Date of show: June 4, 2011
Shot of choice: It was just decided the band would do Jager, but this was done without the full band’s consent. Mostly, Joan Smith was just talked into the shot.
Toronto’s Little Foot Long Foot came well prepared to showcase Oh, Hell. In fact, they played the entire album front to back. The 3-piece is fronted by Joan Smith, with Isaac Klein (who happened to be in a kilt) on drums and their newest addition, Caitlin Dacey, on keys. The Mercy Now’s Adam Burnett joined the band to help them sound “fatter and bigger.”
Smith’s petite frame may deceive you, but her vocals pack a shockingly powerful punch. With an undeniable stage presence, she completely commands the stage. Dacey adds texture with her harmonies, complementing Smith’s vocals so well with her own strong voice. The harmonies are all the more noticeable with the crowd-pleasing cover of En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind” to end the night, a departure from their blues rock sound.
As a special treat to those who came out for this CD release show, Little Foot Long Foot were selling limited edition CDs packaged in genuine wood and individual pressed so each copy was unique. Little Foot Long Foot made sure to make this night a memorable one for fans. Catch the band live as they continue celebrate the release of Oh, Hell.
Shotgun Wedding Band has a unique sound. This 4-piece is comprised of James Plouffe (vocals, guitar), Raha Javanfar (violin, vocals), Scott Montgomery (bass) and Issac Klein (drums), who was pulling double-duty with both Shotgun Wedding Band and Little Foot Long Foot. Plouffe’s dramatic vocals are at the forefront of their sound but it is Javanfar’s skilful violin work that had my attention for most of the set. Although I think the band is still finding their stage presence and there is still some fine-tuning to be done with their live show, perhaps their fall tour and the release of their forthcoming debut will help the band get stronger.
Espanola is Aaron Goldstein’s country rock solo project. You may know Goldstein from co-fronting Hamilton’s Huron or from playing pedal steel with City and Colour, among the many other projects he’s contributed to. The musicians Goldstein has assembled are also tied to other great bands, with Adam Balsam (The Most Serene Republic) on drums and Anna Ruddick (Ladies of the Canyon) on bass, as well as Nathan Gray on guitar. Espanola’s country rock was a great way to kick off the night, showcasing great songwriting and tight musicianship. While Espanola is a largely neglected project, as Goldstein made the record in 2008/2009 and never released it, I hope to see Goldstein showcase his solo work more often.
buying shots for bands 
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