I Love You But...

Another quick report, as I've been up since 4am. I got my Flaming Lips tickets today thanks to Ken at Warner Music. The show is next Tuesday which coincides with my final morning show shift, which means as of 9am next Tuesday I am a free bird for a few days. I shall party, and I shall party hard.

I golfed with my friend Aaron Blasko yesterday. Words can't describe how good it felt to be outdoors doing something active. It's been a while. Just ask my love handles. On that note, when I was golfing I got a call from a sales rep at work telling me I've landed a small endorsement deal with Roo's Gym & Sports Center. What does that mean? Well, I'll find out details on Monday, but apparently they're going to create some promotion around getting "The Diamond Out Of The Rough Shape He's In..." My idea of course, cough cough. It's the perfect time to try something like this though as I know I put on at least 15 lbs this winter. I'll work with a trainer for a little while, and go at least 3 times a week to try to look like my best this summer. All of my friends look like they could be on the O.C, meanwhile my third chin could have a show all it's own. Sure, I'll give the gym a shot.

Hmmmm, nothing else to really mention. I'll be in Toronto at the Degrassi House on Saturday playing another solo show. I have no idea what to expect, but I hope it goes well. I'll be booking some shows in Oshawa in April too with my new band The Champion Heartache, so I want everyone to come out to that show too. Thanks to Ozzy, Cal, Carvey, Stu, and anyone else who came out last week. I had fun.

Next time you're online or out buying music, check out "I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness." Move over "And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead." Another fine texas band with a long-ass name. Yee-Haw.

Matt

Looking For The Good Stuff?

If I'm not keeping up to date as I should this week, it's because my entire sleep schedule is flipped upside down. This morning show routine is for the birds, literally. I wanted to quickly do a write up on a few cool artists I've been listening to lately.

First up, Band Of Horses. Signed to Sub-Pop, and very laid back stuff, although some of the rockier numbers on their debut CD remind me of Crazy Horse era Neil Young. That's supposed to be a good thing by the way. Think My Morning Jacket meets The Shins. Damn fine material.

Secondly, Grizzley Bear. This 4 piece from Brooklyn New York made their latest CD on a 4 track in their bedroom, and sounds pretty much like that too. Maybe it's the GBV in me, but I totally love the lo-fi approach. It's what I do at home too, so when someone actually gets positive attention from the DIY approach, it makes me smile. This CD is awesome. Can't wait to see them next week at the Drake Hotel.

Finally, Neko Case just released "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood." I love the New Pornographers, and I love Neko Case too. This album is sad but happy. It's loud, but quiet. It's a cross between the earlier days of the NP only now she shines with her Patsy Cline-esque sombre tones, only to be backed by The Sadies. I love it. You might not.

Matt

The Long Drive From Montreal...

Hope everyone had a blast in Montreal. How much money did you blow?I've been super lazy and behind on my blogs lately, but I promise this week will be full of eventful posts. I'm actually stuck doing the "Morning Show" all week, plus 3 days next week too. This means I must wake up at approx. 4 am each morning, and head to work where I'm supposed to act like I love the mornings. What could I possibly hate more than mornings? My co-host isn't all that bad, it's just the fact that I'll be getting up when I usually go to sleep. Aw well.

Last thursday I played my first solo opener at the Elvis. It felt great and I can't wait to play in Toronto this upcoming saturday. If you're around, I'll be at Degrassi House, just across from The Opera House.

Other than that, I'm really not sure what else to comment on other than the fact I need a vacation. Yeah, I know my job isn't tough, but no matter what you do, you still need a break from it. Give me sun, give me warmth, and give me golf.

I'm looking forward to the end of April as I'll be seeing Built to Spill in Vermont, but that really isn't a vacation. A road trip with the boys is long overdue though. Talk tomorrow.

Matt

Don't Look Back In Anger...

Oasis was in town Monday. Some people love them, others hate them. They remind me too much of the other Gallagher brothers who we all know. If you don't know them, it's okay. Monty had a baby. His name is Noah. Oasis has a baby too. His name is Noel. Weird huh? Hope you had fun at the show. I played some on my show in honor of the biggest dick heads in rock music. I do like them, honest. Love you Monts.

After my show Monday I drove up to my friend Joel's place in Myrtle and jammed with him, and Aaron Blasko until about 7am. Joel went to bed at 6am. What a bitch. Blasko however, drank with me until the sun came up and played me an acoustic set that sounded prettier than the birds outside. Some people don't know how talented they really are.

P.S - Thursday I'm interviewing Editors. Details to come.

Monday March 20 Program:

Fembots - Count Down Our Days
Airfields - City / State
Neko Case - Star Witness
Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor
Oasis - Love Like A Bomb
Oasis - Roll With It
Oasis - D' You Know What I Mean

Matt

The View From Up Here..

The view from the balcony at the gorgeous Orono Town Hall. The Kent Boys on stage.

Matt

Little Women...

Saturday mornings are rough these days.

Happy St. Patty's Day indeed. I couldn't even enjoy numerous green beverages as I should have, due to the fact that I have to be up at 6am every saturday morning. Aw well. At the Groove Lounge last night Emphatic played a headline set, which was great as usual, however, the opener "Women and Children" totally blew the roof off the place. A 3 piece band, having only three shows under their belt and totally unlike anything I've heard in a while . Keep it up guys.

Ya know that cold that's going around? I got it and kicked it's ass in a day. That day happened to be my only day off, but I took care of it.

Tonight is the Poor Pelly and The Kent Boys show in Orono, so I shall get revenge on my liver then. This past Thursday night I saw Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins at The Opera House. It was truly beautiful, and her set is better live than on CD, but go get it anyhow. Oh yeah, she's about 4 ft tall too....no lie. Smallest rock star I've ever seen. Very inspiring.

I also found out this morning that the Darlington newspaper did a piece on this upsoming thursday's show at the Elvis featuring Barzin, Jonas and Matt Holtbuy.

If you know me, then this is funny. If you don't, just trust me...it is.

Matt

Nothing much to report tonight. I did get the new HOT CHIP record and it's unreal. Go get it today.

Concerts to note:

16-MAR-06
JENNY LEWIS
OPERA HOUSE
ALL AGES
$20.00


21-MAR-06
LOVE IS ALL
LEE'S
19+
$10.50


30-MAR-06
THE ELECTED
HORSESHOE
19+
$10.50


Tuesday March 14 Program:

The New Lows - The Thrill
Buttless Chaps - Migratory Birds
Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor
Bloc Party - Two More Years
The Old Soul - Boobie Trap
The National - Secret Meeting
Winterpills - Pills For Sara
Magneta Lane - Broken Plates

Matt

Surf's Up...

This past saturday I took Karlie and her sister Natasha to come with me to interview Matthew Caws of Nada Surf.

Remember Nada Surf? Well, they played Lee's Palace saturday and their new album is amazing. Hell, it's not even NEW, as in that it came out about 6 months ago. Either way, he was really cool and we talked for about an hour. The band even played a 3 song set for just us during sound check. This job might pay peanuts, but stuff like this makes it all worth while.
Check out Rogue Wave too. Damn fine stuff.... www.subpop.com

Other than that, the weekend was slow. Kicked Joel's ass up and down in poker last night, but what else is new? I'm joking of course....right?



Tonight's show will feature some cool local music, and the feature interview, including 4 Nada Surf songs. Tune in and spread the word. Also, I need some help promoting this page and the Groove Lounge Fridays, so if you read this blog, tell people about it okay?

Tomorrow's post might have some cool news about my new band. Stay tuned.

Monday March 13 Program:

Black Mountain - Druganaut
The Mission District - All I Ever Wanted
Nada Surf - Inside Of Love
Nada Surf -Do It Again
Nada Surf - Always Love
Nada Surf - Blankest Year
Metric - Poster Of A Girl



Matt

White Noise...

Sigh,

It's Saturday morning. My head still hurts from my system competing with the bar one floor beneath me where I spin every friday. People are insane. I host "New Rock Fridays" at the Groove Lounge, playing alternative and indie rock. How some people are so daft as to ask me to play Reggae, then get mad when I tell them no. "Have you heard any rap or reggae up here tonight?" When Interpol is cranked and you come up to the booth to request Jay-Z, you're lucky I don't hit the trap door button.

Anyhow, this rant is dedicated to all of you who come to harrass me. This site is all you... http://www.wiggaz.com/ Haha.

I'm interviewing Nada Surf tonight at Lee's Palace. Photos and details tomorrow.

Word.

Matt

Here he is. Billy Blasko, aka Aaron Blasko. He's one of my best friends and he's so talented I don't know where to start. This friday March 10th he'll be doing an acoustic set at The Groove Lounge @ Le Skratch so please come and see him. Joel Phair of Isumah will open up the night too around 9pm, so if you want to start the weekend off right, BE THERE!

Also, Leafs fans might care: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=157725&hubname=

Wednesday March 8 Program:

The Vines - Don't Listen To The Radio
Metric - Poster Of A Girl
Aaron Blasko - The Times
Isumah - All Is Not Fair
Trish Robb - Stormy Day
Richard Ashcroft - Music Is Power
Belle And Sebestian - Funny Little Frog

Matt

My Morning Pearl Jam...

What the? Is this for real? Yes it is very real. Just announced today, the first string of PJ dates and one of my fav bands are opening up. This leaves me with the question of whether I could go to this show, rock out with My Morning Jacket and then actually be drunk enough to withstand 2 hours with Pearl Jam. Don't get me wrong, they're a good band and we all grew up singing "Jeremy" but I haven't liked a thing they've done since Vitology. It's still kick-ass to see a huge band taking these guys along. I'm sure it has to due with the label. MMJ is signed to Dave Matthew's label afterall. Yeah, I don't see the connection either. Whatever.

Tonight on the show, I'll spin that new PJ single, as it leaked a day early and I have it, plus some MMJ as a side dish. I have the new Richard Ashcroft single (thanks Vanessa) too, and I'll try to slide that in.

SOME COOL VELVET ELVIS SHOWS TO REMEMBER:

Friday April 7th - 'Album Release Party' for The DIABLEROS w/ guests The AIRFIELD $5. / 8PM /19+

Sat April 1st ' All Fool's Ball ' w/ KAT BURNS s/g JONAS $5. / 8PM ( Presented by D.Rock and the VE)

Fri. APRIL 14th 'BAD Friday' w/ B.A. JOHNSON + SYNTHETIC FOLK HERO $5./8PM

Fri. APRIL 21 WASHBOARD HANK w/ The KENT BOYS. $5. / 8PM

Sat APRIL 29th The POSTAGE STAMPS w/ ANOTHER BLUE DOOR $5./8PM/19+ ( Presented by D.Rock & VE)


Tuesday March 7 Program:

Band Of Horses - The Funeral
My Morning Jacket - Anytime
Pearl Jam - World Wide Suicide
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - According To Plan
The Mark Inside - Everybody
The Diableros - Tropical Pets
The Airfields - City / State

Matt

Mr. Beast

Mogwai's new record hit stores today. It's really good, but as usual www.pitchforkmedia.com gave them a bad review. No surprises there, they always poop on good albums. I think it's really good. It's not as good as "Rock Action", or "Come On Die Young", but then again what is? Trust me go get it. It's called "Mr. Beast" and it's really moody, stoner, instrumental bliss. Some people have compared it to "Loveless" by My Bloody Valentine, which is a stretch but it's good regardless.

Nothing else has really changed since my bitter post yesterday. Some good local shows on the way, but I'll direct you to my new fav site for that...
www.durhamrock.com

Tonight's New Rock @ 9 will feature Mogwai, and some other treats.
Monday March 6 Program:

The Miniatures - Dead Flowers
Cuff The Duke - The Ballad Of Poor John Henry
Mudhoney - Blind Spots
You Say Party! We Say Die! - Cold Hands
Goblin Cock - Stumped
Mogwai - Glasgow Mega Snake
Mogwai - Acid Food
Mogwai - Folk Death '95



Matt

Oh, Jimmy

See this cool looking Jimmy? Well, in the past week it's stripped $1100.00 from my already tiny bank account. I'm no "car guy" so it's quite possible I got screwed by our mechanic with my intitial repairs, but to make things even worse, the engine went on me yesterday. Yep, the effin' engine. I'm on my way to band rehearsal in Toronto, and no doubt, on the 401, she goes on me. Thank god a CAA tow truck just happened to stop and give me a whopping $120.00 cash deal to take it back to Whitby where it sits idle as I write this. Oh, did I mention he looked exactly like Thomas Haden Church, the mechanic from Wings? Smoked about 3 butts in 15 minutes too! Aw well, he saved my ass, and I told him so.

Anyway I wanted to write this quick rant to let you know that if you see me this week, and I punch you in the junk, it's because I'm in a bad mood. I've been saving so much cash from my bar gigs lately, and still have a lot of debt, and now it looks like I shall be purchasing either a new car or a bike. No, a bicycle. If you see me on the road, swerve quick okay?

I'm obviously being dramatic, but it's what I do. I'll live even if my truck doesn't.

On a lighter note, the Flaming Lips are coming to the Phoenix on April 4th. I pray I get the night off of work. In other rock news, I'm still not a famous rock star....yet.

Matt

Hump Day! Hump Day! Oh, CMW too...

Tonight one of my favorite Canadian Bands are here in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week. The Docks is not my favorite spot, but the show is cheap so go if you can. There's a ton of amazing shows this week so go and see at least one of them. Thursday night I'll be seeing the following:

THURSDAY MARCH 2 ndCameron House $8 DoorCMW Break Thru SeriesPresents Alt Pop Rock9:00 - Peter Elkas10:00 - Stimulator11:00 - The Blue Raincoats12:00 - The Wombats

The Drake Underground $10 Adv $12
DoorCMW Presents MUSIC EXPORT DENMARK Showcasewristbands/passes acceptedpm 8:00 - Doors9:00 - Pernille10:00- Kira & the Kindred Spirits11:00- Figurines12:00 - The Blue Van

The Richmond Lounge $8 Door
CMW Presents Break Thru Seriespm 8:30 - Doors9:00- Perkins10:00- Patrizia11:00- Dodger12:00-
The Gearam 1:00- Nathan Coles Outfit


Should be sweet, as it's my only day off! I have to be a part of this....plus my boss says he'll get me passes!

Tonight's show will feature some great Canadian talent in honor of this fine CMW.

Wednesday March 1st Program:

Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
Elefant - The Clown
Metric - Poster Of A Girl
Jason Collett - We All Lose One Another
Stars - Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Republic Remix)
The Miniatures - Dead Flowers
Rob Dickinson - Intelligent People

Matt

Blah Blah Blah...

Nothing to report. Wednesday will be better!

Tuesday February 28 Program:

Black Lipstick - B.o.b F.o.s.s.e
Be Your Own Pet - Damn Damn Leash
Jason Collett - We All Lose One Another
Tapes N' Tapes - Omaha
Heavy Blinkers - Try Telling That To My Baby
Sleeper Set Sail - Life Jacket
Death Cab For Cutie - Marching Bands Of Manhatten
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion