One Hundred Dollars released their sophomore album Songs of Man last May, and they've just released a visual for its track "Ties That Bind," a lo-fi, vintage looking clip that matches the bands dusty, traditional aesthetic. Directed by Devin Lund, the video was made using black and white Super 8 film, which was hand-processed in his home dark room with custom chemical formulas. It was filmed en route to a gig in Hamilton, ON (with Black Lungs, according to the club's marquee), seeing the band from the drive to the set-up and performance. You can watch the video above. [via Colin Medley]

The 19th annual Halifax Pop Explosion started yesterday, on a Tuesday, and it runs through until Saturday. While most festivals also run the better part of a week, they don't normally kick off as strong or as early in the week as this one did. The combination of a lower-volume, but insanely solid schedule on the first night meant packed venues and minimal stress; even Halifax's weather cooperated, which was a necessary comfort, because the next few days, we're gonna drown. The evening started with the festival's opening reception in the lobby of the Citadel Hotel, homebase for the festival for the week and host to panels, screenings, performances, and many of the festival's attendees. Local DJ James Reid filled the room with politely-volumed bangers while the walls were filled with show posters and a live-painting of the room took place to the side. There was also apparently cake, which I somehow missed, which is just crazy I know, but the burrito I sought from Burrito Jax down the road made up for the loss. I got a later start than I'd intended, but managed to sneak into the Seahorse (and what does it say about my Toronto snobbery that I typed it as the Horseshoe? I'm from here though, I swear!) and catch a couple of songs by Ottawa's the Balconies, who seemed to be giving much more than they were receiving, with just a few wayward head nods scattered through the crowd. The rock stances and riffs were the opposite of what happened during Ohbijou's set at Reflections; at first from a mid-room vantage point the band was hard to hear through the crowd chatter, something that only seemed to stop when the band played their most alive tracks "New Years" or the one most seemed familiar with, "Black Ice." Violinist Jenny Mecija took to the mic for her first full track vocal performance with the band for third song "Iron and Ore," and while it was a bit shaky, the band could have done well to incorporate more such dynamic. Up next was one of the year's most-buzzed Canadian acts, Braids, and after a lengthy (at least by festival standards—there are like ten other bands to go see, Braids! Please don't make us do that!) set up then retreat from stage, during which complaints from the crowd ranged from "I'd better not miss DD/MM/YYYY for this" and "(insert local musician here) is the worst DJ." Singer/guitarist Raphie was visibly sick with a cold or maybe allergies, sneezing and wiping her nose with a tissue that rested at her feet (this was not as gross as it sounds), but you couldn't hear it in that breakglass voice. The band was just so good; the crowd, rapt. The effect pedals were in full...effect. It was worth the wait. Despite the late start, there was time to skip out at the very end and catch some of One Hundred Dollars back over at the Seahorse. A somewhat thinned crowd by now, but still pretty impressive for 1am on a Tuesday. Singer Simone Schmidt had the room around her finger as she swayed and crooned, though I do wish I'd seen this take place. A fine end to a first night. A quick retreat to the hotel was in order; the craziness outside the Palace for the Zeds Dead show seemed to have quieted but those obnoxious Hondas or whatever were still parked and all lit up outside, some people milling about on the stairs of the Citadel Hill across the street, but otherwise the city seemed quiet, and true serenity was near. Behold, the holy grail of staying in a hotel. And that was that.

Two nights down, three more to go, and the only way to get through them is to eat as many pastries as possible and cram your schedule full of shows. So to help assist you with that process, here are some of the must-see gigs that translate to "TGIF" in Pop Montreal-speak. tUnE-YarDs Don't be put off by the typography, and instead embrace the limitless vocals of Merrill Garbus whose range and styles will grab you by the shoulders, spin you, and leave you in a musical abyss wondering how to get out. (And if that description didn't convince you to see her, then maybe you should just stay home and watch TV.) Ukrainian Federation, 5213 Hutchison, 10 p.m. HUMANS Everyone likes to get their dance on, so instead of standing nonchalantly with folded arms, catch this Vancouver duo perform songs from their debut full-length, Avec Mes Mecs, as well as tracks from their upcoming follow-up. After all, you didn't come all the way to Montreal to sit or lean, so raise those hands in the air, etc. Les 3 Minots, 3812, St-Laurent, 11 p.m. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS Or maybe you don't like dancing. Maybe this is the night you want to think, feel, hang out and reflect, so you're in the market for some good old-fashioned Canadian country-folk, which is actually not old-fashioned at all. Delicate, simple yet adamantly unforgettable, this might be the come-down you need after two nights of pandemonium... unless they feel like really tearing it up with live renditions of the Polaris longlisted Songs Of Man. Casa del Popolo, 4873 St-Laurent, 11 30 p.m. DIRTY BEACHES If you've forgotten about Dirty Beaches' Polaris long-listed Badlands, you probably forgot to actually listen to it. But that's okay! (Well, not really.) Because here's your chance to take in Alex Zhang Hungtai's experimental minimalism, as he combines distortion with pop hooks to create a unique musical tapestry that's both modern and classic. Your anthems of autumn have officially been found. Il Motore, 179 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, 12 a.m. KID SISTER You've probably heard all about Kanye West's Chicago-based protege, but in case you have not, behold the electro-rap stylings of Kid Sister, an aggressively refreshing MC whose debut full-length saw contributions from Rusko and XXXchange. The likely subject of LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" (just kidding, but it would make sense), to subject yourself to her unique brand of hip-hop would mean ending your night by raising the roof and losing your mind. Le Belmont, 4483 Boulevard Saint Laurent, 12 30 a.m.

Toronto's One Hundred Dollars are getting set to join Elliot BROOD on the road for what's sure to be one of the strongest live bills touring the country this fall, and in preparation, the band have just released a new video for "Powdered Confessions," taken from their latest album Songs of Man. The clip was directed by Toronto collective Exploding Motor Car (Timbre Timber, The Acorn, Bruce Peninsula, Ohbijou), but was conceptualized by the band's singer, Simone Schmidt. It's a slow-motion, electric trip through mind and place, and it suits the song perfectly. You can watch the video above. One Hundred Dollars Fall Tour Dates: September 23 - Montreal @ Casa de Popolo (Pop Montreal) + September 24 - Peterborough - The Gordon Best Theatre + October 13 - Guelph @ Club Vinyl October 14 – Hamilton @ Leander Boat Club October 15 – London @ Call The Office October 18 - Halifax @ The Seahorse (Halifax Pop Explosion) + October 19 - Sackville @ George's Fabulous Roadhouse + October 22 – Kingston @ The Grad Club October 27 – Sault Ste. Marie @ Loplop Lounge October 28 – Thunder Bay @ Crocks October 29 – Winnipeg @ West End Cultural Centre October 31 – Saskatoon @ Amigo’s November 1 – Lethbridge @ The Slice November 3 – Calgary @ Republik November 4 – Nelson @ Spiritbar at the Hume Hotel November 5 - Robert's Creek + November 7 - Cumberland @ Waverly Hotel November 8 – Victoria @ Sugar November 9 – Vancouver @ The Commodore Ballroom November 11 - Kamloops @ Cactus Jack's November 12 – Edmonton @ Starlite Room November 13 – Regina @ The Exchange November 17 – Sudbury @ The Townhouse November 18 – Toronto @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre November 19 – Montreal @ La Sala Rossa + One Hundred Dollars only. No Elliott BROOD.

Elliot BROOD's third full-length album Days Into Years will be out on September 27, and they've just announced a fall tour with another one of Canada's roots gems, One Hundred Dollars. The tour is running east (Ontario) to west and back again, through to the end of November. You can check out the full dates below. If you want a sneak preview of what to expect from the new album, head to the band's Facebook and Like it for a stream/download of "If I Get Old." Elliott BROOD tour dates with One Hundred Dollars: October 13 - Guelph @ Club Vinyl October 14 – Hamilton @ Leander Boat Club October 15 – London @ Call The Office October 22 – Kingston @ The Grad Club October 27 – Sault Ste. Marie @ Loplop Lounge October 28 – Thunder Bay @ Crocks October 29 – Winnipeg @ West End Cultural Centre October 31 – Saskatoon @ Amigo’s November 1 – Lethbridge @ The Slice November 3 – Calgary @ Republik November 4 – Nelson @ Spiritbar at the Hume Hotel November 5 - Golden @ The Rockwater November 7 - Cumberland @ Waverly Hotel November 8 – Victoria @ Sugar November 9 – Vancouver @ The Commodore Ballroom November 11 - Kamloops @ Cactus Jack's November 12 – Edmonton @ Starlite Room November 13 – Regina @ The Exchange November 17 – Sudbury @ The Townhouse November 18 – Toronto @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre November 19 – Montreal @ La Sala Rossa