What were you doing in 2004?

If you were watching MuchMusic, you probably were watching Kyprios and his unforgettable track “This Is My Hit.”

You may also recognize him as one of the members of the west coast hip hop collective Sweatshop Union.

This guy has one of the best set of vocal cords in Canadian hip hop. He is back with a new solo record and he was very candid about everything that he has been through since 2004.

Kyprios on the interview show

Kyprios “This Is My Hit” The song that started it all.

Kyprios (ft. Moka Only) “She’s Gone” The new single.

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How many of you can imagine completely changing your life?

This is what Ember Swift did. For years, she carved out a name for her politically-conscious, alternative folk band called Ember Swift–yes this band was named after Ember herself, but it was mostly a partnershp between Ember and violinist Lyndell Montgomery).  As a folk duo, Ember Swift earned fans all over the globe–until one day, she realized that it was not enough.

Ember decided that she needed to pursue her degree in Asians Studies and she gave it all up to make a pilgramage to China. The partnership known as Ember Swift did not survive, but she had followed her heart and a new musical venture was born. Ember created Lentic, a burgeoning folktronica project inspired by her love of China and a longstanding fascination with electronic music.

Ember Swift on the interview show

Lentic (Ember Swift) “Hollowed Bones”

Ember Swift will be at the Railway Club, March 25th. See you there!

If you are living in Vancouver right now, you know how the world’s most famous sporting event can hijack a city. Citizens tend to fall into two camps–grumblers counting down until the party is gone and those with facepaint and a beer by 10am.

Zip lines. Road closures. Line ups everywhere. Increased security. Parties in the streets on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. Why not make this all work for you?

This week, I talk to two acts who have both used the Olympics to their advantage.

Goodbye Olympics! on the interview show

Bohdi Jones “Hey El Nino” Bohdi Jones is a Vancouver-based busker who claims to have written the unoffical theme song to the 2010 Olympics. Have a listen.

Team Canada DJs Grandtheft remix Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” The Team Canada DJs (Grandtheft and Dr One) have turned a one shot gig at the Games into much more.

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I spoke with Tobias the main man behind Berlin band, Bonaparte, in the wee hours of the morning. He purred on over the recevier as he sat with his two cats.

Bonaparte is one crazy carnival live and they want nothing more than to come to North America. Can anyone help them? I dunno about you, but I wanna see them live.

Bonaparte on the interview show

Bonaparte “Too Much” A song about relating to a girl too smart for her own good.

Bonaparte “Anti-Anti” In the spirit of the Olympics, Bonparte’s version of a protest song.

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Some photos of The Zolas from our Valentines party.  February 13th 2010 @ Funky Winkerbeans. Photos by Christine McAvoy

This week, we do something a little unusual. We have TWO bands on the show, Listening Party AND Slam Dunk.

Both these Island bands are boarding the ferry to come play a show for you soon. Check them out @ New Brandiz, February 20th.

Ah, the Island. Such a weird and wonderful place. It certainly breeds characters and interesting music. Listen to the interview and you will see what I mean.

Listening Party & Slam Dunk on the interview show

Listening Party “Kissing Booth”

Slum Dunk “Feral Child”

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The Raveonettes make beautiful music, indelibly marked by darkness. They would probably be a much bigger band, if they “sold out” and wrote bubblegum lyrics to match their haunting melodies.

I like to think of them as a long lost soundtrack to a David Lynch project.

The Raveonettes on the interview show This is my chat with Sune Rose Wagner (the guy in the band). I don’t know if the Danes are known for being succinct and frank, but Sune certainly is both.

The Raveonettes “Last Dance” A beautiful song about a relationship with a drug addict. See what I mean about an undeniable edge?

The Raveonettes “My Boyfriend’s Back” (The Angels cover) This cover was done for a video game, but Sune and Sharin Foo would much rather make their own stuff.

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We’re back–and better than ever!

I decided to start 2010 with one of my favourite Vancouver bands right now, Said The Whale. This is also one of the funniest interviews I have done.

I reached Tyler Bankcroft (wearing the blue t-shirt in the middle of the sofa) on his fuzzy cellphone from the bowels of Said The Whale’s Gastown rehearsal space. He did his best to remain diplomatic when I asked him what it would be like to kiss Grant Lawrence from CBC Radio 3.

And just listen for when I let The Zolas crash the interview and really give Tyler a hard time. Don’t worry. He gives as good as he gets.

Said The Whale on the interview show

Said The Whale “Emerald Lake, AB”
This track won Radio 3’s Bucky Award for the Most Canadian song.

Said The Whale “Gentleman”
Tyler swears this song was not written to get a girlfriend, but vows to test it out soon since they have not yet played it live.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Scott: Why did you pick this song from your debut album for your first video?

Fallan Soldier: I picked this song ’cause its about seeing the positive aspects in a negative situation which is what Fallan Soldier is about…falling away from what doesn’t work in your life and finding what does. I really like the song and thought it was the most universally accessible. Doug Kerr, the director, and I talked over a few other possibilities, but went with this one for both creative and practical reasons.

Scott: Can you tell me a little about the personal story behind the song? I am imagining that you had major conflict with a serious gf –but feel free to correct me…

Fallan Soldier: I did write the song because I had a fight with someone very close to me and immediately after I was inspired. I thought if the only thing that comes from this fight is this song, then it was meant to be. It helps that the melody is catchy and that there is a double meaning.

Scott: Can you tell us about making the video with no $$$?

Fallan Soldier: We shot the video in two days, but actually the shooting days were months apart…surprising we found two days of perfect Vancouver weather on a Sunday when everyone was available. Doug and his DOP, Tom MacLeod, did an incredible job working with natural lighting. Our budget was basically three buritos for lunch the first day of filming. Everyone donated their time, talent, equipment and expertise. Doug did all the editing and we don’t think the zero-budget affected the quality of the video in any way. For now, this is the reality of independent music in Canada.

Scott: Why doesn’t the guy get the girl in the end?

Fallan Soldier: At the end of the video it’s kinda like the movie Chinatown…no resolution. But it doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t work it out.

Scott: Did he in real life?

Fallan Soldier: Still does.

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Hey folks… the interview show is on our holiday season break. But–don’t worry! In the coming weeks, we are leaving you with some of our favorite shows from 2009.

12/21/2009 Metric

12/28/2009 Felix Cartal

01/4/2010 Rye Rye

01/11/2010 Propagandhi

01/18/2010 E-603

01/25/2010 The Zolas

We’ll be back in 2010 with more interview awesomeness with bands like Said the Whale, Winter Gloves, Vega/Neon Indian, Ohbijou–and more.

Enjoy my favorite remix of 2009.

Black Lips “The Drop I Hold” (ft.GZA) (Afghan Raiders House Party Remix)

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Hey folks… the interview show is going on our annual holiday season break. But –don’t worry– we are leaving you with some of our favorite shows from 2009.

12/21/2009 Metric

12/28/2009 Felix Cartal

01/4/2010 Rye Rye

01/11/2010 Propagandhi

01/18/2010 E-603

01/25/2010 The Zolas

We’ll be back in 2010 with more interview awesomeness with bands like Said the Whale, Winter Gloves, Vega/Neon Indian and Ohbijou –and more.

Enjoy. Happy Holidays.

Ohbijou “Last Christmas” (WHAM cover)

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I don’t know about you, but I love an indie band that can make you dance. Styrofoam Ones definitely do that. Their music has a great raw feel. And lately I have been needing something like this!

Alexander The and Josh McGuirk were eating dinner when I called them to chat. They told me that this band is  an all too rare instance of “drunk talk” come to life! Ahhhh, drunk talk…

Styrofoam Ones on the interview show

Styrofoam Ones “Pavement” (unplugged)

Styrofoam Ones “O.T.T.A.P.” (Gingy remix)

Listen to the interview to bone up on the band, because they will be here (in Vancouver) soon–and the masks will be off.

See you at No More Strangers January 9th!

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Sights & Sounds started as the sideproject of Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid), his brother Joel (Sick City) and their friend Matt Howes. They made one excellent record, Monolith, and now Sights & Sounds is blowing up everywhere.

Somehow, Adrian Mottram got pulled into the chaos. Hear him tell the story.

Sights & Sounds on the interview show

Sights & Sounds “Storm & the Sun”

The band is winding up a x-Canada tour right now, but Adrian assures me, they will be back on the road in early 2010. Look out for them.

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Zack and Tom are The Zolas, one of Vancouver’s newest upstart bands. Their new debut record is called Tic Toc Tic.

The Zolas make piano-driven pop. Some have compared them to currently-crazy 90s superstars like Ben Folds and Fiona Apple. (Damn! Remember them?)

Yes, they all use pianos, but, other than that, I don’t really agree with the comparison–but it is a nice place to start a conversation.

I chatted with Zack and Tom as they wandered around the mean city streets of Toronto. And I still have no idea what the band’s name is about.

The Zolas on the interview show

The Zolas “You’re So Cool” (This track namechecks the Biltmore! One of the best tracks on the album.)

Ben Folds “Bitches Ain’t Shit” (NOTE: This song is a slow starter. Further proof that I am just as crazy as Ben and Fiona, here is Ben Folds covering Dr. DRE.  Enjoy.)

The Zolas will be at The Vogue, December 18th. See you there.

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Here is the result of a recent TNR jam session with indie TO band Tonka Puma. (Shhhhh! A leaked demo for the interview show and winniecooper.net fans only!)

Times Neue Roman “Toronto”. Hmmm. Irony, anyone?

Promotion is hard for any upstarts. And these guys have created an interesting keepsake to promote the band.

The walkman includes a Times Neue Roman cassette, headphones and batteries. A cassette tape?! Wow. (BTW: The tape has the whole TMR record on it and some bonus tracks, I understand.)

An extinct device from the golden era of hip hop that plays a cassette by a bunch of guys who do video game bleep-bloop hip hop beats.

Awesome.

I think these are sold out but if you are interested, check out the deets here.