Just like everything in this modern world, the death of a beloved artist, one you have never heard of, or one you are only aware of tangentially always feels heavy. It’s proof that darkness waits even if it’s not engulfing you in the moment. It's a tragedy you can experience without actually losing someone close to you. David Berman’s death feels different from that of David Bowie or Prince. Berman wasn’t an icon. He wasn’t larger than life; he was just a guy, albeit one who with an incredible gift and a great deal of darkness. While Berman’s death was and is dark, a lot of beauty has emerged in the days and weeks since he passed. Countless stories have emerged of Berman — an extremely vigilant emailer — connecting with fans, being a genuinely nice guy, clearly struggling with how to reciprocate the love he received from his listeners. But trying. Again, he was just a guy, and that seems to be what made him so special as an artist and as a writer. 

Since his death, my mind has been opened up to the wonderful world of David Berman and Silver Jews. Aside from a one-time run through of American Water at work one day (not sufficient for true appreciation), my relationship with Berman’s work was fresh, beginning with Purple Mountains and, as with many of my favourite musical discoveries of the past five or so years, an episode of Kreative Kontrol. Vish Khanna’s conversation with Berman will be one of the defining interviews with the artist. It captures Berman in a moment of hopefulness, looking forward to touring and digging into his brilliant, final batch of songs. Purple Mountains quickly became one of my favourite records of the year. I even bought a ticket to see Berman perform with Purple Mountains, but obviously, the show never came to pass. 

While friends and fans mourned, I got an education: in the words and songs and life of David Berman. 

On the song “Nights That Won’t Happen” from Purple Mountains, David sings:

This world is like a roadside inn and we're the guests inside
And death is a black camel that kneels down so we can ride
And when the dying's finally done and the suffering subsides
All the suffering gets done by the ones we leave behind
All the suffering gets done by the ones we leave behind

He was right, of course, but in this world and the one he reflected through his words, there is so much more than just suffering he has left in his wake. There is humour, joy, love, comradery, triumph. All of these emotions, these truths, come through in Episode 492 of Kreative Kontrol. It’s one of the best things I’ve listened to all year. Vish shares his history with Berman, evolving from a fan to journalistic subject to pen pal and friend. As he spins a Silver Jews album in the background, Vish processes and grieves a friend who had been there for him in one way or another for most of his life. It’s honest, enthralling, and might even be therapeutic. I highly recommend just about any episode of Kreative Kontrol, but 492 — despite being an outlier in the catalogue — is a special one. 

Take care of each other.

Mac Cameron
 

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▶︎▶︎ LPS / EPS

Match Factory, Naive Memories (Vancouver, BC)
There's nothing inherently summery about Match Factory's latest EP. However, the collective energy of the punchy group vocals and melodic bass lines sure feels like a lively, outdoor get-together. This Vancouver punk outfit is equal parts shouty, powerful, peppy, and kind.
John Pattee | RIYL Ancient Shapes | Have you also heard? BBQT

Bodywash, Comforter (Montreal, QC)
Bodywash's debut sounds like a gathering storm of synths, guitars, and melody. It swells, it crackles with electricity and is bursting with kinetic potential.
Jim Di Gioia | RIYL Absolutely Free | Have you also heard? No Museums

Chris Hauer, Hum (Montreal, QC)
2019 will go down as the year I really dug into 90s American indie rock. Low, Silver Jews and Yo La Tengo were all total blind spots for me. Chris Hauer's album Hum feels right at home with at least two of the aforementioned band's output. It's catchy while still sounding experimental and stoned. Perfect for early mornings and feeling sad.
Mac Cameron | RIYL Steven Lambke | Have you also heard? Devarrow

respectfulchildren, 家 (Saskatoon, SK)
respectfulchildren's 家 (meaning both home and family), is a remix album by Saskatoon-based artist respectfulchild's friends from their 2017 album, 在找::searching::. 100% of the sales goes to Pride Home, the first longterm LGBTQ youth home in Canada. Pride Home was created by OUTSaskatoon to provide healthy, stable, and safe housing for queer youth where they can feel comfortable and supported to be who they truly are.
Jim Di Gioia | RIYL respctfulchild | Have you also heard? CFCF

Les Shirley, Les Shirley (Montreal, QC)
Montreal trio Les Shirley conjure fast-moving sludge on their debut self-titled EP. These four tracks move swiftly and with a punky purpose that's energized by power chords and delicious pop melodies. 
Laura Stanley | RIYL PUP | Have you also heard? Lungbutter

Lightning Dangerfield, The Goods (Hamilton, ON)
The band say it "ooze[s] sexuality and pus" on its debut EP and that is not an attractive descriptor of their otherwise very fun instrumental funk music. "Toni Hock" and "Hyperfunk" feel like funk music at warp speed and are over in a flash, while "Street Meat" lays down some juicy bass for a more relaxed (by the band's standards) closing number. It's a surprising amount of fun to be had in under seven minutes.
Michael Thomas | RIYL TWRP | Have you also heard? Badge Epoque Ensemble 

Necking, Cut Your Teeth (Vancouver, BC)
The most ferocious, smart and catchy debut of the year. At this moment, in my mind, Cut Your Teeth > Call The Doctor > Bleach. Put this album on and fight about it.
Mac Cameron | RIYL Pale Red | Have you also heard? Fine
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▶︎▶︎ SONGS

“Touch My Heart” by Sound Cinema (Vancouver, BC)
Music that seems destined for the in-store playlist at H&M or an opening slot at a summer festival, but far, far away from my personal music library. The lyrics are vaguely specific in a way that makes it easy to sing along, and the melodies are expertly crafted to give your brain a shot of dopamine. As long as the commercial music industry doesn't collapse, I'm certain I will be hearing these three dudes somewhere.
Jon Neher | RIYL Shawn Mendes | Have you also heard? Rae Spoon

“Sweet Tea” by Beams (Toronto, ON)
A live-off-the-floor single from Beams' forthcoming album, ‘Til the Morning Comes, "Sweet Tea" is a bittersweet plea for understanding in a complex, complicated world. If that sounds grandiose and ambitious, it is, but Beams manage to make these larger, global themes fit into their tight, homespun sound with ease.
Jim Di Gioia | RIYL Merival | Have you also heard? Kirsten Ludwig

“Charlotte” by Molly Drag (Montreal, QC)
On “Charlotte”, the second single from Molly Drag's (Michael Hansford) new album Touchstone (out October 4th), Hansford wades through anxious thoughts and all-consuming nostalgia about his hometown. It's a lo-fi slowcore song with gripping emotional intensity.
Laura Stanley | RIYL Fog Lake | Have you also heard? Little Kid

 

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