Les Breastfeeders (left to right): Luc Brien, Johnny Maldoror, Suzie McLelove

A few weeks ago, I was introduced to a genre I had never heard before: Francophone Canadian mod pop. LES BREASTFEEDERS is one of those bands where it actually makes sense to say their riffs and harmonies are *shudder* "infectious."

It’s been a long time since a band like THE BLACK LIPS has stirred up so many people and places in such a short amount of time. Known for more than ten years of childish tom-foolery, the group’s antics are shifting in style, turning into somewhat of a political devil’s advocate.

Like all my great essays go, I have a preface and a legitimate alibi to why this one is late. Two words: technical difficulties. I’ve never felt more technologically incompetent this past weekend, surrounded by hundreds of photographers and journalists who “knew what they were doing.” I’m going to start at the very beginning.

This past weekend at Osheaga, in addition to filming and taking constant notes, I managed to squeeze in a few interviews with some bands. On Saturday, the temperature reached a humid and oppressive upper-90s, so YEASAYER bassist Ira Wolf Tuton and I picked a shady spot in the back of the festival to talk about the upcoming album Fragrant World, life on the road, and different forms of sensory stimuli.

Montreal's OSHEAGA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL is just three days away, and I am close to combusting with excitement. I've tried to listen to nearly every band on the lineup to make sure I didn't miss anything, and it's a damn good thing I did, otherwise I might have skimmed over the spacious and meditative vibes of Brooklyn-based R&B project DOE PAORO

What's closer, cheaper, and more Canadian than Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza combined? None other than the three-day Montreal music festival OSHEAGA! From August 3 to 5, I'll grab my passport and trek five hours north into the great nation above us and forget my American troubles for a few days. If you haven't checked out the lineup, you should -- Osheaga 2k12 is stacked.

Not that we had any excuse to make the four-hour drive up north to the great city of Montreal in the middle of the summer -- last time I made the pilgrimage was many moons ago to see Vladimir Guerrero don Expo pinstripes -- but hot damn this OSHEAGA FESTIVAL MUSIQUE ET ARTS lineup is incredible.

M83 + JUSTICE in Montreal? Yes, please.