Episode 27 was a-long-time-comin’,
We wanted to talk music with Montreal’s famed hotel2tango operator-producer-musician-raconteur Howard Bilerman since we first began the podcast. Finally, we were able to get Howard to sit down with us but only if we went to him. And only if we invited an audience. And once we did, we’d have to make sure the audience was treated to some live music.
So here it is, finally. (Howard did suggest some mixing tips which added an extra week or so of production work – just like an early Arcade Fire album)
On the night of Tuesday, October 22, a group of about 30 music heads – including Bilal Butt and Esteban Vargas of CHOM, Sarah Deshaies and Dave Kaufman of CJAD (that’s Dave’s cackle you can hear throughout), and sponsors Barb Irwin of Monkland Tavern and Jeff Picard of Brutopia Brew Pub – gathered at the hotel2tango studio in Mile End and were treated to Howard riffing on his favourite bands of the 80s – including Three O’Clock Train, Asexuals, Doughboys, Sons of the Desert and The Nils (“..any of them could go head to head with any of the bands in the world…”) – while debating (mostly with Shane) the true meaning of “punk” and bemoaning the fact that his daughter listens to “shitty music”.
As usual, there are a lot of laughs. And terrific live performances by Mack MacKenzie (Three O’Clock Train – “The Devil Likes Me” and a brilliant cover from the 1970s) and Campbell Woods (presented here as “hidden tracks” at the end) plus and ensemble finale.
Thanks again to Howard for his hospitality, our friends for adding greatly to the ambience. Simon Petraki at Seratone Studio and, as always, our sponsors – Lorne Rubin at Paramount Financial Services, Monkland Tavern, Brutopia Brew Pub and Mirela’s.
