ThisCityRocks - Canadian Music Video Podcast

ThisCityRocks - Episode #11 - K'naan

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ThisCityRocks.com met up with Canadian-Somalian hiphop artist, K'naan, at the Telus Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler to chat about his genre-busting music and life in Somalia.

Thanks to Art Maughan at Boxtop Studios for editing this episode!

Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)

Tags: thiscityrocks, vancouver, somalia, canada, canadian, music, hiphop, hip-hop, whistler, ski, snowboard, festival, telus, interview, knaan, knaan, warwickpatterson, megancole, britishcolumbia, video, podcast

That Paul Potts Can Sing!

This post doesn't involve Canadian music. This isn't even about trendy "indie" music. Its about a man who can sing. Really, really sing.

The latest in a long string of so-called "talent" shows on television, "Britain's Got Talent" wrapped up last night, and the winner has taken the UK  - and the internet - by storm.  His initial American Idol-style audition segment looked doomed from the start - an awkward, shy, cell phone salesman saying he wanted to sing opera - this couldn't go well.  But then he opened his mouth, and even Simon Cowell sat up straighter and took notice.  Paul Potts was fantastic!  Watch his spine-tingling audition below, and then check out the other links as he goes through the semi-finals and the finals. Not only did he wow the audience in that first audition, but he went on to win the entire contest!  Nice to see people still appreciate great talent, no matter what style of music they are singing.

Paul Potts Semi-Finals:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nHYYz_mGP1U

Paul Potts Final Performance:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nbzRJqe1X-o

The Winner is Announced:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mUyKYB4zYCQ

ThisCityRocks - Episode #10 - Parlour Steps

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We go into Vogville Studios with Caleb Stull of Parlour Steps to chat about the recording process and their new album, Ambiguoso.

ALBUM RELEASE PARTY THIS FRIDAY!
May 18th, 9pm @ The Media Club
Parlour Steps (album release)
The Neins Circa (album release)
The Feminists

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)

Tags: canadian, canada, indie, independent, music, rock, parloursteps, thiscityrocks, vancouver, studio, vogville, recording, production

ThisCityRocks - Episode #9 - DJ Champion

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DJ Champion's mix of techno beats, blues vocals, and roaring live guitars can move a dance floor like few others can. ThisCityRocks caught up with him on his tour bus outside Richards on Richards in Vancouver earlier this Spring.  Definitely check this show out if he passes through your town.  We'd love to hear your comments on these new shows, so fire us any feedback you may have!

Big thanks to Zu.com for sponsoring this episode and helping us kickstart our sticker drive! 

Formats available: MPEG-4 Video (protected) (.m4v)

Tags: djchampion, champion, thiscityrocks, montreal, vancouver, exclaim!, techno, dj, guitars, rock, blues, beats, tourbus, interview

Episode #8 - You Say Party! We Say Die!

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ThisCityRocks talks with Vancouver dance-punk success story, You Say Party! We Say Die!, at the 2007 Exclaim! Spring Fling Tour.

Formats available: MPEG-4 Video (.m4v)

Tags: thiscityrocks, yousayparty!wesaydie!, vancouver, bc, canada, canadian, music, dance, punk, rock, indie, video, podcast

Prairie Fan Props For TCR

Lead guitarist Ryan Lejbak for HoneyBlu in Saskatoon had some kind words to say about our video podcast on a post for Canadian music podcasts:

"...This City Rocks is the best though. It focuses on Canadian indie artists. These are the bands that are heard on college radio, found on Pitchfork and that tastemakers listen to. TCR is a high quality videocast put together by hipster Megan Cole and videographer Warwick Patterson. It is brief, to the point and enlightening. They have a perfect blend of music, info and interviews. Megan and Warwick do this project on the side. Their passion for social media and the music scene shines through..."

Thanks Ryan - glad you love the show! New podcasts coming soon - editing in process!

NewMusicWest Artists Announced

NewMusicWest has announced it's lineup of showcase artists.  Alongside several featured shows (Apostle of Hustle, Pharoahe Monch) there is a impressive list of over 200 up and coming bands who will be playing to the public and industry between May 2-6. TCR-featured groups, Hinterland, Windows '78 and Winston (coming soon to TCR) are on the bill, plus many more who are bound to blow your ears off.  I'm excited for this week-long showcase!  ThisCityRocks is a media sponsor of the event, so we'll be there catching up with the best of the fest for an upcoming show.  Along with the live shows, there is the Boot Camp and Conference, and a ton of amazing industry workshops for aspiring artists, managers, and producers. Not to be missed!  See you there!

Exclaim! Spring Fling Tour

On Monday night we were filming at the Exclaim! Spring Fling Tour and caught up with Malajube, You Say Party! We Say Die! (above), and the amazing DJ Champion who put on a stunning show. His unique blend of beats and live guitars certainly had the dance floor jumping. Thanks to Blythe for the photos!

Tragically Hip: Vancouver Pre-Sale

The Tragically Hip are swinging through the US and several Canadian dates over the next couple of months.  Vancouverites can get pre-sale tickets as of today (Mar 27) by being a registered member of The Hip's website, or there's a Ticketmaster pre-sale that starts tomorrow (pass: hockey).  Saskatoon pre-sale starts March 30. 

Currently schedule Canadian dates:

July 12 - GM Place, Vancouver, BC
July 15 - Saddledome, Calgary, AB
July 18 - Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, SK

Spring is for concerts!

So it's no surprise to most that Canada is jam-packed with some uber, amazing bands and talent... and to highlight a few, just check out this list of bands hittin' the stages of Vancouver over the next month... and most of these are on tour across the country too:

• Malajube
• DJ Champion
• YouSayParty!WeSayDie!
• Parlour Steps
• Great Lake Swimmers
• The Constantines
• Panurge
• Feist (with guest Chad Vangaalen)

Keep your podcast subscriptions tuned into ThisCityRocks for (*wink*) Season 2... we've got a HUGE line-up of Canadian Indie bands we're going to feature over the coming months, many of those bands seen above, plus more up and coming bands when we cover The Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival in April, New Music West in May and in the summer, WakeFest (line-up on their site coming soon) in July. Don't miss the first interviews of 2007 with Malajube, Champion and YouSayParty!WeSayDie! coming realllllllly soooooon!