Inland, Where it’s Warm and Cozy - Leif Vollebekk Album Review

Posted on February 10, 2010

Every time mid-February comes around, it starts to feel as though I’d be willing to do anything to escape the eternal coldness of the Canadian winters. Perhaps you’ve also found yourself asking why, oh why, would anyone ever want to colonize such a cold part of the world. Maybe you like the cold… I don’t know. But one thing I do know for sure, is that we all need a little extra warmth come this time of year, right? First time I listened to Leif Vollebekk’s album, Inland, I immediately knew there was something there. The melody struck me as solid and voluptuous and unpretentious.
Folk is a genre that has been done and spun every which way. It’s also a genre that most people will either love, or stay away from completely. If you’re a fan of Folk, you’ll most definitely like this Montreal gentleman. Inland is a soft and intimate album. It’s the type of record I want to listen to in bed, curled under the warmth of the duvet. This album is comfort, it’s dreamy, floaty. It’s so warm and heartfelt that nobody could listen to it and doubt the sincerity of the artist who made it.

It often feels like a serenade, like a beautiful cocoon lovers make in the narrow space between their bodies. However, Inland also has a sound that’s free, a sound that wants to travel. Most of the songs don’t use much percussion, but doesn’t mean it lack rhythm for that much. Imagine yourself on a train, with giant headphones on, so it’s just you and the fleeing scenery… trees, fields, everything is wild, open and free. It’s just this, you, his beautiful, poignant voice, his guitar and a few modest arrangements… That’s the way I like to picture Inland in my head.

The album is well thought through. Some of the songs swing much in the way of a soft waltz with an airy piano leading the way (Don’t Go to Klaksvik) and a soft acoustic guitar strumming away in the background, pulled with a voice full with intent and wonderful sentiment. And the thing is, Vollebekk truly has the voice to pull it off. It comes from the proper part of his body to carry the different moods of all of his proficiently written ballads. The album was just recently released, and is a very worthy purchase for smooth folk lovers. It’ll be on repeat on your stereo until tulips start popping the snow (at the very least). It just so happens that Vollebekk is playing with Basia Bulat at L’Astral this weekend. If you can’t make it to that show, he’ll be back in Montreal at Casa del Popolo on February 27th.

Photo by ingimar björn daviðsson

An Interview with Ohad Benchetrit on his Solo Project, Years - Tonight @ Sala Rossa

Posted on November 26, 2009

Before I officially begin this entry, I must say I’ve probably had one of the best weeks ever as far as interviews go. “Working” for Poutine has allowed me to meet and interview two of my favorite musicians. Last night, before the show, I got the chance to sit down in Sala Rossa’s tiny green room to talk with Ohad Benchetrit about his recently released solo project, Years. Ohad is one of the founding members of Do Make Say Think and mainly plays guitar in the band. Earlier this year, another founding member of DMST, Charles Spearin, also released a solo project of his own. When they dropped into town while on tour for The Happiness Project, Spearin introduced Ohad and the then upcoming album. I felt excited to further discover what was going on into the individual creation of the members of my favorite band, and wasn’t disappointed one bit. Do Make Say Think began touring their new record, Other Truths, last night in our beautiful city, and while they’re at it, they’re taking the opportunity to introduce Ohad’s new project to the stage as a complete act, alongside The Happiness Project, and of course their own show. If you didn’t get a chance to catch the show last night, I’m happy to tell you that they are playing tonight as well at Sala Rossa.

Before the interview, I did a bit of research about Ohad’s project, but wasn’t able to find much online about it. Since I feel this is probably the most “fly on the wall” type member of DMST, I wasn’t entirely surprised. I even wondered how easy it would be to get this gentleman to talk to me about his music. One of my friends over at the CBC once told me that musicians are often pretty bad at talking about their own music and often don’t have very much to say about it, which is a fear that has been haunting me ever since. That being said, I feel pretty lucky to have had interviews with such kind, generous and talkative musicians that disprove my friend’s theory this week - and in a way, it was a beautiful surprise to be able to find out so much about what this project means to the talented guitar-man. At this point, I’d like to stop the amazed-and-starstruck-journalist-rambling and invite you to listen to the said interview.

Enjoy and don’t missed tonight’s show - it’ll seriously blow your heads off (in a good way)!

Years, The Happiness Project and Do Make Say Think
November 26th @ Sala Rossa
Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.
Doors open at 20:30 and show starts at 21:00

An Interview about Darkness and Light with Andrew Whiteman of Apostle of Hustle

Posted on November 24, 2009

Word on the street is that I’m pretty picky about the music that I like… I don’t know if that’s true, but I guess it is to some extent. For over five years now, Apostle of Hustle has been one of my top two bands. I love their albums - they’re full of originality and I think that what they create is something truly unique and brilliant. Last spring, the band released a new full length record called Eats Darkness. On the date of its release, I was visiting my best friend in the whole wide world in Southwestern France, and that’s where I was when I heard it for the first time. To my great surprise, late last week, my editor at Midnight Poutine asked me if I’d like to do an interview with Andrew Whiteman for his upcoming show this Friday (November 27th, 2009). The simple fact of being coveted for this interview was pretty special for me, but actually getting to sit down with Whiteman over Skype for a Tuesday afternoon chat was particularly great for this gal.

Maybe when you were a kid, you laid on your bed, listening to your favorite record, daydreaming about what it would be like to have an actual conversation with your favorite rock star. Well today, I got to do that for real. I got to do it with Charles Spearin (my other top two musician - yes. I am a lucky girl) a few months back as well, but the fact that we were face to face, sitting in a roomful of people during sound check for his upcoming show intimidated me and sort of ruined the intimacy factor I dreamed of. With Whiteman, it was just me, him, all his wonderful creativity and all of my nosy questions. We got to talking about concept albums, the discoveries he achieved in his creative process with the new record, darkness, why you would want to eat it, what it would taste like, and his recent dive into the Frenchness of Montreal. You can listen to the full interview below. Hope you enjoy discovering what goes on inside the head of Andrew Whiteman as much as I did.

Apostle of Hustle is playing at Il Motore in Montreal this Friday, November 27th, 2009.
Tickets are $13.50 at the door.

Peaches @ Metropolis - November 17th

Posted on November 24, 2009

Last Tuesday, I rounded up a few friends and went to see Peaches do her thing on the stage of the Metropolis. I can’t say that I’ve listened to her albums a whole lot, but for some reason, I’ve always been really interested by what she does. There’s something very raw and adulterated about her music. She doesn’t really seem to aim for an overwhelming melodic musicality, in her songs, but that’s not to say something is lacking to the unpretentious package. There’s beats, words and sounds, and all of it is perfectly fine the way it is. But over and above all that, you haven’t heard peaches, or know what she’s about (as a musician/artist) until you’ve actually seen her play live. I don’t say this often, but this show seriously blew my mind, to the point where, almost a week later, I’m still looking for the right words to describe the “Peaches experience”.

From the very beginning of the show, it was apparent that this show was much more than about the music being played by the artist who wrote the songs - Peaches is all about entertaining her crowds and having fun with them. She walked on stage in a costume, that was more like a giant wig (but seriously, a wig that was about 2 or 3 feet taller than she was and covered her entire body down to her crotch), and peeled off layer after layer of costumes until she finished the show in a “nude-body-suit” with a brightly-glowing clit. In between that, I can’t really find words to describe it any better than to say: Peaches is walking, breathing, dancing, singing, rocking sex. On the stage is really where it comes alive for this one, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a good example of such a statement. Her show really blow the music out into the stratosphere. It was a sexy, heavy, rock n’ roll, dancey, gritty, sweaty ol’ time at the Metropolis last Tuesday. A friend I was with has gone to see her play live about 10 times (for true) already, and was still super excited to see this show - I can understand why. What a trip!

Photos by SarahBrideau.com

Kavanagh Vintage: A New Vintage Store to check out in NDG

Posted on November 17, 2009

I don’t know about you, but I’m a long time lover of vintage. You know, those things that make your mom or grandma smile awkwardly with discomfort because in their minds you’re wearing something that’s soooooo terribly outdated? Yeah, that stuff. It must come from the fact that my best friend’s family have been owners of vintage stores for as long as I can remember. They taught me about the joys of having unique pieces and recycling it into a new and original style of your own. Over the years, it’s been a growing passion of mine. In fact, this summer, I spent some time at my grandparent’s house, and while I was there, I spent a ridiculous amount of time foraging through every single closet - an experience that was a mixture of joyous finds and mad sneezing spells. But since we live in a culture of constant renewal, such treasure hunts aren’t always fruitful as we’d like, which is why we need passionate entrepreneurs like Beau and Ryan, who love vintage just about as much as I do, and have recently opened up a very cool boutique in NDG.

It was with great pleasure that yesterday, I decided to trek down to the hip neighborhood to meet the owners of this new store. Upon arrival, I immediately spotted an old school espresso machine, which I assure you, makes coffee as beautiful as you might imagine it would. The two gentlemen took time to tell me about what brought them to the business: “We’ve been touring musicians for a while now, and on every trip, we always end up finding the greatest vintage things. But came a time when we ran out of room in out closets and decided to make a business out of the habit”. Since there appeared to be a lack of such a business in the very hip neighborhood of NDG, they decided that it appeared to be the perfect place to set up shop.

As opposed to some vintage stores that tend to focus mainly on clothing, Kavanagh Vintage also sell a bunch of old musical instruments, some of which have even been creatively turned into a lamp, for example. I had a lovely time looking around at all the knickknacks, all tastefully arranged throughout the causy boutique.

For all the ladies who have a bag/purse fetish, you’ll be served - there’s a bunch of really nice ones there. They also have an impressive selection of vintage luggage. They also sell shoes, boots, and have a fantastic selection of hats.

Long story short: I absolutely fell in love with this store and will certainly make a point of returning regularly, if only to get lost into beautiful memories of the past (and to rebel against my stupid student-budget). If you get a little nostalgic afterward, or if you need to forget about the said “stupid-budget”, there’s a nice little pub next door, Honey Martin, that apparently gets some pretty great live music on a regular basis.

Kavanagh Vintage is located at 5922 Sherbrooke West at the Royal intersection. They are open from 10AM to 6PM from Monday to Wednesday and from 10AM to 9PM from Thursday to Saturday.

All photos taken by SarahBrideau.com

Les ogres de Barbarack aux Coup de coeur francophone 2009 - le 6 novembre 2009

Posted on November 9, 2009

À Montréal, nous avons la chance d’avoir droit à une panoplie étonnante de festivals bien à nous qui n’ont d’égaux nulle part ailleurs au point de vue mondial. Cependant, la mission du festival Coup de cœur francophone est un peu différente. Fondé à Montréal en 1987, le festival est itinérant depuis 1995, c’est-à-dire que les gentils organisateurs du festival ont décidé d’ouvrir les frontières montréalaises du festival à 9 partenaires partout au pays. Vendredi dernier, j’ai eu la chance d’assister à la prestation des Ogres de Barbarack, un groupe de français qui ont traversés l’océan pour venir faire danser une joyeuse foule au Club Soda.

L’esprit était à la fête au Club Soda vendredi soir. Quoi de mieux alors pour animer la danse qu’un groupe musical aux saveurs gitanes, une tradition qui est décidemment toujours bien vivante dans le vieux pays. La salle était remplie d’une foule enjouée et dansante, qui ne montrait aucune retenue quant à son appréciation pour la prestation énergique du groupe.

Les quatre membres démontrèrent leurs multiples talents au cours de leur généreuse performance de deux heures. Changeant fréquemment d’instruments, ils avaient tout pour impressionner le public montréalais (quoiqu’en tendant un peu l’oreille, il était clair qu’une majorité de français étaient de la fête). J’ai cependant été un peu déçue en réalisant que certains instruments n’étaient pas performés « live ». Peu importe, car je crois que l’effet était subtil, et la foule ne semblait pas du tout importunée par ce triste fait, qui, on doit le noter, n’enlève rien au talent apparent du groupe. Si la mission du festival était de rassembler des actes musicaux qui démontrent et célèbrent le talent de la francophonie mondiale, je leur lève mon chapeau. Voilà une excellente façon de fêter la multiplicité francophone à Montréal!

Photos par SarahBrideau.com

Out to the Theater with Other People’s Problems - November 4th-8th @ Théatre Ste-Catherine

Posted on November 5, 2009

When I look back to the years when I was doing my first degree, some of my best memories evolve around theater. Who hasn’t done the odd “Theater Arts” class in high school or enlisted for the drama club because the cutest boy/girl in school was part of it? What I’m getting at is, when did we stop indulging in to the theatrical arts? Why should music shows or the silver screen take over our art-seeing plans? When I saw the flier for Other People’s Problems a few weeks back, I made plans to attend the show with a good friend of mine. Last night was a perfectly fabulous Wednesday evening in Montreal. Read on to learn more about why you should also make plans to see this show in the next few days.

 

Written by DeAnne Smith, Sarah Quinn and Samuel Booth, Other People’s problems is an evening of one act plays, all of which are performed by the talented Sarah Quinn. The plays involve virulent and entertaining comments on the “business of happiness”. Since the plays are all relatively short, it doesn’t take to long to get right to the core of things.

 

The first play is about self-help/motivational seminars. It talks about how those type of things tend to market their “new” approach by changing very little from the latest self-help fad. The character’s story of legal copyright infringement persecution gives off an inside story of two people who were originally good friends and business partners. Now, Louise (main character) is on her own and basically lets that baggage lead the way into shameless criticism of her friend’s methods to happiness. This play has funny insights on how the new self-help fad always finds ways of putting down the last one and making it’s audience feel small and helpless before it starts laying out a “new path” to self-improvement and fulfillment while communicating an increasing pressure to “achieve” as though it was the only way to truly be happy in our current society.

 

The second play features a character that has a popular advice vlog (video-blog). She gives her own personal advice without pausing to think what types of repercussions it may have on her audience. The character basically communicates thee same way one teenager might suggest to her friend to manipulate and lie in order to get what she wants. She’s not so much about solving problems in a mature and thoughtful way, as she is about getting from point A to point B in the fastest and easiest way possible. The play takes advantage of this setting to communicate a beef with the way companies manipulate vulnerable people to just as soon walk away from any liabilities their actions may bring on.

 

The third play features a lady who works on becoming a “strong, sexy and confident” woman. The lonely character sits down with a book-on-tape that tells her how to overcome her issues. However, an important message of the play, I think, is how something that doesn’t listen can only help you indulge into a dreamland and train you for something that won’t really happen - perhaps because all of our experiences are as individual and unique as we are. What it doesn’t, and can’t possibly do, is prepare you for how things really will pan out. While the character is getting lost in her fantasy dreamland with her first love, she’s not actually solving her real problem: loneliness.

 

The plays were pretty great and I enjoyed watching them very much. I think theater is probably the last of the indie arts: it’s so real and direct. I feel this very organic art is probably the best way of getting to the essence of creation where no politics or corporate agenda gets in the way. You still have a few days to catch the play with a friend, or by yourself, whatever.

Théatre Ste. Catherine
November 4-7 at 8PM
November 7-8 at 2PM
Tickets are $17/$12 (for students and seniors)
514-284-3939

Photo by SarahBrideau.com

An Interview with Vampire Weekend - Playing Tomorrow Night @ Le National

Posted on October 5, 2009

Earlier this afternoon, I got a chance to sit down with Chris and Ezra of Vampire Weekend, who are currently in town to play a show tomorrow night at Le National. We had a lovely chat about their new album (coming in January 2010) and they will tell you a little about what to expect with Contra. I also asked them about how they create music and what goes into their creative process, amongst other things.

Vampire Weekend is playing tomorrow October 5, 2009 @ Le National

Photo by Steven Brahms

Gonzales @ L’eXcentris - Saturday, Septeber 26th

Posted on September 29, 2009

Whether you’ve heard about him as the Grammy nominated arranger/producer who worked with Feist on Let It Die or for his talents as prodigious piano player, there’s nothing in this guy’s Resume to leave a music lover indifferent. This is why I just had to attend his concert at the newly renovated concert venue at L’eXcentris last weekend. The outcome was rather surprising to say the least. Clearly, I wasn’t the only Montrealer who just had to see the virtuoso in action. The lineup started at the very back of the theater and even stretched to the street.

My first impression of the new concert venue was excellent: classy place, relaxed atmosphere, pretty to look at, comfortable to sit or stand in and the sound was great as well. The room is arranged on three levels so no matter where you’re sitting, you can see the action on stage. Also, it’s pretty great to have a venue where you can either sit or stand and see just as well either way. Kudos on the renovations! The lights could use some work, though they’re still miles ahead of most venues in our beautiful city.

If you’re still reading this, it’s probably because you want to hear about Gonzales. My sources tell me that his shows are never the same from one time to the next. He previously made an appearance in Montreal with a full band which certainly didn’t give off the same results as Saturday. For this show, the stage was set up with two grand pianos back to back, fitting into each other yin-yang-style. Gonzales began by performing some solo pieces on the piano that would’ve impressed even the harshest of critics. Truth is, the man is a virtuoso. His playing demonstrates not only a true understanding of the necessary orchestration of a melody, but also the capacity to make it happen on a piano with only two hands.

Not only can he play like a mad man, but he also has a fantastic stage presence. Giggles were heard throughout the room when he made his entrance dressed in a satin robe, a scarf, and white gloves. Every musical guest that entered the stage were also wearing white gloves. As far as guests go, he had So-Called accompany him on the second grand piano for a great part of the show. Katie Moore also climbed up for a few songs. If I were a true journalist, I would’ve written down the name of the other guest from Star Académie, who was welcomed on stage by Gonzales with comments meant to discourage the snobbish impressions of the Indie lovers in the room (his words, not mine).

With Gonzales, little banter between songs take on the proportions of a talk show. Like the true showman that he is, he entertained not only with his prodigious piano playing, but also with his humorous, unpretentious and easy-going presence. I’d definitely see him again, if only to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve.

Bowerbirds, Megafaun, and Vicious/Delicious @ Sala Rossa - July 13th

Posted on July 14, 2009

Last night I went to see Bowerbirds, down at Sala Rossa. I discovered this band through a friend of mine over the Christmas holidays. There’s a lot of nice perks to having friends with similar musical tastes, but discovering new bands, I feel is one of those privileged moments that just keeps on giving. This gets even better when I finally get to see those new discoveries play their music live. I don’t know if you realize how incredibly lucky we are here in Montreal to have a ridiculous amount of fabulous bands rolling in every week to share their music with us. I can honestly say that I can count on one hand the amount of bands I love that I have yet to see.

 

I also love it when at a show, I’m caught off guard and end up loving other acts of the evening, and last night I was pleasantly surprised by the two other bands that took the stage before Bowerbirds. This, to me, testifies to good show planning; another reason why we should be thankful to have such great production companies in this city (i.e. BSTB). Not only do they bring in the bands we all know and love, but they manage to swing musical discoveries for us audience members while they’re at it. I think that’s great… really. Keep reading for less ranting about how great I think Montreal production companies are, and more about the actual show.

The show started off with Vicious/Delicious, a local band that plays a kind of spacey retro-rock that strongly reminds me of Velvet Underground. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be hit with such a big sound at a show that promised to be essentially folk, but I must admit that it was a nice surprise. They sounded pretty great. The only thing that puzzled me is that I still can’t figure out why they had three guitars players up there, because most of the time, at least two of them were playing sensibly the same riffs. Nevertheless, this is a band that I would recommend seeing live. They’ve got their act together and I think they’re really quite promising.

Next up was Megafaun. All the way from Durham, North Carolina, these three bearded gentlemen loosened up the slightly cynical audience with some of the best stage banter I’ve heard in a while. Between their songs they told us funny stories about crossing the border earlier that day. During their performance, I got to thinking about what truly makes a band great and started checking off a list of essential skills that this band displayed. To make a long list short, the trio had a great stage presence, displayed well-above-average musical talent, and had interesting and creative musical arrangements. Bref, all the required musts of musical entertainment in my book.

 

Speaking of talent, Bowerbirds! This was my second time seeing them. They are currently touring their new record, Upper Air. I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing the actual record yet, which is a shame since what I’ve heard live so far is pretty great. Whereas their previous record, Dark Horse, was mainly lead by Phil Moore’s exquisite classical guitar, the new songs venture into the steadier rhythms of the acoustic guitar. Whereas the previous record had some gypsy undertones, their new songs appear to be geared into a folkier style, with a fuller sound. Moore appeared to have a bit of a hard time keeping the fussy acoustic guitar in tune, but this wasn’t a major issue. Their lyrics are great, and pair up with beautiful melodies in intricate and well-thought-out rhythmic measures. Add that to exceptional vocal and musical arrangements, and you’ve totally got me. Bowerbirds is a truly excellent band and their live show lives up to every expectation I had. Simply beautiful!

 

By-the-way… anyone else having a hard time figuring out the actual starting times of the Blue Skies Turn Black shows? Or is it just me? They don’t list it on their show listing page… Is there a trick I’m not aware of? If so, PLEASE feel free to share.

Photos by SarahBrideau.com

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