SCOUT LIST: The 12 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours… Read more

SCOUT LIST: The 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours… Read more

SCOUT LIST: The 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours… Read more

SOUNDTRACKING: Ten Minutes With Legend Damo Suzuki Before His Show At The Waldorf

by Daniel Colussi | There’s only one Damo Suzuki. His run as the vocalist with German avant-rockers Can from ’70 to ’73 was the golden era in which the band produced their most celebrated albums, each one bearing Damo’s inimitable presence. The man is a human lightning rod, a vibe-receptor of frequencies that most of us never knew existed, his vocal approach joyfully bouncing between Japanese, Enligh, French and German, or else just inventing new words/sounds as he goes along (listening to those Can albums, I really have no idea what he’s saying but still I get what he’s saying, you know what I mean?). As a solo artist who tours the globe, Damo embraces the eternal by living in the moment, so for his performance at the Waldorf’s 3D Music Festival you can expect a totally off-the-cuff, spontaneous come-together between Damo and Vancouver’s own Von Bingen; a night of unique, unrepeatable music. Because that’s just how Damo rolls. If you’re ready for Damo, he’s ready for you. Read on…

You’ve got a totally unique and personalized vocal style. What are some vocalists that you admire? Where did your vocal style come from? How did you develop it? It’s nothing to do with just vocalisation to talk. You find your self in social. If you’re not working for industry, you’re very free. You’re free from the system, from authority. Just find yourself and make your own. This fits into anything you do in your life. [Everybody] has one life on this planet. Everybody has a right to live free and do their own thing. But unfortunately, not that many people are able to do this, losing [their] own time for somebody else’s profits. It’s always been a problem in human history. Some idiots like to have power over people, pushing them like slaves. Authority, Establishment, Kingdoms, etc…what is this? I began my life. I didn’t choose to take a position. Freedom is creative. Everybody can be creative. To your question: I’m being Damo Suzuki, and this is the best I can do.

What are you earliest musical memories? What was the first music you heard that really excited you?
Any of the classical music I heard from my sister’s collection: Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart. She was working at the bank. Wvery birthday, she bought me a musical instruments. She didn’t ask me even if I liked to play or not. So I had a clarinet, saxophone, guitar, banjo, organ……

You’ve been working on this Never Ending Tour/Network project for many years. What are you hoping to achieve through through your collaborations with sound-carriers around the world? Networking with people on both sides: sound carriers and audience. Free energy is all you need. This is against any kind of violence in this world. I started to perform with unknown people, to create free energy on the spot. It was in 2003 that I began with this style to perform every performance with different sound carriers, without any rehearsal. I heard the news that the US [was] bombing Iraq when I arrived at J.F.K. Airport from the West Coast early in the morning. There [were] many demonstrations against [it] all around the world. Millions of people went into the streets [...] If you’re free you just ignore violence. Violence is not creative. It’s just ugly. Since then, I create time and space in the moment with ever-changing local sound carriers around the world. This, I feel, is like my mission and what I have to do. Everybody needs mission, right? Read more

SCOUT LIST: The 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

Spring has finally arrived. The Vernal Equinox (March 20 at 12:14am) signals the beginning of longer days and warmer weather. And not a minute too soon, am I right? Enough with the cold dark business. It’s time to turn soil, gaze at cherry blossoms and wear dresses. You with me?  Get gardening, pack away the toques and gloves. This is reason to celebrate.

PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM | Festival Cinemas is marking the 70th anniversary of Casablanca this week. Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II – what’s not to dig? One show only – don’t miss out.
Wednesday, March 21 | 7pm | Fifth Avenue Cinemas | $8 | Details

BUFFET | On Thursday night there’s something cool called Buffet going on. It’s a smorgasbord of art, if you will, is a collaborative showcase that aims to demonstrate “the contrasts, collaboration and common processes between two closely related disciplines – design and art.” Organizers have invited a pretty impressive line-up of creatives to work with the theme of food. They are “Alex Rhek from Sea Monster Sushi, Boneta and Save On, Danny Fazio for the Waldorf Hotel and Nuba, and Janice Wu for Industry Food Blogs and Publications, Melanie Kwan from Space/Time Magazine, Dylan Rekert for Chambar Resturant — the list goes on.” We can’t wait to see the results.
Thursday, March 22 | 7-10pm | Alsoknownas Studio Gallery, 220 – 314 W Cordova | Free | Details

STRUT | PolyEra Spring Masquerade and Strut-Off is going down at the Rickshaw on Saturday. Six vintage clothing stores (each representing a different era) will take a turn at sending models down the runway in a friendly competition to be judged by the audience. Moka Only and Prisoners play. “This event is hosted by the newly formed Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association (HxBIA) and Our Social Fabric, a DTES Social Enterprise, the event aims to celebrate the rich diversity of textiles, colours, styles and fabrics that have graced the city’s fashion eras from the early 20th to early 21st century while also raising awareness of the work the two non-profits are doing to support the social fabric of the DTES.” Stores showcasing their themed collections this year include Delux Junk, Starfish and Rose, The Fair, Erin Templeton, F as in Frank, Temple of the Modern Girl.
Saturday, March 24 | Rickshaw Theatre | Doors 7pm, show 8pm | $20 | Details

TUNAGE | Hot damn! Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sharon Von Etten is playing a gig at the Biltmore this Saturday night. And she’s not alone. Co-headlining with Sharon will be indie rockers from Philadelphia, War On Drugs. I can’t think of anything I would rather do this weekend than settle in to one of those beautiful velvet-soft Biltmore booths with a cold Steamwhistle to enjoy a few hours of fine music of the calibre that these two bands are likely to produce.
Saturday March 24 | Doors 7pm, Show “8″ | Biltmore Cabaret | $15 | Details

WALK | The season of The Walking Tour has begun, so kick things off with galavant around the Mountain View Cemetery. Choose between following Lorraine Irving (BC Genealogical Society) as she educates you on the details surrounding the murder of Janet Smith – still unsolved after 90 years – or tag along with Civic Historian John Atkin as he swings you by the final resting spots of the Director of the Australian Geological Survey, the captain of a former Maharajah’s Yacht and a leading architect. It’s a unique way to get to know the history of the city. Can’t argue that. Tours go rain or shine so dress appropriate like.
Sunday, March 25 | 10am | Vancouver Mountain View Cemetery (5445 Fraser) |$10 | Details

DUDS | Check out the latest from up-and-coming local designers as well as award-winning talent from around the world at Vancouver Fashion Week. This year, VFW takes place at the Chinese Cultural Centre and there’s something pretty great about sitting in a crowded room watching models strut the runway with flashes going off that just can’t be explained. Grab a drink at the Keefer, Bao Bei or The Union before or after and make a night of it.
March 20-25 | Various times | Chinese Cultural Centre (50 E. Pender) | Details

CHEESE | On Wedndesday night, Allison Spurrell of Les Ami Du Fromage will introduce you to some of her favourite BC cheeses (paired with BC wines, Strathcona quince preserves, local honey and Okanagan dried fruits).  This will be a fantastic event. First of all, Allison is super awesome. Second of all, I’ve had the quince preserve, and it’s super awesome too. Add to that the predictably outstanding cheese selection and a bit of wine and I’d say that is a solid Wednesday night.
Wednesday, March 21 | 6:30-8:30pm | Les Amis du Fromage – 843 East Hastings | $75

GREEN THUMBS | Learn a little more about Guerrilla Gardening and Seed Bomb-making at a workshop with local garden guru Andrea Bellamy this week. Andrea is prepped to teach technique necessary to create and execute an effective seed bomb campaign that could contribute to the city becoming greener and more delicious, if you sign up and get learning. Get your hands dirty. Get involved. Change the landscape. Participants take home a seed bomb and a signed copy of Andrea’s latest book, Sugar Snaps & Strawberries. Hooray for Guerrilla Gardening!
Sunday, March 25 | 10-11am | Aloe Designs Studio (1443 E. Pender) | $35 | Details

BLIMMERY | It’s time for Blim’s Monthly Community Market. Hook yourself up with all kinds of good. There will be clothing, accessories, vintage trinkets, vinyl and hand made jewellery as well as live music, hot food, cold drinks and the occasional cupcake. What more do you want from an early spring Sunday afternoon? Seriously? Pretty perfect.
Sunday, March 25 | 12-5 pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | Free

YOGA | There’s a yoga workshop going on at the Contemporary Art Gallrey this weekend. Imagine it: big beautiful rooms, tall white walls, big art. There’s something inherently calming about a gallery, so why not throw yoga into he mix? When’s the next time you’ll be free to practice yoga in an art gallery without getting funny looks? The class provides full-spectrum practice for all levels. Check it out.
Sunday, March 25 | 10:30am | Contemporary Art Gallery (555 Nelson) | $35

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives in beautiful Strathcona and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SWAG: Win A Pair Of Tickets To Rock Out With “Drive By Truckers” At The Commodore

Alternative country/Southern rock band Drive By Truckers are in town from from Athens, Georgia to play the Commodore (with guest Robert Ellis) on Thursday night. I don’t know about you, but we reckon we’re due for a warm, southern vibe in this city! We have two tickets to give away, so if you’re into musical sunshine, follow along @scoutmagazine over the weekend for your chance to win.

Thursday, March 22 | Commodore Ballroom | Doors 8pm / Show 9:30pm | $30 | Details

Zulu Report: Everything That You Should Listen To This Week

Our friends over at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records once again present their weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, staff from the West 4th music store provide The Track, the song that is on heavy rotation that week; The Playlist, which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig, the must see show of the week; and The Glance, a view ahead to music on the horizon. From their ears to yours, enjoy…

THE TRACK

THE WOODEN SKY Child of the Valley

Any time a band plays in an old church you know it’s going to sound and feel infinitely cool. The high ceilings reverberate in ways that an ordinary studio can only hint at, and the austere setting adds a real sense of drama to a song’s emotive quality. Toronto’s indie-upstarts The Wooden Sky must have realized this well in advance of this recent session at Toronto’s legendary Grace on the Hill Church, as they’ve really dialed in the vibe for this performance. Recorded during an extreme weather alert, complete with rolling thunder and whooshing wind, their fragile acoustic songs take on a near haunting serenity akin to a prayer before the approaching storm. This track really has a layered richness to it – acoustic guitar and voice are the song’s base and slowly organ, harmonies and simple percussion all chime in building into an amazingly more complex whole. Here at the shop we are currently really into their new release Every Child A Daughter. It has been flying off the shelves – we even have had a discussion with them about bringing some of their haunting aesthetic into the store on April 11th for an impromptu jam – stay tuned! Read more

SCOUT LIST: The 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours… Read more

Zulu Report: Everything That You Should Listen To This Week

Our friends over at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records once again present their weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, staff from the West 4th music store provide The Track, the song that is on heavy rotation that week; The Playlist, which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig, the must see show of the week; and The Glance, a view ahead to music on the horizon. From their ears to yours, enjoy…

THE TRACK

GIRLS My Ma

Last year San Francisco’s Girls really set the bar high with their sophomore release Father, Son, Holy Ghost. It vaulted the band and its enigmatic leader Christopher Owens into a new realm of both respect and scrutiny. Owens offered up some of the most candid and outspoken interviews of 2011, elaborating in great detail about his upbringing as a member of Children of God cult, his heroin addiction, and his complicated relationship with his mother – any curious readers can easily find all the gory details online elsewhere. This track was always one of our favourites off of their Pitchfork 9.3 out of 10 approved outing, as it has everything that makes pop music so dramatic and absorbing – intricate instrumentation, sweet licks, clever melodies and a certain amount of attitude. My Ma is the third single from the record and one of the more straight ahead forlorn numbers. This video captures the feel of the song and the vintage lens vibe only adds a sense of isolation, despair, time-passing, and general anguish. It really speaks to the aging Laurel Canyon hippy in a poncho dream… Read more

HONOUR BOUND: Four Clever Vancouverites Present Their Favourite Videos At “Ryeberg”

Ryeberg is setting up in Vancouver for its first live show. It’s an evening out where you get to have a couple drinks, watch a few YouTube videos, and listen to smart people talk about them. They are Miriam Toews, bestselling author of “A Complicated Kindness” and “Irma Voth”; Charles Demers, stand-up comedian, author of “Vancouver Special”; Michael Turner, poet, critic, and author of “Hard Core Logo” and “The Pornographer’s Poem”; and Stephen Osborne, publisher of Geist Magazine and author of “Ice & Fire: Dispatches From The New World.” Check it out

Tuesday,  March 6 |  Show at 8pm (Doors at 7pm) | The Waldorf Hotel (1489 E Hastings) | $12 @ the door

Honour Bound details the many cool things that we feel honour bound to check out because they either represent Vancouver exceptionally well or are inherently super awesome in one way or another. 

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