Malajube are an oddity in the Canadian and North American music scene. They manage to be indie music critics darlings while at the same time amazing everyone because all their songs are sung in French.

 I think everyone is wondering, "Why the hell are we listening to this when we have no idea what they are saying." Completely ignoring the fact that many bands screech out their songs and it doesn't much matter what language they are waling in. 

A self-aware misnomer if there ever was one, the international music festival really should rename itself to "Pop" Montreal.

Since its inception in 2002, the Pop Montreal International Music Festival has grown exponentially, now showcasing over 600 artists in the span of 5 days. With headlining acts ranging from the electronic-duo Chromeo to the saxophone-heavy, big-beat-tossing-and-simultaneously yelping tUnE-YarDs to the Montreal rock sweethearts Karkwa, "pop" is hardly apropos.

As the central figure in the underground act Dinosaur Jr., with a huge catalogue of work compiled over the last two decades, J Mascis surely needs little introduction. However, the indie rock icon has certainly stripped things down on many levels since those early formative years.  

Alternative to the now defunct Cobalt, Funky Winkerbeans has been catering to bands with a raw punk edge, and those with a brooding darkwave vibe. Scott White arrived, early to May 8th Certain Breeds, Terror Bird, and Digits and had the opportunity to converse with a couple of the members of local band Certain Breeds.