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.

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]
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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.