Sunday, June 17, 2012
Octoberman – 4:15PM @ Trinity Bellwoods (Young Lions Music Club & Humble Empire)
Knowing a trip to Bellwoods for The Great Heart Festival would be just the cure for my sleep-deprived body, I made it there in time to catch Toronto’s Octoberman. With a bit of a country-pop sound, the band had an upright bass, Casio, harmonica and drums set up for their unplugged, acoustic set. With a large collection of songs to choose from, they played a variety of new and old tracks, finishing with “No Qualms” off their 2007 release Run From Safety, which they say is their version of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” While the sun was hidden by clouds, it was impossible to be anything but happy sprawled out on that grassy knoll.
Luke Lalonde – 4:45PM @ Trinity Bellwoods (Young Lions Music Club & Humble Empire)
Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians performed a solo set to close out the afternoon and the Great Heart Festival. While he found it a bit weird to play at the foot of a hill to people spread out around and above him on the incline, he had one of the best voices for it, carrying over the hill so well. He played some of his own material, the yet-to-be-released Born Ruffians track “6-5000” and even covered Ted Hawkins “Sorry You’re Sick.” While his set didn’t last long, it was one of my favourite moments of the weekend. Surrounded by friends supporting friends, it was a great reminder of what music is truly all about, how lucky we are to live in a city with such a solid musical community, and to have this annual “unofficial” festival as part of NXNE.
Want to relive all the fun? Videos from the weekend event can be found on Humble Empire’s Youtube.
Papermaps – 7:00PM @ Of A Kind
I met up with Catherine and we walked through the streams of honking cars in the heart of Little Portugal to Of A Kind for Toronto’s Papermaps. Playing their fourth NXNE set and first ever in-store were Dean Marino (vocals, guitar), Wendy Leung (keys, vocals), Todd Harrison (bass, keys, guitar), Betty Dimo (bass, keys) and Bobby Lee (drums). I realized about halfway through their set that I hadn’t seen the band since Dimo’s first show with them; she’s looking a lot more comfortable now with nine months of shows under her belt.
They started loud and powerful, actually asking if they were too loud for the space and the multiple children in the audience. No one seemed to be complaining however. For “Complicate Things,” they distributed hand-puppets to audience members, many of whom were parents with their kids. And while there are a couple of profanities in this one, they appropriately kept it clean. Their set also included two new songs, one being “There Were Wolves.” Featuring both Leung and Harrison on keys, it just might be my current new favourite song. Working up a sweat, they joked that they were “sweating on the oldies” (fans of CBC Radio 3 will get that one).
As a special Fathers’ Day treat, Harrison brought up his 5 year old son to sing along to bright and catchy pop hit “Reunion.” After finishing their “official” set, the band let loose for one more short song, “I Broke The Law On The Street,” which was actually written by Harrison’s son. It was without a doubt the most endearing and all equivalent adjectives synonymous with adorable things I’ve seen at a live show. Papermaps kept it down to earth, and reminded us that not only do bands have lives and families too, but also that dads can rock! Look for their new EP Inferior Ghosts due out later this summer.
Crowns For Convoy – 9:00PM @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & See You Next Wednesday Podcast)
A last minute addition to the schedule was Crowns For Convoy, who were just starting up as we walked into Rancho Relaxo. From Toronto, this five-piece comprised of Kyle Duffin (vocals, guitar), Eric Weigensberg (guitar), Luke Rust (bass), Andrew Shenkman (keys) and Adam O’Connor (drums) played light-hearted indie pop-rock songs with a sunny disposition to them. I really liked the addition of keys and the acoustic guitar into the mix of instruments; one song even introduced a trombone!
I wasn’t expecting to check out Crowns for Convoy, but I’d say it turned out pretty well – I walked out with a new band to listen to and they earned themselves at least one new fan. The band’s debut album is set to be released on July 27th at Hugh’s Room. Details can be found on their website. Until then, they have two tracks up for free download.
Goodnight, Sunrise – 10:00PM @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & See You Next Wednesday Podcast)
Taking the stage next were local band Goodnight, Sunrise. This four-piece rock group is powered by the dual vocals of David Kochberg and Vanessa Vakharia. While many bands with guy-girl vocals are light and dreamy, Vakharia rocks just as hard as anyone of the male gender – and I say this as the most sincere, slightly jealous, form of a compliment. Also impressive was the sweat and energy pouring out of bassist Andrew Charters.
The band handed out glow sticks and glowing beach balls during their set and for last song “This Is Yours,” they invited everyone to join them in a party on stage. Shawn Burgess and Jordan Abrams (Fade Chromatic) and Dan Wolovick (Two Way Monologues) weren’t afraid to comply, dancing away as a confetti gun was shot off – so much fun!
It was my first time (finally!) checking out Goodnight, Sunrise live, and it won’t be my last. You can download their EP here but trust me, it doesn’t compare to their live show. The band is recording a full-length, due out in the Fall.
Amos the Transparent – 11:00PM @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & See You Next Wednesday Podcast)
Ottawa’s Amos the Transparent were up next. Having added strings and keys, the band has swelled to seven members: Jonathon Chandler (vocals, guitar), Mark Hyne (guitar, vocals), Daniel Hay (guitar), James Nicol (bass, vocals), Kate Sargent (keys, vocals), Mike Yates (cello) and Christopher Wilson (drums) packed the tiny Rancho stage. Playing rousing heartfelt anthems with four-part vocals – often having three band members all using one mic – it doesn’t take long for Amos to capture your heart.
Chandler requested that the crowd “sing with us, it’s a beautiful thing,” and true to form, by the midpoint of their set, the bro sing-along that is a mainstay of their Toronto performances had begun. The response this band receives when they play here is always so phenomenal, likely one of the reasons they always say “it’s good to be home” – Torontonians love them like their own. And really, seeing boys merrily singing along to such pretty songs like “(Here’s To) New Beginnings,” “It’s a Beautiful Life,” and “Sure as the Weather” is one of my favourite aspects of an Amos show. That and looking over to the other side of the stage during “Greater than Consequence” to see Hay strumming his guitar with a bow – not something you see every day!
While the band encountered some tuning issues, the on-stage banter as to why someone would “come all this way with a broken tuner” more than made up for the slight delay.
One of the best live acts in the country, we spent much of the rest of the night lamenting upon how this band is not more famous. If you haven’t yet, be sure to pick up their new record Good Night My Dear…I’m Falling Apart on wax – not only is it amazing, it’s also pressed on gorgeous swirly blue vinyl. You can also watch their new video for single “Says the Spark” here.
Peachcake – 12:00AM @ El Mocambo (main floor)
Arizona electronic power-pop dance duo Peachcake were our last stop for the festival. Fronted by Stephen Pruett and backed by Mike McHale on drums, the two came on stage donning oversized glasses – space goggles for McHale and sunglasses for Pruett, who was also dressed in a white fur vest. Going solely on their theatrical and flamboyant garb, it was immediately apparent that we were in for something special.
Pruett had a really large personality to match the extravagance of his appearance and really made their performance something out-of-this-world and unique. After asking to restart their first song, he spent the majority of their set off stage, interacting with the audience and getting the few people there dancing for him. Announcing, “We are Peachcake, we come from the Planet Awesome,” and that “sometimes out of the crazy something amazing emerges,” all of a sudden the crowd seemed to multiple – and what emerged was a conga line – snaking its way around the venue. Pretty amazing.
With the proclamation that “this sh*t is about making memories, let’s do that,” Pruett encouraged the crowd to jump for the entirety of their last song. With so much audience participation and activity, Peachcake sure are a band that will make you work up a sweat. And their high energy music is a great complement to this energy. If you missed out on Peachcake, you definitely missed out! (You can however stream their latest EP This Wasn’t Our Plan here) What a memorable end to my NXNE! | CD
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