Billy Talent + The Olympics

Hello Friends,

Up here in the Great White North it's been all Olympics all the time. It's been a long time coming but the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics have truly taken over this fair land.

British Columbia is truly the most amazing place I've ever been (I've only covered 4% of the earth according to FB) and the top of Whistler is what I imagine the Moon to be like - when you're coming off that final chairlift at 7:30 am.

I spent some time out that way a few years back and always brought my running shoes to see more of it. Stanley park's seawall is something one must see first hand with headphones and good tunes. I heard MGMT's 'Time to Pretend' for the first time on this route. I digress.

The Olympics has it all including music galore. Muchmusic has been covering a concert series put on each night starting at 11 pm et live from both Whistler and Vancouver proper. The bands have varied in age, genre and relevance. None-the-less it's music, it's live and it's on Muchmusic.

Tonight's blog is inspired by one of Canada's finest as they are on stage right now in Vancouver to celebrate. I am talking about none-other-than Billy Talent. The boys are pure energy and rock n roll. They encompass Canadiana and know how lucky they are to be where they are. I am very proud watching this band and will forever hold a place in my heart for their music.

If you missed it - then you may not remember all the hits that this band have created over the years. Well that's what I'm here for - to remind you of a few...

1. Try Honesty


2. Surrender


3. Nothing to Lose


4. Red Flag


5. Fallin Leaves *Live at Rock AM Ring

Another beauty from this concert series was that of The Stereophonics. The band played live on Saturday night and killed it. They covered the span of their career in their set and it was magical. They also paid homage to The Tragically Hip with some riffs to 'New Orleans is Sinking'. These boys from Wales knew they were in the land of their idols The Tragically Hip and I hope people caught that.

Hats off to Billy Talent and the Olympics for bringing some great music to Canada in this monumental time.

Thanks for reading.



Gregg

6 Songs You Need For THIS weekend!

Hello Friends,

I can't even explain to you the music week I've had. From listening to new music in closed quarters for 2 days - to a legendary concert with 2 great song-writers. It's been sureal to say the least.

I'm going to keep this one quick - but need for you to hear these 6 tracks this weekend. Something old, something new, something borrowed...

• Jay Malinkowski - 'There's a Light'
• Paul McCartney and Wings - 'Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five'
• Mumford & Sons - 'The Cave'
• Birds of Wales - 'Uninteresting'
• Catherine MacLellen - 'Too Easy'
• Temper Trap - 'Sweet Disposition'

Have a great weekend!

Gregg

No Excuses

Hi Friends,

There's really no excuse for the delayed release of an album around the World these days. Once music is available online it's available in every single territory immediately.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone to the iTunes music store only to see that a particular track or album is unavailable in my territory. It's my record shop - and if it isn't there when I walk through the doors I'm not happy. The labels need to push them out globally at the same time. It's the press of a button or click of a mouse. Digital files mean that there are no manufacturing costs associated with the release. I apologize - I'm sure there's some costs - but nothing compared to manufacturing from 10 years ago to release an Import. Not having it available causes people to take thing into their own hands and get it through other sources. The one's you're fighting so hard to keep them away from. It seems to be changing - but at a slow pace. It's a step in the right direction so keep going.

In the past year I've seen some of the record labels release albums digitally first to see if it's going to make sense in a particular country. Now that's smart. It's also a way to get the avid consumers buying it, spreading the word, and paving the way for the rest. Perhaps a marketing objective - but even if it isn't - I like the fact that they're doing this.

Here are a few examples of releases in the past year that labels have released digitally first.

• Glasvegas - 'Glasvegas'
• Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
• Gossip - 'Music for Men'
• Plan B - 'Welcome to Hell'

I love consuming music. I love searching, hunting, collecting, compiling, talking and even buying it. Music makes everything better.

I really enjoy having iTunes open at all times as a reference. I can't tell you how many times I've had to press pause on a show, movie or ad so I could find a piece of music. Be it a new song that just worked in the moment - or a oldie I hadn't heard in a while. I must to have immediately. This is how I consume music today.

I bought Smokey Robinson's 'Tracks of My Tears' while watching the movie Platoon. I've also bought tracks while watching the amazing TV series SKINS including Gossip, Adele, MGMT and Glasvegas to name a few. For me its Movies, Television commercials, HBO and Showtime that teach me about great new music. That and music Mondays on Twitter of course. #musicmondays

I digress.

This really is a small plea to the labels. Make sure that the shelves in the iTunes music store are stocked! Help me help you :)

Support music and consume the hell out of it.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg