On top of catching a super three-song set by Hope of the States at HMV 333 Yonge St. Toronto this afternoon, I purchased their CD, got the band's autographs, and on the way out was handed (apparently the last)free ticket to their show at Lee's Palace this evening(October 4th) along with some free schwag(Hope of the States poster, button, and sticker). The band was wittled down to just the vocalist on acoustic guitar and another band member on violin for their 3-song set at HMV. For only 2 people, the music was richly textured, minor key tunes, fleshed out with some plaintive violin work, melodic guitar playing and melancholic vocals. At times, there was an air of Radiohead in the melodies. That being the first time ever hearing the band, I was very impressed. Later on that night, after my evening class, I decided to check out the Hope of the States show at Lee's Palace, but only after driving home to pick up my digital camera. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how early this show was. The ticket said doors were at 8 pm, and I knew there was one opener, but I didn't realize that Hope of the States had come on stage, likely around 10 pm. By the time I got to Lee's Palace, it was about 10:30 pm. I think I caught about 4 songs, including the encore, and the whole show was over by 11 pm. I managed to take a bunch of photos but only a handful came out worth posting. Otherwise, Hope of the States' music was thoroughly entertaining, combining Sonic Youth-style dissonance, art-punk experimentalism, later period-Radiohead atmospherics and new-school brit-pop melodies. The band had a video screen behind them which was visually appealing to watch as the band thrashed on stage, playing their violin and guitars. Had I seen the whole show, I probably would have said this was my favourite show of the year. Having seen only their 3-song set at HMV in the afternoon and 4 songs during the evening show, I will at the very least say I was duely impressed.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Lost Riots
On top of catching a super three-song set by Hope of the States at HMV 333 Yonge St. Toronto this afternoon, I purchased their CD, got the band's autographs, and on the way out was handed (apparently the last)free ticket to their show at Lee's Palace this evening(October 4th) along with some free schwag(Hope of the States poster, button, and sticker). The band was wittled down to just the vocalist on acoustic guitar and another band member on violin for their 3-song set at HMV. For only 2 people, the music was richly textured, minor key tunes, fleshed out with some plaintive violin work, melodic guitar playing and melancholic vocals. At times, there was an air of Radiohead in the melodies. That being the first time ever hearing the band, I was very impressed. Later on that night, after my evening class, I decided to check out the Hope of the States show at Lee's Palace, but only after driving home to pick up my digital camera. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how early this show was. The ticket said doors were at 8 pm, and I knew there was one opener, but I didn't realize that Hope of the States had come on stage, likely around 10 pm. By the time I got to Lee's Palace, it was about 10:30 pm. I think I caught about 4 songs, including the encore, and the whole show was over by 11 pm. I managed to take a bunch of photos but only a handful came out worth posting. Otherwise, Hope of the States' music was thoroughly entertaining, combining Sonic Youth-style dissonance, art-punk experimentalism, later period-Radiohead atmospherics and new-school brit-pop melodies. The band had a video screen behind them which was visually appealing to watch as the band thrashed on stage, playing their violin and guitars. Had I seen the whole show, I probably would have said this was my favourite show of the year. Having seen only their 3-song set at HMV in the afternoon and 4 songs during the evening show, I will at the very least say I was duely impressed.
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