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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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.