Mondays Suck.

It snowed a lot today. I like it, but my truck does not. In fact, it told me to eff off and overheated for some reason, and now the "mechanic" says it'll cost about $800.00! Happy I am not, second opinion I shall get.

I found out I'll be playing a show opening up for my friend Jonas, who's opening for the one and only Barzin. You don't know Barzin? www.myspace.com/barzinh He's unreal and so is Jonas... www.myspace.com/jonasbonnetta It's on Thursday March 23rd at the Velvet Elvis.

Nothing more to really talk about. I have to update this site more...

Monday February 27 Program:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion
Raising The Fawn - Carbon Paper
Quasi - The Rhino
Wolf Parade - Shine a Light
Robert Pollard - U.S Mustard Co.
Destroyer - Painter In Your Pocket
She Wants Revenge - Tear You Apart
Belle & Sebestian - The Blues Are Still Blue

Matt

I have nothing to comment on today. Not the Canada Russia Game or the fact that the one event we should have DOMINATED in made us look like fools. Love you Bertuzzi.

Test Iclicles broke up....check out Pitchforkmedia.com

Wednesday Feb 22 Program:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion
The Organ - Memorize The City
Mogwai - Friend Of The Night
One Second Too Late - Screams For You
We Are Wolves - LL Romeo
Test Icicles - Your Biggest Mistake
Eels - Novocaine For The Soul (Live)
Racounteurs - Steady As She Goes

Matt

Elvis Sighting...

Some shameless self promotion as usual! Last night I played a set at the Velvet Elvis and it was awesome. Maybe 10-12 people left by 1:30 am but that was just fine with me. I played a Bright Eyes cover, and about 5 other originals. It felt really good. I'm going to start getting out more and doing these types of shows I think. Also, Johnny from my old band "Cringer" came up and played bass on 2 songs and he nailed them.

I'm playing in Toronto on April 1st at the Degrassi House. I've never been there but I hear it's really cool, so if you're in T.O that night, I'd love to see you out.

Bradleyboy and Pelly are in the house tonight on The New Rock. Live in studio type deal. Super pumped to help out another brother.

Track list to be updated shortly.

Matt

 

Going For Gold

Well, nothing much to report other than the fact our Canadian Women's Hockey Team won gold today. Tomorrow night Poor Pelly and Bradleyboy are in the studio for the New Rock @ 9. Tune In.

Monday Feb. 20 Program

The Like - June Gloom
Hurst - Tin Cup
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion
Magneta Lane - Broken Plates
Pony Up - Shut Up & Kiss Me
Slave To The Square Wave - Transister
Of Montreal - Wraith Pinned To The Mist & Other Games
Death From Above 1979 - Blood On Our Hands

Poor Pelly...

Yesterday I spent the entire day and night on the couch with my friends Rusty and Craig, flipping between golf and the olympics. Having your first beer at 2pm can really put pressure on your system to sustain a full day of, well, staying awake. Easier said then done, but I pushed on and finally passed out around 1 a.m

I will say this though,I really don't care about sports unless it's golf, or the Leafs game, but these Olympic Games are pretty sweet. Canada is looking better with each passing day. We're at 9 right now I think, and by the end of today, we'll push double digits.

Tonight at Groove Lounge, we have my good friend Poor Pelly bringing his style of bbq stomp-rock to the stage.

Come and see him. www.myspace.com/poorpelly

In other news, 2 of my best friends Aaron and Joanne just had their baby boy on weds. His name is Noah. He's a lucky lad.

Love you both.

Matt 

Oh, Canada...

Ahhhh the Junos. I never watch awards shows, let alone this one. However, I am quite intrested to see who will take this year's award for Alternative Album Of The Year. As it stands, I know where my vote is, but it's pointless to speculate.





The Nominees Are:

Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
Elevator - Hot Hot Heat
Live It Out - Metric
So Jealous - Tegan & Sara
Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers

To be honest, I haven't heard one note from the Tegan & Sara record, but I should. I own it!I'm off for a couple of days.

Tomorrow night I'm at Le Skratch's Groove Lounge, so come out and see Poor Pelly. He's a great friend and an even better entertainer. Show starts at 9pm sharp. www.myspace.com/poorpelly

Matt 

Spilled Milk...

This is one of those stories of the band I've always loved, but never had the opportunity to go and see them. We all have one. Maybe it's because you were too lazy when they played at Lee's Palace to go, or the tickets sold out quicker than a Deathcab / Franz tour. No, Built To Spill didn't play Lee's lately, and that is my point exactly.

"You In Reverse" is the upcoming album and it hits stores in April, and I 've listened to some of it. It's good, and you can check out an 8 minute song on their myspace page. However, I found myself putting out a mass email to my other friends yesterday, asking the boys if they are up for a road trip. Why? Because this band hates our fine city, if not our entire country, and will just not play here.

Look:
Apr 11 2006
8:00P
First Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
Apr 12 2006
8:00P
First Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
Apr 13 2006
8:00P
Barrymore Theatre
Madison, WI
Apr 14 2006
8:00P
Metro
Chicago, IL
Apr 15 2006
8:00P
Metro
Chicago, IL
Apr 16 2006
8:00P
Mississippi Nights
Saint Louis, MO
Apr 17 2006
8:00P
Blue Note
Columbia, MO
Apr 19 2006
8:00P
The Bottleneck
Lawrence, KS
Apr 20 2006
8:00P
Cain's Ballroom
Tulsa, OK
Apr 21 2006
8:00P
Vino's
Little Rock, AR
Apr 22 2006
8:00P
Young Avenue Deli
Memphis, TN
Apr 23 2006
8:00P
City Hall
Nashville, TN
Apr 24 2006
8:00P
Foellinger Auditorium
Urbana, IL
Apr 25 2006
8:00P
The Vogue
Indianapolis, IN
Apr 26 2006
8:00P
Newport Music Hall
Columbus, OH
Apr 27 2006
8:00P
St. Andrews Hall
Detroit, MI
Apr 28 2006
8:00P
Mr. Smalls
Millvale, PA
Apr 29 2006
8:00P
Town Ballroom
Buffalo, NY
Apr 30 2006
8:00P
Higher Ground
South Burlington, VT
May 1 2006
8:00P
The Roxy
Boston, MA
May 3 2006
8:00P
Irving Plaza
New York , NY
May 5 2006
8:00P
Irving Plaza
New York , NY
May 6 2006
8:00P
Trocadero
Philadelphia, PA
May 7 2006
8:00P
Trocadero
Philadelphia, PA
May 8 2006
8:00P
9:30 Club
Washington, DC
May 9 2006
8:00P
9:30 Club
Washington, DC
May 10 2006
8:00P
Cat's Cradle
Carrboro, NC
May 11 2006
8:00P
Cat's Cradle
Carrboro, NC
May 12 2006
8:00P
Variety Playhouse
Atlanta, GA
May 13 2006
8:00P
40 Watt Club
Athens, GA
May 14 2006
8:00P
Zydeco
Birmingham, AL
May 16 2006
8:00P
House of Blues
New Orleans, LA
May 17 2006
8:00P
Warehouse Live
Houston, TX
May 18 2006
8:00P
White Rabbit
San Antonio, TX
May 19 2006
8:00P
Gypsy Tea Room
Dallas, TX
May 20 2006
8:00P
Stubb's BBQ
Austin, TX

I think we'll hit up the Buffalo show. Either way, I just wanted to make note of this "no toronto" theory. The boarder police must think I'm a smuggler lately.

Wednesday Feb 15 Program:

Broken Social Scene - Superconnected
Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
Magneta Lane - 22
The Old Soul - Boobie Trap
Ester Drang - Valencias Dying Dream
Silversun Pickups - Kissing Families

Matt

My Bloody Valentine...

Happy Valentines Day.
I don't really have much to report today. I ran around with all the other stupid men trying to find things for my girlfriend, but I got home safe and sound. I thought I was going out with lots of time, but it turns out us men will cut out of work early just to please the ladies.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me about the show last night. That's really cool to be able to do specials like that. Tonight I'll be spinning nothing but love songs on the The New Rock @ 9. Yep cheesey but why not? Each song will have something to do with this holiday, so if you're looking for the right mood, but still like good music, tune in. Well, just tune in anyway. Of course, I should play something from that band right up there. Look at their name. Bless you Kevin Shields.




Tuesday Feb 14 Program:

New Pornographers - The Bleeding Heart Show
Bloc Party - This Modern Love
Rob Dickinson - My Name Is Love
Arcade Fire - Crown Of Love
Nada Surf - Always Love
Rogue Wave - Publish My Love
Constantines - Love In Fear

Now That's A Lot Of Love!

Matt

Neverending Story...

Whenever Monday rolls around I realize how fast each week really does go by. Today I started the day by doing some grocery shopping with Kar, then came home and made dinner for later, to remind myself to actually eat tonight! See, when you sleep in really late, you eat really late, so from here on in I'm doing this each week. The bags under my eyes are a tad heavy.

Anyhow, stuffed sole for dinner, then at 9 o'clock I'll be airing my interview with that chap up there, Daniel Victor. If you haven't heard the Neverending White Lights record, go get it tonight. Not only does it contain an all-star cast of some of your favorite singers but it's also different. It's not three chord power pop, and it's not loud and annoying either. Don't get me wrong, at times it rocks, but it's a really great record to put on the headphones and tell your wife and kids to leave you alone for an hour.

"Act 1: Goodbye Friends of the Heavenly Bodies" hosts Alexis On Fire's Dallas Green, 311's Nick Hexum, Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida, Finger Eleven's Scott Anderson, SuperGARAGE's Marco DiFelice, former Watchman singer Danny Greaves, and more.

When I spoke to Daniel last week, he was surprised that I knew about some of the lesser known artists on here too, such as Jason Martin from Starflyer 59 . This guy knows his stuff, and I really admire someone who comes from being a student in Windsor, to deciding his passion for music overpowers the desire to work 9-5 for "the man." He made the appropriate moves and spent some serious time in the studio to write really beautiful songs. He then made some contacts and had some of the best in rock to come and help. That right there makes this guy one of my heros. When we spoke, we talked about taking chances and making choices to do things now, instead of putting them off and thinking about it all of the time. This guy did it. I might too.

Tonight's New Rock @ 9 features this short interview, and music with Neverending White Lights. Please tune in.

Monday Feb 13 Program:

Farenheit - Disconnected
Robert Pollard - Love Is Stronger Than Witchcraft
Test Icicles - Circle Square Triangle
Clearlake - No Kind Of Life
Interview With Daniel Victor
Neverending White Lights - Liar
Neverending White Lights - How Could I Survive
Neverending White Lights - The Grace



Matt

Sunday Morning Coming Down...

This weekend was pretty much like any other weekend, although I woke up early today and decided I'd write something here quickly before work. Last night we played poker, and I lost as usual. I got to catch a preview of the new Flaming Lips record though, which we'll talk about at a later date. I will say this much, big fans of this band are in for a weirdly delicious surprise. I emphasize on weird. I also heard reports (that are true by the way) that the new Grandaddy album leaked. Sigh. Oh you didn't know? Here you go: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/06-01/27.shtml#grandaddy

Hmmm, what else? Oh, Built To Spill have flipped us Torontonians the bird again. I may have to cross the border into Buffalo though, as they hit the Town Ballroom on April 29th.

Friday nights I D.J and host New Rock fridays at The Groove Lounge at Le Skratch in Oshawa. My dear friends Isumah rocked the joint for about 20 of our closest friends. Yeah, 20. It's an early live venue, but man this band is amazing. Check them out please: http://www.myspace.com/isumah Lipstick Machine opened. They were cool. Minimal sounding stuff, but cool.

Next friday we have the one and only Poor Pelly. Don't miss it.

On tomorrow's New Rock @ 9, I'll be talking with Neverending White Lights frontman Daniel Victor. I'm sure you've heard the single, "The Grace" on 94.9 The Rock. Well, it just so happens that he's the coolest guy in Rock right now, and we talked about Mogwai, Starflyer 59, starting a band and sticking it to the man. Tune in Monday the 13th at 9pm sharp.

That's all for now. Talk tomorrow.

From A Compound Eye

Well, I survived. I drove 5 hours at 5 a.m on thursday from my home in Whitby, to downtown Cleveland to see Bob Pollard perform at the best damn venue on the planet. Here's how it went down...

Wake up Karlie, pack, hop in the car, get coffee and go. Get to hotel at 10 am. Check-in early, sleep til' 4 p.m Wake up, shower, get beer across the street, order a pizza, and start the pre-show party.

We met a bunch of people who are fans from a fan site, and partied with them before the show too. You guys rocked. We ordered a van to take all 8 of us to the venue called the Beachland Ballroom. http://static.flickr.com/14/19980522_22f4a389f1.jpg
When we hopped out, I was totally jaw dropped. No line up in, or outside the venue. It looked like we were going to see a show at a tiny bar in a clean, common neighbourhood. We get in, and there's no security, and everyone is standing around the merch table, full of Robert Pollard gear. Behind the main doors, is the stage. Let me tell you, this was my dream come true. Maybe 100 people, max. The actual room where they played was like my public school gym. I kept saying that too...."It's like seeing GBV at my prom!"

Regardless, we get in, I start for the bar, and find out they have Guinness!
We meet like 5 other people, chat and get drinks bought for us (thanks TJ) and then we head back to the stage. Bob comes out and it doesn't stop for 2 full hours. He played a ton of amazing stuff from the new double cd and a few classic GBV tunes too, which totally made my night. Karlie had never seen Bob live either, so this was amazing for her too. We stood front of the stage and drank, smoked, danced and witnessed the best show ever. This was truly the best rock show I've ever been a part of.

I just got home and haven't even checked my email, so I'll do that now. This hangover shall last until tomorrow, that's for sure. More to come tomorrow.

Thanks Bob.

And The Award Goes To.....

So, I'm wondering if anyone out there actually cares about this whole Grammy thing? I mean, Mariah Carey is nominated for Record Of the Year. Need I say more?

Well, the one category I do care about is "Best Alternative Music Album." If you're a fan of Death Cab For Cutie, then you must be excited. I don't mean a "hey I heard this cool new band" type of fan. I mean you got to see them for 8 bucks like 5 years ago when people looked at you weird when you told them who you were seeing. To me, this is nuts. A Grammy? Death Cab? Good Luck!

Others in the running for this one include Arcade Fire, Beck, Franz Ferdinand and The White Stripes. Personally I think the Arcade Fire derserve it, but my opinion means nothing. I'm also here at work for the night too, which means I probably won't watch one second of this event, but I know I'll hear about it and post when I return from my trip. Oh yeah, read my first blog. In four hours my girlfriend and I are driving to Ohio to see Uncle Bob at the Beachland Ballroom. She's never seen A Guided By Voices show, or me at one of them. Poor baby.

That's about it for now. I'll be back when I can with pictures from the trip and hopefully some cool stories of adventure. Until then, here's tonight's playlist: ]

Weds Feb 8 Program

Flaming Lips – The Wand
Neko Case – Star Witness
Aura Of Ash – And The City Feeds
Editors – Munich
Clearlake – No Kind Of Life
Marah – The Demon Of White Sadness
Death Cab For Cutie – Crooked Teeth
Small Sins (Formerly The Ladies & Gentlemen) – Won’t Make It Easier


UPDATE! .....It's 11 o'clock. Thanks to Rusty for letting me know the White Stripes won.
Good album...apparently.

Live On Location... 

So here's my initial BLOG. I don't know how often I'll update this, but I'd like to attempt a weekly update here. My name is Matt and I'm a DJ for a rock radio station just outside of Toronto, Ontario called 94.9 The Rock.
I do the regular shift on air, but I also host an indie show called "The New Rock @ 9."

This fine half hour program features cool new music that doesn't normally get a shot at airplay. Also, I play demos and albums from unsigned bands who are looking for some help too, so feel free to send me your stuff.
I don't care about how huge your act is. If I like it, I play it. Questions? matt@therock.fm

I'm not quite sure what these entries will contain, but I'm going to try to keep an ongoing log of the material I spin on my New Rock Show. Oh, by the way, you can tune in at http://www.therock.fm/ and don't forget, "The New Rock @ 9 " runs Monday - Wednesday from 9pm 'til 9:30 every week.

Tues Feb 7 Program:

Jim Guthrie - Hands In My Pockets
Elefant - The Clown
Never Ending White Lights - How Could I Survive
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Nocturnal House
The Sounds - Painted By Numbers
Young And Sexy - The Curious Organ
City And Colour - Save Your Scissors

Yeah, I know some of this stuff is overplayed, but it was the mood I was in. Hell, what's better than that song everyone sings in your office?...."Hands in my pockets, hands in my pockets...." You know, those damn bankers!

So tomorrow I leave for Cleveland to go see Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices. He's doing a solo tour in support of his new double CD called "From a Compound Eye." I haven't shut up about this record since it leaked like 7 months ago, and it's totally amazing. For anyone who has no clue who GBV is, click here :

www.gbv.com or visit www.robertpollard.net

Also, check this tune out. Damn fine material....http://www.mergerecords.com/m3u.php?media_id=234&

So, I SHOULD be back to this blog tomorrow to say hi and bye before I go.
If not, then I'll be back with photos and other fun treats by friday. Oh, I'm sure I'll have a hangover too.

Matt