This year’s Golden Globe’s dropped jaws, the Oscar’s received yawns and the Grammys’ only highlight was the Arcade Fire.

And at Sunday night’s 40th Juno Awards, the Montreal-based independent rock band cleaned up again and won four awards including Songwriters of the Year, Group of the Year and Album of the Year.

“Thank you, we are so happy,” Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler told the audience in accepting their first award of the night for Best Group.”I want to just give a shout-out to all the bands that we kind of came up with from Royal City to Hidden Cameras to The Unicorn to Wolf Parade and all the amazing Canadian bands and thank you so much.”

Arcade Fire homecoming victories for ‘The Suburbs” was a followup  to winning Album of the Year at this year’s Grammies and winning Best International Group and Best International Album at this year’s Brit Awards.

“It’s a long way from Sneaky Dees — the first place we played in Toronto,” said Butler as they picked up their second award on Sunday’s show. The only category the band lost was to Daniel Lanois for Producer of the Year for his work on Neil Young’s “Le Noise” won.

That Saturday night win for “Le Noise” was just a prelude to Neil Young’s triumphant evening on Sunday. Representing the old Canadian values, Young was honoured with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award for his founding both Farm Aid and the Bridge School Benefit concerts.

“What year is this?,” remarked Young after shutting out Justin Bieber for Artist of the Year.  ”I was 16 one time. He’s fantastic. He’s got some moves, doesn’t he?”

Young, who has not attended the Junos gala in 29 or so years, also won Best Adult Alternative Album.

The mighty tour-de-force that is Justin Bieber picked up two trophies via-satellite for Juno Fan Choice Award and Best Pop Album. ”Thank you so much for being so supportive,” said Bieber from Rotterdam, where he is currently on tour. “You guys have been incredible. 2011 has been absolutely crazy.”

Unfortunately, the Juno host and local-rapper Drake who led the list of nominees with six, left with no hardware. He was up for essentially every major category: Album, Fan Choice, Artist, Album, Songwriter, Single and Rap Recording. The latter of the bunch he surprisingly lost to the up-and-coming Toronto artist Shad on Saturday night.

However, the former Degrassi star had a refreshing opening to the show that involved Bieber on Skype exchanging verses on the timeless Sarah McLachlan tune “I Will Remember You”.

“You my friend have the voice of a young rabbi,” said Drake. Afterward, he was joined by pianist Chilly Gonzalez for a lounge medley that included a tribute to Shania Twain.

“You’re from Timmins, I’m from Toronto, you worked at McDonald’s and I eat McDonald’s, we should be together … Man, I’d like to make you feel like a woman baby,” he sang out.

Later in the evening, Bryan Adams presented his friend Twain with the Hall of Fame Award. The montage tribute video of her career included appearances by Anne Murray and Taylor Swift, who both praised her for inspiration.

“This is just a very beautiful moment for me. I’m really so proud of Canada’s talent,” said Twain. “I sit here tonight in the audience and I watch these amazing new artists up here on the stage. I have more pride in what the country has created musically than I am even of my own success. This is a beautiful country. I feel like I should just be wearing the Canadian flag tonight.”

“I love our lakes,” and then Twain dropped what will likely be the joke of headlines tomorrow morning: “I love our bush.”

Another highlight of the evening was the Love Letter to Toronto that featured today’s young and hot artists performing hits of yester-year! That’s likely how the initial concept was explained… It was well executed though. From Sarah Harmer’s angelic rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Carey” from Blue to Dallas Green’s take on “Old Man” with Young gleaming from front row.

Gordon Lightfoot and the Band were also paid tribute to by Jim Cuddy, Sarah Slean, Kevin Hearn, Serena Ryder, Greg Keelor, the Sadies and Derek Miller.

Other performers on Sunday were Down With Webster, Hedley, Tokyo Police Club, Johnny Reid, Broken Social Scene, Chromeo and Arcade Fire.

Click here for a full list of the 2011 Juno Award Winners.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Fresh off their Grammy-win, the good old Canadian band Arcade Fire have teamed up with Academy Award-nominated director Spike Jonze to create a short film inspired by the album entitled: Scenes from the Suburbs. The first public glimpse at the film was released in a trailer on Monday.

A story of battles. The battle of adolescence, social circles and love – and war, thanks to Jonze. The film stars stars Sienna Blau, Sam Dillon, Zoe Graham, Zeke Jarmon, Paul Pluymen, and Ashlin Williamson living in an ordinary suburb with a lingering militaristic presence, reminiscent of 1984.

The film is set to play this Wednesday at the South by Southwest (SXSW) interactive music and film festival in Austin, Texas. It has already premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and, according to the trailer, is soon coming to DVD. Both Arcade Fire’s front man Win Butler and manager Scott Rodger were executive producers of the film, and Win’s brother and bandmate Will co-wrote the script with Mr. Jonze.

Arcade Fire and Jonze’s history goes back to his use of “Wake Up!” in the trailer for his critically acclaimed 2009 film “Where the Wild Things Are”. Since, Jonze directed the music video for the band’s title track to the Suburbs.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

If you are not interested in the Academy Awards and were less then enthused with the Grammy Awards, perhaps the British Shockwave NME Awards will be more up your alley.

NME is a British music taste-making magazine much like Rolling Stone. The magazine covers everything from mainstream pop to indie bands.

Canadian band, Arcade Fire and British band, Foals lead the nominations this year. The award show also promises live music from My Chemical Romance and Foo Fighters.

Here is the full list of nominees:

Best British Band:

Arctic Monkeys

Biffy Clyro

Foals

Kasabian

Muse

Best International Band:

Arcade Fire

Kings Of Leon

My Chemical Romance

The Drums

Vampire Weekend

Best Solo Artist:

Florence and The Machine

Frank Turner

Kanye West

Laura Marling

Paul Weller

Best New Band:

Beady Eye

Everything Everything

Hurts

The Drums

Two Door Cinema Club

Best Live Band:

Arcade Fire

Biffy Clyro

Foals

Kasabian

Muse

Best Album:

Arcade Fire – ‘The Suburbs’

Crystal Castles – ‘Crystal Castles II’

Foals – ‘Total Life Forever’

My Chemical Romance – ‘Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’

Two Door Cinema Club – ‘Tourist History’

Best Track:

Cee Lo Green – ‘F*** You’

Foals – ‘Spanish Sahara’

Gorillaz – ‘Stylo’

Janelle Monae (feat Big Boi) – ‘Tightrope’

Mark Ronson and The Business Intl. -’Bang Bang Bang’

Best Video:

Arcade Fire – ‘We Used To Wait’

Brandon Flowers – ‘Crossfire’

Chase & Status – ‘Let You Go’

Gorillaz – ‘Stylo’

My Chemical Romance – ‘Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)’

Best Festival:

Download

Glastonbury

Reading and Leeds Festivals

T In The Park

V Festival

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

The annual Grammy nominations were announced last night at a ceremony where Katy Perry performed her popular single “California Girls”.

Eminem led the ceremony with an impressive ten nominations followed by Bruno Mars who garnered seven. Lady Gaga and Jay-Z are both nominated for a respectable six awards. Canadian favorite The Arcade Fire snuck in there with three nominations.

Here is the list of nominees:

Song Of The Year:
Ray Montagne- Beg Steal Or Borrow
Cee Lo Green- Forget You
Miranda Lambert- House That Built Me
Eminem Feat. Rihanna- Love The Way You Lie
Lady Antebellum- Need You Now

Best New Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence & The Machine
Mumford & Suns
Esperanza Spalding

Album Of The Year:
Arcade Fire- Suburbs
Eminem- Recovery
Lady Antebellum- Need You Now
Lady GaGa- The Fame Monster
Katy Perry- Teenage Dream

Best Female Country Vocal Performance:
Jewel- Satisfy Me
Miranda Lambert- House That Built Me
LeAnn Rimes- Swingin’
Carrie Underwood- Temporary Home
Gretchen Wilson- I’d Love..

Record of The Year:
B.O.B. Feat Bruno Mars- Nothin’ On You
Eminem Feat. Rihanna- Love The Way You Lie
Cee Lo Green- Forget You
Jay Z & Alicia Keys- Empire State Of Mind
Lady Antebellum- Need You Now

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
KING OF ANYTHING – Sara Bareilles
HALO (LIVE) – Beyoncé
CHASING PIRATES – Norah Jones
BAD ROMANCE – Lady Gaga
TEENAGE DREAM – Katy Perry

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
HAVEN’T MET YOU YET – Michael Bublé
THIS IS IT – Michael Jackson
WHATAYA WANT FROM ME – Adam Lambert
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE – Bruno Mars
HALF OF MY HEART – John Mayer

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ (REGIONALS VERSION) – Glee Cast
MISERY – Maroon 5
THE ONLY EXCEPTION – Paramore
BABYFATHER – Sade
HEY, SOUL SISTER (LIVE) – Train

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
AIRPLANES, PART II – B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams
IMAGINE – Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
IF IT WASN’T FOR BAD – Elton John & Leon Russell
TELEPHONE – Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
CALIFORNIA GURLS – Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

Best Pop Instrumental Performance
FLOW – Laurie Anderson
NESSUN DORMA – Jeff Beck
NO MYSTERY – Stanley Clarke
ORCHESTRAL INTRO – Gorillaz
SLEEPWALK – The Brian Setzer Orchestra

Best Pop Vocal Album
MY WORLD 2.0 – Justin Bieber
I DREAMED A DREAM – Susan Boyle
THE FAME MONSTER – Lady Gaga
BATTLE STUDIES – John Mayer
TEENAGE DREAM – Katy Perry

Best Dance Recording
ROCKET – Goldfrapp
IN FOR THE KILL – La Roux
DANCE IN THE DARK – Lady Gaga
ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD) – Rihanna
DANCING ON MY OWN – Robyn

Best Electronic/Dance Album
THESE HOPEFUL MACHINES – BT
FURTHER – The Chemical Brothers
HEAD FIRST – Goldfrapp
BLACK LIGHT – Groove Armada
LA ROUX – La Roux

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
CRAZY LOVE – Michael Bublé
THE GREATEST LOVE SONGS OF ALL TIME – Barry Manilow
LET IT BE ME: MATHIS IN NASHVILLE – Johnny Mathis
FLY ME TO THE MOON…THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK: VOLUME V – Rod Stewart
LOVE IS THE ANSWER – Barbra Streisand

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
RUN BACK TO YOUR SIDE – Eric Clapton
CROSSROADS – John Mayer
HELTER SKELTER – Paul McCartney
SILVER RIDER – Robert Plant
ANGRY WORLD – Neil Young

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
READY TO START – Arcade Fire
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU – Jeff Beck & Joss Stone
TIGHTEN UP – The Black Keys
RADIOACTIVE – Kings Of Leon
RESISTANCE – Muse

Best Hard Rock Performance
A LOOKING IN VIEW – Alice In Chains
LET ME HEAR YOU SCREAM – Ozzy Osbourne
BLACK RAIN – Soundgarden
BETWEEN THE LINES – Stone Temple Pilots
NEW FANG – Them Crooked Vultures

Best Metal Performance
EL DORADO – Iron Maiden
LET THE GUILT GO – Korn
IN YOUR WORDS – Lamb Of God
SUDDEN DEATH – Megadeth
WORLD PAINTED BLOOD – Slayer

Best Rock Instrumental Performance
HAMMERHEAD – Jeff Beck
BLACK MUD – The Black Keys
DO THE MURRAY – Los Lobos
KUNDALINI BONFIRE – Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
THE DEATHLESS HORSIE – Dweezil Zappa

Best Rock Song
ANGRY WORLD – Neil Young, songwriter (Neil Young)
LITTLE LION MAN – Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
RADIOACTIVE – Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
RESISTANCE – Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)
TIGHTEN UP – Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney, songwriters (The Black Keys)

Best Rock Album
EMOTION & COMMOTION – Jeff Beck
THE RESISTANCE – Muse
BACKSPACER – Pearl Jam
MOJO – Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
LE NOISE – Neil Young

Best Alternative Music Album
THE SUBURBS – Arcade Fire
INFINITE ARMS – Band Of Horses
BROTHERS – The Black Keys
BROKEN BELLS – Broken Bells
CONTRA – Vampire Weekend

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
GONE ALREADY – Faith Evans
BITTERSWEET – Fantasia
EVERYTHING TO ME – Monica
TIRED – Kelly Price
HOLDING YOU DOWN (GOING IN CIRCLES) – Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
SECOND CHANCE – El DeBarge
FINDING MY WAY BACK – Jaheim
WHY WOULD YOU STAY – Kem
WE’RE STILL FRIENDS – (Kirk Whalum &) Musiq Soulchild
THERE GOES MY BABY – Usher

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
LOVE – Chuck Brown, Jill Scott & Marcus Miller
TAKE MY TIME – Chris Brown & Tank
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND – Ronald Isley & Aretha Franklin
SHINE – John Legend & The Roots
SOLDIER OF LOVE – Sade

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
WHEN A WOMAN LOVES – R. Kelly
HANG ON IN THERE – John Legend & The Roots
YOU’RE SO AMAZING – Calvin Richardson
IN BETWEEN – Ryan Shaw
GO [LIVE] – Betty Wright

Best Urban/Alternative Performance
LITTLE ONE – Bilal
F*** YOU – Cee Lo Green
ORION – Carolyn Malachi
TIGHTROPE – Janelle Monáe & Big Boi
STILL – Eric Roberson

Best R&B Song
BITTERSWEET – Charles Harmon & Claude Kelly, songwriters (Fantasia)
FINDING MY WAY BACK – Ivan “Orthodox” Barias, Curt Chambers, Carvin “Ransum” Haggins, Jaheim Hoagland & Miquel Jontel, songwriters (Jaheim)
SECOND CHANCE – E. Debarge & Mischke, songwriters (El DeBarge)
SHINE – John Stephens, songwriter (John Legend & The Roots)
WHY WOULD YOU STAY – K. Owens, songwriter (Kem)

Best R&B Album
THE LOVE & WAR MASTERPEACE – Raheem DeVaughn
BACK TO ME – Fantasia
ANOTHER ROUND – Jaheim
WAKE UP! – John Legend & The Roots
STILL STANDING – Monica

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
NOTHIN’ ON YOU – B.o.B & Bruno Mars
DEUCES – Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall
LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE – Eminem & Rihanna
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
WAKE UP! EVERYBODY – John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Common

Best Rap Song
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND – Shawn Carter, Angela Hunte, Burt Keyes, Alicia Keys, Jane’t “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic & Alexander Shuckburgh, songwriters (Sylvia Robinson, songwriter) (Jay-Z & Alicia Keys)
LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE – Alexander Grant, Holly Hafferman & Marshall Mathers, songwriters (Eminem & Rihanna)
NOT AFRAID – M. Burnett, J. Evans, Marshall Mathers, L. Resto & M. Samuels, songwriters (Eminem)
NOTHIN’ ON YOU – Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Bobby Simmons Jr., songwriters (B.o.B & Bruno Mars)
ON TO THE NEXT ONE – Shawn Carter, J. Chaton & K. Dean, songwriters (G. Auge & X. De Rosnay, songwriters) (Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz)

Best Rap Album
THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY – B.o.B
THANK ME LATER – Drake
RECOVERY – Eminem
THE BLUEPRINT 3 – Jay-Z
HOW I GOT OVER – The Roots

Best Contemporary R&B Album
GRAFFITI – Chris Brown
UNTITLED – R. Kelly
TRANSITION – Ryan Leslie
THE ARCHANDROID – Janelle Monáe
RAYMOND V RAYMOND – Usher

Best Rap Solo Performance
OVER – Drake
NOT AFRAID – Eminem
HOW LOW – Ludacris
I’M BACK – T.I.
POWER – Kanye West

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
SHUTTERBUGG – Big Boi & Cutty
FANCY – Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz
ON TO THE NEXT ONE – Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz
MY CHICK BAD – Ludacris & Nicki Minaj
LOSE MY MIND – Young Jeezy & Plies

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
SATISFIED – Jewel
THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME – Miranda Lambert
SWINGIN’ – LeAnn Rimes
TEMPORARY HOME – Carrie Underwood
I’D LOVE TO BE YOUR LAST – Gretchen Wilson

Best Male Country Vocal Performance
MACON – Jamey Johnson
CRYIN’ FOR ME (WAYMAN’S SONG) – Toby Keith
TURNING HOME – David Nail
‘TIL SUMMER COMES AROUND – Keith Urban
GETTIN’ YOU HOME – Chris Young

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
FREE – Zac Brown Band
ELIZABETH – Dailey & Vincent
NEED YOU NOW – Lady Antebellum
LITTLE WHITE CHURCH – Little Big Town
WHERE RAINBOWS NEVER DIE – The SteelDrivers

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
BAD ANGEL – Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson
PRIDE (IN THE NAME OF LOVE) – Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers
AS SHE’S WALKING AWAY – Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson
HILLBILLY BONE – Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
I RUN TO YOU – Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Best County Instrumental Performance
TATTOO OF A SMUDGE – Cherryholmes
MAGIC #9 – The Infamous Stringdusters
NEW CHANCE BLUES – Punch Brothers
WILLOW CREEK – Darrell Scott
HUMMINGBYRD – Marty Stuart

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Rock fans from all stripes have been anticipating this for a while – the release of the new Arcade Fire album called “The Suburbs.”

The album hits shelves in Canada August 3rd  and will be distributed by their own Sonovox label in Canada.

According to the press release, the album was written, arranged, performed and produced by the Arcade Fire and co-produced by Markus Dravs, The Suburbs was recorded around Montreal and New York over the past two years.

A double A side, limited edition 12″ will be available in record stores from May 27th 2010, featuring the tracks “The Suburbs” and “Month of May.” Both songs will be available for immediate download with pre-orders placed at arcadefire.com.

Formed in Montreal, the Arcade Fire is Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry, William Butler, Tim Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld and Jeremy Gara.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Now here’s one collaboration that has “awesome” written all over it!

Popular Canadian alternative band Arcade Fire are working with film director Spike Jonze, reports NME.com.

Jonze, who used the band’s song “Wake Up” in his 2009 film Where The Wild Things Are, is said to be casting the film in Austin, TX.

The filmmaker’s spokesperson confirmed with MTV News that the project was definitely a-go, saying, “Spike will be in Austin shooting a short film which is a collaboration with Arcade Fire.”

There is talk that the project is about friends who grow apart and that it is going to be a short film, but these things have not been confirmed.

Arcade Fire is set to release a new album soon, and they are due to premiere it during their headline appearance at this August’s Reading And Leeds Festivals.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

That’s right, The Strokes are back in full force.  The band has confirmed that they will be headlining Lollapalooza this summer, as well as releasing a new album in September, reports CHARTattack.  So, if you are looking for tickets, better hurry up.

Lead singer, Julian Casablancas, said that he and his fellow Strokes would be topping the bill on one of the festival’s three dates.  Lollapalooza takes place at Chicago’s Grant Park, from August 6th to 8th.

Other acts that are rumoured to be playing the festival this year include; Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, Soundgarden and Green Day.  But, the line up has yet to be announced.

As for the new album, Casablancas said that it will be out in September.

“I’ve written a lot of melodies for it, but the other guys have also contributed a lot more: melodies, choruses, parts,” Casablancas said.  “It’s way more collaborative.  So it’ll have a different feel than our other albums.”

Since the band’s third album, First Impressions Of Earth, was released in 2006, Casablancas has been keeping busy with his own solo career.  He just recently released his debut solo album titled, Phrazes For The Young.

So if you can’t find any tickets to see the Strokes at Lollapalooza, you can still catch Casablancas out on the road.  He wraps up his tour at the end of April.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Amy Millan is helping out to raise money for Haiti

While Hollywood and the rest of the world organize to provide relief for the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, Canadian stars are lending their support, reports CBC.

Ottawa poet Oni the Haitian Sensation put on a benefit concert at Babylon nightclub Thursday. Others with family in Haiti also performed, such as Cuban musician Cesar Ricardo and Staff 613, a band who plays Haitian music. About 200 people attended, raising $8,000 for Humanitarian Coalition.

Ottawa’s Haitian community is also planning a fundraiser Jan. 22 at Maison du Citoyen in Gatineau, QC.

Sunday night at Montreal’s Club Lambi, Tim Kinsbury and Jeremy Gara of Arcade Fire, Stars’s Amy Millan and indie rockers Plants and Animals took the stage to raise money for relief efforts.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Montreal-based band Arcade Fire is set to release a concert film which includes both live and behind the scenes footage. The material is from the band’s European and North American tour.

Arcade Fire announced the project through a new website (Miroir Noir or Black Mirror) which shares the same name of a song on the album “Neon Bible”.

Fans can catch a clip of the film – which is set to release on Monday – on the site, according to a news release. The documentary is 70 minutes long and will be available to download and on DVD in 2009.

The film focusses on the period after the band recorded “Neon Bible”. This includes appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and “Friday Night With Jonathan Ross”.

The documentary was shot by French filmmaker Vincent Moon, who has also worked with REM.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Fans of Arcade Fire will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Montreal band in a new documentary.

“Miroir Noir” chronicles the making of the band’s 2007 album, “Neon Bible,” and their subsequent tour.

The 70-minute doc features both studio and live footage, the making of promotional films and videos, and several short films created while on the road.

“Miroir Noir” was shot by Parisian director Vincent Moon and co-directed by the band and Vincent Morisset, who previously worked on an interactive video for the “Neon Bible” title track.

Beginning Monday, the doc can be purchased online at miroir-noir.com in digital format. You will also get an instant download if you pre-order a standard or deluxe DVD edition that will be released next year.

The deluxe DVD includes bonus material such as Arcade Fire’s live performances on “Saturday Night Live,” British TV program “Friday Night With Jonathan Ross” and at the Maida Vale BBC studio.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Arcade Fire are working on the soundtrack to “The Box,” the latest thriller from “Donnie Darko” director Richard Kelly.

Kelly had not yet named the Montreal-based rockers as his collaborators, but the news, which marks Arcade Fire’s first film score, was leaked by producer/engineer Markus Dravs on his official website, according to Pitchfork.

Dravs, who last worked with the band on their 2007 album “Neon Bible,” wrote, “… having finished Coldplay’s forthcoming album ‘Viva La Vida’ — now off to Canada to work with Arcade Fire on a soundtrack for the forthcoming Richard Kelly film.”

“The Box,” which is expected to hit theatres by the end of 2008, stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden in an adaptation of Richard Matheson’s 1970 short story “Button Button.”

A number of Matheson’s works have been adapted for the big screen, including his novels “What Dreams May Come,” “Stir of Echoes” and “I Am Legend.”

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Montreal-based band Arcade Fire threw their support behind presidential hopeful Barack Obama in the lead-up to Tuesday’s hotly-contested U.S. primaries.

The group played two free concerts in Ohio on Sunday and Monday, hoping to sway undecided voters toward the Obama camp.

Sunday’s show took place near Ohio University in an obvious appeal to young voters, who have been crucial to Obama’s campaign so far.

Hillary Clinton’s people hit back by reminding reporters that the band was “Canadian.”

In fact, lead singer Win Butler and his brother Will were born in the U.S. and raised in Texas, while fellow band member Regine Chassagne has dual citizenship.

In his blog, Win Butler explained that his decision to back Obama came after watching Clinton’s victory speech in New Hampshire. He felt she was insincere when addressing the issues of university students, especially that of college loans.

Butler wrote that Obama, who has promised to make college education affordable, “is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of this b.s. away and I just hope we don’t blow this chance.”

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Did the Fox network super rip off the Arcade Fire?

The band was reportedly surprised to hear their song, “No Cars Go” in a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. According to PitchforkMedia.com, “Fox never even asked the band if they could use their song, and they certainly weren’t given permission to do so.”

Reportedly, the band’s reps are looking into the matter, and there is the possibility of a lawsuit.

The song was featured in a montage ad for NHL on Fox that appeared during the halftime show. Some fans have pointed out that the song has been used “on NFL on Fox ads throughout the football season.”

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Just three of the 54 albums nominated for this year’s Shortlist Music Prize are by Canadian artists, reports ChartAttack.com.

The award is handed out for the best album released in the U.S. between January and November of last year that sold less than 500,000 copies domestically. Albums from 48 different labels and nine countries were nominated by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers and four radio personalities.

Lucky Canucks Feist, Arcade Fire and Stars will duke it out against the likes of Bjork, Justice, M.I.A., The Hives and Wilco. Previous winners include Sufjan Stevens, Damien Rice and N*E*R*D.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Canadians Arcade Fire, Feist and Stars are among 54 acts being considered for the Shortlist Music Prize.

The U.S. award is given to artists considered underappreciated and deserving of greater commercial success by a jury of musicians, producers and journalists.

Albums are only eligible for nomination if they have not been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America ? that is, if they have sold fewer than 500,000 copies in the U.S.

Arcade Fire is nominated for their album “Neon Bible,” Feist for “The Reminder” and Stars for “In Our Bedroom After the War.”

The 2007 long list also includes Bjork’s “Volta,” Eddie Vedder’s “Into the Wild” soundtrack, PJ Harvey’s “White Chalk,” Wilco’s “Sky Blue Sky” and Klaxons’s “Myths of the Near Future.”

The jury for the Shortlist Organization, known as the “Listmakers,” is this year made up of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, the Killers’ Ronnie Vannucci, journalist Rev. Moose, DJ Chris Douridas and the hosts of Hunnypot Internet Radio.

Created in 2001, the Shortlist’s past winners include Sigur Ros, Damien Rice and last year’s winner, Cat Power for her album “The Greatest.”

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Montreal’s Arcade Fire lead the pack of Canadian nominees for the Plug Independent Music Awards with six nods, including artist of the year.

The band, which has fast become the pride and joy of Canada’s indie scene, also holds nominations for best live act, best indie album, best packaging, and best album for Neon Bible.

Other Canadians who could take home awards from the New-York based show are Vancouver rockers The New Pornographers for best indie rock album, Montreal’s Sunset Rubdown, and Canada’s indie sweetheart, Emily Haines, has a nod for best female artist. Toronto group Fucked Up is nominated for their punk album Year of the Pig LP.

Another Toronto band with an expletive in their name, Holy Fuck, has a nomination for avant album. Caribou’s Andorra and Chromeo’s Fancy Footwork are nominated in the electronic/dance category while A-Trak (Kanye’s former sidekick) is up in the DJ category.

A group of 350 music lovers created the nomination list for the Plug Awards. Fans can vote online for their favourite independent recording artists.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Montreal band Arcade Fire has received a whopping six nominations for the 2008 Plug Independent Music Awards.

Only French band Battle and Georgia’s Of Montreal got more nods in the New York-based awards for independent recording artists around the world.

Arcade Fire is up for artist of the year, best live act, best single for “Keep the Car Running” and best album, indie rock album and album art/packaging for “Neon Bible.”

Also nominated in the best album category are Radiohead’s “In Rainbows,” The National’s “Boxer,” Of Montreal’s “Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?” and Spoon’s “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga,” among others.

There are 12 nominees in each category.

Canadians had an impressive showing this year, with Vancouver’s The New Pornographers (“Challengers”) and Montreal’s Sunset Rubdown (“Random Spirit Lover”) also getting nods for best indie rock album.

Emily Haines of Metric and Broken Social Scene was nominated in the best female artist category, and Toronto’s Fucked Up got a best punk album nod for “Year Of The Pig EP.”

Other nominated Canadians include Caribou, Chromeo, Holy Fuck and A-Trak.

The Plug awards are voted on by fans, who choose from a nomination list created by a group of 350 music lovers.

Votes can be cast online at www.plugawards.com until Feb. 8, 2008.

The awards ceremony takes place March 6 in New York. Performers and presenters will be announced soon.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Patrick Watson must be close to euphoria after winning the second annual Polaris Music Prize yesterday for their album Close to Paradise.

The band won the $20,000 pot over such steep competition as Calgary’s Feist, Hamilton’s Junior Boys, and fellow Montreal bands Arcade Fire, the Dears and the Besnard Lakes.

Performances at the industry gala included Montreal’s Miracle Fortress, Halifax’s Joel Plaskett Emergency, Calgary’s Chad VanGaalen and New Brunswick’s Julie Doiron. While the bands rocked out, a jury of 11 music experts from across the country chose which nominated album deserved the prize, based solely on artistic merit.

Nomination were provided by more than 170 Canadian music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers who submitted their top five favourite albums that were released between June 1, 2006, and May 31, 2007.

The Polaris Prize is modelled after the U.K.’s esteemed Mercury Prize.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Patrick Watson and the Arcade Fire each took home three awards at the second annual Quebec Independent Music Awards (GAMIQ) show on Sunday.

Watson was named artist of the year and best songwriter, while his second album “Close to Paradise” won for best indie pop album. The singer-songwriter had a total of six nominations this year.

The Arcade Fire won for international career of the year, show of the year and best indie rock album for “Neon Bible.”

The prize for breakthrough artist of the year went to Tricot Machine, who also won for best chanson album for their self-titled debut.

Montreal ska group Me Mom and Morgentaler, who announced they will perform two reunion concerts in November, won the tribute award.

Here is the full list of the 2007 GAMIQ winners:

Artist Of The Year: Patrick Watson
Songwriter Of The Year: Patrick Watson
International Career Of The Year: The Arcade Fire
Show Of The Year: The Arcade Fire
Breakthrough Artist Of The Year: Tricot Machine
Best Chanson Album: Tricot Machine — “Tricot Machine”
Best Electro Album: Numero# — “L’ideologie Des Stars”
Best Experimental Album: Les Georges Leningrad — “Sangue Puro”
Best Folk/Country Album: Les Freres Cheminaud — “Les Hommes Des Tavernes”
Best Hip-Hop Album: Omnikrom — “Trop Banane!”
Best Indie Pop Album: Patrick Watson — “Close To Paradise”
Best Indie Rock Album: The Arcade Fire — “Neon Bible”
Best Metal/Hardcore Album: Voivod — “Katorz”
Best Punk Album: Vulgaires Machins — “Compter Les Corps”
Best Rock ‘N’ Roll Album: Xavier Cafeine — “Gisele”
Best World/Trad Album: Marco Calliari — “Mia Dolce Vita!”
Tribute Award: Me Mom And Morgentaler

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Cult rockers the ARCADE FIRE have pulled the plug on the rest of their European tour to allow frontman WIN BUTLER to recover from an ongoing sinus and bronchial infection.

In a statement, Butler has apologized to fans but explained he felt it was the right decision to stop and take care of his health.

The singer writes, “I have been suffering from a sinus and bronchial infection for the last three months… (Now) I can barely speak, or make any sound, so finishing the shows is no longer possible.

“I have had several doctors advise me to cancel shows weeks ago, and I have been trying to push through, but for my own health and safety I need to have sinus surgery so I can get better and start the recovery process.

“We are all very sad, because we were very much looking forward to playing these shows, and we could not imagine canceling a show unless it was physically impossible to do.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance