by Nic Bragg | From Kitsilano’s Zulu Records, we once again present our weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, we provide The Track – the song that is on heavy rotation in the shop this week; The Playlist – which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig – the ‘must see’ show of the week; and The Glance – which details the best live acts that are on the immediate horizon. From our ears to yours, enjoy…

The Track

MOONFACE Faraway Lightning

Spencer Krug is finally free of everything and can focus on his own musical vision! Wolf Parade is over. Deal with it. Krug has moved to Finland and hooked up with a new crew of players, and the result is actually deadly. Yes, Spencer is now joined by one of the best young bands from Helsinki’s infamous prog-scene, Siinai – who alone are a force to be reckoned with. Known for his heavy distorted synth work in Wolf Parade, Krug’s dark tones blend perfectly with the deep bass and drum bombast that Siinai bring to this track. Also, the full fleshed out rock band format has really solidified Spencer’s live performances – too bad they haven’t got a Vancouver date yet! Check out these heavy broods. Moonface will steal more than just your face.

The Playlist

JENS LEKMAN Erica America

Any song with a tasty Spanish guitar intro that gives way to laid back hushed folk with prerequisite sax solo is good in my book. Jens is a masterful songwriter and this new track is one approaching perfection!

BOBBY WOMACK Whatever Happened to The Times

I can’t think of anyone who could last 5 minutes in the shoes of Bobby Womack. The man has lived several lives, in several places, in several ways, and in several shades of deep darkness. His voice is steeped in pain, loss, and the magic of so many forlorn soul ballads. Outer space is cold. You gotta wear a special suit out there to survive. Bobby rules the universe.

BEACH HOUSE Lazuli

Beach House have become a huge indie rock success story, and they have successfully sued VW for ripping of one of their songs. Listening to this tasty new track quickly reveals why they are in a league of their own. Their sound is so instantly recognizable (the video is a bit too much like an episode of Heroes for me).

DIAMOND RINGS I’m Just Me

The market for vintage 80’s synths is at an all-time high. I know kids that get in their mini vans and drive to Detroit (or any other seriously economically depressed spot in the USA) just to score dusty old school technology at rock bottom prices. Canada’s Diamond Rings definitely has the sound dialed in!

DIRTY PROJECTORS Gun Has No Trigger

When is it safe to start playing some summer jams at the store? Dirty Projectors’ new forthcoming release Swing Lo Magellan is going to be a sweet ray of sunshine all throughout the store… and our city!

THE SHINS No Way Down

The Shins have reached increasingly new heights with their great new album! Here we are treated to a straight up rehearsal with the band in the woods at their practice space/recording studio! Mercer leads the band through a great take on No Way Down… yes, they are that real.

BRASSTRONAUT Old World Lies

Can’t seem to get Vancouver’s Brasstronaut songs out of my head… and can’t help but think that if they were from Toronto they would be the best new face on the scene! Is this bad of me to think? Toronto has a star maker system in place for bands this good. Enjoy!

THE GIG

RAY DAVIES – VOGUE THEATRE Friday July 13th

Having just spent 30 days driving around North America and checking out a number of old vaudeville theatres, I can honestly tell you that our own Vogue Theatre is a real gem of a spot to see music. The Vogue got the facelift that most burned out equivalents in the States sadly cannot afford, and most importantly they have one of the best P.A.s in this crazy biz. So with that in mind, you should do yourself the favour and check out one of the equally amazing names from a bygone era – Kink’s frontman Ray Davies!! His list of classic hits from the 60’s is so impressive and his fingerprints are all over the sound of today’s best pop bands – The New Pornographers, The Shins, etc. That said, his recent solo material is just as captivating and live he transforms his show into a travelling minstrel story-telling persona. Not to be missed!

The Glance

Thu Jul 05 ILL SCARLETT – VENUE
Thu Jul 05 QUINTRON + MISS PUSSYCAT – WALDORF
Sat Jul 07 SHOCKWAVE FEST – VOGUE
Sat Jul 07 LOWER DENS – MEDIA
Sat Jul 07 JAPANDROIDS – BILTMORE
Mon Jul 09 LIARS – BILTMORE
Mon Jul 09 TOOTS and the MAYTALS – COMMODORE
Tue Jul 10 SIMON JOYNER – BILTMORE
Jul 10-14 SKA FESTIVAL FULL PASS SHIP POINT – VICTORIA
Thu Jul 12 THIS WILL DESTROY YOU / A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS – BILTMORE
Thu Jul 12 SWEATSHOP UNION – VENUE
Fri Jul 13 RAY DAVIES – VOGUE
Fri Jul 13 THE PIETASTERS SHIP POINT – VICTORIA
Sat Jul 14 KATCHAFIRE SHIP POINT – VICTORIA
Sat Jul 14 KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW – BILTMORE
Sun Jul 15 MELVINS LITE – VENUE
Tue Jul 17 BRUCE PENINSULA – MEDIA CLUB
Wed Jul 18 TRUST & LIGHT ASYLUM – BILTMORE
Thu Jul 19 BEND SINISTER – VENUE
Fri Jul 20 3 INCHES OF BLOOD – VOGUE
Fri Jul 20 AESOP ROCK – VENUE
Sat Jul 21 SHEARWATER – MEDIA
Sat Jul 21 YOUTH LAGOON – VENUE
Sun Jul 22 TEENAGE BOTTLE ROCKET- VENUE
Sun Jul 22 BEAT CONNECTION- MEDIA