GGRMS October 25, 2024 w/ SUUNS

Over the years October has proven to be a very special month for musical moments. The reasons for this remain a mystery, but the evidence that there is something more than just another of Prince Palu’s wild conspiracy theories is plentiful. For example, in 1975, Yehudi Menuhin, Baron Menuhin of Stoke d'Abernon (OM, KBE), the former president of the International Music Council and widely considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, established October 1 as International Music Day, “to celebrate the diverse expressions and global significance of music.” Then a mere four days later at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Lachine, QC, Jenny Jam was born, a woman whose love and support would encourage Palu to create The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, three decades later, in October of 2004. This incredible woman would double down when she would introduce Palu with her childhood friend, the one and only Oncle Ian, in October of 2006.

So given all this, is it merely a coincidence that CJLO annually runs it’s Funding Drive in October? We think not! There is something happening here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear, yet it is the reason that we knew that we needed something special to end this year’s Funding Drive and say goodbye to another October. Luckily for all of us, two thirds of the Montréal art-punk institution Suuns were available to join Oncle Ian in studio.

Bassist Joseph Yarmush, making his return following his appearance with TV Erased in December 2023, along with drummer Liam O'Neill, making his GGRMS debut, showed up to keep ol’ Ian company whilst Palu was off with the aforementioned Jenny Jam, to witness the tie-dyed disco extravaganza that is the Québécois five-piece, Bon Enfant at the sold out Club Soda. Yarmush and O'Neill talked about the origins of the band in 2007 and their impressive catalogue of recordings - from the self released 2010 Zeroes EP to the most recent full length LP The Breaks, which was released on Secret City Records last month. They also discussed what makes for a memorable celebrity death and whose death would make them pull the car to the side of the road and have a cry over the loss of a fallen hero. Ian ran out of time before he could ask them what secret ritual the month of October played in their formation and continued growth, but judging by the incredible music that they have produced over the past decade and a half, clearly they are in tune with the eighth month in the old calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC or the tenth month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars, depending on which calendar you use.

So, whether it be the cooling of Autumn for all you wild kids in the Northern Hemisphere or the rebirth of Spring for all you Radio Magic maniacs south of the Equator, Happy October, or Ƿinterfylleþ as Saint Bede the Venerable would have said. Just press play and have a listen. You won’t be sorry that you did. And thank you to Joseph and Liam for taking the time to come out to NDG and join the fun.