Sunday nights at 11. City Sonic. Aux TV. And you. If you haven’t been implementing this regime throughout November, this weekend is your last chance. Tune into Aux (Rogers channel 107) for the final episode of City Sonic TV, featuring films on the Evolution of Queen Street. Of course that means we’re talking the Cameron House, the Drake Hotel and the like with artists such as Justin Rutledge, Sarah Slean and Brendan Canning. And don’t forget the Word of the Day contest — just a few chances to enter to win some swell swag from Rock Band, Playstation and more. Get a preview and explore other Aux content here.
Archive for the ‘Brendan Canning’ Category
Get Inside: Final City Sonic show on AUX this Sunday night
November 27, 2009City Sonic: Brendan Canning at The Drake
November 13, 2009
- CLICK THE PHOTO TO WATCH THE FILM -
Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene has witnessed the transformation of the Drake first hand. In December, 1991, Canning played the basement of the Drake when it was still a run-down hotel in a run-down neighbourhood. His band at the time, hHead, was opening for local indie rockers Phleg Camp as part of Elvis Mondays, a no cover new music series that continues to gives upstarts a friendly place to play. About ten years later the hotel / bar / live venue was transformed from dubious dive to chic hotspot, and saw its profile rise globally right while Canning was getting his own share of worldwide attention with his new band, Broken Social Scene. What forces shaped these two cultural success stories? The singer/bassist checks into a suite at the Queen Street landmark and recounts his most memorable nights spent rehearsing, performing, DJing and soaking up the sounds of a city coming into its own.
Director Interview with George Vale
November 12, 2009
We’ve told you before that George Vale knows everyone and we weren’t kidding. Once again, we were able to pair the director with an old friend and conspirator. George’s greatest claim to Broken Social Scene-related fame revolves around being arrested in NYC (which you can read about in the new BSS book, This Book is Broken), but there’s more to his history with Brendan Canning than just that.
LL: Give us your “elevator ride” pitch: the concept for your film in three sentences or less.
GV: The film I made at the Drake is an emotionally compelling story because of Brendan’s long musical connection with place and the fact that the two had a peak at the same time. If his story was the film Stand By Me, the Drake would be the train tracks.
LL: What gave you the idea to put Brendan in a hotel robe?
GV: First of all very simply humour, secondly I thought it would be appropriate to suggest that after paying his dues in the basement he might be able to treat himself to some luxury.
LL: You’ve known Brendan for years. Did you learn anything new or surprising about him on this shoot?
GV: I was surprised to see he had a scrapbook of posters from old shows and that the clip I directed was as emotional as it was. My other City Sonic films had a different type of intensity that was directed towards other body parts, this one went straight to the heart.
LL: What is your best Broken Social Scene story you can tell that won’t get anyone in trouble?
GV: I think my story of meeting Brendan, moving in with him and watching it all go down. When I started directing I always wondered how the Bob Gruens and Anton Corbins of the world got in there and made music history. Now I know: right place, right time, then be able to do the right thing.
Flickr Gallery: Production Pics from “City Sonic: Brendan Canning at the Drake Hotel”
November 11, 2009
Click the image and check our City Sonic's Flickr site.
Production Diary: Brendan Canning at The Drake
November 10, 2009
When is a bar not just a bar? When it’s a bar/cafe/lounge/restaurant/hotel. Like it or not (and your position may depend whether you’re asked on a midnight lunch or a weekend at 2am), the Drake is the epicentre of the new West Queen West. To get at the heart of its place in the city’s music community, we had Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning check himself in to one of their suites and give us the view up from up there.
