I recently came across a small label based out of Montreal and I really liked what I heard. Right now a lot of bands are really taking off down in the states that fall into the ‘experimental pop’ category. Specifically, bands that I would put into this genre are Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Lotus Plaza and Deerhunter, among others. Who do we have here in Canada to compete with these types of bands? Enter Fixture Records.

Based out of Montreal and founded in 2007 by Tessa and Conor, this label releases small runs of strange pop music on cassette, CD-R and download. Yes, on cassette.

“To date, all our releases have been from Canadian bands/artists, although many (like Dirty Beaches, for example) have a mixed background, having spent time in several countries. We don’t have a policy on where the artists we release come from, ie. we’re not trying to release only Canadian music. We’re only trying to release really good music.” -Tessa Smith – Fixture Records

Here are a couple of artists on Fixture’s current roster that you should know about and that people should pay attention to when the Polaris Prize nominees come around as they represent what is meant artistic freedom and merit.

Freelvoe Fenner- In The Bottle Garden
In the world of experimental-pop, these guys are more on the pop side of things. This album came out last summer and would have been a super summer compliment album had I found it then. There is always the summer 2010 I guess. Yet another Montreal band to keep an eye out for this year.

Dirty Beaches – Birds
Compared to Freelvoe Fenner, Dirty Beaches is a lot more on the experimental and soundscapes side of the musical spectrum. Montreal’s Alex Zhang Hungtai and his Dirty Beaches project mixes together a wide arrange of sounds. Originally recorded on tape and then switched over to digital, this EP has a very roomy and almost muffled electronic vibe to it.

Other artist worth checking out on the Fixture Records roster include Cresting, Omen Ra and Coulees

 

 Dirty Beaches - Low Rider (Birds, 2009): Play Now

 

 Freelove Fenner - Out Of This Town (In The Green Bottle, 2009): Play Now

(Toronto) The Flemish Eye is a knot mainly used when attaching hooks, rings and swivels to wire, but can also be used to rig a loop on heavy mono line. It is also an indy lable based out of Calgary that supports such Canadian acts as Chad VanGaalen and WOMEN.

Chad VanGaalen is a 2007 Polaris Prize nominee who will be visiting Toronto on October 4th. I heard Chad interviewed on the CBC when he toured after his 2006 release, Skelliconnection, when he said that at his live shows, he wasn’t going to play any songs from his album. Chad has been making music for a long time and has a vast catalogue of basement and new recordings to draw from. I suspect that he will be play tracks from his latest, Soft Airplane this time around. Chad is also an animator and does his own videos. Check out his new video below for Molton Light.

Another Flemish Eye artist, WOMEN, released their self titled full length back in July and it has been making a bit of a buzz. It is set to be released in the states in October on Jagiaguwar (Oakkervil River, Ladyhawk, Black Mountain) which is pretty impressive. Have a listen to Black Rice below. I like it. Getting to Chads’ show early to check out WOMEN might be well worth it.

Chad and WOMEN are at the El Mocambo here in Toronto on Saturday, October 4th. The original venue was the Mod Club, so take notice of this change – $13.50. It’s an early one, doors @ 6:30 PM/Show @ 7:15 PM

 

 Women - Black Rice (2008): Play Now

Just Friends is a record label based out of Halifax. It was started up by two guys, Mat and Dave. These two guys also host a radio show/podcast called Lets Get Baked With Mat and Dave. The hour long show consists of Mat and Dave, in the kitchen, cooking up a meal with a different musical guest each week. As far as musical guests go, Mat and Dave have the Canadian scene covered. A quick glace at past shows includes Immaculate Machine, Jenn Grant, Jill Barber, Buck 65, and Ninja High School. Chances are if you are a Canadian band and have played a gig in Halifax, then you have been on Lets Get Baked.

As far as Just Friends artists go, I am going to so some pushing for Laura Peek And The Winning Hearts. Laura was in Toronto a couple of weeks ago for the Over The Top Festival. When I noticed that she was going to be in town, I rushed down to her show at the last minute to see what I could catch, and to also pick up a CD. When I got to the church, the girl working the door told me that I had missed her set and that she didn’t bring any CDs with her. I have since received Lauras’ latest release, From The Photographs (2007) compliments of Laura herself. It is fantastic.

What to write about Laura Peek? Ummm “…piano pop from a charming musical hostess…” is a good place to start. I would describe it as hotel lounge pop. Simple, catchy and memorable. Lots of piano and lots of Laura. On The Verdict, she throws in a hint of an electric guitar to give the song a little bit of edge. Stand Right There is a head bopper with a solid bass line.

If you want to hang out,
You can give me a shout
But its not a possibility

Yah, i’ve known girls like this before. She probably only dates musicians too. Her album art/press photos are fantastic too. If you have a look through her press photos on her site, you will see some pretty fantastic dresses, much like the ones in the Stand Right There video below. Sharp.

Quote from Laura: As far as band news goes, my old bass player relocated to Montreal so I have a new one: Mike O’Neill! This is super exciting for me because I love Mike and his music.

Also check Just Friends cast member, Brent Randall & His Pinecones. Have a look for his latest release We Were Strangers in Paddington Green out some time soon.

Sir, Handsom Records (and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is home to Maybe Smith (Colin Skrapek). Maybe Smith has been making his brand of sample-heavy, lo-fi indy rock for a few years now. Right now Maybe Smith has a free EP, Snowmen & Scientists, available for download on the Sir, Handsome Records website. Have a listen to Mr. Grizzly Bear below. I like it. On Snowmen & Scientists, Maybe Smith samples classic pop songs by the The Ronettes, The Crystals, The Shirelles and others. Mr. Grizzly Bear is a sample of The Crystals classic Then He Kissed Me.

Here is an excerpt from the 2007 year end blog entry that I thought was pretty inspiring:

“Industry folks big and small can complain all they want about declining record sales, but if I can record something in my bedroom, easily release it independently however I choose to do so, and see it virally put smiles on faces from Toronto to Tokyo, then that’s pretty fucking special.” (Colin Skrapek)

Next Show: Maybe Smith is in Toronto for CMW at the Horseshoe on Saturday, March 8th. This is going to be a must see for sure. Get there early, Maybe Smith is opening up the night.

(The Crystals – Then He Kissed Me via Goodfellas)

 

 Maybe Smith - Mr. Grizzly Bear (2007): Play Now