The Entertainer: Owen Pallett
The Entertainer: Owen Pallett
The Emmy, Grammy and Polaris Prize winner is my next guest
October 17 - Owen Pallett, followed by b2b DJ set by Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys) and Cadence Weapon
I’ve known Owen for almost 20 years and they’ve never ceased to amaze me. I was always so fascinated by Owen’s traditional musical skill, especially because I was a person who taught himself how to make beats on the computer and became a rapper without any formal training. We met when we were both shortlisted for the inaugural Polaris Prize in 2006, which Owen won for He Poos Clouds. We were both on the cover of Eye Weekly in a mock confrontational stance ahead of the award ceremony. The music landscape was so different back then. The idea of the violin virtuoso who made quirky pop music going head to head with an electro rapper was headline-worthy.
We were again mashed up on CBC Fuse in 2007 where we got to collaborate on each other’s songs for a live audience. When we toured North America later that year, we would perform cover songs together, such as Destroyer’s “An Actor’s Revenge” and “She Cracked” by the Modern Lovers. Owen understood my urge to subvert expectations before anyone else did.
Owen is probably the most accomplished musician that I’ve ever known. Collaborations with Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Frank Ocean, R.E.M., Robbie Williams and more. Owen has won a Grammy, an Emmy, a Polaris Prize and has been nominated for an Academy Award. That’s literally half of an EGOT. Owen has so many tales to tell.
I can’t wait to have this conversation with Owen tonight. If you’re in Toronto, you can attend for free by heading over to Resident Advisor, clicking Buy Tickets and choosing the option Limited Free Ticket Release. After the conversation, I’m playing some Charcuterie Music on the decks alongside my fellow Hamiltonian, Jeremy Greenspan from Junior Boys. Should be a classic evening.
Join me for my conversation with Owen Pallett, followed by b2b DJ set by Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys) and Cadence Weapon at Standard Time in Toronto this Thursday October 17th
Coming to a city near you with Super Duty Tough Work next month!
November 6 - Winnipeg, MB (Sidestage)
November 7 - Regina, SK (The Exchange)
November 8 - Saskatoon, SK (Amigos)
November 9 - Edmonton, AB (Starlite Room: Temple Bar) with Tea Fannie
November 10 - Calgary, AB (Commonwealth) with Tea Fannie
November 12 - Vancouver, BC (Fox Cabaret)
ROLLERCOASTER DELUXE is out now! Check out the video for “Surreal” featuring the 2 Bears that was directed by the homie James Raymond:
You can find me updating my playlists or hanging on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to my music on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp and you can get Cadence Weapon merchandise here. Read my monthly column in Hazlitt. Pick up your copy of Bedroom Rapper here and please rate it on Goodreads.