Saturday Night = United Steel Workers of Montreal!

Indie pop magic: Behind the tables
Alison Clack

Marc Xavier LeBlanc / Courtesy of StudioGraph
If you haven’t been to Indie Pop Night with Bones than you haven’t enjoyed some of the best nights of music and dancing in Fredericton.

The event, which is hosted by DJ Bones (aka Marc LeBlanc), is held monthly at the Capital.

This coming March will be the event’s two year anniversary in Fredericton. The year also marks the fifth anniversary of all of DJ Bones’s IPN’s, which started at the Paramount Lounge in Moncton.

Bones’s love for indie pop started long before that, however.

“I’ve been into music since I was a small kid. I remember digging through my father’s crates of records. I remember this one album in particular; one really weird electronic album called In Sounds from way out from these two guys called Perry-Kingsley.

“It was the precursor to sampling music. They just took these loops – reel to reel loops – and just made these kind of quirky, little pop songs,” says LeBlanc.

“That’s always what I’m looking for: these ‘in sounds’ from way out there.”

The curiosity for this music followed LeBlanc to university. While in school he began to host a radio show.

The show, which is called “Le Photo Sonore” on the Université de Moncton campus radio station, is still hosted by LeBlanc to this day.

After a few years of hosting his radio show LeBlanc began to DJ at the student bar on campus, Le Kacho, under the name DJ Bones.

The name was a throw back to a high school nickname he adopted. In high school LeBlanc and three friends all shared the same name.

To avoid confusion they all adopted different nicknames. LeBlanc was called Bones in reference to his lankiness.

Bones’s style was a mix of underground stuff with mainstream music.

While LeBlanc had some influence by mainstream artists he still understands how important it is to promote local artists. LeBlanc regularly features artists from the Maritimes (like Sleepless Nights and Two Hours Traffic) at his shows.

This has also led him to develop a bit of a connection to Forward Music Group who LeBlanc says is, “A label that is doing a great job promoting new music on the east coast.”

LeBlanc used a costume contest at his Halloween show as a chance to promote local music. Winners of the contest were given CDs from Forward Music Group.

LeBlanc’s shows are more than just good music however; Indie Pop Night has become a phenomenon.

Bones recalls a story in which a bouncer at a Halifax bar told him that people were coming from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island just for the night to see IPN.

“It’s not the first time that that has happened,” says LeBlanc, “It makes me feel really great that people travel to come out to my events.”

People travel out for the music and the atmosphere of IPN. LeBlanc describes the events as having a “good positive vibe.”

“Most clubs feel like people are looking at you,” says LeBlanc. LeBlanc believes this feeling is a bit oppressive and prevents people from truly letting loose and having a good time.

“People feel comfortable at Indie Pop Night,” says LeBlanc, “They can let loose discovering new music.”

LeBlanc also has a love for art and photography in addition to the music he plays. At every show LeBlanc photographs moments of the crowd letting loose and enjoying the night.

The photos are a way for LeBlanc to keep a lasting memory of the night and the shows he’s played.

“I document everything that I do. I always have at least two or three cameras on me at all times,” says LeBlanc.

Documenting events with photos also acts like a therapy LeBlanc says.

When LeBlanc’s girlfriend was diagnosed with breast cancer the two created a blog documenting the trial in photographs.

“It was therapeutic in a way,” says LeBlanc.

The photos have also become a way to advertise IPN; the photos are used to create posters for up-coming shows.

These photos have also become instantly recognizable with a little branding from LeBlanc. Three circles – red, blue, and yellow – are always featured on the posters along with the characteristic comic book style of the photos.

After his girlfriend found a program called Comic Life, LeBlanc began to use its “cheesy effects” to create his IPN posters.

“It’s a whimsical side of things. Comic books are fun and a story and these photos are a story of fun. People can see it and go, ‘oh that was at IPN’,” says LeBlanc.

The posters have also been something attendees of IPN have attached to. Many show-goers have done some pretty crazy things for LeBlanc’s camera.

“People have flashed me. People go out wearing pretty provocative clothes – sometimes boobs fall out of place,” says LeBlanc.

Despite this effort from some, LeBlanc says he enjoys a different kind of photo.

“I’m not all that into the provocative photos. I really love people with groups of friends. People having a really good time; singing or pumping their fist in the air – I really love those photos,” says LeBlanc.

Scientists of Sound = Friday Night Headliner

album coming soon
yo folks so we is working ever so slowly on a record - looks like november will be when it drops... it was recorded over a very hazy 2 hour period in a small little shed in some random backyard... mixing this has been hilarious, because we are mixing down songs that we have no recollection of having ever played, which is an indication of our state of being during this recording.... here is a song list of some tracks you might recognize from the live show that are gonna get on this record:

cntrl dis shitsem
comin to getcha
shitty lambchop
marching on venus
sack blabbath

and some more random craziness.... stay tuned!

Wes Ward

On behalf on myself, James, Zach, Ferg, Pete and the rest of the Capital Staff, I would like to thank everyone for their support in Voting the capital into the top 10. The amount of response I recieved from this contest has been crazy. So again thank you for supporting the Capital and live Music in Fredericton. cheers wes
The Phog lounge in Windsor ended up winning.

 City bar hopes to be named top music venue

A1
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com


The Capital Bar, which is located on Queen Street and combined with The Phoenix and Wilser's Room, has become an essential stopover for bands touring through the Maritimes.

Owner and operator Wes Ward said the establishment has been successful in attracting so many talented performers because of the hard work and dedication of show promoters James Boyle and Zach Atkinson.

Ward said the bar has received an outpouring of support because people appreciate their efforts to have popular artists perform in the community regularly.

"A lot of times you're doing your thing, you're working and you don't really know if anyone is noticing the hard work you've put into something," he said.

"And then something like this comes along and you realize that a lot of people have noticed. So it's really nice to make even the Top 10 and to recognize that there are a lot of people out there supporting us."

He said his staff should be considered as another major factor in the bar's success.

"We have quite an eclectic group of guys working here," he said. "They make real friendships with the people who come here, and also with the artists."

Ward said it's still hard to believe that his bar has outlasted such legendary Canadian venues as the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, or the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver.

But he said smaller centres depend heavily on the support of their community and the variety available in bigger cities might be splitting the votes.

"This contest is totally fan-based and depends on local support," he said. "We're the local watering hole. We've been around for 11 years and everybody knows me and knows (head bartender Fergus Breen), and the local support is what's pushing these small venues into the Top 10."

CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence said in a news release that each venue is working hard to drum up support for one big final push.

"We've collected many thousands of votes, so the clubs that are surviving are definitely getting the word out to their faithful," he said.

Capital Bar turns heads in national venue competition

The Daily Gleaner/ James West Photo



National recognition: Wes Ward, owner of The Capital Bar, poses for a photo while at the establishment Saturday afternoon. The bar has been listed in the Top 20 places for live entertainment in Canada.


By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com


One of Fredericton's most popular watering holes has been ranked among the Top 20 live music clubs in Canada.

Bars, lounges, pubs, clubs, legions and playhouses across Canada are vying for the title of best live music venue in the country, and they're competing for more than just bragging rights.

The winning establishment will also host a special concert by CBC Radio 3, get a Sirius satellite radio with subscription, promotional clothing and a winning plaque and trophy.

Wes Ward, who owns The Capital Complex, said he's excited The Capital Bar is still in the running because he thinks Fredericton is genuinely passionate about live music.

"It speaks to the support local people have for live music," he said.

"We could do whatever we wanted to get good live music in here, but if you don't have the support, and people to come out and pay the cover charge so I can pay the bands and sell the drinks, then it wouldn't happen."

Ward said lots of people are talking about it at the bar, and he said staff members have been following the competition closely.

"We're all very excited and we've been watching it unfold all along," he said.

Voting will continue until the Top 10 clubs are announced Wednesday. The overall winner will be named Feb. 25.

People can vote for their favourite venue at www.cbcradio3.com. People are allowed to vote once per day.

CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence said he was surprised to see many of the country's best-known clubs taken out so early.

"I'm stunned. There isn't a single venue in the Top 20 from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, or Halifax, and there is only one venue remaining from Toronto," he said in a release.
"I thought for sure the contest would end with the Horseshoe Tavern and the Commodore Ballroom battling it out for the winning spot.

"But many smaller clubs in smaller towns have made it through, which once again shows that some of these smaller scenes are very strong and very proud of what they have."

Other Maritime clubs in the running include George's Fabulous Roadhouse in Sackville, and Baba's Lounge in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

The Toronto Blues Society announced
yesterday the nominees for the 12th annual Maple Blues Awards. Among the nominees is
nineteen year-old Keith Hallett of Fredericton, nominated in the Best New Artist
category.

"I'm really thrilled about this nomination," said Hallett upon hearing the news. "To see
my name up there nominated beside so many amazing Canadian blues artists is really
humbling. I'm very thankful, and really excited!"

Hallett is nominated for Best New Artist alongside MonkeyJunk, an Ottawa-based R&B
band featuring friend and fellow 2008 Harvest performer Steve Marriner; Kitchener's Daddy Long Legs; Edmonton's Marshall Lawrence; and Vancouver's The Sojourners.

Hallett's Maple Blues nomination comes a month after the release of his debut album,
Bear With Me. The album, produced by Hallett and Ethan Young-Lai, features five originals and five covers, all with a very 'off-the-floor' sound.

CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Finalist: The Capital Bar

Searchlight Profile: The Capital Bar
Posted by John Paolozzi on Feb 20, 2009 | 1 comment | » Post a Comment
Over the next few days we will be profiling the Top Ten Searchlight Clubs. Don't forget to support your favourite neighbourhood live music venue!

VOTE NOW. VOTE OFTEN

Name Of Club:
The Capital Bar

Location:
Fredericton NB

How Long has the Club Been Open:
11 years and counting!

Why It Should Win Searchlight:
We should win Searchlight because we connect the East coast to the Canadian music scene. Fredericton used to be a city bands drove by, but now because of our consistently sold out shows in our small cozy venue we’re now a destination in the Canadian music scene. Also, The Capital hosts a local radio show on CHSR, the Campus radio station and post videos weekly of last weeks shows. This is all done by Fergus the bartender to get people excited about new music and to support the bands as much as we can.

Five Of The Best Bands That Have Played Your Club:
Holy Fuck, Joel Plaskett, Great Lake Swimmers, Jenn Grant, Sleepless Nights

One Of The Most Memorable Moments:
We were the ECMA 2008 official Sennheiser venue. 36 bands played here over 2 days. The Capital was a packed house from start to finish and the line up to get in was 100 people deep out the door; don’t worry though, everybody got to hear quality music.

A Little-Known Fact About Your Club:
Our head bartender, Fergus, has worked at the bar for over 9 years and his playlist on CBCradio3 was #1 for a day, well at least we think it was!

Your Secret To Success:
Beer and Music

What You Would Do To Celebrate If You Win:
Drink Beer, listen to music = more success

(Thanks to Wes Ward for sending in this profile!)
Searchlight Profile: The Capital Bar
Posted by John Paolozzi on Feb 20, 2009 | 1 comment | » Post a Comment
Over the next few days we will be profiling the Top Ten Searchlight Clubs. Don't forget to support your favourite neighbourhood live music venue!

VOTE NOW. VOTE OFTEN

Name Of Club:
The Capital Bar

Location:
Fredericton NB

How Long has the Club Been Open:
11 years and counting!

Why It Should Win Searchlight:
We should win Searchlight because we connect the East coast to the Canadian music scene. Fredericton used to be a city bands drove by, but now because of our consistently sold out shows in our small cozy venue we’re now a destination in the Canadian music scene. Also, The Capital hosts a local radio show on CHSR, the Campus radio station and post videos weekly of last weeks shows. This is all done by Fergus the bartender to get people excited about new music and to support the bands as much as we can.

Five Of The Best Bands That Have Played Your Club:
Holy Fuck, Joel Plaskett, Great Lake Swimmers, Jenn Grant, Sleepless Nights

One Of The Most Memorable Moments:
We were the ECMA 2008 official Sennheiser venue. 36 bands played here over 2 days. The Capital was a packed house from start to finish and the line up to get in was 100 people deep out the door; don’t worry though, everybody got to hear quality music.

A Little-Known Fact About Your Club:
Our head bartender, Fergus, has worked at the bar for over 9 years and his playlist on CBCradio3 was #1 for a day, well at least we think it was!

Your Secret To Success:
Beer and Music

What You Would Do To Celebrate If You Win:
Drink Beer, listen to music = more success

(Thanks to Wes Ward for sending in this profile!)