OCanadaMusic

            The twins from (ugh) Calgary aren’t just performing musically anymore but released a three set of books titled “On” “In” and “At” available for pre-sale September 28th from maplemusic.com

On features writing from the illustrious Dallas Green and is intended to provide the reader with a band perspective of both performance and touring featuring behind the scene photography courtesy of Lindsey Byrnes

 In dives the duo’s week long music writing expedition in November of 2008 including photographic documentation by Ryan Russell.

 At covers the last tour in support of the twin’s latest album The Con with commentary from the band and photos by Lindsey Byrnes

 (www.teganandsara.com)

In two words: uh ok? I understand these two are artists and are probably just in search of another medium for expression. If you’re super into the band this could be great reading just sort of out of the clear blue sky to me.

 Tegan and Sara have recently released the first single (Hell) off their new album (Sainthood) due out October 27th. The pair also announced subsequent tour with dates across this great country. Check out their website for further CD release info and tour dates. 

Rah Rah are in the middle of their third tour and are currently on the island known as Prince Edward. How'd they get there? In the comfort of the "The Velvet Slipper." 
The Velvet Slipper knows no challenge. Not even the treacherous Rocky Mountains can hold it back for it has crossed it twice already. It has safely transported its cargo from one side of the country to the other. Here are a few words from Rah Rah about the time-spent comfortably huddled inside The Velvet Slipper. 
How does Rah Rah pass the time on the road and in the cities?
Rah Rah: Well, in the van, we read and sing songs and listen to music and play profuse amounts of 'would you rather'. For example "would you rather live forever or die tomorrow? or "would you rather poop out of your penis or have sex with a Sarah Palin flavoured corn nut?"
In the cities we wander and attempt to make friends and fail. 

What Canadian bands Rah Rah is listening to right now?
RR: Parlovr, Grammercy Riffs, Yukon Blonde and Said the Whale!

 And who do you think should have won the Polaris Prize?
RR: Rah Rah...  No, Fucked Up seemed like a pretty great choice!

 They’re currently out East and slowly moving back.  http://www.myspace.com/rahrahband for tour info. Go see them if you can. If not for them at least for the beast known as The Velvet Slipper!!!

In other tour news, Mark Berube and the Patriotic few are starting things off in Guelph on October 7. This will be Mark’s 11th time across the country and after all the kms, still loves the treck. MB&TPF play indie melodramic folk music. http://www.myspace.com/markberubemusic to see if they’re stopping in your city and if they are check ‘em oot for an excellent evening. 

The quintet from greater Vancouver dropped their third album o available on Paper Bag records. The album “XXXX” follows up 2008’s “Remix Cube” (which was a digitally issued album featuring remixes of previous songs from the band it was kind of weird but most of it was pretty catchy) and produced by Howard Redekopp who has worked with both Tegan and Sara and the New Pornographers. (www.paperbagrecords.com) According to the band’s blog is said to be “a reinvention of themselves” (www.myspace.com/yousaypartywesaydie) while still staying relatively consistent with their punk/new wave sound.

I’ve only had the pleasure of listening to the new songs available on the band’s website (namely Laura Palmer’s Prom – great song and the video is pretty fuckin’ sweet too) but the sound is exactly as described, a little more soulful and structured then previous but with the same sharp piercing voice of Becky Ninkovic and strong guitars. If you’re into this band this is definitely something worth picking up, if you’re not then you’re an idiot.

The tour begins on October 15th in Kelowna with some noteable stops in Lethbridge, The Halifax Pop Explosion and The Super Secret Halloween Party somewhere in Nova Scotia. YSP!WSD! will also appear with Little Girls and The Japanadroids in a few select cities. For a complete listing of tours dates peep:www.myspace.com/yousaypartywesaydie

Cudos to the 5 members of The Soulicitors (for putting on a heck of a show Friday night at the Pawn Shop.  The evening was also their CD release party. Reggae fans of Canada rejoice. They certainly lived up to the hype as Radio Sonic's Band of the Month, playing music to grind to and music to bounce along with which especially works well with the second floor of the Pawn Shop. 

Last night the winner of the $20,000 Polaris Music Prize was announced to be the sort of punk band Fucked Up. The Polaris prize is awarded to the top Canadian album of the year and you are probably wondering who the fuck is Fucked Up. I myself had no idea who they were until hearing the short list and I still haven't heard the album, but do to this being a dedicated Canadian Music website, I am now in the process of purchasing it, to see if I agree with the jurors. 
Do I agree with the decision? I like how it brings in a different genre to the Polaris Prize, but I think after seeing their performance, the trio of Elliot Brood deserved it. They purchased baking trays from Dollarama for the audience to bang along to as they belted out the death country marching song T-Bill. They are currently touring so check out http://www.elliottbrood.ca/News.shtml to see if there stopping in a town near you. Definitely go see them. 
Congrats to Fucked Up though, and to all the short listers. The Polaris Prize is a reward that I think all Canadian bands achieve for, even more so than those bogus Juno's. This award show is more intouch with the happenings of the Canadian Music scene for if you read the FAQ (http://www.polarismusicprize.ca/rules/site) from the website, it appears that it is achievable for any band who makes an excellent record. This is the third year it has been hosted and looks like in a couple of years it may even break onto the television. Although some band names will have to be bleeped out, and more security in place to stop another food/drink fight from happening (this was extremely hilarious as host Grant Lawrence tried to maintain composure on stage). Hopefully it can maintain the indy theme. This year's short list included 1 previous winner and and a couple of past nominees including Metric