With Michael moved to Dubai and Madonna married to Guy Ritchie the 80′s needed a hero. Not since Mad Max crawled out of the outback spoiling for a fight has the great down under supplied us with a more suitable contender.

As surely as Adam begat Cain and Able so too does Cut Copy arrive seething with Mel Gibson’s dystopic fury, their Bret Easton Ellis electro the perfect synth antiodote to too worthy aspirants to their rightful throne.

DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy is a welcome scribe, taking notations from the altar of history as the Australians distort the space time continuum to suit their own ends. What glory to be so invited, what pleasure lie at the end of such a journey?

Well friends our scribe has returned, his suffering is our pleasure, his virtue our decadence and his Mount Sinai is crumbling under the weight of its own expectations. Behold the future past in all its timeline bending, bass bind shuddering splendor: In Ghost Colors.

Montreal will have their chance to repent on May 10 at Cabaret Music Hall w/ Black Kids – Buy Cut Copy Tickets Montreal or in Toronto 9 May 2008 at Lee’s Place also with Black kids.

But why wait? Below is a full tracklisting for In Ghost Colors and a few mp3′s from the Melbourne marvels.

In Ghost Colors Tracklisting
1. Feel The Love
2. Out There On The Ice mp3
3. Lights And Music mp3
4. We Fight For Diamonds
5. Unforgettable Season
6. Midnight Runner
7. So Haunted mp3
8. Voices In Quartz
9. Hearts On Fire mp3
10. Far Away
11. Silver Thoughts
12. Strangers In The Wind
13. Visions
14. Nobody Lost, Nobody Found
15. Eternity One Night Only

Don’t forget their earlier classics:Future mp3 and B.A.B.Y mp3

Or why not peruse the whole of the new album via Cut Copy Myspace or buy In Ghost Colors?

If you are new to the band why not at least check out their Hearts on Fire video below?

So you read part 1 of our Montreal bands at South By Southwest coverage and your still asking what’s all the fuss about?

Close the curtains and turn of the lights cause you are about to either be cranking along with Katie Moore or dancing your 80′s off to Peer Pressure – either way your going to want some privacy as you jump head first into Montreal’s up-and-coming SXSW hopefuls.

Katie Moore

official site

In the lead up to her Only Thing Worse album launch at Sala Rosa September 12th, Katie Moore is shopping her folksy charms around the tale end of the Americas.

Mementos mp3
(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle mp3

The Nymphets

official site

Keeping their swear box chock fill of pennies with their offhand, don’t call it slacker, indie pop – the Nymphets save a a few choice words for the people of Texas.

Wednesday Morning mp3
I Don’t Care mp3
Live at Casa Del Popolo Video

Peer Pressure
official site

Long renound as purveyors of party in Montreal -the go to crew for NYE, Shalloween, Igloofest are bound to set some toes a-tapping.


Sky is frowning Mix mp3
Old as Time Mix mp3
Hatchmatik In-deed Mix mp3

Plants and Animals

Official site
Buy Parc Avenue Album

Proof that deftly crafted pop orchestrations needn’t be as bombastic as the Flaming Lips or as worthy as Coldplay, Plants and Animals carve themselves a piece of 60′s nostaligia and invite you to their love in.

Bye Bye Bye mp3
Faerie Dance mp3
Feedback in the Field mp3

Skratch Bastid
official site

Earning a tip of the hat for Producer of the Year at this years Juno Awards, Skratch is on his way to much wider recognition – why not dip your toe?

The Dirty Dirty mp3
11 Minute Set Video

Socalled

official site

Worth investigating if only to justify his contention that there’s nothing wrong with a jewish cowboy – citation needed.


You Are Never Alone mp3
Heart Attack Feeling mp3
These Are the Good Old Days mp3

This is Part 2 of our 4 part series on Montreal Bands at SXSW 2008. Stay tuned for parts 3 and 4, or why not grab our feed.

You could be forgiven for forgetting that in 1980 12,000 people taking in jazz in Montreal, was if not novel, at least somewhat unexpected. Come 2008, the 29th Montreal International Jazz Festival is expected to attract over 2 million visitors, 500 performers, 100 venues and 12 days, and somewhere amongst this orgy of toe-tapping, finger-snapping jazz mavericks will be none other than the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

From the 26th of June to July 6, beatniks, rastas, yippies and nu-ravers alike will descend on Montreal taking in what is widely regarding as the Jazz Festival to end all Jazz Festivals.

The Monkey knows not all our Quebec bound guests are familiar with where to get tickets, which artist are playing, which songs they’re famous for or even what they look like. But hey that’s what we’re here for.

Enjoy the Monkey’s guide to the festivities.

Montreal International Jazz Festival 2008 Lineup:

Aretha Franklin

Buy Aretha Franklin Tickets Montreal

Performing at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier July 3 and July 4

The second most honored Female singer in Grammy history, Aretha has not only won twenty Grammy Awards including the Living Legend and Lifetime Achievement awards, but is now, as she will always be, renowned as the Queen of Soul.

If by some fluke of nature you are not aware of sheer unadaulturated genius of Ms Franklin, you could do worse that starting right here.

National Woman mp3

Chain of Fools mp3

Don’t Cry Baby mp3

Leonard Cohen

Buy Leonard Cohen Tickets Montreal

For an indepth story on Leonard Cohen see our earlier article

Steely Dan

Buy Steely Dan Tickets Montreal

Performing at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier July 1 and July 2

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen finally bring their Grammy-Award winning jazz-fusion to Montreal bound to have the older generations minds clicking back to a carefree 70′s that was captured in Steely Dan’s complex harmonies.

For the younger amongst you the name may be a mystery but I’ll bet dollars to Donuts you’ll remember these am radio staples.

Rikki Don’t lose that number video

Reelin in the years video

Do it again video

Ladytron

Buy Ladytron Tickets Montreal

Playing the Metropolis July 2nd

One of the few bands to escape the early noughties Electroclash backlash (Fisherspooner anyone?) Ladytron is an electronic pop band originally from Liverpool, England, that have taken robotic, detached vocals and 80′s synth further than the Pet Shop Boys could ever have imagined.

If somehow you missed the ubiquitous club anthem ‘Seventeen‘ and return to form ‘Destroy Everything You Touch‘ cower not my unfashionable friend, you can blag it here care of the Monkey.

Destroy Everything You Touch mp3

Seventeen (Soulwax Remix) mp3

Sugar mp3

The Glenn Miller Orchestra v the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Buy Battle of the Bands Tickets Montreal

Playing two shows at
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier July 6th

The Jazz Fests’ first ever battle of the bands between swingtime jazzcats The Glenn Miller Orchestra and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, promises to be a barn burner.

While I’m partial to the Glenn Miller troupe one imagines Jazz will be the winner on the night, so go along or check out what all the fuss is about, and choose your gladiator.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

In the mood video

Moonlight Serenade video

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Marie Video

Opus One video

Other acts announced so far include:

James Taylor

Katie Melua

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Return to Forever with Chick Corea

Stanley Clarke

Al Di Meola

Lenny White

the Saxophone Summit featuring:
Joe Lovano,
Dave Liebman and
Ravi Coltrane.

Charlie Haden

Coral Egan

Omara Portuondo

It’s been a long time coming but Leonard Cohen, one of Canada’s most celebrated poets, has finally been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

The legend behind such writerly odes as First We Take Manhattan and Hey That’s No Way to Say Goodbye was celebrated by such noted luminaries as Lou Reed and Damien Rice.

Lou Reed, of Velvet Underground fame, said of Cohen “You wrote a song called I’ll Be Your Mirror and it made me want to keep writing songs,” high praise indeed from the man that brought “head” into common parlance. Damien Rice followed with a much coveted, but thankless task, of covering Hallelujah – a fitting tribute to a man beloved by so many.

Jon Landau’s often quoted quip “I have seen the future of rock ‘n’ roll, and he is not Leonard Cohen,” may finally have had its comuppance but those longing for a walk down history lane can catch Leonard Cohen at his first Montreal shows in 15 years at the Montreal International Jazz Festival at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier June 23, 24, 25.

Buy Tickets for Leonard Cohen – on sale Thursday March 13th.

If you can’t make the show why not enjoy a video of Leonard circa 1976…

From the Arcade Fire to Chromeo, Montreal is synonymous with diverse eclectic music scene.

Come SXSW 2008 in Austin, Texas eyes will be on the fresh blood from what many are billing as the New New York. Haven’t heard of Peer Pressure or Skratch Bastid? Don’t worry the monkey is only too happy to oblige on this, part 1 of the 4 part guide to Montreal Bands at South By South West 2008.

[See also part 2 of our SXSW coverage.]

The Stills

official site

Buy The Stills Without Feathers Album

Retour A Vega mp3
Still in Love Song mp3
In the Beginning mp3

Think About Life
official site
Buy Think About Life Album

Paul Cries mp3
What the Future Might Be mp3

Torngat
official site
BuyYou Could Be Album

You Could Be mp3
Moutin Noir mp3
Bordeaux Boredom mp3

The United Steel Workers of Montreal
official site
Buy Kerosene & Coal

Wandering Eye mp3
Ask Me to Stay mp3
Place St Henri mp3

Martha Wainwright
official site
Buy Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole Album

BMFA mp3
Factory mp3
How Soon mp3

Your Favorite Enemies
myspace
Buy And If I Was To Die In The Morning… Would I Still Be Sleeping With You Album

I Might Be Wrong mp3
Open Your Eyes mp3
Midnight’s Crashing mp3

Montreal bands have proved once again that when it comes to producing great music you needn’t leave the island. Arcade Fire and Patrick Watson lead the way with nominations in the dubiously titled ‘ Alternative Album of the Year‘ category Chromeo bust it out with their gay for miles funk, and er…other notable Quebec originators Avril Lavinge and Celine Dion illustrate you dont have to be innovative to be a recipient.

The 2008 Juno Awards on Sunday, April 6th, marks the 37th celebration of the best of best of Canadian music by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and will broadcast from Calgary Alberta on CTV.

Below is the list of Quebec’s 2008 Juno Award nominees:

Arcade Fire capped of a successful 2007 with nods for Group of the Year and Alternative Album of the year for Neon Bible. If you have been listening to Nickleback for the entire noughties it’s not too late to save your ever living soul by checking out the cathartic Barrack-Obama-Supporting Montrealer’s ethereal pop orchestrations

• Keep the Car Running mp3
• The Well and the Lighthouse mp3
• Windowsill mp3

It’s also been a great year for fellow Polaris Award nominees Patrick Watson who’s Close to Paradise LP will duke in out with their more esteemed compatriots in the Alternative Album of the Year category. If you’re late to the party for these navel-gazers it’s well worth checking out

• The Great Escape mp3
• Weight of the World mp3
  
• Luscious Life mp3

More 80′s than Paula Abdul, urban-funksters Chromeo unleashed the biggest blackest bass line in all of 2008, and non-unexpectedly, Fancy Footwork has been nominated for the Dance Recording of the Year accolade.

• Fancy Footwork mp3
  
• Tenderoni mp3

Other Quebecois nominees included:

Amon Tobin Foley Room for Instrumental Album of the Year, sample his haunting drum n’ bass infused Back From Space mp3

Skratch Bastid for Jack Richardson Producer of the Year, but his own stuff is worth a look see too The Dirty Dirty mp3

Corneille The Birth of Cornelius for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year

And you will be happy to note that such cultural luminaries as Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne and Claude Dubois will slug it out for you trifling affections, 3 Quebecois enter the cage – one dubious reputation exits. Celebrate as the Juno Fan Choice Awards reflect your innermost self-loathing.

So you heard the Warning and you loved Over and Over that’s swell.

So by now you’ve got your ticket to Hot Chip April 15th, 2008 at the Metropolis in Montreal, and having heard their new album Made in the Dark you’ve no doubt adjusted your expectations accordingly.

But one question remains – who in the hell are their support act Free Blood? That’s a fair enough question so the monkey got on the case for you digging up these mp3‘s for your aural pleasure:

Grumpy mp3
Weekend mp3
Royal Family(ACTH Remix) mp3

Never Hear Surf Music Again (ACTH Remix)[z share]
Quick and Painful (Hot Chip Remix) [Zshare]

If that wets your whiskers why not see them when they hit Montreal?

Buy Hot Chip tickets
Visit Free Blood’s official site for Tour Dates

For the instant gratification type why not check out, debut release, the Royal Family video:

In a postmodern masterstroke, Saul Williams‘ U2 lift arrives courtesy of his new album “The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust.”

Track listing:

1. Black History Month mp3
2. Convict Colony mp3
3. Tr(n)igger mp3
4. Sunday Bloody Sunday mp3
5. Break mp3
6. NiggyTardust mp3
7. DNA mp3
8. WTF! mp3
9. Scared Money mp3
10. Raw mp3
11. Skin of a Drum mp3
12. No One Ever Does mp3
13. Banged and Blown Through mp3
14. Raised to be Lowered mp3
15. The Ritual mp3

Crawling out of the k-hole, the hip hop poets post-apocalyptic fifth album comes fit out with production from the Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Rezor.

The basic conceit of the DRM activist is that the quote unquote industry reduces the artist to the role of nigger. Does the Monkey think you should check it out? Yessir massir.

Buy album “The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust”

Buy concert ticket for Saul Williams’ Tar Spangled Banner Tour

Visit Saul Williams official website

For now though enjoy the video for Sunday Bloody Sunday.

If you like that check him out on his Tar Spangled Banner tour dates, and Montreal he shall be on our hallowed shores at La Tulipe, Montreal, April 13th, everyone else:

MARCH

12 SXSW, Austin, TX

*13 SXSW, Austin, TX*

17 Plaza Club, Vancouver BC*

18 Aladdin, Portland, OR*

19 Neumo’s, Seattle WA*

21 Slims, San Francisco, CA*

22 Club Mercy, Santa Barbara, CA*

24 Casbah, San Diego, CA*

25 Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA*

26 Clubhouse, Tempe, AZ*

27 Chandler Gilbert Community College, Phoenix, AZ?

28 Estrella Mountain Community College, Phoenix, AZ?

29 Launchpad, Albuquerque, NM*

31 The Loft, Dallas, TX*

APRIL

01 Warehouse Live Studio, Houston, TX*

03 The Parish, New Orleans, LA*

04 The Loft, Atlanta. GA*

06 Ramshead, Annapolis, MD*

07 930 Club, Washington, DC*

08 Paradise, Boston, MA*

09 Irving Plaza, NY, NY*

11 Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA*

12 Iron Horse, Northampton, MA*

13 La Tulipe, Montreal, QC*

14 Mod Club, Toronto, ONT*

16 Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI*

17 Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH*

18 Martyrs, Chicago, IL*

19 Varsity Theatre, Minneapolis, MN*

21 Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO*

22 Belly Up, Aspen, CO*

23 Kilby Court, Salt Lake City, UT*

[* Musical performance ? Spoken word performance]