Watson's Experiments (Hillside '09)

Patrick Watson is creating some of this country's finest music, and he is doing so with a variety of experimental techniques (such as using a bicycle as an instrument on the latest album). It was intriguing to watch as Patrick, along with his fully capable bandmates, recreated gems from his recorded albums live before our eyes. Wooden Arms, as well as set-opener, Fireweed, began with the bowing of a cymbal while Patrick added vocals through a handheld effect pedal. Tracy's Waters saw.. the drummer holding the drumstick like a pencil and squeaking it along the top of that very cymbal whilst Patrick tickled the ivory, and the guitarist swapped out for a banjo, while the bassist continued with his 8-string. Carrying on with the same tracklisting as the Polaris Prize short-listed Wooden Arms, the opening of Beijing featured the banging of pots and pans which matched up well to the recorded version, while later they strayed from the album sound by including an extended drum solo. They then hit skip (figuratively) to get to Big Bird in a Small Cage, a personal favourite. A lovely Swedish female vocalist (Erica?) was introduced to sing her part of the duet as they sang a lovely rendition over xylophone and banjo. After her departure there was an interesting take on Traveling Salesman where Patrick employed a megaphone to alter his voice, and a plunger on the end of it to further play with the sound. The dirty electric guitar breakdown was awesome too but unfortunately cut short as they were nearing the end of the set and needed to fit in a couple more. Man Like You had the skilled percussionist playing the strings of a guitar with tiny metal tines which sounded nifty, and Patrick again played with his already great vocals by beginning lines standing back and yelling to the mic before rushing right up close to it. To the delight of many the only Close to Paradise cut to be included was Luscious Life as the finale, once again employing the effects pedal for the vocals.

I was thoroughly impressed with the way that the albums were translated into a live show by using a variety of unique elements. I was further impressed by Patrick Watson pulling this off after having a few drinks - if his ordering of a whiskey into the microphone is any indication (not to mention his excuse of being wasted for why he accidentally pulled out one of his own patch cords). He never claimed to be angelic - in fact in response to an audience adulation suggesting as much Patrick professed that he was anything but! Angel or not, there's no denying that he is a musical god.

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Hillside Guide

A few acts I'm making a point of catching - hopefully I'll see you at some of these!

Coeur de Pirate may be my most anticipated set of the festival, basically because I fell hard for Beatrice (don't tell my g/f) upon first hearing this lovely chanteuse and have yet to see her live. This lovely tattooed young lady sings glorious songs en francais over lilting piano. Added incentive is that she was a Polaris Prize long-lister.

Clues are a delightful band outta Montreal who's debut self-titled album recently dropped. Not only that but they are part of the third Pop Montreal showcase at Hillside - and those Pop Montrealers are no slackers.

Bruce Peninsula have released a most excellent album entitled A Mountain is a Mouth and I can't wait to see their stage adaptation.

Patrick Watson a beloved Canadian indie rock figure that I have never seen before. Therefore I can't speak for his live performances but based on recordings I'm intrigued and excited to try him out.

Timber Timbre aka Taylor Kirk has a buzz following him everywhere - enough to get swooped up by the Arts&Crafts label. Should be a soft, lovely show.

The aforementioned I am excited to see for the first time, whereas I can vouch for the following acts having taken them in before (check the links!).

Hey Rosetta! I won't even get into all the reasons why, but I love the poop outta these guys (and girl). As awesome as Into Your Lungs is - the live show blows it outta the water (in this case, Guelph Lake).

Final Fantasy. Violin. Loops. Pop. Amazing. A must-see!

Woodhands are a two-piece that bring the energy.

The Arkells from Hamilton put on a rockin' live show from my experience.

As always there will be plenty to see at this year's fest and I look forward to checking out a bunch of others in addition to this list including The Rural Alberta Advantage, Australia's The Grates, the token party-band for this year (besides Woodhands) - USS, Sunparlour Players, Silver Starling, Library Voices and the list goes on.

Okay, so I guess that hardly narrowed the list down.. you'll have to see what turns your crank.

I don't claim to be an expert - though can anyone really be an expert when it comes to music? It's all so subjective. Therefore in terms of Hillside Festival acts I would definitely encourage you to check the bands out for yourself. In addition to the above list I'll even provide a handy R3 playlist I created as a jumping off point. It is recently updated and features only Hillside 2009 bands; by clicking the currently playing artist you can access more music and info from that artist on their New Music Canada page.

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Polaris Shortlist Reaction

In keeping with my polaris coverage - I'll give you my initial reaction and fire it off without much thought.

Well I went 6 for 10 which is barely a passing grade of D. Somewhat disappointed in neither of my buzzed darkhorses, Coeur de Pirate and Timber Timbre, making the short list. Guess that means my overall prediction of TT is absolutely wrong!

Of the four new ones, Metric is okay but pretty boring really. K'naan deserves it and is doing something unique at least - probably my fave of these four. Granted the only short list album I haven't heard (or at least haven't listened to) is Fucked Up - so I guess I'll have to check it out. Malajube was alright - perhaps I didn't get into it because it is french (so I can't sing along as easy) and perhaps it made the short list because it is french (and they wanted to diversify)?

I can see why the Arkells didn't make it - their album is solid but not too different and really it is their live show that makes it. On that note, I'm pleased to see that Elliott Brood slipped in! Also somewhat understandable that Wolf Parade didn't make it since this album didn't even surpass their own debut.

Gotta say I'd be underwhelmed if any of Joel, Metric, GLS won.

Having to make a new prediction of my winner I will root for Hey Rosetta! and say K'naan also deserves it (and make a point of sitting down with the Fucked Up album).

Short list follows the jump!
1. Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows
2. F*cked Up - Chemistry of Common Life
3. Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
4. Hey Rosetta! - Into Your Lungs
5. K'naan - Troubador
6. Malajube - Labrinths
7. Metric - Fantasies
8. Joel Plaskett - Three
9. Chad Vangaalen - Soft Airplane
10. Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms

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