Jason Collett & Daniel Romano @ Il Motore – October 23rd, 2010

Posted on October 28, 2010

Daniel Romano has joined Jason Collett as an opening act for this Fall tour, and understandably so. I was struck with Romano’s unpretentious talent and the way his minimalist setup filled the venue with heartwarming Bluegrass/Folk music. His presence as an opening act that night presented a great example of thoughtful a mindful choice for a fabulous, discovery-prone opening act.
Last time I saw Jason Collett, it was several years ago and he was touring with Zeus as a backup band. That time, I found the show so hot, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a pair of panties being flinged up on stage. This time around, he played solo, which is totally different, but nonetheless extremely enjoyable. If one thought kept twirling around my head the whole time, and since then, it’s that Collett delivered his music much like great poets do: the lines never felt rehearsed, and I think everyone in the room felt the real mindful presence of the Ontario-talent with us that night. Certainly, Jason Collett has been doing this for a long time, but what transpires from his shows is an actual passion for what he does and the charming swagger of a man who has found his place artistically. We are lucky enough to have him drop by our Montreal venues every once in a while, and the next time he does, do yourself a favor and indulge yourself in a sensational evening with Jason Collett.

Pop! Montreal – Preview of Friday and Saturday

Posted on October 1, 2010

Good “morning” everyone! If you’ve been attending Pop! for in the past few days, noon is probably morning for you too. If you haven’t, it will be. With the lineups the festival holds for us over the next few days, you can expect “fun” to replace the word “sleep” in your vocabulary. There is also a 90% chance of precipitations of the saying “sleep when you’re dead”. Here’s what my version of what’s not-to-be-missed over the next 48 hours.
Truth is, I’d need to divide myself in at least 4 in order to make it to all I want to see with this year’s edition of Pop! Montreal (maybe that’s that the “Pop!” refers to – the sound it makes when you magically divide yourself).
I like to be organized so I made a schedule filled with at least one alternative in case the venue I’m trying to get into is full… it can happen, but shouldn’t deter you from trying your luck. Also, if you like to “live in the moment”, you want to be able to change your mind at the last minute in case your ex is at that show or something. This, plus a bicycle = perfect Pop! happiness for me.

Friday (this is tonight):
21:00 – Joe Grass @ Cagibi - Joe Grass is an expert of the slide guitar. He’s excellent and really worth seeing. This set is a good way to start the evening off easy and happy.
21:00 – Macy Gray @ Club Soda – What ever became of her? I haven’t heard her recent stuff, but I’m inclined to say that I would like it if it’s as smooth and soulful as her hits from a while back. Seeing as it’s on the Pop! schedule, I trust that they didn’t make her come down here to give us a mediocre show. All signs point to it being a groovy time. I’d give it a shot.
21:00 – Ferris Wheel @ Ukrainian Federation - This local, instrumental group really impressed the sh*t out of me last time I saw them live. Including members of Timber Timbre and Torngat, this promises to be an excellent show.
21:15 – Deerhoof @ La Tulipe – I have to admit I haven’t heard this band much yet (which is shameful, I know), but according to a friend of mine who recently saw them play in Toronto, this show will make me regret not knowing about them beforehand. This can only mean that I’m bound to see them this time, and again in the future. Nothing wrong with that.
22:00 – Timber Timbre @ Ukrainian Federation – If you’re already there because you went to see Ferris Wheel, yay. If not, rush to make it there on time. I honestly promise that it will be worth it. I’ve seen his show many many times before (even interviewed him) and would still see him again tonight. He is simply sensational.
22:30 – Grand Analog @ Jukebox – One word: “YES”.
22:45 – The Dears @ Mission Santa Cruz – Word on the street is they’re getting ready to launch a new album and they’ll be playing it all at this show. If you missed them last night, this is your chance!
23:59 – Naomi Shelton @ Sala Rossa – This one came as a suggestion of a very knowledgeable musician friend of mine. Soulful: yes. Combine that with the fact that this venue has a Taco stand, and I’m in.
1:00 – Duchess Says @ Breakglass (7250 Clark) – This show will be recorded. Even if you have no more juice in your battery at this point, Duchess Says leaves no one indifferent. Do it!

As for Saturday, if you’ve managed to find a bit of time to snooze away after the variety of after-parties, you should get up and grab a cup of coffee on your way to see the Library Voices at Place Pasteur (UQAM), starting at 14:00. This is free, so it should also give your wallet a break. Really, give me one reason why NOT to go see this?!
21:30 – Little Scream @ Cabaret Mile-End – She has mounted deer horns on her guitar. She has the prettiest little voice. ‘nough said.
21:30 – Parlovr @ Cabaret Juste pour rire – Another band for which I feel shameful not to have seen yet. Here’s my chance to make it up to them.
21:40 – Radio Radio @ Club Soda – I’m pretty sure everyone has heard of these guys by now. They have taken La belle province by storm over the last year and remain the pride and joy of the salty shores of the Maritimes. As much as they sound great on the records, nothing compares to their gigantic live energy during the shows. You really owe it to yourself to see these guys live.
22:00 – Plastik Patrik @ Rialto – Remember the days when Club Saphire used to have this guy on their turntables every week? Damn, I miss those days. Nobody spins music like this guy. Here’s your chance to shake it all night long!
22:30 – The Youjsh @ Club Lambi – This project is sprung from a bunch of talented and trained local musicians who decided to explore the possibilities of Klesmer music. woo!
22:00 – The Luyas @ Red Bird - I’ve always been very fond of this band, formed by members of SS Cardiacs, Bell Orchestre and Torngat. They used to be a trio, but have since added on a couple members to the group. More can only mean merrier.
22:50 – Forest City Lovers @ Divan Orange – These guys are so lovely and adorable, they make me want to puke. No. seriously. They’re as awesome as a box of kittens.
00:30 – Priestess @ Katacombs – Remember the box of kittens I talked about above? Priestess is what happens when the kittens turn into psycho-teenager-metal-gods. Priestess is classic and giant metal. I can’t wait!
00:30 – Laurent Bourque @ 3 Minots – If you don’t feel like letting Priestess’ bass vibrate your inner-core, go see this guy. I saw him once and he is completely excellent.

For more information about venues, ticket prices or the bands, I you may visit Pop’s most efficient site.

Stars @ The Apple Store – Sunday May 30th

Posted on June 2, 2010

I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but even though we haven’t actually passed the solstice yet, summer is most definitely here in Montreal. This means concertsconcertsconcerts! Last Sunday, I made my way downtown at the Apple store, not to check out the new iPad craze, but rather to attend an early concert with the local band Stars.
It was the first time I attended a concert in a store, and for a first, I must say it was a strange and interesting experience, which is definitely not to say it wasn’t a positive one. I think it felt a bit strange for the band as well: between songs, they admitted that they felt a bit nervous up there. Leaving out the hefty amount of VIP attendees, 152 fans got to witness the private performance at the second floor of the glass front store. Beyond the stage, a beautiful view of downtown Montreal made up the backdrop. It was lovely to be able to glance at a live view of birds flying around and onlookers from the sidewalk who seemed to wonder what the heck was going on up there. It was a great setting, though I could’ve done without the fluorescent lights. Dear Apple, why don’t you invest a little into a decent set of show lighting and turn off the business lighting for the sake of a little atmosphere?
As I looked around the crowd, I was struck by the youthful appearance of the crowd surrounding me. The band performed a mix of new songs from their upcoming record Five Ghosts, as well as some older songs which seemed to really hit the spot with many long time fans in the crowd. The distinct tones of the mainly acoustic leads supported with catchy drum-machine beats sounded just as great live as they do on the recordings. Through the years, Stars has found their sound and stuck with it, which is something for which I applaud them. Completely owning up to their romantic-pop style, the voices of their respective lead signers (Amy Milan and Torq Campbell) offer a uniquely soft, yet edgy sound that harmonizes beautifully.
I, for one, have always been a fan of the band, and am looking forward to the release of their new record, which will hit the shelves on June 22nd, 2010. I heard the recording of the concert will be available on iTunes, so if you missed it (or if you couldn’t get in to see the concert) you’ll be able to purchase it there.

Stars – Live Performance Sunday May 30th at the Apple Store

Posted on May 29, 2010

The lovely and ever-awesome local band Stars are getting ready to release their new record, Five Ghosts, on June 22nd, 2010 on their very own label imprint – Soft Revolution Records – distributed by Universal Music. Lead by Amy Millan (also know for her collaborations with Broken Social Scene and for her own solo releases) and Torq Campbell (also from the band Memphis), Stars will be playing a home town show in Montreal on Sunday May 30 at 7:00 pm at the Apple Store (1321 Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest). This will be their only local show prior to their Osheaga Festival date.

The show starts at 19:00 and is free of charge. There are no tickets, but I can imagine there will be quite a lineup, and since the spots are limited I recommend you get there early.

Timber Timbre @ La Tulipe Tonight – Interview

Posted on April 29, 2010

Earlier this evening, I got the chance to sit down with Taylor, Mika and Simon of Timber Timbre for a quick interview.< — click to listen.

I’ve been fascinated by this band for a few years now: their unusual and enrapturing darkness that makes you feel like, wherever you are listening to their tunes, you’re walking along in a Hitchcock movie. I got to ask him about his musical influences, the musical creation process, the changes that came forth with actually becoming a band from a solo act, as well  as what it’s like now being on the major Canadian Indie label Arts & Crafts.

Timber Timbre is playing at La Tulipe tonight. The Luyas will be opening the show. 

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

Les ogres de Barbarack aux Coups de coeur francophones 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 qui n’ont d’égaux nulle part ailleurs. Cependant, la mission du festival Coups de cœur francophones n’est pas seulement d’épater, mais surtout de faire connaître la musique francophone au-delà de Montréal. 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 villes-partenaires ailleurs au pays. Vendredi dernier, j’ai eu la chance d’assister à la prestation des Ogres de Barbarack, un groupe français qui a traversé l’océan pour venir faire danser la joyeuse foule au Club Soda.

L’esprit était effectivement à la fête au Club Soda vendredi dernier. 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 de joyeux lurons enjoués et dansants, qui ne montraient 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, j’ai remarqué que de nombreux Français étaient aussi 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

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

Timber Timbre and Great Lake Swimmers @ Theatre Plaza St-Hubert – June 20th

Posted on June 21, 2009

It’s been a while since I’ve last attended a show in Montreal and since I’ve been ill since I’ve returned from Europe, last night it was twice as great to celebrate my official return to my beloved city by seeing one of my current favorite bands play in such a great venue. I speak of course about the mysterious and fabulous Timber Timbre, who has recently re-released his latest eponymous record with Arts & Crafts. It didn’t take too long after the original release of the album for the notorious Canadian Indie label to notice this chap, and with good reason: it’s simply brilliant.

The two previous times I’ve seen him play the leading man was accompanied by a slide guitar and a violin, but this time around he replaced the violinist with a saxophone player, which was and interesting and original decision. Personally, I preferred the sound and effects of the violin with his music, though I must say that the show has evolved in order to make it work well with the trade. Since the sax doesn’t quite fill in the same way a violin would, the slide guitar became even more evident, and that I found was a wonderful surprise. I believe it was the same gentleman on the instrument and he simply blew my mind with all of the delicate and well thought out sound effects he added to the music. Unsurprisingly and to my utter delight, Taylor Kirk performed with just as much talent as he has previously as well. I also noticed that he appears to be increasingly comfortable on stage; good for him and great for the audience. Way to go!

The headliners were of course The Great Lake Swimmers, which I’ve heard a lot about, but haven’t much of their music before last night. They’re a very listenable folk band that play mostly ballads and and sweets songs about heartbreak and big love (which I believe is basically the definition of ballad, but whatever). The signer’s voice is very nice: soft, soothing, and quite pleasing to the ear. The lyrics are simple and unpretentious and the music is tender. It comes as no surprise that the audience was filled with cuddling couples enjoying the moment. I believe there was one song that was a bit more up-beat and it came off a bit like a “rigodon”. There was quite of bit of people in the giant room, so it appears as though their act is quite successful. I don’t really know their songs, but I think it’s safe to say their performance is pretty much flawless. The only thing I had a bit of a hard time with is the fact that pretty much every song seem to carry a similar soft lulling tone, which is not to say it’s bad, it just didn’t work quite so well with the jet lag. Great show altogether.

Photos by SarahBrideau.com

Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Il Motore last night

Posted on April 28, 2009

Have you guys noticed how there’s no spring in Montreal? Just winter, then summer. This is a show review, but I take the opportunity to wish you all a happy summer! What’s most fantastic about this time of year is without a doubt the fact that it’s the high point for all you show lovers out there. Maybe you’re a student like me and feel like you’re coming out of a long social coma after all of the exams and papers. To celebrate the arrival of the season, I went to check out Elvis Perkins in Dearland at Il Motore last night. Unfortunately, I got there a little late. It’s a real shame considering how great it was for what I actually saw.

A friend of mine told me about this artist a while back while I was in Moncton. I hadn’t gotten the chance to really listen to his older record I had (Ash Wednesday) until yesterday. Honestly, I had to listen to it at least 5 times to truly understand how great it was. With that I figured it’d be a nice show, but I certainly didn’t expect to walk into a festive packed venue last night. Clearly, I’m the only one who wasn’t aware of this guy’s greatness (if that’s also the case for you, do yourself a favor and pick up his record).

Perkins has a lovely voice and a particular way to shape his vocals. It’s a bit throaty but masterfully controlled and vibrating with a certain lightness that strays for any annoyance this may cause. Though the style certainly isn’t the same, he sort of reminds me of Jeff Buckley, minus all of the defunct’s heart tearing grace. Perkins’ music is passionate, but definitely not shadowed by a deep sadness, hence the style difference between the two. His music is sometimes groovy, sometimes festive, sometimes softer. It’s very original and interesting to hear. Overall, it’s more on the side of Folk-Rock, but with many influences blending into the ordeal.

I’m always a bit uneasy about Folk-Rock shows. I mean it is the type of music I tend to like the most, but as far as live performances go, it usually translates to more stripped down versions of what you’ll hear on the records. That being said, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it takes one heck of a musician to satisfy a public under such circumstances. Since Ash Wednesday, Perkins has taken on the fellowship of Dearland, an excellent group of musicians as well, who spice up the great songwriting with a lot of musically intelligent additions. The result of this is a music that appears to be heavily influenced by the soulful tones of the southern states. While incorporating a variety of sounds and horn instruments as well as superb backup vocals, the show was festive and ended with a carnivalesque song where musicians spilled out of the stage and into the crowd of enthusiastic fans. It felt sort of like a Mardis Gras ending, which left me wanting more.

I’m still terribly sad that I didn’t get to see the whole thing. Would it really be so hard for venues like Il Motore to clearly announce the starting time of their concerts on their website? Sometimes I get there at 9:30 and I’m there way too early, and others I get there at 10:30 and miss most of the show. Perhaps it was announced and I just missed it since a roomful of people clearly didn’t make the same mistake I did.

Happiness Amidst the Recession: Review of Charles Spearin’s The Happiness Project Live

Posted on March 15, 2009

In times where we turn on the new and all we hear is reports of how we’re pretty much heading towards a great depression, what can be better than to spend an evening listening to Charles Spearin’s sounds of happiness? I’m inclined to say the answer to that is “nothing”. Friday, March 13th 2009, it was my immense pleasure to be part of the receptive and joyful audience of Il Motore, who got treated to the live experience of what I believe to be the most ingenious musical project to come out of the Canadian Indie music scene in years. I thought the show would be an upfront presentation of the album and didn’t really expect much more out of it. However, I was pleasantly surprised by a live performance worthy of the utmost admiration I have for Do Make Say Think and the way their music comes alive on a stage.

So it’s Sunday morning and I still have a very tough time putting into words what this show was like for me. It was so great, it’s almost beyond words. The show began with a solo performance by the Apostle of Hustle, otherwise known as Andrew Whiteman. Behind him was were lying the myriad of instruments ready to be taken hold of by the eight members supporting supporting the wonderful Charles Spearin. After a brief introduction of some concepts of happiness, Spearin started the show with the “hit single” Mrs. Morris.

The following songs were presented as more beefed-up versions of what you can hear on the album, which is what really impressed me. Sort of in the way a simple jazz riff can soar with the right musicians, Spearin’s inspirations let loose in the live setting. The songs deployed to their full extent, like a bird being let out of its cage. They became more static and alive, which is what I think songs should become in front of a live audience.

Other great perks of this show was the little introductions Spearin made before every song, which allowed people to better connect with the songs and to understand their context a little better. I swear I’ve never seen a kinder audience. People were so attentive and quiet during the entire presentation. When I looked at people around me, I didn’t see faces that were judgy or uninterested. Instead, I often witnessed smiles and laughter coming from my fellow audience members. It was an absolutely charming show that I wish more people had a chance to experience.

To learn more about the project, you can listen to the interview I did with Charles Spearin during sound check on Friday, or watch Christopher Mills‘ wonderful short film.

Photos by SarahBrideau.com

An interview with Charles Spearin: The Happiness Project

Posted on March 13, 2009

Hello everyone,

I know it’s been a while, but just wait until you hear what I’ve been working on for you guys. Earlier tonight, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing one of my personal musical heroes, Mr. Charles Spearin. This gentleman is known for his work with Broken Social Scene and also, one of my favorite bands of all time, Do Make Say Think. Last month Spearin released a brand new solo album called The Happiness Project where he interviewed some of his neighbours on the general subject of happiness and put the sound of their voices to music.

It’s an absolutely fantastic album that is superbly interesting. Their launch mini-tour included two dates in Toronto, one in New York City, and TONIGHT they are playing at Il Motore in Montreal (on Jean-Talon). As if we weren’t lucky enough to be one of the lucky cities to have this act on one of our stages, tonight’s show will also be featuring Andrew Whiteman and Julian Brown of Apostle of Hustle. There aren’t many dates to this tour, I know, but Spearin is a busy man. If you can’t make it to one of the shows, do yourself a favor and pick up the record.

Listen to the interview below to hear the lovely conversation I had about the musical influences, the neighbourhood, and a few mustache upkeeping tips of the brilliant musician
Please forgive the background noise and the nervous laughter. There was nothing I could do about that.

Playing tonight at Il Motore (179 rue Jean-Talon Ouest – corner of Waverly).
Word on the street is the music starts at 10PM. Don’t miss it!

The Morning After the LOVE?!project – Moondata LABproject #38

Posted on February 15, 2009

As some of you may know as per my preview from last Thursday, last night marked the return of the Moondata LABprojects to the planks of O Patro Vys. It has been almost two years since LABproject 37, and honestly, I think everyone in the room last night felt it had been WAY too long. Like I’ve said before, this musical event used to be a monthly thing, and barely had I discovered it, had they stopped the magic from happening. The people in charge of making it happen have been busy with other things since then, and so have I. What I mean by that is that musical tastes evolve, and god knows I’ve been exposed to a boatload of live music since then, so loss of interest was definitely a possibility.
Like so many things in life, first times can be awkward. First kisses, first dates, first… you know. Firsts rarely live up to our expectations. Moondata LABprojects are the musical equivalent of one-night-stands: they can be fantastic, but they are a tricky thing to pull off. Sticking with the idea of one-night-stands, it’s like being eternally single. It’s constantly new and exciting, but it also means starting over from scratch every time, which is a lot of work with a narrow margin for success. The odds of this project being a flop are much higher than it being the superb even that it actually is.

By now you must be wondering about the results? Well let me tell you it was a hot February evening at O Patro Vys last night: a steamy and playful session with lots on impassioned sweaty moments. I mean, panties almost came off! All joking aside, the music was floaty and intense. The songs are mainly improvised in a way that keeps more along the avenues of jazz improvisation than psychedelic-hippie jams. The music develops in definite shapes and structures which then becomes illuminated with the personal touches of its musicians. Though some of their players come from a rock background, these projects exits the realm of simple rock bands and tickles the fancy of fans with more demanding musical tastes.
The players were all very strong musicians with an excellent sense for listening to each other, which seems self-evident, but believe me, isn’t always the case with this sort of thing. The musicians were either excellently trained or amazingly talented because the whole thing was flawless. The members had a great synchronicity and complemented each others sounds perfectly. The drummers O’Neill and Barr played off each other nicely, and in one song especially, they lead the music into a powerful intensity, which they actually managed to sustain. In fact, intensity is probably the word of the night for me. The music had a dreamy way of taking you elsewhere… anyway, it took me far far away from the reality of stupid Valentine’s day.
The only thing that I felt could have been better were the visuals. I’ve seen much better at these events and thought that last night’s were pretty average. Not that it was bad per say, I’ve just seen better. The event was very successful and the bar was pretty full, which should definitely be taken as a sign of people’s interest for this sort of thing. In a world of musical repeats where you go to shows and hear the same songs you paid for on the album already, it’s fun and exciting to indulge your ears into something fresh and experimental. This is a fabulous and mainly untapped market that I think could gain to be exploited with the myriad of musical talents we have here in Montreal. Kudos to the project and here’s to more of them in the near future.

Photo by SarahBrideau.com

The LOVE?!project @ O Patro Vys – Saturday, February 14th

Posted on February 12, 2009

If you’re like me and you’re single for yet another Valentine’s day, you’re probably looking for something to do this weekend. My recommendation is to do something that will be exciting and fun enough to occupy your mental space and effectively make you forget about this discriminatory holiday. When I was told about Moondata Productions‘s LABprojects returning to the stage, I honestly couldn’t possibly have been more excited; this is just so much better than having a date take you out to a romantic dinner and offer you roses and chocolates. You heard me ladies, better than chocolate! Those concerts have probably offered me some of the most surprising musical moments ever. They’re just so special and interesting that I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be to forget about all of my past love disasters. Keep reading for more info.

If you’re still reading, you’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about, right? Basically, it used to be a monthly thing. Moondata would round up some of Montreal’s most talented musicians and get them together for a one night affair accompanied by a superbly artful visual show. How ironic that it would come back for a surprise “one night stand” performance?!

This time around, the project will feature Andrew Barr (Land Of Talk / The Slip) on drums, Liam O’Neill (Zeroes) on drums, Sarah Pagé on harp, Andrew King on trumpet, Mishka Sein (Patrick Watson) on bass, Vid Cousins (Moondata) on guitar/electronics, Matt Lederman (Moondata) on guitar/electronics, Ouananiche on visuals as well as other special guests. Past editions of LABprojects have featured the contributions of Jorane, Patrick Watson, Land of Talk singer Elizabeth Powell, Amon Tobin and John Labelle.

The doors open at 8:30 PM and the show starts at 10 PM, but get there early because the place will fill up quick; these shows have been known to sell out. Tickets are $8 and will be on sale at the door.

Photo by SarahBrideau.com

Timber Timbre @ Il Motore – February 7th

Posted on February 8, 2009

A couple weeks ago I was co-hosting The Craig Norris Hour on CBC Radio 3, and in one of the last segments of the show, Craig asked me if I had ever heard Timber Timbre, which I hadn’t. Craig then said that I should check them out immediately and that they were an amazing band. As luck would have it, thy were in town last night so I decided to check them out. It was also a great opportunity to check out the latest musical venue Il Motore, which has recently opened up for business after a much delayed start.

Had I not been a determined individual, I probably wouldn’t have found the cute bar located on Jean-Talon. Since they’re still pretty low budget, there’s no visible sign announcing their presence in the quiet neighbourhood. When I walked in I was surprised to find that it’s actually a really great spot for Montreal’s growing need for Indie music concert hosting. Other than the fact that the bartender kicked me out of an empty seat at the bar because “there was someone sitting there” (go figure, apparently middle-school rules still apply in some places), I’d probably go as far as to say that Il Motore is a much better venue than Casa or Divan, and more intimate than Sala. It also promises to be a great summer venue since the front has garage doors that will let in some fresh air for a place that promises to be packed more often than not. Keep reading to find out what the music was like.

The show started with a surprise opening act: Snowblink, a recent San Francisco transplant to the Toronto music scene (or so I heard at the merch table). The two-member band delivered an enchanting first set. The lady singer has a fantastic and graceful voice that reminds me of Feist a bit. In my opinion, their style also promises to fit right into the Toronto music scene as it shares some of its best qualities. This is definitely an artist for which you should keep an eye out.

As for Timber Timbre, I must say that my pal Craig was entirely right. What a unique discovery it was for me. The stage was very dimly lit, resembling the warm feeling of candlelight, which was perfectly fit for his somber and almost gloomy style (though not so great for taking pictures). This morning, I’m still trying to figure out what his style reminds me of, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I want to say the feel of it sort of reminds me of Tori Amos’s Choirgirl Hotel, but that’s not quite it. There’s definitely some old-south bluesy influences in there somewhere, but somehow, that doesn’t quite describe it either. For me, it evoked grainy desaturated images of creepy Indie movies that take place in a woodsy town perched in the middle of nowhere. I feel that it’d be great music to load my iPod with for a long walk by myself in the woods. One thing is for sure their soft but very dark sounds are highly interesting and quite unique.

Taylor Kirk was accompanied on stage by a wonderful violinist and a steel guitar player (who is also a member of Ferriswheel about whom I blogged a few weeks ago). Timber Timbre’s new album is to be officially launched next week in Toronto I believe. It’s definitely a band to discover. In fact, I loved it so much that I just HAD to buy the record. So far I’ve listened to it three times back to back.

Photos by SarahBrideau.com

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