Interview with 54-40

On September 1st, 2017, I had the exciting opportunity to interview 54-40 drummer Matt Johnson on my radio show, Mediafrenzy Fridays (CHRW 94.9 FM).  We discussed their latest summer tour, new album, historic venues and the group's endurance and longevity as one of Canada's best rock bands.

Listen to the interview on my soundcloud by clicking here.

Be sure to check out their show at the Western Fair, Friday, September 8th, 2017 and visit www.5440.com and music.5440.com/track/keep-on-walking to download the new single!

Tracks "Since When" and "Keep on Walking" sandwich the interview, used by permission from the band.

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 16-07-08 #BlackLivesMatter Edition 2016

On this edition I discuss the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the reasons the #AllLivesMatter hashtag is problematic, the recent deaths at the hands of police along with other injustices that the black community has faced, and both current and historical social movements involving racial issues within the last century.  I paired the spoken information with radical, revolutionary songs from those movements or with songs with lyrics that address social issues regarding racism, slavery, discrimination, immigrants, refugees, poverty, police brutality and the prison industrial complex. 

  

This edition of mediafrenzy fridays was extremely difficult for me, for a few different reasons: 

On one hand, I have some strong opinions and I felt a desire and need to bring up some of these issues, to make sure they are discussed in the media and that the stories are not silenced.  However, I do wish that I had organized this show with enough time to invite people from the #BlackLivesMatter movement to join me in the studio.  I realize perhaps it shouldn't have been my voice in the spotlight, but I had only decided on the morning of the show that I absolutely had to focus on #BLM and through the radio, I have the avenue to broadcast ideas, so I did just that.

The other difficulty I had was personally not letting my emotions overtake me during the broadcast. Usually I can keep my composure but I, like many of you, have been feeling grief, sadness, anger and guilt for the tragic events happening in the streets and in our communities.  These emotions are detectable in the dialogue portion of this program.  I'm not apologizing for that.  Things are messed up around the world and I spoke from the heart, be it stuttered and awkward in parts.

My goal of this program was to share the words of these musicians, because music always has a role in sparking positive change. Music tells stories.  Music speaks to the beat of our souls and that's universal.  Thanks to Jason, Ando and Al for the requests.  Also thanks to everyone who called in and congrats to those who got their name entered for the Way Home Fest tickets.

Much love and appreciation for Toronto Black Lives Matter.

This show aired on July 8th, 2016 on CHRW 94.9FM

PLAYLIST

Ana Tijoux - Somos Sur

Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddamn

Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People

Gil Scott Heron - Whitey on the Moon

Eugene McDaniels - Supermarket Blues

Irma Thomas - Anyone Who Knows What Love Is

Shad - FamJam

John Coltrane - Blue Train

Shabazz Palaces - New Black Wave

Janelle Monae - Hell You Talmbout

CQuel - The Death of Me

Taina Asili - Freedom

Invincible & Waajeed - Detroit Summer

Lauren Hill - Time Moves Slow

BadBadNotGood - Time Moves Slow

Neil Young - Southern Man

Radiohead - Burn The Witch

Factor - Factoria

Macklemore - White Privilege II

DOWNLOAD LINKS (good until July 29th, 2016)
https://chrwradio.ca/radio/podcasts/51089/Jul-08Fri1400.mp3
https://chrwradio.ca/radio/podcasts/51089/Jul-08Fri1500.mp3

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 16-06-24 Éire Edition 2016

Come with me on a musical journey across Ireland, featuring trad seisiúns, indie rock, live shows, songs, poetry and stories.   

PLAYLIST

Aired JUNE 24th, 2016 on CHRW 94.9 FM

Part 1

Thin Lizzy - Boys Are Back in Town

Hard Chargers - Lonesome Thread

Pogues - Down All The Days

Trad Session

Le Vent Du Nord - Le Vigneron

Trad Session

Neil Young - Heart of Gold

Trad Session - Working Man

Carlos Del Junco - Just Your Fool

Robbie Antone - Red Road Blues

Urges - Passing Us By

Trad Session - Ferryman

Altered Hours - Dig Early

Part 2
Hard Chargers - Live

My Bloody Valentine - Sometimes

Golden Death Music - Into the Ocean

Sean Keane - Nature’s Little Symphony

Smashing Pumpkins - Drown

Double Clutch Blues Band - Someone To Talk To

Part 3
Andy Wilson & The Longshots - Summer of ’16

Live from the Brazenhead - Dublin

Massive Attack - Setting Sun Dub 2

Caribou - Back Home
Reading of W.B. Yeats - Lake Isle of Innisfree

Cranberries - Dreams

Great Big Sea - The Night Pat Murphy Died
Reading by WB Yeats - The Fiddler of Dooney 

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Emmett O’Brien - Untitled Poetry

Listener - Failing Isn’t Just For Failures

Dropkick Murphys - Finnegans Wake

Part 4
Planxty - Taimse Im’ Chodladh

Olenka & The Autumn Lovers - Sweet Little Road

Del Barber & The No Regretzkys - Hockey Song

Del Barber & The No Regretzkys - Mon Chandail de Hockey

Irish Mythen - The Auld Triangle

Sissy - Gave Birth to a Mom

Bob Log III - Live in Cork

Patrick Kelleher - Adrenal Insolvent

Patsy Watchorn - Molly Malone

Mary Jane Lamond - Dómhnall Mac 'Ic Iain

Magic Pockets - Now You’re Clondalkan

Uisce Beatha - Drinking with the Lord

Trad Session - Eileen Og

Here are the download links (can be downloaded anytime before Friday July 8th). 

Part 1: https://chrwradio.ca/radio/podcasts/51089/Jun-24Fri1400.mp3

Part 2: https://chrwradio.ca/radio/podcasts/51089/Jun-24Fri1500.mp3

Part 3: https://chrwradio.ca/radio/podcasts/51090/Jun-24Fri1600.mp3

Part 4: https://chrwradio.ca/radio/podcasts/51090/Jun-24Fri1700.mp3

Thanks to everyone for the requests, the venues and musicians for the opportunity to record the music and to everyone who called in during the show!  So much gratitude to: Joe Lyons, Suzanne Scully, Sebastian Turres, John Brennan, Martin Sadlier, Michael Jeckel, Helen Hyeran Park. Shout outs to The HardChargers, Emmet O'Brien, Catherine Maynes, Hadar Frachtenberg, Sarah Elizabeth O Leary, Amber Rose & Michael Kirby. Thanks for making my trip so memorable. Next show will be July 8th, 2016. 

go raibh maith agat

dj mediafrenzy

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 15-09-04 Euro Edition 2015

PLAYLIST

Aired SEPTEMBER 4th, 2015 on CHRW 94.9 FM

2pm

Arsenal (Bruxelles, Belgium) - High Venus

Arsenal (Bruxelles, Belgium) - Lotuk

Innershades (Aalst, Belgium) - Volksverheffing

Zita Swoon (Antwerpen, Belgium) - The Bananaqueen

The Stephanies (Brugge, Belgium) - About Time

2:30pm

The Stephanies (Brugge, Belgium) - The Highest Mountain

The Weakerthans (Winnipeg, Canada) - Night Windows

Vismets (Brussels, Belgium) - Abacadabra

The Stone Age Queens (Halle, Belgium) - Sampler

Yukon Blonde (Kelowna, Canada) - Favourite People

3pm

PHX (Brugge, Belgium) - Sky Anxiety

Wormwood (London, Canada) - Sunrise

Doldrums (Toronto, Canada) - Industry City

Chemical Brothers (Manchester, UK) - Born in the Echoes

Culcha Candela (Berlin, Germany) - Scheisse aber happy

3:30pm

Morgenrot (Berlin, Germany) - Nice und Easy

Aura Dione (Denmark) - I will love you Monday

Culcha Candela (Berlin, Germany) - Monsta

Rombo (Barcelona, Spain) - Rendicio

Justi & Gon (Barcelona, Spain) - Petite blonde aux yeux bleus

Rumbason (Barcelona, Spain) - Soc del Poblenou

On this edition of Mediafrenzy Fridays I share with the listeners music I discovered on my recent adventure to Europe. From live shows, to friends' bands, record stores, on the radio or recommended at the estaminets, I have a whole bunch of new tunes to share! It will be quite the mix of Belgium rock roll, European DJs, German Kraut rock and Barcelona Rumbas! Big hello to the folks in Brussels, Gent, Brugge, Antwerpen, Berlin & Barcelona who exposed me to such great tunes, spun the records, shared their music or suggested artists. Hugs and thanks!

Congratulations to Ron for phoning in to win a copy of the brand new Yukon Blonde CD, On Blonde.

Thanks to those who phoned in and thanks to Andrew and Tim for helping with some of the technical bits so that the show would go smoothly.  

I think this show might be re-run next Friday September 11 2-4pm.  You can stream and download it here until Sept 18th.
Select 'Previous Shows' tab (below my name) and 'Aired Sept 4th' 2pm - http://chrwradio.ca/programs/mediafrenzy

Or click these links to download

Part 1: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/81415/1441389600.mp3
Part 2: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/81418/1441391400.mp3

Part 3: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/81417/1441393200.mp3

Part 4: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/81421/1441395000.mp3

Next new show will September 18th, 2015. It will be an intro to London for the new students, including venue descriptions and concert calendar review.

go rumba,

dj mediafrenzy

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 15-05-01 Beltane/May Day Edition 2015

PLAYLIST

Absolutely Free - Burred Lens

Temples - Move with the Season

The Doors - Light My Fire

Chromatics - I’m on Fire

Loreena McKennitt - Beltane Fire Dance

High Dials - Flower on the Vine

Jimi Hendrix - Fire

Waxahatchee - Bonfire

Doldrums - Hotfoot

Gracious Collective - Me & My Bike

Buttonfly - Be In The Now

Snaggle - Other Fascination

Little Sons - Sunboat

Arkells - Oh, The Boss Is Coming

Lisa Simpson - Protest Song

Panic is Perfect - The Mailman

Rage Against The Machine - Maggies Farm

Ani DiFranco - Which Side Are You On

Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger - If I had a Hammer

Frank Risdale - Bread & Roses

Todays show falls on another celebratory date.  Beltane, an ancient pagan day of importance, with festivities and rituals ranging from feasting to fires, the blessing of the crops, recently sowed and the celebration of the sun’s light getting stronger.   DJ Mediafrenzy discusses some of the ancient rites and practices and plays songs related to seasons, flowers and fire.

It’s also May Day.  In London, over the past few years May Day has meant some kind of bicycle related event.  This year, EVAC organized a DIY bike kitchen tune up day.  The event is mentioned a few local bicycle songs are played.

May Day is significant because of the struggles and successes of the Workers’ Rights Movement, including establishing a 8 hour work day.  DJ Mediafrenzy delves into the history of the movement and the victories, while playing some fantastic labour related tunes and protest anthems.

Congrats to Don who won the Little Sons CD giveaway.

The show is available to stream, until May 15th, 2015, here (select ‘previous shows’ tab and the date): http://chrwradio.ca/programs/maximum-joy-mediafrenzy, select May1st 2pm onward (it goes into the Londonindie Undergrounds previous show tab too, 3:30pm)

Here are the direct links to make it easier for you!

Part 1: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/74708/1430503200.mp3

Part 2: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/74707/1430505000.mp3

Part 3: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/74710/1430506800.mp3

Part 4: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/74709/1430508600.mp3

NEXT SHOW IS May 15th, 2015!  TUNE IN, CALL IN! 94.9FM - 519-661-3600

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 15-04-03 Mother Earth Edition 2015

PLAYLIST

Absolutely Free - Beneath The Air

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi

Xavier Rudd - Footprint

Westminster Park - The Weatherman 

Old Man Luedecke - Monsanto Jones

Carly Thomas - Sink or Swim

Sleater Kinney - Price Tag

Frank Risdale - Don’t Want Your Millions Mister

Decemberists - Til The Water’s All Gone

Captain Beefheart - The Dust Blows Forward And The Dust Blows Back

Neil Young - Who’s Gonna Stand Up

Blackwood Honey Bees - Love Song for the End of the World

Tegan and Sara - Our Trees

The Beatles - Mother Nature's Son

Gorillaz - O Green World

Mos Def - New World Water

For this show DJ Mediafrenzy is joined by local gardener and activist Becky Ellis, who is organizing Mother Earth month - A month long, multi-venue celebration of environmentally focused activities, workshops, shows and events. We discuss upcoming events, the origins of Mothers Day, pollinators, gardening, climate crisis, California’s drought, water issues, food security and local actions individuals can do to help ensure our future is a green one. Find out about all the events by joining the Mother Earth Month facebook page.

Thanks to everyone who called in, sorry I couldn't find the requests at the station.  Keep calling in though, I am trying to locate requests and love to hear from listeners.

The show is available to stream, until April 17th, 2015, here (select ‘previous shows’ tab and the date): http://chrwradio.ca/programs/maximum-joy-mediafrenzy, select April 3rd 2pm onward (it goes into the Londonindie Underground’s previous show tab too, 3:30pm)

Here are the direct download links to make it easier for you!

Part 1: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/73347/1428084000.mp3

Part 2: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/73349/1428085800.mp3

Part 3: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/73348/1428087600.mp3

Part 4: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/73351/1428089400.mp3

NEXT SHOW IS APRIL 17th, 2015!  I’LL BE SPLITTING THE SHOW WITH DJ JOY!

DOUBLE DJ AWESOMENESS - TUNE IN, CALL IN! 94.9FM - 519-661-3600

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 15-03-20 Equinox Eclipse Edition 2015

PLAYLIST

The Bright Light Social Hour - The Moon

Cat Power - Sun

Tops - Circle the Dark

Caribou - Sun

Purity Ring - Push Pull

The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun

The Gandharvas - First Day of Spring

Death Cab for Cutie - Black Sun

Arkells - Come To Light

Echo & The Bunnymen - Killing Moon

Molly Nilsson - Hey Moon

Monsoon - Celestial Oceans

Beck - Blue Moon

Chromatics - Blue Moon

My Brightest Diamond - Looking at the Sun

Morrissey - Sunny

Gord Downie, The Sadies and the Conquering Sun - Crater

The Horrors - First Day of Spring

Twin River - Word to the Wise

Cuff the Duke - Time is Right

Name With No Sound - Circles

Jay Reatard - There is No Sun

Happy Spring and Blessed Ostara!  The sun is shining bright, the snow is melting and the temperature is mild.  This is the equinox, the day when the daylight hours get longer.  It’s also significant because there will be a Supermoon Solar Eclipse (visible in the Northern UK/Europe).  The show is focused on songs about the sun, moon, spring time and light.  DJ Mediafrenzy discusses celestial history, fables, facts and curious tales.  

Congrats to John who won the Mandala - Monsoon CD giveaway and requested Morrissey.  Thanks to Jason for calling in and making some requests that I had on hand!

The show is available to stream, until April 3rd, 2015, here (select ‘previous shows’ tab and the date): http://chrwradio.ca/programs/maximum-joy-mediafrenzy, select March 20th 2pm onward (it goes into the Londonindie Undergrounds previous show tab too, 3:30pm)

Here are the direct links to make it easier for you!

Part 1: File is cut off, hoping to locate a proper version

Part 2: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/72661/1426876200.mp3

Part 3: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/72663/1426878000.mp3

Part 4: http://chrwradio.ca/audio/download/72662/1426879800.mp3

NEXT SHOW IS APRIL 3rd, 2015!  TUNE IN, CALL IN! 94.9FM - 519-661-3600

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY - 14-12-12 Fave albums and concerts of 2014

PLAYLIST

Raised By Swans - Except Us Dreamers (2014 LOCAL ALBUM “Oxnadalur”)

The Horrors - First Day of Spring (2014 ALBUM “Luminous”)

Sloan - You’ve Got a Lot on your Mind (2014 ALBUM “Commonwealth” + 2 CONCERTS, Western Fairgrounds and London Music Hall!)

St. Vincent - Bring Me Your Loves (2014 ALBUM “ST. Vincent”)

Jenny Lewis - Just One of the Guys (2014 ALBUM “Voyager”)

Modest Mouse - The View (CONCERT at London Music Hall)

Caribou - All I Ever Need (2014 ALBUM “Our Love”)

Dakar Audio Club - Promo EP (CONCERT in Exeter UK, also have a new album on Bandcamp)

Imogen Heap - Minds Without Fear (2014 ALBUM “Sparks”)

Le Fruit Vert - Epherimedes (CONCERT at EVAC)

Whoop-Szo - Niizhwaaswo (2014 LOCAL ALBUM “Niizhwaaswo”)

Timber Timbre - Curtains?! (NEW ALBUM “Hot Dreams”)

Chromatics - Candy (UPCOMING 2015 release!)

Morrissey - World Peace Is None of Your Business - (GIVEAWAY “World Peace Is None of Your Business”)

Daniel Lanois - Space Love - (2014 ALBUM “Flesh in the Machine”)

Electric Youth - The Best Thing (2014 ALBUM Innerworld”)

Astral Self - Restitution (2014 LOCAL TAPE “A Person Described As People presents Forest City Series Vol. 1”)

James Hunter Six - Let The Monkey Ride (CONCERT at London Music Club)

The Coup - Guillotine (CONCERT at Hard Luck Bar in Toronto)

Atmosphere - The World Might Not Live Through The Night (2014 ALBUM “Southsiders”)

Broken Bells - After The Disco (2014 ALBUM “After the Disco”

Tanya Tagaq - Uja (CONCERT at Aeolian Hall)

Thanks to Aaron for calling in and telling me about his favourite concert of 2014, Operators at CMW in Toronto.  Congrats to Jason, for calling in and winning the 2014 CD from Morrissey “World Peace is None of Your Business”, and thanks for telling us about your favourite show of 2014, Timber Timbre at Aeolian Hall. I didn’t get a chance to play a track from “Late At Night” By Alanna Gurr and the Greatest State, which also made my list this year.  A couple of noteworthy new local bands to mention, Pacanomad and Wormwood:  Look out for more from them in the new year!

The show was available to stream, until December 28th, 2014, Select previous shows tab, here: http://chrwradio.ca/programs/maximum-joy-mediafrenzy

MEDIAFRENZY FRIDAY PLAYLIST - 14-10-31 HALLOWEEN EDITION

Aired on CHRW Radio 94.9 FM on October 31st, 2014 1:30 - 3:40pm

SONGS

Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone

Twilight Hotel - Highway Prayer

Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Lost Souls

Echo & The Bunnymen - Killing Moon

Lucky Widmore - Howling at the Moon

Spoon - They Want My Soul

Speaking Tongues - Graveyard Blues

Bloody Hollies - Dead Letter

Buck 65 - A Case For Us

PhonopHoniC - Architects of Discontent

Factor (Ceschi) - Raise the Dead

Imogen Heap - Lifeline

Flaming Lips - Us & Them

The Cure - Friday I’m in Love

Misfits - Monster Mash

Arrogant Worms - Vance the Vegetarian Zombie

Electric Youth - Real Hero

Johan Soderqvist - Let the Right One In (score)

Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi’s Dead

Haunting tunes and haunting stories from our Prison Industrial Complex.  Between spooky songs DJ Mediafrenzy talks about crime rates being at an all time low, while Canada builds and incarcerates more people than ever before.  Human rights topics such as: unsanitary conditions, prisoners’ justice, restorative justice, pen pal programs, ACLU petitions, health access, issues at the local detention centre, murders, lock downs and the need for human dignity are broached on the show. Plus there were give-aways: Two tickets to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here tribute at the Grand Theatre and Electric Youth's new CD! I'm going to try and have a giveaway every show!

Available to stream online here until November 13th: http://chrwradio.ca/programs/maximum-joy-mediafrenzy
(Click "Previous Shows" tab, October 31st, 2014)