The spring edition of Puces POP Fair will showcase the incredible designs of many local makers of eco-friendly, baby-safe, and super adorable clothing, toys, and accessories for all the little ones in your life.

Find the perfect shower gift or discover practical and stylish handcrafted objects for your own wee one, all made right here in Montreal.

Curious Little Bird

Jules mon poisson bulle

La fée Raille

Moon and Sparrow

les girouettes

Vanessa Moore baby

poids plume

Squirrels and Things

Browse the full showcasing artist roster for the upcoming Puces POP Fair, taking place May 31st-June 2nd, 2013 at St-Michael Church, 105 Saint-Viateur West.

At the upcoming spring edition of Puces POP Fair, we’re super excited to introduce you to some very talented first-timers!

Whether longtime local artstars taking a leap into the Puces world or fresh young design talent breaking out of the studio for their first public exhibition, these newbies are not to be missed!!

atelier rosepink

Black Dogs Prints / Dog Ear Prints

Corinne Wilde

Dominiku

Equis Accessoires

Fibre en lumière

GOLD FOOLS

Gredin

Homebaked Design

Jérôme lavoie ébéniste

Jules mon poisson bulle

Julie Duguay, designer céramiste

les girouettes

Made in Brockton Village

Mount Royal Game Society / Société Ludique du Mont Royal

Ness Lee Illustrations

N-Product

Pedalbelts

Pony

Spontaneous Reality

Tobin Louise Reimer

Vanessa Moore baby

Puces POP Fair showcases the work of more than 80 hand-selected creators at each event. Besides our first-timers, you can look forward to getting first dibs on the new spring collections of our many well-loved returning artists. Browse the full showcasing artist roster in our online directory.

MUTEK

Now in it’s 14th year and spanning 5-days and multiple venues, refined minds from the disco-acoustic diaspora flock to MUTEK seeking the cutting-edge in post-avant electronic music and demonstrations of digital wizardry. Oh and first timers, it’s never too late for a crash course in electronic music!

A full festival pass is $250 and day passes, theme-passes and two different flavors of weekend passes are also available, as well as individual show tickets. Not sure where to start? MUTEK also offers, throughout the week, a variety of free talks, activities and shows for those who may just want to get a taste of the festival before jumping in. Browse through their program to find out more.

Now, on a personal level, coming up with our picks this year was quite the difficult task considering all the wonderful acts on the lineup, but we managed to narrow down our selection to a few of our favourites. Preview our POP picks below and see you in the Satosphere! More info at Mutek.org

Andy Stott
Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) / May 30th / 10pm – 3am

Boundary
Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) /  May 31st / 10pm – 3am

John Roberts
Metropolis / June 1st / 10pm – 3am

John Talabot
Metropolis / June 1st / 10pm – 3am

Lauren Halo
Metropolis / June 1st / 10pm – 3am

Martyn
Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) /  May 30th / 10pm – 3am

Onra
Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) /  May 31st / 10pm – 3am

Ramzi
2-22 2, Sainte-Catherine St. E / May 31st / 5pm – 8pm

The Field
Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) / May 29th / 10pm – 3am

The other reason (and the main one, really…) is that we put together one v. chill lineup for this extended POP family reunion / outdoor party on this first weekend of June at Place de la gare Jean-Talon in Parc-Extension. Expect a sun-filled, folky vibe sure to please your little family on this warm and astonishingly beautiful weekend (fingers crossed!) .

Find all the details about the event here.

Preview the lineup with our Spring POP playlist, featuring Domlebo, Elena Stoodley, Pigeon Phat, Ira Lee, Johnny Griffin, and Li’l Andy.

What’s the story behind the festival? How did the idea first come about?

I was fronting a band for five years when we decided to break up. It felt like yet another defeat of trying to make it work as a band failing because of too many different agendas and egos mixed in with no pay, no glory etc. I felt just about ready to pack the whole thing in. But one day, I found a second hand looper pedal on craigslist. I had seen Final Fantasy put on a full orchestra sound of very complex pop music, completely alone at the Ukrainian Federation a few years before and I was totally inspired by him. So on a whim, I decided to reinvent my sound and performance using all kinds of equipment, live loopers, samplers and triggers. Next thing you know, I was on tour on a greyhound bus worldwide across 15 countries dragging a 70-pound suitcase on wheels from city to city. The new Jon Cohen Experimental, a one-man show, was born.

For me, it came to a point where it was do or die. I took my career into my own hands. I had much more freedom this way, to do the kind of show I wanted. Best part is that there was no one to argue with on the tour bus! (laughs) But I had to work harder than I ever had on my music and my performance. There was there was no more hiding behind a band. It’s all eyes on you.

I also discovered in the next two years of constant touring was that there were many other solo artists, one-(wo)man bands out there doing the same as me. I saw Lonesome Organist literally shake his crowd into a frenzy. I saw Scott. H Biram and Bob Log III blow everyone away with the most insane rock soul music ever. I saw (Maschine) a guy who made instruments out of old xerox printing machines!

What struck me the most out of all these acts was their variety, their ingenuity and multi-tasking. It got me thinking how amazing it would be to put on an event that would bring them all together, as a celebration of all that is different, original and on the fringes of pop culture. I came home from a European tour last April 2012, determined to make it happen. And so the first One Man Band Fest was born.

It was a small affair, 23 artists, three venues over three nights, but it was a total success. The shows were so varied and amazing. It had this beautiful carnival-esque quality.

That’s why we are doing it again. We want to make this an annual thing because we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what’s out there.

The festival is now going into its second year. How is this edition different than the previous one?

Last year was more like an experiment. It was about gauging the artistic relevance of an event like this in Montreal. It was small and humble and whipped together in just two months with the help and enthusiasm of the artists, the volunteers, the media, and the venues.

This year is very different in many ways. For one it’s much bigger. I wanted to sprout this thing quickly. I thought go big or go home. This year we have 50 one man and woman bands from all over the world and spanning all musical genres. We have more people involved in organizing it too. Interns and volunteers have just been stellar. We have between three and six shows a night over 4 nights (may 23-26). We have a free looping workshop and artist panel on touring solo. We have two documentary crews capturing this one of a kind party, of which one is for the BBC, with Tom Ravenscroft, (son of John Peel). We have a book sale, an outdoor barbecue party, a documentary screening on one man bands, a closing night, all free!

The vision behind this fest is to convey to one man bands, struggling solo artists, audiences and those curious about the concept that this is high art, and that their output and your support combined will be a precious contribution to the cultural landscape.

How would you describe this year’s lineup?

This year, we are presenting a roster of over 50 local to international one-man bands whose sounds cover the entire spectrum of musical genres. From traditional dick van dyke-style fanfare one-man bands and eighties reject beatpunk looper-junkies to grease slicking/rockabilly guitar-shredding, drumming all-in-ones and vicious vinyl vigilantes. It’s a total buffet for the senses, musically and visually. Expect tons of variety, high-energy performances, and killer lineups. Now go block it off on your calendars.

What shows are you most excited to see?

That’s a tough question…I don’t like to play favourites and it all depends on what you’re into. If you were on borrowed time, I’d say check out Shake it Like a Caveman, whose name could not be more apt; Steve Hill who has rekindled my love for the blues; Boxwood from Florida, who has been on heavy rotation at the OMBF headquarters; Laura Barrett who, with voice and kalimba, will sink you into pure bliss; Thomas Truax from Berlin who plays the “sister spinster” and “mother superior”, instruments plucked right out of a Tim Burton film; Royer’s One Man Band, if you close your eyes, you’d think you’re hearing a bluegrass band; Clara Venice, the playmate theremin queen; and the gypsy dance punk / tap dancer from Chicago (Thrill Jockey) The Lonesome Organist which you should absolutely catch. He IS the one-man Gogol Bordello.

Which artists should we watch out for?

I’d say a good thing to do would be to invest in discovering new talents. They are on the bill because they blew us away and we want them to do the same for you. Check out Matt Dorgan Project, Mountain Marc Charron, Sam Klass, Washboard Hank, DJ Drumkit, Xania, Pang Attack, Bird Radio, André Daneau, The Kettle Black, Lederhosen Lucil, and Books on Tape (Alien 8) who’ll be smashing laptops on a dancefloor near you at the OMB punk-disco vogue after party at Sundari late saturday night (May 25).

Who’s your absolute favourite solo artist of all time?

Lately, I’ve been listening to TrinTran who sounds like the OMB version of B52’s meets Kraftwerk and who is now on tour with Ty Segall. I’ve also been really into Reggie Watts lately. What he does is so unique, original and yet so simple. His personality shines through in his performance and that’s what this is all about. Crossing our fingers for having him on in 2014!

Don’t miss One Man Band Festival, May 23rd to 26th. Find all the info here. 

SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

** Note: This is a maternity/parental leave position**
POSITION: June 2013 – September 2014 (with a possibility of renewal) (15 months)
HOURS: 20‐30 per week
COMPENSATION: Based on experience
LOCATION: POP Montreal office

ABOUT POP MONTREAL
POP Montreal International Music Festival is an annual not‐for‐profit grassroots organization that champions independence in the arts by presenting emerging and celebrated artistic talents from around the world.

Now entering its 12th year, POP’s main event is a five­‐day music and arts festival taking place in the early fall, featuring over 400 bands as well as films, art, fashion, crafts and special events. In addition to the main festival, POP presents over 100 multidisciplinary events locally and internationally throughout the year.

SUMMARY
This is a Maternity Leave position as the Sponsorship Manager of POP Montreal. The Primary responsibility of this position is to generate income through corporate sponsorship by pursuing new relationships, maintaining and growing existing relationships, ensuring the fulfillment of all sponsorship agreements and managing partnership relationships.

PURPOSE OF JOB
To maintain and exceed the current financial levels of corporate sponsorship as part of POP Montreal’s overall budget in line with POP Montreal’s mandate, values and methods of operation. Candidate will function as a representative of POP Montreal.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
‐ Research corporate partners, oversee the development of sponsorship plans and write sponsorship proposals to increase the funds of the organization
­‐ Participate in sponsorship networking activities as appropriate
­‐ Ensures that all sponsorship agreements with businesses and individuals are completed effectively and coordinated to avoid double asks and maximize effectiveness.
­‐ Meet or surpass annual sponsorship goals.
­‐ Maintain a database of POP Montreal sponsorship relations
­‐ Ensure the fulfillment of Sponsor agreements
­‐ Ensure the tracking of sponsor and venue media coverage
­‐ Represent POP Montreal to private funders
­‐ Coordinate the production of the 2013 annual wrap­‐up document, sponsor decks and any additional materials related to sponsorship and or sales
­‐ Develop and implement an aggressive growth strategy for new and current corporate sponsors

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
­‐ Maintains a current awareness of trends in music festival funding.
­‐ Attend bi‐weekly to weekly meetings with POP Montreal’s managing directors and staff team as required
­‐ Occasional travel may be required
­‐ Due to the nature of the industry, this is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
­‐ Must have a minimum of 3‐5 years of experience in a position related to sponsorship, advertisement, or outside sales in a similar capacity.
­‐ Postsecondary education or equivalent
­‐ Fluent in both French and English and ability to write in both languages essential. Verbal and written language testing will be administered.
‐ Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a highly challenging environment
­‐ Ability to work independently under minimal supervision
­‐ Quick thinking, professional, and excellent follow‐up and problem­‐solving skills
­‐ Superior interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills
­‐ Advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
­‐ Non‐profit and/or music festival management experience is a plus
­‐ Media agency relations is a plus

APPLYING
The position will begin in June, 2013
Please send an email with a bilingual (French/English) cover letter, and your CV to emploi@popmontreal.com with the name of the posting in the subject line

Applicants will be accepted up until May 24, 2013, or until the position is filled.

PLEASE NOTE: Only applications sent by email will be considered, and only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Please no phone calls, drop-­‐by’s or printed resumes!

For the occasion, Kids POP has planned tons of free activities and surprises for the whole family.

Saturday, June 1st, head up to Place de la gare Jean-Talon (corner of Jean-Talon and Hutchison) for Kids POP – Tent City edition. Kids will get to run, play and create within a uniquely decorated cluster of tents by installation artist Alexis Ohara. There will be creative crafts and activities for all ages including an interactive supersized camera obscura and a workshop where kids can build and decorate their own DIY kite. YIKES!

Click here for the full Spring POP programming at Place de la gare Jean-Talon

Then, Sunday June 2nd, Kids POP is relocating to Espace POP (5587, ave du Parc) where monster-themed crafts will be available for kids of all ages. Come watch as a plain old piano turns into a colourful “piano monster” painted by illustrators James Braithwaite and Tyson Bodnarchuk. Be scared!

POP Montreal is thrilled to be collaborating with Le Plateau-Mont-Royal to curate for the first time one of the 4 public pianos of the Piano des villes, piano des champs ongoing summer event. POP Montreal’s piano will be located on the front property of the Mile End library. The complete piano summer programming will be announced June 4th.

So gather your little ones and come celebrate Spring POP with us. It’s gonna be FUN!

June 1st
Kids POP – Tent City edition
Place de la gare Jean-Talon
2pm – 6pm
FREE

June 2nd
Piano Monster
Espace POP
12pm – 5pm
FREE

POP Montreal has recently announced a smorgasbord of summer events and is now adding oil to the fire with a hop to Toronto for NXNE, a flight to Calgary in time for Sled Island, followed by two FREE outdoor Film POP events under the stars, one of which will feature a guest appearance by Dazed and Confused actor Wiley Wiggins!

POP Montreal is thrilled to be heading back to Toronto in a few weeks for the monstrous NXNE where it will host, in collaboration with NeXT, an exciting showcase taking over The Silver Dollar (486 Spadina Ave) on Friday, June 14th. This first class music event will feature Montreal bands of-the-hour AroarA, coming off the success of their recently launched debut EP In The Pines; Jef Barbara, the glam-pop outfit who has conquered hearts of boys and girls everywhere; and the electro pop buzz band Foxtrott. Also on the bill, POP will be introducing Synjga, a Montreal via Iceland folk experimental pop ensemble, the night will also include sounds from the singer/songwriter Mikal Cronin, a longtime collaborator of Ty Segall, a double dose of Toronto’s devastating déVah String Quartet, the surf rock sounds of Alvvays, the head-thrashing lo-fi punk of Fill Spectre and the echoey garage rock of Decades. Show hoppers are advised to stay hydrated and get ready to sweat!!

The following week, POP Montreal will head to Calgary’s Sled Island with its friends at MailChimp to host one heck of a PARTY at the Commonwealth Bar + Stage (731 10th Avenue SW), on June 21st. There will be free food and drinks for the first 100 people, all accompanied by the sweet sounds of Homeshake, Fist City, UBT(formerly Uncle Bad Touch), The Nymphets and Technical Kidman.

As for Film POP, it has put together some very special events to spoil everyone sticking around Montreal for the summer! For a second year, Film POP will collaborate with the SAT to present a FREE film at Place de la Paix on July 17th, as part of their ongoing summer series of outdoor screenings. The evening will kick off at 7pm with the sound of DJs mixing and the smell of delicious smokin’ BBQs. More details will be unveiled here shortly.

Last but not least, cyclists, get your bike chains greased! Film POP is very happy to announce the much anticipated return of the Bike-In, on August 17th at the McAuslan Terrace (5080 rue St. Ambroise), along the Lachine Canal. This will indeed be a very special edition of the annual summer get-together as it will present a 20th anniversary screening of the epically cult Dazed and Confused (Eng, v., Fr. sub) and will feature a Q&A with actor Wiley Wiggins there IN-PERSON!! Everyone is invited for outdoor afternoon drinks before meeting the man who melted hearts in the role of Mitch Kramer, co-staring with then up-and-coming actors, such as Mila Jovovich, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Adam Goldberg… names like that. What’s there not be excited about?

And speaking of excitement, it is that time of the year when exciting festival news tends to POP out of nowhere. Yes, it is.

More summer programming:

POP Montreal vs. NeXT at NXNE
Friday, June 14th at 7:30pm
The Silver Dollar Room (486 Spadina Ave)
8:00pm – AroarA
8:45pm – déVah String Quartet
9:00pm – Synjga
9:45pm – déVah String Quartet
10:00pm – Alvvays
11:00pm – Decades
12:00am – Mikal Cronin
1:00am – Jef Barbara
2:00am – Foxtrott
3:00am – Fill Spectre

POP Montreal and MailChimp @ Sled Island
Friday, June 21st at 3pm
Commonwealth Bar + Stage (731 10th Avenue SW)
11:30am – Technical Kidman
12:30pm – The Nymphets
1:30pm – UBT
2:30pm – Fist City
3:30pm – Homeshake
FREE!! + food and drink for the first 100 people who show up!

Outdoor Summer Film
Wednesday July 17th, 7pm
Place de la Paix (corner St-Laurent and Place du Marché)
Film! DJs! BBQ!

Film POP’s Annual Bike-In Fundraiser!
Saturday, August 17th, 2pm
McAuslan Terrace – 5080 rue St. Ambroise – (along the Lachine Canal)
DAZED AND CONFUSED 20th ANNIVERSARY SCREENING
with WILEY WIGGINS in person!

Discover our incredible roster of artisans working in a wide range of media and their brand new spring collections, which they’ve been working hard on all winter long. From organic bodycare products to exquisite locally-made jewellery, quality kids wear to clothing and accessories for men and women, unique home decor items to delicious eats, and tons of other goodies!

Browse through the list of artists below or check out our online directory for a preview of what’s in store at this year’s Spring Puces POP.

Art et Manufacture

atelier b.

atelier rosepink

Black Dogs Prints / Dog Ear Prints

Blisscraft & Brazen

bookhou

Boris & Doris

by THOMAS

C comme ÇA

Carriage 44

Corinne Wilde

Curious Little Bird

Cyril Doisneau Dessinateur

Deborah Adams

Dominiku

Dot & Lil

Equis Accessoires

Eugenie Bee

Fibre en lumière

Gabriel Ng

GOLD FOOLS

Gredin

Homebaked Design

Instant Crimson

Jack Dylan

Jérôme lavoie ébéniste

JJ Comestibles’ Parched Goods

Josiane Perron

Jules mon poisson bulle

Julie Duguay, designer céramiste

La fée Raille

Lemo Lemonade

Les Enfants Sauvages

les girouettes

Les Redorouses

Louise Koo Jewellery Design

M

Made in Brockton Village

Marmod8

Maudstitch

Mini-Loop

Mitz Takahashi

Montréal Machin

Moon and Sparrow

Mount Royal Game Society

Nea

Ness Lee Illustrations

Noémiah

N-Product

Pedalbelts

poids plume

Pony

Preservation Society

Project Bijou

Raymond Biesinger Illustration Inc.

Restez pour souper

Sandrine Devost Jewelry

savouré soda, jam & pickle

Sea & Land

Spontaneous Reality

Squirrels and Things

STAY GOLD PONY BOY

Stay Home Club

system63

Tarte Populaire

The Angry Weather

The Lost City

This Ilk

Tobin Louise Reimer

Truc&Toc

Vanessa Moore baby

VUELAVUELA

—

More info on the Spring Puces POP Craft Fair:
Friday, May 31st (Opening party with drinks, pierogies, and music!)
Saturday, June 1st
Sunday, June 2nd

The Arlo Vintage Etsy shop sports some great accessories to go with the pieces that will be for sale at Vintage Pop at Quartier Mode from May 15 – 19, so make sure you come and check it out and add some throw-back style to your summer wardrobe!