#TuneTuesday: September 10, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, let’s make it a thing).

I am going to always try to pick one break out hit, a big band that everyone has heard from before and then another song I love from a Canadian band that I think deserves a shout out and attention for their incredible work. This week my selection covers both bases.

My choice for this week’s #TuneTuesday is a big one and yes I have just picked one video this week. I was going to throw in Miley Cyrus’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ for good measure, it is a pretty decent song but I just can’t be another share on that horrific video.

So, the only video I think you should trouble yourself with watching is Arcade Fire’s ‘Reflektor’. Okay, there are technically two videos; don't worry I have got you covered with both of them. Seriously, it is seven minutes and forty-one seconds, it is all you need this I know, not very original. I love the song; I heard it a few days ago when it leaked online, it is incredibly catchy and rumor has it the one and only David Bowie voice is in there around the 5 minute mark. I truly hope it is his voice, it sounds pretty similar (update: David Bowie confirmed he is featured on the track). The song is super Canadian, the main lyrics are in English but there are some French supporting vocals from the angelic voice of Régine Chassagne. You can definitely hear the influence from album producer and LCD Soundsystem front man James Murphy on the track too.

I’m not even going to pretend that I know what is going on in this music video. Seriously, it is pretty trippy. It continues the ‘9’ theme that Arcade Fire had been going with promoting the new album so far. Yesterday (September 9th), the ‘Reflektor’ video was released and there was a semi-secret surprise concert for 100 lucky fans dressed in formal attire or a costume in Montreal (it started at 9pm).

Back to the video, I would love to have the Reflektor man’s mirror suit. It is pretty cool. I may not be sure what it all means, but that is what I like about the video. Arcade Fire has not dumbed-down the pretentiousness for little ole me. The video is a weird combination of elements, reminders of Stephen King’s ‘Under the Dome’ and the black and white beauty of a war-time movie. Regardless, I am sure the next video will pick up where ‘Reflektor’ left off and Arcade Fire will continue to blow my mind (and I may start to understand the madness).

If you are not a fan of Arcade Fire's take on their own song you can make your own version of 'Reflektor' by clicking here for the second 'Reflektor' video. https://www.justareflektor.com/

I am really excited for Arcade Fire’s performances a little later this month on Saturday Night Live, they will be the musical act when Tina fey hosts on September 28th.

If you must have a partner for this epic video please take into consideration a song that is the perfect song to listen to after ‘Reflektor’. It is not new, but it is a great song and video. It is The Yeah Yeah Yeahs ‘Heads Will Roll’.

Here it is:

And, if you are in the mode to continue the eerie sounds listen to (and watch)  ‘Heads Will Roll’ by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Trish Bruce Makes Her Radio Debut on 'Calls From Kate's Mom' the Miley Cyrus VMA Edition

My mother is one of my favorite people on earth. Seriously, we hang out a lot when we are living in the same province. Now that I am a big girl and have moved across the country we haven’t lost touch though, Facebook keeps us connected with messages about everything from family updates to Miley Cyrus’s VMA performance. After days of casual messages discussing our disgust for Smiley Miley’s raunchy display I decided it was time to let her vent and a great opportunity for the Kootenays to meet my mother, Trish Bruce.

Here is the first (and maybe the last) segment of ‘Calls from Kate’s Mom’.

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)

I get it; Miley resents her Hannah Montana roots. She really wants to separate herself from the role that really defined the early part of her career, the role that made her a household name and filled her bank account with more money than the average person makes in their entire lifetime. I can understand that, truly you when you're her age it is important to figure out who you are for yourself. With that being said her performance on the VMAs was disturbing, as I have stated previously I actually really like her song 'We Can't Stop' and I am really disappointed with the way she is portraying a song that is a fun summer song. MTV even had to bleep her. The more Miley acts like this crazy bimbo that needs to prove she's an adult that can do grown-up things, the more I want Hannah Montana back. 

I love the crowd shot, between astonished celebrities and celebrities in awe of what is happening there is a shot of Drake and he looks so embarrassed to be in a room where these shenanigans are going on…

While we are on the topic of things I don't like, I would like to mention the new 'Moon Man' (the VMA trophy), and I really do not like the redesigned trophy. It is terrifying! 

Here are the clips you need to see from the 2013 VMAs:

All that Miley action I previously mentioned, including a performance by Robin Thicke. 

The rumours earlier this week were true, NSYNC made an appearence.

And that Daft Punk moment that was so important they had to cancel on Stephen Colbert, well here that is.

Get More: 2013 VMA, Artists.MTV, Music

And then Katy Perry's impressive VMA finale performance.

How To Feel Super Old In One Simple Step: Watch The Teen Choice Awards

I had a pretty embarrassing Sunday. As you can read in my previous post found here, I spent the day learning about the world of competitive video gaming. Once that was finally over, I was excited to watch Big Brother and reenter my world of pointless girl drama. Little did I know I would have to cross through the torturous world that is teenagerdom first. That’s right, I suffered through a whole 20 minutes of the ‘Teen Choice Awards’.

Yes, it was suffering. I love award shows, but the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ is unbearable to adult-Kate. It is unfortunate because the same people who did a horrible job voting for the awards are the people attending the awards moshpit; teen girls. Here is the Kate Bruce magic equation for understanding teen girls, it all is based on how many you have to deal with.

1 teen girl – potential to be best friends for an afternoon, day or weekend, she will love everything you do and say you are the coolest

2 teen girls – they don’t like you, they ARE whispering about you and nothing you do is cool

3 teen girls – two of them are horrible (read above), one of them understands your pain and is surprisingly bearable

4 teen girls - just put on ‘Mean Girls’ (every girls guilty pleasure) and try to pull out the coolest crap you have to impress them

5+ teen girls – host and award show where they decide who is nominated and who wins the world… the biggest popularity party on earth

Always try to limit talking, on both sides of the equation.

After watching the horrible tail end of the program, including lots of unfamiliar faces presenting awards (seriously, I am a radio host I should know who these people are) and Miley Cyrus winning the inexplicable ‘Candies Fashion Trendsetter’ award (issue #1: 1998 called and wants it’s relevant sponsor back and issue #2: seriously the girl wearing a dog collar?). I was a little sour and depressed, when did I get so old?

But, then the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ redeemed itself… kind of. I caught a re-stream of Ashton (Chris) Kutcher’s speech that was surpisingly great. If you have no idea what I am talking about watch this (skip to 1:50):

Work hard, be sexy (by being smart) and don’t be afraid to stand out. Seriously an amazing message, from a not-so-serious guy; I am not a huge Ashton Kutcher fan but I am a big fan of this message (even though it was totally a plug for his new Steve Jobs bio-pic). A little more intelligent than Miley’s, “Thank you guys so much! You little kids having fun this year at the Teen Choice Awards?” 

The worst really won’t and can’t stop, right?

This blog was totally spurred on by these kiddos total lack of judgment; everyone knows ‘Get Lucky’ and ‘Blurred Lines’ are the songs of the summer… chosing ‘We Can’t Stop’ just shows how bad their judgment is.

Also, it made me feel really old.