Was that a Radiozero.ca shout out?

Nardwuar’s band the Evaporators have teamed up with their buddy Andrew W.K. AGAIN and have shot a video at CITR.

The track is from the groups upcoming “Busy Doing Nothing” LP which comes out March 6th aaaaaand…. comes with a free calendar. swag.

More info here.

For more / the complete story of how Nards met W.K. check out our piece we shot on the two.

posted by @tristanorchard

Escaping from the intense Norwegian house party that Todd Terje delivered at the Waldorf Hotel on Friday July 8th in Vancouver, we got our shit together (not really) and made it to the airport while the party was still in order to catch our 6AM flight to the land of poutine.

Festival D’Ete is a huge festival (The largest outdoor festival in Canada) but highly overlooked by most because of the insular nature that Quebec “seems” to operate in. Now in its 44^th year, the music festival is extremely diverse in that it celebrates big name artists while encouraging its Francophone music culture to thrive within.

When we landed in QC on Saturday afternoon we were greeted by pretty much the cutest driver ever. Marie-Luce was standing at the gate holding a sign with our names on it and we were greeted with the best French kiss you could imagine.. But not like you’re thinking.. Two cheeks is a must.

Saturday night, our first night, was definitely the highlight of the entire festival in terms of rock ‘n’ roll notoriety. Elton John is pretty much as big of a deal as when Paul McCartney played the festival back in 2008 and the entire city made sure they were there to witness him unleash his glittery boogie magic on the historical Plains of Abraham.

The Plains are extemely cool because it’s this huge open space in front of the old city walls where the French were defeated by the English back in 17-something ending a seven year war leading to the formation of Canada as a country.

For the festival it hosts 110,000+ festival goers all wearing these flashing badges that people pin to their shirts lighting up the festival grounds in a sparkly sea of red. First up, Elton John on a Saturday night.. bet you can’t guess what he opened with! Ok, fine, it was “Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting” and it kinda gave me butterflies.

Elton John – Rocket Man

After Sir Elton we made our way down a really steep hill to check out house homey Jacques Greene at a little club called Le Circle.

Jacques Greene – Another Girl

Second day had a lot of hype around it with Girl Talk and the Black Keys infiltrating the Plains of Abraham. Greg Gillis was pretty rad back in 2007 when he dropped Night Ripper on an unsuspecting music listening audience. In 2011, however, mash up culture is so played out that I just want to hate the dude, but the lil guy from Philadelphia has still got game. Playing to a half-full audience (so, like 60,000 people?), Gillis warmed the rainy night up and got even the cheesiest dudes in cargo shorts and hiking boots dancing to his electro-fied set full of classics mashed with hip hop jams over indie rock classics.

Suffice it to say, the stage was warmed for the Akron twosome after all the rolls of toilet paper from Girl Talk’s set were cleared away. The Black Keys came out in the middle of a massive downpour but it didn’t shake the excited audience. I’m more inclined to think that the Black Keys aren’t worth all the hype that their blues-rock anthems bring them but they were on the cover of the local weekly (that we couldn’t read because of its Frenchness) They played like they deserved it. Blasting through 20 minutes of old songs before they invited a full band on to the stage and dropped a massive mirror ball while they ripped in to “Next Girl” off their latest release, Brothers, the rain soon went away and made room on the Plains Of Abraham for all in attendance to dance their pantalons dry.

Black Keys – The Only One

The next day we woke up in a sea of empty beer cans and I regretted staying up until the hot tub opened at 6 a.m. as I dragged myself to M. Ward’s hotel room to interview him. He wouldn’t let us talk to him on-camera so it was more like a 15-minute chill session. Matthew Ward, the incredibly talented songwriter probably best known because of his work with Zooey Deschanel in She & Him, is kind of shy and reserved. He’s a nice dude but doesn’t have much to say. His first time in Quebec City, I wanted to ask him about his perception of French culture and how it’s so isolated from the rest of Canada but he didn’t really care. Told me he’s working on a new record and that he just started Tweeting because of Zoey Deschanel. He’s kind of a boring dude though so I can’t imagine his Twitter feed is all that exciting. His live show later that night however was nothing short of spectacular. He’s got that buttery croon that you just can’t fuck with and having a full band behind him allowed Ward to really shine in this beautiful old theatre called L’Imperial de Quebec.

M.Ward – Poison Cup

After M. Ward we hooked up with Michael from Designer Drugs for a quick on-camera interview and creeped him out a little with some questionable questions. Apparently he’s never gotten a blowjob when DJing but he did admit to having sex on an airplane once. Designer Drugs played a pretty rowdy and dubby set at L’Circle that night and the French babes we’re Je t’aiming it.

Designer Drugs – Drop Down

Next day we woke up early to catch the Simple Plan press conference but it was in French so I didn’t feel so bad about leaving. Got an early start on the main site that day with Dropkick Murphys opening for Yellowcard and Simple Plan. Anyone else see what’s wrong with this order? Anyway, Vancouver may not love Boston but apparently Quebec City does!

Last day for us at the festival we were pretty wiped but we saved up enough energy for Yelle and her Safari Disco Club dance party. She came on stage dressed like a swamp monster but it wasn’t long before she shed her camouflage gear down to a hooded onesy. Super sexy with lots of energy, Yelle turned Monday in to Funday throughout the span of her one-hour set.

 Yelle – Safari Disco Club

Festival D’ete is an annual extravaganza that spans ten spicy summer days in the heart of one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Canada. Quebec’s capital knows how to give back to the people — an affordable festival with top-notch acts from all over the map. If you’re looking for an otherworldly and unique place to explore, Quebec City is the place and Festival D’ete is the reason.

>>>FULL PHOTO ALBUM HERE<<<

Words: Glenn Alderson

Images: Tristan Orchard

Stay tuned for some upcoming show details and a take away we shot with these fine young gents.

Oh No! Yoko – Courtyard! Bankrupt!

In case you missed it.

I love that gd orange mic foam and the east van t-shirt

The D’urbervilles – winnie tv #8 from Winnie Cooper on Vimeo.

Winnie caught up with Toronto act, The D’Urbervilles at the Pop Montreal festival to talk about their love for a wide variety of music and the Diamond Rings solo project.

The D’Urbervilles – The Receiver
The D’Urbervilles – Hot Tips
The D’Urbervilles – Worst Case Ontario (ft. New Slang)
Diamond Rings – All Yr Songs
Diamond Rings – All Yr Songs (GOBBLE GOBBLE’s Wings for Eyeliner)

Winnie TV episode 7 is finally complete. This one has been in the works for a while.  It was shot at the Andrew W.K. and The Evaporators “A Wild Pear” split 7′ release party at Neptoon records on Main Street.  We shot this back in June but its finnnnally done.  Big thanks to Nardwuar and Andrew Wk for being swell peeps.  Check it out and learn about how Nardwuar and Andrew W.K. became pals amongst other things!

Purchase the split 7 online here or get a digital version here!

OK, so big NMS strangers news. We now have a sponsor, the glorious people at Beatroute Magazine, hooray.  The bar is now open til 2am which leaves a lot more time for a lil dancin.  +++ We now have a $1.50 beer special which is pretty much the greatest ever because I’m sure you’re like me and have no frickin monies.

We have a very exciting gig coming up this Saturday.  Two super heroes from Victoria are coming out to hang.  They are both with Old Life records (which is an amazing little indie label out of Vic). Dreamboat is a solo project by one of the Colourbook members.

Dreamboat – Molly Ringwald
Dreamboat – Pretty Boys
Balacade – Ghost Car
Balacade – Piano Fire

+++ We have Stefana Fratila, who reminds me of two of my fave artists, Bjork and Joanna Newsom. We just shot this take away with her this past Friday.  That’s her boyfriend beat boxing.  It’s pretty much the cutest thing ever except for the knife that was found at the location which was probably used to kill someone.

Winnie Tv Episode 6 – Stefana Fratila take away from Winnie Cooper on Vimeo.

Winnie-tv #5 – Japandroids from Winnie Cooper on Vimeo.

Winnie is very proud of our hometown boys.

Check out our latest episode of Winnie-tv featuring Japandroids. They play the title track of Post Nothing for us from the tiny rehearsal space they rent and talk about a recent near death experience and Calgary.

Their second attempt touring North America is underway. The Japandroids are coming to a city near you! Take a look at the groups space for their July through August tour dates and see first hand how hard two dudes can rock.

Japandroids – The Boys Are Leaving Town

We have a new episode of Winnie-tv on Winnie fave, Piper Davis.

She also happens to be playing our night on Saturday with the Virgin Space Cadets (Victoria) and the Winnie djs.

Very exciting stuff.  Check it out and familiarize your self!!!

Piper Davis – Academics
Piper Davis – New Machine
Piper Davis – Hotel Bedset

Winnie-tv #4 – Piper Davis from Winnie Cooper on Vimeo.

Poster series designed by Lucas Soi

Winnie-tv Episode 3 – K-os from Winnie Cooper on Vimeo.

Winniecooper.net presents an interview with Canadian hip hop act k-os. Shot at the first leg of his K-os Karma tour in Vancouver at the Croatian Cultural Centre, May 1st 2009.

This Saturday Winnie presents, Kidnap Kids! at No More Strangers. We did our second episode of winnie-tv on them!  check it out.

Winnie-TV Episode 2 – The Kidnap Kids! from Winnie Cooper on Vimeo.

Aren’t they adorable?

We sure think they’re special, check out their songs.

Kidnap Kids! – Stories
Kidnap Kids! – Ghost

Apparently they are not as cute and adorable as they look. who wrote these lyrics?
Kidnap Kids! – Lolita

And a lil soulja boy cover. ain’t no thing.
Kidnap Kids! – Crank That (Soulja Boy Cover)

They were in British newspaper, The Guardian’s, new band of the day feature today.

The guys are currently traveling 44 hours straight from the house in Silverlake they share to New York to play the Bowery Ballroom and an Eastern tour.

They are making it back to Canada passing through Toronto & Montreal, June 11th & 12th. Check out more of their dates here.

If they’re passing through your city, go and see them. They are very much live musicians and will blow you away.  They are also really nice guys so if you see them, go and say hi!

I am greatly honored to have had them do their first international tour date at our Winnie Cooper / No More Strangers night.

We made a lil video about their trip for a new thing were doing called Winnie-TV.  Hope you like it!  It features an interview, a live take away show, and footage from their performance. It also features their pals, The Union Line who played as well.  They will be right behind them, so be on the look out! Their self titled debut is bad ass.

Here are some tunes from both bands that they recorded at Daytrotter!

Local Natives – Cards & Quarters

Local Natives – Airplanes

The Union Line – Rich Man’s Tune

The Union Line – Mama Don’t Care

Oh and here’s some bonus footage from the after party that didn’t make the cut and probably shouldn’t be shown.