Toronto – You know I really like Bread & Circus. It’s a super laid back place in the heart of Kensington Market and it easily lends itself to intimate musical experiences. It’s been a full year since I’ve last frequented the joint, but I am now going to make an effort to get back there over the summer. While the drink selection isn’t huge, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is friendly.
Thursday evening began at the Circus with Steph Macpherson, a singer-songwriter based out of Vancouver. It was a foot-tapping experience. She played well-constructed folk rock. Everything seemed like it was in the right place. It was tastefully done. I believe I was bobbing my head and tapping my foot in the all the right places. While Steph has a very sweet voice, I wonder what a few extra years of experience on the road combined with a bit of risk-taking might do? I’d be curious to hear the result.
Steph Macpherson plays the Central, March 12, at midnight.
“[Introducing himself and his absentee band] We are The R.G. Morrison. I am R.G. Morrison.”
Next up was The R.G. Morrison. The first thing I noticed about R.G. Morrison was that he had a pronounced U.K. accent; he was decidedly not Canadian. As an aside, this year’s Canadian Music Week line-up seems to have the highest selection of non-Canadian music I’ve seen to date. I’m not sure if this is actual fact, but I expect CMW to focus mostly on Canadian talent, leaving the world-wide stuff to NXNE. Perhaps, there has been a conscious change in artistic direction of the festival? I will try and find this out and report back.
The second thing I noticed is that, while “The R.G. Morrison” sounds like a band name, and is in fact a full band, only front-man R.G. Morrison himself was on stage. He explained to us that his band had been caught up in American customs. Without getting into details, he explained that this show was going to be a solo one, and it would give him a chance to play some solo material that he doesn’t usually play live.
The third thing I noticed is that R.G. has a powerful and emotional voice. Once he got into the groove of the set, I was pulled into his music. It can be amazing what one talented musician can do with just a guitar and a voice. His guitar work was just a touch more complex that the standard singer-songwriter fare, making it a perfect accompaniment to his both nuanced and impressive set of pipes. This was an intimate musical affair and live music at its best.
I can’t pretend to know what the actual band would have sounded like, but I was happy enough seeing R.G. Morrison play an intimate solo act. It was a nice little slice of CMW.
Toronto– So I think in the future when I say that my routine of little sleep and a lot of coffee will help me make it through CMW and work, I will think twice about the validity of that statement. After a heavy schedule with CMW and work, followed by an even more insane week of work, I did not think I would survive until this weekend to write this. Now with kangaroos, koala bears, the full selection of Tim Tam flavours, and lovely beaches on the horizon, I’ve been thinking about what to pack in one suitcase, and of course what Canadian music to preach to the Aussie office. What better list to start with than with my favs from this year’s CMW.
1. The Mountains and the Trees at Central’s Factor Breakthrough Session
I had heard of the Mountains and the Trees sometime last year, and was waiting for my opportunity to hear him perform live. Hailing from Newfoundland, the Mountains and the Trees (a.k.a. Jon Janes), croons songs about things from his day to day life, to the lament of a person leaving his little town by the sea for better opportunity. His performance was honest, humble and with heart—the type of show that sits you down, captivates you by story through song, and one which you find yourself humming along with, or tapping your foot to the beat of the drum. Okay, so maybe a man who plays guitar, harmonica, banjo, and ukulele makes me weak in the knees, but there’s an earnest air to his overall performance which I think is rare. The Mountains and the Trees embark on a UK tour in May, but will be back in Toronto for NXNE in June. Highly, highly recommend you check him out if you are a fan of folk rock.
2. Jason Collett, Zeus, and Bahamas at the Bonfire Ball, Lee’s Palace
I’m already a big fan of Jason Collett, so when I went to show I thought I was going to see a regular concert, with each act taking its turn. I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone was each other’s back up band and played a solid 3 hour set of each other’s songs. Not ever having seen a show like this before, I was really impressed even with Jason Collett’s apologies as he told the crowd they were still learning each other’s songs. If he hadn’t said anything I would not have known—their chemistry on stage and their never ending energy would have told you this wasn’t their first show but maybe their tenth. Zeus was a lot of fun, with songs and performances that sometimes reminded me of the Beatles. Bahamas was also fantastic and a great discovery for me. As for Jason Collett, his set included a lot of songs from his highly acclaimed album, Idols of Exile (which was also fine by me, because they were all my favourite songs). Overall, I had a great time, and it wasn’t just because of the three cups of coffee I had before the show! You can also read Paul’s review here.
3. Jeff Martin at the Sirius Song Writer’s Café, Mod Club
Where has Jeff Martin been all these years? Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with his music since the Tea Party—way back in my days from middle school and high school. All I can say is that watching his performance at this age allowed me to gain a better appreciation for his level of musicianship. Amazing, amazing, amazing. Read about his performance here, from Mark, my partner in crime.
4. Joel Plaskett at the Sirius Song Writer’s Café, Mod Club
If there is one country which loves Joel Plaskett more than Canada, it is Australia. I probably won’t understand why they love him so much until I get there, but given his following I’ll spare the office the opportunity to listen to my rendition of Deny, Deny, Deny. The audience was treated to an acoustic set backed by Peter Elkas, and within the first strum of the guitar he had the majority of the club singing along. As mentioned in my CMW primer, I’ve seen him more times than I care to share, and in classic Plaskett tradition (which I can definitely attest to), his performance left yet another crowd yelling, screaming, and begging for more. Read Mark’s review about Joel here.
5. Great Lake Swimmers and the Constantines at the Indie Awards, Royal York Hotel
I think perhaps the Indie Awards deserve a spot alone. Compared to last year, the show has certainly improved. With a better line up and longer sets, everyone was able to enjoy performances from the likes of Plants and Animals, the Rural Alberta Advantage, Great Lake Swimmers and the Constantines. While I love Great Lake Swimmers and the Constantines, I do feel they could have picked other slightly lesser known bands to promote in front of a live, radio, and video audience. Nevertheless, Great Lake Swimmers and the Constantines were outstanding and my favourites of the show. I’ve seen each band many times, and both groups never fail to disappoint.
Honourable Mention:
Otter Petter at Central’s Factor Breakthrough Session
From Chicago, Otter Petter, plays sugar coated alt rock that’s reminiscent of Matthew Sweet. Not always my cup of tea, I’ve heard a lot of bands try and do the same but failed to play music that could get me past thoughts and feelings of annoyance, headache, and the desire to stick a pen in my eye. I find their music a good balance of guitar, harmony, and nah nah’s. Songs are not too long and not too short, and leave you pretty satisfied. It’s up beat feel good music. So if you’re in the mood for sugary sweet indie rock, I would check out Otter Petter.
Best show: The Mountains and the Trees
Best show from a band you have never heard before: Bahamas and Otter Petter
Worst show: tie between We are the City and The Darcys (I’m sorry, I don’t want to be mean)
Best CMW moment: the return of Jeff Martin
Worst CMW moment: the asshole at the El Mo who would not stop farting while I was trying to take pictures of We Are the City. That may have been why I disliked the set so much. So sorry again.
Toronto – Former Tea Party front man Jeff Martin played the Mod Club last Saturday. It was an exciting set of music both new and old that had me cursing the super quick 30 minute sets at the Mod Club that night. It’s not entirely fair that I’m writing this review because I was such a huge Tea Party fan as a teenager. I’ve long since internalized their first two albums Splendor Solis, and The Edges of Twilight.
I was skeptical as to what exactly to expect from Jeff after so many years. Thankfully he still plays to his strengths: eastern-influenced rock played with open-tunings that resonate with a gutsy metallic heft. I can’t believe I just used the term “gutsy metallic heft”; I’m such a douchebag. Anyway, he opened with The Bazaar, and kept the crowd happy by later playing the crowd favourite Sister Awake. He also kept things fresh by playing some of his newer non-Tea Party material that fit well within the set.
He peppered Tea Party lyrics into his other songs as if he spontaneously felt like it.
What I forgot about Jeff Martin is how consummate a musician he his. He can seriously play the guitar, and he can seriously sing. I don’t know how much of his set was rehearsed, but it certainly felt like an off-the-cuff set from a musician extremely comfortable in his own skin. He peppered Tea Party lyrics into his other songs as if he spontaneously felt like it.
His last song was a particularly impressive blues number that borrowed lyrics from old blues greats. As exotic as his tastes are, Jeff reminded us that he’s still got roots in the blues and can fuse that with his other influences into a style all his own. Although we may tend to typecast him in a particular era and style; he’s definitely his own musician and worth approaching on his own merits.
Toronto – Ah Joel Plaskett. We here at the Panic Manual have a soft spot in our heart for Mr. Plaskett. So far we’ve covered three of his live shows (here, here, and here). I suppose that makes this number four. He played last Saturday night at the Mod Club, accompanied by fellow singer/songwriter Peter Elkas. It was rainy, it was windy, and yet still people lined up for the opportunity to hear just a tiny abbreviated set of Joel’s music. Now that’s dedication.
“Is there a reason you loves this town?” – crowd member
“There are many reasons I love this town. Damn.” – Joel Plaskett
What else can I say about this genuine east coast rocker? I suppose what’s just as impressive as Joel’s guitar and vocal skills is what he does to a crowd. His mix of talent, humble east-coast upbringing and down-to-earth attitude makes him an endearing personality and a crowd favourite. There’s just something about him that prods us fast-paced downtown urbanites to smile and let our shields down; for a second we resolve to be more civil to our fellow strangers in this wild concrete rat race. Granted, it’s a passing resolution at best. But thankfully Joel comes to town frequently enough to keep prodding us in the right direction.
Joel won the Indie music award for best solo artist of the year later that night at the Royal York hotel. It’s a well deserved award for standup Canadian artist.
