Since 2006, M For Montreal has been putting Montreal and Canadian music in the spotlight. This is the seventh year for the annual festival founded by Sébastien Nasra, in collaboration with the legendary British festival programmer Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury Festival, The Great Escape). The full-grown four day festival brings 100 performances to 16 venues and features no less than 100 Canadian artists, as well as a number of international artists.
Where to go and what to see at any music festival can be overwhelming. With M for Montreal’s long list of up-and-coming and also well known acts, TVD Canada is here to help you out. Whether you know them yet or not, these are twelve acts that you will not want to miss this year at M for Montreal.
KANDLE
Thursday, November 15th, 2012 – 2:25pm at Café Campus
Friday, November 16th, 2012 – 11:30pm at Casa Del Popolo
Kandle Osborne, daughter of Neil Osborne (54-40), was born in Victoria, British Columbia and is currently based in Montreal, Quebec. A young girl with an old soul, Kandle brings a graceful beauty to dark and mysterious songs.
HALF MOON RUN
Wednesday, November 15th, 2012 – 11:30pm at Sala Rossa
The members of Half Moon Run hail from Ottawa, Ontario and Comox, British Columbia and their early 2012 debut release, Dark Eyes, has been well received internationally. Their perfect and unique combination of indie, folk, pop and electronica guarantees a mesmerizing live performance.
SEB BLACK
Friday, November 16th, 2012 – 1:10am at Quai Des Brumes
Seb Black is a Montreal based Singer/Songwriter and self taught multi-instrumentalist with a refreshing and interesting sound that could very well pull together fans of many different types of genres. A makeshift folk rock orchestra and a vocal performance that demands your attention.
CHIC GAMINE
Friday, November 16th, 2012 – 1:50pm at Petit Campus
Chic Gamine’s four rotating lead singers combine French pop with wall-of-sound harmonies and hip shaking beats that could be straight out of Motown. With a Juno and a performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games under their belt, this group surely knows how to keep an audience entertained.
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS
Saturday, November 17th, 2012 – 11pm at La Sala Rossa
Since forming in 2004, this New York-based band has played with several huge acts including Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Brian Jones Town Massacre, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Nine Inch Nails, and MGMT. Their noisy psychedelic post-punk sound promises a live performance you do not want to miss.
SÓLEY
Saturday, November 17th, 2012 – 8pm at Metropolis
Soley Stefansdottir is a multi-instrumentalist from Iceland who only discovered her voice after touring all over the world with her band, Seabear. Her first solo effort, Theatre Island, was released in 2010 and her first full length album, We Sink, followed soon after. Witness Soley prove the voice she didn’t even think she had, to be sweet and very unique.
WHITEHORSE
Thursday, November 15th, 2012 – 2pm at Petit Campus
Friday, November 16th, 2012 – 10pm at Divan Orange
Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland are the married duo behind Whitehorse. Known for their incredible stage presence, Whitehorse contributes strong vocal chemistry and guitar work, as well as layers of percussion, keyboard and telelphone receiver amplification with the help of looping pedals. Enough to prove that any folk music fan simply cannot miss this performance.
FOLLY AND THE HUNTER
Thursday, November 15th, 2012 – 1:10pm at Petit Campus (Free)
Folly and The Hunter is an indie folk band from Montreal, Quebec. Nick Vallee, Laurie Torres and Christopher Fox came together in 2010 to create songs with catchy melodies and multiple harmonies along a great mix of acoustic instruments.
THE BALCONIES
Thursday, November 15th, 2012 – 2:50pm at Petit Campus
Friday, November 16th, 2012 – 11pm at Divan Orange
Ottawa formed, Toronto-based band The Balconies are a brother/sister fronted pop rock trio that will surely have you up on your feet, finding the front of the stage. Catch their set and witness one of the most energetic acts playing M For Montreal this year.
THE NILS
Saturday, November 17th, 2012 – 10pm at Katacombs
Montreal punk rockers The Nils were releasing music between 1978 and 1994 and were recognized by many as starting the punk movement in the Montreal area. Carlos Soria, Marko Donato, Phil Gravedigger and Colin Burnett have been rehearsing this re-birth, promising an incredible and entertaining live show.
OF MONSTERS AND MEN
Saturday, November 17th, 2012 – 9pm at Metropolis
The world fell in love with this Icelandic six-piece band this year, making this a must-see show. Of Monsters and Men have proven their craft in pop folk songs and their live performance is guaranteed to be charming, fun and keep you singing along through to the next day.
C T Z N S H P
Saturday, November 17th, 2012 – 9pm at La Sala Rossa
While forming just last year, CTZNSHP have already shared stages with the likes of Okkervil River, Yuck, The Besnard Lakes and PS I Love You. This Montreal trio is sure keep you guessing—and dancing, with their interesting, mysterious pop rock sound.
