music video of the day: "The Passions" by Owen Pallett

"I wrote The Passions after a period during which my definitions of 'love' were being redefined. Queers are united by our desires, by our prioritization of the needs of our bodies and souls over the needs of tradition and societal structures. But I feel there is more to it than that. Our lovers are our family, our brothers and sisters as well as our sexual partners. The Passions is about the blurry distinction between these definitions."
- Owen Pallett

Pallett's In Conflict is out now on Domino. It's really fucking good.

the 2014 albums that made me swoon + some photos I took

Here's my obligatory favourite albums of 2014 list in no particular order.
There's also some photos I took from various festivals and shows throughout the past year. 
Happy new year dudes! 

Ought at Sappy Fest 9

More Than Any Other Day by Ought: I think I saw Ought 6 times this year but to be honest it could be more. The first time I heard "Habit" I was sold. They told me what the weather was like and I followed their forecast. Live, they punch you even harder. Lyrically they consistently stab you with truths and and today more than any other day I am prepared to make the decision between two percent and whole milk.

Sharon making my tear up at Chicago's Pitchfork Festival 

Are We There by Sharon Van Etten: I can't listen to this record too often cus I'll start crying & questioning everything. So intense. Fucking amazing. Your love is killing me Sharon. 

Hot Dreams by Timber Timbre: Shit is sexy and weird and dark and smooth. Sounds like pink smoke, slowly turning disco balls, neon lights and dimly lit rooms. Hold me closer Grand Canyon. 

Weaves on the Williamsburg Bridge during CMJ with Calvin Love and crew in the background

EP by Weaves: Holy shit I love Weaves. They are so fucking cool. They melt my mind. They are so fucking weird in the best way. So unexpected. I didn't know my ear needed them so bad. They sound like nothing else. It's impossible for my not to dance/shake/slither along to this EP. They are my bbs and my buttercups. 

St. Vincent slaying at Pitchfork Paris

St. Vincent: Annie Clark is a goddess guitar god. That is all. Happily her digital witness. 

LP1 by FKA Twigs: Sexy sexy sexy sexy sexy sexy sexy sex. Also Arca. Doesn't take two weeks to get under your skin, the effects are instant. 

TOPS on the top of the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn during CMJ

Picture You Staring by TOPS: My late summer soundtrack. Was worried I'd get sick of this one cus I was listening to it so much but it simply got sweeter with each listen. Sounds like sunshine on the rocks. Saw them something like 5 times in one week this year. What can I say? I like grooving and it's the way that I want to be loved. 

Adult Jazz doing it up at Iceland Airwaves

Gist Is by Adult Jazz: These brits may be new kids on the block but you wouldn't know it from their debut. Start off with Idiot Mantra and sink in from there to see what I mean. 

Shrink Dust by Chad VanGaalen: Weird folk banjo beauty. Perfect for when you're not feeling totally human. Monster mashes. 

Caribou with special guest Jessy Lanza at Pitchfork Paris

Our Love by Caribou: Electronic music with actual instruments. Hype as heck. Can't do without it.

Kalaboogie by Doomsquad: Rad tribal dance chants that shake you up. That description doesn't do it but just trust me. Really dope shit. 

Meredith Graves of Perfect Pussy at Chicago's Pitchfork Festival

Say Yes To Love by Perfect Pussy: Because they actually put blood into their work. Say yes to that.

Ruins by Grouper: Like the soft sounds of rain. Stunning. Made of air. 

Odonis Odonis being bad ass in Iceland

Hard Boiled Soft Boiled by Odonis Odonis: Industrial surf gaze haze perfection. A definite  highnote. The homies hit hard. 

You're Dead! by Flying Lotus: It's fucking FlyLo dude. 

me and my beloved Foxes and Fiction vinyl

Ontario Gothic by Foxes In Fiction: Orchid Tapes are cool as shit and Warren Hildebrand is a soft voiced angel baby. This album was HEAVY in my fall rotation and continues to be. It's as crisp as the cold air and as satisfying as crunching leaves under your feet. Also Owen Pallett plays on it so automatic win. 

In Conflict by Owen Pallett: I've loved Owen Pallett since high school and consistently he turns out only the best shit. Each album takes you higher and higher and THOSE STRINGS! It's a complex listen that turns my anxiety into something that soars. He's always been on a path and wherever he goes I will follow. 

Dilly Dally 7"s: Yeah they don't even have a full album out but they made the list cus that's how hard they rule. So great. 

Absolutely Free: Feels like flying. Sounds of soaring in the air. 

ginla in Montreal 

Dreaming in Circles by ginla: I'm totally dating one of these dudes so I'm incredibly bias. Obviously I love this EP. Sorry not sorry. 

Salad Days by Mac DeMarco: Comfortable and cozy and cheesy just like mac & cheese. 

Lydia Ainsworth in New York during CMJ

Right from Real by Lydia Ainsworth: A symphonic and sparkling gem that's sharp and glitters with a chill. 

Alvvays: I want to marry this record. It's apple pie. It's summer daze. It's a creamsicle dream.

The War On Drugs in Paris

Lost in the Dream by The War On Drugs: Sounds like highways and motorcycles and clouds in the sky and red eyes. 

music video of the yesterday: "Infernal Fantasy" by Owen Pallett

No need for anything flashy when what you have is this stunning. 
Also Brian Eno is on this track. No big deal. 

* my laptop is hella broken so yeah I'm sorry this is a day late please forgive me

music video of the day: "In Conflict" by Owen Pallett

Because you are more than time and space. 

Owen's words below...

The song is about men; the ghost of my father whispering to me about human desire, and it’s about this moment in your life when you start to recognize that your body is a series of apparatus and you start to covet the bodies of people younger than you. I don’t identify as male, I identify as gender-queer, but I am very sympathetic whenever I see men throwing aside everything they have for the love of somebody new. It’s been the subject of so much poetry.

music video of the day: "This Is The Dream of Win and Regine" by Final Fantasy

Because I'm seeing Arcade Fire tonight in Montréal!!!

music video of the day: "Song for Five & Six" by Owen Pallett

If you know me at all then you know I love Owen Pallett. There's a reason the man is THE go to string guy. There's a reason I've seen him live so many times. There's a reason when given the opportunity I will gush on and on about how the man is a true talent and gift.

I guess I should play it cool and pretend I'm not such a fan or whatever. That's "cooler" right? Ugh. I don't care. His music moves me in all types of ways. It pulls and pings at my heart strings.  And passion isn't chill. 

So yes. Come out to the Danforth Music Hall tonight. Pallett is on at 9:30pm but come early for Doldrums cus they also are rad. It's a CMW show so your wristbands will get you in. If not, tickets at the door. Either way just be there. 

His new album In Conflict is out May 13th on Domino but you can grab a copy tonight at the show. 

Album release is three weeks away but this shizz will be available at shows starting this Friday :) pic.twitter.com/CwGLXw2TQN

— Owen Pallett (@owenpallett) May 5, 2014

music video of the day: "The Riverbed" by Owen Pallett

I love Owen Pallett.

When I was in grade 10, my first high school boyfriend lent me a Final Fantasy record. I fell in love with it more than I ever loved said boyfriend. I broke up with him, partly because the music was so beautiful and our tiny high school relationship didn't have a note of that passion that Pallett's strings did. I wanted that. He was mad at the time but I think it worked out in the end. He's since come out. We don't talk much. There's no heard feelings. 

Owen Pallett's work has been a favourite of mine ever since.

Check out the stunning music video for "The Riverbed" above.
Check out the cool simple yet effective lyric video for "On A Path" ft. Brian Eno below.

In Conflict is out May 13th on Domino.

music video of the day: "Dependent" by Light Fires with Owen Pallett

REGINA KNOWS WHAT YOU WANT. WITH THE VOICE OF A SHADY ANGEL AND A BODY MADE FOR BREAKING HEARTS, SHE DELIVERS ANTHEMS FROM THE ALLEYWAYS, AND SETS THE NIGHTS ABLAZE. WITH ELECTRONIC RHYTHMS FROM JAMES, SHE SKEWERS THE ROOM WITH HER SHARP HEELS. REGINA IS LIGHT FIRES, AND LIGHT FIRES IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN MISSING IN YOUR LIFE.

Such a great bio right? I can't decide who I like better, Regina or Gentleman Reg. Good thing they're the same person. And Owen Pallett?! Ugh it's just too good.

Check out the debut Light Fires album FACE on bandcamp & my NXNE interview with Reg.