XXXX is the the third album by You Say Party! We Say Die!
Well technically fourth if you consider the remix album as part of it.
XXXX actually stands for love (who knew).
I should have reviewed this album in October when the band was X3’s Artist of Month.
This album is a subtle change from their last effort.
The band is musically evolving with their music and the band itself.
Since the whole album is all about LOVE.
They still haven’t lost their touch with the new wave pop punk sound.
As in tracks like Glory, Cosmic Wanship Avengers, Lonely’s Lunch and Make XXXX (LOVE).
While you have dance beats in Dark Days and Laura Palmer’s Prom.
Best Tracks:

• There Is XXXX (Within My Heart)
• Glory
• Dark Days
• Lonely’s Lunch
• Make XXXX
• Laura Palmer’s Prom
• Heart Of Gold

This is a great album and sounds ten times better on vinyl.
Since they haven’t have any music video from XXXX
Here is a live performance they did on CBC Radio 1’s Q.

I had to fill-in for the host of Audio Sensory Resuscitation on CKCU-FM for Wednesday. Luckily, I was prepared to play whatever songs and I started off with What’s Going On?, a cover from the classic Marvin Gaye song. Done by the All Star Tribute, it was for the fight against AIDS Worldwide in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks. It was the day after World AIDS Day, which takes place on December 1. It’s fitting that I played “What’s Going On” and the new song by Alicia Keys because I’ve been a supporter of the (Red) campaign. From the Hallmark cards to the iPod nano, it’s all for a good cause. What’s unique this year was having to participate via Twitter by using red texts and watching the Alicia Keys live concert through YouTube as part of World AIDS Day.
Aside from that, I finally aired the interview with two members of Ohbijou. Mind you, there were funny moments that I didn’t edit out in the interview. My segments throughout the show was a coast to coast starting from Joel Plaskett of Halifax all the way to British Columbia from bands like Said The Whale, You Say Party! We Say Die! and etc. Then I played this connecting theme from Silver Starling to Stars and Arcade Fire. There were some shoutouts to people I called out during the B.C. set.
You can listen to Wednesday’s show by pressing play. Slight apologies on the sound because it seems like it’s back to the mono-like sound quality.

What’s happening in December? I’m starting off by participating in the YouTube Battle at Babylon Nightclub this Friday. Presented by Artengine, Canteen and Disorganized. As usual, I will be attending Bands Undone with Caledonia, Mother Mother and Laurent Bourque.

Here’s a different version of What’s Going On? by All-Star Tribute that I found on YouTube. The one I played had outdated “graphics” from various uploaders.

Them Crooked Vultures, Yeasayer, The Futureheads, Dirty Projectors and more make this installment of Smashing. It’s a quieter affair but…

Click here or the album art to download the m4a file with chapters. [1h.18min.10sec] Sorry, no soundcloud preview option for this one.

This is an M4A file that when played through iTunes, is capable of forwarding to the next chapter (song). Look for the ‘Chapters’ tab at the top of the player when playing. These files will play in all iPods. You may also convert it to a single mp3 file within iTunes by going to the ‘Advanced’ tab at the top of the player and selecting ‘Create MP3 Version.’ You may also subscribe to this blog by clicking on the ‘Entries RSS’ and using an aggregator (feed reader, such as Google Reader) to get notifications sent to you whenever a new post is made.

It’s a November to remember because I had been going to a lot of shows and on Monday’s radio show, I played the ones that I attended. Before I get to that, I will review the shows I attended on the final weekend of November. First, it was Hey Ocean! at Bands Undone. To my own amazement, they played a great acoustic and intimate set. Of all the previous Band Undones I have attended, this was so unique because they were missing their members and the setup was very simple. It was David Beckingham with his guitar and Ashleigh Ball on her voice. Overall, I was pleased to see Hey Ocean! as they are down to earth and nice performers. Again, thanks to Kara for always organizing a great show for the bloggers, photographers and media for this unique session.
You can check the photos by going to this link.
The review on Bands Undone is now available on this link.
Here’s the video taken by Brian. YouTube version also available.

My radio show for Monday, November 30, 2009. I didn’t expect to go on half an hour early. Played some fillers like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric and Said The Whale. I aired the Immaculate Machine interview and then I played the bands and artists that I attended at their concerts throughout November. They were Elliott Brood, Silver Starling, Ohbijou, The Most Serene Republic, Think About Life, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Bravestation and Jill Zmud. The last segment of the show, let’s say that I had to talk about Lady GaGa. She performed at Scotiabank Place on Sunday night and I had a guest join in on her thoughts of the concert.
I will give a nod to the radio DJ in Hong Kong because she knows I’m not a big fan of Lady GaGa. Anyone will have a nice laugh that I try to not like her music and style. It’s difficult to admit and not give in.
Without further ado, here’s Monday’s show. Press play to listen.

Forgot to mention that I will be participating in the YouTube Battle at Bablyon Nightclub on Friday, December 4, 2009. Here’s an article from Apt613. Wish me luck!

après-party à la SAT avec les mmdm.com crédit : SPG de studiospg ( retrouvez les autres photos sur son blog dans pas longtemps ! )
::

Voilà qu’une autre édition de M pour Montréal se termine !! Un peu triste car eu encore une fois bien du plaisir !! Mais quoi dire de cette 4e édition que félicitation à toute l’équipe M pour Montréal pour avoir su nous livrer encore une fois, tout un festival bien coordonné!! Avoir eu l’occasion de voir les showcases, de passer au cocktail, à la soirée de clôture, à la SAT, de cotoyer les invités internationaux, je peux dire que beaucoup d’entre eux ont aussi bien appréciés que moi !! Pour certain, c’était leur première visite à Montréal…je sens qu’on va les revoir l’an prochain pour l’édition #5 qui d’ailleurs se déroulera, metez ça à vos agendas les 18 au 20 novembre 2010. Bravo aussi aux artistes. J’ai apprécié : Final flash – You say party! We say die! – La patère rose (avec une nouvelle composition) – orange orange – le matos -misstress barbara(première fois que je la voyais live) – certains ont découvert champion aussi. goood for him !

Second November 14th night of shows.
This time the venue was at Babylon and it was party central.
Playing there were:
You Say Party! We Say Die!

Think About Life


I missed out the opener which was Ottawa’s Centretown Cripplers.
This is a band who I’ve seen various times in this site.
I did talk to some of the members and they were not worried if I missed their set.

Considering I was at Zaphods and trying to run to get to Babylon.
I got there and was half-way through Think About Life’s set.
They were playing tracks from the current album Family.
Was very surprised with the turnout. I couldn’t get through the floor because people are dancing and having a fun time.
I think I heard tracks like Johanna, Young Hearts and Set You On Fire.
Lastly they sang Sweet Sixteen.

In under just a year, they have become very popular and letting everyone have a great time with their music.
Here is a Sweet Sixteen which was videotaped live at Babylon.

The headliner was You Say Party! We Say Die!
Very excited to see them live because they recently released their new album called XXXX (aka Love).
Haven’t heard any of the songs from XXXX live besides the Sounds Unlikely acoustic session.
Love the stage setup which they had four Xs that light up.

They started off with This Is XXXX (Within My Heart) which was amazing to hear live.
Then people started to dance like crazy when they began.
It was a mix of the new album and old album.
Heard tracks like Monster and Downtown Mayor.

Wasn’t until the last two songs, I was very excited and happy to hear.
Sang my lungs off to “Like I Give A Care” and “The Gap”.
The Gap everyone went nuts and Becky decided to go over to the audience and it was insanity.
Surprised with their turnout and everyone had a fun time.
Guessing the promotion they got from X3 being artist gave them a boost in new fans.
Becky did interact with the audience. There was a part in Like I Give A Care where Becky took my hat and wore for abit during the performance.
The encore was a old song but it was a rocking fun time.

Overall it was a fun crazy night at Babylon.
Here is This Is XXXX (Within My Heart)

Saturday night was totally great and insane because of going to two concerts at two venues. It started at Zaphod Beeblebrox for The Most Serene Republic concert and heading over for Babylon Nightclub for Think About Life and You Say Party! We Say Die!
Let’s start with The Most Serene Republic first, their opening act was not Meligrove Band because one of their members contracted H1N1 and had to cancel. Their replacement was The Windup Radio Sessions, they are an indie pop/folk rock trio. One of the member is from the UK while the other two are from Montreal and Toronto (Ottawa mixed in). Their style of music has a bit of Britpop, folk and Rock in it.
Onto The Most Serene Republic, it’s my third time to see them live and over a year since they returned to Ottawa. The performance was brought with a lot of energy to the packed crowd and as usual, Adrian Jewett, the vocalist of the band was up to usual quirky antics. Overall, they performed well with the new songs from their current album (… The Ever Expanding Universe) and my favorite, Why So Looking Back. Good thing, I had some friends over for company and were thankful for being lucky. I had a chance to interview one of the members of MSR for a future airing. I won’t say who but I surprised myself.

After that concert, my friends and I took the taxi to Babylon Nightclub for Montreal’s Think About Life and Abbotsford, B.C.’s You Say Party! We Say Die! Luckily, I got there in time to see Think About Life as they were performing a bit late. It’s my first time to see them live as they’ve been the buzz in Canadian indie music circles. The crowd was red hot for Think About Life. The crowds were jumping and dancing like crazy over some of the tunes. It was nice to hear Sweet Sixteen and singing along to it.
My response to You Say Party! We Say Die! and their performance, they were absolutely fabulous live and it was nice to see a good crowd out for a late show. It was continuing from Think About Life’s performance because people were still dancing and jumping like crazy. It was awesome to hear There Is XXXX (Within My Heart), Laura Palmer’s Prom, and Like I Give A Care LIVE because I kept singing along to them. Overall, they were amazing and the crowd was still energetic. Becky Ninkovic, lead vocalist of YSP!WSD! just has a gorgeous voice. What’s cool about her is that she loves Ottawa and she must of loved the crowd.
It was nice to see the Apt613 gang at Babylon for the show. I was uncertain if I missed any people that I know that was at the concert.
Both venues were packed and I would say the best would be at Babylon because the crowds was just into it and even though, I was breaking sweat a lot from holding the camera and dancing to some of the songs, it was totally fun and it had a party-like atmosphere. What’s not to say that Ottawa is a boring city?

Photos from the concerts.
The Most Serene Republic – Click here.
You Say Party! We Say Die! – Click here.

Here’s the video for There Is XXXX (Within My Heart) by YSP!WSD! at Babylon, enjoy!

Another HD video, here’s Sweet Sixteen by Think About Life at Babylon. It’s still a great song.

In all sheer excitement, I decided to air the Elliott Brood interview in 2 parts because I had to endear three late concerts in 3 nights last weekend. Plus, the interview was the longest I have done as it went 16 minutes. The Elliott Brood concert last Thursday was crazy, hot, packed and rowdy. It was great to interview Casey and Steve because they were easy-going and funny. Highlights from the interview were food in Ottawa, their music, and mentioning Said The Whale from the previous interview.
Other mentions throughout the show were missing out on some good shows from the week before and prepping up for the You Say Party! We Say Die! and The Most Serene Republic concerts coming this weekend. I can’t stop playing any of the songs from the XXXX album by You Say Party! We Say Die!
Oh yeah, I played Ghosts by Silver Starling because I went to Bands Undone on Saturday, prior to the Ohbijou concert. On-air, I gave a nice shoutout to the two Brian’s (one being the photographer, who gave a shoutout back) and the awesome host, Kara Strang. She updated her entry with the video from the session. As I said previously, they sound like Arcade Fire and Young Galaxy. I even told my friend in Boston about the band to give them a try.
On the radio show, I started off with One by U2 because it was an historical week because of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and then Wednesday being Remembrance Day. It was fitting enough to start a somber but powerful song.

You can listen to the full Elliott Brood interview in its entirety. I hope you will like it.
Press Play or Download It.

L’an dernier, j’ai eu l’occasion d’aider une de mes amies qui travaillait à M pour Montréal. Elle m’a donnée l’occasion de découvrir ce festival, de plus de rencontrer et avoir du gros fun avec des gens extras. C’est pourquoi cette année, je répète mon expérience et j’ai hâte de voir au déroulement ! Pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas le festival, rendez-vous sur le site officiel mais voici en quelques mots ce qui en est :

Pour sa 4e édition, Astral Média devient le partenaire de M pour Montréal et nous livrent je dirais une programmation bien remplie. Débutant jeudi le 19 novembre dès 20h30, 3 showcases nous sont présentés et ce, jusqu’au samedi 21 novembre 15h00. Dernier showcase exclusivement francophone. Parmi les artistes présents au festival, nous retrouvons, La patère rose, Le Matos, Parlovr, Silly Kissers, Think About Life, You Say Party! We Say Die! .

Le 20 novembre 16h00, avant le showcase du soir, M vous offre le cocktail M pour Martini. Artistes à découvrir et une photagraphe, Valérie Jodoin Keaton (ex-The Dears) qui profitera de l’occasion pour lancer son livre Backstage.
Ensuite, le 21 novembre, après le showcase francophone, nous aurons droit à une soirée de clotûre à 20h00 au Métropolis avec entre autre Mistress barbara, Malajube. Suivra l’after party électro à la Sat avec les meilleuremusiquedumonde.com, Peer Pressure DJ’S: A-Rock et Hatchmatik. Toute une fin de festival !!Yéy!!

Vendredi le 20 novembre à compter de 11h00 deux ateliers sont offerts. Le premier sur l’industrie musicale de l’Allemagne et le second sur le rôle d’un réalisateur lors de l’enregistrement d’un album.

Plus de 60 délégués internationaux à travers le monde ont été invités pour découvrir les talents d’ici. Des programmateurs de festivals, des journalistes de la presse écrite, des agents de spectacles, des présidents de compagnies de disques ainsi que des superviseurs musicaux …

Donc finalement , on peut dire que M pour Montréal est un festival de musique qui permet aux artistes émergeants d’ici et Canadiens de se faire voir par les personnes influentent de l’industrie de la musique. Lucky them !

Vous voulez passer y faire un tour ? Il ne reste que quelques jours avant l’événement donc GO allez vous vite vous procurer vos billets !!
Disponibles sur Admission et Ticketpro.

Artist: Winter Gloves

Where from: One of Canada’s musical vortex’s…why, Montreal of course.

Sounds like: Chocolate covered lickable synths with Passion Pit-esque vocals. Indie electro-pop that makes you dance, dance, dance!

Why it’s worth checking out: Band members Charles F., Vincent Chalifour, Patrick Sayers and Jean-Michel Pigeon have helped strengthen the already rock solid musical reputation of Montreal. Winter Gloves has been compared to U.S. indie electro band Passion Pit because of their rampant enthusiasm, soaring soprano vocals and use of tinkling, merry synths. Listening to Winter Gloves is like going to a party in a magical forest of dancing fairies…a bubbling giddy musical ride. Since the release of their first full-length album About a Girl in 2008, the quartet has toured with bands like Tokyo Police Club and You Say Party! We Say Die! Winter Gloves is currently touring with Thunderheist; they’ll be in Vancouver at the Biltmore Cabaret on November 20th. Better put your dancing shoes on.

-Kendra Hart, Culture Coordinator (Broadcast Journalism)

-Photo by liebe e.p

I did not expect to do another solo hosting as guest/fill-in on CKCU-FM. Supposedly, I was going to co-host and then solo host the half hour from 11.00-11.30am. I think it’s my final time to be hosting during the Funding Drive, 2009 edition. It was fun while it lasted. Hopefully, the station’s goal needs to be $109,000 by Sunday.
I hope you will enjoy the interview with Becky Ninkovic of You Say Party! We Say Die! It was done on October 22, 2009 at Sounds Unlikely, a local music store and it was their first live acoustic performance. I made a few goof ups in the interview because I was recovering from my sore throat. It was last minute to check them out because I didn’t know they would be making a stop in Ottawa. In a way, I rushed things for creating the questions. One unaired blooper had me saying, “You Say Party! You Say Die!” I did some further editing using Apple’s Garageband. I can say that I feel pleased that I fixed up the interview and probably one of my favorite interviews, aside from a few goof ups. I’m so hooked on their album, XXXX. Their songs are just catchy. For anyone liking New Wave music, it’s a must for anyone who love the 80s and possibly 90s New Wave genre.
Aside from the interview from the radio show, I played three songs connecting to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the long list nominees for CBC Radio 3’s Bucky Awards, 2009 edition.

Well, here’s the You Say Party! We Say Die! interview.
Press Play or Download it.

Here’s Wednesday’s show, press play to listen.

It was unexpected for me to go to Sounds Unlikely (a local music store) at noon to check out You Say Party! We Say Die! Oh boy, I almost got their name wrong because instead of the “We”, I still say the “You.”
It’s another B.C. band who I haven’t got a chance to see them live previously but I was lucky to see them live in an acoustic environment. It’s different when a band performs at a store as it brings an intimate atmosphere. They sang several songs from their previous and current album, XXXX. There was two song from the current album that I can remember from today, one was Make XXXX and the other was Laura Palmer’s Prom. It’s funny how the second song is pop culture related. Twin Peaks anyone?
The last song they sang was Monster from their previous album, Lose All Time. One cute moment was when the lead singer used someone’s mittens and sang during the set. I forgot the song name but it was funny seeing the singer improvise.

I had the opportunity to do an audio interview with the lead singer of YSP!WSD! and it will be on a future broadcast on my radio show at CKCU. Speaking of errors, I found out I will be alternating on Mondays but I will still be on every Mondays but one will be for 30 mins and the following Monday will be 90 mins. I will still deliver interviews from musicians and bands since I got several lined up.
Here are photos I took from the show, click here to view the pictures.

Here is a Youtube clip I took of them doing the song, Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule!
Funny they did a funny puppet show.

You Say Party! We Say Die! is the “Artist of Month” by X3.
The Vancouver band made a impromptu acoustic session at Ottawa’s Sounds Unlikely.
It was their first time doing a acoustic show.
Since the band is known for high energy loud electro-pop dance music with their shows.
Also they were promoting their album XXXX.

This is a side of the band I’ve never heard.
It was a great thing to see them to this kind of show.

Funny I said to Becky that it feels like camping where people will sit down and sing camp songs.
They sang Make XXXX, Glory, Laura Palmer’s Prom, Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule!, Monster from their last album.

On Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule! they used someone’s mittens and decided to do puppet show.
It was very funny.

Overall I was glad to see them play while they are Artist of the Month.
The band will be back in Ottawa on Nov 14th.

Here is a Youtube clip of Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule!

Por Liam Frank

E o saculejo volta e traz You Say Party! We Say Die! banda canadense, que recentemente lançou o album XXXX, que tem os mesmo produtores de Tegan & Sara, Howard Redekop. Com uma pega mais new-wave-rock o disco foi lançado em setembro e vale a pena. E como acompanhamento os fofos do Friendly Fires num remix do Air France para Skeleton, Dragonette com Easy e Kasabian com Underdog uma música nostalgica mas muito gostosa.

[mp3] You Say Party! We Say Die! – Darky Days
[mp3] You Say Party! We Say Die! – Glory
[mp3] Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy (Air France remix)
[mp3] Dragonette – Easy
[mp3] Kasabian – Underdog

You Say Party! We Say Die! have been dominating my iPod for the past week now. The Abbotsford, B.C. band’s new album XXXX is a killer—it’s new-wave rock wearing a sexy red evening gown while battling dragons.

YSP! WSD! have reinvented themselves with this aforementioned style of new-wave rock, and personally I think it’s a step in the right direction. XXXX is brilliant. Becky Ninkovic sings like an angel trapped in the hollows, while the rest of the band paints a backdrop filed with bright and often caustic emotions.

“There Is XXXX (Within My Heart)” kicks off the album, a haunting yet poignant piece that is incredibly addictive. “Glory” highlights their signature punk punch. “Lonely’s Lunch” sounds like Ninkovic is channeling Stevie Nicks.

You can listen to these tracks (in the order outlined) below:

XXXX was produced by Howard Redekopp (Tegan And Sara, The New Pornographers) and recorded between January and August of 2009. The album is out today on Paper Bag Records.

Vandaag door gebrek aan interessante kandidaten op de luisterpaal geen favoriet om aan te prijzen. Dat risico hoort er helaas bij, volgende keer beter!

Wel kan ik melden dat ik vol verwachting uitkijk naar de release van You Say Party! We Say Die!’s derde album ‘XXXX’ welke morgen uitkomt op Paper Bag Records. Zonder deze plaat beluisterd te hebben weet ik zeker dat dit Canadese bandje weer een juweeltje op de wereld heeft gezet, welke ik vol trots aan mijn collectie toe ga voegen. Ookal ben ik waanzinnig bevooroordeeld ga ik daar zeker een recensie van hier op m’n blog zetten, heb ik ook eens iets anders om over te schrijven.

Dus, tot volgende keer.

I upgraded my Microsoft Office suite when I went back to Ontario/Quebec Easter weekend with the license code from Laura because the Student & Teacher Edition she’s using is good for installations on three computers. I don’t know if it was Snow Leopard, or that patch I downloaded last with from MSFT, but it’s no longer operational.

Obviously this is the weekend that I need Excel and Word like no other so I’m stuck using the old iBook until I pony up the cash for my own licese, or get creative and move my legit install over from the iBook. I don’t think I could go back to Occife 2003, but at this point, I’m willing to deal because having to switch back and forth between computers is beyond frustrating.

I decided, on a whim this past Saturday afternoon, that I was going to Vancouver late October because the Gossip is playing a show ther and I’ve got tons of friends in Van to couch surf my way through a three-day bender.

It has been too long since I last saw Beth Ditto & company, and I’m looking forward to it, though I’ve got a pretty heavy roster of shows coming up, including but not limited to Silverstein, An Horse, Deadmaus, Little Girls, You Say Party! We Say Die!, a The Faint DJ set, and possibly Metric (though I’m on the fence with this one because I’ve seen them far too many times to count.).

This fall is shaping up to be a good one, I’ve had a good job for close ho three months now, and I feel like everything’s falling into place life wise, we’ll just ignore hte romantic side of the coin for now…