Canada once again cuts art funding!

Our wonderful Conservative government has decided that the Promart program is a bloated carcass of excess. So, while I can agree that some of the funding received by artists and people may not have been proper, the fact remains that the government wants to cut a poorly run GOVERNMENT program!

So why, instead of fixing the bloody thing would they close it down? Paul Well's believes that it is the perceived notion of the Harper government that if Canada's art cannot stand on it's own, why should they bother pushing it?

To me this seems like quite a large mistake, first of all, art diplomacy is one of the most practiced and accepted international traditions between many countries, even countries that don't necessarily get along very well. I guess the concept 'we can settle it with art before war' doesn't apply to Canada anymore.

Don't get me wrong, some of this funding is definitely awry, but to punish everybody because of some abuse? Well, as one 'government source' (we all know how often these 'anonymous sources end up being somebody's brother's chincilla) put it:

"I think there's a reasonable expectation by taxpayers that they won't fund the world travel of wealthy rock stars, ideological activists or fringe and alternative groups.”

So it's also the government's view that Canadian bands are all wealthy? Re-freakin-diculous. There are maybe what, 40-50 bands in Canada that don't have day jobs?

The point is this, these grants were put in place to support our artists, musicians, poets, writers, etc. These are the people that take a couple months off work each year to go tour and promote. These are the people that pay their taxes. Let me mention that again, these are the same people that pay their taxes.

So it comes down to this, if the government is going to cut funding, they sure as hell had better be giving these same people tax credits.

Go write your MP. You can find yours here. The United States Federal government has a great program in place similar to Promart, so make sure that you mention it to your MP. You can find that program here. It's called the Global Cultural Initiative. Great title, hopefully we can save ours.

From: Exclaim!

I hear a dissonant chord on the CD. Wait. Or is that the tornado siren? No. Dissonant chord. Or...

I drop the scraper and stick my head out the front door.

No, definitely the tornado siren. It's sunny out. Or it was 3 minutes ago. There's a black wall on the horizon, and it's advancing swiftly.

I grab a laptop and start heading to the basement, when I see Harvey walking across the lawn with his laptop. I set it down and open the door. I try to think of some hokey line from the Wizard of Oz, but my wits are too slow. He walks in.

We stand in the entry way for a moment discussing where we think the safest place in the house would be. The basement, we both decide. Upon ascertaining the safest location in the house, we (like any intelligent human being) promptly walk out on to the front porch. The siren drones a frantic warning

A monstrous cloud dragon is serpentining right above our heads. It's gnarled and twisting. "It's right on top of us," Harvey exclaims. We ease into the front lawn like uneasy kittens. Two steps out. Pause. I'm on the balls of my feet, ready to dart. Another step. Look around hesitantly. A plank of wood flits like a gull 500 feet above my head. I get startled by a leaf brushing my face. We retreat to the 'safety' of the porch.

I watch the board soaring through the sky like a kite. Suddenly, the beer bottles on the front porch leap from the table and tumble across the porch at us. The trees are straining at their roots. "Time to go inside!" Harvey yells. We're pushing each other through the door. It sticks for a moment from the pressure of the wind. Harvey uses all of his strength to get it open.

It is gone in a matter of minutes, as quickly as it appeared.

Harvey and I return to the porch. "Is that the best you've got!?" I scream. "No wait, just kidding."

Vue Weekly | movie review | Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?

This very funny, very playful investigation is also very one sided. Granted, it’s the side of the moderates in the Arab and Muslim world—one seldom explored.

Exclaim | music review | Justis - Just Is

Exclaim | music review | Epic - Aging is What Friends Do Together

Exclaim | music review | Mud Sun EP

SOUL Purpose, The Construction

SOUL definitely has talent... unfortunately he exhausts most of it on very “blah” beats and “been there” rhymes.

The Camp, The Campaign

If there’s any camp you want to send your kids to this summer it’s this one.

Mic Boyd, Lost in the Woods

...talent-wise, at only the beginning of his career, Mic is where Classified was only a few years ago

"In a region coasting on a decade's worth of New Seattle buzz, with its fabled, mostly lost record deals and ironic hairstyles, that a four-piece with roots in small town Nova Scotia and the humble hardcore and punk scenes of the city could meld those things together and emerge as one of the most hyped acts in years - and sound nothing like Sloan [or punk/hardcore] while doing it - indicates that Halifax might finally be ready to move on." - exclaim!

Don't know what Wintersleep sounds like check things out here. Want to watch all of their views then here you go.

This revelation is particularly shocking in an age when Canadian hip-hop has grown far beyond the roots planted by pioneers like Maestro Fresh-Wes and Dream Warriors. Think of the hip-hop talent blossoming across the country, from mainstream flirters like Cadence Weapon, Buck 65, K-OS and Kardinal Offishall, to lesser known but viciously potent rising artists like Abdominal, K’naan, Grand Analogue, Sixtoo, DL Incognito and Ghislain Poirier.

Even though three of Canada’s ten bestselling digital tracks in 2007 were hip-hop, according to SoundScan (though none were actually by Canadian artists), and Canadian hip-hop acts continue to gain critical notoriety and commercial success at home and abroad, it seems that this musical form lacks the respect and support afforded other genres by the federal agency committed to encouraging the arts.

Environmentally focused rapper Freeworm was given a grant, solo artists Red 1 and Kid Koala received professional development grants, and Aboriginal group [ed. artist] Eekwol was awarded a grant through the council’s Aboriginal Peoples Music Program.

By Scott A. Gray - Read Full Story Here

Maestro Fresh-Wes - Drop The Needle

DL Incognito - Live In My Element

thanks for noyz319 at UGSMAG for pointing this out!

L'autre soir donc, je suis allée à l'Espace culturel Leclerc pour voir les Hushpuppies. En entrée de plateau, le premier groupe, Friction, ne m'a pas vraiment convaincue, avec son electronika-rock-punk qui "tourne en rond sans jamais démarrer", comme dirait mon pote le pianiste de jazz (JPA, si tu passes par là...). Au deuxième round, c'est Fancy qui crée la surprise. Déjà avec son look glam de Drags sans talons mais à paillettes et fanfreluches, qui a d'ailleurs séduit aussi bien le magazine Elle que Jalouse avec cette chouette photo de Mondino (ci-dessus). Ensuite grâce à un son propret et la voix haut perchée de Jessie Chaton (ça s'invente, un nom pareil ?), des débuts salués par tous les chroniqueurs spécialisés : Rock & Folk, Inrock, Trax ou Technikart. Il y a chez ces p'tits gars comme un son Marshal d'AC/DC, un rien de provoc à la Kiss granguinol, un soupçon du génie baroque qu'on aimait chez Queen. Enfin et surtout une vraie "rock'n'roll attitude" et une énergie vite communicative. Quand Friction nous avait presque endormis, en deux-trois chansons Fancy a réussi l'exploit de se mettre le difficile public niortais dans la poche. Avec un premier album, Kings of the worlds, dans les bacs depuis octobre dernier, Fancy semble paré pour conquérir le monde.

Après le concert, retour sur Terre et interview express avec Jessie Chaton (chant) et Rae Mone (basse).

Vous venez d'où ?
De région parisienne, à Montreuil exactement, dans le 9-3.

Votre label ?
Exclaim, du groupe BMG/Universal.

Votre nom ?
Fancy, c'est une lubie, une envie, une fantaisie... Le mot semble avoir été créé pour nous !

Vos âges ?
Dans le monde de Fancy, tout le monde a 17 ans.

Votre secret ?
On ne boit pas, on ne se drogue pas... Notre seul vice : le goût de la cellulite ! (rires). Y'a même un producteur qui nous a dit :"you disrespect rock'n'roll !"

Votre actu ?
Là, on est très fiers de faire la tournée de Justice, on revient d'Angleterre et ensuite (en mars, du 3 au 31) on part aux States. On jouera même au Madison Square Garden.

Votre meilleur souvenir ?
En juin 2007, à l'île de Wight, avec les Stones dont nous sommes fans... ça fait toujours plaisir !

Propos recueillis par Isabelle Jeannerot, le 21 février 2008 à l'Espace culturel Leclerc (Niort).

I gave this album the "Mark Of Excellence" -  -

Alestorm
Captain Morgan's Revenge
By Sean Palmerston

Want to get your band noticed? Do what Perth, Scotland quartet Alestorm did. Starting as a joke bedroom band called Battleheart, the band declared themselves “True Scottish Pirate Metal” and set out writing songs about, well, pirates. After all, with the recent success of all those Pirates of The Caribbean movies, now is as good a time as any to sing songs about swashbucklers on the seven seas, even if your homeland isn’t really known for such things. In fact, Scottish pirates were about as rare as quality Mexican hockey players — yes, I have investigated both — but with music this catchy, it was only a matter of time until they got signed. Napalm did the trick, with one condition: they change their name. So goodbye Battleheart and hello Alestorm. If declaring yourselves “Scottish Pirate Metal” wasn’t interest piquing enough then renaming your band Alestorm certainly should do the job. But is the music worth listening to? Aye. Similar in style to current folk/pagan metal bands like Turisas, Eluveite and Tyr, the quartet play fun, jig-filled metal that’s perfect for a few rounds with your metal mates. It’s not the best thing you’ve ever heard and isn’t truly original but it is fun as hell and should bring a smile to the face of even the most jaded power metal enthusiast. How could songs with titles like “Wenches and Mead,” “Death Before The Mast” and “Set Sail and Conquer” not impress? (Naplam/Fusion III)

Originally published by Exclaim!, March 2008

Originally published December 2002, Exclaim!

Porcupine Tree
Stupid Dream
Originally conceived as a one man project by leader Steven Wilson, Stupid Dream marks the true coming of age for this UK quartet. Whereas past releases have seen the group flutter back and forth between ‘80s-influenced progressive rock and early ‘70s Pink Floyd-inspired psychedelia, Stupid Dream sees Wilson and co. streamline their direction. The songs are more concise and better written, and tracks like “Piano Lessons” and “Baby Dream in Cellophane” are executed in under five minutes, something uncommon on the band's previous four releases. This new songwriting approach fits the band's musical ability much better. It’s the missing bridge between Meddle-era Floyd and Radiohead.
(K Scope)
Originally published August 1999 , Exclaim!

Porcupine Tree
Lightbulb Sun
After taking a step closer to the mainstream with their previous release, 1999's Stupid Dream, Steve Wilson's modern psychedelic supergroup takes a step backwards with their newest effort. If there is one thing the band is guilty of on Lightbulb Sun, it might be simply trying too hard. After starting on a high note with the title track, the group heads into shlocky FM radio territory with the first single, "Four Chords That Make A Million‚" and taints the overall outcome. The ups include the CSNY influenced "Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled‚" and the absolutely stunning album closer "Feel So Low" - some of the best material the band has released - but when their experiments fail to ignite, ("Four Chords‚" the 13-minute bore "Russia on Ice"), they really miss the mark. This record would have been amazing had it been a few songs shorter, but you have to give the band credit for not simply resting on their laurels.(Snapper)
Originally published November 2000, Exclaim!

Porcupine Tree
Recordings
Essentially an odds and sods collection of songs either already released as European B-sides or songs not deemed worthy of release on their last two records (one brilliant and the latter quite disappointing), Recordings is essentially a stopgap release until UK prog-psyche combo Porcupine Tree make their major label debut. Like most of these sorts of collections, the album is quite disjointed, although the high points (the piano led pop rocker "Access Denied" and the neo-prog of "In Formaldehyde") are better than many tracks on their last studio album. Which makes one think that perhaps some major label A&R might take these guys from being a fairly good modern prog band to a truly great one.
(K Scope)
Originally published September 2001, Exclaim!