Not to be outdone by the myriad of other side projects his band mates have formed, the Julian Casablancas solo project has come upon us. Like the rest of the side projects, it’s pretty similar to The Strokes. But wait! This time there is a thinly veiled electronic twist. That being said, the pop sensibility that the 31 year old veteran of The Strokes has enthusiastically scattered throughout the album works well most of the time. Phrazes for the Young might be one of the last times Casablancas can get away with calling himself young so I’m sure he’ll make the most of it before we hear his trademark monotone voice again.

Julian Casablancas – Tourist

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The last time San Francisco based band The Dodos played a show in Montreal was a year ago for Pop Montreal. While the festival was a few weeks ago, the show this friday at Sala Rossa is a co-production between Pop Montreal and Blues Skies Turn Black. For those of us – me included – who weren’t able to see them last year, this has been a long time coming.

Although the “new” album Time to Die has only officially been out for a month, to some of us it may not be as fresh since a copy was leaked online as early as July. The production on this album definitely has a different feel than 2008’s Visiter which was produced by John Askew. Known for having a hand with bands like The Shins and Fleet Foxes Phil Ek has produced a polished and less acoustic feeling album. That being said, I got my tickets yesterday for a very reasonable 16$ at Casa del Popolo (4873 Saint-Laurent). For those of you don’t know that is the cafe/bar across the street from Sala Rossa. It appears that you can no longer get tickets online.

Joining them is New Zealand based indie pop band The Ruby Suns who have made a name for themselves in America after signing with Sub Pop records in 2007. The price at the door is the same as in advance tickets.

The Dodos – The Strums

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The Dodos – Acorn Factory

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Way back when, in the deep American south, the banjo was amalgamated from lingering concepts of other African instruments. Then it was adopted by white people became somewhat of a mainstay in Country and Bluegrass circles. In 2009 if you hear a banjo being plucked by the soft fingers of an urban youth, it is more than likely that some brand hipster indie rock is going on. Nothing wrong with the occasional dip in the skinny jeans club you might say? It is in this spirit that this little retrospective of banjo rock was assembled.

The most recent to me at least is London based folk band Mumford and Sons who just released their debut full length album Sigh No More two days ago on October 6th, 2009.

The Dodos from San Fransisco got a lot of press for their 2008 album Visiter and they also just came out with an album last month called Time to Die. Expect a post on that album coming soon.

Finally I dug up an old Sufjan Stevens track which contrasts sharply with his latest project the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man

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The Dodos – Walking

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Sufjan Stevens – All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands

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Last night Pop Montreal kicked off and I checked out Jay Reatard at Sala Rossa. I’ll be covering the pop festival in the next issue of Snap Magazine but for now here are some photos. The opening band No Bunny was actually really great. My second favorite of the night, after Jay Reatard of course.

Jay Reatard – Oh it’s such a shame

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Distroboto are old cigarette machines converted to sell zines, artwork, poetry and pins for 2$ each.

The lead singer of No Bunny literally scratched and clawed his way through a great set.

Hopefully this new single from Montreal’s own Chromeo means that a new album is in the works. Their last album Fancy Footwork came out way back in 2007 and since then they’ve gotten so popular that their new single Night by Night is being sponsored by Pepsi. Click the link to go download the song from the Mountain Dew website green label sound.

Chromeo – Night by Night

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