The Craig Norris Hour - Co-host initiative 3rd edition: Sarah Brideau

Posted on January 31, 2009

Hey Folks,

For those of you who couldn’t make it to your computers in time to listen last Thursday, here’s the show.

This is the integral version, all 3 hours are there. The playlist is fun and the music is good.

Enjoy!

Today on The Craig Norris Hour - CBC Radio 3

Posted on January 29, 2009

***Listen to the show here between 12-3PM, January 29th, 2009***

Hello friends,

I could talk about many things in my very first blog entry for the CBC, but for some reason, all I can think about is « don’t say anything stupid, don’t say anything stupid ». Thing is, the more I think about not saying anything stupid, the less I want to say stuff and the more the stuff I want to talk about sounds stupid. So, stupid it is folks; it’s that or nothing at all.

I’m a blogger, a photographer and a writer amongst other things, so finding something to write shouldn’t be so hard. It appears as though I’d be a creative person, but then again, I often doubt I really am. As you’ve probably realized by now, I’m pretty good at going on and on into mindless jabber, which is always fun for the audience looking for the point of all these words that seem to go around in circles. Story of my life folks! I’m a Masters student at McGill University in Montreal where I’m specializing in Acadian literature (more specifically the poetics of Gerald Leblanc for those who wonder).

My life aspirations are to have a garden and a cow. I’d also like to work for the Ceeb one day, but the way I see it, they like smart people, and I’m better at useless jabber, that’s why Craig’s hosting the show and I’m just his sidekick for the day.

Coming up in today’s three hour long Craig Norris Hour (hi-o), lots of mindless chat on my part that promise to take over all of the music. After all, my life under the McGill siege is mostly about staying home and reading. In all honesty, I’m so excited about talking to an actual human being today that if you hear my voice shaking a little, it’s probably because at the simple thought of being able to talk to the whole world at once is making my knees are weak. Either that or the fact that I’m trying to impress Mr. Norris with my nerdy charm and wit.

Tomorrow on The Craig Norris Hour

Posted on January 28, 2009

Hey folks,

Just a small note that tomorrow afternoon, I will be co-hosting The Craig Norris Hour on CBC Radio 3. We had a blast recording it today. Most fun EVER!

If you know me at all, then you will also know that there are few things I’m as big a fan of as I am of the CBC. Though this is not like an actual job or anything, it’s still me having one heck of a time on the national airwaves co-hosting my pal Craig’s radio show. It’s a pretty special moment for me.

Tune in if you can. The show airs Thursday, January 29th, 2009 between 12-3 PM Eastern Time. You can listen in at www.radio3.cbc.ca or on iTunes radio under “public radio”

Ferriswheel CD launch @ Divan - Thursday, Jan 29th

Posted on January 27, 2009

One of the pleasures of living in a city with a lot of musicians is the abundance of music. Every once in a while, the band members branch out into different projects and create something new and interesting. This is the case with Ferriswheel who is launching their first album this coming Thursday at Divan Orange. The band features Simon Trottier on guitars and Mathieu Charbonneau of Torngat on a variety of keyboard instruments.The record is nice and mellow. Good music for a sunny afternoon. Like Torngat, this endeavor is also instrumental, but that’s pretty much where the comparison stops. The style is quite a bite more quiet and ambient. It would do a wonderful soundtrack to a movie. The event is also a launch for Chantale Morin’s new album and will feature a performance by J’envoie, so why not come check it out for yourself. Venez en grand nombre! Show starts at 8 pm.

How Much is Too Much? How is the Obamania Affecting You?

Posted on January 20, 2009

Whether you want to know what today is or not, you probably know that it’s the much awaited day of Obama’s inauguration. Personally, I’m a little disgruntled at how terribly saturated the Canadian media is with the coverage of this event. Just a few minutes ago, I had to turn off my favorite radio station because even they are following the trend. We’re Canadians, so what’s the big deal? Why is even the CBC falling into the pool of overzealous reporting of how great our neighbour’s new president is. I get a bit of a strange feeling that resembles when I was a kid and my friend got a much better toy for Christmas than I did. Are we such masochists that we’d rather dwell on how much better our neighbours have it than focus on fixing out own problems?

Let me remind you that we still have Hamster-face Harper as Prime Minister of our beautiful country. We all know that he’s screwing it up, yet we re-elected him anyway. People don’t seem to care enough about Canadian politics to keep the Canadian version of Bush OUT of government. Why is that? Granted, our own politics may not have the same type of charisma over here. Maybe if Dion would’ve been a little sexier and bit more suave, a greater number of us would’ve moved their bums and gone to the polls last fall. Maybe all we need is our candidates to be a little sexier? Maybe if we had an aboriginal man running for office, we could also make history?

What is the media coverage saying about the people? The over saturation is there for a reason: because people want to hear about it. It’s not the coming of the Christ… but Obama’s being treated like he is. His inauguration is probably one of the biggest “mediatized” event ever, and let’s face it… the man hasn’t even done anything yet. Let’s pace ourselves people. Imagine how much pressure all of these expectations are creating. He’s being treated like the new messiah, and nothing good can come of projecting unrealistic expectations on someone, right? Obama says “change” and every bows down to him like the king of the universe. Let me just remind you people that he hasn’t actually done anything yet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the guy. He wants to make America better, godspeed! I’m just thinking that change can be good, change can be bad. Careful what you wish for. Last time we changed parties at the House of Commons, we “changed” alright. We stepped out of the Kyoto protocol amongst other things. I’m not saying Obama’s going to do the bad change thing, I just think there’s something scary about falling into the sheep pond.

Maybe it’s because America is in such bad shape that people are being so positive about this brand new savior they have elected. Maybe they’re thinking there’s nowhere to go but up after a president like Bush. Sure. Why not? All I’m saying here is that I think that all of the pre-praise that people are putting on Obama’s back is a dangerous avenue to walk on. Maybe I’m being a little cynical here, but I like to see what a man can do before I praise him for what he “says” he’s going to do. Dreaming is nice, but he’d better put his money where his mouth is. I’ll gladly join the crowd and celebrate once he’s actually DONE something great that deserves all the praise he’s getting.

What are your thoughts about the Obama madness? Does it make you mad? Are you cautiously optimistic like me? Does it make you feel like we’re finally all saved from the big bad Bush?

Brave the Cold and Warm Your Heart- The Olympic Symphonium and Snailhouse @ Casa TONIGHT!

Posted on January 15, 2009

You don’t need to turn on the news to know that we’re in the middle of what’s probably some of the coldest days of the year out there. Forgive me for mentioning this, but there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot going on this month in Montreal in terms of music. Maybe it has something to do with the weather that seems to slow everything down. In my opinion it’s just one more reason to jumps on the good ones to help you beat the winter blues. Granted, it’s a bit difficult to motivate yourself to go outside for anything today, but if the cold is worth braving for one reason today, it’s for a show featuring The Olympic Symphonium and Snailhouse, taking place at Casa del Popolo tonight. I swear nothing could make your heart warmer on those cold January nights.

The Olympic Symphonium is a trio from Fredericton (N.B.) featuring members from Grand Theft Bus and Share amongst a myriad of other musical projects from the Maritimes. The three musicians rotate instruments and vocal leads for pretty much every song. Their music is quiet, subtle and soft, and the melodies are wonderfully developed and sustained with excellent harmonies. Their first album Chapter 1 (2007) has played so much on my CD player that it’s about to call it quits. Good thing they’ve just released a brand new album late this fall. According to our music editor, Jeremy, “It’s a beautiful album”, which I don’t have a hard time believing since the few songs I’ve heard from it sound great.

Tonight, they are sharing the stage with Snailhouse (a.k.a. Mike Feuerstack), which needs little introduction, but what the heck. Lead signer of The Wooden Stars and also a new permanent member of Bell Orchestre, musically speaking, it seems that everything Feuerstack touches turns to gold. He has also released a new record this year which, in my opinion, is his best one yet. It grows on you like an old cheese and just gets better and better the more you get acquainted with it. Snailhouse usually features a different set of backup musicians, and if my feelings are right about this one, The Olympic Symphonium will probably be the ones backing up Feuerstack for his set. It should be beautiful and heartwarming. You owe it to yourselves to come check it out on such a cold, cold night.

Photos by SarahBrideau.com