Night Vision 2.22

Happy birthday, quebecers ! It's time to hold hands in Parc Maisonneuve and chant along to the sounds of Paul Piché... not !

I've never had any reason to be excited about St-Jean Baptiste, except when I was underage in Shawinigan, and that the festive spirit of Québec was one of the many events where I was allowed to get piss drunk in public. I don't really believe in national pride, that one nation is better than another, or that I should celebrate my roots. Lumberjacks, fur traders and Duplessistes aren't that glorious.

But I'm personally touched when the time comes for everybody to scream "Party !" and drink like there's no tomorrow. While some of us will be in Laval to hear Mes Aïeux or in Québec City to walk on passed-out teenagers on the Plaines d'Abraham, I'll be takin' it easy, same as usual, with a few too many drinks anbd the best music in town.

[My apologies for last week's "missing edition", but I was hung over for two whole days after a rather heavy-boozed Piknic, and I was overloaded with work. We are definitly back on a weekly basis starting NOW.]


News en vrac

A little last minute, right, but nevertheless very worthy of mention : Gregor Tresher will be at Parking next Thursday, on June 28th. The man is one of the many production partners of the new Israeli genius Guy Gerber, and is about to release an ace album on Great Stuff Recordings, "A Thousant Nights". This is a night you won't want to miss.

A little early to mention it, OK, but UK electrorockers Simian Mobile Disco (of "Hustler" fame) will be at La Sala Rossa on Sept. 16th. Couldn't think of a worst spot for a dance party ? Us neither. But what the hell, let's all get mashed and pogo, and maybe we won't notice that the sound kit is SHIT.


22/06

All I have to say today is that people might take it easy and get their batteries reloaded for the big week-end ahead. BUT since we all like to have a drink in the sun, and that we have some vivid memories of their last few bashes together, we might head to Terrasses Bonsecours to hear the Quattrophonic boys throw it in our faces once more. Eloi Brunelle, François Lebaron, The Autist & Vega will tag team t'il death until 3 AM< which is candy to your ears, no doubt.

At Circus, techno connaisseurs will be glad to hear that Preach is back, alongside Driss & Viktor Destin. All night, homies.


23/06

St-Jean Saturday coincides with the start of an impressive week-end for Piknic Électronik : their fuckin' 5th anniversary ! Those of us who have been there from the start might want to shed a tear or two over the loss of our innocence, and the rest of you might want to get trashed and enjoy the beats; we'll personally choose both. To start the day on a good note, you can hear the Nu Ravers on the Block, MEN (two of Le Tigre's grrrllls in DJ format) and Frigid, as well as witness yet another iPod Battle.

At the Mile End Bar's Panorama, Bender battles Arsen, the booze flows, and all's good.



A new era of disco launches at Academy Dancehall : Compact Disco. The cozy spot on St-Laurent has previously seen its share of disco dancing folks, and it only made sense to a few old-schoolers in town to start a new monthly there. To mark the occasion, your friends Eduardo Cabral, Raw Soul, Dr. Love and Loose Joint's Chris Paré are all on the decks.



I know a guy who spends more time here than in his hometown of Boston, where he also works an office job. His ego is big enough; he had a t-shirt made with his name on it, spelled in CAPITAL letters. He has made the freshest bookings this city has seen in 2006 and so far in 2007, and is a party freak. His name is Jeff Grosse and he celebrates his birthday at Velvet, with newcomer Allied Nations ! Give the boy a big kiss on the butt.

If you're in the mood for a good old degenerate loft party, with none else than L.A.'s Guns & Bombs, head over to 254 Queen. Better be there early, as it will probably fill up fast and offers an extremely limited capacity. Going down from 10 to 6.


24/06

Can we say P-P-P-Piknic ? Nothing says "happy birthday" better than a sweet-ass dreamy minimal set by Millimetrik, followed by a soul-healing set by Montreal's best house DJ, Fred Everything. Now if this doesn't make you run to Ile Ste-Hélène, consider this : Josh Wink. Acid house, myths, and madness. Yes, those Piknic programmers are crazy, but that's the way we love 'em !

At Saphir, Mary Hell & Cherry Cola are keeping their guest a surprise, but they promise it will be a big one.


26/06

At Dizzyphunk, Mightykat goes solo all night. That always means that good things come to those who wait. Word. At Salon Daomé.


Next week

Night Vision returns to Thursdays ! Gregor Tresher overdoses ! Électro-Chic turns 12 ! Girl Talk, Oxia & Junkies come to town ! Infected Mushroom, Bender and Sad Mafioso clash @ Olympia ! And the Piknic gets an extra dose of soul !

Until then, raise your white & blue flag...