Tegan and Sara, Sainthood (not Thainthood)

i love tegan and sara.

i mean, i wasn't even remotely interested until 2007's The Con (starring Death Cab For Cutie, Matt Sharp and Hunter Burgan).

in retrospect, i probably would have liked 2004's So Jealous but in a weird twist of fate i watched the enhanced cd part first and was turned off by how vicious the making of that record was. it left me wondering why they would have chosen to include such footage and so i just wasn't interested in listening. little did i realize this process is part of their modus operandi, once again revealed in The Con DVD, included in The Con deluxe edition (nikki, where's my tegan and sara DVD?).

i love The Con.

anyways, here we are, 2009 and a new Tegan and Sara record is upon us. Chris Walla and Jason McGerr of Death Cab For Cutie are back and the record will be called Sainthood. the release date is set for Oct.27th so set the alarm on your blackberries or whatever all y'all are busy texting each other with.

Sainthood (not Thainthood) from Tegan and Sara on Vimeo.

Bermuda, Bahahas, C'mon Pretty Mama...

Did you go to Folk Fest this year?
If so, you're probably one of the people talking my ear off about how dreamy Sam Beam's beard was and how Elvis Costello pulled off the creepy-mustache thing with stylish aplomb. When not jabber-jawing about grooming, you've also been raving about a new act called Bahamas.

You're right to rave - Pink Strat is a great rock record and your friends down at Music Trader are loving it too. Jay Churko was overheard to say "yeah, that record's alright..." which is the equivalent of a ringing endorsement from the compliment-stingy Churkster. Out now on Nevado Records, we've got you covered over at 97 Osborne Street - copies are currently in stock (though hurry, they're moving quick like lightning). We've also got tickets for the October 18 Amy Millan show at the West End Cultural Centre.

Why am I mentioning Amy Millan? Because Bahamas is opening for Ms. Millan and for those looking to rekindle their Folk Fest memories or catch up on a buzz-band they missed, this is THE opportunity!

Here's some Bahamamian goodness if you need convincing this is an album you should buy and a show you should attend:


FYI, the photo credit goes to Mel Lemoine, host of Kablaamo! Thanks Mel!

Have fun with Tom Fun Orchestra

Late breaking story on the CBC... a nation whispered we always knew that he'd go free.

Speaking of late breaking news and free:

Halifax's Tom Fun Orchestra will be dropping by Music Trader this Friday, July 17th to play a FREE in-store at 4pm.
What a way to start the weekend!! And just look at the forecast for Friday - it's supposed to be sunny so you've got no excuse not to come down.

Just look at the size of that orchestra - how could it not be fun? And crowded!! They don't even all fit on the page!
Check out the video of the band playing "Miles Davis" for proof positive that they can bring it live...


See you Friday!!

PS. Check out the Tom Fun Orchestra's website for more fun?

Your (Polaris) Prized Album?

So the Polaris Prize shortlist (aka the FINAL 10) was announced earlier today and in the spirit of the prize Music Trader wants to spark the debate on Canadian indie music.

Here's what the 'experts' came up with:

Elliott Brood — Mountain Meadows
Fucked Up — The Chemistry Of Common Life
Great Lake Swimmers — Lost Channels
Hey Rosetta! — Into Your Lungs (And Around In Your Heart And On Through Your Blood)
K'Naan — Troubadour
Malajube — Labyrinthes
Metric — Fantasies
Joel Plaskett — Three
Chad VanGaalen — Soft Airplane
Patrick Watson — Wooden Arms

What say you? Leave your responses in the comments.

And if you're looking for one of the nominated albums come on down soon - they're sure to go quickly.

Hip-hop Heads

Outside of mentioning that the fantastic new record from Mos Def, The Ecstatic is out and available at the store, just wanted to post this video for your amusement.

Dog Day In-Store: Saturday June 20th at 8pm

Mark your calendars, set your watches and shine your shoes.
C'mon down to Music Trader this Saturday, June 20th at 8pm to see Haligonians (that's what they call the Halifax peeps, f'real) Dog Day perform a special in-store for all their favourite Winnipegonians...

They recently rocked the heck out of the Royal Albert, opening for Julie Doiron, but they're back on their own and this time it's free!!

Check out "Happiness" from their new album Concentration if you doubt whether or not you should come down for this!!

Bitte Orca

Does it mean "ask whale"? Or "please whale"?
Whatever it means, the new album from Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca - is pretty solid. Though you wouldn't know it if you were just judging them on their opening slot for TV on the Radio at the Burton... Walker Theatre last Saturday. The sound was pretty terrible and it really did a disservice to folks who are unfamiliar with the band.

They closed with the lead-off single from the new album, "Stillness Is The Move" and the guitar line just pierced through the rest of the mix like a slasher-flick villain wielding a knife. On the album (where the mix is Baby-Bear-just-right) it sounds so frickin' good.

Check out the video below for proof:


The album comes out on Domino Records on June 9th so mark your calendar now.