Capsule

That time of year has come and gone again. The critically acclaimed and coveted Polaris Prize has crowned a fresh new winner in the likes of Tanya Tagaq. We at LiL conducted a prediction experiment among our selves, and were so very wrong. Some of us showed promise by thinking Arcade Fire’s Reflektor would win, while others were way off. To discuss our poll and that actual events of the Polaris Prize gala itself, we have a 4 people panel of Sean Chin, Andreas Babiolakis, Dakota Arsenault and LiL’s own Director of Photography and Editor, Randall Vasquez. Interestingly enough, Randall is the only person who predicted that Tanya would take home the gold.

* Polaris prediction article 

* Review and Photographs of the Polaris Prize gala

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On this episode of Capsule, Andreas takes us through his experience at Riot Fest Toronto. We discuss the Apple’s new shiny gadgets, their deal with U2. Andreas chats with Sonata Arctica and we talk Kanye West.

* Riot Fest Day 1 Review & photo gallery

* Riot Fest Day 2 Review & photo gallery 

* Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are going to be amazing communication devices 

* “Songs of Innocence” by U2 reviewed by Andreas 

* Concert review and photos of Sonta Arctica at The Mod Club 

* Kanye West on handicaps 

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A number of celebrities were hacked including the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Ariana Grande, Victoria Justice and Kate Upton. Apparently there are about a hundred targeted attacks. In a world where we heavily rely on digital services and electronic devices connected to the internet, it’s important to use strong passwords and enhanced features such as two-step verification.

* The wrong response to the hackings

* iCloud and “Find my iPhone” were NOT breached. Hacking due to weak passwords

* Sarah Rix’s September Toronto music tip sheet 

* Leon Weinstein’s “Humans of Fan Expo”

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Sean and Andreas discuss Pitchfork’s much debated best tracks and albums of the past half decade lists. And we also talk about our very first concert experiences growing up. Fun times.

* Spotify streaming soars 108% from last year

* Doctor Who Series 8 premieres 

* Pitchfork’s “200 best tracks of the decade so far (2010-2014) 

* Pitchfork’s “100 best albums of the decade so far (2010-2014) 

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Sean and Andreas are deeply saddened by the impact Robin Williams had on this generations lives in pop-culture. The entire LiL team encourages you or for you to help a friend in need to call a suicide or depression help line. Andreas interviews A.C Newman and Kathryn Calder of The New Pornographers at the 37:00 mark.

Robin Williams dead at 63

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

NME names Radiohead the “most influential” band today

Spotify finally launches in Canada

Andreas interviews critically acclaimed band The New Pornographers

Music:

* FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks”

* Alvvays – “Adult Diversion”

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This week things get fancy. Sean and Andreas are joined once again by Dakota Arsenault.

How we avoided a severe thunder storm during Modest Mouse at Echo Beach

Nick Cave is a charismatic gentleman and class-act

The hot and sweatiness of VELD and the tragic incidents around the festival

A historic reunion of Outkast at Drake’s OVO

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Sean and Andreas discuss the rainy fun that was TIME Festival in Toronto.

* Weird Al’ Yankovic Gets First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200

* Panic! At The Disco donate $1000 to gay rights group after Westboro Baptist Church picket

* Digitally Native Music consumer by MIDIA research

* Apple made a new TV advert entitled “Stickers” showcasing the MacBook Air. It features a brand new track by Hudson Mowake called “Chimes”

* Alan Cross is hired back by The Edge 102.1 / Corus Entertainment. Of course known for his “The Ongoing History of New Music” program

* Andreas and Sarah’s review and photos from TIME Festival featuring Grimes, Action Bronson, St. Lucia, Flume and more

* Boyhood (2014) and it’s “R-rating”

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Sean Chin and Andreas Babiolakis are joined by Katrina Wong as we discuss her experience at Van’s Warped Tour and interview with Kennedy Brock of The Maine.

Links:

* MUCH lays off 91 staff members 

* Shazam partners with Rdio to stream full songs inside app

* Andreas’s Death Grips tribute topped Google News

* Kat’s photos and review of Van’s Warped Tour in Toronto

Music:

* Beatowski – Doin’ It Right (master) via EARMILK

* Elenne – Ruthless Bloom via KEEPREAL

* CRNKN – Heart (LO’99 Remix) via Salacious Sound 

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Happy belated birthday to Canada, USA and our own Andreas Babiolakis! Sean and Andreas discuss the Toronto Urban Roots Festival.

* Jack White’s bizarre “infectious” UK performance 

* Google buys Songza

* Sean loves Black Joe Lewis as photographed by LiL photographer Neil Van

* Analysis of the Scarlett Johansson film Under the Skin (2014)

* Discussion of Death Grips breaking up before North American tours

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The LiL team wraps-up the 20th anniversary edition of NXNE. Sean Chin and Andreas Babiolakis, are joined by Sarah Rix and Dakota Arsenault. 

* The panel runs through their overall impressions, sticky situations, and top moments of the festival

* Notable coverage: St. Vincent, Swans, Run The Jewels, A$AP Ferg, tUnE-yArDs and Rhye

* Odd moments include Mac DeMarco bringing fan Luke on stage, Omar Souleyman‘s charisma and Perfect Pussy walking off stage and Kirin J Callinan selling glossy photos of himself and The Pizza Underground in general

* We discuss minor negative press surround the event such as the radius claus

* Are international acts taking away the spotlight from Canadian acts?

* Final word: there’s room for both NXNE and CMW festivals as music lovers are the real winners

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