While filming began in earnest for this documentary back in 2006, it was rather tragically catalyzed by the sudden heart attack and resulting death of Big Star frontman Alex Chilton in 2010. The directors, Drew DeNicola and Olivia Mori, along with producer Danielle McCarthy, were sadly never able to get Chilton to consent to an interview.

Rogue Wave has had a very “indie” career—from the band’s jangly, sensitive aesthetic and critical acclaim to its prevalence on television and film soundtracks and, unfortunately, relative anonymity to mainstream listeners. In other words, for a band of its caliber and songwriting prowess, its career arc has probably felt lackluster both to its members and their fans.

Since the event I’ve been covering these past few days (and will continue to cover through the end of the week) is called a “jazz fest” I decided to kick off the day by taking in some of the titular genre. Hot Club de ma Rue fit the bill nicely. Other high (and medium) lights of the day included Thus:Owls and The Cat Empire.

Proclaiming the merits of a gospel album from a singer whose public popularity peaked some 40 years ago and whose album is produced by a ‘90s alt-country singer (who, along with his son, also plays all the instruments), might normally be a tough task.

My second day at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal was also Canada Day. I celebrated the occasion with vegetarian poutine, Perrier, and a pair of street performers who did what they called a “PG strip tease.” Reflecting on this, it all seems both logical and novel. How else would you want to mark such a momentous event? Music was also available at ever turn, the highlights and lowlights being Mozart’s Sister, Woodkid, and Mucca Pazza.

The third album from Black Mountain members Amber Webber and Joshua Wells takes a stylistic turn, tossing their sparse psychedelia to the wind in favor of aloof synthpop. You could lose yourself in the absorbing, stark atmospheres of Infinite Light and its predecessor; these songs feel comparably sterile.

Stephen Wilkinson appears to be mirroring Western trends by going organic. On his seventh LP under the Bibio guise, the English producer’s experimental leanings take on a distinctly naturalistic focus, veering away from the kaleidoscopic blur of 2011’s Mind Bokeh to create a slow-burning sonic collection.

After an afternoon spent wandering around and sampling several outdoor events (including a youth jazz band so talented it made me weep for my pre-teen ambitions of becoming the next Benny Goodman), I kicked off my Festival International de Jazz de Montréal slate of evening concerts with a Canadian and Canadian(ish) act: CFCF and Rhye.

If you were among the million-plus individuals who (legally) purchased Empire of the Sun’s debut album, Walking On a Dream, you will not be disappointed with its follow-up, Ice On the Dune. The second lovechild of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore shares its predecessor’s compelling cinematic, sci-fi/fantasy personality both aurally and visually.