Music was emanating from the foliage where bicycles were strewn haphazardly. Following it back to the source I came upon an assorted crew of people canoeing, kayaking, wading, sitting, crouching and standing, perhaps 75 in all for the Paddle Slower Festival (July 10, Boathouse to Victoria, riverside). Everyone was either watching or listening to the band nestled among the trees at the edge of the river. Innes Wilson and His Opposition finished up and Whoop-szo broke out their melodica and banjo amongst other instruments for some space-appropriate music. A jar was passed around to contribute gas-money to the bands that were playing this inaugural free fest while we were directed further up river to the next "stage". 
Next stop consisted of JJ Ipsen playing acoustic self-admittedly sad songs considering the surroundings. However he swapped back and forth with Jenny Omnichord and her upbeat tunes (and dancing son) kept things light, especially her introduction to Del Shannon's Runaway.
The furthest point was perhaps the most bizarre. In the dust below the recently constructed concrete beast of a bridge at Victoria Street, Steve Sladkowski and a friend play some pop and free-form songs, and the traffic above did not interfere in the least (truly).
With the heat of the afternoon subsiding people took to their various modes of transport and meandered back to base camp - the Boathouse. Lisa Bozikovic already had her keyboard set-up beneath a large tree and once most people had made their way back she played a lovely set (including Take and Take). 
It was a most interesting idea for a non-traditional festival, one that originally seemed like it might be difficult to pull off, but as far as I could tell it was wholly successful.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Paddle Slower Guelph
Monday, September 28, 2009
Oh Matthias! (Matthias Kom, Weird Weather)
I made Coles notes for myself to fully write this one up.. but now that a month has passed it doesn't look like the full write up will ever surface. So here is a glimpse into what I was planning. It refers to the Attic (in Guelph) show featuring Matthias Kom (of the Burning Hell) and the Weird Weather, and Lisa Bozikovic.
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Lisa playing the keyboard with same guy sitting on guitar and matthias on drums
matthias opens with "part of your world" before getting into some originals and some covers. Long story about dermatologist mid-song. Captures attn over simply uke. Gets Jenny O for cover of Wax Mannequin and story about being in yukon. Has the first girl, lisa, join him to sing backup on Burning Hell's song (lie, la,la,la,lie). Closes with Kiss the Girl including keyboard set to totally fit the sound of the song.
Weird weather saw Kom back on drums - only brushes b/c at the attic. nick (?) playing guitar - at one point so fast you literally couldn't see his hand. another player too.. keys? overall not that particularly intriguing set.
Comment on the night of Matthias (involved in all three sets, and the most captivating for a self-proclaimed agoraphobe!)
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