“I think ‘yeah’ and ‘baby’ were the most common lyrics…” – Graham Wright phoner + July 13 show rundown

Today’s show was one of our most jam-packed yet, with new tracks from Ohbijou and Dan Mangan, spins from Polaris Prize shortlisters, a chat with our pal and Polaris juror Josh O’Kane about that very prize and the recently announced shortlist, and an interview with Tokyo Police Club’s Graham Wright, who just released his solo album “Shirts vs. Skins” at the end of last month.

Live phoner with Graham Wright on Now Playing, CHUO 89.1 FM

And of course, all that we played:

Ohbijou – Niagara
Dan Mangan – Oh Fortune
Hey Rosetta! – Bricks
Graham Wright – Leftovers
The Arcade Fire – Suburban War
Ron Sexsmith – Get in Line
The Weeknd – The Morning
Timber Timbre – Bad Ritual

Many thanks again to both gents for joining us, and don’t forget — you can catch Graham and Tokyo Police Club this weekend at the HOPE Volleyball Summerfest, alongside CHUO/Now Playing favourites the Balconies.

July 8th show recap

The Polaris Prize Short List was announced Tuesday — which gave us some fabulous content this week on Now Playing:

Born Ruffians – Nova-Leigh
Royal Canoe – Me Loving Your Money
Dan Mangan – Road Regrets
Broken Social Scene – Chase Scene
Shad – Yaa I Get It
The Sadies – Another Day Again
Radio Radio – 9 Piece Luggage Set
Tegan and Sara – Don’t Rush
Owen Pallett – Lewis Takes Off His Shirt
The Besnard Lakes – Chicago Train
Caribou – Odessa

Okay, yes, those first two tracks had nothing to do with Polaris. And, yes, we forgot Karkwa (here’s something to make up for it. And we’ll play ’em next week). But hey — those first two tracks? Still awesome. And both bands are making a stop in Ottawa soon — Born Ruffians are hitting up the York St. Pop Life Stage as part of Bluesfest on July 10th at 7:15pm, and Royal Canoe will be playing at Zaphod’s on July 22nd at 8pm (see previous post).

That’s about it for now. Still keep your eyes peeled for album and show reviews comin’ your way soon.

June 30th show (and hey, Happy Canada Day!)

We had a sweet show lined up for the last day of June, featuring — as always — some fabulous tunes from our home and native land (plus a few tracks from the UK in honour of the Queen’s visit):

Tokyo Police Club – Favourite Colour
Rah Rah – Duet for Emmylou and the Grievous Angel
Stars – We Don’t Want Your Body
Kele – Tenderoni
Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance the Way I Feel
Forest City Lovers – Sea to Land
The Property Line – All Together
Tegan & Sara – Night Watch
You Say Party – There is XXXX (Within My Heart)

Huge note to make — which I somehow neglected to announce on air — but Forest City Lovers will be swinging by Ottawa early this fall, playing the Raw Sugar Cafe on Sept. 17. Definitely something to check out!

And in advance of the announcement next Tuesday, we also chatted about Polaris Short List predictions. Here’s Now Playing’s Officially Unofficial Polaris Short List Prediction List:

Basia Bulat – Heart of My Own
Brasstronaut – Mt. Chimaera
Jason Collett – Rat A Tat Tat
Frog Eyes – Paul’s Tomb: A Triumph
Dan Mangan – Nice, Nice, Very Nice
The New Pornographers – Together
Shad – TSOL
Tegan and Sara – Sainthood
Young Galaxy – Invisible Republic
You Say Party – XXXX

Your thoughts? Think we’re on the mark, or totally off in left field? Leave a comment — or better yet, drop us a line at nowplayingchuo [at] gmail [dot] com and send us your ten picks/predictions for the Short List. Get ’em in by next Monday and the person with the most picks that actually end up on the List will get a li’l prize from Now Playing.

Just for fun, I made a “sentimental” list of who I’d simply prefer to see make it through:

Apollo Ghosts – Mount Benson
Bahamas – Pink Strat
Basia Bulat – Heart of My Own
Brasstronaut – Mt. Chimaera
Hannah Georgas – This Is Good
Ghostkeeper – Ghostkeeper
Dan Mangan – Nice, Nice, Very Nice
You Say Party – XXXX
The Wooden Sky – If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone
Yukon Blonde – Yukon Blonde

I’m pretty excited to see what happens. Catch all the action next Wednesday at 1pm on CHUO 89.1 FM. ‘Til then, enjoy your Canada Day!

June 16th show recap

It may have been overcast outside, but the sun was shining in the CHUO studios. Corny? Perhaps. But some great music and one of the greatest interviews ever was played over our community radio airwaves:

Rah Rah – Lightning
Dance Movie – Structurally Unsound
The Pining – She’s Gone
Hollerado – Got To Lose
Youth Crime – Stone Age Romance
Old Crowns – Weathered
Architects and Builders – My Song is Your Keyboard Breaking
Band of Horses – Evening Kitchen

I got the chance to sit down with Steve, Joel, Sam, and Alex from Ottawa’s own Old Crowns earlier this week (before they gallivant off to Toronto this weekend for a NXNE gig at the Drake Hotel) to chat about their vinyl release, get their take on the Ottawa music scene, and knock back a few Jack and Cokes (I’m not kidding — you can hear Joel ask the waitress for another drink at one point. I cut out the part when all five of us ordered more in the middle of the interview. This is how awesome these guys are).

Steve, Joel, Sam, and Alex from Old Crowns (click to listen, right-click to save file)

I also chatted about the Polaris Music Prize, and offered a few of my predictions for who’ll make the long list (announced tomorrow at 1:30pm at the Drake Hotel — will be “twittercasted” via @polarisprize). Fingers crossed we’ll see some local acts like The Balconies or Hollerado on there.

And, of course, what to do this weekend? Some listings for you:

• Library Voices + more at Mavericks, Thursday, June 17th, (ten bucks, 8pm)
• Sadie Hell, Ghostkeeper + more at the Elmdale Tavern, Friday, June 18th (ten bucks, 9pm)
• Old Crowns + Johnathan Chandler from Amos the Transparent at Canteen Sunday, June 20th (free admission, though donations are accepted, 3pm)

Look for more great music coming your way next week: same time, same place, CHUO 89.1FM next Wednesday at 1pm.