MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL

DEAR GOD.
someone help me.
why have i been listening to air supply all afternoon?
and last night all i listened to was erasure. go figure.

you can watch twelve sets from this year's glastonbury music festival on this site. it's an archived streaming webcast - pretty nifty. you must check out: interpol (oh i love you daniel!), doves, bloc party, the futureheads.

AQUALUNG CONTEST GIVE-AWAY !!!

the super adorable matt hales is in the middle of another north american tour this summer with a date set for toronto july 4th @ the mod club (one of my favourite venues in this hip happening town). to celebrate this joyous occasion, i'm giving away one 12" vinyl (promotional piece!) of his latest album strange and beautiful.

introducing aqualung EPK: windows media / real

stream "brighter than sunshine" video: windows media / quicktime

purchase strange and beautiful here.

to enter, send me an e-mail with your name and address. please put "AQUALUNG CONTEST" in the subject line so i can sort out the e-mails faster. good luck!

GORILLAZ CONTEST GIVE-AWAY !!!

everyone's favourite animated band released their second LP demon days not too long ago. their singles "feel good inc." (featured in the ipod commercial) and "dirty harry" are among some of the most played songs on my ipod right now. now you can have a chance to win some wicked vinyl releases from the band.

i'm giving away one prize pack that includes the following items:

- "feel good inc." vinyl
- "feel good inc." 7" picture vinyl
- stickers
- a poster
- a comic book

sound good? to enter, send me an e-mail with your name and address. please put "GORILLAZ CONTEST" in the subject line so i can sort out the e-mails faster. good luck!

one of my favourites asobi seksu are currently recording their follow-up to their self-titled debut at tarbox studios in buffalo, new york. this should be an amazing record because this band produces nothing short of greatness. you really need to listen to them. i'm dying to check them out live but they have yet to play a show in toronto. they will, however, be playing the pop montreal festival this year.

i'm listening to rockethouse (formerly aerial love feed) more and more. they describe themselves as the prodigy meets black rebel motorcycle club, but all i hear is primal scream. stream their songs on their myspace site.

new longwave album there's a fire comes out next tuesday. it's solid and worth a listen.

i've started my new full-time job (i'm a teacher now) so my life is about to get a whole heck of a lot busier (at least my pay cheque will get fatter as well). i'm so happy, excited and nervous all the same time. this is my first full-time job...but so far it's going great although there are bigger challenges to come i'm sure. working with kids is truly one of the most rewarding things you can do with your life, and i'm lucky to have been given this opportunity. i love my co-workers, we all get along so well. today we all went out to lunch and it was fun. i don't know how this will affect my updating of this site...so don't be alarmed if there's huge blocks of time when i'm gone. i don't think it will be too bad though because we all know i'm too darn obsessed with music and the internet.

SAY YOU LOVE ME EVERY WAKING MOMENT...

i totally love itunes with all my heart, i saw phantom of the opera on dvd and i loved the performances and music so much that i immediately opened up the program and spent $3.96 on four of my favourite songs from the film/musical: "think of me", "phantom of the opera", "the music of the night" and "all i ask of you". i was instantly satisifed! now i can listen to the music all night.

i wanted to track down an actual copy of the soundtrack as well (because the orchestral score is so well done) and i noticed amazon.ca is selling the soundtrack for only $11.99. this a great price, but you need to spend at least $39 to qualify for free shipping. there's not much else i want to buy at the moment and without free shipping you're paying close to $20 in actuality for the item (taxes & shipping and handling). i'm going to pass for now, but i doubt any music stores are selling it cheaper than that...BOO! UPDATE: my friend kristine just put in an order for me because she's buying another book + cd...we get free shipping! cool beans!

this movie version based on the hit musical of the same name is rather impressive. the set was beautiful and the theatre they used was stunning. i loved the actors' voices - emmy rossum's soprano was perfect, and i also thought patrick wilson was great as raoul. i didn't quite like the phantom's (gerard butler) voice though. sometimes he sounded really out of place and i didn't think his vocal skills were really right for the part. it's a shame because his role is obviously so important to the movie. otherwise, bravo to joel schumacher for pulling such an ambitious movie off. i really enjoyed it.

fischerspooner prizepack winners: tom faulkner, shaliza thomas
raveonettes prizepack winner: joy kawabata

doves contest is still running, so enter if you haven't already....more contests are coming up so keep visiting the site for your chance at some exclusive music prizes!

THAT THING YOU DO!

i've been looking everywhere for songs by the fictional band the wonders that was featured in the 1996 tom hanks directed film that thing you do! can anyone reading this help a girl out? i can't even seem to find a copy of the soundtrack anywhere here in toronto and i so desperately need to own at least the title song.

UPDATE: this is the song (yousendit link), thanks stytzer!

this movie is really charming and cute and takes place in 1964 where it chronicles the rise and fall of a beatles-esque group the wonders. the fictitious group is so cute and impossible not to like. their song "that thing you do!" is a perfect pop tune that acurately captures the sound of the '60s.

it took a bit of hunting and driving to two different blockbuster locations (their computer system is so ancient and horrible, by the way), but i was finally able to see D.E.B.S. on dvd. my verdict? entertaining and fun. it's a satirical ass-kicking action-comedy that revolves around the lives of four girls who are all part of a national defense group they call D.E.B.S. the action is merely a backdrop to the movie though, because behind it all there's actually quite a cute, moving love story between two girls (one of them being the villian...can you say catfight?) that manages to really capture your heart...so yes, there's some girl-on-girl kissing action, but calm yourselves boys...the story is actually really sweet...some of the effects are really cheesy but it just adds to the charm of this low-budget flick. the music featured in the film (the music, new order, postal service, the cure, goldfrapp...) was also great which always earns a movie extra points in my book.

i also finished watching season five of sex and the city, which most sexaholics (*teehee*) agree is the worst season for the show. it only lasted for a puny eight episodes, and the storylines were just not that funny. the series did end off with a bang though so i'm looking foward to watching season six and revisiting some of my favourite moments with my favourite t.v. gals again.

HOPE THERE'S SOMEONE WHO'LL TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I DIE, WHEN I GO...

antony has one of the saddest, most beautiful, heart breaking voices i have heard in a long time. the second single from i am a bird now is "hope there's someone" and it is a staggering piece of work. view the video here.

australian band youth group have been compared to james and death cab for cutie. their debut north american single is "skeleton jar". view the video over at their official site.

tom vek is a multi-instrumentalist who makes great music in his london garage. the debut album we have sound has some great singles including "c-c (you set the fire in me)". watch loads of videos right here.

my friend joy (who writes one of my favourite blogs pink belt rage) recently introduced me to these great acts that you should really check out:

bill ricchini
sam and me

both of them are influenced by elliott smith....wonderful pop music.

make sure to download this awesome mp3 podcast of an entire bloc party concert courtesy of NPR.

it seems like there hasn't been any new music releases the last couple weeks that have deserved my attention. the rest of june looks pretty dry as well, but at least my wallet thanks me ;) the next album i'm really looking forward to hearing is sufjan stevens' illinois (out july 5th). sufjan will be back in toronto promoting the new record by playing a show september 10th @ trinity-st.paul's.

my favourite band interpol contribute a brand new exclusive track titled "direction" for the new six feet under soundtrack compilation everything ends that hits stores today. does anyone have an mp3 of the song they can send me? thanks joshua! download it here... (yousendit link). if the link dies, will some kind soul upload it again and post in the comments?...

Tracklisting:
1. Nina Simone- "Feelin' Good"
2. Jem- "Amazing Life" (exclusive track)
3. Phoenix- "Everything is Everything"
4. Coldplay- "A Rush of Blood to the Head"
5. Sia- "Breathe Me"
6. Radiohead- "Lucky"
7. Irma Thomas- "Time is on My Side"
8. Bebel Gilberto- "Aganjú (The Latin Project Remix edit)”
9. Interpol – “Direction” (exclusively written and recorded for SFU)
10. Caesars- "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (exclusively recorded for SFU)
11. Death Cab For Cutie- "Transatlanticism"
12. The Arcade Fire – “Cold Wind” (exclusively written and recorded for SFU)

new yorkers stellastarr*'s new album harmonies for the haunted is something i'm really anticipating. i mean, i really want it in my hands right now! although no definite release date is set, it's probably coming out this september on RCA records. here's the final tracklisting, i was able to hear a lot of the songs live when they previewed the record in NYC and they are so awesome. the stand-out track for me is definitely the ballad "on my own" which the band has been playing for a good year and a half on tour. it sounds like it's going to be a much darker record than the previous one but i'm sure it will please old fans and win new ones all the same. sean mccabe is working on the album packaging so music fans are in for a real treat.

harmonies for the haunted tracklisting
1. Lost in Time
2. Damn This Foolish Heart
3. The Diver
4. Sweet Troubled Soul
5. Precious Games
6. Born in a Fleamarket
7. On My Own
8. When I Disappear
9. Love & Longing
10. Island Lost at Sea

I HOPE THAT I WILL LIVE TO SEE YOU UNDRESS

tuesday night after work i headed off to lee's palace to catch the maximo park show. their song "apply some pressure" is definitely one of the best singles i've heard in a long time and i've been adding it to all my playlists & mix cds. these lads from england certainly make some catchy music heavily drawing from xtc and gang of four. in terms of contemporary music, they sound most like the futureheads (but alas, without the awesome harmonies). maximo park's music is much more simple, but unfortunately, their live show is hardly as exciting as the album. frontman paul smith's stage presence is entertaining (loved the kicks!), and he kind of reminded me of jarvis cocker... but it was him and keyboardist lukas wooller that made the show - the rest of the band looked simply bored on-stage. with their music being so high-energy, this just didn't translate well in a live atmosphere. the music is impossible not to like though, with catchy guitar work and nicely balanced synths the whole way through.

on wednesday night, i went to the varsity theatre to see batman begins. it's been a while since batman was on the big screen and what a return it was. christopher nolan's direction was fantastic, he pulled it all together. i really liked it - as much as i predicted i would. christian bale gives a very fine performance of bruce wayne...and dare i say he's the best batman i've seen to date. he really captured who bruce wayne was and i was amazed by the way he handled the subtleties of the text all the way through the film. i also really liked michael caine as butler alfred as well, and i'm surprised i saw a hint of some acting talent from katie holmes....she seems to always play joey potter in every film she makes. the action scenes could have been a bit better though, and i was really disappointed in the batmobile, but this i can live with. this certainly isn't an accessible superhero film when compared to the likes of spiderman just because it is so dark, but it is well worth seeing.

two new bands that i've recently discovered that are well worth your time....

every move a picture - you can stream their signs of life EP on their site and it is absolutely fantastic.

she wants revenge - you can download some mp3s on the site. they are influenced by depeche mode and bauhaus - great stuff!

i saw wicker park on dvd this afternoon while eating lunch. it wasn't as horrible as the reviews made it seem to be, but yeah...it was pretty bad. i knew this going into the viewing so i had really low expections. i love the soundtrack though (simply one of the best i own) and it's such a shame to waste such good music on such a stinker. josh hartnett = still kinda hot to me though.

i got my coldplay tickets in the mail the other day. august 2nd won't come soon enough. i'm sitting in section 309, row 18, seats 23-24.

some extra good news to report: i got a full-time job! monday to friday, 9-5 and all...i feel so adult now. it's a contract position until the end of august, and i start in about ten days. i'm going to be teaching underprivileged kids computers and the internet. it's a government sponsored program and it sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun. i love working with kids and the pay is spectacular. i couldn't be happier.

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DOVES CONTEST GIVE-AWAY !!!

manchester's doves are one of my favourite british rock bands, and also happen to be one of the most exciting on the scene. their latest cd some cities is a huge hit all over the world...here's your chance to win some wicked music.

i'm picking two winners...

1st place: some cities CD, snowden u.k. & u.s. singles (w/bonus tracks!), poster, stickers

2nd place: snowden u.k. & u.s. singles (w/bonus tracks!), poster, stickers

video for "snowden": windows media / real / quicktime

to enter, send me an e-mail with your name and address. please put "DOVES CONTEST" in the subject line so i can sort out the e-mails faster.

i don't normally see movies on their opening nights so i was quite taken back by the crowd that arrived at the cinema for the 10 p.m. showing of mr. and mrs. smith. i first saw the trailer some time ago and it looked so great. i knew i wanted to see it when it came out but i had no idea it was directed by doug liman (who worked on the bourne identity and go, one of my favourite films ever!) until i was reading reviews of the movie the day of.

the movie was totally awesome - a high octane, fun action flick. i don't normally like action movies because they are usually brainless and misogynistic with absolutely no plot, but i was totally loving this one. it was entertaining from start to finish and chock full of great action sequences. what surprised me was how funny some of the lines were, and brad & angelina make such a hot couple. their chemistry was fantastic and so very sexy. this movie has all the right ingredients to be a huge summer blockbuster, and i would gladly watch it again and again.

adam brody has a small role in it too. i love me some adam.

this is definitely the most entertaining movie i've seen in 2005, but i still haven't seen anything that has really blown me away...but then again, i'm really picky and i hate 95% of what hollywood churns out.

i'm really looking forward to seeing batman begins next week though. this one looks so good...

it seems like i've waited forever and a day, but the new coldplay album x & y is finally available in shoppes for you to purchase. it's an amazing album filled with great singles that are sure to conquer the airwaves for the rest of the year. chris martin's voice has never sounded sweeter, and the band are truly getting better and better with each album they release. the album seems like a natural progression for the band to me. i'm really loving "white shadows" so i hope it's in line to become one of the singles. "fix you" has to be the ballad of the year....and it is easily one of the best songs the band has ever written. no question about it - this is a must-have album.

coldplay are the biggest band on earth at the moment, so they are naturally also one of the busiest. between doing print and radio interviews and endless amount of photoshoots, they filmed their show from the beacon theatre in new york city. you can watch the whole thing now over at aol music.

i don't usually listen to dance music all that much, but with the likes of M.I.A., scissor sisters and annie dominating my summer ipod playlist as of late, i've decided to also throw some love over to rachel stevens (previously in british pop group s club 7). her old gig might have had her sing cheesy sugary pop manufactured for pre-teens, but her solo stuff is sexy, sassy and made for the masses. kylie better move over...because i never really liked her anyway.

the song i can't get out of my head right now is "sweet dreams my l.a. ex". check it out - the video is so hot (i believe it has a slight madonna influence to it...it reminds me of her "human nature" video). tell me you don't love it.

video: windows media / real player
mp3: download here

although my main musical interests lie in the areas of britpop, brit rock, indie, post-rock and 80s new-wave, i've been known to listen to all types of stuff based on my mood. case in point: all afternoon while i was doing an assignment for my women's studies course, i was actually listening to il divo. who is il divo?, you're asking? ask your mother, she may know (some of my friends give me crap for sometimes listening to the same music as their mother). they sure look like a boy band (note: the cutest one is named david miller...torontonians may find that amusing), but i assure you these men can really sing. they are a vocal group with members coming from all parts of the world who sing opera music (something probably no one my age likes, right?) in french, italian and spanish. their cd, filled with standards and originals, is actually selling by the bucketloads here in canada. they even do covers of frank sinatra's "my way" and toni braxton's "unbreak my heart" (it sounds real good though, trust me). i really like their voices, and it made for good study music. the only bad thing about them is that the were discovered by british music mogul simon fuller (creator of the idol series, and responsible for past-pop tarts spice girls & s club 7). surely he'll exploit these guys for all their worth...but i try not to think about it too much. i don't wanna lose sleep over how bad the industry is right now.

I GOT COLDPLAY TICKETS! finally! i was so worried that i wouldn't be able to go after trying to get tickets for the two pre-sales and ending up with nothing. the seats are far back in the 300-level but i don't care...i'm pretty happy. maybe i'll try to score better seats later on...i was refreshing the page so much that mozilla booted me out and i had a panic attack cause i thought there goes my chances, but when i started internet explorer, i was able to get these seats. WHOOO!

who else in toronto got tickets for the august 2nd show? where are you sitting?

IPOD MAKES ITS NEW YORKER COVER DEBUT
[...and it's about time, the device is life altering]

this week's issue of the new yorker is worth picking up, if only for the cover featuring a man sitting on a park bench, enjoying the beautiful weather and listening to his beautiful ipod at the same time. cute. check it out.

featured in the magazine: new yorker music writer alex ross' article the record effect: how technology has changed the way we create and enjoy music...read it online.

i'm going to the sold-out raveonettes show with some of my peeps this saturday @ lee's palace...and we have an extra ticket for sale. $16.50. if interested, e-mail me. if anyone wants to take me to spoon on sunday, also e-mail me.

HOW LOVE SHOULD BE

maverick recording artist tyler hilton is someone i've been playing more and more lately. his pop/rock songs are really catchy, and just fun to listen to say, while driving your car around town and meeting friends for ice cream. his music can be compared to the likes of john mayer and howie day, but he has more of a rootsy, folk and country influence (tyler says his favourite musicians are b.b. king and elvis presley). i love his sexy, raspy voice, and his charming personality (he's hilarious in interviews!)

you may also recognize this handsome face on one tree hill this past season, where he played cocky rock star chris keller. soon he'll star as a young elvis in the johnny cash biopic walk the line starring reese witherspoon & joaquin phoenix.

at only twenty one years of age, he has already released an independent cd and an E.P. his major label debut the tracks of can be found in stores now.

check out some tunes (free mp3 downloads): when it comes / rollin' home

be sure to also check out this really cool media player that lets you stream even more great songs ("glad", "kiss on") and his excellent new single "how love should be". you can even watch a video of his performance of the beatles' "i've just seen a face" on american dreams from a while back - i love this song!

tyler's been really busy as of late, touring all around the u.s., i can only hope he steps onto canadian soil one of these days.

FAVOURITES ALBUMS OF THE YEAR...SO FAR

since we are now in the month of june, i thought i would take a look at my favourite albums released in 2005 so far. there's been quite a few gems, and i'm very excited to see what the rest of the year brings in terms of new music releases. there are still quite a number of albums i'm really anticipating, including the new stellastarr* album, in-flight safety's debut LP, sigur ros and yeah yeah yeahs.

i still need to have more listens to the final fantasy album, and pick up antony and the johnsons..i have a feeling they might sneak up the top 10 in the next few months...we'll see.

i'd love to know about your favourites of the year so far, maybe i missed something....are there any other albums you're really excited about?