I’m back to tell you how the action went down on the final
day of JunoFest in Calgary. But, before I get there, allow me to meander a bit.
When I was growing up, I had a subscription to a children’s
magazine called Owl. I believe it’s still in publication, but it doesn’t look at
all like the magazine that I (and no doubt a few of you) remember.
I was particularly fond of the back page of each issue.
There was a section called What is it?, where you could try to guess the origin
of close-up photos. Just for fun, I thought that we should do something similar
on today’s post.
So can you guess what the above images are?
They are my suggestions (and proposed winners) for three new
Juno categories!
1. Air Guitarist of the Year: Jully Black
I got this photo last night in the press room during the
Juno Gala Dinner and Awards Show. Jully was telling a story about Feist playing
through technical difficulties during the 2006 Juno Awards in Halifax.
At the Gala, I also got to hear some interesting Q & A
about the evolution of urban music with Billy Newton-Davis (winner, Dance
Recording of the Year) and Belly (winner, Rap Recording of the Year).
2. Footwear of the Year: Julie
Doiron
I managed to snap this while sitting in the front row of The
Grand and watching Julie play the most heartfelt set of the entire JunoFest
weekend. I’ve still got goosebumps from her incredible lo-fi, bilingual performance.
Wearing thick wool
socks and crazy denim boots, Julie Doiron managed to look more Western than
anyone else in attendance. At the end of
the set, she switched instruments with the drummer and they declared themselves
a new band: Calm Down It’s Monday.
3. Infamous JunoFest Venue of the Year: The Shamrock Hotel
Located next to a chicken factory, and across the street
from my alma mater, The Shamrock might be the last authentic rock & roll
bar in the city. It might even be too authentic. I was told to stay far away
from the men’s room - I did not question that advice.
In any case, I went there to see Jay Crocker and The
Electric Apes. They were fantastic. Rumour has it that Jay has finished
recording a new album in Arizona and is currently shopping it around with
various labels. I can’t wait to hear what it sounds like.
I caught one more JunoFest set. Shad hip hopped at the Mile One
Urban Tavern. The booming bass rattled the windows and fixtures. Unfortunately, the bar staff was
quite unpleasant, so I left shortly after the set to check out an after party at the Hotel
Arts (renamed Rockstar Hotel for the weekend).
There, I caught Keys N Krates doing a unique DJ set with live keyboard
and drums. Despite the illusion of exclusivity (you had to be on the guest list
to get into the party), I did not spot any celebs or actual rockstars.
JunoFest is officially over, but there is still one main
event left before the big awards show tonight – The Songwriters Circle. Tegan
Quin (1/2 of Tegan & Sara), Joel Plaskett, Corb Lund and Alex Cuba are
sharing their creative process with fans in the intimate Jack Singer Concert
Hall.
