Canadian Musicfest -- Mise En Scene @ Sonic Boom and Model Citizen, Toronto (March 22, 2013)

  Mise En Scene: photo by Michael Ligon

What Canadian Musicfest could perhaps benefit from is alternate venues for bands to play in like instores. I'm kind of surprised that more unofficial in-stores / performances aren't organized around Canadian Music Week like what has happened, especially in recent years, during NXNE. Well, I guess NXNE's warmer weather does help. Local artist & brand development company Audio Blood were in charge of Canadian Musicfest's social media and also organized a bunch of instores at several different locations under the banner of CMW EXTRAS, giving some of the artist/band participants more opportunities for exposure. On the Thursday night of the schedule at 11 pm was the only official CMW set for Winnipeg female guitar/drums duo Mise En Scene but with having to work the next day, I wasn't particularly motivated to stay downtown and have to commute back to the burbs late for a second night in a row. However, since I knew Mise En Scene were going to be playing a few in-stores the next day, I didn't feel too bad for not going to their Thursday night set at the Bovine Sex Club.

That Friday, Mise En Scene had two instores - one just after work around 5 pm at Sonic Boom and then later that night around 8:30 pm at a clothing store in Kensington Market called Model Citizen, both of which I attended. The duo, consisting of Stefanie Blondal Johnson (guitar/vocals) and Jodi Dunlop (drums), were increased to a three-piece with a gent on bass for their Model Citizen in-store. Just when I thought the guitar / drums rock duo thing had been done to death, here comes along these gals who impressed the hell out of me. And no it's not just that they're cute girls (although that doesn't hurt). Musically, they reminded me of bands like Dum Dum Girls and Best Coast, Johnson with her bare bones guitar strumming and Dunlop with her tight and energetic drumming. The gals performed a great set of melodic tunes, showcasing a variety of musical styles including punk, garage and 60's pop. The better set of the two that day was in my opinion the one at Model Citizen. In the more intimate surroundings of Model Citizen, the band's energy was palpable and front-woman Johnson's enthusiasm was apparent as she got the crowd on-hand clapping. The band's debut full-length Desire’s Despair was released late 2012. In the end, it's only rock n' roll and from what I've heard, it's a fine effort.

Photos: Mise En Scene @ Sonic Boom, Toronto (March 22, 2013)
Photos: Mise En Scene @ Model Citizen, Toronto (March 22, 2013)
Facebook: Mise En Scene
Twitter: Mise En Scene
Bandcamp: Mise En Scene
Video: Mise En Scene - "Hey Velvet" (music video)

Canadian Musicfest - Alba Lua @ Silver Dollar, Toronto (March 21, 2013)

  Alba Lua: photo by Michael Ligon

Bordeaux, France is known for it's fine wines but if there's any justice, word will spread about young four-piece Alba Lua. The band explains their name as ʻa Spanish-Portuguese association that means the "moon of the dawn"- it describes that moment when something appears in some place where it shouldn't, and what first seems out of the blue shows in fact a real beauty.ʼ(via sxsw.com) Originally a three-piece comprised of Pepo Durantez (lead-vox and rhythm guitar) Pascal Hoerner (lead guitar, backing vox and bass) and Renoi Jacob Mathieu (drums and percussion) when they released their debut EP Ballad of Joseph Merrick back in 2010, the band's now a four-piece and if were to deduce correctly, that fourth member must have been the gent on the Roland keyboard. This was the band's second and last set of the festival [the previous night, they had played an early set at Czechovski] and since there wasn't much of interest in bands / artists I wanted to check out that Thursday night, and given that Albu Lua had made my long list of bands to perhaps check out during Canadian Musicfest, I headed over to the Silver Dollar to check out their early set. Thankfully there was a small and just large enough group of people on hand to make the band feel welcome. Lead vocalist Pepo Durantez' face was for most of the night covered by his shaggy hair, with a cowboy hat atop his head, and that look made sense especially given the downtempo country-twinged, pop that began the set. Durantez' sang in a higher range that reminded me of Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips, and yes the Lips' psych-pop influences are there, but there were also elements of jangle, dream-pop and shoegaze with bands from Luna, Slowdive, and Deerhunter coming to mind. Initially I wasn't particularly fond of Durantez' vocals - I almost felt there was some sort of pretense behind it - but as the set went on, I realized how consistently melodic the songs were. The band pulled out some pedal steel guitar near the end and even delved into some Spiritualized-ish dissonance. As much as they reminded me of other bands, they distinguished themselves enough, especially with their grasp of melody, for me to appreciate them on their own merit. Alba Lua recently signed a record deal with Roy Music from Paris so look out for a release in the future.(via)

Photos: Alba Lua @ Silver Dollar, Toronto (March 21, 2013)
Facebook: Alba Lua
Twitter: Alba Lua
Soundcloud: Alba Lua
Video: Alba Lua - "Valley of Abra" (music video)

Canadian Musicfest Picks (March 10-11, 2010)

It's that time of year again, Canadian Music Week, and of course the music portion, last year inaugurally dubbed Canadian Musicfest, is the part I'm looking forward to the most. While Toronto's other major multi-venue, citywide music industry festival NXNE which takes hold of the city every June has upped the ante in recent years with buzzier bands and bigger draw acts(as well of course, a lot of unknowns), Canadian Music Week has remained for the most part, focused on mostly unknown acts. Frustrating to some, but I do enjoy the process of reading the artist/band descriptions, sampling the MySpace sites, and hopefully discovering some new and exciting music. Fighting chilly temperatures venue-hopping had always been a factor during Canadian Music Week in past years. It's nice to feel the balmy temperatutes recently which should linger in to the weekend. I just hope the forecast of rain for the end of the week and into the weekend doesn't pan out. Without further ado, her are my CMF picks for Wednesday and Thursday:

WEDNESDAY MARCH 10, 2010

From 9-11 pm approximately, I'll likely be checking out Jason Collett, Zeus, and Bahamas at Lee's Palace who'll be performing together under the banner of The Bonfire Ball. As I understand, all three artists will be forming an extended set together, integrating all three artists' songs. There are however a lot of other good choices this night:

9 pm
Kalle Mattson @ Central (indie, roots)

MySpace: Kalle Matson
Video: Kalle Mattson - "Whisper Bee" (live @ Canteen)

9:45 pm
I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business @ The Opera House (acoustic, rock, emo)

Audio: I can make a mess like nobodys business - "Old man your no good at talking anymore"

10 pm
Ruth Minnikin @ Cadillac Lounge (roots, pop)

Video: Ruth Minnikin and her bandwagon - "Depend On This" (music video)
MySpace: Ruth Minnikin

10 pm
Ketch Harbour Wolves @ Neutral (indie, rock)

MySpace: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Video: Ketch Harbour Wolves - "Words"

10 pm
Wilderness of Manitoba @ Painted Lady (indie, acoustic, folk)

Video: Shafey's Palace-Episode 7 ft.The Wilderness of Manitoba

11 pm
Will Currie & the Country French @ Gladstone (pure pop, piano)

MySpace: Will Currie & the Country French
Video: Will Currie and the Country French - "City" (live @ WLU's Last Band Standing, March 2007)

11 pm
Chère Françoise @ Global Village Backpackers (acoustic, french pop)

Video: Chère Françoise - "My Other Me" (live @ Bread & Circus, December 2009)

11 pm
Dead Letter Chorus @ Painted Lady (indie, folk-rock)

Video: Dead Letter Chorus - "Down In Your Valley" (music video)

11 pm
Pick A Piper @ Rancho Relaxo (indie, percussion, rhythmic, experimental)

Video: Pick A Piper - "Rooms" (music video)

11 pm
Speech Debelle @ Revival (hip hop, rap, British)

MySpace: Speech Debelle
Video: Speech Debelle - "Spinnin'" (music video)

12 am
Family Of The Year @ Central (indie, folk-rock, vocals)

MySpace: Family Of The Year
Video: Family Of The Year - "What A Surprise" (Live From The Indaba Music Loft)

12 am
Dead Messenger @ Neutral (power pop, rock)

MySpace: Dead Messenger
Video: Dead Messenger - "FAT BLACK HEART"

1 am
The O'Darling @ Central (indie, pop, vocals)

Video: The O Darling: Playing: Fire Fire with AKE live in Victoria

---

THURSDAY MARCH 11, 2010

This is the night that the festival REALLY kicks into high gear:

8 pm
Digits @ Drake (electro, pop)

9 pm
The Funeral Suits @ Hideout (indie, rock, pop)

Video: The Funeral Suits - Black Lemonade (music video)

9 pm
New Look @ Lee's Palace (electro, soul, pop)

MySpace: New Look
Video: NEW LOOK LIVE + INTERVIEW @SOMEWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE

9 pm
Sally Seltmann @ Great Hall (indie, pop)

MySpace: Sally Seltmann
Video: Sally Seltmann - "Harmony to my Heartbeat" (music video)

10 pm
Speech Decebelle @ Lee's Palace (hip hop, rap, British)

10 pm
Forest City Lovers @ Drake (indie, folk-rock)

MySpace: Forest City Lovers
Video: Forest City Lovers - "If I Were A Tree" (music video)

10 pm
Dan Managan @ Great Hall (indie, folk-pop)

MySpace: Dan Managan
Video: Dan Managan - "The Indie Queens Are Waiting" (music video)

10 pm
Diamond Rings @ Garrison (indie, electro, rock, pop)

Video: Diamond Rings - "All Yr Songs" (music video)

10 pm
Grand Atlantic @ Clinton's (rock)

Video: Grand Atlantic - "She's A Dreamer" (music video)

10 pm
The Slate Pacific @ Painted Lady (indie, rock)

MySpace: The Slate Pacific
Video: The Slate Pacific - "Eccentrics" (live @ Capital Bar, April 2009)

10:30 pm
Neon Indian @ Lee's Palace (electro, pop)

Audio: Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer"

11 pm
Everything All The Time @ Sneaky Dee's (indie, electro, rock)

Video: Everything All The Time - "Start Stop" (live @ Drake Underground, Oct 23 2009)

11 pm
Ghostkeeper @ Bread & Circus (indie, rock, pop)

Video: Ghostkeeper @ No.1 Legion, Sled Island Festival 2009

11 pm
Hooded Fang @ Drake (indie, pop)

Video: Hooded Fang - "Land of Giants" (live on Qtv, 2009)

11 pm
Timbre Timbre @ Great Hall (folk, blues)

MySpace: Timbre Timbre
Video: Timber Timbre - "We'll Find Out" (music video)

11 pm
Fields of Fur @ Garrison (indie, guitar-rock)

11 pm
The D'Arcys @ El Mocambo (indie, rock, shoegaze)

MySpace: The Darcys
Video: The Darcys - "Strange Fits" (acoustic)

11 pm
Sydney Wayser @ Painted Lady (indie, folk, experimental)

MySpace: Sydney Wayser
Video: Sydney Wayser - "Lullaby" (music video)

11:30 pm
Little Dragon @ Lee's Palace (electro, soul)

MySpace: Little Dragon
Video: Little Dragon - "Constant Surprises" (music video)

12 am
Hey Marseilles @ Clinton's (indie, folk, pop)

MySpace: Hey Marseilles
Video: Hey Marseilles - "Rio" (Live on KEXP)

12 am
Parlovr @ Sneaky Dee's (indie, rock)

Video: Parlovr | M for Montreal |11.20.2009 (live)

12 am
Cadence Weapon @ Garrison (hip hop, rap)

MySpace: Cadence Weapon
Video: Cadence Weapon - "Black Hand" (music video)

1 am
And So I Watch You From Afar @ Hideout (alternative, rock, instrumental)

Video: And So I Watch You From Afar - "Set Guitars to Kill"

1 am
Little Foot Long Foot @ Central (rock, blues, country)

Video: Little Foot Long Foot - "King Hipster" (music video)

1:30 am
Rich Aucoin @ Lee's Palace (indie, experimental, pop)

MySpace: Rich Aucoin
Video: Rich Aucoin - Behold The Lamb (Live @ The Music Room, July 4, 2008)

Canadian Music Week - Day 1

The Canadian Music Week concert series came to and end yesterday and despite the snowy weather(especially Saturday night) I made it out to shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Let's break it down day-by-day starting Thursday. After attending the Immaculate Machine instore at Soundscapes I went to Royal York Hotel to pick up my media pass(!). With pass in hand, I'd already made up my mind up for that night. No club hopping for me on Thursday as I decided to park myself for most of the night at the Horseshoe Tavern for the Chart showcase as the lineup was arguably the best of the whole festival:

Immaculate Machine (8:30 pm): Victoria, BC trio Immaculate Machine opened the night up with their peppy pop-rock tunes, a delectable blend of guitar, keys and drums, infectious melodies and vocals that alternated between Brooke Gallup's suave singing and Kathyrn Calder's clear-toned pitch. Much of the set reminded me of their free set at Soundscapes earlier in the day, right down to bringing up the fact that they did a Mandarin version of "Dear Confessor" and then singing a bar of it for a laugh. One cool diversion for the Horseshoe set was that drummer Luke Kozlowski broke out into a deliriously excellent solo that I almost wouldn't have guessed he had in him.

Dog Day (9:20 pm): Halifax, NS' Dog Day were up next and I never realized how young they were until I saw them up their on stage. This was actually the first of two times I saw the band during the festival and the four-piece(two guys, two girls) won me over almost from the start with their arsenault of indie pop-rock nuggets. Electric guitar, bass and drums were the obvious starting point for the songs and keyboards were added to the mix although disappointedly buried too much in the background for my liking. I think their sound harkens back to melodic 90's indie rock like Superchunk and I think they do girl/boy vocals really well playing off bass guitarist Nancy Urich's sweet vocals against guitarist Seth Smith's casual singing style(IMO, similar to Weakerthan's John Samson). The band displayed an energetic and comfortable stage presence for the most part although they're quite modest when it comes to between-song banter. But hey, they're young and maybe they're best road stories are ahead.

Katie Stelmanis (10:10 pm): Chartattack recently pointed how critics described Toronto's Katie Stelmanis' music as a cross between Depeche Mode and Kate Bush and that's not too far off the mark as I found out during Katie's set. There was something very art-school punk about the music as Katie and her all-female backing band(on percussion, guitar and keyboards) performed a set of dramatic post-punk tunes that draped Katie's stark vocals and classically-influenced keyboard playing over metronomic percussion sounds and uncomplicated guitar and secondary keyboard arrangements. The minor-key melodies perhaps brought a little of gloom and drama to the Horseshoe's atmosphere, but you know, it was like watching theatre. It was an experience, and a good one . BTW, I loved how Katie billed her and the band as "WE are Katie Stelmanis".

Plants and Animals (11:10 pm): As Montreal trio Plants and Animals' star seems to rise with each passing day, I'm still ambivalent about them. They put on an energetic set for sure, but their music straddles an unhappy line(for me at least) between psychedelia(the good) and jam-rock hippiedom(the bad). The live set instrumentation was down to two guitars and drums so some of the lushness of the songs I'd heard from their studio recordings was obviously lost. Personal musical tastes aside, I enjoyed the set in doses, the energy was good and there were obviously many fans who really liked them, so more power to them.

The Acorn (12:10 am): As it turned out, I mustered up enough strength and I had to end my night with Ottawa band The Acorn's after midnight set, so apologies to Sun Parlour Players and Oh No Forest Fire for me not sticking arounding. I've seen The Acorn a few times live now and this set was their finest one yet, imo. The 6-piece specialize in intricate, sparkling melodic indie folk-rock, a less orch-flavored and more upbeat(at times) version of Ohbijou perhaps. To be honest, I haven't gotten around to listening to their most recent album "Glory Hope Mountain" very much, but apparently their set focussed mostly on it and definitely made a case for me to dig it out.

I have a relatively small gallery of my own photos from the showcase over at my Flickr.

Rachel Verbin has some great photos from the night over at Chart.

MySpace: Immaculate Machine
MySpace: Dog Day
MySpace: Katie Stelmanis
MySpace: Plants and Animals
MySpace: The Acorn