NCR

This blog is an attempt to showcase music as viewed from Canada's National Capital Region. It will not be restricted to any one location or genre. Show listings for the NCR and beyond and a link to submit content to NCR are available below this text. Ce blog est sur ​​la musique vu de la région de la capitale nationale du Canada. Il ne sera pas limitée à un seul endroit ou le genre.  Voir les annonces de la RCN et au-delà, et un lien de soumettre du contenu sont en dessous de ce texte.      SHOWS          SUMBIT CONTENT

[ncrlive]

BLUEGRASS AND DIRT NAST

For dinner, I had Pho.

For lunch, breakfast.

For dessert, I had a wonderful evening with bluegrass sensation Gatineau Steamers. Like the majestic Phoenix, the motley crew has risen from the ashes of a once great folk group into a once again great folk group.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much they have changed since first seeing them so long ago; perhaps pop punk powerhouse Phil Castiglione of Robots:Everywhere! had lent them some of his special wizardry (more on this to come) as he drove the rhythm as one of the newest members of the band.

My Pho was coming back to haunt me. Not long after I walked through the long staircase designed specially to separate the world from the Rainbow Bistro, I began to feel the pang of regret creep through my gut. Not to worry, dear readers.

The Steamers had had a tumultuous year; numerous replacements and line changes have brought it to the most recent, and dare I say rootin' tootinest, version of the group, with a full catalog of brand new originals better suited to get you off your feet with your best gal. I was there with bad Pho (I still danced though; a testament to the mind control powers of the newly formed steamers).

The night ended with a roar of encore, but the courteous steamers wouldn't have The River and The Road go without their chance to "Rock your Socks Off" (quote courteous of the grand Garret Barr). Rightfully so; as I type I listen to their festival-caliber musical talent, and am thoroughly disappointed that my capacity to combat Vietnamese noodles resulted in early departure.

I proceeded to the back to wish my wells and make a hasty retreat to my fortress of solitude. Before I knew it, one of the ROBOTS:Everywhere!! patented private shows played in the band room, where it came to me; a small flask with the elixir brought by Master Apothecary Phil. Ladies and gentlemen, never forget;

Whiskey cures everything.

Follow the link to Steamy Goodness.

[ncrlive]

Here is the main attraction; One of the reasons I opted to start a blog was to give what force I could to a developing Ottawa Music Scene. The fans here have given me no end of happiness. However you're involved, the joy of music is infectious. Indeed, now seems a critical point for us.

A proud member of the many truly dedicated fans of Ottawa, Paul 'Yogi' Granger stands at the bow of his great ship, champagne bottle in hand. It was one of my favourite bands from the Ottawa area (Monobrow), which led me to quest for the hive of heavy music in the winter of 2012, Yogi's Meat Locker. It turned to a journey in finding the old garage nestled between apartment buildings, but waiting for me was everything I could of wanted; Big music, Big crowds, and unexpectedly, a growing collection of Arcade Cabinets. And I then met Yogi; The first thing he did was say I should join him and his friends for a beer.

I am a shy man. So thanks to Paul for being so kind! To anyone reading, please understand that this is the atmosphere that will propel the good things that this venue has to offer forward to all of Ottawa, and hopefully encourage a whole new generation of venues. It can be a bridge to anyone who happens to like any of the following:

Music

Games

Perogies

Survey says, this demographic is large. See you there.

[ncrlive]

Two weeks ago I saw Kraftwerk. I will put this quickly, as I'd rather spend time talking about some of the amazing shows around town, but its just impossible not to acknowledge the importance this band has had, and its effect on me. From the drum machine used by your friendly neighbourhood Pop Punk Partyman to the finely refined mega-computers that have calculated your newest favourite song, Kraftwerk were the ones who stuck with it while steins were hauled across the beer hall, and it all came out in the music.

As we watched Ralf Hütter calmly manipulate the controls at his console, I unravelled the roots, and travelled back along the electronica autobahn to see how little has actually changed. Simplistic beats are still king, and the melodies still ring out in my mind. The thought that music can leap so far ahead is more than encouraging. 

[ncrlive]

The trans-canadian sounds of musician Julian Selody have been a labour of love over the course of his academic career. His search for influence has brought Selody to spend hours upon days transcribing birdsound to musical notation, much of which finds its way into his music. Listening to it at my desk attracts questions from fellow workers; the music blends together, forming underlying earthen and natural rhythms and tone. Much of his musical upbringing is of Ottawa, and he is joined by a cadre of studious musicians working to hone their craft.

[ncrlive]

Kilmanjaro, by Kilmanjaro

5 track album

A brief voyage to the land of scarves and records (Toronto, Ontario) was brought to a head at the kitchen table of Kaan, Ian, and Emmet. Between games of President and deeply political and religious conversations with our mutual friend Darren, at about 3AM we were reminded of their newest project, released approximately an hour after our departure. The music accurately depicts the sensation of the drive from downtown to the towering condominiums of North York, that of a bustling vein of activity that has come to rest between heartbeats. Among their other projects, this is a jewel that shines brightly.