So i’m particularly excited to share this event with you!
On March 5th 2011, It’s the 1irst annual Utopia Festival. A musical showcase consisting of only female DJs. It is largely concentrated in the electronic music scene but the festival does offer a bit of a range from hiphop to bass. Some of the confirmed artists are: Peaches, Tanya Tagaq, Isis Salam (formerly of Thunderheist), Cris Derksen, Betti Forde, B-Traits, Blondtron + many more and more TBA. Of course there’s an awesome dance party (3 rooms) for all at night but during the day they offer a conference and workshops for females. The Utopia Festival is produced by W2 Community Media Arts Society and sponsored by Granville Magazine. Also Granville Magazine is giving 5 aspiring female journalists a chance to attend this years Utopia Festival, find out more info here!

BUY TICKETS HERE!!!

yu can also purchase tickets at Zulu, Puff and Beatstreet.
more info at the facebook event!
tweet dat #W2Utopia

Last year we got our top of the year lists out early.

This year it seemed like everyone was trying to get their lists out as early as possible to capitalize on the potential traffic or whatever it is people compete for. We decided to sit back and let the year finish before commenting on it (read: we were super lazy).

None the less, here’s our picks for the best albums of 09′ Here’s to hoping you get 18% more lay in 2010.

20. Don Cash – Freshy Fresh

Don Cash really does wear his sunglasses at night.  This album was released as a free download, then on itunes, then re-mastered and re-released without some of my fave songs on it and there’s still talks of re-mastering it again and a label signing and release…  Either way, this is a great album with some next level jams.

Don Cash – Glam Banger

19.Tiga – Ciao!

Tiga’s collaboration with all his producer pals (James Murphy, Soulwax, Gonzales etc) made this album ironically transcend being just a dance album (mindless headfuck) and gave it some depth.  Tiga was huge in the first part of the year as the anticipation for the album grew from the first couple of singles. Then it all seemed to die down…  Not that I would ever steal anything but they were super tight fisted, blocking album leaks and maybe it hurt the album? I have no idea, maybe I’m B.S.ing but I feel like this album should have been bigger.  I also wish Tiga would do more performances with a live backing band.  Seeing him dj all of his hits was, um, err, mehhh.  I also want to see more of his alter persona come to life.

Tiga – Love Don’t Dance Here Anymore ft. Soulwax

18.Metric – Fantasies

I’ll probably catch lots of flack for this but… Whenever a band gets big in Canada there’s sometimes a bit of backlash from the people who think we live in a tiny little fish bowl and despise the band for making it big while other more “authentic” bands don’t get recognized.  I can’t see this happening in the US where there is much less of an identity crisis (albeit other ish).  In 2009 Metric decided to go their own independent route, ditched their label and management and blew up worldwide by making a great pop record that’s a solid listen from start to finish.  But then again, they are not noise punk.

Metric – Satellite Mind

17.Little Girls – Concepts

Josh McIntyre crafted this gem late at night, solo in his bedroom.  He started a myspace under the anonymous moniker, “Little Girls” (which btw is code for “little girls”) to gauge peoples reaction to these sonic experiments.  So far the response has been quite positive.

Little Girls – Concepts

16 .Mountain Man – Mountain Man

You can’t find this album on the internet for free anywhere so you should pony up the $5 pay what you want minimum for this lesser known gem.  For fans of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Chamomile tea.

Mountain Man – ANIMAL TRACKS

15. Kap Bambino – Blacklist

I must be honest, I’m not an OG Kap Bambino fan. Apparently they made their sound a little less hardcore and a bit more poppy with this album.  Their hybrid punk/electro blend is something completely new to my ears. It kiiiind of picks up where Crystal Castles left off. Still bummed I missed their live show. I think I’m too old to go out on Sundays.

Kap Bambino – Red Sign

14. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

It hasn’t come out yet officially in NA.  It’s out in England and I have British citizenship.  2009 was huge for them, they have won over a lot of new fans with their on point four part harmonies and the general charm of five dudes playing their hearts out.

Local Natives – World News

13. Handsome Furs – Face Control

Everybody’s fave indie rock couple lay down some guitar over drum machine loops and craft a solid follow up to Plague Park. Bow wow.

Handsome Furs – Radio Kaliningrad

12. Yacht – See Mystery Lights

Along with adding another member, signing to DFA has been a good thing.  It sounds like they added a little more New York post punk disco to their landscape and reigned in the sometimes overly experimental bits.  Pyschic City was definitely one of the songs of the year.

Yacht – The Afterlife

11.Antony and the Johnsons – The Crying Light

I really didn’t know what to think of Antony’s voice at first, it was quite shocking. It felt like a surprise reach around, if that’s something politically correct enough to say. But, the more I listened to it, the more I fell in love with the unique voice from which he speaks from and with. Their live show was one of the best of the year. Pretty much *tear* worthy (not that I would ever cry though). Do not fear the surprise reach around.

Antony & the Johnsons – Her eyes are underneath the ground

10.Peaches – I Feel Cream

Peaches oh Peaches, how I love thy teaches.  This is what Lady Gaga is ripping off and toning down for a mainstream audience.  That and maybe a lil Gwen Stefani…  Peaches is chick power to the infinite.    The best live show of the year.  All of this summed up a lot better, here.

Peaches – Talk To Me

9.Matt and Kim – Grand

Watching Matt and Kim play is like seeing two kids having the time of their life and enjoying every minute of it.  They just look so gosh darn humble you want to hug them.  While their previous self titled effort was a little too annoying / earnest / catchy / mehhh, “Grand” is an 11 track pop gem.

Matt & Kim – I’ll Take Us Home

8.Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Speaking of bands whose year it was, these Frenchies served it up like gour-met pate.  They should almost lay low for a year to let things cool off.  On the other hand there are so many hits on this album they should probably keep working it.

Phoenix – Fences

7. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms

Bringing the psychedelic back to the dance floor.  Neon Indian makes me want to do acid and chill in a tent while watching bizarre projected patterns on the wall while practicing witchcraft.

Neon Indian – Deadbeat Summer

6.Wild Beasts – Two Dancers

Falsetto bitches! I swear I hear a little Morrissey in here, that and a lot of lyrics about girls and wild forest fornication parties that I want to be at.

Wild Beasts – We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz!

“Waaaaaaah too electro!”. “What ever happened to the old YYYs?!?”  Go listen to Fever to Tell and reminisce.  It’s called progression and trying something new out.  Besides, I swear I can’t hear the difference, I’m no electro racist.  I think it worked and the YYYs are even more popular than ever.  Whether that’s a good thing or not is your call. For me they are definitely one of the defining bands of the decade.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Soft Shock

4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Top ten lists with MPP at number #1 are soooo boring. diss.

Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes

3.Fever Ray – Fever Ray

This album grew on me all year.  I think I was a little put off wanting it to be a bit more dance’y and Knife-like.  As the great economic recession of 2009 wore on I began feeling more and more like a sad little goth boy turning to my trusty Fever Ray album for comfort.  Also one of my fave live shows of the year.

Fever Ray – Triangle Walks

2.The XX – xx

The XX came out of nowhere with this debut album.  I don’t know whether it had to do with Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s whispery voices or the playful male / female back and forth or the above mentioned goth factor?  It’s the perfect mix, incorporating electronics with more traditional instruments creating a somewhat electronic beat driven album that even the indie kids can dance to.

The XX – Islands

1. Japandroids – Post Nothing

How could we not champion the home town heroes? They are on to even better things. Post Nothing was not their debut and they have not peaked.  Have you heard the new song they are playing in their set?? Hot damn. These sweethearts worked their butts off on this and earned everything 2009 has brought them.  Hopefully they find some time to write some new songs about girls and summer while touring their butts off.

Japandroids – Wet Hair

Shunda K is unstoppable! the interview show may be on holidays, but the interviews just keep on coming. Here is an update with Yo! Majesty furious frontwoman Shunda K.

the interview show: Is it true? Are Yo! Majesty done? I know you guys were dropped for your UK label Domino. What is going on?

Yo Majesty as you know it is over…I cant bac track. On anotha note, Shunda K keepin it movin as da origin and purpose of Yo Majesty must continue on through me. I created YM bac in 1998 as a solo artist and met da other 2 girls two and three years later, making it a group.

Now, the very essence of what YM was to bring to da people has been tainted and forgotten about thru all da drama. Dats da main reason I removed myself, not to mention the inhumane treatment I endured by peoples on da YM team…everybody deserves respect, no matter what!!!

the interview show: You guys (Shunda K, Jwl B, and sometimes Shon B) had such an explosive chemistry onstage. I know you and Yo! Majesty partner Jwl B have had a sometimes difficult working relationship. Can you talk a little bit about how things are right now?

I don’t speak to Jwl at all, Shon either. I have to move forward as people are put in your life for periods of time not forever…and dat was da case for those 2. The only thing in my life dats forever is God, my family, and my wife & children!!!

Im jus tryin to move forward because all da drama drained me emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Its been hard, but well worth it. My joy, happiness, and peace of mind is priceless…

the interview show:  Sounds like a bit of adversity has found its way into your life right now. Don’t let it stop you! You are so unique and excellent! Can you tell us the best pep talk someone in your life has given you?

Thanks for da encouragement and so throughout my life I have learned to encourage myself and dats da best pep talk Ive had thus far…encouraging myself.

the interview show: You and Peaches have collabourated on a Peaches mixtape. Can you talk about your perception of her work?

Buck Ya Like A Billionaire is da track I have wit Peaches and its on her album “I Feel Cream” as well. I really look up to Peaches. I found out who she was in 2007 when Yo Majesty was invited to appear in her video “My Dumps”. I really didnt get into her music until I went on tour wit her as Im my numba 1 fan.

Peaches is da shit and she’s definitely a leader on dis Earth. I mean, Peaches not only appeals to da caucasian race, but da shows were packed out wit black folk too…I was shocked.

I was also intrigued at how she rocs da mic and keeps da crowd movin…Peaches is da shit man, what else can I say!!!

the interview show: Did you get to meet her? Or was it an email thang? Was was the exchange like?

Peach sent me da track via da internet. She contacted my former booking agent and told him she wanted me to get on da track. I knew it was a big opportunity and kilt dat shit!!!

the interview show: You have released a lot of material recently. Can you give us the run down and tell us why you have decided to do this now?

I have always know dat I am destined for greatness and will do great things in dis Earth. It started wit da vision of Yo Majesty, which dats who I am. Now, however, I can still fulfill my destiny jus being myself…I dont have to have a title…jus call me Shunda K!!!

Earlier dis year I released Le Passion Yo! EP wit a Brooklyn based producer by da name of KOTCHY. It peaked at #22 on da CMJ Charts being a digital only release. I knew for a year or more dat YM wasnt gona work, so I had to start preparing myself for dat and my career.

All da music dat Ive released depicts what Ive been thru and am experiencing now. So, next up  is “The Best Eva Written…Outkast” where I use 19 OUTKAST instrumentals and come lyrically from da perspective of being da OUTKAST: gay, black, female…not to mention being bullied and picked on growing up!!! It features one of my former artist JERZY and is definitely food for thought and nourishment for da soul. God is love and I make it clear on dis project, denouncing all of da religious fables weve been taught growing up to keep us bound. It sets da captive free fa’sho!!!

Lastly, we have Shunda K Kollaborations and features 22 tracks and collaborations wit various artist Ive been working wit over da past couple years including The Pumpsta (NY), WeHaveLove (Sweden), DJ Deekline & PureSX (London), Raspberry Cocaine (LA), Cindy Wonderful of Scream Club (Berlin), and many more…

All my works can be downloaded for free at http://www.shundak.com.

the interview show: And of course we need to know where we can find you next!

Im waiting on CMJ to hit me back wit a confirmation as Im retracing da steps I took wit YM. Now, its about individuality and my destiny. Its Shunda K time!!!

-Super Mods Enter Rehab by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia July 2007

This is the b side to freddy’s latest “Chicago”.  Ah Chicago, you da best.

Fred Falke – Back To Stay

Bearbot makes delightful electro pop mashes.  This one features that Littlest Wayne dude and El Ten Eleven.

Bearbot – Stuntin like My Only Swerving

This is very AC / Grizzlybearish.

Atlas Sound – Walkabout (w/ Panda Bear)

Coeur De Pirate (translated: Heart of Pirate) is a solo project by 18 year old Béatrice Martin of Montreal.

Coeur De Pirate – Comme Des Enfants

2009 is the year of Peaches.

The Bird and the Bee – Fucking Boyfriend (Peaches Remix)

Peaches was so fucking good that my friend let some acne-plagued teenager grind her from behind just because she was to focused on enjoying the last encore. That’s love.
I decided 5 seconds into Peaches’ set that it was too good to take notes, plus I drank moonshine for the first time, so I’m not sure how skewed my retrospective analysis is, but let me say this, a Peaches concert could easily inspire a city wide orgy and after attending Sunday’s show at the Commodore I would gladly marry her and/or adopt her as my Mom.

Peaches works with the primary agenda of being fucking awesome and putting on a rad show, but she also works in the context of addressing gender roles, made clear by her album “fatherfucker.” Cause why is saying “motherfucker” so easy when you spill your cereal, but “fatherfucker” is worthy of a bar of soap in your mouth? The presence of gender bending is evident in her prop choices: a laser between her legs, a neon phallic saber, and a blinking light over her cooch.

I’m not really even into talking about male/female power role shit, all I know is that Peaches is hairy and looks like she stinks, but she’s fucking sexy.  So is her female keyboard and guitarist who did a “Hegwig and the Angry Inch” transformation during the show from an Iggy Pop look-a-like into a sparkly-lingerie-wearing bombshell.

The whole show played out like a Broadway musical that your grandmother would hate. There were multiple costume changes, including an elaborate Elvis outfit for the last of three encores. The performance also included a parody on dear old Britney Spears and her disappearance from GM place after claiming there was too much smoke in the air. Peaches stormed off the stage claiming there wasn’t enough pot smoke. She also complained that the crowd at the Red Deer show was more amped to take off their shirts. I’m not sure why, but I was enraged by this fact, I wanted everyone to take off their shirts, and their pants, beat by Red Deer?! What an embarrassment, get naked! Prove our superiority! Make Peaches love us too!  Then I remembered I was wearing a bodysuit which I’d never be able to put back on given my present state, and being nude in the Commodore ballroom when the lights go on and you see all the hideous sweat faces was just not what I envisioned for myself.

Anyways, she played everyones fave Peaches tunes and her stellar new material and it was one of the best shows ever. In conclusion, here is the Haiku that I was going to submit as the review, but I thought I’d get in trouble.

Peaches Haiku

Peaches, Camel-toe
Lazer beam where dick would be
Light saber hand-job

!!!More photos!!!!!!

We have a brand new No More Strangers mix just in time for our 1 year birthday celebration this Saturday.

Hope to see you there! xox

ps, we are going weekly!

No More Strangers Vol. 3 – Mixed by Hunk The Drunk

tracklisting

Leonard Cohen – Stranger Song

Pegase – Without Reason

Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You (Juxx Remix)

Jeremy Jay – Gallop

Pacific! – Hot Lips

Silent Talk – My Risonare

Say Hi – Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

Sebastien Tellier – Divine

Handsome Furs – Legal Tender

Don Cash – Jeanette Cassette

The Teenagers – Feeling Better (Minitel Rose Remix)

Vampire Weekend – The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance (Miike Snow Remix)

Peaches – Talk To Me

Miike Snow – Animal (Crookers Remix)

Pet Shop Boys – Always On My Mind (Hunk’s 12′ Cut Up)

2009 is going to be the year of Peaches.

Our beloved and sometimes vulgar Canadian jewel is set to release her new album, “I Feel Cream”, May 5th.

The album features production work on it from Soulwax, Simian Mobile Disco and Drums of Death.

Pretty much the hottest ticket in town right now, is her May 31st show here in Vancouver. You would be a complete idiot to miss this show.  You should buy your ticket now because shit is going to hit the fan MAY 5TH.

Don’t believe me…

Peaches – Talk To Me (Produced by Soulwax)

More tour dates here