Wednesday 13 June 2012

INTERVIEW: YOUNG RIVAL

TRAINS, PLANES AND DINOSAUR HEADS?
Article By Madison Foster

Young Rival
can bring out a crowd. There's no denying that. So maybe that's why London promotion team Half A Dino booked them for a fundraiser show earlier in June. Hmmm. Although the boys from Hamilton don't have too far to travel to get to London it's always great to find out they're taking the trek. I mean, who doesn't like to rock?

Just finishing up a full length album and we can only imagine a tour will be just around the corner, which means these boys will be no strangers to the road. Well, I guess that might already be the case. With drummer Noah Fralick residing in Toronto and his band mates, Aron D'Alesio and John Smith (if that really is his real name....) sticking to their roots in Hamilton the boys are constantly finding themselves in a back and forth situation keeping the band going. But hey, they're not complaining.

PRODUCER'S NOTES

AND THOUGH IT PAINS ME TO TREAT YOU UNKIND, THE GOAL IS GREATER, LOVE IS BLIND
Article By Drew Skitt

Two weeks ago, I got an email from Pat explaining that Handsome Furs (the band) had broken up. The news felt like learning that someone from your high school who was really cool and who had cool parents, you know, the high school sweet hearts (can you see your version of them?) had suddenly decided to call it quits.  Pat's tone made me think that he had lost his cat.   In true Pat form, there was still room for a laugh. After positioning his punch line, a few days later Pat ripped me on gmail chat, writing that our season had taken so long to post that our feature bands were already breaking up. I thought about it and had to laugh – like out loud.  Handsome Furs are road warriors and when we met up with them in Toronto and then in London a couple weeks later, it was obvious that they pour all they have into their music even when there is hardly any to give.  They also like to smoke cigarettes.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

LCV EPISODE 02

"PS WE LOVE YOU"

Posted By Brittknee Withikaye

Click through the photo to watch LCV Episode 2 "P.S. We Love You"


Feat. Grooves Band Profile w/ Handsome Furs, a Few Moments w/ PS I Love You, Mesh Boutique: Mesh Sesh Vol. 1, & Gorilla Video w/ Casper the Ghost

Wednesday 6 June 2012

MAC OUTPOST OFFICIAL SPONSOR

THANKS MAC OUTPOST

While we are thanking our Sponsors for all the free stuff they are throwing at us aside from "money"
I have to send a big shout out to London's Mac Outpost which hooked us up with a sweet looking 'designer' Lacie by Starck. This thing weighs like 10lbs, made out of some kind of stone, lasers and touch technology. It's pretty sweet.



Until Mac Outpost stepped in (again to save us), we only had enough space to store all the raw footage but no where to store the final cuts of LCV and all the new footage to come this summer.

Thanks Mac Outpost for all the hard-drives you have donated to this team and especially for this sweet addition to our tower of storage!

-B


NXNE 2012: PREVIEW


The 5 Bands to Watch at NXNE 2012 
As we prepare to head off to this year's North By Northeast, we wanted to review some of the acts we are looking forward to at this years installment of NXNE.

Gold & Youth
If you find yourself walking down Queen Street West on the Thursday of NXNE, make sure to get down to the Rivoli to check out this Vancouver buzz band. Their mix of Synth & Drum Loop set a moody tone for their haunting lyrics. This is a show not to be missed.


Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers
Having witnessed this bearded wonder at the CN Tower during the opening of this year's Canadian Music Week. I can tell you, if you choose this evening set at the Horseshoe on the Thursday. That you will be entertained by this blues-folk virtuoso from Sound Check to the last note played.

Bran Van 3000
Every year ,NXNE pulls a rabbit out of their 90's hat and this year is no different. As we'll get a chance to basque upon the Montreal Pop glory that is Bran Van 3000. From Drinking in L.A., to Couch Surfing to Astounded, this late night show on the Thursday schedule is reason to get your dancing shoes on.
 













Tuesday 5 June 2012

PRODUCER'S NOTES

LCV EPISODE 1 RECAP
Article By Drew Skitt

Meeting west coasters Current Swell was a lot like hooking up with Hands and Teeth, Wildlife, Paper Lions, and Metz, (all bands that will be making appearances on LCV). Automatically, I was drawn to each individual and there was this other dynamic that existed within the group - something I knew nothing about and instinctively knew to respect.

When Pat and I booked the Current Swell interview, we had just changed our approach with publicists. Since has been Pat my booking agent, our success rate in terms of landing interviews and access to shows is nearing perfection - he's one sexy cat.

One of our goals this season is to promote Gorilla Video. Rather than just booking interviews, this season we've been requesting performances in locations that sound (for lack of better word) - special. Gorilla Video will be a major part of what makes the show London Calling this season.

Current Swell's spontaneous GV is precisely why I have pursued this segment.  It's about collaborating with a band without firm plans to shoot in location 'x' and we try to use the bands first take - unless it's clearly a 'warm up'.  The point is to meet a band 50/50 on every component of the project.  It will be hard to top Current Swell's church track this season, but I know we can.

Episode 1, titled "Is that 100,500 In Your Collection Plate?," also has Californian Comedian Ari Shaffir turning the tables on Pat. Yes, you will find out if Pat Tiffin is a virgin or not in eppy one - that alone is reason enough to watch.

Thank you Brit for holding down the cuts, for your direction on the new title sequence and Dev for your camera work.  Major thanks to VANS and RVCA for the new kicks and clothes, and another big special thanks to Studio Kuefner (Christina Kuefner) for making us looks so good in this stuff.

Monday 4 June 2012

LCV EPISODE 01

"IS THAT $100,500 IN YOUR COLLECTION PLATE?"

Posted By Brittknee Withikaye
Hey everyone! The first Episode of London Calling Season 5 is finally here!

Click the photo to start watching LCV EPISODE 1 via LondonFuse

This Episode features: Current Swell, Pat Tiffin w/ Comedian Ari Shaffir, RVCA Photoshoot at Studio Kuefner, and Gorrilla Video w/ Current Swell, only on London Calling.

RVCA OFFICIAL CLOTHING SPONSOR

Another EXCITING day at the office! Our RVCA gear has arrived! Just about 65 items shipped straight from BC by RVCA for our cast and crew to stay cool and stylish this summer on LCV.

Personally, this'll probably get me through the winter too! I'm pretty sure Drew won't have to buy any business shirts for another year either.



Thank you SO much RVCA! We LOVE the way your clothes feel, so light, cool and casual; and we all promise to take good care of them so we can keep wearing them forever just like last year's shipment.

You can watch our cast and crew get down at Studio Kuefner wearing the first round of sponsored clothes by RVCA on EP01 of LCV set to launch TONIGHT online at LondonFuse.ca

Guys, don't be jealous! I've seen lots of RVCA wear right here in London at places like Archie's on Richmond Row and the malls (Masonville and White Oaks) just go in and ask for them to show you the RVCA line!

Or better yet, shop from the comfort of your own home! Check out their online clothing store below ...