Feels like Summer

 

Sing-Sing – Feels Like Summer

Sing-Sing

So, I bought this application on my iPad called Documents to Go, in the hopes that I’ll be writing “on the go” as I’m traveling. Unfortunately, the screen keyboard is absolutely unusable. There’s no feedback, so you can’t just touch type. The worst part is that the auto-correction drove me nuts, constantly correcting things that didn’t need correcting…

Anyway, I think I’m going to have to get a keyboard for the iPad.

Well, I thought I’d update everyone on what’s coming up this month for our little group, since the SUMMER is awesome and usually means lots and lots of bands on their Summer tour.

I was supposed to mention last week that I’m seeing Alex Cuba (official / myspace) tomorrow… but you know how it goes.

Alex Cuba is, er, from Cuba, but I think is currently living in Canada. He’s won two Juno Awards for his debut and sophomore album, Humo De Tabaco and Agua Del Pozo, respectively. I’m thinking he’s hoping for a third for his recently released self-titled album, which, incidentally was nominated for a Juno. The album was released yesterday, June 8^th, and I’m hoping to hear some of his famous Spanish songs at the intimate Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis tomorrow. I’ll write a full review tomorrow when I see him.

Check out the rest of his tour:

06/09/10 Dakota Jazz Club Minneapolis
06/10/10 Rumba Room Chicago
06/12/10 The Mint Los Angeles
06/13/10 Yoshi’s at San Francisco
06/18/10 Spencer Smith Park – Sound of Music Festival Burlington
06/26/10 Club Soda Festival Montreal, QC
07/02/10 Stan Rogers Folk Festival Canso Sports Complex
07/14/10 JazzEast Festival Tent
07/15/10 The Majestic St John’s, NL
07/17/10 Vancouver Folk Music Festival
07/23/10 Hillside Festival – Guelph Lake Conservation Area
07/30/10 Algonquin Theatre Huntsville

Chico Trujillo – Ahora Quien

Speaking of latin, Chilean Chico Trujillo (official / myspace) is playing at the Cedar Cultural Center on Thursday. From the looks of things, this is a very large band (at least seven band members), and should be an interesting mixture of dance and Pan-Latin music. I’m sure we’ll hear a full report from Kate.

Their latest album is called Chico de Oro, released May 11^th, 2010, on Barbès Records, you’ll probably hear tracks from it from their live tour:

One thing is certain: Chico Trujillo sure loves France.

Friendo – Counter/Time

Some other bands I’ll be checking out, Friendo (myspace).

I am told that their debut album, Cold Toads from Secretly Canadian is a mashup of 90’s experimental rock with 70’s punk and 60’s pop…. all the stuff that made those decades great. “But will it blend?”, one has to ask. I’m sure it’ll all be answered on June 23^rd at 7th Street Entry for me.

You can listen to Counter/Time via Pitchfork. See them on tour:

6.9 – Chapel Hill, NC -Local 506
6.10 – Washington, DC – Black Cat Backstage
6.11 – New York, NY – Cake Shop
6.12 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
6.13 – Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands
6.14 – Allston, MA – O’Brien’s Pub
6.15 – Montreal, QC – Green Room at Mile End
6.17 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
6.19 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick Cafe
6.20 – Newport, KY – Southgate House Parlor
6.22 – Chicago, IL – Schubas
6.23 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
6.24 – Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
6.25 – Winnipeg, MB – Royal Albert Arms Hotel
7.1 – Calgary, AB – DIckens Pub

Quintron – Jamskate

Speaking of experimental, remember Quintron (official / myspace) ? Apparently Quintron and Miss Pussycat have gone on tour. I will be covering the show at the Triple Rock on June 26^th, should be pretty crazy and fun.

I actually have a ton of other tour announcements, but we’ll have to same them until later this month. Hope to see some of you at a show?