by JACK OATMON

Ah, yes. The raccoon countenance glaring at me from my bathroom mirror tells me that we’ve reached that glorious time of year when the words “last night” start to mean “earlier today at noon.” I, along with many Montrealers, can expect to begin the physically depleting, spiritually bolstering routine of work-till-midnight, party-till-lunch, go-to-the-park, go-back-to-work, repeat ad infinitum. Stick in a few power naps and the odd visit to Patati Patata, and enjoy. Luckily for us workaholic/party lunatics, the fiesta-making people at large have got us wired for sound, with plenty of ’round-the-clock stuff coming up this week.

The always-fantabulous Piknic Electronik starts up for the summer this Sunday, May 21, at Parc Jean-Drapeau (whoooo!). They’ve got a killer line-up this year, so if you’re not there, you better be at the tams, or I’m gonna start wondering…

Moreover, starting Tuesday, May 23, Audiolunch will be showcasing a great DJ daily at high noon at Place des Arts, in two four-day runs. On Tuesday, the event features Laïka resident Soul Sista, followed by nightlife staple Eloi Brunelle on Wednesday. Be sure to be there on Thursday to catch Ernesto, bringin’ in sounds from Latin America to clash with the 514 style. Stephane Cocke rounds up the first session next Friday.

These happenings are, of course, only a precursor (or postscript, as the fates often have it) to your nocturnal adventures. And I would caution you to prepare yourself for catharsis and calamity, for there’s a handsome spate of killer shakers coming up. The In Da Jungle crew have a soirée planned for Friday, May 19, with plenty of breakbeats for you to show off your new kicks to. That’s at Centre Fractal (7240 Clark).

I was taking a gander at my copy of Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book the other day, and I found a rather pertinent entry. On page 136, Mao advises that to truly live in the interests of the common good, one must rock a party right, in the face of needless capitalist greed. He goes on to explain that an eclectic, populist mix of bass-generous electro, breaks, drum & bass, hip hop and rock is the most efficient way to propagate revolution. Conveniently enough, Level 4’s bound-to-be-surround Communism party is on Saturday, May 20, also at Centre Fractal. There’s a plethora of great acts goin’ down toute la nuit. I’m probably not the only person in the city curious about what local stalwarts Jordan Dare and Sean Kosa can concoct with a four-turntable/two-mixer superset. There’ll be a live set by klezmer hip hopper Socalled, groovy breaks by Rhys Taylor vs. Pinky 38’s fabulous technical touch, and the list goes on. Be there.

Peep German producer Stephan Bodzin at Balroom on Sunday, May 21. I recently checked out a recording of one of his sets. It’s really clean-sounding electro-ey stuff: almost housey. The tracks he makes are pretty neato-keen too.

TOO MUCH LOVE. jack.oatmon@gmail.com

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