Hinterland's blog: 04/01/2004

Friday, April 30, 2004

This column is funny because it's true. (And check out the archives for more fun.)

Thursday, April 29, 2004

It's time once again for the Georgia Straight's Readers' Choice Music Awards. We've never won anything before, so it would be super swell if people could show support for Hinterland in any categories in which we are eligible (i.e. best album, best lead singer, etc.). Find a ballot in this week's Straight or go here to enter.

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Hey, we got our first review in a big national publication, Chart, and it's... surprisingly lame. Two stars out of five. Along with informing us that we're not as good as My Bloody Valentine, the Sundays, and the Cocteau Twins (really? say it isn't so!), Shannon Whibbs takes note of our "quavery vocals" and expresses impatience with our songs' "semi-epic lengths". The nicest thing she can find to say is that it's "easy on the ears".

Our most negative review to date (the only negative one yet, in fact). Good thing nobody actually reads Chart, huh?

This thing is so cool.

Sunday, April 25, 2004

Come to the Pic on Thursday night for a show with Panurge, Windows '78, and Anomalous Disturbances.

Speaking of the Cure (as I was a few posts down), here's a bit of news from Pitchfork: the band has a new album coming out on June 22, with a North American tour to follow in the summer. We might just get that opening slot yet.

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

I just noticed that we're on New Music Canada's Space Pop Top 10. It's cool to be on a chart with the likes of Broken Social Scene and A Northern Chorus, two of my favourite bands in the whole darn country.

Our song "Red-Light Camera" is featured on the CBC Radio 3 site this week (there's also a song on there by Guitaro member Mark Wiebe). So maybe we'll even get some national airplay this weekend. In any case, I recommend listening to this Saturday's show, because it looks like they'll be broadcasting an Interpol concert. We love Interpol, even if they'll never play in Vancouver again.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Our next show is May 14 at the Pic, with two great local bands, Guitaro and Dawntreader. We'll post more details as that date draws closer. This will be our last show for a while, possibly our final show of the year (unless something huge comes up, like an opportunity to play with the Cure or something), so I encourage everyone who hasn't seen us for a while (or ever) to come out of hiding.

A new review from Indieville.com calls Under the Waterline "a tremendously enjoyable album. From the opening melodies to the final tune's last gasp, you will be entrapped in this disc's melodic brilliance. Though the songs often go past the five minute mark, they are strong enough compositions to keep you engaged nonetheless. The style is a sort of spacey dream pop, combining blissful female vocals with epic, instrumental backgrounds and powerful hooks."

Friday, April 16, 2004

Ever get mistaken for someone famous? Not me, but there are some people who make a living at it. Imagine going through life as Jason Alexander's doppelganger.

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Do you work in an office? I do, and my new filing technique is unstoppable.

Sunday, April 11, 2004

We often see flashes going off when we play, but we never see the pictures afterwards. Got any photos you'd like to share, shutterbugs?

Thursday, April 08, 2004

This week's Georgia Straight contains an item about the Exclaim! Cup Hockey Summit, an event in which our own Kyle is participating as a member of the Vancouver Flying Vees. Hopefully Kyle will provide us with an update about this event, in which the teams are expected to perform both on the ice and on stage. Keep watching this blog for details!

A review of Under the Waterline has been posted at Splendid. Sarah Zachrich had some nice things to say, describing our sound as "majestic" and "moody", and concluding that "Under the Waterline is a beautifully composed and recorded record from a talented group of musicians."

See page 26 of the current Westender for a Q&A with Michaela. Plus a photo of Michaela. With the rest of the band cropped out. Right next to Michaela's pointed comments about bands that try to get attention by putting the focus solely on their attractive female singers. Grrr... Well, it's better than nothing. Also, check out the Georgia Straight this week for an interview with Sciflyer, one of the bands we'll be playing with at the Purple Onion on April 14.

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

2004 marks the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster. The Strat has been the guitar of choice of everyone from Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix to Richard Lloyd (Television) to Johnny Marr to Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes. Not that I place myself in the same category as any of the above, but I play two Stratocasters, which I have dubbed Blacky and Blacky II (not very original, I know). Anyway, happy birthday, Stratocaster!

Monday, April 05, 2004

Hmmm... Looks like we might have peaked at number 98 on Earshot's national campus-radio chart. This month we are down to number 131. You know what that means, right? It's time to request songs from Under the Waterline at your local campus/community radio station! In Vancouver, that means requesting our music at CiTR and CJSF. In Victoria, ask to hear us on CFUV. If you live in Lethbridge, call up CKUL, and in Winnipeg, show your support by contacting CJUM and CKUW. Let's see how high we can get in that damn chart!

Saturday, April 03, 2004

WIN WIN WIN
Want to win a copy of our CD, Under the Waterline? Hip Vancouver is giving one away, but you'll have to be quick: the contest closes tomorrow.

Friday, April 02, 2004

You may have seen some of these photos before. Perhaps they arrived in your inbox, or you saw them floating around the Internet. Well, some of them are real and some of them aren't, but they all have interesting stories. WARNING: If you are of a sensitive nature, do not click on the ones marked as disturbing. They aren't kidding.

Hinterland's blog