The show was supposed to take place at a venue called O Patro Vys at 327 Mont-Royal E. When I got to this address, it was apparent that it was not the O Patro Vys. I asked some guy outside smoking if he knew the club I was supposed to be at, and he pointed me across the street, about a half block away. This brings me to another observation about Montreal…people there are really nice. Everybody I talked to was very personable to this white anglo, no matter where I was; at the hostel, on the street, in the train station or buying bagels.
I get to the venue, I order a Cheval Blond and I grab a seat. I had a look around and I noticed Patrick Watson over in the corner. A word to the wise, if you go to a show here in Toronto and you spot Gentleman Reg in the audience, then you can be assured of two things. First, the show is going to be pretty good, and second, of all the other live events going on in the city that night, you chose the right one to go to. I guess in Montreal Patrick Watson acts as a similar barometer for live shows.
Julie Fader, for those of you who don’t know, is the new “it” girl of the CBC Radio 3. During their Polaris Prize coverage a couple of weeks ago, they practically stalked her. She has played with the Great Lake Swimmers, Chad Vangaalen, and Sarah Harmer, and her solo album, Outside In, was produced by Graham Walsh of Holey Fuck. I guess she has a good story.
As for the show, well, let me see. Hmm, I don’t really remember. I recall that she was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. I remember that one of the other guys on stage was wearing a white Just Friends T-shirt. Did I mention the Cheval Blond and that Patrick Watson was there? Shit, I’m sorry. I don’t remember anything about the show except that I really wanted to see it since the CBC made such a big stink over her. I did leave the venue feeling satisfied, with no negative comments running around in my head. I know that isn’t a ringing endorsement, but really, I can’t remember anything specific about the show. Oh Pop Montreal. Oh Cheval Blond. There was also a lemon in my beer.
If you get a chance, you can buy her new CD from the Hand Drawn Dracula site. The album is assembled by hand and printed on uncoated 18pt 100% Recycled C1S paperboard.
You can catch Julie back in Toronto on October 30th at the El Mocambo with Library Voices and In-Flight Safety