heartbeat, increasing heartbeat

First of all, mad props to my friend Mariah who's lunching with the Prime Minister up in Timmins today!

Pete Doherty might be in trouble with the police again... this time it's for assault. Sigh.

... and now Damon Albarn has begun openly criticizing Doherty’s lifestyle and particularly his performance at Live 8. I don’t know why. Its not like Mr. Albarn’s a stranger to being fucked out of his mind onstage...

... but really, the Make Doherty History headlines are mean. Its not like he’s Bono or anything.

In the meantime let’s all hope Pete doesn’t turn to God on us. Because that would be boring. Which is a crime worse than murder (or so says my English husband).

NME’s got the new BRMC video for "Aint No Easy Way Out". Oh how I've missed those boys.

Check out the fantastic video for "This Town Aint Big Enough For The Both Of Us" by Justin Hawkins new project, British Whale.

Mike D's launched a campaign for more Annie in Toronto clubs.

Watch the trailer for the new Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line over at Stereogum.

Thanks to Chromewaves directing me to the very entertaining boys and girls guides to snaggin a hipster... Oh and there's also a Morning News how-to guide to hipsterdom... Incase, you've, like, missed the last 3 years or something.

When you’re out enjoying yourself this long weekend, just remember to APPRECIATE cos Osama bin Laden wants to ruin your high!

This morning my office is filled with the fumes of paint thinner and no one can figure out why. My boss has called someone environmental safety group to check it out. Apparently the fumes are so bad its been deemed an "emergency"... I'm not complaining or anything, thus far its made my morning slightly more fun than usual... Anyway, I better get back to work now so I can, like, save the world and stuff. Have a great long weekend everyone!

living for the weekend

My DAD found this link for me where you can watch The Smiths performing "This Charming Man" back in 1983 on Top Of The Pops.

Spotlight unnerves Montreal's music scene. Fuckin right.

Illegal downloaders buy more music! So there!

Bands unite to try to save CBGB. Yawn.

There’s a new Kaiser Chiefs video for the soon-to-be re-released "I Predict A Riot"... Only trouble is I can’t watch it here at work :(

Dodge has new BRMC downloads! We'll still link him even though he cheated on me with Rachel Scenestars. Because we're better people.

Torr has new tracks from Nada Surf (who will never be able to top "Inside of Love"), JJ72 (remember them?), and The Cardigans (I know you remember them).

You Aint No Picasso has loads of great indie covers! Well, some of them are great, some not-so-much.

Douglas Coupland has two new exhibitions opening at Monte Clark Gallery in Toronto today... More from Torontoist.

My friend Amy took this photo and posted on MySpace. Someone riding the London Underground has a sense of humour. It's funny in a scary-cos-it's-true kinda way.

Oh and one final thing... Last night my friend, who recently broke up with his girlfriend, randomly struck up an MSN convo with me...
FRIEND: VALLLLL
FRIEND: VALLLLLLLL
ME: hi hi hi
FRIEND: Hey d'you know what Kasabian's song "Club Foot" and I have in common?
ME: ????
ME: tell me
FRIEND: we are both single

... Well, I thought it was funny.

thank you baby jesus

The LCBO strike has been averted after a settlement was reached early this morning!!! Americans and Brits may not know this, but here in Canada you can only buy your booze from the LCBO (not the corner store or supermarket). Anyway, the LCBO workers were planning to go on strike at midnight tonight – a threat which led everyone to panic and start hoarding alcohol... Well everyone except me (I already had a sufficient stash built up)... The point is that the booze CRISIS has been AVERTED. Cheers!

heckle me! i dare you!

Dodge has TONS of stories and photos from his weekend at Lollapalooza.

The Tears talk about their reconciliation to XFM.

Stereophonics have settled with former drummer, and all around awesome guy, Stuart Cable. I think the figure I read was $1.8 million (US).

Patrick Wolf has been placed on police bail. Shitty.

Johnny Depp offers some advice on being a father to Pete Doherty. It's about time someone did.

Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble confesses to an internet addiction. Join the club Roddy.

Bez pimps out his van for the ladies with a special vibrating orgasm seat. Bless.

Brian Jonestown Massacre play The Phoenix tonight. I think I’m the only person I know who’s not going… and I’m cool with that.

Nicky Hilton says Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie will kiss and make up. We can only hope.

If your gonna use an excuse for missing work at least make sure its an entertaining one.

My beautiful friend Mariah just discovered Toothpaste For Dinner. We both like this one (since we're both Communications majors)... It's funny because it's true.

im so lazy, i aint done much lately

Chart's got a review up of Day One of Lollapalooza. I personally can't wait about Dodge's experience.

Pete Doherty apologizes to Peaches and Bob Geldof for being a LIAR!

We like Torr cos he has a link where you can stream the new Kaiser Chiefs track "Sink That Ship".

Take Your Medicine has loads of great tunes for your downloading pleasure! I particularly enjoy the tracks from The Subways, Clor, The Chalets, and Elle Milano.

Interpol are back in Toronto on September 28th for a show at Kool Haus. (Thanks Michelle)

I've been feeling kinda low lately and this song makes me feel better: The Subways, "Mary".

Make your own Coldplay X&Y-themed album cover. (Link from Pop Justice).

My favourite headline of the week... by far!

its off 2 work i go

Babyshambles missed their scheduled appearance at Big Gay Out over the weekend. This is not good.

Kate Moss has apparently split with Pete Doherty (again) after he was involved in a violent street fight. This is really not good.

Ryan Adams threw a hissy fit onstage at Australian music festival Splendour over the weekend.

Josh Homme and Brody Dalle are having a baby together which is both adorable and worrying.

Check out the BRMC "Shuffle Your Feet" e-card - I adore them.

Ian Brown’s new single "All Ablaze" will be released September 5th. More details here.

Supergrass' new song "Road to Rouen" is available over at Scenestars. Meh. Just meh.

MIA's coming back to Toronto on September 26th at the Phoenix.

Hillside Festival happened over the weekend. So how was it hippies?

unsatisfied

My ISP's being an asshole today so this is all you get.

Pete Doherty and his manager James Mulford were reportedly involved in a vicious fight after Mullord accused Doherty's fiance Kate Moss or destroying Babyshambles. Kate Moss is the new Yoko.

Liam Gallagher is consciously trying to avoiding another Spongebob incident... You know you couldn't forget that image even if you tried.

Tawdry tonight... I'd go but I haven't got a stitch to wear.

i have gone too far in my lifelessness

Sophie Ellis-Bextor got married to her baby’s daddy in Italy last month! We love her!

NME has an update on what the fuck is going on with Babyshambles.

Spiritualized's Jason Pierce is in hospital recovering from a mystery illness that almost killed him.

According to an XFM survey, The Greatest Indie Band anyone can possibly imagine creating is... Muse?

Stream the new Stellastarr* single "Sweet Troubled Soul". They’re coming to town September 10 at the Horseshoe Tavern.

Tonight Turin Brakes have an early show at The Mod Club... The Dead 60’s have a show there on August 19 as do my current favourite dirty old men Louis XIV who are playing there September 2nd.

J-Lo’s producing a new show called South Beach which sounds exactly like The O.C.

I heart Sienna Miller. Way to put on a brave face kid.

An Ode to Tim Allen. Because I think my friends are funny.

we are the lovers

It's official. I have finally come to love The Tears. How did this manage to fly under my radar for so long?

The Subways frontman and bassist have announced their engagement! I love a rock'n'roll romance!

The Arcade Fire bought themselves a church in rural Quebec. Rock'n'roll.

Franz Ferdinand are talking about their comeback single "Do You Want To". Birthday boy Mike at Take Your Medicine has a live version for you.

Check out the new BRMC single "Ain't No Easy Way" on the band’s MySpace page.

Scenestars has a new Dandy Warhols track!

Former Libertine Carl Barat joined Graham Coxon onstage in London over the weekend. Why does everyone always forget about Carl? Oh thats right! He's NOT a crack addict that's shagging Kate Moss... Fair enough.

Remember how yesterday I wrote about former Longpigs frontman Crispin Hunt's new band Gramercy releasing a single? Yeah, well I lied. Torr informed me that the single has been cancelled because they've signed to a major label. Woot woot!

Sad news... Mel C says a Spice Girls reunion is 'not likely'. I'm heartbroken.

Irony alert! Village People "policeman" arrested!

Whatever happened to Britney Spears being hot?

Jude Law's in the doghouse and rightfully so for being a cheating bastard... It's a shame, they made such a hot couple... And on an unrelated note, please take a gander at what appears to be Jude Law's massive package.

Best Pete'n'Kate icon I've seen in ages.

Still bored? Read The Rules of Modern Life.

wide-eyed and open-mouthed

Mercury Prize nominees have been announced! They include Bloc Party, Hard-Fi, Kaiser Chiefs, MIA, The Magic Numbers, Coldplay, Antony And The Johnsons, and Maximo Park amoung others.

Clor's video for "Love & Pain" has some incredible dance moves.

And speaking of hot dance moves... I can't believe I had never seen this OK Go video for "A Million Ways" before. That backyard dance routine is fuckin solid.

mines a pint and 3 E's please

I finally made it out to Eat Your Greens on Saturday night. The good times were only exceeded by the temperature, good lookin people and fucking fantastic tunes... But don't like go or anything cos I want to keep it all to myself.

Iva informs me that Embrace have cancelled a bunch of dates on their upcoming North American tour. The cancellation includes the Toronto stop on July 26th that I was sooo looking forward to. Le sigh.

Kasabian have declared themselves "the new Rolling Stones". Yes and I am "the new Kylie Minogue". Because I say so.

Robbie Williams is allegedly going for a new white-boy reggae sound... So that has to be the worst idea I've heard all week.

I can't believe I never knew about this Make Bono History tee!?!

Magic mushrooms are now an illegal Class A drug in the UK. It's a sad day but I'm comforted in knowing I took full advantage of their legality last month at Glasto... Fond memories of the boy seeing dragons in our tent.

working overtime

Babyshambles have cancelled their upcoming 'Fuck Forever' tour.

More details on the London United concert happening this Saturday.

The Dears have their video for "The Death Of All Romance" on MySpace until Sunday for your viewing pleasure. The band have also announced they will be going on "hiatus" (from touring) as bandmembers Murray and Natalia prepare for the birth of their first child. I just love Canadian bands... Speaking of...

Did anyone else catch that episode of The New Music a few days ago where Hannah followed a bunch of Canadian bands (Broken Social Scene, Death From Above 1979, Metric, Stars and The Dears) playing shows together in Japan. Dude, it was CLASSIC. It made me so proud to be Canadian.

Anyone up for doing some Gwyneth-spotting at the Toronto Film Festival this September?

The trailer for Gus Van Sant's "Last Days" is online.

Everyone go wish Duarte a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! He's like, one of Toronto's finest!

And I'm out... Lates!

i can't take the heat

I'm so fucking sick of the heat. And the bloody humidity.
And smog. And breaking records.

i got nuthin

Congrats to Peta2's "World's Sexiest Vegetarians" Joss Stone and Chris Martin.

I kinda dont like the new video from The Killers for "All These Things That I've Done". I prefer the old one where they're walking through the street hugging everyone.

Could it be true that Mischa Barton is single again? I know a few people (myself included) that are interested.

There are no words.

hump day

Kaiser Chiefs are re-releasing "I Predict A Riot" as a double A-side with new song ’Sink That Ship’ in August.

Keith Richards has confirmed he will make his acting debut as a pirate in one of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sequels.

I recommend you take a peak at the new Oasis video for "The Importance of Being Idle" for Rhys Ifans comedic performance if nothing else.

Wooo! Chart has a Glastonbury photo gallery.

Download Queens of Noize "Indie Boys (Don't Deserve It)" from Fluxblog because I kinda love and idolize them.

i dont like tuesdays

Kate Moss beat up Pete Doherty... but I'm sure she did it out of love. Or drugs. Or something. Obviously they're still together because if they weren't then I'd be off crying in a corner somewhere.

Franz Ferdinand have announced a new North American tour in September and October in support of their new album's release on October 4th. They hit Toronto on October 18th at something called the Ricoh Centre... what the fuck is that?

NEW SPICE GIRLS MATERIAL!!! FUCK YES!

Lindsay Lohan might be dating Elefant frontman Diego Garcia. Now that's hot.

Kevin Federline. Socks. Flip Flips. Need I say more?

I love the Tom Cruise blog. It's everything I could hope for and more.

t in the park

This weekend was the T in the Park festival in Scotland and it was a scorcher.

Yesterday Keane signed middle-aged women's breasts, The Futureheads triumphed and Barry said he liked T because there were no "trendy scenesters", The Killers blew everyone away (again), Mike Skinner let it slip that he wants Robbie Williams-style sing-a-longs, Super Furry Animals wore spacesuits, Brandon Flowers joined New Order onstage for "Crystal", and Greenday stole the show and paid tribute to victims of the London bombings.

Today, the second day, sounds equally entertaining. Kaiser Chiefs were their usual fun selves (and good boy Ricky got a bit naughty by encouraging the ladies to flash their titties), Travis covered The Bee Gees, Kasabian rocked and called people "fuckers" (again), Ian Brown was up to the old tricks, and Foo Fighters brought the curtain down.

Wish I had been there... Maybe next year while Glasto takes a year off.

love is the drug

... and the death toll rises..."

Respect to all the bands who cancelled and postponed gigs that were set to happen in London last night. They did the right thing.

Hey CBC, not the best timing on your choice of movie last night. Don't get me wrong, "Last Night" might be my favourite Canadian film of all time but airing a movie about the apocalypse on the same day as a terrorist bombing is a little, er, dodgy... Plus that movie always makes me cry... Damn you...

Stream all Live 8 performances HERE! DO IT NOW! It's a brilliant (Canadian) resource for people like me who couldn't sit in front of a TV all day!

Pete's ex girlfriend Katie has some advice for Kate Moss... She must be bitter (and with good reason).

Q and Not U are breaking up but I dont care because I don't like them.

Chart reviews Aqualung in Toronto.

Jeff Davis is a fascist. (The previous statement will only be funny to people that attended high school with me back when I first made that controversial claim.)

Toronto kids might be interested in this Fringe Festival blog (even if it comes from the National Post). Fringe is on now til the 17th... There's so much going on in the city this weekend so get out there!

Perez Hilton has a new home!

Ashlee Simpson is hott.. but now in a dirrty X-tina kinda way.

Disturbing Lindsay Lohan Diet Game!

Oh and for the record I don't think Britney's expecting twins... I think she's just enjoying getting fat.

thinking of London

London was attacked by terrorists earlier today. I'm so shaken and disgusted that this happened. How dare they do this to my beloved London. Like I was just there 9 days ago... How did this happen? How can people do this to one another? I just hope all of my friends (and readers) there are okay...

Obviously all of the other news today seems inappropriate compared to the events in London... But here is what I had found last night when I was preparing for my post today because...

I got jobbed! Today I start working for the Canadian Red Cross! I'm practically the new Bono/Bob Geldof but, like, not as annoying and obviously way hotter!

Lil Kim has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison.

If you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend you download "Stalking Pete Doherty" just to see what a cunt Max Carlish is.

And speaking of my 2nd favourite handsome devil, check out photos of Pete's band Babyshambles filming the video for "Fuck Forever"! I think this one's my favourite!

More developements on the Pete'n'Kate wedding.

Shaun Ryder was broke for 6 years and Bez got probed.

Here's an unintentionally hilarious photo of George W Bush who had a birthday yesterday.

'aint unemployment grand

NME's got video of their Glastonbury highlights! All the interviews rule! Goldie Lookin Chain entertain me to no end, The Futureheads are too cute (love the Sunderland accents), and Ricky Wilson is THE MAN!

Babyshambles have pulled out of their support slot for Oasis tonight because Pete's stuck in France.

Oh and Pete Doherty's blaming his shambolic Live 8 performance on Bob Geldof's 16-year-old daughter Peaches who made a pass at him before he went onstage. Cheeky minx... Our kind of girl.

Paul Cannell, who designed album covers for Primal Scream and Manic Street Preachers, has committed suicide.

I can't believe I'm only just seeing Louis XIV's video for "God Killed The Queen" for the first time now. They're such dirty old men its great.

Goldie Lookin Chain are are Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) tonight. As I said before they really impressed me at Glasto... That and the fact they had everyone yelling "Your Mother's Got A Penis" for the rest of the weekend.

One of my lovely readers (Gaz) is playing his first gig with The Diableros tonight at The Social. The Empires are also on the bill so it should make for a good show. Check out flyers here and here.

The final Live 8 concert happens in Edinburgh tonight. It will be streamed live on http://www.bbc.co.uk..

Texas are playing the Live 8 show tonight and The Vicar has your hook-up for MP3's from the band (who I secretly really like). I recommend "Black Eyed Boy" and "Say What You Want".

London, England will host the 2012 Summer Olympics. Another reason for me keep coming back every year... or live there.

Oh Angelina... how I love you so. Miss Jolie is adopting a newborn Ethiopian girl orphaned by AIDS. She's so lovely.

Happy Birthday to my friend Will and His Holiness the Dalai Lama who turned 70 today.

hanging in there

Hey kids, updates might be at night now since I've begun looking for full-time work.

Soooo I didn't really talk about Live 8... The Toronto show was shitty but I loved watching Greenday in Berlin and pretty much everything from the stage in London. Obviously I loved Pete and Elton but I was also very impressed with Coldplay and Richard Ashcroft mostly on account of how good the former Verve frontman is looking... Mmmm.
But yeah, Pete Doherty was my highlight because even though he looked like he didn't even know what day it was, he still managed to put on a stunningly shambolic performance. Relive the magic bitches!!! Everyone loves our Pete! Elton John likes to kiss him and even Bob Geldof's been defending Pete in between trying to save the world. Loves it.

Oasis are still the funniest, most entertaining band ever.

Carl Barat talks about finding the confidence to go solo (read more over at the XFM site) and Pete Doherty's Babyshambles are heading out on a UK tour in support of "Fuck Forever". Brits please check it out so I can live vicariously through you!

The new Sufjan Stevens album 'Illinois' has been delayed due to issues with the cover art. The snobs over at Pitchfork gave it a glowing review!

Dodge has loads of Decemberists covers! Oh how I've missed him!

Mike at Take Your Medicine found this cool (educational) link on The Origin and Uses of British Swear Words. Hot.

Today's my Mommy's birthday and someone she works with gave her Funeral since she discovered Arcade Fire are her new favourite band when I was away. I'm so proud.

Ricky Gervais is just a man with a dream... a dream of skinhead gorillas riding the Tube. Amazing! Thanks for the link MikeD.

My friend found this hilarious clip of a guy with a Johnny Borrell (Razorlight) mask over his head and dancing to "Golden Touch". Amazing!

I sorta wish I was knocked up so I had an excuse to buy the adorable 'Lil Popbitch' tee.

Sometimes when I feel sad I look at Juanzo and he brings a smile to my face.

happy Fourth of July y'all.

i heart Glastonbury

So as many of you kids know I went away for the month of June... I travelled around Italy for two weeks before returning to England where I fell head over heels for a man in Manchester... but the true purpose of my trip was the 2005 Glastonbury Festival... and it was everything I hoped it would be and more.

My favourite post-Glasto quote was said by a Radio 1 DJ that we heard in the car on our way to London...
"I can't feel my legs and I've got a new ridiculous hat... Must be Glastonbury."
It's funny because it was so fucking true.

So here's the breakdown...

I had a most fulfilling, freeing experience.

I saw a staggering amount of fantastic bands. Some of the ones I remember include The Thrills, Babyshambles, Doves, The Killers, British Sea Power, Goldie Lookin Chain, Kaiser Chiefs, Emiliana Torrini, Echo & The Bunnymen, Interpol, Kasabian, Babyshambles (again), Brendan Benson, Brian Wilson, Primal Scream and Ian Brown.

I drank too much and I took loads of drugs (many of which were legal).

I paid a kid 10p to spray me with a hose (when it was hot and before the mud).

I used the portaloos (twice a day).

I actually used the communal showers at one point with their transparent shower curtains.

I saw the sun setting from The Stone Circle.

I got to see Pete'n'Kate in the flesh!!!

I saw lots of strange things... And even stranger people. (One of whom was a naked man painted blue-grey and slithering around like Gollum and scaring children.)

I spent 2 hours waiting in line for a bank machine at 2am and had fun doing so.

I got to experience all kinds of weather (extreme heat, rain, cold, sun) in one location over the course of the 6 days we were there.

I wore a really silly hat.

I got really fuckin muddy and after about 10 minutes it didn't bother me much.

I survived in the mud without wellies for 4 days.

(I think) I got trench foot.

I fell in the mud more times then I'd like to admit.

On the last night I was so fucked I took off my muddy clothes and walked around in my underwear.

Even after 4 days of not bathing I still got some action.

I got married in a shambolic African hand-binding wedding ceremony in the Green Fields.

I felt like a bit of a hippy by the end of it.

I couldn't feel my legs at various points.

It was horrible when we had to leave. I wanted to stay forever.

I discovered Glastonbury is the happiest place on Earth.

The thing about Glastonbury is that even the sponsors were awesome. I loved the goodies from The Guardian and Q Magazine and I've even come to appreciate my (free) white Make Poverty History bracelet. Presents are always good but Glastonbury presents are better.

As a sponsor The Guardian has a stellar website with lots to be discovered. They have great features including an Interpol story that makes Carlos D look like an ass and eight festival bands reviewed by other bands! Nicely done. And the Guardian Lounge turned out to be a great place to chill out, have a drink and check out really cool intimate performances like the magnificant one we saw by Emiliana Torrini.

And the folks at Q Magazine also deserve major props for their free Q Glastonbury Daily newspapers (the Saturday issue with its perfect headline was practically a collector's item)!

Anyway, check out the action day by day...

Day 1 (Friday)
XFM's review Part 1 and Part 2.
The Guardian's Day 1 in pictures.

Day 2 (Saturday)
XFM's review Part 1 and Part 2.
The Guardian's Day 2 in pictures.

Day 3 (Sunday)
XFM's review of Sunday's performances.
The Guardian's Day 3 in pictures.

And if you still you want to get even more of a taste of what you missed...

Check out The Guardian's Glastonbury blog or, the much better, Q Magazine Glastonbury Blog.

Watch festival highlights at Playlouder.com.

Check out Q's Photoblog.

BBC's Radio 1 have a comprehensive Glasto site.

BBC have a comprehensive photo gallery (organized by band).

BBC 6 Music have built a wicked site.

BBC Somerset have even more pictures.

Andrew Kendall's photographs are always the best and he managed to get some great shots of bands backstage.

NME Glastonbury Photo Gallery.

There's even a pretty decent collection of photos courtesy of Yahoo/Reuters.

Watch a contest winner's video diary.

And, well, this list of links could go on forever so I better stop now.

So I guess all that's left to say is that the whole Glastonbury Festival experience made for 6 of the happiest days of my life... And, as far as I'm concerned, Glastonbury 2007 can't come soon enough...

happy 138th birthday Canada!