Show Review: Glory be to the personal voice

We were proud parents when our younger daughter recently won two gold keys for her artwork the first time she entered the Scholastic Art & Writing competition. While art is as subjective as music, her teacher said they were gold key-worthy because she expressed her "personal voice."






  Listening to Shotgun Jimmie and By Divine Right Feb. 9 at Windsor's Phog Lounge made us think of what that art teacher said. Personal voice. It's what separates nice from wow, good from great. Out of all the bands and singer-songwriters we see, the standouts are the ones with the ability to make a unique and personal connection between creator and listener.



Sackville, New Brunswick's Shotgun Jimmie expresses his personal voice with everyday scenes, experiences and observations framed by honesty, indie rock hooks and a foil-pan kick drum that doubles as a snare. (Minus the kick drum, the same could be said for his cheeky stage banter.) Whether backed by Attack in Black (Still Jimmie), as a nearly one-band man (on his new record coming out in March, Everything, everything - You've Changed Records) or solo on stage, with Jimmie it's personal.





 
It's been a rare occasion that we've seen a Canadian indie band that dates back to 1989, and have hits from the late 1990s. It may be even rarer for any band to perform songs from a new album coming out in May 2013 (Organized Accidents - Hand Drawn Dracula) that we like even more than the ones we already know. Especially to wafting incense, a glowing stage angel and a bass drum that asserts "Glory Be." All are a testament to the personal voice of Jose Miguel Contreras, the one constant in By Divine Right's cast of musicians that now include bassist Alysha Haugen and Geordie Dynes on drums. Contreras' art is a mixed media that dabbles in multiple genres and decades. The result is original, timeless and wonderful.














Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: It's going to be divine, right?

By Divine Right w/ Shotgun Jimmie 
and James O-L and the Villains
Sat., Feb. 9 ~ Phog Lounge, Windsor 




This is where we pinch ourselves to make sure we're not dreaming. Canadian indie legends By Divine Right? (Look for a new album from BDR in May 2013.) Shotgun Jimmie, on his way to becoming a legend? (Transistor Sister ranks as one of our favourite albums). And Windsor legends in the making James O-L and the Villains, all for only $10? We live a divine life, indeed. The early bird gets the ear worm in this case, because this one will be a sellout.


The Walkervilles cover "Valerie"

We're constantly impressed by the amount of Canadian indie musical talent we see in Windsor-- and from Windsor. And talented directors like Sean McLeod make it possible for you to see them too. Here's another video from McLeod of up-and-coming Windsor band The Walkervilles.



www.thewalkervilles.com
www.sean-mcleod.com

PHOTOS - Hannah Georgas @ Pike Room - Jan. 31, 2013

Hannah's voice and band are what make the beat stuff beat; it's not robotic and the dance floor was hopping under the red and blue lights of the Pike Room.










Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images



Show Alert: GuitarZAMM!

The Blue Stones and Little Foot Long Foot 
Sat., Feb. 2 
Phog Lounge ~ Windsor

The Blue Stones


Little Foot Long Foot


*This may be loud and dancey.

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images