I was fortunate to catch Patrick Wolf perform at the Plaza here in Vancouver. It’s a small venue so the show was nice and intimate. When I asked Mr. Wolf whether he’s surprised by the type of crowd that comes out to see him perform, his answer was “not really, each crowd is fantastic…I remember one week, I played for 2 people and then the next week I played for a packed church” and as far as the ‘type’ of crowd? “I don’t see people as a label”, he said, which made me feel pretty superficial and slightly ashamed for asking. “I can fall in love with a 17 year old tranie or a 29 year old homelady” confirming the fact that for him, people are just people.

Are you a romantic? I asked, “I don’t know, I’m just Patrick”. Just Patrick, dressed as an angelic elfin type boy wearing knee socks, cut off shorts a bit too small by his own admittance, gold sparkled suspenders, and a green Peter Pan style shirt? Riiiight, just Patrick.

Do you feel the fantastical element to your shows limits the scope of your audience? Lessens people’s ability to take you seriously? He doesn’t feel there is a fantastical element to his shows, which I might add, included a mystical starry night forest backdrop with dirt pathway and a swirling light show that made me feel as though I was under water. His outfit on top of that, well, the whole thing seemed rather fantastical to me, but maybe that’s just who he is so he doesn’t see it that way. As for being taken seriously “I dress down for the stage” he says, which makes me wonder how he dresses in his day-to-day life; “I’ve never cared about being taken seriously, I’m not going to compromise and I’m not scared of being embarrassed, I don’t have to win people”.

So you get embarrassed? “Yeah”, he replied in his soft voice, which made me feel better, and a little more connected to this rather eccentric fellow. Speaking of his voice, it’s incredible. Truly beautiful, at some points during his show I was riveted simply by the range and accuracy of his notes. He plays numerous instruments, mixes them with electronic beats, and in Vancouver he was accompanied by his laptop, a drummer, a stand up bass and a violin player.

He’s on tour right now promoting his latest album “The Magic Position” released on Loog Records, which is being well received. When he played the title track live, he introduced it as “that time in your life when you quit your job and fall in love– it’s like…the magic position”. It was perfect, just as he began to play I saw my ‘crush’ out of the corner of my eye. I went and stood beside him in my very own little magic position. After the show, my ‘crush’ who will remain nameless, mentioned simply as an observation, how ‘un-political’ Patrick Wolf was. It’s true; although he did ask at one point during the show if there were “any Muslims in the audience”, which I found amusing and apparently so does Patrick because according to him, “there never are.” Isn’t that a label? Or labeling people? Hmmmm….

Anyway, Patrick Wolf is a wonderful entertainer, lyricist, performer, singer – Artist. He may come off quite soft and feminine but at 15 he actually sued his school for their views on gay people. They had said that they couldn’t help him with bullying because he was of an ‘effeminate disposition’. So he took them to the European Court of Justice and won, and bought a piano with the money. I read that somewhere…I unfortunately didn’t have enough time before he had to go to ask him about it but I do think it’s worth acknowledging.

If you haven’t heard of Patrick Wolf I encourage you to check him out, and not just this album, his past albums and of course he’s working on his next album as well. When I asked him if there were any discernible themes he replied “depression, darkness, suicide…” So the next album shall be a light one? He didn’t think that was funny or at least he didn’t laugh or respond.

In all seriousness though, it was a pleasure and an honor to talk with Patrick and I look forward to his further success.

Original Article

I was fortunate enough to be able to get a few questions answered by “laser” Dave Costa bass player of Boys Night Out .

MVRemix: How have the kids at shows received the new material?

Dave: It’s gone over very well. Probably the best so far of any record. Which is awesome, considering we usually get a lot of shit when we have new records come out, and they usually sound very different from each other.

MVRemix: What was the writing process like for this album?

Dave: It was really easy, but pretty long. I think we took about 2-3 months off to write. So we really tried to refine the songs, and write properly structured songs this time. Get rid of the weird unnecessary stuff.

MVRemix: Tell me about the lineup changes between the last album and this one, and how things are feeling now?

Dave: Well, Kara and Brian both left, but for different reasons. Kara got married, and basically just wanted to be home. With Brian, I am actually not too sure. He said he wanted to do different things other than music, but now he’s playing with Receiving End of Sirens. So, yeah, not too sure. It feels awesome now though. Having Ben back in the band is amazing. Being on tour with him is incredibly fun. And now with Andy being in the band, songwriting is much easier.

MVRemix: Why the self titled album now?

Dave: Basically because we feel like we really found our sound. So yeah, that’s pretty much it.

MVRemix: Anyone in particular you are looking forward to touring with this year?

Dave: I am looking forward to touring with Olympia. A few of them were in Fairweather, and they were one of my favorite bands.

MVRemix: Any bands you guys have come across you feel like people should be looking out for?

Dave: Dear and the Headlights are my favorite new band right now. Absolutely amazing. Really good mellow indie type stuff. I highly recommend them. Other than them, I am still stuck in the mid 90’s.

MVRemix: You guys have had major label rumours following you since before Trainwreck… do you see yourselves moving from ferret to a major or staying with ferret for a few more records?

Dave: I highly doubt it, but I would never rule it out. Myself, I am really apprehensive about that kind of stuff. So many bands get fucked; I don’t want to end up like them. Our contract is up with Ferret now, so we’ll see what the future brings. I still love Ferret so I would have no problem going back with them.

MVRemix: You tour practically non stop anything you miss from home?

Dave: Pretty much just my dog and friends. The dog is definitely the toughest one. So other than those, nothing really. Maybe good nights of sleep too.

MVRemix: So what is next now that the album is out?

Dave: Just touring non-stop. I would love to do another record faster this time around. Hopefully that’ll happen.

MVRemix: Which track do you recommend people check out to get a feel for the record or boys night out in general?

Dave: I’d say “swift and unforgiving”. Its got a good mix of every style we’ve done. Still technical, but catchy.

Underoath

“What the hell was that breakaway,” shouts an Underoath band member. “That was ridiculous!” The group is playing some NHL game on a PS2. Show time is in an hour.

The boys are chilling out, “preparing” for an explosive 45-minute set of intense and mind-blowing songs taken from their latest album, Define the Great Line (released on June 10, 2006). Lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain sits calm and collected, speaking in an almost monotone voice, but the 24-year-old expresses undeniable passion for what he does.

Original article

We can’t help being this way. It’s not a choice and it has never made life any easier, especially during the teenage years. There is one thing that is certain for anyone who was born with Punk Rock in their hearts: If you’re not old enough to drink, then you’re going to miss some shows. Kids are the lifeblood of the punk scene, and nobody relates more to the feelings of angst and being outcast then the mohawked teen that has dirty looks and pencil erasers thrown at their back as they walk down their high school hallways.

Emily Haines Metric

You can’t always judge music by what it sounds like. Well, you could, and then you would probably say that Metric is a great pop band, but you would only be half right. While their 2003 release, Old World Underground, Where are you Now?, is catchy like flypaper, it sticks long enough for you to figure out what synth-playing singer Emily Haines is actually saying about pop-culture. The four-piece of no fixed address have been lazily labeled pop by many a music writer for singles like “Combat Baby”, in which Haines sings about “caffeine-free faux-punk fatigue,” over punked-up guitar riffs provided by James Shaw. And unlike any good pop band, they formed themselves. In 1998 two Canadian kids—Haines and Shaw—formed Metric in a Brooklyn loft. Since then drummer Joules Scott-Key and his Texas schoolmate Josh Winstead, who happens to play a mean bass guitar, have completed the band.

The Watson Twins

With the music industry saturated with “personalities” used only as muses by producers and record labels, one can become jaded by the lack of actual, authentic talent in the music marketplace. Luckily, The Watson Twins proves that artistry and craftsmanship are alive and well in this day and age. A modest, folk duo that hails from Louisville, Kentucky, MVRemix had the chance to chat with half of The Watson Twins, Leigh Watson, to discuss their thoughts on being independent, as well as their debut EP, “Southern Manners”.

Michael Franti Spearhead

Credible artists are hard to find. Most, when given the opportunity will sell out, why not? We all need money. Few of us actually have strong enough moral fiber to seek something better and inspire change on a global basis. Michael Franti however has. After beginning his musical career frustrated and angry, he moved onto more uplifting, sensual and happy material and travels the globe routinely performing in a unique manner drawing together all audiences he performs before.

Franti visited Iraq last year and also explored Israel and Palestine. His findings drove him to create the forthcoming documentary “I Know I’m Not Alone,” detailing what has gone on and is occurring within these ignored and inaccurately portrayed areas.

Wes Kirk sits down with James Shaw and Emily Haines, the two founding members of Toronto’s Metric, at Vancouver’s Commodore ballroom at sound check before their April 7th show. First, two drunk dudes chat about music…

Howling Diablos

The Blues is rooted in the universal truth of pain. As a musical form of expression, Blues was created by talented people who experienced inexorable adversity. While the average person would be incapable to survive such sorrow, Blues musicians formed a whole new musical genre conceived from their struggle. Born from the misery Blues music has connected every kind race, class, and culture. These universal emotions of pain and sadness are is the link in the musical chains that keep every single human in a type of metaphysical bondage. Although different people experience different levels of this sorrow, the feelings created by Blues music will endure as long as human beings inhabit Earth. Misery loves company. When a person is downhearted, life becomes slightly tolerable when you hear that someone else is experience similar sadness. Born from the hardship of the Deep South, the spirit of the Blues hits everyone in their soul. The Blues spirit also has haunted some White boys in Detroit named, Howling Diablos. The four members are creating their own style of Blues. As Tino Gross sings, the band moves the spirit along. Mike Smith’s addictive guitar work complements the classic sound of the harp and sax of Johnny Evans. Shannon Boone keeps the rhythm rolling with the drums. Acknowledging their influences but remaining true to themselves, Diablos sing about what they know with a respectful appreciation for the art form.

Horrorpops MVRemix

Wes Kirk sits down with punk rock super group the Horrorpops at the Brickyard in Vancouver. Before today, half the band has never been to Canada…