So many people called and asked me out for lunch to pick my brain last month…ha, ha, ha. Jokes on you though, I didn’t go out for lunch with anyone!! In November we brought on 2 new soldiers full time. Mr. Lenny Levine who has been in the trenches with us since 2003 has taken the plunge and is continuing to help us prove the world wrong. If you wanna know why you can find LG music in the stores it is because of him. He is a gentleman and gives great hugs (whether you want them or not). Jennifer Hirst joins us from Warner Bros. where she was A&R for Billy Talent and Buck 65 amongst others. She is going to be on planes bringing our music to the world next year. And WHAT music is that you might ask? Well in 2006 expect releases from From Fiction, Panurge, MSTRKRFT, Emily Haines, Death From Above 1979 for starters. It is going to be a very busy year for us and how much longer could we ask Mikey G to do it all???? The Metric record, “Live It Out” has scanned over 10,000 units in the U.S. and over 20,000 in Canada already in 6 weeks. Their first album, “Old World” continues to sell extremely well. Their recent tour across North America saw sellouts in New York, LA, San Francisco, Vancouver and parts in between. They came home and played the Casbys (Toronto/CFNY show). Now its off to France and then back home for some rest and relaxation; a date with Mick and Keith??; and, hopefully, some gold plaques for both records! Keep your eyes peeled for the full February – April North American tour itinerary announcement soon (if not already). Death From Above 1979 have truly worked themselves to the rawest bone. The tour with NIN and QOTSA was an “experience” to be remembered and certainly increased traffic on the band’s myspace site. These guys worked so hard over the past 2 years so we are going to leave them be for a month or 2 and let them unpack their suitcase; get to know their loved ones; and, god willing – get ready to do it again next year. In the meantime the remix record is attracting new friends. For those of you who don’t know, this is really a collection of remixes and b-sides that our fans could not get (outside of imports) – we wanted it all to be readily available. From where I’m standing it is a great listen top to bottom. Have a great holiday LGR Family. Next year promises to be our best. New websites, more interns, new office space and, always…taking it to the next level.

Your President.

”Pick my brain”, you want to come by to “pick my brain”??! Well come right on by and clean off your fork! I’ll crack open my skull and let you eat away. God, what are friends for if they can’t share a little cerebellum? My pet peeve this month are people who beg, bother, bug you to “go for lunch to ‘pick your brain’” then when the cheque arrives they let it sit on the table and wait awkwardly for you to pay the bill. What the fuck? I always eventually say “hey, you wanna split this?”. Stop wasting my time AND expecting me to pay for it. Yeah my wallet is full but I got artists to propagate and careers to build. You think Metric want me out paying for your lunch instead of ensuring we sail past Gold on this new record?? We are on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and selling out town after town. We got places to go and cover stories to pose for!! www.chartattack.com You think DFA79 give a fuck about me being a sucker and letting you eat buffet pad thai on my dime? Short, easy answer: “no”. The UK is taking a new shine to Rocks’ tallest duo and we are all back in B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S. Trent Reznor and the Queens are coming to our town and we’ve got to show them some LGR T-Dot hospitality. Darryl, stock up on the Jägermeister. MSTRKRFT is taking over!!! Have a listen right here…http://www.myspace.com/MSTRKRFT…it’s called “Easy Love”. We got shit to do. For the last 4 years I’ve ate lunch at my desk. The brain picking ain’t free. It costs ME and I like the money to stay in my pockets, my employees or my artists. Sorry if I sound like Tony Brummel today but sometimes people are so damn stupid. Until next month, I’m insane in the membrane.

Your President.

Daydream Nation! Be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Got Indie Art Rock? Clichés are often true. Often when you determinatively pursue something you arrive to find that it wasn’t all it was in your mind previously. That, in itself, should not be a big surprise. What did you think it was going to be? …No conflict, no interest. Metric’s new album is on the streets this month and your support for this band of scrappy, sexy (as most reviewers are prone to mention at least once in each review) gypsies has been incredible. Sold out shows from Toronto, Montreal, New York and Philli so far. More to come. Expect their new album to debut well on sales charts in the U.S. and Canada. According to plan almost…only 8 years in the making…Tricky Woo is out tearing up stages with C’Mon across the country. Their new album, “First Blush” is high on the College Charts and we are just getting started. America be warned, the Woo approaches…The new DFA79 remix album will hit stores this month as well. Put in the iPod, put on some jogging shoes, and watch 45 minutes fly by. This is dance album of the year material. DFA79 begins their tour with Queens of the Stoneage and Nine Inch Nails. I remember seeing Iggy Pop open for the Stones in 1981 – will the tallest band in rock n’ roll be dodging garbage bags or will they convert the unconvertible? Speaking of dance music, house masters MSTRKRFT have signed on with the LGR Nation and are about to bring some serious 4 ON THE FLOOR madness to your speakers. As many of you may know, MSTRKRFT consists of DFA79 bass player, Jesse F. Keeler and DFA79 producer AL P. Expect their first single/video out this year. Fuckin’ youth.

Your President.

Cocteau says, “What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.”…and the reviews are in…Tricky Woo released their new album, “First Blush” on August 30 – Chart Magazine says…“…where truckloads of greasy riffs collide with a hip-shimmyin’ rhythm section bottom-heavy enough to bend steel.” I like that. Metric completed the first video for the first single off their new album. The album is called, “Live It Out” (out September 27) and the first single is “Monster Hospital”. Director Micah J. Meisner and his team have outdone themselves. Emily Haines plays Catherine Deneuve. We’ll have the video up for viewing in a few days. Death From Above 1979 just returned from their 2nd tour of Summer festivals in Europe and the reviews are in again. Reviewers of the Oya Festival in Norway had this to say: “Act of the day was Canadian two-man band Death From Above 1979. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that Canada is safe or boring: with just a bass and a drum-kit, the pair kicked out a set of a high-octane noise that many bands don’t even achieve with a full complement of instruments. The singer re-christened the festival the ‘oh yeah’ festival. The crowd loved them and so did we.” DFA79’s remix album is set to drop October 11. It is dance album of the year in this critic’s home. Run The Road, LGR’s compilation/salute to the UK Grime scene, lead one Pitchfork reviewer to say, “It is also full of more wonderful single moments than you would reasonably expect from an ensemble cast. There’s a new sound, a new voice, and a new idea at every turn– I can’t remember the last time a compilation had me this excited for a genre. Until next month…

Your President.

If you want to know where you came from look into the eyes of your children. I hope all of my readers have that joy. My 5 year old told me yesterday one of his favorite bands is AC/DC. “Hells Bells”, I said – when it’s good it transcends age and time but where the hell does this come from? Some days I think he’s on the Highway to Hell. It’s just in the blood I guess. Speaking of highways, vespas, and ending starts, Metric have furthered the art/music/rock/poetry revolution. From a band that will make “Art Rock” the catch phrase of 2006 (your read it here first). Hear it here first. Death From Above 1979 recently completed 4 sold out shows at Toronto’s legendary Horseshoe Tavern and are preparing for another visit to UK/Europe for festival tour dates including a London date with Foo Fighters (at Dave Grohl’s personal request). Thank you for the hospitality Jeff and Craig. Tricky Woo’s album drops August 30. Keep your eyes open for Fall tour dates. From Fiction continue to work on artwork to be on level with the sonic landscapes sculpted on their new album. It’s a challenge but we can do it. They opened for DFA79 in Toronto and get better with age and every listen. Teaching the children well since 2003.

Inexplicably
Sad He
Felt Grateful
Suddenly
Not So
Inexplicably

Inexplicably…Poem by Paul Haines

Your President.

It’s good to be President but you take the good with the bad. We’re pissing off the Americans; the British; radio, print and video outlets; and, whoever else supports us. Us Against Ourselves: about to be trademarked at an IP office near you! But when you’re this good you can afford to be naughty. Spank me. Hard. Tricky Woo has finished their album, “First Blush” to be released August 30, 2005. Spanking good rock and roll in the loving arms of LGR – bound for high accomplishments. Let the music do the talkin’ and the bullshit can do the walkin’. New signing, From Fiction (you read it here first) have a Steve Albini-produced record that sounds splendid. Do they realize how good they are? Do you? More about that later in the year. Death From Above 1979 are touring Festivals throughout Europe this Summer and working on their next album set for release in Spring 2006. Jesse and Sebastien have both been enjoying their time at home working on various remixes and material for the new record. Look for a remix/b-sides/live album from them in the Fall. Album title suggestions being taken here. We are working on the artwork and track listing right now. Oh yeah, and they are opening for Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stoneage from October 16 – November 19 throughout the U.S. and Canada. Metric did a couple shows with Modest Mouse in Toronto and Montreal and the new songs are going over amazingly well. Their French tour expanded their audience over there and we expect they will be over there for 2 more visits before the year is through. They are hard at work finishing their new record in Toronto.

It’s that simple.

Get a second hand guitar – Chances are you’ll go far – If you get in with the right bunch of fellows…
Takin’ Care of Business, Randy Bachman

TCB -
Your President.