The Multiple Cat

Show: The Multiple Cat
Venue: Casa Del Popolo
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2015

Saturday, March 8th, 2014. Sala Rossa. Lila Dit Ça was playing for the last time. The reason I was in attendance. Heard good things though from The Multiple Cat also set to play. Them being from Iowa, was very curious. I've been to Iowa a few times, having family there. Some Iowans are weird. Just saying. Turns out, that March evening, many things happened which I wasn't aware of. A couple among the crowd was being a pain in the ass, insulting the musicians while they were playing. It resulted in a fight outside between M, an attendee, and the girl. Actually the girl started beating him 'cause M insulted her boyfriend. I guess some Montrealers are weird also.

Was pleasantly surprised by The Multiple Cat. Even if the drums were played by a machine. Bought their record and approached Patrick Stolley. He mentioned trying a poutine while in town so I believe I suggested he go to L'Anecdote. He didn't understand a thing I said. Told him to forget it and walked away. There was no point in screaming right?

The Multiple Cat

Fast forward a year and we're at the Casa del Popolo. Same crowd, same friends. I heard M promise he wouldn't start a fight. This time The Multiple Cat is a three men band. We have some drums. Many think their live shows aren't as good as their recorded albums, not as many layers in sound. It is indeed different but not in a bad way. The melodies are so good and catchy you dance along to the music no matter what. The fact is, I like things simple and straightforward in life (I'm rambling here).

Got to hear their latest songs. In general more upbeat than the previous ones. But then again is that possible? The drummer was funny. No shoulder movement (doesn't take anything from his drumming capabilities though). Patrick Stolley, the lead singer, had some problems with the higher range notes. Even coughed at some point and said "son of a". I would've added "gun". No need in staying polite.

They have great song titles. "Magic That Work's" followed immediately by "Magic That Doesn't Work" is a good example. The melodies are also very good. It sounds so innocent.

Anyhow. You can take a listen on their bandcamp. Or here.



The next morning, on the way to a café in order to write this post, cross path with them. We're on Rachel street. A block away from L'Anecdote. You never know.

xx China

Kroy | Bloodshot Bill & The Hick-Ups

Show: Kroy + Bloodshot Bill & The Hick-Ups
Venue: Casa del Popolo + Divan Orange
Date: Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Didn't expect to enjoy Kroy that much. Was simply amazed with her voice.

Kroy (Camille Poliquin). Also in the band Milk & Bone.

Heard Camille Poliquin in an interview (and this is really a dumb observation) but her high pitch voice dissuaded me in thinking I would enjoy her music. Boy was I wrong.

After her prestation at the Casa del Popolo, left the Passovah Fest for the Divan Orange where Bloodshot Bill & The Hick-Ups were scheduled to play.

Arrived, ordered a beer by the bar and as soon as he stepped on stage, left the bar for the floor by the stage. It's the kind of event where you want to be near the music. Even if you end up dancing next to someone who has drank a itsy tiny bit too much.

I danced throughout the whole performance.

Bloodshot Bill & The Hick-Ups

The evening ends, he leaves the stage for a table and starts licking the back of his guitar while the Hick-Ups keep on playing. Am right there in front and I go along. Am having a blast.

Should've bought his vinyl. Next time. We're lucky, us Montrealers, to have him living here. Just sayin'.

Joe Grass | Black le Gary | Caro Diaro | Moss Lime

Show: Passovah Festival. Joe Grass + Black le Gary + Caro Diaro + Moss Lime.
Venue: Casa del Popolo + Bar le Ritz PDB
Date: Friday, August 28th, 2015

Arrived at the Ritz and Moss Lime was playing its last two songs. Damn it. Am late for once and missing something good. I love Moss Lime. Got to know them through Tinder. A guy I met introduced me to the band and another one of Helene's (lead singer) band, Phern. Take a listen. Please.

Moss Lime at the Ritz. The place wasn't packed yet.

Spoke to Helene after the show. Wanted to buy the tape. We spoke in English for the first few minutes before realizing we were both francophones. It happens you know. First I thought she was Scottish, then maybe German. She had a strong accent. Anyways, she didn't have any tapes with her. Asked her if she was planning on doing another show soon. Negative. Not for a long time. Learned today that she's a French citizen unable to stay in Montreal due to visa problems. She's leaving today. Sad.

Next was Caro Diaro. A loner on stage with a lot of presence.

Caro Diaro

Much of the crowd was quiet. Her music reminds me that of Cat Power's. Only she's a little bit less shy on stage. Quite beautiful. My only comment, more change in rythme from one song to the other could be good. 

Left the Ritz afterwards to join friend V at the Casa del Popolo. Arrived and Black le Gary was setting up its gear. Of course it's another one of those bands who starts with a weird song just to make us wonder if we really do like them. Only, this time, all their songs turned out weird. Sometimes chanting in Polish with recorded laughs in the background. Other times odd instrumentals. None of their songs really were the same. To that, I believe it was the (excellent) drummer who asked us to inform them which song we preferred so they'd know "which style to stick to". It's their second gig in four years he adds. The crowd starts laughing to that, we don't know though if it's actually funny (until he tells us it's not). There's a kind of weird vibe in the venue. But it's a great vibe. Loved every second of it.

Black le Gary

The set ends with Lisa Moore from Blood and Glass stepping on stage. She's perfect for them. The last song is a recipe for an alcoholic drink*. Brilliant.

Been looking everywhere on the net for clips. Couldn't find. You'll just have to take my word when I tell you they're odd.

Last set. Joe Grass. It's good. The guy next to me was really enjoying it. His limbs danced in every direction.

Guy dancing with his limbs

Among Joe Grass on stage was keyboardist Frank Lafontaine. I recall watching him play for Blood and Glass in a loft. Was in awe. Amazing solos. 

Joe Grass

I like Joe Grass. Decided not to take any notes on my iphone and just enjoy. Here's a soothing rendition of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows":

Have a good day.

xx China

* Other than being the lead singer in a band, Lisa Moore also works as a bartender in a great Montreal bar. The last song fits perfectly.

Crabe | Nightmom | Eschaton | Casa del Popolo

Show: Crab + Nightmom + Eschaton
Venue: Casa del Popolo, Montreal
Date: Tuesday, June 9th, 2015

Am slowly learning to live out of my comfort zone. Seems you get more out of life this way, more excitement. Use to spend my evenings at home reading. Watching TV. Can't stay put now, have this need to catch up with life.

Eschaton, the first set that evening, definitely put me out of this zone. Instrumental and improvisational. Horns and strings and some other weird sounds. Quite interesting. My eyes were glued on the contrabassist. Manipulated his instrument to its full capacity. At some point the bow was used to create sounds out of the wooden tailpiece. Gave me goosebumps. I've played the viola in my teens and I've often gotten those same goosebumps by playing it the wrong way.

Approached him afterwards, asked him why he played the bow on that tailpiece. Told him it made me uncomfortable. Made the contrabass vibrate, he answered. Gave him a good feeling. This explains why, throughout the whole performance, he was hugging his instrument.



The second set I truly enjoyed. Nightmom from Rhode Island. Drum and guitar duo.



My favorite song of this short set was "Sister's Cool" from the album Baby Later. A mixture of "cowboyz noize" (as described on their bandcamp) and rock. Should have bought their album.



Crabe, the main act, is a guitar and drum duo from Montreal. Heard them play before. Enjoyed it much more this time. I put aside the fact that I couldn't here the lyrics clearly. It screams and it rocks.



As they would say on the Facebook event page : "No need to buy 3D glasses to see Crabe in concert, all you need is to open the doors to your heart and let the tender melodies crawl in". Love this quote.

Breaking out of this comfort zone? Getting there, gradually.

Midnight walk from the Casa del Popolo