CJSW has been working some time on moving from the dingy space in the bowels of the MacEwan Student Centre at the University of Calgary, and now that moment has come! This coming Friday the 13th (yea, I know) CJSW is going to be flicking on the switch to their new studios and office space three levels above what will now be known as the “old space”.

The hard work of staff and volunteers has paid off. The new CJSW space features windows (!), air filtration systems and fancy RFID coded entry (!!). With state of the art production studios and on-air booths, this is sure to inspire creativity within CJSW volunteers.

Make sure to tune in to 90.9FM or www.cjsw.com on Friday to get the down-low and listen to a moment in Calgary history and the switch is flicked and the wires are connected to a new CJSW.

Check out the CJSW Expansion Blog for photos of progress and updates!

Label: Paper Bag Records
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cfcf

CFCF first captured the music scene’s attention with remixes of the Teenagers, HEALTH, the Presets, and by winning a Crystal Castles’ “Air War” remix competition. The Montreal based DJ-producer’s debut full length album, Continent, is sure to create some noise within the electronic music scene, with his varying styles from track to track definitely keeping our listening interesting. This varied and upbeat style in his music and DJing comes from the influence of 1980s Italo-disco, the same genre of music that eventually brought along much of our mainstream Eurobeat and Electro. Let us not forget that Italy is also the same wonderful land that offered us the frozen treat known as gelato.

Since his January 2008 EP, Panesian Nights, CFCF has moved away from his strict, yet interesting, blend of synth sounds into a larger sphere of sounds, notably with various guitar and drum samplings. CFCF’s upcoming album Continent combines his usual, yet nonetheless amazing, synthesizer playing in “Half Dreaming” with vocal samplings in “Big Love” and “Come Closer” to create an album for any taste bud. (Just like gelato!)

As published in the October 2009 issue of Beatroute Magazine

I have been very busy over the summer working as Web and Multicultural Coordinator for CJSW radio and continue to be very active, sometimes too active (if that’s possible). I am very excited for the CJSW funding Drive starting tomorrow. Check out CJSW and donate a few bucks! Maybe get some wicked stuff in exchange!
Be sure to check out all the wicked events happening while your at it, especially if you’re in Calgary.

I also ran for the University of Calgary Students’ Union, for the position of Operations & Finance Commissioner. I didn’t win, but I haven’t given up, I will run again, hopefully with a better campaign and more experience.
I plan on continuing to pursue my platform goals of ridding SU regulated buildings of styrofoam, either via a biodegradable alternative or a plate exchange program, the latter is definitely preferable.

Also, blog, expect some changes to you. I’ll hopefully be making you a little more personable in the near future and providing some more music for your listening pleasure.

Talk to you again soon,
Mitchell Bundy

Summary:
The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron’s dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye.

My Thoughts:
I like explosions.

The Final Verdict:
I still like explosions. But don’t watch this, you will simply cry over the amount of time wasted watching this.

If you don’t feel like reading the entire story, let me summarize. Family restaurant owner Ali Clark had a child in her restaurant point out the band name “Holy Fuck” and complained to Sled Island festival organizers. Sled Island is reprinting all their posters to censor the band name. The saddest part is that this story is at the top of CBC Calgary news and they are censoring the band name themselves.

This world needs to stop thinking their child will become corrupt from hearing or reading a swear word. I heard plenty in my elementary and pre-school years and I’m pretty sure I turned out just fine. Though, I really should get off this internets thing, it corrupts minds.

To kick things off, I will be heading out to Central United Church to catch Final Fantasy, after which, I will be heading down to the Bamboo Tiki Room (Drum & Monkey) to catch hip-hop artists Dragon Fli Empire, Ricca Razor Sharp and Cam the Wizzard.

Dragon Fli Empire, one of my favorite local groups, of whom I’ve missed many shows, will be laying it down at Bamboo Wednesday night, be sure to check them out!

Thursday I will be heading out to Central United Church to catch some of our favorite local groups, KNOTS, Woodpigeon, Mount Eerie, and Rural Alberta Advantage. I may possibly head over to Broken City to catch the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir or go catch Monotonix at the Distillery. Afterwards, time for a good night’s sleep.

Friday is when the party begins with some of my favorite groups playing at Broken City. We have No Gold, HEALTH, Azeda Booth, Japandroids and Ladyhawk. I may head out to Dicken’s Pub after Azeda Booth to attempt to catch Monotonix if I wasn’t able to catch them the night before. Definitely the group I’m most excited to see at this year’s Sled Island.

Saturday morning I will be heading down to the Market Collective in Kensington to check out some of the wonderful art and music happenings there. In the evening nothing really catches my eye, I will likely play it by ear and see what others are heading out to go see. I will likely be checking out something new. I am leaning to heading down to the Warehouse to catch some wicked acts there.

Sunday, time to relax. Maybe i’ll check out some stuff happening down at Plaza Theatre.

Label: Domino
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dirtyprojectors

A pretty typical indie/experimental album. This album doesn’t really leave too much of an impression on me; very basic rhythms and technique, nothing too exciting.
Each track seems to simply build on another, the only track that stood out was “Useful Chamber”. This track had some more interesting rhythms and used more instruments and sounds than simply a guitar and drums.
However, I don’t have too much to say about this album. An average indie rock album, with below average self-proclaimed experimentalism. Overall, a decent album, but nothing I would go out of my way to purchase or listen to.

Label: Arts & Crafts
Website: http://www.arts-crafts.ca/themostserenerepublic/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/themostserenerepublic
Purchase Album: Release Date July 14 2009

I was just able to get my hands on an advance copy of this seven piece group’s most recent work, “…And The Ever Expanding Universe”, to be released on the Arts & Crafts label this coming July.

This seven piece orchestra creates some of the most outstanding music, using some old classical techniques and some new 21st century beats, it is definitely a pleasure to listen to.

The first track I gave a moment to was “Patternicity”. After first listen of this track it gave me the feeling that this was a classical album of sorts, but I had my doubts, it being on the Arts & Crafts label. Moving further into the album, evidence of this bands amazing talent is exposed. “Don’t Hold Back, Feel A Little Longer” gave quite a contrast to “Patternicity”; still using classical instruments, such as the violin, the addition of a drum machine and other electronic instruments definitely gives the album a new feel.

All in all, this album is a highly recommended purchase. Yet another great group of artists off the reputed Arts & Crafts label.

Download “Heavens to Purgatory”, a free track off this upcoming album, from Arts & Crafts. The full album is to be released on July 14, 2009.

British group, Late of the Pier’s debut album, Black Fantasy Channel is fantastic. Their album has a nice blend of electronics and technical skill. Their instrumental track “V W” really adds to their first full length LP, this one track I can listen to forever, it is quite amazing that this much noi-… excuse me, music, can come from four band members.

The track “The Bears are Coming” has a very unique sound, the blend of electronic tones and acoustic drums really makes a great combination. Their music video for this track is really quite wonderful as well.

The last couple tracks on this album bothered me, “Mad Dogs And Englishmen” and “Bathroom Gurgle”. “Mad Dogs And Englishmen” had an intro that was way too similar to that of Bloc Party, the first time I heard it I thought my iTunes went wacko and started playing a Bloc Party track, but all in all a pretty decent track.
“Bathroom Gurgle” didn’t seem to have anything going for it, it was either poorly produced, the singer had strep throat or they were attempting to cover a Kylie Minogue song.

All in all a great album and gets a rating of 4 out of 5 from me.

The group was recently featured on the September 13th 2008 issue of NME along with popular indie bands such as MGMT and Bloc Party.

Friendly Fires’ debut, self-titled album, is, well, for lack of a better word (and my effort to find one), friendly. The album flows smoothly through the listeners ears, each track contains some really creative rhythms, instrumentals and vocals. The track “On Board” is most likely the one that stands out the most on their album. It features some fairly creative vocals and interesting electronic instruments, and of course, the occasional cow bell.

Personally, I can’t seem to pick out a favorite track from this album, but I have to say “Lovesick” is in my top 3. This song probably features the most guitar originality and riffs out of the whole album.

All in all, a great album, a rating of 5 out of 5 from me because I can’t think of any excuse to give it anything lower.