Night Vision 2.32

No news is good news, right ? It's time to go out before the shitty snow covers everything. Pick up your favorite monster suit and scare them kiddies, with a drink in hand thanks to the convenience brought by our modern world.


*News en vrac*

Not much, really. It's far from being "revelation time" in the Amsterdam of the North.


*26/10*

Halloween parties happen all over the city. Since we're not too much into that, we recommend that you check out the usual nights for guaranteed quality; the electro room at Tokyo with our buddies Mike Mind & Jordan Dare, or then again the booze-soaked and trashy joint Bistro de Paris for Mirrorballs' own Bordello night, where this week many things happen : Sarcastic takes over the decks and Romeo Kardec will get royally smashed in Winnipeg. So this week it's just the Level 4 techno monster, me and you. And drunk regulars.


*27/10*

At S.A.T. there's the second edition of Halloween Voyeur, something that promises to be quite explosive. With guests Muscles (Modular), the Nu Ravers on the Block posse and the boss himself, Jordan Dare, nobody will be left standing. Expect fashionista robots, mandroïds and hip, hip, hipsters.



At Blizzarts, things will get serious as Mary Hell gets behind the decks for the Halloween edition of the night. Amazing selection and a flawless attitude are good ingredients for good times.



Stop the war on vinyl ! It might seem to come from a bunch of hardened old-schoolers, but it's also the name of a killer dubstep party happening at, of all places, the DeathOfVinyl factory. Formerly known as Nice Music, this vinyl distribution outlet located at 435 Beaubien Ouest offers a very nice space to party, and none else than Hatcha & Benga, from the UK, will headline. It's going on all night for very cheap, and it will also feature an orgy of local flavour, including but not limited to Sase One, Kiffah & Rhys Taylor.


*28/10*

Catch Bliss, G-Rawk & Joey Crisp @ Salon Daomé for a "Monster Bash" !

Don't sleep on Beat me Up's Halloween edition, at Saphir !


*29/10*

AoTY, or if you prefer Artist of the Year, will get down on it at Café Chaos. Intimate, funky & in yo' face !


*30/10*



I only have one thing to say : bang ! Dizzyphunk welcomes the one & only me, for a night of tortuous tech-house pleasures alongside the gracious & lovely Maüs. Expect the big, effective tracks of dancefloor destruction, and of course the usual Microzoo good vibes ! Best of all, it's only 4$ to get in ! At Salon Daomé, of course.


*Next week*

Felix da Housecat ! Oliver Huntemann ! And many, many other worthy celebrations.

Until then, keep the volume cranked to the max - except if you're my neighbor.

Night Vision 2.30

Here it is, folks. The dangerously turkey-obsessed holiday is here. Those of you not going out of town to visit some faraway relatives will be glad to know that there are many fine cultural manifestations they can enjoy while in town, and others might want to regret being born. Pin flyers to your bedroom wall, get your sorry ass to the SAQ, and mix a few preparatory cocktails - you'll need the strength.


*News en vrac*

One word : NYPC. Or rather, New Young Pony Club ! They'll be playing the Just for Laughs Museum on Monday, Oct. 22nd.


*04/10*

Tonight's the night : my week-end kicks off with Tiga's appearance at Overdose. Mini opens. It's become quite a tradition and takes place in a sea of sweat-covered bodies, all very alive thank you. At Parking, of course.



A local landmark, Sarcastic, launches his first 12" on Wikkid Records, tonight at Saphir. It's also Pinky38's birthday. With B Rock & M-Killah also on the bill, it's a night to remember. Hazily.

At Club Soda, Pop Montreal presents a Fool's Gold showcase with an A-Trak & DJ Mehdi tag team, Kid Sister, Nick Catchdubs and French zombie Kavinsky, hosted by Chromeo. If it's not the hipster's ultimate wishlist, I wonder what is.


*05/10*

It's time to get down. Akarien productions are doing it again. It's happening at S.A.T., and it involves a healthy dose of well-dressed clubber specimens, as well as some pounding electro-house. Fu Ancko opens, OSO3 is dangerously close to OSG, Mini plays and Omni concludes the night with a smashing live set. Gimme danger !



At Bistro de Paris' Bordello, we'll be sampling the fine sounds of Chris Paré, the snappy Compact Disco & Loose Joints resident, joining the Brown Cliff and Romeo Kardec. He'll exceptionally drift away from his disco habits to offer us tech-house on a hot plate, all the while getting intoxicated on cheap booze. No cover, good vibes, drunken stupor !


*06/10*

Spektre has been postponed, and tonight at Panorama Bender welcomes none else than Rave Montreal's founder and curator, Creator. The two of them recently shattered the Piknic's stage to great effect, and they shouldn't refrain from doing the same with the Mile End Bar.

At l'Appartement, Eresys keep on keepin' on with special guest Nanalog (a.k.a. Luci) live and the usual resident suspects Mono-Poly, le Boucher & Kressel.


*07/10*

Big, Black & Blue : at the Olympic Stadium. www.bbcm.org

While the "Power Trip" takes place in the East, Stereo welcomes none else than Eric Prydz, member of the feared Swedish House Mafia. Coming to North America for the first time in his life, he'll give us a taste of his latest productions and hopefully, draw a huge crowd of 80's aerobics fan as babe-a-licious as in the video for his hit "Call on Me" !



Across the street, the Crescendo night going down at Circus afterhours promises to be quite nice. It proposes a good alternative to the ordinary commercial madness going on all around our good city, with three highly effective locals : minimalist Axel Klein, technoïd X-Cube and maximalist Omni. A natural progression, then. Don't sleep on that one, kiddos.



Folks at Saphir aren't taking a night off to appear at mama's table - they're in full-on party mode, with their... "Party Animal" edition ! With Cherry Cola, Mary Hell and Sean Kosa.



At Salon Officiel, heavy fumes will emanate from the sound system as the EzBake crew takes control for their monthly event. As usual eclectism is the word of the day, coming in close tie with "alcohol" and "intoxication"; residents dbVaig and Kiffah welcome DJ Dialect and myself, Clifford Brown. From dubstep to reggae, electro to tech-house, sober to mashed. Free !


*09/10*

At Salon Daomé's warm & funky mid-week Dizzyphunk night, Phil Larochelle teams up with resident househead Nathan Burns. It's a family affair open to all !


*Next week*

Digitalism are coming back ! Bleep bleep !

Until then, chill out !

Night Vision 2.29

We're a few inches away from Pop Montreal, the thanksgiving week-end and lots of booze flowing freely down the streets as if the SAQ's sewers were overflowing.

BUT we're not quite there, and I hope you're wearing your ranger boots right now, because there's a shitload of challenges to go through before you get the payoff. This coming week-end's filled with our trademark Montreal "shit to do".


*News en Vrac*

Some people's liver exploded.

There are sweet, dirty whispers in the air... and they're all murmuring Erol Alkan's name. Could the sexy man in black be coming over ? More on that later.

I also hear accordeon... echoing in the distance...


*27/09*

At Tribe tonight, the UK's Audiofly unleash their delicious prog-house on the unsuspecting masses. Our local wonder Bender opens, so get your ass there early !

It's an Archipel showcase at Les Pas-Sages, featuring Pheek & friends, while Saphir hosts Deebass' farewell party.


*28/09*

Cadanse @ Salon Daomé sees a dance-o-thon piloted by none else than the Microzoo core, Nathan Burns & Maus. Friday night fever !



Loose Joints @ Academy welcome Mini for a special epic set of classics from all eras. You'd be wrong to associate only disco with the night - it offers variety, eclectism and adventure !

Neon loves Peer Pressure, that we knew, and they'll celebrate this mutual appreciation with a bang : at S.A.T., the Peer Pressure DJs will face Jordan Dare, and some prestigious guests from the UK. None else than Switch's partner Sinden, and wonderband Product.01, responsible for a mean "Heart of Glass" cover a few years ago.

At Bistro de Paris' weekly Bordello, Andreas Velilla & Romeo Kardec will provide the beats, and the grosse bière will flow.


*29/09*

No Commercial Value are launching another EP, so it's time for another party ! It's going down at Blizzarts.



The Nu Ravers crew are doin' it again at Academy. Their guests this month are Peer Pressure's Merk Meny and France's Felix Cartal. Expect a whole lot of dressing up and underage appreciation.

Piknic Aquatik takes place on the Cavalier-Maxime, but unfortunately it's sold out. Don't cry though - you'll get your taste of the Ninja Tune boys at Piknic !


*30/09*

Yep, why don't you go & spend your afternoon and evening at Place de l'Homme, under the Calder ? It's summer's last Piknic, and your heart is broken. My heart is ravaged because I'll be out of town, so why don't you rock out in my name, huh ?


*02/10*



Salon Daomé's Dizzyphunk night proposes the return of Scoy, alongside Maus. And once again they win the "flyer of the week" prize. A little mid-week dance marathon never hurt anybody, did it ever ?


*Next week*

Pop Montreal hits your face like a hurricane ! Tiga turns Parking upside down ! Spektre puts Mile End Bar in a trance ! Omni, X-Cube and Axel Klein are giving you a reason to hang out at Circus ! And more, much more !

Until then... savour life as if it was your first bite.

Night Vision 2.28

It has been a bizarre last couple of weeks in Montreal. I have even hear some say our techno scene is dead. And by writing techno, I also imply quality tech-house and minimal electro. The places we've seen fill up (rock shows, Coda for Diplo & Switch) are flavours of the day, "hipster" material even. It's fall, it's that time of the year where streets fill up with foreign students looking for something to do, and yet I've been to two quality events with prestigious bookings, only to see them half deserted.

I am of course talking about DiskHo's two years anniversary party at Stereo with Damian Lazarus, and Microzoo's coup de maître with Pig & Dan at Salon Daomé. You could say that there were scheduling obstacles - one event was held during the night and the other on a weeknight - but not monetary ones. Lazarus went for 25$ while Pig & Dan took place for a mere 8$.

There's a general lack of interest for interesting & challenging electronic music gatherings these days. If all Montreal wants is cheesy house and trance, I think adventurous promoters will stop trying - don't get me started about how much money they're currently losing - and our beautiful city will lose its special aura.


*News en Vrac*

Parking sees a lot of good stuff coming up for October - for now let's just mention the long-awaited return of Tiga on the 4th and Axel Klein opening for Marco Carola on the 18th. Overdose !

Oliver Huntemann @ Mile End Bar's Panorama has been rebooked for Nov. 3rd, for Bender's Confused record launch party. On Oct. 6th, as a replacement, you get Spektre, two producers responsible for incredible production work on amazing minimal proggy tracks like "Neon Drift".

The sixth edition of Noerg's Microtek parties sees prodigal artist Dusty Kid take the Théâtre Sans Fil by storm on Nov. 10th, for an all-night event. That kind of thing is as rare as it's enjoyable !


*20/09*

Steve Lawler is at Tribe Hyperclub tonight ! You know he prefers when the lights are out...



Over at Saphir's Mix Thursdays, Boston's DJ Inis pays a visit to the crew and locals Philgood, Melon, Rhys Taylor and Bias all contribute some ass-kickin' behind the decks.


*21/09*

Danny Howells hits Stereo for an all-nighter of serious business. Arsen plays Club Soda with an open bar for the first edition of the LibidH2O events. Uzi & B'Ugo are dropping a delicious Soultek jam at Alizé. And over at Bordello's ever-free weekly, at Bistro de Paris (4536 St-Denis), an anything-goes & hoes tag-team takes place between Kardec, Brown & Marinelli to celebrate Justin's imminent trip to Berlin.


*22/09*

It's François Le Baron's birthday at Panorama @ Mile End Bar ! The man behind Trigger Recordings deserves some respect, and it's time to sing him a few jingles while he's mixing.



Vagitron are doing it again at Academy Dancehall. This time the party will feature MC Vadah Boy, and DJs Mayday, Jordan Dare, Bind & Corey K. Dress to impress your teachers...


*23/09*

The Archipel Piknic offers many reasons to lurk you in. There are only two editions left, and for all of you who miss that crispy tech-house sound so often associated with Piknic, you'll be in heaven. It will feature Pheek, Baya, Euterke, Suz & Kane Roth. And hopefully, lots of sun !


*26/09*

The Cure's show has been postponed until further notice, so don't show up ! Instead, stay in your room, blast "The Head on the Door" on your stereo, and drink until you cry.


*Next week*

Felix Cartal joins our Nu Ravers on the Block for a night of distortion at Academy ! Ninja Tune invade Piknic for a cruise, and then the last edition of the year ! Leaves start to fall !

Until then, stay cool.

Night Vision 2.27

If you're a worker, our society says it's time for you to throw your hammer on the ground, stomp on it a little, and come home to your wife to enjoy sports on TV, a beer, and your sorry ass in a smelly wife beater and doubtful boxer shorts on the couch. But there are other alternatives.

Known as the "labor day week-end", this time of the year separating summer from the start of school has always been a painful, overwhelming period. You don't know if you should just let yourself go and enjoy the few days left before slavery starts, or if you should be worried right away about things to come. I have chosen none of these options. I'll party like a motherfucker, and I sure won't let school spoil my fun during the semester.

I'm sure we can all hold hands and do both in harmony.

*News en vrac*

Cocoon & Pickadoll recording artists Pig & Dan just released a new album, "Imagine", and it looks like they'll be stopping in Montreal shortly to promote it. The Daomé will shake on Sept. 18th ! Kudos to Microzoo for this insane booking !

In October, the fine buddies at Loose Joints welcome John Selway for their monthly residence at Academy. That's not too far from heaven.



And in November, rumour has it that good old Felix da Housecat will appear at S.A.T. for a night of funk. Dunno if this is true or not, but it would be quite nice ! Last time at Aria was a blast for all that dared attend.


*30/08*

Deekline appears at Saphir's Mix Thursdays, and Mini goes solo at Parking's Overdose.


*31/08*

Salon Daomé & Microzoo present CADANSE, a night of sweat, funk & danse with Nathan Burns and Maus. Adidas, Converse, Nike - as long as it's dancey !



Spins & Needles, a night of arts & crafts and funky tech-house, touches down at the Bistro de Paris at 9 PM. For a mere 5$, you get materials to create whatever you want (as long as it stays in the real of, ahem, the "possible") and you get to hear Jason Pelletier & Clifford Brown until Bordello kicks off shortly after midnight with Romeo Kardec & our special guest from Boston, Jeff Grosse, of DiskHo fame. Crunk it up !



Loose Joints are back on a regular schedule in a new venue : Academy. To celebrate the start of their prolific season, they invited none else than Ghostly's Jeffrey Sfire, an italo-disco king from New York.



At Alizé, things are boomin' with a Soultek session like in the good old days. Uzi, Natasha & B'Ugo will welcome you with open arms.


*01/09*



Why not start the day on the good foot ? For the street sale on Wellington, Mirrorballs & Cyber Loft have associated to offer you 7 hours of the finest electro-tech beats on a golden plate. A DJ booth will be located in front of 4028 Wellington and you'll have the pleasure of hearing, for free and in chronological order : Marinelli, Clifford Brown, Jason Pelletier, Dirty Licious, Axel Klein, X-Cube, Romeo Kardec and Sean Kosa. Don't sleep !



At Academy, another edition of Compact Disco unfolds with veteran extraordinaire Robert Ouimet, of Limelight fame.



The I Love Neon boys' holiday in the sun is seemingly over, with another bombastic event happening at S.A.T. Jordan Dare, Foreign Islands & Shir Khan will warm up the room for MSTRKRFT, and all I can predict is that it will be MENTAL and probably PACKED, so get there early if you wanna avoid lining up in front of Club Soda (no joke !). Also, a friendly advice : leave your coat home - or in the car.



Another crazy party is sure to happen at Mile End Bar. The Panorama night brings Stephan Bodzin to town. Now, that could be just a regular "hands-in-the-hair" anthems-filled evening, but no : there's an open bar for ladies from 9 to 11, and the party doubles as Bender's birthday bash. The club's sound system will be tripled and Bodzin will perform LIVE from 12:00 to 1:30, and follow his performance by a DJ set. The man has a reputation of being unstoppable, and you'll be blown away by the sheer force of his latest tracks.


*02/09*

Start off the day under the sun with a feelgood Piknic. DJ Alix opens, followed by a G O'Brien that has lately killed every dancefloor he's touched. The day will be ended by none else than Misstress Barbara !



Beat me Up has been a Sunday night tradition for a year now ! To celebrate that well soaked anniversary, Mary Hell has invited fellow party monsters Bliss, Sean Kosa, Plastik Patrick, Johnny Bonny Rock, Martial & Mekanik for more than your share of rock, tech & noisy bangers.


*03/09*

The worker can rest. Or go to Ile Ste-Hélène to enjoy a nice Neon Loves Piknic ! This year sees Thomas Von Party (just back from a Turbo European tour with his bro) and Jordan Dare open the skies wide for tech-rock hippie Tommie Sunshine ! Don't miss this - you would be in trouble if you tried to find an excuse anyway !


*Next week*

Lots of things happen, but really, are we looking forward to anything else than Fairmont, Nathan Fake & James Holden at Piknic ?

Until then - keep your hat on and get freaky !

Night Vision 2.26

Y'all.

Last week's lack of content on our dear website has plunged the city into some undesserved chaos. People were seen in the streets wandering about, not really knowing where to go, and some giant line-ups even formed in front of places like Loft or even at House Nightclub, formerly home of the equally doubtful Living.

Let us correct this regrettable situation by letting you know about the best parties cookin' up for you during this coming week-end, a time also known as "the not-so-quiet calm before the labor day storm".


*News en vrac*

We're late in announcing it, of course, but Neon are ending their summer break with a bang on Sept. 1st, and MSTRKRFT are the headliners in what promises to shake some walls shut.

French maximalists Justice will be at Metropolis on Oct. 19th.

And the UK's Spektre, recording on Oliver Huntemann's "Dance Electric" label, will be at Bender's Panorama night on Oct. 6th, at the Mile End Bar. Check out their latest releases and be amazed.


*23/08*

Looks like Stitch is slowly creeping out of his hideout. He'll appear alongside Mana and NCV's Jason Deliz at this week's Mix Thursdays, at Saphir. He's been layin' low since he came back from Berlin last autumn, and his appearances are quite rare, so don't sleep !



At Mini's Overdose night @ Parking, none else than Zombie Nation will grace her decks. The man comes around, pretty much once a year, and the music he brings with him is of the deep & hard-hitting kind. His newest release on Turbo, "Lower State of Consciousness", co-produced by Tiga and featuring a remix by Justice, is every mother's nightmare.


*24/08*

What can I say ? Fridays are notorious for their tremendous emptiness. Don't despair, thought. We're working hard to bring you nice DJs every week at Bistro de Paris for our Bordello night, DJs you can enjoy for free while sipping on a cheap beer and looking out on St-Denis wondering where the hell your life is heading. This week's edition of Bordello features X-Cube, and we can promise you 4/4 to the floor all night. Lift your elbow, swallow, repeat.



Red Bull Music Academy and Miles Moore present a party for the soul at Musée Juste Pour Rire. Opening with a broken beats set by the legendary Daz I-Kue, of Bugz in the Attic fame, it will be followed by a live performance from NYC's Tortured Soul, and then by Fred Everything's farewell Lazy Days session. That's right, farewell, because the man's moving to San Francisco for good. His friends from OM already living there & all, it might be considered a wise move for him, but one thing's for sure : we'll miss him. You can avoid the premature nostalgia by gettin' there, and moving your butt all night.


*25/08*

Seems to be the ideal day for impromptu outdoor parties.

At Île Ste-Hélène's Tour Lévis, "Time of Your Life 2007" is billed as THE yearly rendez-vous the the gang. Which gang ? Dunno. But the line-up is very nice indeed : Omni, Marinelli, Étienne Côté-Paluck and more will spin the wheels of dance.



At the Mont-Royal gazebo, "Éco_Tronick" proposes a wide range of styles, from IDM to breakbeat, psy-trance, and even reggae ! I will personally deliver an electro set at 7 PM, and the Hardsteppers are playing live at 4:45. It's going down from 10 AM to 9 PM, and it's free all day.


*26/08*

Piknic this week goes back to Place de l'Homme after two successive Sundays at the Floralies Garden, and the musical menu gets tweaked and twisted. It's breakbeat time ! Spacekadet, Robb G, Pinky38, Sase One and Bliss will all showcase their respective styles, and my bet is that we're going to see lots of camo bouncing around !



After absorbing your weekly dose of sun & fun, it's time to head to Saphir to finish off the night with a healthy dose of filth. Mary Hell's Beat me Up night welcomes none else than myself, Clifford Brown, for a night of heavy funked-up electro and tech-house with twisted nerves and shattered glass. Shooters, rowdy people, and sudden bathroom hookups are to be expected. There's a nice terrasse and all the booze you can drink, and more.


*Next week*

The most laborious labor day week-end ever. Jeff Grosse visits our Bordello. Mirrorballs invade Wellington St. Stephan Bodzin & MSTRKRFT tear the city in two. Two Piknics feature Misstress Barbara and Tommie Sunshine. We die.

Until then... turn around and get slapped !

Night Vision 2.25

It seems like we're back for good. After three weeks off where I abstained from clubbing - except for a few exceptions - and instead patroled the gorgeous beaches of California, got drunk in Vegas and drove in the Beverly Hills mountains, I can say I'm ready for a reload of frantic experiences. I went out twice - to the Daft Punk afterparty in San Francisco, and to Booka Shade's gig in Boston last Friday. Both events were extremely well "watered" and are now hazy souvenirs, but produced many drunken stories to tell to my grandkids by the fire on those cold 2067 winters nights.

I know I missed quite a bit of entertainment lately, and I'm glad I did. It will only help me appreciate Montreal better.


*News en Vrac*

Trentemoeller is back in Canada, but sadly not in Montreal. His three stops would be Vancouver, Toronto and... Québec City ! Some bookers in Montreal must still be sleeping in their drool. He'll play at "Le Cercle" on Sept. 11th.

Slipped through our cracks : Zombie Nation will be at Parking on August 23rd. Mini has already welcomed the guy twice in the past, and he always makes a good impression. Don't sleep !



We liked the "Mirrorballs on Ste-Catherine" experience so much that we decided to do another edition. Co-produced by Cyber Loft, it will take place on Sept. 1st on Wellington, as part of the street sale madness. Guests include Axel Klein, Dirty Licious, X-Cube, Marinelli, Sean Kosa, Jason Pelletier & Romeo Kardec.


*09/08*

Prepare for the week-end ! Have a few drinks in the park ! Call your friends (with benefits) !


*10/08*



I must admit I have a soft spot for Bistro de Paris. This cozy place is one of the last old school taverns on the Plateau, and possibly the only one devoid of any snobism. And there's a pretty good night going on there every Friday as well ! At Bordello this week, it's resident's night. I'll tag with Kardec until we both fall down drunk. Be there !



Looks like Diskfunction has been moved to Daomé. And this month, Mightykat welcomes none else than Berlin's Soundhack, and our very own Mossa. Chick-a-chick-a-chick !



At BOA there's a deathmatch going on between Bliss & Sase One. Expect some rapid-fire action and an ace selection; these guys sure know what the fuck they're talkin' about since they seemingly have been around forever... And you know what ? It's free.

And Stereobar's Dirty Fridays never take a break : Jeff Fontaine welcomes Marinelli for what promises to be one hell of a party. Don't say we didn't warn you.


*11/08*

Electro-Chic 13 promises some real goodies at S.A.T. Dirty Licious starts off the night with his deliciously dirty beats, followed by my man Nellboy and my girl Sunday Luv, doing a live performance of their kick-ass songs. Then Enola, a guy from France's NoirDeGoût, spins until G O'Brien takes over.



At O Patro Vys, the Noerg collective are throwing down Microtek V.5, with an orgy of locals including Philgood and Euterke. Expect the funk to pierce the roof.



If you prefer late night deepness, Stereo is hosting OM's "Summer Sessions 2" CD tour, with heavyweights Onionz and DJ Heather. Opening for them will be Max Hebert, and we dare you to go through the night without at least nodding your head.


*12/09*

We can't recommend anything else than doing this : put on your dancing shoes, get your booze in aluminium or plastic containers, and head over ASAP to the Floralies Garden for the Microzoo Piknic !! Not content of jamming together for a good part of the day, and having Leloopar do a live set, Maüs, Soundshaper & Nathan Burns will also welcome Poland's 3 Channels ! Wickedness.


*14/09*

If you missed 3 Channels at Piknic, no sweat - they'll play at Dizzyphunk. With Maüs & Nathan Burns.

For those of you who like to rock out, Diesel Boy is spinning at Saphir.


*Next week*

The Official Terra 3 pre-party !! TERRA 3 !!! And the Complot Piknic !!

Until then, keep the lid on the cover when you shake the jam !

Night Vision 2.23

Back to the Thursday slot, y'all !

I hope some of you really are planning your week-end according to my advices, because it's a bitch of a pain for me to do this on Thursdays, in between my Sumo practice and my breast-feeding sessions. I also have to put my fireman suit on the clothesline, and trim my Elvis moustache to look like John Waters once again.

May I offer a word of advice to the lost souls out there ? Arm yourself with supplies NOW, because the coming week-end will be an orgy of funked up moments all blended into one big fat good times memory in a few years.

To remember, take pictures. And to forget, indulge into a panoply of hedonistic pleasures. You only live once and, although my muslim office co-workers thinks my views on the afterlife are rather "simplistic", from my convinced atheist perspective, you might as well have fun while you're young and fun is, well... more "fun". Get it ?


News en vrac

Watch out : summer's here and it's either melt or move, boys & girls !


28/06

At Helm's Thursdays, you can have your every expectation met : Jeff Fontaine will fill your ears with nice beats, and the lovely Karine will fill your glass(es). Duo de choc for free !



Here's the deal : Gregor Tresher, Germany's answer to Israel's Guy Gerber (they're actually good pals & production partners), will shake the foundations of Parking alongside Mini. The floor will shake, and the ceiling will crumble, so raise your tiny fists in the air like snail antennas in the wind.



It's the Chronic Bass release party at Saphir's Mix Thursdays ! There's a Pad Class live show at midnight, a Poontz Vs Milton Clark tag team, a DJ Dialect set and of course, Deebass ! At Saphir, for a ridiculous 5$.

At Pas-Sages, Slovakia's Milos plays alongside Alexis Bowles and Diagraf. It's minimal madness in a pub setting, with no cover !


29/06

The Jazz Fest has begun ! There are several interesting things to hear and see, so head to their official website for an exhaustive schedule, and don't forget to scat !



At S.A.T., the Akarien boys are celebrating their 12th Électro-Chic party with another banger of a night. Clown opens the festivities, Axel Klein lets the intensity grow and at 12, Sean Kosa takes over for a maniacal performance. Omni closes the night from 1:30 'til the end, and you better be ready to have a rockin' good time !



For jackin' good times, get your groove on and head to Salon Daomé. A special Soulmeka night brings you Chicago's Gene Farris, and Leon Louder opens. Gene launches his new CD, "A Decade of Beats", and it will be sweet as hell.



After a week off, Loose Joints resume at Le Social, and this week it's Dave Shaw's great return. He's bringing along San Francisco's Robot Hustle, and the disco will flow like good champagne in a coffee mug. Bring it back !



At Olympia, the terrasse is opening and Allied Nations plays with Vega all night, for free. Can you beat that ? No you can't !


30/06

Lots of things are going on but two parties are falling right in the middle of our tastes :



The Nu Ravers on the Block party #5 brings you NYC's Junkies, with Jordan Dare and the Ravers themselves spicing up the bill. Wear your best fluo costume, pour vodka straight into your open mouth, and prepare to hear the dirtiest basslines around.



At Mile End Bar's Panorama night, an explosive guest is visiting from France : Oxia. It will be his first time in Montreal. And it will also be packed as hell ! Bender will warm up the crowd, and Oxia will finish you off with a deadly jab. His recent tracks are breath-takingly good, so don't sleep !


01/07

It's Canada day and you might as well start it on a good note : Piknic is temporarily moving to Jardin des Floralies for an edition filled with lush, funky and soulful house, all happening in a gorgeous garden near the Casino. The guests are all different in a way, but will probably go very well together : Alain Jackinsky, Miles Moore, Eddy Jasmin & London's Desyn Masiello. Do it for love !

At Saphir's Beat me Up, a surprise awaits : Sunday Luv is back ! With Sean "The Beast" Kosa as the guest, you can expect fireworks, Mary Hell's trademark blue underwear, candles flying through the room, the maple leaf as you've never seen it before, and rowdy music for rowdy people !



Olympia hosts one big motherfuckin' party : Israel's Infected Mushroom bring their psychedelic trance to town, and the openers alone are worth the admission price. Confused Recording's Bender and Citizen Recording's Sad Mafioso will heat up the room. Did you say... trippy ?

If there's any energy left in your dead body, and your feet aren't achin' too much, head over to Stereo where Deep Dish's Dubfire will finish you off, Mortal Combat-style. No sleep 'til Monday.


03/07



At DizzyPhunk, Nathan Burns welcomes Yaz. Set the Salon Daomé on fire, it's burnin' hawt !!


Next week

Bordello @ Bistro de Paris launches with a bang ! Omni hits Panorama ! Piknic gets very minimal ! And more, WAY more !

Until then, suffer well !

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...

Night Vision 2.21

Since we barely survived the week-end, we won't really linger in explanations about life's big instruction manual. Let's just say that the Mutek marathon concluded on a nice note with a 4 hours crazy set by two very drunk & hairy Wighnomy Bros, and that Michael Mayer's 4h30 set at Metropolis the night before changed some people's lives. It certainly blew me away.

I've seen so many known faces during this wonderful week-end that I am re-assured I'm not alone in my everyday battle to fight off bad music and replace it with quality beats.

Summer's just starting, and that's the way to do it !


News en vrac

Ever heard about No Commercial Value ? These shadow warriors, Jason Deliz & Dave O'Brien, have been hard at work to come up with quality stuff for their label, and they're now launching it officially on June 14th at Saphir. They're also launching their first EP featuring Max Miles & Deliz himself. What they're doing is called "atypical dance music" and if you wanna hear what it sounds like, head to this address to be blown away.



We at Mirrorballs always are looking to provide you with good music, be it for breakfast or supper, at a reasonable price. We don't believe in big-ass gigs - although they can be fun from time to time - but in small, intimate nights with an emphasis on the quality. It's been a while since anything really interesting happened regularly on Fridays, save for the Knightriders' Joyride at Tokyo with Mr. Dare. Well after much deliberation and research, we have finally found a home on the Plateau, and this new home is called Bistro de Paris. The night is called Bordello, we're giving you a preview on June 15th, and it starts officially on July 6th. It will be hosted, residenced & curated by Romeo Kardec & myself, and it will feature the best of locals & some guys & girls from beyond from time to time. Stay tuned for the July bookings - it's coming up ! To make it sweeter, the party will always be free, and the Bistro offers you ridiculously priced beer.

And speaking of locals gone wild, Mirrorballs present a DJ booth in the middle of the fuckin' street right in front of the former Paramount theater, on Ste-Catherine, on July 14th. So far, confirmed artists include Axel Klein, Dirty Licious, Fu Ancko, Romeo Kardec, X-Cube and King Louis. A nearby hair saloon will operate some funky stylin' to the groovy beats, and it's free, of course.


08/06

The Eresys boys are doing it again at l'Appartement for their monthly, and this time around their guest is Quebec City's Fake I.D., who'll play live & DJ a bit. Alongside Christian Thibault & Kressel, you know you're gonna dance !



Mightykat's guest at this month's Diskfunction is Sety, the Frenchman behind the Circus Company label. Released artists include Ark, Mossa, Nôze, and Samim. The man has played with so many legends in so many clubs it would be tiring to make a list - rest assured he'll bring the funk. That's a dream date with the Mighty Kat. Going down at Academy Dancehall.



Mary Hell launches a new weekly at Sky, and it will feature guests every week. The mission : 80's Vs electro. With Frigid's new night on Thursdays, it looks like Sky's management is ready to try and steer clear from cheesy house, at least for two days in a row.



The Hopscotch Players are this week's guests at Loose Joints. It's disco time, so have a few drinks and dance, mo'fos ! Le Social is on fire and we need your skills to extinguish it !


09/06

At Mile End Bar, it's always good to have a 20/20 vision as there's stuff to see all over the place. On top of all the pretty girls, there's a lady called Sofisticated playing with Bender this week, and that's all the ingredients you need for a good party.



My first encounter with Kavinsky took the form of a blow to the face when I heard Testarossa Autodrive. It was everything Sonny Crockett wanted to play in his Ferrari while cruising Ocean Drive with wind in his hair. Kavinsky is the spiritual son of Jan Hammer & Giorgio Moroder, and it is rumoured that he pulled an Easton Ellis and died crashing his Testarossa. It's his zombie corpse that's playing the clubs now, and you'll be glad to know that the putrid one stops by Academy to perform a DJ set alongside Why Alex Why. The dead never sounded so good.


10/06

Don't head to Ile Ste-Hélène unless you wanna get your hearing ruined; Grand Prix prevents Piknic from happening.

Saphir's Beat me Up lives on, and this week John Lee drops by. The bearded man has a few cards up his sleeves and you'd better be drunk. With residents Cherry Cola and Mary Hell.



If you're looking to escape the eurotrash invasion that the Grand Prix brings around town, and feel sick just thinking about the Guetta family, there's an alternative for you and it's called Vendetta. At Balroom, King Louis fights Bender all night, and the booze is yours to discover. Watch the two dudes blow the roof off !


11/06



At Green Room, arts & crafts lovers reunite for a night of funk : as part of the Fringe Festival, the Spins & Needles night touches down. You get to hear Broken Speaker, Philgood, Ottawa's Jason Pelletier and myself for a very good price, my friend. Even if you're not big on knitting, come by for a drink and a dance.


12/06

It's a lady's affair at Dizzyphunk, as the two dames behind Microzoo & Dizzy share the decks all night : Maus & Mighty Kat will feed the masses their funky tech-house all night, and we all know it's quality soul food ! At Salon Daomé.


14/06

Fricoti, at Salon Daomé, proposes a resident's night with Mir and Bleuchut.

Helm Thursdays feature Clifford Brown, and it's always a pleasure to have a few beers with you !

At Overdose, Mini welcomes Jordan Dare, and the discotheque will be shaken by the basslines !



At Terrasses Bonsecours, let me assure you you'll be glad : Jeff Fontaine and X-Cube will share the decks and shred it up !

At Saphir, No Commercial Value are officially launching their label. If you like your beats crunchy & effective, head over !


Next week

Bistro de Paris becomes a Bordello ! Microtek invades O Patro Vys ! Piknic Electronik returns !

Until then, switch your flick all night long...