Jun 20
seen from Türkiye
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Best In Show: Eleanor Friedberger
Matt went to see Eleanor Friedberger’s on February 22 2016 at The Drake in Toronto.
The Fiery Furnaces were a band that played fast music and released and toured it very fast as well. Eleanor Friedberger’s solo efforts are much tamer, and her latest release New View is her most linear yet, so I didn’t know what to expect.
Opening band Icewater (a cool shoegaze/psychedelic sounding) were her backing band and the band she recorded her last album with. She opened with a few new songs, transitioning to “Open Season” with “Sweetest Girl” flawlessly. I didn’t know how the heavy-handed (though aesthetically pleasing) 70’s organ would translate, but crowdpleaser “Roosevelt Island” was executed to the crowd’s delight.
She also played her first ever solo single “My Mistakes” with every one of her new band members getting a solo of their own which translated well into her new sound. It became obvious after she bled through the sombre (yet livelier version) of “Two Versions of Tomorrow”, that she was playing less of a here are songs from an album I just released set, and more of a well crafted blend of new and old. The set was much more lush sounding than I had anticipated, considering her new album which sounds stark at times.
She began her encore acoustically, but had the band chime in for the latter half of “Long Walk” which was a terrific surprise. When she closed with “Stare at Sun”, her quality as an engaging and earnest performer was driven home.
the FINGERS Pass Me The Salt, Will You? cassette (Kitchen Leg, Germany - 2015)
This passed us by last year, what the hell!? If you ever wished the Merge/ Slumberland slay pop axis was a bit loopier - with missing teeth - then this is for you (and we enjoy many Merge/Slumberland sled rides, so that’s saying something). Zig zag brillo stumbling from start to finish, very swell. The Fingers must’ve been included on one of 2015′s @dustedandsocial (formerly urbankill) comps, but since Matt changed his handle, it’s all lost in the circuits.
9 cassettes of Angela, Davide, Duncan and Phil left at Kitchen Leg as of 2/21/16.
Best In Show: Slim Twig
Matt went to see Slim Twig on 21-Oct-2015 in Toronto. It was a very guitar heavy night. This is a good thing.
The Horseshoe Tavern was tasked with housing experimental-psych, grunge metal and raucous power jam guitars on October 21. The night began with three-piece Drainolith. Lead singer Alexander Moskos sang in a persistent drawl as bassy staccato bridges were laced in shoegaze fuzz. Crosss continued the noise party with their psychedelia – however with way more metal influence. Scathing vox were pummeled over elongated psych riffs and droned synths.
Slim Twig took the stage promising to play a set (almost) completely comprised of material from his new DFA Records album Thank You For Stickin’ With Twig, and he did with epic showmanship. Instead of playing the album cue for cue , he kicked it into high gear and delivered a 70's inspired rock riff-fest. While most of the songs on the album still honor his classic DIY cut-and-paste approach to song writing, the live renderings are performed to melt your face off. Backed by a full band, Twig blended his new stuff through medleys of classic guitar licks and pounding drum hooks, giving his new material a more shred and jam based approach and giving die-hard fans something new.
Best In Show: Prinze George and Albert Hammond Jr.
Matt went to see Prinze George and Albert Hammond Jr. on 18-Sep-2015 in Toronto. Be Jealous of Matt.
Electronic acts that perform with a full band can create a sensationally impactful ambiance. Prinze George proved that last night, executing a set that was effortlessly lush. The sounds they achieved on their debut EP were incredibly bombastic in a live realm. Lead singer Naomi Almquist cooed emotionally over pulsating live drum and bass tones. Their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” completely captivated the crowd, and the live rendition of their single “Make Me” was completely transformed and delivered in a more raw yet sonic way than the recorded version.
The crowd for Albert Hammond Jr. went wild as soon as he walked on stage, and showed no sign of slowing down his entire set. Opener “Losing Touch” put a spotlight on his percussive guitar work, matched with belted extended notes that carried through new songs and old favourites (“GfC”) alike. His band was very well rehearsed and added to AHJ’s natural showmanship. His set really showcased his own nuisances, while highlighting what he achieved playing with The Strokes. He made a setlist of pure crowd-pleasers and fans both new and old were not disappointed.
I’m trying not to let you know that I can read minds
Matt T. Quote#9
You look like a clown
Matt T. Quote#15