The Arcade Fire

Welcome (back) to the Singing Lamb, everyone!

I’ve missed you all dearly! I know it’s been a month or two since I’ve written a blog, so I may be a little rusty at the moment. Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday though and partied on New Year’s Eve.

In light of the new sight and all its new organizations, I’ve decided to reorganize my posts this year into two types of posts – features and news! Maybe it’s just my own paranoia, but I always felt that the news snippets I throw in at the end of my blogs were weird, so yes, this is just some distinction from when I babble on about miscellaneous news and when I babble on about one particular band I’d like to talk about.

I know that all the Pitchfork’s and all the Stereogum’s of the blogosphere are still whizzing with year-end this and upcoming that, so I’m going to merely sift through all of that and report any actual news that’s been reported throughout the jolly weeks of December…

First off, congrats to She & Him’s Zooey Dechanel and Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard for getting engaged. I think I can speak for everyone I know that this came as a surprise as I didn’t even know they were dating to begin with, but good for them. Was anyone else just hoping that Zooey was really engaged toM.Ward? These rumours are actually yet to be confirmed by either Dechanel or Gibbard’s publicist, so for all we know, this could be an indie episode of Punk’d or something.

For those who are anxiously awaiting something from The Arcade Fire, good news is that they have a live documentary entitled Miroir Noir, bad news is that it won’t be out till March. On the bright side, if you’re the online shopping type, you can pre-order it now on their site and even order a fancy limited edition version, with bonus material and nicer packaging for an extra $15. This was on my Christmas list but alas, I didn’t get it. Guess I’ll just buy it when it comes out. Also, the band has released an unreleased track from 2007′s Neon Bible, “Burning Bridges, Breaking Hearts”.

Speaking of new tracks from Montreal bands, 2006 Polaris Prize nominees Malajube has released a new song as well, entitled “Ursuline” from their upcoming album, Labyrinthe (due out February 19, Dare to Care).

You can catch them, along with plenty more at this year’s Canadian Music Week (March 12-14). I must say, the line-up for this festival is getting me really excited – and it’s not even March yet! Highlights to look out for includes (but not limit to) the following: 6 Day Riot, Basia Bulat, Chad Vangaalen, Cuff the Duke, Gentlemen Reg, Ghost Bees, Hexes & Ohs, Hooded Fang, Hey Rosetta!, Human Highway, Jon-Rae Fletcher, Laura Peek & The Winning Hearts, Library Voices, Rebekah Higgs, Spiral Beach, The Acorn, The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Ting Tings, The Weather Station, Vancougar, Women, We Are Wolves, and Young Galaxy(who played a quick set at CMW’s award show, The Indies last year). Just thinking about this makes me crazy; I don’t know about you! I’ll keep you posted on any additions in the upcoming months. Last year, I was the queen of CMW in-store performances (Plants and Animals, Winter Gloves, Laura Barrett, Forest City Lovers, and Immaculate Machine – all in three days), so I’ll also be sure to inform you all when these wonderful in-stores will take place.

No known venues and dates have been announced (with the exception of the Bloc Party show at the Kool Haus on the last day of the festival), but according to ‘For the Records’, Hooded Fang, The RAA, The Magic Boys Who Say No, and Green Go will be playing on March 13th at the Silver Dollar. E-X-C-I-T-I-N-G!

Also mentioned on ‘For the Records’, Bruce Peninsula will be doing an in-store at Soundscapes on February 4 (times TBA?) and the Rural Alberta Advantage will be playing another show on February 22 at Sneaky Dee’s.

Hooded Fang, who will tour briefly with the RAA, will also open for Bishop Allen on January 17 at El Mocambo; tickets are still available at Soundscapes and Rotate This ($10). If not, you can also catch them on Valentine’s Day as part of Wavelength’s 9th Anniversary fest (Feb. 12-15). They will play alongside $100, Brides, The Luyas, and the Element Choir at the Polish Combatant Hall (206 Beverley St.). Tickets to the anniversary shows are only at the door and are either $10 or pay what you can – sweet!

Night one of the Wavelength Anniversary Fest includes Timbre Timbre, Ghost Bees, and Dorit Chrystler at the Music Gallery, with the Diableros and Loitering Heroes later on that night at the Cameron House. Night two features Slim Twig, Bonjay, Child Bite and The Magic at Wrongbar. The fest will close off on the 15th with Foxfire, I Am Robot and Proud, Thank You, and Mi Ami at Sneaky Dee’s. Again, all shows are $10 or pay what you can. Oh, February’s looking good.

Hope that’s enough to swallow in one sitting! More to come – new year, new site, more news! 09′s looking bright and hopeful!

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody