Here’s a video I shot last month when the Harbourcoats opened up for Evening Hymns at the latter’s album release show. I’ve seen the Harbourcoats (Bry Webb, also of the Constantines) play many times now going back several years, and each time has been special. The first time was almost five years ago, also at the Tranzac. I believe that was one of Bry’s first solo shows, and he only played a handful of songs (it was an afternoon gig in celebration of Three Gut Record’s fifth anniversary). The next time I saw him play was two and a half years later, once again at the Tranzac. For that show he had an entire band backing him up, with members of several prominent bands filling out the ranks. Now jump ahead to this winter, a few more years have passed and I find myself back at the Tranzac watching Bry Webb (this time wrapped in blue Christmas lights).
It’s actually unprecedented for me to have seen a performer so many times (I failed to mention above that I’ve seen Bry play at least two other times) and know the songs so well but not own their record. I can’t be blamed in this case since he’s yet to release an album! I’ve heard for several years that he’s been chipping away at one, so hopefully we’ll have something by the end of this year. If you’re really jonesing for some solo recordings, check out 2007’s Friends in Bellwoods compilation for a cover of The Velvet Undergrounds’ “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” he did with Ohbijou’s Casey Mecija, or try tracking down the soundtrack to This Beautiful City, which features two originals by Bry Webb called “Big Smoke” (which nominated for a Genie last year for Best Original Song) and “Positive People.” Whew.
When I found out Two Hours Traffic were coming through town last month I shot ‘em an email and asked if they would like to come play an in-store at Soundscapes. Happily, they were pretty keen on the idea, so here we are with this video. If you dig the sound, the boys will be back in town on November 21st at the Garrison. It’s an all-ages show so you can bring your little brother or sister.
This past Thursday I hopped over to the Garrison, Toronto’s newest venue, to catch my pals PS I Love You and Diamond Rings (who were playing their first show together in town since the release of their now sold out split 7″). Headlining the night was Katie Stelmanis, who filled her set with mostly new jams, including the one above. Get into it. There are more videos of the night on my YouTube channel.
Here’s another video from last week’s Friends in Bellwoods 2 release show. It’s everyone singing Sarah’s song from the compilation. If you wait until after the credits, you’ll be treated to a special moment involving a pantsless Tim Fagan. Well worth watching.
Ohbijou just put out Beacons*, and they played Soundscapes to celebrate because they are our friends and where else would they play?
*What is going on this year? It’s like everyone I know is getting signed to record labels and releasing amazing new albums out and touring all the time and getting popular.
Wow, what a night. Rushed over to the Theatre Centre on Queen St. after work and this is what I saw. On stage, all my friends, playing together, sounding amazing. In the audience, more friends, freaking out – and rightfully so. Heck, even Frank was clapping along. You gotta give it up for OOTS, bringing people together forever.
Just a quick blog post tonight because I have to be up early tomorrow to leave for Sackville. I shot this on Sunday at the Dakota, where Steamboat were finishing up their eight-week residency. They brought out special guest André Ethier for a few jams, including the song Cop Killer from his last album Born of Blue Fog. I’d say the night was a success – when I got there after work it was at capacity and there was a group of Steamies (official name for Steamboat fans) up front dancing their butts off the whole night. Anyway, check out Steamboat and André if you haven’t already, they’re both 100% radical and wholeheartedly endorsed by the proprietor of this blog (me).
It’s tough coming up with anything interesting to say about these in-store videos. Dog Day played at Soundscapes a few months back, they’re awesome, it was cool, what else is there to say? I got their new album on limited edition sky blue vinyl because I’m a sucker for any records that are limited edition and coloured. Good thing the album kicks ass.
I didn’t get off work until midnight last night, meaning I missed Taylor’s big gig, but I still made it to the Tranzac afterwards for the latest OOTS presentation. Luckily that seemed to be where most people ended up after the Timber Timbre show so I was still able to see some friends, which is key. I missed the first few acts (Chris Yang and Gavin Gardiner) but got there just in time to see Guelph’s Richard Laviolette, whose quiet masterpiece A Little Less Like a Rock, a Little More Like a Home was a favourite of mine a few years back, and who I last saw at SappyFest about a year ago. However, in stark contrast to that show, yesterday Richard was backed up by his new-ish band (well, it was the first time I’ve seen them) the Hollow Hooves, who brought some welcome muscle to his fragile sounding songs. It was a very different performance than I’m used to him putting on, but I liked it all the same.
I ducked out after a few tunes to catch up with some friends outside, but hopefully it’s not another year before I see Richard again.
I hope Nils doesn’t cut off my balls for posting this video. It’s from way back in March at a house party during Canadian Music Fest, and they were playing at about 3 AM. As you can see, I was literally standing two feet away from them so the sound ain’t too great (not that it was much better in person). This was their third show that day and they were (self-admittedly) a little sloppy. Still, I think there is some value in sharing this video with y’all. The Rural Alberta Adavantage have been receiving a lot of attention lately, starting last fall when their self-released record Hometowns (which the band had been selling at shows in handmade packaging for several months) was featured on eMusic, a website that I wasn’t too familiar with but which apparently has quite a few users. That raised their profile significantly and soon they were playing successful shows in New York and at SXSW, which I was lucky enough to attend.
Yes, seeing them play to a packed church in Austin, Texas was quite special, especially since the first time I saw The RAA was in my hometown of Oshawa at the Velvet Elvis way back in November 2006. While the size of the venue and audience has changed, one thing that hasn’t changed at all in the last three years is the music – it’s still the same three people playing the same songs with the same instruments (I assume). That’s why I was so happy to see Hometowns get rereleased last week all across North America (on vinyl to boot!) care of Omaha, Nebraska’s Saddle Creek records. It’s a great record that faithfully captures their live performances while adding nice flourishes and here and there to flesh out their sound. The songs are memorable and the lyrics are heartfelt – it really couldn’t be a better representation of their music. It’s a nice story that I witnessed first-hand which shows that sometimes things don’t happen overnight. That’s why you’ve gotta stick with it people!
For bonus points, check out this “interview” I did with Nils back in ‘06 (a good year).
