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.

Antoine Corriveau | Salomé Leclerc | Philémon Cimon | Klô Pelgag

Show: Antoine Corriveau + Salomé Leclerc + Philémon Cimon + Klô Pelgag
Venue: Verre Bouteille
Date: Sunday, April 26th, 2015

No pictures of the show taken this time. Sorry. Didn't expect to write a post on it actually. I know Antoine personally. Feel uncomfortable writing posts about people I know. But that evening was good. At least I think it was.

Started with a hockey game. The Canadians are in the playoffs and eliminate the Ottawa Senators with a two to zero game. I was bored most of the time except for the last two seconds. It didn't help that my back was to the screen. Enjoy hockey but enjoy spending time with friends more. We all arrive early to get some seats for the event which was due to start right after the game at the Verre Bouteille. Also hoping there wouldn't be any overtime, hence the point scored on the last second of the game was like a cherry on a sundae.

The only picture I have. PS and CG watching the game.
CG managed to have his eyes closed as usual.

It was show #3 of 3 at the Verre Bouteille for Antoine Corriveau. That evening he invites a few friends to play with him. Klô Pelgag, Philémon Cimon and Salomé Leclerc.

Antoine and his band (Pascal Sallafranque, Christian Gagnon, Lucien Midnight, Marianne Houle and Stéphane Bergeron) start with a few of his originals from the latest album. To tell you the truth, and this is why I don't like to write posts about friends, it took me a while to understand his music. I always thought the lyrics were good but the melodies and his voice were too dark. Now I just let it all in and accept that his music is weird. I like it now. I see him as an outsider but in a good way.

The first artist to join him onstage is Klô Pelgag. Quirkiness is good. Watching her being a little shy is just as fun as listening them play. There's a good vibe between both of them. If I remember well, they play two songs, one of his and one of hers.

The second artist joining him is Philémon Cimon. I've seen him perform twice already. Once at l'Oblique on Record Store Day (I think) and once for the launch of the magazine Nouveau Projet (unfortunately the crowd there was deep in conversation). He's great. I enjoy his music very much.



The last artist is Salomé Leclerc. Never seen her in concert. Side note, that girl is gorgeous. More importantly she plays very good guitar.

The show ends with all of them on stage. Singing La tête en marche. Always reminds me of the Quebec spring awakening (printemps érable).

All in all, it was the most enjoyable hockey game ever.

Michael Hurley at the Vitrola

Show: Michael Hurley + Myriam Gendron
Venue: La Vitrola
Date: Friday, April 24th, 2015

I love love love love love that guy! Didn't know him beforehand. I've been missing out.

Lets start from earlier Friday evening. Met friends at Papier 15, an annual contemporary art fair of works on paper. There are some beautiful pieces but I feel uncomfortable there. Was hoping nobody would notice the hole in my shoe. Mesmerized by the works of Ken Nicol though. Repeated swear words on paper which form a delicate pattern.

The word shit (close up). From the series Fuck the bunny suit version 1
(exposed at galerie Antoine Ertaskiran)

Happy to be drinking a beer with my friends afterward but all I could think of was being at a concert. Kinda where I feel at home. Arrived too late for the opening act (Myriam Gendron) but just in time for Michael Hurley.

Michael Hurley at the Vitrola.

Alone on stage, he captivated the whole audience with his amazing and unconventional lyrics. Most of us were silenced. Couldn't even take it at some point. Had to move back for some air.

A page from one of his comic book sold at the merch table.

Ok. I'll stop praising him now.

Darlene Shrugg | Milk Lines | Hand Cream at the Sala Rossa

Show: Darlene Shrugg + Milk Lines + Hand Cream
Venue: Sala Rossa, Montreal
Date: Sunday, April 12th, 2015

The weather changed that day. Arrived home from an afternoon spent outside with friend C. Didn't want it to end but exhaustion took the best of me. Went to bed for a nap and woke up destabilized. Was I late for work? Nope. I was late for a concert.

Usually don't mind going alone. Always end up talking to strangers but my last experience wasn't that great. The guy thought I was weird (I am weird a bit). Therefore wanted to bring a friend along. So much so I even contacted an ex (oopsy daisy).

Almost didn't go, couldn't find anybody. What made me change my mind? This song:



Milk Lines was the second set of the evening. Didn't know much about the other bands. Arrived in an almost empty venue. Hand Cream had started already. I don't like pitchiness. Wish it didn't bother me that much. Would be enjoying shows better. The lead singer, Meghan Merrigan I believe, was pitchy and the songs were not that great. My friend JP (he knows an ex member of the band) mentioned to me the next day they're aiming to sound more pop these days. He sent me an old youtube of theirs. It is quite beautiful and nothing like what I heard Sunday.

When Milk Lines steps on stage I decide to leave my spot by the bar and join the small crowd up front. I dance as much as can be possible while holding a beer. Emily Clarke is a bit pitchy unfortunately but when Jeff Clarke joins in it really sounds good. After the set I approach him and ask him about the merchandise. None for sale at the time unfortunately. I also mention Porter Wagoner and that's when, for a second, his eyes light up.

Darlene Shrugg sound check.

The third set starts, Darlene Shrugg, they do not dethrone Milk Lines. Not bad. Not pitchy. But not my type of music. The songs do sound better though when Slim Twig is behind the mic.



I leave before the end of the last song to go downstairs where the Sala Rosa bar is. My favorite place to go after shows at that venue. There I write down my last thoughts on the night and there I'm thinking, am I really that weird?