AUX TV is changing the face of music programming in Canada. Premièring last week on Rogers cable as the first Internet broadcaster to shift to television, this amazing new multi-platform music channel boasts 24 series dedicated to music, 14 of which are original Canadian programming (hosts include everyone from Alan Cross to Alexisonfire’s George Pettit).

With a smorgasbord of other fantastic acquired series, documentaries, movies and 60-plus hours per week of music videos (yes, MUSIC VIDEOS!), it seems to be the answer for all of us viewers who feel like our music television needs have been ignored.

If you’re like me, and grew up on a steady diet of MuchMusic’s The New Music and The Wedge, then I’m not alone when I say how frustrating it is to pine for the days when music videos aired on television, when music channels were actually about music and not drunken hot tub-filled reality dating shows, or when TV was a point of discovery for new music.

I’ve grappled with a grudge that the MTVs and MuchMusics of yore just aren’t returning to their pasts. Their platforms have evolved and their demographics’ needs are being met with looped Top 10 music videos, reality shows and teen dramas.

That’s fine. But they’re not addressing the target audience of 18-34 year olds. Me! There is a heaving gap in music programming these days and everyone –including Green Day’s Billie Armstrong, who, at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, begged channels to start playing more music videos – is noticing.

Finally a network has stepped up to fill in this gaping void, and that savior is AUX TV.
What started less than a year ago as an Internet radio broadcast has moved quickly to a television format. Raja Khanna, co-CEO of Glassbox Television and founder/president of AUX, says he believes the channel was created as a reflection of the incredible music culture in Canada and that while music has shifted mostly to the web, it’s important to treat every platform equally, including television.

“To be honest, so much of what we’re doing has been inspired by the music channels I grew up with when they were all about music. I’m not in any way suggesting that anybody’s done anything wrong. They’ve evolved, they’ve changed, but certainly there’s a definite gap now.”

“I think part of it is that other folks think music culture has completely shifted to the web, which I think is so true in a lot of ways, but on the other hand it’s not like all these people, myself included, don’t ever watch TV. So for us, it’s important to be in both places. Why would we avoid the living room?”

Khanna says AUX’s secret agenda is to raise awareness of great music, especially for young viewers. He adds that media can’t use the excuse that people aren’t interested in it – they have to make people interested in it.

“Part of what I believe is it’s still early for online video; it’s still evolving. Today I think so much of it is on demand. If there’s a music video you want to see, you’ll go to the web and you’ll search, you’ll find it and you’ll watch it.”

“But you’re not going to discover any new music that way. And to me, that’s the difference. Sitting on the couch, while you’re eating breakfast or whatever, and the music is just playing and the videos are just playing, you’re going to learn something.”

AUX’s programming has something for all viewers, not just indie-music nerds such as me. There are oodles of music videos, groundbreaking exclusive series, and original half-hour shows that cover everything from music news to raw concert footage to panel discussions and even something for fashion lovers (see a list of show descriptions below).

AUX will also showcase feature-length programming with music-related films and documentaries, and Khanna is particularly excited about its Sunday night spot.

“I think there’s an explosion worldwide of incredible music documentaries happening and so many never see the light of day, and that is an area, to me, where AUX can really play a significant role. I want to be the place for rock documentaries.”

One forgotten genre at a time, AUX TV is saving music television. For all disgruntled, bitter viewers like me or for a new generation, I truly believe AUX is changing the future of Canadian music programming and will help create a star system for Canadian artists who deserve to be recognized. Sounds like a lofty idea? Look at your alternatives.

If you want to discover a new band, really witness what is happening right beneath your noses in Canada’s music scene or just be entertained by the countless programs, do yourself a favour and flip the channel to AUX TV. This is must-see TV.

 

AUX TV Program Guide: These are just some of the highlighted programs on AUX TV

AUX Weekly
Hosts Andrew Alba, Barry Taylor and Lavonne Allen give a one-stop weekly shot of all the most important happenings in the world of music in this hour-long music roundup.

Hard
Now, don’t get the wrong idea sickos. Hard thrashes its way through the world of hardcore music. Each week the show will shock the system with three doc-style band profiles and featured music videos of the best metal, alt, punk and screamo acts on the planet.

Talk Show Night at Juicebox Manor
Host Sam Sutherland fronts this unpredictable mix of band performances, random antics and cheeky banter from the comfort of his own home, a.k.a. the Juicebox Manor.

Henry Rollins, FX

Soft Focus
Accomplished musician Ian Svenonius interviews one artist in New York’s Guggeheim museum each week. Guests include Henry Rollins, Terry Hall of the Specials, Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine and many more.

Later...With Jools Holland
U.K. music legend Jools Holland hosts this intimate series, where each week musical groundbreakers, both rising and established, come together in the same studio to perform separately and as a collective. Holland interviews the acts between performances. Guest have included The Who, Lilly Allen, Metallica and Franz Ferdinand.

Master Tracks
This exciting original program shows what really goes into recording a song. Each week, rising stars are given the chance of a lifetime to record one original track with accomplished producer Moe Berg (former frontman of the Pursuit of Happiness) at the famous Metalworks Studios. Viewers are immersed into each band’s recording process and the pressures that come with it.

Band Foto
Host/photographer Ingrid Johansson leads a team of image overhaulers who lay custom style treatments on bands just before she takes new photos of them. Fans get a close-up on each band’s makeover process and the music it makes.

ExploreMusic with Alan Cross
Radio personality Alan Cross hosts this weekly panel discussion dissecting topical happenings in music from the previous week. Nothing is off-limits, and there’s a rotating roster of expert pundits.

Strange Notes
Alexisonfire’s George Pettit interviews the hottest emerging acts in this new artist profile series. Featuring bands like the Constantines, Attack in Black, and Ladyhawk.

 

 

Are you going to watch AUX TV? What do you think is missing from music television? What would you like to see more of? Email me at jessica.russell@tvguide.ca.

 

TELLY TUNAGE: PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

Phoenix (Animal Collective Remix) “Love Like A Sunset”

Florence and the Machine (XX remix) “You’ve Got The Love”

Spiral Stairs “True Love”

Dirty Projectors (live on Jimmy Fallon) “When The World Comes To An End”

Dan Mangan “Road Regrets”

 

JESSICA’S JUKEBOX: FRESH TUNES YOU GOTTA HEAR

Madonna – Celebration (Warner)
There’s very few of us who don’t have a connection to Madonna’s music. Me? True Blue was my very first cassette. I can remember listening to it over and over again on my electric blue boom box, belting out “Papa Don’t Preach” into my bedpost. And now, like her Warhol/Marilyn Monroe album cover suggests, she has become a legend as one of the world’s most popular and influential artists. This third definitive greatest hits album is truly a celebration of her entire career with a whopping 36 remastered tracks on this two-disc collection (including two new songs), half of which weigh heavily on her glory days in the ‘80s all the way up to her most recent stuff with JT. It’s all here, “Into the Groove,” “Lucky Star,” “Ray of Light” and the controversial “Justify My Love.” But there are some notable misses. Most of the tracks here are easily found on other best-ofs and my faves “Rain,” “This Used to be My Playground” and “True Blue” are all overlooked. But it’s difficult to please all Madge fans. This collection fairs nicely for even finicky ones like myself.
Recommended if you dig...80’s Madonna.

The Raveonettes – In And Out Of Control (Vice)
Danish dream-pop duo The Raveonettes follow up their luscious 2007 album, Lust Lust Lust, beautifully with this surf-style take on ‘60s American pop. Their signature knack for fuzzy guitars and distortion are here along with singer Sune Rose Wagner’s delicate coos harmonizing twisted poetry about suicide, love, rape and violence. It’s their simplistic, almost optimistic, angelic tone that surrounds brutally descriptive tales such as on “Gone Forever” and “Oh, I Buried You Today,” which draws listeners in. Most of the time, you’re so caught up in their pensive atmosphere that the lyrics catch you off guard and make you want to press repeat again and again. In And Out Of Control is an intriguing mixture of contradictory emotions that only a band with such talent could bring to the table with great subtleness.
Recommended if you dig...My Bloody Valentine or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. 

Mission of Burma – The Sound The Speed The Light (Matador)
Noisy old punks Mission of Burma continue what must be one of the most successful reunions in punk’s history. Formed in 1979 in Boston, Mission of Burma had to bow out after only one album, Vs.(1982), due to frontman Roger Miller’s tinnitus. Then in 2002, the group surprisingly reformed and have tripled their previous recorded output, most recently with this latest The Sound The Speed The Light. The surprising thing is that Burma seem to improve with each record, a seemingly impossible task considering older classics like “Academy Fight Song.” They still churn out riff-heavy punk jams, punchy rhythms and ironic oratorical vocals that drill right into your brain. Age seems to mature the Burma sound into something more intellectual and less repetitive, and their stop on a dime changing patterns border on math rock or post rock and avoid any punk clichés. 
Recommended if you dig...The Stooges or Wire or Fugazi.

Various Artists – Ciao My Shining Star: the Songs of Mark Mulcahy (Shout Factory)
The name Mark Mulcahy might not be recognizable by most, but the magnitude of guests on this empathetic tribute album will definitely perk ears. Impressive artists such as Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, The National, Dinosaur Jr., and Josh Rouse are just a few of the many that have pitched in to help the singer, and former Miracle Legion frontman, continue to make music and take care of his three-year-old twin daughters after his wife Melissa suddenly died. This compilation acts as a touching tribute to the woman he loved and clearly, as a musical sympathy card from the people who hold Mulcahy near and dear. Here, Mulcahy’s tunes are covered from those who admire his talent as a songwriter. Thom Yorke’s version of “All For The Best” is a brilliant opener and Dino Jr.’s grungy “The Backyard” is a great interpretation. Before, Mulcahy’s songs may have only achieved a certain level of underground fame, but now, thanks to his honourable friends, his music will get the attention it deserves.
Recommended if you dig...Radiohead or Dinosaur Jr.

 

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