Show Alerts: Border Issues

Sat., Apr. 25
Hilotrons ~ Phog Lounge, Windsor
Odonis Odonis ~ PJ's Lager House, Detroit

Border issues: As in, which side of the border to be on this Saturday night?

It was a tough, tough call for us. We're going with Hilotrons (Ottawa) because we loved them so much at M for Montreal, and missed their show last November at Phog Lounge when one of us was sick.

If we could be in two places at once, we'd also be at Odonis Odonis (Toronto). Since we can't, we're planning on seeing them at NXNE in June.

Will you go north to Detroit, or south to Windsor? We'll let the music help you decide.

Show Alert: Bend Sinister In Detroit

Thurs., Mar 27
PJ's Lager House ~ Detroit
$6
With Ronny Tibbs & the 305s and Six and the Sevens

Dan Moxon (photo: Russ Gordon/N2D Images)

It's been a long standing policy on N2DS2W not to compare bands to other bands. So we're not exactly fans of the "if you like this (more famous band) you'll like (this less famous band)" game.To us, it borders on insulting ("Congratulations on being unoriginal!"). And does anyone really want to just listen to bands that all sound like each other?

But (you knew that was coming, right?), sometimes it's really hard NOT to make comparisons. And sometimes bands channel an influence so well it transcends the derivative and the tribute and rightly earns their own identity.

So yes, when you listen to Vancouver's alt rock/pop chameleons Bend Sinister, you'll hear Supertramp. You'll hear Queen. And on their second full-length album Animals, you'll hear some pretty scorching Motown soul and even a hint of gospel. You'll also hear Dan Moxon's powerhouse vocals and keyboard backed by Joseph Blood on lead guitar, Matt Rhodes on bass and Jason Dana keeping time on the drums. Listen: "I Got Love," from Animals.

Show Alert: An interview with Simon Ward from The Strumbellas

Sun., Feb. 2 ~ PJ's Lager House, Detroit

Photo credit: Heather Pollock

Strumbellas’ singer-songwriter Simon Ward had no idea their Detroit date at PJ’s Lager House was on Super Bowl Sunday. And we could give no idea what kind of audience there’d be for their show. “That’s okay,” said Ward. “We’re used to playing in bars with hockey on the TV. We’ll hear cheers and think they’re for us, until we realize it’s because someone scored a goal.”

Since forming in 2009, more and more of those cheers have been for The Strumbellas: Ward (guitar, vocals), David Ritter (keyboard, vocals, percussion), Izzy Ritchie (violin, viola, vocals), Darryl James (bass), Jon Hembrey (electric guitar) and drummer Jeremy Drury. A meld of small town (Lindsay, Ont.) and big city (Toronto), their frequently anthemic, chorale-laden alt folk/new country keeps getting noticed.

“…The Strumbellas’ collection of polished and, at its best, inspired tracks is poised for much attention.”--Exclaim.ca

“As one of Canada’s finest country roots bands, Ontario’s Strumbellas do not disappoint with their sophomore record, We Still Move On Dance Floors… the future looks incredibly bright for The Strumbellas.”--Musicnerd.ca

“In fact, it's not much of a stretch to suggest that they may be the best band in Canada at the moment.”--Snobsmusic.net

Their first full-length album, the independently released My Father and The Hunter, earned them a 2013 Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. Although they didn’t win, “We had a blast,” Ward recalled. “We flew out (for the awards), went to a lot of parties and met a lot of people.”

In November, the track “Sailing” from We Still Move On Dance Floors (October 2013, Six Shooter Records), was prominently featured on Hockey Night in Canada’s Remembrance Day show. “We knew we were going to be on, but thought it would just be a background song,” Ward explained. “We were in Calgary in a bar and honest, the band members got choked up. It was emotional.”

We Still Move On Dance Floors is emotional too, a dichotomy between beginnings and endings, stillness and movement, home and travel. “That album was written when we were doing a lot of touring,” Ward explained. “We hadn’t done a lot before. We were amazed the first time we saw mountains, which is why we wanted to get one on the album.”

 

The album title, however, is more mysterious. “It’s a line from a song we really liked that was cut from the album,” said Ward. “On our first album, we told everything about ourselves. So on this one we’re keeping a secret. It’s not about dancing or dance floors.”

With the wind in their sails, The Strumbellas set a course for more touring that began Jan. 21 in Massachusetts. “We want to start breaking into the States, so we began with the Northeast,” said Ward, including their first ever stop in Detroit. “Growing up in Canada, Detroit was a big city for us. It’s awesome that we’re stopping in the Motor City. We’re a little nervous, but excited as well. We’re still new, babies in the industry. A big thanks to anyone who listens.”

Show Review: Good Grief

We've not had a chance to see The Dears live. So we can't say seeing their guitarist and his band Krief is the next best thing. But we can say it was a very good thing, and the best guitar talent we've seen in a long time.

A lot was written about the grief Patrick Krief was feeling towards music as a career during the making of A Hundred Thousand Pieces. Fortunately, as he noted in his interview with N2DS2W last September, "I didn't pack it in and go the other way." And fortunately, that meant two opportunities to see Krief: at Windsor's Phog Lounge (September 2012) and P.J.'s Lager House in Detroit's Corktown this past March.

Krief's not a kid, but he's not exactly middle-aged, either. Yet A Hundred Thousand Pieces is a very mature album that translates seamlessly to live performance, with one exception. Live, you get Krief's great guitar solos. (It's one of our few disappointments about Canadian indie shows: bands rarely seem to stray from the musical script into improvisation.)

These aren't ear-blistering, frantic solos for the sake of shock and awe. With Krief, you know you're hearing the work of a gifted musician. That goes for the rest of the band as well: Roberto Piccioni on keys, Denis Paquin on drums, Jakub Zapotoczny on bass and Vincent Pelletier on guitar.

Piccioni missed the Lager House show due to visa issues, but the band worked hard to make up for his absence. They got some unexpected help in the form of a light show from two girls with illuminated hula hoops. At first a bit of a distraction, the show ended with Krief out on the floor with the audience, curled over his guitar in epic solo, with a glowing hoop swirling around his head.
 

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

SHOW ALERT: catl @ Lo & Behold Records And Books

Tuesday, May 7

10022 Joseph Campau

Hamtramck, MI

We love catl. We always have and always will.
We like the new formula as we bet this "sexy, raw, primordial rock and
roll experience" will carry on as we expect . *NOW MAGAZINE | Toronto

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Photos: Said The Whale @ Majestic Theatre 3/22/2013

Said The Whale return to Detroit.

 

 

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: Chains Of Love (opening for BRONCHO) and Beach Day @ Magic Stick Lounge

Chains Of Love return to Detroit.

New video for "FOLLOW ME" 
Directed by Owen Ellis

The Besnard Lakes: "People Of The Sticks"

We have a new album coming out April 2 on Jagjaguwar.

It’s called Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO.

  


That about covers it.

http://www.thebesnardlakes.com/

And Soon They Will All Be Here

Toronto, ON's catl bring their dirty blues swamp boogie sound to PJ's Lager House this Thursday, Sept. 13. Oh, this is not the first time that catl have been to Detroit, (they recorded 60% of their latest album Soon This Will All Be Gone here with Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders) but this will be their first ever public live performance in the Motor City.

catl are also included in this month's Mitten Movie Project – Independent Shorts - Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI - 9/11/2011 7:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets $8 by e-mailing mangilc@yahoo.com, Door $10
“GOLD TOOTH SHINE” by catl [music video] – Directed by Brett Van Dyke (05:51) (Ontario) (2012)



Listen and read more: http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/catl
http://www.n2ds2w.com/2012/04/working-blue-n2ds2w-special-edition.html 
http://www.n2dmediagroup.com/catl.htm

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show review: Duchess Says drop it and go

There are some shows that make you drop everything and go. Monday night at 9:30 we had the grill on, pork chops ready, and a big bowl of cole slaw with sesame vinaigrette when we found out Montreal's Duchess Says had booked a last minute show at PJ's Lager House (or "Larger" House, as their Facebook post read).

So we did what any sensible people with a job to go to in the morning would do. We grilled, grabbed a bite and headed down to Corktown for some Francophone electronic punk rock. We're sure Bob the Budgie approved-- Duchess Says worships at the altar of the Church of Budgerigars.

It was well worth the lack of sleep. We didn't think anyone could top Damien Abraham of Fucked Up in the theatrical audience interaction department, but lead singer Annie-Claude did. She spent more time off the stage than on, getting up close and personal with the crowd, the floor, and entwining everyone with the microphone cord and her fierce vocals. Backed by the equally fierce Simon Says on drums and Philippe on bass and guitar, Ismael on the keyboard puts the "electronic" in their punk, and gives the band their distinct sound.

Listen: "Narcisse" from their 2011 release, In a Fung Day T!

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: The Besnard Lakes will be roaring in Detroit

Thurs., May 31
PJ's Lager House, Detroit
w/ The People's Temple ~ $10

It's been nearly a year and half since Montreal's The Besnard Lakes played Detroit. If you missed them at the Magic Stick Lounge in Jan. 2011, now's your chance. Their contemporary interpretation of the best of 70s psych rock, anchored on one end by Olga Goreas on bass, soaring on Jace Lasek's amazing falsetto on the other, supported by fine guitar work from Richard White on and Kevin Laing on drums, is reason enough to pony up $10 for the band responsible for The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse and The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night, both Polaris Prize nominees.


















But see The Besnard Lakes and you'll also see one of the most significant producers recording Canadian indie music today. Lasek's client list at his Breakglass Studios in Montreal includes seminal bands from both past and present: The Unicorns, Islands, Stars, Holy Fuck, Hey Rosetta! (who just announced a Jun. 22 Detroit date), Wolf Parade and Patrick Watson, to name a few.

Photos by Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Handsome Furs Cannot Get, Stopped

The first half of 2012 has been a sad year for music, as we've lost several great artists, and bands as well, including Edmonton's The Wheat Pool. Regretfully, you can now add Montreal's Handsome Furs to the list, who for reasons yet to be revealed, recently announced the band's dissolution. From their website:

"With a heavy heart the time has come to let all of you know that Handsome Furs are no more. The most important thing that needs to be said right now is how extremely grateful we are to all the fans all over the world that showered us with love and support over the years. Thank you for everything! It's been an incredible 6 years and we owe it all to you."
xoxo
HF

In addition to making a lot of much-loved great music, Handsome Furs toured and played in places few bands venture to, and supported bands in countries where simply playing could result in arrest. Alexei recorded those in experiences in their tour journals. We highly recommend spending some time reading them. Here are our own fond memories of Handsome Furs' show at PJ's Lager House in Detroit last summer.

Thanks, Dan and Alexei, and we wish you the best in the future.

Show Alert: Whales sighted crossing the Detroit River

Tues., Apr. 17
PJ's Lager House, Detroit - $8
Said the Whale with Chains of Love and Sam Bradley

If for some reason you couldn't cross the border last night for their Capitol Theatre show, the Whales are coming to you. If you like your alt pop with strong hooks, harmonies and earnest, clever lyrics, then you'll love Vancouver's Said the Whale, as they return to the Detroit area, this time with a new album, Little Mountain in tow. See if you hear a nod to an 1980s Detroit favourite in one of Little Mountain's singles, "Heavy Ceiling."


You'll hear more than a nod to Detroit from fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love. Led by singer Nathalia Pizzaro, the sextet have perfected an authentic, yet contemporary take on the 1960s Motown sound. They've already had three tracks in rotation on CBC Radio 3, including "In Between," from their Dec. 2011 7-inch record.

Photo by Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Winning America: CBC Radio 3's first documentary - National debut

What does it take for a Canadian indie band to make it in the States? That's the topic addressed by Winning America, the first documentary produced by CBC Radio 3. Airing Sat., Apr. 7 on CBC-TV (9 a.m. PST/noon EST), it follows the ups and downs of Vancouver band Said the Whale as they look for the elusive recipe to success in the U.S. Directed by Brent Hodge, the documentary is funny, poignant and has a message for any band, anywhere, hoping to beat the odds and make it big. If you missed them last October when they played Pontiac, it's also a great way to "meet" the band before they play Windsor's Capitol Theatre on Mon., Apr. 16 and PJ's Lager House on Tues., Apr. 17, with fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love.

A Pack A Day: Smokin'!

Did the Sirens of sensibility go off? We in the Windsor/Detroit area are lucky to have the opportunity to experience TWO (2) (DEUX) shows in our cities. Vancouver BC's The Pack A.D. play garage rock/pop/punk/blues that is fierce, unapologetic, and loud as hell on both sides of the Detroit River this week.

The Pack's Unpersons Tour comes barreling off the 401 beginning at the CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Best Live Venue Phog Lounge on Wed. Oct. 19 and rolls into Corktown's classic PJ's Lager House on Thurs. Oct. 20. Bring your earplugs and your dancing shoes.

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show review: Beeps in Wolves' Clothing, Part 2

Beeps in Wolves' Clothing, Part 1

Dan Boeckner, Handsome Furs

Alexei Perry, Handsome Furs

Montreal's Handsome Furs-- Dan Boeckner, Wolf Parade bandmate of Spencer Krug, and wife Alexei Perry-- had hoped to end the evening with 1 a.m. fireworks outside of PJ's Lager House in Detroit's Corktown. But prudence prevailed and we had to settle for the aural pyrotechnics the Furs and Parlovr delivered earlier that night on Sat., Jul. 30. (The aforementioned fireworks were part of a glorious display over the shores of Lake Huron later on in the summer.)

Both bands are seasoned globetrotting performers-- CNN filmed Handsome Furs' travels through Vietnam, China and Thailand for the series Indie Asia-- but sometimes Detroit's reputation precedes it. Not the one that makes us cringe, the one we're proud of:  a city home to legendary musical history, talent and innovation. For bands that get this, no matter where in the world they've been, playing Detroit has some significance to it. Which explains Parlovr's earnest query to N2D after their set-- "How did we do? Was it okay?"

Louis Jackson, Parlovr

It was more than okay. From the first note it was all zeal, appeal and everything between "Hell, Heaven" from Louis Jackson (vox, guitar), Alex Cooper (vox, keyboard, guitar) and Jeremy MacCuish (drums). Like the band's name, there's a slightly-skewed element to the "Speech Bubble/Thought Cloud" of their alt-rock that keeps it interesting, whether it's fuzzy, dissonant hooks, time signature changes, suspenseful phrasing and/or vocals that range from plaintive to piercing within a few measures. With only one full-length self-titled album to date, this Montreal band is just getting started. We've heard what's to come, and it's pretty darn okay.

Alex Cooper, Parlovr

Jeremy MacCuish, Parlovr

What does it take to get a 20-to-30 something crowd to loosen up? If Handsome Furs' catchy, often anthemic electronic pop/rock and Perry's possessed-by-the-music performance at the keyboards couldn't get them dancing, we don't know what would. It may be possible to resist the club beats and evocative riffs with your feet, but the subject matter of much of their catalog, from the 2007 debut Plague Park, 2009's Face Control to this year's Sound Kapital, makes Handsome Furs as enduring as entertaining. Their observations on cultural landscapes and incongruities are well worth exploring, whether through lyrics or Perry's journals on their website.

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images