Since the start of the year, Julie Doiron has been doing a weekly residency at Saving Gigi, a super cool hangout up at Bloor and Ossington. I was lucky enough to attend the last two shows in January (with a capacity of only 25 people, tickets go fast), where the special guests were Simone Schmidt (of One Hundred Dollars) and Rick White, making a rare live appearance.
The thing I like about these intimate shows is the musicians usually use the opportunity to test out new material, take requests, or play covers. Julie’s charming take of Pavement’s “Shady Lane” went out to the Saving Gigi crew.
It was pretty exciting getting to see Simone play pretty much all new material for her set. She’s been playing small shows around town lately, and I think she’s planning on making a record real soon.
For the final part of each night, Julie and her guest would team up for a set — catch Rick and Julie playing an old Eric’s Trip song at the start of this post, and Julie helping Simone on her song “Rainbow of Blues” just above.
Perhaps my favourite part from both nights was seeing Rick White play, his first show in quite some time, and the first time I’d seen him play since the Blue Fog showcase of 2010. In fact, it was the longest set I’d ever seen him play, clocking in at over an hour. With no new album to promote, White’s set consisted of songs from all throughout his career, including his solo albums, Elevator, The Unintended, songs he penned for The Sadies, and a few left-field covers (Rolling Stones, Simone & Garfunkel, Michael Nesmith). All of it executed with flawless guitar playing and singing, really just a treat to see. As my friend said of Rick, “Humble as a grasshopper and just as incredible.” The song I posted above is called “Slow Moon Bloom” and it’s off his first solo record. I’ve got a whole bunch more on my YouTube channel.
Tags: Eric's Trip, Julie Doiron, Rick White, Saving Gigi, Simone Schmidt · Leave a comment