Features

Let me start by saying that I'm a huge Beatles fan, but not even close to being as fanatical as my father. Ever seen that Simpsons episode where it turns out that Ned Flanders has a secret room filled with Beatles collectibles? Well, that's my dad (who, coincidentally, also wears glasses and sports a mustache, but is not as ripped as Ned). Every birthday, Christmas and Father's Day usually involves me buying the latest Beatles and Beatles-related release for him.

Leslie Feist is the winner of the 2012 Polaris Music Prize for her album Metals. She is the first female solo artist to win the 30,000$ prize, which is sponsored by Sirius Satellite Radio, the Government of Canada, FACTOR, Slaight Communications, Radio Starmaker Fund, MuchMusic, Steam Whistle Brewing, and The Drake Hotel.

The Short List of nominees:

So besides telling you to check out my buddies in Echo Beach (swirly, drugged out synth sounds w/ loops and ghostly vocals) @ Royal Phoenix on Thursday, and Young Lungs (buzzy post-punk garage pop) with Kestrels (exhilarating shoegaze guitar rock revivalists) @ Barfly on Friday, here are some of what I think are the best picks for you to catch at this year's POP Montreal festivities.

For three days in July, the Hillside Festival made its home in the picturesque Guelph Lake Island conservation. There could not have been a better weekend for the sold-out crowd of music lovers attending the 29th edition of the festival! Everything was well-organized, and there was plenty of water to counter the extreme heat and lack of Wi-Fi. With no rain or bad vibes to dampen the mood, Hillside almost felt like nirvana.

Kaytradamus (Photo: Nick Leger)