Timber Timbre's last night (for a while)

Show: Timber Timbre
Venue: Le National
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2015

Been thinking lately of the healing value of music. I'd even say medicinal. There are many ways to deal with problems. For me jogging is not it. Drawing, writing and music is it. Had I not had access to any of the three growing up I'd be heavily medicated. Going to concerts can be a small gamble. But it's so worth it. Sometimes you end up witnessing something magical. You leave the venue transformed. Last night at Le National, the sparks were among us.

First of all, Taylor Kirk, Simon Trottier, Mathieu Charbonneau, Bucky Wheaton and the saxophonist (if someone knows his name please let me know) are extremely talented. They transformed songs engraved in our memories. Had any other musicians done that it could have been a let down. This time we welcomed with open arms the change. (Except maybe for the tempo on "Magic Arrow")

Second of all, no photographs allowed. Was with friend V who thought that request was completely nonsense. She took a few pics until a fan reminded her of of the no pictures policy. Surprisingly enough, V listened. She ceased taking photographs. We left the venue afterwards thankful of that. We miss the surrounding beauty when glued to our phones.

Third, the lights. The first time I saw Timber Timbre perform, the stage was pitch black. Didn't understand why. This time the stage had some lighting but not enough for us to see clearly the musicians. We felt the music, we weren't watching the musicians play.

And of course, let's not forget that Taylor Kirk has no pitch problems.

Anything else is unexplainable. We left the venue in awe and a bit healed.*

Write to you soon.
xx China


* It was almost perfect. I say almost 'cause my mood was disturbed by what I overheard as we were leaving. Behind me were members of a Montreal band I like (and reviewed before on this blog). They mentioned having sold to a fan their last vinyl three or four times its price. And then they laughed. I didn't really think it was funny. Unless I'm writing for rreverb, I pay to attend concerts. Maybe it will change in the future but now that is how things are. I tell you, will no longer pay to attend one of their performances.

Django Django⎜Vesuvio Solo

Show: Django Django + Vesuvio Solo
Venue: Le National, Montreal
Date: Sunday, July 26th, 2015

First set started early, 8pm. Arrived on time. Shouldn't have. Wasn't really impressed with Vesuvio Solo. Am being nice because was actually suffering watching them play. Couldn't chat with my friend, she hadn't planned on arriving until 9pm.

Why didn't I enjoy the first set? It's not my type of music. Not their fault. I love pop music when something new is brought to the mix. Not the case this time.





The connection with the crowd was missing. Wonder if they were enjoying it. Having said that, the singer's pitch was good.

Won't add anything more since after a couple of songs I left Le National for le Cheval Blanc. A bar a few blocs away from the venue. The bartenders are cute. Chatted with a stranger at the bar. Stéphane "Sex au Bureau" as his friend named him. Didn't ask any further details about that.

I find V back at Le National for the main set. Wary at first since I don't know anything about Django Django and they had an image of a large naked man full of muscles in the background. Took me only 5 minutes to start dancing to the beat of the music. They're good.

Django Django

Actually they're wiz kids with instruments. The drummer even starts playing with a cardboard box. It sounds amazing. V told me she previously saw them at the Petit Campus. A heck of a party apparently. At Le National the crowd is just as alive. Good crowds change everything. Vincent Neff, the singer, asked us to sit down, we sat down. He asked us to wave our hands left and right, we waved our hands left and right. Not all musicians have that power. Reminds me of when Connan Mockasin proposed we remove our shirts. (The rest is history).

Waving hands

Unfortunately the show ended at 10:30pm with only one encore.
Kind of short guys.

Crowd

Ariel Pink | P. Sallafranque | Slep

Show: Nicole + P. Sallafranque
Venue: Taverne Jarry
Date: February 20th, 2015. 8pm

Show: Ariel Pink + Jack Name
Venue: Le National
Date: February 20th, 2015. 9pm

Show: Pypy + Avec le Soleil sortant de sa bouche
Venue: Cinémathèque québécoise
Date: February 20th, 2015. 11pm

Ariel Pink at Le National. Evidently I don't know how to use the focus.

I was too greedy. I wanted to see them all. Ended up seeing only P. Sallafranque and Ariel Pink.

It started at the Taverne Jarry. I arrive early of course because I'm never good at knowing when a show starts. All is a-ok though, friends are there. Taverne Jarry is a dive bar with a concert stage. Also has video poker machines in the back. It tapes it's own concerts and the sound is surprisingly good. P tells me the place has an old liquor licence so no fancy drinks. Beer only. I drank my 50. The show starts a bit late so I'm thinking I won't have time to see Nicole in concert regrettably. P. Sallafranque is good but it's only him and his guitar. A full band accompanied him the previous week, same stage. Would've liked to have been there.





I leave around 9:30pm before P. Sallafranque starts his last song. I'm fearful of missing Ariel Pink's entrance.

What do I know about Ariel Pink? Nothing. The reason I wanted to see Ariel Pink?

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti silkscreen poster created by Slep.
The song Baby inspired this poster.

A poster. For five years now Slep has been making silkscreen posters for musicians he admires. The day of the event he presents himself at the venue with 15 copies under his arm, giving the musicians some additional revenue while helping him promote his work. He has done posters for Savages, Le Trouble, Father John Misty, Austra, Black Angels, Foxygen, The Growlers, Beach House and more. The 15 copies he gave to Broken Bells ended up being 900 copies for their world tour.

This is one of my favorites. Therefore, out of the blue and by curiosity, I buy a Ariel Pink concert ticket. On the day of the event I finally listen to his music and adore it. The concert starts a bit late because they didn't think to put chains on their bus' wheels. Almost didn't make it. I arrive after Jack Name has finished his gig (unfortunately). Craziness engulfs the place as soon as Ariel Pink sets foot on stage. The sound is ear-splitting and poor at first but by the end it's all good. I enjoyed the show but not as much as the recorded tracks. Sometimes Ariel Pink would lose himself in a song and forget about rhythm. Cadence is important to me. Like a rubber band, to be played with but not break. Right? Also he was a bit pitchy and I know he can sing. I guess it's more the nonchalance that bothered me. But it didn't make a difference for the crowd up front dancing with all their heart and sweat. The last few songs were the best, performance wise. Side note, the drummer Don Bolles is mesmerizing and brings a lot to Ariel Pink and the band, when the mic is working.

Ariel Pink leaves the stage and it's too late for the next gig at the Cinémathèque québécoise. That place is small so there's no chance to get in.

I go home and have this weird dream with Ariel Pink in it. I won't talk about that though.

Before you close this tab, let me introduce you to Nicole. I love them and am saddened to have missed their show.

They will be playing on March 30th for the Francouvertes.

Thee Oh Sees

Show: Thee Oh Sees

Venue: Le National, Montreal

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2014

Dad and I

Am seldom home. Been partying a bit. Saturday it kind of got to me. Watched Thee Oh Sees half asleep. Couldn't even keep my eyes open. Would’ve given anything for a bed. Not that they weren’t good. They were great. So much energy. Similar to Ty Segall at the Club Soda in September. Le National was the chosen venue chosen. Haven’t heard many good things about it. Don’t understand why though. It’s not too big, the floors get higher as you move back and there’s a good crowd.

Another reason for my exhaustion, learned earlier this afternoon about my dad not doing too well. It hit me like a tone of bricks. You always imagine your parents staying in good shape and living forever. But that’s not reality is it? My dad doesn't live in Canada so I couldn't have been aware of the warning signs. Of course began worrying when told of his condition, especially since he lives alone. Got a text from him later that evening telling me he's at the ER. I was concerned but also relieved. Now he's being monitored. Nothing serious if it’s treated well.

Before Thee Oh Sees, I'm at my friend E’s apartment. We drink a beer or two, some whisky. She's got great whisky. We then head to the concert. As I say they are very good but my mind is elsewhere and I text M, the guy I’m dating, for some comfort. He's a good guy.

I get a few laughs out of the stage diving gone wrong. Most of them fall immediately to the ground (I know it’s not that funny but it’s their bad isn’t it?). One stage diver loses his shoe. Consequently the shoe is being held up high by a spectator throughout the whole show as if it were a trophy. As time goes by the shoe becomes an inner sole and I get sleepy. The drums are great. They placed them up front on the stage. I leave though. The bed is all I think of. M joins me for some cuddling.

Illustration I did for the newspaper edition