I like to consider myself a consumer of new or indie music, but when you get down to it, all I’m really consuming is bands that have already made it into some obscure review on some indie website or podcast. These are bands that tons of people know about. I guess they’re indie in the sense they don’t have a record label (which is the definition of indie, derived from the term independent), but than what do we call a band that has no album or label? Don’t matter really, was just wondering. Continue reading ‘How much for that van in the window?’
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It was years of searching on and off, but recently I found the song that matched these lyrics that ran through my head.
It was circa 1996, and a mix tape was made of songs off the radio. I think I was trying to tape The Apartment Song by BNL, and let it run long, and in doing so caught a song that has run through my head for years.
“Wouldn’t it be exciting to be writing while we’re fighting”.
The mix tape was long gone, and I searched the internet. I got one hit on google, but the page I was directed to no longer existed. More time passed. It ran through my head again.
“Wouldn’t it be exciting to be writing while we’re fighting”.
I search again, years later it feels like, and this time I find the song. There it was. The entire lyrics, followed by the important song and band info. Big Chair by Reacharound. I went to work in obtaining the song from various places, and managed to find a 96kbps version. I listened to it. It was the song. Still quite catchy, with a brit-rock flair. (seems they are a LA band made of of Brits)
It reminds me of an episode of Seinfeld where at the end he figures out something that was lost to him the whole episode and concludes, “That’s not as funny as I thought it was”.
Funny thing is, I don’t remember what episode that was.
Today was a day of firsts. Today I bought my first hip-hop album (note* yes I bought K-Os, but K-Os is completely trans-genre, and doesn’t really count as true hip-hop. K-Os is a member of the completely awesome genre). Today I purchased, from a brick and mortar HMV store, Mood Ruff – I Do My Own Stunts. I will admit that I bought this album based on a limited criteria list: 1) I heard a stellar single on CBC radio 3 (a fantastic resource for indie Canadian music), and 2) it was $15.
The ‘song of the summer’ from this album is fully, and completely track 4 Rocketship. This track drips and bleeds solid beat, ridiculous hooks, and catchy lyrics. I’m still getting into this album, but thus far I’m impressed (however my hip-hop experience is limited). I blame society, and grade 7. In grade 7 I refused to listen to any music beside metal and 60-70′s rock (The Doors, Iron Maiden, Metallica et al.). Why? Because it was cool, and all other music was not. It didn’t matter if my toe got to tapping, I wasn’t going to like it. I would make that toe stop tapping, throw on my black, band screened t-shirt, my plaid shirt, and march off to school with my Panasonic walkman blaring.
I know I miss great music from time to time, but I’m not too worried, cause I’m sure even those that pay attention miss great music miss out as well. I often wonder how many great songs are out there, already written, recorded, and discarded. Who knows, the next big hit may have already been retired to the bargain bin.
Who knows, I may stumble upon it tomorrow.
Shearwater joins The Mountain Goats
It’s spring in Toronto when I can dawn a pair of sandals and slide into a seedy club to take in some spectacular live music. It’s been a while since I last wrote, and I attribute this to my new job. It has me working some long days, and by days I mean afternoons into the wee morning hours. It’s loads of fun, and I’m happy. But I digress. My new job also makes it tough to take in shows, so I was stoked to learn The Mountain Goats were in town on my night off. So off to Lee’s Palace I went, with my $13 admission fee in hand.
The last time I was at Lee’s was for Mike Doughty a year or so earlier, and it was a pretty empty show. Coincidently Mike played the previous night, but I had to work and was unable to make it out. I hear it was a great show. I was pleasantly surprised to discover Lee’s quite full for The Mountain Goats show. I like to arrive early to catch the opening bands, cause you never know what hidden treasure you might find. I arrived just as Jeff Hanson was playing his last few songs. I gotta say I wasn’t impressed. It took me a moment to clue into the fact that he was a male, because he sounded an awful lot like a girl. Your typical slow singer/songwriter ballad songs. I was in a mood to rock a bit, so I grabbed a Blue and waited for my buddy to show up.
Can you spot the roadie?
The 2nd band was miles above the opening guy. They are a band called Shearwater (no, not Stillwater), a band from Austin Texas. They were tight. Drums, keyboards, bass, guitar/banjo and a violin. Robin(?) the bassist typically plays a standup bass, but it broke before the show, so she borrowed a electric bass. They said this was her first time ever playing an electric bass, so I’d say she did well. It can’t be to big a difference, so correct me if I’m wrong. They lost me for a bit when they did some noise making, jam session, but it all came back when an audience member slow-clapped the rest of us into a round of applause. The drummer of Shearwater’s name was Thor, and he is the gentlemen with the long flowing blond locks in the photo above. The kicker is that he also was wearing a fanny pack. I would have bet money he was a roadie if I didn’t see him play the set.
John Darnielle, The Mountain Goats
Having never seen The Mountain Goats before, and having just discovered them a month or so back while on the East Coast or Bust road trip, I have no clue what they look like, how many their were, or the size of their shoes. Having mostly listened to the new album I was expecting a large band, because the album is rich in drums, piano, violin, bass and guitar. So when two guys climbed on stage with an acoustic guitar and an electric bass I was disappointed. Granted this disappointment did not last long. They proceeded to make those instruments scream, and blew my socks off. The vocal range and style of John Darnielle are unique, and satisfying. About 3/4 of the way though the set the guys from Shearwater came out and played a number of songs, adding that extra kick I was looking for.
Eugene O’Neill sports the creepy mustache
My only complaints would be that I think they only played for 1h, though it felt longer, and they did not play some of the hottest tracks off the new album: This Year, Dilaudid, Up The Wolves and Magpie. Heck, they could have played the entire album and I would have been happy. I imagine they didn’t play these tracks because they have not yet discovered how to play them at a live show (Dilaidid is basically violins).
In the end it was a completely satisfying concert, and a great break from the hectic and long days of Labatt Blue Chip Poker. I couldn’t have asked for better timing.
Another music filled night. Took in the Andy Stochansky show at the Bombshelter Pub, on the campus of The University of Waterloo. I was supposed to see this guy play back in 2003 at the same bar, but some saftey concerns surfaced, the bar was shut down, and the show didn’t take place. So let’s call this a concert that also helped mend some old wounds, and close the book on a sad period in time.
The opener was Turn Off The Stars, a wanna be rock band from Toronto. It’s just personal preference, but I didn’t really dig what they were putting out. It wasn’t bad music, it just wasn’t anything special. They didn’t do anything that John-Q rock band couldn’t do, and when it comes right down to it, it felt like they enjoyed the spectacle of being a rock band more then making music. Their set gave me an opportunity to mess around with long exposures on the camera, as well as grab another pint of Alexander Keith’s.
Turn Off The Stars | Bombshetler Pub
Andy, thankfully, did not fail to impress. What he has going for him is an ability to write songs that are good. Pretty simple, but far to many bands can’t seem to get that down. It also helps that he is a talented musician that can play many instruments, and has a unique voice that bathes the audience in his warm lyrics. From his opening songs House of Gold and Stutter, he faithfully entertained a surprisingly packed house (he was surprised). From his witty banter with the audience, to his enthusiastic acoustic encore, Andy put on a fantastic show that got people out of their chairs and hovering around the front of the stage
Les Cooper & Andy Stochansky | Bombshelter Pub
I was surprised to learn that Les Cooper is in Andy’s band. The previous week Les was playing a show at the Bombshelter in support of Craig Cardiff’s CD release (another artist that draws big crowds to the Bomber). I didn’t have the opportunity to take in that show, but was around in January when he recorded the album ‘Bombshelter Living Room’. It took me a few tries to get into Craig’s material, but I eventually did, and really enjoy his laid back style. I see what the big deal is, and I’m on board.
Spending an evening listening to live music, and drinking cold beer is easy to do, and very enjoyable when the entertainment is of the caliber of Andy Stochansky. I eagerly await his new album, that is scheduled to come out at the end of March.
Andy Stochansky | Bombshelter Pub
I don’t really know what to say about Xavier Rudd’s show at The Phoenix Concert Theater in TO. It was amazing. I don’t know if one person could play more instruments at one time, and still make such beautiful music. The man feels every song, and allows the audience in on the joy he obviously feels from performing. When I tell people about Xavier Rudd, and that he plays the Yidaki (or Didgeridoo, as it is commonly known as), people don’t know what to think. All I can then say is, “You have to hear him.” Lucky for you he allows taped live shows to be traded on line, and archive.org has a plentiful supply. Pick the show you like. They tend to have them in mp3, Ogg and Flac format. I recomend the Horseshoe Tavern show, and the Iwaki Auditorium show.
I’d like to say something profound, or have so new take on this musician, but all that comes to mind are words already written by far better music writers then I. I’ve always found the didg a mysterious, yet soothing sound, and the way Xavier takes this traditional Australian instrument and melds it into modern melody’s is something special. I read that he doesn’t play the instrument in the traditional way, and has created his own individual style.
It was just a great night of music all around. The opening musician Wil, whom I have seen before, was wonderful, though I was a little disappointed he didn’t rock out as hard as I know he can. I think he only broke 3 or 4 strings all set. It was a surprise to run into so many people at the show. Quite the mix of university friends, as well as a few high school surprises. To cap off the night, the line to leave was crazy, so we just chilled and waited for it to thin out.
Andrew sits and waits.
No bout of fog was going to stop me from making it Downtown last night for The Trews at The Horseshoe Tavern. The fog was pretty cool. I haven’t seen soupy fog like that in years. But onto the show.
Last night was an evening of pure, raw, Rock N’ Roll. The evening began at 10:30 with a fine 3 piece band RocketFace. You gotta love a band that has the drums front and centre, and the drummer as the lead singer so he has to wear the pop star head-mounted microphone. These boys were loud. I’m talking painful loud. Your entire body shakes and your ears threaten to bleed. I think a saw a few heads explode during the drum solos.
The Trews graced the stage promptly at midnight, launched into Every Inambition, and didn’t stop rocking until 1:45am. Having seen these guys numerous times now, I have to say this was, by far, their best show. Breaking into Beatles, Stones and Zeppelin covers in the middle of their songs, everyone taking an extended solo at some point during the show, as well as a few new songs kept the energy palpable. I still love the Tired of Waiting / Hey Jude medley. They were into it, and picking up the vibe the audience was throwing down. I’d venture to say they have finally found their rock star groove.
I found some online LIVE Trews shows. It doesn’t work so well with firefox, so you’ll have to boot up IE. They say it is shutting down February 15th due to money problems, so check it out while you can. There is also a live show in full at spin45.net. The date on the show is 2003, so they are still finding their groove, but it’s a good study in progress.
It wasn’t as foggy in the downtown core.
Wil jams, and breaks strings.
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