New Music West is Vancouvers attempt at their version of Canadian Music Week. Four days of showcases, 1 speaker series and thats about it.
Any local talent will tell you that Vancouver sucks for its live music scene. There is a ton of talent here, that get to play very rarely. The live venues are few in far between. Apparently Vancouvrites are more in to going to clubs to dance to the latest top 40 crap, rather than enjoying a live act. My previous experiences going to shows has proved this point. The headlining band is done by Midnight and then the bar turns into a night club with the bass pumping. Very shitty!
I was so excited for New Music West, even though I had heard so many bad things. The reason I was so excited, I was getting a wristband to be able to attend all the showcases, through work. It was all in the name of research. Unfortunately, the Monday before NMW, I was laid off from my job. What bad timing! I was totally bummed. I had already gone through the schedule to figure out what shows we should go to. Lucky for me, my former company is in the process of revamping and a new partner was in town to work on the partnership. So, my boss (who I will now refer to as Yoko Oro) wanted to take Duke (name has also been changed) out on the town.
Duke arrived on Wednesday and was ready to party. Yoko Oro had gotten us on the guest list for the NMW showcase at the Plaza, featuring Lyrics Born and the DJ from Blackalicious. Those who know me will tell you, Im not a big rap/hip hop fan. But, I was movin and grovin right next to Moka Only. It was way too funny. Good times were had by all. Especially Duke, he was out on the dance floor bustin his moves all night.
Thursday night, one of my favorite local bands, Sweetheart (http://www.sweetheartband.com), was showcasing at the Penthouse (normally a strip club). This showcase was hosted by Music BC (http://www.musicbc.org), a government funded organization to assist indie bands with their development. I wasnt planning on going, having just lost my job and not having a wristband, spending the money just didnt seem right. Yoko called me to see if I was coming. I was still sitting on the fence, until he told me that I would be able to get in for free and they were giving out drink tickets. I was on the next bus. When I got there, I walked in, was asked by some girl if I had a wristband. I said I did and she believed me. Silly girl. Once inside I looked for Yoko and Duke. They were no where to be found. Lucky for me I know enough people in the Vancouver Music scene that I didnt feel like a total moron. After a circle around the venue, I bumped into Yoko and Duke, they had been outside puffin some green stuff. Duke was all decked out in this crazy suit. He was pumped, because Yoko and him were going to see Richard Doerfmiester at the Plaza, later that night.
I went to grab myself a free beer and when I came back to the boys, these 2 girls were all over Yoko and Duke. They thought Duke was in a band (he was asked that question all weekend). The girls walked away and we laughed so hard. Yoko was amazed at how in awe the 2 girls were. My response to Yoko: Of course they were excited. They thought you could get them some ROCK COCK!
After chugging back our free beverages, we decided that an hour to kill in this venue was to much to bare. So we got our stamps for re-entry (to get around not having a wristband) and took Duke to the Amsterdam Café. Duke had never experienced the thrill of being able to blow weed in a public place. Yoko was very excited to show him the scene.
We smoked a couple and then headed back to the Penthousejust in time to see Sweetheart. They put on a pretty good show, even though the sound quality was horrible. How great can the sound really be in a strip club??
Duke was worried about missing Doerfmiester so, Yoko decided it was time for them to head over to the Plaza. Before leaving, Yoko told me to keep my cell phone close and he would text me if he could get me in.
While watching the end of Sweethearts set, I find my friend Paul, who is the head of marketing for a major beer company. He was doing it up with some of his friends, one of which owns some very hot spots in Vancouver, including the Media Club (one of my favorite live venues). Paul invited me to join them at the Media Club. Of course I accepted.
Keep in mind I still dont have a wristband and am sneaking in to all these venues. This time, I was with all the right people and had no problem getting in to the Media Club. Pauls friend asked me what I wanted to drinkIll have whatever.
The bar is yours! What do you want to drink?
Of course I chose one of the fine products from Pauls company.
Everyones got their drinkstime to head to the back room to smoke a joint. God I love Vancouver!
I went to have a cigarette, worried that I would have trouble getting back in, Paul gave me his NMW pass. I explained to him my wristband delema when I returned his pass. Next thing I know, hes talking to one of his buddies, who gives Paul an extra wristband. Now Im in, no questions asked! WOO HOO!
Sometimes being the only girl is a good thing. Dont have to pay for anything (because nobody will let you) and everyone makes sure you are having a good time.
Im standing there listening to a band and I look up to the bar and who do I see? Raine Maida. I was so in love with him back in the day. Seeing him brings back those memories of my friends and I fighting over who was going to marry him. Knowing Yoko would get a good laugh out of my situation, I sent him a text telling him who I just saw.
Yoko and I start sending text messages back and forth and I end up outside of the Plaza. Yoko works his magic and gets me in to the Doerfmiester show. Holy shit! Richard Doerfmiester is absolutely amazing. I was most impressed by the mix of The Doors Riders on the Storm and Blondies Rasputen. The guy blew me away!
Meanwhile, Duke is on cloud 9, literally.
Knowing that Yoko was busy the next night (Friday), Duke and I agreed that we would do it up together. We both really wanted to check out the Franz Ferdinand show at the Collesium (not part of NMW). The plan was for Duke to call me when he was done getting his tattoo.
Friday morning came way too quickly. The last 2 nights had been pretty crazy and I had consumed quite a bit of alcohol. Yeah, I admit it, Im a light weight. I headed in to the office around Noon. Lucky for me I had some phone interviews in the morning, so I got to go in late. After a few hours in the office tying up all the lose ends (it was my last day), I decided to do a little bit of shopping. A new outfit for my crazy night out. And, a great way to kill sometime until I was to hear from Duke.
I ended up making it home with enough time to freshen up and change in to my new outfit.
Duke didnt end up picking me up until 8:30. The concert had already started by the time we got there. I had hoped we had only missed the Cribs, but found out that we had not only missed the Cribs, but most of Death Cab For Cuties set as well. BOO! In the rush to get in side, we bought the first tickets we were offered of a scalper. We got them for under cost, which wasnt too bad, but moments later was given 3 free tickets from a friend of mine who does promotions for the CFOX (local radio station). Between Duke and I we had 5 tickets. Lucky for us, Duke knows how to work it. He took our 5 tickets (which were scattered through out the stadium seating) and got us floor access. Proves the point againyou just have to look important.
Franz Ferdinand put on a amazing show! I was in awe the entire timedancing up a storm and singing along to all their tunes. Their stage set up was very simple, but powerful. The encore was amazing with the members of Death Cab for Cutie joining them on stage in a drum line. WOW!! Unfuckinbelievable!
The show ends and Duke and I decide to head back downtown to check out the NMW festivities and more importantly to get more weed. A quick stop at Dukes hotel in trendy Yaletown and a quick drink at the hotel bar, we hop in a cab and head to the Commodore. The place was pumping.
I run into Paul who had showcased earlier that night. He is with his bass player (a very well known Events Coordinator in Vancouver, well just call him JD). JD has put on some pretty big events in Vancouver and area. JD introduces himself (after he had ogled my chest). I tell him my name and immediately he is red in the face. He realizes who I am (or at least who my sister is) and is impressed. We chat for a few minutes, before he finds out that Ive been laid off and possibly looking for work. JD offers me a job on the spot. Ill hire you resume unseen, based on your name alone.
JD and I chat briefly about the opportunity and money. We both decided that is best to let this conversation wait till Monday. Probably a good idea. Now Im even higher then I have ever felt before. I knew I wasnt going to accept JDs offer (the guys a big time schister), but what an amazing feeling to be offered a job of that magnitude.
I find Duke and tell him what happened. We had a good laugh and decided to spark a celebratory joint while we enjoy the groovin tunes that Five Alarm Funk is providing. Think Parliament and you can figure out what Five Alarm Funk is all about.
My head was still whirling from all the events that had taken place so far. I told Duke I was going for a cigarette. He decided to join me. While we were outside, I run into a couple of the members of Sweetheart. The guitar player comes up to me (hes on the other side of the fence), Hey, I know you! and gives me a hug.
Yeah we met at the Penthouse last night!
HAHAI think they thought I was going to be able to help them get their friends in to the show. I dont have that much pull.
Duke and I head back inside and I find Paul to get the low down on the after party. He tells us to head the XM Lounge it was the after hours for each night of NMW. We decided to check out the scene and see what other parties were happening. It was too early for the real after hours, so we ended up at the XM Lounge.
Again Duke was bombarded by band members dying to know who he was. It was so funny to watch these young guys falling all over Duke. Asking him all these questions. Hoping he was somebody really important. Poor Duke, he was just trying to have a good time.
We make are way over to the window to get some fresh air. We are laughing at the reactions hes been getting, when this guy with a camera comes over to us and asks to take our picture. Turns out the guy is from 24 the free daily news magazine. The guy gets our details and tells us the photo will be in Mondays paper. (Sure enough, there it was Monday morning Duke and in the On the Town section, pictured with all the other whos who of Vancouver. I still have some extra copies if any one is interested. J )
The XM Lounge was dying down and Duke and I ended up finding out way to Gorgomesh, this crazy after hours bar. They dont serve alcohol, but do serve water and fruit beverages. Duke rips it up on the dance floor for a while (its now 3:30 am) as I sit and watch. Its really not my scene. We stay for about another half hour and decide to call it a night. I was ready for bed and knew it would take some time to catch a cab.
Duke and I said our goodbyes (he left the following day, back to Toronto). About 10 minutes later I managed to flag down a cab. I got home shortly before 5 am. My head hit the pillow and I was out.
So, as much as people say NMW sucks, I guess its all depends on what you are there for. If you go to have a good time and enjoy the partythen you dont want to miss next years party. If you go expecting to be a huge industry event, you will be disappointed. My recommendationgo for the party! And rememberyou just have to look like you belong and you can get in to most venues for free.