by RAF KATIGBAK

A friend visiting from the southern U.S. recently remarked how impressed he was that, on one of the coldest nights of the month, he could go out to a house party or club and find the place packed with eager-beaver partygoers. Granted, he was from Florida, where their idea of "snow removal" involves a rolled up C-note and a stripper's ass. But while more than a few of my out-of-town friends have likened Montreal to that Hoth ice planet from The Empire Strikes Back, what they don't realize is that for Montrealers, doing creative shit and dancing all night is like riding a ton-ton. Sure, it's fun for a while, but if we want to survive when shit gets cold, there's only one thing to do: slice that fucker open and climb on in. I also have a theory that, over time, the cold weather numbed the logical part of the Québécois brain (y'know, the one that goes, "Hey! It's –40 outside! Stay home, asshole!"), and that if we dig deep enough, I'm sure we'd uncover evidence of massive coureur de bois all-night outdoor dance parties, but that's another story.

If you're looking for winter inspiration, the Phoniq collective is a perfect example of Quebecers getting shit done. After over a year of throwing events and uniting Canadian electronic artists via their Phoniq.net Web site, this weekend Phoniq is officially launching their net-label. With a regular schedule of online MP3 releases from (so far) 12 established and up and coming artists, Phoniq promises to rep some fresh Canadian electronic music faces abroad. Le Local (7154 St-Urbain) will serve as the launch pad Saturday night, with live sets from Phoniq artists Bleupulp, FM_Man, Insomniak and naw, and DJ sets by Philgood, Sarcastic, Cyan and Khanfucius. Cover is five bucks.

Friday night, I Love Neon will be hosting none other than the godfather of the new electro scene, DJ Hell. Of course, trying to get an interview with the globetrotting superstar DJ is like trying to hunt down and skin the polkaroo, but suffice it to say, the man from Munich will no doubt be bringing lots of dark, '80s-inspired debauchery to the party. Let's not forget the equally impressive supporting acts Tiga, Jordan Dare, Cut Throat Republic (live) and DJs Frigid and Cherry Cola in the second room. 32 Ste-Catherine W., $25 at the door.

Tonight, Thursday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m., another Montreal musical mogul, Mitch Akiyama, will be participating in the Upgrade event at the SAT alongside choreographer Victor Quijada. With video documentation from their collaborative piece Slicing Static (which premiered at Usine C last September) and an improvised performance, followed by a talk about their work, I'd say it'd be about a 10-stroker on the chin-scratch-o-meter. Best of all, it's free! Can't beat that with a bat.

I'm on a highway to Hell! Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

>> Music Listings