Winning America: CBC Radio 3's first documentary - National debut

What does it take for a Canadian indie band to make it in the States? That's the topic addressed by Winning America, the first documentary produced by CBC Radio 3. Airing Sat., Apr. 7 on CBC-TV (9 a.m. PST/noon EST), it follows the ups and downs of Vancouver band Said the Whale as they look for the elusive recipe to success in the U.S. Directed by Brent Hodge, the documentary is funny, poignant and has a message for any band, anywhere, hoping to beat the odds and make it big. If you missed them last October when they played Pontiac, it's also a great way to "meet" the band before they play Windsor's Capitol Theatre on Mon., Apr. 16 and PJ's Lager House on Tues., Apr. 17, with fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love.

Our Top Shows of 2011

Notice something conspicuously absent in that title? The number 10.

Out of the 108 bands/performers we saw in 2011, we couldn't choose just 10. Because it's our blog and we'll do what we want to, here is our list, in chronological order, of our top shows from last year. Our criteria: it just had to be an experience that for whatever reason-- musically, emotionally, artistically-- was particularly memorable out of all the great shows we saw. Truly, we are continually amazed by the talent that's out there in Canadian indie. Note: since we did a Top Ten list for NXNE, we did not include any of those shows here.

Jenny Omnichord, Wax Mannequin

Les Jupes, Wheat Pool

The Rural Alberta Advantage

(wh)y.m.e.(??), Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Rich Aucoin, Gobble Gobble (now Born Gold)

My Son the Hurricane, D-Sisive (with Muneshine)

Hey Rosetta!

Fucked Up

Parlovr, Handsome Furs

Great Lake Swimmers

The Besnard Lakes, Malajube

We Are The City, Said The Whale

Will Currie & the Country French, Library Voices

Shred Kelly

Field Assembly, The Locusts Have No King, Sunparlour Players, The Sadies

Danny Michel

Everyone Wins: CBC Radio 3 documentary airs all weekend

 Winning America, CBC Radio 3's first documentary, debuted Jul. 23 on CBC TV in British Columbia only. Now everyone can follow Vancouver band Said the Whale on their recent U.S. tour and explore what it takes to break into the market on the other side of the border. The documentary is available for a special online screening this weekend only (ending on Sun., Aug. 21 at 11 p.m. PST/2 a.m. EDT) on CBC Radio 3. View it here.

Trailer from the documentary:

Winning America: CBC Radio 3's first documentary premieres Jul. 23

What does it take for a Canadian indie band to make it in the States? That's the topic addressed by Winning America, the first documentary produced by CBC Radio 3. Airing on CBC TV BC (only, unfortunately) on Sat., Jul. 23, it follows the ups and downs (including the now famous "Jacked in the Sac" and mustard incidents) of Vancouver band Said the Whale as they look for the elusive recipe to success in the U.S.. hoping to leave their day jobs behind and devote themselves to music full-time. We had the distinct pleasure of viewing the documentary at a screening this past weekend. Directed by Brent Hodge, the documentary is funny, poignant and has a message for any band, anywhere, hoping to beat the odds and make it big.

Winning America premiere Facebook page.




Said the Whale Live Performance Video: