Byrne returns to POP

By Walter J. Lyng, September 12th, 2012

Going into its 11th edition, POP Montreal will be welcoming back an artist who seems to perfectly embody the spirit of the city's preeminent indie music festival. Having only participated in a speaking engagement in the past, however, David Byrne will this year participate in a much more expanded capacity, including a collaborative performance with singer/songwriter St. Vincent at the St. Jean Baptiste Church on Friday, Sept. 21.
“It was a lot of coincidences and a bit of luck, I think,” says Pop Montreal creative director and co-founder Dan Seligman regarding the booking of the two artists. “I initially reached out to St. Vincent and her manager said she would be on tour in the area, most likely with David Byrne. Another friend of mine told me about the project and it was before they had announced they were doing a record together. It sounded really great.”
 In addition Byrne will also host the POP vs. Jock charity basketball game occurring on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the McGill University Sports Centre, which will also feature the Arcade Fire's Butler brothers playing for Team POP.
Seligman credits the similar philosophies of POP and Byrne in explaining his enthusiasm.
“He's the kind of artists who's always recreating his own music,” he says.
“He's really interested in emerging and underground material. The way he approaches it is kind of similar to the way we do - just being open to different styles and mish-mashing. It's pretty exciting to have him involved for sure.”
Put on the spot to pick a couple of emerging acts worth looking out for at the festival, Seligman first mentioned a rapper from New Orleans named Nicky Da B, who will be closing POP along with Sun Araw and ShayDaKiss on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 11 p.m. at Église POP Little Burgundy.
“He's part of this New Orleans sissy bounce scene, so it's kind of like queer positive, high-energy dance music,” says Seligman. “We brought in performers from the same kind of world in the past. I saw him at South by Southwest this year and thought it was amazing.”
 And of course, the local scene will have its own representation.
“Another band I just recently discovered is Filthy Haanz. They're not very well known local artists and they make interesting, kind of psychedelic pop. It's very creative and original. They do all their own artwork.”
Filthy Haanz will join Smartboys and Paula for a show at l'Escogriffe on Saturday, Sept. 22.
In another instance of spring/autumn musician pairings, local artist Mozart's Sister will be opening for disco era singer Jimmie Bo Horne on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 11 p.m. at Église POP. Sampled by everybody from Daft Punk to Outkast, Horne's music has remained surprisingly relevant long after his own star may have faded.
Although POP won't be hosting a huge public concert as they did last year in the Quartier des Spectacles, Seligman says they will be honouring the original mandate of the festival.
“It's a return to what we do well which is small theatre and bar shows that offer a sense of discovery.”
For more information, visit www.popmontreal.com