Thursday, June 23, 2005
Emma Pollock Signs to 4AD & Lovely Leslie
Physical State: weak
Mental State: loopy
Music: Feist - Live on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic (in Real Video)
Fashion sense: white t-shirt, tan shorts
The voice of The Delgados for me was always Emma Pollock, so I was quite disappointed when they announced their breakup early this year. But thankfully Emma will go on as a solo artist it appears. She has now signed to 4AD so this should prove to be a very interesting relationship. 4AD is the home for some of my favourite bands with Mojave 3, Mountain Goats, Blonde Redhead and the new Minotaur Shock on the roster among others. She will continue to run the Chemikal Underground label that she founded with her fellow Delgados. Sure it would be nice to hear more of the Delgados (especially since their last release, Universal Audio, demonstrated their magnificent pop focus that seemed to be emerging) but some things don't last forever.
I also have a link above to a live solo session with Feist from Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt which is a show that I am listening to on a daily basis these days and thoroughly enjoying. Nic programs his own music and there is such a wide range of styles and something for everyone. Cool tunes and he lives in LA, man what a dream that would be. Now KCRW has video of their in-session performances, the Smoosh one is very charming. Leslie Feist it appears is a very busy woman these days. This session showcases Leslie at her best (with her voice taking centre stage and a Ron Sexsmith cover to boot).
3 cheers as well for the CRTC finally coming to a decision and allowing satellite radio into Canada. Now radio won't suck as much. Speaking of sucking. I am all for a Live 8 concert coming to Toronto and think that the cause is very important. Why then do they roll out the same tired old roster of bands to support this thing? Can you really see the Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Randy Bachman and Celine Dion on the same stage and think it represents the face of Canadian music taste? Where are Death From Above 1979, The Arcade Fire, The Dears, Broken Social Scene or maybe even a Leonard Cohen or Neil Young? Where are the urban artists like K-OS and others. In the UK you have Pink Floyd reforming for this show. At least last year's SarsStock had The Flaming Lips. I think many indie bands in Canada would jump at the chance to support something like this. I recall the original Band Aid concert having some edgier fare but then that was the 80s right? Maybe I'm thinking too narrowly.
