Boni Suba au National – Lancement de disque
La salle du National était pleine et prête à accueillir les 6 membres de Boni Suba, eux aussi prêts pour le lancement de leur premier disque. Forts de leur premier EP et accumulant les succès pendant leurs spectacles, leur premier single Kicked Out joue présentement sur NRJ, et d’autres médias comme MusiquePlus et Webpresse, aussi présents pendant la soirée, s’intéressent à ce groupe qui mélange habilement rock, hip-hop, funk et blues.
Après la présentation de leur premier vidéo clip qu’ils jouaient pour la première fois au public, les rideaux se sont levés pour faire éclater les sons des guitares et des percussions.
Familles, amis et collègues ne pouvaient espérer mieux pour ce lancement qui les propulsera loin. Justement, la gang originaire de Cartierville à Montréal assurera les premières parties de Dumas cet hiver.
photos sur flickr (ou en diaporama)
One Line Connects to Many Roads
Do you believe in coincidences? Is there such a thing as “meant to be”? What about luck? Can your dreams finally become a reality? Maybe Roads can make you start dreaming again.
I was at a rock concert with some friends, anxiously waiting for the show to start. Finally, the opening band came on. As they started to sing, my friends and I were looking at each other, wondering if we were at the right event. The music we were hearing was too soft to be rock. My entourage started joking around calling them the “silent rock band”, but by the end of the first song, everyone’s opinions had changed. The jokes became positive comments about the music: how beautiful the girl’s voice was, how nice the mix of male and female vocals sounded, how enjoyable the music was and how AWESOME that the drummer was a girl! Before we knew it, we were liking what we were hearing and we were captivated by the melodies and the voices.
The band was called Roads and I just HAD to introduce them to the rest of the world… so let me pave the way to ROADS.
A few weeks after the concert, I contacted Garen, the male vocalist from the band, and he accepted to make time in his busy schedule for an interview. The members of the band are Garen (vocals and acoustic), Alfred (guitar), Iris (vocals and drums), and Adam (guitar).
We met at a coffee shop downtown and did not feel the time fly by. Garen spoke about the band members, how it all began, the challenges, and the good times of Roads.
Why the name “Roads”?
We started with the subject of the band’s name. As Garen said, coming up with the band’s name was very difficult. They each had different ideas and suggestions and could not agree on something they all liked. When they finally came up with Roads, they found that it best described “the path of coincidental events” that had brought them all together. “Roads reflects that one line connects to many roads to get to where you got to be, and at the end, you always end up at the right destination”, he added. Some of the coincidences he is referring to are how they all met, how the band came together, how people developed an interest for their songs, and how the plans they had dreamt about were suddenly becoming a reality.
How did it all start?
When asked about how he met the other members, Garen started laughing as he remembered how he met Alfred. The two first met at a birthday party in a Ronald McDonald trailer. “We were all sitting down when this kid shows up with his Michael Jackson zipper jacket and white gloves [and I don’t remember what song it was] and he starts doing his show. I was six or seven years old and I remember saying I hate this kid.” They went to the same school until they were twelve. They met again in a club after more than ten years and Alfred mentioned that he was looking for a bassist for his band. Garen wasn’t interested at the time because he was playing guitar. In a span of three months, they coincidentally met a few times and Alfred finally told Garen that he would teach him bass so they could play together. Garen says they’ve been playing together ever since: “he’s my best friend, he’s the brother I never had…” As far as Alfred’s background goes, he has been playing guitar since he was very young.
Five years ago at the time of this interview, Garen was the singer of a French punk band and he realized how much he missed playing bass. When he started his search on the Montreal Music Scene website for a change of bands, he found a group looking for a bassist. He auditioned and then got to work on some material with the band. Even though it didn’t work out with the band, the consequences played in his favor as he met Iris, who was a current member of the group. The two started working closely together: “we would write songs together and she would harmonize. She has a beautiful voice.” They started looking for members to start a band and Alfred was the first to try out, even though he was hesitant to join, thinking it would not be his type of music. “We auditioned Alfred, giving him a recording to work with, the contents being me singing in a two dollar microphone and Iris playing percussion on the back of the guitar. We went to McDonalds and came back to hear what Alfred had composed. When he played the solo, Iris and I were speechless. That moment was Flicker, we knew he was the guy and that’s how flicker started”. Flicker was their former band name.
After a few moments of reminiscing, he introduced Adam. Although he was a classically trained guitarist, Adam first joined the band as a conga player and keyboardist; “he’s THAT talented”, commented Garen. It wasn’t long after the album was finished, that the band realized the necessity of having three guitars on stage. From there, the decision was quite obvious: it was time to let Adam’s guitar playing skills shine through. Garen then added, “we were fools for not having put to use his greatest gift for so long; he is the most talented member as far as musical and technical knowledge goes”. Almost like the last piece of a puzzle, Adam has recently come to complete the Roads family.
As for Garen: “I found unhappiness trying to conform to what society thinks you should be. One day I just decided to go for it”. He has been an industrial technician, an electrician, robotics expert, customer service representative for some large corporations… “It just wasn’t my thing, it wasn’t creative”. Then he co-founded www.montrealmusicscene.com, started planning music shows, wrote reviews for bands, wrote for a men’s magazine and all the while singing in a French punk band. He finally quit everything, built a home studio, wrote songs, recorded and took all the chances he got because at that point he had nothing to lose.
“Those are some of the coincidences that were so eerie. If you were an atheist, you would start believing in the powers of the universe and destiny, and that many roads lead to where we are supposed to be”.
Even though he considers himself to be quite the opposite, Garen has a strong sense of optimism. I had forgotten that people like him still existed. “When you start believing in something, the universe starts working in your favor… so many great people are coming our way. The universe is sending them to us, by our demand.”
How do you categorize your music?
He described their music as lyrically honest. “We don’t try to be something we are not; our lyrics are straight forward”. It is very important for them to have songs that send out a message; “I like to attack topics that piss me off and that piss people off”, he states.
As I was writing this article, I asked around to see what people thought about the music. Here are some of the comments I received: easy to listen to, catchy, simple, comes from the heart, soothing voices…
What are your musical influences?
The ultimate lyricist for him is Bob Marley. In his opinion, Bob Marley’s songs were written in a very clear and polished format. “Music should be a medium and Bob Marley could give out the messages and keep the truth in the music”.
As for other influences, “we have too many to simply mention a couple”, he said. Each person is distinctively influenced by music, events and life experiences. If we take a closer look, Adam’s love for music started with punk and then turned towards jazz. Iris enjoys all great music; anything from Aerosmith to Queen and the Beatles. Alfred is devoted to rock. “And me… I just listen to the universe and appreciate whatever it may bring to my attention.”
Who writes the songs?
Garen writes the foundation of the songs (lyrics and melody) and then final touches are added by the band.
What are the band’s immediate goals?
If you play keyboards this might be your calling! The band is looking for a keyboardist.
Another one of their immediate goals is to work on their live performances: booking more shows and gaining experience. They are working on the marketing and networking, trying to get their name recognized and their songs heard, as well as expanding their fan base. Last but not least (and the most exciting) they are finalizing their record for release.
What are the band’s long-term goals?
“Being able to drop everything else and just concentrate on music, evolve musically, promote the band as much as possible and inspire as many people as possible.“
What is the biggest challenge for a band?
“That’s a loooong answer!” Garen said. “Everyday is a challenge”. The music business requires a lot of time and money and usually takes a while before it picks up. “Writing music that you love, the others members of the band will love, the fans will love, and you will continue to love after you’re done writing it, motivating your band members”. “You have to be ready to eat a lot of dirt and criticism” from your friends and family who think that you should do something else”. I totally sympathized with what he was saying. As soon as my mom heard that I was seriously thinking of pursuing my singing, she told me “how many people do you know who have graduated from a music program and are actually making money?”
Then he jokingly says finding musicians who play the keyboard.
A Lot of Bands Break Up…
A lot of bands break up after coming face to face with the challenges of a musical career. Is that something you worry about with your band members? Garen answered this question with great ease. He said: “There is a big difference between a band and Roads… we are not a band. Iris is my sister and Alfred is my brother. Together, we’ve all been through troubles that the closest of friends don’t go through. We have found a way to work out beyond remaining friends and loving each other even after breaking up. The love that we have together, that bond, as dysfunctional as we are, we are family and you can’t break up a family”.
I thought that was the nicest answer anyone could have come up with.
Any Advice?
The advice Garen had for individuals who are thinking about starting a band or pursuing a career in music was “always do what you love. Do what you really are inside, be as real as possible. You can’t try to be someone else.” He then continued by saying that the only way to really connect with the fans and getting your message across is by being honest.
How to Keep Track of Roads?
To keep track of Roads and listen to a sample of their music, go to www.roadsband.com, visit their myspace page (www.myspace.com/roadsofficial), or give them a tweet (www.twitter.com/roadsband).
By the end of the interview, the conversation had turned towards me and he was giving tips and advice about going after my dreams and not giving up. If you ever get the chance to attend one of their shows, make sure to stop and give them a little shout. Though I only got the chance to meet Garen, they are all very talented and interesting individuals who have a lot to share.
My message to all you readers: just continue to dream and believe… they didn’t give up and they are receiving everything they asked for. Did you start following your dreams yet?
Island Illusions
Close your eyes, picture the beach, you lying on the warm sand, sun shining in your eyes and a delicious tropical cocktail in your hand. “Aruba, Jamaica ouhhh I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama, come on…” That’s the feeling you get at Tango… a taste of the exotic right here in Laval.
Your mouth will be watering just by reading the menu. The names of their dishes, healthy French crepes and cocktails are those of the most beautiful islands and beaches of the world: Mykonos, Cayo Blanco, Aruba, and so on. Their menu includes salads, salty and sweet crepes, cocktails, delicious fruit plates, gelatos, hot drinks, cold drinks and alcoholic drinks. The prices are affordable too.
The decor is very modern with a hint of the Carribean: orange colored walls giving the illusion of a sunset, bamboo covered sections, palm trees, and comfortable sofas with flat screens in the lounge areas.
In the summer, take advantage of the heat on their terrace under Hawaiian tiki umbrellas and enjoy your shisha. Did I mention they have shisha? (Only available on the terrace).
There’s more! Music playing all day long: lounge music during the day and house music at night. Plus, it’s 18 and over! We don’t have to drive to the W downtown to enjoy a lounge anymore. 
Events
- To continue with the Caribbean fever, every first Thursday of every month, you can enjoy the Cuban sounds of Ritmo Caribeño (yes! a live band) and dance the night away. Also enjoy the two for one special on all mixes and beers from 5 pm to 8pm.
- HOCKEY night just got better! Watch the game on their 200” big sreen tv. Three for two special on mixes and beer during the whole game (make sure you go early!)
Flaws
Ya, so I’ve heard it too that the service tends to be a little slow, but EVERYTHING is made fresh the moment you order it. Can you blame them?
Whether you want to take a date, impress co-workers, or just hang out with friends, for a light healthy lunch, mouthwatering desserts, or just to grab a drink, Tango is the place to go.
If all this did not convince you, check out their website www.tangococktails.com and TRY IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!You can also look for Tango cocktails on facebook.
205 chemin Promenade Centropolis, Laval, Qc H7T 0B3
(450) 688-6588
Juliette et Chocolat: Chocolate Paradise
Attention all chocolate lovers… paradise is right here in Montreal!
Picture this: a hot chocolate brownie topped with a scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream covered with melted chocolate. How about a big crepe filled with fresh fruits and a lot of chocolate topped with a scoop of ice cream? From chocolate fondue to delicious salads or meal crepes, whether you are going for lunch or for dessert, Juliette et Chocolat will leave you coming back for more…
Should I continue? White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet, semi-sweet or bitter, something for everyone’s taste. You want hot chocolate, you’ve got choice. In the mood for a drink? How about a Choco-Mojito? THEY HAVE IT ALL!
During my last visit I had the fruit bowl: vanilla ice cream, strawberries, bananas, pears, topped with whipped cream and meeeeeeeelted chocolate… Portion was huge and the presentation mouthwatering; though I couldn’t finish it, I didn’t want to give it away!!
A very cozy space with very friendly staff. I love the big bright red chef hats they all wear. As you step inside, the smell of chocolate is so strong that it makes you want to jump over the counter to satisfy your craving (I knew writing this article was a bad idea… I NEED Juliette et Chocolat!!!)
The ingredients and chocolate they use come from all around the world.
To keep up with the growing number of fans, Juliette has two locations, one on St-Denis and one on Laurier.
But don’t take my word for it… try it out for yourself!
Check out their website for pictures and for more information www.julietteetchocolat.com .
Montrealers With Curry Fury
After eating a “curry’licious” meal at Devi (a great Indian restaurant on Crescent) a couple of weeks ago, I keep craving curry. I can’t help but put it on any meal I eat right now. I love this stuff!
At first I thought I just liked the taste, but this didn’t really explain why I liked it on almost anything. So I did what any normal person would do at this point… I Google’d it.
Sure enough, this little powder of joy is freaking addictive to some people. Who would’ve thought!
Numerous studies have shown that curry awakens, incites and stimulates the senses, by releasing endorphins. A meal with curry increases our heartbeat by an extra 3 beats. A number of studies even reported that it provides a “natural high”.
As mentioned, although some researchers claim that curry is addictive, others claim that the use of the word “addictive” may be too excessive.
Addictive or not, there are some major health benefits to curry. In fact, turmeric (the yellow spice that gives curry its yellowness) may:
- be used as an antiseptic to treat skin for cuts, burns and skin damage (commonly done in India)
- stimulate immune system cells
- prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms
- prevent colon cancer
So get on the curry bandwagon: try it on your next bowl of rice or chicken wings or even steak… all the cool kids are doing it!
For delicious curry recipes: http://www.curry-recipes.info/
Restaurants which serve curry’licious food:
- Karma in West Island: www.restaurantkarma.com
- Devi on Crescent street: www.devimontreal.com
- Le Taj on Stanley: www.restaurantletaj.com
- Taste of India in Westmount: www.tasteofindiarestaurant.com
- Chef Akbar on boul. Pierrefonds corner Jacques-Bizard in West Island
Garde-Manger in Old Port Montreal: If It Tasted Any Better, It Would Be Illegal
This review can be summarized with the following two words: lobster poutine. Eat your heart out, La Banquise.
My good friend Dave calls me up two weeks ago; “Want to go check out Garde-Manger? I managed to secure a table for four people. Kriss and Lindsay are coming along too, and we need a fourth participant.” There was no way in hell I was passing this opportunity, so I hastily agreed. I kept hearing about this place from friends, and I wanted to review it for Montrealing ever since I first witnessed it across from Santos.
Getting a table at Garde-Manger is a bit hard, as the restaurant is constantly packed with people. Dave had to call in a week and a half in advance to reserve a table for four people. This says a lot concerning Garde-Manger: they must be doing something right if they’re always this full. Most of the publicity this place gets comes from the cooking show Chuck’s Day Off (seen on FoodTV). Don’t let this fool you though, as the quality of the food alone would be enough to sustain their business without the extra publicity.
Friday night rolls around, and our reservations are for 9:30 PM. Since Montreal city loves digging up their roads constantly, we decided to leave early to curb traffic and cut through the mess Old Port is currently in at the time of writing this review. For reasons unknown, there was no traffic and finding parking was a breeze. This resulted in arriving at our destination half an hour early. Luckily for us, our table was already ready and we were seated immediately.
Looking around the (packed) place, it reminded me of a time where restaurants were actually in business to please their clientèle. Garde-Manger is quite warm and cozy. If this place could talk, it would say: “sit down, relax, have a coffee… there’s no rush, stay for as long as you like”. With that said, Garde-Manger is small in size. I think the whole place can roughly handle 40 seated people at a time. But great things come in small packages, right?
The only menu you’ll get here is a wine list, so you’re going to have to glance at a nearby wall that has the specialties scribbled on a blackboard. This leads me to realize that their menu changes constantly. On the left side of the blackboard are the appetizers, while the right side features the entrées. There were so many dishes I wanted to try as they all sounded great, but I settled on the short-ribs with barbecue sauce as I had a craving for meat. Right before the waitress moved on to ask what Dave was ordering, two magical words that were at the top of the appetizers list just hit me in the head: lobster poutine. Rudely cutting off my friend placing his order, I screamed it out: “LOBSTER POUTINE!”. That’s when Dave and Kriss looked at each other and said “make that three”. The waitress, smiling, wrote it down on her pad.
Lindsay, who is not a big seafood fan, decided to try the salad with cheese-balls.
Since my friends are the kind of people who love sharing, I managed to savour a few dishes in one sitting. From top to bottom, the images below feature the short-ribs, pork & mushrooms and duck meat. I can’t describe what the dishes were mainly composed out of, but what I can confirm is that everything just tasted so damn good. The pork was very tender (properly cooked) and the duck… well, I’ll simply quote Kriss: “They didn’t even ask me to cook it medium-rare… this is how it’s supposed to be. They got it right on the money.” I couldn’t have agreed more when I tried it.
I thought the meal I was having was the bomb, up until I glanced over to the table next to me. I cannot describe the monstrosity of this tray, so I will let the picture do the talking.
Finally, our night was coming to an end, but there was desert on the horizon. The four of us didn’t know what to expect in terms of sweets. Before the desert, our waitress asked us whether we wanted any coffee or tea. Kriss and I tried the espresso, Dave had Earl Grey tea while Lindsay had a cappuccino. It was a machine that prepared the coffee, so it was good, although my espresso felt a bit luke-warm. Now, choices for desert were banana cake with caramel, fried Mars bar, and the classic chocolate brownies fused with marshmellows. All three of these dishes were served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. In the order they were introduced, take a glimpse of what you will experience should you have a chance to check out Garde-Manger.
If there was a list of places I would take my first date out on, Garde Manger would be at the top. The place is small and cozy, and dimly lit for that seclusive factor when you’re with friends or a loved one. I had one of the finest dining out experiences in a long time. I’ll be coming back to this restaurant very, very soon.
Pros
- Delicious meals, all original
- Cozy atmosphere
- Great wine list
- Excellent service
- Lobster poutine
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Loud, but you can still have a conversation
- Reserving a place is difficult, so think in advance!
- Get ready to add on some unwanted weight with all the great food
Address: 408 Saint-François-Xavier, Old Port
Telephone: (514) 678-5044
Kiss Your Summer Getaways Goodbye: The New Ban on Chalet Rentals
As Montreal’s summer officially coming to an end, and students by the thousands head back to school, one can’t help but feel nostalgic of the many amazing opportunities the warm weather brings to our city. One popular activity is, of course, the renting of a chalet up north for the weekend with a group of friends. The games, the drinking, the campfires …the fun! Unfortunately, this may all be a thing of the past.
Subletting homeowners in the city of Saint-Sauveur are battling right now to prevent the illegalization of short-term rentals in its residential sectors. This By-Law was actually put into place in 2005, at the moment of the fusion, but has been somewhat tolerated until now. The violation of the emitted level of noise is the primary reason for this stance. It is said that it will only be a matter of time for the nearby boroughs of the Laurentien area to follow next.
The obvious issue right now will be the impact on the region’s economy. If only long-term rentals are permitted, then all income provided to the city by students or lower-salaried workers can be kissed goodbye. This, of course, is added to the bourdon and inevitable financial troubles that chalet homeowners risk finding themselves in.
Thoughts?
Apple-Picking Season is Here: The Verger Labonté Orchard
This article was written by SoniaMary and AniTriemer.
Wanting to do something a little different with my friends this year, I went online to search for a good apple-picking orchard. One that stood out was the Verger Labonté, located in Ile-Perrot. The website promised a variety of traditional activities such as tractor rides, a petting zoo, home baked goods, and, of course, a variety of apples, pumpkins, and squashes to pick. But what caught my attention were their “famous apple muffins” (among other baked goods made fresh daily) and their corn and sunflower mazes (that’s right, I said mazes!).
I was glad to find out that the self-advertised Verger Labonté does not disappoint! The aromatic scent of baked apple goods intoxicates you from the moment you walk into their homemade goods store! Their “famous” muffins really do melt in your mouth! One is compelled to buy at least one box of these delectable morsels to take home, or even a box of their delicious apple-crumble, as well as a carton of their superb homemade apple juice. One should take note however, that due to the fact that there are no additives in their products, the apple juice is not pasteurized and will only last one week of refrigeration.
You can feel good about encouraging this orchard as Verge Labonté prides itself on using as little pesticides as possible, if any. A bucket of apples will cost you 12$ and your pickings are to be shared with up to 4 people. However, if you intend to bake or cook with the apples that you have picked, you may want to research which type of apple will work best for your dishes. For example, Spartan apples will hold up better when baked, and so, are better to use when making desserts, while McIntosh apples are preferred when making applesauce.
Since 2006, the orchard’s corn and sunflower fields have been tended to create an intricate maze much to enjoyment of children and adults alike. This activity not only entertains, but also helps raise awareness for various causes. This year, the labyrinth is being used to educate the public about the hardships in Vietnam. Various clues about Vietnam are well hidden throughout the three mazes and a questionnaire is handed out at the beginning of the adventure. The mazes vary in level of difficulty and the most intricate one requires at least an hour and a half of your time, but I assure you that it is well worth your time and effort. It should be noted that a dollar of every ticket sold goes to a humanitarian organization that helps with the demining of yet-active mines hidden in the soils of Vietnam.
Overall, this is another activity we are lucky to be able to experience in Montreal and since the season (and sunny days) are limited, I suggest we all take a day and go enjoy this wonderful, family-oriented experience!
Check out their website for more information: www.vergerlabonte.com
Montreal Clubbers To Welcome Two New Spots… On The Same Week-End!
For those of you who aren’t in the know, both CLUB ELEMENT and MUZIQUE NIGHTCLUB will be opening their doors during the weekend of October 9th! Let’s take a closer look at what both spots are aiming to deliver:
•••
CLUB ELEMENT
www.elementclub.ca
66 Blvd. Industriel
Saint-Eustache, QC
Straight from their Facebook group:
Venez découvrir un tout nouveau club sur la rive-nord. Un concept venant directement des plus beaux clubs de Las Vegas. Un concept rejoingnant les 4 éléments soit: air, eau, feu et terre.
OUVERT: Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi
Right, so it’s technically not IN Montreal, but it’s in its “environs“. Not much else has been revealed as of yet: no pictures, no videos, no flyers. Their head resident DJ is DJ TaG. From what I’ve been told, ELEMENT is as far in distance & time as downtown is for Laval nightlife fiends. No traffic, simply two highways and you’re there! The official opening is on October 8th, a Thursday night, and because one of my homies is actually part of the ownership, I will no doubt be there for support!
•••
MUZIQUE NIGHTCLUB
(no website as of yet)
3718 St-Laurent Blvd.
Montreal, QC
Straight from their Facebook group (2):
Tucked away in the upper part of Montreal’s nightlife corridor, Muzique Nightclub eagerly awaits its revival of the St. Laurent night scene. Muzique features 2 rooms where a collaboration of Montreal’s best DJ’s spin a collection of Modern Urban, Electro, House and Rock, where it is finally once again possible to enjoy phenomenal music in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Unparalleled service and an eclectic ambiance combine to make your weekly escape a unique experience every time. Warmer nights will feature a rooftop terrace where guests can truly unwind and have fun, all the while enjoying the one club that aims to provide the essentials: good music, a more mature clientele, and most of all a place where you can truly enjoy yourself. On October 9th, Muzique invites you to attend our GRAND OPENING. Come participate in the reshaping of the nightclub experience… Remember, its about you and its about the sound. 21+ Dress to impress
Their description is pretty self-explanatory, and quite frankly, their concept is surprisingly seductive. There is no denying that their sleek logo design (seen on the above flyer) and its matching contemporary nightclub name, Muzique, make for a very powerful first impression. Yet, there is something even more impressive tucked away in their Facebook groups (one for Fridays, one for Saturdays). If you look through their Pictures section hoping to find snapshots of the exterior or interior design, you are instead presented with a clever and effective series of concept flyers (13 to be exact) which work in favor of solidifying their aspiration as an up-and-coming nightclub that is all about the music.
Here are just a few of my favorites, but I encourage you all to head over to their Photo Gallery to look at all of them:
As for DJs, the FB group lists DJ Payce & DJ Zoo in the Main Room, and DJ Kidd & DJ Goldenchild in V.I.P. Room, but here is a recent status update by Payce which also lists Keith Dean…
If I had to make a suggestion, I would strongly recommend that they get in touch with DJ Special K… Either way, as a music aficionado, I am sold on the concept and will definitely be checking Muzique out when the time comes.
Piknic Électronik (June 28th Edition)
Montreal has never had it so good when it comes to electronic dance music.
There are only a few great electronic music events in Montreal, and Piknic Electronik is high up there. While I’ve been to Bal en Blanc, Cream, Celebration/Resolution and countless of after-hours events with big name DJs, nothing comes close to Piknic’s setup. Take four parts of talented DJs (and maybe one or two that’s very well known internationally) throw in some powerful speakers and subs and host the event outdoors: you get a Piknic Electronic. What makes it better is that the event is on a Sunday and it starts at 2 PM and ends something close to 10 PM, so there’s no staying up late trying to enjoy the music. The cherry on top to all this? The entrance fee is only 10$.
The true electronic music lovers will recognize the big name artist in this lineup for the day, and that is the infamous Richie Hawtin who is an English-Canadian artist, owner of record label Minus. I could go on and on about Hawtin’s music style, but that is out of the scope of this review. The majority of Montrealers out there will most likely not enjoy minimal techno as much as I do, so I’ll leave it for everyone to hear for themselves and judge accordingly.
Last time I had a chance to attend the event was two or three years ago, or the last time Richie Hawtin was in town. There was something close to a thousand people and more wondering around Ile St-Hèlene, and a large portion of them dancing to the beats to the artist of the moment. It was a gorgeous day and everyone was in a damn good mood. If I’m not mistaken, I believe there was alcohol being served to the public, or it might’ve been people bringing in their own bottles of booze. I don’t remember much of my surroundings because I was dancing away to Hawtin’s music. What I do remember, however, is the amount of people smoking marijuana close to the water.
For June 28th, the line-up consists of the following artists:
- 2:00 PM: Stefny Winter
- 4:00 PM: Pheek
- 5:00 PM: Ambivalent
- 6:30 PM: Barem
- 8:00 PM: Richie Hawtin
Piknic Electronik runs from May to October, so check out Piknik’s website if you wish to know the upcoming artists and their respective dates.
I managed to get to the event at around 5:25 PM due to me getting lost, but all I had to do was follow the music. Parking cost me 10$ and was a good 7 minute walk away from the main event, but I didn’t mind it. At about 5:35, a rush of people started swarming in from a nearby metro station.
Entry was pretty quick; there was a lack of security as bags were not searched. Not that I fear that anything happens during these events, since rarely I hear about violence during an electronic music event. The lack of security, however, was made up for the fact that about twenty something police officers showed up to patrol the event. There’s no denying that drugs are being sold here and the cops want to crack down on it. I got a few looks my way while I sitting around watching people walk by. Perhaps they thought I was the one selling since I looked so suspicious.
This year, there are more people than ever, and to answer the mystery about the booze situation here: you can bring your own booze but don’t get caught! The trick is to either bring beer in cans rather than bottles. If you bring bottles, you should bring plastic cups. If you want to buy, there’s stands selling alcohol and food for the public.
Since I’m covering this event live (yup, out here with my camera and laptop) a lot of people came up to me asking why I’m on this darn thing. I told them I’m working and enjoying the music. 
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