To add further fuel to this fire - The Minotaurs who are confirmed for this year's festival include the bassist from Holy Fuck also (as well as being the bassist for King Cobb Steelie). It is common for multiple bands with overlapping members to play the festival, such as Paul Banwatt last year with Woodhands and The Rural Alberta Advantage.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Jenny Omnichord's Board Game (& Album) Release
In a red dress and dual braids Jenny sat center-stage, omnichord in lap, but there was something different than her usual sets. The band! Jenny was playing with a full backing band on this album-release night and it totally filled out the sound which is usually just her vocals laid over the, uh, unique sound of the electronic omnichord. On this night bass lines, drum beats, some accordion and opener JJ Ipsen's keys made this a much richer affair.
As it was a release for Jenny's board game/album I was expecting to hear all the new stuff, not realizing that it has been a few years since her last solo release so what she's been playing at shows over the past year or two has gone into the album (makes perfect sense). Songs like Pain of Maybes took on a new life with the band anyhow. She reached back into her first album for tracks like Kings of London too throughout the set. Jenny was as cute and endearing as ever, even while partially flubbing a wild tempo change with an easy-going laugh. Her interaction with the crowd always seems to draw people in and make things seem very intimate, whether it be in an attic or at the eBar. The funniest moment had to be her introduction to Randy B. Found Me, yes that Randy B., though I'd ruin it if I tried to explain.
We called her back onstage for an encore - a two song affair that closed with a cover of The Pixies' Where is My Mind which was a light-hearted way to end the night.
JJ Ipsen and his five-piece opened the evening. The recorded material I'd heard before hadn't done much for me and even live I still found myself feeling rather blasé about the music. The lengthy opening set did feature a couple whistling songs which were sparse highlights.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Grand Ol' Hillside
A handful of artists added to the Hillside line-up today (via the official site) - some of note for different reasons.
Firstly there was another confirmation of a leak heard here first - Flashlight Radio will be playing (that **unconfirmed** list on the right hand side there is quickly dwindling!).
Also the hip hop artist Grand Analog will take the stage, making for a solid showing from that genre to go along with Shad K. Maybe Shad will even join them for their collaborative effort Electric City?!
And finally.. you remember that beat poet with the spoken word piece at the Vancouver Games opening ceremony? Sure ya do - anyhow that guy, Shane Koyczan by name, will be back to perform once again, having been at Hillside 2009 also. You may also know him from Dan Mangan's Roboteering EP on which Shane takes over with great effect on Tragic Turn Of Events / Move Pen Move. Check it out!
Other additions after the jump!
Also added:
Laura Marling
Reid Jamieson
Get Your Hillside Hopes Up? [Updated]
Wary as I am to once again promise this band to Hillside audiences after the disappointment of last year.. the evidence is there, mind you it remains rumour.
The band in question is Holy Fuck. This Hillside buzz band of 2006 were originally scheduled to return to the festival last year but had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict with a Japanese gig. Now Matt Shulz, drummer for said band, is listing Hillside Festival, Guelph on his myspace tour itinerary for July 25th of this year. The rest of the gigs match up well with the Holy Fuck myspace shows (including Sappy Fest in New Brunswick the following weekend) - however Hillside and a few other shows are missing.
Here's hoping that Shulz has updated his site before the band have and that Hillside audiences will indeed be treated to the electro-experimental rock powerhouse this summer - sure would be a nice way to make up for last year!
Update:
Here is recent a quote from Brian Borcherdt of Holy Fuck regarding their upcoming tour schedule.
“It’s starting to get nice out, so I don’t blame people for wanting to be outside at festivals. We’re going to play a bunch of festivals this summer, and that’s a very random thing, we’ll be going this way then the other, so we weren’t able to schedule a proper Canadian tour at this time of the year. So when it cools off and gets miserable outside, we’ll be at your neighbourhood’s urinal-cake-smelling, rock’n’roll-sticker-covered, hole-in-the-wall club.”
Ah, he must mean Jimmy Jazz!
Source: Exclaim
Further Update:
See the first comment for a little piece of non-investigative blogging I added the other day.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Stars Unveil Five Ghosts at the Starlight, Waterloo
Stars have allowed the unique opportunity of reviewing their show at the Starlight in Waterloo May 6th, while simultaneously reviewing their as-yet unreleased new album The Five Ghosts.
The beloved pop stars, Stars, took to the stage - Chris facing the band on keys, Pat decked out in his signature white shades (and two tufts of hair on an otherwise shaved head), Evan in his fedora, Amy and her large, bright guitar and Torq sporting a white hoodie. A floral stage persists for this tour, as it began with the last album's tour, however the roses have become white flowers (and are not nearly as plentiful). The opening track, Dead Hearts, was the favourite new song played at their Olympic gig, and was vying for that title once again, being an Amy-led duet with an instantly nostalgic chorus of "They were kids that I once knew." In fact the first handful of tracks featured Amy prominently singing, and playing her white guitar too. The album was shaping up to be a return to form, by that I mean Nightsongs/pre-Heart form. Short poppy songs over many synths that saw Cranley manning the keys much more often than slapping the bass. This opening section of the album came to a close with the new single Fixed before a shift in style with a song introduced by Torq as being about celebrity. The chorus was weird, confusing even, with not only its content and title We Don't Want Your Body, but also the fact that it sounded SO pop - in the dirty, top-40 sense of the word.
There was a slight lull in the middle, with a rather boring (live anyway) Amy-only vocals song Never Been Good with Change that seemed to drag on. This tune was followed up by The Passenger, an "oo oo ooo" refrain overtop of laser beam noises that also missed the mark as far as I was concerned.
Yet the show was resurrected by a poignant track, Torq's Last Song Ever Written. Despite the name being perfectly suited for a closing song, there was still one more plus the finale; Winter Bones a duet that finally saw Cranley leave the keys again and brought back the romantic pop feel that worked so well on their Set Yourself on Fire masterpiece.
During the intermission I reflected on the album - a more poppy and synthesized affair than we've heard from Stars in some time. A departure from the strong, album-focused, guitar songs (relatively) heard on the previous In Our Bedroom After the War. The obviously biased crowd seemed to enjoy it well enough, though my initial impression is that it will produce a handful of favourite songs rather than album-of-the-year accolades upon repeated listens.
In fact the second set, chosen by the fans via online voting, reflected much love for the more lush, romantic side, since none of the six songs played really fit the prominent style of this newest release. Between "the hits chosen by you" as Torq called them, he rambled on as he is known to do. (It could be that I was just naive when I first began going to Stars shows, but his banter used to sound poetic and profound.) However his voice is still there, and the excellent, enduring ballads of yesteryear still pack the emotion in a live setting. We were treated to a string of favourites from the previous three LPs - Your Ex-Lover is Dead, Take Me to the Riot, Elevator Love Letter, Heart, Ageless Beauty, and One More Night. It wasn't until the very last song that they hit on any of the three I voted for, giving me Calendar Girl but not Personal or their This Charming Man cover.
To satisfy that tiny leftover feeling, Torq and Chris returned to the stage and played the only Nightsongs cut of the night Tonight which needed two takes but was wonderfully laid over the sole piano and wrapped up this lovely exhibition of Stars music, new and old.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Odd, Out-of-this-World Bill
The latest edition of The Bookshelf newspaper comes with a whole load of great news on the concert front. First there's the 1/2 page spread of Hillside performers as previously reported, and on the front is this tasty tidbit.
In June (the 18th to be exact) the eBar will be hosting a show with three great bands on their own, each with a sound much different from the next, which will make for a diverse though guaranteed excellent concert.
Starting off the night will be the spacey pop of ex-Arts & Crafts band, Young Galaxy. Last time I caught them it was a sunny Toronto Island afternoon - and they brought out a bit more of a rocky side than displayed on their dreamy albums.
From there things are going to jump into high-gear as the Library Voices will fill the place with their large ensemble of fun, pop music. Last time I caught them at the eBar I was floored, and since then they've only gotten better. Not only that but their full length Denim On Denim (Canadian tuxedo?) is out, catchy, and ready to be heard live.
Finally are the much-loved in the indie community Besnard Lakes. This band uses a variety of instruments, in interesting ways, such as bowing a guitar, to create a progressive pop sound that a lot of people (myself not included) lose their poop over. Maybe you'll find yourself in that group?
Regardless of your style of pop there's going to be something here for everyone. An eagerly anticipated concert not to be missed!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
The Darcys create, Canyon City grows
Canyon City. Here’s a few more C's for you. Competent. Carpal Tunnel. Covers. These young lads could certainly play their instruments, but it was plain to see that they’re still cutting their chops. While stretching out his wrist the singer himself self-deprecatingly pointed out that the vocals weren’t quite up to snuff before launching into a Supremes cover – one of many covers on the evening. I won’t rule them out completely as the determination seems to be there, but they’ve got a ways to go yet.
Based on the crates full of effect pedals on stage I was a little weary of another noisy assault at the Jimmy Jazz. However The Darcys didn’t fit the mould I’d already set out for them. By creating well-composed, layered songs over strong and varied drumming they were much more dynamic than I first anticipated. Guitars did swirl, filling out the songs in a way that added texture and not simply noise. Someone in the crowd lamented how it was a shame that a band of this caliber was stuck playing the Jimmy Jazz on a Friday night – but who knows, with the right luck they could very well break beyond.
Will Currie plays Magneta Lane in Your Neck of the Woods
First up, representing this neck of the woods were, well, Your Neck of the Woods. An uber folky sound coming from these ladies and gents that I resist from specifying as country though their sound is definitely rooted out in the sticks. With a 6 person ensemble, including a violinist and shared male/female lead vocals, they entertained a well-attend Van Gogh’s crowd for the Wednesday night that it was. Definitively I can say there was dancing, though I’m not so sure it was two-stepping to the fiddle, wash-board and broken tambourine; regardless people were enjoying themselves. The fan-favourite Cabin in the Woods (no, nothing to do with Evil Dead) was broken out mid-set and got even more people moving. At times the recorded female’s vocals can be over the top, but on this night she was either more restrained or that stand-out red dress made amends for it. They carried themselves well leaving me once again surprised by the depth and breadth of local talent in this small city.
Under the blinding flash of a multitude of strobe lights Will Currie and the Country French took to the stage. This was a straight-ahead set with a large dose of new music from the as-yet unreleased new album from the group. Will once again led the way with his piano playing though those Country French were no slouches either. The quick Surprising Me saw the dancing folk return to the floor and stay there for the remainder of the set, giving the band energy to feed off of which they did well. It was a spirited showcase and had the band wondering aloud why they don’t make the short trip from
Magneta Lane have the longest history of any bands on the bill for this evening and so they were given their due by headlining, which unfortunately meant a slightly thinner crowd for this weeknight show. Yet there were still plenty of people on hand to witness the guitar-driven rock offered up by this all-female three-piece. Not all too familiar with their previous work I gave them a shot and was rewarded with some entertaining songs from the noticeably gracious group.
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