This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, December 2004 Since the death of Ray Charles, we’ve seen the release of a greatest hits package, an album of duets, and a film and its accompanying soundtrack.  This won’t take anyone familiar with the music industry by surprise, and in the time since his death, Charles has had some of his biggest sales ever, as well as several Grammy nominations.  Rhino has now released a DVD of two television performances from… Read More »Ray Charles: O Genio – Live in Brazil 1963

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, December 2004 Jazz and rock ‘n’ roll just scratch the surface of the well of music that is Andrew Bird. Having played music since he was four years old, Bird is a master violinist and songwriter. He has released five studio records and two live compilations over the past eight years, and he won’t stop changing. “I’m trying to keep myself entertained constantly and that’s why I think the music changes so… Read More »One Ribbon Microphone and an Old RCA

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, December 2004 Handsome Boy Modeling School are Prince Paul and Dan the Automator.  Prince Paul has been producing since the 80s and is most famous for his work with De La Soul. Dan the Automator you may know from Gorillaz, and a lot of the creativity and originality of their self-titled album shows through in White People. Rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop seem to merge into one genre well.  With enough talent… Read More »Handsome Boy Modeling School – White People

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, November 2004 Robert Schneider (of The Apples in Stereo) has an uncanny ability to recreate the sounds of 1960s pop.  For the past decade, The Apples in Stereo have been rolling out disc after disc of brilliant pop tunes. Ulysses are not The Apples in Stereo.  Well, at least in some ways they aren’t.  Sonically, not much separates the two bands.  They have different members, and Ulysses uses more synthesizers, but Robert… Read More »Ulysses – “010”

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, November 2004 Nick Cave has a way with words.  He is a poet disguised as a musician.  He’s not the first, and he won’t be the last.  Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen are two perfect examples of this breed and Nick Cave fits in well. His follow up to Nocturama is a double album, but rather than a single album that flows over two CDs, he has released two separate albums in… Read More »Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Abattoir Blues & The Lyre Of Orpheus

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, November 2004 Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi is the debut release by Camera Obscura.  It is being released for the first time in North America with bonus tracks featured from their single, “Eighties Fan.” Fans who found the band with their second album, Underachievers Please Try Harder, will be disappointed with this record.  There are a few standout tracks, such as “Eighties Fan” and “Swimming Pool,” which will help the disc find its way… Read More »Camera Obscura – Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, November 2004 During the 1990s, Peter Elkas was the guitarist and one of the songwriters for Canadian indie band The Local Rabbits.  With the support of other Canadian acts, such as Thrush Hermit, Sloan and The Flashing Lights, the Local Rabbits toured extensively across Canada, playing their infectious pop-rock to what would become a cult following of fans.  The Rabbits were even asked to back Neko Case as her “boyfriends” during some… Read More »A Lone Rabbit On The Road

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, October 2004 Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5) Opening with “North Humberland West,” The Sadies’ latest album gets off on a kick.  A tribute to the lesser-known Byrds instrumental “Nashville West,” the song hints at the direction of the album.  Heavily influenced by the post-David Crosby Byrds, Toronto’s indie-darlings know how to create country-rock like the masters. Comprised of brothers Dallas and Travis Good (guitars) along with Sean Dean (bass) and Mike Belitsky (drums), The… Read More »The Sadies – Favourite Colours