rEVOLVEr opens hard with ‘Bang Bang Pow Pow’ feat. Lil’ Wayne in classic in-your-face T-Pain style.  I can only imagine Lil’ Wayne and T-Pain in the studio jumping around with each other trying to out crazy each other. Lil’ Wayne’s dreads wipping in T-Pain’s face only taking a break to take a long haul off a blunt.  Oh and the cute jester/ ‘Game of Thrones’ music at the beginning is nice.

Skipping to track 3, ‘It’s Not You (It’s Me) T-Pain VS. Chuckie’ feat Pitbull, you don’t even have to hear this song to know it’s good. Anything Pitbull touches turns to gold (well except J.Lo aka Jenny from the Block…no one can sell an image no one is going to buy..sorry boo). I wanna rage right now to this song at a 905 club in the VIP section with all my closest girlfriends who are wearing beautifully made Kimora (as in ‘Life in the Fab Lane’) inspired sheer tops, screaming ‘IT’S NOT YOUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!! It’s me.

Track 5, ’5 O’ Clock’ Feat. Lily Allen & Wiz Khalifa…well you already know I (we) love this song.

Next up, ‘Look at her Go’ Feat. Chris Brown.  Right off the bat what I love about this track is  ”Wobblin’ Wobblin’”.  Makes me wanna Big Sean ‘Dance’ at a strip club, and as much as Chris Brown’s an acquired taste, I hate to admit it, but kids’ got swag.  Also, I love this track because it totally reminds me of DJ Khaled’s ‘All I Do is Win’ (maybe because of the line ‘All I Do is Win’, but who knows)

Alright, I know  said I wasn’t going to talk about any of the slow jams on this album, but track 11 ‘Drowning Again’ feat. One Chance is the exception.  ’Drowning Again’ actually showcases T-Pain’s vocal talent, as well makes him more real, instead of some iPhone app.  This song reminds me of a One Republic track, and you know what? that ain’t a bad thing.

Enough sad shit, let’s get back on track.  Well look what we have hear, another Chris Brown track.  Man, Chris Brown is not always my thing, but this track is so fucking HARD. Sure, ‘Best Love Song’ feat. C. Brown probably isn’t the best love song, but it really tries. The easy to remember chorus, and the cute hooks entraps you, and it hard to pull out of… Fuck you Chris Brown for doing this to me.

Finally, we get to MY favorite track on ‘rEVOLVEr’: ‘Turn all the Lights On’ feat. NE-YO.  Right now I’m in my 10×10 foot room with 30 people with only our underwear on jumping on my bed screaming as aloud as we can to this song…..its 3:33am.  I feel like the fun is never ending, and T-Pain and NE-YO have become my closest friends.

THANK YOU SO MUCH T-PAIN AND FRIENDS FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL ART, YOU HAVE EVOLVED SO MUCH SINCE I FIRST HEARD YOU WITH KE$HA, THE ONLY THING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEXT TIME IS A COLLAB BETWEEN YOU AND WILL.I.AM BECAUSE I THINK BOTH YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IS PERFECT; STEAMPUNK MEETS THE YEAR 2096.

Add blog to our directory.

Pink Mafia came out to represent at Camp Bisco X in full effect but getting there was one hell of a trip.  Directions were strange.  Lineups hellish. Shuttle buses didn’t show up at the Amtrak Station as promised (or not as frequently). Promises weren’t kept on certain ticketed VIP items (more to come on that).  But more importantly, the heat was in full force.  Ravers and hippies alike were in full force on the grounds of the Indian Lookout Country Club this weekend during the 10th annual sold out Camp Bisco.

Camp Bisco is a festival started by experimental electronic group The Disco Biscuits.  I hadn’t heard of them prior to Camp Bisco and apparently, I wasn’t the only one.  There were others I had talked to throughout the course of the weekend who hadn’t either but apparently if you were someone who had been to Bisco before, you would be familiar.

The crowd seemed to be full of fthe Burning Man-esq variety, walking around with posters of trippy visuals, glosticks, large fire displays and other art towers.  Guess this helped with one of the acts – Shpongle, who performed their first ever live set in the United States, Friday at the festival who had more of an experimental sound.

Despite the more hippy atmosphere of Bisco, the festival was packed with the hottest acts in modern dubstep and electro, which I was SUPER stoked on. The 100+ artist lineup was completed with some live performances by recently reunited Death from Above 1979 and instrumental electronic duo Ratatat, Das Racist, Wiz Khalifa, MSTKRFT, Skrillex, 12th Planet and more.

This festival had no rules, as the security were bikers.  But there were some downfalls – at some points, security would not let people bring drinks, including water into the main stage area.  In the extreme heat, it seemed people were made to buy water at all points throughout the day.  The VIP tickets were promised showers, which at several points throughout the weekend I heard from several people that there was no water for a shower.  ATMs kept being empty. VIPs were only promised free water, which I was told wasn’t supplied.  However, this did get a catered lunch.  Kind of a mess.

The most important thing about Camp Bisco was the music which the festival totally delivered on.  Below is some of my top picks from the weekend.  Camp Bisco satisfied my hunger for all musical needs: dubstep, electro, hip hop, indie, rock, dance and everything in between.  That was the great thing about Camp Bisco – it catered to just about anyone and everyone.   I totally believe that I’m ready, willing and able to attend Camp Bisco 11 next year, as I learned some SUPER valuable lessons this year.

Most Obnoxious DJ: Skrillex
Okay, the dude is talented.  But is it really necessary to pull up in his golf cart prior to his set and have a million and one photo “sessions” with his fans.  I get what he is trying to but please.

Oddly Empty Set: Death from Above 1979
I’m assuming this had a lot to do with the huge thunderstorm.  So sad.

Best Comeback Set: Das Racist
Considering how horrible they were at their live show in Toronto, I was considering the absolute worst for this set.  But they were oddly really good.  I was insanely impressed.  Thanks for proving me wrong, guys.

Best Curated Tent: Mad Decent Tropical Tent
Jillionaire, Dillion Francis and Nadastrom murdered this tent.  Everyone was on their feet dancing.  All I can say is Bisco, kudos on giving Mad Decent their own tent. To Jillionaire, Dillion Francis and Nadastrom – thanks for making my weekend. If I can make a suggestion, you should also give the Trouble & Bass crew their own curated tent next year as well.  Udachi held his own in his set.

Best Jazz Flute In a Set: Shpongle (Live)
Waking up to Shpongle soundchecking on Friday morning and hearing jazz flute.  It became our joke for the entire weekend.  I don’t get the big deal over Shpongle.  Maybe because I’m not a hippie?  But we’ll always have jazz flute.

Best Overall Set: Ratatat
I won’t lie, I think they may have been one of the best sets.  I have been waiting to see them live for some time now.  WOW.  Just WOW.

Best Use of Dance Tunes: MSTRKRFT and Ghostland Observatory
I didn’t think it was possible to throw in any more 90s dance tracks but HOLY HELL.  It was like a mashup of the oldschool with the newschool.  My feet loved every minute of it.

Photos by Kelly McElwain

Melissa went to an arts elementary school and high school then went to Concordia University to which she got her BFA in Photography. “Out Of Our Minds” is not only an album it is also a film and a graphic novel. When I asked Melissa as to why she decided to make the album multi-media based she stressed how important it is for her to “grow as an artist” and that it was about time she got back to her “roots” of visual arts after being a “full-time rock musician“. “ Over the years technology has been growing so much that I was easily able to intertwine various arts for the album.”

As much as I was excited (nervous) to interview Melissa I got even more anxious in knowing how broad her talents range from. She worked with Ric Ocasek (former “Cars” front man), Rufus Wainwright and had many of her photos were published in magazines such as Bust and Nylon. For OOOM she had Chris Goss produce the song “22 Below” and Glen Danzig sing with her on the track “Fathers Grave”. I asked her what it was like working with them and she responded in the most down to earth manner. Apparently Chris Goss produced half of her first record while Jordon Zadorozny produced the other half. She told me how Glen Danzig (former Misfits vocalist) was her all time child hood hero when she was sixteen. She gushed at how shy she was upon first meeting him and that she never had collaborated with someone like him before. She sent him a personal letter telling him what he meant to her as an artist and how when she was in Hole she wore a Danzig sweatband at every show. The letter obviously paid off. Melissa went on to say that the album was “a journey on how amazing people are”. She hopes to at some point have a “mini danzig..a mythical warrior” inside her.

While listening to OOOM there is no denying that it has dream like images. Melissa told me that dreams have always had a big impact on her during the creative process and partly why she started playing bass, “dreams guide me thru my music”. This record she was inspired by aliens, 3D sounds, dreamscapes, psychedelica and time-travel. Her music is a way on how to live her life, “a quest thru life in a creative jungle”.  Along with her belief of life after death and haunting ghosts fading in the background Melissa invites us to travel OUT OF OUR MINDS.

Another exciting thing about Auf De Maur’s tour is that its worldwide. She’s excited to use Canada as a launching pad for the tour especially since she hasn’t played in Canada for a while and this is her chance to explore its greatness another time. She’s also immensely excited to travel to Poland/Prague because it will be her first time there. She stressed that every city she gets to bring her art to is a pleasure.

My last question for her was one I always thought about as an artist myself. I asked her what piece of advice she would have given herself about the industry before getting into it. As a true artist would say she said “keep everything at hands reach. Be as creative as possible. Don’t treat it as a business. Do it for the honour of respecting music”. She told me that she never really thought music would actually pay her bills so she feels very lucky whilst still living a simple-modest life. She’s most definitely a true artist. Check her stuff out at: xmadmx.com/

The movie originally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival year and here are my thoughts:

The Good:

First and foremost, the film is beautifully shot with awesome colours and art deco motifs, not to mention the fantastic clothes (and one should expect nothing less from a film about Coco Chanel!) Secondly, I thought that of the three Chanel films made in the last couple of years, the other two being Coco Avant Chanel and Coco Chanel, that it was probably my favourite, or tied with Avant (I love me some Audrey Tautou). I thought it was well-made and respected the integrity of the two title characters, and didn’t make them seem like a bunch of horny assholes as most other films would do.

The Bad:

Honestly, I don’t really have anything bad to say about the film. I love when movies are made in the languages that would have been spoken by the people about whom the film was made, and honestly, I’m slowly becoming a film snob, where only foreign film is looking like it has any potential these days.

I highly recommend the film for artists, music/fashion buffs, or anyone just looking for a good foreign film to watch on a week night. It’s fantastic!

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FOR WHERE TO SEE THE MOVIE, CLICK HERE.

Just the right combination of surf, grunge, rock, country, and psychedelic with a big hit of blues, Darker Circles opens with ‘Another Year Again’ which has a wicked body shaken fuzz drenched guitar solo near the end that totally turns the song around somehow reminds me of 13^th Floor Elevators (If you’ve seen High Fidelity you’ll know it, thank you Dallas Wheeler for introducing me). While ‘Cut Corners’  slowly comes to a boil with blues so effing heavy it hurts.

The Sadies have long been the most recognized rock-country band from Toronto in the pat ten years, if not Canada. They seem to have a knack for sounding like the blues influenced boys of the 60’s and 70’s, Zeppelin, The Eagles and the like while still holding their own.  My only complaint, not a fan of the banjo on track 9 ‘ Choosing To Fly’, it reminds of square-dancing in grade 3, which says a lot about my emotional development at age 8, the song is totally somber and bitter, as was I towards square-dancing. None the less a bomb album that my Dad stole from me within days.

The Sadies are playing at Lee’s Palace on May 22

Genre:
Drama/Horror

Starring:
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe

Director:
Lars Von Trier

Review:
Every once and awhile, a movie comes along that rekindles my love with cinema and in today’s word of recycled film, it’s nice to see something as original as this.

I loved this movie. Two words: genital mutilation. When I think back to when it premiered at Cannes, I remember reading about how audiences were leaving the theater due to it’s graphic nature, and laughing. I tend to not get disgusted by these types of things, but I will admit that Antichrist did leave me a bit… discomposed?

Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg are two of my favourite actors, for obvious reasons. They’re both outrageously talented and the fact that Lars Von Trier casted the two of them in this movie made my 2009 movie year that much brighter. The cinematography was fabulous, the score was perfect for the film, the script was perfect; I honestly couldn’t find one flaw in it, personally.

I will say that, for the faint of heart, this movie might not be for you. It’s very graphic, so when I say genital mutilation, I mean genital mutilation; male and female. It’s also very philosophical and has a heavy storyline, so not something you’d want to watch at your best friend’s birthday party or something, unless you’re the artsy-type perhaps? Oh, and feminists, beware! It does have a slightly mysogonistic undertone.

Anyway, I give this film two big thumbs up! Enjoy!

Where to see it?
It’s currently available on DVD, although I wasn’t able to find it on Canadian Amazon. Here it is on the American one.

Watch the trailer here.

The story behind Blur is one of complex misleadings, theft, and an explosion onto the international music scene that led to the infamous “Battle of Britpop” between Oasis and themselves. The chart rivalry that should have been the most exciting time of their lives shed light on a real issue–musicians are human beings too. As guitarist Graham Coxon once said, “I started to wonder if I was in the wrong band. Pop music makes me sick. I want to make music that scares people again.” The success that led to being at the top of the charts was ultimately, Blur’s greatest downfall.

Building out of their grade school friendships, this documentary chronicles the rise and fall of one of Britain’s greatest bands. Influenced by groups like The Kinks, XTC and The Beatles, Blur’s self-hatred saw them crumble under the pressure of being a modern rock band. Shedding light on the feud between front man Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon, No Distance Left to Run explains the band’s collapse. After Coxon left the band during their record, Think Tank the band were left to their own devices. They separated, and had not been reunited until 2009.

This documentary highlights the genius behind Blur’s career in the mid 90s. After signing their first contract, Albarn took the band in a pop direction, a move that no one was willing to accept as reasonable. Thinking it would be a complete flop, there was no faith in Albarn’s decision. Ultimately, singles like “Parklife”, “Boys and Girls” and “There’s No Other Way” led to an explosion of Britpop in the mid 90s and a success that no one would have thought possible. “With Blur, indie became popular,” and it’s clear. Bands that we love and listen to today (Bloc Party, Vampire Weekend, etc.) have clear influences from Blur’s song stylings, and this documentary really highlights that.

No Distance Left to Run is a documentary in music education. Whether you’re a Britpop fan or not, it’s certainly interesting to see the human aspect of money, success, fame and glamour–and dark world of pop music that so few people are willing to delve into.

Genre:
Romance

Starring:
Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene

Director:
Chris Weitz

Review:
Ok.. so I’m going to try and be as unbiased as possible with this.. and I do have to admit that I’ve read both Twilight and New Moon.. and I even plan on reading the last two books before the movies come out.. They’re my guilty pleasure…… but I just can’t seem to get into the movies. Perhaps this is why I tend to read books after the movie they’re based on has come out.

Anyway…. Acting-wise.. I just felt like Kristen Stewart was going to have a seizure every few minutes… I don’t like the expression she constantly has on her face.. and.. she needs.. to stop.. touching… her hair!!!!1!! Am I being too harsh? Probably. Robert Pattinson, who I have been madly in love with since his Harry Potter days tends to overact a bit in anything I’ve seen him in since HP.. but he’s still pretty to look at… Taylor Lautner was actually the only one of the three who I was surprised with. He pulled it off and pretty well brought the movie together. ……Oh, and Michael Sheen should never.. ever… ever.. play a vampire again…. I love the guy to death.. but no no no… and for the amount they were publicizing the Volturi vamps (Sheen, Dakota Fanning, Jamie Campbell Bower, Christopher Heyerdahl, Charlie Bewley, Daniel Cudmore, etc…) they should definetly have been in the movie more.

So… aside from the acting… which was fine aside from the two main actors.. the cinematography was great… the soundtrack is fantastic.. My only other complaint was that the ending was way too rushed… The pace was good throughout the entire film, but it just looked and felt like they tried to cram about half of the book into 10 mins.

So after all of this.. if you still want to see the movie.. no one will hold it against you. Twi-hards, unite!!!

Rating:
2.5/5

Director:
Louie Psihoyos

Genre:
Documentary

Review:
Originally, I was planning on reviewing New Moon this week (yawn)… but when I realized that one of the best documentaries I have ever seen was coming out on Tuesday (December 8th), I just had to write about it.

The Cove is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen, with only Sharkwater to compare it to. In the film, we see Ric O’Barry, who was actually the trainer of the original Flipper, as he succeeds in, and gets arrested for, freeing countless dolphins all over the globe, something that some of his colleagues have been murdered over.

The way the film was shot, in terms of music and editing, is so amazingly gripping… that you would have to be completely heartless to not burst into tears. This is a movie that could really make a difference in the world, and I can only hope that we have more films like it and Sharkwater.

It’s really time that people see what is truly going on in the world. Personally, I haven’t eaten fish for years, because I know enough to know where those animals are coming from and what the entire industry is doing to the world’s oceans, and the environment. If you think it’s cruel to eat a cow, chicken or pig.. think about the fish that are being suffocated in long lines and bottom trawls and what they’re doing to sea turtles, whales, sharks and other aquatic life that are unintentionally getting caught within them.

I apologize for going on this rant about saving the world’s oceans, but I just watched the film again and it’s made me a little wild.

If you’ve ever been to a marine park (Marine Land, Sea World, etc…) or gone swimming with dolphins, and even if you don’t care about the cause, please watch this movie, and don’t be ignorant to what is going on.

Don’t forget! It comes out on Tuesday!!!

Rating:
5/5

Plot Synopsis:
Pirate Radio is an ode to the pirate radio stations of 1960s England which came about as a result of government run radio stations refusing to play the popular music of the time. More specifically, the film follows Carl and his experiences on his Godfather’s pirate radio boat in the North Sea.

Genre:
Comedy

Cast:
Tom Sturridge, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, Nick Frost

Director:
Richard Curtis

Review:
Being a fan of British comedy, I was a little biased going into this movie. I knew that I would like it no matter what… and it truly did not disappoint. The film was well-made and well-acted, with Richard Curtis choosing some of England’s best up-and-coming, and currently amazing, actors for the roles of the DJs and young Carl (Tom Sturridge…. yum!).. something he also did in his last film, Love Actually, which is one of my favourite movies of all time.

For me, the best part of the entire film was definetly the soundtrack. It features some of the best music to come out of the 1960s, and was placed perfectly with each scene.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves British comedies or good music (I think I win everyone over on the latter). It was excellent and is one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen.

Just as a side note.. the film was originally titled The Boat That Rocked, but was later changed to Pirate Radio for North American audiences.. I’m not a fan of the name change.. but that’s about the only bad thing I can say about the film… which isn’t much at all……….. Go see it!!!

Rating:
5/5

Director:
Roland Emmerich

Cast:
John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liam James, Morgan Lily, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Danny Glover, Thomas McCarthy, Woody Harrelson, Zlatko Buric, Beatrice Rosen

Genre:
Action/Thriller

Review:
I have to admit, I wasn’t drawn to this movie for the excitement and expectation of a well-made, thought out film. For the most part, I wanted to see it for the special effects. Being a fan of Emmerich’s other two, critically acclaimed films, Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, I had high hopes that his latest venture would not disappoint.. and it didn’t. The effects were amazing, and basically ran from start till finish. One thing that I really appreciate about Roland Emmerich’s films is that he doesn’t give you a one and half hour lull of talking and boring storyline that doesn’t get you anywhere; he likes to jump right into the action.

Although the storyline itself, in terms of the family, etc… was kind of lacking, the all-star cast really made a difference. I have to say that I did find some parts kind of sexist (ex. There’s a scene where they’re on a plane, and instead of calling everyone up to the cockpit to see their impending doom, only the men are called, while the women have to stay with the children….. What is this? 1963!?!?)

…..Anyways.. If you want to see an action-packed, super-suspenseful film, I highly recommend going to see 2012. It was awesome.

My only complaint is that Woody Harrelson should have been in the movie more. =(

Rating:
4.5/5

Director:
Michael Moore

Genre:
Documentary

Review:
Although this is not my favourite Michael Moore documentary ( that spot is reserved for Bowling For Columbine =) ), I did think it was extremely informative and quite fascinating. I think that most people who are as interested in conspiracy theories as I am (NERD ALERT), already knew a lot of the points which he discussed in the film.

I have to say that I am starting to feel that if you’ve seen one Michael Moore film, you’ve seen them all. Yes, each one of his movies covers a different topic, and yes, he covers them well, giving the audience well-researched information, and a few good laughs, but I’ve really had enough with the Bush-bashing that comes with each film. No, it’s not because I like George Bush or think he was a good President, but I feel that he’s taking away from his work by dedicating so much time to putting him, as well as the entire Republican party, down.

Overall, I think that if you like documentary film, you would like this movie, and all I can hope for is that next time, Bush will have been out of office long enough for Moore to have gotten over his hate-on for the man. It’s become quite a bore.

Rating:
3.5/5

Jack Peñate went on first to an already excitable, packed crowd. He kicked off his set with the title track from his new album ‘Everything is New’ which immediately got everyone interested. I was intrigued (possibly sceptical?) to see how the sound of Jack Peñate’s sophomore album would translate to a live show. ‘Everything is New’ is a significant departure from the first album, the upbeat more radio-friendly ‘Matinee’ . However, the somnambulant synthy sounds worked surprisingly well when translated live. A combination of an awesome band, complete with soulful back up singer, and Peñate’s energetic, bordering on crazed, performance ensured the crowd did not get a chance to lose interest. It’s obvious that Peñate is just as excited to play his new album as he was the day he wrote the songs, which is refreshing after listening to so many bands who are obviously sick to death of touring their new album. This was highlighted by the fact that he only chose one track, ‘Second, Minute or Hour’, from his debut album to play tonight. A highlight came when Jack Peñate took to the piano for the more mellow track, ‘Body Down’. He kept the new album’s stand out tracks, ‘Be the One’ and ‘Tonight’s Today’ for the end of his set which ensured he went out on a high.
Musicians take note, this is how British acts perform and, quite frankly, how every gig should be.

So then it came to Miike Snow. So as we said we hadn’t seen/heard much about these guys. The only buzz I had heard was around some remixes (check out hypem for a full list) which I don’t think bodes particularly well for live artists. Judging by the crowd who were amped up and screaming (!!) everyone else was pretty pleased to be catching these guys. I am on the constant hunt for new music to devour so we were counting on something to fill the void here. The guys jumped on stage in darkness , and matching dark satine jackets. One of the opening songs, ‘Burial’ was obviously a crowd pleaser but I couldn’t shake that feeling of “ Have I heard this in a car advert?” I don’t mean to sound scathing to these guys because they are obviously well adored but as a new listener they just didn’t hook me in. I bobbed, I nodded I even felt it sometime but we were constantly chasing that epic feeling, that bass that grabs and shakes your heart. Andrew Wyatt’s voice was the treat, pure and on key perfect live. Perhaps Peñate’s energetic performance was too much of a contrast to the pretentious darkness of Miike Snow but judging by the idle chit chat, bar queue and smokers round the corner I think Miike Snow’s music is best left for alone time, travelling time or perhaps best left alone completely.

P.s  - We wrote this blog last night and feel compelled to add a post script. We stand by everything we wrote about the show last night but after listening to Miike Snow this morning we’d like to admit we’re really enjoying them. So our advice would be, get some Miike Snow in your life, you won’t be disappointed, just maybe give the live show a miss.

G + M

Cast:
Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg, Minka Kelly, Chloe Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Geoffrey Arend

Director:
Mark Webb

Review:
500 Days of Summer is like a fairy tale gone wrong… but in a good way. I have never seen any movie that so eloquently captures what it’s like to have your heart completely and utterly broken in 2009. In those 500 days, we are allowed to view the beginning, middle and end to a relationship, and anyone who has ever loved someone knows what that looks like.

The soundtrack is absolutely fabulous with songs from The Smiths, She & Him, Regina Spektor, etc… You really feel the emotions that Tom is going through throughout the film strictly because the music is so perfectly matched with all of the scenes.

The cinematography and writing were absolutely beautiful, and probably my favourite part of the entire film. The split screen between Tom’s reality and his expectations in a particular scene, the dance sequence, the colours, everything.. it was just beautiful to look at. I especially liked the fact that, in terms of colour scheme, they stuck to one colour, blue, which really brought the entire film together, visually.

500 Days of Summer is one of my favourite films of all time, and not because it’s a Citizen Kane or a Godfather, but because it’s so real. And any movie that allows you to relate to it so well, has to be given a chance. So go see it!!!!

Rating:
5/5

By the way, heres a link to a short video that Zooey and Joseph made for the film, with music from She & Him in the background.

Flash forward to 1944, and we’re introduced to Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) who, along with his band of fellow Jews, The Basterds, are causing a ruckus by scalping and eliminating every Nazi they meet.

Cast:
Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Melanie Laurent, Diana Kruger

Director:
Quentin Tarantino

This film was a typical Quentin Tarantino movie from start to finish. I have been hearing from a lot of other people who have seen it, that there’s “too much talking.” Well, to them I say “get some taste in cinema”, and instead of seeing something just because Brad Pitt is in it, know what type of genre, etc… that Tarantino typically produces. Of course there’s going to be a lot of talking. No one is going to make a movie that is based strictly on Nazi‘s having their heads bashed in. No one with any talent for making a good movie, anyway.

The cinematography was amazing and one of my favourite parts of the entire film. Camera angles, shots, etc, were perfection. The soundtrack to the film was also wonderful. It went perfectly with everything I was watching. Acting and casting were amazing, although I was a little disturbed by Quentin Tarantino‘s choice to have Mike Myers make a cameo appearance as a British general. I just felt dirty looking at him. He has a perverted look to his face.

Overall, Inglourious Basterds is a very good movie, if you like that style of film. I don’t think it’s for everyone, so if you’re just looking for some action, or to gaze at Brad Pitt for 3 hours, don’t waste $12.95. If you want to enjoy well-made cinema, then go for it.

Rating:
5/5

Your touring schedule’s been pretty hectic since March, what’s the best concert/city you’ve played so far?
Glastonbury was amazing. 10,000 people losing it and singing In For The Kill and Bulletproof right back at me.  The breakdown in Kill was special, we all had a tear in our eye for that one.
Germany and France have always been mental and now on this tour the US and Canada are being great for us as well. We’re very lucky

I have never wanted to consume alcohol more than while listening to The Black Eyed Peas‘ new album, The E.N.D. Not because that’s what it takes to get through the 15 track-listing, but because it is in solid running for the most fun-filled record ever! The E.N.D. (which stands for “The Energy Never Dies”) is BEP’s third Fergie-featured album, fifth in total. The energy has indeed not died. Fizzling for a few years, their spark has been reignited and the Peas are back with a new look and sound.

Taking a 3 year hiatus in which each member worked on solo projects including both Fergie and will.i.am‘s solo albums, they laughed off rumours of break-up and speculation. This is the ultimate proof of recharge.

Delivering a self-described “futuristic” sound, there is definitely no shortage of catch phrases and gimmicky lyrics. The beats are more subtle and bass-y, yet infused with that electro stuff everyone’s into now. Taunting with in-your-face lyrics and imagery, BEP make it clear that they have an agenda for crunken debauchery. They pound it into our heads that they’re here and coming at us with a party vengeance.

While the party theme has potential of getting tired, there are plenty of contrasting tracks to divvy it up. Ring-A-Ling features a nonchalant booty call via text and Now Generation is all about modern technology taking over the youth. For the romantics, check out Meet Me Halfway, Alive, and Missing You. There’s a tune for everyone’s taste.

Mixing the familiarity of reggae and hip-hop with electronic sounds and synths makes for a unique and new endeavour for The Black Eyed Peas. Trading in signature BEP style, we get a taste of mainstream electro techniques. Rap-tastic Imma Be keeps it early 2000′s, but not forgetting that hint of synths they’ve developed a penchant for.

Every single track has chart-topping single potential, nothing new for The Peas. Previous album Monkey Business kicked out 4 out of 4 hits, while Fergie’s solo disc The Dutchess gave us 5 solid.

Most tracks are over four minutes in length; a hefty amount of tunes, giving DJs the creative room to mix and add their magic touch. The likes of Kid Cudi and LMFAO have hopped on board, remixing first single Boom Boom Pow. Second radio single I Gotta Feeling was produced by David Guetta and gives people everywhere a new anthem for pre-drinking.

Having a developed a generally younger demographic via Elephunk and Monkey Business, the subject matter might fluster a few. Needless to say, The E.N.D. will appeal to a whole new flock of club crawlers.

The E.N.D. Deluxe Edition features 10 bonus tracks, including Simple Little Melody (produced by Boys Noize) and 6 remixes of existing tracks off previous albums.

Whether you’re hanging out in the clubbing district or doing keg stands at a stranger’s sketchy house party, The Black Eyed Peas will turn it into rager like no other, and they’re not apologizing for it.

The E.N.D. is undeniably a frenzy of feisty-ness that’ll tie you over until the after hours bar. Get ready to rumble and stumble home after a hard night’s play.

The Peas can party all the time and I will definitely be there to crash it. The end.

Words by Melania Fedyna

Nobody told me I was attending a hardcore show. Or the impending brilliance of Peaches, live!

I was definitely expecting the unexpected, and the expectantly unexpected is what went down Wednesday night. Peaches was back in Toronto in all her hometown glory. Playing to a packed Phoenix Concert Theatre, the crowd was diverse, eccentric, and ready & willing.

Peaches can’t help but engage you. Appropriately, Show Stopper was song number one, with Peaches creeping out of the shadows in a giant pink bubble-like contraption and sparkly mask, resembling one of those exotic, man-trap flowers.

Stripping the pink wonder, a variety of wardrobe changes were had throughout, including a bathrobe (complete with towel-on-head), multiple body suits, and some gold chains. A highlight, literally, was a flashing light attached to her crotch area. This little gem was revealed when she stood atop the drum set.

A few songs in, Peaches willingly threw herself into an already out of control audience, crowd surfing her way around the pack, becoming a victim of grope at every degree. Next, she was gracing a balcony high above the stage, treating us to an opera-worthy spectacle.

Peaches’ over the top theatrics are what make her stand out as an artist and performer, and why her show ranks tops in my books. I was an aptly titled “Peaches virgin”, but she did me with just the right amount of finesse and colourful energy. Peaches is an infectious confection that will leave you craving more.

The new album in its entirety was brought to life, along with a multitude of songs off previous records; Boys Wanna Be Her, Shake Yer Dix, Fuck the Pain Away, anyone? During Talk To Me, two bleach blonde Cousin It-like, lingerie-clad girls came on stage, straight out of the song’s video. My favourite performance was of I Feel Cream. Peaches’ vocals really shine on this track and she blew me away.

Standing to the right of the stage proved to be a bad choice, because I was subjected to a few rumbles. Caught in the crossfire, the punch to my side endured was completely worth it and I felt pretty bad ass. No blood shed there, but Peaches took care of that by spitting up fake blood during a song. So awesome!

There were 3 encores; people ended up leaving after the second, thinking the show was done for good. Not so. With one final hurrah, Peaches glided onto stage in what can only be described as a red and black bull-fighting, flapper dress. A solid performance later, the show ended with bows and thank yous to an undeniably seduced crowd.

Acting as a back-up band for Peaches is Berlin band Sweet Machine, who compliment her persona quite perfectly.

Opening this tour is Drums of Death, a guy from London town that DJs and MCs. My dark side was really into his white face paint and crazy bass. His act was what I imagine an underground European gothic rave in the 90s would’ve look like. There were dudes in black baggy pants with chains, glow sticking. Minus the glow sticks. Drums of Death also had a hand in producing one of Peaches’ tracks, I Feel Cream. Ten cool points for that great tune.

Final verdict: Peaches is a whole bunch of cool wrapped into a few layers of body suits and one majestic gold cape. No smoke and mirrors here, just fog machines and lasers to pierce through your soul.

Peaches, who? If for some reason you’re clueless, click here for a mini-documentary of what you’ve been missing.

Big shout out and thanks to SheDoesTheCity.com Contests for hooking me up with tickets!

Words and Photos by Melania Fedyna

I am not not singing a love song for Camila Grey and Leisha Hailey, the duo behind LA-based synthy sensation Uh Huh Her. The girls were at The Phoenix in Toronto Saturday night, and I got the chance to catch up with them before the show.

I was pretty much a nervous wreck, trying not to show it as I was escorted onto their tour bus to conduct my first interview ever. I had never met them before, or even seen them live, so I didn’t know what to expect. I had briefly walked past them the street a few months back, but that doesn’t count, does it?

Officially meeting, Leisha and Cam were really nice, down to earth, and graciously answered my questions. There’s a strong dynamic between them, and I could tell right away that they get along well, and are genuinely good people. (Read the full interview here.)

I asked them how they first met. They hadn’t known each other at all; Leisha had heard of Camila and her old band Mellowdrone, and went to see her play one night. She then decided to call Cam up out of the blue, after meeting her a a few times, and the rest is history.

Leisha, who was a self-proclaimed “musical theatre geek”, moved to New York City at 17 to study acting and music. She had no intentions of playing in a band when growing up, but in 1991, formed her first band The Murmurs while studying in NYC.
Cam, on the other hand, had always dreamt of pursuing music, and has been playing instruments since she can remember. She says she even used to draw tour buses for fun as a child. Over the years, Cam has worked with artists such as Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, and Kelly Osbourne.

Uh Huh Her’s debut album, ‘Common Reaction’ (go get it, it’s amazing!), is a bit more “poppier” than their 2007 EP, ‘I See Red’, which had more of a “dark and melancholy” sound. Overall, they “didn’t really know what to expect out of it”, since this was their first full-length CD, but their expectations were met.

As a band, they listen to a variety of music, including MGMT, LCD Soundsystem, and Adele, saying they draw inspiration from “people who are truly unique…and don’t pay attention to what the mainstream does”, for example, Bjork.
People who “are born with a gift and just spend their whole life focusing on this one thing”, is something Leisha feels is amazing to see.
I’d say they’re ironically an example of those whom they admire, a person who strives to do their thing, and perseveres through to achieve their goals. “To see other people do it and succeed at it”, is a driving force.
“You have to keep doing your thing and never give up”, says Cam.
I think that’s pretty much the rule of life.

One of the biggest obstacles for Uh Huh Her has been having to work around Leisha’s hectic filming schedule, and being apart; finding time to write amidst travelling back and forth between LA and Vancouver (where her show is shot). Whenever Leisha had a break, they got down to recording and got it done in about 4 weeks. “It’s a little bit tricky, but we made it work, I guess, we’re making it work”.

You can catch Leisha as Alice Pieszecki on Showtime’s ‘The L Word’, which is approaching it’s final season in 2009, with a spin-off in the works, focusing around her character.

Now onto the concert.
I have been listening to Common Reaction over and over, so I was familiar with the songs, and was really looking forward to hearing and seeing the tracks come to life. The entire evening definitely lived up to what I was hoping to experience.

Touring with, and opening for Uh Huh Her were The Fashion, of Denmark. They were energetic and bouncy, and got the crowd clapping and lively. These four guys totally revved it up!

Uh Huh Her hit the stage around 7:45pm, and played about an hour’s long set, including a cover of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”. Both girls rocked it on keys and bass, with some electric guitar in the mix, and a brilliant drummer who was wonderfully hyped. I loved him!

If I could describe their music, I would say that it is melodically mellow, bass-infused, synth-pop orgasmic-amazingness, that can, and should be replayed approximately 598 times/day.

Music aside, I witnessed a spectacular showing of lights, which is a reason alone, according to Cam and Leisha, to come see the show. They had been playing for about a year under “bright spotlights with no fuckin’ vibe”, and finally got into the theatrics of it. It’s just a fun night to be had by all, with great energy largely attributed to the audience (despite some obnoxious yelling at the stage, i.e. “YOU’RE HOT!”). What an insightful observation!

After the show, there was a signing of all things merch. You had to have bought something from the merchandise stand in order to get an autograph, but people snuck in with ticket stubs. What seemed to be half the capacity of the club, were all hustled into a line, waiting eagerly for the ladies who happily signed tees and CD’s.

As for Uh Huh Her’s future, they hope to continue having a really good time doing what they do, and “just keep making records”.
Cam joked that they would like a better tour bus, perhaps with a Jacuzzi on it. But that idea was quickly shut down with the fact that that’d be skanky and gross. I strongly agree.

Leisha and Cam would like to say “Thank You!”; For having such loyal, forgiving fans, for coming back to see their shows, giving them a chance, watching them grow, and just sticking by them.

Uh Huh Her are currently on tour across the U.S., with a few Canadian dates. They hit up Vancouver on November 9th.
Catch the official vid for their first single ‘Not A Love Song’ here. It’s pretty pretty!

Also, here’s a short video I took of my fave song, “Dance With Me”.
Check them out in action!

Leisha, me, and Cam, after the show

Interview by Melania Fedyna (melaniafedyna@gmail.com)
Photos by Natalie Johnson (natalielisajohnson@gmail.com)