When I was a little girl, my father played me hundreds of records by artists that I would only come to intimately know and understand as an adult. From BB King Live at Cook Country Jail to Sonny and Brownie At Sugar Hill, oodles of Jerry Lee Lewis (Killer Country era not the early shit) and enough Bob Dylan that I can safely say, by the tender age of 14, I had already seen and heard enough Bob Dylan for a lifetime. And that’s no exaggeration. I’ve seen him 5 times in concert (all before I was 14) and between the vinyl, tapes, DVDs and CDs, I think I have enough Bobby Zimmerman paraphenelia to be called a fanatic.

In 1973 Dylan put out the soundtrack to the movie, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. Very few people I know have this album and other than the fact that Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door was released from it, there is nothing special in terms of the sheer girth of the entire Dylan catalog.

However, it’s one of my favorites. Dylan is known for barely working on albums when it comes time to record them in the studio. It’s no secret that he’d go into the studio, play each song once and what was recorded was what they put out. Other than Blood On the Tracks, there is no other album that I know of where he actually put some studio time in tinkering with the songs till they sounded just right. Other than Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, none of his other albums sound whole in this way. Every song on this album belongs together, partly because the songs Billy 1, Billy 4, and Billy 7 are all the same lyrics in different variations made to sound like different songs, and partly because they are all part of a greater plot, a neatly sewn up story in the form of a movie.

It’s a good Sunday afternoon album. It’s the kind of album you put on while you make yourself a lazy brunch and read the paper on cold mornings with the windows frosted up on sunny days before you tackle the laundry.

Bright Lights & Bruises, the first solo effort from Bedouin Soundclash’s Jay Malinowski is beautiful and complete in all the same ways. The album, set to hit shelves Feb 16, 2010 as the first release on Pirates Blend (distributed by Sony Canada), has all the elements I love from that Dylan album. Although There Is A Light is the first single (comes out Jan 11th, 2010), I didn’t hear any discernable singles on it. Each song leads into the next like one forty-odd minute story with ebb and flow that works better with afternoon tea than it does as a few singles stung together with a lot of b-side filler, and that’s what’s refreshing about it. There is also a vulnerability in what is NOT there, a stripped down album that relies on simple drums, guitar riffs and a lot of Malinowski’s sweet but rough voice, the something that is missing in the nothing in between is what keeps me hitting play when the tape runs out.

Jay is in Iceland currently, shooting a video for There Is A Light with good friend, Michael Maxxis. Bedouin Soundclash’s next full-length is scheduled for summer 2010 and their next gig is at Mod Club March 12th for Canadian Music Week. Also, Jay will be running with the Olympic torchin his hometown of Vancouver February 12th, 2010. Looks like 2010 is gonna be a BIG year.

To Listen to There Is A Light, Click HERE.

Everyone is talking about the last 10 years like it’s 2011. But it’s only been 9 people. Way to jump that gun. We decided to just do a year end review and save the decade junk till we get into another one. Like for next year.

Here’s our illustrious panel:

BEST ALBUM:

The only commonality we have is that no one thought there was a best album this year, however no one had a hard time coming up with a collection. And based on a lot of math equations, here’s what was good in 2009.

Jay-Z:  The BluePrint 3 + Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

We agree unanimously that Jay deserves a spot, but that this album is our least favourite in the epic saga that is the Jiggaman’s career, and we think Phoenix’s latest is the best of theirs. Phoenix may be the only group in the world that you can’t put on a mixtape since one track seems to never be quite enough.

Others we loved: It’s Blitz: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Fame Monster: Lady Gaga, Animal Collective: Merriweather Post-Pavillion, Major Lazer: Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do, Gossip: Music For Men, one half of Sasha Fierce only, and Judy Garland: Live At Carnegie Hall.

BEST TRACK:

We’re all feeling pop music for this one. Major Lazer, Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas got top ranks. I’m gonna have to break this three way and say “I Got A Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas is the top track, love it or hate, we all turned that shit up when it came one the radio.

Others we loved: When I Grow Up–Fever Ray, Gimme Sympathy-Metric, Sweet Disposition-The Temper Trap, Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix)-The xx, Drumming Song-Florence + The Machine, Bulletproof–La Roux, and a little tranny we all know and love named Beyonce for Single Ladies.

BEST PARTY (THIS IS A TORONTO CATEGORY)

I have to say, I’m a little disappointed in the bloggers for picking a lot of obvious and shit choices. Our parties aside, the best that this group of jerks could come up with was Drake 5th Anniversary (easy kill), Vice Magazine’s 15th Anniversary (easiest kill) and that dreadful Aoki party in the Bay Station Underground.

So here it is: The best parties of 2009 were: DJ AM @ This Is London, It was a great night with all the right people enjoying a beautiful space usually crawling with brawlers and skanks. Everyone danced until 2AM and AM really truly set that place a flame. Fake Blood (with our boy Barletta) @ Wrongbar: It was the best show of NxNE and even the owner had to sneak his own friends in the back door. And finally, RIP Randomland, you were fun while you lasted.

BEST CONCERT:

Not one of us over lapped in this category. So the best of’s are: Dead Weather secret show @ The Hoseshoe, Gossip & MEN @ The Opera House, Peaches & Amanda Blank @ The Phoenix, Fritz Helder & The Phantoms Platinum edition party @ Redbull HQ, Steam Whistle’s Unigned @ Sound Academy with Goldengirls, Creature, The Carps, and Woodhands, Bif Naked @ Mod Club, and The Hostage Life CD Release Party/Final Show Ever @ Sneaky Dee’s.

But the absolute best concert moment goes to Siobhan who saw GZA play with King Khan @ Dundas Square during NXNE. She watched from the media pit and shook his hand after.

BEST FASHION STATEMENTS:

2009 was a year of gothic black, big shoulders and impossibly skinny jeans paired with some serious heels. Shoes got good this year. They’re investment pieces after all. Not for nothing, but I predicted it all in my 2009 Prediction piece last lear. The standouts for our crew of not-exactly-fashion-bloggers were: Zooey Deschanel for Oliver Peoples, men’s ankle high tailored dress pants and dress shoes, they can be worn with or without socks and they’re still genius. A certain someone from Winnipeg voted that Canada’s Next Top Model, Meaghan Waller (a Winnipeg native) was the best thing and Vanessa V who has been chatting our faces off about Top Shop for months, is happy that that shit is finally here in North America (she went to NYC for the opening, she’s that crasssy).

We are making one mention of WORST IN FASHION Siobhan is so truly disgusted with Jeggings, that she insisted on a category just for them. Using my Beyonce tranny metre for all things trendy I rate them a like. Here’s my theory: if Beyonce’s wearing it, the rend is ovah, BUT if she looks good in it, then I know I’ll look better. Beyonce looks good in jeggings, which means this trend is gone and if you’re smaller than a size 14 it is guaranteed to look better on you.

BEST MOVIE

Apparently there are only 4 movies we all agree on: Coco: Avant Chanel, UP, The Hangover and 500 Days of Summer. Honourable mentions: The Carter Documentary and The Cove.

BEST SHOW

Since there were only four TV shows on the TV this year, all four take the cake: Mad Men, Modern Family, Glee and True Blood. Personally, I like Law & Order re-runs, but no one wants my opinion!

A mad mishmash of electro/hip-hop/synthy success, Toronto/MTL duo Thunderheist blew through The Mod Club on Thursday night.

The crowd was assorted in attendees, pretty young things and party people, all equally excited and energetic as they eagerly awaited the performance.

Singer Isis stepped out donning the marvelous Greta Constantine seat belt-esque corset top and shiny skinnies, aura ablaze with fabulousness. Her casual banter immediately connected the audience and developed a presence of knowingness and cool familiarity. Smooth vox and MC skills brought TH’s debut album to live life, causing a sweaty stir. The venue’s intense bass has a tendency of overpowering words, but that doesn’t put a halt on enthusiasm of artist or observer.

Everybody was dancing and singing along to smash-tacular tracks LBG (Little Booty Girl), Suenos Dulces, and Jerk It, even if lyric knowledge was not imminent. There was readiness to shake and scream and thrive forever.

Daring to be groped, Isis threw herself into the audience submissively, crowd surfing on more than one occasion.

Isis’ parents were in attendance, this being their very first time seeing her perform; Commence shout-outs and waves from the audience to proud family members.

Last night’s show also marked the final Thunderheist appearance for a while to come, so if you skipped out, you’re best off picking up their album and hosting a massive glamourous dance party.

Words by Melania Fedyna
Photos by Natalie Lisa Johnson

Looky Looky, a new Fall Mixtape from our boy Barletta.

It’s a fun one with Rock songs in honor of his latest passing fancy, the last British Invasion (Oasis not the Spice Girls). Plus that delicious new Cardigans edit of Lovefool is in there (that sucker peaked at #5 on Hype Machine yesterday).

If you live in Toronto, boy’s playing Mod Club tonight and he’s got some good tricks for ya a la live fun with Anna Cyzon. Just sayin’ don’t miss stuff.

Download Barletta’s Fall Mixtape–Rock Here

TRACKS:

The Yank – We Can’t Be Stopped (Dj Bam Bam Remix)

Danger Mouse – Justify My Thug

Stereophonics – More Life In A Tramps Vest

The Trip – Who’s That (Jack Beats Remix)

Nubla – Japan (Barletta Edit)

Kasabian – Vlad The Impaler (Barletta + Ernold Sane Edit)

Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – Heads Will Roll (Dan Oh Remix/ Barletta + Ernold Sane Edit)

Weezer – Buddy Holly

The Cardigans – Lovefool (Barletta Edit)

Green Day – Redundant

If by now you’re not familiar with the goodness that is Dragonette, we can’t help with your intense psychological issues, but we will kindly introduce you to mastermind Dan Kurtz, one-quarter of the electro-pop-sex-machines.

1. What is your dream of happiness?
Not sure. Most days feel like happiness, though.

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Does it have to be either/or?

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?
A sense of humour about himself. Same goes for women.

4. What do you fear most?
Outliving my loved ones.

5. 808s or 909s?
808s.

6. What’s your biggest regret?
I can’t tell you.

7. What’s your fave bar or club in the world?
Razzmatazz Barcelona for the all-nighter; The Cow in London for drinking and making new best friends.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
My wife.

9. Who are three musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Prince (again); the Police in 1983; Jacko in 1984.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
I’ll take the early 70s into the early 80s, if possible.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?
Blind. I like hearing more than seeing.

12. How old is too old?
I’m not old enough to answer that question.

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Somewhere that’s warm for a great part of the year.

14. Who’s your hero?
I have a few. Most are clichés. #1 is my mum.

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Different colours for different things.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
Man, there’s a long list.

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Madonna.

18. What’s your most hated vice?
It’s only a vice if you do it too often. Luckily I have none of those.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Man, there’s an even longer list. How could anyone sift through all of history’s tragedies and pick “the most tragic”?

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
Paul McCartney, Camden, 2007.
Prince, Montreal, 1990?
2ManyDJs, Sydney, 2008

P.S. Dragonette are currently on tour across North America and will be messing up Toronto’s Mod Club on October 8th. Attendance is highly recommended. For full tour dates, check their MySpace. Woot, woot!

First, here’s what you missed on Friday…

Arcade: ar-cade
Pronunciation: \är-kad\
Function: noun
1: An amusement center having coin-operated games.
2: Your new favourite Friday night party!

Brought to you by Embrace, The Mod Club‘s new Friday evening plays host to an assortment of colourful, interactive activities, featuring your fave Djs and and a hoppin’ dance floor.

September 4th marked the official launch of Arcade Fridays, incapsulating new levels of epic. Main floor guest djs were Barletta, Nasty Nav, Milano, and Brandon Sek, while the upstairs loft hosted an intimate lounge with tunes by Vaneska and David Hall.

If you missed out last Friday, copy and paste these images into your memory and get pose on when LastNightsParty.com and Parallels take over College St, on Friday, September 11th.

(Above Words and Photos by Melania Fedyna)

We sorta skipped Saturday, Hot & Spicy fest had us filled with the itis. But by Sunday, it was Game On Again.

Barletta is our boy, and we’ve been shooting an amazing promo for his upcoming Whisper EP release by running around town getting into all kinds of trouble with Al D (our main man on the snaps)

Some morsels for ya:

Out takes from the video:

We know it looks bad, but it’s staged. Katchup and Sweetner. Still, so delicious

Anna Von’s new ride

It was Gillian’s Bday. We danced danced danced.

Hot off the tail of The Social, we hit Labor Of Love at the Guvernment just in time to catch Tiga’s jaw dropping set including our most delicious top fav, Fever Ray Triangle Walks (Tiga 1-2-3-4 Mix) was the real deal. None of these tried and true radio hit tricks. Actual talent. So rare. So delicious.

Photos courtesy of Al D!

Finally Mr. Sun graced us with his presence this weekend, so what better way to show our appreciation than hittin’ the streets and clubs of our lovely city? Here’s our weekend roundup.

RIP RANDOMLAND @ MOD CLUB–Friday August 14, 2009

First up on the weekend tour was RIP Randomland. As y’all may know, Randomland Fridays @ Circa is no more, sad I know (moment of silence). So in true Randomland rando-ness fashion, they had one last rumble at The Mod Club. . Beach balls, bubbles galore, balloons, lazers…rave.

Despite feelin’ a lil bummed ’cause the curtain was closing and I wanted to cut some rug, but for some reason I wasn’t feelin’ the vibe. Between the beach balls bein’ spiked at my head and the very young boisterous people acting a fool, it just wasn’t workin for me. Don’t get me wrong with a DJ lineup like Vaneska, Andy Ayres and other hot locals, I busted a groove, but I sure didn’t burn any holes in the floor. RIP Randomland left me wantin’ more, partin’ is such sweet sorrow.–Pinkie

RAEKWON @ SOUND ACADEMY-Saturday August 15, 2009

Let’s keep it moving a beautiful Saturday night @ Sound Academy for some real Hip-Hop with Raekwon the Chef of the Wu-Tang Clan.

From the second Raekwon touched the stage and C.R.E.A.M started flooding the air everybody just started goin’ mad. The Chef served up a buffet of classic Wu bangers and we were hungry we ate up every line spittin’ rhyme after rhyme. The crowd flow was so tight that Raekwon had to stop and say “Shit! Toronto…y’all kno’ your ish fa real.”

For the real Hip-Hop heads it was great we were reminded that it “Can It All Be So Simple” when we’re in this “Cold World”.

Of course you kno’ Raekwon took a moment to recognize one of the Wu’s fallen soldiers Ol’ Dirty Bastard–with a full breakdown of  the anthem “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”.  Remember y’all beware of Incarcerated Scarfaces!!!–Pinkie

MASQUERADE PARTY @ WRONGBAR–Saturday August 15, 2009

Isis Salem and Marc Smith’s b’days celebrated with a masquerade. DJs wer awesome (Violca, MANSION, Babri & Mitch from Teazedale and PSDO!NMFO). It was another fam night at Wrongbar. The irony is that the “Wrong-Bar” can’t seem to make one “wrong” move. Ha, here’s some pics.

HONEY JAM @ MOD CLUB–Sunday August 16, 2009

It was fantastic and these women I listed above will definitely be with in the game for a long time.–Natalie Lisa Johnson

Here’s 5 chicks on mics

Janelle Monique

Tamla-Mai

Lynzie Kent

Jaclyn Kenyon

Eve and the Ocean

What’s poppin’ next weekend?

Let us know.

You remember Lava Lounge? It’s some kind of mattress store on College St. now, but it used to be mod heaven. Before Mod Club opened, but after Blow Up ended, Lava Lounge was the spot to dress up, be anglo, and get down to vinyl from 1960-1969 ONLY. And it was rammed every single week. So Mark Holmes, the man behind the Lava Lounge nights has brought it back: Soulvation at Strangelove was the reunion party, and it brought out all the anglo hotties young and hold. Krist Papas got some snaps for your viewing pleasure. Check em.