blog post Top 5 Must See Live Gigs... and Best Canadian Musicians to Hang Out With?

Are you comfortable approaching musicians?

Surprisingly, no. If I have an opening -- like if I've talked to them through twitter or something -- I am more likley to... but I never know what to say to them. I've done it before where I've gone up and said I liked their set, followed by an awkward small talk exchange and an even awkwarder silence.

That being said, I have still managed to befriend a whole bunch of musicians through going to shows and blogging/tweeting. Some fun people to hang out with? We Are The City, Aidan Knight, and all members of Sidney York. 

(I could probably list more, but I don't want to feel like I'm name-dropping or something)

Library Voices, super nice. I talked to Carl at the last show and I touched his arm and he was SOAKING wet with sweat and he's like yeah, sorry I should have warned you! haha. Krib and I chatted with him for a while. Also, Said the Whale definitely. So attentive and huggy! :D

Jill Barber was also a pleasure to talk to!! When I saw her here in November, I had my scarf on and she was like.. "LOVE THE SCARF!!" And I was hoping she wasn't thinking "WAY TO MAKE ME MISS MY HUSBAND!!!"  Seriously, a sweetheart for sure. 

I dunno. I have no qualms chatting with a musician, I usually wait until after the onslaught of people. I have a time limit though!

Love the Great Lakes Swimmers song too, reminds me of the JayHawks!

More or Les and Wordburgler were both extremely friendly and talkative when I met them at SXSW. They spent a lot of time hanging out at Canada House (as did we) so we saw/talked to them quite a bit.

WHICH MUSICIANS ARE THE BEST TO MEET, HANG OUT AND CHAT WITH?

My best interaction would have to be chatting with the members of Bruekke. Great folk. Cannot wait for their debut full-length to come out.

I love the Big Blue Wave, vid. Dave Vertesi in a bear costume. haha

Good morning!

I can tell you there WAS a mob around Hey Ocean, but I did NOT see this happen to Grant. It is entirely possible though, those Bronies were vicious haha.

Christine

Perhaps he was tending his wounds?

Definitely, Library Voices are up there as far as great bands to chat with. They make a real effort to talk to attendees. It had been a year and a half since we'd seen them and Paul remembered not only me, but that the girlfriend I'd brought with me the first time was from North Carolina. Amazing, considering how many shows they do and people they meet.

One of the musicians I've had the most fun talking to was Sage from Shred Kelly. Could have chatted with her all night. The band was packed in the van ready to go and had to come drag her out!

Jenny Omnichord is also really fun to talk to!

Monsieur Laurence! Not to keep harping with the Sheep*, but this Saturday sees Harlan Pepper opening for Emma-Lee.

Should be superfine, as I enjoy Harlan a lot, and Emma-Lee's sure to blow the place away.

*harping with the Sheep, in cartoon style, quite the image

What is your ice breaker?

Mine is just a handshake and a thank you for coming to Regina and I try to pick out something I didn't expect about the set or something they specifically do on stage which I find interesting. 

When is it time to 'wrap it up'?

Generally right after the ice breaker, I can personally tell how comfortable they are with continuing a converstaion.  If the artist is somewhere else in their head instead of with me I end it quick with another thank you and let them off! 

@benoit what are you ranting about?! what happened?

Grant I do love the new Great Lake Swimmers track, but better than Pulling on a Line or Rocky Spine....not so sure yet.

Hollerado last night was a lot of fun. Tiny venue, walked right to the back of the joint where they were fooling with their merch, met Menno and Nixon who were both really cool guys. I chatted with Nixon for about 10 minutes before they took the stage. I was a little nervous but these guys were super approachable and had a loose and funny banter on stage and had the place cracking up pretty good a couple of times.

http://pic.twitter.com/Cn85MO55 

@Grant, Benoit #11: sounds like a redirect.

Catherine Calder was such a nice person to talk with - we chatted for several minutes in LA about weather, touring, her past projects, etc.

PS - so happy to be out of the basement again! (though I still hate the gray color of the new site)

26: I just got spammed in a brand new way: a new screen appearing from nowhere. I wonder if I got a redirect from merely "overmousing", that is to say just passing over something without clicking?...

Thanks cathyort.

I find wearing something CBC/R3 and coming to a show in Houston is a pretty good icebreaker. I always use the "nice to have Canadian artists coming all the way down here!" sort of line as well.

Managed to be the first person into the room for a Dan Mangan show while he was setting up and he saw the CBC shirt and called me over to say hi!

sethdallob, I'm trying to cut down on spelling correction posts, honest, but in this case, just so's you know, she goes by the spelling Kathryn Calder.

From my past experiences I never really had a problem approaching an artist - back when I was in a band, I loved having people come up and chat with us - so now that I'm on the other side, I can get a good feel for if an artist is approachable. Also back in my older days, when I was promoting my book, I would walk up to an artist and give them a copy of the book, b/c I either qouted some of their lyrics or included them in some part of the book - they always appreciated that...

Corb Lund Yes, Greg Keelor, not so much...

I was at the now defunct Powerplant at the University of Alberta with a good friend of mine to watch the Unintended (The Sadies plus Greg Keelor and Eric White). While watching the show I saw Corb Lund in the crowd- I was fairly tipsy at this point and decided I should go talk to him- really I just wanted to thank him for The Smalls. Growing up in a tiny town in southeast BC, they were one of the only bands to bother touring in our area. Anyone who grew up in small town Alberta and interior BC who is around my age seems to love The Smalls because of this. He was extremely kind and gracious, thanking me for my profuse (and slurring) kind words. Luckily I was still sober enough to realize when to end the conversation before it degraded. 

On the other end of the spectrum, my friend is a huge fan of Blue Rodeo- particularly Greg Keelor. After the show, he was out packing up his gear, and my buddy approached him. He starting trying to chat him up, and told Greg how huge of a fan he was, that he really admired his musicianship and what he brought to Blue Rodeo- a bit gushing, but not terrible. Greg Keelors response? He turned to my friend and said "Wellllllll, thank you for livin'", he then turned around, grabbed his stuff and left. Not what I would have expected.

<------- I would love love love to hang out with Library Voices someday. When I saw them last fall, after their set Carl Johnston stepped off the stage, and for a moment I thought "This would be a good opportunity to say hi," but by the time I finished the thought, someone else had sidled up to him. It was late and I had to go home anyway, but that's not the first time my own thought process has screwed me over.

Once, I went to see Dan Mangan with my old roommate in Toronto. Well. We got there and the show was sold out. So we went to the bar next door, had uh several beers, went back to the venue and tried to get in. 

Amazingly, the bouncer let us in late. Without cover. We ended up drinking some more at the venue and somehow ended up meeting Dan at the end of the night. 

From what I remember he was super nice. 

we even got a picture.

Poll Questions:

This weekend is INSANE for me...Winterruption indeed is the plan (there are probably 10 other shows happening tonight) but I'm also shooting for Vancouver Magazine 6-10 tonight but hopefully get there in time for Acres of Lions! Same thing tomorrow, shooting from 11-3 and 5:30 to 10 so I'll miss the STW screening. Girls got get paid though. Sunday and Jasper Sloan Yip after YVR3 brunchingtimes will be nice though

Talking to Bands:

I'm trying to think of the last time I went to talk to a musician I didn't know after a show. Usually I just explain who I am and why I had a camera pointed at them. Kirk? Can you remember? I haven't had tea yet.

Next week Rich Aucoin is coming to town, so I'll probably try to chat with him! He's playing a tiny venue in Vancouver (The Media Club) so I'm pretty excited as it's my first time seeing him!

ALSO! I'M GOING TO SEATTLE! Tuesday and Wednesday...going to go to the Pack AD/Elliott Brood show while I'm there. I met the Brood briefly when they were doing a Green Couch Session, but hopefully I can talk to them again. The Pack girls are nice, I did a Polaris Prize salon with them in December...

Whoa whoa whoa whoa... Backwater Brewery was in a band?!? Which one???

at Christine - 

It wasn't after the show (well, not right after) but Pat Steward at The Matinée's Sweet Water Luncheon?

also at Christine - 

if you need an ice breaker for the BROOD, name-drop me. :p

Also, Hey Ocean!'s show was great last night!

@PeanutButter #57, I would love to meet him, if only for the fact my last name is Benfold

@Kirk YES! That's a good one.

Hahaha, you dont need to approach musicians, you just need to follow me and I talk to everyone and then I'm all: "This is Kirk, as in KirkOfDoom"

"OH! KIRKOFDOOM!"

@peanutbutter HOW DARE YOU be at Hey Ocean and not say hi to me?!?

JOINED!

PeanutButter who are you and why don't i know you yet?! Vancouverite!

@CMac: Winterruption is my new favourite word.

After all this time, I do still love The Stand!

No woo-ing this Mother Mother song.  It is literally the only tune I cannot stand on R3.

@benoit #45

thanks for the encouragement.. i regretted being shy about it!  next time!  if there IS a next time :)

I'm stil off the Standwagon. I like Mother Mother, it's just a shame that this was the first song I was exposed to and it tainted my viewpoint.

On the Standwagon!

Weren't there a few people from the blog that were at the HO! show last night? I think Westcrunch was supposed to be there, too. 

If it were upstairs, I am sure it would have been easier to meet up, but a seated show with all the crazy fans... tough to meet up. 

Hannah was amazing to meet. She was hanging out after her show (about a year ago in Manhattan). I was a little nervous and intimidated but approached her for a photo. She could not have been any nicer. Just awesome to meet her.

@Grant - See my remark about being shy.  Ok, I'm not that bad.  Next time for sure!

@Christine - Hi, nice to meet you!

@Garf - Nice!

@ericamarie - OMG, I'm pretty sure I have the same gnome!  He has a passport and his name is Cedric!

Well done, Garry.  Good icebreaker!

Awww, Garfy. You are so sweet.

I'm pretty sure he paid for it using the money he owes me from Scrabble games.

@Garf!

SMOOTH MOVE, MY MAN!

Garf!

Garf - Nice job!

Woot Garf!

@GarfieldUK

Wow - you're a nice guy.

@Lumina93 - you ok after vancouver broke the streak last night?

Nice Gary!

*see #30 if you would.

Love the long pause on "Drugs?"

Grant, you need to play Bob's 90 second egg again one day, I havent heard it in years!

Wow. This is a truly epic 90-Second Egg. I don't remember any previous artist getting through quite so many question.

Hannah is definitely one of the artists I'd most like to meet. Garry! Make it happen! :p

Rob Smith -- Thanks for bringing it up, but after 23 straight and first overall, I'm okay.

javajava: Awesome! I can't wait to see those guys tomorrow night.

I hate Burrows.

@PeanutButter - cool!  I don't know my guys name, I'll have to check his passport when I get home.

@Christine I will if I see her!

Met Sam Roberts and the Band this summer at a meet and greet before a concert this summer.  He and the whole band were engaging and interesting.  It was just after his single (can't remember which one) hit #1 for the second time, a first for R3-30.  They all that was cool and they had taken a historical tour of our town and asked everybody questions about some of the things they had seen.  Very cool and I was very fortunate to get my wife out of there as she would have happily followed them around for the rest of their tour.

Met The Sunparlour Players after a small show in Cobalt Ont.  We sat next to Denis' parents and spoke to him and Andrew after the show.  They were genuinely impressed that we had driven 1.5 hrs to the show and were on our way home again after.  Told Andrew that whenever I can catch a R3 band I love within 250Km I do my best to get there.

I saw someone post about Greg Keelor and that made me remember meeting him about 10 yrs ago at the MOHO in Peterborough.  I was rocking an old Palm Pilot and I asked him to autograph it for me electronically.  He signed something like "This is a first for me Greg Keelor"  I thought it was pretty cool.

I think my stream is behind a little bit. It's weird. The one on the new site cut out so I went to the old site and it was ahead by maybe 30 seconds. Strange.

Detroit '67

Paggy - how's that romancing the stone new jewelry holding up

I have a mental of image of Lee wildly swerving in the shaggin' wagon while in a vicodin fog. 

@ Grant - my favorite new song that CBC is playing is Sam Cash - September - if thats a new song, I dont really know, but its new to me and I love it

I'm having it set this weekend.  Kidney stone jewelry is all the rage now, eh?

@lounge_act

Detroit 67 ... average age of the Red Wings players?

@PeanutButter haha you must say hi if you see the YVR3 at a show. we're not hard to miss, generally one of us has some sort of R3 merch on, I am all the tall with a mop of curls and a big camera.

(Kirk's the tall albino).

Are you going to any shows soon?

BTW... Me and Hannah <<

@steph aka MLTF

YOU LOVE NATHAN FROM SAID THE WHALE

I don't want to play the Wings/Canucks game anymore.  Made me too negative.  :)

I do really like that Jordan Klassen song.  But I think Easy Come, Easy Go is still the best song on R3 right now.

Ah Grant I think you're off by a little bit.  I think the deal is that Bass Players are Steph's "Type".

Any advice I can give about meeting/chatting with bands: In general, they love meeting people. Sure they have to tear down and get ready to leave at some point, but any Canadian musician I've chatted with has seemed genuinely excited to chat with the people who support them. 

They're never going to say 'leave me alone!' Sometimes I'm shy, but then I shake it off and at least say, "Hey thanks for playing an awesome show!" 

Oh...LOVE anything Wintersleep does, they can do no wrong in my book.

Nathan is a sweetheart.  You should have seen him opening up his new guitar here at the house.  He was glowing!

hangin out with  bands is fun but since marriage (and kids) i'm not doing that much lately, anyway i would probably prefer to have a nice conversation just as well.

here are my top 3 encounters (I actually got to sit down and talk with these guys for more than 15 minutes) from growing up and going to shows in Detroit.

#1 - Alex Chilton (from Big Star)

#2 - Phil Lithman (Snake Finger from the Residents)

#3 - Mark E. Smith (The Fall)

all very kind and insightful people to talk to

Deep Dark Woods guys are nice to chat with...have been.

Most (musicians) are. Have chatted with Mark in Elliot Brood. Was absolutely heartwarming.

Don't really hang out with musicians/bands perse, unless I already know them. 

I know people who are really good at meeting (semi or famous) bands and hanging out with them after shows. That's not me.

I have a few friends that way who I sometimes teasingly call male groupies. They're not groupies but....seems kindof funny.

@carrieg

So sorry to miss you last night at Hey Ocean! What an amazing show eh? Talented bunch.

Going for lunch at the Creek -- keep your elbows up in the corners!

@peggylee: Tell Papa Beav to grow the beard and he can borrow my hat from Lancaster County Pennsylvania.  And suspenders.

@carrieg - I saw Michael Bernard Fizgerald open for the Dudes during the Olympics.  We basically saw them play from the line-up waiting to get in but it was open air and not that big of a deal.  Anyway, after their set he comes out and gives us all his latest CD for having to wait.  Super nice guys!

Ohh! Looking forward to hearing new Grand Theft Bus soon....

Don't know if he'll go for it, but a gal can dream, can't she?

@Lee - What's a tooks? I think you mean touques!

@lounge_act WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? Also, I watched that game last night, it was good. But I know how you feel. I saw the Leafs/Canucks game AT THE ARENA and I'm still not over it.

I've got into TWO shouting matches about it since.

Bands who dislike fans probably don't last long... haha

I remember at one CMW in TO and running into Ian Archer at an Irish music showcase at a bar there. Having a great conversation. Pretty sure he played with Snow Patrol and lots of great UK bands on a very coveted and special Reindeer Section album.

@munchcrunchabunchalunch:

so true!  

I once went to meet up with a band after the show, i was really excited to do it, but once there, I found that I really had nothing to say!  not sure if i would try it again. 

@cathyort:

i feel TERRIBLE that i didnt go.  long story.      whats the next show?

@Steph When you are coming off as much pain killers as Lee is right now they are called tooks. 

@Grant Hannah is in the UK with Kathleen...she was only home for about 5 days

tonight they are at Oran Mor, Glasgow, UK

she's there until March and then goes to Cali and up the west coast to home!

congrats to peggy and lee!

what did they name it?

@tb3:  BABOOOM!

Woo! Love this song by the Elwins!

2 artists come to mind:Matt Barber & Martina Sorbara (of dragonette).

Matt Barber is cooler than a cucumber - he came to a rather rediculous house party that a few of us had in Golden a while ago and was an all-round rad guy.

Martina Sorabara. Firendly, quick witted and good for a few tall tales and slightly off-colour jokes.

on how to approach a musician? pay them a compliment. everyone likes compliments. 

@tb3 - How dare you!  err, I mean BABOOM!

Thanks for the shout out! Twit pic is a pretty crappy cell phone shot. Menno rocking the Nicki Minaj tee was a source of good yuks. http://pic.twitter.com/Cn85MO55

a slightly better one of the band >  http://pic.twitter.com/cgJfj7jt 

@cathyort:   ok ok ok!  one of those for sure!  (or both)

It weighed over 6 pounds?

If that's true, he parted with something that weighed more than I did when I was born.

#RomancingTheStone 

@TheRadioHead we're privy to horns and strings often in this city. Mangan brings them out all the time when he's home. Many of the bands here have permanent horns or strings players.

Stephanie Chatman from Jasper Sloan Yip plays violin all the time with a bunch of people (including Maurice two nights ago) Sejal in '41st and Home' plays violin. Andrew Lee plays trumpet in ALL the bands.

Hell I even played sax with 41st twice. and Ashleigh has always played flute in Hey O.

It's not an uncommon obscure thing, and I think it's already a part of music now. You just can't always travel with a 7 piece orchestra section...

Oliver Road + Balmoral!

807 Represent!

SAID THE WHALE SATURDAY TICKET GIVEAWAY COMING UP

@Grant - Oh! I better get ready!! (and buy a plane ticket)

New nickname for Lee Hower and his smooth deep radio voice...

(Mel Torme was known as the Velvet Fog... well move over Mel... meet:)

The Vicodin Fog.

at Christine & TheRadioHead - 

Not to mention Indiana Avent, who plays violin in her own band, Ma Petite, and with a whole load of others. She played with everyone from Jordan Klassen last week to Treelines.

um .. Asteroids.

What a great set! I also love this one by Moon King.

@kirk and TRH ...and with Bon Iver!

Hope about Michelle Faehrmann? Cello with Adaline, Treelines, sooo many others...she's recording with Kyprios right now.

(Kirk, dont forget The Hornettes!)

@EP

Would love to hear what bands think of meeting fans. it's a Great idea (I'd like to know).

Yes, a breathing tube.  Don't they have them in Canada?

@Lee You know usually breathing tubes are removed after the procedure. 

This weekend! 

Sheezer! In London @ APK Live

Pitched the idea of the R3 belt buckle to my wife after yesterdays show and she said "go for it". Done and done.  someone should set up a map with pins to mark where in the world all the belt buckles are going.  I'm pretty sure mine won't be near any others by quite a few Km.

@Grant

Its called Kanata still, but it is part of the city of Ottawa.

McMaster and James!

As a Haligonian - plase no Joel Plaskett!

Romancing the stone, hilarious.  Isn't it "toque" though?  Benoit?

REAL first names Grant?

Is a really fun east coast band. Really good live!

Problem with meeting musicians: After the gig, they need to tear down, and may not be available. I understand this. After playing a gig and giving it all, plus an encore, they want to wind down relax and get on the road to their next gig.

2nd problem: you are basically meeting a complete stranger. If you are not good at making small talk with complete strangers, it may be just as awkward for them, as it is for you (maybe even more so). Most musicians are nice people and understanding, since they were probably fans at one time too.

Rob James of McMaster and James does dinner theatre now in Mississauga. He also won seventh place on Canadian Idol one year. I only know that because earlier this month I went to a dinner theatre production and read the playbill.

Tom Fun Orchestra really need to get a new album out

I LOVE TOM FUN ORCHESTRA!!!!!!!!!

The only musician I've ever really spent much time with is Rae Spoon, who's just a really decent human being. Once we made candy sushi together. It's exactly what it sounds like. Sushi pieces, made entirely of candy. Good fun.

I'm at a cottage all weekend, so can't contribute much to the gig talk this week. Next week for sure though!

@caspianette whoa, where's the cottage, hot roller?!

TFO would come by Sackville (NB) pretty frequently when I was there. It was tough to get a big enough venue for them though because they have so many musicians and such big sound

250: In English, most often, you see "toque" for what the French spell "tuque", and I'm against it: a toque, in my mind, is one of those porkpie kind of hats, completely brimless, perhaps vaguely oriental, or Russian; or another kind, such as the chef's toque ("toque blanche").

So for me, a "toque" isn't only something a little different, it also shouldn't be pronounced "toook".

So, I.M.O., the appropriate spelling for "took" is tuque, just like in French.

I heard I missed The Stand. Why does everything happen so early around here?!

With all this teasing about me and my kidney stone, which at the rate Grant embellishes the story, its' going to be the size of a globe on your history teacher's desk, I just got a "how are you feeling" email from Simon Bancroft, Tyler's dad.  Tyler Bancroft of Said The Whale.  Wow.  You Canadians are just amazing.

Even though Grant couldn't tell the whole truth if his life depended on it.

Can't forget to include We Are the City - a great gang to hang out with and an up and coming band.  They stayed here with Said the Whale and we had a blast.

@theRadiohead @MikeV what's going on here? Will the Radiohead soon be spending a winter vacation at Freddy Beach?

@Benoit, good to know - tuque it is!

I played Oregon Trail on Windows 93...

@Grant What? 

@kirkofdoom excuse me?

@munchcrunchlunch if you like oh no! yoko we're going to get along just fine :D

Thaaaanks! Nice sweater!

caspianette:  

it's not really mine.  I was just wearing it.  I'm not one of the privileged few sweater-owners...not yet, anyway.

Uh Oh... Blog Schnog.  Mike and Pat?

@CMAC - get yourself over to london drugs - they may still be handing out chocolate with products!

"The city that rhymes with fun"

... I just got that.

Garjoh: "The city that smells like it sounds!"   Guelph?

I LOVE this song, I can't wait to hear the rest of the Album. YAY ERIN!

Sigh. I would like one for keeps.

Saw your FB post the other day about NXNE in Toronto. I am also already thinking about it.

TENTACLES!!!

Where;s Ryan Maksymic!?

@ EP: Ba-boom!

@ MusicSoop: Nope, not Guelph.  Regina also holds that title. 

at christine - 

if only the luncheon wasn't on a day that's go ugly out...

like yesterday!

:p

@MusicSoop & Garjoh, #304 & #312, so not Shite Creek, Clearwater, Idaho then?

It was at the 2009 NxNE where a series of coincidences led me to befriend the members of the Details – they are a great group of people to hang out with and every time they are in Ottawa for a show, or I'm at NxNE when they are performing, I make it a point to get together with them for a few beers. I've detailed our first meeting here: http://chasing-distractions.blogspot.com/2009/06/nxne-day-3.html

I was going to go with Petrolia for "the city that smells like it sounds". Or possibly Oil Springs.

There's a Gasport, New York.  Unfortunately I've only ever stopped at the gas station there so it, um, smelled like it sounds.

302: One of the earlier times I heard it was in Serena Ryder's mouth, onstage at Zaphod's, maybe a year ago; she had a such a wicked grin on her face!

Kirk oh man, that was my first thought, now I dont even know what I'm going to wear (way too "go ugly" for heels) and I have like...20 minutes to decide. :(

I always wondered if Grosses Coques, NS smells like it sounds? 

Well I don't think about it too much. 

just got so I don't know if Dawn or Moniski or Soop has brought up our swim with the BROOD at Mariposa. that was awesome. well, it was Casey & his bro but I got to hang with them and Dan Mangan a bit throughout that weekend & great funny guys. There was a serious pun-off involving Serena Ryder also:)I've had Justin Rutledge loan a pal & I a lighter when we insisted on smoking in the rain outside Martyrs & mine failed.Had dinner with Melissa McClelland & her lovely mum at Schuba's in Chicago post show & have stayed friends. she bought me a beer with one of her comp tix. also got to beer there with Tim Bovaconti when he was playing with Ron Sexsmith (who was also very kind)I have a ton of not so famous musician friends that are great & kind throught toronto so I rarely don't have a brunch  or beer with the likes of Dave Celia or Suzie Vinnick or Dave Borins.& I can't even get started on hanging with the Rodeo Kings, who are all really terrific with fans. The best one I guess would be Colin Linden's 50th bday party. we had a great concert & then BBQ at the house the next day & I got to chat with Emmylou Harris & lot of other great people.As a matter of fact, it's tough for me to think of a musician i've met of the R3 variety that hasn't been nice. Oh & I got invited to go bowling with Jann Arden in Chicago once but the other asst. didn't give me the message.

I will say one of my worst working with celebrity events at Borders in Chicago was with a Canadian musician. I won't name names but it was not an R3 type:) 

Looking forward to the NEW record this summer!!!!

@Grant.  you are welcome, Sir Grant.   Thats CBC's official policy! *

*it may have been altered.

@CarlyG #23

so awesome you got to hang with my boys. Did Tom kiss your hand? he's been known too.  It would be hard to pick a 'best' quote but his introduction of Oh, Susanna to sing with them at the Horseshoe once was "Once I figured out she wouldn't let me f&*k her, I figured I'd have to settle for singing with her."

charming, eh? 

Outaouais: The Canadian regional name with the highest vowel-to-consonant ratio?

(Explanation: "w" didn't exist in French when it was named and spelled out, so "ou" (=oo) was used. And the spelling stuck.)

NXNE!!!!

I'M EXCITED! 

Weren't wristbands only like $75 last year though??

336: crude, but puts a helluva smile on my face!

I think that's why I like indie bands so much: they're young and unpredictably lively. Fun, too, did I mention fun?

loweeda: I believe I am already in the FB group, but I should double check... Pretty sure I am though.

I think the guys from Elliott BROOD are fun to hang out with.  Casey bought me a beer last nite. :o)

  I know the Brood are always happy to spend time kibitzing with folks who come out to their shows.  Touring is their lifeblood and you guys are the ones who keep them going.  Most musicians are also fans too and spent their formative years going to shows so they know the other side. 

marie_curious:

Ya, I just checked and you are in the FB group.  Well, we'll all just stay connected then (here and there) and work stuff out.

And that goes for anyone who is interested - any and all CBCR3 NXNE-ers.  Letters, yo!  

@Christine: Hey, I'll be in Seattle Tuesday for the show too!

Loweeda: I hope I can actually meet some R3ers this year, and not chicken out like last year.

[351]  foundation for a meaningful relationship.  (short perhaps, but meaningful)

@Christine  Yes!!!!  Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortillas.  I had some to bring to Detroit last nite and I forgot them.  Casey's favourite snack.  Have fun at the show and you can give him a big hug from me.  I suggest you do it before the show cause after they're done playing they're  pretty "ripe". :o)

@McS I wore my socks last nite!!!!!!!!!!!

@McS nice of you to wake up!

@Babs: AWESOME!!! :D

I PLUS ONE HUNDERED THAT BIDINI REMARK.

Totally great guy.

I emailed him about 4 years ago about a piece he wrote and what it meant to me not expecting any sort of response back. Got one like the next day. Since then, we email often. He remembers and knows me every time I go out to see the guy and we talk about the most mundane stuff.

In fact… He asked me at a book launch thing he was doing here in London a few months ago if I wanted to listen to some of the tracks from his now released (but then not) album, before few others had the chance to.

I would have no reservations calling him a friend. And mean it. I suspect he feels the same.

He is such an approachable guy that LOVES to meet people.

Another one of my favourites.

@grant: Wake up????! I've been up for hours!

at Grant -

for now, anyway.

@Grant - thanks for MBF ! looking forward to seeing him tonight.

@CMAC - I'll pack a chocolate bar for you tonight.

@Leel - did I miss pix of your newborn?  Glad you are feeling better.

marie_curious:

I think we all felt a little nervous about meeting each other last year (I know I did, anyway), but I think you'll find that talking to everyone in real life is pretty much exactly like it is here.  We're all just who we are, and you'll feel like you've known everyone for years.  It's pretty amazing.

lol whaaaaa???? we're not hooking up! I thought we already decided that 2 gingers can't date!

Babs:

At the Polaris Music Prize Gala this year when I was volunteering, working the door, Casey from Elliott BROOD was excited to see me working the door.

Reason number one million why I love that guy. 

Shit the whole band.

I don't mean this lightly. In Canada we are so lucky to have the musicians we do, because they know they are just as lucky to have us as fans.

Like the best of friendships… works best when both feel the same about each other.

Like the Radio 3 community too.

Group hug.

_\\\\   ////_

BABS46 DEN MOTHER OF THE BLOG IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ McS: This is how rumours get started.  Apologies!  Just taking a stab in the dark (see 373). 

@McS: I think the rule is that two gingers have to date in order to make new gingers.

Yeah... the first thing wrong with it is that she doesn't even post on the blog.

(So, yeah... no, not McS)

SappyFest is definitely the best place to meet and hang out with Canadian musicians.  Everybody just mixes and is completely approachable.  Special nods to both Snailhouse and Adrian from Apollo Ghosts. Made music with my kids!

@babs, somehow i didn't format that paragraph right (#367), I'll totally get those chips haha :)

@McS but you're going extinct, it's for the good of the gingers.

@Carrie I will love you forever because I also have to shoot photos from 6pm to 10pm :s it's gonna be a long day

@Steph I have to go to a luncheon (though I'm still in my sweatpants) in the next few minutes, I'll tweet some food photos. but Friday means nothing to a person that works every day. actually today and tomorrow are completely insane for me and I can barely stand right now. DAMMIT WORLD! 

@Yort #385, Vish? do you mean that CBC tour guide?

@Christine: I heard that was a myth! We can't go extinct because the gene is hidden and nature can't select against it! :D

man, I am SO LOST right now...

@McS: I think it's less of a myth as much as it is speculation.

@Christine - Oh... well... sorry abour your career decision then? #ILoveFriday

Kirk's dating Sidney York?  Is that what's up?  I'm confused.

@babs - thanks! I love to bake for the bands & it tends to go over well, mostly.only sorry to not see Chris along with the band:)

@flagpole-if Chris was with them it would mean he had to lift a finger to help-not his forte. :o)

@Christine, you are going to see Elliot Brood on Tuesday night, too? In Seattle. I had thought about it. Oh man, that sounds fun! Portland, the next day, too. They are playing for free in a restaurant during the day, there. And Portland must love them cuz of Pickathon!

http://theoatmeal.com/quiz/twitter_spell

I expect you all to get 100%

@Kirk, congrats!

@Grant you forgot Jasper Sloan Yip! He's playing Winterruption on Sunday afternoon an electric AND an acoustic set and those are FREE!

@Babs, "ripe"! That's funny. And true. I've seen that...

Kibitzing! That's a good word for it...

@Yort ,85% (B)

#406 I got 75%? Geez I rely on spell check way to often..

Grant, let me second, Benoit.  Good interview. 

Beautiful story about Christopher & the shoes. Thanks for capturing that, Grant.

*Hugs all around*

@lee @zoot thanks, appreciated, and yeah, really nice story about the shoes.

Oh and by the way - I met KirkofDoom's blog schnog last night and I officially approve. She's lovely... and smokin'!

@Grant, is that your hand on my bum?

at Grant - 

I flipped over to the podcast for a moment, and you were so close! Just Brandi (seen left) is a flight attendant for west jet, and they haven't ditched the woodwinds; they still rock the oboe and bassoon!

@ Garf, that could have been me, we all have our ways of coping...

@sbarbara, #4. Ya, I can so relate!

For me, it depends. Sometimes I am very comfortable and it goes ok. Other times not. I tend to be star struck, I guess. However, a few drinks helps. Also after shows it's usually easier. Cuz of the buzz and excitement from the show. Trying to convey that.

I don't know. When I was younger, I tried harder to 'meet' musicians and band members. At shows, after shows.

I don't as much, anymore. Afterwards, I mean after shows, either I'm tired or there's a huge crowd around the band also trying to talk to them.

Also, if I think about it too much, it's usually awkward. If it happens more naturally, it tends to go better.

@Grant...there is such a gentle kindness in your voice when you do an interview about a serious subject.  Nice job.

@zoot #430, that's OK but can you be a little less rough next time please?

So nice to hear Ghostkeeper!

The name "Ghostkeeper" kinda freaks me out.

The gals in the Pack AD are as down to earth and personable as can be!

@BABS re: Grant - agreed. 

Danny Michel - absolutely lovely, humble, friendly

Garf, love the photos of Elliot Brood in England! My fave of those logos are prob the keeper ones.

Yay Crissi!  Contrats!

@Grant, #79. That's funny!

And what a compliment to Christine.

We hung out with Besnard Lakes and Malajube in Kalamazoo last fall post-show. Jace, Olga & co. are always super fun and so sweet.

What was Jace's quote?  "Roadies are for p*****s."

One of the funniest, unique and interesting band frontmen and musicians I've met too is the lead singer of the Real MacKenzies.

Years ago, a very sweet, wholesome and pretty coworker had just broken up with her then fiance. She was heartbroken. So to cheer her up, I brought her and a few others to the Railway Club. He was instanly smitten by her (MacKenzies singer) and proceeded to try to woo her. I'm sure he'd had a few drinks. But he did so in a pretty punk rock, bad ass way. Using quite a bit of shock factor in trying to impress and entertain her, etc. She never wanted to go back to the Railway Club, and was daunted by that. I thought it was quite funny!

Pretty sure the theoretical new "expose yourself to the CBC" shirt would need the picture of Grant shirtcocking.

As far as I can remember the site I've always used is http://radio3.cbc.ca

But every host keeps mentioning other addresses - what are the actual addresses?

Basement:

New Site:

Basement: cbcradio3.com or radio3.cbc.ca

New site: music.cbc.ca/radio3

Sarah Harmer. A bright one.

@#456 I was expecting a happily ever after type ending, which shows what a sap I am. The truth was more like real life. 

Nothing wrong or forbidden about the affectionate term for cats. Not in the sense you were using it.

Bringing it full circle... the Sidney York album, like so many of our favourites, was mixed by Howard Redekopp, who, according to wikipedia, at one time played bass for, you guessed it, The Rose Chronicles.  My week feels complete now.

Did you ever see Chad Van Gaalen On Letterman? Stupid Human Tricks? (2:34)

Late to the blog, hi everyone

Apropos of hanging with musicians at lives shows, after seeing that Erin Passmore is in Top 5 Live Gigs, I'm reminded that it was great hanging with Rah Rah on a few occasions.

The first time for me was when they played CMJ last October in NY, right after Said the Whale, so that day I met Ben and Tyler from StW, and then the Rah Rah folks. Next time, later that month, I heard Ohbijou and Library Voices (also great to spend time and talk music and books with Jenny and Casey Mecijas, as my profile pic attests, and Eoin from LV) and Rah Rah were in the audience enjoying the show with me. It turns out Rah Rah spent much of the fall in Brooklyn working on their next album.

Then, in December Rah Rah opened for the Weakerthans, and we spent more quality time together. Lief, Marshall, Erin, Kristina, Joel, etc., they were all great to talk and spend time with. FWIW, my blog essay on that show. 

@musicjoy3 [461] - Members of Sloan are great to meet, although Chris and Jay are far easier to talk to, as they like to work the crowd.  Patrick and Andrew are more reclusive, but sometimes, they're all out there talking, as happened last year when they came to San Francisco.  But you can't top Chris Murphy for being friendly!

@ Philip, super blog! Thanks for the link!

@musicjoy3 - I love Sloan and their music, but no one can top the friendliness of Said The Whale.

@musicjoy that's such a cute story!

#478 @zoot aloors So glad I posted this afternoon, even as late it was. Nice to meet you on the R3 blog. Glad you like my recap of the Rah Rah/Weakerthans show! 

@garfielduk did you or did you not buy Lisa Christiansen a transcontinental coffee this morning?!

@Grant, OK, you are excused.

@canadajanes thanks for backing me up... I think?

@garf - HAAAAAAA, yes & yes

@Soop - Tim, when you see Hollerado tomorrow, encourage them to go on a headlining tour, maybe bring someone else along from Canada.  I'm in no condition to go see them tonight in San Francisco, and they're only acting as an opening band, and sold out besides, but I'd sure like to see them.  Tell them to come back to SF - and even your state capitol.  :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Thanks for the words of encouragement - or words to tease the snot out of me, but laughter is the best medicine.  And I am feeling much, much better today. 

See you all on Monday, and again, Garf, great move with the coffee for Lisa!

Lee

how does one buy a coffee for someone 8 time zones away?

electronically.

@EP #498, I used email

@garf AMAZING pub crawl map!!!!!!!!!!

@EP thanks for listening and participating!

@ Garf, looks like the pub in Newcastle on Tyne is staggering distance home!

@Grant, in that case can I go to Jersey next time please?

@javajava:   I prefer the sound of  "Chat Box".

@McS, which is such a cute story? The Real MacKenzies one?

Too bad we ain't goin to see Elliot Brood together next week! I got lots of stories! Some involve the Crocodile Cafe, too!

Ha ha. That's cute, javajava. I'd agree with that.

Btw, I know they're no longer a 'buzz' band but I've always found the members of Hot Hot Heat to be very friendly and down to earth. Tho, have never really talked to the lead singer. They once invited me to see em backstage after a show, but I never went. Which is weird, cuz I've always wanted (and secretly dreamed) about being invited backstage after a show. And the one time I am, I don't go! 

(Even weirder. That same show is the first time I saw both the Unicorns and Metric play. Both - awesome and incredible! Unicorns are now part of Islands, I think. And oh ya, I had just interviewed two members of Hot Hot Heat, that day. Which was a top drawer experience and later that aft, I was completely stoked. Only my radio pal was all cynical and dour and tried to convince me that the music biz was all shit. Which I couldn't relate to as we'd just had a great experience together with that interview. Oh well.)

I've never thought of that! Btw, on Lisa's show yesterday, Mike Usinger was saying Stephen MacBean is a big metal fan.

I mean the Black (Sabbath) Mountain thing! Right on.

@musicjoy We could sure use some snow here in the Eastern Sierras. Dryest winter in recent memory. Of course, the commutes have been lovely, so it's not all bad.

Oh, you live in Nevada! Not too shabby! I like that anniversary photo, btw.