" [Island]
Bob Marley - "Waiting In Vain" [Island]
The Ripperz - "Tonight Pt. II" [The Newform Label]
Atlas Sound - "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs" [4AD]

___________________________________________

As for this coming Friday, it's Remembrance Day so I won't be live, but I'm putting together a solid pre-record featuring interviews with the Lonely Vulcans, Peter Katz and Ox, all of whom have shows in the near future so check their online listings!

How It Went Down - October 21 & 28, 2011

2011-11-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

Somehow I totally missed the boat on posting for the 21st and am a little late on the 28th as well so I'll do 'em up both right now and give you a little preview of this week's show to boot.

On October 21st, I was joined by Kerri-Lynn Reeves and Jen De Los Reyes, the masterminds behind the Manitoba Folkways Collection. Great stuff, and a beautiful looking record to boot. Earlier in the week Lou Canon dropped by for a live session and interview, so I played that. And speaking of live sessions, I managed to get Montrealer David Simard in Friday morning after he played a Big Fun show at The Roost on Thursday night, and P.E.I.'s Paper Lions made a quick stop at the station before heading to the LO Pub.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Demetra - "Maiden Of Ice" [Head In The Sand]
Paper Lions - "Pull Me In" [Live at UMFM]
Paper Lions - "Don't Touch That Dial" [Live at UMFM]
Paper Lions - "Stay Here For A While" [Live at UMFM]
David Simard - "Magda" [Live at UMFM]
David Simard - "Good Friend" [Live at UMFM]
David Simard - "Oh My My" [Live at UMFM]
Jenny Berkel - "Here On A Wire" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Lou Canon - "The Dancing" [Live at UMFM]
Lou Canon - "My Girls" [Live at UMFM]
Lou Canon - "Close To Me" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Lou Canon
Lou Canon - "Heart Of" [Hardwood Records]
Russian Circles - "Schiphol" [Sargent House]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Kerri-Lynn Reeves and Jen De Los Reyes
Demetra - "Arctic Sea" [Manitoba Folkways]
Robert Waddell - "Memory Of A Lake" [Manitoba Folkways]

___________________________________

This past week (October 28th) featured a live session with Winnipeg's own Oh My Darling who are releasing Sweet Nostalgia this Saturday (November 5th) at the West End Cultural Centre. They debuted some new songs and answered some questions about the sophomore album. I also spoke to British music journalist Dave Thompson about his most recent book, Bad Reputation: An Unauthorized Biography of Joan Jett, which makes a compelling case for Jett's place in the hard rock and punk pantheons.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Electro Quarterstaff - "Japanese Upside Down Cake" [Willowtip]
Oh My Darling - "Roustabout" [Live at UMFM]
Oh My Darling - "Fly Away My Pretty Little Miss" [Live At UMFM]
Oh My Darling - "Mr. Guy" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Oh My Darling

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Oh My Darling - "Kiss and Tell" [Live at UMFM]
Oh My Darling - "Love Me Love Me Not" [Live at UMFM]
Metal Kites - "Castle" [Independent]
Cai. Ro - "Golden Cup" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Dave Thompson
The Runaways - "Cherry Bomb" [Touchwood]
Joan Jett - "Bad Reputation" [Blackheart Records]

_________________________________

As for this Friday, November 4th, I'm going to be joined by Shuyler Jansen to discuss his most recent album and his forthcoming visit to Winnipeg. I'll also be talking to Natallie from Snowblink about her album, being in Bruce Peninsula and touring with Ohbijou [playing the West End November 12th!], plus an interview with award-winning author Ami McKay (The Birth House) about her new novel, The Virgin Cure.

How It Went Down: October 14, 2011

2011-10-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

Another busy one - Colin from Paper Lions called in from Sackville where the band is on show 2 of the "Rolling Oyster Revue" (which brings them to Winnipeg next Thursday, October 20th where they'll play the LO Pub and record a live session here at UMFM). Then we had Casey from Ohbijou talking about their new album Metal Meets and a tour that will bring them to the West End Cultural Centre on November 12th (with Snowblink, who I'm in the process of setting up with an interview as well!). And finally I reconnected with Dean Tzenos of Odonis Odonis to talk about his new album on Daps Records, Hollandaze.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Perms - "Make It Through" [Hugtight Records]
The Elves - "You Shook Me" [Niji Entertainment]
Mark Sultan - "Calloused Hands" [In The Red Records]
The Liptonians - "Destroy Destroy Destroy" [Light Organ Records]
Shimmering Stars - "I'm Gonna Try" [Hardly Art]
Interview with Paper Lions

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Paper Lions - "Stay Here For A While" [Common Law Records]
Lou Canon - "More Than You" [Hardwood]
Bent By Elephants - "Can't Have You" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Ohbijou
Ohbijou - "Turquoise Lake" [Last Gang Records]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Pine Tarts - "Nu-Surf" [Livid Records]
Interview with Odonis Odonis
Odonis Odonis - "Ledged Up" [Daps Records]
Teenburger - "Wake Up (feat. Jorun Bombay)" [Droppin Science]

*******************
For next week's episode I've got Lou Canon in to record a live session and interview early in the week and a live session with Paper Lions when they arrive on the 20th and I'm in the process of finalizing an interview with Mark Sultan who is playing Pop Soda's on October 29th with This Hisses and Greg Arcade & The Electrics.

Stay tuned.

Paper Lions tomorrow!

2011-10-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Looks like I'll be on the phone with Paper Lions tomorrow to talk about their Rolling Oyster Revue hitting the LO Pub October 20th. Listen for a chance to win tickets and a copy of their latest album.

How It Went Down: October 7, 2011

2011-10-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I lied. The live session with Oh My Darling isn't happening tonight. Instead, it'll be closer to their November 5th Sweet Nostalgia CD release CD release show at the West End Cultural Centre. But I did get Electro Quarterstaff into the studio for a live session before this Sunday night's Akyroyd CD release at the Park Theatre so I'll be playing some of that. I did talk to Boots from Splash ' N Boots and Dam-Funk though, so two out of three ain't bad.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Smoky Tiger - "Warden of the Plains" [Manitoba Folkways]
Interview with David Wyatt & Darla Stewart from Reel Pride
Conn-Shawnery - "Chasing The Conn" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Rain Over St. Ambrose - "Chemtrails of Happiness" [Acadian Embassy]
Interview with Boots from Splash 'n Boots
Electro Quarterstaff - "Waltz of the Swedish Meatball" [Live at UMFM]
Prince Rama - "Golden Silence" [Paw Tracks]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Dam-Funk
Dam-Funk - "Brookside Park" [Stones Throw]
Dam-Funk - "Inside of You" [Stones Throw / Scion AV]

*******************

I can't completely guarantee what will be on the show next week (October 14th) as I'm still firming things up with guests, but I can tell you that I have a lot of live sessions coming up, including Montreal's Bent By Elephants, and interviews with Ohbijou, authors Richard Gwynn, Nick Thompson, Frances Greenslade and more. Rest assured there will be music and arts and a heads-up on local shows.

How It Went Down: September 30, 2011

2011-10-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

A shortened show due to the Bison Football game (pre-game at 7:45, kickoff at 8pm) but I still managed to get two guests into the studio. The Smith brothers from The Perms came in with a copy of their brand new album, Sofia Nights, which we discussed and debuted tracks from (CD release show is Friday, October 14th at the Park Theatre). We also had an awesome live session with the guys from Sun Wizard. They were in town to open for the Pack a.d. at the LO Pub and banged out some live demos of unreleased material (in the meantime, pick up a copy of their excellent album, Positively 4th Avenue).

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Pack A.D. - "Rid Of Me" [Mint Records] Unpersons
The Perms - "Make It Through" [Hugtight Records]
Inteview with The Perms
The Perms - "High School High" [Hugtight Records]
Bruce Peninsula - "In Your Light" [Hand Drawn Dracula]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Ohbijou - "Turquoise Lake" [Last Gang Records]
Youth Lagoon - "Cannons" [Fat Possum Records]
James Blake - "Wilhelm Scream" [Republic]
Mastodon - "All The Heavy Lifting" [Reprise]
Sun Wizard - "Demo #2" [Live at UMFM]
Sun Wizard - "Demo #3" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Sun Wizard
Sun Wizard Sick Of Waiting Positively 4th Avenue

On tomorrow's show, we're back to a full hour-and-a-half and it's chock full of goodness. An interview with Dam-Funk who blew the lid off the Pyramid during the Jazz Winnipeg Festival and who is back on Monday October 10th, this time with his full band. Folks with little kids will want to tune into my interview with children's entertainers and Treehouse TV stars Splash 'n Boots (I'll have a sweet prize pack to give away) and a live session with Oh My Darling.

How It Went Down: September 23, 2011

2011-09-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Another busy show, as promised. An interview with Sara Lowes who came through town on Monday with Rah Rah and Said the Whale and found time to drop by the station. On the phone with Stephen Sim of CRUMBS and organizer of the Winnipeg Improv Festival for a quick update on IF. In the studio with the Keith Price Trio (Julian Bradford on bass and Curtis Nowosad on drums) playing some live tracks and talking about the Gaia/Goya CD release at Aqua Books Saturday September 24th, and on the phone with Big Troubles, who are opening for Pains of Being Pure at Heart on September 28th at the LO Pub.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Wilco - "Whole Love" [Anti-]
Memoryhouse - "Sleep Patterns" [Sub Pop]
Interview with Sara Lowes
Sara Lowes - "The Island Spell" [Hidden Pony]
Troubleshot - "The Fall" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Keith Price Trio - "The Strangers (St. Vincent cover)" [Live at UMFM]
Keith Price Trio - "Ready Able (Grizzly Bear cover)" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Keith Price
Keith Price Trio - "Old Man (Neil Young cover)" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Adam & The Amethysts - "I'm A Medium" [Kelp Records]
Interview with Stephen Sim of Winnipeg Improv Festival
Bruce Peninsula - "In Your Light" [Hand Drawn Dracula]
Interview with Big Troubles
Big Troubles - "She Smiles For Pictures" [Slumberland]

On next week's show, I'll be talking to The Perms about their new CD, Ohbijou about their latest, and author Dave Thompson about Bad Reputation: The Unauthorized Biography of Joan Jett.

How It Went Down - September 16, 2011

2011-09-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

VERY VERY VERY busy show this week. Somehow I agreed to try to squeeze every last moment of my time slot and accommodate five separate guests, including two live sessions. Criz-nazy. By phone, I was joined by Young Rival and Wildlife (who were both opening up for Hollerado at the West End on Saturday) and Royal Wood (who played the West End on September 18th).

In the studio, I was joined for interviews and live sessions with Little House and Zoppa, both of whom were appearing at the I'm Trying Records showcase at the LO Pub on Saturday the 17th.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Warm Ghost - "G.T.W.S." [Partisan]
Young Rival - "The Ocean" [Sonic Unyon]
Wildlife - "Stand In The Water" [Easy Tiger Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Little House - "Sounds Not The Pavement" [Live at UMFM]
Little House - "I Don't Want To Know" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Zoppa - "I Just Wanna Drive My Car Thru The Ocean" [Live at UMFM]
Zoppa - "Fuck The RCMP" [Live at UMFM]
Zoppa - "Untitled" [Live at UMFM]
Royal Wood - "Ain't No Sunshine" [Six Shooter Records]

This Friday is another busy one - I'll be joined in the studio for a live session and interview with Keith Price and his jazz trio (his new album Gaia/Goya is being released at Aqua books this Saturday the 24th). I'll also be talking to the organizers of the Winnipeg Improv Festival (which starts today [the 20th] and runs until the 24th), and I'll be talking to the Pains of Being Pure At Heart before their Winnipeg show on the 28th. I had the opportunity to sit down with UK artist Sara Lowes, whose debut LP is out on Hidden Pony. She was in town yesterday with Said The Whale and Rah Rah - our interview will also air on Friday.

How It Went Down - September 9, 2011

2011-09-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

BUSY BUSY BUSY these days. Orientation week(s) activities in full-swing on campus and UMFM had a sweet little stage in the hot, hot sun featuring The Eardrums, Enjoy Your Pumas, This Hisses and The Noble Thiefs (many thanks to all of those bands!) and yours truly was working sound / set-up. But I still managed to find time to pack my show with goodness. The big two-night Greg MacPherson Disintegration Blues CD release extravaganza at the West End provided the impetus for openers Jesse Hill and Cannon Bros. to stop in for interviews and live sessions. And A Waste Odyssey came with their instruments this time and blazed through two live songs to promote the I'm Trying Records Showcase at the LO Pub on Saturday September 17th.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Washed Out - "Amor Fati" [Sub Pop] Within And Without
Cannon Bros. - "String Lights" [Live at UMFM]
Cannon Bros. - "Take" [Live at UMFM]
Cannon Bros. - "Left In A Hurry" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Cannon Bros.
Cannon Bros. - "Soft View" [Live at UMFM]
Cannon Bros. - "Just Anybody" [Live at UMFM]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Jesse Hill - "Since We Last Talked" [Live at UMFM]
Jesse Hill - "Last August's Labour" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Jesse Hill
Jesse Hill - "Day After Rain" [Live at UMFM]
Jesse Hill - "Do I Look Upon You As I Should" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with A Waste Odyssey
A Waste Odyssey - "Little Red Car" [Live at UMFM]
A Waste Odyssey - "The Number 96" [Live at UMFM]
Softcore - "Right On Chief" [Unreleased]
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - "Stick Figures In Love" [Matador]

This week's another busy one, featuring not one, but two of Hollerado's openers: Young Rival and Wildlife will both be joining me by phone. I'll also be talking to Royal Wood about his sweet new EP. Tune in!

How It Went Down - September 2, 2011

2011-09-01T10:43:00.001-07:00

Got Matt from Cymbals Eat Guitars on the phone to talk about their new record, Lenses Alien (out on Barsuk), and a very in-depth talk with Chester Brown, graphic novelist known for his Louis Riel biography, and now his autobiographical book about being a 'john,' Paying For It.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Saint Kris - "3 Little Wishes" [Oak + Oar]
Dust Adam Dust - "Time Spent" [Independent]
Beirut - "East Harlem" [Pompeii Records]
The Billie Hollies - "North Cross Bay" [Independent]
St. Vincent - "Cheerleader" [4AD]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Matt from Cymbals Eat Guitars
Cymbals Eat Guitars - "Rifle Eyesight" [Barsuk Records]
Peter Wolf Crier - "Loud Enough To Know" [Jagjaguwar]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Chester Brown
Slim Moore and the Mar-Kays - "Is It Because I'm Black" [Marlow Records]

How It Went Down: August 26, 2011

2011-08-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

So the F-Holes managed to make it in this week and bang out an awesome live set here at the studio. I also spoke to Floridian blues-man JJ Grey (who played the Pyramid on Saturday). This coming week (September 2nd) will feature Chester Brown and Matt from Cymbals Eat Guitars.

Here's what was played.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

James Blake & Bon Iver - "Fall Creek Boys Choir" [Unreleased]
Future Islands - "Balance" [Thrill Jockey]
Interview with JJ Grey
JJ Grey & Mofro - "King Hummingbird" [Alligator Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Pat Jordache - "Get It (I Know You're Going To)" [Constellation]
The F-Holes - "Angel In The Corner" [Live at UMFM]
The F-Holes - "Up For A While" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with the F-Holes
The F-Holes - "Learning How To Swim" [Live at UMFM]
The F-Holes - "Even Stevens" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Jonti - "Hornet's Nest" [Stones Throw]
Young Galaxy - "We Have Everything (Grimes remix)" [Paper Bag Records]
Grimes - "Crystal Ball (Cadence Weapon remix)" [Arbutus]
Born Gold - "Alabaster Bodyworlds" [Yours Truly]
Miracle Fortress - "Everything Works" [Pop Montreal 2011]
Family Of The Year - "St. Croix" [Tiny Ogre]
Eternal Tapestry - "Doorways In The Sand" [Thrill Jockey]

How It Went Down: August 19, 2011

2011-08-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

So, unfortunately the F-Holes weren't able to come in as promised. They had a conflicting gig so I'm hoping to get them in next week to play live and talk about the new album, Angel In The Corner. But I still managed to pack the show with content. I'm joined by Graham Wright of Tokyo Police Club by phone to discuss a 10 day/10 song cover project, Erik from Little Dragon discusses their latest record Ritual Union and Alex from A.M. Overcast joins me in the studio to discuss this bedroom project of his.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Dominant Legs - "Hoop of Love" [Lefse]
Purity Ring - "Ungirthed" [Transparent]
AM & Shawn Lee - "City Boy" [ESL Music]
Interview with Erik from Little Dragon
Little Dragon - "Crystalfilm" [Peacefrog]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Feist - "How Come You Never Go There" [Cherrytree/Interscope/Polydor]
Interview with Graham Wright
Tokyo Police Club - "Frankenstein" [Dine Alone Records]
Graham Wright - "Evening Train From Kingston Station" [File Under: Music]
Fusioon - "Cyclos" [B-Music/Finders Keepers]
A.M. Overcast - "Haystacks Northbound" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Alex Litinsky
A.M. Overcast - "Cannonball" [Independent]
Grimes - "Crystal Ball" [Arbutus]
Daniela & Ben Spector - "Far Away" [High Fidelity]
Beck & Seu Jorge - "Tropicalia (Mario C 2011 remix) [EOne]
The Stepkids - "Shadows On Behalf" [Stones Throw]

How It Went Down - August 12, 2011

2011-08-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well, the On-Air-Versary was a success. My wife really enjoyed the experience and ultimately that's all that matters (that and doing a 'good' show).

Thanks to Jonas Bonnetta, Greg MacPherson and Steve St. Louis for participating. Be sure to check out Evening Hymns' website for info on the upcoming record, mark your calendar for GMac's Loud and Soft CD release shows, and catch Steve (aka 5 O'Clock Charlie) on the Funk Boat.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Ken Boothe - "Everything I Own" [Trojan Records]
Interview with Jonas Bonnetta of Evening Hymns
Evening Hymns - "If I Handle You With Care" [Trembling Blue Stars cover]
Evening Hymns - "Sentimental Reasons" [Live at UMFM]
Parlour Steps - "Subtle" [Figment Music]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Greg MacPherson - "Brothers" [Live at UMFM]
Greg MacPherson - "River Lake" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Greg MacPherson
Greg MacPherson - "Frequencies" [Disintegration Records]
Greg MacPherson - "Long Goodbye" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

5 O'Clock Charlie mix segment:
Stevie Wonder - "Too High"
Eastside Connection - "You're So Right For Me"
Roy Ayers - "Can't You See Me"
Archie Bell & The Drells - "Strategy"
Leroy Hutson - "Lucky Fellow"
Alicia Myers - "Appreciation"
Willie Wright - "Right On For The Darkness"
Kool & The Gang - "Duuji"

This week's show (August 19th) will be another busy one, featuring The F-Holes performing live in advance of their Angel In The Corner CD release show, an interview with Alex from A.M. Overcast, and *fingers-crossed* an interview with Little Dragon.

On-Air-Versary - August 5 2011

2011-08-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

This Friday is a special edition of TGIFR. August 12th is my fifth wedding anniversary with my wonderful wife Michelle. To mark the occasion, the show will be an 'On-Air-Versary' party featuring some of her favourite artists and music. I won't talk details so as to not spoil the surprised, but suffice it to say the typical format will remain with interviews, live performances and new music aplenty. Tune in and join in the celebration!

How It Went Down - August 5, 2011

2011-08-08T14:44:00.001-07:00

Busy show - I had Brooke Wylie (who is playing the Times Change(d) on the 19th, and who is friends with local greats The F-Holes) on the phone, two-thirds of The Crooked Brothers in the studio for a live performance, and Ben Jones joined me on the phone to discuss the Rainbow Trout Music Festival and Fishing Derby.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Neon Indian - "Polish Girl" [Static Tongues]
Botany - "Feeling Today" [Western Vinyl]
The F-Holes - "Even Stevens" [Independent]
Interview with Brooke Wylie
Brooke Wylie - "Half Empty Moon" [Independent]
The Duke and the King - "No Easy Way Out" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

The Crooked Brothers - "Sweet Lemons" [Live at UMFM]
The Crooked Brothers - "Ramblin' Man" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with The Crooked Brothers
The Crooked Brothers - "Kansas" [Transistor 66]
The Crooked Brothers - "Up The Mountain" [Live at UMFM]
The Crooked Brothers - "Sleeping In The Giant's Den" [Live at UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Moonface - "Shit-Hawk In The Snow" [Jagjaguwar]
Fruit Bats - "Dolly" [Sub Pop]
Mise En Scene - "So Blue" [Independent]
Magnum K.I. - "No Way" [Independent]

How It Went Down - July 29, 2011

2011-07-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had special guests from Melbourne, The Little Stevies, who are playing Fire & Water in Lac Du Bonnet this weekend but joined me to play some live songs and talk about touring Canada. Then I had boogie-woogie pianist Ben Waters on the phone from the UK talking about his connection to the Rolling Stones and Jools Holland and why he's playing the Great Woods Music Festival next weekend in Beausejour.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Heavyweights Brass Band – "Nueva Orleans (feat. Ogguere)" [Independent]
The Little Stevies - "Feel It" [Live at UMFM]
The Little Stevies - "Because I Have You All" [Live at UMFM]
The Little Stevies - "Leap Of Faith" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

The Little Stevies - "No Button" [Live at UMFM]
The Little Stevies - "Accidentally" [Live at UMFM]
The Deep Dark Woods - "Sugar Mama" [Six Shooter Records]
Sarah MacDougall - "Mmm" [Rabbit Heart Music]
Kae Sun - "Weh-Weh" [Urbnet]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Ben Waters - "Watching The River Flow (feat. Mick Jagger)" [Independent]
Ian Stewart - "Bring It On Home" [Independent]
James Struthers - "Together Again" [Independent]
TV Girl - "Baby You Were There" [Bandcamp]
Interstllr - "Is There Thunder" [Koko Bonaparte]

______________________

Next week's show is a busy one - I'll be talking to traveling troubadour Brooke Wylie who will be in town on August 19th at the Times Change(d), the Crooked Brothers will be joining me to play live in studio and debut songs from their new record Lawrence, Where's Your Knife, and Ben from the Rainbow Trout Music Festival will be giving us the lowdown on this year's edition.

And the following week, August 12th will be a very special episode, dedicated to my wife Michelle. It's our fifth wedding anniversary that night and I've got some great guests lined up to help celebrate.

How It Went Down: July 22, 2011

2011-07-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

So I talked to Charlotte Cornfield, who'll be playing the Times Change(d) on Thursday with my guests for August 5th, The Crooked Brothers, to start the show. Then we had Justin Olynyk checking in to wrap up his reports on the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. I managed to connect with Ryan from The Sheepdogs earlier by phone to discuss their headlining gig at the Brandon Folk Festival this weekend and then Rob Rousseau came in to talk about what he's got planned for this year's Islendingadagurinn Saturday Night @ The Pier and Alternative Folk Festival.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Box Of Wolves - "Secret Affair" [Venom Blog]
Charlotte Cornfield - "Construction On The Street" [Independent]
The Weather Station - "Came So Easy" [You've Changed Records]
Marijosee - "Comme la route" [Independent]
Portugal The Man - "You Carried Us (Share With Me The Sun)" [Atlantic]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Justin Olynyk
Interview with Ryan from the Sheepdogs
The Sheepdogs - "Catfish 2 Boogaloo" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

This Hisses - "Keep What's Good In Your Heart" [Transistor 66]
Royal Canoe - "Me Loving Your Money (Gonna See Us Through)" [Independent]
Ingrid Gatin - Take These Walls" [Pipe and Hat]
Brown Bag Allstars - "What It's All About (DJ Brace remix)" [Nostomania Records]

How It Went Down - July 15, 2011

2011-07-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

This Hisses joined me in the studio to discuss their album release show at the Pyramid on July 23rd, and to play some of the songs from Surf Noir live. [Speaking of which, UMFM's Live Sessions page is now up, and features This Hisses and more!].
I was joined on the phone by Justin Olynyk, Fringe-fest phenom, who gave us the low-down on the early goings of the fest. And while I had hoped to talk to The Burning Hell, a robbery and assault in Eastern Europe while on tour meant they were talking to the police instead of me. Instead, I spoke to Dean Tzenos of Odonis Odonis prior to that band's show at the LO Pub on July 18th.

This Friday (August 22nd) I'll be talking to Charlotte Cornfield prior to her July 28th appearance at the Times Change(d). Justin Olynyk will be back with Fringe Fest wrap-up giving us his best (and the rest) of the fest. And I'll be talking to Rob Rousseau about all the great music he's got planned for Islendingadagurinn this August long.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

My Tiger My Timing - "Endless Summer" [Snakes & Ladders]
This Hisses - "Swagger" [Live at UMFM]
This Hisses - "Sparrow" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with This Hisses
This Hisses - "Gold On Fire" [Transistor 66]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

This Hisses - "Lycanthrope" [Live at UMFM]
This Hisses - "Bad Vacation" [Live at UMFM]
Handsome Furs - "Damage" [Sub Pop]
Interview with Justin Olynyk
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Even In Dreams" [Slumberland]
The Express - "Nobody Knows" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

William Elliott Whitmore - "Don't Need It" [Anti-]
Interview with Dean Tzenos of Odonis Odonis
Odonis Odonis - "Mr. Smith" [Palmist Records]
Zomby - "Natalia's Song" [4AD]

How It Went Down - July 8, 2011

2011-07-11T13:21:00.001-07:00

Relatively quiet on the guest front on Friday as I was joined by Eric Wood and Joe Kalturnyk to discuss Post No Bills, an outdoor commercial art gallery the duo have developed to run in conjunction with the Winnipeg Fringe Festival (speaking of the Fringe fest, I'll have the first of two talks with Justin Olynyk of Play It Again this coming Friday at 7pm to give us the scoop on the best and the rest of the fest...), but other than that, I just played a lot of music.

This coming Friday is a busy one though. In addition to Justin's Fringe report, I'll be joined in studio by This Hisses, who will play a live set and talk about their new record Surf Noir, which gets its CD release on July 23rd at the Pyramid. I'll also be talking to The Burning Hell who have a great new record called Flux Capacitor. In addition to quizzing them about whether they're Back To The Future fans, we'll be talking Brandon Folk Festival where they play July 22nd and 24th.

The following week I've got the second of two Fringe reports from Justin, wrapping things up with his top picks, and I've also confirmed an interview with Charlotte Cornfield, who will be playing the Times Change(d) on July 28th. Mark your calendar because this is an up-and-comer you don't want to miss. Still waiting to hear if I'll be talking to the Sheepdogs, who will be closing off the Brandon Folk Festival on the 24th, but fingers-crossed I'll be talking to frontman Ewan Currie about beards and baseball... stay tuned.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Teddy Wilson - "Air Mail Special (take 5)" [Black Lion]
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "Ffunny Ffriends" [Fat Possum]
Hooded Fang - "ESP" [Daps Records]
Revelstoke - "We Stood Staring At The Lights" [Independent]
Daniel Isaiah - "Anita On The Banks" [Secret City Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Eric Wood and Joe Kalturnyk
Bon Iver - "Holocene" [Jagjaguwar]
Kris Ellestad - "November Steppes" [Independent]
Christa Couture - "The Most Lovely" [Independent]
Tom Waits - "Briar & The Rose" [David Lynch Foundation Music]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Frank Tuner - "Rivers" [Epitaph]
Arctic Monkeys - "Brick By Brick" [Domino]
Ministers of Cool - "Line Between The Lines" [Independent]
Cousins - "Secret Weapon" [Urbnet]
Joan Of Arc - "Howdy Pardoner" [Polyvinyl]
Forged In Fire "Scatter The Riches" [Independent]
KEN Mode - "Obeying The Iron Will" [Profound Lore]

How It Went Down - June 24, 2011

2011-06-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

So the fine gents of A Waste Odyssey joined me in the studio, though sadly we didn't have enough time before the show to get them set up in the live room for an in-studio performance (we'll have to have them back for that at a later date), but they did sit down for an interview and selected a few tracks from We Are Mourning People, their solid EP on I'm Trying Records. Then it was two straight phone interviews - the first with Swedish electronic producer Johan Ageborn and the second with Canadian indie-rock icon Joel Plaskett. Both totally swell guys to have a chat with. Podcast is up on UMFM if you missed it.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Library Voices - "Generation Handclap" [Young Soul Records]
A Waste Odyssey - "Burgundy" [I'm Trying Records]
Interview with A Waste Odyssey
A Waste Odyssey - "Middle Name Honesty" [I'm Trying Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Johan Ageborn
Johan Ageborn - "Casablanca Nights" [Paper Bag Records]
Bodies Of Water - "Open Rhythms" [Thousand Tongues]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett - "On The Rail" [New Scotland Records]
The National - "Think You Can Wait" [Mom and Pop Records]

This coming Friday is Canada Day and I'm taking the kids to the Forks, but I'll be pre-recording a show featuring a slew of great Canadian artists, and then I'll be back live in the studio on July 8th!

Friday Focus: June 24 2011

2011-06-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

This week's show is quickly coming together. I've got an in-studio with A Waste Odyssey who have a great new EP out called We Are The Mourning People. They'll be playing some songs and answering some questions. Then I've got a phoner with Canadian indie-rock icon Joel Plaskett who has a new album of b-sides and rarities. The title is entirely too long for me to type out here. And finally I've got Swedish electronic producer Johan Ageborn. Best known for his work with Sally Shapiro, his album Casablanca Nights is sure to make people more familiar with him in the coming months. And I may just have Alex Litinsky of A.M. Overcast on to talk about his awesome new record Shepherd Moon, though it hasn't been confirmed yet.

Sadly my interview with Irshad Manji about her new book Allah, Liberty & Love has been cancelled (along with a host of other press stops), but I am in the process of lining up an interview with another author for an upcoming show. Dale Barbour has written a history of Winnipeg Beach that's a pretty fascinating portrait of this northern Coney Island.
Plus I've confirmed a live performance by This Hisses on July 15th, prior to the release of their new album on Transistor 66.

On a somewhat related note, I'll be guest-hosting The Sounds Of Science tomorrow and my special guest will be Dana Moore - aka Gt. Dane - who is back in Winnipeg to celebrate the release of Mourning Yer Host. He'll be playing some songs for us and I'll be playing some new tunes from the likes of Vetiver, EDM (fka Early Day Miners), Karl Hector & The Malcouns and Dawes. Tune in, 3-5pm CST!

How It Went Down: June 17, 2011

2011-06-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

As always, lots going on here on TGIFR. My first guest of the night is Jordan Fine, who records under the moniker Fine Canadian Forces. His record, Hebrew Lessons, is a recent favourite and he joins me by phone. Also by phone is Paul Nolin, artistic director of the Jazz Winnipeg to give us the rundown on the fest (which started last night and runs til next weekend). Finally, Zoppa will be joining me for a live set and interview.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Ocote Soul Sounds - "Pathways" [ESL]
Interview with Jordan Fine of Fine Canadian Forces
Fine Canadian Forces - "Breaking It Away" [Independent]
John Maus - "Streetlight" [Ribbon Music]
Malajube - "Synesthesie" [Dare To Care]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Handsome Furs - "When I Get Back" [Sub Pop]
Interview with Paul Nolin
Robert Glasper - "Butterfly" [Blue Note]
Nat Baldwin - "Lifted" [Western Vinyl]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Zoppa - "Lovin' Train" [Live at UMFM]
Zoppa - "Somewhere Beyond The Ocean" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Zoppa
National Parks Project - "Bruce Beckons" [Last Gang Records]
Zoppa - "To Those Who Bask In the Blue" [Live at UMFM]
Charlotte Cornfield - "Construction on the Street" [Independent]

Next week I'll be joined by A Waste Odyssey for a live set and interview, plus more to be confirmed...

How It Went Down: June 10, 2011

2011-06-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

So, as promised in my last post, tonight's episode was a barn burner featuring not one, but two live bands in the studio. Kongress and The Details both put our new live band room through its paces and Mike Feuerstack talked handball and Snailhouse by phone.

The Details CD release show is tomorrow (June 11th) and if you're not able to make it to the West End, Kongress are playing alongside Salinas and The Blisters at the LO Pub.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Shad - "A Good Name" [Black Box Recordings]
Trombone Shorty - "Hurricane Season" [Verve Forecast]
Snailhouse - "Every Day" [White Whale/Forward Music]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Kongress - "Money and Cigarettes" [Live on UMFM]
Kongress - "Before The Sun" [Live on UMFM]
Kongress - "Christmas 3:16" [Live on UMFM]
Gt. Dane - "Noah, Let Yer Ark Door Slam" [The Calm Before The Music]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

The Details - "Weightless In The Dark" [Live on UMFM]
The Details - "Paperweight" [Live on UMFM]
Fine Canadian Forces - "Higher Love" [Independent]

Next week on the show I've confirmed interviews with Jazz Winnipeg Festival artistic director Paul Nolin and with Jordan Fine, the man behind Fine Canadian Forces whose Hebrew Lessons album is a recent favourite.

UMFM Open House & TGIFR

2011-06-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

So this Friday (June 10th), I'll be hosting a special broadcast of TGIFR as part of UMFM's Open House events [further details here].

And speaking of Details, I'll have Winnipeg's own pop-rock perfectionists The Details in studio to kick things off at 6:30. They'll be playing a set in our new live band room, and talking about their new record Lost Art, which gets its release at the West End on Saturday June 11th.

My second guest will be joining me by phone - Mike Feuerstack is better known as Snailhouse and is also known as one of my favourite artists - whether he's working in Wooden Stars or Snailhouse. I'll be talking to him about his latest great album, Sentimental Gentleman.

And my final guest is Kongress, who will also be gracing TGIFR with a live performance.

If you want to get in on all the action, feel free to come down to 308 University Centre at the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba between 6:30-8pm and see how live radio is made. I can't promise you'll get to go on air or anything like that, but I will have prizes for my guests and the seats are comfortable so that's something. If you can't make it down, tune in at 101.5 on the FM dial or stream it live on UMFM.

How It Went Down: May 20, 2011

2011-05-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is likely my last show for a couple weeks as baby #2 is coming no later than May 26th (next Thursday) and I'll be taking some time to stay home with the family. But I will be back for Friday June 10th, taking part in the special celebrations going on as part of UMFM's Open House (stay tuned here for some big news about my guests for that night).

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Bing Ji Ling - "Hold Tight" [Tummy Touch]
Broken Social Scene - "Texico Bitches (Star Slinger remix)" [Arts & Crafts]
Afuche - "Danice Marino" [Cuneiform Records]
The Gumshoe Strut - "Redrum (DJ Kutdown remix)" [Marathon of Dope]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Socalled - "Kid Again" [Dare To Care Records]
Mayer Hawthorne - "Little Person" [Stones Throw]
The Peaches - "Broken Magic 8-Ball Says Definitely Yes" [Independent]
Salinas - "The Review" [Independent]
Bodies Of Water - "Open Rhythms" [Thousand Tongues]
Chad Vangaalen - "Do Not Fear" [Flemish Eye/Sub Pop]
Snailhouse - "I Never Woke Up" [White Whale/Forward Music]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Sondre Lerche - "Private Caller" [Mona Records]
Katie Goes To Tokyo - "Paper Moon" [Saturday Enterprise]
Austra - "Lose It (Young Galaxy remix)" [Paper Bag Records]
Mark McLean's Playground - "Rock With You" [Independent]
Marco Castillo - "No Note Samba" [Brazilian Beats]
Dr. Victor Olaiya - "Ilu Le O" [VampiSoul]
Amon Tobin - "Goto 10" [Ninja Tune]

How It Went Down - May 13, 2011

2011-05-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Friday the 13th!!! Aaaaaah.
Nothing spooky on the show tonight though. I've got an interview with Jennifer Castle (fka Castlemusic) who has a new album on Flemish Eye, and I air an interview that James Borsa, host of Ultrasonic Film, conducted with legendary children's author Gordon Korman.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Miracle Fortress - "Raw Spectacle" [Secret City Records]
Chad Vangaalen - "Replace Me" [Flemish Eye]
Interview with Jennifer Castle
Jennifer Castle - "Power" [Flemish Eye]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Hot Blood Bombers - "Midnight Radio" [Transistor 66]
James Borsa interview with Gordon Korman

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Toolshed - "Round Table (w/ More or Les, SJ the Wordburglar, and Savillion)" [Hand'Solo Records]
Dennis Coffey - "Don't Knock My Love (feat. Fanny Franklin of Orgone)" [Strut]
Wild Beasts - "Loop The Loop" [Domino]
Jamie Woon - "Shoulda" [Candent]
Illusive Mind Gypsy Crew - "Neighborly Etiquette" [Independent]
Teen Daze - "Harvest Moon" [Universal Electricity]

**There may or may not be a show next week depending on how things shake out on the homefront, but stay tuned in the next few weeks as I'll be doing some special programming for UMFM's Open House event, and I've confirmed an interview with graphic novelist (and Mecca Normal member) David Lester about his new book, The Listener, which gets its Winnipeg launch on June 8th.

How It Went Down - May 6, 2011

2011-05-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Having moved from Winnipeg to Toronto, I was very fortunate to get acclaimed novelist Miriam Toews to come in and sit down for a talk about her latest novel, Irma Voth, while she was back in Winnipeg. I'd last talked to her about The Flying Troutmans and this interview was no less in-depth and revealing. Also revealing was a talk with guitarist Ty Citerman of New York avant-jazz quartet Gutbucket. They're on one of my favourite sleeper labels, Cuneiform, which always puts out interesting releases, including Gutbucket's latest, Flock.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Antlers - "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out" [Frenchkiss Records]
Sloan - "The Answer Was You" [Yep Roc]
Interview with Miriam Toews

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

One Hundred Dollars - "Ties That Bind" [Outside]
Okkervil River - "Piratess" [Jagjaguwar]
Panda Bear - "Friendship Bracelet" [Paw Tracks]
Austra - "Spellwork" [Paper Bag Records]
Efrem Manuel Menuck - "Kaddish For Chesnutt" [Constellation]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Gutbucket
Gutbucket - "Zero Is Short For Idiot" [Cuneiform]
James Blake - "Lindisfarne II" [Polydor]
This Is Head - "0007" [Adrian Recordings]

For my Friday the 13th episode I've got an interview with Jennifer Castle (formerly performing under the moniker Castlemusic) who has a great new album on Flemish Eye. And I may be airing an interview conducted by James Borsa, host of Ultrasonic Film, who talked to renowned children's author Gordon Korman. Stay tuned to 101.5 UMFM.

How It Went Down - April 29, 2011

2011-05-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Busy show this week - an interview with Derek Janzen who performs under the name First Nations and whose album Black Beach is one of my faves of 2011. I also spoke to Danny Vescarelli of Calgary psych-rock band Deadhorse (who were in town at the LO Pub alongside Gobble Gobble and Beauchamp on Saturday). Plus heaps of new music...

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Grimes - "Crystal Ball" [Arbutus Records]
Cantor Dust - "Open-Faced Sandwiches (By A River Of Lava)" [Independent]
Digits - "Lost Dream" [Independent]
Interview with First Nations
First Nations - "Secret Hymn" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

The Donkeys - "West Coast Raga" [Dead Oceans]
Roy Orbison - "Shadoraba" [Monument/Legacy]
Bart Davenport - "Born To Suffer" [Antenna Farm Records]
Explosions In The Sky - "Postcard From 1952" [Temporary Residence]
The Burning Hell - "Let Things Slip Away" [Weewerk]
Cass McCombs - "Pleasant Shadow Song" [Domino]
Daedelus - "French Cuffs" (feat. Baths) [Ninja Tune]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Interview with Deadhorse
Deadhorse - "Glam Central" [Saved By Radio]
John Southworth - "So Glad It's Finally Spring" [Barnyard Records]

This week, I've already got an interview wrapped up with author Miriam Toews about her new book, Irma Voth. Plus I'm scheduled to talk to avant-jazz act Gutbucket about their new record A Modest Proposal on Cuneiform Records. Stay tuned.

How It Went Down: April 22, 2011

2011-04-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Good Friday so I'm taking a break from live radio, but I did a pre-record with all sorts of great new tunes. Back next week.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Winter Gloves - "True Blue" [Paper Bag Records]
A.M. Overcast - "Sense" [Independent]
Milo and the Bad Lads - "Tonight" [Independent]
The Joy Formidable - "Whirring" [Record Store Day]
The Pickle of Love - "It's A Canned World" [Independent]
Robin Pecknold - "I'm Losing Myself" [Independent]
Laura Barrett - "La Isla Bonita" [Paper Bag Records]
Jill Barber - "Dis-Moi" [Outside Music]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo Cotonou - "Von Vo Nono" [Analog Africa]
White Dog - "FLQ" [Prairie Fire]
Gobble Gobble - "Eat Sun, Son (Second Date remix)" [Debonton]
Teen Daze - "Trouvez Votre Paix" [Cultus Vibes]
Mo Kolours - "Drum Talking" [One Handed Music]
Sun Araw - "Bump Up" [Monofonus]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Red Snapper - "In Your Backs" [V2]
Burial - "Street Halo" [Hyperdub]
Dreamboat - "Patterns" [Independent]
Teeel - "Ojai Valley" [Moodgadget Records]
Wires Under Tension - "Electricity Turns Them On" [Western Vinyl]

How It Went Down: April 15, 2011

2011-04-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had a mega-interview with Steve Burgess, author of Who Killed Mom? a memoir of his family and particularly his mother Joan. Steve and I both grew up in Brandon so I was very tempted to reminisce about certain places, but for the most part we kept it to the material in the book.

Jazz Winnipeg announced the line-up for their 2011 Festival today and I'm absolutely stoked about a few of the acts, including Robert Glasper. Be prepared for me to be pimping the shit out of this show (and the Orgone as well) since we're talking about this year's Christian Scott - a jazz artist with only a bit of name recognition but one that you don't want to sleep on.

Here's what I played tonight:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Quantic & his Combo Barbaro - "Undelivered Letter (Daedelus remix)" [Tru Thoughts]
Second Sky - "Under The Line" [Rhythm & Culture]
Matthew Joel - "Eyes Pt. 2" [Bandcamp]
Spirit Children - "Track 3" [Independent]
Heart Failure Research Unit - "Now You're Gone" [Independent]
Thao & Mirah - "How Dare You" [K Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Steve Burgess

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Robert Glasper - "No Worries" [Blue Note]
Little Scream - "Cannons" [Outside]
Sea Oleena - "Sleeplessness" [Independent]
Trouble & Strife - "My Only Hope" [Independent]

Next week is Good Friday, so it's quite likely the show will be a pre-record so I can spend the day with my family. I'll keep you posted on what'll be on the show.

How It Went Down: April 8, 2011

2011-04-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

Bit of a break from all the guests I've had of late. Was joined by singer-songwriter JP Mortier (playing the Folk Exchange tonight) for a live song and a chat, but other than that, it's all new music and not much talk.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Wagon Christ - "Accordian McShane" [Ninja Tune]
JP Mortier - "Absolution" [Live at UMFM]
JP Mortier - "Belt" [Independent]
Bombino - "Tenere" [Cumbancha]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Trio Bembe - "Yerbero Moderno" [Independent]
Royal Bangs - "Fireball" [Glassnote]
The Sea and Cake - "Up on the North Shore" [Thrill Jockey]
Twin Library - "There's Nothing Out There" [Independent]
Woodpigeon - "I Live A Lot Of Places" [Live at UMFM]
David Picco - "Made It Easy" [
Cold Cave - "Pacing Around The Church" [Matador]
Cut Copy - "Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution" [Modular Records]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Austra - "Lose It" [Domino]
Hunx and his Punx - "Tonite Tonite" [Hardly Art]
Fast Romantics - "Denim Tuxedo" [Independent]
The Awesome Hots - "Borda Patro'" [Independent]
Crissi Cochrane - "So Far Apart" [Independent]
Planeta Imaginario - "Hemangioma" [Cuneiform Records]
Deezuz - "They Don't Know (feat. Subs) [M.O.V.E.]
Zion I & The Grouch - "Healing of the Nation" [Hard Boiled]

How It Went Down - April 1, 2011

2011-04-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

BUSY BUSY BUSY show last Friday. No foolin, despite the date. First off I was joined by roots-rockers WoodShed Havoc who released their new album The Current State on Saturday at the Park Theatre. Then I spoke by phone with Raphaelle of buzz-band Braids (who played the Albert on Saturday), and finally I was joined by Winnipeg hip-hop group The Happy Unfortunate, whose CD release party is THIS Saturday, April 9th at VP Nights on Pembina.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Canadian Winter - "City Lights" [Urbnet]
WoodShed Havoc - "The Current State" [Dollartone Records]
Interview with WoodShed Havoc
WoodShed Havoc - "Suck It Sideways" [Dollartone Records]
We Are The City - "Get Happy" [Adventure Boys Club]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

The Luyas - "Too Beautiful To Work" [Idee Fixe/Dead Oceans]
Matthew Maaskant - "You Only Dream To Test Me" [Draft Tattoo]
Braids - "Native Speaker" [Flemish Eye]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

The Happy Unfortunate - "New Generation" [Spaceship Audio]
Interview the Happy Unfortunate
The Happy Unfortunate - "Heart Matters" [Spaceship Audio]
Rebel Yell - "Table Service (Fast Food)" [Independent]
The Blisters - "Attic" [I'm Trying Records]

How It Went Down: March 25, 2011

2011-03-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Well my scheduled interview with The City Streets didn't happen (it was supposed to be with the band calling in from the road, so there may have been some cellphone reception issues...), but I did talk to UK electronic artist Adham Fisher (aka AFS) and Daniel Lee of Hooded Fang (who are opening for Rural Alberta Advantage this week). The missed interview did allow me more time to play some great new music though!

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Sun Wizard - "Too Much On Your Mind" [Light Organ]
Interview with Adham Fisher
AFS - "Mother's Day Pt. 1" [Atomicduster]
AFS - "Mother's Day Pt. 2" [Atomicduster]
WoodShed Havoc - "Take It Easy" [Dollartone Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Wye Oak - "Holy Holy" [Merge]
The Head and the Heart - "Couer d'Alene" [Sub Pop]
Flying Fox & The Hunter Gatherers - "Spring" [Independent]
The Blowholes - "March of the Crabs" [Transistor 66]
PS I Love You - "Breadends" [Paper Bag Records]
The City Streets with Myrol - "This World Was Meant For Us" [Independent]
The Dodos - "Black Night" [Frenchkiss]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Boy Genius - "Pay For None" [Little Whore Records]
Boy Genius - "Enter the Manchild" [Little Whore Records]
Bibio - "Anything New" [Domino]
Timber Timbre - "Swamp Magic" [Arts & Crafts]
Hooded Fang - "Highway Steam" [Independent]

Next week on the show I've got an interview with Braids, and I'll be joined in the studio by The Happy Unfortunate and WoodShed Havoc.

How It Went Down: March 18, 2011

2011-03-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Totally forgot to recap last week's episode, but I had a busy night. I was joined by the folks behind I'm Trying Records, the organizers of Cluster Festival and an interview with jazz trumpeter Brownman Ali (Guru's Jazzmatazz).

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Dennis Coffey - "All Your Goodies Are Gone" feat. Mayer Hawthorne [Strut]
Zoppa - "Lester" [I'm Trying Records]
The Hoots - "Smoke Rings" [I'm Trying Records]
Little House - "It Wasn't A Binge (She Said, She Said) [I'm Trying Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

A Waste Odyssey - "Burgundy" [I'm Trying Records]
The Riderless - "Pacific" [Independent]
Jonny Greenwood - "Iiko Dakare Damatette" [Nonesuch]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Brownman Electryc Trio - "Yesteryear" [Browntasaurus Records]
Acid House Kings - "Would You Say Stop?" [Labrador]
Elizabeth Shepherd - "Seven Bucks" [Do Right!]

How It Went Down: March 11, 2011

2011-03-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

Joined in the studio by local songstress Katie Murphy who discusses her latest record, Exes and Uh Ohs, and a recorded interview with Roberto Gyemant (Beto) - one of the three people responsible for the latest compilation from Soundway Records, Cartagena!

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Warm Ghost - "Claws Overhead" [Partisan Records]
Ensemble - "Things I Forget" [FatCat Records]
Katie Murphy - "Oooo! (She's Got A Lot Going On!)" [Independent]
Katie Murphy - "I Can't Wait Much More" [Live on TGIFR]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Katie Murphy - "Feels So Good" [Independent]
Young The Giant - "Apartment" [Roadrunner Records]
Woodland Telegraph - "Little Seed Rising (for Percy Schmeiser)" [Northern Folklore]
Slow Down, Molasses - "Light The Coast" [Little Pictures Recording Concern]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Lucho Bermudez y su Orquesta - "Fiesta De Negritos" [Soundway]
Those Dancing Days - "Help Me Close My Eyes" [Wichita]
The Baseball Project - "Ichiro Goes To The Moon" [Yep Roc]
Junior Boys - "EP" [Domino]

Next week I'll be joined by the folks behind I'm Trying Records, a new label here in Winnipeg that is preparing for an upcoming showcase. They'll give us a preview of their roster and talk about what it means to be a label these days.

How It Went Down - March 4, 2010

2011-03-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

Sadly, my scheduled interview with Beto, one of the three minds behind Soundway Records new comp, Cartagena! (chronicling some really sweet Columbian music circa 1962-72) didn't happen as scheduled. We're hoping to make it happen next week, but for tonight it was all music. Lots and lots.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Los Hermanos Latinos - "Baria Cumbia" (Cosas remix) [Unreleased]
Lykke Li - "Youth Knows No Pain" [
The Carps - "New York Lights" [Urbnet]
Austra - "Beat and the Pulse (Steffi Bass Break Dub)" [Domino]
Two Bicycles - "Alone At Sea" [Bandcamp]
Blackbird Blackbird - "Hawaii (Bear Mountain remix)" [Unreleased]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Junior Boys and Young Rival - "The Ocean" [Unreleased]
Watermelon Slim and the Workers - "You're The One I Need" [Northern Blues]
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "Espanola Kolo" [LM Dupli-Cation]
Rembetika Hipsters - "Oi Glaroi (The Seagulls)" [Socrates Pizza Recordings]
Shugo Tokumaru - "Tracking Elevator" [Polyvinyl]
Papercuts - "I'll See You Later I Guess" [Sub Pop]
The Luyas - "Tiny Head" [Idee Fixe/Dead Oceans]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Christine Fellows - "Traversee" [Six Shooter Records]
Sister Crayon - Still The Same Person" [Manimal]
Miles Jones - "Never Wrong (remix)" [Urbnet]
Acrylics - "Sparrow Song (feat. Caroline Polachek)" [Terrible Records]
Betty Burke - "Brink of Extinction" [Blocks Recording Co.]
The Liptonians - "You Know I Did" [Head In The Sand]
D-Sisive - "No More Words" [Urbnet]
Los Calenas Son Como Las Flores - "Las Calenas (Los Hermanos Latinos remix)" [Unreleased]

How It Went Down - February 18, 2011

2011-02-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

I was actually on the road to the Twin Cities (and a little tour of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featured restaurants) when my show aired on Friday. But it was a heck of a pre-record that I left in my absence. Interviews with VANOC CEO John Furlong who has written a memoir of the games, Patriot Hearts; Jim Bryson who recorded The Falcon Lake Incident with Winnipeg's own The Weakerthans; and Sweden's The Radio Dept.

Here's what was played on the show:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Los Seven Del Swing - "Silencio" [Soundway]
The Vibrating Beds - "Some Kind of Fool" [Transistor 66]
Harley Shit Fingers and the Bogus Gambler - "Very Large Snowfall" [Little Whore Records]
Interview with The Radio Dept.
The Radio Dept. - "Never Follow Suit" [Labrador]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with John Furlong

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Banjo Or Freakout - "Idiot Rain" [Rare Book Room Records]
Matt Epp and the Amorian Assembly - "Don't Let The Sun Go Down" [Independent]
Interview with Jim Bryson
Jim Bryson with the Weakerthans - "Constellation" [Maple Music]
Asobi Seksu - "Perfectly Crystal" [Polyvinyl]

How It Went Down - February 11 2011

2011-02-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

So, just one interview tonight. But it was a gooder. Gern F from the United Steel Workers of Montreal took a break from the No Breaks, No Brains tour to talk about life on the road and preparing for a new album.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Les Sexy - "Grotesque" [Independent]
Oh My Darling - "Love Me, Love Me Not" [Independent]
Akron/Family - "Light Emerges" [Dead Oceans]
Elizabeth Shepherd - "Heavy Falls The Night" [Do Right!]
Lia Ices - "Daphne" [Jagjaguwar]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Gern F. of United Steel Workers of Montreal
United Steel Workers of Montreal - "Shot Tower" [Weewerk]
Peter Elkas - "Misery" [
Miesha & The Spanks - "Until You're Lovin' Me" [Transistor 66]
Mogwai - "Mexican Grand Prix" [Sub Pop]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Fujiya & Miyagi - "Cat Got Your Tongue" [Yep Roc Records]
Neon Legion - "Wicked Men" [AAM]
TV Girl - "If You Want It" [Bandcamp]
Young Galaxy - "We Have Everything" [Paper Bag Records]
Enjoy Your Pumas - "Do It Every Day" [Independent]
Quasimode - "Conglis Strut" [Sonar Kollectiv]

Next week I'll be away on a little Louis Riel day holiday, but I'm putting together a pre-recorded show that will include interviews with VANOC CEO John Furlong about his new book Patriot Hearts, and Jim Bryson about his record and tour with the Weakerthans.

How It Went Down - February 4 2011

2011-02-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

Talking to Vancouver band Behind Sapphire via phone from Brandon (they'll be in Winnipeg playing Le Garage tomorrow night) and I sat down with U of M linguistics prof Jila Ghomeshi for a lengthy interview about her book Grammar Matters.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Carps - "Bo Jackson" [Urbnet]
heRajiKa Tracks - "Shigure" [Introducing Productions]
Interview with Steven from Behind Sapphire
Behind Sapphire - "Waiting By The Satellites" [Musebox/Independent]
Amos Lee - "Hello Again" [Blue Note]
Matija Dedic Trio - "Angst" [Origin Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Twin Sister - "Phenomenons (Beauchamp remix)" [Unreleased]
Interview with Jila Ghomeshi

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

The Liptonians - "Hey! Hey! Help Is On The Way!" [Head In The Sand]
Apex Manor - "I Know These Waters Well" [Merge]
Shotgun Jimmie - "King Of Kreuzberg" [You've Changed Records]
Jamie Woon - "Blue Truth" [Unreleased]

Still working on my guests for next week, but stay tuned for details.

How It Went Down - January 28 2011

2011-02-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

So it was a busy show and my first in the comfortable confines of the newly renovated broadcast studio. Winnipeg duo Alpha Couple joined me first and while Gregory Pepper called in to talk Common Grackle, his project with Factor, Christine Fellows paid an in-person visit to deliver and discuss her new album, Femme De Chez Nous.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Ream Daranoi - "Fai Yen" [Soundway]
Interview with Alpha Couple
Alpha Couple - "Stealing Ink" [Independent]
Twin - "Prairie Loon" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Gregory Pepper of Common Grackle
Common Grackle - "All The Pawns" [Fake Four]
Enjoy Your Pumas - "Weight Of The Circles" [Independent]
Deerhoof - "Secret Mobilization" [Polyvinyl]
Yann Tiersen - "Ashes" [Anti-]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Christine Fellows - "Antipodes" [Six Shooter Records]
Interview with Christine Fellows
Destroyer - "Chinatown" [Merge]
Cut Copy - "Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution" [Modular]

**The show on February 4th may include a phoner with Behind Sapphire (who are playing Le Garage on Saturday the 5th), though sadly an interview with Swedish pop geniuses Radio Dept. has been pushed back to the February 11th show. Feb 4th will also include an in-depth interview with U of M Linguistics prof Jila Ghomeshi about her new book Grammar Matters.

How It Went Down: January 14, 2011

2011-01-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

A reverb-drenched phone interview with Jon Cohen of the Jon Cohen Experimental (thanks to a crazy payphone somewhere on the road to Thunder Bay) and a talk with Les Jupes frontman Mike Petkau Falk (whose Modern Myths CD release party is TOMORROW night).

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Igor Boxx - Breslau [Ninja Tune]
Jenn Grant - Getcha Good [Six Shooter Records]
Interview with Jon Cohen
Jon Cohen Experimental - Nightmare/Over [Independent]
Broken Records - A Leaving Song [4AD]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Blue Hawaii - Dream Electrixra [Arbutus Records]
Charlotte Cornfield - Someday [Independent]
Interview with Mike Petkau Falk
Les Jupes - This Place Owes Us [Head In The Sand]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

MaSuper Star - Matichara [Masalacism Records]
Thank You - Birth Reunion [Thrill Jockey]
Twilight Hotel - Frozen Town [Independent]
Breathe Owl Breathe - Dogwalkers Of The New Age [Hometapes]
J Rawls - Two Girls [Polar Ent.]

How It Went Down - January 7 2011

2011-01-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

Kicking the year off right with some great guests in the studio (and really testing the capacity/capabilities of the temporary studio space while renovations continue). John Smith joined me to talk about his new record It's True Because It Rhymes, available now on Marathon of Dope.

Romi Mayes came in and played a few live songs to give a bit of a taste of what her live album recording will be like this Friday, January 14, 2011. Great stuff as always.

The show this week is preempted for Bison Hockey.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

John Smith - Underdogs [Marathon of Dope]
John Smith - You Ain't Never Been feat. Hellnback [Marathon of Dope]
Destroyer - Kaputt [Merge]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Les Jupes - Someone Lit A Fire Under Kruschev [Head In The Sand]
Romi Mayes - The Other Dame [Live on UMFM]
Romi Mayes - Heavy Heart [Live on UMFM]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Lighty Singers of Ellis, SC - In The Morning When The Trumpet Sounds [Mississippi Records]
Steve Earle and Allison Moorer - After The Fire Is Gone [Sony]
Melissa Laveaux - Needle In The Hay [Spectra Musique]
Laura Peek - Laundry [Just Friends]
Alpha Couple - Edna Pontellier [Independent]
Teddy Hotbody pronounced Holtby - I'm The Coolest [Bandcamp]
The Bongolian - Talking Synth [Blow Up Records]

How It Went Down - December 17, 2010

2010-12-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Last TGIFR of the year since both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fall on Fridays this year and there will be seasonal programming preempting regular shows for both those days (though DEFINITELY tune in for NYE since Station Manager Jared McKetiak and I will be doing a mega-countdown of our Top 20 songs and albums of the year).

This was a bit of an early Christmas present for me as I was joined in the booth by two of my favourite guests: Christopher Samms who was talking about the dissolution of Not Animals and their last show on December 22nd at the LO. Dane, aka Birdapres, came by with preview tracks from Catch an L, his new record due out in 2011, and some choice vinyl from his forays as a crate-digger.

Also, R.I.P. to Don Van Vliet, who died on the 17th...

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band - I'm Glad [Buddha Records]
Not Animals - Magical Yes [Independent]
Not Animals - All My Hearts [Independent]
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy (End Titles) [Walt Disney Records]
D-Sisive - First Winter [Urbnet]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Ed Peekeekoot - Huron Carol [Independent]
Ox - Good King Wenceslas [Cosmic Dave's Record Factory]
Rev. Louis Overstreet - Holiness Dance [Mississippi Records]
Birdapres - Busy Signal [Marathon of Dope]
Jay Bolotin - It's All In That [Locust]
Birdapres - Hayseeds [Marathon of Dope]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Birdapres - The Best Reuben [Marathon of Dope]
Mousso Doumbia - Yeye Mousso [Mississippi Records]
Gil-Scott Heron and Brian Jackson - Angola, Louisiana [Arista]
Pumpkin - King Of The Beat [Profile Records]
Slick Rick - It's A Boy (Large Professor Remix) [Def Jam]
Ricki Ilillonga & Musi-O-Tunya - Mpondolo [Stones Throw]

Back on January 7th when I'll be joined in studio by Romi Mayes for a live session and interview!!

How It Went Down - December 10, 2010

2010-12-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

A busy show that was supposed to be busier. The Afterbeat (who are holding a CD release party this Saturday, December 18th, for their self-titled record) didn't end up making it down to the station, but I was still joined in studio by Gareth Williams of True Hussars who played some new material due out early 2011, and by drummer Curtis Nowosad and Ismaila Alfa of Magnum KI to talk about their performance as part of the Jazz Winnipeg Nu Sounds Series. Good times talking about the intersections between jazz and hip-hop.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

French Horn Rebellion - This Moment [Independent]
True Hussars - Forever Ending [Grumpy Cloud]
Interview with Gareth Williams
True Hussars - Pulled To It
Beekeeper - Pinwheel Revolution [Independent]
Michael Rault - Call Me On The Phone [Pirates Blend]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Robyn - Indestructible [Konichiwa/Cherrytree]
Jamie Woon - Night Air [Polydor]
DJ Kutdown - Just Another Fool, Instrumental [Foultone]
Abstract Artform - Understand (feat. Flo Soul & Birdapres) [Independent]
McEnroe - Keeping The Faith [Peanuts & Corn]
Cadence Weapon - On With A +1 (feat. Derek from Northcliffe) [Upper Class]
Antiphony - Such Great Heights [Independent]
Cradle Orchestra - The Night Is Right feat. Giovanca [Palette Sounds]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

The Afterbeat - Worth A Try [Independent]
Mise En Scene - Red Lips & Ray Bans [Independent]
Russell Gunn - Epistrophy [Justin Time]
Interview with Curtis Nowosad and Ismaila Alfa
Flying Lotus - Do The Astral Plane [Warp]

This Friday, the 17th, I'll be joined by some long-time favourite guests: Christopher Samms (formerly of Tigerrr Beat and soon-to-be-formerly-of Not Animals, since we'll be talking about NA's last show) and Birdapres, who'll be bringing in his brand-new album and some choice finds on wax to regale us with.

How It Went Down - December 3, 2010

2010-12-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

Because it coincided with a workplace Christmas party, the December 3rd edition of TGIFR was a pre-recorded affair with some interviews I conducted during the few weeks I was preempted by Bison Hockey. That and my now-annual-tradition of "Dave Cooks A Turkey." Podcast is available in the usual spot...

Here's the rundown:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Unknown Mizery - "Empty Handed Warrior" [Independent]
Stuart McLean - "Dave Cooks A Turkey" [CBC]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Cris Derksen - "Smile At Me" [Independent]
Interview with David Sedaris about Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Interview with Ken Dryden about Becoming Canada

How It Went Down - November 12 2010

2010-11-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

Spoke to John K. Samson about the Correction Line Ensemble and the EP Provincial 222, joined by Aaron and Jaxon of the D. Rangers to talk about their LAST show and a phoner with Edmonton husband & wife act F&M who are playing Ragpickers on Friday the 19th.

The next two weeks TGIFR will be preempted for Bison Hockey broadcasts, but we'll be back in full force in December with some special guests and interesting interviews...

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Bent By Elephants - I Can't Have You [Independent]
Correction Line Ensemble - Petition [Independent]
Interview with John K. Samson
Correction Line Ensemble - The Last And [Independent]
Phono D'Enfant - A Loving Part [Independent]
Kacey Johansing - Many Seasons [Porto Franco Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

D. Rangers - Cherokee Surf [Dollartone Records]
Interview with Aaron & Jaxon of the D. Rangers
D. Rangers - We Stay High and Lonesome [Dollartone Records]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Michael Rault - The Things You Said [Pirate's Blend]
Interview with F&M
F&M - This Winter Revisited - Sincerely, F&M [Shameless Records]
Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk - Speak to Me [Independent]
Norah Jones & Talib Kweli - Soon The New Day [Blue Note]

How It Went Down - October 29 2010

2010-10-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

So, for the first time in a while, the show went exactly as planned. I had Maygen Kardash from SK band Violent Kin (playing the LO Pub on November 3rd) join me by phone and the folks behind Call/Response talked about the progress for the project and their big fundraiser next Friday and lastly we had Amanda Yusishen, the organizer of Tell - Tales from the 204.

Here's what I played in between interviews:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Len Bowen - Big Dreamer [Urbnet]
Teen Daze - Everywhere [Independent]
Violent Kin - Wolf [Independent]
Sun Airway - Shared Piano [Dead Oceans]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Breathe Owl Breathe - Own Stunts [Hometapes]
Bokononists - The Future Is Dead [Independent]
The Details - Surface Breaks [Independent]
The High Dials - I'm Over You (I Hope It's True) [Rainbow Quartz]
Eskmo - You Go, I See That [Ninja Tune]
Humans - Mon Ton Ton II [Blood & Water]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Jess Reimer - Sweet Darling and Sorrow [Independent]
Sara Mitra - Sunday Morning [Build An Ark]
Grimes - Sagrad [Arbutus Records]
Little Dragon - Runabout [Peacefrog]
The Very Best feat. Mo Laudi - Angonde (Remix) [Crammed Discs]

Next week we'll be talking to Winnipeg MC Len Bowen about his new EP and my interview with John Ralston Saul will likely air as well.

How It Went Down - October 22 2010

2010-10-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

No interview with Andrew Collier about the American Association move for the Goldeyes, but hopefully in the near future we can catch up with him about what that entails. We did talk to Jen McDonald, one of the Red River College Cre.Comm. students behind MyTweet5 and the interview with Jeff Rubin about his scarily interesting book was equally interesting.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Dirty Projectors - I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine [Unreleased]
The Winks - Bookface [Oh!]
Interview with Jen McDonald
Amanita Bloom - Something You Said [Machette Records]
Open Fields - Son, You Better Wake Up [Independent]
The Mohawk Lodge - Let Go [White Whale Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Women - Heat Distraction [Flemish Eye]
Avey Tare - Ghost Of Books [Paw Tracks]
Interview with Jeff Rubin

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Violent Kin - Wolf [Independent]
The Hundred In The Hands - Young Aren't Young [Warp]
Diamond Rings - You & Me [Secret City Records]
Cloud Nothings - Can't Stay Awake [Carpark]
Construction & Destruction - Nightshade [The Quarantine]
Ebo Taylor - Mizin [Strut]
El Guincho - Bombay [Young Turks]

Confirmed for next week is Amanada Yusishen talking about TELL - Tales From The 204, and my interview with John Ralston Saul has been recorded and is ready for air (sadly, Joseph Boyden couldn't join us) and I'm looking at also having Violent Kin on the phone prior to their show in Winnipeg on November 3rd.

How It Went Down - October 15 2010

2010-10-18T10:01:00.001-07:00

Friday was a fairly packed show that included an interview with Jim Demos of the Dead Letters (and formerly of National Monument) who played Freud's Bathhouse on Friday night. We were also joined in the studio by Mike Petkau Falk of Head In The Sand who talked about the label/collective and premiered a new Les Jupes track.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Mama Cutsworth - These Eyes remix [Unreleased]
DJ Brace - NH1 [Independent]
DJ Brace - NH2 [Independent]
Interview with Jim Demos of Dead Letters
Dead Letters - War [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Sunbears! - Desert Valley Nights [Lost Cause Records]
Belle and Sebastian - Come on Sister [Matador]
Olenka & the Autumn Lovers - Odessa [Oh!]
Allie Hughes - Not The Stars [Musebox]
Wolf People - Tiny Circle [Jagjaguwar]
Deerhunter - Revival Sailing [4AD]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

K. Frimpong and his Cubano Fiestas - Me Yee Owu Den [Analog Africa]
The Meligrove Band - Make Believe It [Nevado Records]
Les Jupes - The Mountain [Head In The Sand]
Interview with Mike Petkau Falk
Clinic & Sui Zhen - Tell Me Once [Red Bull Music Academy]

Coming up this week, we're going to be talking to a group of CreComm students at Red River about a project they've created called MyTweet5, Dom Lloyd (my co-host on the Bench Jockeys) and I will talk to Andrew Collier about the Winnipeg Goldeyes moving to the American Association and there may be interviews with economist & author Jeff Rubin about his book Why Your World Is About To Get A Whole Lot Smaller and possibly Joseph Boyden and John Ralston Saul about the two latest entries in the Extraordinary Canadians series written by the pair.

How It Went Down: September 24, 2010

2010-09-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight on the show, I spoke to Randy Frykas, director of Call To Arms, a documentary about the fabled Royal Albert Arms about the DVD release of his film. Joined in the studio by my brother-in-law Kevin Klimczak, we talked about his experience biking the Manitoba portion of the Trans Canada Trail and auditing the current condition of the trail. Finally I spoke to acclaimed author (and former Winnipegger) Sandra Birdsell about her latest novel, Waiting For Joe.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

The Baseball Project feat. Craig Finn - Don't Call Them Twinkies [Yep Roc]
Hot Panda - Evil Nature [Mint Records]
Interview with Randy Frykas
Kids On Fire - Pure Passion For The Desperate Masses [Transistor 66]
Paper Lions - Lost The War [Common Law Records]
Rah Rah - Arrows [Young Soul Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Interview with Kevin Klimczak
John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up Everybody (feat. Common & Melanie Fiona) [Columbia]
Teen Daze - Saviour [Arcade Sound]
DVAS - Ambient Room [Upper Class Recordings]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Interview with Sandra Birdsell

Next week's show will be preempted by the Bison Football broadcast so unfortunately we won't be able to sit down with Mat from Boats, but I'm working on some great stuff for the 8th of October including the Mennonite Godfather, Mike Petkau discussing the latest Head In The Sand goings-on, Library Voices talking about their latest Denim On Denim and more. Stay tuned!

How It Went Down - September 17, 2010

2010-09-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Realized I haven't recapped last week's episode yet, but here goes:
Spoke with Dave Monks, the bassist for Tokyo Police Club, who are playing the Garrick on September 26th about charity work, rewarding their audience and more. Then I talked to local artist Mr. Ghosty about the Nuit Blanche event at the WAG called "Gr8 Bits" - it's all about video game art and sounded pretty cool from what I could make out with Ghosty's phone connection.

As for what I played, here's the set list:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Teen Daze - No Regrets [Arcade Sound]
Billy Rockwell - Slomo [Balanced Records]
Crush Buildings - The Minutes [Independent]
Electric Sunset - Palace [K Records]
Revolver - Leave Me Alone [Astralwerks]
Allie Hughes - Not The Stars [Independent]
Dinosaur Feathers - Vendela Vida [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Tokyo Police Club - Bambi [Dine Alone Records]
Mice Parade - In Between Times [FatCat Records]
Secret Cities - Slacker [Northern Vinyl]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Andreya Triana - A Town Called Obsolete [Ninja Tune]
Chocolate Genius - Enough For You [One Little Indian]
Jamie Lidell - It's A Kiss [Warp]
Citizen Sound - Trouble (feat. Ammoye) [Balanced Records]
J57 - Frogger [Balanced Records]
Mind Kontrol Ultra - Genuine Beef [Independent]

This coming Friday (September 24th) I'll be joined in the studio by my brother-in-law Kevin Klimczak who is in the midst of a 'trail audit' of the Manitoba portion of the Trans-Canada Trail. He's biking hundreds of kilometers taking notes and photos of the condition of the trail to help make improvements for users going forward and has some interesting stories from his journey.
I've also got an interview with acclaimed novelist Sandra Birdsell (a former Winnipegger) about her new novel, Waiting For Joe, that I just conducted this afternoon in which she delves into the inspiration for the book.
I'll also be giving away tickets to see Hot Hot Heat, so tune in from 6:30 - 8pm CST to win!

In coming weeks, I'll be talking to Library Voices, Head In The Sand's Mike Petkau, Boats, DVAS and more, so stay tuned!

How It Went Down: September 10, 2010

2010-09-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

Back after a wonderful holiday with the family with a busy show. Talked to Maya of B.C. punk duo The Pack A.D. about contests, touring with Nomeansno and coming to Winnipeg. Also had a lengthy conversation with award-winning novelist Jane Urquhart about her latest book, Sanctuary Line.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Aloe Blacc - Take Me Back [Stones Throw]
Dubmatix - Struggle (feat. Dennis Alcapone) [Renegade Rocker]
Interview with The Pack A.D.
The Pack A.D. - B.C. Is On Fire [Mint]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Prince Rama - Raghupati [Carpark Records]
Miesha & The Spanks - Mean Face [Transistor 66]
Interview with Jane Urquhart

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Azure Ray - Make Your Heart [Saddle Creek]
Depatterning - The Veteran's Land Act [Independent]
Four Tet - Angel Echoes (Caribou Remix) [Domino]
Tokyo Police Club - Breakneck Speed [Dine Alone Records]

How It Went Down: August 27, 2010

2010-08-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

No guests or interviews tonight, but plenty of new music so here's the rundown...

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Jukebox The Ghost - Schizophrenia [Yep Roc]
Rich Aucoin - Push [Sonic Records]
LeBeato - Sunny Places [Dublum Records]
Bear In Heaven - Drug A Wheel (High Places remix) [Hometapes]
O Paon - Raffinerie (metal sur mer) [Independent]
Gianna Lauren - Become What You Can't Be [Forward Music Group]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

High Watt Electrocutions - The Bermuda Triangle [Introspection Records]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Les Savy Fav - Sleepless In Silver Lake [Frenchkiss Records]
Eels - Spectacular Girl [E Works]
PS I Love You - 2012 [Paper Bag Records]
Film School - Heart Full Of Pentagons [Hi-Speed Soul]
Common Grackle - Thank God It's Monday (feat. Kool Keith) [Fake Four]

How It Went Down, August 20 2010

2010-08-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

So we talked to Winnipeg's Crooked Brothers tonight about their Vinyl-release-party on August 27th at the Park. The band is excited to be re-releasing Deathbed Pillowtalk in 12-inch glory. Other than that, there was a whack of new music at the station and a valiant attempt was made to get through some of it...

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Lady Daisey - Soul Strut [BBE]
!!! - Steady As The Sidewalk Cracks [Warp]
Cryptowen - Xylem Phloem [Independent]
Miles Davis - Spanish Key (Alternate Take) [Columbia/Legacy]
Winter Gloves - Use Your Lips [Paper Bag Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

The Gertrudes - Blackbird and Cedar [Apple Crisp Records]
Rodney DeCroo - River Boat [Northern Electric]
Crooked Brothers - You Can't Tell Me [Transistor 66]
Luke Doucet & the White Falcon - The Ballad of Ian Curtis [Six Shooter]
Land Of Talk - Quarry Hymns [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Ami Saraiya - Lullaby Song [Team Clermont]
Eric Chenaux w/ Ryan Driver - Warm Charleston [Constellation]
Siskiyou - Everything I Have [Constellation]
Royal Wood - When Nothing's Left [Maple Music]
Quest For Fire - Confusion's Home [Tee Pee Records]
Comeback Kid - The Concept Stays [Distort]

Thanks for tuning in, and remember that podcasts of past episodes are available here.

How It Went Down, August 13, 2010

2010-08-13T19:04:00.001-07:00

So tonight's episode didn't end up featuring the director of the documentary Babies as we couldn't coordinate an interview. However, I did manage to connect with Devon of Pop Winds and Claire of Grimes who are on tour and rolling through Winnipeg on August 20th at the LO Pub for a decent chat.

Winnipeg's own Crooked Brothers are confirmed for next week with more to come...

Here's the playlist from tonight's episode:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Matthew Larkin Cassell - Heaven [Stones Throw]
Nick Rosen - African Sun [Porter Records]
Brian Browne Trio - And I Love Her [CBC JazzImage]
Edward Sharpe & The Magnificent Zeros - Home [Vagrant]
S. Carey - We Fell [Jagjaguwar]
Damien Jurado - Cloudy Shoes [Secretly Canadian]
The Baseball Project - (Do The) Triple Crown [ESPN]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Pop Winds - Fools [Arbutus Records]
Interview with Devon (Pop Winds) & Claire (Grimes)
Grimes - Grisgris [Arbutus Records]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Common Grackle - At The Grindcore Show [Fake Four]
Woodpigeon - I Love U When You're Walkin' Away [Gooseberry Records]
Firebonfire - Interview [Independent]
Beauchamp - Pigeons (JPEG remix) [Independent]
El Michaels Affair - Hung Up On My Baby [Fastlife]
Katherine Penfold - Please Forgive Me [Independent]
Azaxx - Autumn Dreamy (Hint remix) [Tru Thoughts]

This week, last week and the one prior...

2010-08-09T16:17:00.001-07:00

Well, I may or may not have an interview with the director of Babies on the show this Friday (lucky August 13th...), as well as Grimes and Pop Winds who are playing the LO Pub on the 23rd. The details of all these interviews have yet to be confirmed so tune in from 6:30-8pm CST to find out.

_________________________________________

As for the past two weeks, well on the All-Islendingadagurinn episode on July 30th, I spoke to Bryce of Vitaminsforyou, Tyler of Said the Whale and Robbie Rousseau of Gimli's Alternative Folk Fest (aka the man who put it all together.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Beauchamp - Pigeons [Independent]
Said The Whale - Plans For The Future [Hidden Pony]
Stornoway - Zorbing [4AD]
Jens Lekman - The End Of The World Is Bigger Than Love [Unreleased]
The Swell Season - Young Hearts Run Free [Levi's Sessions]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Rae Spoon - We Can't Be Lovers With These Guns On Each Other [Saved By Radio]
The Provincial Archive - Trading Thrills [Bedrooms & Basements]
Shapes & Sizes - Time Has Practically Stopped [Asthmatic Kitty]
Half-Court Prayer - The Right Word For The Job [Independent]
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Hurrah [Dead Oceans]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Jackpine - Abe [Dollartone Records]
Modern Field Recordings - Make A Life [Independent]
Will Bonness - It Never Entered My Mind [Independent]
Light Pollution - Good Feelings (CSLSX remix) [Unreleased]

_____________________________________________

On Friday August 6th, my guests were Devon Latimer from the Trout Forest festival, and Ben Jones with the Rainbow Trout fest (all sorts of trout...). Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Cyclist - Point Blank [Dublum Records]
Best Coast - When The Sun Don't Shine [Mexican Summer]
Del Barber - Coming Home With The Summer [Broken Ground]
Pearly Gate Music - Navy Blues [Barsuk]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Nestor Wynrush - So High [Marathon of Dope]
Foals - Miami [Sub Pop]
Sonny Hennig - 1000 Tips zum Uberleben [B-Music/Finders Keepers]
The Birthday Cakes - Poltergeist [Musebox]
Crabskull - Sacred Herbs Dub 1 [Independent]
Luisa Maita - Mire E Veja [Cumbancha]
Dean & Britta - I Found It Not So [Double Feature]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Colleen & Paul - The Ladybug Song [Boompa]
Versus - Invincible Hero [Merge]
Cheering For The Bad Guy - Friday Nights [Independent]
Eamon McGrath - Dark End Of The Street [White Whale Records]
The Darby and Joan Club - Lost My Stereo [Independent]

Get thee to Gimli...

2010-07-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

This Friday's TGIFR is shaping up to be an all-Islendingadagurinn episode with an interview with Vitaminsforyou, Said the Whale and the brains behind all the great music featured as part of the shenanigans, Robbie Rousseau.

Tune in at 6:30 PM on 101.5 FM or at umfm.com as usual!

First comment wins a prize...

2010-07-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

That's right. Like I annouced on TGIFR this evening, first person to comment on this episode will win a pair of tickets to see interview subject The Wilderness of Manitoba play the West End Cultural Centre on July 31 courtesy of the good folks at the WECC. Tell me what you thought of the show, or if you have any suggestions or criticisms - it's all welcome.

To recap tonight - we talked to Melissa Dalton from the aforementioned Wilderness of Manitoba, as well as to 20-year-old singer-songwriter Daniel Moir who is on the road in support of his album (called, fittingly, Road) and coming to Winnipeg August 1st at the Park Theatre.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

News - Ooo La La [Yoga/Riverman]
The Mountains & The Trees - Goodbye Little Town [Independent]
Interview with The Wilderness of Manitoba
The Wilderness Of Manitoba - Summer Fires [Verite]
Cheering For The Bad Guy - Jesus Was A Cowboy [Independent]
Effect & Cause - Lost [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Mats Oberg Trio - Lullaby Of Nerdland [Svensk Music]
School Of Seven Bells - Dust Devils [Vagrant]
Menomena - Tithe [Barsuk]
Black Mountain - Old Fangs [Jagjaguwar]
Ultra Mega - Yeah [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

The Provincial Archive - You Roll Like Raindrops [Bedrooms & Basements]
Matthew and the Birds - Raining Meow [Independent]
Daniel Moir - Sundrunk [Independent]
Friendly Rich & The Lollipop People - The Grapefruit League [Pumpkin Pie Corporation]
Said The Whale - This Winter I Retire [Pop Machine]

So far for next week, I've confirmed an interview with Bryce from Vitaminsforyou and we'll likely be talking to Rob Rousseau about this year's amazing Islendingadagurinn line-up (which features Vitaminsforyou) and possibly one more act from the bill. Stay tuned!

How It Went Down - June 18 2010

2010-06-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

So, lots of music on the most recent show, jammed in between two solid interviews. We talked to Tillie of Montreal band Valleys about their album Sometimes Water Kills People and their upcoming show at the LO (Wednesday, June 23rd with Jane Vain). We also spoke to Elisapie Isaac about her two shows at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival and what she's been up to since she released There Will Be Stars last year.

[**Just a heads-up. In addition to the Valleys show, local act From Giants will be releasing their great new record, Wake Up Oh Sleeper, at the Park Theatre that night and two great out-of-town acts - Field Assembly & Gianna Lauren will be performing at Ragpickers. Get out and see one of these shows!!**]

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Aloe Blacc - Take Me Back [Stones Throw]
The Budos Band - Hidden Hand [Daptone Records]
The City Streets - Irish Rose [Clamour Records]
Interview with Valleys
Valleys - Tan Lines [Semiprini Records]
From Giants - Something About A Kingdom [Trailer 10]
Jose James & Jef Neve - Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You [Impulse]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

The Wilderness Of Manitoba - Hardship Acres [Delaware House Records]
Christopher Smith - Paper Chains [Boompa]
Interview with Elisapie Isaac
Elisapie Isaac - Turning My Back [Universal/Pheromone]
Tame Impala - Alter Ego [Modular Records]
Tokyo Police Club - Breakneck Speed [Dine Alone Records]
Teenage Fanclub - Shock And Awe [Merge]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Robyn - Dancing On My Own [Konichiwa/Cherrytree/Interscope]
Ratatat - Neckbrace [XL Recordings]
Sam Spence - Ringo [B-Music/Finders Keepers]
Here We Go Magic - Hibernation [Secretly Canadian]
Polymaths - The Longest Bridge Over The Shortest Expanse Of Water [Urban Planning Records]
Bishop Morocco - White City [Hand Drawn Dracula]
SSRIs - You And I [Independent]
La Strada - Go Forward [Ernest Jenning Co.]
The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra - Granada Pt. 2 [Musebox]

The episode is available as a podcast on UMFM's website.

Recapping June 11th and looking ahead...

2010-06-15T14:22:00.001-07:00

So I dropped the ball on Friday. I was supposed to have local rapper Pip Skid on to talk about the Marathon of Dope 2nd Anniversary bash, but I couldn't find his # to give him a call. I feel pretty bad about that one and I hope if you went to the bash on Saturday that you had a great time.

The show was pretty busy anyway with both James Struthers and Del Barber dropping by for a chat. Del brought his guitar in and played a little live number for us as well which was a treat.

This Friday we'll be joined by Winnipeg Jules who is gearing up to take over Free Range Monday starting on June 28th, we'll have Semiprini artists Valleys (who are playing the LO Pub on June 23rd) by phone [**and we have guestlist spots and a copy of their great album for giveaway**], and we'll have a look at the sure-shot picks for this years Jazz Winnipeg Festival.

Here's what was played on last week's show, which is available as a podcast:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Sugar & Gold - Sneek Freq [Antenna Farm]
James Struthers - Tanqueray Blues [Pipe and Hat]
Interview with James Struthers
James Struthers - Speed On Home [Pipe and Hat]
Library Voices - Bookish [Young Soul Records]
Freelance Whales - Hannah [Frenchkiss Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Young Galaxy - Buzz In My Flesh [The Musebox]
Del Barber - Chicago [Broken Ground]
Interview with Del Barber
Del Barber - Miles and Years [Live on TGIFR]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Villagers - Set The Tigers Free [Domino]
Raul Midon - Everyone Deserves A Second Chance [Blue Note/Manhattan]
Forest City Lovers - Minneapolis [Out Of This Spark]
The Acorn - Misplaced [Paper Bag Records]
Light Pollution - Oh, Ivory! [Carpark]
The Glitch Mob - A Dream Within A Dream [Glitch Mob Unlimited/Glass Air]

Tune in to win...

2010-06-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

So. If you happen to live in Winnipeg (or, I suppose, within driving distance) and want to attend the Jazz Winnipeg festival later this month, have I got some good news for you. Over the next two weeks (tomorrow, June 11th and next Friday, June 18th) I'll be giving away pairs of tickets to some of the fantastic Club Series acts the fine folks at Jazz Winnipeg have lined up.

Listen in to win!!
To whet your appetite, here are a couple acts I'll have tickets for:
SUGAR & GOLD

THINK ABOUT LIFE

RAUL MIDON

JOSE JAMES & JEF NEVE

Change of Plans: June 4 Show

2010-06-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

So I just heard from James Struthers that he will be performing an in-store at Lucky Jeans tomorrow and can't make TGIFR so he's been rescheduled for next week (June 11th). But it looks like we'll have a couple guests added to the bill for tomorrow in his stead. One is Montreal band BRAIDS who are playing at the LO Pub tonight and I'm also firming up something with the folks involved with the 100 Mile Musical Diet project.

In other news, last week's episode is now up as a podcast on the UMFM website.

Last week, this week, every week.

2010-06-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Wow. Apparently I've been pretty bad about updating this here show blog. Apologies if you follow me!

So I just wanted to recap last Friday's (May 28th) show and make mention that my confirmed guests for this Friday (June 4th, birthday of my boyhood baseball idol Tony Pena) are James Struthers and Keith Price. Price will be holding a fundraiser show on June 7th at the Park Theatre to raise money for his group to attend the Montreal Jazz Festival. Struthers, meanwhile, will be launching his fantastic EP Nadia at the Park on June 12th. Both shows are highly recommended.

Here's what I played last week (a whole lot of music and one guest: Sarah Michaelson, co-editor of 1234V):

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Murs & 9th Wonder - Fornever [SMC Recordings]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Give It Back [Daptone]
Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek are Reflection Eternal - Ends (feat. Bilal) [Blacksmith]
Courier News - We're On The Horizon [Independent]
Royal Wood - Do You Recall [Six Shooter]
The Telepathic Butterflies - Elegy [Rainbow Quartz]
Lab Coast - Happy Go Lucky [Independent]
The Black Keys - Everlasting Light [Nonesuch]
The Mohawk Lodge - A Crime Of Passion [White Whale]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Interview with Sarah Michaelson
Deer Tick - I Will Not Be Myself [Partisan]
Bent By Elephants - Can't Have You [Independent]
Factor - Ain't Nothin' Gonna Change [Fake Four]
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Jaykub (feat. Jason Lytle) [Lex/Capitol]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Pearly Gate Music - Gossamer Hair [Barsuk]
Telegraph Canyon - Into The Woods [Spune]
Broken Social Scene - World Sick [Arts & Crafts]
Bark Hide and Horn - Animal Mind [Swollen Nation Music]
Broken Bells - The High Road [Sony]
The Flaming Lips - Powerless [Warner]

Coming this Friday...

2010-04-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Well things look pretty well sewn up for TGIFR this week and so I'll give you a little heads-up as to what will be on.

First up will be an interview with Mat and Ashley from Boats talking about Cannonballs, Cannonballs and the CD release show for that album.

Then we'll have a special in-studio performance and interview with Tim Crabtree (UK by way of Halifax) who performs under the moniker Paper Beat Scissors. I recently wrote about his EP Flicker on my music blog, Ear To The Sound. Tim stopped into the studio recently and we had a great chat and I was fortunate enough to also get him to perform some songs live.

Lastly, we'll be talking to Weakerthans front-man John K. Samson, but the subject of our talk has nothing to do with his band and everything to do with Iceland. Samson is one of the organizers of the fourth-annual Nuna Now Festival and we'll be talking about FM Belfast (playing Friday at the Albert) and the rest of the schedule for the fest.

Tune in this Friday, April 30th from 6:30 - 8 PM!

The 28th will be busy, the 23rd is busy.

2010-04-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

So tonight's episode is hella busy with talk and a touch of music.
Joining me in-studio is long time TGIFR favourite and local legend Greg MacPherson. He just released his new album Mr. Invitation on Smallman Records two weeks ago and stopped by the station to talk about the album and play a couple songs for us.
By phone we've got Olga from the Besnard Lakes who are playing the Royal Albert on the 28th with Hollerado and locals Absent Sound. The band just got back from a European tour of their new album The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night.
We've also got a phoner with Nick from Plants and Animals who are ALSO playing in Winnipeg on the 28th, at the West End Cultural Centre. Plants and Animals will be playing material from their new album La La Land.

Here's what I played in between all the talk about new albums...

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar [Stones Throw]
Plants and Animals - Game Shows [Secret City]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Greg MacPherson - Smoke Ring [Live at UMFM]
Greg MacPherson - Ukranians [Live at UMFM]
Greg MacPherson - Broken Dreams [Smallman]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Besnard Lakes - The Lonely Moan [Outside]
Jose James - Love [Brownswood]

Online, but not online...

2010-04-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

So I had hoped to post the download link to Thank God It's Free Range's first podcast in quite a while, but unfortunately due to some technical difficulties the files are unavailable. Hopefully you heard the show live because it was a doozy. By phone we had Jeff Innes from Kelowna, BC band Yukon Blonde (who are playing the LO Pub here in Winnipeg tomorrow night). I had a taped phoner with East Coast singer-songwriter Rose Cousins (who will be in town April 29th playing the Park Theatre with Amelia Curran) and joining me in the studio was author David Robertson who has written a four-part graphic novel about seven generations of an aboriginal family - the first book is called Stone and it was just released by Portage & Main Press.

Strong interviews all, and a shame that I can't share 'em with you here.
Anyway, here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Library Voices - Haunt This House [Young Soul Records]
Balkan Beat Box - Move It [National Geographic Records]
Interview with Rose Cousins
Rose Cousins - I Were The Bird [Old Farm Pony Records]
Horse Feathers - Starving Robins [Kill Rock Stars]
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt [Dead Oceans]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Interview with Yukon Blonde
Yukon Blonde - Brides Song [Bumstead/Nevado]
Waving Hand - The Man Living On The City Landfill Site [Independent]
Tony Allen - Busybody [World Circuit/Nonesuch]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Erykah Badu - Window Seat [Universal Motown]
Interview with David Robertson
Vesely Couture - Tasty Crumpet [Independent]

Back in the saddle.

2010-04-14T09:17:00.001-07:00

Well I've been doing my show intermittently while on parental leave, but I'm back at it and have all sorts of things planned in the coming weeks (Greg MacPherson performing live in-studio, Hannah Georgas on the phone, graphic novelists David Robertson and Scott Henderson, and much more).

As for what I had on last Friday (which will be up as a podcast on the UMFM website SOON), the show included an interview with Tyler Shipley (Consumer Goods), talking about his solo album Sentinel Road, an interview with novelist Drew Hayden Taylor - who discussed his 're-telling' of the Nanabush legend in Motorcycles & Sweetgrass, as well as a host of new music.

Here's the setlist:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Magnum K.I. - Eyes On Fire [Independent]
Interview with Tyler Shipley
Tyler Shipley - A Woman In The Strike [Grumpy Cloud]
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - Sweet Marie [Sub Pop]
Bird Of Wales - My Lady In July [Sparks]
Ryan McGrath - Way West [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

The Sea & Cake - Exact To Me [Thrill Jockey]
Interview with Drew Hayden Taylor
Sally Seltmann - Harmony To My Heartbeat [Arts & Crafts]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

The Apples In Stereo - Dream About The Future [Yep Roc]
Mantler - Breaking Past The Day [Tomlab]
Woodhands - Talk [Paper Bag Records]
Booka Shade - Havanna Sex Dwarf [Physical Records]
Nice Nice - One Hit [Warp]
Lullabye Arkestra - The Icy Hand That Guides Us [Vice]

Hidden construction makes me cry...

2009-11-27T17:32:00.000-08:00

So there was a bit of a change of plans from what was previously announced. Kings of Convenience was pushed back (again) and the Russian Circles interview will likely happen next week as there were some phone connection issues on first try and we couldn't schedule a redo Thursday/Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.

The Construction & Destruction interview went off without a hitch (my thanks to Colleen Collins) and the interview I taped with Joel Gibb of Hidden Cameras earlier today (one of the more painful interviews I've ever done, to be honest) aired along with my fascinating talk with Stephen Brunt, author of Gretzky's Tears.

Here's what I played tonight:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Crush Buildings - Ghoul Pounds [Independent]
The Paperbacks - Regrettable Tattoos [Parliament of Trees]
Interview with Colleen Collins of Construction and Destruction
Construction and Destruction - Balaenoptera Borealis [The Quarantine]
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Hard Row [Saddle Creek]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Monsters of Folk - Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) [Shangri-La]
Interview with Joel Gibb of Hidden Cameras
The Hidden Cameras - Origin: Orphan [Arts & Crafts]
Hannah Georgas - All I Need [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Interview with Stephen Brunt
Maps - I Dream Of Crystal [Mute]

In The Works For Next Time...

2009-11-20T21:23:00.000-08:00

Well if you tuned in tonight expecting to hear me you got something a little different than usual. I was once again pre-empted for Bison Hockey play-by-play (there'll be more where that came from in January/February 2010), but was manning the boards and handling the production duties for the game so you did occasionally get to hear my throws to the Max Bell arena.

Things'll be back to normal next week and it's looking like the 27th and the next few episodes after that are going to be barn-burners. I've been conducting a number of pre-recorded interviews lately and have a few more lined up in the coming weeks that will be aired on Thank God It's Free Range so I thought I'd take a moment to let you know what to expect.

As it stands, next week's episode will include a live phoner with Nova Scotian indie-rock act (and married couple!) Construction and Destruction. Their latest record is called Video et Taco and is a great, textured listen.

I'm also scheduled to speak to members of Chicago post-rock outfit Russian Circles about Geneva, the follow-up to my number one album of 2008, Station.

And fingers-crossed, my third guest that night will be Erlend Øye, from one of my absolute favourite bands, the Kings of Convenience. It's been five years since Riot on an Empty Street, but Declaration of Dependence was worth the wait. The interview was originally scheduled for this week but was pushed back due to conflicts with some European dates.

Needless to say, that's about all I can cram into the one-and-a-half-hour timeslot and still have time to play some great new music but like I mentioned above I've been conducting a lot of interviews that will air in the coming weeks.

I've been talking to a number of authors lately and just today spoke to both Globe & Mail sportswriter Stephen Brunt and University of Waterloo professor John English. Brunt and I had a lengthy conversation about Gretzky's Tears, his book about THE TRADE. If you want to hear that interview before it airs on TGIFR, my good friend Trevor at Hockey Blog In Canada has it posted in its entirety.
Meanwhile, Professor English and I had a very illuminating discussion about Pierre Trudeau, the subject of Just Watch Me, which is the second volume of his biography of our former Prime Minister.
I'm also working on an interview with the Ecoholic, Adria Vasil. Growing beyond her weekly column in Toronto's NOW magazine, Vasil has two books on becoming an ecoholic and her latest, Ecoholic Home, is about greening your house with a number of interesting suggestions / hints / words of advice.

I've had so many interviews with authors lately that I'm considering launching a series called Turning Pages that would simply be my conversations with these writers about their books. Keep your eyes peeled to the program guide on www.umfm.com for more details on that program, but until then, stay tuned to TGIFR, Fridays from 6:30-8 PM CST.

****Quick Update****
Almost forgot - I've got the Hidden Cameras scheduled for a talk on Friday the 27th, meaning Russian Circles will likely be bumped to the following week as the Cameras will be playing the Albert on November 30th and their impending live date takes precedence!

Jazz and roots - what is this? Sunday?

2009-11-13T21:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight's guests were local jazz artists Amber Epp of Trio Bembe and pianist Will Bonness who are holding a dual-CD release party on November 23rd. Amber joined me in the studio while Will phoned in from a gig. Speaking of phoning in, we also talked to Andrew Penner of Sunparlour Players who's currently in Creemore, Ontario but will be coming to town with Wil, playing the Park Theatre on November 23rd. And it was just announced today that they'll be swinging back through town on December 6th at the Folk Exchange.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Maiko Watson - Some Kinda Love [Independent]
Trio Bembe - Sin miedo [Independent]
Trio Bembe - Victory [Independent]
Canaille - Vincent Massey [Standard Form]
Patrick McDowall & The Melodramatic Pop Orchestra - Gwendolyn [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Ola Podrida - Sink or Swim [Western Vinyl]
Will Bonness - Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise [Independent]
Interview with Will Bonness
Will Bonness - Walking On Water [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Interview with Andrew Penner of Sunparlour Players
Sunparlour Players - Point Pelee Is The Place To Be! [Outside]
These Hands - Always Finds Its Way To Me [Independent]
The Schomberg Fair - Drunkard's Prayer [Hi-Hat/Sonic Unyon]

How It Went Down: Friday, October 23, 2009

2009-10-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight's show was chock-a-block with talk. Interviews with Simone Schmidt from the band $100 who are playing the Pyramid on October 29th. Simone spoke from Washington DC and shared the backstory behind Forest Of Tears, the band's debut record, produced by Rick White!
The second segment was all Ultra Mega - a local group that first came to my attention last summer with a video for their version of the Wu-Tang Clan's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya." They recorded three songs live here at the station and debuted three more demo tracks from a forth-coming album.
Finally I spoke to Dan Mangan, who recently won the XM Verge Award for his record Nice, Nice, Very Nice. He'll be playing October 28th at the LO Pub with Katie Murphy and performing an in-store earlier that day at Into The Music.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Mulatu Astatke w/ Ethiopian Quintet - I Faram Gami I Faram [Strut]
Zrada - While I'm Alive [Independent]
Little Girls - Youth Tunes [Paper Bag Records]
Interview with $100
$100 - No Great Leap [Blue Fog Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Bon Iver & St. Vincent - Roslyn (fr. The Twilight Saga: New Moon OST) [Atlantic]
Ultra Mega - Shimmy Shimmy Ya [Live at UMFM]
Ultra Mega - Native Alicia [Live at UMFM]
Ultra Mega - Big Poppa [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Ultra Mega

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Ultra Mega - The Rise And The Fall [Demo]
Ultra Mega - Rubble Of A Love [Demo]
Ultra Mega - Call Her [Demo]
Interview with Dan Mangan
Dan Mangan - Tina's Glorious Comeback [File Under: Music]

I'm In Fargo, But I'm On The Air.

2009-10-15T15:44:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm out of town this weekend, but have pre-recorded a show that includes a nice chat with local artist Ingrid Gatin, whose CD release for Broken Tambourine is Friday, October 16th at the Gas Station Theatre. Her former band, the Magnificent 7's will be one of the openers. Speaking of openers, I'm replaying my interview with Afie Jurvanen who performs under the name Bahamas and will be opening for Amy Millan at the West End on Sunday the 18th.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Oromocto Diamond - Black Feelings [P572]
Construction & Destruction - Nine Houses [The Quarantine]
Built To Spill - Nowhere Lullaby [Reprise]
Ingrid Gatin Interview
Ingrid Gatin - Tin Heart [Independent]
Little Girls - Tambourine [Paper Bag Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Karen O and the Kids - All Is Love (fr. Where The Wild Things Are OST) [DGC / Interscope]
Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You [Anti-]
James Husband - While The Boys Went Down Under [Polyvinyl]
Language-Arts - Cough Drop [Independent]
The Tony Wilson Sextet - Lachrymae Movement #1 [Drip Audio]
The Flaming Lips - Gemini Syringes [Warner]
Smoky Tiger & The Seven Doors - Tree Planter's Waltz [Lit Fuse Records]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

We Are Wolves - Reaching For The Sky [Dare To Care Records]
Bahamas Interview
Bahamas - Sunshine Blues [Nevado Records]
Black Feelings - Aum Shinrikyo [Alien 8]

Ontario, Saskatchewan, Ontario

2009-10-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight I'm joined by Regina band Library Voices who'll perform an acoustic number or two and answer several more questions...
I've also got interviews with Jennifer Castle (aka Castlemusic) who's in town to open for Chad Vangaalen, and Dan Kurtz of Toronto/UK act Dragonette. He's married to his bandmate and former solo singer Martina Sorbara and they'll be in town on the holiday Monday to play the West End with Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees.

Here's what I played tonight:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Parlour Steps - As The World Turned Out [Nine Mile Records]
The Mary Onettes - Dare [Labrador]
Library Voices - Kundera On The Dancefloor [Live at UMFM]
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - Oh No! [Kill Rock Stars]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Castlemusic - For My Friends [Blue Fog]
Castlemusic - Your Hand Is A Wing [Blue Fog]
Holopaw - Oh, Glory [Bakery Outlet Records]
Satomi Saeki - Matsuri No Taiko [Oliver Sudden]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Crooked Brothers - Sweet Lemons [Transistor 66]
The Avett Brothers - January Wedding [American]
Devil Eyes - Rip My Heart Out [Signed By Force]
Rain Machine - New Last Name [Anti-]
Dragonette - Fixin To Thrill [Universal]

Bermuda, Bahamas, come on pretty mama...

2009-10-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight's show featured an interview with Afie Jurvanen from Bahamas (or maybe I should sake "aka Bahamas" rather than "from Bahamas" as it's his project plus guests). Anyway, he's on the road to Ottawa after playing Pop Montreal the other night and he'll be rolling into Winnipeg on October 18th to open for Amy Millan at the West End Cultural Centre. Since his new album on Nevado is called Pink Strat, we talked gear for a bit.

I also interviewed Mat Brooke from Seattle's Grand Archives. That band is headed to Winnipeg via the Yellowhead, having just played Edmonton yesterday and Saskatoon tonight. They're playing a killer triple bill alongside the Most Serene Republic and locals Royal Canoe at the Pyramid tomorrow night. We talked about the ghost stories behind their new album Keep In Mind Frankenstein and about the origins of "Louis Riel" off their self-titled debut.

Here's what I played tonight:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

A Fine Frenzy - What I Wouldn't Do [Virgin/EMI]
Minto - Tonight I Lay My Head [Independent]
Whale Tooth - Six Billion [Independent]
Said The Whale - Out On The Shield [Hidden Pony]
Zrada - Give Me Liquor [Independent]
The Lytics - Stay Humble [Pipe and Hat]
Ghostface Killah - Guest House (feat. Fabolous) [Def Jam]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

vitaminsforyou - He Closed His Eyes So He Could Dance With You [Sfeericle]
Junior Boys - Bits & Pieces (fr. Everybody Dance Now v.4) [93.3 CFMU]
Bahamas Interview
Bahamas - Sunshine Blues [Nevado Records]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Russian Circles - Melee [Suicide Squeeze]
Grand Archives Interview
Grand Archives - Willoughby [Sub Pop]
Zrada - While I'm Still Alive [Independent]
Quiet Nights Orchestra - Chapter One [Do Right!]

Out of town, but still on the air...

2009-09-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

Headed to Brandon for the Western Canadian Music Awards this weekend. In fact, I won't be around for my show but I managed to put together a pre-record that includes a very interesting interview with author and Yiddish scholar Michael Wex where we discuss his new book "How To Be A Mentsh (& Not A Schmuck)"

That takes place in the second segment, but here's the rundown on the what I played, including brand new songs from Basia Bulat and the Kings of Convenience.

Set One: 6:30 - 7:00 PM

Basia Bulat - Gold Rush [Secret City Records]
Kings Of Convenience - Boat Behind [EMI]
Chad VanGaalen - Willow Tree [Flemish Eye/Sub Pop]
Boats - Classic Rock Weekend [Independent]
Keith Price - Confucius Corner [Independent]
Woon - You're Not Alone [Tru Thoughts]
Sleep Whale - Sleep Whale [Western Vinyl]

Set Two: 7:00 - 7:30 PM

The Wilderness of Manitoba [Independent]
Interview with Michael Wex

Set Three: 7:30 - 8:00 PM

Mum - A River Don't Stop To Breathe [Polyvinyl]
Lightning Dust - Dreamer [Jagjaguwar]
Volcanoless In Canada - London In Love [Independent]
The Michael Parks -It Hurts So Much To Fall In Love [Independent]
The Wooden Sky - My Old Ghosts (fr. Friends In Bellwoods 2) [Out Of This Spark]
Bocce - Inspiration Bellwoods (fr. Friends In Bellwoods 2) [Out Of This Spark]
Islands - No You Don't [Anti-]
The Black Seeds - Love Is A Radiation [Easy Star Records]

Two recaps in one...

2009-09-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Well, apologies to those who read this blog that I haven't been more on-the-ball about getting info and playlists updated sooner. Two weeks ago I had a shortened show due to the Bison Football broadcasts with the pre-game interview show beginning at 7:30pm. This is what I played during the one hour I was on air:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Joe Bataan - Mestizo [Vampi Soul]
The Very Best - Kamphopo [Green Owl Records]
Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move [Domino]
Ndu - Wats Good [Raw Livin Records]
Fox Jaws - Two By Two [Nevado Records]
Young Galaxy Long Live The Fallen World [Arts & Crafts]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Keith Price - Zoom Zoom (Part Two) [Independent]
Medeski Martin & Wood - Wonton [Indirecto Records]
John Mayall - An Eye For An Eye [Eagle Records]
Ohbijou - Make It Gold [Last Gang Records]
Basia Bulat - My Heart Is A Warning (from Friends In Bellwoods 2) [Out Of This Spark]

As for last Friday, it was a busy show capping off a busy week here at UMFM. September 10th and 11th saw the station hosting two days of live music as part of the UMSU Orientation Week events. One of the featured groups on our stage joined me afterward for an interview: The Lytics. This young rap group made a great impression live and were an engaging interview as well. I also sat down with guitarist (and former Dig! Radio host on UMFM), Keith Price to talk about his new album Breakfast of Champions which will be released this Friday (September 18th) at the Park Theatre. Speaking of this Friday - I'll be in Brandon to cover the Western Canadian Music Awards so there will be no show, but when I return on the 25th we'll have Calgarians Miesha & The Spanks performing as well as so featured interviews from the WCMAs.

Here's what I played on the 11th...

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

The Wooden Sky - Bit Part [Black Box Recordings]
The F-Holes - Don't Get Me Started [Independent]
Interview with Keith Price
Keith Price - Zoom Zoom (part one) [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Fink - Six Weeks [Ninja Tune]
Speech Debelle - Better Days (feat. Micachu) [Big Dada]
Interview with The Lytics

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

The Lytics - Last Bit (Lovely Words) [Pipe and Hat]
Miles Jones - Coast To Coast (feat. Kae Sun) [Mojo Records]
Japandroids - Heart Sweats [Unfamiliar / Polyvinyl]
Lullabye Arkestra - Get Nervous [Vice Records]
Bloodshot Bill - Gee Whiz [Transistor 66]
Del Barber - The Party Song [Independent]

How It Went Down: August 28, 2009

2009-08-28T17:16:00.001-07:00

Tonight's show featured my interviews with Mike from The Afterbeat talking about their new recordings and tomorrow night's performance at Stage 8/29 and a very in-depth conversation with author Richie Unterberger about his latest book, White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-By-Day, released by Jawbone Press recently.

Here's what I played in between interviews:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Still Life Still - Flowers And A Wreath [Arts & Crafts]
Polvo - Right The Relation [Merge]
Little Foot Long Foot - King Hipster [Independent]
Sondre Lerche - I Cannot Let You Go [Rounder]
The Afterbeat - Change The System [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Fish & Bird - Burst Into Flower [Fiddle Head Records]
The Dustin Bentall Outfit - Take The Money [Impala Records]
Grant Davidson - Fool Of Me [Dollartone Records]
Richie Unterberger Interview

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Richie Unterberger Interview (continued)
Sally Shapiro - Looking At The Stars [Paper Bag Records]

How It Went Down: August 21, 2009

2009-08-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Forgot to post my playlists from Friday's show here that night (or over the intervening weekend). Ah well, was enjoying time at home with the family.

I had Ryan McCullagh from the Paper Cranes talking about their new album Chivalry Is Dead, Odario from Grand Analog talking about the new album Metropolis Is Burning as well as the band's upcoming gig at Stage 8/29, and Winnipeg Ska & Reggae Fest organizer / UMFM Station Manager Jared McKetiak giving us the rundown on the weekend's festivities.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 PM

Los Gatos Negros - Hey Hey Bunny [from Sensacional Soul Vol. 2, VampiSoul]
Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So, Maybe No [Stones Throw]
Ultra Mega - Shimmy Shimmy Ya [Independent]
Canadian Wildlife - Winter's Moon [from Friends In Bellwoods 2, Out Of This Spark]
The Paper Cranes Interview
The Paper Cranes - Ice-Burgs [Unfamiliar Records]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 PM

Two Hours Traffic - Wicked Side [Bumstead Records]
Grand Analog Interview
Grand Analog - Take It Slow [Urbnet]
Jack Penate - Be The One [XL Recordings]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 PM

Helado Negro - espuma negra [Asthmatic Kitty]
Miesha and the Spanks - Baby You're Gone [Transistor 66]
The Hidden Cameras - Kingdom Come [Arts & Crafts]
JFK & The Conspirators - Boom Sha La La La [Bacteria Buffet]
Jay Haze feat. D:exter - I Can't Forget (Fuckpony Discotech Dub) [Fabric London]
Chicago Wasted Youth - Mars Or Bust [Fabric London]

This coming week (August 28th) I'll be talking to the Afterbeat, Alana Levandoski and author Richie Unterberger who has a great new book about the Velvet Underground out.

Congratulations, there's no show this week...

2009-08-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

A hearty congratulations to the winner of the Wooden Sky contest, Sara Wray Enns. Don't forget that the Wooden Sky are playing Ragpickers TONIGHT!!

On a less congratulatory note, there's no episode of TGIFR this Friday the 14th. Not even a pre-record. I'm headed down to Minneapolis for a weekend of beer, baseball and brats (not the child kind, the sausage kind) in honour of my birthday. I'll be back next week and things will be ramping up as we head into the fall broadcasting season. Lots of great guests in the not-too-distant future.

The Royal "We" Have Royal Wood On...

2009-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

I've actually already put tomorrow's episode to bed because I'll be attending a wedding when I'm normally on air. This special pre-record features an amazing live-in-studio set from Royal Wood who played Islendingadagurinn last weekend and the Park Theatre this Wednesday. He was also gracious enough to sit down for an interview which will air during the second set. All sorts of great new music on tomorrow's show including lead-off track "Trapped In The New Scene" by White Whale recording artist Octoberman. His new record Fortresses is a pretty solid rock album in the vein of Wilco's more recent 'dad-rock.'

Here's what will air in my stead:

Set One: 6:30 - 7pm

Octoberman - Trapped In The New Scene [White Whale Records]
The Envy Corps - Screen Test [Tempo Club]
Vincat - Bells & Whistles [The Hive]
Jesse Matheson - Orgy In Portland [Copperspine Records]
Lightning Dust - The Dreamer [Jagjaguwar]
The Penelopes - Saved [Citizen / Module]
Stew Gunn Band - The Dart [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30pm

Royal Wood - Weigh Me Down [Live at UMFM]
Royal Wood - I'm So Glad [Live at UMFM]
Royal Wood - Thinking About [Live at UMFM]
Royal Wood - Found [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Royal Wood

Set Three: 7:30 - 8pm

Velodrome - Sonic Triptych (First Panel) [Arctodus]
Velodrome - Sonic Triptych (Second Panel) [Arctodus]
Kronos Quartet - Mugam Beyati Shiraz [Nonesuch]
Yppah - Sunflower Sunkissed [Ninja Tune]
Amanda Blank - Shame on Me [Downtown]
Aufschlag - Begleitautomat [WWFREC]

Rainy Days and Fridays Seem To Get Me Down...

2009-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Man, what a miserable day in Winnipeg today. Nothing but rainy gray skies hanging over our heads all day. I didn't even have any guests or interviews to liven things up on the show tonight as I was originally planning to head to Gimli for Islendingadagurinn tonight.

Here's what I played:

Set One: 6:30 - 7pm

The Jayhawks - Blue [American / Legacy]
Ryan Dahle - Chop Chop [Limblifter Records]
The Lazy MKs - Granum Fire [Young Soul Records]
Spoon - Got Nuffin [Merge]
Volcanoless In Canada - House Of Souls (Artistry vs. Fame) [Independent]
The Skeletones Four - Let It Snow [No-Fi Records]
The Woodlands - Until The Day Dims [Tinderbox]
Nadia & The Tchotchkes - Doo Wop Blues [DNA Productions]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30pm

Falcao and Monashee - Teleportation [Borne]
Summer Cats - Hey You [Slumberland]
Pissed Jeans - Dominate Yourself [Sub Pop]
The Junction - My Love Was There [Fontana]
The Wooden Sky - (Bit Part) [Musebox]
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks [Warp]
The Other Brothers - Points Of View [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8pm

Joe Henry - The Man I Keep Hid [Anti-]
Magnolia Electric Co. - Shenandoah [Secretly Canadian]
Parlour - On The Phone [Independent]
Kestrels - Our Velocity [NoYes Records]
Gregory Pepper - I Was A John [Fake Four Inc.]
The Hush Now - Sadie Hawkins Dance [Noelleon / Pirate]
Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrien Quesada - Tres Ratas [ESL]

Listen In To Win...

2009-07-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the fine folks at Columbia Legacy, I've got some copies of the 2 disc Jayhawks retrospective/anthology; Music From The North Country to give away on the show tomorrow night. We'll be airing a really sweet documentary about the acclaimed/beloved/favourite-adjective-here Minneapolis roots group next Thursday morning at 6am CST on Sound Documents, UMFM's weekly radio documentary show if you're up early and want to learn more about the band.

Anyway, tune in from 6:30 - 8pm CST for your chance to win a copy. I'll be giving one away every half-hour during the show which can be heard at 101.5 on the FM dial in Winnipeg or via www.umfm.com on the web.

I'll leave you with a taste of the greatness that is the Jayhawks

Whoopsy Daisy...

2009-07-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

So I managed to put my showlogs on www.umfm.com backwards over the past two weeks. The July 10th logs (the pre-record) were input as July 17th so I had to put July 17th's ACTUAL logs into the July 10th spot... Long story short, I fucked up.

Here now are the logs of what was played (f'reals) on July 17th, 2009

Set One: 6:30 - 7 pm

Matt Allen & The D Rangers - Hunch [Live at Times Change(d)]
Bad Veins - Found [Dangerbird]
Bahamas - What's Worse [Nevado Records]
Interview with The Lovely Feathers
The Lovely Feathers - Vaulted Precedents [Sparks Music]

Set Two - 7:00 - 7:30 pm

Codename: The Sharks! - Set Your Sights [Live on TGIFR]
Codename: The Sharks! - Heart Whisperer [Live on TGIFR]
Interview with Codename: The Sharks!
Little Foot Long Foot - Marriage Ain't A Promise [Independent]
Gobble Gobble - Sacred Dandruff [Terrorbird]

Set Three - 7:30 - 8:00 pm

Interview with Jowi Taylor from Six String Nation
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Fonky Day [Some Otha Ship]

As for tomorrow night's show, I'll be talking to Mayor Matt Allen and Jaxon Haldane of the D. Rangers about their 10" vinyl release show going down at the Times Change(d) at two separate shows - a dinner one at 7:30 and a late one starting at 10pm. There'll also be more of a live set I recorded down at the Times last week with a sneak peek at the record.

In Winnipeg right now, it's all about the Fringe Festival and we'll be checking in with UMFM's resident theatre expert Justin Olynyk [host of Play It Again, Wednesdays at 8pm on UMFM] to get his Best (and Worst) of the Fest as we head into the final weekend. We have this talk annually and it's always interesting.

My other guest will be Devin Latimer, Artistic Director of the Trout Forest Music Festival, who'll be talking programming and explaining why you should get your tickets and camping passes now.

Contest Time: The Wooden Sky

2009-07-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the fine folks at Musebox, I've got another contest for readers of Ear To The Sound and listeners of Thank God It's Free Range.

On August 25th, Ontario roots-rockers The Wooden Sky will be releasing their new full-length, If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone. But prior to that, the band will be hitting the road for a jaunt they're calling the Bedrooms and Backstreets Tour. The name is significant because the band will be performing at unusual venues the entire way with few bar or club shows on the agenda. Backyards, house-parties, and out-of-the-way venues will be privy to their wonderful music in an intimate setting. The band will hit Winnipeg on August 12th, playing at Ragpickers, so to mark the occasion, I've got a sweet prize pack that includes the limited-edition Bedrooms and Backstreets EP for one lucky duck.

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post with your name and email address OR email me at michael dot elves at gmail.com with "Wooden Sky Contest" in the subject line by midnight August 11th. I'll be putting all the names in a hat but only one entry per person will go in the chapeau.

Here's The Wooden Sky’s “Something Hiding For Us In The Night” mp3 to get you motivated.

As an added bonus, I've also posted the band performing "The Wooden Sky" live on Thank God It's Free Range when they last rolled through town.

Be sure to check out The Wooden Sky's Myspace page for complete Bedrooms and Backstreets tour dates.

The one that got away... July 10th 2009

2009-07-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

Whoopsy-daisy. Totally flaked on posting this before now. I pre-recorded my show last Friday what with it being Winnipeg Folk Fest weekend and there was a lot going on. Had a great interview with Saskatchewan artist Maybe Smith (who'll be in Winnipeg this Friday the 17th at the LO Pub).

Speaking of Friday the 17th, the show this week is PACKED TO THE GILLS. I've got an in-studio session with Codename: The Sharks! lined up. They'll be playing some songs and talking about their EP and their show on the 18th with my second guest; The Lovely Feathers. Fantasy of the Lot is doing well on the UMFM charts right now and that Lovely Feathers show promises to be the bargain of the weekend at $5. That one also goes down at the LO. My last guest will be Jowi Taylor the man behind the Six String Nation project. Fascinating story to tell there.

Here's what I played on the 10th:

Set One: 6:30 - 7 pm

All Of Your Friends - Un Estado [The Calm Before The Music]
Crosstown Rivals - Exits [Better Swimmers Digital]
Something Fatal - Chicks Dig Scars Not Problems [Blacktop Records]
The Antlers - Sylvia [Independent]
Still Life Still - 80s on TV [Arts & Crafts]
Wilco - Wilco (The Song) [Nonesuch]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30 pm

Wooden Sky - Bit Part [Musebox]
Maybe Smith Interview
Maybe Smith - Bloopers (feat. Christine Fellows) [Sir, Handsome]
Sunn O))) - HUnting & Gathering (Cydonia) [Southern Lord]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8 pm

Minus 5 - I Would Rather Sacrifice You [Yep Roc]
Recloose - Deeper Waters (feat. Joe Dukie) [Sonar Kollektiv]
Ginuwine - Trouble (feat. Bun B) [Asylum Records]
Maxwell - Cold [Columbia]
Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue [Warp]
Major Lazer - Anything Goes (feat. Turbulence) [Downtown]
Le Bus - Scissor Kicks (Master of Kicks mix) [Spiral Recordings]

Folk Fest Pre-Record

2009-07-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'll be away this weekend, what with the whole Winnipeg Folk Festival dominating everything going on in town (seriously, the night baker is working overtime at Tall Grass Prairie Bread to make sure there's enough cookies). But I'm planning a pre-record that was going to feature my AWESOME interview with Will Holland (aka Quantic). BUT Windy-peg earned its name when we conducted the interview outside the Pyramid because the soundcheck was going on inside and when I went to edit the recording I discovered that the wind is SCREAMING through half the talk. Boo-urns to that.
I MAY have an interview with Saskatchewanian (sp?) group Maybe Smith in advance of their show on the 17th though so keep your ears peeled. Regardless I'll have some great new music.

Speaking of great new music, here's what I played on Friday:

Set One - 6:30-7pm
Bomba - Palo [Independent]
Quantic & His Combo Barbaro - The Dreaming Mind Pt.1 [Tru Thoughts]
Interview with Johan from Mr. Something Something
Mr. Something Something - Only The Maker [World Records]

Set Two - 7-7:30pm
The Phenomenal Handclap Band - Give It A Rest [Friendly Fire]
Zeus - How Does It Feel [Arts & Crafts]
The Paps - Here's What You Wanted [Independent]
Discovery - Osaka Loop Line [XL Recordings]
Serengeti & Polyphonic - Bon Voyage [Audio 8 Recordings]
Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes (Zomby's Analog Lego Mix) [Domino]
Hayden - Disappear [Hardwood]

Set Three - 7:30-8pm
Bowerbirds - Beneath Your Tree [Dead Oceans]
The Deep Dark Woods - All The Money I Had Is Gone [Black Hen Music]
Almonds, Cohen - Digging For Clams [Old Life Records]
Bidiniband - Song Ain't Any Good [Pheromone Recordings]
Nestor Wynrush - Winnipeg South Blues [Clothes Horse Records]

Last Week And This Week: (Re)View and (Pre)View

2009-06-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

So here's what I played on Friday's show:

Set One: 6:30 - 7pm
Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye [Motown]
Precious Fathers - Swells [White Whale Records]
The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations (Live) [Vagrant]
The Got To Get Got - Rattle Off [Noyes Records]
Subcity Dwellers - Gastown [Transistor 66]
East Side Death Squad - Blitzkrieg Advertising (from Vancouver's Punk As Fuck) [Independent]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30pm
Deer Tick - Easy [Partisan Records]
The Playing Cards - What Time Is It Mr. Wolf (from Transit Collective) {[Manitoba Music]
Starlight Mints - Black Champagne [Barsuk Records]
Tereu Tereu - All That Keeps Us Together [Independent]
Renata Lu - Faz Tanto Tempo (from Black Rio 2) [Strut]
The Heavy - Coleen [Ninja Tune]
Quantic & his Combo Barbaro - Arianita [Tru Thoughts]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8pm
Heidi Happy - You And Your Moods [Do Right!]
The Most Serene Republic - The Old Forever New Things [Arts & Crafts]
Land Of Talk - Some Are Lakes [Independent]
Cryptacize - Gotta Get Into That Feeling [Asthmatic Kitty]
Eamon McGrath - Holy Roller [White Whale Records]
Cut Off Your Hands - You & I [Frenchkiss Records]
Codename: The Sharks! - Cardio [Independent]
Buckwheat Zydeco - Too Much Time [Alligator]
Mr. Something Something - What Are You Waiting For? [World Records]

As for what's happening this Friday, July 3rd, I'm still stewing up one final guest/segment but the two confirmed guests are Pat Thornton (star/writer/creator of the Comedy Network show Hotbox), and Toronto Afrobeat band Mr. Something Something (who will be playing the LO Pub on July 7th).

Your Opinion Matters To Us...

2009-06-23T13:13:00.001-07:00

Still hashing out details for the June 26th episode of TGIFR, but while I'm working on that, I leave you with the following question:

Which of these complete rip-offs of a great song, re-worked into a new song, manages to transcend the rip-off?

Simply Red - Sunrise

Angie Stone - Wish I Didn't Miss You (embedding's been disabled).

How It Went Down: Friday June 19, 2009

2009-06-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

So here's what was played on tonight's show:

Set One: 6:30 - 7pm
Chairlift - Bruises [Columbia]
Quantic - Cali Cartel [Tru Thoughts]
Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesada - The Revolt Of The Cockroach People [ESL Music]
Solidaze - Distractions [Balanced Records]
Interview with Guru and Solar
Guru - Lost And Found [7 Grand]

Set Two: 7 - 7:30pm
Guru - Best Of My Yearz [7 Grand]
Magilla Funk Conduit - That Funk (feat. Cadence Weapon) [Self-Released]
Interview with Jenn Grant
Jenn Grant - Heartbreaker [Six Shooter Records]

Set Three: 7:30 - 8pm
The Sea & Cake - Exact To Me [Thrill Jockey]
Interview with Jackpine
Jackpine - Red River Jig [Live at UMFM]
Jackpine - Rick Danko Died [Live at UMFM]
Jackpine - Brand New Good Old Days [Live at UMFM]
Reverie Sound Revue - An Anniversary Away [Boompa]

AND WHILE I'M AT IT...
I totally forgot to post the showlog from last week's hip-hop extravaganza so check that one out here.

This Friday: June 19, 2009

2009-06-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Quick update about this Friday's show and who will be on:

Already in the can is an interview with hip-hop legend GURU (Gang Starr, Jazzmatazz) who talks about being in the game so long, his new record 8.0 Lost & Found, and more. We talked last week and I had to sit on it to fit in all my local hip-hop guests for the show.

Tomorrow afternoon I'll be joined at the UMFM studio by local band Jackpine. You might not have heard of them yet, but you will very soon when they release their debut CD, Brand New Good Old Days on Dollartone Records. They're like a Winnipeg roots supergroup with membership comprised of Jaxon Haldane, Adrien Sala, Sean Buchanan and Jesse Reimer. We'll be recording a special live set and an interview for broadcast on Friday in advance of their CD release show at the Park Theatre on June 25th.

And finally I'll be talking to Haligonian pop-songstress Jenn Grant (pictured above) about her latest CD Echoes in advance of her Winnipeg show at the LO Pub on Friday June 26th.

Tune in for TGIFR, this Friday at 6:30-8pm CST on 101.5 UMFM or online at www.umfm.com

Leeroy Stagger Interview

2009-06-12T15:59:00.000-07:00

So, my packed-to-the-gills hip-hop extravaganza show will be on the air in a little over a half-hour, but I just got off the phone with phenomenal roots artist Leeroy Stagger, who will be in Winnipeg tomorrow night (playing a house show at Stu Reid's place; the StuDome).

If you want to hear that interview and a selection from his new album Everything Is Real before the show, simply click on this link. I'll be airing the interview on a future TGIFR if you want to hear it on air.

Check out Leeroy's website for more info and a solid blog that has updates from his tour.

Wanna go to Jazz Fest?

2009-06-12T08:48:00.001-07:00

Quick update.
The fine folks at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival dropped off some tickets for this year's Club Series performances. I've got a pair of tix to see each of the following:

Alice Russell
The Sea & Cake
Jose Gonzalez
Quantic & U-Tern

I'll be giving away two pairs this week and two next, so tune in between 6:30-8pm tonight and next Friday for a chance to win.
And even if you don't win - check out the Jazz Fest. These shows and others are well worth attending.

Back to the Hip-Hop

2009-06-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

It wasn't by design, but this Friday's episode of Thank God It's Free Range is all about the hip-hop. And LOCAL hip-hop no less. TGIFR favourite Ndu will be on at 6:30pm to discuss (and play selections from) his new album The Rebel Zone. He previewed some of the cuts earlier in the year.
Nestor Wynrush (aka Mr. Ness, fka Satchill Paige) has a new record out called Trinnipeg !78 on Clothes Horse Records that reflects on his life growing up here and in Ontario. He'll be sure to have some interesting stories to relate when he comes on at 7:00pm.
Finally at 7:30pm I'll be joined by rap duo Rebel Yell, who released their debut Greatest Hits (shades of Rheostatics) earlier this year. The CD release is this Saturday, the 13th of June at the Pyramid (and openers are Pip Skid and the Magnificent 7's).

Be sure to check out:
Ndu's Myspace
Nestor Wynrush's Myspace
Rebel Yell's Myspace

The hip-hop will continue on the next episode (June 19th) when my interview with hip-hop legend GURU (GangStarr, Jazzmatazz) will air. I'll also be talking to Canadian folk-pop songstress Jenn Grant who is in town with Dan Mangan at the LO Pub that night.

Join me, Friday 6:30-8pm CST on 101.5 in Winnipeg and at www.umfm.com on the 'net.

Friday, June 5, 2009 Playlist

2009-06-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

Busy show tonight - part of it pre-recorded earlier this week, a phoner and an in-studio. This is one of those nights when being producer as well as host makes it tricky. Like juggling a kitten, a bucket of paint and a chainsaw; you certainly don't want to drop any of those.

Anyway, here's the scoop on what was played.

Set One (6:30 - 7:00 PM)

Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move [Domino]
The Western States - Right Of Return [Live at UMFM]
The Western States - Outstanding Balance [Live at UMFM]
The Western States - I'll Be Free [Live at UMFM]
Interview with The Western States
The Western States - Backslider's Wine [Live at UMFM]

Set Two (7:00 - 7:30 PM)

Interview with Dog Day
Dog Day - Wait It Out [Outside Music]
Codename: The Sharks - Starry-Eyed Conspirators [Independent]
Sights & Sounds - Pedal Against The Wind [Smallman]
Precious Fathers - Swells [White Whale Records]

Set Three (7:30 - 8:00 PM)

The F-Holes - Holding Out [Live on UMFM]
The F-Holes - Can't Share My Life [Live on UMFM]
Interview with the F-Holes
Portland Cello Project (feat. Thao) - Beat (Health, Life and Fire) [Kill Rock Stars]
Eels - Lilac Breeze [Vagrant]

May 29th Playlist

2009-06-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

Totally flaked on putting my playlist from Friday up here. The Dirty Projectors interview didn't end up happening as their label rep couldn't connect with them while they were on the road (speaking of Dirty Projectors, the new album is great, but you wouldn't know it from the performance opening for TV on the Radio at the Walker on Saturday. The sound was abysmal).

I've got the Western States about to record an in-studio today that will air this Friday, June 5th and Dog Day and the F-Holes are still on for live appearances.

Here's the rundown on last week's show:

Set One (6:30-7pm)

Lee Fields & The Expressions - Ladies [Truth & Soul]
Nestor Wynrush - Garbage Hill [Clothes Horse Records]
Bike For Three! - Lazarus Phenomenon [Anticon]
Rock Plaza Central - O Lord, How Many Are My Foes [Paper Bag Records]
James Hill & Anne Davison - Sakura, Sakura [Borealis]
Grizzly Bear - All We Ask [Warp]

Set Two (7-7:30pm)

Field Assembly - Alkali [Independent]
Timber Timbre - Song 1 [Live At Music Trader]
Timber Timbre - Song 2 [Live At Music Trader]
Timber Timbre - Song 3 - I Get Low [Live At Music Trader]
Timber Timbre - Song 4 - There Is A Cure [Live At Music Trader]
Violent Kin - Let Go And Let God [Independent]

Set Three (7:30-8pm)

Animal Names - Frogs In 2010
Phoenix - Lisztomania [Loyaute/Glassnote]
Viva Voce - Good As Gold [Barsuk]
Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens - Am I Asking Too Much? [Daptone Records]
Fat Freddy's Drop - Pull the Catch [Amplifier]
Grand Analog - Her Daddy (Don't Like Me) [Urbnet]
Tiga - What You Need [Last Gang/Ultra]