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

A.C. NEWMAN The Hudson River Sessions

Shot at in a studio in the woods near Catskill, New York, this behind the scenes footage of A.C. Newman (The New Pornographers) and his able band warming up for their tour is absolutely, quintessentially, unmistakeably perfect! The romanticism of making music in an old house with old instruments, old friends, and a patina that screams of old traditions is simply too much! Three cheers for Newman, his new solo album is a real summation of his move to the East Coast, Woodstock, seclusion, parenthood, a simpler life, middle age reflections, maple syrup tapping, smoke in your eyes as you stand by the babbling brooks in the morning. Heavy flute solo, man! Catch this guy as he returns home to Vancouver for a show at the Biltmore on November 9th.

The Playlist

THE XX – Chained

A few nights ago I was having trouble sleeping. I went downstairs and put on my copy of The XX’s sublime sophomore record coexist, curled up on my Herman Miller couch, and watched the shadows sway in the windstorm beyond my window. Trust me, this record really comes alive in the 3:35AM stillness. Likewise, this exquisite new video captures the music’s grace and slow building emotive qualities. The Freudian analysis of these shots should prove interesting.

RODRIGUEZ At Zulu Records

Yes, we are still a buzz from the recent visit from the amazing Rodriguez! Here is some amazing footage from our pal Skot Nelson!

BAHAMAS Lost In The Light

We have said it before, we will say it again! Canada is blessed with an abundance of amazing musicians! Here is Afie of Bahamas (one of our favourite Toronto bands) getting it together in a country gospel way!

CHILLY GONZALES Solo Piano

Oh… Do you guys follow us on Twitter? If so, you will know that we are giving away a pair of tickets to see this equally talented Toronto based musician! Gonzales is a maverick in music circles. Not in the John McCain sense. No… In the crazy gonzo sense.

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS Cry For Judas

Happiness, tragedy, confusion, a bleeding nose and Jon Wurster of Superchunk/Mountain Goats… all things that you will see in John D’s latest modern ode. Shakespearean vibe to this?

CHRIS COHEN Optimist High

Every year there are way too many records that fly under the radar of the store and the general public. I think is sadly the result of the fact that so many records are always coming down the pipe! Anyway, I am personally going everything I can to tell people how great and simple the music of Chris Cohen is. He has played in a number of great bands…always as a sideman – all that will change soon!

THE GIG

CAT POWER Friday Nov 2nd at VOGUE THEATER

Ticket sales have started to really take off for this one night stand with one of indie-rock`s most enigmatic performers. Chan Marshall a.k.a. Cat Power is currently on the road to support her `most accessible` new release Sun, and from all reports Chan and her skilled band are putting on a dazzling show. Our scouts in Toronto report that the show at Koolhaus was borderline sublime, as Chan was at her theatrical best bringing to live the electronic arrangements of Sun, and breathing new life into her back catalog thanks to the bigger touring band. Sure there were the quirks that people always will talk about with Cat Power shows… but face it guys, Chan is an artist doing exactly what she wants to do, and for that reason alone the stage is hers to command.

THE GLANCE

Nov 01 – 03 LA-TI-DA RECORDS: THE FALLDOWN GETDOWN – VARIOUS VENUES
Thu Nov 01 PLANTS & ANIMALS – COMMODORE
Thu Nov 01 THE SEA AND CAKE – RICKSHAW
Thu Nov 01 METZ – MEDIA CLUB
Thu Nov 01 LADYHAWK – BILTMORE
Fri Nov 02 JENS LEKMAN – COMMODORE
Fri Nov 02 ORLANDO VOORN – WALDORF
Fri Nov 02 SLUGABED – WALDORF
Fri Nov 02 SEA WOLF – ELECTRIC OWL – WE’RE SOLD OUT
Fri Nov 02 CAT POWER – VOGUE THEATRE – More in stock
Sat Nov 03 PANTHA DU PRINCE – VENUE
Sat Nov 03 BENNY BENASSI – CELEBRITIES
Sat Nov 03 BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – VOGUE
Sat Nov 03 THE HARPOONIST, AXE MURDERER, BOCEPHUS KING – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Nov 03 SONREAL AND RICH KIDD- FORTUNE
Mon Nov 05 ASHLEY MACISAAC – BILTMORE
Tue Nov 06 THE HENRY CLAY PEOPLE & JAIL WEDDINGS – MEDIA
Tue Nov 06 ZAMMUTO – BILTMORE
Tue Nov 06 LA SERA – WALDORF
Wed Nov 07 KILL THE NOIZE – CELEBRITIES
Wed Nov 07 CUNNINLYNGUISTS – FORTUNE SOUND CLUB
Wed Nov 07 BEENIE MAN – BAR NONE
Thu Nov 08 A.C. NEWMAN – BILTMORE
Thu Nov 08 AZAR & III – VENUE
Thu Nov 08 MARK EITZEL – ELECTRIC OWL
Thu Nov 08 TYLER WARD – RIO
Thu Nov 08 TURQUOISE JEEP – FORTUNE SOUND CLUB
Fri Nov 09 KID KOALA – VENUE
Fri Nov 09 MANUFACTURED SUPERSTARS – CELEBRITIES
Fri Nov 09 EL TEN ELEVEN – MEDIA
Fri Nov 09 MIDNIGHT MAGIC – WALDORF
Fri Nov 09 JD SAMSON AND MEN – THE COBALT
Fri Nov 09 MV & EE – RIO THEATRE
Sat Nov 10 FIVE ALARM FUNK – RICKSHAW
Sat Nov 10 DEEKLINE, FREESTYLERS – 560
Sat Nov 10 ODDISEE – ELECTRIC OWL
Sun Nov 11 LEGENDARY LONGWEEKEND – WALDORF
Sun Nov 11 THE TWELVES – CELEBRITIES
Mon Nov 12 BENJAMIN FRANCIS – MEDIA CLUB
Mon Nov 12 GWAR – VOGUE
Mon Nov 12 COMEBACK KID – BILTMORE
Tue Nov 13 THE FAINT plays Danse Macabre – COMMODORE
Tue Nov 13 THE OCTOPUS PROJECT – ELECTRIC OWL
Tue Nov 13 MILO GREENE – MEDIA CLUB
Tue Nov 13 THE BOOM BOOMS – 560
Wed Nov 14 THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION – BILTMORE
Wed Nov 14 WINTERSLEEP – COMMODORE – WE’RE SOLD OUT
Wed Nov 14 FOREIGN BEGGARS – CELEBRITIES
Wed Nov 14 BLEACHED – WALDORF
Thu Nov 15 PATRICK WATSON – CENTRE
Thu Nov 15 TITUS ANDRONICUS – BILTMORE
Thu Nov 15 THE PATH EP RELEASE – ST JAMES
Thu Nov 15 RACHEL YAMAGATA – ELECTRIC OWL
Thu Nov 15 DATSIK – GOSSIP
Thu Nov 15 HEADHUNTERZ – CAPRICE
Thu Nov 15 LINDSEY STIRLING – RIO
Thu Nov 15 PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS – FORTUNE
Thu Nov 15 FABER DRIVE – RIO
Fri Nov 16 THE ZOLAS – RIO THEATRE
Fri Nov 16 THE INTERNET – FORTUNE SOUND CLUB
Fri Nov 16 JULIE DOIRON – WALDORF
Fri Nov 16 GAPPY RANKS – WALDORF
Sat Nov 17 JAMES MURPHY – CELEBRITIES
Sat Nov 17 ENDLESS SUMMER TOUR- WALDORF
Sat Nov 17 SERA CAHOONE – MEDIA CLUB
Sat Nov 17 LEFTO – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Nov 17 DIAMOND RINGS – FORTUNE
Sat Nov 17 WOOL ON WOLVES/GREAT BLOOMERS – BILTMORE
Sun Nov 18 PHARCYDE – VENUE