Posted by Christian Flores

Omgigosh, 2011 is almost done. This is the music that got me through.  Here’s our best album / ep picks!!!

25. Radiohead – King Of Limbs

Radiohead surprised fans with a new album in February announcing it five days before it’s release with out any press following it because they don’t need to.

Radiohead – Morning Mr Magpie

24.Lil B “Based God” – I’m Gay

The living meme, rapper Lil B has one of the biggest outputs in the rap game releasing two albums and more mixtapes than I can keep track of, including one with 676 tracks over the last year. That’s not even counting all of the twitter feeds he fills @lilbthebasedgod. Despite not being a house hold name yet he is one of the most prolific and fascinating artists of our time with his personality outshining his often rough but hidden gem ridden music.

Lil B – Neva Stop Me

23. Tony Castles – No Service (ep)

Brooklyn’s next Yeasayer?

Tony Castles – Black Girls in Dresses

22.  Metronomy – The English Riviera

Metronomy’s third disco tinged album will transport you to the English Riviera with a cocktail in hand.  Still bummed I missed their recent trip through town.

Metronomy – The Look

21. Wild Beasts – Smother

I didn’t miss this show and it was spectacular.  There were fellow Wild Beast fan boys/men singing their falsetto songs before the group went on; it was beautiful. It was one of my favourite shows of the year.  Definitely not for those who don’t like melancholic music or people who get uncomfortable by men singing in falsetto.

Wild Beasts – Lions Share

20. Sean Nicholas Savage – “Flamingo”

Montreal’s DIY pop label Arbutus Records, home of Grimes and Braids’ latest release was up as free download.  Sean Nicholas Savage brings you to a smokey Las Vegas lounge to great effect.  In “Days Go By”, below it’s almost as if he’s channeling late 70′s Lennon.

Sean Nicholas Savage – Days Go By

19. Cults – Self Titled

Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin of Cults have put together one of the best pop albums of the year with their debut borrowing heavily from Spector-esque 50s and 60s pop to pleasant effect.

Cults – Most Wanted

18. Hercules & Love Affair – Blue Songs

A retro disco album with hints of early house thrown in to help you dance away the pain.

Hercules & Love Affair – Falling

17. Black Lips – Arabia Mountain

Vice Records rocker darlings. At-lana’s Black Lips teamed up with producer Mark Ronson on this album. He proves his talents really filling out the Black Lips garage rock sound into a riotous party.

Black Lips – Family Tree

16. Born Gold – Bodysongs

Formerly known as Gobble Gobble which they deemed to silly of a name to continue on as, Born Gold have been tearing up every place they touch from basement to festival main stages around NA. Touring their butts off they have been building a very solid young fan base.

Their name change makes sense perhaps isolating them from older / new fans? They shouldn’t be put off, Born Gold are the modern dance party.  It’s almost like it’s the electronic version of the Pixies as reinterpreted by the children of the late 80′s.

They happen to play Fortune with Grimes for the soon to be sold out show February 18th. Advertise with Winnie.

Born Gold – Eat Sun Son

15. Lost Lovers Brigade – Little Skeletons

A late Vancouver entry with a November release.  A compilation of singer / songwriter Elisha Rembold’s songs written over the last ten years finally being released.  Little Skeletons is a beautifully haunting play from start to finish.  It will take you away to a windy cabin the woods.  At times surf rock-ish with two of the Apollo Ghost gents in the band backing Elisha’s country / Wanda Jackson-esque vocals.

Lost Lovers Brigade – All the Stars

14. Oh No! Yoko – Pau Pau (ep)

Wtf is a Pau Pau? Our favorite high school grads will take you back to that time in between childhood and adolescents when the world seemed like it could be yours and maybe it will be.  They need to get to work on their follow up asap.

Oh No! Yoko – Go Alien

13. ASAP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP (Mixtape)

Speaking of which, Odd Future may of created the most hype by a long shot for a new hip hop act but as far as listen ability goes ASAP takes it.

ASAP Rocky – Get Lit (feat. Fat Tony) (prod. Soufein3000)

12. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine + Freaking Out (ep)

Toro Y bro ditches the chill wave moniker for a full band disco sound.  He still satisfies his old fans with the more electronic 80′s influenced Freaking Out EP which is just as boss as the full length. He reinvented himself opening up his sound.

Toro Y Moi – Go with You

Toro Y Moi – All Alone From the Freak Out Ep.

11. Tiger & Woods – Through The Green

An obvious play/extended joke on the sexiest man in the golf game perhaps? It has been a big year for the return of house music, not “electro” or “club” but warehouse.  Tiger & Woods sound how I would love the next Daft Punk album to be.  A crisp loopy filter house sound with an 80′s electro-funk feel created by two Germans.

Tiger & Woods – Gin Nation

10. Holy Ghost! – Self Titled

I feel like there is so much good music made these days and so much less money in the industry to properly push the top acts that an album like this can slip by and not be even bigger than it is.  Holy Ghost’s debut is quite accessible. Their live show was one of my favorites of the year. If you are looking for someone to fill in for LCD Soundsystem this is your band.  They managed to sell out Fortune Sound Club but they deserve to be filling at least something twice that size especially with the amount of analog gear they haul around.

Holy Ghost! – Some Children

9. Elite Gymnastics – Ruin (ep)

Minneapolis’ Elite Gymnastics reinvent dance music sounds of the past yet their music sounds fresh, new and unlike anything else.

Elite Gymnastics – m i n n e a p o l i s   b e l o n g s   t o   y o u

8. Tennis – Cape Dory

Tapping into the pop sounds of the 50′s and 60′s Cape Dory is a pleasant melody driven “jingly jangly” pop album.  I love every song on it but perhaps it’s not for everyone? Best bro / @Beatroutebc’s @glennalderson can’t stand them.  Different strokes.

Tennis – Pigeon

7. Austra – Feel It Break

Pronounced “Oh-stra” not “Ahhstra” as I had at least been saying.  I still can’t believe we hosted this act in a tiny basement show. I was trying to tell people they would be the next Fever Ray thanks to a hot tip from fellow Toronto act Diamond Rings.

Austra – The Future

6. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne

This album has a raw feeling to it as if two top of their game rappers are at play rather than at work. Does that make any sense? Either way it’s a classic that people will listen to and rap heads will discuss many years from now.

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni**as in Paris

5. No Gold – Self Titled

Local Vancouver chill bro act, No Gold are a pitchfork nod away from big things.  You can hear the wealth of diverse influences from world music to house and disco and a willingness to experiment in their bizzaro pop gem of an album.

No Gold – Council Jam

4. Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – We’re New Here

A very odd remix album from one of the best new producers, Jamie XX (Of The XX) of the legendary Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 album, I’m New Here, his first in 16 years.  Gil is best known for his spoken word work and is arguably one of the biggest pioneers of rap. The forward thinking album really grew on me as the year went on and I think became even more important with the passing of Gil right after the albums release and bringing to light his amazing although troubled life and body of work.

Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – Ur Soul And Mine

3. The Weeknd – House of Balloons

Releasing an entire trilogy of work, it was a big year for an act that started the year out as a mysterious unknown act posting videos on youtube. They are now one of the biggest acts I still havn’t heard on the radio. Perhaps still under the mainstreams radar releasing all of their material through their website for free? Or maybe it’s all of the singing about sex, drugs and after parties?

The Weeknd – The Morning

2. James Blake – Self Titled

James Blake brought the underground UK electronic sound to the masses with his ethereal voice.  One of the big breakout acts of the year.

James Blake – Unluck

1. Drake – Take Care

Y U SO SAD YOUNG DRIZZY? YR number 1 bb.

For years the highest selling Canadian hip hop act has been late 80′s / early 90′s Maestro (Fresh Wes). Big ups Maestro but twenty years is a long ass time to be the highest selling Canadian rapper. Drake has finally changed that.  I can’t find anything else to say about Drake that doesn’t make me sound like i’m riding his shit so i’m going to leave it at that.

Drake – HYFR (Hell Ya Fuckin Right)

posted by @tristanorchard

After rewriting this review several times due to a blistering next day hangover, my overall opinion of last night’s performance of Watch the Throne, featuring none other than Jay-Z and Kanye West, became very clear.  Even through the haze of chronic, the adolescent boys screaming profanities, and the awkward couple attempting to dry hump beside me, the two kings of hip-hop blatantly demonstrated to me, and a sold out Rogers Arena, why they’re currently at the top of their game.

As Kayne West stood atop of a gigantic cubic structure mid audience, wearing a leather couture skirt, I was quickly transported into the world of Roc-A-Fella. Yes, I stood in line for 30 minutes to pay 8.00 dollars for a room temperate Bud Light, and of course the concert didn’t start on time and presented no opening act, but as soon as the vocals for “HAM” came on, all but was forgotten.

Jay-Z & Kayne West – HAM 

To my surprise, the two biggest names in hip-hop brilliantly mixed songs from “Watch the Throne” with their own hit singles from the past and present. You can only imagine the excitement that ensued when HOVA started spitting fan favourites “99 Problems” and “Empire State of Mind”.  Kayne West initiated the same excitement when he reminded us why we love him, douche bag antics and all, when he asked the audience to throw their diamonds up during “All of the Lights”.   However, it should also be noted that the crowd went equally as cray for “Who Gon Stop Me”, “Otis” and “Niggas in Paris”. Now that I think about it, the only time I sat down during the two-hour plus concert, was while waiting for the encore to begin, which included “Encore”, “Made in America”, and “Why I Love You”.

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Made in America 

All in all, the dynamic duo of HOVA and Yeezy did not disappoint.  And even though a very pregnant Beyonce did not make an appearance on “Lift Off”, even though she was spotted in the city, the concert made me appreciate true artistic talent.

Posted by @clarkbs

this Sunday night it’s a long weekend, and me and zeeaa are marking the unofficial end of summer by playing silly pop + rap + singalongs. FUN PPL ONLY.

these parties are ALWAYS rad, someone bring snacks! we gon dance like Chris Brown.

tickets and more details HERE

Ciara – Deuces (Nguzunguzu Remix)

Chromeo – Hot Mess (Duck Sauce Remix)

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Otis (Hedspin Remix)

Dillon Francis & Diplo ft Maluca – Que Que (Torro Torro Remix)

Posted by Christian Flores

big big things happening this Friday at Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver!

Winnie super-goof Flowers along with Dana D are taking over the Livestock cave for a one-off classic rap + dancehall + summer jamz party!

here are a buncha songz you’ll probably hear this Friday… yoooop this is gonna be soooo fun!

GZA – Liquid Swords
Gang Starr – Just To Get A Rep
Cam’ron – Oh Boy
Beatnuts – Watch Out Now
Buju Banton – Champion (Remix)
2Pac – Do For Love
Mya ft Jay-Z – Best Of Me (Remix)

WANNA COME OUT TO FORTUNE FOR FREE THIS FRIDAY?

it’s easy! RSVP ‘Attending’ on the event page annnnnd you’re on the guestlist +1. gooooood 2 go.

on top of that, there is a FREE early DIAMOND D concert at Fortune starting at 9pm. RSVP and details for that are here. annnnnd then, the Stylus Spinfest Awards party is also happening in the front room at Fortune at Happy Ending Fridays.

i know right! soooo much happening. DON’T FORGET TO RSVP ATTENDING TO GET IN TO FORTUNE NO COVER! CLICK HERE.

I will call this one the sniffles interview. When I stumbled into the Biltmore, I was no where near 100%, and I was worried about not having a Kleenex to contain my snot drip, but this was the first time the entire 7 member Doomtree crew was touring together. It was my chance to get more than one member together, talking about what they do. I found Dessa asleep in a booth in the club, sick herself. After I woke her up, she found Lazerbeak and we sniffled and snorted through this interview.

For those who don’t know, Doomtree are a unique entity in hip hop, a collective of memebers who collaboruate and support each other thru their artistic endevours.

Even though everyone is sick, Dessa and Lazerbeak do not disappoint. Dessa talks about getting asked to join Doomtree and Lazerbeak reveals his dreams about meeting Jay-Z.

the interview show with Dessa and Lazerbeak from Doomtree

Doomtree (ft. Dessa and P.O.S.) “Dots and Dashes”

Dessa “The Chaconne” One of the most interesting indie MCs out there right now.

Dessa “Into The Spin”

Lazerbeak “Bound” He is one of Doometree’s producers and makes his own tracks.

Dessa, Lazerbeak and fellow Doomtree member SIMS will be at the Biltmore this Wednesday. See you there!

the interview show is everywhere! (interviewshow[at]gmail.com)
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If you’re in Vancouver, this Wednesday at The Lamplighter there’s a major Black Label party to celebrate Canada Day.

Winnie deejay Flowers will be playing songs so that it will feel like you’re at your BFF’s parents’ house party when you were 15 (except without the zits and awkwardness).

We’re also having a lil’ chicken and beer party too because Wednesday is cheap wings and draft beer night!

Come early to check out the patio with deejays Mike Dobbs and Dana D. Then the chicken and beer house party starts at 10 with your BFF’s Christian Flores and Zeeaa playing lotsa those oldie/indie/pop/rock/rap songs you won’t admit you love unless you’re all 3D.

New Young Pony Club – We Want 2

Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl

Jay-Z – Hovi Baby (Remix)

Jay-Z – Encore

Some heavy hitters join forces for this track off the much anticipated Blueprint 3, due out September 11.

Actually, it’s exactly what I would expect if these three got together to make a song.

Jay-Z ft Rihanna & Kanye West – Run This Town

Summer’s almost over and it seems like everyone is going back to school.  So rep these tracks and reminisce about the good, bad, and sweaty.

Summer Anthems:

U-Tern Feat. Kutcorners – Disco Sizzurp

Don Rimini- Rave On

Jensen Sportag- Jackie (Van Helder Remix)

Jay-Z – Jockin Jay ( Rob Low Throwback Remix )

Isis has been described as “the thinking man’s metal band.” Others say the band has a Tool-lite, post-metal sound. This is a pretty easy comparison—since the band are friends with Tool— and I am not sure if I would agree. However, Isis does have a sound that is hard to pin down, and their music easily defies genre conventions. The band also draws praise because it draws from literary influences like Don Quixote and philosopher Jeremy Bentham.

When I asked Clifford Meyer and Aaron Harris from the band how something in their recent life did not live up to their expectations—alluding to Quixote—both of them deftly sidestepped any personal answers and talked about music. Meyer was disappointed in the Jay-Z American Gangster record. And Harris didn’t feel that Radiohead ’s In Rainbows lived up to the hype. There is just something great thinking about the guys from Isis listening to art rock and hip hop. (Note, more true to expectations, Meyer was reading the dark 90s indie comic book The Maxx.)

Isis is celebrating 10 years in the game. Not many post-metal bands make it that far, and both of the guys were happy to share pieces of their journey.

Isis on the interview show

Isis – Holy Tears

Isis – Dulcinea

Next week, we return with Swedish indie-electronic act Lo-Fi-Fnk!