This film will be of particular interest to music fans because Live From Tokyo shows a rare glimpse at the unique Tokyo Independent Music Scene. There will be a tour of NextMusicFromTokyo at the Biltmore on October 18, the tour director Steve Tanaka will be in attendance at this film’s screening on May 28.

We found this weird Japansese film festival worth checking it out “Kibatsu Cinema: eccentricity, popular culture and contemporary Japanese film” is a lead-up event to Vancouver’s 35th annual Powell Street Festival, a celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, culture and heritage. Festival weekend is July 30-31, with other events beginning in May. Please check www.powellstreetfestival.com for full schedule info

When I learned that I had been invited to this year’s Dancing Bear Music Festival I was excited not only because I had heard such great things about the festival but because this year’s line up was looking pretty sweet with acts such as Humans, Brasstronaut and Topless Gay Love Tekno Party.

Four artists will compete for free recording time at Nimbus School of Recording Arts at their bi-annual charity showcase, Monday, April 4th, 2011 at the Biltmore Cabaret.

Fresh off two nights opening for Steel Panther, Swan, joins two time Peak Performance Project favourite, Kuba Oms, Winnipeg’s Flying Fox & the Hunter Gatherers and Vancouver metal band Aeterna onstage at Vancouver’s top music industry showcase.

The last time I was in the Tdot (Toronto) I visited the bar/live music venue The Garrison, not only to see my friend’s great new establishment (two big thumbs up Lee!) but to also see the band Proof Of Ghosts perform. I know Stephen Heyerdahl (P.O.G’s singer/songwriter) from back in the day (90’s/Oshawa) so after a few emails things fell into line perfectly and I was able to see Proof Of Ghosts perform and interview them as well.
So check out the interview of Stephen with his bandmate/fiancé Julia in a small washroom stall (that we squeezed 4 people into) at the Garrison.

When I decided to read Neon Angel, A Memoir Of A Runaway by Cherie Currie I thought it would be just another entertaining rock bio full of the usual sex, drugs and rock n ‘roll. Boy was I ever wrong, yes it had lots of drugs, plus the sex and of course rock n’ roll. But it was also horrifyingly dark and incredibly upsetting with shocking stories of rape, sexual abuse, violence, and torture.

I recently interviewed Fake Shark Real Zombie’s singer/songwriter Kevin Maher, over a plate of nachos and beer, but it wasn’t just any kind of beer. It is our friend Claudia’s secret Mexican beer that you drink with ice and a straw. Very yummy..and if you ask her nicely she might make you one too…Fake Shark-Real Zombie have toured with artists such as Mindless Self Indulgence, Klaxons, Hot Hot Heat, Brokencyde, The Birthday Massacre, Jeffree Star and Test Icicles among others. Kevin plays and works as a producer with numerous bands including Run with the Herd and Jakalope to name a few.

She has her own line called Twitch – IN FASHION that she creates and sells out of her studio downtown
Twitch (Center) with models wearing her designs
Most people know my good friend and band mate Twitch as the amazingly skilled and insanely good guitar player of Joyce Collingwood, but what a lot of people don’t know is that this creatively talented creature is also a fashion designer.  She has her own line called Twitch – IN FASHION that she creates and sells out of her studio downtown.  …

Playing the event proved to be an experience like no other as it was an evening filled with art, make-up, costumes…

Stephin Merritt, singer and songwriter of Magnetic Fields!
Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and Magnetic Fields is a great documentary for fans of the band but also for those who are not familiar with Stephin and his music. I had never been introduced to Magnetic Fields; their songs of love, heartbreak, romance and sarcasm before watching this documentary and it definitely turned me into a fan.
Stephin, singer and songwriter of Magnetic Fields, is very much like his music: sarcastic, dark humoured and at times funny. It’s apparent that he doesn’t seem to …

This past Tuesday I was given the opportunity to interview Jody Glenham via phone.

Sunday May 23rd, the night of the CD release party for the Get Down and I’m running late. My friend Evil Patrick and I hop on his scooter and arrive at the Railway Club, with mascara running down my face and Evil always the gentlemen helping me wipe it off, we head in just before the Get Down hit the stage.
The place is very busy, and it’s pretty obvious that the Get Down’s audience has increased in numbers since the last time I’d seen them. This of course doesn’t surprise …

On May 24th Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was found dead in a hotel near Urbandale, Iowa.

On May 24th Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was found dead in a hotel near Urbandale, Iowa. He was 38. He is survived by his wife Brenna who is expecting their first child later this year. She and surviving members of the band who all appeared unmasked held an emotional news conference on Tuesday.
“He was kind of the person in the band that really wanted everybody in the band to always get along and just concentrate …

“Bloodied But Unbowed” Interview with Director Susanne Tabata
The years 1977 to 1983 were very important for Vancouver’s punk rock music scene. In Susanne Tabata’s new documentary Bloodied But Unbowed she maps out those years in a way that will inspire both old and new punk rock fans alike.
1) Bloodied But Unbowed includes some amazing vintage footage and I heard that one of the hardest parts of making this film was deciding what to leave out. How did you make the final choices on what to include in this film?
I think …

VanMusic Interview With “No Fun City” Directors
Photo: Bella Lugosie
When I got a chance to chat on the phone with Melissa James and Kate Kroll about their new documentary film No Fun City, I jumped at the opportunity. I was excited to talk about the film as it focuses on the Vancouver music scene and its ongoing fight with the city to keep it alive. Vanmusic is very much aware of the issues involving Vancouver’s liquor regulations, condo development, noise complaints, evictions, police raids, lawsuits and the commercialization of bigger venues. …