that's when the audience died

Head over to Now Magazine to watch a video of Final Fantasy playing through a rainstorm @ Hillside!

put all your fears, your fires, your family into the mouth of final fantasy

Nico Muhly, Sam Amidon, Doveman, and Final Fantasy — August 27, 2008 @ The Music Hall, pt. ii

cover song(s) of the moment

David Shrigley released his songbook Worried Noodles in 2005; last September, 39 artists adapted Shrigley’s lyrics from it and interpreted them into music for a double-CD compilation album by the same title. Although David Shrigley never recorded these songs; he is however, responsible for the song lyrics, that is why I am calling the songs below covers.

Grizzly Bear: Blackcurrant Jam (David Shrigley cover)
Yacht: I Saw Gold (David Shrigley cover)
Liars: Panic Button (David Shrigley cover)
Scout Niblett The Bell (David Shrigley cover) [wicked-cool song]
Final Fantasy: Joys (David Shrigley cover)
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buy Worried Noodles here

final fantasy covers céline dion

Here’s a video of Final Fantasy’s cover of Céline Dion's "Power of Love" at Gladstone Hotel a couple of nights ago. You can download the mp3 version from the previous post.

cover song of the moment

Final Fantasy covered Céline Dion's "Power of Love" at Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, Ontario last night. Owen’s performance was part of a celebration for Carl Wilson’s latest in the 33 1/3 Series entitled Let's Talk About Love: A Journey To The End of Taste, a book about "Wilson’s brave and unprecedented year-long quest to find his inner Céline Dion fan, and explores how we define ourselves in the light of what we call good and bad, what we love and what we hate."

Final Fantasy - Power of Love (Live Celine Dion Cover at Gladstone Hotel on January 10, 2008) [wicked-cool song]
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cover song of the moment

Final Fantasy does Mariah Carey’s "Fantasy"... unfortunately Owen left out the O.D.B. intro in both instances.

Fantasy (Live Mariah Carey Cover in Windsor, Ontario) [wicked-cool song]
Fantasy (Live Mariah Carey Cover in Vancouver, British Columbia) [wicked-cool song]
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happy canada day!!!

How are you celebrating this Canada Day? Why not go down to the Harbourfront Centre concert stage in downtown Toronto to see Do Make Say Think and Final Fantasy for FREE!!! I can’t really speak for Do Make Say Think since I have never seen them live; but I have seen Final Fantasy live more than I can remember, and each time was beyond incredible... this is your chance to see the best live act today for absolutely free!

Do Make Say Think hits the stage at 8 and Final Fantasy at 9:30

Do Make Say Think
The Universe! from You, You're A History In Rust, 2007

Final Fantasy
The Sea (Tenderizer) from Young Canadian Mothers 7", 2006 [wicked-cool song]
The CN Tower Belongs To The Dead (Many Lives Version) from Many Lives -> 49 MP Single, 2006 [wicked-cool song]
This Lamb Sells Condos from He Poos Clouds, 2006 [super-wicked-cool song]

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i will never see the sun

Here are the pictures from the Great Lake Swimmers show at the Church of the Redeemer on last Saturday.

Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy joins the band.

let's sing a song about a woman's rage

It seems like forever since I have seen Final Fantasy live... well since last April... and yes, that IS a long time considered that I saw FF live 3 times in 4 months during the first quarter of 2006. Anyways, seeing FF yesterday afternoon at Tranzac reminded me why I think Owen Pallett is the best live performer in the world. Like the last time I saw Owen live, he featured the projection art show thing in the background again... the string version of This Lamb Sells Condos is priceless and he also played 2 or 3 new tracks. So, not that I need to say it, but the show was again pretty damn great! Everyone who has not seen Final Fantasy, you are indeed missing out!! You really need to catch him the next time he comes to your city... even if you are not the biggest fan of his music, seeing a Final Fantasy show is something that everyone must experience at least once!

see more photos from the show here

that's when the audience died

Final Fantasy is playing two shows in Toronto next week!! Owen Pallett will charm the audience at Tranzac on Friday, February 23 at 8 pm as well as Saturday, February 24 at 2 pm. I am going to the Saturday afternoon show... see you all there!


from You're Worth More To Me Than 1,000 Christians by Les Mouches (Pallett's old band)
Carload Of Whatever [wicked-cool song]
Divorce The Ones You Love [super-wicked-cool song]
Little Poop [wicked-cool song]

from Many Lives -> 49 MP Single
The Miner Becomes Forgetful [wicked-cool song]
The Cn Tower Belongs To The Dead (Many Lives Version) [wicked-cool song]
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buy You're Worth More To Me Than 1,000 Christians here
buy Many Lives -> 49 MP Single here

there is no hope for the village

I was cleaning up my room today and found this article from the University of Toronto Magazine on Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy.

from Has A Good Home, 2006
This is the Dream of Win & Regine [wicked-cool song]
Furniture [wicked-cool song]
Please Please Please [super-wicked-cool song]

from Young Canadian Mothers 7", 2006
This Is The Dream Of Emma & Cam
Peach, Plum, Pear (Joanna Newsom) [wicked-cool song]

from Many Lives -> 49 MP Single, 2006
Jars Of Lars

from He Poos Clouds, 2006
This Lamb Sells Condos [super-wicked-cool song]
Song Song Song [wicked-cool song]

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Sorry folks, the Young Canadian Mothers 7" is now out of print... but you can...
buy Has A Good Home here.
buy He Poos Clouds here.
buy Many Lives -> 49 MP Single here.

new final fantasy video!

Here's the new Final Fantasy video for "He Poos Clouds":

why do i always post stuffs at like 4 in the morning?

I just had a lengthen conversation with Millie (still in Japan) on MSN. It was really good talking to her, she showed me a bunch of really cool pictures - so jealous!

So I was walking down Queen St. tonight and saw Final Fantasy on the cover of Exclaim!... very cool... go pick up a copy or read the article online here. I guess I should to go bed now, bye.

new final fantasy single

Tomlab is releasing the first (?) Final Fantasy single for "Many Lives -> 49 MP" from He Poos Clouds. It features two unreleased tracks:

The Miner Becomes Forgetful
Jars Of Lars
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I was listening to both Has A Good Home and He Poos Clouds today, and in my opinion, He Poos Clouds is a far better album, but it just seems too short!!! ...I want more Final Fantasy!

buy the Many Lives -> 49 MP single here

old money stinking, send those faggots back to forest hill

Ok, where to start??... So, Final Fantasy last night was again, pretty great! It was my third time seeing FF live in 2006, and I must say, all three shows were quiet different and amazing in their own ways. (you can read about the first two shows here) Last night show was at the Music Gallery, which is basically a church. Seriously, artists and bands should do more shows in churches; the atmosphere is always amazing and they produce the best sound. So, like the New Amsterdams show, the opening acts sucked! They were all pretty boring, especially the second act: Matias. I swear half of the people were sleeping during their performance. They were horrible... totally unbearable! I think they only played for like half an hour, but it felt like 2 hours!!! Shit, talking and thinking about them makes me want to go to sleep. I don’t know if I want to see the opening acts for Yeah Yeah Yeahs show tonight?!?! Anyways, back to Final Fantasy. He had this whole projection art thing in the background throughout his entire performance yesterday. They were like random drawings and silhouettes of castles, kings, the CN Tower, etc. I thought those were very neat.



So, here’s the weird part: During the wait for Final Fantasy, this woman, who ended up being Owen’s friend, sat beside my friend Liam. She was filming the performance on her super8 or something. So, Liam gave her a glance and she started talking to him. So, to make this long story short, she was like, “do you want to come backstage after the show and I can get Owen to sign your CD...” I thought she a little crazy aka bullshitting, but after the show, she came to us and brought us backstage. (which was very nice of her) We meet Owen and Liam got He Poos Clouds signed. After, we just stood there, not knowing what to do... it was extremely weird and awkward!!!!
Nonetheless, go here to see pictures from last night show. They are kind of blurry as I was too scared to use the flash.

exclusive download

Ok, here’s the HUGE music update: Final Fantasy’s new album He Poos Clouds. I hope I don’t get into trouble by uploading this. Well, it’s not like anyone I don’t know visits this blog, so I think uploading this will be alright! Anyways, this is just for people who just can’t wait for the release of the album and absolutely have to listen to new Final Fantasy right now. Please, go buy the thing when it comes out on May 9! Support indie and local music!! Enjoy!

Final Fantasy: He Poos Clouds
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taking a break and updating this blog

So, I’ve been locked up in my computer room for the entire day today trying to get my opera essay done. As soon as that’s done, I have to start my symphony essay; they are both due on Thursday! I actually contained myself from signing onto msn, stopped watching Howl’s Moving Castle, and only looked at porn once! Right now, I am taking a break so I can post four songs from the Final Fantasy Young Canadian Mothers 7". I received my copy of the 7” a few weeks ago (despite the fact that I preordered the goddamn thing in the middle of December 2005!) Anyways, the thing features a fine remix of “This is the Dream of Win & Regine”, now entitled “This Is The Dream Of Emma & Cam”, a new arrangement of “The Sea” (I prefer the original way more), a new song “Spell For A Weak Heart”... well, not really new for those who’ve been attending Final Fantasy shows, and lastly, the lovely cover of Joanna Newsom’s “Peach, Plum, Pear”. Enjoy!

This Is The Dream Of Emma & Cam
The Sea (Tenderizer)
Spell For A Weak Heart
Peach Plum Pear
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buy the 7 inch here. you can also purchase a copy from Rotate This and Soundscapes in Toronto.

CMW... Day No. 1

Today is the first day of Canadian Music Week. (the festival runs from March 1-4) To celebrate CMW, I will devote a huge portion of this blog to Canadian artists and Canadian music from now on until the end of the festival. I will be posting one or two (or ever three) featured Canadian artists each day. Well, it all depends on what I can dig up from my iTunes and CBC Podcasts as my knowledge of Canadian music is not that great. So, with that being said, please don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts and your recommendations of Canadian artists/bands in the comments section as it will be a great way to share and promote homegrown music! So, let me start off the first day with my favorite Canadian act right now...

Final Fantasy
I don’t even know where to begin with this band. I guess I’ll start by saying that Final Fantasy is not really a band, but it is a solo project by Owen Pallett. FF’s debut album, Has a Good Home was #4 on my 2005 top 20 list... if that means anything at all. Has a Good Home and the style of Final Fantasy is indie pop/rock influenced music and vocal style that features predominant violin instrumentation. (I think that is the best description I can come up with) Since I can only say so little about the musical style, I will tell you about my FF concert experience. I saw Owen perform twice so far, and I was blown away both times. In addition, the two concerts were completely different from each other. The first time I saw him, he brought along with him a string quartet. As a result, adding an orchestra feel to the songs. But really, he didn’t need any backups or extra members/players to accompany him because the second time I saw Owen, he performed solo for most of show. (with the exception of Lex Vaughn on drums for a couple of songs... oh Lex, she was so good!) The layers of violin music and the technicalities at this concert were just astonishing; I was staring in awe at Owen the entire time. He uses this foot pedal thing that loops his previously played musical phrases/melodies while he plays on top of that. (again, very hard to explain!) Final Fantasy’s second album He Poos Clouds is set for an early May release date.

Sounds like: nothing out there!

This is the Dream of Win & Regine
The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead
Peach, Plum, Pear (Joanna Newsom cover)
Illusion Song (live)
buy Has a Good Home here


Boys Night Out
Like many hardcore bands from Washington, D.C. during the early 80s had done, Boys Night Out made the transition from being a hardcore band to an ‘emo’-ish band. Their album Trainwreck is one of the coolest and most interesting concept albums I’ve ever heard! I won’t go into details here because I don’t want to spoil the story for you. But basically, the album deals with the themes of love and murder, dreams and reality, freedom and restriction… very cool!

Sounds like: Blood Brothers, Cave In, Finch, Scary Kids Scaring Kids

Medicating
Composing
buy Trainwreck here

i love this... probably the best answer ever!

Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy describes his music:

Q: How would you describe your music?

Owen Pallett: Well... I'd describe my music as being like the feeling you get when you meet your boyfriend's parents for the first time. And you're white and they're Asian. So you're really happy to be meeting the parents of the boy you love. But you're also on your best behaviour, you don't want to seem like a racist "white devil" or anything. So you're doing your best to not say anything insensitive or presumptuous. Then you realize that your caution is itself pretty presumptuous, and you're probably looking really distant and disinterested. So you're super happy, but also delicately trying to walk that line between being too comfortable and being too detached. That's how I'd best describe what I do.