Happy Moments: Starbucks Secret Menu Items and Perfect Song Timing

It was so freaking hot yesterday and it is going to be just as hot today. Here is my happy moment from yesterday and a shout out to two amazing ladies in my life. One is not only my co-worker by day; she is also a fabulous barista by night. She has created an amazing "secret menu" low-carb Nutella flavored frap for me at Starbucks and every time she makes me one it gets even better! Props to Jenny Fines for knowing how to chill a homie out!

The second shout-out for my happy moment of the day yesterday going to my MacIsaac Hall roommate for providing the perfect tunes to enjoy that low-carb Nutella frap with. As you can see my car and I agreed that it was hot as hell outside so it hooked me up with the perfect summer song on my car USB key to enjoy that frappuccino with, Rusted Root's "Send Me On My Way". 

I will be honest with you; I am one of the only people that hate "Send Me On My Way". It is one of those songs that seems to get people going and yesterday I finally had that feeling. After years of resenting Sarah Thorsen for downloading it on my university Macbook and it always coming up on shuffle, I finally tolerated it. I pulled all of my music from my old lappy onto a USB stick for emergency tune situations a couple of months ago and I have been dodging Sarah's two additions "Send Me On My Way" and Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There" every time I use it. Yes, it is pretty lazy of me to have never deleted them from my computer, but it seems to be a little easier to skip them when they come on. Don't pretend you don't have songs on your iTunes that you don't like!  

Regardless, I am so happy it was "Will You Be There" and not the Free Willy song that came on while I drove home and enjoyed my frap. It reminded me of two amazing ladies to be thankful for and put a big smile on my face. Had it have been the MJ song I would have totally skipped it... I really do hate that song. 

Sarah seemed to have a thing for movies from our childhood and the songs from their soundtracks. While I was more of a Disney girl she was a big fan of the film Matilda and "Send Me On My Way" was used in that flick, so here it is with a wonderful Matilda montage just for your enjoyment. 

Kootenay Festival 2014

I had an amazing time at Kootenay Festival Saturday! Unfortunately it took me a day to bounce back from all the sun and heat, but I can finally tell you all about it on this Monday afternoon!

What can I say; the Kootenays are home to amazing artists from all walks of life. Whether their craft is perfect wood oven fired pizza or creating amazing home décor woodworking, there is a place for it at Kootenay Festival!

On top of all of the physical art the stage was packed with incredible acts from the moment the festival kicked off at 10:30am (with the Scottie School of Highland Dance) to the closing act Cod Gone Wild who played until 7pm. All of the musical acts delivered and I was blown away by the dance troops that took the stage too.

One performer that really impressed me was Bobby Bovenzi; not only did he perform he instructed. His interactive drum and dance circle is not to be missed if you ever have the chance to see it and take part make sure you do! He had absolutely everyone involved cheering and chanting along with the pounding rhythm drums and noise-makers. It was a highlight of my day.

Bobby Bovenzi left the crowd in awe! 

Every festival I attend I break from my normal dietary habits and indulge like a person who has never seen food before; Kootenay Festival was no different. I had a little bit of everything. I always try to order up things that I am not skilled enough to make at home, that normally leads me to Kootenay Filipino food. Of course I had to order up their amazing pork rolls.

I added Gypsy Wagon Wood-Fired Catering to my festival menu for the first time with their incredible breakfast pizza (that is scrambled egg on the pizza). If you followed my blog while I visited La Jolla’s Open Aire Market earlier this year you know how much I love a good breakfast pizza! 

And, with the heat I HAD to hit up both JillyBean’s Ice Cream truck for a waffle cone and have a little breakfast gelato from Nelson’s Little Miss Gelato. How can you say no to bubblegum gelato? It was so hot that I sweat out all the calories throughout the day; that’s how that works right?

Good Ol' Goats

It was such a fabulous day, I spent it with the two people I am thankful for that made me smile (yes doubling up on a happy moment and event blog). Liam, for ordering a medium bag of kettle corn that was the size of a small child and Idaylia for being her always cheerful, helpful self.

I do have to just note a couple of talented musicians who took the stage during the festival that were remarkable. They guys from Roy Has Fire never fail to disappoint and rock every show they play. The Good Ol’ Goats were showstoppers and had everyone clapping, dancing and moving their feet. Last but not least Cod Gone Wild made me feel like I was back at home on the East Coast rocking out downtown Halifax at the Commons.

Cod Gone Wild!

Kootenay Festival 2014 was one for the books! To find out more about next year’s celebration click here.

One more thing, this photo snaps a moment in Castlegar’s history that is pretty cool. Castlegar’s sister city in Ebetsu, Japan sent representatives to help celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the city’s twinning.

Bend Sinister Visits The GOAT

In just about a hour you can check out Bend Sinister performing at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland. Performing does not feel right in this context; I think the better fit here is rocking out. Phrasing Kate, phrasing. In less than an hour you can check out Bend Sinister rocking out at the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland.

Earlier today Bend Sinister joined me at The GOAT for a chat about the show tonight. Last night they were in Nelson and had a stellar time, tonight they are returning to the Flying Steamshovel in Rossland for an 8pm show. Advance tickets (you may have missed the boat on this) are $10 and admission at the door is $15. Grab your buddies and head there now for a burger (and maybe some curry), a beer and a fantastic show. Don't forget to wear your dancing shoes!

The very generous lads in Bend Sinister hooked me up with a copy of their latest album "Animals" and I will be honest with you I jammed to it the entire way home tonight.

If you can't catch them tonight there are many more chances for you to see them if you are in Western Canada. They will be visiting Kamloops, Calgary and many other places on their tour this summer. Seriously Calgary friends, you need to see these Vancouver rockers when they take the stage at Ship & Anchor's big celebration on July 24th. For the full look at their tour click here.

I wish we could have recorded our chat before the interview; there were so many interesting topics we touched on before the mics turned on.

-The last wild night they played the Flying Steamshovel (that may not have been safe for the airwaves).

-How intense they expect the party to be coming up in Calgary on the 24th for the Ship & Anchor's 2th Birthday Bash.

-James Deen the porn star starring in their video "Quest for Love" (you can check that out and feel the love below).

I am wishing Bend Sinister all the best for their show tonight, I am so bummed that I can't make it but I know our paths will cross again.

Kootenay Music Awards--- Voting Now Open

One of the elements I like most about my job is how involved I get to be in our amazing community here in the Kootenays. Over the past nine months living here in the Koots I have gotten to take part in amazing community events big and small, working with the Kootenay Music Awards has been a new experience for me working behind the scenes in a new way--- crafting a website.

Usually my involvement with the community involves chatting things up, attending, greeting and socializing with people. Building the website for the Kootenay Music Awards is a totally new thing for me because unlike the social and promotional aspect of events that I am used to the website has been all me. Lots of alone time and communication from the directors of the Kootenay Music Awards have led to the website you now see. I am very proud of it. Even though I did not code it and worked it all out with the power of Wix, I still absolutely love it.

After getting the basics going for the submission period in March the website had to go through another face lift to enable voting and linking up all the Soundcloud accounts. I can now happily tell you that voting is open for the KMAs until April 30th. I hope you have a chance to check it out and vote! While you are at it let me know what you think; I would love to hear your feedback.

I am a huge fan of Canadian Music. At this time last year I was totally inspired by working at the East Coast Music Awards with our Nova Scotia Community College’s Radio ECMA. It was a fabulous time! If you ever have the opportunity to volunteer with grass-roots level organizations do it! The experience is so rewarding. I love seeing people gain hype and fame from these events, it makes you feel like you have met famous people before they were big deals. You get to be super trendy and cool; it is like you are in the loop on the next big thing.

I hope I can post up some interviews in the coming weeks so you can hear from the people who made the tunes nominated this year for the 3^rd Annual Kootenay Music Awards! Until then, keep up with the KMAs by visiting www.kootenaymusicawards.biz! 

The Kootenay Music Awards will be presented May 9th at the Spirit Bar in Nelson!

March 21, 2014 New Music: “Heaven Knows” and “Fair is Fair”

We have some new tunes on Mountain FM just for you. Two new songs this week and they are goodies. The first we will talk about is from The Pretty Reckless and it is called “Heaven Knows”. This video is NSFW!

Sexy, dark and goth you will find yourself singing this one later in the day. This is the first The Pretty Reckless track that we have added here on Mountain, what do you think?

The Pretty Reckless is an American band from New York City, fronted by television star Taylor Momsen. Momsen played Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl, you may also remember her as Cindy Lou who in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

“Heaven Knows” is the second single from The Pretty Reckless’ sophomore album Going to Hell. At first I questioned it, but now I really like “Heaven Knows”. It is catchy and sassy. Two of my favourite things…

Viewer discretion is advised for this music video, it maybe a little too sassy. Way too sassy for work, which is where most of the staff at Mountain FM viewed it. Awkward.

The Pretty Reckless are currently touring, sadly they are not slated to come to Canada. For more about the Pretty Reckless click here.

Second, representing my home province it is “What’s Fair is Fair” from The Trews. This is the lyric video for their latest track, “What’s Fair is Fair”. Their website says they are working on a performance video for “What’s Fair is Fair”.

The Trew’s actually are from my home province, Nova Scotia. I went to university in the town they are from, Antigonish.  They formed in high school and are legends around the Nish! I am sure you have heard us play them on Mountain before; we love The Trews! I get really excited whenever I see a Trews song come up in my show logs.

The Trews latest single “What’s Fair is Fair” is no exception. Every Trews song is relatable and genuine. I am so excited for new Trews new album coming out this year!

If you want to help support The Trews latest album it is incredibly easy. They have a Pledge Music account to back their new album. When you support this talented Canadian band you are also raising funds for a great cause, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The album has already met its goal, but if you want to be one of the first to have a copy you need to support the Pledge Music project!

Clickhere to check out their Pledge Music efforts now; some of the amazing itemsthat are specially offered for fundraising are running low in stock!

The goal is to release the album this year (2014). I can’t wait to hear more from the Trews!

More exciting new music is coming to Mountain FM! Make sure you are listening to enjoy your favourite classic rock and the best new rock!

Listen online anytime, www.mountainfm.net!

Rockin' Read: Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge

I was a wee baby when Seattle’s music scene was creating what we now call “grunge” music. Actually, I was an idea when it all started… scratch that… I would have been the equivalent of a contemporary woman’s Pinterest board for planning an upcoming baby when it all was getting started. So, working in a radio station that plays classic rock and only the best new rock, I felt I needed to learn about the bands that earn me my bread and butter. I do know my fair share about the quintessential rock classics, I took ‘The History of Popular Music’ in university (yes, university not Greendale College); but I felt I was really missing the story behind the “grunge” music that I was certainly not allowed to listen to as a kid.

First of all, I am using “grunge” for lack of a better word and because it is pretty common place for music from this important chunk of rock history. I don’t like the label, I totally agree with people who are not fans of the word but this is just a simple blog for my station and I’m trying to not get too technical here.

So, what did I think of ‘Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge’?

Well, I will be honest with you. With the crazy morning show schedule it took me two months to read. Again, I promise to have it back to the Trail Public Library as soon as possible. I just finished it, but I took my time; I really wanted to get everything I could from it. It did take me a little while to get into the format of the book and the style that it uses to orally communicate the story from all the players; but I loved it!

It was like the script of a soap-opera turned into a documentary…that you could read. There are two-sided stories and all the drama you could possibly imagine. It balances the incredibly dark reality of some situations with the fun and the comradery that were also part of the era.

I would definitely read this one again; I think it is the perfect book to have on-hand for multiple reads.

A big, BIG thumbs up for everyone on this read; especially if you are a music lover and fans of bands like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Hole , Mudhoney, Pearl Jam, Nirvana and many others! 

Coming To Our Neighbourhood: Mounties

I am really excited for the Mounties show at the Spirit Bar in Nelson coming up in March. It is the perfect way to celebrate the countdown to my 25^th birthday. One week to the day before I turn a quarter-century-old (March 24^, 2014) Mounties will be visiting Nelson. It is going to be a great show; the Spirit Bar is always an awesome time.  I can’t wait to add Mounties to the list of talented acts I have seen in my short time in the Kootenays.

Who are Mounties?

Well they are the incredibly talented: Hawksley Workman (the man himself), Ryan Dahle (LimbLifter/Age of Electric) and Steve Bays (HOT HOT HEAT).

I must admit, I was/am a huge Hot Hot Heat fan. I can still remember the first time I heard ‘Talk To Me, Dance With Me’ on snowy morning in Nictaux, Nova Scotia when we had to stop into my grandmother’s house to let her dog out for a morning #1. Yes, I understand that it is weird that I remember that, whilst my mum took care of Missy I snuck in and absorbed some much needed Much Music time. Boom, I heard it and was addicted.

So I was beyond thrilled to hear about Mounties and even more excited to hear they are coming to Nelson. It is going to be a great show, see ya there!

The technical stuff:

March 24, 2014

Doors are at 7pm.

Opening talent: Rich Aucoin and Special Guests

Click here to get your tickets now! 

‘If This Dance Catches On’

‘Headphones’

Drake Hosts and Performs on SNL this Saturday Night!

Toronto’s Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham) will host and be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live this Degrassi: The Next Generation acting roots… Yes, we Canadians will remember that before Drake was on the scene rapping he was put through the perils of life at Degrassi from around 2001 to 2009, he was in 138 episodes as Jimmy Brooks.

weekend. As a huge SNL fan I am always apprehensive when acts double up, but this little video of Drake takes us Canadians back to his

Sometimes I forget about Drake’s time on Degrassi, to be honest with you I do it willfully. I was not allowed to watch the original groundbreaking series when it was in its rerun phase on CBC, meaning I tried to watch it whenever I could just to defy authority; no one could tell Young Kate what to do with her preteen pre-evening time. We only had two channels and it would always be between CBC’s old reruns and whatever was on Oprah that day; both were equally as scarring some days to my young psyche (but, I liked it). I never really did get into the revamp of Degrassi, but my roommate in university forced me into watching them… she loved the old and the new. So, let’s just say I have had my fill of Degrassi.

Back to the point, this is what happens when I write blogs late in the day at my desk. Drake will be hosting Saturday Night Live this Saturday Night (January 18^th)!

#TUNETUESDAY: January 14, 2013

Back to enjoying Tune Tuesday in all its glory! I don't think we could have a better song to end our hiatus and begin 2014.

1. Foster the People- 'Coming of Age'

Today’s first pick is an awesome time-lapse video for one of my favorite bands, Foster the People. This is their latest for ‘Coming of Age’ the first single from Supermodel, due out March 18^th.

I think this video is a perfect fit for the new song, the artwork on the side of the building is the cover for Foster the People’s second album (Supermodel). The words the lady in the artwork is spewing are the following poem:

I ate it all; plastic, diamonds and sugar-coated arsenic as we danced in honey and sea-salt sprinkled laxative. Coral blossomed portraits in Rembrandt light; cheekbones high and fashionable. Snap! goes the moment; a photograph is time travel, like the light of dead stars painting us with their warm, titanic blood. Parasitic kaleidoscopes and psychotropic glow worms stop me dead in my tracks. Aphids sucking the red off a rose, but for beauty I will gladly feed my life into the mouths of rainbows; their technicolor teeth cutting prisms and smiling benevolently on the pallid hue of the working class hero.

Okay, the poem is more than a little heavy. Way heavier than the song, thats for sure!

Well, I am being really honest here in saying that new FTP music made my Monday. Seeing the new Foster the People video, as conceptual it is, put a smile on my face. I LOVED Torches, their debut album and I cannot wait until March to hear all the new music FTP has to offer. I think it will be worth the wait if ‘Coming of Age’ is any indicator. I like that it is a simple song with the same feel as the Torches album, I can't wait to see what they release next! I have a feeling it will also be featured right here on your Tune Tuesday blog!

2. Lily Allen - 'Air Balloon' 

And, I think we all know how much I love Lily Allen so here is second lighter video for the day. Lily Allen's latest its 'Air Balloon', hopefully the two songs balance each other out for you! They are both on repeat on my iPod. 

I don't think I need to say much here. I think Lily needed to lighten up abit herself with a track like 'Air Balloon' after a very serious end to 2013 with 'Hard Out Here' and her cover of 'Somewhere Only We Know'. For my thoughts on 'Hard Out Here' click here. 

Yes, enjoy these two tracks. A great way to kick off 2014 with two Kate Bruce favourites!                                                                      

The Man Behind the Songs: Max Martin

Update: Max has done it again! One of the (if not THE) top songs for Summer 2014 is a Max Martin track that flips the normal song formula on its head. Yes, you have probably heard it by now it is Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea's "Problem" a song that starts strong and simmers down for the chorus. This song will be sizzling everywhere you go this summer and you can thank Max Martin for it! 

This video blew my mind; I was a little skeptical at first about number of hits ‘Max Martin’ had produced so I had to check it out. It turns out this man really is a hit machine. 42-year old Swede Max Martin (his birth name is Karl Martin Sandberg) has had a hand in so many HUGE pop songs. From Katy Perry to Britney Spears he has written/co-written 16 Billboard #1 hits since 1999. Martin has even won six ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Song Writer of the year awards!

For more on the man behind the songs here is his wiki page for your perusal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Martin

Props to BoyInABand for the video! 

My Favourite Request, A Good Way to Start 2014

I still consider myself a rookie in this whole radio game. I have worked and interned for a few different companies across the country in stations big and small, never have I ever seen anything like this. This tops my list now of the best requests ever made. I’m not sure how but it greeted me as I came into work around 5am this morning for ‘Morning Rocks’ and it definitely made this early Thursday morning (that feels more like a Monday) MUCH better. Props to the Old Milwaukee trooper who left this for us, you have made my morning a little better and put a smile on this morning grump’s face.  

Not the songs I would request and definitely not the beer I would drink (I’m a die hard Keith’s girl, I do have a growing love for Nelson Brewing Co. and Granville Island) but I am a HUGE fan of playing requests. 

We’ll get that Zeppelin and Nazareth in for you as soon as possible! For traditional requests feel free to give the studio line a call, 1-877-560-1010… or feel free to keep leaving us messages in a creative fashion around town! 

Peter Evdokimof on Morning Rocks

This morning Peter Evdokimof joined me on Morning Rocks to talk about the upcoming youth concert coming up on December 1st at the Brilliant Cultural Centre. The concert will feature ages K-12's work in Russian music, poetry and dance. Admission is by donation and doors are at 5pm. 

Josh Hutcherson and HAIM on Saturday Night Live

         I am a massive Saturday Night Live fan, honestly if I am home alone I re-watch old episodes, when I am at home in Nova Scotia I drive my family crazy trying to make them laugh by showing them old clips from episodes I know they have not watched (they never find them as funny as I do) and I have no problem spending my Saturday nights at home waiting for ‘SNL’ to come on.

         Last night’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ was by far my favourite episode of the season, with one of my current favourite bands HAIM and Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson it was an incredible episode. I think this episode was great for multiple reasons:

1.   There was no shortage of jokes about host Josh Hutcherson’s height, he is 5’5 and as you can see next to his Hunger Game’s co-stars quite small. This was taken in stride, in one sketch Hutcherson is a character names ‘lil’ peanut’. Adorable.

2.   The host and band are still pretty unknown. Yes, Hutcherson is in one of the biggest movies of the year; but I bet you wouldn’t recognize him (unless you are a 14 year old girl) on the streets though! HAIM is blowing up, but still unknown to most people. I think this is a magical combination for SNL; it is harder for the episode to get overhyped and it lets the stars and cast shine without as much pressure.

3.   The sketches did not rely too much on recurring sketches from the past this episode. There was a free flow to the episode with great sketches that incorporated some of the new cast members.

I am no SNL expert, but I thought this week’s episode was brilliant. Here is my favourite sketch which incorporates two 80s songs we play on Mountain FM and HAIM’s ‘Don’t Save Me’.

Josh Hutcherson - Josie Sketch (Your Love... by IdolxMuzic
[HD] Haim - Don't Save Me - SNL 11-23-13 by IdolxMuzic

Click here to see the music video for HAIM’s ‘The Wire’ it was the song they opened with last night on SNL.