OH QUE OUI Live dans ta radio (de char, de maison, de cell) à BPM Sports 13h55/18h aujourd'hui et pour le reste de l'été!
Brendan Kelly
@brendanfromndg.bsky.social
Author of books Habs Nation and Le CH et son peuple, Gazette journalist. Auteur des livres Habs Nation et Le CH et son peuple, journaliste à The Gazette. https://www.barakabooks.com/catalogue/habs-nation/
« Le 12 août, j’achète un livre québécois ». Alors pourquoi ne pas acheter MON livre québécois, Habs Nation : A People’s History of the Montreal Canadiens ? Demandez-le dans votre librairie préférée, commandez-le en ligne ou contactez-moi pour obtenir un exemplaire dédicacé.
Today is Quebec Book Day or in French, « Le 12 août, j’achète un livre québécois » and well why not buy MY Quebec book, Habs Nation: A People's History of the Montreal Canadiens. Ask for it at your favourite bookstore, order it online or hit me up for a signed copy.
HABS NATION - Baraka Books
Habs Nation is the story of how hockey's most winning team has always skated hand-in-hand with the people of Quebec and won 24 Stanley Cups.
barakabooks.com
Legendary Montreal guitarist Frank Marino on Angine de Poitrine: “They’re a polka-dot band. If you take away the polka-dots and the clothing, who would listen to it? I listen to it as music and it is not." BOOM!
Friday on My Mind: Don't expect an Angine de Poitrine cameo at guitarist Frank Marino's free ItalfestMTL show
Also this weekend: Film Noir au Canal, ÎleSoniq, Génération MusiquePlus — 86-96, Présence Autochtone.
montrealgazette.com
Oddly some fans and even some pundits think Monty should be Dobes's backup this season. This is a terrible idea. Have you forgotten how terrible he was last season? What the Puck!
What the Puck: Please please please do not make Samuel Montembeault Jakub Dobes's backup this season
It would be a big mistake for the Canadiens to use Samuel Montembeault as Jakub Dobes's back-up
montrealgazette.com
I spoke with CBC's Sarah Leavitt yesterday about Céline Dion's return to the stage this September in Paris. "Céline Dion, she's still one of a kind," I said. And I should know. I have been interviewing notre Céline nationale on a regular basis for 35 years now!
Céline Dion tickets up for grabs through Loto-Québec
YouTube video by CBC News: The National
youtube.com
Glad to see the NYT (unlike certain politicians I could name) explaining the full context behind California's declining wine sales, rather than simply blaming Canada.
Sales Are So Low, California Wineries Are Burning Their Vineyards
The rise and fall of pinot noir symbolizes the larger struggles of the wine industry as younger generations turn to other beverages.
nytimes.com
I'm back at work so you know what that means. Yup. Monday I've got Friday on My Mind. Please send me ideas for cool things happening this weekend. Send by Wednesday noon at the latest.
Friday on My Mind (2015 Remaster)
YouTube video by David Bowie - Topic
youtube.com
My latest article for @Thehockeynews is about the Canadiens' top-six centers duo landing 14th in The Athletic's rankings: thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal... #GoHabsGo #CH #Canadiens #Habs #THN
Canadiens’ Top Six Center Duo Ranked 14th In The League
The Montreal Canadiens' top-six centers "duo" ranks 14th in the league, according to The Athletic's ranking.
thehockeynews.com
My latest article for @Thehockeynews is about the fact that if Kent Hughes fails to get any external help, there should be a big battle for top six roles in Montreal with a few players entering their contract year with a lot left to prove: thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal... #GoHabsGo #THN
Expect Big Battle In Canadiens’ Lineup
The Montreal Canadiens haven't been able to improve their top six so far this offseason, and if the status quo prevails, there should be a big battle at training camp for an opportunity in the top six...
thehockeynews.com
Spotify classifies the music by type and language. That is a problem. When I ask Spotify for a «Progressive rock» playlist suggestion, it could throw some Malajube and Octobre between the Genesis and Yes. But no, that will not happen. It's one of the other. (I know, I could make my own playlist.)
If Quebec was a country, it would have one of the lowest percentages of people who listen online to local music. This is not new but remains astonishing. Local music makes up only 7% of local streaming here.
Plateformes en ligne | Le Québec parmi les endroits au monde qui boudent le plus leurs artistes
Si le Québec était indépendant, il serait l’un des pays dans le monde qui écoutent le moins la musique de leurs artistes. Tel est le constat que l’on peut faire à la lecture d’un vaste rapport publié ...
lapresse.ca
If Quebec was a country, it would have one of the lowest percentages of people who listen online to local music. This is not new but remains astonishing. Local music makes up only 7% of local streaming here.
Plateformes en ligne | Le Québec parmi les endroits au monde qui boudent le plus leurs artistes
Si le Québec était indépendant, il serait l’un des pays dans le monde qui écoutent le moins la musique de leurs artistes. Tel est le constat que l’on peut faire à la lecture d’un vaste rapport publié ...
lapresse.ca
So NHL.com just put its projected Habs line-up and guess what? It looks exactly like last year's line-up. Short version: 1 line + DemiGod. Shorter version: Not good enough. What the Puck! montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
What the Puck: Projected lineup for Canadiens next season gives whiff of déjà vu
The projected line-up for the Habs next season looks a lot like's last year's line-up.
montrealgazette.com
Here's my column on the new Kings of Coke documentaries – they delve into the mythic West End Gang, the biker wars, a Montreal bank robbery that involves commandeering a helicopter at gunpoint. montrealgazette.com/news/new-kin...
New Kings of Coke Crave docs delve into West End Gang, biker wars, helicopter bank robbery and more
Two new Kings of Coke documentaries explore biker war, West End Gang.
montrealgazette.com
"You might see some butts" in this musical parody of #HeatedRivalry. You will for sure see the water-bottle scene, the gym scene on bikes. Plus Nuits d'Afrique, Fantasia and The Odyssey in 70mm. Friday on My Mind! montrealgazette.com/entertainmen...
Friday on My Mind: 'You might see some butts' in musical parody of Heated Rivalry
Other weekend fare includes Fantasia International Film Festival, Nuits d'Afrique and two other films.
montrealgazette.com
If like me you're counting down the days till Habs training camp, why not get your Canadiens fix by reading my book Habs Nation: A People's History of the Montreal Canadiens. Buy it online, at your favourite bookstore or get a signed copy directly from me.
HABS NATION - Baraka Books
Habs Nation is the story of how hockey's most winning team has always skated hand-in-hand with the people of Quebec and won 24 Stanley Cups.
barakabooks.com
I talked to ex Nordiques coach Michel Bergeron Friday who told me he used to play hockey against Marc Messier when they were teenagers, remembers Messier shooting Lance et Compte at le Colisée & was in Les Boys with him.
Kelly: Quebec actor Marc Messier will be fondly remembered for his two roles as hockey players
Veteran actor starred in multiple films and TV projects, but Lance et Compte and Les Boys won him on-ice glory.
montrealgazette.com
Singer Kim Richardson loves Soulfest, happening this weekend at the St. James United Church, because she loves old-fashioned soul. "Old school is good school." She stars in my Friday on My Mind column along with Three O'Clock Train, Nuits d'Afriques.
Friday on My Mind: Kim Richardson is all about old-school soul
Montreal R'n'B singer Kim Richardson said Soulfest "should've happened a long time ago."
montrealgazette.com
Singer Kim Richardson loves Soulfest, happening this weekend at the St. James United Church, because she loves old-fashioned soul. "Old school is good school." She stars in my Friday on My Mind column along with Three O'Clock Train, Nuits d'Afriques.
Friday on My Mind: Kim Richardson is all about old-school soul
Montreal R'n'B singer Kim Richardson said Soulfest "should've happened a long time ago."
montrealgazette.com
When the Belgo Building was put for sale last year, the tenants – most from the city's indie arts scene – were worried about their future. But they are feeling upbeat now it's been bought by a developer who says they want place to be "a hub of creativity".
Tenants relieved as new owners promise to maintain Belgo Building as an arts centre
The Belgo building has been sold to Avenir Immobilier and tenants are hopeful that company will keep arts focus for building.
montrealgazette.com
Martin St. Louis finally has an assistant coach with notable NHL experience and this is very much a good thing for the Habs. MSL is a good coach but it will help to have a voice like Derek Lalonde behind the Habs bench.
What the Puck: Adding experienced coach to Martin St. Louis's bench is smart move by Canadiens
It is good news that the Canadiens have hired Derek Lalonde, who has much experience, as an assistant coach.
montrealgazette.com
Looking for cool things happening this weekend for Friday on My Mind. Let me know!
Some fans were disappointed Kent Hughes didn't bring in any major new players but most of us are happy he didn't spend like a drunken sailor in contrast to so many other GMs. Plus he locked up Ivan and Jakub! What the Puck!
What the Puck: Habs fans wanted more, but GM Kent Hughes deserves a good grade this silly season
Habs GM Kent Hughes didn't pick up any players but he did extend Demidov and Dobes. Fans rate his work.
montrealgazette.com
I am bringing my High Fidelity dance party to Girouard Parc on Saturday July 11 and you really should come. I spin great retro tunes, YOU DANCE. Free admission. Cash bar. 6 to 10 p.m.
We can't wait to watch it! In Jared, we trust!
Jared Keeso – star and creator of Letterkenny – spent years living in the Plateau while shooting 19-2 and fell in love with the hood. He vowed to make a series set there & now he's shooting that very show!
Letterkenny star Jared Keeso is paying tribute to the Plateau in his new Crave series
Jared Keeso, creator and star of Letterkenny, is Montreal shooting Cats in the Plateau.
montrealgazette.com
Here's my Friday on My Mind column. I talked to Quebec bluesman Guy Bélanger about recording at Abbey Road studios in London. The column also includes a Traveling Wilburys tribute band, Montréal Complètement Cirque, Clay Hazey, and Comiccon.
Friday on My Mind: From Abbey Road studios to the jazz fest with bluesman Guy Bélanger
This weekend's entertainment fare includes Quebec blues harmonica player Guy Bélanger, a Travelling Wilburys tribute band and a circus festival.
montrealgazette.com