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Canwest News Service
Whistler singer Ali milner was in Tokyo last week to participate in the Canadian Heritage Reception.
The reception is part of the 80-day countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympics. She’ll also perform at the Village Square during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 17.
Miller will be in Toronto Dec. 16 for the launch of her new album, I Dare You, at the Free Times Cafe.
CUBA’S HARDY AWARD
Alex cuba received the SOCAN Hagood Hardy Award last week for his impact on jazz, instrumental or world music.
Cinderpop Special
Cinderpop’s newest is the EP Cinnamon Winter, available only by digital download through iTunes. Physical copies are available only at its gigs, the first of which is Thursday at the Railway with Go Ghetto Tiger and Redgy Blackout.
W.A.T.T. LIGHTS UP
Last week, W.A.t.t. released its first compilation CD at Richmond’s Club Envy, but already is planning to launch two more.
JOSH AND MOKA
Independent label Camobear has a new Josh martinez video, “Underground Pop.” Martinez has teamed with Moka Only for this one. View it at www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_9hcwmKEwC4
TERRA FIRMA
Terra Grimard launches her CD, Unconventional Shining, digitally, tours B.C. and arrives back in Vancouver Dec. 11 (at Raw Canvas).
Grimard writes, “I woke up one day and decided it was time to record a new album. I made up my mind to do as much as I could myself and in my own space . . . it is a product of a Vancouver rainy season and a pent-up desire to write and record.”
EPICS FEATURE
The next In the House concert is R+B 4 U+M Saturday at 1922 E. 6th Ave.
R+B 4 U+Me features The epics, who were founded in 1963by18-year-oldR&Bdrummer David mcphail along with blues guitarist Jimmy Harmata and Devon, whose 1989 hit was “Mr. Metro.”
For more info, go to www.inthehousefestival.com.
ENTER THE VAMPS!
Gerry-Jenn Wilson, late of Jp5, has a new group, the all-girl east Vamps, and a new album that premiered last week at the Princeton Pub.
The CD was engineered by guitarist (and motorhead tour-roadie) Adam payne at FacePlant Studio.
NOTHING IS SOMETHING
Versus the Nothing is among the top-10 finalists in the Pit bull Promotions Radio Active Contest.
Alsomakingthecut areGeorgia murray, reid Jamieson, chantel upshaw, Alisha pillay, The painted Birds, cry of silence, Joyelle Brandt, miss mercury and The Left.
WEST COASTERS’ WIN
The only West Coast winners in last week’s fifth Canadian Folk Music Awards were Jim Byrnes and steve Dawson.
Held in Ottawa, Byrnes was named contemporary singer of the year, while his frequent collaborator, Dawson, got the pushing boundaries award.
CHRISTMAS GIGS – Rude City Riot, The Valuables, The elixxxirs, The ivy League Brawlers Dec. 5 at the Railway Club. – Allison Crowe’s Tidings Concert, Dec. 11 at St. James Hall. – The RC Weslowski Christmas Special with the svelte ms. spelled performing How the Grinch Stole Christmas, raise Your Kids Well, The Frame, The minimalist Jug Band, Bill mcNamera, travis the magician, sonya Littlejohn, scruffmouth and rachel DesLaurier Dec. 12 at Cafe Deux Soleils. – Bad santas featuring rich Hope Dec. 19 at the Biltmore.
OTHER GIGS TO NOTE – Mia Moth Wednesday at the Railway Club. – The Fugitives present songs from new EP, Find Me Saturday at the Biltmore). – Evan Symons Dec. 18 at St. Augustine’s. – The Zolas, returning for a hometown show Dec. 18 at the Vogue with Hey ocean! and current swell. – The League of Rock Showcase Dec. 16 at the Yale Pub.
CDS RECEIVED THIS WEEK
Tre: Tha Dopeman; Hans stamer: Everything Happens to Me; Lowry olafson: My Dog Ate My Homework; rose ranger and craig Zurba: Winter Town; paul pigat: Boxcar Campfire.
CD OF THE WEEK: POINTED STICKS: THREE LEFTS MAKE A RIGHT
On the first listen, you have to deal with the memory that 30 years ago, the Pointed Sticks endured the pressure of being the great hope of Vancouver rock. That was a lot to ask and the band was too flawed to live up to the expectation. Persevere, though, and Pointed Sticks sound like it has picked up where it left off, flaws and all. There is maturity and sophistication here but, oddly, so is a naivete that borders on innocence. The band still values a good melody and exciting rock and roll riffs, changes and dynamic moods. A song such as “Igor Said” might not have fit 30 years ago but it does now. Welcome back.
tharrison@theprovince.com
