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

KURT VILE – Wakin On A Pretty Daze

The tradition of hand painting signs on buildings is still alive and well in America. We could use more of that here at home. Occasionally as you walk around Gastown or Chinatown you catch a glimpse of an old faded sign on a brick wall. The graphic design sense is pretty dialed in. Equally dialed in is this new bomber track from our old pal Kurt Vile. By now you pretty much know what you are going to get with him and his band, The Violators. He’s sort of a reluctant guitar hero – penning chugging tracks with super tasteful guitar freakouts. This is the relaxed 9 minute title track from his April 9th release on Matador. Somewhere in Philadelphia’s hip Fishtown neighbourhood the record is being immortalized – the sign painting is the front cover. Who knows…maybe in a 100 years some development will cover this over, too? Enjoy.

THE PLAYLIST

THE FLAMING LIPS & BON IVER Ashes In The Air

Where do we start? Collaboration is a good thing, especially when you let the demented acid visions of Wayne Coyne win over the serene emo-folk dominions of Justin Vernon. The Lips and Bon Iver both drink the cool-aid and this is what bubbles to the surface. Warning: aliens.

CHARLES BRADLEY Strictly Reserved For You

Watching Daptone Records’ latest soul revivalist Charles Bradley sing while paying for breakfast in a diner is highly therapeutic. There is something so natural about his voice and his vibe. This is soul music the way it always was meant to be. Bradley is one of the best…soak him in.

HANNAH GEORGAS Somebody

It’s no secret Zulu is in Hannah’s corner. She has played our RSD events and launched her records at our store in the past. That said, it is great to see her gaining stature across the country. This new video (shot by Justice?) is pretty swell – especially if you dig walking down East Van alleys. Vancouver looks so good on film!

JAMES BLAKE Voyeur

James Blake is a clever guy. He really pounced on Chillwave last year, making his soulful voice and glitch beatscapes synonymous with the genre. Well, here is the first video on what to expect from his forthcoming Overgrown record! Loops! Loops! Loops! And lots of evocative interplay…

THEE OH SEES Minotaur

In our book, Thee Oh Sees can do no wrong. Their infectious fuzzy reverberations just keep getting better and better. This new video is hilarious. Dungeons and Dragons hallucinations!

DEERHUNTER Monomania

Atlanta rockers Deerhunter killed this tune on Fallon last night. I hope Jimmy retains the same music coordinator when he puts Leno to bed. Anyway, it should be no surprise to Deerhunter fans that they have returned with a more messed up blast of noise rock. Halcyon Digest was a beautiful record, but we love ‘em when they are channeling the dirt scuz rock side of their post-Daydream Nation vibes.

THE GIG

LOCAL NATIVES Saturday April 27th at THE COMMODORE

Local Natives have steadily been building on their fanbase and positioning themselves as the darlings of the sensitive indie rock set. It seems with each festival setting they have gradually evolved into one of the most loved bands on the circuit. That’s right – move over Grizzly Bear and Bon Iver. Here they are in a session last month while on tour in Toronto. When did your love grow cold? Snap a ticket up soon!

THE GLANCE

Fri Apr 05 DAEDELUS – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Apr 06 FIELDS OF GREEN – RICKSHAW
Sat Apr 06 CHRISTIAN MARTIN – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Apr 06 BOCCE AVOCADO – ANZA
Sat Apr 06 ANTHONY COLLINS – UNDER G STUDIO
Sat Apr 06 THE HARPOONIST & THE AXE MURDERER – BILTMORE
Sun Apr 07 POLICA – FORTUNE
Sun Apr 07 HALLOW MOON – ELECTRIC OWL
Sun Apr 07 LITTLE GREEN CARS – MEDIA
Tue Apr 09 NOMEANSNO “clones the Ramones” – BILTMORE
Tue Apr 09 SPACEGHOSTPURRP – FORTUNE
Wed Apr 10 THE REAKTION – MEDIA CLUB
Thu Apr 11 PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH – BAR NONE
Fri Apr 12 SIDNEY YORK – MEDIA
Sat Apr 13 JAYMAY – MEDIA
Sat Apr 13 THE DIRT – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Apr 13 GIRLS ROCK CAMP BENEFIT feat. ANCHORESS, BEND SINISTER, VICIOUS CYCLES, SLOW LEARNERS & MORE! – RICKSHAW
Sat Apr 13 JAYMAY – MEDIA
Sat Apr 13 FLAVE – BLVD 22
Tue Apr 16 ANUHEA – MEDIA
Wed Apr 17 LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF – MEDIA
Wed Apr 17 KEYS N’ KRATES -FORTUNE
Wed Apr 17 STEWART DAVIS -ELECTRIC OWL
Thu Apr 18 ;MIAMI DEVICE -RICKSHAW
Thu Apr 18 CHAINS OF LOVE -ELECTRIC OWL
Thu Apr 18 QUESTLOVE -BAR NONE
Fri Apr 19 HUMANS w/ MAX ULIS & LADYFRND – ELECTRIC OWL
Sat Apr 20 THE SKATALITES – RICKSHAW
Sat Apr 20 THE DEAR HUNTER – BILTMORE
Sat Apr 20 TERA MELOS – MEDIA
Sat Apr 20 DAVID STARFIRE – REDROOM
Sun Apr 21 ANGEL OLSEN – MEDIA
Mon Apr 22 MAPS & ATLASES – MEDIA CLUB
Tue Apr 23 RENNY WILSON w/ MOVIELAND & FAKE TEARS – BILTMORE
Wed Apr 24 ABSU – BILTMORE
Wed Apr 24 FAMILY OF THE YEAR – ELECTRIC OWL
Thu Apr 25 MARNIE STERN – MEDIA CLUB
Thu Apr 25 JAMES BLAKE – COMMODORE
Thu Apr 25 PURITY RING – VOGUE
Thu Apr 25 NIGHT SEEKER: DEANER OF FUBAR – BILTMORE
Thu Apr 25 DOM FRICOT – ELECTRIC OWL
Fri Apr 26 THE THERMALS – FORTUNE
Fri Apr 26 BEACH FOSSILS – ELECTRIC OWL
Fri Apr 26 GOLDROOM – 560
Fri Apr 26 RODRIGUEZ – COMMODORE – CANCELED REFUNDS P.O.P.
Sat Apr 27 LOCAL NATIVES – COMMODORE – WE’RE SOLD OUT
Sat Apr 27 THE THERMALS -FORTUNE –