Seoul⎜Diana⎜Un Blonde

Show: Seoul + Diana + Un Blonde
Venue: Théâtre Fairmount, Montreal
Date: Thursday, July 30th, 2015

Arrived there too early, nothing new. I should've learned my lesson by now. Came to see Un Blonde which was scheduled to play at 9pm. When they do set foot on stage, around 9:30pm, my friend V is nowhere to be seen or heard. I get concerned. I figure she fell asleep in bed or got kidnapped by a bad dude. Turns out I was wrong. She arrives alive and well 15 minutes later. Gotta learn to chill man (her words).

Un Blonde is great. On some songs you think there's no rhythm but oops! You've been fooled. It's there. You just have to be patient. The music is experimental but accessible. I don't know how Jean-Sebastien Audet does it. I think he might be a perfectionist.





Only one problem though. He's quite theatrical. Being over-dramatic on stage might turn people off. Still it's quite a show to watch.

Un Blonde

The second set is ok. Actually there's nothing wrong. Diana is good. Only 80's pop music just doesn't do it to me anymore. I like it raw.



The singer has good stage presence. She looks uncomfortable but also saying f**k you with her body language. Good control on her voice. There was a saxophone. V has aversions to those (with some exceptions). Ça "scrap un peu la patente" she says.

As Seoul steps on stage, am completely exhausted and have a hard time paying attention to the performance. Sorry guys. All I can say is that their ultra clear special edition vinyl is quite a beauty. Never seen a vinyl that transparent. Buy it if you are at all interested in that kind of stuff.

Walked back home, bought a Red Bull in order to stay awake and write this post. Usually I wake early in the morning to write. Wanted to try something different. Didn't work though. Still fell asleep.

Ok. By. I've got to get to work. Bills to pay you know.

Walking back home.

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!

Viet Cong + Crosss + Un Blonde

Show: Viet Cong + Crosss + Un Blonde
Venue: Bar Le "Ritz" P.D.B.
Date: Friday, January 30, 2015

I'll barely be talking about Viet Cong here even though I enjoyed their show. I'd prefer put the emphasis on a lesser known band : Un Blonde. Wasn't aware of them before seeing the group perform at the Ritz on that cold January night. Now I guess I'm a fan.

I always like to stumble on new music hence I do my best at arriving early. Friday was a day like any other day. Worked hard from 9 to 5. Took a nap and managed to get there on time or almost. The show was sold out. Someone looking for a ticket was freezing his ass by the door. Devoted fan indeed. Once inside I join my friend VC. A photographer among other things. Works for a music website. She brought her camera so I knew I wasn't going to see her much that evening. Drank a few beers with her but later joined other friends at the back of the venue.

Un Blonde. I never heard anything like it. Sometimes there's rhythm in the music, sometimes it's chaotic. Many different sounds but I don't remember seeing that many instruments on stage. There's also some soul in the way he sings. It's beautiful. If you go on Bandcamp you'll hear a more experimental side of his music. This is what is said about Sense of Self, the October album: "songs recorded in a couple of days at the kitchen counter, using what was around." I bought a tape and approached Jean-Sebastien Audet at the bar. Just told him I liked the show then left with my beer. Didn't want to make him more uncomfortable than he already was.

Here he is singing solo for Easter Eggs.

Viet Cong. At the back of the venue with my old colleagues from the Voir newspaper. Don't have a clear view of the band but I do have a clear view of a guy in a tight white T softly moshing into his neighbours. He drank his beer with so much eagerness it trickled down his face and neck.

Viet Cong's last song was a test for me. It was long and a bit repetitive just when I would need to leave and catch the last metro. Hesitated. Asked VT (friend from Journal Voir) what she was planning on doing to get back home. Tells me they are all going next door to Brasserie Harricana. I join them.

Having a good time. Viet Cong in the background.

I love that bar. If ever you go, bring a pen to the restrooms. The walls are full of talking bubbles for you to write on. Enjoyed discussing music with one of my favorite music journalist from La Presse. Wonderwall was blasting on the speakers and many of us in the room were singing along to it. Left as the place was closing. 2 am. Took a cab home and was woken up early the next morning by those damn tow trucks. Winter in Montreal.

Illustration I did for the newspaper edition.