One of St. John’s latest secret weapons, the oxymoron that is Quiet Elephant will march, stomp, thump and then plow into you like the New Pornographers-ish high energy juggernaut they have clearly set themselves up to be. Last night at The Ship, though most everyone had left after a great show from Matthew Hornell and the Diamond Minds (listen to his solo performance on The New Spin here) I was glad I stayed to listen to the uber-fast 16^th-note licks flying out of Paul Alexander’s guitar as he crooned to us in a Spencer (edit) Krug-like ( see Sunset Rubdown) fashion over their punk-induced 80’s alt-rock sound.

QE distinguishes themselves from other bands all the more once you add the unique interplay of Sharleen Simmons’s backing vocals, accordion, trumpet, and keys against the driving beats of her brother Stephen on the drums. Now just add the bass from Paul’s twin David and you have yourself a rollickin’ good show that’ll whiz by you like a shooting star that’ll be over before you know it, leaving you to wonder what the hell you just witnessed, where the hell did it come from, and yes sir, may I have some more? Sure, they could take a little more time with the songs, flesh them out to give us some more layers and depth, not to mention some pumping double-tracked four-on-the-floor bass kicks to accent the rhythmic aspect of their songs, but the high energy dynamics are too in-your-face to even care or give it a thought. They want to give you a jolt and they achieve that and then some. Go see ‘em if you haven’t.

They’re at CBTG’s tonight with The Domestics and The Mudflowers and at The Fat Cat on Sep. 19. with The Discounts and The Sellouts.

in sound,

Dashiell Brown,

host of The New Spin on 93.5 CHMR-FM

Never heard The New Spin? Listen to the latest edition at thenewspin.ca

Local turntablist DJ TJ is my special guest tonight on Other Frequencies, my all new electronica show, so tune in if you like to dance. DJ TJ was spinning this mad set after having seen Gypsophilia (listen to my interview with them), and he has happily agreed to spin some kickin’ tunes on my show tonight, 10 PM. From what I heard a few weeks ago, this’ll be off the fuh-jizzle.

Of course, you’ll want to tune in at 9 PM for The Folkin’ Freak Show because I have some great folkin’ music lined up as well. Speaking of folk music, we got a great show blowing into town this August they’re calling the Spring Break-up, featuring Kim Barlow and Mathias Kom of Burning Hell, which I’ll be playing tonight on the FFShow.  It all streams online tonight @ 9, so stay tuned.

AE Bridger, one of my favorite local bands (listen to my interview with them here), apparently played at Night Music this past month, and I missed it! They’re like a cross between Primus and The Unicorns. Thanks to Patrick Canning and his awesome blog (you are reading it, aren’t you?) you can see all the AE Bridger action here.

Canning has many other great videos of local musicians and great reviews as well, so check his blog out.

Also, you do know about Night Music, don’t you? Every third Thursday at The Ship you can expect a great time with a featured band (usually experimental in nature) and an improv jam session in between sets where you can bring your own instruments and jam with others. I don’t go because of the conflict with The New Spin, but it’s a must-see gig, which I didn’t know about until several years after living here.

And if you haven’t done so, pick up a copy of AE Bridger’s cd, I am a Ghostly Leech. Here’s my review of it. They also might have a new album coming out this year? Dunno, but I hope so.

The New Spin’s Dashiell Brown is debuting two new shows tonight on CHMR-FM, The Folkin’ Freak Show and Other Frequencies. He has happily agreed to share a pint with me and discuss the ever-growing popularity of the new folk movement and his two new shows.

ME: Hi, thank you for taking the time to chat with me.

DB: No sweat, but let’s make this snappy. I gotta prepare for my shows tonight.

ME: OK, sure. So, why The Folkin’ Freak Show? Isn’t there enough folkin’ music in this town?

DB: No, you can never have enough folk music. Folk music is the music of the people, the John Doe’s of the world, and when you consider Newfoundland’s own history, it’s no coincidence folk and trad. is so important here. Folk is labor songs, maritime songs, mountain songs, railroad songs…rock n’ roll grew out of it. And look at all the folk festivals going on everywhere, not to mention all the great new folk music popping up in St. John’s. And Tom Power’s Deep Roots on CBC2. You have folk night at The Ship every Wednesday. So why isn’t there a local show about it? It’s about folkin’ time, don’t you think?

ME: But don’t you play folk music on The New Spin?

DB: Well, The New Spin’s focus is really on new music, hot off the press, with lots of punk, post-punk and indie rock—folk fans might not dig that. The New Spin was initially called The Folkin’ Freak Show, but when I saw how much insanely good new music was coming to CHMR, I realized I had to devote an entire show to just playing the new stuff. But I still find I’m gravitating towards the folk-oriented new stuff. It needs its own show.

ME: So will it just be new folk music, then?

DB: No. The New Spin is a showcase of all that is great out there right now, that isn’t getting radio play or much promotion. The Folkin’ Freak Show will be about folk and world music and discuss it’s historical importance and influence to today’s mass movement that has brought us the likes of Devendra Banhart, Iron and Wine, M. Ward, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective, etc. It’ll be a mix of the old and new. There’s a whole slew of new Canadian folk, too, Timbre Timbre, Bruce Peninsula, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir… It’s a very exciting time for folk music. The Dark Was the Night comp is proof of this.

ME: Yeah, Grizzly Bear just hit the Billboard Charts with the likes of Eminem and Lady Gag. Animal Collective hit the charts at #13 with their latest release. Why do you think folk music is taking off again so suddenly?

DB: Well, it wasn’t suddenly, but Devendra Banhart has a lot to do with it when he released his critically-acclaimed album, Rejoicing in the Hands in 2004. But many other bands were doing the same thing, like Iron and Wine, Joanna Newsom, Coco-Rosie, Animal Collective, M. Ward…I think people were growing tired of shitty, compressed-to-death pop music which represented a growing commercialism and domination of the entire music industry which quickly killed the grunge movement in the 90’s. Folk music quickly moved in to fill the gap, but it took more than ten years for the world to catch on to this growing revolution. Malls are out, folk music is in. And now with the global economy in its fragile state…the new folk movement is going to speak to more people than ever. And it’s about folkin’ time.

ME: And aren’t you doing another new show after that?

DB: Other Frequencies, yes, a showcase of electronica and underground hip hop. What with Loft 709 on the go, Errand Boy (see new videos posted below), Le Malediction, Aoke, Sports, and Ye-Yeti, the popularity of electronica, dance and hip hop is growing, but there’s no show about it here either, and it needs a voice. New DJ’s are popping up and new electronica acts. Let’s support it.

ME: Do you plan on having guests on your show as you do on The New Spin?

DB: Funny you asked. Ryan Green of Patch is going to be my guest to help me launch Other Frequencies tonight. We’ll be spinning some Patch tunes, plus some of his favorite electronic tracks. Should be pumpin’.

ME: Nice. You know, I’ve never noticed this before, but you’re quite the handsome devil.

DB: Really? Thanks, you too.

ME: Oh thanks.

DB: Don’t mention it.

The Folkin’ Freak Show roots through the backwoods to bring the best this folked-up world has to offer. Tuesday nights, 9-10 PM, streaming online on 93.5 CHMR-FM, or Rogers cable 942.

Other Frequencies is the first all-electronic show in St. John’s to get your booty groovin’, all genres of electronic music, from dub and grime to techno and trance. Tuesday nights, 10-11 PM, right after The Folkin’ Freak Show.

(previously posted on somewicked.ca)

So you’re staring at the stucco on your wall and wondering what in god’s name you’re going to do tonight. I mean, you’re in St. John’s for chrissakes. Wait! There’s tons to do…’cause you’re in St. John’s! From what I’ve heard, even 10-15 years ago, you would really be hard-fetched to find something going down of interest, but the town’s a changin’…what the hell do I know, I wasn’t living here back then. Seriously, there’s loads to do.

But, what I recommend doing is one of two things, and I’m going to both of ‘em.

This is a no-brainer, mmmm-kay? BK Strangler of Musique Non-Stop and Phil Pennel, hair cutter extraordinaire at Head Room throw down electronic dance stuff–i don’t know, they’ve intrigued me, so I gotta check it out. I remember hearing something about Korg K-OS pads, not the Torontonian hip-hop guy but the wicked electronic doohickeys.

Then Subtitles will hit the floor and they always put on a good rockin’ U2 meets Franz Ferdianand gig. Their shows couldn’t be more fun, unless they probably included Jell-O or something. They could throw it at us and we could slip and slide…

Then there’s Exit Party. Ian Murphy, Grant King, perhaps others…progressive rock band, I think. Ever heard of Jellyfish? Perhaps they sound like that. I don’t know, we’ll see! I have never heard Jellyfish either…All I know is Grant King knows his way around an instrument, unless it’s a Japanese shimmerdong.

Also, check out the Rose and Thistle tonight: The Mountains and the Trees, and also Matthew Hornell, who did an amazing acoustic set on The New Spin last night. Need I say more? Ok, fine. I love The Mountains and The Trees, Jon Janes has a unique alternative folk style that is fresh yet rings with times gone by, b’y. Like sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and the guy pulls out a loop-pedal. Cool shit. And Matthew Hornell, what a songwriter. He blew me away last night, now what’s he gonna do with a full band behind him? What would Brian Boitano do?

And here’s some advice:

1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a brown paper lunch bag. tape it. seal it. microwave it for 2 1/2 minutes on high. now you can stop buying the shit they sell at the grocery store.

Matthew Hornell of Matthew Hornell and the Diamond Minds will be playing a live acoustic set tonight on The New Spin on 93.5 CHMR-FM, 9-11 PM. He has an upcoming show tomorrow night at The Rose and Thistle. His band includes Jonathan Bungay, Paddy Bryne, and Josh Bourdon. For fans of folk n’ roots music. CHMR streams online here, it’s also on your tube.

Also, if you missed last week’s performance by King Andrews Bridge, that podcast is also streaming from thenewspin.ca

(photo courtesy of Jon Janes)

Curtis Andrews will be gracing CHMR with his presence tonight on The New Spin by doing a live improv jazz session along with Grant King of The Pathological Lovers and Exit Party and David Bridger will be on bass. Tune into 93.5 CHMR-FM tonight from 9-11 PM and check it out.

A rare performance is going down tonight at The Ship: AM/FM Dreams, Pathological Lovers, and Ye-Yeti. Rumor has it that AM/FM Dreams has never played live, but feel free to prove me wrong. Regardless, hands down they are a band worth checking out, and I’m not going to waste too many words about it. Here is my review of their album that was published in Current Magazine. Also, I have a podcast on thenewspin.ca where I interviewed Jody Richardson of The Pathological Lovers. Finally, Ye-Yeti, I haven’t seen them, and they’ve just been added to the bill, so three damn good reasons to go to The Ship tonight, and afterwards, yeah, head down to Liquid to vibe to Jelo, hell yeah, electronic bliss from Toronto. 

on a sidenote, AM/FM Dreams was a New Spin Track o’ the Week. 

in sound,

dashiell brown

My latest article is now in Current Magazine, which can also be read online. As mentioned in my article, Browne is also the guitarist for The Satans and Overlay. I saw The Satans a few weeks ago and they blew me away. I had no idea this kind of stuff went down here, and it brought me back to the days when I saw Bad Religion and Korn for $2.99 in Santa Barbara. The crowd wasn’t a mosh pit so much as a pogo slam dance in which they’re really slamming against each other letting the laws of physics apply, like watching a pinball machine, but the balls are people ricocheting against each other with an audible whacking sound.

So this tiny, dainty-like girl brings her pink drink/highball up to where they’re all slammin’ and I warned her that her glass will get knocked to the floor. She shrugged and proceeded to wade into the dangerous waters. It was only a minute or so where, sure enough, her glass shatters to the floor into millions of beautiful shiny shards. I just gave this huge grin, she winked at me, and the next thing I knew, she leaped on top of the circling frenzy that had caused her drink to shatter only moments before. A good time had by all!

Here they are on Soundclick. Their music is jet-propelled in-your-face foot stomping surfabilly punk freak rock that is as good as it sounds. They clearly have a devout following, wearing the makeup and the whole bit. More please.

in sound,

dashiell brown

As I posted previously, I mentioned that Smiley Ralph had a good thing going, seemingly influenced by The Beatles and other indie pop acts for the last quarter of the 20th Century. I did happen to check out their show at The Levee last weekend, and yeah, they clearly have a following as more than a handful of people were vibing to their indie pop lo-fi sound, and for me, they represent a new growth of fresh music here in St. John’s; Jody Richardson hinted at this in my podcast with him which you can listen to here. And Smiley Ralph are coming onto my show tonight for a chat and to perform some acoustic ditties, so feel free to tune in tonight from 9-11 P.M. on 93.5 CHMR-FM. It also streams online if you’re like me and listen to everything out of your PC.