LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Featured Band: MORE OR LES

2011-03-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

It was grade eight, Ashley and I wanted to drink before the middle school dance. She pocketed a couple of wine coolers from her parents cellar and I asked my mom to drop us off at the corner store. We went in for a moment, peeked out of the window, and seeing my mom had pulled around the corner in her standard blue Mazda, we left the Big G and turned down a side street to crack our “Kanadian Koolers.”

My eleven year old blonde bobbed brother sitting in the front seat describes my mom checking the rear view mirror, seeing us thirteen year old girls leave the store to then exclaim “she's drinking!” while quickly slamming the car into reverse and ripping down the block to cut us off. “Get in the car”, she yelped.

Upon realizing that I was caught, I tore the label off of my drink while Ashley sent her's flying into the urban woodland. My mom inspected my drink while I claimed “I bought it at the store, it's a non alcoholic cooler, I swear!” She lets me keep the drink, which I finish in the back seat of the rusty Mazda before being dropped off at the front doors of my Junior High dance.

So proud of outwitting my mother, I spend the rest of the dance exaggerating my drunkenness and asking peers if my pupils are dilated.

Listening to More or Les rap, I am reminded of this story and other found mischievous memories of grade eight sleepovers, house parties and school dances.

from

More or Les is a humble hip hopper from Toronto, Ontario whose video features Jenga, Connect Four, Nintendo, and the Electric Slide. He's not too proud to spit about his lacking sense of style, busted music gear, or affinity towards Pop n Chips over Gin n Juice.

Let's all get Middle School giddy at the Long Live the Queen Closing Party! Let your pupils expand to the flows of More or Les, Ghettosocks, Ambition and Brandon Dramatic. Feel free to pass notes, ask Les to dance or be a wallflower, Sunday May 22nd at Gus' Pub.

Free Pop & Chips.

Featured Band: BAHAMAS

2011-03-17T11:02:00.001-07:00

When I was a young boy
My mama said to me
There's only one girl in the world for you
And she probably lives in Tahiti

I'd go the whole wide world
I'd go the whole wide world
Just to find her

Or maybe she's in the Bahamas
Where the Carribean sea is blue
Weeping in a tropical moonlit night
Because nobody's told her 'bout you

No doubt Bahamas coined his stage name from the Wreckless Eric tune covered on Pink Strat, “Whole Wide World”. Slowing the tempo into a heartbroken romp around the tropics to find the love of his life, I raised my imaginary hand and didn't say “pick me”, but day dreamt it was.

When you listen to Bahamas debut, you too may be washed away to a tropic island by the vowels that ooze out of his vocal chords or the simple plucking of his electric guitar. Bahamas, aka Afie Jurvanen, spent his early music career standing in the palm tree shadows of Feist, Hayden, Howie Beck, Amy Millan, Jason Collett and other artists who longed to claim his talents for their own. This spring he will take the big stage at the North Street Church, limping from the road, to earnestly claim your hearts.

Why am I hanging around in the rain out here
Trying to pick up a girl
Why are my eyes filling up with these lonely tears
When there're girls all over the world

Is she lying on a tropical beach somewhere
Underneath the tropical sun
Pining away in a heatwave there
Hoping that I won't be long

I should be lying on that sun-soaked beach with her
Caressing her warm brown skin
And then in a year or maybe not quite
We'll be sharing the same next of kin

Lonely love no more? Come see Bahamas perform May 22nd at the North Street Church to potentially be his next girlfriend.

Featured Band: THE CHITZ!!!

2011-03-16T09:49:00.001-07:00

When I was fifteen I stole my parents minivan, picked up seven of my friends and drove to Chocolate Lake. My friends drank, we skinny dipped, got back in the van, I drove everyone home and never got caught. Had I been stopped by the police, the van would have been seized, my friends and I would most definitely be grounded, and I would have been banned from getting my license until I was eighteen.

The Chitz are the fifteen year old inside of all of us. Stealing vehicles, skinny dipping and driving through rotaries while sucking on their flasks, and waving darts out of the window. Only they went through every stop sign, gave the cops the finger, proceeded to have a show down car chase and drove straight into the swamp infested swimming hole.

They are reuniting for a special show at the beautiful North Street Church Saturday May 21st. Don't miss the mayhem that will surely ensue when Halifax's 90's punk group tackles the stage.

Featured Band: Hooded Fang

2011-03-15T14:30:00.001-07:00

We love a band that isn't timid of a good snuggle.

HOODED FANG - Sleep Song from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Perhaps it was this anonymous depressed fan that said it best about the Toronto based folk sextet: “I couldn't understand any of the lyrics, but the music sort of made me think of some bipolar man trying to go as hard as he can because he knows that as soon as he comes down he's going to kill himself..." The Queen feels this band is more apt to spiral your thoughts into the up side of your manic depression rather than the later.

The Hooded Fang perform at Long Live the Queen Saturday May 21st at Gus' Pub.
http://www.myspace.com/hoodedfang

EXCLAIM is for ELOQUENT

2011-03-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Halifax's Long Live the Queen Announces Initial 2011 Lineup with Bahamas, Hooded Fang, the Heavy Blinkers

By Gregory Adams
From Pop Montreal to Music Waste to Sled Island, Canada is privy to some pretty great music festivals. One of the newest additions to the game is Long Live the Queen, which had its inaugural run last year in Halifax. The 2010 version of the arts and culture celebration, which featured performances from Julie Doiron and the Luyas, was clearly a success, as the fest has announced it will return this May.

Long Live the Queen will take place from May 19 to May 22 in Halifax and will feature a number of acts gracing stages across the city. The initial lineup includes Bahamas, Hooded Fang, the Heavy Blinkers, Play Guitar and Old Man Luedecke, among others. You can check out the rest of the preliminary lineup here.

On top of the music performances, the fest will feature a number of other activities. From literary readings and comedy performances to community yard sales and music lessons, Long Live the Queen is poised to toast the entire arts community.

More details are to come, but maybe circle the dates on your calendar. You might just have to take off for the Maritimes this may long weekend.

Long Live the Queen Announces Initial Festival Line Up for the 2011 May Long Weekend

2011-03-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

Long Live The Queen Press Release: March 7th, 2011

1. Initial Festival Lineup
2. Get to know the Queen
3. Press for the Fest and LLTQ Contacts

1.
Long Live the Queen is pleased to announce it's initial festival line up and 2nd year as an annual arts, music, and culture festival. Taking place from Thursday, May 19th, until Sunday May 22nd this year's festival will include performances by Ambition, Bahamas, Bike Rodeo, Brandon Dramatic, The Chitz , Cobra Camaro, Deadhorse, D'Eon, Doctor Ew, Doldrums, Duchess Says, Envision, Ghettosocks, Gianna Lauren, Handsome Dan and his Gallimaufry , The Heavy Blinkers, Hooded Fang, The Inadequacies, Jef Jef, Jom Comyn, Jon McKiel, Kite Hill, Klarka Weinwurm, Lisa Bozikovic, Milks & Rectangles, More or Les, Old Man Luedecke, Play Guitar, Prospectors Union, Rebekah Higgs, Sister, These Hands, Tonka & Puma, The Wilderbeats, Whiskybent & Hellbound.

2.
Long Live the Queen is beginning it's second year as a cherished music and arts festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Queen was created by musicians and artists for their community. In 2010 this festival was host to 40 bands including Julie Doiron, Diamond Rings, The Luyas, Ghettosocks, Laura Barrett, Wordburglar, Yellow Jacket Avenger, Julie Fader, Cousins and Iron Giant.

In addition to music showcases, the festival also hosts literary readings, stand up comedy, music video screenings, community yard sales, one on one music lessons, a festival record store, and an artist's market. Concerts will be held at the North Street Church and Gus' Pub as well as free musical performances on Bellaire Terrace on May 21st from 9am until 4pm.

The Queen is designed with care to represent multiple genres of music. The festival's daytime market showcases local visual artists. Music lovers may attend affordable concerts in special venues transformed by local artists to encourage a unique and comfortable festival experience. Shows do not overlap each other in order to support every band.

3.
Media Reaction to Long Live the Queen 2010

“I'm shaking the cobwebs from my head and the cigarette stink out of my living room. My ears are ringing and my feet are sore from dancing. I want more. Long Live the Queen indeed!” The Coast

“Judging from the stellar lineup and the enthusiasm of the sellers in the Artists’ Market, this could grow even bigger and be Halifax’s version of Pop Montreal.” Spins and Needles

"It’s not hard to be impressed by the hustle displayed by organizers responsible for the Long Live the Queen festival about to take over Halifax. Honestly, they are doing everything right to help a grass roots, community focused festival get the traction to stick around and grow.” Herohill

“Everybody who’s attended a music festival knows the wrenching, horrible feeling of looking at a set times list and noticing that their two favorite bands, maybe even the two they’d traveled all those hours by car to see, are playing at the exact same f#$&ing time on different stages. The organizers of Long Live the Queen hate this feeling, and make it a point, out of respect for the performers, never to schedule bands’ sets on top of one another.” We All Make Music (Music Festival Fever: WAMM’s Top Five Music Festivals)

“Five bands is a lot to schedule but the LLTQ crew pulled it off and the crowd loved every minute of it, from the first band. All in all a superb job, and we hope to see the return of the festival next year.” Off the Dial

“ What do I think of a festival that showcases this regions incredible talents and crashes through the ordinary and mundane? I say Long Live the Queen!” Shandi Mithchell (Author and Winner of the Regional Commonwealth Prize)

More Information: www.longlivethequeen.ca www.thequeenhalifax.blogspot.com

Print/Radio/Digital Media – Nathan Doucet 647-210-0169 nathan@longlivethequeen.ca

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Noisography Review

2011-02-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

Great Review and Photo's of the Long Live the Queen Fundraiser featuring, Bike Rode, Myles Deck, Cursed Arrows and Peeler curtsy or Noisography:
http://noisographyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/show-review-lltq-festival-fundraiser.html

2011 Fundraisers

2011-01-31T21:34:00.000-08:00

Long Live the Queen 2011 is proud to present a weekend fundraiser happening January 14th and 15th at Gus’ Pub!

Friday, January 14th-10pm
$5 (donations will also be accepted at the door)

BIKE RODEO
MYLES DECK AND THE FUZZ
CURSED ARROWS
PEELER

Saturday, January 15th-10pm
$5 (donations will also be accepted at the door)

THE PROSPECTOR’S UNION
KLARKA WEINWURM
GIANNA LAUREN
DANCE MOVIE

Long Live the Queen 2011

2011-01-31T21:30:00.001-08:00

The 2011 Festival will run from May 19th to 22nd in the same lovely venues. 4 glorious shows at the North Street Church and Gus' Pub as well as a street party on Bellaire Terrace May 21st.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the first round of royal guest bands to perform this years fest.

Announcement coming FEBRUARY 2011

Extra! Extra! Festival Day 1

2010-05-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

Photos by the one and only Ian Gibb

Diamond Rings

Bike Rodeo

Windom Earle

Ruby Jean

Jenocide

Myles Deck and the Fuzz

Union of the Snake

This just in: It was too nice a day to feel pain. But was it magic? The sheer power of a sun so bright, and a festival spirit so thickly enthusiastic you could wrap yourself in it?
When asked how it feels to house the festival's box office and Artist Market, the North Street Church groaned open its tremendous wooden mouth, blinked his window-shutter eyes and said "Well yes, I like it just fine. Especially those soaps, did you get your hands scrubbed yet?"

From within the Artist's Market on Friday, one man's crystals threw light onto eco-chic clothing. While the lenses in pairs and pairs of Ruby Boutique vintage glasses glimmered and gleamed. One young married couple greeted each other as if at an airport, embracing after the longest absence, when this reporter in fact knows it had only been a day. Witnesses looked on in happy awe, and silently ate their shortbread and rice krispy squares from the Queen's concession.

Then the Queen's opening night party was taking off like a bottle rocket in the middle of the commons-- with excited squeals emitting from the onlooking creators underneath.

Jenocide served hotdogs while peddling her tasty grrl-ectro jams. The stage was rushed at the appearance of Tupperware Remixers from another time continuum. Windom Earle chanted "Long Live the Queen" and served up a full platter of rock for frenzied dancers. The debut of a three-piece Ruby Jean was accepted with open arms. And Diamond Rings disrobed on stage to the tune of Janet Jackson. It was a beautiful beginning.

Later, at Gus' pub, folks reconvened to sample the likes of Cursed Arrows, Union of the Snake, Bike Rodeo, Myles Deck, and Iron Giant. Deck is rumoured to have "shaken what his mother gave him", only to be followed by Iron Giant's singer belting his perfect voice and gripping his special chain-link microphone stand.
Sources say one and all enjoyed a calm walk home in the cool night. Some guests returned home to their loved ones and cats. Others found a bouquet of flowers in her door handle.

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR HEART

2010-05-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

Take this personality quiz to figure out a personalized festival guide. Simply write down your answers, and add up the points after.

1) Sitting up in bed, stretching-- what was the first thing you thought of this morning?
a) That damn bird outside your window. And just how you're going to shut it up.
b) The run you need to go on. Now! Before anyone else is up.
c) Going back to sleep. Why is the bed always warmer when you've gotta get out of it?
d) ...Them

2) You're an astronaut. The best day of your life:
a) The first time you launched up into that great big sky and touched a star or two.
b) Coming home.
c) Looking through the reinforced glass window, back down at our blue green world, and giving it the middle finger while you slowly mouth -- "EAT IT, EARTH."
d) Hasn't happened yet.

3) And when you finally get all you want, you
a) Will be so surprised.
b) want to share it, before even understanding what it means.
c) probably won't notice until you find it crushed underneath your boot.
d) will scream.

4) At a horse race you
a) bet on the horse with your father's name.
b) opt to buy some binoculars instead. At least they're not a gamble
c) notice for the first time the real mad size of those bewildering beasts running.
d) yell until you're hoarse! (Excuse the pun.)

5) In the summer you will
a) swim, run, picnic, fly a kite or two.
b) have the hugest bonfires.
c) relish the nights, too hot for any jacket or sweater.
d)Finally live.

6) On a plane. You're going to
a) Paris, then Rome.
b) visit a dear friend, very far away.
c) bet your oxygen mask doesn't work.
d) sleep soundly.

7) Almost hitting a beautiful glowing person with your car, you tell them
a) "let me make it up to you by taking your phone number."
b) "you think because you're good looking you don't have to look both ways?! Typical."
c) "I knew something like this would happen today."
d) "Are you alright?"

8) Bad news comes. You just need someone to tell you:
a) "You've been brave".
b) "Suck it up. Quit yer whining."
c) nothing. Just be there.
d) "At least there's something worth caring about."

9) You think your horoscope is
a) sooo right. It's scary.
b) bullshit.
c) better than the crossword.
d) trying to tell you something.

10) No one knows
a) you speak French too.
b) you were in love once.
c) how you make that perfect recipe, every time.
d) where to find you.

Now find your results HERE

Painting by Steven Riddle

Shine Diamond Rings (The Coast)

2010-05-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

John O’ Regan brings his tiara-worthy glittery folk pop to this weekend’s Long Live The Queen festival.
by Mark Teo
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Diamond Rings shine

If there's a single accuracy to High Fidelity's Rob Fleming, it's that devout music listeners are compulsive list-makers. And those quick to compartmentalize will surely reduce Toronto blog-buzz darling John O'Regan, AKA Diamond Rings, to the easiest, glam-drogenous denominators: Ziggy Stardust, Boy George, Adam Ant.

But layered eyeliner, animal-print tights and retina-scorching legwarmers aside, Diamond Rings, playing Friday at Long Live The Queen, isn't just retro night writ large. If anything, he says, O'Regan's channelling Gordon Lightfoot---sans moustache, of course.

"My songs are folk songs, that's how they're written," he says. "Like the disco version of 'If You Could Read My Mind,' by Starz on 54---that was originally a folk song. I wanted to tap into something like that, something malleable but distinct. Because a good song is a good song."

O'Regan, otherwise known as the bookish, boyish leader of Ontario post-punk act The D'Urbervilles, isn't just being brash here. In the space of a year, he's amassed more than 100,000 YouTube views and landed tours with Woodhands and Owen Pallett. One Big Silence, an upstart electro label headed by Fucked Up's Mike Haliechuk, selected a Diamond Rings single as its inaugural release, due this summer. He's enlisted Ohbijou's James Bunton to produce his forthcoming debut full-length, Special Affections. He's even wowed the jaded tastemakers at Pitchfork---in fact, they premiered his video for "Wait and See."

This, on the strength of two limited-release singles. But hard as it may be, O'Regan's pragmatic about the hype.

"It was wicked! When you looked at Pitchfork's sidebar, there was the record that we designed and pressed beside the cover of, like, the new Usher single or something. Total mindfuck, right?" he says, with a laugh. "But I'm aware that people are incredibly fickle. It's important to not look for validation from the outside to justify your own effort."

O'Regan approaches his music as work---he's wary of being "just another singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar." His bedroom dance-party starts with a MIDI keyboard, a six-year-old Mac and his rudimentary-but-improving Ableton and Garageband skills; live, he adds a smoke machine and an onstage persona he describes as a "veritable freakshow."

"I don't want to be the guy that everyone talks over," he says. "The sound, the look, it's a survival mechanism. I'm going to make it loud and visually arresting."

But then, there are the Flemings of the world. O'Regan says his sexual orientation's always in question; but those are the questions he wants his audience to ask of him and perhaps, of themselves. While immersing himself in queer theory---he cites philosopher Judith Butler and feminist art historian Amelia Jones---he became finely attuned to the concept that performance isn't limited to the stage. "People always want to say, 'It's a gay thing, it's a straight thing.' It's not about that," he says. "It's about the idea of viewing gender and everyday life as a performance. Being onstage in tights and makeup is no different than [Pavement's] Stephen Malkmus being up there in a plaid shirt and jeans."

But while O'Regan aims to challenge with his stage persona, he's still adamantly pop. Besides, he says, lo-fi indie snobs could learn a thing or two from Usher and crew. "It's easy to make something abrasive and openly confrontational---something no one likes," O'Regan says. "If you can make something that your mom will like, that's still fresh and raw and new, that's fucking hard. And that's what I go for.

Tupperware Remix Party

2010-05-18T05:49:00.000-07:00

This Halifax foursome is "ever-grooving" from their sexed up funk licks right down to their robot-costumed toes. They are slinging electronica-infused dance rock and were awarded categories of best hijinx, best dressed, and most importantly, best band to dance to by The Coast this year. You can call them by their warrior names.

You can catch Tupperware Remix Party at the North Street Church on Friday, May 21st with Diamond Rings, Ruby Jean, Windom Earle, Jenocide, and the It Felt Like a Kiss DJ's. The show starts at 6:00 pm and is $12 at the door. Blast off.

The Queen hearts kids!

2010-05-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

If Northrop Frye was right, youth is the Springtime of life. Everything is available, waiting and beautiful. In case you haven't been to the Halifax farmer's market on a Saturday morning, we should inform you that all the babies there are way cuter than anyplace else in the city.

The Queen is admitting babies free to all North Street church shows the weekend of the festival. Children under ten years of age can come for free, accompanied by their parents, babysitters, aunts and other important guardians.

This is to ensure that everyone in the neighbourhood feels extremely welcome, but also, The Queen is hoping some of the innocence and candour of youth will rub off on her.

Here's hoping kiddies!

-The Queen

p.s. don't forget earplugs

FREE DIGITAL LLTQ SAMPLER!

2010-05-11T16:13:00.001-07:00

Long Live the Queen is Proud to give you the LLTQ sampler courtesy of Zunior!

13 Tracks from highlighted festival artists!

Grab the LLTQ sampler in one-click:
http://www.zunior.com/redeem
Code: LLTQsampler455

GET IT NOW!

LLTQ sampler features songs from Diamond Rings, Yellow Jacket Avenger, Cousins, Cursed Arrows, Rebekah Higgs, Jon McKiel, Julie Fader, Jenocide, Ruby Jean, Windom Earle, Daniel Ledwell, The Darcys and Heavy Meadows.

Download it for free today!

The Darcys

2010-05-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

This onetime foursome and former fivesome is once again a foursome and listening to them play is like having an amazing threesome, twice.

Toronto born and Halifax forged, The Darcys have been described as a great guitar band but that hardly narrows it down. To be more specific they are a really, really great guitar band with a secret soft side and the beards to prove it.

The Darcys will play Gus' Pub Saturday May 22 with Heave Meadows, Gamma Gamma Rays, and Lovesinger at 10 pm.

Click HERE for a free download of their 7" The House Built Around Your Voice

ARTIST'S MARKET

2010-05-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

ARTIST'S MARKET

MAY 21st- 23rd at the North Street Church

The Artist's Market will be open for the entire Victoria Day long weekend from 11am to 11pm in the North Street Church.

The Artist's Market will be home to our festival box office where you can pick up your weekend passes and purchase tickets for festival events.

The Artist's Market will feature all Merchandise, T-Shirts, Tapes, Vinyls and CD from all the bands performing at Long Live the Queen as well as

- Pottery, Masks, and Drawings by Zoe Solomon
- Paintings by Julie Fader
- Drawings and Paintings Stewart Innes
- Kelly Zwicker's Recipe Book
- Books from Invisible Publishing
- Deux FM Clothing
- Jewelry By Twiggs
- A Vintage Clothing, Shoes, Sunglasses and Belts Boutique
- Local Snacks and Beverages
- Yoga demonstrations and information from the Ashtanga Shala
- Soy Products from Solas Naturals
- Stuffed Monsters from Joy Hillier at Team Sleep.

You can purchase band merchandise and Festival Passes and Tickets through our box office. We accept Cash or Visa through Paypal, we will have computers set up for customer use!

This is FREE and OPEN TO ALL!

GHETTOSOCKS

2010-05-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

Is he a great Halifax MC or the greatest Halifax MC? It is a debate that has gripped this town for years. We prefer to think of him as a great MC from Halifax. Whatever one thinks of him it cannot be denied he is a gifted lyricist who has been recognized as the best MC by The Coast for three years running.

But what about those oversized fake glasses he wears? Do they affect his world view? Can he see rhymes the way we can see colors? He wears them on stage, but also while he's eating avocado melts named after him, and while walking Jenocide's bicycle. The Queen wants to know whether that boy's vision is as bad as his music is good?

Check out this Jason Levangie video treat for Ghettosocks' jam "Out for Treats". See his "world view" for yourself.

Ghettosocks performs at the LLTQ Closing Party at Gus' Pub May 23rd with Wordburglar, Fresh Flesh, James Reid, T-WOO and DJ Diamond Rings.

Union of the Snake will play their first show at LLTQ.

2010-05-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

This is the first line of what I was sent by Jim MacAlpine when I asked him to send me some sort of bio for his new band: "Three guys from a bunch of bands, some celebrated, some reviled, get together to play some 'music'."

I'm not sure which of the bands represented by the members of Union of the Snake he's referring to when he claims revulsion. Union of the Snake consists of members from North Of America, VKNGS, and Kestrels to name a few. All of which were and are totally awesome, making me very excited to see this band. They will play at Gus' Pub on May 21st with Cursed Arrows, Bike Rodeo, Myles Deck and the Fuzz, and Iron Giant. The show is $10 and you should get there on time if you want to claim your space to check out Union of the Snake is all their heaviness.

- The Queen

Heavy Meadows

2010-04-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

The dictionary says that a groove is an enjoyable time or experience. Heavy Meadows is a "five piece folk/jazz/rock/blues/retro/worldly project" with a Phd in grooving. They've been studying for nine years at the Halifax institute for entertaining fine folk. Come see them defend the thesis they wrote on enjoying oneself.

Check out a video from Heavy Meadows, a testament to "enjoying oneself." This beloved Halifax band plays the Long Live The Queen Festival on May 22nd at Gus' Pub. If this doesn't make you want to see them live, you're just crazy. Enjoy yourself.

Jenocide

2010-04-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

Peering out from a pair of heart shaped shades Jenocide views all our smiling faces framed with hearts and therefore – if our logic is correct – she must love everyone. Whether this is true or not her electro-thrash-grrrl power-pop offerings will make you feel loved and you will dance accordingly.

Jenocide performs at LLTQ's Opening Party! North Street Church May 21st at 6pm along side, Diamond Rings, Ruby Jean, Windom Earle, Tupperware Remix Party and It Felt Like A Kiss. Oh what a night!

Volunteers! Volunteers!

2010-04-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

The Queen commands your hands and minds!

We are in need of some volunteer help if you're up for it. If you can drive, we need you. If you can stage manage, we need you. If you like selling things for bands, we need you. If you want to be a part of this, we probably need you! Your hours will be traded for passes to our shows. Sound alright? Good.

Please contact Andrew Neville at andrewgneville@gmail.com or thequeenhalifax@gmail.com.

Be knighted!

Best regards and the warmest of wishes,

- The Queen

Julie Fader

2010-04-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Do you know the difference between lonely and alone? Fader is here to comfort you via audio journal. Honest, elegant, dynamic. Words that describe both Julie Fader, and her debut record "Outside In." Plucking through songs from the heart, Julie brings you and the rest of the crowd to a halting hush, drawing you into her world of words and pictures. Having sung with many mentionable names in Canada, Julie is an extremely talented singer and songwriter in her own right, paints perfectly drawn colored circles, and is able to write backwards.

Julie Fader woos you into submission at The North Street Church on Sunday May 23rd.

FESTIVAL PASSES ON SALE NOW!!!

2010-04-23T07:43:00.001-07:00

Festival Passes are for sale as of NOW on Ticketpro.ca

ALL ACCESS PASSES are for Sale for $45 (This gets you into all NORTH STREET CHURCH and GUS' PUB Events!)

ALL AGES PASSES are for Sale for $25 (This gets you into all NORTH STREET CHURCH SHOWS!!)

BUY NOW!!!

Festival Schedule!!!

2010-04-21T08:49:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the beautiful Laura Dawe the festival schedule is now available!

the Luyas

2010-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Views of Montreal : THE LUYAS from vincent moon / temporary areas on Vimeo.

It's kind of hard to write three lines to define magic.
But we will say this: The Luyas are every great memory you've got. They do things that are overwhelming with beauty. Their music feels profound and full of glory and one time we sent a Luyas video to someone who was sad, just to remind them there are still things that matter. These former members of SS Cardiacs, Miracle Fortress, and Arcade Fire make torrid arrangements of french horn, organ, violin, xylophone. I know you are far too young to worry so much, but you WILL regret it if you miss these musicians from Montreal. So don't, ok?

Cousins

2010-04-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Recently Halifax lost another of its finest. As she was packing to leave, this friend, Molly we'll call her, realized Cousins' music was missing. She couldn't find it in her computer, in her purse, her suitcases, it wasn't in her head where she usually kept it. Another friend, Katie, let's say, got a phone call from Molly. "I can't leave without my North end anthems!" came screaming out of the ear piece.

Each summer, the population of Halifax decreases by 20 per cent. About six universities inspire the consistent ebb and flow of people coming and going in this city. I know this transience has stolen a bunch of your friends. In fact, you can talk about it with Cousins' Aaron Mangle, he wrote a perfect song about it.

Please don't make me draw a circle round my friends
Don't make me build a fence around them
I'll tie a rope around their waists and pull them in close
I'll tie a rope around them

...My dear Halifax why you'd let them go
every few months the cool ship sets sail
the finest, the finest,
they all leave in turn
the finest the finest the finest...

Aaron's delicate falsetto sits atop "jangly, echoing and chunky guitar complimented by loud and syncopated drums."Cousins have been helped along by an impressive roster of Canada's finest, including members of Museum Pieces, Room Doom and Crowd Power. The recent release of a split cassette tape with Duzheknew has been much anticipated, and really awesome. "Inspiration is drawn from scraps of paper written by children, news stories about teens smashing cars, and narratives inferred from old 35mm slides."

Is it something in the water? Often I'm convinced the friends who move away don't even really want to that much, they just think they should. But when you live in one place for so long, you need a change. And yes, The Queen understands, but no, she don't like it.

-The Queen

This post is dedicated to some of The Queen's finest who have set sail on the cool ship: Chloe, Brett, Katie, Rach, Tate, Andy, Lilith, Emily, Dallin, Jordan, Anna, Joseph, Stacy, Greg, Jef, Ben, Steph

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JULIE DOIRON

2010-04-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

Julie Doiron, the magnate behind Sappy Records and Sappy Fest, started her first "real band" in 1990.

When Eric's Trip broke up in '96, Doiron started playing solo. A prolific and supernaturally-talented singer/songwriter, this lovely lady with the braids in her hair hails from Sackville, New Brunswick, and has had a long career of making heart strings tighten, and listeners swoon.

Doiron also plays with Mount Eerie (formerly Microphones) and Calm Down It's Monday.

The Queen simply cannot express how excited we are to have Julie Doiron playing on the May long weekend. She is our diplomat from another world of wonder, Julie, we crown you our honorary guest.

-The Queen

Cursed Arrows

2010-04-15T08:35:00.001-07:00

Listening to Cursed Arrows is similar to receiving a hard punch to the face followed up by a passionate kiss. Sure it hurts but it’s like the good kind of hurt, you know?

Put another way it is a visceral post-punk experience put on by an Ontario duo clearly dedicated to making honest, intense music.

Cursed Arrows give you cute kitties and shadow puppets then the middle finger in this video for "Chop You Up".

Chop You Up from Cursed Arrows on Vimeo.

This married twosome, Cursed Arrows perform May 21st, at your favorite North End watering hole, Gus' Pub.

Jon Mckiel

2010-04-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Jon McKiel has three things (that we know of) in common with Johnny Cash: both Jons rode the train from city to city on Tour, both got married to sing duets with their lovely brides, and they both recorded a song or two at Sun Studios.

Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis all walked into Sun Studios on a sunny Memphis day, and they all walked out with a rooster on their records.

Here is your favorite local songwriter, in the magical Sun Studios Singing "123".

Jon performs at LLTQ with his band May 22nd at the North Street Church

Innez Da Artwork

2010-04-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Stewart Innez AKA: Innez Da Future, not only gets your blood flowing and your hips moving on "la piste de danse", but draws radical artwork (which will be for purchase in the festival's artist market).

Visit the festival's artist market located in the North Street Church from 10am to 10pm All Victoria Long Weekend!

Innez da Future performs for LLTQ's Indie Pop Brunch at Local Source Market, along side DJ Bones and David Stiles May 22nd from 12pm-3pm. Yummy Yummy!

DIAMOND RINGS!

2010-04-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Things that need to happen at all the best parties: Toronto Blue Jays pinata, choreographed dance, Michael Jordan card board cut-out CROWDSURFING. Things that happen at a Diamond Rings party: ALL OF THOSE AWESOME THINGS.

Formerly of the D'Urbervilles, formerly of Habitat, Diamond Rings is a Toronto based melodramatic popular song-slinger. Complete with stage make up and stage spandex: these reverberating sexed-up vocals and electro pop-hop beats might just go ahead and make you wet (from dancing and stuff).

Oh my good god it's going to be a party.

QUIZ RESULTS

2010-03-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

1.a) 5 b) 3 c) 0 d) 2
2.a) 3 b) 2 c) 5 d) 0
3.a) 0 b) 5 c) 5 d) 3
4.a) 0 b) 2 c) 3 d) 5
5.a) 3 b) 5 c) 2 d) 0
6.a) 2 b) 3 c) 5 d) 0
7.a) 2 b) 5 c) 0 d) 3
8.a) 0 b) 5 c) 2 d) 3
9.a) 3 b) 5 c) 2 d) 0
10.a) 2 b) 5 c) 3 d) 0

40-50 points: Your heart is full of fury

You're happiest when it's loud-- the people, the music, life. It's not that you're an asshole, it's more like you're precise. You know what you like and what you don't like-- why pussyfoot around the rest? Your heart is like a cannon inside your chest, and with the right amount of fire power things can get real crazy, real fast.

Iron Giant is your personal opening party on Friday night. Also, don't be coy-- bands with names like "Union of the Snake" and "Heavy Meadows" are right up your alley. On Sunday make sure to hit up T.V. Partyface. This kind of stimulation is like your own personal heaven. 'Nuff said.

26-39 points: Your heart is ready to burst

Your heart is currently building up like a really good song. Things started out slow, but now getting faster, and harder right until the bass shakes your rib cage and you're kicking over chairs, or making out with someone on the couch. Don't punch my lights out, put that energy where it should go-- right in the white-hot heat of the dance floor.

You'd never forgive yourself for missing the opening, or closing party with party starters like Diamond Rings, Ruby Jean, Wordburglar and T-Woo. The bookends of a hot weekend are where the real excitement happens. Just be good to yourself, don't fight how hard you want to cut a rug.

10-25 points: Your heart is broken (or on the mend).

You've been riding your tandem bicycle alone. No, no you haven't. You've been riding your tandem bike with the company of a 1.4 litre tub of Dutch chocolate ice cream. Being broken hearted is inevitable and normal, but--it doesn't have to be so lonely. And it doesn't have to be boring. Say that to yourself in the mirror and then get dressed (a bathrobe doesn't count).

Come have brunch with us on Saturday. Come fill your empty stomach, hear dance music at conversation level, light clinks of silverware, all while a Spring sun fills Local Source market. Good things happen on Saturday mornings, don't sleep through it. Before the weekend is up, make sure to see Julie Doiron, The Luyas, Julie Fader, and Daniel Ledwell play music.

I know you think no one really "gets" you right now, but your heart deserves some company.

0-9 points: Your heart is in need

You're exhausted. Maybe something happened, maybe nothing happened. But I want you to forget about it, and believe David Berman when he says "on a day like today, what looks like bad news in the distance
turns out to be something on my contact." Things really will be alright, if you let them.

I want you to nourish yourself. First, fill your stomach at the brunch on Saturday. Next, make your way to the North Street Church. The Queen's Artist's Market is open Friday, Satuday, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Amidst the paintings, cook books, and cupcakes, you'll find something you like. You should have something nice, for no reason other than you want to. Do this for yourself. Then on Sunday really feel something while you listen to award-winning authors read at the Book Club's Literary Lunch. Do not miss Sue Goyette's poetry. Do not miss something you don't know exists. Nostalgia is a powerful drug. Come have fun.

No Tattoo for the Queen

2010-03-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here it comes.

2010-03-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, welcome. Here at this darling new festival, the level of excitement is so high you could fill a balloon with our good intentions and sail away in it.

Long Live the Queen is a brand new music and arts festival coming so soon to the North End of Halifax. For an entire weekend in May, a neighborhood will open its arms to musicians and artists and their families and dogs, and altogether, we will sigh and say:

"I'm so glad I finally have something to do on the May long weekend."

The Queen is about to be host to a barrage of very special bands. To know exactly who they are,
see our schedule.

The Queen is also seeking artists to partake in our Saturday artists market! And volunteers! You can get free access to shows by becoming a part of The Queen's family.
If you are interested, please see our contact page.