Canada | Snapshots and Needle Drops

Kanye’s Point of View

October 1, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

At the moment, my friend J is one of the 500,000 or so people in the air. He’s probably just passing over the North Pole right now. As circumstance would have it, I landed at Toronto Pearson this morning and was able to catch J before he took off for a six-month stay in Shanghai. We were sitting in front of this irritating window and he cleverly says: “It’s like Kanye Vision!” I can’t think of a single international airport I’ve been […]

Categories: Hip Hop, Motown, Rap, Sample, Soul • Tags: ads, advertising, airports, Canada, hip hop, HSBC, Jay-Z, john durham peters, Kanye, Kanye West, music, Otis, photography, Sample, soul, toronto pearson, travel, vacation

The Mumford Effect

September 24, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Three days ago Mumford and Sons released their much-anticipated second album, Babel. Okay, here’s the thing: I haven’t actually listened to it yet apart from the single “I Will Wait” and the leaked tunes from a few months ago. So… I kinda dropped the ball on that one. From what I can remember though, the songs followed the Mumford standard: start slow- then, with rustic fervour, get faster and faster and faster. Really though, you’ve got nothing to worry, it’ll just more of […]

Categories: Acoustic, Alternative, Americana, Folk, Indie, Rock • Tags: alternative, Americana, banjo, banjo style, Canada, entertainment, farm, folk, folk groups, lumineers, Mumford and Sons, music, Ontario, photography, Rock, The Lumineers

In the Sticks

September 17, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

I tend to have unrealistic expectations when a favourite band comes out with a new album. I’m always expecting to hear something that I both immediately love and is a big step away from their previous stuff. These things are rarely ever compatible. Fortunately, as these artists have already won my favour I stick it out for a few rounds on “repeat all.” For Mother Mother’s newest The Sticks, which is set to release tomorrow, it only took one additional listen before I […]

Categories: Alternative, Canadian, Indie, Rock, Unreleased • Tags: album release, alternative, British Columbia, Canada, Canadian, indie, music, nature, photography, Rock, travel, unreleased, Whistler

Espace Go

September 10, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Montrealers might recognize the photo as that cool garage up on St Laurent. What they might not know is that this is the loading dock to Théâtre Espace Go. The company had been having problems with vandalism so they held a competition with artists from the two biggest graffiti collectives in the city, En Masse and Mu. Together they created <<Quai des Arts.>> Here’s an awesome vid of the work in progress: The track is from the always fun Matt […]

Categories: Alternative, Dance, Electropop, Funk, Indie, Pop, Rock • Tags: Canada, electropop, En Masse, graffiti, indie, Indie Rock, Matt and Kim, Montreal, Mu, mural, music, photography, pop, quai des arts, Quebec, Rock, speed painting, street art, Theatre Go

Stars of The North

September 4, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

New Stars album out today!!! Stars’ schtick is to throw roses out at their audience during concerts. They’re very much about sharing the music and the adulation. “We are Stars and so are you” is often repeated during their shows. On Facebook today they addressed fans: “This record is yours.” For concert pics and a previous post on this fav band of mine, click these words! Veteran Canadian indie rockers Stars released their sixth full-length studio album today named, The North. As you might […]

Categories: Alternative, Baroque Pop, Canadian, Electropop, Indie, Pop, Rock, Soul • Tags: alternative, Canada, Canadian, electropop, entertainment, indie, internet, Montreal, music, new music, online music, photography, pop, red roses, roses, Stars, Stars (band), streaming, The North, Wilco, yankee hotel foxtrot

Dancing Concert Girl sitting on shoulders, The Black Keys

Best of the Fest: Osheaga 2012

August 17, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Alright so Osheaga was almost two weeks ago now…… buuuut how timely was I with that closing ceremony post!? eh?…. ehhh? In a city renown for its music, the crowning jewel of Montreal’s indie-scene is the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. Launched in 2006 with 25,000 concert-goers this month’s edition hosted more than 120,000 fans. This was even a big jump from last year’s 80,000. I believe the most integral part of any live show is its audience. Joy is contagious, […]

Categories: Concert Pics, Electronic, Electropop, Indie, Pop, Rock, Synthpop • Tags: 2012, Canada, colbert report, concert, concert photography, electric, electropop, entertainment, festival, Montreal, music, Osheaga, osheaga music festival, Passion Pit, photography, pop, Rock, Synthpop, travel

Breezy Vibes

July 22, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Last June I wrote about Bahamas, a Torontonian artist who’s real name was (and still is, actually) Afie Jurvanen. I’ve since learnt that Mr. Jurvanen was actually raised in my hometown of Barrie, Ontario! That is crazy. Do you know who comes from Barrie? Hockey players, figure skaters, Stockwell Day, that girl from Radio Free Roscoe, and now Bahamas. What an addition! As I said last June, Bahamas’ first album is filled with easygoing songs that are short and sweet, […]

Categories: Alternative, Canadian, Folk, Indie, singer-songwriter • Tags: alternative, Bahamas, Barrie, Canada, Canadian, entertainment, folk, music, photography, singer-songwriter, summer, vacation

Pink balls street decor of Montreal gay village

Summer Anthem

July 16, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Return of the short posts! Icona Pop’s “I Love It” has turned into my summer anthem for 2012. I listen to it when I run, drive, let loose… pretty much all the time. Now, usually when “I Love It” gets played, someone interjects with “I prefer this one” and links through “Manners” by the same group. “Manners” is awesome- but it ain’t my summer anthem. However, because I’m feeling generous, I’ll link it through as well. Like many good bands, this duo […]

Categories: Alternative, Dance, Electronic, Indie, Pop • Tags: Canada, dance, electric, entertainment, Icona Pop, Montreal, music, photography, pop, ste catherine, summer, summer anthem, summer songs, Swedish, travel, vacation

I’m a Little Bit Country…

July 7, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Last night I had this moment of pure love for my hometown. I was sitting in the backseat while my friends and I soared down the back country roads at dusk. The windows were down, the wind slamming into our faces and making a storm out of my hair. The smell of wildflowers temporarily forcing me to forget any longing I had for city life. If this sounds like the beginning to a country song, it pretty much is. Rascal […]

Categories: Country • Tags: Canada, Country, music, night photography, Ontario, photography, Rascal Flatts

Snapshots and Needle Drops

Music meets international photography.

Tag: Canada