Toronto – Earlier this week singer-songwriter Mike Evin played to a small but appreciative crowd at Kensington Market’s Bread & Circus. The Montreal-born and sometimes Toronto-based musician has just moved back to the big city. He brought an upbeat attitude to his set, playing songs from both the archives and his latest album “Do You Feel The World?”
Opening for Mike was Toronto-based Kristen Cudmore of Language Arts. Hailing from Nova Scotia, Kristen alternated between nylon-string & electric guitars, a synth, and a loop machine to weave her music. Listening to her play made me want to buy a loop machine. They look so fun. Easily the best part of the set was Kristen’s bubbly, adorable, nerdy, slightly vulnerable but super genuine personality. I can only imagine that a little maturity and experience will do wonders.
The transition from one singer-songwriter to the next was smooth. The set featured an eclectic mix of songs about hot secretaries, soapbox car racers, and of all things, the stage banter of the late-great trumpeter Percy Heath set as lyrics for Mike’s own song. The piano playing was tasteful. Mike threw himself into it with abandon. He was clearly having fun, and that fun was clearly infectious. As much as I love Bread & Circus as an intimate and friendly venue to see live music in the city, I do wish that it could draw a larger crowd so more people could enjoy what it has to offer.
