Summary: Article One at Coastal Church

(Please excuse the poor quality cellphone photos)

The 2009 Juno-nominated band Article One, from London, Ontario, played a free concert in Vancouver August 12 as part of the Coastal Church REGeneration series of bands and speakers. They brought a high energy set to a beautiful venue, getting a whole crowd of 300+ people dancing and bobbing in between them uncomfortable pews.

My highlight of the show was definitely seeing Matt Piche's energetic (/frantic) fiddling. The bow looked just about snapped in half and strings were flying off in every direction as it seesawed to their brand of up-tempo pop rock. Now that's what I paid (well, $0) to see!

Below is a set list of that show.

Without You
Say
Searchlights
500
Blessed
I Am Free
If The World
No Time
Above All
Never
Mighty
All Because
Everlasting

Article One is composed of brothers Nathan (vox, guitar, keys) and Matt Piche (violin, vox), Dave DeSmit (drums, vox), and Nolan Verner (bass). Their name was inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was prominently displayed when they attended the U2 Vertigo tour in 2005/6.

Speaking of U2, here's hoping that with their three-part harmony and strong violin presence, that Article One can break out of the mold that so many contemporary Christian rock bands tend to fall into -- the whole shimmery guitar build-up sound.

With two albums out (Self Titled & Colors and Sounds) and one on the way, these guys have toured Canada and the US extensively to promote their music, and had been on the road for more than 200 days in 2008. They've toured with Christian mega-band the Newsboys, and are going on tour through Canada from end of October through November to support another fellow 2009 Juno-nominated Canadian band Starfield.

Their latest album, Colors and Sounds, is available on iTunes, and from MapleMusic as well.

Find them on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace.

Ariane Moffatt

In spite of the controversy (see Justin's post below) about the Juno Awards: here is a quick note on the winner of Francophone Album of The Year. The very talented musician, singer songwriter has offered imaginative well-crafted pop with 3 acclaimed solo albums. She has toured in France where she has developed professional ties and friendship with unique artists such as M. If you have not yet seen her live then you cannot imagine how her energy and sheer fun spills over the crowd. Congrats Ariane!!

the Juno Awards Have Become a National Embarrassment

Someone really has to do something about the Junos. It is horrifying to think that anyone, anywhere, even for a moment think that they represent the best Canada has to offer musically. They don't. The Junos are not really Canadian and they are more about marketing and distribution networks than they are about music.

Once a year the most industrial side of the American recording industry's representatives in Canada get together and give awards to the people their marketing departments did the best job of pushing on people who don't know much about music. Scrolling down the list of nominees you notice two things. First alot of corporate sponsors and second the name of an American record label next to each artist - Universal, EMI, and Warner primarily. It is no coincidence that these are companies with the largest international distribution networks and the companies that spend the largest slice of their budgets on marketing. It is not surprising then that the Junos, most of which are decided by sales, are awarded to these companies. It is the exact equivelant of having culinary awards and saying the "Meat Dish of the Year Award goes to McDonalds for their new Bacon Double Cheeseburger." (It was the dish that sold the most, so obviously it was the best.) Personally I think the musicians should stay home and they should just give the awards to the marketing departments behind them - that is who the awards are really for anyway.

Some awards, it is true, are not decided by sales. Awards that are based on a vote are voted on by members of Caras and a membership in Caras is $52. So if you have the money you and your family and your friends, all of your co-workers and your cat can be voting members of Caras.

I won't even get into who won what, all but a few of them are nauseating and there is no reason to bring them up again. I will, before closing, mention what must be the quote of the night from Tim Fletcher of the Stills who, despite three critically acclaimed albums going back 6 years won Best New Group of the Year Sponsored by Factor and Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters. Fletcher apparently told CBC Radio 3 "I'm going to put my Juno on top of the magazines beside my toilet." Personally I can't think of a much better use for a Juno than as a bathroom paperweight - unless you can find a way to turn it into a toilet paper dispenser.

Next year the Juno's will try to spread their illness to St. John's Newfoundland. Part of me hopes that Newfoundlanders will rise up in revolt and prevent the show, but someone must put a dent in them next year. I'm thinking of some kind of shadow awards that in some way reward people who deserve recognition and perhaps an organized boycott of those companies that choose to sponsor the Junos. Canada is the most musically talented country in the world and we need to stand up to the Junos and the impression they give - at home and abroad, that we are thin on talent and really care more about marketing campaigns anyway.

cross posted to publicbroadcasting.ca

JunoFest in Vancouver kicked off with a bang

For anyone in the Vancouver area JunoFest just started TODAY! I won't dwell on the past but I have to say this was the first time I managed to see Dan Mangan and Hey Rosetta. Just wow, I was blown away by both. There's been a previous mention of the Juno festivities this weekend by Jadester but for anyone that missed tonight's street party, don't panic! There's still tomorrow and Saturday, not only street festivities but 19 venues in Vancouver will be hosting bands, Canadian bands!

Being an R3 fan, I highly recommend checking out the CBC Radio 3 showcase tomorrow (Friday) night starting at 10:00p with Hannah Georgas, then moving into John-Rae Fletcher, Elliot Brood and finishing the night off with Saint Alvia (oh, how I miss the cartel at the end of that)
Where is this happening you ask? The Biltmore Cabaret of course!

But, there is plenty of choices for shows tomorrow as well as Saturday. Check out the JunoFest site for more info: http://www.junofest.ca/

What are you waiting for? Come out and support some Canadian bands!
And no, you don't have to like the Junos to attend.

The Junos in Vancouver this weekend

Yes, the Juno weekend is almost upon us here in Vancouver. Street parties (sponsered by West Jet) start on Granville this Friday evening with a show featuring The Trews and The Arkells. You must be 19+ to attend this event.
On Saturday I believe the festivities start around 11am with band signings and lots of meet and greets and great things happening. Saturday night's show features Faber Drive, The Midway State and State of Shock. It's an all ages event.
One of the strange things is that Granville Street looks like a Carnival - big tents for the shows being set up on the street, literally! The only downside is that this is Vancouver, and the weekend weather forecast is for rain. That could get sketchy, but we'll see what happens.

More to come from Vancouver as the weekend progresses.