Indie Montreal

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We seem to be getting more live art and music (virtually, of course) as the weeks go by and the weather gets nicer. This week we’ve got a couple of live events and a band formed during the pandemic’s first single release.

Let’s get started:

BIG BANG & The Aussenwelt Collective Stream Virtual Nuit Blanche Performances as Part of Art Souterrain

This Saturday night is Nuit Blanche, the showcase event of the annual Montréal en lumière Festival. Unlike every other year, though, the Metro won’t be open all night, museums and galleries won’t be receiving throngs of people in the wee hours of the morning and crowds of people won’t be packing the Quartier des Spectacles to enjoy tir sur glace or a ride on the winter Ferris wheel…because of, well, the cufrew.

Nuit Blanche will still be happening virtually and one of its most popular attractions is back: Art Souterrain. The installation part, featuring art in Montreal’s underground city, will still be happening as of April 10th, but tomorrow night, they will be streaming performances from the Aussenwelt Collective and Stéphanie Décourteille’s BIG BANG dance formation live.

Violet Hébert and Joseph Blais will provide the musical accompanyment for these three performances. Here’s a promo video to give you an idea of what it might look like:

Art Souterrain, the Aussenwelt Collective and BIG BANG will stream an evening of multidisciplinary performances Saturday, March 13, beginning at 8pm, on the Art Souterrain YouTube Channel

The Liquor Store Play Cabaret Lion d’Or Virtually

If you thought to yourself “Wouldn’t it be nice to catch a Big Band playing Cabaret Lion d’Or again?” well, this Sunday you can, virtually, of course.

The Big Band in question is The Liquor Store and they will be performing at the aforementioned very stylish venue on Ontario East as part of Indie Montreal’s Les dimanches couvre-fun series. It’s a chance to catch not only the music part of going to a show, but the venue part as well, without leaving home or watching an old video.

Speaking of an old video, for now, here is the same band playing in a different venue before all the lockdowns:

Indie Montreal presents The Liquor Store Live from Cabaret Lion d’Or as part of Les dimanches couvre-fun, Sunday, March 14th at 8pm. Tickets available through ThePointOfSale.com

Scarlet Wives Debut Single Dream Funeral

When two musicians have their tour plans scrapped due to a pandemic and then have their rhythm guitarist and drummer drop out, they could just sit at home and wait or form a new band with a new drummer and write and record music. Alice (vocals, guitar) and Mike (bass) chose the latter when they formed Scarlet Wives with Zenab (drums).

They also joined up with three other musicians and sound engineers to form Lack Haüs records. Scarlet Wives’ first single is also the label’s first. Called Dream Funeral, it was released March 5th and the next one is due out in April.

They describe the song as “a heavy-hitting dose of fairy grunge” but you really should just give it a listen at one of the links below or check out this teaser video (*** WARNING: Video may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy):

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Scarlet Wives (@scarletwives)

Scarlet Wives’ first track Dream Funeral is available on (and subsequent tracks will be available on) Amazon Music, Bandcamp and most major platforms

Featured Image: Scarlet Wives

If you know of an event that you feel should be covered, please contact arts@forgetthebox.net or music@forgetthebox.net

No promises but we’ll do our best

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How’s your March Break going? Still inside at night (by law) and trying to get out in the day? Working an essential job? Looking for some music and arts to get you through the early March snow and cold?

This week, we’ve got an album launch, a film screening and live virtual shows that should feel more like actual shows.

Let’s get started:

Les dimanches couvre-fun Kicks Off with Millimetrik

Indie Montreal is waiting to get back to doing what it is known for: promoting local shows in venues. While that is not currently possible, they have come up with the next-best thing to do as we wait for things to get back to somewhat normal: promoting local shows in venues – virtually.

They have launched Les dimanches couvre-fun (for those who don’t speak it, couvre-feu is curfew in French), a weekly series of virtual concerts streamed from venues around the city. We’re scheduled to see performances from Cabaret Lion d’Or, Ausgang Plaza, Le Ministère and Café Campus/Petit Campus over the next few weeks.

The series kicks off this Sunday at 8pm with Millimetrik performing at Piedestal’s virtual amphitheatre. Future shows will feature The Liquor Store, Elephant Stone, Titelaine and the Urban Science Brass Band.

In the meantime, please enjoy the dreamlike groove of this Sunday’s headliner and prodigal son of Quebec City Pascal Asselin, aka Millimetrik:

For info and tickets, please visit lepointdevente.com

Institut Launch L’effet waouh des zones côtières

Okay sure, Institut isn’t a Montreal band, they’re from France. But we are including acts that have a connection to here and this one sure has its Quebec roots.

They have worked with director and cinematographer Michel La Veaux on the score for the feature film Labrecque, une caméra pour la mémoire while Denis Côté produced the music video for ici aussi off their second album.

Now, they are releasing a new album, L’effet waouh des zones côtières, which offers “a clever mix of afrobeat and new wave to which ingenious mixes are added each time. The songs themselves cover today’s realities candidly and with ample irony – reinvented romances, pleasures at a distance and home delivery.”

L’effet waouh des zones côtières launches today (March 5th) and will be available through institut-bonjour.com For now, enjoy the video for ici aussi:

Vision Nocturna (Night Shot) @ Cinema Politica

Cinema Politica is known for screening politically-charged films at places like Concordia’s Hall Building (but also at other locations around the country and the world) followed by discussion with the people behind the films and their subjects.

During the pandemic, they have opted to do the same, only virtually. This month’s offering is Vision Nocturna (Night Shot) from Carolina Moscoso.

It’s an “experimental film composed out of fragments shot over years as the Chilean director reckons with the trauma of her rape. Artistic cinematography and sound composition create a visceral experience as the emotional artifacts of Moscoso’s story collide with the systemic burden of a justice system that has ultimately failed to prosecute the perpetrator.”

On Sunday, journalist and author Dawn Marie Paley will moderate a discussion with Moscoso joined by Mexico City-based artists Amanda Ruiz and Cerrucha.

You can stream the film as of March 4th at 7pm until Monday, March 8th at 7pm and the livestream the webinar Sunday, March 7th, at 7pm and visit CinemaPolitica.org for more

Featured image from Vision Nocturna (Night Shot)

If you know of an event that you feel should be covered, please contact arts@forgetthebox.net or music@forgetthebox.net

No promises but we’ll do our best

ArtsMusic

With the summer concert season just around the corner and more and more people heading out to shows, we’ve decided to keep this week’s suggestions simple. All shows are tomorrow (Saturday) and we even have your brunch covered. Let’s get started:

Yes No Toaster: Brunch Concert with La Famille Ouellette

On Saturday morning IndieMontreal will be putting on another installment of their brunch concert series in conjunction with Festival Vue sur la Relève. This time it will feature La Famille Ouellette, a Montreal based indie-pop-rock ensemble consisting of six “brothers” who broke on the scene last year when they won the 2016 installment of the Francouvertes.

If you’re unfamiliar with the event, the concept is pretty simple: you go over to Divan Orange where there’s a brunch buffet and while you chow down you get to hear some killer live music. They’re expecting to sell out so it’s best to get your ticket in advance, details below.

La Famille Ouellette play Divan Orange, 4234 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Saturday, May 13th, 12:00 pm (Doors at 11:30am), $22 in advance through IndieMontreal, $27 at the door.

 

Laura Marling

On Saturday night British Folk singer/songwriter Laura Marling will be at Théâtre Corona as part of a tour in support of her new album Semper Feminina which was released in March. Her sound is most known for captivating lyrics, beautiful melodies and song arrangements that break the stereotypes of traditional folk.

Marling has been garnering success and accolades since she broke on the British music scene back in 2006. At present she’s not as well known on this side of the pond so if you’re unfamiliar with her work here’s a small sample.

Laura Marling plays Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest, Saturday, May 13th, 8:00 pm (Doors at 7:o0 pm), $28 in advance through box office, $31 at the door.

 

Hot Flash Heat Wave

Also on Saturday night you can head over to Casa Del Popolo where San Franciso based dream-pop-rockers Hot Flash Heat Wave will be stopping in. Set to release their second album Soaked on June 2nd this will be a great way to check out some brand new tracks.

If you’re not familiar with the band then check out their soundcloud page for a great sample of their tunes. The video for the single Gold Years is already out as well, so give it a listen!

Hot Flash Heat Wave play Casa Del Popolo, 4848 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Saturday, May 13th, 8:00 pm, $10 available through lfttckt.

* Featured image of La Famille Ouellette courtesy of IndieMontreal

* Know a band or an artist that should be featured in Shows This Week? Maybe a show FTB should cover, too? Let us know at music@forgetthebox.net. Our week goes from Thursday to Wednesday, so let us know by the preceding Sunday, though not too much in advance, or you may get lost in the shuffle. We can’t be everywhere and can’t write about everything, but we do our best!

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Forget the Box and Indie Montreal are proud to present the exclusive Canadian video premier of Psychocide’s Mr Suit.

This four-piece, originally from Brooklyn and now based on Montreal, offer a catchy blend of rock, punk and metal. They will be premiering a new album, Alcohol & Bad Decisions, March 2nd and a related comic book later this spring.

Each song on the album focuses on a different fictional character and the first up, in this new video, is Mr Suit. The band will be officially launching it tomorrow (Saturday, February 18th) at Barfly, 4062A Boul St-Laurent with Young Critters and Call Me Steve, but we have an exclusive first watch.

Enjoy:

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With Chanda M’s debut album being released tomorrow, Indie Montreal and Forget The Box are proud to give you an exclusive early listen. We’d also like to offer you a chance to win free tickets to the album launch tomorrow, November 12th at La Vitrola (contest info below the music).

Chanda M’s ambient electronic aesthetic has been called one powerfully composed audio experience. Her bewitching vocal style has often been compared to Kate Bush St. Vincent and Bat for Lashes.

While Icons of Dreams EP is her debut, the sharp electronic and will make you feel like you’re traversing through auditory ether. It shows a beauty and composure that you’d normally hear from a seasoned performer, a certain maturity that you don’t normally expect from a debut.

Enjoy:

 

She’ll be launching the EP tomorrow night at La Vitrola. You can win a pair of tickets simply by subscribing to the Forget the Box email list (you also get the latest updates from your favorite Montreal News, Politics and Culture website). We’ll be sending details on how to win the tickets via email early tomorrow.

* Chanda M “Icons of Dreams” EP Launch Party, Saturday, November 12, 8pm, La Vitrola, 4602 St-Laurent

If you do miss her tomorrow night, be sure to catch her in Ottawa on at Live in Elgin on November 19th.

ArtsMusic

On tap this time around we check in with rockers Brand New who are playing back-to-back shows this weekend, I tell you to get up early on Sunday, make a terrible pun and use the word “thrashgasm.” For regular readers of this column (a.k.a Mom) please note that next week we’ll be coming to you on Wednesday as part of a very special Folk Fest preview. In honour of that, here’s four shows that have nothing to do with folk music.

Brand New + MeWithoutYou + Greater Pyrenees

This weekend veterans of the Pop Punk scene Brand New will be coming to the Olympia for what might be their last two shows ever in Montreal. Recently the band release a new T-Shirt for sale on their website that has the text “Brand New 2000 – 2018” written on it.

Is this prophecy or just marketing gimmick? The band is being tight lipped about it which should make any fan think twice about planning to “catch them the next time they’re in town.”

Joining them will be Greater Pyrenees and this week’s “coolest band you’ve never heard of” MeWithoutYou whose mix of post hardcore punk rock with religious themes and imagery makes for a very captivating listen.

Brand New, MeWithoutYou and Greater Pyrenees play The Olympia, 1004 St-Catherine East, Saturday and Sunday, June 11th and 12th, 8:00pm (Doors 7:00pm), tickets $43.75 through evenko box office or $48.75 at the door.

Thor Harris & Friends + Echo Beach + Sivani

Tonight you can head over to Sala Rosa where percussionist Thor Harris will be performing with a bunch of his “friends”, a.k.a musicians Peggy Ghorbani, Sarah “the goat” Gautier, Thierry Amar, Sheenah Ko, Simon Trottier, Taylor Kirk and more. Harris’s solo work is known for being entirely instrumental and featuring his own hand crafted percussive instruments making his sound very one of a kind.

Local bands Echo Beach and Sivani, who also create music that pushes conventional borders, will be taking the stage as well. Those who want to get outside the standard rock show experience should take note, this one’s for you.

 Thor Harris & Friends, Echo Beach and Sivani play Sala Rosa, 4848 St. Laurent, Thursday, June 10th, 9:00pm (Doors 8:00pm), tickets $10 available through lfttckt or $13 at the door.

Les Guerres d’l’Amour

On Sunday afternoon you can get your groove on and partake in a little afternoon funk (get your mind out of the gutter, I literally mean a funk band is performing in the middle of the day). Just head over to Divan Orange where Les Guerres d’l’Amour are playing as part of the IndieMontreal Brunch Concert Series.

The brunch theme is not just because of the showtime (1:00pm) but because there are various meal options you can get along with the performance. Well isn’t that just an appetizing combination! (There’s the terrible pun I promised)

Les Guerres d’l’Amour play Divan Orange, 4234 St. Laurent, Sunday, June 12th, 1:00pm (Doors 12:00pm), tickets $12 (just the show) or 21.75$ to $26.75 (show and a meal) available through Indiemontreal box office.

Return Of the Banging Head

The title for this event is not only catchy but highly accurate. This Friday, GrimeyMTL will be putting on a metal showcase at Crobar headlined by Saskatoon’s own Untimely Demise who are currently on tour in support of their new album Black Widow.

Joining them will be local acts Mutank, Powered by Death and Chemical Way making this the absolute best bang for your buck show this weekend (tickets are only five dollars) for those looking for a thrashgasm. If you like your music loud & fast and your beer & tickets reasonably priced then you know where to go.

Untimely Demise, Mutank, Powered by Death and Chemical Way play Crobar, 1221 Crescent, Friday, June 10th, 8:00pm, tickets $5 at the door.

Know a band or an artist that should be featured in Shows This Week? Maybe a show FTB should cover, too? Let us know at music@forgetthebox.net. We can’t be everywhere and can’t write about everything, but we do our best!

Eddie Paul - Alex Sergerie
ArtsMusic

Well it took a little while to round up all the photos from Forget The Box’s 5th birthday bash last month but here they are! We’d like to thank everyone who came out to the show and everyone who has supported us over the last five years. We have some personal thanks so let’s get to it:

Chez Nick and Dr. Sugarbottom’s for the excellent refreshments.

O Patro Vys for hosting us.

Seb Black, Eddie Paul, the Emery Street crew, Two-Year Carnival, Ruff Talons and Po Lazarus for their killer sets.

Indie Montreal for putting on the show.

Thanks to Stephanie Laughlin and everyone who helped her put it all together.

Click on the photo to launch the slideshow. Photos by Iana Kazakova and Alex Sergerie.

FTB party photosFTB party photos

ArtsMusic

You won’t regret seeing these shows this week.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

Lonely Animals + Watch For Wolves + In Beliefs + Atsuko Chiba @ Il Motore

If you haven’t heard Atsuko Chiba’s new album yet (released last week), you should probably not waste any time and do it now. They are one of the most exciting new bands in Montreal’s experimental heavy music scene. Their live shows are completely entrancing and offer that little extra something that can’t be experienced just listening to the recording.

Doors at 8 p.m., tickets cost $8.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

Indie Montreal Happy Hour Christmas Party w/ Beat Market @ Divan Orange

Our good friends over at Indie Montreal are throwing a happy hour Christmas party featuring the retro-electro stylings of Montreal duo Beat Market.

Doors at 5 p.m., free.

Cancer Bats + Red Fang + Indian Handcrafts + The Shrine @ Cabaret Mile End

Indian Handcrafts’ latest album Civil Disobedience For Losers is my favourite new discovery of the year. Seeing them play to an almost empty room last time they came to Montreal was a special experience. This time, they get to be part of a truly solid lineup, including fellow Sargent House label mates Red Fang and heavy-hitting musical veterans Cancer Bats.

Doors at 8 p.m., tickets cost $25.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

Artsy Chicks + Cal Folger Day + Archery Guild @ Le Cagibi

This show has your weekly dose of psychedelia. The Artsy Chicks are a brand new Montreal band (they started this past spring) but they’ve already recorded a full-length album. They also come with an elaborate back-story that includes the theft of something called the Power Stone and an oncoming war.

Doors at 9 p.m.