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I tell ya… it’s a conspiracy! Yes, since my return to Canada I’ve purchased tickets to all of three IDM shows, which by IDM standards is quite a lot to have in one city in such a short time span. Most of them were cancelled within hours of the doors opening siting numerous reasons ranging from customs hold ups to the Warp Records “Magic Bus” breaking down just short of the New York/Ontario border! Can you believe that, they fly 3000 miles across an ocean… they drive another 3000 miles across America and breakdown less than 200 miles from my tour date! DAMNIT! One day… one day…

In other news, I’m on the verge of purchasing my first van! It’s a 1980 Chevy G20 with a fully furnished interior… four electric captains chairs and a bed in the back. Of course don’t forget that it’s deep purple exterior and baby blue wall to wall/floor to ceiling carpeting make it the ultimate shaggin’ wagon. However it shall be coined the almighty “Van of Tiki“!

Anyhoo… enough of that, on with the show. Our next act fancies himself a clever one hailing from the burbs and musically inclined to the hilts… it’s Matt 2.0.

Why thanks Brad… I think.

Not a lot to say as I’m dead tired… and for no apparent reason. Last weekend was quite fun… Saturday was spent up at Queens Park at the “Don’t Attack Iraq” rally… and Saturday eve was spent postering the city in support of “Buy Nothing Day” which takes place next Friday.

This weekend will be spent at one of my old haunts… the Falls of Niagara. One of my old chums fathers is holding his annual hot rod show which promises to be quite mouth watering. He’s just put the finishing touches on his custom built… and I mean like OLD school custom as in fully designed AND built himself. This will of course be followed up with the usual NFHC debauchery and what have you including a trip over to ye ol’ Polish Hall for Mexican wrestling!

Kelly? Was that you?

thanks jarman,

I like pizza.

I like tv.

I never wanted to be different, I only wanted to b me.

Over to you Ryan.

Good food, huh, Amanda? Well, I’m sitting here sipping on a banana smoothie that I made up this morning. Yummers in my tummers! All too often I play the one-meal-a-day game, which does nothing for your health. I guess it’s better than the no-meal-a-day game.

Otherwise, I’m all about the baking - might I suggest some apple cookies? They look a little like piles of turds, but taste so good!

Work has been exceptionally busy this week, but in a totally good way! MuchOnDemand this week has been chock-a-block full of goodness - from wrestling, to a John Mayer performance and a last minute visit from the “Hot In Herre” star, Nelly! And it’s only Wednesday morning!

Next week, I am thankful to have a bit of a vacation. I have 7 days off! 7 whole, entire days! What am I going to do with myself? Well, for starters, I’m moving into a brand spanking new home in a few weeks, so I think I’ll be preparing myself for that. I can’t believe I actually took the plunge and bought a house. So weird, so grown up, so… well, just funny. It sounds odd to hear myself talking about mortgages and real estate lawyers.

Time to pass this one off - B.Ho! You were telling me you’ve only blogged once. You’re so up next!

Besides Jack Johnson in my dreams over and over again *sigh*? I have to say one of the best parts of that show was the surfer film footage being projected onto the wall behind the stage. Together with the sunny tunes and thoughtful lyrics, it warmed me up real nice after a after a dreary day of snow!

The next time you find yourself at a show early may I suggest people watching to pass the time? It is great fun, bonus points if you can spot exact replicas of certain SNL characters, “drunkgirl” being my personal fave. The Jack Johnson crowd was like a walk through an American -clothing -company -that -LFO -gave -a -shout -out -to’s catalogue; chock full of college kids, beaded necklaces, trendy hats, fitted hoodies, and t-shirts emblazoned with logos of events that never happened like “rollerskaterama 1952″…at least that’s what I was wearing.

While we’re on the subject of watching- and in this media obsessed society when aren’t we- (pretty deep huh? Quick somebody get me some thick rimmed indie-rock glasses!) I checked out P.T. Anderson’s latest: Punch Drunk Love. The use of colour and music in this film is amazing. As is Adam Sandler. Which leads me to another great film that for some odd reason did not receive all that much critical acclaim: Billy Madison. Watch it, learn it, live it.

In other news, in a effort to procrastinate studying I have taken up yoga and baking. My mom has a killer recipe for banana date cookies. They are healthy and delicious but look like something a squirrel threw up. Try bringing those to the rice crispy square dominated bake sale..not fun.

Time to pass the torch to someone who knows all about good food.. Jar Jar?

Whoa, it seems like forever since I’ve blogged (*cough, cough).

Right, so last night I went to see the Jack Johnson show and it was amazing. Some of you may have heard of Jack from his days opening for Ben Harper, and if you don’t have his disc ‘Brushfire Fairytales’ go and get it. No, get two copies, and give one to someone you’re totally crushing on. While you’re at it, give’m the latest QOTSA album, so they know you’re still all tuff and sh*t.

Man, I’ve got to stop reading teen magazines, really. I refuse to read the lame womens magazines that give you tips on how to change yourself to ‘land that man’ (here’s a tip, don’t change yourself for anyone), so why am I reading ‘Magazines That Make Women Feel Crappy About Themselves’ Junior? Oh yeah, I got it because Kelly Osbourne was on the cover. I’m hoping she makes some girls feel good about themselves.

Now spot the irony between the first and second paragraph of this blog.

But quickly back to the Jack Johnson show, he sang a new song about how everyone seems to be passing the blame for violence and shootings in schools in the States. It reminded me of Michael Moore’s latest flick ‘Bowling For Columbine’. Go see this movie.

Hey Mando Commando, seen anything good lately?

I was just hip poppin’ to “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark. “Come On, come on … Feel it! Feel it!” The vid was just on a nearby tv. “Can you feel it baby? I can too!”
This afternoon I stopped by West Toronto Collegiate with MuchNews for the Keep The Beat marathon. Chantal Kreviazuk performed, and Red One from the Rascalz talked about his trip to Africa with War Child and MuchMusic. The students were hype! A great way to celebrate music and raise money and awareness for children of war.

It’s unbelievable how many friends of friends have been asking me for Justin wristbands! Even more unbelievable how just a week before I was mocked for crushin’ on Justin. I’ll be lucky if I catch a glimpse of him when he stops by Much.

Kelly … what’ya saying?

Just got this in my email and HAD to write about it tout de suite… So today me and 2.0 are getting ready to go out to lunch and we run into The Used (RAD) in the hall way and were quite surprised at how short the singer was. Apparently moments after we left he felt the need to “hit the big red button” so to speak… I figured there’s no way anyone would believe this really happened so I had to come on here and verify that it ACTUALLY happened…
Anyway, just read the press release:

For immediate release from Warner Music Canada:

“THE USED TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ON CHUM/CITY BUILDING

Recording artists The Used made quite an impact at the CHUM/CITY building in Toronto today. While waiting to be interviewed on MuchMusic about their self-titled debut album, the group’s lead singer, Bert McCracken, noticed a main feeder box hanging on the wall outside the band’s dressing room. Curious, McCracken pulled the switch and shut down all of the power on the building’s first floor including the lights and computers at CityTV’s 24 hour cable news service, CablePulse24.

“I’m sorry I did it,” says McCracken, “But I saw this switch that said “MainOn/Off” and I thought it was a joke. I just had to pull it.”

The band left the building immediately following the black-out.

The Used are from Orem, Utah and are currently on tour supporting their debut opening up shows for Boxcar Racer.”

Bwahahahahahahahah… sorry, guess you had to be here!

Holy Hannah! Lots of good music in NYC for the CMJs! We smushed a zillion interviews into three days and my brain felt fried by the end of it as proof. But I walked away from the brain-carnage all the richer because now I have a whole slew of new favourite bands. A stand-out is French Kicks - I haven’t gotten this excited about a band in awhile. They create pared-down, jangly pop tunes with just a hint of badass - plus, men who sing well in falsetto get mucho muchacho points. Zut alors!

I was also blown away by Sondre Lerche, this Norwegian kid who makes music so beautiful you want your head to swell to take it all in. These days I’ve been running around on empty and I feel like this is kind of music you need to feel full-up again. Ben Kweller also totally impressed with his kick-bum performance and he’s the nicest guy. He hugged me when we met for the first time. Nice people are great, they get top marks from me.

Other notables: Jurassic 5 (Chali 2na has the best voice ever), Ikara Colt (lovely charmers), The (International) Noise Conspiracy (making politicos rock), Radio 4 (making politicos dance), Yeah Yeah Yeahs (yeah yeah yeah!) and The Polyphonic Spree (pure orchestral joy).
MuchNews reporting from the CMJs is out. Ryan, back to you!

You know I was just thinking that it sucks that there are no ‘Sophia’ songs. Bif Naked has a song called ‘Sophia’ but I’ve never heard it, only read the lyrics. Unfortunately it contains that “P” word that creeps me out.

There are at least a dozen bands I wish would write ‘Sophia’ songs…is that weird? But today, I wish it could be Coldplay. Their new single ‘The Scientist’ is one of my favourite songs from ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head.’ Seriously, it’s so good I can barely listen to it. Then again that’s just me. Sometimes there are songs that I love, that are so good that it’s almost painful. You know what I mean?

Hannah - I’m anxious to hear all about your time in NYC for CMJ, so c’mon and dish.