How It Went Down: June 17, 2011

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: April 15, 2011

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 - June 18 2010

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...

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...

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

Wanna go to Jazz Fest?

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.