My Favourite Remixes

Hello Friends,

I'm not normally a fan of remixes at all. That being said I have managed to throw together a solid list of remixes that I think trump their original.

I used to think it was lazy for a DJ or artist to even attempt to do this and pass it off as their own work. I've grown to understand it more in recent years. I now look at it as an homage from one artist to another, or a piece of music, that they adore. Other times it's the band/artist themselves that wants to include a variation of their own work. It's actually pretty awesome when it's done correctly although often times it's not - so it's a fine line to walk.

Here's a list of some of my personal favourite remixes from my music collection.

• The Hours - 'See The Light (Calvin Harris Remix)' *this is awesome
• Bob Marley - 'Turn The Lights Down Low (featuring Lauryn Hill)'
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)'
• Notorious B.I.G. - 'One More Chance (Remix feat Faith Evans)'
• Paul Weller - 'Wild Wood (Portishead Remix)' *Fly on the wall b-sides and rarities disc 1. AMAZING
• Tokyo Police Club - 'What's Your Favourite Colour (Punches Remix)'
• Robert Miles - 'Children (Dream Version)'
• OMD - 'History of Modern (Remix)'
• Oasis - 'I'm Out of Time (Remix)' *I had to throw an Oasis in - but it's legit as it showcases Liam's vocals
• Pearl Jam - 'Alive (Remix)' *I'm not sure if this counts as it was simply from a redux album. Regardless it's still an EPIC track:)

As you can see the word 'REMIX' doesn't always have to equate to that of a dance version of a track. It's simply a new take on the original and sometimes even better.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

3 Perfect Pop Songs

Hello Friends,

Just a quick post today to point out 3 perfect pop songs you should give a spin if you've not already heard them. They're as follows...

Tokyo Police Club - 'Favourite Colour (Punches Remix)'

This band have been Canadian Indie darlings for many years now. I've like some some songs but never really called myself a fan. This remix is changing that and it's a must hear tune. I will dive deeper into their catalogue now.

Foster The People - 'Houdini'

This band's career is reminding me very much of MGMT a few years back but unlike MGMT they are killer live. I've seen them twice now and they're the real deal. This is the second single from the forthcoming album and gives you a feel for their sound. I love em.

Chris Brown feat Benny Benassi - 'Beautiful People'

Last year was clearly not Chris Brown's year for reasons not pertaining to music at all. Well his music is back and this stand-out track from his latest album is amazing. A colleague of mine talked it up so much that I was excited to hear it - but this has surpassed my expectations.

Good music is good music.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

The North is on Fire

Hello Friends,

Damn this country creates some amazing musicians. This past week's been filled with some great new music and I'm super excited to see what comes next.

In the past week I've been able to hear advanced music for 2 of Canada's finest songwriters as well as fell in love with a single from an album I can't wait to hear now.

Last Tuesday started with a listening session of the forthcoming album 'Collider' by the Sam Roberts Band. It's so different at first listen - but as you give it a few spins the music and lyrics bring you back. They bring me back to a place when I first discovered Sam Roberts and his band. They're rock stars and should be way bigger than they already are. That's not a bad thing - all I mean is that if the likes of Kings of Leon saw them live they would surely take them around the World on tour. That may be wishful thinking from a fan - but I recommend you spend some time with this album once it comes out in May. In the meantime here's a link to the current single 'I Feel you' . My favourite track is a song called 'Without A Map' and I know it's going to be a hit based on lyrics like 'I surrender to - the very mention of you - I hope I get to see you again'.

Wednesday didn't disappoint either as I found myself listening to the forthcoming City and Colour album entitled 'Little Hell'. I only had one listen - but that was enough to leave me wanting more. The single 'Fragile Bird' is fantastic and already climbing charts around the World. This track took me by surprise and after spinning it 10 times from this site I had to have it on my iPod for the morning commute. This band are playing Coachella this weekend and have a sold-out show at The Royal Albert Hall later this month. It feels like it's their time and I for one can't wait to see it happen.

The third act that's killing it right now is The Midway State. I saw them perform their latest single 'Atlantic' at a Juno party a few week's back. It stood out at first listen - but wow does it sound great now on my headphones and stereo. I've enjoyed this band's music in the past - but if this single is any indication of what's to come - then this could be a massive year for these guys.

It's an exciting time in Canadian music indeed. For every Foo Fighters, Glasvegas and TV On The Radio album released it's vital that you check out what we are doing here on our own soil. You will not be let down as the Great White North is on fire right now.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

5 tunes for the weekend

Hello Friends,

It's Friday, the sun is still out and it feels like spring. For that you're going to need a few good tunes as you ease into the weekend.

This one's a quick post - so here's a list of 5 tunes I recommend for your weekend...

• Glasvegas - 'Whatever Hurts You Through The Night' *I couldn't find the link to 'Whatever Hurts You Through the Night' but it's bloody epic
• Mumford and Sons - 'White Blank Page'
• Sam Roberts - 'No Sleep' *I had the pleasure of hearing new Sam Roberts Band this week - I can't wait to be able to share that:)
• Brother - 'Darling Buds of May'
• Noah and the Whale - 'LIFEGOESON'

Have a great weekend!

Gregg

5 tracks for the weekend

Hello Friends,

March continues to deliver amazing music and I though I had better share a few with you. From Canadian Music Week to South by South West and now The Junos it's been on hell of an epic month.

Here's a quick list of tunes for you to check out this weekend...

• Classified feat. Kayo and Jim Cuddy - 'The Hangover'
• The Boxer Rebellion - 'We Have This Place Surrounded'
• Glasvegas - 'Euphoria, Take My Hand'
• City and Colour - 'Body in a Box' *IFC SXSW showcase
• Simon and Garfunkel - 'The Only Living Boy In New York' *I just got a re-released collection:)
• BONUS: Neil Young - 'Heart of Gold' *The Junos will rule with this man on hand

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

The Capital City of Live Music

Hello Friends,

Austin Texas really is the home to Live Music. The hype and excitement exceeded all my expectations over the past 5 days at the South By South West Music Festival & Conference.

This was my first trip to the festival and I couldn't be happier that I went - and highly recommend it to anyone who likes live music. This festival is World class and it's because all the craziest musicians and music nuts come and live together for 5 days. They eat, sleep, party and celebrate together as one.

The venues are the coolest thing about shows in Austin. From outdoor courtyards, back gardens, packed open air clubs to parks and of course Stubbs BBQ. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the 'Super Moon' whilst listening to Scala & Kolacny Choir covering Radiohead's 'Cree with a Texas Tea and brisket in hand. Screw GLEE.

My SXSW started with a trip to the MTVU Woodie Awards on Wednesday night. It was a fun experience and the entertainment was amazing.

Here's who played this year's Woodies...

Wednesday

• Foo Fighters *Legends
• Wiz Khalifa
• Two Door Cinema Club *so happy that MTV US are all over these guys
• Sleigh Bells
• Odd Future

Here's a snapshot of the rest of my days - and the bands that stood out to me.

Thursday

• The Violins
• Great Lake Swimmers
• Theopolus London
• Foster the People *legit
• Tinie Tempah *proper performer
• Friendly Fires
• City and Colour
• The Sheepdogs *Canada should stand and be proud of these boys. It made me smile when an artist at the poster conference recommended I give them a try:)
• The Strokes

Friday

• G Love *it's amazing how much a setting can heighten the songs. Austin is where you should see this man.
• Click Clak Boom
• Shad
• The Sheepdogs *if you didn't click earlier then do it now!
• Emmylou Harris *Legend
• The Vaccines
• City and Colour
• Airbourne Toxic Event

Saturday

• Scars on 45 *beautiful tunes
• Data Rock *I don't think that there's a more entertaining act out there today. Photo above.
• The Naked and Famous
• Nicole Atkins
• Eliza Doolittle *fantastic
• The Boxer Rebellion *this band was my favourite of all. I just bought their 3 albums.
• The Funeral Party

In my pre-SXSW post I was contacted by an Austin local. Here's an insider's perspective on SXSW and the characters that visit Austin during the festival. Thanks Hunter:) These ring very true - but I will not reveal to which I most resemble.

Some other highlights for me were meeting Nic Harcourt from KCRW. He's someone I've been listening to for years and he can boast some of the best interviews in the radio World.

I never had the pleasure to see or run into Huw Stephens from BBC Radio 1 - but look forward to hearing his post reviews and recommendations.

Bands I missed - but there's always next time...

• Frankie and the Heartstrings *Visa problems
• OMD *remember this classic? I missed these guys because there was an accident with a camera at Stubbs
• Jamie Woon
• Duran Duran

Austin is more than music - it's a beautifully clean city and it's slogan 'Keep Austin Weird' really makes sense once you see it in person. Thank you for a great week in music @sxsw

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

SXSW 2011

Hello Friends,

Tonight feels like Christmas eve for the music lover in me. Tomorrow I'm headed to Austin, Texas for the famed South by South West Music Festival and Conference.

I've never been before so am very anxious and a bit nervous as the festival itself seems a bit overwhelming to say the least. 5 days in a city that hundreds of bands come to in an attempt to get to that next level. Some of the acts are also some of the biggest names in the world - but they bring attention to the festival on a World stage and open peoples eyes/ears to the up and coming.

I've been reading and hearing about SXSW for years now via blogs, music sites, magazines, radio shows and television. More recently I read about the festival in a John Niven book entitled 'Kill Your Friends'.

It seems like I've been responding to emails and RSVPs for months now and the lists of 'Must See' artists continues to grow. I'm personally hoping to stumble across some amazing acts and learn about as many new acts as possible. The festival organizers are the best in the business so I think we can safely say that all these acts will be amazing.

MTV are hosting their annual Woodie Awards tomorrow night as a kick off to the music portion of SXSW. The performers list includes Foo Fighters, Wiz Khalifa, Sleigh Bells and Two Door Cinema Club. It promises to be a fantastic little night - I can't wait to see all these acts live.

I will give a full brief once I return and hopefully be able to share with you some amazing finds from my travels. Until then - here's a few I am hoping and looking forward to seeing in the next 5 days.

• The Naked and Famous
• Tinie Tempah
• Frankie and the Heartstrings
• Jamie Woon
• Jon Fratelli
• City and Colour *It will be nice to see a Canadian turn some heads :)

A few of these are at the @britishmusicbiz showcases which will be hosted by BBC Radio 1's own Huw Stephens. I'm a huge fan of all he and Zane Lowe speak of - so this feels like a very special opportunity indeed.

I'm also really looking forward to seeing Waterloo Records as it's apparently one of the World's finest.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg Stewart

PS - If anyone has links to THIS SHOW then please let me know :)