How It Went Down - August 3rd and 10th

Busy times in TGIFR land. So busy that I'm just now catching up on playlists. August 3rd featured an interview by phone with Katie Cooper of Australian band An Horse (who came to town with Cursive and Brand New) where we talked coffee and baseball caps. Former Winnipegger Linda Holeman was back in town to launch her lastest historical novel, The Lost Souls Of Angelkov and we sat down for a lengthy interview, and Bobby Desjarlais of The Bokononists came in for an awesome live session that saw him playing a whole bunch of brand new songs (written within days of his performance!).

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Lyrical Militant - "Humanity's Tragedy (feat. Flo & Silly Willy)" [Independent]
Aesop Rock - "Fryerstarter" [Def Jux / World's Fair]
Interview with Katie Cooper of An Horse
An Horse - "Leave Me" [Mom + Pop]
Leah Hunter - "Lilac" [Independent]


Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Linda Holeman

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Elk - "Before The Sun" [Indoor Shoes]
Pop Crimes - "City Head" [Independent]
Bobby Desjarlais - "I'm In" [Live at UMFM]
Bobby Desjarlais - "Mile Away" [Live at UMFM]
Bobby Desjarlais - "Failed To Paint A Door" [Live at UMFM]
Bobby Desjarlais - "Simply Not Good Enough" [Live at UMFM]
Bobby Desjarlais - "Pretending" [Live at UMFM]
Ondatropica - "Gaita Tropica" [Soundway]

________________________________________

Last Friday the focus was on festivals as I spoke to the organizers of the resurrected Rainbow Trout Music Festival and the Lockport Dam Family Festival. RTMF runs this weekend so there's still time to get your tickets but you missed the boat at Lockport if you didn't catch the show when it aired on Friday.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Prince Rama - "So Destroyed" [Paw Tracks]
Dum Dum Girls - "Lord Knows" [Sub Pop]
Interview with Ben Jones of Rainbow Trout Music Festival
The Bokononists - "How Come Your Eyes Are So Big?" [Live at UMFM]
Tame Impala - "Apocalypse Dream" [Modular]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Alexander Tucker - "The Glass Axe" [Thrill Jockey]
David Daniell and Douglas McCombs - "Rialto" [Thrill Jockey]
Balmorhea - "Pyrakantha" [Western Vinyl]
d'eon - "#109" [Arbutus]
Icebreaker with BJ Cole - "Always Returning" [Cantaloupe Music]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

New Hands - "Tulips" [Independent]
The Luyas - "Fifty Fifty" [Paper Bag Records]
Interview with Lockport Dam Family Festival organizers
Sol James - "What You're Gonna Do" [Live at UMFM]
The Wilderness of Manitoba - "Morning Sun" [Killbeat]
Alice Russell - "Heartbreaker (Live)" [Unreleased]

________________________________________

This coming Friday (August 17th), I'll be talking to the organizers of another summer festival, and celebrating my birthday the next day with some of my favourite new tunes.

Brace yourselves, tomorrow's a marathon...

Well tomorrow's show is chock-a-block with talk and some music crammed into every nook-and-cranny. I rarely do this because it makes my ninety minutes a juggling act, but due to a jam-packed calendar of events in and around Winnipeg in the next week there are 5 (yup, 5) interviews on the show tonight. Justin Olynyk - host of Play It Again on UMFM - joins me for the second straight week to discuss the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. The man has been holed up in various venues for several days watching and reviewing fringe plays and he'll be giving me the rundown on the best and the rest of the fest.

Earlier this week I had Saint Kris in to do a live session and interview (co-interviewed by Roger Kimbeni of the great new show The College Draft). Kris dropped a brand new song and talked about where he's headed musically after the B.Y.O.B. mixtape. Kris will be opening for The Happy Unfortunate's July Never Dies CD release show at the Urban Forest this Friday.

Speaking of The Happy Unfortunate, I spoke with one half of the hip-hop duo by phone amidst his busy schedule getting ready for the release show. Malcolm-Jamal Wilson talked about the more balanced split of production and lyric-writing that he and his partner Envoy (Daniel Caneda) managed on this new record. After playing their release show, The Happy Unfortunate will be helping to kick off Islendingadagurinn in Gimli on August long - and on that note, we have our annual talk with Robbie Rousseau about Icelandic Fest and all the free entertainment on the docket [** full disclosure: I'm responsible for programming the Friday night at the pier "Islendingarock" for the first time this year. Little House, The Happy Unfortunate and Cannon Bros. will all be playing that night].

My final interview is with BBQ legend Ted Reader - seriously the dude has BBQ sauces with his name and face on them, that makes him a legend in my book. Ted's coming to town next week (July 31st and August 1st) to promote his new cookbook, Beerlicious Vol. 1 which is all about combining beer and BBQing - who can't get behind that? The cookbook is great and includes lots of recipes involving microbrews and even a few things you can find at the MLCC on the regular. I'll be doing a giveaway on air so definitely keep your dialing fingers primed to call in to win.

How It Went Down - July 13, 2012

This was a particularly talk-heavy show after a few weeks concentrating on new music that has crossed my plate. Gabriel Akinminrade dropped by to talk about his latest release under the Box Of Wolves moniker, Illusions. Had hoped he'd do a live session as well, but his MPC has been acting up so he'll have to come back to do that! After playing the Tall Black Guy remix of her track "Hieroglyphics" I connected with Maylee Todd on Twitter and we set up a phoner to talk about all the remixes that have been done to material from her debut record, Choose Your Own Adventure, and what she's working on as a follow-up. And finally, I spoke to Fresh Kils by phone from Halifax where he was about to play a Deltron 3030 afterparty before hitting the road to join Relic and Birdapres on the Extra Miles tour, which landed in Winnipeg at the LO Pub on Tuesday, July 17th.

 Here's what was played:  

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Drums and Wires - "Stop For A Drink" [Independent]
SonReal - "Sweet (dub)" [1812 Recordings]
Interview with Fresh Kils
The Extremities - "Dial Tones (feat. Lushlife, Ghettosocks and Ambition)" [Kil Zone]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Gabriel Akinminrade
Box Of Wolves - "The Wake Up" [Independent]
Box Of Wolves - "Say It" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Dub Pistols - "West End Story (ft. Akala & Dan Bowskill)" [Sunday Best Recordings]
Maylee Todd - "Summer Sounds" [Do Right!]
Yopeckummah - "Love Affair" [Independent]

________________________________________

This week (July 20th) is another busy one. I'll be talking to Joe Klymkiw about his documentary Hip Hop Eh, examining the history and current state of the Canadian hip-hop scene, Joshua Hyslop will be discussing nearly dying before creating Where The Mountain Meets The Valley, Chris from Hot Panda will be talking about the new record Go Outside and Justin Olynyk - host of Play It Again on UMFM - will be joining me by phone for the first of two live reports from the 25th annual Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

How It Went Down - July 6, 2012

Well, it's been ridiculously hot lately, and though my brain is somewhat fried, I've still been able to process a lot of great new music that has crossed my desk (thank you a/c at work...) and tonight's episode was chock-a-block with great stuff, including three new live tracks from A Waste Odyssey. The I'm Trying Records band is releasing the follow-up to We Are Mourning People in August and the album was recorded at UMFM's very own live studio so the group was no stranger to the set-up when they came in to record their live session with me this week. I also spoke to the band Fish & Bird by phone from Drumheller as they made their way across the west to get to Birds Hill Park in time for the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Yeasayer - "Longevity" [Secretly Canadian]
Frank Ocean - "Pyramids" [Island/Def Jam]
Dirg Gerner - "My Queen" [Ho Tep]
Dirg Gerner - "Rubies & Diamonds (feat. Fatima)" [Ho Tep]
Yosi Horikawa - "Bubbles" [First Word Records]
Belleruche - "Wasted Time (Ross PTH mix)" [Tru Thoughts]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Sidi Toure - "A Chacun Sa Chance (To Each His Own Luck)" [Thrill Jockey]
Fish & Bird - "Well Run Dry" [Independent]
Breagh MacKinnon - "Harbourtown" [Independent]
Calexico - "Para" [Anti-]
MV & EE - "Sweet Sure Gone" [Woodsist]


Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Ancient VVisdom - "Necessary Evil" [Prosthetic Records]
Shotgun Dolls - "From The Roots" [Independent]
Gold Fields - "Treehouse" [Astralwerks]
Communist Daughter - "Heart Attack" [Grain Belt Records]
Grand Beach - "Joanna" [Independent]
A Waste Odyssey - "Grey Balloon" [Live at UMFM]
A Waste Odyssey - "Devil" [Live at UMFM]
A Waste Odyssey - "Weather Eye" [Live at UMFM]
Advance Base - "Goldfish In A Robin's Nest" [Orindal Records]
Two Wounded Birds - "My Lonesome" [Holiday Friends Recording Co.]

How It Went Down - June 29, 2012

Pretty quiet show compared to the last several weeks. No interviews, no live sessions, no sweat. Just a whole lot of music including a sneak preview of the new album July Never Dies from The Happy Unfortunate, some sweet beats from Detroit courtesy of Tall Black Guy, and a bunch of other great stuff.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Happy Unfortunate - "Just A Minute" [Independent]
Tall Black Guy - "Drift Away To Where I Don't Care (The Al Jarrea Flip-Up) [Independent]
Gang Colours - "On Compton Bay" [Brownswood Recordings]
Cosmo Jarvis - "Love This" [The End]
Esthero - "Never Gonna Let You Go" [Unreleased]
Dojo Cuts feat. Roxie Ray - "Easy To Come Home" [Record Kicks]
Spherical - "My Baby" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Gt. Dane - "Your Welcome" [Independent]
Chris Forsyth - "Downs & Ups" [Northern Spy]
Evening Hymns - "Arrows" [Shuffling Feet Records]
Dirty Projectors - "About To Die" [Domino]
Fiona Apple - "Valentine" [Epic]
Louise Burns and the Moonshiners - "Lodger" [Light Organ Records]


Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

TV Girl - "I Wonder Who She's Kissing Now" [Independent]
Bruce Haack - "National Anthem To The Moon (Stepkids remix)" [Stones Throw]
Maylee Todd - "Hieroglyphics (Tall Black Guy remix)" [Unreleased]
Rich Kidd - "You Had To Be There" [Independent]
Disciples of Soul - "Together" [Now Again]
Muneshine - "There Is Only Today" [Droppin' Science]
Rich Kidd & Drake - "Easy 2 Please (feat. Richie Sosa)" [Independent]
John Smith - "Thirstday" [Urbnet]
Bruce Haack - "Stand Up Lazarus (Peanut Butter Wolf remix)" [Stones Throw]


_____________________________________

This week I'll have an interview with folk act Fish & Bird who are playing Winnipeg Folk Festival, and I'll be spotlighting some of my own 'must-see' picks of the fest including Sidi Toure.

How It Went Down - June 22, 2012

Another week, another busy show. I had a lengthy interview with educator/author Paul Keery about Canada At War, the graphic (as in graphic novel) history of Canada's role in World War II that has just been published by Douglas & McIntyre. A fantastic read and the artwork by Michael Wyatt is pretty stellar. Brian Dunn stopped by UMFM earlier in the week and did a live session and interview with me (the live session is HERE) - he'll be back in town playing Le Garage on June 30th. And I had food specialist/nutritionist Leslie DePodesta on to talk about Chex mix recipes as the fine folks at Chex gave us prize packs featuring their gluten-free products. I led things off with the debut airing of Box Of Wolves new single "Sunlight" - you can grab it HERE.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Box Of Wolves - "Sunlight" [Independent]
Dinosaurus Rex - "CNLVYBTTR" [Independent]
Silkken Laumann - "House Of Common Problems" [Independent]
Interview with Leslie DePodesta
Stars - "The Theory Of Relativity" [ATO Records]
Yeasayer - "Longevity" [Secretly Canadian]
Grizzly Bear - "Sleeping Ute" [Warp]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Paul Keery

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Brian Dunn - "Crash" [Live at UMFM]
Brian Dunn - "Country" [Live at UMFM]
Brian Dunn - "Slow Learner" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Brian Dunn
Brian Dunn - "Winnipeg" [Cosmic Dave's Record Factory]

______________________________________________

Still hammering out details for this week's show, but since Canada Day is right around the corner, I expect there'll be a lot of new music from our nation's citizens.

How It Went Down: June 8th and June 15th

Busy few weeks at UMFM with the 2012 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival kicking off last Thursday and a slew of other acts rolling through town (except for Russian Circles; thanks to you Emerson border-crossing). Several live sessions have been recorded with acts playing the opening weekend kickoff at Old Market Square, and just yesterday Toronto act the Heavyweights Brass Band stopped by for a blazing session that will get its debut on Sounds of Science tomorrow between 3:30-5:30pm. TGIFR has been particularly chock-full of guests as a result of this and so the past two episodes have featured interviews aplenty and some fantastic new music.

Here's the scoop:

June 8, 2012

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Abdominal - "Pedal Pusher" [Do Right!]
Interview with MEC BikeFest organizers
Brasstronaut - "Falklands" [Unfamiliar Records]
Norrin Radd - "Will To Survive" [Lotus Audio]
School of Seven Bells - "The Night" [Ghostly/Vagrant]
Wintersleep - "Resuscitate" [EMI]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Jeff Rubin about his latest book, The End of Growth


Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Moonwood - "Invite Me To Stare Into The Darkness" [Arachnadiscs]
White Lung - "St. Dad" [Independent]
Interview with Flo
Flo - "Tell Me Why" [Independent]
Sonnymoon - "Flit, Fleet, Float" [Plug Research]

______________________________________________

June 15, 2012

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Poolside - "Slow Down" [Echo Park]
Bry Webb - "Rivers Of Gold" [Idee Fixe]
Elizabeth Shepherd - "Lonely House" [Pinwheel Music]
Cassandra Wilson - "Almost Twelve" [E One]
Interview with Anna MacDonald, director of the documentary Fight For Freedom
Michael Rault - "The Things You Said" [Pirates Blend]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Jon McKiel
Jon McKiel - "Iceman" [Youth Club Records]
Conveyor - "Short Hair" [Paper Garden Records]
Interview with Goose Hut
Goose Hut - "Bad Time" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Way Yes - "Singing" [Lefse Records]
Interview with Parlovr
Parlovr - "4000" [Dine Alone Records]
Teen Daze - "Late" [Lefse Records]
Conn-Shawnery - "Ain't No Way (feat. Wayne Tennant & blurum13)" [Independent]

____________________________________________________

This week, I'll be talking to Paul Keery, educator and author of a graphic novel history of Canada's role in World War II called Canada At War (with illustrations by Michael Wyatt). It's a fantastic book that brings a piece of the country's past into the present.

How It Went Down: May 18, May 25 and June 1

Man, I am completely slack on updating this blog and posting about what's going on on TGIFR. To catch up, here's the scoop on the last three weeks:

MAY 18, 2012

I was joined by Thunder Bay act Alaska Army Band for a live session and interview and then aired a mammoth interview with NPR correspondent & author Michelle Mercer about her book on Joni Mitchell's Blue period, Will You Take Me As I Am.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Trio Bembe - "Drume Negrita" [Live at UMFM]

Joni Mitchell - "Help Me" [Reprise]
Interview with Michelle Mercer

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Michelle Mercer (continued)
Joni Mitchell - "Free Man In Paris" [Reprise]
Joni Mitchell - "California" [Reprise]
Joni Mitchell - "Hejira"  [Reprise]


Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Alaska Army Band - "You Can't Smell Love Without OV" [Live at UMFM]
Alaska Army Band - "Slowed Down To A Crawl" [Live at UMFM]
Alaska Army Band - "At The Bridge" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Alaska Army Band
Alaska Army Band - "Nine To Five" [Independent]

_____________________________________

MAY 25, 2012

A special interview and live session with Haligonian Jon Bryant, a talk with Cinematheque's Dave Barber about Music v. Filmmakers II, and a feature length talk with Will Ferguson about his latest book, 419.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Sugarman Three - "Your Friendly Neighborhood Sugarman" [Daptone]
The Skydiggers - "Fire Engine (Red Explosion)" [Latent Recordings]
Bruce Springsteen - "Shackled and Drawn" [Sony]
SitDownTracy - "Lesser, Manitoba" [Independent]
Bahamas - "Lost In The Light" [Barchords Inc. / Universal]
Rufus Wainwright - "Montauk" [Decca Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Will Ferguson

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Jon Bryant - "Take Me If You Must" [Live at UMFM]
Jon Bryant - "Ontario" [Live at UMFM]
Jon Bryant - "Evening Sun" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with Jon Bryant
Jon Bryant - "Souls of Manhattan" [Independent]

________________________________________

JUNE 1, 2012

	Live session and interview with The Strumbellas, who came to town to open for Sweet Alibi on Wednesday before heading west. Speaking of Sweet Alibi, they played the Back 40 Festival in Morden on Sunday June 3 and I spoke to the communications coordinator, Jocelyn Unrau about the fest.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Shawn Lee - "Galactica" [ESL Music]
PS I Love You - "Don't Go" [Paper Bag Records]
Kestrels - "Drowning Girl" [Sonic Unyon]
Jack White - "Sixteen Saltines" [Third Man Records/Sony]
Interview with Jocelyn Unrau
Sweet Alibi - "The Trial" [Live at UMFM]

The Tallest Man On Earth - "1904" [Dead Oceans]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

The Strumbellas - "Lakes" [Live at UMFM]
The Strumbellas - "The Bird That Follows Me" [Live at UMFM]
The Strumbellas - "The Sheriff" [Live at UMFM]
Interview with The Strumbellas
The Strumbellas - "Rhinestone" [Independent]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Chris Forsyth - "East Kensington Run Down" [Northern Spy]
Mike Scheidt - "When Time Forgets Time" [Thrill Jockey]
Illusive Mind - "Untitled 3" [Independent]
Eliot Lipp - "The Sunset" [Pretty Lights Music]

___________________________________________

This week I'll be talking to author / economist Jeff Rubin about his latest book, The End of Growth. I interviewed him several years ago when he wrote his first book, Why Your World Is About To Get A Whole Lot Smaller and this latest book certainly picks up on some of the same themes about expensive oil and the dramatic impact it will have on the world economy. I'll also be talking Bike Fest and doing some giveaways. Speaking of giveaways, I have a copy of Parlovr's Kook Soul album that I'll be giving out on June 15th to coincide with an interview with the band in advance of their show at the LO Pub.

How It Went Down - May 11, 2012

Tonight's episode featured an in-depth interview with the former head of English language programming at the CBC, Richard Stursberg about his memoir Tower of Babble. Fascinating stuff and well worth the listen (and the read).

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Kendra Morris - "If You Didn't Go" [Wax Poetics]
Muneshine - "Starter Jacket" (feat. D-Sisive) [Independent]
Cityreal & Wes Mackey - "Angel" (feat. D-Sisive) [Independent]
Thom Janusz - "Crystals" [Luv 'n Haight]
Pixel - "Esset" [Cuneiform Records]
Yamantaka // Sonic Titan - "A Star Over Pureland" [Psychic Handshake]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Richard Stursberg

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

JP Hoe - "Lions and Tiger" [Independent]
The Racoon Wedding - "Onondaga" [Fort Plant Recording Co.]
Parlovr - "Fisticuffs & Affidavits" [Dine Alone Records]
Wooden Rings - "To Let You Go" [Independent]
Los Miticos Del Ritmo - "Cumbia de Mochilla" [Soundway]
Beach House - "Other People" [Sub Pop]
Humans - "De Ciel" [Hybridity Music]

______________________

Next week is still getting sorted out, but we're in the process of recording live sessions with artists playing the 2012 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival so I may have some of those to play, as well as a session with Alaska Army Band. Plus, maybe just maybe I'll be talking to Will Ferguson about his new novel 419 - I just have to finish reading it before I talk to him!

How It Went Down - May 4, 2012

Just one guest on the show on Friday. San Francisco band Sleepy Suns were in Winnipeg on May 5th to play the LO Pub but before they hit town I got vocalist Bret Constantino on the phone for an interview about the new album Spine Hits, touring, the San Francisco Giants and what exactly is wrong with Tim Lincecum this season (among other things).

On sad note, RIP Adam Yauch

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Beastie Boys - "Sure Shot" [EMI]
Fay Hallam & The Bongolian - "Dancing" [BlowUp Records]
Monophonics feat. Fanny Franklin - "All Together" [Ubiquity]
Lushlife - "Magnolia" [Western Vinyl]
TV Girl - "I Wonder Who She's Kissing" [Independent]
Mares Of Thrace - "Act II: Bathsheba's Reply To David" [Sonic Unyon]
Viridians - "Nauts" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Bret Constantino of Sleepy Suns
Sleepy Sun - "Martyr's Mantra" [The End Records]
Cold Specks - "Blank Maps" [Arts & Crafts]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Keri Latimer - "Strange Love" [So Forth]
The Shins - "It's Only Life" [Sony/Columbia]
Chains Of Love - "All The Time" [Dine Alone Records]
Army Girls - "Twice" [Unreleased]
Wadada Leo Smith - "Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott [Cuneiform Records]
Mr. Oizo - "Stade 3" [Independent]

____________________________

This week on TGIFR, I'll be talking to former head of English programming at the CBC, Richard Stursberg, about his book Tower Of Babble, as well as Ryan McMahon who is coming through town to play Pop Soda's on May 15th.

How It Went Down April 20 and April 27 2012

I keep missing the boat on updating what's going on with the show, so here we go again with another multi-week catch-up post. April 20th featured my marathon interview with Canadian music icon Bernie Finkelstein about his memoir True North chronicling his time managing acts like Kensington Market and Bruce Cockburn and establishing the label from which he takes his book's name. The man had lots of stories to share. I also spoke to Demetra Penner (aka Demetra) about her upcoming tour with Jenny Berkel and national response to her album Lone Migration.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Franklin Fernando - "When I Be Free" [Manitoba Music]
Fire and Smoke - "Lord I'm Leaving" [Manitoba Music]
Interview with Demetra Jenny Berkel - "Come A Long Way" [Independent]
Demetra - "Maiden Of Ice" [Head In The Sand]
Willis Earl Beal - "Evening's Kiss" [XL Recordings]  

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Bernie Finkelstein


Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM 

Murray McLauchlan - "On The Boulevard" [True North]

Del Barber - "Can't Turn Around" [Six Shooter Records]
Batida - "Tribalismo (feat. Circuito Feixado)" [Soundway]
Fraction & Fresh Kils - "Change" [KilZone]

 ____________________________

April 27th once again saw two interviews - one with Sean McManus, Program Manager at Manitoba Music to discuss their Youth Mentorship program and the Re-Generation: A Prairie Mixtape compilation and project. The second was with former University of Manitoba student Nahlah Ayed, who is best known as a reporter for the CBC who has covered the Middle East extensively over the past decade. Her book A Thousand Farewells is a fascinating combo of memoir and reportage and we had a lengthy and interesting discussion about her experiences.

Here's what was played:  

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Third Coast Kings - "Spicy Brown" [Record Kicks]
The Bamboos - "Where Does The Time Go? (feat. Aloe Blacc)" [Tru Thoughts]
Flo - "Echo (feat. Ismaila Alfa)" [Independent]
Thomas Sinnott - "What I Really Had" [Manitoba Music]
Interview with Sean McManus
Avery Eramchuk - "What I Like Best" [Manitoba Music]  

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Jonathan Inc. - "Drag Us Down" [Independent]
Interview with Nahlah Ayed  

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Anne Janelle - "Frangipani" [Independent]
Father John Misty - "O I Long To Feel Your Arms Around Me" [Sub Pop]
Chicago Underground Duo - "Castle In Your Heart" [Northern Spy Records]
Chains Of Love - "All The Time" [Dine Alone Records]
Sleepy Sun - "She Rex" [The End Records]
Purity Ring - "Obedear" [Domino]
Angelo Francois - "My Life" [Trilogy Music]
Nas - "Daughter" [Unreleased]

_______________________________

This week is still a little unsettled as I'm waiting on confirmation with Cold Speck who will be in town opening for Great Lake Swimmers, but I have already interviewed Bret Constantino from San Francisco psych-rockers Sleepy Sun about their new record and their show at the LO Pub this Saturday, May 5th.

How It Went Down: April 6 and 13, 2012

The last two weeks have been thick with author interviews and it's looking like that trend will continue as this Friday (April 20th) I have a marathon talk with Canadian music luminary Bernie Finkelstein about his memoir True North chronicling a life in the music business. And in coming weeks I'll be talking to NPR's Michelle Mercer about her book on Joni Mitchell's Blue period, Nahlah Ayed about her memoir A Thousand Farewells, and the new book Tower of Babble from former CBC honcho Richard Stursberg is sure to generate some interesting discussion when we sit down.

Here's what happened on the past two episodes:

APRIL 6 2012

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Whirr - "Bogus" [Tee Pee Records]
The Archers - "The Sun Will Rise" [Independent]
Dinosaur Feathers - "City Living" [Ernest Jenning Record Co.]
Olivier Jarda - "Ship Of Fools" [Jam Jar]
UPC All Stars - "Don't Get Discouraged" [Now Again]
Sachal Studios Orchestra - "Take Five" [E One]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Lillian Nattel about Web Of Angels
Real Boys - "Vacation" [Independent]
Great Lake Swimmers - "New Wild Everywhere" [Nettwerk]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Keys N Krates - "Let It Rain" [Urbnet]
BADBADNOTGOOD - "Bastard/Lemonade" [Independent]
Lioness - "White Moth" [New Romantic]
The Great Sabatini - "Null And Void" [No List]
Rise Ashen - "Kingpin (feat. Slim Moore)" [Balanced Records]
Miike Snow - "The Wave" [Downtown/Universal Republic]
___________________________________

APRIL 13 2012

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Skydiggers - "You've Been Gone So Long" [Latent Recordings]
The Antlers - "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out" [Frenchkiss Records]
High On Fire - "Samsara" [E One]
Double Fuzz - "Don't Wanna Be Bad No More" [Independent]
Eamon McGrath - "Young Canadians" [White Whale Records]
Sidi Toure - "Maimouna" [Thrill Jockey]
WITCH - "That's What I Want" [Now Again]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Rich Podolsky about Don Kirshner: The Man with the Golden Ear

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Bobby Vee - "Take Good Care Of My Baby" [Decca]
royceBIRTH - "Soul Clap" [Independent]
Boys Who Say No - "Ms. Lee" [Independent]
Thavius Beck - "Of Mine" [Plug Research]

Catching up on my playlists (February 24 - March 30)

Can't believe I haven't updated this blog since the middle of February, but then again I can. There were a couple weeks where TGIFR was preempted for Bison Hockey broadcasts. Here's the scoop on past episodes (podcasts for the past 6 episodes are now up on UMFM).

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February 24, 2012

I spoke to Marisa Hochman and Bette Woodland, author and illustrator respectively of A Walk In Pirate's Cove. It's a wonderful new children's book that was just launched at McNally Robinson last night. Also interviewed Allen Levine, discussing his fascinating biography of former Prime Minister King.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Brothers - "Bury This Wound" [Independent]
Leonard Cohen - "Show Me The Place" [Sony]
Interview with Marisa Hochman and Bette Woodland

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Interview with Allen Levine
Bowerbirds - "Sweet Moment" [Dead Oceans]
Damien Jurado - "This Time Next Year" [Secretly Canadian]
Baby Eagle & The Proud Mothers - "Old Punks" [You've Changed Records]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Eric Chenaux - "Genitalia Domestique" [Constellation]
Dustin Wong - "Tea Tree Leaves Retreat" [Thrill Jockey]
Demetra - "Hold Me Close" [Head In The Sand]

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March 16, 2012

A feature length interview with Yukon Blonde about their brand new album Tiger Talk.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Slakadeliqs - "Keep Breathing (feat. Justin Nozuka)" [Independent]
Spoek Mathambo - "Dog To Bone" [Sub Pop]
Sao Paolo Underground - "Rio Negro" [Cuneiform]
Les Momies De Palerme - "Brulez De Coeur" [Constellation]
Carolina Chocolate Drops - "Po' Black Sheep" [Nonesuch]
Red Moon Road - "Hypothetical Girl" [Live at UMFM]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

David Newberry - "All Of The Apples In The Basket" [Northern Electric]
Octoberman - "Dressed Up" [Saved By Vinyl]
Interview with Yukon Blonde
Yukon Blonde - "Guns" [Dine Alone Records]
Bowerbirds - "Stitch The Hem" [Dead Oceans]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

SitDownTracy - "Best Friend A Go-Go" [Independent]
From Giants - "Behold The Kingdom At Hand" [Live at UMFM]
The Wooden Sky - "The Wooden Sky" [Live at UMFM]
Lost In The Trees - "Neither Here Nor There" [Anti-]
Bleating Hearts - "Intro" [Independent]
The Slakadeliqs - "Speed Of Time" [Independent]

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March 23, 2012

A great talk with Marc from Octoberman about his new album Waiting In The Well, which was inspired by the great Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. We geek out over a shared love of Murakami and his latest novel, 1Q84.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Box Of Wolves - "Summer '93" [Independent]
Georgia Anne Muldrow - "Calabash" [E One]
THEESatisfaction - "QueenS" [Sub Pop]
Young Sin - "Old School" [Camobear]
The Happy Unfortunate - "Another Time Zone" [Spaceship Audio]
fLako - "Irakundji" [Project: Mooncircle]
fLako - "Sun Ba" [Project: Mooncircle]
Mark de Clive-Lowe - "The Why" [Tru Thoughts]
Vikter Duplaix - "Morning Sun (feat. Common)" [Independent]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Dawson Blaine - "Upon A Map Of Dreams" [Independent]
Long Distance Runners - "Sally Ann" [360 Degrees Of Sound]
Interview with Octoberman
Octoberman - "Wind Up Bird" [Saved By Vinyl]

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Dumb Angel - "Victoria" [Clamour Records]
Zachary Lucky - "Across The Ocean" [Independent]
Luke Roberts - "Will You Be Mine" [Thrill Jockey]
Jordsy - "New Age" [Independent]
Northern Valentine - "The White Mountains" [Silber]
Caetano Veloso and David Byrne - "Corocao Vagabundo" [Nonesuch]

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March 30, 2012

Lots of talk on this most recent episode as I spoke to Arbutus Records act TOPS about their new album Tender Opposites and getting a bump from the success of label-mated Grimes. I also spoke to roots artist Lindi Ortega who was recently tapped by Social Distortion to open for them on an upcoming tour, and had an in-depth talk with Randy Poe, longtime president of Leiber & Stoller Music Publishing and author of an hilarious/informative book about "song plugging" called Stalking The Red Headed Stranger.

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

The Wooden Sky - "Take Me Out" [Live at UMFM]
The Young Pixels - "All My Relations" [Independent]
Interview with Lindi Ortega
Lindi Ortega - "I'm No Elvis Presley" [Last Gang Records]

Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

Frank Sinatra - "The Girls I Never Kissed" [Columbia]
Interview with Randy Poe

Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Ane Brun - "Worship (feat. Jose Gonzalez) [PIAS]
Interview with TOPS
TOPS - "Rings Of Saturn" [Arbutus Records]
Quantic & Alice Russell with the Combo Barbaro - "Travelling Song" [Tru Thoughts]

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*** So this Friday, being Good Friday and a stat holiday, I'll be home with my family. But I have a pre-record that will include a lengthy interview with author Lillian Nattel about her latest novel, Web Of Angels, which is a fascinating portrayal of a woman living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (aka "multiple personalities") plus a whackload of new music, which is coming out in droves these days.

How It Went Down - February 17, 2012

After several weeks of TGIFR being preempted for Bison Hockey broadcasts, the show was back this week (I, of course, have been here the whole time since I work the boards for the hockey broadcasts) and I was joined by phone by Wes from The Darcys who reinterpreted Steely Dan's dad-rock classic Aja, in addition to releasing their self-titled debut a few months ago. I caught him after a 14 hour drive to Portland. Also spoke to Romi Mayes about her February 25th show at the Park Theatre with longtime co-conspirator Jay Nowicki, and with opener Bobby Desjarlais.

Here's what was played:

Set One: 6:30 PM - 7 PM

Evan Voytas - "You Don't Even Know Where It's At" [Dovecote Records]
Mitchmatic - "One Word" [Old Ugly]
Grimes - "Genesis" [Arbutus/4AD]
Phenomenal Handclap Band - "Form & Control" [Tummy Touch Records]
Cedar Park - "Think So Now (feat. Esthero)" [Dead Daisy Records]
Alex Winston - "Choice Notes (Jesus Million remix) [Unreleased]
Quantic & Alice Russell with Combo Barbaro - "Look Around The Corner" [Tru Thoughts]


Set Two: 7 PM - 7:30 PM

The Wooden Sky - "Angelina" [Black Box Recordings]
Rose Cousins - "One Way" [Outside Music]
Paper Beat Scissors - "Folds" [Forward Music Group]
Interview with Romi Mayes
Romi Mayes - "I Can't Get You Off Of My Mind [Live at CYRK]
Romi Mayes - "Lucky Tonight" [Independent]


Set Three: 7:30 PM - 8 PM

Wintermitts - "Birds" [Independent]
The Bokononists - "In War This Is Fair" [Independent]
Interview with The Darcys
The Darcys - "Home At Last" [Arts & Crafts]
Memoryhouse - "All Our Wonder" [Sub Pop]

How It Went Down - January 13, 2012

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]


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Catch you in a couple weeks!

Catching up and looking ahead...

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.