
It’s no coincidence that some of the biggest shows at Mutek are being left in the capable hands of Montréal musicians. The same love and support of electronic music in this city that helped make Mutek so popular has also helped propel several local artists to international acclaim.
A perfect example of this funky symbiosis is the man known as Akufen, who returns to Mutek with some new music I can’t wait to hear… … More 

A quick look at Montreal’s Jazz Fest line-up reveals that there’s a whole more going on than all that jazz. The fest has always featured line-ups of musicians from all corners of the world, playing every type of music under the sun. This year is no exception.
I’ve gone through the line-up and picked out a couple shows of note… … More 

One of the most eagerly anticipated events of Mutek’s 2009 edition is the North American premiere of Robert Henke and Christopher Bauder’s ATOM. This mind-blowingly ambitious event is being undertaken only in Montréal during Mutek and is basically one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard of: a network of 64 huge helium-filled balloons which are each connected to a separate sound source. These balloons are then “played” like musical instruments.
A feast for the eyes, ears and mind, ATOM is a show unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. … More 

Simply put, a 5-à-7 is happy hour à la Montréal, but everything sounds (and often is) a little classier in French. A 5-à-7 does generally start at 5pm, but many go much later than 7pm, especially if they’re good. They are a treasured after-work tradition in Montreal, though it should be noted that the “work” part is entirely optional. Being a city of a 1000 options, Montréal has got a variation on the early drinks and food theme to fit with whatever mood you find yourself in…
I’ll be covering all kinds of 5-à-7s in the Drink in Montreal series, but to kick it off we spent a little time at Le Local in Old Montréal… … More 





Montreal has no shortage of places to have a drink. On some streets, like St-Laurent or St-Denis, you can’t move more than 5 feet without finding somewhere to grab a beer, enjoy an expertly-mixed cocktail or relax with a fine bottle of wine and some friends. … More 

This year, Mutek celebrates 10 great years of showcasing some of the world’s best electronic music and culture. In that time, it has become not only one of Montréal’s most beloved festivals, but one of the premiere events of its kind in the world. It runs from May 27th-31st in some of the cities’ most interesting venues- check www.mutek.org for the full rundown.
I’m a huge fan of this unique event and will have a ton of exclusive tips, picks and profiles on this blog in the coming weeks. To kick it all off, I sat down with Dimitri Nasrallah, the Festival’s Content Manager and International Media Relations whiz. We talked about how the fest began and where it’s going… … More 

In many ways, Plants and Animals perfectly represent the diversity that makes Montreal’s music scene so magical. Made up of one Francophone and two Maritime-expats, this trio formed while taking classes together in Concordia University’s Music Department. Their 2008 full-length debut album, which was nominated for two Junos and the Polaris Music prize, was titled Parc Avenue – a nod to the lively and eclectic street on which most of the group lives.
Recently, a photographer friend and I hung out in the studio as they worked on their new album… … More 

In Montreal, you can even party in museums. That’s right, on the first Friday night of every month, the MACM (Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal ) opens its doors to a new way of experiencing its sleek interior and impressive contemporary art collection. Keep reading to find out what this night sounds like… … More 