THE END

Like the final episode on a season of The Wire or the last morsel of an orange Flinstone's push pop, we're through.  Done.  Finito.

There's no looking back...unless you want to go back and rewatch the whole series, or just buy another pushpop....still continuing this simile?

Anyway, it's our final broadcast on WNUR.  Ted's off to travel the world and I'm a busy senior.  But it's been a crazy awesome ride.  We can't thank you enough as our readers/listeners/followers/friends/family/lovers for your support of our show.  It may only have been a few months, but America's Hat enjoyed bringing you some seriously kick a** music from our neighbors up north, and we're glad to have had the opportunity to do so.

As a special goodbye, Ted and I compiled a "best of" playlist of our favorite tracks and artists from these last couple of quarters.  Check them out online at www.wnur.org

Brent Hodge spoke with us one last time about Canada and, more particularly, potential crossover bands from Canada to the US.

Upcoming Shows:

NORTH BY NORTHEAST is in Toronto right now!  ROAD TRIP!!!


Tracks O' the Week/Forever:

Hay says -

Group of Seven - "Passport"

This track is all about Canadian identity.  Very low-fi, very tongue-in-cheek, very adorable.

Ted says -

49th Parallel - "Twilight Woman"

"Better than eating a sandwich and masturbating at the same time." - Ted Pacult
(he didn't actually say this, I just made it up, but he was probably thinking it)

A special thanks to PS I Love You, Hey Rosetta!, jefftheworld, Young Galaxy, and Suuns for allowing us to do interviews.  You are all awesome folks and we had a blast getting to speak with you and promote your music stateside.

And a final, super special thanks to our listeners: my mom, Ted's mom, Stacy Moon, Emily Spitzer, Matt and Peter Pacult, that guy that always called in to the station with great recommendations, Brent Hodge, CBC Radio 3, and everyone else that donated time to America's Hat.  We hope you enjoyed our take on "world music" and its potential to cross geographical boundaries, audiences, and genres.

in the words of Timber Timbre,
"creep on creepin' on"

Love,
Ted & Hay

Hockey Time

Some* have called it the most important sport to exist.  Others** have claimed it's a rite of passage.  For Canadians***, it's a national pasttime.

*me

**me again

***this is real

That's right.  

I'm talking about HOCKEY.

What we have learned from watching countless Canadian commercials:  Canadians love hockey, Canadians ignore other obligations for hockey (shaving), and the love of hockey is a fundamental building block in Canadian familial relationships.

Canucks are moving on their way to nabbing the Stanley Cup.  We at America's Hat are siding with our friends to the north in lieu of our Chicago Blackhawks having a lackluster finale to their season...But hey, Vancouver will be carrying us for now.

And finally: Gretzky for Prime Minister!

Track o' the Week:

Zeus - Permanent Scar

More awesome from Arts & Crafts.

America's Hat Gets Political

Hey there.  Apologies for the late addition of this blog - it's been a crazy week, and what with Ted being in Montreal, handling our show solo was a challenging task indeed.

I did get two stellar call ins, one from Brent Hodge, resident Canadian, filling us in on political parties of Canada and the latter from Ted detailing his Montreal experiences.

Being the Gen Y fool that I am, my immediate impulse to learn more about Canadian politics was to turn to the interwebz.  For those of you above Wikipedia, here's a quick summary on the current stand of the upcoming Canadian election.

Canadians, like the Brits, have a Prime Minister as head of the executive branch, while the legislative branch is comprised of the monarchy, senate, and House of Commons.  The primary political parties of Canada are the Conservative Party of Canada and the Liberal Party of Canada, while smaller groups, like the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Quebecois, and the Green Part of Canada are also popular political parties.


Here is the run-down of candidates for the election on May 2nd:

Stephen Harper - Conservative

Michael Ignatieff - Liberal

Gilles Duceppe - Bloc Quebecois

Jack Layton - NDP

Elizabeth May - Green


This is a great excerpt explaining the wackiness of this year's election.  The full article and more information can be found on the CBC website.

"For an election that many Canadians aren't quite sure they even wanted and that some insist is downright boring, Canada Votes 2011 has provided some unexpected fireworks so far. 

First, there was the Stephen Harper-Michael Ignatieff Twitter fight. Then came Green Party leader Elizabeth May's exclusion from the leaders' debate, and NDP candidate Jack Layton's televised quip about Michael Ignatieff's attendance record. 

In between, there was a leaked auditor general's report, an unforeseen surge in NDP poll numbers and a genuinely surprising lack of apathy in young voters across the country. "

I'll save Ted's stories for next week, but he did mention over the phone a trip to Schwartz's Deli as being quite eatery.


Shows of Interest:

Thursday, May 5
A-Trak
The Mid

Thursday, May 12
Woods of Ypres
Reggie's Live

Friday, May 20
Timber Timbre
Schuba's

Saturday, May 21
Timber Timbre
SPACE
Evanston

Thursday, May 26
Sloan
Subterranean


Track o' the Week:

Joel Plaskett - "Fashionable People"

Incredible lyrics and a simple, driving beat.  Tambourine and high-pitched chorus, plus filtered drums.  Think Mika, but way less annoying.

Artist o' the Week:

Group of Seven

The essence of Canada - its politics, identity, and traditions - has been condensed in the form of one man and his guitar.  Check out "Passport" for a take on what it means to be a Canadian and "Ghost of Tim Horton" for a darker perspective on the legacy of Tim Horton, including hockey and donuts.


Next Week:  Montreal-tastic.  We'll talk about and hear music from those crazy Quebecois.

Soul Love

America.  Canada.  So close, and yet...so far?

Ted and I spoke with CBC Radio 3 Producer Brent Hodge this week about this very issue.  We may be just one border away, but there are some things that Canada has that we don't, and vice versa.  Here were our lists of potential "exchange" items.

Brent: Things Canada Needs From the States
1.  Austin, TX
2.  Giant Red Bull Drinks
3.  Light Green Tic Tacs
4.  Superstar Burger at Carl's Jr
5.  Santa Fe, NM

Hay and Ted: Things We Want to Take From Canada
1.  Vancouver
2.  Tim Horton's
3.  The London Alehouse
4.  Canadian Oil
5.  Canadian Government (free healthcare and support for the arts, wha?!?!)

We also got to broadcasting our interview with Suuns.  Check it out on our Artist Interview Page!


For Laughs:

Friend Gobble Gobble and Braids on Facebook and follow their back-and-forth banter.  It's a blast.


Upcoming Shows in the Chicago Area:

Arcade Fire
SOLD OUT
April 22, 24, 25
UIC Pavilion

Gobble Gobble
Schubas
Wednesday, April 27

Timber Timbre
Schubas
Friday, May 20


Evanston SPACE
Saturday, May 21

Tracks O' the Week:

Hay says:

Lake of Stew - "Hey Bully"

Super fun track - folky, upbeat vibe.

Ted says:

Chad VanGaalen - "Molten Light"

Listen to it or "[he] will find you and [he] will kill you"


Next Week:  America's Hat - Election Edition.  Brent Hodge gives us the scoop on Canadian politics.

Suuns-tastic

Although we didn't get our weekly dose of Brent in this week, we were able to have a phone interview with Suuns.  Since we had some tech issues with our phone system (again), we'll be posting the interview online as we recorded it after our show.  Suuns will be playing a show in Chicago soon, and we highly recommend you attend - more info below.

Upcoming Shows

Suuns
Monday, April 18
Lincoln Hall

Timber Timbre
Friday, May 20
Schubas

Timber Timbre
Saturday, May 21
SPACE
Evanston, IL

Track of the Week:

Hay says:

Bedouin Soundclash/Cour de Pirate - "Brutal Hearts"

I'm way behind on picking up on the awesomeness of this track, but it is stellar. While their groups do wonders together, it's worth checking out Bedouin Soundclash and Cour de Pirate separately, too!

Next Week:  Most definitely some Canadian culture talk

And we're back!  New quarter.  New time.  Dig.

This week, we started things off with a stellar playlist - check the WNUR website for the specifics.
Additionally, we broadcast two band interviews: one with PS I Love You and another with Young Galaxy.


Also, we spoke a little bit more to jefftheworld this past week and got some updates on the Kitchener, ON festival he recently played.  For more info on the festival, check out http://www.deadbeatblast.com/ press_start/ or go to jefftheworld's YouTube account to see his set.

Next week we'll be back on air with our weekly updates from Brent Hodge.  Oh, how we miss Brent.  Some FB exchanges occurred over break, and I think it's safe to say that he's pretty smitten with the States after his SXSW extravaganza.  Canadian/American exchange?  Me thinks yes.


Upcoming Shows of Interest

Arcade Fire
UIC Pavilion
April 22, 24, and 25
SOLD OUT
I know.  We're bummed, too.

Suuns
Lincoln Hall
April 18th


Tracks of the Week

Hay's Pick:

Gord Downie - "Christmastime in Toronto"

If you liked this track and its moderately depressing lyrics, definitely check out Downie's "Vancouver Divorce".

Ted's Pick:

Akido - "Instantine"

*thumbs up* 


Tune in next week, Thursday noon to 2PM for more delicious Canadian tracks!

No Press Allowed

It's America's Hat time, and I hope you're ready to get dowwwwwn, because this is your last dose of our dulcet Hoosier tones over the airwaves and my manic blogging until after Spring Break.  Don't worry, we'll be back full force March 31st at our new time: Thursdays noon to 2PM on WNUR 89.3FM.

This week, Ted spoke with Brent about Canadian film and television programming, including shows like 18 to Life and Heartland, as well as American shows filmed in Canada, like Psych and Fringe.

Although Canadian TV is highly influenced by US programming, the CBC (Canada's national public radio and television broadcaster) mandates that a certain amount of TV be of domestic origin in both content and actor pool.  Specifically, 60% of television programming must be Canadian-produced and 50% during prime time.   Canada supporting Canada.  Pretty cool, eh?

Brent's recommendation for a Canadian classic was the CBC short Log Driver's Waltz.  Originally a Canadian folk song by Wade Hemsworth, the song was turned into a part live-action part animated short that aired between hockey games instead of commercials.  Check. It. Out.

Also, speaking of Brent...THIS.

That intense stare belongs to Brent, a CBC Radio 3 Producer by day, extra in Smallville...also by day.  Because American shows frequently shoot in Vancouver, particularly at the CBC studios, sometimes staff members get pulled into roles as extras, and it would seem that Brent had that special somethin' that caught the casting director's eye.  Young Cop #1, Smallville, Season 7 Episode 2.  If you like what you see, check out more HERE.  

This week, we broadcast an interview with Toronto-based chiptune artist jefftheworld and caught up with New Foundland group Hey Rosetta! on their way to SXSW.  If you missed them on air, check out our interviews on our Artist Interviews and Sessions page.

Shows of Interest:

You Say Party

Friday, March 25

Empty Bottle

Winter Gloves and Young Galaxy

Friday, March 25

Empty Bottle

The Rural Alberta Advantage

Saturday, March 26

Lincoln Hall

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Sunday, March 27

Metro

PS I Love You

Monday, March 28

Empty Bottle

Tracks of the Week:

Hay's Pick:

"Montreal -40ºC" - Malajube

Malajube is a francophone indie rock band based in Montreal, currently signed to Dare to Care Records.  Rock-y and fun, but with some morose minor chords, this song is going to make you want to make the journey up north to Montreal, even if it is freezing cold.

Ted's Pick:

"Scratch It" - Dog Day

"Listen with me on this one.  I think this song might have NFAs?"
Low-fi and grungecore.


In two weeks at our new time on Thursdays from noon to 2PM, we'll be talking about our plans for the new quarter.

Let's Talk Tuques

Welcome to America's Hat!

Wow.  First blog entry.  This is...a milestone.  Right?  Right.

Ted and I will be keeping you updated on what's going on with our radio show, Canadian cultural topics of interest, and cool bands coming to the Chicagoland area.

Sadly, we had to nix our weekly interview with Brent Hodge of CBC Radio 3 due to technical difficulties, but if we had gotten to talk with him, our cultural topic of the week was going to be that singular enigma of Canadian fashion: the tuque.

Not to be confused with a chef's "toque", these hats can be found on the heads of many a Canadian during cold winter months.

Variations include the bruque, a tuque with a brim worn by snowboarders, and the boggan or "sherpa", a tuque with a pom-pom on top.

As an American, my greatest difficulty with the idea of a tuque is its pronunciation.  For the longest time, I've improperly said "toe-k".  For all of you similarly struggling with mastering Canadian-speak (and I hope I'm not a minority here), the correct pronunciation is "too-k".  Now you are one step closer to sounding like a real Canadian.  Throw in some "ehs?" and "a-boots" and you've got a great conversation starter for that girl/guy you want to hit on at a party as "the adorable Canadian exchange student".


On our show this week, we re-broadcasted our in-studio acoustic set with Hey Rosetta!, recent recipients of CBC Radio 3's Artist of the Month.  We also played a nice little interview with Braids, who recently were in the Chicago area on their current tour.


Show(s) of Interest:

Crystal Castles
Saturday, March 12
Riviera Theater


Hayley's pick of the week:
"Brun (La couleur de l'amour)" - Bernard Adamus

Recently nominated for the Juno Awards Francophone Album of the Year, Bernard Adamus's Brun is an energetic, fun collection of songs with the sound of a large ensemble and a little bluegrass twang.  He...makes me wish I actually spoke French.

Ted's pick of the week:
"Odessa" - Caribou

"I dig it."


Next week we'll be talking about film in Canada.  That means: Toronto Film Festival, Canadian cult classics (a la Black Christmas), and the film industry in Vancouver and Toronto.  Prepare to get your cinephile on.