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).

__________________________

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]

__________________________

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]

_________________________

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]

______________________________

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]

_______________________


*** 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]