M for Montreal

6 bands you absolutely have to see

Photo by David Logan

M For Montreal may lack the fanfare of other Montreal music festivals, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve your love. More of a showcase than, say, Pop Montreal (the festival to which it is most often unfairly compared), M For Montreal is important because it showcases what we have to export (for lack of a better way of putting it).

Sadly, I can’t attend this year. But if I could, this is who I’d see—and why.

The who: Hollerado
The why: Because they’re more fun than virtually every band on earth. Because I can’t, off the top of my head, think of a band that invests more energy in making sure you have a good time. Because they’re great friends of mine.

The who: Parlovr
The why: Because how many bands can you think of with a silent “v” in their name (I know it’s not a silent anything…just go with it.) Because every time I’ve ever seen them, they’ve thrown down, and people were agape to the tune of, “Why the hell haven’t I been listening to Parlovr all day every day always?” Because there are a handful of bands that can be truly noisy and truly beautiful, and Parlovr’s one of them. Because Alex Cooper’s moustache isn’t Movember-related.

The who: Trigger Effect
The why: Because IMHO, they are the best punk band in the galaxy. Because they’re the definition—and epitome—of a DIY band. Because they created and maintained Fear and Loathing in Montreal, which delighted and disgusted audiences for a decade. Because of dildo nunchucks and lobsters trained to fight. Because Mike Niro is my accountant. Because Nick Babeu is a fucking psychopath who will break into your house if you don’t go see him play.

The who: Duchess Says
The why: Because they’re an exceptional band who, despite being exceptional, have never really drawn a monstrous crowd in Montreal. Because Annie-Claude is one of the most electric, remarkable front-women in music. Because Annie-Claude flat-out wrecked an Austin, Texas bar with Maraschino cherries at SXSW two years ago and I was there, laughing/aghast/amazed with M For Montreal’s Mikey Bernard. Because it’s time to reiterate.

The who: M83
The why: Because it’s named after Messier 83, a spiral galaxy. Because it’s dream pop that’s actually dreamy, and poppy. Because of the album Saturdays = Youth and its amazing song “We Own the Sky,” which ties into the first point.

The who: Karkwa
The why: Because they’re Polaris Prize-winning Karkwa, and they rule.