What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Zooey Deschanel, the dark haired actress that everyone is smitten with, has been growing as a recording artist for a while now, especially with her duo She & Him. This has nothing to do with She & Him.

Zooey recently recording a song, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" with co-star (in the backwards love-story, 500 Days of Summer) Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I'm a huge fan of JGL, ever since his 3rd Rock from the Sun days, but I, for one, had no idea that JGL could sing  (it seems like everyone can at least try their luck at it nowadays). I'll be honest, being at work right now with a flash player that willl never work, I haven't heard the song just yet. So really, I wanted you to hear this first (sure...there are people around the world who could hear it too, but let's not think about them).

Enjoy!

Michael Rault says goodbye to Edmonton

Yes, it's been said before, doesn't make the news any better though: Michael Rault will be leaving Edmonton for the French pastures of Montreal, along with his sister, this coming January. His last show will be at the ARTery this Saturday (a New Year's plan for those late planners and procrastinators). Sandra Sperounes wrote this article in the Edmonton Journal just minutes ago, and maybe Rault is right: "Maybe you have to go away for awhile to build up the mystique about you.” Only time will tell.

Sheepdogs...well..I Don't Know

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be able to go to Sonic for one of their intermittent "Sonic Sessions", where a band, usually playing a venue later on that night, will come and perform in their "Listener Lounge" for about 40 audience members. The room is tight, the fans are eager, and the band usually sounds great for such a small space.

This time, however, the buzz band, the Sheepdogs, had no notes, riffs, or raspy vocals for us to enjoy. Not quite clear exactly why the band, out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was not able to play (something to do with "all the promotion around the night's show....they weren't allowed to play prior...or something to that effect), but it was disappointing, to say the least. I'm not sure about other people who attended, but I was there since I didn't get tickets to their sold-out show at the Starlite Room later on that evening. I was there to hear them play. Sure, they signed the free EP vinyl that they gave away (named "Five Easy Pieces"), and sure they did a longer than normal interview with one of the DJ personalities that regularly hosts the Sonic Sessions. But really, for an up and coming band, no matter how talked about they are, it was not the best first impression. Tons of major bands and artists have played in the lounge before, and yes, I know they're restricted by their record label, but doesn't mean that it doesn't irk me (for lack of a more appropriate word). I hope this really was the fault of the label, and has nothing to do with a stereotypical "Rock Star" status that tends to appear when a new band reaches fame so quickly.

Farewell 2011 & Michael Rault

So you've been patiently awaiting to hear this announcement...since a few minutes ago. Well here goes the big news that you may or may not already know: Michael Rault will be moving away from Edmonton, and setting up camp out east in Montreal. It's bittersweet to see such a great artist move away from their hometown, much like Christian Hansen & the Autistics a few months ago. It's amazing to see bands and musicians grow and develop over the years, but still a bit sad that I won't get to see them every other week, or see them walking down the street. I'm so glad that MR will be able to hopefully get his sound out to more and more people and am already excited for his first time back playing in Edmonton.

But WAIT. THERE'S MORE. Before moving away, Michael Rault will be having one last hurrah, playing along with another favourite of mine, Scenic Route to Alaska, on New Year's Eve at the ARTery. Tickets are on sale now through YEGlive, and if you're interested, which...well...let's not play around here, I know you are, I would get them ASAP. The ARTery is a very small venue, and I can see these bands being crazy fun to ring in the new year with! (I'm not so bad either).

Priceless laugher and price-less music

For the longest time, about 1/2  a month!, I haven't had much to say. The end of November was not stellar for shows/concerts and I just wasn't feeling inspired to write any non-concert entries! But now, oh boy, let me tell you, I ...have quite a bit to tell you!

First off lets start with the more dire, urgent and pressing matters that you must attend to immidiately! Comedian Demetri Martin is coming to Canada, and more specifically the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, as part of his "Telling Jokes in Cold Places 2012" tour. I'm not sure if you've been able (or so fortunate) as to see Martin before or to even see his Comedy Network show/youtube shorts, but if you haven't you MUST! Tickets for his January 5th show in Edmonton just went on sale today at 10am. Visit http://www.winspearcentre.com/ to purchase! (Martin often tells jokes to the light strum of his acoustic guitar, so...it *could* be considered concert-like...with hilarious outcomes).

Next up to the stage (and technically even more crucial right now) is Acres of Lions. The Victoria, B.C band is dishing out the Christmas presents early this year and playing an absolutely FREE show at Filthy McNasty's this Saturday. Straight from the lions' mouth,  it'll be an early show (doors at 4pm), and no minors allowed.  If you're hanging around the house doing nothing this Saturday, or enjoy a FREE show as much as...me, then I'll see you there! I mentioned it's free right? You can sample them on CBC Radio 3.

I have one other special surprise for you....But am giving a whole, entire post for it. Stay tuned.