To tide us over while we indulge in the holiday spirit gorging on stuffing and egg nog, we asked a bunch of musicians to tell us their thoughts on 2008. Some of them replied with lists of their favourite music, some told us their fondest memories and some came up with much more creative ways to commemorate this past year.
Young Rival searched deep inside themselves to remember the highlights of their time spent driving in a van, playing gigs and crashing in motels throughout 2008:
Weirdest lodgings in 2008:
- Lone Eagle Motel, Herbert, SK: It's a long drive from Sudbury to Calgary and on one fateful night in October, we laid our head in Herbert. The Lone Eagle doubled as an Alpaca fur and trade shop, and sort of had a "David-Lynch-meets-high-school-gymnasium" feel to it. The cement-block wall in the middle of our room definitely deserves a nod for "architectural achievement."
- Canmore Hotel, Canmore, AB: The CanHo is definitely a mainstay for bands passing through the mountains. It's actually one of our favourite places to crash, despite the unique smells, hairs and stains that accompany each room.
- Friendship Cove, Montreal, QC: This place is fucking rad. Uniquely situated illegally in an industrial/commercial sector of Montreal, this venue/art space/loft has all the makings of something legendary. MTL condo development ensures that it will cease to exist in the next couple of years. This is unfortuntate. It cannot be described, only experienced.
Noah
Favourite shows played in 2008:
- Pat's Pub/Railway Club in Vancouver, October 11, 2008: We played two shows in one night, and both of them were sweaty and drunken. I need not ask for anything more.
- Halifax Pop Explosion, Coconut Grove, October 25, 2008: The Bicycles and the lingering smell of Pizza Corner. 'Nuff said.
- Lee's Palace in Toronto, November 8, 2008: Opening for the Bicycles' Last Shmaltz.
Noah
Best "I wish we had a few more bucks" moments of 2008:
-Having to hide (along with Kyle) in the back of our minivan when boarding the BC Ferry to Vancouver Island. You have to awkwardly contort your body to fit the empty space that's on the floor of the van (which is very little space). The temporary discomfort of having your head lodged between drum hardware and guitar amps, while being covered with all the coats and guitars possible, saves you a few bucks. Of course, don't pop your head up until you're on the Ferry - you don't want to get caught trying to save $26.
-In "Rodd's" motel in Moncton, NB: Our show was cancelled and dinner time was fast approaching. We were amidst planning a microwave feast when the Bicycles (who were staying two rooms down from us) stopped in to say, "hi." They shared some sacred knowledge with us like how to make a grilled cheese sandwich using the motel iron, and how to make soup in the coffee maker. Let's just say these tips have boosted our motel feasts to a whole new level.
John
Best tour time-wasters of 2008:
(Both of these took place in the same day, in St. John) "Rock Bucket" with the Bicycles. Time wasted: two to three hours.
"Filming random people walking down the street in St. John while Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata played over the van's stereo." Time wasted: one hour.
John
2008 was our egg. In 2009 we're gonna hatch that egg. Upcoming for Young Rival's 2009:
-Shooting our debut video in January
-Currently working on a full-length LP due for release next year
Young Rival searched deep inside themselves to remember the highlights of their time spent driving in a van, playing gigs and crashing in motels throughout 2008:
Weirdest lodgings in 2008:
- Lone Eagle Motel, Herbert, SK: It's a long drive from Sudbury to Calgary and on one fateful night in October, we laid our head in Herbert. The Lone Eagle doubled as an Alpaca fur and trade shop, and sort of had a "David-Lynch-meets-high-school-gymnasium" feel to it. The cement-block wall in the middle of our room definitely deserves a nod for "architectural achievement."
- Canmore Hotel, Canmore, AB: The CanHo is definitely a mainstay for bands passing through the mountains. It's actually one of our favourite places to crash, despite the unique smells, hairs and stains that accompany each room.
- Friendship Cove, Montreal, QC: This place is fucking rad. Uniquely situated illegally in an industrial/commercial sector of Montreal, this venue/art space/loft has all the makings of something legendary. MTL condo development ensures that it will cease to exist in the next couple of years. This is unfortuntate. It cannot be described, only experienced.
Noah
Favourite shows played in 2008:
- Pat's Pub/Railway Club in Vancouver, October 11, 2008: We played two shows in one night, and both of them were sweaty and drunken. I need not ask for anything more.
- Halifax Pop Explosion, Coconut Grove, October 25, 2008: The Bicycles and the lingering smell of Pizza Corner. 'Nuff said.
- Lee's Palace in Toronto, November 8, 2008: Opening for the Bicycles' Last Shmaltz.
Noah
Best "I wish we had a few more bucks" moments of 2008:
-Having to hide (along with Kyle) in the back of our minivan when boarding the BC Ferry to Vancouver Island. You have to awkwardly contort your body to fit the empty space that's on the floor of the van (which is very little space). The temporary discomfort of having your head lodged between drum hardware and guitar amps, while being covered with all the coats and guitars possible, saves you a few bucks. Of course, don't pop your head up until you're on the Ferry - you don't want to get caught trying to save $26.
-In "Rodd's" motel in Moncton, NB: Our show was cancelled and dinner time was fast approaching. We were amidst planning a microwave feast when the Bicycles (who were staying two rooms down from us) stopped in to say, "hi." They shared some sacred knowledge with us like how to make a grilled cheese sandwich using the motel iron, and how to make soup in the coffee maker. Let's just say these tips have boosted our motel feasts to a whole new level.
John
Best tour time-wasters of 2008:
(Both of these took place in the same day, in St. John) "Rock Bucket" with the Bicycles. Time wasted: two to three hours.
"Filming random people walking down the street in St. John while Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata played over the van's stereo." Time wasted: one hour.
John
2008 was our egg. In 2009 we're gonna hatch that egg. Upcoming for Young Rival's 2009:
-Shooting our debut video in January
-Currently working on a full-length LP due for release next year