Old-Skool radio | Clips from The Bear

Enjoy ye olde clips from the Cubby vault…..

Cubby gets waxed LIVE ON AIR

Trailer Park Boys interview

I saw a UNICORN!

Damien Hirst “Dream” @ “Pop Life” exhibit National Gallery of Canada

Pop Life: Art in a material world
http://www.gallery.ca/poplife/
Until September 19, 2010

Suffering from Bluesfest withdrawl? Here are some videos to help with the come down…

Roger Hodgson

Kevin Costner is a nice guy 

Backstage with Rush technicians

Arcade Fire

Joe Reilly interviews Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips

Bluesfest observations

Of course, everyone’s talking about tonight’s headliners, RUSH on the main stage at Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest. But they don’t play until 8pm. I love this scene from I Love You, Man. Excuse the quality, some arsehole disabled the embedding code:

There’s a whole world open to you today at bluesfest. Couple of things I’ve noticed so far at this years edition.

1- People with backpacks. I know you need them to carry your “stuff” but if you are trying to make your way closer to a stage in the middle of 30 000 people, REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE ACTUALLY CARRYING ONE!! I can’t tell you how many times I got nearly K.O’d by some Justin Beiber looking clone not minding where they’re going.

2- Elbows IN! There were moments during Metric that I honestly felt as if I were in a hockey game from the 1970’s. People walking by, looking down at their cell phones, slamming into people with their elbows.

3- If you feel the need to get into an argument with someone over $40. Don’t due it while in the middle of 30 000 people!!! You are upsetting the vibe of the crowd. Yes, I’m talking about you, steroid juice head with the cheap sunglasses and tight red t-shirt. NO ONE CARES how bad ass you think you are. We came to party, not deal with your misguided “Jersey Shore” need to look tough.

4-Bring sunblock and cash, lots of cash. The lineups for the ATM’s can get pretty thick. You can miss your favorite act while waiting for money. Head indoors to the Canadian War Museum, they have an ATM in there, it’s never busy and best of all, it’s air condidtioned!

Today’s Best Bets:

St. Joe’s Mission (formerly known as DonkeyPunch) 2pm Claridge Homes Stage

The Bush Pilots 3pm Black Sheep Tent

Graham Greer (Formerly of the Barstool Prophets) 5pm Claridge Homes Stage

Rush 8pm MBNA Stage

See ya there!

1st Saturday of Bluesfest

Perfect night for Bluesfest. Really looking forward to seeing Metric. I saw them for the first time at the Capital Music Hall opening for The Killers. At the time, they were this ferocious act that demanded every single second of your attention. Frontwoman Emily Haines seemed to dare anyone in the audience to try and knock her off her perch. At one point stopping the show to verbally scap with some meathead in the crowd.

Metric are still as ferocious and it seems, even hungrier than ever. The live shows keep getting better and better and this year, they’ve earned a shot at the main stage @ Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest. If you only make it to one show this year, make it this one. Come get your fill of Stadium Love.

Also, don’t miss Grevious Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons. A film playing in the Barney Danson Theatre. A look at the founding member of the Byrds as well as the Flying Burrito Brothers. The story is true rock & roll legend.

See ya there!

Bluesfest Day 3

Pacing, it’s all about pacing when it comes to Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest. Especially in this heat!! Make sure to take plenty of breaks indoors, inside the War Museum. Let’s be honest, we all know someone (no, I don’t mean me, ) who tends to knock a few back while at Lebreton Flats but for the love of all things holy, wait until the sun goes down! Alcohol + sun = pain. Lots and lots of pain. For example, drink too much in the sun and this could happen to you:

I’m not saying don’t do it, I’m just sayin’. Thursdays lineup, like the entire lineup, has a little something for everyone. If you’ve got teenagers and you’re planning on checking out Bluesfest tonight, they’ll probably want to be dropped off in the market to catch Stereos on the Pop Life Stage downtown:

If you’re leaning more towards that british prog rock thang, might I suggest The Moody Blues?

Haven’t caught the Black Sheep Music and Comedy stage? Be there tonight to see former SNL’er Jim Breuer:

And for a little bit of that retro kitsch factor, it doesn’t get any better than the B-52′s!

Bluesfest VS EDDIE!!!

We are less than 48 hours away from the kickoff to one of the best music festivals in North America, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest!! Tent city at Lebreton Flats went up earlier this week, the final touches are being made on all the stages, it is TIME! Bluesfest has opened with some pretty big names like Van Morrison, Jeff Beck and the Tragically Hip. But it’s never opened with so much METAL!! Maiden, OUTDOORS this Tuesday night!! For those not in the know, Iron Maiden rule. Here’s a primer, it’s about 7 minutes long, but well worth it:

Maiden hit the MBNA stage at 9pm July 6th. Make sure to get there early and catch my buddy’s in Loudlove, one of the BEST bands around, never mind Ottawa. They play the Claridge Homes Stage @ 8pm. It’s always a party with LL:

Best bets for opening night:

Dream Theatre

Lights

Wayne Brady

For ticket and schedule info, make sure to check out the official site, www.ottawabluesfest.ca.

Something new @ Bluesfest

Billboard magazine recently named Bluesfest one of the best festivals in North America and I can see why. Bluesfest has grown into not just a little something for everyone, but a HUGE something for everyone! I know some blues purists might say, yeah but where are the blues in Bluesfest? To them I say shut up. Go to the smaller stages, you’ll find the blues.

Besides, unlike some of the bitter folks, I HAVE had the chance to talk to a lot of the artists that the purists complain about not seeing enough and they’d rather play the smaller stages! To them, it’s more about the environment they perform in, something smaller, low key. Hell, that’s what the blues is all about! It’s not about playing in front of 40 000 people, it’s more about playing in front of a couple thousand, a couple hundred, a couple dozen. But I digress. This year, Bluesfest wants your body, soul and funny bone! Make sure to check out the Black Sheep Music and Comedy Tent for acts like Deb Digiovanni:

Jim Breuer:

Louis CK and more!

Dear Bluesfest…..

This weekends weather, sunny, highs around 25, got me thinking about my FAVORITE summer activity, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest! I’ve been going to/working at Bluesfest for about 8 years now and seen some AMAZING acts. What will the lineup be like for this year? We should find out soon enough, but I’d like to make a few suggestions.

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL

Alright, I admit it, I’m biased. But I LOVE this band, I’ve partied with them, seen them three times in one year and I even have their second album title tattooed on my left arm. But if you saw their show at the Capital Music Hall July 31st 2009, you know what I’m talking about…

M.I.A

Admit it, you LOVED Paper Planes when you saw Pineapple Express! This lady is hands down, the shit.

Hall & Oates

Why? Because your kiss is on my list, bitch!

Who do YOU wanna see this year?