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

GRIZZLY BEAR Sleeping Ute

This week belongs to Brooklyn’s quintessential hipster band Grizzly Bear who have dropped one of the most highly anticipated records of the Fall new release season. Seeing the extensive keyboard rack and upright piano on this Jimmy Fallon footage should be a clear sign that the boys have taken their mesmerizing multi-instrumentation and highly orchestrated arrangements to an even higher level. Yes, tracks off of Shields are loaded with interlocking melodies, harmonies, and ambience that recalls the best moments of Beach Boys, Van Dyke Parks and the rest of 70’s LA weirdos…

The Playlist

RODRIGUEZ Crucify Your Mind

By now you have probably heard about the amazing documentary Searching for Sugarman playing around town. If not we highly recommend checking it out and discovering the music and legendary life of Sixto Rodriguez. Here he is on Letterman backed by a huge string section playing one of his lost classic hits.

FLYING LOTUS Putty Boy Strut

LA’s Flying Lotus has been a shifting player in the electronic scene for quite some time now. Big beats and dubby bass give way to a new glitch bend circuit sound on this excellent new track that sounds like nothing else right now. We don’t recommend this one for workplace listening as it is too Commodore 64.

THE KILLS Wild Charms

This is a real surprise! The Kills dial in a classic slow ballad that reminds us of the exquisite tone of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band era! Gorgeous song with a gorgeous video.

HOSPITALITY Eighth Avenue

This band on the Merge Records roster have reserved some time at the Media Club here in town. Do yourself the favour of checking them out. Their debut is one of the best straight up sweet pop records we are currently pushing! The video is another day at the race track and cars run on tears.

COLD SPECKS Elephant Head

Well, we first turned you on to this great Canadian artist about 6 months ago. Now, she is nominated for the Polaris Prize, has toured Europe extensively, and finally returns to Vancouver in November for a date at the St. James Hall. Great stuff.

JON SPENCER Black Mold

We can’t really resist writing about this great video! The acting, set dec, and overall story arc is so dialled in, and when you add to the fact that Jon Spencer is finally back rocking out… well you know it is just so contagious. Just like the Black Mold that spreads all over this poor guy…

DEERHOOF Fete D’Adieu

San Fran’s arty trio Deerhoof are one of the most inventive bands out there. They are constantly pushing the boundaries of their sound, and here find out that they can create incredibly catchy songs without losing any of the weirdness. There is a lot of awkward dancing in this clip though.

WHITE LUNG Bag

Vancouver looks good on film. This song kicks ass and from the sounds of it our own White Lung have started to make a name for themselves outside of here. Congrats to them and Nu Sensae for killing it.

THE GIG

THE XX Sunday October 5th Vogue Theatre

Who can forget the time London’s incredible dream rockers XX came by Zulu and performed intimate instore renditions of their seminal debut recording? The place was packed and the band not only sounded amazing but also so graciously hung out to meet all their new rabid fans. We’ve included some vintage youtube footage of the party here for those that need their memory jogged. Well, it has been a good two years but finally Vancouverites have a chance to catch their faves live once again. Touring for their sublime sophomore release Coexist, The XX are going to be living out of suitcases for the next year or more as they are no longer a secret commodity playing to just a hardcore following. This night in the lofty and historic Vogue Theatre will be truly amazing.

The Glance

Sat Sep 29 HOMEGROWN w/ CLARK – WALDORF
Sat Sep 29 MARTIN SOLVEIG – CELEBRITIES
Sat Sep 29 BLOC PARTY – VOGUE –
Sat Sep 29 AMANDA PALMER – COMMODORE –
Sat Sep 29 HEAD OF THE HERD – MEDIA CLUB
Sat Sep 29 PATRICK WOLF – RIO
Sat Sep 29 FUNK HUNTERS – RED ROOM
Sat Sep 29 WORLDBEATS LIVE – FIVESIXTY
Sat Sep 29 HES MY BROTHER, SHES MY SISTER – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Sep 29 PATTERSON HOOD & THE DOWNTOWN RUMBLERS – BILTMORE
Sun Sep 30 TYCHO – FORTUNE

OCTOBER

Mon Oct 01 MONO – MEDIA CLUB
Mon Oct 01 DIRTY THREE – BILTMORE
Tue Oct 02 DEAD KENNEDYS – COMMODORE –
Tue Oct 02 DRY THE RIVER – BILTMORE
Tue Oct 02 SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE – WALDORF
Tue Oct 02 BEBEL GILBERTO – RIO
Wed Oct 03 ROCKIE FRESH (+ MEET & GREET TIX) – FORTUNE
Thu Oct 04 MICHAEL KIWANUKA – COMMODORE
Thu Oct 04 LIKNUTS – FORTUNE
Fri Oct 05 THE XX – VOGUE –
Fri Oct 05 THE JEZABELS – VENUE
Fri Oct 05 SANDER VAN DOORN – CELEBRITIES
Fri Oct 05 COLD BLANK – FIVESIXTY
Fri Oct 05 THE PHYSICS – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Oct 06 THE OH SEES – RICKSHAW
Sat Oct 06 SEAN HAYES – BILTMORE
Sat Oct 06 DUSTIN BENTALL – WALDORF
Sat Oct 06 IMAGINE DRAGONS – VENUE –
Sun Oct 07 GRIZZLY BEAR – COMMODORE –
Sun Oct 07 LEGENDARY LONG WEEKEND – WALDORF
Sun Oct 07 BLUEPRINT 15 YR ANNIVERSARY – CONVENTION CENTRE
Tue Oct 09 FINK – MEDIA CLUB
Wed Oct 10 HOSPITALITY – MEDIA CLUB
Wed Oct 10 ANDRE NICKATINA – COMMODORE
Thu Oct 11 MILK CARTON KIDS – MEDIA CLUB
Fri Oct 12 MIDNIGHT CONSPIRACY – FIVESIXTY
Fri Oct 12 DROOG – WALDORF
Fri Oct 12 EXIT MUSIC – MEDIA CLUB
Fri Oct 12 ANCIIENTS – INTERURBAN
Sat Oct 13 MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS – VOGUE
Sat Oct 13 STANTON WARRIORS – 560
Sat Oct 13 WOODS – MEDIA CLUB