Tag: montreal

MIXTAPE: Mike McKenna Jr.’s Canadian Dream

Posted on by Editor

We have some very chill vibes happening north of the border, so I’ve put together a playlist of my current isolation favourites, with a focus on the music scene here in my adopted home of Montreal. This is not a who’s who of club bangers or country twangers, although there’s a time and a place for both. Instead it’s my special collection of laid-back, Canadian, genre-fluid, slow afternoon-drive royalty. — Mike McKenna Jr.

Foxwarren – “Sunset Canyon”

I’ve been into this song somethin’ fierce lately so it’s at the top of the list, and it honestly makes me want to melt into my couch just hearing it now. If an ice cream sandwich started a band it would probably sound like Foxwarren, and no I don’t have any idea what I mean by that.

Deadhorse Beats – “Inglaterra”

When I first met Patrick Wade (AKA Dead Horse Beats) here in Montreal, through the small but tight-knit Nova Scotia community, we seemed to have skipped over the fact we were both musicians. Turns out he had some really fresh tracks up his sleeve, eventually showcased in his 2019 record Inglaterra, and since it dropped I’ve had it on repeat.

Hanorah – “Saturn Return”

One night I went out to meet a friend at a local dive bar, who told me she’d be singing backup for this artist named Hanorah. The bar was an absolute pile of trash, but as the music started this confident, natural voice cut through the nonsense… it was holiness.

Leif Vollebekk – “Elegy”

Another true Montreal gem, Leif is a piano and chill mastermind, with several other great songs from this album worth mentioning like “Vancouver Time” and “Into the Ether.” His music has a simple beauty and “Elegy” was a must include, or me getting stoned and making a playlist didn’t happen.

Buffy Sainte-Marie – “Helpless”

“Helpless” may have been written by Neil Young and first recorded by both Crazy Horse and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, but there is something raw and badass about Buffy’s 1971 rendition. She’s an icon, and this throwback has a little je ne sais quoi that I connected with as soon as it hit my ears.

Bahamas – “Lost In The Light”

The first time I heard Toronto-born songwriter Afie Jurvanen’s “Lost In The Light,” I was lost on a documentary binge, and it stood out while watching a short-doc about a guy from Nova Scotia living on a sailboat and cruising around the Caribbean. The melody cemented that image into my head; the clear turquoise water, the fresh fish, the freedom, the cool pocket knife… funny how vividly a great song can transport us somewhere.

Rosier – “Vie peníble”

This pastel-adorned, traditional turned indie band has strong roots in the folk music community here in Quebec, and it shows subtly throughout their youthful dream-pop songs à la française. My own newest release At the Edge of the World features two members of Rosier, so yes you’re right that I’m very biased, but unapologetically so.

Colter Wall – “Kate McCannon”

We’re deep into the session so we needed a dark horse, and “Kate McCannon” is not only an epic and old school tale, but my sister’s name happens to be Kate. So it sounds a hell of a lot like Kate McKenna to me sometimes when it’s on in the background, and then I have to stop whatever I’m doing and plan to avenge her death at the hand of this s.o.b. prairie boy. But honestly this song is captivating, vivid storytelling and I’m into it big time. Respect!

Andy Shauf – “The Magician”

The opening track to Andy Shauf’s 2016 record, The Party, sets the tone for an album written by an incredibly observational songwriter, and entirely about one awkward, eventful night. He’s the only artist to be featured twice on this list, and deservedly so, since he also happens to be the lead singer of Foxwarren.

City and Colour – “Sleeping Sickness”

This song reminds me of driving across Canada for the first time a few years ago, passing by fields and endless trees and more lakes than you could imagine. Although it doesn’t say in the title, “Sleeping Sickness” includes a guest spot by the late Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip, which makes this one a bit more special.

Geneviève Racette – “Magnetic Love”

My good friend, and a truly exceptional songwriter in both French and English, Geneviève Racette got some serious national attention last year after releasing her album No Water, No Flowers. It’s no accident that I placed this one right after City and Colour, since it was upon hearing her new track “Parachute” that lead singer Dallas Green became incredibly vocal about how strong of a record this truly was.

Jon Bryant – “Paradise”

People from my home in the Canadian Maritimes love to champion someone as our own, and even though Jon Bryant has relocated to the West Coast we know he’s a bluenosin’ Nova Scotian. “Paradise” is my favourite track from his new record, Cult Classic, and it demonstrates that he’s absorbed a lot of that laid-back, free-spirit energy BC is known for.

Mike McKenna Jr. – “At the Edge of the World”

It was suggested, maybe even encouraged, that I include at least one of my own songs, so I chose the single and title-track from my just released 8-song album, At the Edge of the World. It features some lush, dreamy production courtesy of Victoria, BC’s Quinn Bachand (Brishen, Kittel & Co., Rosier), and a ’70s-inspired, harmony laden, pedal-steel infused backing band.

Les Louanges – “La nuit est une panthère”

Yesterday I asked my bandmate Colin Savoie-Levac (Rosier, the Duhks) if he wanted to throw something into the mix that he’s really into right now. His pick was this sweaty, sexy number from Quebec’s indie pop powerhouse, Les Louanges, and I wasn’t disappointed!

Rose Cousins – “Freedom”

A live video recording of “Freedom” is what originally pulled me into a deep Rose Cousins wormhole, but the studio version is such a dramatic, powerful and universal piece of work. My natural conclusion is she’ll go down as one of our greats.

Mac DeMarco – “This Old Dog”

This song has been in a few of my playlists lately, as it’s strange but smooth lull makes me feel like I’m floating on a druggy cloud. Although I know “Chamber of Reflection” or something from his outstanding 2014 album Salad Days might be an easy crowd-pleaser, I really like the stripped-down, tight, melodic nature of “This Old Dog.”

Wild Rivers – “Thinkin ‘Bout Love”

I’ve been following the trajectory of this band for a while now, ever since we’d both entered a national song contest and I came across their soulful, catchy pop song “No Ribbons.” It was released under a different name, but when they launched into the mainstream as Wild Rivers and dropped “Thinkin ‘Bout Love,” I wasn’t surprised to see them selling-out shows and thriving.

The Sheepdogs – “The One You Belong To”

Trying to remember where I was when I first heard the Sheepdogs, but the memory is smothered by a thick cloud of smoke. The retro, soulful, southern-rockish band out of Saskatoon hits my nostalgia buttons with a Woodstock-esque punch, making this jam a perfect way to finish off my list!

Photo credit: Elena Samuel

BGS Podcast Roundup // May 8

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

In this week’s podcasts, we take you everywhere from Nashville’s Lower Broadway, to Compass Records, to the culinary scene in Montreal, and even back to a time when touring was a thing.

If you enjoy spending your weekend with the BGS Podcast Network, make sure to follow along on our social media [Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram] and right here, where we’ll consistently gather our new episodes, as well as some past favorites:

The Show on the Road – Jamestown Revival

On the latest episode of The Show On The Road, we feature Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance, two Texans and expert harmonizers who for the last decade have toured the world as Jamestown Revival.

Right before all tours got sent home, host Z. Lupetin was able to hop on the Jamestown Revival tour bus to discuss their intimate new record, San Isabel. While their previous record, The Education of a Wandering Man, saw them harnessing the muscular roots-rock that can be heard at their powerful live shows, San Isabel strips everything back to their intimate two-voices-around-one-mic, “southern and Garfunkel” sound that brought them together in the first place — and has rightfully won them hordes of fans coast to coast.

They say sibling harmony can’t be compared and we’ve had several sets of twin bands on the podcast, but what about soul-brother harmony? If one thing is clear just sitting on the bus and listening to them weave their stories and songs together, it’s that Clay and Chance were born to sing together.

San Isabel was laid down at Ward Lodge Studios overlooking the San Isabel National Forest in Buena Vista, Colorado and often includes the natural sounds of the nature all around them. Give it a listen — it’s peaceful and powerful and raw and maybe just what we all need right now.

Toy Heart – Alison Brown

Banjoist and record label head Alison Brown speaks with host Tom Power from her studio at Compass Records headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. They begin with her early records made with Stuart Duncan, “finding her people,” and winning the Canadian National Banjo Championship (as an American), then on to her time at Harvard, where playing banjo became “something you’d talk about at cocktail parties.”

She describes the moment she decided to leave investment banking and commit to music full time, her cocktail napkin dream, and the two talk women in bluegrass, women in banjo, and the First Ladies of Bluegrass. The story they dive into together is ultimately about figuring out what makes you happy, and pursuing it bravely, against all odds.

The Shift List – Chef Dyan Solomon (Olive et Gourmando, Foxy) – Montreal

This week, The Shift List closes out its miniseries focusing on the food of Montreal with chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Dyan Solomon. If you’re from Montreal, Dyan Solomon needs no introduction. She’s the co-owner of multiple restaurants there, including Foxy, one of the city’s essential fine dining establishments. Back in November 2019 she released the Olive + Gourmando cookbook, a collection of 150 recipes from the namesake cafe that put Solomon on Montreal’s culinary map when it opened back in 1999.

Host Chris Jacobs checked in with Chef Dyan via email the other week to see how her restaurants have been affected by the stay-at-home orders in Canada. She replied with cautious optimism, saying that while all of her restaurants are closed until further notice, they are surviving and trying to remain positive about the future.

If you’ve listened to the last two episodes of The Shift List with Chef John Winter Russell of Restaurant Candide, you’ll know that he highlighted the work that’s being done to help support the Montreal Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, an organization set up to provide emergency relief to restaurant employees who are facing economic hardship due to COVID-19. Coincidentally, the fund was set up by Kaitlin Doucette, the Sommelier at Solomon’s fine dining restaurant Foxy, and donations are still being accepted at mtlrestorelieffund.org.

The String – Paul Burch, Thomm Jutz

Paul Burch moved from Indiana to Nashville in 1995 when his friend Jay McDowell (BR549) told him about the burgeoning indie country music scene on sleepy Lower Broadway.

In the 25 years since then, Burch has made uncompromising and original music with shades of classic honky tonk and timeless rock and soul. On the latest episode of The String, we talk with Burch about his role in the fascinating band Lambchop, the evolution of his band the WPA Ball Club and his new album Light Sensitive. Also in the hour, German-born bluegrass songwriting star Thomm Jutz.

 

BGS Podcast Roundup // April 24

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Another week, another podcast roundup. From bluegrass, to dreamy jazz classics, to Montreal cuisine, we’ve got options.

Make sure to follow along on our social media [Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram] and right here, where we’ll consistently gather our new releases, as well as some past favorites:

Toy Heart – Béla Fleck

On the latest episode of Toy Heart, Béla Fleck talks to host Tom Power from his home studio and for the first time, he tells his story in bluegrass.

Fleck started out in New York hearing Earl Scruggs for the first time, learning from Tony Trischka, and then making the decision to go (new) south to learn from J.D. Crowe. He auditioned for Bill Monroe, but eventually found ‘his people’ and joined New Grass Revival. He tells of mistakes the band made along the way, the hard decision to leave that band and start the Flecktones, recording with his hero Earl Scruggs, and how he found his way back to bluegrass after all.

He also unveils the one change he thinks anyone can make to their practicing to become a better musician.

The Show On the Road – Kat Edmonson

Initially turning heads for her dreamy and futuristic interpretations of great songbook classics like Gershwin’s “Summertime,” which have been listened to over ten million times and counting, Kat Edmonson broke through with playful original works a decade ago, self-producing one of Show on the Road host Z. Lupetin’s all-time favorite records, Take to the Sky. She quickly found powerful fans in folks like Lyle Lovett, who she toured with wildly. Major label releases followed. Edmonson soon migrated from her home state of Texas to Brooklyn, with her elfin chanteuse look and sparkling vintage sound (think Blossom Dearie with some Texan muscle).

Z. and Edmonson sat down to discuss her newest record, Dreamers Do, which may just be the shot of pure cinematic nostalgia we all need right now. Does she cover Mary Poppins, Alice In Wonderland, and Pinocchio and somehow make them deeply cool, sonically subversive, and somehow brand new again? She sure does.

The String – Jessi Alexander and Jill Andrews

This Spring, many of the outstanding women of roots music have released new albums, and this past week on The String, Craig Havighurst caught up with two of them.

Jessi Alexander, native of Jackson TN, moved to Nashville at 18 and landed songwriting and record deals. She’s a hitmaker behind the scenes who rarely surfaces with her own heartfelt country music, but she sure does so on Decatur County Red, anchored in stories of her Tennessee coming-of-age.

Jill Andrews is more urbane and silky in her sound, but the personal journey she shares on her album and book Thirties is full of challenges and the clarity that comes with time and triumph.

The Shift List – Chef John Winter Russell (Restaurant Candide) – Montreal

On the latest from The Shift List, a two-part conversation with John Winter Russell, chef and founder of Restaurant Candide in Montreal. While host Chris Jacobs caught up with Russell via phone post-COVID-19 restrictions in Part 1, Part 2 was recorded a few months back, before the world was thrown into chaos, and it serves as a reminder of how integral chefs and independent business owners are in shaping the culture of our cities.

Restaurant Candide is named after 18th century writer/philosopher Voltaire’s book of the same name, inspired particularly by the last line of the book: “Let us cultivate our garden.”

This line is the guiding force to Russell’s food, as he works closely with producers local to Montreal and creates four-course meals inspired by those ingredients, crafting dishes that are produce forward, but not exclusively vegetarian.

The experience of eating at Restaurant Candide is unique and only something that can be experienced in Montreal. From the restaurant’s location, set in an old gothic church basement, to the warm interior that utilizes refurbished pews, and exposed brick along the walls that look into the kitchen. The restaurant is a defining part of the fabric of Montreal’s restaurant scene, not only in 2020, but overall.

Thankfully, Russell feels that he and his staff will weather COVID-19 and should be able to resume business at the restaurant once restrictions are lifted, and in the meantime he’s given back to restaurant workers affected by job losses in Canada by offering beer deliveries every Friday. If you live in Montreal and are craving some craft beer delivered to your house, send an email at [email protected]. All proceeds will go to the Montreal Restaurant Workers Crisis Relief Fund.

 

The Shift List – Chef John Winter Russell (Restaurant Candide) – Montreal, Part 2

Posted on by Chris Jacobs

This week on The Shift List, part two of our conversation with John Winter Russell, chef and founder of Restaurant Candide in Montreal.

LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS • MP3

This episode was recorded a few months back, before the world was thrown into chaos, and it serves as a reminder of how integral chefs and independent business owners are in shaping the culture of our cities.

Restaurant Candide is named after 18th century writer/philosopher Voltaire’s book of the same name, inspired particularly by the last line of the book: “Let us cultivate our garden.”

This line is the guiding force to Russell’s food, as he works closely with producers local to Montreal and creates four-course meals inspired by those ingredients, crafting dishes that are produce forward, but not exclusively vegetarian.

The experience of eating at Restaurant Candide is unique and only something that can be experienced in Montreal. From the restaurant’s location, set in an old gothic church basement, to the warm interior that utilizes refurbished pews, and exposed brick along the walls that look into the kitchen. The restaurant is a defining part of the fabric of Montreal’s restaurant scene, not only in 2020, but overall.

Thankfully, Russell feels that he and his staff will weather COVID-19 and should be able to resume business at the restaurant once restrictions are lifted, and in the meantime he’s given back to restaurant workers affected by job losses in Canada by offering beer deliveries every Friday. If you live in Montreal and are craving some craft beer delivered to your house, send an email at [email protected]. All proceeds will go to the Montreal Restaurant Workers Crisis Relief Fund.

The Shift List – Chef John Winter Russell (Restaurant Candide) – Montreal, Part 1

Posted on by Chris Jacobs

This week on The Shift List, a conversation in quarantine with John Winter Russell, chef and founder of Restaurant Candide in Montreal.

LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS • MP3

Host Chris Jacobs first had the chance to speak with Russell at Candide before COVID-19 related travel and gathering restrictions went into place, and decided to reconnect with him recently via phone to see how Russell is facing the challenges of being an independent chef and restaurant owner during a global pandemic.

In the episode, the pair talk about some of the music Russell’s listening to in quarantine and the food he’s making at home, but he also talks about some of the ways he’s been able to give back to the restaurant workers affected by job losses in Canada, as well as a recent opportunity to create menus for the food banks of Montreal.

If you live in Montreal and are craving some craft beer delivered to your house, send an email at [email protected]. All proceeds will go to the Montreal Restaurant Workers Crisis Relief Fund.

We’ll be airing our non-quarantine episode from Candide in Montreal on April 21.

The Shift List – Arthurs Nosh Bar – Montreal

Posted on by Chris Jacobs

This week on The Shift List, our first of three episodes from the great and wintry city of Montreal with Arthurs Nosh Bar, a cozy breakfast and lunch spot serving Jewish classics, including menu standouts like crispy schnitzel served on thick-cut challah or a latke smorgasbord featuring organic gravlax, fluffy scrambled eggs, and caviar.

LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS • SPOTIFY • STITCHER • MP3

Opened in 2016, Arthurs has garnered praise from Bon Appetit, Goop, and Canada’s Globe and Mail, and it all started with owners Raegan Steinberg and her husband, Alex Cohen.

The pair sat down with The Shift List amidst the hustle of Arthurs staff wrapping up service in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon to talk about everything from the playlist they prepared for the birth of their daughter Freia to the personal and professional journey that led them to open Arthurs Nosh Bar.

Traveler: Your Guide to Montréal

Posted on by Editor

“Hi, bonjour, hello,” is the greeting when you walk into any spot in the faux-Euro artsy port city of Montréal. This vibrant, French-speaking city is full of open-air markets, intricate architecture, vintage shops, and every kind of art. With just a quick hop over the U.S. border, English speakers may get cold feet upon arrival, but 56 percent of the population can speak English and French. Between Mont-Royal, the walkable streets of Old Port, and the array of diverse museums, you’ll want to pack your walking shoes, then refuel with the carb-heavy signature dishes of the city.

Getting There

Montréal has an international airport named for everyone’s favorite hunk of a prime minister’s dad: Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. It’s 12 miles from downtown and a quick city bus ride into town. Multiple railway lines service Montréal, including a daily Amtrak train to and from New York City. From Montréal, you can also hop on a train for a quick trip to Québec City or Toronto.

Accommodations

A variety of quality hostels, like Hi-Montreal in downtown or Auberge Saint-Paul in Old Port, range from $15-25 CAD for shared rooms to $85 CAD for private rooms. Most of them have free wi-fi, free breakfast, and an upscale European vibe, unlike many seedy American places that give hostels a bad rap. There are also plenty of Airbnb options and quaint hotels, if you’re looking to spend a little more. Check out Hotel Nelligan or W Montréal. Staying in or near downtown is a good idea, if you’re sans car.

Entrée Libre Attractions (Free Entry)

Just walking the streets of Montréal could take up a whole trip to the city. There’s also a lot to take in if you’re strapped for cash. Mont-Royal was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (Central Park, the Biltmore) and is a great people-watching spot, with lots of room to hike, bike, picnic, etc. Highlights include Beaver Lake, a chalet that overlooks downtown Montréal, and an old cemetery. It’s also home to Tam-Tams, weekly drum circles held on the lawn — a uniquely Montréal tradition.

Saint-Laurent Boulevard is peppered with murals, vintage shops, a stretch of Chinatown, clubs, and the best bagels you’ll ever eat.

Nerds will agree the Montréal Main Public Library is something special. The large, modern building is centrally located and is worth stopping by for a look. Plus, there’s an art gallery downstairs.

Montréal has some of the oldest buildings in North America, located near the port in Old Montréal. Bonsecours Market, Montréal City Hall, and Notre-Dame Basilica are among the buildings not to be missed. The 17th-century architecture borders Old Port, which is exactly what the name says — an old shipping port. Both areas are major tourist attractions, but worth the crowds. Parc La Fontaine in the Plateau also has a skating pond during the winter that is free.

Paid (and Worth It) Attractions

Getting lost in the Museum of Fine Arts is a must. Artists from Edmund Alleyn to Toulouse to Robert Mapplethorpe have recently been on display in this contemporary-leaning museum. It’s half-priced on Wednesday evenings and costs a well-worth-it $10-$14 CAD.

The Jardin Botanique is the second-largest botanical garden in the world. History buffs and plant lovers will both dig this spot, opened in 1931, featuring 10 greenhouses.

Music

Montréal’s music scene is plentiful and diverse. Catch Hillbilly Night at the Wheel Club , the Montréal Orchestra, or an indie band at myriad venues across town. Get fancy at the Theatre Rialto, a neo-baroque dinner theatre hosting all types of music, or visit La Sala Rossa and Casa Del Popolo, sister venues located across the street from each other — the latter is where Arcade Fire got their start. PDB Ritz, Club Soda, and Divan Orange are hipster haunts for live alternative music.

Eats

Get ready to carb load. Poutine, bagels, thick sandwiches … Montréal’s food scene is home to some heavy-hitting dishes. Highlights include:

Patati Patata — Best burger $2.75 can buy ya, tucked in a lively neighborhood.

Chez Broussard — Because you have to have poutine.

Tommy — The coffee scene is alive and well in Montréal, boasting homemade croissants almost as good as in Paris. Almost.

Local Marches are a trademark of the city’s culture. You’re sure to run into fresh produce, if you go during the Summer or Fall. Check out Jean-Talon Marche.

Getting Around

Montréal’s public transportation is award-winning. Four lines service 68 stations across town, allowing you to get to — or within walking distance of — almost anywhere in the city via metro, or bus the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) for $3.25 CAD/trip or $18 CAD/weekend. The city is easy to navigate, and there are plenty of ridesharing services available. They also have a network of rental bikes located throughout the city, if you’re feeling active.

Lede photo credit: szeke via Foter.com / CC BY-SA. All other photos by Josephine Wood.