Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 66

 
 

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 66
Hosted Live/Produced/Recorded
by: Andru Valpy and Natty Somers

Air Date: 02/23/2011 on UMFM 101.5 FM
Download Location: iTunes.
Web: http://wakeupwinnipeg.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/wakeupwinnipeg 

Become a FaceBook Fan: http://facebook.com/wakeupwinnipeg

Rebroadcast:3/2/2011 on CJUM 101.5 UMFM - 6:30 AM




On this week's show, we welcomed Natty back to the studio after having missed episode 65 due to the fact that she fell ill.

After explaining to her that she would be docked from her volunteer pay we kicked off the show with her normal event listings, happenings around town, and delivered a classic radio knock knock joke.

I touched on my thoughts on Carmen Townsend's performance at the MTS Centre where she opened for rock and roll legends Heart. I also thanked those members of The Filipino Journal for making this review a story of the day.  If you wanted to read my review of the show, please CLICK HERE. 

We featured a track off of Hey Rosetta!'s new album Seeds entitled New Sum (Nous Sommes). Natty and I discussed the first time we saw Hey Rosetta at the 2009 Winnipeg Folk Festival and reflected on the various performances that we've seen since them. Natty had a chance to check out Hey Rosetta! Again in November of 2010 when they played at the Pyramid Cabaret and she explained what we can expect at their upcoming show this coming Sunday, again at the Pyramid.

I told our listeners about my first encounter with the band back on Episode 8 of Wake Up Winnipeg where Paul and I "shared a log" with Hey Rosetta! During a interview for Wake Up Winnipeg. 

Natty and I will be at the Pyramid on Sunday night to host and emcee the event and tickets are still on sale at The Pyramid. 

Festival du Voyager kicked off last week at Whitter Park and Fort Gibraltar with thousands of visitors expected to visit the park throughout the event. 

Did you know, Festival has been called The Worlds Largest Kitchen Party? Anyone who has been would certainly agree and understand why it would be given such a title. Complete with a full french kitchen (including split pea soup), a uniquely crafted Ice Bar and the world famous "Sugar Shack". Festival showcases some of Winnipeg's historic french roots and takes visitors back to the days of the North West Company trading post.


Natty and I had a chance to visit this years festival and take in some of the activities, including a show from Tracteur Jack who hails from Gatineau Quebec. 

Within the first two minutes of their first song, Tracteur Jack had the dance floor full of festival goers. 

Finally, as if the entertainment and culture wasn't enough, Festival features uniquely crafted snow sculptures that were created by participants from around the world. 


It was interesting to see that some entries came from countries where snow might not be as easily accessible as it is here in Manitoba. 


The amount of detail and intricacy that was put into all of the snow sculptures is amazing, and certainly worth spending some time viewing. 

Festival du Voyager ice sculptures - Photo by Andru Valpy.


Finally, Natty and I reminded our listeners about Titanic: The Exhibit happening now at the MTS Exhibition hall located on Portage avenue. 


The event will showcase over 200 artifacts recovered from the Titanic debris field and features stories of heroism and bravery amidst tragedy. The exhibit also features two state rooms that were recreated, and other pieces of history from the RMS Titanic. 




For information about the exhibit, and to purchase tickets, visitors are encouraged to view the Titanic exhibit website at http://www.titanicwinnipeg.com/

On that note, we left you with a track from James Horner off the Titanic movie soundtrack called Take Her To Sea Mr. Murdoch.



We will see you next week for more surprise interviews, show reviews, and event listings on our program. If you missed this weeks episode, you may hear it again next Wednesday morning at 6:30 AM on 101.5 CJUM FM. 


Enjoy the rest of your week,


-Av



Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wake Up Winnipeg - Review - Carmen Townsend - MTS Centre - Febuary 17th, 2011


Wake Up Winnipeg Review - CARMEN TOWNSEND - MTS CENTRE- Winnipeg MB. Canada - 2/17/2011


By: Andru Valpy.  
Photo by Andru Valpy


In 2005 Carmen Townsend set out on a musical adventure not realizing that she would one day be touring with rock and roll queens Ann and Nancy Wilson.
But getting there took time, energy and sacrifice. Like any other adventure in life, Carmen had her challenges to face and obstacles to overcome to get where she never dreamed she’d be.
Carmen’s story goes back to her humble child-hood in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where she grew up listening to her parent’s record collections while playing guitar and singing along with her sister. Carmen would also sneak up to her bedroom and secretly record herself on a tape player only to destroy the evidence after hearing it back.
Though she knew that she had a talent and calling to live the life of a musician, Carmen was shy and un-easy about public performing.
In a recent interview with Andru Valpy of CJUM’s Wake Up Winnipeg, Carmen admits that it wasn’t until her teen years when she finally felt ready to play for the world.
I was a teenager in the 90’s when Nirvana exploded onto the scene, and I felt like I was really connected to the world when I heard that record. It’s pretty funny, it just kind of took over everyone at that time, it was kind of like our Beetle mania, and I was like that’s it, I’m going to play electric guitar and I’m going to be in a band”.
After years of playing guitar and quietly recording herself in the safety of her own bedroom, Carmen's secret talent was unexpectedly shared while at a friend’s house party.
“I was at a party, and I think it was a boyfriend at the time that recorded me singing a blind melon song and he took this tape to a party and played it and OF COURSE I almost had a heart attack and ran out of the room! But everyone was like, ‘Is That You? No Way, That’s not you!’ and I said ‘yes that’s me’.
So I kind of got that re-assurance from my friends I guess, and then I just started playing anywhere I could. I played at all ages shows, high schools, skate park fund raisers and just kept going and I loved it.”
Photo by Andru Valpy
Shortly after making the decision to go big, Carmen’s journey took her away from her Cape Breton home and carried her onto cities like Toronto and Vancouver where she was fortunate to meet a lot of supporters, like Mike Fraser of Vancouver who had produced bands like AC/DC, and brought her all sorts of “crazy situations” that ultimately lead to her success.
In 2005 Carmen brought her talent back to the East Coast and took them by surprise during the 2005 East Coast Music Awards in which she had preformed.  In 2006, she was once again invited back to the ECMA’s where her performances created a sensationalized hype with local fans and media outlets.
In 2008, Carmen teamed up with band mates Tohmas Allen and Shane O’Handley (who have now become known as “The Shakey Deals”) and with the help of Mike Fraser set to work on her first studio recording.
We wanted it to be as good as it could be…we just wanted to take our time, and make sure we made the right decisions, and make sure we had the right people on board to help us along”.
After 3 long years of work and suspense, Carmen Townsend released album her album ‘Waitin And Seein’ in January of this year.
The album features 10 beautifully produced tracks that instantly brings the listener into Carmen’s world.
The first track entitled River Rat can simply be described as dark and powerful rock ballad that highlights the emotion captured in Townsend's Lyrics and is beautifully delivered by her intense and ear capturing vocal talents.
While performing at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre on February 17th, Townsend sang the song acoustically with clarity and passion while adding a rock and roll edge that over 5,000 fans seemed to enjoy.
Though Winnipeg fell under blizzard conditions on the night of her stop, fans still went out of their way to get to the arena early to watch Carmen with a majority of the seating filled for her opening performance.
She’s awesome!” stated Winnipeger Corrine when asked about hearing Carmen’s performance at the MTS Centre.
She certainly has a lot of energy more so with the way she was kicking her legs and jumping around.  I really enjoyed it.”
While listening to the album, I found that though the album has mainly been labeled a rock recording, Carmen’s folk roots have a tendency to appear in selected tracks such as the melodically pleasing  ‘Sweet Little Bird’. Appropriately titled, as the song seems to flow in ways similar to birds singing beautifully in the morning hours.
Photo by Andru Valpy
Carmen states that when writing her music it is a challenge to juggle her folk abilities with her rock and roll blood, but when listening to Waitin’ and Seein, the two influences work well together.
“It’s something that just happens really.  I guess it kind of depends on what I’m saying, like what I’m singing about.
If it tends to be a song that has a lot of frustration and anger in it, sometimes it’s going to be louder, but then again there’s Sweet Little Bird that is kind of like a sad Song. It’s about hope, but it’s a broken hearted song too. It’s got a lot of good energy, and it’s got good rhythm to it.
So I don’t know really, I’m all over the board!”
Waitin’ and Seein’ is certainly a nice listen. The 3 years that it took to produce the album were well worth all 37 minutes of listening to it.
I was actually disappointed that there were no further tracks past ‘Til The Morning as Townsend has a way of pulling the listener in with her high energy levels.
The album itself has been receiving positive reviews, in fact, 3 days after Waitin’ and Seein’s release Carmen was informed that she would have the opportunity to perform it live as a opener for classic rock band “Heart’s” cross Canada 2010 tour.
“…Company House Records and EMI Canada pitched the idea to Heart’s team, and I had to live with that on my brain for a little while wondering ‘is it going to happen, is it going to happen’, thinking positively, and then trying NOT to think about it.
..But then I got word that Ann and Nancy were going to make the decision, and lo and behold they picked me!
 So it’s still surreal, like ‘OH MY GOSH’, because 3 weeks ago I was touring in a Toyota Corolla like, trying to get to New Brunswick in two snow storms and now I’m in a mega tour bus and it’s totally comfortable and awesome, and it’s so easy to tour in a mega tour bus!”
Townsend started her tour with Heart in Newfoundland and will be the entire way across the country, including a stop over in Toronto’s Famous Massy Hall.
We’re halfway through the tour now and I kind of want time to slow down a little bit because this has really just been a treat. Touring with (Heart) is amazing and surreal, you know it’s amazing, after 35 years of performing they don’t miss a beat and they’re Wonderful.
They’re really sweet ladies too, very supportive and encouraging and the shows have been killer! I didn’t realize that I actually over the years had ripped off Nancy Wilson’s poses and stuff so I was like oh S***!"
Carmen Townsend’s tour with Heart will rap up February 26th at Vancouvers Queen Elizabeth Theater. Shortly thereafter, she will make a brief stop over at Texas’s famous South By South West music festival for the Halifax Pop Explosion Party.
Her new album Waitin’ and Seein’ is available in stores and online now through EMI Music Canada.
Hopefully, it won’t take another 3 years of waiting to see another album from Carmen Townsend.
-Av

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 65

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 65
Hosted Live/Produced/Recorded
by: Andru Valpy,
Air Date: 02/16/2011 on UMFM 101.5 FM

Download Location iTunes.
Web: http://wakeupwinnipeg.com/
Become a FaceBook Fan: http://facebook.com/wakeupwinnipeg 

Rebroadcast: 2/23/2011 on CJUM 101.5 UMFM - 6:30 AM
 








On This weeks episode, I had the chance to interview east coast musician Carmen Townsend from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia who secured a position opening for the queens of rock and roll Heart.

Interviewing Carmen Townsend
In this interview we got to know the story of Carmen from her humble childhood roots, overcoming personal obsticals in her teen-age years and lead up to three days after the launch of the launch of her new album Waitin' and Seein', when she learned she would be touring with Heart. 

We featured two tracks from her album, which was released on January 25th through Company House Records including: River Rat and Sweet Little Bird, both tracks that she discussed during our twenty minute interview and that were preformed during her opening act with Heart at the MTS Centre on the 17th. 

You can read more about our visit and our review with Carmen by clicking here.

Natty was away this week, and I announced that our interview with Mayor Sam Katz would be pushed back due to personal matters that arose on my part.  We also reminded you of some upcoming events including Festival du Voyageur which starts on Friday February 18th through the 27th.

We'll talk to you more about Festival and local happenings on episode 66 next week on CJUM 101.5 FM. 

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 64

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 64
Hosted Live/Produced/Recorded
by: Andru Valpy, & Natty Somers
Air Date: 02/9/2011 on UMFM 101.5 FM

Download Location iTunes.
Web: http://wakeupwinnipeg.com/
Become a FaceBook Fan: http://www.facebook.com/wakeupwinnipeg

Rebroadcast: 2/16/2011 on CJUM 101.5 UMFM - 6:30 AM

 

We started this week’s episode of Wake Up Winnipeg off with local concert announcements compiled by Natty and I and focused on the multiple shows hitting our city within the next few months.
Some shows that Natty and I discussed are as follows:
02/09/2011 – 12:00 AM - Dregs CafĂ© & Gallery located in Osborne Village– Open mic night 02/10/2011 – Chris Carmichal – Park Theater – 8:00 PM
02/11/2011 – The Sadies – WECC – 8:00 PM
02/12/2011 – Motorhead – Burton Cummings Theater
02/17/2011 – Heart – MTS Centre
02/19/2011 – 02/20/2011 – 02/21/200 – Al Simmons – Festival Du Voyager
02/23/2011 – The Goo Goo Dolls – Pantages Play House
02/24/2011 – Serena Ryder with Melissa Etherige – Pantages House
02/26/2011 – Plants & Animals – Pyramid Cabaret
02/27/2011 – Hey Rosetta – Pyramid Cabaret
03/10/2011 – Howie Mandell – Mc Phillips Street Station Casino
03/19/2011 – Henry Manx – WECC.
03/19/2011 – Born Ruffians – Park Theater.
Mayor Sam Katz speaking at the State Of The City address
Also on this weeks show, we discussed the recent state of the city address, which occurred on February the 4th at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
It was during this speech that Mayor Sam Katz announced his vision for a future Winnipeg.
Included in this speech were the results of campaign promises that were announced during the October 2010 civic elections. 


In what was described as a neck and neck competition, Mayor Katz focused his attention on public safety in which he envisioned a safer city.
During his 7th annual address to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the mayor announced the graduation ceremony of 200 Winnipeg police cadets, and the hiring of 58 additional police officers that he expects to reduce crime within the perimeter.
The mayor also used his time to share that the newly launched Winnipeg police helicopter had been put to use earlier in the week, though police officials are staying tight lipped about the newly purchased helicopter, stating only that it has been launched.
Included in his vision, Mayor Sam Katz announced his vision of Winnipeg as a premier shopping destination with the launch of the new Ikea furniture store, and the recently announced purchase of Zellers retailers to US retailer Target.
Target has announced plans to come to Canada.
“With the new Ikea and Target Stores…we will create a fresh new emphases defining Winnipeg as a shopping destination. Winnipeggers will be drawn to come here instead of spending money south of the border, or in other Canadian cities”.
But what came to a surprise and shock to some in attendance was the announcement of the 2014 CFL Grey Cup coming to the newly built Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium that is being built on the University of Manitoba campus.
And won’t it be great when Canada gathers together, in Winnipeg, for the 2014 Grey Cup in our new state of the art stadium”.
The announcement was met with confusion from CFL officials who have not yet discussed plans past the 2012 festivities.  In order for a city to host a Grey Cup, it must be awarded to them in a ceremony hosted by the Canadian Football League.
In next week’s episode, Natty and I will be sitting down with Mayor Katz to discuss this topic and more in our second annual coffee meeting at city hall. We have opened up our inbox at info(at)wakeupwinnipeg(dot)com for your thoughts on this topic, and have opened the doors for your questions for Mayor Sam Katz. 

View of the 94th CFL Greycup in Winnipeg, Nov. 19, 2006
Alternatively, you can tweet us at http://twitter.com/wakeupwinnipeg or find us on Facebook and post your questions on our wall.
Mid show, we heard from Vancouver based band Said The Whale, with their track Fish and Stars II.
Also in this week’s episode, Natty and I reviewed Superbowl XLV and expressed our thoughts on the Bridgestone half-time show that featured The Black Eyed Peas, Slash and Usher and was produced by Manhattanite Ricky Kirshner.

Though this is Kirshner’s fifth Superbowl production, critiques and fans of the popular NFL event have criticized the event from steering away from years of classic rock after Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction in 2004. Some fans have called the show “confusing, uneventful” and “The worst Black Eyed Peas show ever seen”.
A top tweet on the topic expressed the following:
rgiraldi God - never in my life have I wanted @kanyewest to interrupt a performance more. #superbowl #blackeyedpeas
Some, including myself, noted that the use of auto-tune was unnecessary during the performance.  Natty on the other hand had seen the Black Eyed Peas on their recent Winnipeg excursion and was quick to come to their defense, stating that their performance at the MTS Centre was nothing like their show on Sunday.
Fans were also disappointed to hear Christina Aguilera stumble over the lyrics to The United States National Anthem. Aguilera says she flubbed a line as she belted out the national anthem at the start of the Super Bowl on Sunday night after getting lost in the moment and losing her place.
In what was supposed to be sung as “O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming,” she instead repeated an earlier line, with a slight variation.
In a statement released after the game, Aguilera said:
“I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through,”

Despite the negativity and technical errors, Fox reported viewership of the halftime show averaged to one hundred and eleven millions viewers with one hundred and sixty two point nine total viewers overall for the Superbowl, making it one of the most watched program in television history.
Also making NFL history was the size of the halftime stage, with reports listing it as one of the largest stages built for the performance. Worth noting was the amount of creativity in the “Tron” theme, with dancers and performers being lit up by LED lighting while choreographing to the Black Eyed Peas, Slash and Usher on platform stages. 
We ended episode 64 with local band The Weakerthans with their track “One Great City” and reminded you of our contact information (which may be found below).
Be sure to tune into Wake Up Winnipeg next week as we bring you our second annual interview with Mayor Sam Katz from city hall. If you would like to ask the Mayor a question, please be sure to e-mail us or visit our website at http://wakeupwinnipeg.com/
We’ll see you next week, and thanks for listening.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 63

Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 63
Hosted Live/Produced/Recorded
by: Andru Valpy, & Natty Somers
Air Date: 02/2/2011 on UMFM 101.5 FM

Download Location iTunes.
Web: http://wakeupwinnipeg.com/
Become a FaceBook Fan: http://www.facebook.com/wakeupwinnipeg

Rebroadcast: 2/09/2011 on CJUM 101.5 UMFM - 6:30 AM





Manitoba's first Winter Family Fishing Weekend will be held on the Louis Riel long weekend, Feb. 19 to 21, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced this week.

"We encourage Manitobans and visitors to take advantage of this free ice-fishing weekend as a healthy winter activity and an opportunity to enjoy Manitoba's great outdoors," said Melnick. "This is a great way to share time with family and friends and take advantage of Manitoba's world-class fisheries."

For this weekend only, Manitobans and visiting anglers will be able to ice fish without a provincial licence in all waters except those in federal parks where a federal license will still be required.  Fishers are reminded to check ice conditions and keep fishing sites clean and litter free.  Rules regarding liquor consumption in fishing huts and in public will be enforced.


Prime minister Steven Harper announced his office would be reviewing the CRTC's motion to charge internet customers based on their usage on Tuesday.

In a message posted on his twitter, Harper  said "We're very concerned about CRTC's decision on usage-based billing and it's impact on consumers".

More than 200,000 signatures have been collected on a online petition to have a review conducted, while the topic of useage-based-billing was a top trend on Tuesday evening. 

The ruling affects smaller internet service providers who rely larger communication companies such as rogers or bell, to provide internet to their third party consumers.

While this ruling comes as a surprise to some Canadians, most larger ISP's have already been billing customers on a usage based billing method charging only those customers who exceed their monthly download limits.  According to Shaw Communications website, download limits range between 60 Gigabites per month on their "high speed" plan, with the maximum being 175 gigabites on the High Speed Warp plan.

MTS communications plans also average between 60 gigabites to 175 gigabites on their lightning Super Max Plan.

Notably, to reach 100 gigabites a user would have to download 25,000 MP3 files or around 167 dvd quality movies.

A review will be conducted in a matter of days while the new rules being placed in affect on March 1st.

Finally this week, we featured two tracks from a recent concert visit with Elias, The Envy, and Finger Eleven who played at the Burton Cummings Theater.


Tracks Played:

1) Elias - Thousand Pieces.
2) The Envy - Black and White.

If you have not yet read the review for Finger Eleven, you can check out the review by reading it here. 




We'll  be back next week with a all new episode. Until then, you can catch the repeat next Wednesday morning at 6:30 am on 101.5 CJUM FM in Winnipeg.

-Andru.