CMW Night 6: Pick A Piper, Babe, Wild Domestic & More

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Duck Duck Goose – 8pm @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & GreenShades)

With minimal showcases and many people having already checked out in favour of sleep, we headed out to Rancho Relaxo for the last night of CMW. The first band up was Toronto’s Duck Duck Goose. While the psychedelic rockings of the five-piece didn’t particularly wow me, the dynamic interactions and exaggerated facial expressions of frontman Dylan Reisch gave their performance a little something extra.

Encouraging the audience to move forward and fill the space directly in front of the stage, this helped increase the enjoyment of the remainder of their set. They ended with the dancey “You’re With the Band.” A touch of angry growling to the vocals, towards the end Reisch released a throttling scream seemingly out of nowhere – turns out it is actually part of the song. If you were hoping to get my attention, that’s one way to go about it!

Their EP Shoot The Stork came out last December and you can listen to it on Bandcamp. If you like what you hear, you can check out the band at The Horseshoe on May 22. | CD

Wild Domestic – 10pm @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & GreenShades)

After a quick break to eat downstairs, we headed back up in time for London, ON band Wild Domestic. Having heard nothing but rave reviews of this band over the years, I was excited to finally see them for myself. Playing prog-experimental rock that could be called almost jazzy at times, their set was almost entirely instrumental, with just the briefest inclusion of vocals.

While I often find I lose focus listening to wordless songs, they were heavy and intense to watch. The band heralds not one but two drummers – who play in perfect synchronicity rather than duelling it out for supremacy – as their songs span epic lengths. This band is a force to be reckoned with; beads of sweat formed at the base of my neck and I came out of their set feeling like I’d run a marathon just by trying to keep up with watching them.

Wild Domestic’s self-titled debut album can be streamed or purchased on Bandcamp. If I was still in school, this would make a great study soundtrack. | CD

Pick A Piper – 11pm @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & GreenShades)

The side project of Caribou’s Brad Weber, three-piece Pick A Piper also includes Angus Fraser and Dan Roberts, among various other sometimes-contributors. While similar to preceding band Wild Domestic in that they employed very minimal vocals, Pick A Piper were much more electronic and dancey. Some spicy tribal-like sound effects, the band heated up the normally steamy venue and got the audience moving to the beats. The rhythmic synth-based nature of the band was amplified with an additional two members that joined in for part of their set on horn and saxophone. Vocals kicked in after their departure, though the set transcended more into electronica at this time, which was less enjoyable to watch live.

A recent signing to Vancouver’s Mint Records, audience members were lucky enough to be able to pick up copies of Pick A Piper’s debut album before it dropped April 2. | CD

Babe – 12am @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologues & GreenShades)

BABE has been on my radar for a while, though I had never seen them live. While electro isn’t generally my thing, I was curious after hearing good things about the band, and my first impression of the band was quite good. The 4-piece is comprised of Michael Silvestre (vocals, guitar, keys), Marcel Strohmeier (bass), Tom Kobayashi (guitar, keys, vocals) and Chris Avalos (drums).

While that electro/dance element is certainly prevalent in their sound, their sound is too unique to be pinpointed to exclusively that genre of music. There is a dynamic energy the band creates on stage that really keeps the audience engaged. BABE was a great way for me to end my festival and I encourage everyone to check out their self-titled debut on Bandcamp. | CL

Trevor James & The Perfect Gentlemen – 12am @ Sneaky Dee’s (We Got the Movement)

Originally planning to call it an early night, I instead ended up at Sneaky Dee’s for Trevor James & The Perfect Gentlemen to close out the festival. While James’ most recent solo effort is stripped down to sheer minimalism, it is a completely different experience when he is backed by the Perfect Gentlemen. Their rootsy folk rock jovially breezed in before the vocals surged into something massive. Like a well-worn flannel shirt, there is a warm coziness to James’ rousing melodious voice – it’s one that makes girls and guys alike fall in love. You honestly can’t not stand up and take notice when James and Co. are on stage.

The trio played primarily new songs from a forthcoming album they were getting set to record, even putting out the offer that they were looking for a female vocalist to sing on a few tracks. A last minute addition to the showcase lineup, more than a few friends of the band had come out to see them, collectively singing along when the setlist turned to songs that they knew. Dead on my feet at this point, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish the week.

Go ahead download their 2010 EP Community to hold you over until the next release is ready. It’s free! | CD