Pirate Heart Snagged

I went and saw Coeur de Pirate at Livecity Yaletown yesterday, February 20th, 2010.
I've been waiting to see her live for months, ever since I discovered her music. I waited front row center for what seemed like an eternity, realistically I was squashed between The Sam Roberts Band fans and The Arkells fans. I however am NOT a frequent listener of either of them.
But I endured the body heat of body odour sweat, marijuana smelling and alcohol induced crowd.
6 hours of being still in anxious anticipation for Beatrice Martin to finally grace the stage.
I felt a little embarrassed of the crowd when Beatrice took stage.
WHOSE idea was it to put her in-between two "indie rock bands" that cater to the typical bearded mid-20's male?
Shame shame. Regardless of the assholes who threw their bottles on stage and shouted rude obscenities at her.
She held her own with her melodic songs. I am hoping that Coeur de Pirate will eventually come back to Vancouver to play a proper show in a venue. Maybe the Vogue Theatre?
Here's great francophone pop music. Really this is me just wishing I lived in Montreal, Quebec.

The 7 hours of wait, the frozen toes, needle-pinned legs, the accumulation of bad odours, the obnoxious male counterparts... All was capped off perfectly with Coeur de Pirate.
Left afterwards. Enough shenanigans for one night.

Béatrice Martin - Pirate Heart

I already posted a video of this musician from Montreal, Quebec.
But I couldn't help but want to tell you a little bit about her.

Performing under the stage name of Coeur de Pirate (Pirate Heart) this 20 year old classically trained pianist began writing her own music only a few years ago.
She left her other band Bonjour Brumaire to pursue her own musical career.
I haven't been able to stop listening to her music for the past weeks.
The one thing about Coeur de Pirate that I found to be so intriguing is that her songs not only are in french, but that they have the ability to mark whatever emotion the songs may evoke.
My french is not the best and I catch myself hearing key words I recognize from my grade 12 vocabulary.

Her decision to sing in french can be compared to fellow Quebec band Malajube. It does not keep her from success whatsoever.
Her songs have reached enough recognition that even Perez took notice and mentioned her in his blog.

She has reached acclaimed recognition in Quebec and France with her self titled debut record. With her Regina Spektor/Cyndi Lauper like voice and piano melodies she has created a unique sound not many can replicate.
The Francophone Music Charts have her on constant rotation. Us, Westcoasters have been completely oblivious the the Francophone Music Charts, I make it my New Years Resolution to pay attention to East Coast music and pop culture.
First on the list:
- Learn French (or attempt to, just enough so I can sing along to Coeur de Pirate and Malajube)
- Become an Eastcoaster at heart (This just means listening to their radio stations and reading their newspapers... online)

I find myself wanting to see her live. I went on her MYSPACE PAGE to see if she is touring the West Coast or not.
To my surprise and upmost delight. SHE'LL BE HERE ON FEBRUARY 20TH! She will be playing at the Yaletown Stage for Livecity Vancouver. This is an Olympic Event, and although I told myself it would be hell traveling downtown during those two weeks of February. This is an exception I'll make.


Beatrice Martin -> Coeur de Pirate
Check out her TUMBLR
Watch her 'clip official' for Comme Des Enfants

How to be Saints

Photo by Pamela Littky
Tegan and Sara's 6th studio album came out on October 27th, entitled "Sainthood"
To be honest, I didn't quite know what the title meant, and I thought it referred to something religious. I didn't quite like it.

I discovered later, this religious idea was to be based on how to become a person who replicates saintly ideals only to win over someone else's affection.
This, I understood.

Having been a Tegan and Sara listener for the past few years I knew this album would be equally for even more impressive than their previous albums.

My favourite was their 2007 release, "The Con".

There was something so deep and resonating about the themes that underlined the songs off of The Con. Not only were they verging on rock indie tunes but lyrically, they were just so blatantly honest. Its unlike other musicians to write their loves on their sleeves. When I heard the album for the first time, it quickly and permanently became the record I unhealthily obsessed over. Admittedly, I did listen to other music.




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My first impressions of Sainthood amounted to my appreciation for their growth in sound and band mentality. There was a different mood in the songs off "Sainthood" compared to "The Con". The themes related to the acts of pursuing someone, finding out ways to become a better partner, and over-analysing interrelationships with past partners and parents. It was clear that the new Tegan and Sara sound came with their age and maturity.
It sounds developed instrumentally and raw vocally. I particularly love their use of synths on this record. They're heavy and prominent in Sara's songs, especially: Night watch, Paperback Head, and the 80's driven sounds from Alligator.
My current favourites are:
Arrow
On Directing
Sentimental Tune.
These songs are gold.

This is not to say the other songs are not equally brilliant, it goes without saying they do bring a different ingredient to the album's developed sound.

A more detailed analysis of the record in the next few weeks.

In the mean time listen here: