Because I get to see Derek Trucks twice in June, I won’t complain too much about the lack of left coast dates. That and I’m crossing my fingers that more dates will be announced..

07/31/07 Rama, ON Casino Rama
08/01/07 Rama, ON Casino Rama
08/03/07 Gilford, NH Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center
08/04/07 Newport, RI Fort Adams State Park
08/05/07 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
08/07/07 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion
08/08/07 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion
08/10/07 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
08/11/07 Raleigh, NC Deep South Acous. Stage@Alltel Pav.
08/12/07 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach
08/14/07 Bristow, VA Nissan Pavilion
08/15/07 Burgettstown, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion
08/17/07 Camden, NJ Tweeter Center At The Waterfront
08/18/07 Bushkill, PA Mountain Laurel Center
08/19/07 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
08/21/07 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
08/22/07 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
08/24/07 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
08/25/07 Boyne Falls, MI Boyne Mountain Resort
08/26/07 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
08/28/07 Saint Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair
08/29/07 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theatre
08/31/07 Council Bluffs, IA Harrah’s Council Bluffs
09/02/07 Aspen, CO Jazz Aspen Snowmass

Sebastien Grainger, former drummer/singer of Death From Above 1979, brings together a new group of friends for a garage/pop mall of toys, Sebastien Grainger et Les Montagnes. Living in Toronto with a tiny bird on his shoulder, he began writing and demoing what will become his first LP. Having played a few shows with just a guitar and wanting a more dynamic live show, friends Leon Taheny (Germans) and Nick Sewell (Illuminati) joined up for a few practices and the mountains came together. “I don’t want to make a “solo album”. The idea of collaboration has always appealed to me. What began as more relaxed acoustic guitar and piano based songs have since taken on a more primal and immediate form. The melodies and ideas are still there, only now with the band they live instead of dream.” Currently writing and setting up to record with producer Jimmy Shaw in their own studio, Sebastien’s triumphant take on Sonics-esque rock will be hitting people with the full glory of boisterous pop melodies. …”with Pixiesish anthems, rowdy rhythm-driven rock ‘n’ roll that upheld the tradition of his former band, and enough softer, sappier (but not sissyish) songs to elicit googly eyes from the ladies in the crowd.” (NOW Magazine, Toronto)

Sebastien Grainger et Les Montagnes - Young Mothers

Upcoming Tour Dates:

May 14: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite w/ Metric (ALL AGES)
May 15: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite w/ Metric (ALL AGES)
May 16: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite w/ Metric (LICENSED)
May 17: Calgary, AB @ Whiskey w/ Metric (LICENSED)
May 19: Victoria, BC @ The Central w/ Metric (ALL AGES)
May 20: Nanaimo, BC @ Coast Bastion Inn’s Benson Ballroom w/ Baby Control and Guests (ALL AGES, EARLY SHOW!! DOORS @ 1:30 PM)
May 21: Vancouver, BC @ Thunderbird Stadium - V-Fest
May 22: Bellingham, WA @ The Old Foundry w/ No Fi Soul Rebellion & Baby Control (ALL AGES)
May 23: Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey w/ Triumph of Lethargy, Baby Control & Sam Russo Sound System (21+ $8 adv)
June 9th: Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern - NXNE
July 13th: Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest

As usual, the list is huge, but the highlights (for me anyway) include:

Bob Dylan
Bjork
The White Stripes
My Morning Jacket
Regina Spektor
Crowded House
Ben Kweller
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
JJ Grey & Mofro
Rose Hill Drive
Charlie Musselwhite

In my humble opinion, the lineup isn’t as hot as it was in say, 2005 (the year I went). Hopefully the temperature won’t be as hot either.

Damnit, Warren Haynes is playing. Please remind me to buy lottery tickets a bit more frequently so I can afford this one.

This is just a quick update before I can do a proper one, but I would like to take back some of what I previously said about the Virgin Fest in Vancouver.

Since the initial lineup was announced, a number of good bands/acts have been added. Among the good ones - Mute Math, Pride Tiger, and Sebastien & Les Montagnes.

And, thanks to a certain bass player in one of the above mentioned bands, I will likely be attending at least one day of the festival. No, the irony is not lost on me.

There are just too many bands/artists to name (full list here), so I’ll point out some of the acts I plan on seeing.

Sonny Rollins - June 22, 2007 @ The Orpheum Theatre
The Derek Trucks Band - June 24, 2007 @ The Commodore
M. Ward - June 28, 2007 @ The Orpheum Theatre
Norah Jones and the Handsome Band - June 28, 2007 @ The Orpheum Theatre
The Blind Boys of Alabama - June 30, 2007 @ Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts

I would have included Antibalas (June 23, 2007 @ Commodore Ballroom) in that list, but The Derek Trucks Band is playing in Victoria that same night, and Derek wins over just about everyone else.

Goofy little side-note: as I was writing that last paragraph, it dawned on me that tickets had probably also just gone on sale for the shows (I’m a little slow sometimes…) so I paused, went to Ticketbastard and purchased myself some Derek Trucks tickets. I’ll be in Row C seat 24 in Victoria, and right at the front of the (GA) stage in Vancouver. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

I’m trying not to go overboard w/ the embedded youtube video’s, but uhh.. fuckit.

If you get a chance to see her, GO.

Upcoming Regina Spektor dates:

04/24/07 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
04/25/07 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
04/26/07 Sacramento, CA - Empire Events Center
04/28/07 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field
04/29/07 San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
04/30/07 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
05/04/07 Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
05/13/07 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
06/17/07 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival

The (?!!) is because I can’t believe that Ottawa has a festival this freaking insane. Though not yet listed (that I could find) on the Bluesfest site, apparently The Village People will also be playing. So, The White Stripes, Bob Dylan and THE VILLAGE PEOPLE will be a part of the same festival? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I want to go to Ottawa.

Partial lineup:

Bob Dylan
George Thorogood
Gary U.S. Bonds
Manu Chao
Sarah Harmer
Burnside Style
Steve Marriner
The White Stripes
Joel Plaskett
The Flatlanders
Hedley
Faber Drive
George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars
moe.
The Steve Miller Band
Blue Rodeo
James Hunter
INXS
The Cat Empire
Kanye West
Henry Butler
Cat Power
Built to Spill
The Rhythm Council
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Ruthie Foster
Janiva Magness
Leahy
Diunna Greenleaf
Leo Kottke
Johnny Lang
Elmer Ferrer
Randy Newman
The Robert Cray Band
Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
Blackie & The Rodeo Kings
Patrick Watson
Sam Roberts
Candye Kane
Papa Mali
Kid Koala
Toumani Diabaté
The Mighty Popo
Mihirangi
John Rae & The River
Hawksley Workman
Bob Schneider
Ohbijou
Spiral Beach
Final Fantasy
Alejandro Escovedo
Todd Snider
Ndidi Onukwulu
Ten Years After
Tokyo Police Club
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Steve Forbert
Deadstring Brothers
Detroit Women
Femi Kuti
Soul Jazz Orchestra
Mute Math
City and Colour
Shout Out Out Out Out
Buddy Guy
Fiona Boyes
Los Lobos
Chris Duarte
Xavier Rudd
Lucky Peterson
Larry McCray
Metric
Jim Bryson
Danny Michel
John Mooney
Alexisonfire
Watermelon Slim
IsWhat?!
David Maxwell
Samuel Jackson
AlexCuba
the bird and the bee
Matt Anderson
Dave Gunning
Dorit Chrysler
Stephen Fearing, Tom Wilson, Colin Linden
Rick Fines
and last but not least, for Jennifer - Jetplanes of Abraham

ps. The Senators still suck

That’s right west-coast Canadians - The Derek Trucks Band is headed our way. This will be my first concert in Victoria, BC (unless something else cool is announced first).

The Derek Trucks Band late-Spring 2007 Tour Updates: (source)

6/23 - Victoria, Canada - Royal Theatre
6/24 - Vancouver, Canada - The Commodore Ballroom
6/28 - Winnipeg, Canada - COOL Jazz Winnipeg Festival
6/30 - Toronto, Canada - TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival
7/4 - Montreal, Canada - Le Spectrum De Montreal
7/20 - Sioux Falls, SD - Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Festival

Q: Which lineup is worse, day one or day two?
A: haha trick question, they both suck beyond belief.

The good news is that whoever gets added (neither lineup is complete) can’t possibly make it worse. Also, by having so many awful bands play in Vancouver, that gives Toronto some hope.