2008 is sure to be a year like no other for POP Montreal. This year’s festival will feature artists like the legendary Burt Bacharach and New Orleans Soul Queen Irma Thomas, alongside poetic-punk troubadour Nick Cave, the seminal and brilliant WIRE, and the godfathers of experimental electronic psych Silver Apples.

POP Montreal International Music Festival takes place October 1-5, 2008.

Also appearing will be the single most important benchmark for a cappella music, Brooklyn’s The Persuasions, and other stand-outs including Canadian rap legend, Michie Mee, upstarts like Black Kids, Ratatat, Dan Deacon and The Dodos, as well as Hot Chip, Dark Meat, Great Lake Swimmers, Beach House, Vetiver, T. Raumschmiere, Teki Latex, Ste Catherines, Liam Finn, and reclusive Neil Young collaborator Elyse Weinberg (she’s awesome, Google her, or check her out on eMusic.)

In addition to all the amazing music, there will be a specially commissioned composers series with, among others, original pieces by Socalled, performed at porn theatre Cinema L’Amour. This year, POP introduces its very first gear exchange and record shop, the enigmatic art of Mingering Mike and also…Kids POP!

POP…OR POOP?

You can also participate in the fun now, by voting for the SIRIUS Fan Choice award.

The top 3 artists with the most favorable pop-to-poop ratio (more pop, less poop) will be playing the SIRIUS Satellite Radio stage during the festival. Just click on the widget below to vote POP (woo! i like this!) or POOP (not so much):

KIDS POP (NEW THIS YEAR!)
This year, kids and youth can explore Montreal’s innovative cultural scene at Kids Pop. A variety of shows, demonstrations and workshops will be offered that connect artists with young folks in order to share skills, encourage artistic expression and enjoy Montreal’s cultural offerings.

PUCES POP
In its 4th year, Puces Pop is a DIY festival that celebrates independent creation. It features a marketplace of handmade goods, a record sale and gear swap, a series of free arts & crafts workshops and a mini-seminar on business skills for self-employed artists. And it’s all kicked off by a fashion show with a $2000 prize!

ART POP
The Visual Arts component of Pop Montreal, Art Pop’s purpose is to showcase fun and exciting artists that resonate with the youthful energy of its musical counterpart. Look out for some wild technologies, superheroes, Japanese copycats, French activists, teenage passion, digital vandalism and crazy good times in general. And cute cats, too.

SYMPOSIUM – Talk Music to Me!
A music conference like no other: all programming is artist-driven, interdisciplinary, and reflective of Montreal’s diverse and lively culture. They will be bringing together a discerning and savvy force of thinkers and artists to present panel discussions, keynote interviews, listening sessions, as well as hands-on workshops and round-tables.

FILM POP
More musically inclined than ever before, with Paris’ Vincent Moon’s views on All Tomorrow’s Parties, workshops on writing music for film, rockabilly the 514 way, NFB 3-D reveries, and some headlining surprises, you’ll definitely want to be watching more attentively during this 5th edition of Pop’s cinematic offspring.

POP MONTREAL 2008 CONFIRMED ARTISTS:
Burt Bacharach, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Hot Chip, The Persuasions, Dan Deacon, Ratatat, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Cori Bishop (aka Elyse Weinberg), United Steel Workers of Montreal, The Dodos, Liam Finn, Wintersleep, Dark Meat, Headlights, Playdoe, Dabaaz, Kim, Eric Belanger, The Veils, WIRE, Black Kids, St Catherines, Vetiver, Silver Apples, Thomas Function, Julie Doiron, Chad Van Gaalen, Dominique Grange & Jacques Tardi, Great Lake Swimmers, Katie Moore, Socalled, Woodhands, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Sam Shalabi, Gatineau, Jason Collett, Chocolat, Irma Thomas, Wedding Present, Evangelicals, Beach House, Jana Hunter, Cex, Teeth Mountain, Teki Latex, D’Urbervilles, Michie Mee, and so much more…

Passes on sale now and tickets for individual shows also available.

For details and updates, please visit:

Pop Montreal Official Website
Pop Montreal MySpace

Duffy is the real deal and is the next big thing. There. I’ve said it. Finally someone has come along – new on the scene here in the UK – who has managed to send chills down my spine.

When I listen to Duffy’s new single, “Rockferry” I’m reminded of the recent trend of old school Serge Gainsbourg, Burt Bacharach and Phil Spector influenced songs and female singers that have been cropping up lately. There’s something different, though with “Rockferry”. It’s Duffy. Her voice is unique and endearing and from the very first note, the song starts off a winner.

With the help of producer Bernard Butler, together they have created a piece of music that could have come out of a 60’s time capsule. Instead, as a new single release out 19 November as a download/vinyl 7″ on 3 December 2007, “Rockferry” will be a welcome addition for radio listeners, and I would hope, will be added to many a radio playlist before the year’s end.

Watch Duffy – “Rockferry” video:

“Rockferry” video link

Duffy on Myspace

Duffy Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

A member of Paul Brown’s live band, Jessy J and Paul Brown made the decision to collaborate together on her project about a year ago. “I was playing in Paul’s band and after our first show he agreed to produce some tracks for me”, said Jessy J. “I was so excited to work with such an amazing producer.”

Although Jessy J first appeared on the smooth jazz scene as a member Paul Brown’s band, she has been working in the jazz and pop genres for quite a while. Jessy J has shared the stage with the likes of Jessica Simpson, Michael Buble, the Temptations, Burt Bacharach and she is currently playing sax and singing backup for Michael Bolton.

After Jessy J performed in front of record executives with Paul Brown at his CD release party in Long Beach earlier this year, people took notice. “This project definitely contains my blood, sweat, and tears. The realization of this project is like a dream come true,” said Jessy J. Another one of Jessy’s childhood dreams came true this past March when she was asked to perform alongside Paquito D’ Rivera at Carnegie Hall in a concert featuring “Tomorrow’s Star Musicians.” “I loved every minute of it,” she said.

Jessy J’s Peak debut album, Tequila Moon, will include original material and a few covers. “I was fortunate to work with an amazing team of musicians and writers. Donald Hayes wrote a beautiful song for me called, “Spanish Nights” and Kiki Ebsen wrote the magical “Turquoise Street,” said Jessy J.

Some of Jessy J’s original songs are “Tequila Moon,” “Sin Ti-With Out You,” “Fiesta Velada,” “Running Away,” and “PB n J.” Jessy J and Paul Brown collaborated on all the original material giving it that famous “Midas Touch” from the “Babyface of Smooth Jazz.”

“Working with Paul Brown was fantastic, he really knows how to create a comfortable working environment in the studio, and most of the recordings were cut live with the entire band in the studio. That definitely makes this project special to me,” said Jessy J.

Cover songs on Tequila Moon include “Song For You,” “Poetry Man,” “Beasame Mucho,” and “Mais Que Nada,” with the later two as vocals.

Recording the album was a bit of a musical homecoming for this young lion. Jessy J grew up speaking Spanish and was always entranced by the Samba rhythms of her Mexican-American childhood. “These songs really represent who I am as an artist. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and I am very thankful to my family and friends for their support. I hope you enjoy the album,” she said.

“Jazz Sensibilities… Stand Out…” – Jazz Times Magazine

“Sexy… Soulful… Irresistible… Incredible” – Smooth Jazz Monthly

“Up-Coming Female Sax Star” – Smooth Jazz Vibes

The new album is set for release early 2008.

To sample the music click the links below by visiting the Jessy J websites:

Jessy J Official Website
Jessy J on Myspace

Fluent in Spanish, the Samba rhythms of Cannonball Adderley’s collaborations with Sergio Mendez awakened her Latin Roots. The “sound of the music” called to her and encouraged her to explore. As a teen, she studied the recordings of Cannonball Adderley and a lifelong love affair with Jazz began.

Jessy was accepted on scholarship to University of Southern California and graduated as the “Most Outstanding Jazz Student” of her class. Since then, she went on to tour the nation in various capacities and has served as member of the Henry Mancini Jazz Orchestra and the Hispanic Musician Association (HMA) Jazz Orchestra.

Extending her skills from the dance floor, Jessy J danced and played in London and Japan with the Tony and Emmy award-winning company Blast! Intertwining various forms of creative expression was a natural fit for this vibrant artisan.

At 26, Jessy has already worked professionally with the World’s most popular artists including Jessica Simpson, Michael Buble, Burt Bacharach, The Temptations, and she is currently on tour with Michael Bolton playing sax and singing backup vocals.

Jessy’s extreme desire and ambitions have placed her on the “fast track” to success. She has recently finished a smooth jazz project produced by the “Baby Face of Smooth Jazz”, Paul Brown and was hand selected by musical genius Paquito D’Rivera to perform alongside him at Carnegie Hall for an event featuring “tomorrows star musicians”. Not only have these two multiple Grammy award-winning artists sung her praise, she is currently being hailed as “Sexy, irresistible, sensible, the upcoming sax star, soulful, delightful, top notch, fresh, and terrific!”, on her latest performance with Paul Brown on his Peak recording debut “White Sand”. Sample the CD here.

Make sure you watch the one others are already talking about…Jessy J.

Currently, Jessy J has studio projects in the works for Norman Brown and Blake Aaron’s new albums. Experience the music that has mesmerized critics by catching her on the national tour with Michael Bolton!

To learn more about Jessy J visit jessyj.com or Jessy J on Myspace: myspace.com/jessyjsax