It Might Not Last

Crush Alert

2012-02-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

To begin, I'm going to allude to a personal story of mine...

Not too long ago I found myself in the middle of your typical girl-meets-boy drama. We partied, mated like bunnies, then after a couple of months of dating he broke up with me and went running back to his native country for another chick, whom he eventually married. Yeah, I was hurt. Blah, blah, blah.

Always realise that out of any misfortune comes opportunity!

If that relationship had gone in my "favour", perhaps I would have been the girl in those sad wedding photos that creeped up on my Facebook the other day. Living in Switzerland, feeling lonely so far away from all I know and love.

But a chance meeting on Sunday, February 5 has further lead me to review the great stuff I've been up to since the break-up.

I've gone to lots and lots of shows and heard some really kick-ass music. I've taken New York trips, and made some amazing friends along the way (I'm writing about you Abby, Amrew, Kelly, and my brothers Paul and Ian!). My radio show is reaching new heights, and not only that! I conquered Rock 'n' Roll by getting an interview with a band that I really, really wanted to share with the world.

Yeah, you know what? What's been going on lately is pretty fucking awesome. So many cool things would never had happened if my heart didn't break. And I'm going to keep on breaking it until it opens.

Which leads me to this major crush alert I've got going on right now: Artist, musician, roadie, and promoter...

Perry Cola!

He is one of those guys who has absolutely no idea how freaking rad and cool he is. He's weird, and weird, well... those are my people. So what if I only met him for an extremely brief moment on February 5? Sometimes that's all you need to really spot a kind soul. And other people have noticed it too.

This is what I know:

1. He sings and plays guitar in a band from Phildelphia, PA called Dry Feet
2. He collects t-shirts
3. He puts on shows in his home town

And he is super nice!

Dry Feet Video

How great is that? Reminds me a little of The Gruesomes, and some of those east coast Canadian bands.

Perry is the inspiration for a little song I'm writing. Here's the chorus:

Zip
Gaah
Bamf
Smash
Pow
Bang
Onomatopoeia goes my heart

So this week I sent Perry a message asking him to come back to Montreal in the spring and stay forever, and confessed that I've got a total crush on him. He was like, "oh you do not!" But I do.

Crushes can't be helped! La la la feelings!

Oh! And I want to see his band and interview him for CJLO.

Anyway, I truly hope Perry and I meet again, party, and become great friends. All the best to him. xoxo

JEFF

2012-02-06T20:45:00.000-08:00

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to interview Jake Orrall from JEFF the Brotherhood late last month. The audio is available via the CJLO Magazine: http://cjlo.com/magazine/interview/jeff-brotherhood

I wish only the best for them. Check out their label http://infinitycat.com/

2011 in Music

2011-12-31T19:14:00.000-08:00

"Twee Time" is my little radio show wherein I spin under-appreciated music for the part time punks who play their records very loud, and pogo in the bed room in front of the mirror, but only when their mums gone out (and for the pop kids who know what song I nicked this description from). Check it out live every Friday 20:00-21:00 in Montreal on CJLO 1690AM / CJLO.com.

List also published in the CJLO Magazine. This is the unedited version.

Band of the Year

It was very difficult for me to come up with this "2011 in Music" synopsis. The only band that has been on my mind all year is JEFF the Brotherhood. And We Are the Champions, as much as I liked the album, does not do these guys justice.

You must see brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall perform live to really experience the filthy, fuzzy binding of all the music that I love: garage, punk, psych, rock, and pop. It's unbelievable what JEFF can do with only three drums, three cymbals, and a three-string guitar. I don't believe in pedal effects, this sound comes straight from the soul.

JEFF the Brotherhood - We Are the Champions
Listen to: Ripper / Shredder / Wastoid Girl (or how about the whole thing? Yeah!)

Fave 2011 Releases

Twee Time's favourite albums of 2011 (in no particular order), with selected tracks.

01. Ringo Deathstarr - Colour Trip
Listen to: Imagine Hearts / So High

02. Kids on a Crime Spree - We Love You So Bad
Listen to: I Don't Wanna Call You Baby, Baby / To Mess with Dynamite

03. Bearsuit - The Phantom Forest
Listen to: Cut Loose / Please Don't Take Him Back

04. The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
Listen to: Austere / Whirring

05. Cults – Cults
Listen to: Abducted / Go Outside

Fave Old Releases

On repeat in 2011.

01. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St.

02. Peach Kelli Pop - Peach Kelli Pop

03. Nobunny - Raw Romance

04. The Feelies - The Good Earth

05. Red Mass - 7-Song EP

Live Shows to Remember

01. JEFF the Brotherhood with Uncle Bad Touch and Peach Kelli Pop (Club Lambi)

02. JEFF the Brotherhood with The Spits and Neil Hamburger (Club Soda, vice.com launch party)

03. The Strange Boys with White Fence (Il Motore)

04. Parlovr, The Barr Brothers, Passwords (Arlene's Grocery, M pour Montréal CMJ Showcase)

05. Nightseeker with Metalian (Katacombes)

Other Memorable Moments

01. Seeing JEFF the Brotherhood for the first time

02. Nobunny materializing on stage at Casa del Popolo to the sound of squealing girls

03. Non-stop, 48-hour, no-sleep, espresso-shot-partying with the CJLO peeps in New York City

04. Meeting Dean "The Deaner" Murdoch from FUBAR/Nightseeker

05. The return of The Adam Brown (Royal Phoenix Bar, Pop Montreal)

Most Annoying Moment

Being too poor for Osheaga.

Biggest Disappointment

The Rapture

Twee Time Dance Party!

2011-12-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

Friday December 16, 2011 right after the news at 8PM: Tune in to CJLO for a very special Twee Time Dance Party and Record Giveaway!

Sing a little sweeter, and love a little longer with Twee Time and guest CJLO DJs Shakter the Reaktor (The Reaktor), Lady Oracle (The Limelight), and Sugar Face Nene (Beat the World).

Dance with your kitty to music by Go Sailor, Blanket Arms, the Smittens, Tullycraft, and more!

In the second half of the show, call in for your chance to win a rare 7" vinyl record by Boyracer, courtesy of the Twee Time gang and Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records from Athens GA.

Boyracer - It's Not True Grit, It's Real Dirt 7"

# HHBTM068
Careful What You Wish For
9 To 5 Style
It's Love
Whatever Gets You Thru The Day Is Fine With Me

The track "It's Love" is a cover song, originally by The Softies, so you can't get anymore Twee than that.

Only 500 copies of this little record were pressed, and one of them can be yours! So be sure to brush up on your "Tweevia" (Twee-trivia), 'cause we're not gonna let this one get away that easy.

Wherein I apologize to Dean "The Deaner" Murdoch

2011-12-07T22:52:00.001-08:00

It was Friday December 2, 2011. Dean "The Deaner" Murdoch of FUBAR fame was on his way to Montreal; booked to perform with his band Night Seeker and guests Metalian at Katacombs the next day, and to screen FUBAR 2 with live commentary! I was all set to fill in as host of the Go-Go Radio Magic Show on CJLO.

To promote the event, I was given a live interview with The Deaner. It must have been about 4 years since I had interviewed anyone (let alone a fictional character), but I had to seize the opportunity and just Give'r. I mean, what an amazing stroke of luck, right?

Well, I totally blew it. Here's how...

At the time of the interview I had only seen the first FUBAR movie, and almost a decade ago at that. Instead of staying up late to actually watch FUBAR 2, I read the synopsis on freaking wikipedia. I know. Idiot.

The plot summary on wiki is dry and matter-of-fact; let me paraphrase:

Beer, Fort McMurry, town slut, infidelity, worker's compensation, bilateral orchiectomy, marriage, lost friendship, suicide pact, and attempted murder. But everything works out OK at the end because of Santa.

So this is what I had in mind when I was coming up with questions. The synopsis takes what's obviously a damn hilarious movie and gives the reader the impression that it's a dark and depressing tale of morality and the spirit of Christmas.

I have the freaking DVD at home! What was I thinking?! Why didn't I just watch the movie?! Anyway, we make do with what we have at the time.

I left work at 16:30 to make 100% sure I'd be at CJLO in time for the interview. The Go-Go Radio Magic Show starts at 18:00! The damn metro was down, which turned a typical 25-minute B-M-W ride into 1.5 hours sweaty crowded travel time.

But I made it to CJLO breathless and quite frazzled, with 15 minutes to spare. I frantically searched the CJLO vault to retrieve the FUBAR 2 soundtrack with all those rockin' Night Seeker tunes.

The CD was gone. We had no Night Seeker to play! What a clusterfuck.

Either it was in the wrong section (I checked them all; soundtracks and compilations, rock, metal, punk, jazz...), or it was somewhere in the office to be ripped to our digital archive, or someone nicked it for themselves.

I was livid. My mood went from just a little tired to straight-up bitchy. I KNEW the CD existed at the station, because I had played it on my own show before. Argh. Luckily I could snag their Genie-nominated song No Place Like Christmas off youtube.

So I called The Deaner and was able to get him on the phone just after 20:15.

I became painfully aware after my first question that I had asked the wrong thing. My remaining questions were boring and ridiculously uninformed. To add insult to injury, I ran out of questions. It was so awkward.

Another problem was, I edited myself. Plus, I was unable to ask obvious questions about beer and drinking, or getting drunk. You know, the fun stuff. I knew that wouldn't fly at CJLO, or on AM radio. And I worried so much about being "professional" that I forgot about the fun and couldn't come up with good things to talk about. I even went so far as to neglect the fun!

I'm so sorry Dean. Please forgive me. I was rusty and sober as hell.

To end the interview, I invited The Deaner to CJLO and said that he was more than welcome to come in and spin some tunes with the Go-Go Radio Magic Show.

So what happened next?

We went there. Oh yes, we did. We talked about ways to sneak in alcohol. And he stopped to buy beer live on the air.

I'll probably get in real trouble for that, but honestly... our short discussion about alcoholic beverages took the edge off, and in retrospect I think the interview ended on a better note. I played Iron Maiden for him, so hopefully The Deaner and I are all good.

Here's a video of Night Seeker, taken back in October...

Next post: Interview highlights on MP3, and a Night Seeker show review. Stay tuned.

Go-Go Radio

2011-11-30T08:34:00.001-08:00

Friday, December 2 at 18:00-20:00 I will be filling in for Prince Palu and Oncle Ian to guest-host the Go-Go Radio Magic Show! Lots of Canadian music planned, and new releases so the kids will know what they should be listening to these days. Go to CJLO for details, or Click to Listen Now!

Parlovr Dance Party!

2011-10-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

Parlovr at Arlene's Grocery in New York City 10/21/2011

Playing "Pen to the Paper" at the the M pour Montreal CMJ Showcase.

Wish I could rewind my life and see this show again.

Show Review: The World/Inferno Friendship Society

2011-05-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

The World Inferno Friendship Society @ Club Lambi.

Written for the CJLO Magazine

It was Wednesday May 18, 2011—just three days before the impending Rapture that would kick off the end of the world (as predicted by Harold Camping). In anticipation for that fateful moment, I made a list of five simple things I wanted to do before death on Saturday:

See one last show
Party with friends
Dance like crazy
Sing 'till my voice turns hoarse
Find a partner in crime to loot with

I figured what better band to go see right before the Apocalypse than The World/Inferno Friendship Society.

Over the last 15 years, this punk rock cabaret collective from Brooklyn, New York have gained an international cult-like following due to notoriously crazy performances, particularly at their annual Hallowmas celebration.

Their devoted fans—the Infernites—are known to dress up and congregate in mass numbers to sing along and mosh their asses off at World/Inferno shows. These people like to party, and (as the legend goes) the party doesn't stop until all the fancy outfits are shredded and doused in cheap wine and beer, everyone does the “claw”, and at least one acolyte begins to bleed profusely.

This rumour excited me. Right away I could scratch four things off my list: show, party, dance, sing. And from what I had heard, frontman Jack Terricloth will smash shit up and steal right along with you when the riots start. A partner in crime—that makes five. My list would be complete.

I called out to everyone I knew: "Come with me to see this show! It-is-going-to-be-epic." But there was no answer.

Distraught, I put on my usual concert garb: chucks, jeans, and a t-shirt. But out of respect for the band I later changed my mind and slipped into my best dress, put on makeup, wore heels, and hurried off to Club Lambi by myself. I prayed on the way that the Infernites would be there to celebrate our last nights on earth.

But, to quote the “Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot, "This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper." There were about 30 living people at the venue that night, and maybe two or three ghosts of dead punk rockers. What happened, friends?

(Note: CJLO's own Matty Matt from Radio Fun sent a text later and joined me at the show!)

Even with poor attendance, it was pretty damn great to be there.

On tour to support their latest release, The Anarchy and the Ecstasy (what a fitting title for the Apocalypse!), the World/Inferno came to Montreal with seven band members, many of them new to the lineup. Performing that night were Mora Precarious (drums), Leslie Wacker (alto sax), Rebecca Schlappich (violin), Frank Morin (guitar), Matthew Landis (keyboard), Sandra Malak (bass), and of course Jack Terricloth (vocals, guitar).

Before taking the stage, Jack introduced himself to every attendee personally, and invited us to come toward the stage and see the band play. The true fans went right up front, and when the World/Inferno opened with “Tattoos Fade”, the tiny crowd went nuts. They danced so hard it made the floor bounce.

The show lasted about an hour, and mixed old and new songs. “I Am Sick Of People Being Sick Of My Shit” and “Canonize Philip K. Dick, OK” made the usually calm Canadians in the audience panic just a little, and old favourites like “Cats Are Not Lucky Creatures”, “Just the Best Party”, and “Only Anarchists Are Pretty” (the encore) left the one or two true Infernites in attendance very happy.

The stand-out track for me was the ballad "The Politics of Passing Out", due in part to the lyrics and music reminiscent of Billy Bragg's “A New England”, and the accompanying vocals of bassist Sandra Malak (her voice complimented Mr. Terricloth's so well).

The acoustics at the venue were solid, and minor technical difficulties (a temperamental mic stand, and a guitar mistakenly left unplugged at sound check) became part of the on-stage banter among the band.

No World/Inferno show would be complete without Terricloth's storytelling. He lamented the loss of his punk-rocker friends long since passed, and asked the crowd which dead-and-gone Canadian punk bands they knew. In response to The Nils, Jack told the tale about how some dude named Paul stole their van when The Nils toured the US. The band tried to find the elusive “Paul” and get their gear back. However, since Jack was less than helpful in giving clues of Paul's whereabouts, the search was in vain. Punk rock history, folks!

The event wasn't crazy, but it was intimate and nice. There were even a couple of guys in suits. Thankfully the Rapture never happened, and the World/Inferno Friendship Society can come back. Listen friends, this band has it all, they just need us.

Twee Time

2011-04-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

My little radio show called "Twee Time" on CJLO.com 1690AM in Montreal has been nominated alongside the most talented DJs in the city for two Diego Awards this year!

The Yank Crime Award (Best Rock Show)

Radio Fun
Go Go Radio Magic Show
Twee Time
Beyond that Graveyard III
Dirty Work

The Niche Award (Best Specialty Show)

With Gay Abandon
Beats From the East
Marvelous Darkness
Twee Time
Eat My Country

Check out some of my podcasts on podomatic!

Wish me luck.

xoxo -Stephanie Pastel

A little story about luck

2011-02-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

Today's track is Your Love Is by Christine's Cat (Sarah 13)

This little flexi is the most expensive record I own. You would be disgusted if you knew how much I paid for it.

Note that the record is number 13 (baby). I won this on eBay a few years ago, and it became lost in the mail for a short time! It was returned to sender because Canadian Customs rejected the parcel for whatever asinine reason. Panic, panic! Thankfully, the fabulous auction seller was kind enough to send it again free of charge, and the record arrived at my door safely after about 2 months (and in perfect condition).

Valentine

2011-02-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

All the best to you and yours.

Love always,
Claudia and Bunny from Twee Time

Twee Time's Farewell 2010

2010-12-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my favourites from 2010. Tune into "Twee Time" every Friday at 20:00 on CJLO.com 1690 AM in Montreal; Concordia University's underground radio.

Fave Releases

Twee Time's favourite albums of 2010 (in order of release), with selected tracks.

01. Magnetic Fields - Realism
Listen to: Better Things; You Must Be Out of Your Mind

02. The Strange Boys - Be Brave
Listen to: Be Brave; Night Might

03. Black Tambourine - Black Tambourine
Listen to: Dream Baby Dream (cover song, originally by Suicide)

04. Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
Listen to: Jail La La

05. MGMT - Congratulations
Listen to: Song for Dan Treacy

06. Woods - At Echo Lake
Listen to: Blood Dries Darker

07. The Apples in Stereo - Travellers in Space and Time
Listen to: It's All Right

08. The Black Keys - Brothers
Listen to: Howlin' for You

09. Best Coast - Crazy for You
Listen to: Our Deal; Goodbye

10. Play Guitar - Shields / Don't Worry About Death
Listen to: Celebration

11. Magic Kids - Memphis
Listen to: Good to Be

12. Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart
Listen to: Old Fangs; Wilderness Heart

13. The Vaselines - Sex with an X
Listen to: Ruined; I Hate the 80s; Exit the Vaselines

14. Various Artists - No More of Your Fairy Stories (an indiepop loveletter to the Ramones)
Listen to: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Don't Go; The Just Joans, Questioningly; Horowitz, Judy is a Punk

15. Belle & Sebastian - Belle & Sebastian Write About Love
Listen to: I Can See Your Future; Write About Love; I Want the World to Stop

16. Stereolab - Not Music
Listen to: So is Cardboard Clouds

17. Girl Talk - All Day (internet release)
Listen to: All of it, all day.

Fave Singles

Twee Time's favourite 7" singles of 2010.

01. The Nymphets - Slow Song
02. Bearsuit - Please Don't Take Him Back
03. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Heart in Your Heartbreak
04. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Say No to Love
05. Veronica Falls - Beachy Head
06. Seapony - Dreaming
07. La Sera - Never Come Around

Fave Old Releases

On repeat in 2010.

01. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St.
02. Gorilla - Rock Our Souls
03. Plumtree - Predicts the Future
04. Television - Marquee Moon
05. The Slits - Cut
06. MC5 - Kick Out the Jams

Fave Independent Labels

01. Fortuna Pop!
02. Darla
03. In the Red
04. Slumberland
05. Happy Happy Birthday to Me

Best Live Show of the Year

It's a tie!

01. Devo @ Osheaga
02. The Strange Boys @ Casa del Popolo

Most Memorable Moment

Stephen Malkmus of Pavement getting hit in the face with a beer at Osheaga.

Most Annoying Moment

When the guest list for the Magnetic Fields was pulled at the last minute, causing me to miss the show at the Corona Theatre on February 6th 'cause I didn't have a damn ticket.

Live Shows to Remember

01. The Nymphets @ Divan l'Orange
02. Red Mass @ Café Campus
03. Devo, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Owen Pallett, Black Keys, Japandroids, Snoop Dog, Seu Jorge & Almaz, Arcade Fire @ Osheaga
04. Superchunk @ Le National
05. The Vaselines @ Sala Rosa
06. Asexuals @ Cabaret

On the Internet

Because I'm modern that way.

01. Arcade Fire @ Madison Square Garden Webcast (streamed on Youtube August 5th)
02. Belle & Sebastian @ Barrowland Webcast (streamed on NPR Music December 21st)

Those Who Will Be Missed

01. Ari Up (The Slits)
02. Jay Reatard (The Reatards, Lost Sounds, etc.)
03. Alex Chilton (Big Star)
04. Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse)
05. Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
06. Malcolm McLaren (manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls)
07. Sergio Vega (seriously, look him up)
08. Captain Beefheart (The Magic Band)
09. Miep Gies (shelterer of the Frank family, preserved Anne Frank's diary)
10. J.D. Salinger (author of The Catcher in the Rye, Franny and Zooey, etc.)
11. Alexander McQueen (fashion designer)
12. Andrew Koenig (actor on Growing Pains, and son of Walter Koenig "Chekov" from Star Trek)
13. Chris Haney (inventor of Trivial Pursuit)
14. Corey Haim (actor, The Lost Boys, Goonies, and the better half of the two Coreys)
15. Gary Coleman (actor, Diff'rent Strokes)
16. Tom Bosley (actor, Mr. C on Happy Days)
17. Tony Curtis (actor, Some Like It Hot)
18. Leslie Nielsen (actor, Airplane! and The Naked Gun series)
19. Blake Edwards (director, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Pink Panther)
20. Harvey Pekar (American Splendor)

Songs about crushes

2010-12-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

For a few months now I've had a serious secret crush on an amazing heavily-tattooed man, so here are some songs for those who are crushing too.

Laurie by Daniel Johnston

I can't explain such love aflame
I overcame victorious
Filled my heart with such desire
So grand and so glorious

Boyfriend by Best Coast

There's nothing worse than sitting all alone at home
And waiting waiting waiting waiting by the phone
I hope that he's at home
Waiting by his phone
I wonder if he knows
That I want him

I wish he was my boyfriend
I wish he was my boyfriend
I'd love him to the very end but instead he's just a friend
I wish he was my boyfriend

Cool Guitar Boy by Heavenly

He looks so neat with his hair which is tousled up long mess and
He acts all coy, smiles and hides. Could he like me? I have to guess
He looks so cool in this shades, hide his eyes, might be looking my way
Never speaks, which I like, doesn't have much to say

I love him lots and I wish he'd see me: the Cool Guitar Boy
He looks so brilliant when he plays his twelve-string and smiles
Oh pure joy!

And I wish he's see me
And I want him to love me
Cos I know there's heaven, heaven in his arms

I'm in Love with a Girl Who Doesn't Know I Exist by Another Sunny Day

So many times this has happened before
But I never knew love could make you feel this sore
I could speak to you
You could speak to me
Oh but it will never happen
What will be will be
So I'll just lie and dream of the chance I have missed
I'm in love with a girl who doesn't know I exist

Youth by Beat Happening

When I was young
I sought to win a young girl's heart
I chased the girl around a cherry tree
All I ended up winning was a couple of skinned knees

Prettiest Boy by Tiger Trap

I have a pineapple crush on a boy
I don't know where he came from
Or how he got skin just like snow
He's the angel I asked for in my prayers last night
He's the only one who can make my wrong life right
'Cause I know he was sent here just for me
beautiful vision is stuck in my heart
I wish I could tell him but don't know where to start

The Way I Feel Inside by the Zombies

But till I can see
That you'd really care for me
I'll keep trying to hide
The way I feel inside

What are your favourite songs about crushes and unrequited love?

Happy Holidays from Belle & Sebastian

2010-12-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

Hey pop kids, great news! On Tuesday December 21 4PM EST, Belle & Sebastian's pre-Christmas "Holiday Spectacular" show in their home town will webcast live and for free with the help of NPR and The Guardian. Get the details here and here.

New Pains

2010-12-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say that you can download the B-side track The One from the Pains of Being Pure at Heart's upcoming 7" release at Fortuna Pop!

The single Heart in your Heartbreak will be available December 14, 2010 from Slumberland records.

Another obscure indie band

2010-11-29T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Happydeadmen

Described as "The Swedish Smiths", this jangle pop band formed in 1988 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Today's Quote is from founding members Thomas and Jan:

Swedish music sucks, let's save it.

Today's Track is Silent Sigh City (their first single, 1988-89)

Check out their MySpace page for information and more Happydeadmen tracks!

NME C81 Cassette

2010-11-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Today's History Lesson Cassette Culture

Selected tracks from the New Musical Express compilation C81, released in 1981.

Blue Boy, by Orange Juice

Endless Soul, by Josef K

Shouting Out Loud, by The Raincoats

We Could Send Letters, by Aztec Camera

My Favorite

2010-11-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today's Track Burning Hearts by My Favorite

The songs we sung and then forgot
The hearts that would burn and the hearts that would not

This Long Island, New York band were "musicians on the verge" in 1998. What happened to you, My Favorite?

Another Ramones tribute

2010-11-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

Underneath those leather jackets, behind the raw tireless sound and in-your-face attitude, beyond "Punk", lies some of the best pop music that has ever graced this sad and beautiful world.

Well kids, there's an indiepop tribute!

No More of Your Fairy Stories - An indiepop loveletter to the Ramones (various artists) from Precordial Catch Records.

Friday on Twee Time, I will be playing selected tracks from this sold-out compilation. For now, how about a little taste of what's to come?

Today's Track Don't Go by The Ramones (composed by Joey Ramone, from the album Pleasant Dreams 1981)

Today's Download a cover by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

Thanks to Taylor for the heads up!

Twee Things

2010-11-17T12:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Quote is from my friend Sam:

You know you're an old washed up indie pop scenester when you listen to some new band and it sounds like Aislers Set or Talulah Gosh to you but all the reviews compare it to Best Coast and Vivian Girls.

Today's Track Dream Baby Dream by Black Tambourine. From the compilation Black Tambourine (Slumberland), released in 2010, which has their complete recordings and six new songs.

Today's Tweevia Dream Baby Dream is a cover, originally recorded by the protopunk band Suicide.

CJLO DJ of the Week!

2010-05-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

Today I was named DJ of the Week at CJLO, 1690 AM in Montreal.

Here is the write-up from the CJLO website:

A 5 year veteran of the CJLO set, Twee Time host Stephanie Pastel ("My first name really is Stephanie, and I stole the last one from Stephen McRobbie of the Pastels") characterizes her CJLO stint as "the only thing that makes me cool." Her hour-long show from 8 to 9 on Friday nights is a fun and charming, as well as charismatic program.

From her humble beginnings, where she specifically remembers the date of her first broadcast (5 p.m. on August 29, 2005) and the first song she ever played ("Son Of A Gun" by the Vaselines) until now, her quiet storm of all things twee (and C-86 and anorak and any other of indie rock subgenres).

"I play under-appreciated music for the part time punks who play their records very loud, and pogo in the bedroom in front of the mirror, but only when their mums gone out," explains Pastel. "And for the kids who know which band I nicked that description from."

Always ready to help out and ensuring that her Friday night slot is always great, Steph is this week's DJ of the week!

On Repeat

2009-12-17T01:02:00.000-08:00

The Watercolor Paintings

Sister and Brother duo Rebecca and Josh "Hoshwa" Redman, lo-fi and twee :)

I first discovered them when I bought the With the Light On 7" off of the Yay! label.

They recently released the CD Open Your Mouth (2009):

You can pick up all their releases at Lost Sound Tapes.

Check out their myspace page for info!

Here's a little youtube to make you happy:

On Repeat

2009-06-28T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Pastels

Today's Quote comes from Stephen McRobbie:

Please don't think of us as an "indie band" as it was never meant to be a genre, and anyway we are far too outward looking for that sad tag.

Oh if I can't have you
I don't want nobody else
And if can't have you
I won't take nobody else
I tear myself apart
And cry a million tears
Break the walls of pain
And fall into the hard dead sea
Oh if I can't have you
I don't want nobody else
And if can't have you
I'll be certainly depressed
I tear myself apart
And cry a million tears
Break the walls of pain
And fall into the hard dead sea
Oh if I can't have you
I don't want nobody else
And if can't have you
I won't take nobody else
I tear myself apart
And cry a million tears
Break the walls of pain
And fall into the hard dead sea
A million tears
A million tears
A million tears

Take my hand and take my heart, I shiver when you're near
Deliver me from everything and drive me home my dear

Accelerated pain, white nothings on the wheel again
Shut your mouth, let's move on out of here
Just try and keep this light or someone may get hurt tonight
Don't talk that way don't talk that way don't talk that way

Hold it there a second let me dump this stupid pride
I'm ready for you sweetheart now my mind is open wide

Shut up and make it count, your concentration's paramount
Remember what was meant to be this year
The past is a disaster and the future's coming faster now
What you say we go and get a beer

Simply nothing to be done oh tell me I'm the only one
Simply nothing to be done oh tell me I'm the only one
Simply nothing to be done tell me I'm the only one
Simply nothing to be done tell me I'm the only one

When I was young I used to say
I didn't care for anything
When I was young I used to say
I didn't care for anything

Sometimes I get this feeling
That the sun is shining
And the birds are singing
All because of you
And I'm living my whole life because of you
And everything I tried is because of you, it's true
Cos all I see is you, oh yeah
Sometimes I think about you and the funny things you do
When I'm saving all my time to be with you
And I'm living in this world because of you
Cos everything I tried is because of you, it's true
Cos all I see is you, oh yeah
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost without you
Sometimes I'd be lost, without you

On Repeat

2009-06-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

69 Love Songs by the Magnetic Fields

I don't want to get over you
I guess I could take a sleeping pill
And sleep at will
And not have to go through what I go through
I guess I should take Prozac, right
And just smile all night
At somebody new
Somebody not too bright but sweet and kind
Who would try to get you off my mind
I could leave this agony behind
Which is just what I'd do if I wanted to
But I don't want to get over you
'cause I don't want to get over love
I could listen to my therapist
Pretend you don't exist
And not have to dream of what I dream of
I could listen to all my friends
And go out again
And pretend it's enough
Or I could make a career of being blue
I could dress in black and read Camus
Smoke clove cigarettes and drink vermouth
Like I was 17
That would be a scream
But I don't want to get over you

Twee Time's 2008 in Review

2008-12-29T14:53:00.000-08:00

Favourite CD
Every Scene Needs a Center by Tullycraft (Magic Marker)

OK, so what if this came out in late 2007? MY year began with the fifth full-length indie-pop release from Seattle's Tullycraft, recorded entirely on analog tape. With tracks like 'Georgette Plays a Goth' and 'Bored to Hear Your Heart Still Breaks,' Tullycraft continues to craft the best twee anthems. The album comes complete with inside jokes, name dropping, and their usual catchy guitar riffs. Every Scene Needs A Center is a celebration of love-lorn punks, goth waitresses, and "heavy metal heartbreak." I was immediately hooked. The album solidified my obsessive attachment to this band and its love for all thing Twee.

Happiest discovery
Me, Myself, and the Empty Soul EP - Sunny Summer Day (Letterbox Records UK)

Twee! From INDONESIA! Sunny Summer Day has been around for quite a while, but I only heard about them recently when I saw their video for 'Emma's House' (The Field Mice cover) on youtube and immediately fell in love. Their brand of pure perfect pop makes me so happy. Fans of Sarah Records and C86 will like this band and their jangle-pop sound.

Most thankful for
The Gruesomes CD reissues of Tyrants of Teen Trash and Gruesomania (on Ricochet Sound) because the needle on my old record player wore away, then my stereo tuner died and I can't listen to my vinyl right now.

Here's a video I took at their show at Café Campus on May 29, 2008:

Most memorable tune
'Homecoming' from the album Reality Check by The Teenagers (Beggars Xl Recording)

Even though the guys in this band aren't hot enough to completely get away with the lyrics to 'Homecoming,' the song is totally 1980's and damn catchy, so the Teenagers have made the list this year.

Favourite EP of 2007 that I only started listening to in 2008
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Painbow)

Take one cup of the Pastels, a dash of Black Tambourine, and two cubes of the Jesus and Mary Chain. Blend on low for one minute, heat it up and pour it all in a big bowl, then sprinkle a little My Bloody Valentine on top for flavour. Follow these cooking instructions and you've got New York's best indie-pop band right now.

Other stuff I listened to this year
Feels Like Mother Fuckers/Bekki-Anne 7" - The Nymphets (Psychic Handshake Recordings)
Distortion - Magnetic Fields (Nonesuch Records)
Vivian Girls - Vivian Girls (Mauled by Tigers/In the Red)
Spectrum, 14th Century EP - Final Fantasy (Blocks Recording Club)
First Frost - The Lucksmiths (Matinée)
In the Future - Black Mountain (Jagjaguwar)
Real Emotional Trash - Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks (Matador)
Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust - Sigur Rós (EMI/XL Recordings)
Looking Into It - All Girl Summer Fun Band (AGSFB Music)
Longstanding - Belleisle (Ships at Night)

On repeat: old favourites that stand the test of time
The Pastels - Sittin' Pretty
Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs
Velvet Underground - Loaded
Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde

Twee Things

2008-12-22T23:46:00.000-08:00

Today's Video The Wrong Girl by Belle and Sebastian

This is adorable. A young man prepares for college by going to a "hip" clothing store and asking the sales clerk for the same outfit Bob Dylan wears on the Blonde on Blonde album cover.

Fancy New Antenna

2008-05-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

CJLOoooooooooo

We are very excited because our fancy new AM radio antenna has arrived and is erected in its new spot on a roof somewhere in Montreal.

Go to the CJLO March to the AM blog for details.

CJLO: 1690 AM in Montreal... soon, soon!

The Way of the Vaselines

2008-04-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

In the mid-1980s a little band from Bellshill, Scotland, were making beautiful, pure, perfect noise.

Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee formed The Vaselines in 1986. Over 4 years the band released two short EPs (Son of a Gun, Dying For it), and one album (Dum-Dum). Then the band broke up on a rainy day in 1989.

Today's Track Teenage Superstars, from the Dying for It EP (53rd & 3rd, 1988)

Today's Quote is from Eugene Kelly:

The Vaselines were born out of the bored and very sick minds of Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee. They were later joined by Eugene’s brother Charles on drums and James Seenan on bass. We only wanted to have some fun. We were friends of Stephan from "The Pastels" and he introduced us to Sandy McClean with whom he had set up a label "53rd & 3rd." Stephan took us under his wing and produced our first two singles as we had no studio experience whatsoever. The first single was the first time we had ever been in a studio. We were camp and pretended to be sleazy and we were very drunk. Vaselines rehearsals involved meeting in the pub and talking about. James would often turn up and realise his bass was locked in a bar we used to drink in. Charlie turned up once without drum sticks and then constructed some from bamboo sticks, two nails and lots of tape. We soldiered on until 53rd & 3rd went bust. The band split the week the album was eventually released with help from Rough Trade. We were bored, had no money and sick of it. We hoped someone would get the joke. They did and we live on.

Dum-Dum LP (I want this on vinyl so bad):

Frances and Eugene

At the time, the Vaselines were known mainly inside their little town in Scotland. The band might have faded into obscurity, but Kurt Cobain loved them so, and credited Eugene and Frances as his "favourite songwriters in the whole world." Look for the songs Molly's Lips and Son of a Gun on the Nirvana album "Incesticide." Those are Vaselines songs.

Cobain invited them to open for his band in 1990 when the Nirvana played in Edinburgh, and the Vaselines said yes. Later, Eugene and Frances went on to form other bands; Eugenius (aka Captain America) and Suckle respectively. In 2006 the Vaselines played in London for one night to promote their solo projects. I'm glad they're still friends. Hopefully that won't be the end of the Vaselines because I love them.

Today's Tweevia Guess who Frances Bean Cobain was named after (a hint: it was not actress Frances Farmer).

Frances, Frances McKee. I love her music with every part of me...

My Top Whatevers for 2007

2007-12-18T00:12:00.000-08:00

I could have added so much more, but I neeeeeeeeeeeeed sleep.

Have a great 2008 you Pop Kids, I love you!!!!!

Fave 2007 Releases
1. Bearsuit - Cat Spectacular!
2. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
3. Dinosaur Jr - Beyond
4. Fishboy - Albatross: How We Failed to Save the Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll
5. Polly Jean Harvey - White Chalk
6. The Most Serene Republic - Population
7. Patti Smith - Twelve
8. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation Deluxe Edition
9. Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians of the British Empire - Punk Rock at the British Legion Hall

Fave Old Releases
1. The Go-Betweens - The Friends of Rachel Worth
2. The Manhattan Love Suicides (Eponymous)
3. Ramones - End of the Century
4. The Wedding Present - Bizarro
5. Lots and LOTS of everything Billy Childish & Thee Headcoats-related

Fave Independent Labels
1. Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records (Athens GA)
2. Yay! Records (Oxnard CA)

Best Live Show of the Year
Total Fucking Destruction @ Ace of Clubs (CMJ)
How did these guys take the title from Patti Smith?!

Live Shows to Remember
1. Happy Happy Birthday to Me CMJ Showcase @ the Tank: Fishboy, The Smittens
2. Me, Mom, & Morgentaler @ Club Soda
3. MSTRKRFT @ Studio B (CMJ)
4. Nymphets @ Barfly
5. Patti Smith @ Pop Montreal Eglise St. Jean Baptiste
6. Pirate Party @ Arlene's Grocery CMJ Music Marathon: Billy Bragg, The Most Serene Republic, Imperial Teen

Listen to Twee Time every Friday 8-9PM EST on CJLO 1690 AM in Montreal.

Recent Music Acquisitons

2007-11-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

01. Bearsuit, Cat Spectacular!
02. Bearsuit, Team Ping Pong
03. The Beat Up, Alright/Wait
04. The Victorian Gentlemens Club, Impossible Sightings Over Shelton/Train
05. Casper & The Cookies/The Marbles split EP (HHBTM)
06. Bearsuit, More Soul Than Wigan Casino/Duran Duran
07. Poopiehead, Rise of the Poopie People EP
08. Television Personalities, Goodnight Mr. Spaceman
09. Bunnygrunt/Phil Wilson split EP (HHBTM)
10. Negativland, U2
11. Fishboy/Baby Calendar split EP (HHBTM)
12. Boyracer/Fantastic Ideas split EP (HHBTM)

HHBTM = Happy Happy Birthday to Me (singles club, round 1)

CMJ Music Marathon 2007

2007-11-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

How quickly I forget... a brief synopsis of my now hazy experiences at the CMJ Music Marathon

NYC October 15-21 2007

The Monday trip 10:30 PM Bus from Montreal to NYC with Andrew Ward
Soundtrack: The Go-Betweens, Belle and Sebastian, Sonic Youth

So I got this neat little adapter thingie from Futureshop where two people can plug in two sets of headphones and listen to one iPod at the same time. I love sharing music and ideas so that was a fun thing to do on the bus ride to the Big Apple.

Andrew

Day 1 Tuesday No sleep Til...

I didn't sleep at all on the bus ride to New York, so my recollection of the first day is kind of hazy. Port Authority, Starbucks, and standing in Times Square with Andrew at 7:00 am or something looking for a metro only to realise we were standing right in front of the subway entrance. Then off to the St. Marks hotel, got my room, ran to the Puck Building to get my badge, and ran to the first panel...

It was something about Sylvain Sylvain and Richard Lloyd reminiscing about the good old days in NY. I don't know. Apparently punk isn't dead. If that's true, then how come there were no Nymphets at any of those CMJ showcases?

What else... did I go to a show that night? Did I even eat?! I honestly can't remember.

Day 2 Wednesday Happy Happy Birthday to Billy Bragg

[The Future of] Pirate Party with Canada M. Fox @ Arlene's Grocery

Canada's TV

The best surprise: Billy Bragg played! I loved Billy, and was so happy to get to see perform him again. Most Serene Republic from Toronto followed, and I made sure to meet the hot red-headed dude from that band and gave him my DJ flyer because I wanted to be his girlfriend haha (he never contacted me boo! and I missed their Montreal show last week, double boo!).

Billy Bragg

Most Serene Republic

That night I went to the Happy Happy Birthday To Me (a record label out of Athens, Georgia) showcase at the Tank in the West Village with my friend Kevin. I had gone to the label's showcase last year as well and since then have happily spent lots and lots of money buying music from the bands of the label.

We got to the showcase late, and caught the tail end of this awesomely cute band called The Smittens. Just two songs and I knew this band would be perfect for my show so I bought their first CD.

A lot of the same musicians from last year performed (Keith John Adams, Casper & the Cookies) plus a few new ones (Velcro Stars).

Keith John Adams

Velcro Stars

The big stand out band that night was Fishboy from Texas (newly signed to HHBTM, their new CD is set to be released Nov. 13th). Fishboy had added me on myspace ages ago, and like an idiot I didn't really pay attention. Suffice it to say: they were The. Awesome. I mean, a band that has this dude rocking out on a cow bell is totally cool with me.

That guy Eric on guitar and vocals also appears to have such a great sense of humour, smiling and close to laughing throughout the whole show. And he can totally rock out on that guitar of his. The way he was dressed reminded me a bit of the Luke Wilson character from the Royal Tenenbaums, but geeky. Indeed, quite pleased that the geeks could totally rock out too. Those were my people.

Fishboy

Fishboy

The night ended with a quick chat with Patrick from the Poison Control Center, the nicest guy who serenaded me at the same showcase the year prior. I tried to talk with Mike Turner (who runs the label) but he totally snubbed me.

Day 3 Thursday Iconic Songs Panel and not such a blast at the Canadian food platter

Andy Rouke from the Smiths was supposta be at that panel! But he wasn't. So I hereby remove any Smiths song from the list of "iconic" songs, so there HA! Besides, did any Smiths song really influence a generation? Well, Mele Mel and the Message sure did! And Mele is hot. I loved his blue valour outfit. I wish he performed, but Rick Carnes (the president of the Song Writers Guild of America) played Buddy Can You Spare a Dime? and that really impressed me so I left happy.

Mele Mel and Rick Carnes, iconic songs panel

That night I went to the Canadian Blast showcase at Fat Baby. Basically that night consisted of me sitting at the food table stuffing my face because no one from CJLO showed up until later and I was completely alone, uncomfortable and miserable. I got to talking to the drunk guy and the other not-so drunk guy from the band Winston. The night ended with a lot of standing around, ice cream, and turning the big Cube with Cody who told me his injury stories.

The Cube

Day 4 Friday ...Brooklyn

Went to the Lost in the Supermarket? panel. It was about the Clash. I don't think I've ever heard someone speak quite like Mike Watt does. I wasn't quite sure what what he was talking about, but if it was about the Clash, he'd throw in the weirdest statements at the end of his sentences and the sky was red, man bang and all.

Joe Strummer memorial mural

I don't know, I think I was at the Fillmore that night? There was this awesome group, they sang about reading, and one chick was dressed up like Superman, and these dudes were go-go dancers and it was really hip hop and glam. I don't usually drink anymore, so the few beers I had made me loopy and I danced up a storm.

Then it was off the Studio B in Brooklyn to see MSTRKRFT (one dude formerly of Death from Above 1979). When we got off the metro it was raining something fierce and we got soaked. Cab drivers in Brooklyn are assholes, and so was that huge scary fuzzy-headed girl and her gay boyfriend who kept knocking into us (man, ask Katie Selene, I mean, just MAN).

Anyway, MSTRKRFT was neat, interesting to watch, and very loud. My feet were killing me by the end of the night, I was covered in other people's cold sweat and thanks so much for the water Andrew!

Day 5 Saturday Brother Ali RULES

The final CMJ panel, If I had a Hammer, was amazing because Brother Ali performed. Ahhh... protest music. I really love people who are true and who, unlike myself, don't just have their cause of the week, later abandoned.

Brother Ali and the guys from CJLO

For shows that day, I started off at the Ace of Clubs. Random. There I found myself listening to Christian Country/Rock. So not my thing. I asked the bartender if all the music will be Christian music all night, and he said he didn't know and asked why and I said "because if it is I have to leave" and the bartender laughed. Yeah, so I left and hopped on over to the Cake Shop.

At the Cake Shop these cute high school kids called the Shackletons were performing that night. It was adorable. I tell you, I wish my parents were hip enough to let me be in a band and play in New York fucking City when I was newly pubescent.

Robot showed up to see UNGDOMSKULEN because the band name seemed cool. The band was kind of weird, so we left and then headed on over to Ace of Clubs to see Total Fucking Destruction.

I was blown away. Best band ever. I am now a bonafide metal fan. It was hilarious, even their sound check was like a performance. Man, could that dude drum and those guys scream. Glad I ended off the trip seeing something cool and completely out of my element.

At the Total Fucking Destruction show

The Sunday trip home 8:30 AM Bus from New York City to Montreal with Cody Hicks
Soundtrack: Modern Lovers, Television, Television Personalities

Cody, haha

I actually got some sleep on the bus ride home, and they have these neat little robotic arm vending machines in Albany. My adapter thingie came in handy and I found another Television Personalities fan in one Cody Hicks. Decided not to share anymore ideas, though.

Random image

Y'all know how much I love blasphemy. I took this at some shop on 2nd Avenue.

Food!

Fried Dumpling meal for 3.50$, 99 Allen Street (near Delancey)

Twee Time, an award-winning show on CJLO

2007-05-01T23:58:00.000-07:00

On April 28th, my show Twee Time was awarded the Ol' Gil Award for most underrated show at the 2007 CJLO Diego Awards. Thanks y'all! That was really unexpected.

Some Stuff

2007-04-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

I've recently acquired tons of stuff from the Happy Happy Birthday To Me label, that Tullycraft CD I was missing (Old Traditions New Standards), and my favourite band at the moment is Bearsuit from Norwich UK, especially since they have a bear head sewing pattern available on their website. I'm totally going to make one!

Today's Track Steven Fucking Spielberg by Beasuit

Speaking of bears, this great guy named Christian of the Good Luck Bear sent me his CD "Don't Feed The Bears" and it's really great. So definitely check out the MySpace page and buy his CD.