Capital Rock City #80 // Acres of Lions, Said the Whale, Hannah Georgas, Missing Starla, Porchlife

Thank you for finding Capital Rock City #80.  I hope you like my weekly indie rocker podcast so much you’ll consider sharing it with a friend, subscribing and rating/commenting on iTunes and of course, coming back next week for CRC 81 LIVE from the Black Stilt Coffee House.

Download: Capital Rock City #80

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DJ Notes

01) Acres of Lions – “Dance Sequence”
02) Said the Whale – “Goodnight Moon”
03) Hannah Georgas – “The national”
04) Missing Starla – “Girlfriend in a Coma (III)”
05) Porchlife – “Who Are You”

The show starts with AOL’s new music video song “Dance Sequence.”  What a groovy video, if you haven’t seen it click here.

Acres of Lions are in action locally on Saturday the 14th when they support the Armchair Cynics.

I tell the story on the podcast about my daughter Madelyn’s current obsession with book the “Goodnight Moon.”  She is not the only one, Said the Whale wrote a song inspired by the book (and its not the only literarialy inspired song on the podcast this week… how smart).

Hannah Georgas wrote a song about The National!  I *heart* The National so I had to hear this song.  So pretty.  what a gem.

Twitter: Said the Whale
Twitter: Hannah Georgas

Missing Starla finally heard an old podcast I did where I told the story about their name.  Victor sent me an email:

(…) The first is a slow mellow song called Girlfriend in a Coma Part III. It’s a song inspired by Douglas Coupland’s Book called, Girlfriend in Coma, which was inspired by the Smiths song: Girlfriend in a Coma(hence the part III). What’s also interesting about this song is that it is in a contest on ourstage.com and is riding in 15th out of 593 entries. So, if people want to go and vote for it or other independent artists they can do so at www.ourstage.com (…) Awhile back on your show you talked about the band Missing Starla and how they got their name. It seems we share a link: Irene and Derrick have come to some of our earlier shows ha!. We wanted to thank you for mentioning us on your show. Sorry, it took so long we recently got word that there was a blurb about us at the Zone through Franco.

If you are interested we would love to do a feature with you or be involved somehow with your show. Here is a link to our webpage: http://www.missingstarla.com

Presently, we are playing a show in Langley on the 12th, back in Vancouver for the 28th at the Yale and real soon going to start working on a new record.

Once again, thank you so much for that blurb, we appreciated it and I hope we can work together one day soon.

All the best,

Missing Starla

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and show ends with a classic Vic indie rocker, Porchlife.  Wow, my email from Nick the Viking sums this up best:

Hey man – I’m sending you 6 files via yousend it – 2 demo tracks and 4 lives tracks from Porchlifewe found em in an old pizza pops box haha

 

the sound on the demos is ok, i’m sure you’ll cringe at the live stuff though.

the band was made up of Steve Baker, vocals (still doing music, just not publicly much unfortunately – has a killer voice!) – Ted Gowans, guitar (now Tegan and Sara)- Dono Rush, bass (now hitting the charts on Kool FM with Santa Clara) – Cory Monteith, drums (some actor or something I think…haha)

it was recorded in 2001 and I think the demo tracks were done by Adam Sutherland back when he was in Limestone! crazy.

enjoy man.

-nick

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Good times.  Thank you for downloading my show and I hope you’ll take the time to share the link with a friend.  Talk to you next week.

Go with yourself.

a Byzantinian Ordeal

Christmas 2002, my folks got me a book about Canadian history from the CBC.  The People’s History I think its called.  Its a fairly complete history of Canadian told with a series of first person accounts of important events in Canadian History.  At the time, I worked at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver and jocked the overnight shift in their communications hub in the bowels of the hotel.  I read a lot and I read these books.

I have always been intrigued by the story of John Jewitt.

John Jewitt was an armourer who sailed to Vancouver Island in the early 1800s.  While in Nootka Sound, the natives there mascaraed his ship and Jewitt was one of the only survivors.  He was taken captive by the chief Maquinna and forced to be his personal armourer.  He lived among the nation for some time before finally escaping back to Boston.

I always thought it would make for a mighty movie but I have no skills at making a movie.  But I could make it a podcast?  hmmm.

A couple things have conspired to re ignite the idea to make a history podcast.

1) Radiolabs – This podcast I discovered a few years ago when Pitchfork did a story about its subtle (yet awesome) soundtrack.  It might be the best audio broadcast I have ever heard.  It has been hugely influential on what I want to do with audio productions.  My skills aren’t there yet, but practice makes perfect and it might be time to try and put together an epic, entertaining narrative.

2) History podcasts – They suck.  The top rated History Podcast I could find on iTunes was 12 Byzantine Rulers.   I am sure the dude knows his stuff, but dry dry dry.  And there wasn’t much better.

I think I can make a hot sounding history podcast.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Step One… find and read Jewitt’s book.  Step Two, find the experts on British Columbian history to tell the tale.  Step Three, produce show.  Step Four, market and distribute the greatest Canadian history podcast.

the only problem… I don’t know if those are the proper steps? ahhhhh.

Go with yourself.

Watching: Acres of Lions – Dance Sequence

I ran into Michael Burke at the Maurice/We Are the City show last week.  Michael Burke operates the Victoria record label Cordova Bay and one of his bands is Acres of Lions.  He was telling me the new video would be on Youtube shortly and huzzah!  Shortly means today.  Check it out and share it with friends.

Wayback Guy Gets His H1N1 Shot

The Wayback Guy has an idea to jump the queue for his H1N1 shot so topical and “in the news” that it just has to work!

Download: The Wayback Guy Jumps The Queue

Listen to the Wayback Guy every weekend on The Modern Rock Countdown.

Thank you to Sheldon for producing the Wayback Guy, Megan for having MS and Tindy, Angus, Ian and Cassie for being in line for their shot in the rain.

Go with yourself.

Interview: Mike Inez of Alice in Chains

Growing up in the wilds of Coquitlam, there were two records I remember playing exceptionally heavy.  R.E.M.’s Green and Alice in Chains’ Unplugged.

Every night before bed, I’d throw the AiC record in my discman, tuck into a book about war and go away.

Many nights, I would go through the record two times before falling asleep.

The habit was so entrenched, that even to this day, I still love listening to music before bed and if I am ever feeling the weights of life pulling down on me, a little music before bed or laying on the couch in the dark with the headphones on will make me feel infinity better.

A great modern rock shame in those days was that I never did go see Alice in Chains in concert.  I do think a bunch of my friend did see them once at some arena show in Vancouver, but I missed that one.

Later, after the band was on the hiatus, I had the chance to see Jerry Cantrell twice.  Once at Richards and another time opening for Metallica at Thunderbird Stadium.  Both times were special but the Richards show was the better.

Jerry had this band on tour with him called Comes With the Fall (circa 2002 I think… Wagner, were you at this show with me?).

I didn’t know what to expect at the Jerry Cantrell solo tour other than I was sure to hear some Boggy Depot and Degradation Trip.  My life erupted with joy when Jerry launched into many classic AiC songs… and filling in the part of Layne Staley was William DuVall, lead singer of Comes With The Fall.

Sounded mighty and was at the time, as close as I was going to come to an Alice in Chains show.  I’d have to relieve the live days on the DVDs I had (and my brother CJ had a great old VHS with lots of early footage too).

I guess William did a good job and the band felt it was time, after 14 years, to put out another record, revive the Alice in Chains handle, and get out there!

Today I had the chance to talk to bass player Mike Inez.  I made a little podcast of the interview and included far more than what you’ll hear on the radio or countdown this weekend.  if you are an AiC fan like me, please take a second to have a listen (well many seconds total running time is 15 minutes).

Download: Interview: Mike Inez of Alice in Chains

Mike gives the cole’s notes version of joining Alice In Chains.  He was on tour with Ozzy and working in Reno recording when he got a call from Sean Kinney inviting him to join the band.

He goes on to talk about the natural progression he felt as the band got back together including the original genesis… the Tsunami of 2005.

The band toured a bit and the shows got bigger and bigger and it showed them it was time to do it right.  AiC financed the record independently before even thinking about sending to a label for distribution.

Then I find out, Mike Inez is a hockey fan?  SWA?  LA Kings? I’ll TRY not to let that ruin his musical legacy.

Mike talks about the meaning behind the title of the album Black Gives Way to Blue.  He tells the story of floating in Jerry’s pool as they debated album title names and why song is special for the band.  the title track was especially hard to record because of its meaning and Jerry battling an illness at the time.

Then he reflects on Layne Staley and what he was like living and tells the story of the Grammy Awards snubbing Layne after his death despite the fact AiC has been nominated for Grammy Awards… what 5 times, 6 times?

Mike Inez is a great guy and I loved interviewing him and having the chance to hear his stories.  I hope you do too.

Go with yourself.

you let me know where to start

I don’t know what to tell you other than, I don’t know what to tell you.

I really want some pumpkin pie AND there *might* be some in the fridge, and if there is…. then I also know the whereabouts of some whip cream in one of those futuristic aerosol cans.  BUT! but, what if there is no pumpkin pie left?  A true and frightening possibility.  The last time Coral and I went grocery shopping, we bought just a half pie as a treat.  That was the weekend and here I sit late on a Tuesday.  Gone? it must be.  Should I check?  no, because if it is there, I’ll eat it, and if its not, I will eat the consolation prize, whip cream straight out of the can.  bad.

I went to a personal trainer on Monday and did some fitness testing.  I scored poor (or worse) on every test she did.  Then she asked about my diet (which I thought was one area I excelled at) and she laughed at me.

I need to eat more, AND eat less.  SWA?  More good and more meals in general.  Less processed food and WAY less pop.  Sadness, pumpkin pie and pop are my favourites.

I am going to try and make a go of this.  I will cut my pop back to treat status (kinda like beer, which I have kept in pretty good control since meeting Coral).  If pop becomes beer, then it will be a weekend/holiday/event type dealio and not a daily, or multiple times a day thing.

The trainer said that one step alone will shrink my paunch.

Then she said, my general leanness (see: skinny) should make the perception of noticeable muscle growth a reality that will in turn, re-enforce my working-out-ness.  Good times.

That all said, I woke up sore but good today… tomorrow I might get some time in the meat of the day between appointments to go again.  Alright, twice in a week.  That’s a start.

Go with yourself.

Capital Rock City #79 // Interview and live performance from JP Maurice with music from Maurice, Liz Beattie, We Are The City

CRC 79 is a real treat for me.  After years of being the drunk heckler at Maurice shows calling for JP to lay down my fave old Maurice cut, “High School Sweetheart;” JP agreed to come on Capital Rock City and perform it live for me (and I guess you too).  Also this week, Liz Beattie and Kelowna’s We Are The City.  Thank you for taking the time to check out Victoria rock and roll. You need to talk to me?  jeremy@thezone.fm

Download: Capital Rock City #79

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DJ Notes

01) Maurice – “Kerosene”
02) JP Maurice – “High School Sweetheart (live/acoustic)”
03) Liz Beattie – “Killing Time”
04) We Are The City – “Time, Wasted”

Jean-Paul and I chit about so many wonderful things like… what the heck does Indelible mean?  In Medias Res was a pretty rad band, his high school sweetheart lives in Berlin, JP moved to Vancouver. Maurice’s record ‘Young People With Faces’ will get released in January b/c of business man… business. The Racoons won’t let JP hang out with him till he gets at least a Gold record. Maurice is playing on Wednesday November 4th at Logan’s Pub.

JP then picked a fave off Liz Beattie’s solo record ‘Under The Ivy.”

JP and Mark also turned me on to this group from Kelowna called We Are The City.  Wow.  We Are The City is a featured band from The Zone’s friend station Vancouver, The Peak 100.5 and they are playing with Maurice on Wednesday at Logans.  Their music video of the song “Time, Wasted” is stunning.

And that’ll do it for this week’s Capital Rock City.  Thank you for finding it!  If you like the show please consider sharing the link with a friend (or friends on your social network).

I want to say hello to Kris rocking the podcast in Holland!  Thank you for the picture.  And he sent these kind words;

I’m really not trying to kiss your ass but I think your show is really important and I hope the music community appreciates your hard work.  I think all music communities across the country would benefit greatly from a local radio show.  It shows how much amazing music is in our communities
and our country as a whole.

Have a great weekend.

Kris

Thank you Kris, that was very nice.  Coming soon, Capital Rock City LIVE from Black Stilt Coffee Shop, Monday November 16th.  I need a band!  Could it be you?  jeremy@thezone.fm

Go with yourself.

to the extent that the sound actually seemed to be pouring out of your ears

“Sound Characters stands as one of the most devastating aural artefacts of this or any decade.”

I found myself trolling the internet late last night as I usually do.  Last night I had a bit of purpose as I am working on some playlists for a restaurant and wanted to dive into the world of dubstep music.

My journey brought me to Pitchfork and I got to reading this week’s Resonant Frequency on Pitchfork.  Mark Richardson was writing about context of music on how our current generation of music lovers enjoy their music differently (and at time, at odds with the artist) than previous generations.  In our world of iTunes and bit torrents and remixes, we can take another person’s art, and make it our own and and control the means of its presentation.  Changing the artists intention to fit our own.  Mark isn’t really saying that is a good or bad thing, only that it is the way it is.  But “sometimes” having faith in the artist’ s presentation can yield a certain excitement and understanding of the work.  He had some examples of artists where you really needed to experience their work on their terms to get it.  Mark then went on about a now dead lady named Maryanne Amacher.

Reading about Maryanne got me very excited about sound and presentation.  Maryanne experimented with noise and music and performance in some strange and wonderfully unique ways.  One of ideas that really intrigued me, was the idea of otoacoustic emission.

Basically, Maryanne could play tones that would stimulate your inner ear.  The result would be the perception that the sound you were hearing wan not originating from the speakers front of you, but rather, to quote this article, ” sound that filled not only the space but the listener’s skull, to the extent that the sound actually seemed to be pouring out of your ears.”

Wow, late last night I had to try THAT!  Sadness, at 1AM or 2AM or whenever it was, I could crush my stereo to get the full effect.  Today at the Zone, I hopped in a studio and pushed the dial and sliders to 11 and let the tones and noise wash over me, the effect was as described.  Something I had never really experienced sonically.  And that was just enjoying 30 seconds of a clip I found.  I couldn’t imagine how a Maryanne Amacher “concert” might effect my brain.

I created a little podcast that features 30 seconds of Maryanne Amacher’s “Head Rhythm 1/Plaything 2″ from her 1999 and only album Sound Characters (Making The Third Ear).

Download: Morning After Show – The Third Ear and Maryanne Amacher

The most important thing to do, to get it to work is listen to the sound clip contained on the podcast through speakers, not headphones.  It won’t work with head phones, and ideally you can crank the tones.

You should get an interesting sensation in your ears and it should seem like your ear drum is making sound.  You’ll get it for sure if you can crank it up on some good speakers.

I was able to get it to work on this 30 second clip I lifted off iTunes, but if you are intrigued like I am, I think her entire album of audio oddness will need to be purchased and figured out.

Go with yourself.

The Wayback Guy Gets H1N1

Download: Wayback Guy Gets H1N1

Poor, poor Wayback Guy… he fell for the hype surrounding the H1N1 flu.

Interview: Sunday Buckets

Kale, Eric and the rest of the boys from The Zone’s October Band of the Month came by The ZAS for a quick chit-chat and live performance.

Download: Sunday Buckets live on The ZAS
Song: “Aftermathmatics“
Song: “Personality“