Dinner and a Show 2: Born Ruffians, Meligrove Band and Forest City Lovers

It was a devilishly nostalgic night for N2D on Oct. 30 at Detroit's Majestic Cafe as we looked back on a beginning and learned about an ending.

The cafe is where we first met last year (for Elliott BROOD), and so we celebrated by having dinner before the show. While enjoying the cafe's pulled pork sandwich, yam fries (both highly recommended) and a very artfully presented scallop special, we ended up chatting with the Majestic's general manager, Dave Zainea, and discovered we would be seeing the last live show at the cafe that night. "It's too hard trying to run a restaurant and a nightclub in the same room," he explained. He also shared some plans that we'll detail in an upcoming spotlight of the Majestic theater complex.

Forest City Lovers were a late addition to the evening's schedule, making an already sweet all-Toronto lineup as anticipated as a pillowcase full of Halloween candy. Touring in support of their third full-length album, Carriage (we think it's worth adding to your collection), FCL could be just another alt-folk/pop band. The strength of lead singer Kat Burns' creative songwriting and soaring vocals and her solid supporting cast (Kyle Donnelly on bass, Christian Ingelevics at the drum kit and Timothy Bruton on keyboards and guitar) elevate them well beyond the average.

The Meligrove Band arrived in Detroit riding on the high of a number one song on the CBC Radio 3 R3-30: "Bones Attack!!!" from their fourth album, Shimmering Lights. Core trio Jason Nunes (guitar, piano, vocals), Darcy Rego (drums and vocals) and Michael Small (bass) have been together as a band since 1997; their familiarity with each other and basic alt-rock/pop shows. Our highly-coveted Radio 3 scarves were a ticket to a great conversation with guitarist and keyboardist Brian O'Reilly after the show.

Born Ruffians' lead singer Luke Lalonde has one of those love-it-or-hate-it voices. Clearly there's some love for it over at Radio 3, as Born Ruffians are up for a Best Vocals Bucky Award. Already fans, we agreed Lalonde sounds even better live. Bassist Mitch DeRosier is the definition of tour-de-force and kept the already pumped-up and enthusiastic crowd shouting out requests and clapping along with drummer Steve Hamelin. Radio 3 is already three singles in to the Ruffians' latest, Say It, with more of their spare, catchy and angular brand of alt-rock/pop sure to come into rotation.

Photos: Russ Gordon

CBC Radio 3 Bucky Awards Short List Announced

Vote once per day until Nov. 28

HERE

Show review: Rah Rah, We Were Lovers, James O-L and the Villains

Rah Rah

Tom Lucier of Windsor's Phog Lounge puts together some really interesting and amazing shows. The lineup on Tues., Oct. 26 was possibly the most diverse: an acoustic version of alt folk/rock, a dance club music duo from Saskatoon and some of the best power pop to come out of Regina.

James & Steve O-L

Windsor-based band James O-L and the Villains are regulars at the Phog. However, like the Rheostats the previous week, we got a pared down version-- just James O-L and his brother Steve O-L, both on guitars. If you want to check them out with their full roster, you can download their latest album, Alive at the Colch, for free at their MySpace page.


We've seen a few people cut loose and dance at the Phog, but for the most part it's more of a head nodding and toe tapping crowd. Despite a filmy indigo curtain with their name in silver sequins emblazoned on it for a backdrop, We Were Lovers couldn't quite get the dance club vibe going. Certainly not the fault of lead singer Elsa Gebremichael and partner Ash Lamothe. Their talent-- Elsa has a powerful and lovely voice-- enthusiasm for their craft is obvious, and their music would improve the playlists at any urban club in the U.S.




Okay, we're going to try really hard not compare Rah Rah to another Regina band with an expansive cast of musicians, an equal ability to write and perform imaginative, fun and charming sing-along songs, superb vocal harmonies and numerous singles from their latest album in heavy rotation at CBC Radio 3. No language barriers here: Rah Rah's tentacles and their sophomore album, Breaking Hearts, will wrap themselves around your ears and won't let go. We don't know what's in the water in Regina, but it sure produces some great pop. There is one thing Rah Rah has the other band doesn't: RoboCat for a "manager."

Photos: Russ Gordon

RoboCat: Rah Rah

BUCKY AWARD LONG LIST VOTING ENDS TONIGHT

DON'T  forget to vote.  

http://radio3.cbc.ca/

New n2ds2w URL hits the spot

When we started this blog, we had no idea it would get the reception that it has. We just wanted to talk about and share our passion for Canadian indie music and the communities where we enjoy it the most: CBC Radio 3, Windsor and the Detroit area.

In less than four months, we're quickly approaching 3,000 hits. So we decided it was time to become official and purchase our own domain. To check out the show calendar, see photos and read about shows we've attended, local venues hosting Canadian indie bands and sundry other topics, now all you have to type is www.n2ds2w.com.

Many thanks to all of our followers and visitors who have stopped by. We hope we've informed, inspired, occasionally amused and above all, helped promote all of the enthusiastic and talented Canadian indie musicians that have given us so much enjoyment. Because at the heart of it all, it's all about the music.

DETROIT LIVES!

This is not the Detroit portrayed in newspapers, magazines and on TV.  This is the real Detroit and the people who are making it happen.  It's quite refreshing to find something like this instead of the usual doom and gloom when it comes to Detroit.  I am one of many who moved away for work and came back to the city and region that I love.  Revitalization is in the air, and you can taste it.    







Thanks to Lana Gay from CBC Radio 3 for sharing this link.
Thanks to http://www.palladiumboots.com/ for doing this.

Show review: The Locusts Have No King and Olenka & The Autumn Lovers

After some time off to catch our breath following September's ridiculously sublime lineup of shows, we belatedly began celebrating Rock-tober last Wednesday with a great evening at Windsor's Phog Lounge (we are back again tonight, Oct. 26, for Rah Rah, We Were Lovers and James O-L and the Villains, review to come).

Instead of the Rheostats from Sarnia to kick off the evening-- no, not the RheostatICs-- we got the Rheostat, as it was just band member John Pilat and his guitar. Pleasant enough, but hardly the opportunity to review the band.

Windsor-based The Locusts Have No King have been on the Phog bill several times this year and we'd heard the, uh, buzz, and now we know why. We debated how to describe them on the way home, and came up with quirky punkabilly, although with his full dark beard and glasses and slightly nasal vocals, lead singer David Dubois is more folk class than thrash. If you want to check them out yourself, The Locusts Have No King are opening for Nightwood at the Phog next month on the 24th.

"Oh my god," someone gasped when Olenka & The Autumn Lovers launched into "Odessa" from their new album, And Now We Sing. The outburst was a reaction to the beauty of the vocal harmonies of Olenka Krakus, violinist Sara Froese and cellist Kelly Wallraff. They're so good the band devoted two songs to "just the girls." "People like it when just the girls sing," Krakus commented with charming naivete. "I don't know why. What's wrong with boys?"


Not a thing, as drummer Daniel Mancini, the versatile Blair Whatmore on guitar, mandolin and lap steel and Simon Larochette on trumpet solidly supported the girls. The band's sound and songs might be inspired by the old country, but there's nothing dated or staid about this oom-pah-pah powered folk/country/pop. Like St. Patrick's Day when everyone is Irish, everyone's a little Polish when Olenka & The Autumn Lovers are in the house. (Photos: Russ Gordon)

The Besnard Lakes are coming to the Great Lakes.

Somehow this one flew under our radar: Montreal's The Besnard Lakes are opening for Band of Horses tonight (Friday, Oct. 22) at the Fillmore Detroit.

To those of us used to budget-friendly Canadian indie shows, tickets are pricey: $35, not including fees. But if your wallet and schedule allows, we highly recommend  The Besnard Lakes. We had the great pleasure of seeing them perform this past June in London, Ont. at Call the Office.

The show remains in our Top Ten for the year (and we've had quite a year of shows), as might be expected for a 2010 Polaris short-listed band (for The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night). If you like atmospheric, 70s-inspired music that just plain rocks, you'll love The Besnard Lakes, and Jace Lasek's amazingly angelic and pure falsetto vocals. Bonus: seeing a show at the legendary and gorgeous Fillmore Detroit is almost worth the ticket price alone.

Here are The Besnard Lakes performing "And This is What They Call Progress" from The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night on Q earlier this year:



Photos: Russ Gordon

Fall for Olenka & the Autumn Lovers

With a name like Olenka Krakus, a 2008 debut EP titled Warsaw Girl and lyrics like "Oj moja kochana kochana kochana... przepraszam ale wyjezdjamy dzisiaj," it's no wonder Eastern European influences are most frequently cited when describing London, Ontario's Olenka & the Autumn Lovers. But this is not your babcia's polka band.

We got to see Olenka & the Autumn Lovers perform at NxEW's NXNE showcase in Toronto this past June; unfortunately the sound in the Gladstone Hotel really didn't do them justice. Olenka's earthy alto voice was clear enough--she can mine the tenor depths or soar into soprano range with ease-- but her band's diverse instruments, including strings, accordion, brass, lap steel, mandolin and glockenspiel were not as distinct as we would have liked.

So we're looking forward to seeing them again this Weds., Oct. 20 at Windsor's Phog Lounge. Following the release of two well-received EPs and their self-titled full-length debut, all in 2008, the band is touring in support of their sophomore album released this month, And Now We Sing. Yes, Olenka is still embracing her heritage, but there are plenty of country and folk influences evident as well. Dołącz do na (join us)! 

Photos: Russ Gordon

City spotlight: Go north to Detroit

This gorgeous photo of Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit was
taken by our talented friend Tim Kendra. Drop N2DS2W
an e-mail if you're interested in hiring Tim as a photographer.

A lot of things have surprised us since we launched this blog, and one of the most surprising is that according to Blogger stats, the majority of our visitors are from the States. Blogger doesn't tell us where in the U.S. you're reading this, so if you're from Detroit we're (we hope)  preaching to the choir. But if not, to paraphrase a vintage catchphrase, we'd like to say a few nice things about Detroit. As longtime and lifelong residents of the metro area, while we think a Canadian indie show in Detroit is a great reason to come to the city, it doesn't have to be the only thing on your agenda.

If you're a visiting band with time to kill and or you're coming for a show and want to make a day of your visit downtown, a great place to start is strolling Detroit's riverfront. Although it still has a way to go to rival Windsor's greenbelt across the river, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has now completed three miles of walkway along the river. A detailed map is available here.

Man-made sights in Detroit are just as interesting as the natural. Detroit is renowned for its historic buildings and their beautiful architecture so just walk around and appreciate the work of great architects like Albert Kahn and Louis Kamper. Or drop by Inside Detroit and sign up for one of their tours, available for as little as $10. Inside Detroit co-founder Jeanette Pierce is passionate about the city and knows more fascinating facts than you've forgotten, guaranteed.

You didn't hear it from us, but for the intrepid, Detroit's lost souls abandoned to the ravages of time and neglect offer some prime urban spelunking opportunities. The most infamous is the looming hulk of the Michigan Central Station, which can be seen in the Transformers movies. Don't go in there. Stay away.  Blah blah blah.

Not into architecture, whether dramatic or decrepit? When English Words, who hail from Charlottetown, PEI,  played the Phog Lounge this past April, the die-hard Red Wings fans took time out to tour Joe Louis Arena.

Although much of Detroit's retail shopping core is gone, you won't go hungry. Cheap and iconic eats are plentiful; start with Greektown (where several restaurants are open until 3:00 a.m-- Opa!) or Lafayette Coney Island. The barbeque scene in Detroit is also burgeoning; as are microbreweries. For a detailed list of more than 100 restaurants and bars in Detroit, click here.

Another great resource for getting to know Detroit and getting around it is the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tell them Go NORTH to Detroit, SOUTH to Windsor sent you. They won't know what the hell you're talking about, but they'll help you anyway. And above all, enjoy the Canadian indie show that brought you here in the first place.

Show Review: Holy Fuck

We've seen a lot of Canadian indie bands and artists this year, and happily, no one has let us down yet. Capping off an incredible month of shows for us here at N2D, Holy Fuck were no exception, turning the Magic Stick into a house of worship on a September Sunday night as they continue touring in support of their latest full-length album, Latin (read Russ's interview with Brian Borcherdt from earlier this year).

Electronica can be just that, electronic. And by that we're referring not to what is used to produce the music, but the emotional and psychological appeal of the end result. While using their signature 35mm film synchronizer, "garage sale" keyboards, guitar effect pedals and other electronic gadgets, Holy Fuck deliver wonderful melodies and tension-and-release climaxes that unites the best of electronic dance music and lyrical composition. The result is heavenly, as was "Lovely Allen."



Photos - Russ Gordon

FAM FEST 5IVE

FAM-ished for culture? Get thee to Windsor's FAM Fest

Beginning today (Fri., Oct. 1) you can take advantage of nine days of FREE film, arts and music programming at FAM FEST 5IVE, Windsor, Ontario’s largest independent inter-arts festival. Our favourite Canadian indie music venue, Phog Lounge, will be hosting film screenings and of course live music throughout the week, but be sure to check out the complete list of venues and all the great bands participating in the festival.