Tame Impala | Mini Mansions

Show: Tame Impala + Mini Mansions
Venue: Metropolis, Montreal
Date: Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

A friend quoted his girlfriend on facebook : "Pas assez de talk pis trop de show"*.
The quote, which I have nothing to do with, triggered something in me. Am I going to too many concerts? Indeed. To the point now that I regularly leave before it's ending. Tame Impala is not an exception. Enjoy them but not a fan of the Metropolis. Spent my time walking around trying to find the best spot for sound.

Let's start with the opening act, Mini Mansions. Splendorous. Never heard them before. Fell hard for their pop sound. Band members are Michael Shuman (Queens of the Stone Age), Zach Dawes and Tyler Parkford.

Mini Mansions

A laid back Californian kinda sound which I love. Even Blondie's "Heart of Glass" tempo was slowed down (youtube).

Featuring Brian Wilson (side note, Colin Hanks is a great actor)

Ny favorite, featuring Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner.

Is nice to have famous musicians featured in songs. They would've been good either way though. Catchy. Good harmonies. With Mini Mansions, am not afraid to say I like pop. But is that what it is? Am never good at categorizing.

Wanted to buy their record but they only had 45s. Not a fan of 45s. I know I'm not suppose to say that if i want to sound cool.

Was a bit disappointed when Tame Impala stepped on stage. I don't think they're right for the Metropolis. The sound wasn't great for Mini Mansions either but the drumming made it better. The Tame Impala sound is "mou" in a good way. A very specific sound that needs a very specific venue.

Tame Impala

While I was walking around trying to find the best spot for sound.

The lighting effect was great though. Filmed it in slow motion.

 

Left before the end.
Will probably happen again.


* Too many shows. Not enough talk.

BRAIDS | Noni Wo

Show: BRAIDS + Noni Wo
Venue: Bar le Ritz PDB, Montreal
Date: Wednesday, May 13th

It's a tough thing to work full time and then pour your heart out for this blog. Had I wanted to sleep better I'd be dedicating my time to my 9 to 5 job only. But my blog is where my love is. So I stay up late for shows and wake up at 5 or 6 the next morning to write the latest post. Sometimes, for a few minutes only, I close my eyes at work. It saves the day.

Had planned to write this post the day after the concert but felt I needed to sleep instead. Now, almost a week later, I tell to myself better late than never.

The opening act is Noni Wo. They're not bad performers but I think it could be better. It doesn't help that they decide to start with a new song and that the lead singer, Rory Seydel, for the first couple ones, sings without his guitar (he later mentions to the crowd that he's not used to performing without his guitar in hand). As if they purposely want to feel out of place for the first 15 minutes. The result is not great. Rory Seydel is a bit pitchy and out of rhythm. It gets better though as time goes by. Live, it reminds me of when I saw Un Blonde perform at the Ritz. In terms of experimenting with sounds. Only with Un Blonde, there was some soul in the music. With Noni Wo it has more of a 80's cold vibe to it. Unfortunately I'm a sucker for soul.

Noni Wo

As BRAIDS steps on stage, the place gets really crowded and I feel my claustrophobia kicking in. I wouldn't say I'm claustrophobic actually. Only I get uneasy in a packed crowd when am exhausted. Decide to move to the back of the venue. End up by the bar where I rest my elbows. I could sleep but instead, by having my arms on the bar, I feel the music's loud vibration. I enjoy it.

I can't say how many times I've listened to "Plath Heart" from the their debut album Native Speaker. It got obsessive actually.

I lost interest though with the second album Flourish // Perish. Never got back into it afterwards. Therefore arrived that evening having not listened to their third album Deep in the Iris. The result was amazement. Got truly engulfed in their world and in those songs. And feeling the music's vibration made everything better. Am in awe of Raphaelle Standell-Preston's voice. There's so much control.

BRAIDS

BRAIDS

Texted my friend still up front in the crowd as the show was coming to an end. We leave before the last song's climax. It was a great experience but my bed was calling me. As it usually is.

I WON'T BE HOME TONIGHT newspaper edition

Hello,

I have decided to print some of my blog posts in the form of a newspaper.
 - 30 (out of 50) tabloid copies will be up for grabs at the price of 5$. This covers the printing and shipping charges.
- The illustrations on the 8 page newspaper are mine.
- Each copy will be signed and numbered.

I will be receiving them next week. If you'd like to acquire a copy or take a better look at the final product please contact me through email : chinamwood@gmail.com.

The Black Lips

Thee Oh Sees

Father John Misty

Chocolat

Viet Cong/Un Blonde

Mark Sultan

Choses Sauvages

Milk Lines

Thank you! And have a good day!

Leon Bridges | Jake Paleschic

Show: Leon Bridges + Jake Paleschic
Date: Saturday, May 2nd, 2015
Venue: Quai des Brumes

Had you been there you would have enjoyed quality music.

You would have heard Jake Paleschic, the opening act, sing songs from his album Cowboy Songs. An album impossible to find online. Then again, I'm no good at finding things on a computer.

Bought album #20 out of 200

He would've mentioned to you his love of Acadians and his "Lâche pas la patate" tattoo.

Jake Paleschic

You would've enjoyed a talented band play with an extremely talented singer :

Leon Bridges.

The sax player was great. The back up singer was great.
Heck! they were all great.

You would've danced like crazy to his music.

Had you been there, the manager would've told you how this night was special. Very special.

Unfortunately the show had been sold out for a long time to the dismay of many fans (facebook event page).

I was there with friend V and I count myself extremely lucky.

Don't worry. He'll be back. We all believe that.